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

66. Chapter 66: Life of a Gunwoman

Announcement

Hey everyone, sorry about this, but I was made aware of an effect that didn't fit an earlier chapter. As such, a certain monster's effects were changed. Eagle-eyed readers should be able to figure out which monster.

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Responses to Reviews

Thank you to D3lph0xL0v3r, ZarcEternal, DivadX, SakushiRyu, DanielJensen, Jason, Who left til 73, HunterHQ, Big duels, Anonymous, pokemonking0924, Unknowedz, Ethan Kironus, calvin9871, FlameFireZero X, and Guest for reviewing Chapter 65.

HunterHQ: You're missing the point. Morningstar didn't know who it was Techbane wanted to save, only that he wanted to save someone. And Techbane already knows his desire is selfish, but it's one he can't let go. And there's nothing wrong with that; being selfish is not necessarily a sin. And why should Techbane turn himself in? He technically didn't do anything illegal here. There are no laws saying it's illegal to work for a secret society or with a homicidal AI. The only illegal thing he did was break into SOL's databanks, and the heroes already did that. If they didn't turn themselves in for that, Techbane won't.

Anonymous: Jormungand isn't Lightning. He's more like Dr. Kogami and Revolver; upset his subordinates lost but accepting it as a consequence of war.

calvin9871: The terms, yes. The people… eh, a few might show up, but this iteration of Ouroboros is mostly original characters.

Sorry for the delay, but I hope you all enjoy Chapter 66! I'll warn you right now: This chapter might be a little much to handle for some people.

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Chapter 66: Life of a Gunwoman

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.

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Kusanagi frowned to himself. "Techbane is gone, but Zahhak and Lightning still remain," he muttered. "This won't be over until they're all defeated."

KNOCK-KNOCK

Kusanagi blinked at the sound and turned to Café Nagi's door. He opened it and blinked again. "Cam?"

"Hey, Shoichi." The younger man smiled sheepishly at him and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry I'm late, but I had to run the rest of the way here; Tagoma couldn't find a good place to park."

"No, that's fine." Shoichi stepped to the side and let Cam in before closing the door. "So what did Tagoma have you help him with?"

"…I'll tell you later," Cam decided. "Right now, we need to focus on Yasu and the others."

"…Alright," Kusanagi agreed with a frown. He could tell something had unnerved Cam and he had a decent guess as to what it could be, but Cam was right; Yusaku and the others needed their help first.

"So what did I miss?" Cam took the seat next to Kusanagi.

"Lilith defeated Thaumiel, Soulburner defeated Windy, and Morningstar defeated Techbane," Kusanagi informed him. "But Lightning defeated Spectre and Zahhak defeated Persephone."

Cam frowned. "Can't say I'm too upset about Spectre losing, but Persephone? Damn it. So that means Yasu, Sachi, Yusaku, Takeru, Masako, Aoi Zaizen, Revolver, and Terminus are left. Against Lightning, Bohman, Zahhak, and if our guess is right, Jester and Merlin as well."

"Eight against five. The numbers are in our favor but against duelists like Lightning and Zahhak…"

"Yeah. This isn't going to get any easier."

---

Lilith breathed in and out and pushed herself to her feet. She shook out her hands and winced. She wasn't fully recovered from her duel with Thaumiel, but in case she had to duel again, she was ready. And after Morningstar's duel with Techbane, she had an idea about what was next.

"Thaumiel went after me first," Lilith muttered. "Then Spectre, then Persephone, and then Soulburner and Morningstar. The latter two can be argued, but it seems they went after our weaker members first."

Lilith felt no shame in admitting she was weaker than Morningstar or Playmaker; the former had beaten her after all. And she knew that in comparison to the Ignis holders and the senior Knights of Hanoi, she, Spectre, and Persephone fell short. The outlier was Cassiel, but her Deck was purported to be able to match Zahhak's. Put simply, despite having dueled already, it wouldn't surprise Lilith if Lightning and Ouroboros decided to defeat her now when they had the opportunity.

The bounty hunter blinked as a fizzling sound reached her ears. Lilith looked around and gasped as the grass, trees, and lake glitched. "What the-?" A light spread outwards from the tree line, blinding her. Lilith covered her eyes, and when the light faded, lowered them and gasped.

The trees, grass, and lake had been replaced by a city. Right now, Lilith stood in the middle of an intersection, skyscrapers on every side. Looking up, she saw that even the dome sealing her in had disappeared, replaced by a blank night sky.

Lilith stilled. She knew this city. She had been two years ago. She had seen it in the night and in the day. And she had seen it on fire, cars piled everywhere and people screaming.

Her eyes narrowed in anger. "Alright," Lilith said, raising her voice. "I don't know why you'd bring me here or what your game is, but you can come out now."

A chuckle hit her ears. "Not a fan of this place? I thought it would be… nostalgic."

She spun around as a man rippled into existence. A man in blue and gold with a mask covering his face.

Lilith grit her teeth. "Jester," she growled.

"You don't sound so happy to see me. I wasn't aware I'd done anything against you."

"Maybe not, but you're still working with Thaumiel and Zahhak. Not to mention that you brought me here. You'll excuse me for being less than civil."

Above them, Frog and Pigeon popped into existence. "Ah, we're back! Who's dueling this time?"

"Eh?" Pigeon blinked. "Boss, we're in a city now!"

"Oh? I swear I've seen this place before… Ah! It's Lilith and Master Jester! Film them! Film them!"

"Yes!"

The broadcast started again, and on seeing who it was, Morningstar's eyes widened. "Lilith and Jester!"

"That's not good," Cypher said with a glare. "We may not know much about Jester, but he almost defeated us when we dueled him. Lilith is going to have an uphill battle."

Cassiel, Revolver, and Terminus all narrowed their eyes. "Jester changed the environment," the Hanoi's leader realized. "When Lilith dueled Thaumiel, it was a clearing with a lake. Now it's a city. Why?"

"So why bring me here?" Lilith asked, unknowingly echoing Revolver's question. "Why this place?"

"Well, you obviously recognize it for one." Jester looked around. "I have to give Lightning credit; recreating Osaka like this on such short notice can't have been easy."

"Osaka?" Morningstar repeated.

"Isn't that the city where Lilith met Thaumiel before?" Ai asked.

"It is," Playmaker said grimly. Why would Jester bring her to Osaka, recreation or otherwise?

"Amusingly enough, the answer is simple. You and I have a connection that you're unaware of."

Lilith blinked. "We do."

"Yes. Just as Merlin serves as a mentor to Techbane, I was Thaumiel's mentor and brought him into Ouroboros."

"You brought him into Ouroboros?"

"That's right. I wasn't in Japan when he attacked Osaka, but I suppose in a way I have a responsibility for what happened."

Lilith girt her teeth again. "So what is this? Revenge for Thaumiel's defeat?"

"Revenge?" Jester chuckled. "Don't be ridiculous. For this to be revenge, I would have to take your actions personally. And why should I be offended by the fluttering of an insect?"

The bounty hunter's eye twitched. "Insect?"

"Indeed. No, this isn't revenge. This is just a little extermination to get rid of a bug that had more bite than I expected."

"…Alright then," Lilith said, her voice low. "You want a duel? Fine. You aren't the Enforcer I wanted, but I'll defeat you and then move on to Zahhak!"

"Zahhak, huh?" Jester muttered. "Such a pipe dream doesn't even deserve to be recognized."

"Duel!"

Lilith: 4000 LP

Jester: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Lilith declared. "I summon Magical Musketeer Starfire!" A woman in black and blue wielding a small pistol appeared.

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK 1300 DEF 1700 LVL: 4

"So long as I control Starfire, I can activate 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from my hand during either turn. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Magical Musket – Crooked Crown from my hand! Once per turn, during the Main Phase, I can Special Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster from my hand, and for the rest of the turn, you cannot use the Main Monster Zone in the same column as that monster."

Lilith gestured to her field. "Starfire's effect activates! Once per turn, when a Spell or Trap Card is 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 with an enlarged handgun appeared.

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Magical Musket Showdown! When this card is activated, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel to my hand. Next, I'll activate Magical Musket Showdown's additional effect! Once per turn, during the Main Phase, I can Normal Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster from my hand. I Tribute Starfire to Tribute Summon Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel!" The woman disappeared, and a tall, winged fiend with two large pistols appeared and cackled.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 2500 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"Zakiel can be Tribute Summoned if I Tribute a 'Magical Musket' monster. I end my turn."

"A solid formation for the first turn," Terminus said.

"Jester's Deck focuses on raising his own Life Points while dealing a mixture of battle and effect damage," Cypher remembered. "It'll be like dueling Spectre… only with dragons instead of plants."

"Heh," Jester scoffed. "I'll admit you have talent; you wouldn't have defeated Thaumiel otherwise. But even the cleverest insect is still just an insect. Allow me to demonstrate the true difference between us. My turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: Dominion of Life!" The card showed an enormous mountain range covered in forest, with numerous yellow dragons flying over said forest. "When this card is activated, I add a 'Life' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Life Wyvern to my hand. And if I control no monsters, I can Normal Summon Life Wyvern without Tributing!" An armless yellow dragon appeared and flapped its paper-thin wings.

Life Wyvern ATK 2000 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Wellspring of Life!" The card showed a forest spring, with water pouring out of the mouth of a dragon statue. "Once per turn, if I control a 'Life' monster, Wellspring of Life lets me return one card in my hand to my Deck to Special Summon a 'Life' monster from my Deck in Defense Position. I return Destruction Impulse to my Deck and Special Summon Life Drago!" A new yellow dragon, this one with arms, appeared and roared.

Life Drago ATK 600 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"Life Wyvern's effect activates! If a 'Life' monster is Summoned while it's on the field, I gain 800 Life Points!"

Jester: 4000→4800 LP

"Life Drago's effect activates! If I gain Life Points due to a different 'Life' monster's effect, I gain 800 Life Points!"

Jester: 4800→5600 LP

"Dominion of Life's effect!" Jester declared. "If my Life Points are higher than yours, Dominion of Life's effect reduces your monsters' attack points by half the difference!" Lilith gasped. "The difference is 1600, so your monsters lose 800 attack points!"

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel: 2500→1700

Magical Musketeer Caspar: 1200→400

"That could prove troublesome," Terminus muttered.

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

Life Force Amphitere ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↓↘

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

Life Force Amphitere ATK 1000→2600

Lilith's eyes narrowed. "That's what I was waiting for!"

"Oh?"

"My 'Magical Musket' monsters let me activate 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from my hand during your turn. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination from my hand! Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, one of your monsters has its effects negated and its attack and defense points become 0!"

"That will shut Amphitere down!" Soulburner said excitedly.

To Lilith's surprise, Jester just chuckled. "Amusing; you think I would let you do that? I activate Dominion of Life's effect! Once per turn, I can target a 'Life' monster I control. And until the end of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your card effects!" Lilith's eyes widened. "I target Amphitere and make it unaffected by Cross-Domination's effect!"

"Damn it!" Ai growled.

Jester chuckled again. "Were you not listening earlier? I told you that I didn't need to worry about the fluttering of an insect."

Lilith growled. "Even if your monster is unaffected by my card effects, mine isn't! Caspar's effect activates! Once per turn, if a Spell or Trap Card is activated in its column, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand." Lilith took the card, then revealed it. "By sending Crooked Crown from my field to the Graveyard, I can activate the Continuous Trap Card: Magical Musket – Black Market from my hand! So long as this card is on the field, my 'Magical Musket' monsters are unaffected by your card effects!"

"Which means Caspar's and Zakiel's attack points return to normal," Revolver said.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 1700→2500

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 400→1200

"Oh? Well, that won't matter too much. Amphitere's effect activates! Once per turn, if my Life Points are higher than yours, I can inflict damage equal to half the difference! Life Resound!" Amphitere opened its maw and fired yellow energy at Lilith, making her wince.

Lilith: 4000→3200 LP

Life Force Amphitere: 2600→3400

"I Special Summon Life Lindworm!" A new yellow serpentine dragon appeared at Amphitere's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. This one however was wingless and stood on two legs. Its back was ridged, and two tusks sat on either side of its mouth.

Life Lindworm ATK 2100 DEF 1500 LVL: 5

"Battle! Amphitere attacks Caspar!" The dragon opened its maw and gathered yellow energy.

"What?" Cypher blinked. "But Caspar is in Defense Position. Why would he attack Caspar?"

Lilith narrowed her eyes, having a similar thought. But whatever Jester was planning, it wouldn't work. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell-!"

"You can't," Jester interrupted. "When my linked 'Life' monster battles your monster, Life Lindworm's effect keeps you from activating cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step." Lilith's eyes widened. "In addition, Life Lindworm also lets those same linked monsters inflict piercing damage."

"This is going to hurt," Ai moaned.

Amphitere fired a beam of yellow energy that tore through Caspar and struck Lilith, knocking her off her feet and onto her back with a yell.

Lilith: 3200→1800 LP

"Since the difference in our Life Points has increased, Amphitere's attack points also increase."

Life Force Amphitere ATK 3400→4800

Lilith grit her teeth as she pushed herself up. "You," she muttered. "You could have attacked Zakiel with Amphitere and then Caspar with Lindworm. That would have left me defenseless. Why leave me with a monster?"

"Hmm?" Jester tilted his head. "Oh. Yes, I could have done that. But why would I? What difference will a single monster make? The end result of this duel was decided the moment I challenged you."

The bounty hunter growled at her opponent's dismissal of her. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

"During the End Phase," Lilith spoke up. "Zakiel's effect lets me draw cards equal to the number of 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards I activated this turn. I activate two, so I draw two."

"I am aware of Zakiel's effect. But that isn't the only effect that can be activated. During the End Phase, Wellspring of Life's effect increases my Life Points by 500 for each 'Life' monster I control. I control two, so I gain 1000 Life Points."

Jester: 5600→6600 LP

Life Force Amphitere ATK 4800→5800

Morningstar scowled. "Jester's Deck is even worse than Spectre's. Spectre's focused more on maintaining his original Life Points while cutting the enemy apart. Jester just raises his higher and higher while strengthening his monster to the point it's impossible to overcome."

"Not impossible, just difficult," Cypher corrected his partner. "We overcame Amphitere, and Lilith can too." The Ignis's eyes narrowed. "It's that Rank-Up-Magic of his that worries me…"

Lilith grit her teeth. "I won't deny your strength. But I can't allow myself to fail here. I need to get past you and onto Zahhak! My turn! Draw! I summon Magical Musketeer Calamity!" A red-haired woman in tight leather clothes, wielding a rocket launcher, appeared.

Magical Musketeer Calamity ATK 1500 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"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 are doubled, but it cannot attack directly."

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

"Calamity's effect activates! Once per turn, if a Spell or Trap Card is activated in its column, I can Special Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Resurrect, Caspar!"

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

Lilith raised her right hand. "Appear, the circuit of the devil's bullet! The summoning condition is one Level 8 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster. I set Calamity in the Link Marker!" The woman turned into energy and entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Magical Musketeer Max!" A man wearing black leather and a scarf emerged from the portal and hefted a rifle from the Extra Monster Zone.

Magical Musketeer Max ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Max's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can activate one of two effects. I activate the first effect to add 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from my Deck to my hand, up to the number of monsters you control. Since you control two, I'll add two 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap cards to my hand." Lilith took her cards, then played one. "I activate the Spell Card: Magical Musket – Criminal Bounty! Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can discard two cards, then draw three. I'll discard Magical Musketeer Doc and Magical Mallet!"

Lilith drew again then gestured to her field. "Caspar's effect activates! When a Spell or Trap Card is activated in its column, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Magical Musket – Last Stand to my hand." Lilith raised her right hand again. "Appear once more, the circuit of the devil's bullet! The summoning conditions are two 'Magical Musket' monsters. I set Caspar and Max in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Magical Musketeer Daly!" A man in a black vest and leather pants emerged from the portal, his red hair covered by a cowboy hat and a grenade launcher in his right hand. He laughed from the Extra Monster Zone.

Magical Musketeer Daly ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Daly's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Magical Musketeer Wild to my hand. I activate the effect of Magical Musket Showdown to Normal Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster. I summon Magical Musketeer Wild!" A long-haired muscular man carrying numerous guns and missiles appeared at Daly's bottom-right Link Marker.

Magical Musketeer Wild ATK 1700 DEF 900 LVL: 4

"Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can activate the Trap Card: Magical Musket – Desperado from my hand! This lets me target and destroy one face-up card on the field. I'll destroy Dominion of Life!"

"If that's your target, then I'll activate Dominion of Life's effect!" Jester interrupted. "I target Amphitere! For the rest of the turn, Amphitere is unaffected by your card effects!"

"Even if Amphitere is unaffected, Dominion of Life is still destroyed!" Lilith reminded him. Sure enough, his Field Spell Card shattered. "Daly's effect activates! Once per turn, if a Spell or Trap Card is activated in the same column of a zone points to, I can activate one of two effects. I activate the first effect and add a 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll return Cross-Domination to my hand. In addition, Wild's effect activates! Once per turn, if 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 a card. I return Max, Calamity, and Desperado to my Deck and Extra Deck."

Lilith drew for a third time. "Even if Amphitere is unaffected by my card effects, Lindworm isn't! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination and target Lindworm! Until the end of the turn, Lindworm's effects are negated, and its attack and defense points become 0!"

Life Lindworm ATK 2100→0 DEF 1500→0

"I see," Jester muttered. "Amphitere's attack points are so high because of the difference in our Life Points. So you'll destroy Lindworm to remove that difference. Simple, but clever. Very well, I'll acknowledge your tenacity. It is surely comparable to that of a cockroach."

Lilith growled at his continued dismissals. "Battle! Zakiel attacks Life Lindworm! Seventh Bullet!" The fiend cackled and fired two blasts of yellow energy at the dragon.

"Of course, did you think I wasn't prepared for this?" Jester asked boringly. "Trap activate! Life Barrier Wave!" The card showed a dome wrapped around a massive three-headed dragon, with pulses of yellow light traveling outward from the dome. "When my 'Life' monster is attacked, my monster won't be destroyed by this battle, and I gain Life Points equal to Zakiel's attack points."

"Since Lindworm has 0 attack points, that means he'll gain Life Points equal to the damage," Playmaker said.

"Which means his Life Points won't change at all," Ai said. "Daly or Wild could destroy Lindworm and reduce Amphitere's attack points, but they can't do enough damage to make Amphitere beatable."

"That won't happen!" Lilith declared. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Magical Musket – Last Stand from my hand! Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, the activation of your Trap Card is negated, and it is destroyed! Lindworm will be destroyed, and your Life Points will become lower than mine!" The yellow energy continued on and struck Lindworm, making it explode and pushing Jester back several meters.

Jester: 6600→1600 LP

"Since Jester's Life Points were reduced to lower than Lilith's, Amphitere's attack points return to normal," Revolver said.

Life Force Amphitere ATK 5800→1000

Lilith smirked. "Attacks from Daly and Wild will destroy Amphitere and reduce your Life Points to 0. How's that for an insect?"

"Oh please." Lilith's eyes widened at Jester's carefree tone. "Did you think I would really let it end so easily? I am the one who trained Thaumiel; I will not lose so easily. If my 'Life' monster is destroyed in battle, I can activate the effect of Life Barrier Wave in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I gain Life Points equal to Life Lindworm's original attack points!" Lilith's eyes widened further.

Jester: 1600→3700 LP

"And now, since my Life Points are higher than yours again, Amphitere's attack points rise once more."

Life Force Amphitere ATK 1000→2900

Blue Maiden grit her teeth. "Jester was prepared for her negating his Trap Card all along; even if his Life Points aren't as high as before, they're still too high for Daly or Wild to defeat Amphitere."

"Not only does his Deck have strong offense, but its defense is also impeccable as well," Aqua said. "Jester is truly an opponent we can't underestimate."

"Well then, Lilith; how do you expect to get around this?" Jester asked mockingly.

To his surprise, Lilith smirked. "Like this. Daly attacks Amphitere! Extra Bullet!" The man sneered as he raised the grenade launcher and fired a shot at the dragon.

"What is she doing?" Soulburner exclaimed.

"She is no fool, so she must have a plan," Flame assumed.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Tsukumo Slash!" Lilith declared. "When my monster attacks your monster with higher attack points, my monster gains attack points equal to the difference between our Life Points during damage calculation!"

"What?"

"The difference is 1900, so Daly gains 1900 attack points!"

Magical Musketeer Daly ATK 2000→3900

The grenade continued and struck the maned dragon, making it explode. Jester raised his arm, protecting his face from the shockwave.

Jester: 3700→2700 LP

Magical Musketeer Daly ATK 3900→2000

"Hmm." Jester raised his head and lowered his arm. "As adaptable as you are tenacious… you truly are a cockroach."

Lilith narrowed her eyes. "The Battle Phase isn't over yet! Wild attacks you directly! Sixth Bullet!" The long-haired man cackled wildly as he fired numerous missiles and bullets at Jester. They all impacted, pushing him back with a cloud of smoke.

Jester: 2700→1000 LP

"She's driven Jester to 1000 Life Points!" Cassiel said excitedly.

"Lilith is winning, but Jester has the means to come back from this," Morningstar said.

"Yeah. This is far from over," Cypher agreed.

"I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Steady Hands' effect ends, and Zakiel's attack points return to normal."

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 5000→2500

"In that case, I think I'll activate Amphitere's effect!" Jester declared. "During the End Phase of the turn Amphitere was sent to the Graveyard by your card, I can Special Summon one other 'Life' monster from my Graveyard by negating its effects. Resurrect, Life Wyvern!" The armless dragon reappeared and flapped its wings in Attack Position.

Life Wyvern ATK 2000 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"I must admit I'm a little impressed," Jester continued. "For an insect like you to get this far with skill and tactics alone is surprising. Or perhaps I was lax in teaching Thaumiel."

His opponent glared at him. "What is it with you?" she demanded. "Why do you keep calling me that? 'Insect', 'cockroach'; do you disrespect all of your opponents like this or just me?"

Jester chuckled. "Just you. And why shouldn't I call you what you are. You aren't an Ignis holder like Playmaker, Morningstar, Soulburner, or Blue Maiden, nor do you have a special Deck like Cassiel or a Knight of Hanoi like Terminus and Revolver. All you are is a common bounty hunter. Just like Persephone, there is no need for you to be here. So yes, before me, before Zahhak, before Lightning… all you are is a pest that needs to be exterminated.

"My turn! Draw! I activate Wellspring of Life's effect! I return Life Wurm in my hand to my Deck to Special Summon Life Balaur!" A yellow serpent with three heads and red eyes appeared in Attack Position, all three heads hissing and paper-thin wings flapping from its back.

Life Balaur ATK 2200 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

"Balaur's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can target a card on the field and return that card to the owner's Deck, then gain 600 Life Points! I target Black Market!"

Lilith scowled but then smirked to Jester's surprise. "You're right; out of our group, I'm undoubtedly the weakest. But you know what that means? It means that I have to exploit every weakness I can find! And I'll start with yours!"

"Oh? What weakness?"

"This one! Continuous Trap activate! Bad Reaction to Simochi!" Jester gasped while Revolver and Terminus smirked. "So long as this card is on the field, any effect that would increase your Life Points instead inflicts the same amount of damage!"

Cypher gasped. "Since Jester relies so much on raising his Life Points-!"

"That card is deadly to him," Morningstar concluded, smirking himself.

"Like you said, Black Market returns to my Deck. But instead of gaining 600 Life Points, Bad Reaction to Simochi will make you lose 600 Life Points!" Jester grunted and stumbled under a red light.

Jester: 1000→400 LP

"Hmm. It seems Jester underestimated his opponent," Lightning mused. "Perhaps he should have taken her more seriously from the start."

"Don't be presumptuous."

Lightning turned as a window opened to show Zahhak. "Oh? What do you mean?"

"Jester is more dangerous than you think. Considering he defeated Bohman, I would assume you know that."

The Light Ignis narrowed his eyes at the reminder. "If you are the expert, then explain how he will get out of this predicament."

"I don't need to; you just need to watch."

"…Unexpected, but not insurmountable."

Lilith blinked at Jester's words. "Were you not paying attention when Zahhak dueled Persephone? You must not have, because if you had, you'd know that if we Enforcers didn't have ways around cards like that, we would be out of a job."

"What?"

"You patted yourself on the back so hard that you didn't even realize that both Life Wyvern and Life Balaur are Level 6." Lilith's eyes widened in shock. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" A bolt of yellow energy shot out of Jester's Duel Disk and then exploded, changing the surroundings to a night sky with streams of yellow energy around them. The Xyz cross appeared underneath the two dragons, who turned into yellow particles and entered the cross. "Dragon of drought, return to life and become the enemy of the gods!" The cross's ends fired lasers that converged and formed a galaxy before exploding. "Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 6! Life Force Vritra!" A large yellow serpentine dragon emerged from the galaxy, dark gold spines running down it back, dark blue gems lining its sides, and its tail ended in a club made of similar gems. The dragon opened three glowing red eyes and roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, two orange lights circling behind it.

Life Force Vritra ATK 2600 DEF 2800 RNK: 6 OU: 2

"A new Xyz Monster!" Morningstar gasped.

"A strong one too!" Cypher exclaimed.

Lilith grit her teeth. "Since I used Life Balaur to Xyz Summon Vritra, it gains an effect. And now I'll activate that effect! Once per turn, I gain Life Points equal to Vritra's Rank times 100!"

"What?" Lilith gasped.

"But Bad Reaction to Simochi will change that gain into damage! He'll lose!" Cassiel exclaimed.

Revolver narrowed his eyes. "That Enforcer is up to something."

"What are you thinking, Jester?" Lilith demanded.

"I'm thinking you didn't think your strategy through. Vritra's effect! So long as it remains on the field, any effect damage I would take is dealt to you instead!"

"What?!" Lilith gasped and stumbled as red energy constricted around her.

"Vritra is Rank 6, so you'll take 600 points of damage!"

Lilith: 1800→1200 LP

Lilith gasped for breath as the energy field disappeared. Once she had calmed down, she grit her teeth and glared at her opponent. "Damn it," she muttered.

"Lilith had a good plan with Bad Reaction to Simochi," Playmaker said.

"But Jester turned it around on her," Ai finished. "Just like how Zahhak made Persephone's Soul Release useless."

"Oh don't look so angry Lilith," Jester chided. "It's about to get much worse for you. Vritra's effect activates! I detach one Overlay Unit!" One of the orange lights burst.

Life Force Vritra OU: 2→1

"Until the end of the turn, if Vritra battles your monster, until the end of the Damage Step, that monster is unaffected by your card effects, and both monsters' attack points become equal to their original attack points." Lilith's eyes widened.

"A defensive measure against Cross-Domination and Steady Hands," Terminus growled.

"Battle! Vritra attacks Wild! Life Contamination!" Vritra roared and sent out a sonic pulse that obliterated Wild, making Lilith flinch.

Lilith: 1200→300 LP

"Well, it seems this duel is over," Jester said cheerily. When Lilith glared at him, he continued, "During the End Phase of my turn, Wellspring of Life will increase my Life Points by 500 for each 'Life' monster I control. But because Bad Reaction to Simochi and Vritra are on the field…"

"Lilith will take 500 points of damage instead!" Soulburner realized, his eyes wide.

"Her Life Points are 300," Flame said. "All Jester needs to do is end his turn."

"But just in case you have something up your sleeve, I think I'll activate the Spell Card: Life Insurance!" The card showed a small office cubicle with a suited man sitting behind a desk. And opposite him, Life Wurm was attempting to fit onto an undersized chair, earning a sweatdrop from the man. "This card targets a 'Life' monster and makes my Life Points equal to that monster's original attack points. And while Bad Reaction to Simochi may change any increase to my Life Points into damage, it doesn't affect cards that change my Life Points." Lilith grit her teeth. "I target Vritra and make my Life Points 2600!"

Jester: 300→2600 LP

"Since I targeted an Xyz Monster with Life Insurance's effect, I can also draw a card."

Lilith grit her teeth and took a card from her hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Restock & Reload!" The card showed Magical Musketeer Calamity loading a fresh shell into her grenade launcher. "This card increases my Life Points by 500 for each 'Magical Musket' monster I control!"

Lilith: 300→1300 LP

Jester tilted his head. "I see. You could have activated that card earlier when Wild was on the field, but you waited until it was destroyed. Why… Ah, I get it. I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Wellspring of Life increases my Life Points by 500, but due to Bad Reaction to Simochi's and Vritra's effects, you take 500 points of damage instead!" Lilith gritted her teeth against the pain.

Lilith: 1300→800 LP

"During the End Phase, Zakiel's effect activates!" Lilith declared. "Since I activated a single 'Magical Musket' Spell Card, I draw one card!"

"Why did she activate her card after Wild was destroyed? Not before it?" Ai wondered.

Playmaker narrowed his eyes. "So that she could make full use of her ace monster's power."

"Hmm? Oh! Ottokar!"

Jester sighed. "Honestly, why are you trying so hard with this nonsense? I can respect tenacity, but only if there is a point to it. You're outmatched, and you already achieved what you came here for, didn't you? Why waste my time like this? Does it please you to survive when others say you should fall?"

Lilith grit her teeth. "I may be outmatched, but you're wrong. I haven't achieved I came here for. Not until I confront Zahhak."

"Hmm?" Jester tilted his head. "Why Zahhak? Don't tell me you think you can beat him; even if by some miracle you manage to win against me, your chance against him are nonexistent. Why would you want to duel Zahhak?"

"Because I need to know the truth," Lilith declared. "Because I need to know… why he has my father's cards!"

Jester stilled. "What?"

In his own room, Zahhak uncrossed his arms and stood up straight. "Her father…?"

Merlin's eyes widened. "It… It can't be…"

"My father was the one who created the Cydemon cards," Lilith growled. "And after he was killed, they were stolen! So I will get answers from Zahhak as to why he has my father's cards!"

Terminus frowned. "So she wasn't just here for Thaumiel; she's also here for Hitomu. Well, I'd be lying if I claimed that I didn't want answers myself."

"She did mention that she wanted to question Zahhak about his ownership of the Cydemons," Cypher remembered, his eyes narrowing. "And that's a question I want an answer to myself."

Blue Maiden, Cassiel, Soulburner, and Playmaker all frowned in sympathy for Lilith; the former knew how much it hurt to lose a parent, and the latter three all knew what it felt like to want answers for your pain. A reason why you had to suffer.

"…Hehe…"

Lilith blinked.

"Amazing." Jester brought a hand to his masked face and chuckled as he shook his head. "To think, out of all the people you could possibly be, for you to have a connection to both Thaumiel and him… Fate must have a horrible sense of humor for you to be here. Hehe. Haha!" His laughter raised in volume as his shoulders shook.

"What are you talking about?" Lilith demanded.

Jester stopped laughing, lowered his hand, and looked at her. "You're the daughter of Dr. Hitomu Hirai and Asuna Hirai," he declared.

The bounty hunter's eyes widened and her body seized up. "How?" she breathed. "How do you know that?"

"How do I know? Isn't it obvious?" Jester spread his arms wide and lifted his head.

"It's because I'm the man who killed them."

…

"What?" Lilith breathed, her eyes widening further. "What did you just say?"

"Did you lose your hearing?" Jester chuckled again. "I said that I am the one who killed Dr. Hirai and his wife."

"…WHAT?!"

"HE WHAT?!" Cypher screeched, his eyes wide. Morningstar's expression matched his.

"Jester killed Hitomu?!" Terminus gasped.

All the others watching had similar expressions. In the real world, the Knights of Hanoi all gaped at their screens, having heard Jester's claim.

"Jester killed Masako's parents?!" Cam exclaimed, Kusanagi wide-eyed next to him.

"Oh?" Lightning tilted his head. "Jester killed another human? Although…" Lightning turned to the side. "Zahhak?"

"…What is it?"

The Light Ignis blinked at the man's tone. He almost sounded… distracted. "This human Jester killed; Lilith said he created the Cydemons. I thought Cypher was behind their creation."

"…He was," Zahhak confirmed. "We aren't aware of the details, but we know Cypher and Dr. Hirai worked together to create them. Along with the Cyspirits and Cyangels."

Lightning titled his head again before noticing that Lilith had regained her ability to speak.

"Y-You're lying!" Lilith claimed. "Thaumiel said the same thing when he dueled Terminus, but he was lying then and you're lying now!" Despite her words, her body was shaking.

Jester chuckled. "Oh, did he? Well, then I can understand your reluctance. If that's the case…" Jester raised his Duel Disk and pushed several buttons. "Why don't I show you?"

He pressed one last button and the world changed again. No longer were they in Osaka. They were still within a city, but the skyline was different. And they were no longer at an intersection. Instead, they were on a street, in front of a row of two- and three-story houses, all patterned after blocks. The one right in front of them was painted white, with three stories., and a garage next door.

Lilith's eyes widened as her shaking worsened. This… this was…

"Familiar, isn't it?" Jester whispered. "You were born in this city. Raised in it. No matter how many years you spent away from it, you would always remember this place. After all, everyone remembers their first home."

"That's Lilith's house?" Blue Maiden realized. "Before…?"

Lilith kept shaking, her eyes drinking in the house. Memories came flooding in. Sleeping in on Sundays, learning to duel at the dining room table, how she would pick up bruises running in the back and come crying to-.

Her breath caught as a man formed out of data in front of the door. His back was turned, and he wore a trench coat and hat. The only hint to his appearance was a few locks of blonde hair coming out from under said hat.

"But you remember it for more than it just being your first home. You also remember how it was stolen from you. How that idyllic life of yours was swept away in one. Single. Day."

Lilith watched as the man did something to the lock and pulled the door open. She wanted to run after him, but her legs wouldn't move. She wanted to scream but her mouth wouldn't work. All she could do was stand there and watch in horror, knowing what was about to happen. Dreading it, but not being able to stop it.

BANG

The gunshot makes her jump. "No," she whispered, her mouth regaining some small function. "No. No."

BANG

"NO!" Lilith screamed as the buildings melted away, returning them to Osaka. She stared where her childhood home had stood, hyperventilating in sheer panic.

"Dr. Hirai was found sitting at his desk, a bullet in his head," Jester said softly. Lilith slowly turned her wide eyes towards him. "His wife was found in the entryway of his office, a bullet in her heart. No culprit was ever found.

"So… do you believe me now, Lilith?"

"…Why?" Lilith breathed. "Why did you do it?" She was still shaking but the panic was starting to shift to anger.

"Why?" Jester tilted his head. "The same reason I do anything: Because I was ordered to."

"Ordered to? By who?"

"Ah ah," Jester chastised, waging a finger back and forth. "That would be telling, wouldn't it? And why would I want to spoil anything more? If you really want answers, then why don't you try and take them?"

"…Yes," Lilith growled, her eyes narrowing furiously. "I'll have you answer my questions. And I'll make you regret what you did! You'll pay! YOU'LL PAY FOR KILLING MY PARENTS!"

"Make him bleed, Masako," Terminus growled, his visible glow almost glowing with hatred.

"Eh, boss?" Pigeon squeaked. "Did… Did Master Jester just confess to murdering someone?"

"I think he did," Frog confirmed, his own voice as small as his partner's. Then he shook himself. "Which is just another reason we need to record this! Once this is over, we can post his confession on our show!"

"R-Right!"

"My turn! Draw! I summon Magical Musketeer Kidbrave!" A young man in leather appeared at Daly's bottom-left Link Marker, spinning a revolver in his left hand.

Magical Musketeer Kidbrave ATK 1600 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination and target Vritra!"

"Vritra's effect activates!" Jester interrupted. "I detach an Overlay Unit, and for the rest of the turn, if it battles your monster, that monster is unaffected by your card effects, and it and Vritra's attack points become their original attack points until the end of the Damage Step!"

"But it's attack points still become 0!"

Life Force Vritra ATK 2600→0 OU: 1→0

"Daly's and Kidbrave's effects activate! Since a Spell Card was activated in Kidbrave's column and the column of a zone Daly points to, I can add a 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand, then discard a 'Magical Musket' card to draw two cards. I add Steady Hands to my hand and discard Magical Musket – Dancing Needle!"

Lilith drew, then raised her hand. "Appear, the circuit of the devil's bullet! The summoning conditions are three 'Magical Musket' monsters! I set Kidbrave, Zakiel, and Daly in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar!" A fiend with white skin wearing a red and gold trench coat emerged from the portal and spread his wing wings. Silver hair flowed down his back and a golden crown glinted on his head. The Link Monster laughed and sneered at Jester, two pistols in his hands, from the Extra Monster Zone.

Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Ah yes. The monster that defeated Thaumiel. I hope you don't expect that to be enough to defeat me."

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Steady Hands and target Ottokar! Until the end of the turn, its attack points become 6000!"

Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 3000→6000

"Even if you change its attack points, Vritra's effect will change them back when they battle," Jester pointed out.

"I'm aware of that," Lilith growled. "Ottokar's effect activates! Up to three times per turn, if a Spell or Trap Card is activated in the column of a zone Ottokar points to, I can banish a Level 4 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster from my Graveyard and activate its effect as Ottokar's. I banish Caspar, whose effect lets me add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand."

"Ah. And there's the reason you didn't use Restock & Reload until I destroyed Wild; Ottokar's effect cannot be activated if your Life Points are 1000 or higher, so you intentionally held off on activating it so your Life Points would be less than 1000."

"I add Black Market to my hand. And by sending my Field Spell Card to the Graveyard, I can activate the Continuous Trap Card: Magical Musket Black Market! So long as this card remains on the field, my 'Magical Musket' monsters are unaffected by your card effects!"

"Which means Vritra won't be able to change Ottokar's attack points," Terminus growled, a vicious smile on his face. "Do it, Masako! Avenge Hitomu!"

"Ottokar's effect activates! I banish Magical Musketeer Doc from the Graveyard to activates its effect as Ottokar's. Doc's effect lets me add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Magical Musket – Last Stand to my hand!"

Lilith's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It's time you answered for your sins, Jester! Battle! Ottokar attacks Vritra!"

"Since Vritra is battling, its attack points return to normal," Jester reminded her.

Life Force Vritra ATK 0→2600

"That isn't enough to save you!"

"Trap activate! Unyielding Life!" The card showed Life Force Bahamut standing in front of a massive open doorway, facing off with a group of armored humans. Neither the humans nor the dragon showed any fear or hesitation in their expressions. "When my 'Life' monster battles your monster, my monster gains attack points equal to your monster's current attack points until the end of the turn!"

"Ottokar has 6000 attack points!" Playmaker said. "That Trap Card will raise Vritra's attack points to 8600!"

"Lilith will lose if her attack connects then!" Ai realized.

"That won't work!" Lilith declared. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Magical Musket – Last Stand! Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, the activation of your Trap Card is negated, and it is destroyed!"

"Yes!" Revolver exclaimed with a smirk.

"The attack will go through!" Terminus cheered.

"End him, Lilith," Faust growled.

"Make him pay," Baira agreed.

"For Hitomu," Dr. Genome snarled.

"This is for my parents!" Lilith declared. "Go, Ottokar! Ultimate Bullet!" The fiend cackled and fired two beams of yellow light from his pistols.

"What?" Jester gasped. "Am I… losing? No. No! This can't be it! I had so much more to do! So many plans to see through! I CAN'T LOSE TO AN INSECT!"

The beams hit Vritra and made the dragon cry out as it exploded. Smoke filled the intersection and obscured the entire field. Lilith glared into it, daring it to defy what she knew.

"It's over," she declared. "I told you not to underestimate me, but you didn't listen. And now-."

"JUST KIDDING!"

Lilith gasped as the smoke cleared, revealing an unharmed Jester. "Did you like my performance?" he asked mockingly. "I thought I really sold the whole 'I can't believe this is happening' schtick."

"How?" she breathed. "How did you evade the damage?"

"By banishing Unyielding Life from my Graveyard," Jester explained. "By doing so, I took no damage from this battle that involved a 'Life' monster. In addition, Unyielding Life also lets me Set a 'Life' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck, and it even lets me activate it the turn it is Set." A new card appeared on Jester's field. "And why wait to reveal the surprise? Trap activate! Ascension of Life!" The card showed Life Force Dragon rising in the sky, its body starting to break apart into yellow energy. "I Special Summon a 'Life' Xyz Monster from my Graveyard, then immediately Rank-Up that monster into an Xyz Monster that is one, two, or three Ranks higher! Resurrect, Life Force Vritra!" The serpentine dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.

Life Force Vritra ATK 2600 DEF 2800 RNK: 6

"But he won't stay for long, because I'll use Vritra to rebuild the Overlay Network!" A bolt of golden energy changed the world again and brought the Xyz cross – black and yellow this time – underneath Vritra. The dragon broke apart and entered the dots, making them fire four beams of energy that converged and created a galaxy before it exploded. "The power that unites creation and destruction! Reside in the dragon of life and bend the world to your will! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Take flight, Rank 9! Life Force Dragon!" The explosion solidified into a yellow armored dragon with six thin wings and a split tail. Its blue eyes gleamed as it roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, a single light circling behind it.

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

Lilith grit her teeth. "I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Steady Hands' effect ends."

Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 6000→3000

Jester laughed. "After all that buildup, you failed to achieve anything; all you managed to do was help me bring out my true ace monster. Whoever taught you to duel must have been an abject failure."

"My father taught me to duel," Lilith growled.

"I'm not hearing anything to disprove my statement," Jester taunted. "I'll admit, you being Dr. Hirai's daughter really was a surprise. That man was a brilliant scientist at the very least. For his progeny to be some common bounty hunter… he must be weeping over all your lost potential."

"SHUT UP!" Lilith shouted. "You don't know a thing about my father!"

"Oh, I think I know more than you realize," Jester teased. "But I don't think I'll share anything. After all," his voice dropped to a low tone, "there's no point sharing secrets with someone who's about to lose."

Lilith's eyes widened. "Draw!"

Jester looked at his card. Life Wurm. Disappointing. Jester resisted the urge to sigh. It seemed that he would have to use that against her. Oh well. At least it would impress upon her how insignificant she was. But before that…

"I activate the effect of Life Insurance in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can add a 'Life' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add, and now activate, the Spell Card: Equality in Life!" The card showed a massive silver balance scale, with one bowl holding several humans in nondescript clothing, and the other bowl holding Life Force Amphitere. The two bowls were even. "By banishing one 'Life' monster from my hand or Graveyard, I can target and destroy one face-up card on the field, then gain 800 Life Points! I banish Life Lindworm from my Graveyard and destroy Black Market!"

Lilith gasped as her Continuous Trap Card disintegrated before gritting her teeth. "Even if Black Market is destroyed, without Vritra on the field, Simochi will inflict 800 points of damage to you!"

"It would," Jester agreed. "If Life Force Dragon had no Overlay Units. But because it does, any effect that would inflict damage to me makes me gain that much Life Points instead!" Lilith's eyes widened as a yellow glow surrounded Jester and Life Force Dragon, making the former sigh contently.

Jester: 2600→3400 LP

Lilith growled before she gestured to her field. "Since Black Market was sent to the Graveyard by your card effect, I can Set a 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard. I Set Steady Hands!" The Set card appeared. "The card Set by Black Market can be activated the turn it is Set! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Steady Hands and target Ottokar!"

Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 3000→6000

"Ottokar's effect activates! I banish Kidbrave from my Graveyard to activate its effect. I discard Magical Musketeer Caspar and draw two cards!"

"Ottokar's attack points are now higher than Life Force Dragon's!" Cypher noted.

"With Black Market gone, Lilith's monsters can now be affected by Jester's card effects," Morningstar said. "But she discarded Caspar for Ottokar's effect. That means she can activate Caspar's effect next turn."

"Just hold on, Masako," Terminus muttered. "Hold on…"

"You may have destroyed Black Market, but Ottokar is stronger than Life Force Dragon now," Lilith said. And my Set card is Mirror Force. If you raise your monster's attack points, you'll lose. "Are you finally going to admit you underestimated me?"

Jester tilted his head. "Underestimate you? No, I don't think I did. I think I had your estimation since the beginning: a no-name bounty hunter who is in over her head." Lilith growled. "Obviously you hate me for killing your parents. But you want to know the funny thing? That moment likely defined your entire life. But for me… it was just another day. That's right; killing your parents was as impactful to me as taking out the trash. The most important event of your life was just another day for me. That's how insignificant you are."

Lilith clenched her fists and glared at the man. How… How dare he… How dare he belittle her parents' deaths?! Terminus shared similar thoughts, as he glared at Jester with undisguised hatred.

"Still, I will at least recognize your tenacity. I suppose, at the very least, you deserve a grandiose send-off!" Jester reached up and tapped his mask, making it shatter into gold light. Lilith gasped as she finally saw his face. The face of her parents' killer.

He was surprisingly handsome. Older than her by a decade perhaps, but his features were fine, and his eyes were a brilliant sapphire blue. His beautiful looks did nothing to detract from the sheer disdain in his gaze.

"You don't belong here, little bounty hunter," Jester said, his lips splitting into a sneer. "So I think I'll do you a favor, and show you just how outmatched you really are."

Golden light shot out of Jester, blinding Lilith and prompting her to cover her eyes. Frog and Pigeon followed suit, as did everyone watching. Except for Lightning, Zahhak, Merlin, and Bohman, all of whom knew what was coming.

"What is that?!" Ai wondered.

Playmaker grit his teeth and looked into the blinding light. "I feel… something. Something I've never felt before. It's almost like… everything about Jester just became amplified!"

"Amplified?!"

The light faded prompting Lilith to uncover her eyes. And when she saw Jester, she gasped. He was surrounded by a golden aura, lines of light gold running up and down his arms and legs before meeting at his chest in the shape of an infinite symbol. Smaller golden lines crossed his cheekbones and met at his chin, and his eyes' sclera had turned black while his irises turned to gold.

"W-What the-?" Lilith whispered.

"What is that?!" Ai shrieked.

"A transformation?" Revolver wondered.

"That…" Cypher narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what that is, but I can feel the power coming off of it."

Morningstar grit his teeth. He could feel the power and pressure as well. It was almost suffocating.

Jester couldn't help but sneer and laugh at the expression on Lilith's face, said laugh reverberating. "Fascinating, isn't it? This is the trump card of the Enforcers. Thaumiel disobeyed orders and was deprived of one as punishment, but Zahhak, Merlin, and I all possess this power. The power that is the Infinity Transformation!"

"Infinity Transformation?" Flame repeated.

"What the hell does that do?!" Soulburner wondered.

Lilith stared at the man as her body shook before getting control over herself and gritting her teeth. "So? What's so special about this 'Infinity Transformation'? You wouldn't use it if all it did was make you glow."

Jester chuckled. "Indeed, it does far more. For starters, it allows me to do this!" Jester raised his right hand, which started to glow as an infinity symbol appeared on the back. "Once per Duel, I can add any one card from my Deck to my hand!"

Lilith's eyes widened. "That's-!"

"A Skill?!" Terminus gasped.

"Someone other than Windy and Bohman can use a Skill in a Master Duel?!" Ai shouted.

"I activate my Skill! Infinity Draw!" Jester drew, light trailing the card. "And now, little insect, it's time for you to fall into despair. I activate the Spell Card: Rank-Up-Magic Life Force! I Rank-Up a 'Life' Xyz Monster into an Xyz Monster with the same Type that is one Rank higher! Using Life Force Dragon, I rebuild the Overlay Network!"

Another golden bolt changed the world and brought back the yellow and black Xyz cross. Life Force Dragon disintegrated and its particles entered the cross, which fired four beams that converged and created an exploding galaxy. "Let the future of life be decided through the certainty of destruction! The Beast of power and devastation will rise anew and bring an end to this age!" The golden aura around Jester became denser as he spoke. "Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 10! Assert your dominion over this plane! Life Force Trihexa!"

A new dragon formed from the galaxy, one twice the size of Life Force Dragon, with golden skin and armored legs that ended in three-clawed feet. Similar golden armor covered its arms and chest, with its enormous wings split into eight golden sections, and two tails sprouting from its body. Three armored heads were attached to long necks, each with spines attached to their jaws, but each head was different. One had tusks on the sides of its mouth and red eyes. Another had a single horn jutting backwards on the top and green eyes. The third had a tusk pointing forwards under its chin and blue eyes. All three heads roared as the massive monster beat its wings from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, two orbs circling behind it.

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

Lilith gasped and unconsciously stepped back. "W-What?"

"What is that?!" Ai shouted. Playmaker stared with wide eyes.

"So that is Jester's ultimate monster," Revolver muttered.

"Masako," Terminus muttered, clenching his fists.

Jester sneered at the look on Lilith's face. "It seems you appreciate just how dire your situation actually is. How about I drive it home?" His eyes widened as he gestured to his field. "Since Trihexa was Xyz Summoned using a 'Rank-Up-Magic' card, its second effect is unlocked! Trihexa's effect activates! Once per turn, I can detach one Overlay Unit!" One of the circling lights blinked out.

Life Force Trihexa OU: 2→1

"Trihexa then negates the effects of all face-up cards on your field!" Jester continued. "In addition, all the cards in your Spell & Trap Zone, or your Main Monster Zone, are destroyed!" Lilith gasped in shock. "I'll destroy all cards in your Spell & Trap Zone! Life Revelation!" All three heads roared and released sonic waves that tore across Lilith's field. She watched in horror as Ottokar groaned and slumped over while Bad Reaction to Simochi and her Set Mirror Force shattered. "Finally, Trihexa's effect also increases my Life Points by 800 for each destroyed card!"

Jester: 3400→5000 LP

Lilith shook as she stared at the giant dragon before she regained her nerve. "Even if you negate Ottokar's effects, he still has 6000 attack points!" she said. "He is still stronger than your monster!"

"Do you really believe that?" Lilith's eyes widened. "Let me share a little secret with you: When the monster Summoned by Life Force battles your Special Summoned monster, that monster's attack points become 0 during damage calculation!"

"…What?"

Jester chuckled before laughing loudly. "There it is! Now you realize it! Just how small and insignificant you are! Now, little bounty hunter, little insect…" His sneer split his face. "Do us all a favor and disappear from my sight. Battle! Life Force Trihexa attacks Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar!"

The dragon's heads roared and opened their mouths, each head gathering yellow energy. Similarly colored lightning danced across its body as a golden aura formed around it. Lilith almost instinctively covered her eyes against the brightness.

"Life Force's effect reduces Ottokar's attack points to 0!"

Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 6000→0

"Go, Life Force Trihexa! Bring an end to this farce! Life Apocalypse!" The three heads fired three beams of yellow energy that converged on Ottokar. The fiend cried out in pain as the wave consumed him and continued on to Lilith. The bounty hunter screamed as she was knocked off her feet and sent flying in the air.

As she fell, Lilith saw something. A memory she had almost forgotten. A forest, and a clearing in said forest, right next to a blue lake. There's a picnic blanket on the ground, and a basket next to a woman with brown and violet hair in a ponytail. Sitting next to her is a man with black and silver hair. They are smiling and laughing. Just sitting there on the blanket, relaxed and unworried, not knowing the fate that would await them mere weeks later.

Her eyes tear up. "Daddy," she whimpers. "Mommy… help me."

She completes her fall and strikes the ground with her head. She bounces, and this time her back hits the ground, leaving her lying unconscious.

Lilith: 800→0 LP

"LILITH!" Cassiel and Morningstar shout. Blue Maiden covers her mouth in horror, tears in the corners of her eyes.

"MASAKO!" Terminus yells, eyes wide.

"That… That was," Ai whimpers, tearing up. Playmaker grits his teeth and clenches his fists. Revolver and Soulburner share his reaction, all glaring at the screen.

"B-Boss," Pigeon whimpers. "L-Lilith is…"

"…Yeah," Frog chokes up. "She… lost."

"Hmm." Lightning tilts his head. "I see. So that's how he defeated Bohman. Even if Zahhak is stronger, Jester is far more unpredictable." He narrowed his eyes. "Such a dangerous individual."

Jester watches as Lilith's body breaks apart into gold data. He watches with a sneer as the little bounty hunter becomes part of Mirror LINK VRAINS. And then he laughs.

"Hahahahahahahaha." He throws back his head and bellows his mirth to the world. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

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Lilith vs. Jester

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Lilith

Lilith Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Starfire (1300/1700/4). While Lilith controls Starfire, she can activate "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Cards from her hand. Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Crooked Crown from her hand. Once per turn, during the Main Phase, Lilith can Special Summon a "Magical Musket" monster from her hand, and until the end of the turn, Jester's Main Monster Zone in that monster's column cannot be used if it is unused. 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 (1200/2000/3). Lilith activates the Field Spell Card Magical Musket Showdown. As Magical Musket Showdown was activated, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel. Lilith activates Magical Musket Showdown's effect to Normal Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster from her hand. Lilith Tributes Starfire to Tribute Summon Zakiel (2500/2500/8) via its effect. Lilith ends her turn.

Turn 2: Jester

Jester draws. He activates the Field Spell Card Dominion of Life, which lets him add 1 "Life" card from his Deck to his hand when it is activated. He adds Life Wyvern to his hand. As he controls no monsters, Jester Normal Summons Life Wyvern (2000/600/6) without Tributing. Jester activates the Continuous Spell Card Wellspring of Life. As he controls a "Life" monster, once per turn, Wellspring of Life lets Jester return 1 card in his hand to his Deck, then Special Summon 1 "Life" monster from his Deck in Defense Position. Jester returns Destruction Impulse to his Deck to Special Summon Life Drago (600/2000/3) from his Deck. As a "Life" monster was Special Summoned while Life Wyvern is on the field, Jester gains 800 LP (Jester: 4000→4800 LP). As Jester gained LP by the effect of a "Life" monster, Life Drago's effect increases Jester's LP by 800 (Jester: 4800→5600 LP). As Jester's LP are higher than Lilith's, Dominion of Life's effect reduces her monsters' ATK by half the difference (Caspar: 1200→400) (Zakiel: 2500→1700). Jester uses Life Drago and Life Wyvern to Link Summon Life Force Amphitere (1000/2/↓↘) to the left Extra Monster Zone. As Jester's LP is higher than Lilith's, Amphitere gains ATK equal to the difference (Amphitere: 1000→2600). As she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination from her hand, which lets her target 1 monster on the field and until the end of the turn, negate its effects and make its ATK/DEF 0. She targets Amphitere, but Jester chains the effect of Dominion of Life, targeting Amphitere. Until the end of the turn, Amphitere is unaffected by Lilith's card effects. The chain resolves, but Amphitere is unaffected. 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 – Black Market to her hand. Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Black Market from her hand, sending Crooked Crown to the GY to do so. While Black Market is on the field, Lilith's "Magical Musket" monsters are unaffected by Jester's card effects (Caspar: 400→1200) (Zakiel: 1700→2500). As his LP is higher than Lilith's, Jester activates Amphitere's effect to inflict damage to Lilith equal to half the difference (Lilith: 4000→3200 LP) (Amphitere: 2600→3400). Jester Special Summons Life Lindworm (2100/1500/5) to Amphitere's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position via its effect.

Amphitere attacks Caspar. Lilith attempts to activate a Quick-Play Spell Card from her hand, but as Jester's linked "Life" monster is battling Lilith's monster, Life Lindworm's effect keeps Lilith from activating cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step and lets Amphitere inflict piercing battle damage. The attack continues and Caspar is destroyed (Lilith: 3200→1800 LP) (Amphitere: 3400→4800). Jester Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Zakiel's effect lets Lilith draw cards equal to the number of "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Cards she activated while Zakiel was face-up on the field. Lilith draws 2 cards. In addition, Wellspring of Life's effect lets Jester gain 500 LP for each "Life" monster he controls (Jester: 5600→6600 LP) (Amphitere: 4800→5800).

Turn 3: Lilith

Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Calamity (1500/1300/4). 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). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Calamity's column, Lilith can Special Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster from her GY in Defense Position. She Special Summons Caspar (1200/2000/3). Lilith uses Calamity to Link Summon Magical Musketeer Max (1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Max was Link Summoned, Lilith can activate 1 of 2 effects. She activates the first effect to add "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Cards from her Deck to her hand, up to the number of monsters Jester controls. Jester controls 2 monsters, so Lilith adds Magical Musket – Desperado and Magical Musket – Criminal Bounty to her hand. As she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith activates the Spell Card Magical Musket – Criminal Bounty, which lets her discard 2 cards, then draw 3 cards. She discards Magical Musketeer Doc and Magical Mallet, then draws. 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 – Last Stand to her hand. Lilith uses Caspar and Max to Link Summon Magical Musketeer Daly (2000/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Daly was Link Summoned, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Magical Musketeer Wild to her hand. Lilith activates the effect of Magical Musket Showdown to Normal Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Wild (1700/900/4) to Daly's bottom-right Link Marker. As she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith activates the Trap Card Magical Musket – Desperado from her hand, which lets her target and destroy 1 face-up card. She targets Dominion of Life. Jester chains Dominion of Life's effect, targeting Amphitere and making it unaffected by Lilith's card effects until the end of the turn. The chain resolves and Dominion of Life is destroyed. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in the column of a zone Daly points to, Lilith can activate 1 of 2 effects. She activates the 1st effect to add 1 "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Card from her GY to her hand. She adds Cross-Domination to her hand. 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, Calamity, and Desperado into her Deck and draws. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Cross-Domination, targeting Lindworm (Lindworm: 2100→0/1500→0).

Zakiel attacks Lindworm. As his "Life" monster is being attacked, Jester activates his Set Trap Card Life Barrier Wave, which would prevent his monster's destruction and increase his LP by Zakiel's ATK. As Jester activated a Spell/Trap Card while she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith activates the Counter Trap Card Magical Musket – Last Stand from her hand, which negates the activation of Life Barrier Wave and destroys it. The attack continues and Lindworm is destroyed (Jester: 6600→1600 LP) (Amphitere: 5800→1000). As his "Life" monster was destroyed by battle, Jester activates the effect of Life Barrier Wave in his GY, banishing it to gain LP equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK (Jester: 1600→3700 LP) (Amphitere: 1000→2900). Daly attacks Amphitere. As her monster is attacking a monster whose ATK is higher, Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Tsukumo Slash, which increases Daly's ATK by the difference between her LP and Jester's during damage calculation (Daly: 2000→3900). The attack continues and Amphitere is destroyed (Jester: 3700→2700 LP) (Daly: 3900→2000). Wild attacks Jester directly (Jester: 2700→1000 LP). Lilith Sets 1 card. She ends her turn, and Steady Hands' effect ends (Zakiel: 5000→2500/5000→2500). During the End Phase, as Amphitere was sent to the GY by Lilith's card, its effect lets Jester Special Summon 1 other "Life" monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Life Wyvern (2000/600/6) in Attack Position.

Turn 4: Jester

Jester draws. He activates Wellspring of Life's effect, returning Life Wurm to his Deck to Special Summon Life Balaur (2200/1200/6) in Defense Position. As Life Balaur was Special Summoned, Jester can target 1 card on the field, return that card to the owner's Deck, then gain 600 LP. He targets Black Market, but Lilith chains her Set Continuous Trap Card Bad Reaction to Simochi. While Bad Reaction to Simochi is on the field, any effect that would increase Jester's LP instead inflicts damage to him. Balaur's effect resolves, and Black Market returns to Lilith's Deck (Jester: 1000→400 LP). Jester overlays the Level 6 Balaur and Wyvern to Xyz Summon Life Force Vritra (2600/2800/6) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Jester activates the effect of Life Force Vritra that it gained from using Life Balaur as Xyz Material to gain LP equal to its Rank x 100. While Life Force Vritra is on the field, any effect damage Jester would take is inflicted to Lilith instead (Lilith: 1800→1200 LP). Jester activates Vritra's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Vritra: 2 OU→1 OU). For the rest of the turn, if it battles Lilith's monster, until the end of the Damage Step, that monster is unaffected by Lilith's card effects, and both monsters' ATK becomes equal to their original ATK.

Vritra attacks and destroys Wild (Lilith: 1200→300 LP). Jester activates the Spell Card Life Insurance, which lets him target 1 "Life" monster and make his LP equal to that monster's original ATK. He targets Vritra (Jester: 300→2600 LP). As the monster he targeted for Life Insurance's effect is an Xyz Monster, Jester can then draw 1 card. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Restock & Reload, which increases her LP by 500 for each "Magical Musket" monster she controls. She controls 2 (Lilith: 300→1300 LP). Jester Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Wellspring of Life's effect activates, but Bad Reaction to Simochi's effect changes it to effect damage and Vritra's effect inflicts it to Lilith (Lilith: 1300→800 LP). Zakiel's effect then activates, and Lilith draws 1 card.

Turn 5: Lilith

Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Kidbrave (1600/200/3) to Daly's bottom-left Link Marker. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Cross-Domination, targeting Vritra. Jester chains Vritra's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Vritra: 1 OU→0 OU), and for the rest of the turn, if it battles Lilith's monster, during damage calculation, that monster is unaffected by Lilith's card effects, and its and Vritra's ATK becomes equal to their original ATK. Cross-Domination's effect resolves (Vritra: 2600→0). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in the same column as a zone Daly points to and in Kidbrave's column, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Card from her GY to her hand, then discard 1 "Magical Musket" card to draw 2 cards. Lilith adds Steady Hands to her hand, then discards Magical Musket – Dancing Needle and draws. Lilith uses Kidbrave, Zakiel, and Daly to Link Summon Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar (3000/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Steady Hands, targeting Ottokar (Ottokar: 3000→6000). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in the same column as a zone Ottokar points to, Lilith can target and banish 1 Level 4 or lower "Magical Musket" monster from her GY and activate its effect as Ottokar's effect. Lilith banishes Caspar, whose effect lets her add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Black Market to her hand. By sending Magical Musket Showdown to the GY, Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Black Market, which makes her "Magical Musket" monsters unaffected by Jester's card effects. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in the same column as a zone Ottokar points to, Lilith banishes Magical Musketeer Doc from the GY, whose effect lets her add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her GY to her hand. She adds Magical Musket – Last Stand to her hand.

Ottokar attacks Vritra (Vritra: 0→2600). As his "Life" monster is battling, Jester activates his Set Trap Card Unyielding Life, which would increase Vritra's ATK by Ottokar's ATK until the end of the turn, but Lilith chains the Counter Trap Card Magical Musket – Last Stand from her hand, negating the activation of Unyielding Life and destroying it. The attack continues and Vritra is destroyed, but Jester activates the effect of Unyielding Life in his GY, banishing it to take no damage, then he can Set 1 "Life" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck, which can be activated this turn. He Sets Ascension of Life from his Deck. Jester activates his Set Trap Card Ascension of Life, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Life" Xyz Monster from his GY, then use it as Xyz Material to Xyz Summon a monster that is 1, 2, or 3 Ranks higher. Jester Special Summons Life Force Vritra (2600/2800/6) in Attack Position, then performs a Rank-Up Xyz Change with Vritra to Xyz Summon Life Force Dragon (3400/2900/9) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Lilith Sets 1 card. She ends her turn, and Steady Hands' effect ends (Ottokar: 6000→3000).

Turn 6: Jester

Jester draws. He activates the effect of Life Insurance in his GY, banishing it to add 1 "Life" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Equality in Life to his hand. Jester activates the Spell Card Equality in Life, which lets him banish 1 "Life" monster from his hand or GY to target and destroy 1 face-up card on the field, then gain 800 LP. He banishes Life Lindworm from his GY and targets and destroys Black Market. Simochi's effect would inflict damage, but so long as Life Force Dragon has Overlay Units, any effect that would inflict damage to Jester makes him gain that much LP instead (Jester: 2600→3400 LP). As Black Market was sent to the GY by Jester's card effect, Lilith can Set 1 "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Card from her GY, and that card can be activated this turn. Lilith Sets Steady Hands. Lilith activates her Set Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Steady Hands, targeting Ottokar (Ottokar: 3000→6000). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in the column of a zone it points to, Ottokar's effect activates, and Lilith banishes Kidbrave from her GY, discarding Caspar and drawing 2 cards. Jester activates his Infinity Transformation, then activates his Skill Infinity Draw, letting him add any 1 card from his Deck to his hand. Jester adds Rank-Up-Magic Life Force from his Deck to his hand. Jester activates the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Life Force, which lets him use 1 "Life" Xyz Monster he controls to Xyz Summon 1 Xyz Monster with the same Type that is 1 Rank higher. Jester performs a Rank-Up Xyz Change with Life Force Dragon to Xyz Summon Life Force Trihexa (4000/3000/10) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Trihexa was Xyz Summoned by the effect of a "Rank-Up-Magic" card, its additional effect is unlocked. Jester activates Trihexa's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Trihexa: 2 OU→1 OU) to negate the effects of all face-up cards on Lilith's field, then destroy all cards in her Main Monster Zone or Spell & Trap Zone, then gain 800 LP for each destroyed card, and Lilith cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. Jester negates the effects of Ottokar and Bad Reaction to Simochi, then destroys Bad Reaction to Simochi and her Set Mirror Force (Jester: 3400→5000 LP).

Trihexa attacks Ottokar. As the monster Summoned by Life Force is battling Lilith's Special Summoned monster, that monster's ATK becomes 0 during damage calculation (Ottokar: 6000→0). Ottokar is destroyed (Lilith: 800→0 LP). Jester wins.

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Jester:

Life Lindworm
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Effect] ATK 2100 DEF 1500 Level: 5
You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) in Attack Position to your zone a "Life" Link Monster points to. You can only Special Summon "Life Lindworm" this way once per turn. When your linked "Life" monster battles your opponent's monster: Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step, also your monster inflicts piercing battle damage.

Life Balaur
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Effect] ATK 2200 DEF 1200 Level: 6
If this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 card on the field; return that card to the owner's Deck, then gain 600 LP. You can only use this effect of "Life Balaur" once per turn. A "Life" monster that was Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summoned using this card on the field as material gains the following effect.
-Once per turn: You can gain LP equal to this card's Level/Rank/Link Rating x 100.

Life Force Vritra
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK 2600 DEF 2800 Rank: 6
2 Level 6 EARTH monsters
Any effect damage you would take is inflicted to your opponent instead. (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; for the rest of the turn, if this card battles your opponent's monster, until the end of the Damage Step, that monster is unaffected by your opponent's card effects, and each monster's ATK becomes equal to their original ATK. You can only use this effect of "Life Force Vritra" once per turn.

Life Force Trihexa
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK 4000 DEF 3000 Rank: 10
3 Level 10 EARTH monsters
This card is unaffected by your opponent's monster effects, also you take no effect damage. Once per turn, if you gain LP by the effect of a "Life" monster, except "Life Force Trihexa": You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that amount. You cannot activate this effect if this card has no Xyz Materials attached. If this card is Xyz Summoned by the effect of a "Rank-Up-Magic" card, it gains this effect.
-Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; negate the effects of all face-up cards on your opponent's field, then destroy all cards in their Main Monster Zone OR Spell & Trap Zone, and if you do, gain 800 LP for each destroyed card. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of this effect.

Dominion of Life Field Spell Card
When this card is activated: You can add 1 "Life" card from your Deck to your hand. When your LP are higher than your opponent's, your opponent's monsters lose ATK equal to half the difference. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 "Life" monster you control; until the end of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your opponent's card effects (even if this card leaves the field).

Wellspring of Life Continuous Spell Card
You can shuffle 1 card in your hand into your Deck; Special Summon 1 "Life" monster from your Deck in Defense Position. You can only use this effect of "Wellspring of Life" once per turn. During your End Phase: Gain 500 LP for each "Life" monster you control.

Life Barrier Wave Normal Trap Card
When an opponent's monster attacks your "Life" monster: Your monster cannot be destroyed by that battle, also gain LP equal to the attacking monster's current ATK. When your "Life" monster is destroyed by battle: You can banish this card from your GY; gain LP equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK. You can only activate 1 "Life Barrier Wave" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Life Insurance Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Life" monster you control; your LP becomes equal to that monster's original ATK. If you target a Synchro, Xyz, or Link Monster with this effect, you can draw 1 card. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Life" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate 1 "Life Insurance" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Unyielding Life Normal Trap Card (name credit to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC)
If your "Life" monster battles your opponent's monster: Your monster gains ATK equal to your opponent's monster's current ATK, until the end of this turn. If you would take damage from a battle involving your "Life" monster: You can banish this card from your GY; you take no damage from that battle, then you can Set 1 "Life" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck. The card Set by this effect can be activated during the turn it is Set. You can only activate 1 "Unyielding Life" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Ascension of Life Normal Trap Card
Target 1 "Life" Xyz Monster in your GY; Special Summon it, then Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 Xyz Monster that is 1, 2, or 3 Ranks higher than that monster, by using it as the Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon.) You can only use 1 "Ascension of Life" per turn.

Equality in Life Normal Spell Card
Banish 1 "Life" monster from your hand or GY and target 1 face-up card on the field; destroy it, and if you do, gain 800 LP. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Life" monster from your GY to your hand. You can only use 1 "Equality in Life" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Rank-Up-Magic Life Force Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Life" Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 Xyz Monster that is the same Type as that monster you control, but 1 Rank higher, by using it as the Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon. Xyz Materials attached to it also become Xyz Materials on the Summoned monster.) If that Summoned monster battles your opponent's Special Summoned monster, that monster's ATK becomes 0 during damage calculation only.

Lilith:

Magical Musket – Restock & Reload Quick-Play Spell Card
Gain 500 LP for each "Magical Musket" monster you control. You can only use 1 "Magical Musket – Restock & Reload" per turn.

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 67 – Angel's Sanctity. Lilith's defeat at Jester's hands has enraged the heroes, but Lightning's plan remains in motion. Blue Maiden faces off against Bohman, and then Merlin approaches Cassiel to finish what he started…

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Question of the Chapter

What's your opinion of Jester's new cards? Too overpowered? Just overpowered enough?

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Author's Notes

Thank you to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC and SakushiRyu for helping with names for new Life monsters and looking over Jester's new cards; I had trouble coming up with new ones to use. After all, there's only so many generic names for dragons.

Well, this was a hard chapter to write. Not because of the duel, but because this was the chapter where I established just how vile Jester really is, and I wasn't sure I would be able to convey it in a way that came naturally. Before anyone claims he was lying, I want to say that yes, Jester is the one who killed Dr. Hirai and his wife. Why? Because he was ordered to. Who ordered him? We might find out later, but not here. All I'll say for certain is that Jormungand was not the one who ordered it.

That aside, the duel went about as you all expected. Lilith got in some good shots, but in the end, she was defeated. And in a rather heartbreaking and humiliating way. And yes, this was on purpose. Before anyone accuses me of cheapening a female character, I want to argue this: her losing this way isn't a comment on her character, but more a comment on her opponent. Persephone lost in a dignified way, and Blue Maiden will as well against Bohman, but part of the reason their defeats were dignified was because of who they were fighting: Bohman, who respected Blue Maiden, and Zahhak, who acknowledged Persephone's pride and skill. But Jester has no such respect for Lilith. Just like with Spectre against Blue Angel, he took joy in breaking her. Simply put, Jester would not allow her defeat to be dignified in any way. That's just the kind of person he is. And speaking of that…

There's something I've wanted to discuss for some time but couldn't because we hadn't seen enough. That is the morality of Ouroboros. Or rather, the morality of its Anguis and Enforcers. Unlike the Knights of Hanoi or Lightning's group, Ouroboros is worldwide, and its structure is very nebulous, with most of its agents operating on their own and enjoying a large degree of freedom to act so long as they follow what guidelines the organization has. This is shown, or at least I hope it is, in the differences between each member and how they act. I won't say much about Jormungand as I'm saving him for season 3, but I will say this: Jormungand is someone who will always keep his word and genuinely believes that his plan is right for humanity. In this way, he's more like Dr. Kogami than Lightning. Zahhak meanwhile, is a Noble Demon, if you'll pardon the trope. He is arrogant, condescending, ruthless in following his orders, and he'll defeat you without mercy, but at the same time he adheres to his own sense of honor and follows through with his promises. I'd say the best comparison to him in VRAINS would be Revolver in that sense. Then we have Merlin, who I feel the best comparison for would be Admiral Kizaru of One Piece. He's someone who is genuinely nice and polite, but also completely loyal to Ouroboros and won't hesitate to fight its enemies. He's basically the ultimate Punch-Clock Villain, as he doesn't hate or disdain any of his opponents and is fighting the heroes simply because it's his job. And finally, we have Jester, who I would compare to Spectre. Completely loyal to Ouroboros, fully willing to defeat any opponent they ask of him… and more than happy to torture and break his opponents in the most painful way possible. And I know there will be people who compare him to Thaumiel, so let me just say… Jester is far worse than Thaumiel. Yes, his body count is nowhere near Thaumiel's, but that's because he lacks Thaumiel's flaws. Issei was dangerous yes, but he was also shortsighted and impulsive, and far too quick to anger, all flaws Lilith exploited to defeat him and what landed him in prison in the first place. Jester… has no such flaws. He's just as sadistic as Thaumiel and takes just as much joy in hurting his opponents. But unlike Thaumiel, Jester is smart enough to know when to act on said sadism and puts his loyalty to Ouroboros first. In this way, Jester is arguably the most dangerous Enforcer in Ouroboros, as unlike Zahhak, he has no moral code holding him back.

Thank you for reading Chapter 66 of Hidden Memories. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and all its emotional ups-and-downs. I'll try to get Chapter 67 out before September ends, but I won't make any promises. That aside, I had a question for you readers: Who among you has played Fate/Grand Order and knows what happens in Fate/Extra CCC? Because I have an idea that I need a second opinion on, and I want the most informed opinion I can get.