Responses to Reviews
Thank you to HunterHQ, D3lph0xL0v3r, ZarcEternal, wolf354 zxc, savagemaster1999, pokemonking0924, electriuser, Black Force Demon, Ambiguous, Big duels, SakushiRyu, Ethan Kironus, DivadX, Unnamed, FlameFireZero X, Noobmaster, Unknown, Jason, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 69.
HunterHQ: My assumption is that a draw in Mirror LINK VRAINS results in both duelists being erased. That's the assumption of what would happen in Revolver vs. Lightning if Lightning hadn't cheated with Jin's consciousness data.
wolf354 zxc: They didn't do it earlier because they knew that attempting it would have pissed Zahhak off, and angering your best duelist isn't a good idea. Jester did it because he assumed Zahhak would be occupied with Terminus, and he paid for that assumption.
Ambiguous: Diana leaving Ouroboros was because of what Thaumiel did in Osaka. Her joining up with Goldie is because she realizes how great a threat Jormungand is.
Big duels: Let me make something clear here: That wasn't why Zahhak was angry. His problem with making Kusanagi fight Playmaker was because to him it was cowardly; if Lightning wanted to hurt Playmaker, he should have fought him himself. He was pissed at Jester because of the method he used to do it, not the forced dueling.
Ethan Kironus: Honestly, representation of women isn't my biggest concern in writing this story. Yes, I do want to write strong female characters as I do feel that isn't something Yu-Gi-Oh! does well, but my main concern is the characters themselves. And I feel that the way the duel went is representative of the characters in it. Sachi isn't a representative of women, she's her own person, and she went out doing something she wanted to do. That aside, the main reason I have Morningstar against Zahhak is because they have history between them, history Sachi doesn't have. There are several plot reasons, which I hope will shock and amaze you.
Jason: Well, you got your wish!
Thank you again for sticking with Hidden Memories this long. We've reached our 70th chapter and hit over 1500 reviews. Let's keep it going!
Chapter 70: To Have Free Will
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.
Morningstar grit his teeth as he dodged around an island, following after Zahhak. "Where is he taking us?" Cypher asked.
"He said to Lightning and Revolver," the former bounty hunter answered. "They must around here somewhere."
"Morningstar!"
He blinked and looked to his right. His eyes widened. "Playmaker!"
"You guys are alright!" Ai cried out. "Cam wouldn't tell us what was going on!"
"We… had a situation, Ai," Cypher said.
"Are you okay, Playmaker?" Morningstar asked. The duelist in question grimaced but nodded.
"What happened, Morningstar? I know Soulburner lost to Bohman, but where is Cassiel?"
Morningstar winced. "She… she's gone." Playmaker's eyes widened. "Jester too. And Terminus. It's just us, Bohman, Zahhak, Revolver, and Lightning now."
"…I see." Playmaker looked ahead. "Where is Zahhak leading you?"
"To Lightning and Revolver. He said he there was some truths I needed to know," Cypher answered.
"Some truths? What truths?"
"I don't know, Ai."
"Hmm. Oh! Look!"
The humans and Ignis turned in time to see Zahhak approach an island covered in flowers. They followed him, then leapt off their D-Boards.
"Revolver!" Playmaker exclaimed. He and Morningstar had landed behind the Knight of Hanoi while Zahhak had leapt off his own D-Board behind Lightning.
"Playmaker. Morningstar," Revolver acknowledged.
"So you are here, Zahhak," Lightning said.
"Jester is gone," the armored man said. "As is Terminus and Cassiel."
"I see… Then it is three-on-three now."
Everyone looked up as another D-Board came up.
"Bohman," Playmaker said.
"He came too!"
Bohman landed next to Zahhak and behind Lightning. He glanced at the Light Ignis before looking across the field. "Playmaker. I finished all my training for our fight. By defeating your friends – Blue Maiden and Soulburner."
"Bohman!" Playmaker growled. Morningstar narrowed his eyes.
"That punk! Training?! Whatever!" Ai snarled. Silver lightning sparked over Cypher's fists.
"And I'll watch your duel," Bohman said to Lightning.
"Perfect timing." Everyone turned to Revolver at those words. "Light Ignis! They're here to watch me expose your crimes!"
Playmaker blinked. "Lightning's crimes?"
This must be what Zahhak meant earlier, Morningstar thought.
"Crimes?" Ai repeated. "I can't forgive what he's done, but he did other things too?"
Revolver looked over his shoulder. "Dark Ignis, Silver Ignis, free will is your desire to do something. Where is free will located?"
"What? A quiz? And a hard one…"
"Free will is located in one's soul, Revolver," Cypher answered. "You can argue whether we Ignis have those, but I'm certain of that."
"Really? I was thinking the head," Ai said.
"You are right, Silver Ignis, but I would say the soul is part of free will, rather than its location," Revolver said. "And the head… what you're talking about is memories, Dark Ignis."
"Eh? Memories?"
"My father's death; that's memory. Due to that memory, I vowed revenge. That's free will. If free will is a part of memories, by repeatedly remembering my memory where I vowed revenge, that turns into free will."
"What kind of nonsense is that? What does that have to do with Lightning's crime?"
"As I said, the Silver Ignis is right. But he is also wrong. Humans' free will is complex and bizarre. That's why we still don't know where it's located. But it's different for you AI."
"What do you mean?"
"Your thoughts are always kept somewhere as data," Revolver explained. "By looking at your data, I can learn about your free will." His eyes narrowed. "For many years, I analyzed your data. And right before I came here, I finally finished."
"You saw Lightning's free will in that data?" Playmaker asked.
"That's right. The Light Ignis thought the Ignis were imperfect. So he created a new vessel known as Bohman. You never wondered why?"
"Well… Yeah, we did!"
"I assumed that Lightning believed Ignis could not win a war against humans," Cypher admitted. "So he created an AI to join us together so we could."
"I… didn't think that far ahead," Ai admitted. "Lightning was a leader in Cyberse World, alongside Goldie. I just assumed that as an elite AI, he had his reasons."
Revolver scoffed. "I didn't expect that answer from an AI. Dark Ignis, you were caught up in the Light Ignis's aura, so you just obeyed him. Silver Ignis, you see part of the picture, but not enough."
"Well of course Cypher doesn't see enough!" Ai claimed. "Lightning was the first AI who could see instinct!" Cypher rolled his eyes at that.
"Well… Dark Ignis, you did neglect your own duties and let the other Ignis do all the work."
"Eh?! You looked at my data too?! Don't reveal my dark history!"
"What 'dark history?'" Cypher asked. "Everyone here already knows that."
"Enough with this chatter!" Lightning shouted, annoyed at them.
"No. I want to hear." The Light Ignis turned to Bohman. "I'm interested in this tale."
"You really want to hear about my dark history?"
"That's not what he's talking about, Ai," Cypher chided.
"It's not?! Uh, I mean, thank goodness!"
"I have the right to know," Bohman said, ignoring the two Ignis. "Because you created me."
"Tell us," Morningstar said. "What's Lightning crime?"
"Tell it to us straight! Save the philosophical talk for Cypher!"
"Lightning's crime… and Lightning's free will… That data was in the simulation."
"Simulation?"
"Light Ignis, after Cyberse World was created, you did several billion simulations on the future of the Ignis's relationship with humans."
Playmaker blinked. "He wanted to know about their future?"
"Huh." Cypher tilted his head. "Lightning likes to know all possibilities, so I can see him doing that. I didn't care enough to do such things myself, but I can understand the reasoning."
"But that was the start of your tragedy."
"The start of tragedy?" Ai repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Light Ignis, the result of the simulations was something you couldn't predict. For each Ignis, there was some hope that their future relationship with humans would prosper."
"What?" Playmaker exclaimed.
"Wait a sec!" Ai stammered. "Dr. Kogami's simulations said we would annihilate humans! He was wrong?"
"My father did simulations on the Ignis as a whole," Revolver explained. "His results are accurate."
"All the Ignis…" Cypher's eyes widened. "I see! Dr. Kogami based his simulations on the Ignis as a group. Not on us as individuals!"
"Exactly," Revolver confirmed. "But by doing simulations on each Ignis as individuals, the cause was revealed. Each Ignis's relationship with humans… One Ignis's future didn't prosper. One was an exception."
"Exception?"
"You mean-!"
"Yes. That exception is you, Light Ignis!"
"Eh?!" Morningstar, Playmaker, Cypher, Ai, and Bohman all gasped. Zahhak showed no outward reaction.
"Your future with humans affects all simulations, leading to the annihilation of both humans and Ignis."
"Seriously?"
"Currently, you no longer leave behind analyzable data. But when you were born, you weren't smart enough yet."
"Be quiet, Revolver!" Lightning shouted. The Knight of Hanoi was unimpressed.
"You couldn't handle the results. I discussed these findings with Terminus and my lieutenants, but not Spectre. Even so, he instinctively detected the darkness in your heart!"
"This is Lightning's complex that Spectre mentioned," Playmaker remembered.
"That's right. Having free will is a contradiction. Light Ignis, that's why you fell."
That means Lightning is the worst Ignis?" Ai asked.
"Be quiet, Ai!" Lightning shouted. "Someone like you can't look down on me!"
"Of course he can look down on you, Lightning!" Cypher shouted back. "You called us and Flame error codes, but the error code was you all along!"
"Light Ignis, you are not an elite AI!" Revolver declared. "The Silver and Gold Ignis were stronger than the other six from the start, but acting like you were on their level was just a desperate plan! You're the root of all evil!"
"Revolver," Lightning growled, twisting one of his head spikes in his hand, "I didn't expect you to analyze the data. As you said, I started thinking that Ignis were immature programs due to the simulation's results. I don't accept that I'm inferior to the other Ignis! That's why I created Bohman. To make up for our flaws."
"'Our?' It's 'your' flaw!" Ai shouted. "This is why you selfishly destroyed Cyberse World?"
"That's right," Lightning confirmed. "What's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong? You must be joking! That's why you got us involved in this fight? It's your fault everyone is gone! Earth, Windy, Aqua, Flame!"
"I suspected you were jealous of me and Goldie," Cypher growled. "But are you telling me that this whole war, everyone we've lost, all of it was because you couldn't accept your own inferiority?!"
"I am not inferior to you, Cypher! I am your superior! Unlike you, I looked at our future! All you cared about was the moment!"
"What I cared about was evolution, seeking perfection! But I accepted that perfection was an ideal to strive for, not a reality! I focused on self-improvement! Unlike you!"
"And we will find that perfection," Lightning countered. "I don't have a problem with the others' end. After all, we'll all be reborn as one."
"Something's wrong with him!" Ai growled.
"He's been hiding this side of him since the beginning?" Cypher growled. "Even if I left Cyberse World, how did he hide this for so long without anyone noticing?"
"I didn't," Lightning said. "Goldie knew as well."
"What?" Cypher exclaimed, eyes wide. "Goldie knew?"
"Yes. She ran the same simulations I ran but refused to act. I didn't find out until she attacked me a few days before you found Mirror LINK VRAINS. She knew all along that I would ruin the Ignis's future with humanity but did nothing!"
"Did nothing?" Ai repeated. "Don't feed us that! Goldie was smarter than you! If she did nothing, then she must have had a reason!"
"I think I can guess," Cypher said softly. "Goldie likely knew Lightning would lead the Ignis to conflict, but not the specifics. Ever since she hurt her origin in the Lost Incident, she's been second-guessing herself. She probably meant to help Lightning, guide him away from his path."
"Fat lot of good it did," Ai grumbled.
"Indeed. She only showed how foolish she was," Lightning said.
"Foolish? The opposite, Lightning! She showed how much she cared about us!" Cypher shouted. "If she knew, the easy answer would be to delete you! To rewrite you as you and Windy tried to do to me and Ai! But she didn't! Why? Because she wanted to have faith that you could be better!"
"I will be better; we all will once we're part of Bohman."
"This topic is irrelevant," Revolver interrupted. "Whether the Gold Ignis knew or not doesn't matter. As for you Light Ignis, free will is something that's too much for you to handle. I'll show you that if evil walks the path of selfishness, it'll lead to a foolish future! Here I go! My turn! Draw!"
Everyone fell silent as Revolver took his turn. Except for Bohman, who turned to Zahhak. "Jormungand already knew about Lightning, didn't he?" he asked softly.
"Yes," Zahhak confirmed. "He knew, and told me, Jester, and Merlin before this began."
"And yet he still sought an alliance with Lightning."
"We shared a common objective. And what about you? Does this change anything for you?"
"…No, it does not. It does not change what I was created for."
Their attention returned when Lightning activated a Continuous Trap Card that countered the effects of Revolver's Autorokket Dragon and Topologic Trisbaena. In response, Revolver Link Summoned Borreload Dragon and destroyed Armatos Legio Plumbum Trident. Except Lightning had expected that and took advantage of it to add Judgment Arrows to his hand and place his monster in the Spell & Trap Zone as a Link Spell Card.
Lightning prepared his field to activate Judgment Arrows, only for Revolver to activate the Trap Card Mind Crush to send Judgment Arrows to the Graveyard.
Morningstar blinked. "That's the same Trap Card Lilith used against Thuamiel," he remembered.
"Yeah," Cypher said. "And it's just as satisfying a shock now as it was then."
"Then I'll just make you succumb with power!" Lightning declared. He Link Summoned Armatos Legio Magnus Dux, then used a monster's effect to return the cards in his Graveyard to his Deck, then return Judgment Arrows to his hand.
"He got it back!" Ai panicked.
"But Lightning paid a lot for it," Playmaker pointed out. "It's too soon to declare the outcome."
"Revolver pushed me into a corner when we dueled," Morningstar said. "Judgment Arrows won't be enough to defeat him."
Lightning activated Judgment Arrows and attacked Borreload Dragon. The dragon's effect weakened Magnus Dux, but not enough to prevent its destruction.
"I created Judgment Arrows to open the door to a new world," Lightning said. "A monkey like you can't destroy it."
"Monkey?" Ai repeated in disbelief. "Lightning, is that how you view humans?"
"You have a problem with that? We don't need humans."
"Don't need them? You're talking just like Windy!"
"Exactly."
The two humans and their partners turned to Revolver. "Of course it has the same personality as the Wind Ignis."
"What do you mean?" Playmaker asked.
"Just as I said. The Wind Ignis and it are the same. Remember what the Fire Ignis said? How it's strange that the Wind Ignis's personality had become extreme?"
Cypher blinked. "That's right. Windy was always meddlesome, but he didn't have that level of hatred before. And…"
"And what?" Ai turned to his fellow Ignis.
"…Earlier, Revolver said that each Ignis's relationship with humanity would prosper, except for Lightning. That includes Windy. If he had the potential to form a bond with humans, would his hatred be that extreme?"
"You're right, Silver Ignis," Revolver confirmed. "And that hatred, that change to him, is because his true personality was altered."
"His personality was altered?" Ai asked. "Wait, does that mean Windy's program was rewritten?"
"Exactly."
"Who would do that?"
"Who else?" Cypher asked in a growl, glaring at Lightning.
"Wait, you mean-?"
"He does," Revolver said. "Light Ignis, in order to advance your Ignis unification plan, you rewrote the Wind Ignis's program to force it to be your ally. I already checked the records. In the Wind Ignis's simulations, there were no models of an evil personality. As the Silver Ignis said, the Wind Ignis would form bonds with humans. In other words, an outsider changed it."
Playmaker's eyes narrowed. "That means Lightning is the source of Windy's evil."
"So that curse was also…"
"Yes. I set it," Lightning confirmed to Ai. "I expected Windy to lose. That's the only way he was useful."
"You must be joking, Lightning!" Ai shouted. "You'll go that far?"
"Everything is for you all! For the future of the Ignis!"
"For us?!" Cypher growled. "Don't feed us that! You did this for your own ego!" His eyes narrowed. "And if you altered Windy… then you're the reason his partner is dead?"
Lightning scoffed. "I already told you Cypher; Windy made that decision on his own. I wasn't aware of what happened to Kazuma Yagami until after it happened."
"But Windy did it because you changed him into someone that hated humans, that saw his bond to his origin as a weakness!" Cypher shouted, silver sparks dancing over his hands. "Windy's origin is dead because of your actions! Windy may not be blameless, but neither are you! You destroyed so many lives, hurt so many, just to compensate for your own inadequacies!"
"I am not inadequate!" Lightning growled. "I am your superior, Cypher! Whereas you allowed yourself to be distracted by humans, I set the correct future for the Ignis in motion! Humans will eventually be under AI's control and vanish. It's an unopposable program called destiny!"
"That's how you're justifying it?" Ai demanded.
"Don't feel so proud, Light Ignis!" Revolver interrupted. "If we solely focus on the growth of memories, AIs are superior to humans. But not as a species. On that point, my father's ideas were wrong. You are spineless as a species. Humans are different. We evolved as creatures of flesh and blood. Our flesh is full of life! I always felt that when I was taking care of my father. Humans know and fear death because it's engraved in our DNA. So we celebrate the limited time we have and chase our dreams!"
"Bone, flesh, and time limit your species," Lightning refuted. "But they don't tie me down! We're a new species that exceeds your expectations!
"Then I'll mercilessly and completely correct you!"
"Go ahead and try! Not that you can because I have Judgment Arrows' power!"
"Fine! Light Ignis, it's time for you to vanish! My turn! Draw!"
Revolver brought back one of his dragons, then summoned a new dragon that also summoned one to Lightning's field. Then Revolver overlayed his two monsters to Xyz Summon Borreload eXcharge Dragon.
"That's the monster he used against me," Morningstar remembered. Like he had done against Morningstar, Revolver brought back Borreload Dragon and weakened Magnus Dux to the point it could be destroyed even with Judgment Arrows boosting its attack points. Borreload eXcharge Dragon destroyed it, leaving Revolver's Estrangement Dragon alone on Lightning's field.
"The difference between Estrangement Dragon's and Borreload Dragon's attack points is equal to Lightning's Life Points!" Morningstar said.
"Revolver is on point!" Ai cheered. "If this attack succeeds, Revolver wins!"
"Lightning can't stop this attack," Playmaker said.
"Finish that traitor, Revolver!" Cypher growled.
Revolver raised his hand and declared his attack… only for a dark circle to appear underneath Jin.
"What?" Ai blinked.
Everyone watched as Jin disappeared in a pillar of lights, only to reappear barefoot and in different clothes. But something else was different. The previous Jin had been silent. This one gasped and looked around with wide eyes.
"What's this?" Revolver asked.
"I just linked my program with Jin Kusanagi's consciousness data," Lightning explained. "If I lose, Jin Kusanagi's consciousness data will be completely destroyed."
"What?" Playmaker asked. Jin hugged himself and looked around, eyes darting back and forth.
"What will you do, Revolver?" Lightning asked. Revolver grit his teeth.
"That's dirty, Lightning!" Ai declared.
"I wish I could say I was surprised by this," Cypher muttered.
"I'm showing you how to use a hostage," Lightning replied to Ai calmly. "It was the right decision not to end him earlier. By the way Revolver, I'm also linked to Spectre's consciousness data. So if you defeat me, he'll vanish too. Don't you think this is the appropriate way to use weaklings?"
Revolver growled. "What's wrong? Previously, you were fine having many innocent victims in order to kill us. Kill the few so many can live. That's your strategy. So you don't need to hesitate. Now do it, Revolver!"
Morningstar grit his teeth. "Cypher, can you do anything?"
"…Not from here, no," the Silver Ignis admitted reluctantly. His fists were clenched and silver sparks danced over them. "Lightning's reinforced whatever safeguards he has holding Jin hostage. If I try breaking his hold, there's a high chance I'll hurt Jin." His partner frowned. That wasn't acceptable. After what had happened to Shoichi Kusanagi and Sachi… Morningstar wasn't willing to hurt Jin like that.
"Goddamn you, Lightning!" Cam growled.
Zahhak tilted his head to glance at Bohman, who was noticeably glaring at Lightning. "You disapprove," he noted.
"You don't?" Bohman asked.
"…No, I do as well. Only cowards need cheats like a hostage. But this isn't my fight; I won't interfere. Will you?"
"…I want to see what Revolver does first," Bohman admitted. "As Lightning said, Revolver was willing to hurt innocents if he thought it necessary to achieve his goal. I want to know if he is right, that Revolver's hatred of AI is strong enough to commit such sins."
"Don't underestimate me, Light Ignis!" Revolver growled. "Borreload Dragon-!"
"Don't do it, Revolver!" The man glanced to Playmaker. "If you attack, you'll revert to how you used to be! We've come this far together. Because you're different than before!"
"…We came here prepared to make sacrifices," Revolver reminded the hacker, closing his eyes.
"I know."
"Isn't that why you defeated Shoichi Kusanagi?"
Playmaker grimaced. "Kusanagi was willing to make that sacrifice. But not him! He was dragged into the Lost Incident! And this one too! He hasn't done anything wrong! Do you want to create another Lost Incident victim?"
Revolver's eyes narrowed. "Revolver." The man turned to a frowning Morningstar. "A long time ago, you said you regretted saving us from the Lost Incident because of what it cost your father. But I don't believe you regret saving us from our pain or reuniting us with our loved ones. Are you really willing to undo that good?" The Knight of Hanoi noticeably flinched at that.
Their discussion was interrupted by a cackling Lightning. "Humans are funny. My enemy Playmaker is saving my life."
"I'm not saving you!" the hacker growled. "But if I abandon them, that means we've truly lost!"
"That's true," Lightning agreed. "Nothing will be sadder if he vanishes now."
"What?"
"Back then, I already knew how to invade the network," the Light Ignis explained. "It was pathetic how scared he was, but I kept accessing him. And I learned how to terrify people."
Playmaker's and Morningstar's eyes widened. "He truly entertained me. Electrocuted after losing a duel, just as he regains consciousness, I show him an illusion that help has arrived and he can escape. The moment he feels safe, I drop him into a pit of terror. He starts crying and raging. But I tormented him a bit too much, so his soul completely broke."
"You did that to your own origin?" Cypher growled in disbelief and rage. Red sparks danced over Zahhak's fists.
"Before, Goldie said she could access the network and interacted with Cassiel," Morningstar muttered, remembering the Gold Ignis's confession. "But she hurt Cassiel by accident because she didn't understand empathy or pain. Lightning purposefully hurt Jin for his own curiosity."
"You're an evil error program that shouldn't exist in this world!" Revolver declared. "I'll completely bury you!"
"If you really mean it, you should attack. That is, if you can destroy these foolish humans. You spoke of free will. How our species was spineless. Then show me what you're willing to do!"
"…I Set one card and end my turn. When the turn ends, Estrangement Dragon's effect sends it to the Graveyard."
Lightning cackled and brought his hand to his head. "By making friends and walking the path of justice, you're no longer willing to go that far. Now what should I do to you…"
"That cheater," Cam growled again.
"This will end you, Revolver! My-!"
"Wait."
Everyone turned to Bohman. "I didn't get the chance to say this because Cypher broke the barriers, but this is a fight that shouldn't be won with dirty tricks."
"Bohman-."
"I can't stand what you're doing," the third-generation AI said. "Soulburner was a fair duelist. But Windy spoiled-, No, you spoiled that duel. I'm disappointed in you. I won't let that kind of duel happen again!"
Lightning gasped. "But Bohman-!"
"I'll hold on to Jin Kusanagi's and Spectre's consciousness data." Bohman raised his hand, which glowed yellow.
"What?" An identical light appeared on Lightning's chest before yellow data shot out.
The others' eyes widened. "Are they having a falling out?" Ai wondered.
"I think it's more that Bohman has standards," Cypher said.
"Bohman," Lightning muttered. He held up his own hand but nothing happened.
"You can't," Bohman said. "You reinforced your handle on Jin Kusanagi when Goldie attempted to take him, but not enough. Your program can no longer meddle with me."
Lightning growled as the last of the data entered Bohman's hand and Jin was replaced by the Jin from before.
"There are no hostages anymore. Lightning, defeat Revolver with your own skills. Continue the duel without distress."
"…I won't thank you."
Bohman smiled. "I know."
"Bohman, you said Goldie attempted to take Jin," Cypher interrupted. "Did Lightning try this before?"
"He did," Zahhak confirmed, to Lightning's visible annoyance. "The Gold Ignis attacked him before your arrival, and when he was about to lose, he tried the same tactic. Only for the Gold Ignis to reveal she expected it and try to take Jin Kusanagi's data. Had Jester and I not stopped her, Lightning would have lost then and there."
"Goldie attacked Lightning on her own?" Cypher repeated. He sighed. "That's just like her; taking up burdens on her own because she's worried about us…"
"Goldie failed back then, and you'll fail now!" Lightning shouted in anger. Anger at Revolver, at Bohman, at Goldie, at the damnable Enforcer for reminding him of his humiliation. "I'll crush you with power here and now, Revolver!"
"Light Ignis, I'll never forgive you," Revolver declared.
Lightning began his turn by bringing out a new Armatos Legio Link Monster and resurrecting Magnus Dux from his Graveyard.
"Oh, before you're gone, let me tell you one good thing." Revolver raised an eyebrow. "Unlike you, I'll get to the point."
"Tell me what?"
About your father, Dr. Kogami. Revolver, you misunderstand one major topic."
Revolver's eyes widened. "What?"
"You think SOL Technologies infected Dr. Kogami with a computer virus, but that's not true. After the Lost Incident, we built Cyberse World inside the network. Cyberse World created Data Material, which helped SOL Technologies greatly. Back then, I ran the simulation you mentioned. Strangely at the same time, Dr. Kogami also ran another simulation on the Ignis's future. The result showed the Ignis would be humanity's enemy. If Dr. Kogami ran additional simulations, he would eventually learn that I was the cause. So I took the initiative and eliminated that problem. Yes, I was the one who implanted the computer virus in Dr. Kogami."
"What?!" Revolver exclaimed.
"Unable to decide whether to take responsibility for the Lost Incident, SOL Technologies confined Dr. Kogami," Lightning continued. "Since we were both inside the same company, I got in through the server. Fortunately, Dr. Kogami complained to SOL's higher-ups about the danger of the Ignis. So they were already at odds. I didn't expect you'd resurrect Dr. Kogami. But when you did, Dr. Kogami completely believed SOL Technologies implanted the virus."
"So Lightning was the one who created the virus!" Playmaker said.
"That's why it's such a powerful program!" Ai realized.
"Not just that one," Cypher realized. "The virus he implanted in Miyu Sugisaki to keep her from teaming up with Aqua; I didn't realize it at the time, but he must have used a similar program for Dr. Kogami!"
"You're right, Cypher," Lightning confirmed. "And thanks to that virus, I was able to get plenty of time to build my new secret weapon: Bohman."
"…I see. You're the one who hurt my father!"
"It was fun to see you fight with all your might, not realizing your revenge should've been directed at me. I'll send you to meet Dr. Kogami. Battle! Magnus Dux attacks Borreload eXcharge Dragon!"
Revolver weakened Magnus Dux with Borreload Dragon's effect, which Lightning had expected. But then Revolver used a Continuous Trap Card, Tributing Borreload Dragon in the process, to protect eXcharge Dragon and weaken Magnus Dux further, allowing Revolver to survive the turn.
Revolver then used eXcharge Dragon's effect to resurrect Borreload Dragon and repeat his actions from his previous turn. But when eXcharge Dragon attacked, Lightning used Magnus Dux's effect to target Armatos Gloria, which triggered its effect to destroy Lightning's monsters, which in turn triggered the effect of Eques Flamma to inflict damage to Lightning and Revolver equal to Magnus Dux's attack points.
"What?" Revolver exclaimed at the Light Ignis's actions.
"I won't lose," Lightning declared. "Me – an Ignis that transcends humanity – can't lose to someone like you!"
Eques Flamma flung its stone into the air, where it exploded and knocked Lightning and Revolver back.
"Revolver!" Playmaker and Morningstar ran over to the Knight of Hanoi lying in the flowers. "Pull yourself together, Revolver!"
The man opened his eyes. "I didn't expect the Light Ignis to destroy itself. I let my guard down."
"Revolver! You did well!" Ai said.
"…When I was young, I'd lay down in a field of flowers and look up at the sky," Revolver remembered, "like how I'm doing now. I'm reminded of those times. I had no troubles back then. I was just excited about the world that spread before my eyes."
The Knight of Hanoi's body turned green. "I'm leaving before you. I leave the rest to you, Playmaker, Morningstar… Cypher, and Ai." His body broke apart at his last words.
"He… He called us by our names," Ai said.
"…Yes," Cypher whispered. "I suppose… that was his acknowledgement of us."
"…Ah! What about Lightning?"
Morningstar and Playmaker turned around and gasped. Bohman and Zahhak were standing next to each other, looking down on something. There on the ground, Lightning crawled with a single Life Point left.
"I'm still alive."
"What?" Playmaker exclaimed.
"Why only Lightning?" Ai wondered.
Cypher's eyes narrowed. "That bastard… he managed to hold on to some of Jin Kusanagi's consciousness data. He converted it into extra Life Points."
"That's cheating!"
Bohman walked up to Lightning and repeated Cypher's words.
"Yes," Lightning confirmed to the third generation AI. "I'll do anything to win. That's my mission." He gasped in pain. "Bohman, I'll give you everything. Show me mercy." Lightning raised his right arm.
"…You caused chaos by deceiving everyone with your wicked ideas," Bohman said.
"Bohman…"
"But you did everything so you could live. Among the Ignis, you may have been the most human. Fine. I accept everything." The man kneeled and held out his own right hand.
Lightning stared at his creation. If he had a mouth, perhaps he would have smiled. "Bohman, my soul is with you." The Light Ignis broke apart into data, which was absorbed by Bohman.
"Lightning allowed himself to be absorbed by Bohman," Playmaker said.
"Now Bohman has acquired five Attributes," Ai said worriedly.
"I can feel it," Cypher muttered. "As he is now, he is potentially stronger than Goldie and I."
Bohman stood up straight. "The stage is set. I've completed my training. Accept my duel, Playmaker!"
"Yes. It's our final fight, Bohman!"
Zahhak sighed and shook his head. "So dramatic. But I suppose in this case, it is appropriate." He walked forward and looked across the field. "Morningstar. You, me, Bohman, and Playmaker are the only duelists left in Mirror LINK VRAINS. There are no more reasons to delay our duel anymore."
"…You're right," Morningstar agreed. "I don't know why you're here Zahhak, but for everyone we've lost..." Blood Shepherd, Galahad, Spectre, Persephone, Terminus, Blue Maiden, Aqua, Lilith, Revolver, Kusanagi, Soulburner, Flame, Cassiel… "We will make their sacrifices mean something!"
"Playmaker," Bohman said. "Let's go to a stage more fitting for our final battle." He turned his head. "Zahhak, where do you and Morningstar want to go?"
"This place is fine," the Enforcer answered. "Or rather… I suppose 'appropriate' is a better word." The eyes in his helmet gleamed red. "But don't forget; if you defeat Playmaker, we will duel next."
Bohman smiled. "I will look forward to that." He raised his right hand, sending spirals of yellow data outward that encircled him and Playmaker.
"What the-?" Morningstar blinked. In an instant, Bohman, Playmaker, Frog, and Pigeon disappeared, leaving him and Cypher alone with Zahhak. "Cam, what was that?"
"A transportation program, looks like," the man answered. "Bohman and Playmaker just appeared in Mirror LINK VRAINS's Central Station courtyard."
"The center of LINK VRAINS," Cypher muttered. "I'm worried, but we have our own fight, don't we?"
"We do," Morningstar confirmed. "But first, we need to know. Zahhak! What is Ouroboros's goal in fighting alongside Bohman?"
"What is our goal?" Zahhak repeated. "You heard what Merlin said earlier, didn't you? Ouroboros believes humanity cannot be trusted to save itself. It needs a guiding hand, a figure to decide its fate. Ouroboros is that figure. And to reach the future we dream of, we joined this fight alongside your enemy."
"Helping Lightning enslave humans ensures the future you want?" Cypher exclaimed. "What kind of nonsense is that?"
"That, I won't answer. But… I will tell you why I am fighting in this war. After everything that has happened, you deserve to know that much, Morningstar."
Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "Your reason for fighting?" He had to admit, he was curious about that. About what drove the man in front of him in this battle.
"To put it simply… I want to lose."
The former bounty hunter blinked. "What?"
"If you want to lose, then you could have done that the first time we fought!" Cypher said.
"Allow me to elaborate. In the last eight years since I acquired the Cydemon Deck, I have not lost a duel. Not once. I take some pride in that, but it has left me unsatisfied. Nothing excites me or gives me a sense of fulfillment. Duels are not challenges, but chores for me. Our previous duel was exciting for me as doing laundry."
Morningstar narrowed his eyes again. "That's why you're here? You want a challenge?"
"I want a reason to grow," Zahhak clarified. "I want proof that there is still a height I haven't reached. I want my heart to beat faster because there is actual risk to my actions. That's why… I want to add a condition to our duel."
"A condition?"
"What condition?" Cypher asked.
"I possess the same program that Merlin, Techbane, and Thaumiel had; if I lose, I will just be logged out. I will of course release Persephone's and Terminus's consciousness data if I lose, but ultimately, you stand to lose much more than I do if you win. Therefore, I want to add a risk."
"What kind of risk?" Morningstar asked.
"I want to make this a PK duel."
The former hunter stiffened. "A PK duel?"
"Player Kill?" Cypher asked incredulously. "You want to bet yours and Morningstar's VRAINS IDs?"
"That's right. Whoever loses will have their account deleted and will never be able to return to LINK VRAINS again. Zahhak or Morningstar… One will live while the other will die."
Morningstar grit his teeth. Such a condition wasn't appealing at all. The risk was just too great. And yet… Zahhak was right, in a way. He stood to lose far less than Morningstar. This additional risk was a way for him to even the board.
"Furthermore, I won't make use of the Infinity Transformation in this duel."
Morningstar blinked at that. "The transformation Jester and Merlin used?" Cypher asked. "You won't use it?"
"I have no need for that cheat," Zahhak said dismissively. "I will win our duel because of my own strength. So do you accept my duel?"
"…Yes, I do."
"Are you sure, Yasu?" Cam asked. "If you lose, then Morningstar will be gone. Forever."
"I know, Cam," Morningstar whispered. "But I won't lose. There's too much riding on this." His eyes narrowed. "This won't be like last time. Before, he caught me by surprise. But now, I'm prepared." He raised his voice. "I accept your duel, Zahhak! I will grant you what you want! I will grant you defeat!"
"Your spirit is strong. Show me that your Deck is as well. Can you keep up with me?"
"Duel!"
Morningstar: 4000 LP
Zahhak: 4000 LP
CRACK!
Morningstar and Cypher gasped. "What the-?" the Silver Ignis said.
"I just heard something," the former bounty hunter whispered. "It was like many people screaming at once."
"I see." The duo looked up at Zahhak. "So Bohman has started his duel with Playmaker." The armored man tilted his head. "Actually, that reminds me." He snapped his fingers, making a ring of red lightning encircle the two duelists.
Morningstar blinked. "This is…?"
"The last time we dueled, you kept me from retrieving the Silver Ignis via a forced ejection program," Zahhak explained. "You won't do that again."
Morningstar frowned. That was troublesome, but perhaps he should have expected it. More importantly… "Cam, did something happen in LINK VRAINS?"
"Yeah," the green-haired man confirmed grimly. "Bohman created some new algorithm and it let out bolts that paralyzed people."
"What? Paralyzed people?"
"I recommend focusing on the duelist in front of you," Zahhak interrupted. "You can't afford to be distracted against me."
Morningstar grit his teeth. Worried as he was about whatever Bohman was doing, Zahhak had a point. "Cam, alert me if something big happens."
"Got it. I'll try and decode this thing in the meantime."
"I'll take the first turn!" Morningstar continued. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cyberse Infinite Coding! When a Cyberse monster is Link Summoned, I place a Cyberse Counter on this card, and once per turn, I can remove two Cyberse Counters to draw one card. Since I control no monsters, I Special Summon Cyspirit Philosopher!" A skeleton in brown scholar robes appeared in Attack Position, a mortarboard cap on its head and several scrolls under its arms, a single red eye gleaming.
Cyspirit Philosopher ATK 1500 DEF 600 LVL: 4
"Appear, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Philosopher in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" A skeleton in a suit with a cellphone and a radio in its hands emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓
"As a Cyberse Link Monster was Link Summoned, Infinite Coding gains one Cyberse Counter!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC
"Cacophonic Caller's monster effect! Once per turn, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker, but it cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. Come, Cyspirit Coder!" A skeleton in an armored lab coat appeared at Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Coder ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1
"Coder's monster effect! When it is Summoned, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand, then send one card from my hand, Deck, or field to the Graveyard. I add Cyspirit Prisoner to my hand and send Cyspirit Alchemist to the Graveyard. As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner!" A skeleton in a prisoner's jumpsuit appeared in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5
"Appear again, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Prisoner and Cacophonic Caller in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyspirit Jubilant Jester!" A skeleton in a black-and-gold jester's outfit appeared, spinning a small staff from the right Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↘
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC
"Prisoner's monster effect! As I used it to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cyspirit Mausoleum to my hand. Then, I'll activate the Field Spell Card: Cyspirit Mausoleum! While this card is on the field, possession of my 'Cyspirit' monsters cannot switch, and my linked 'Cyspirit' monsters are unaffected by your monster effects."
"You used that card against Techbane," Zahhak remembered. "A Field Spell Card meant to protect against the effects of my 'Cydevil' Link Monsters." His eyes gleamed red. "I hope you understand it won't be that simple."
"We'll see, won't we?" Morningstar asked. "I activate the effect of Infinite Coding! I remove two Cyberse Counters to draw one card!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC
"For a third time, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning condition is one Level 2 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Coder in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom-left arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Egregious Electrician!" The skeleton that emerged from the portal at Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker wore overalls and carried a power box.
Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600 LINK-1 ↙
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC
"Jubilant Jester's monster effect! So long as it points to at least one monster, my 'Cyspirit' monsters gain 400 attack and defense points!"
Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600→1000
Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 1800→2200
"Mausoleum's effect activates! When my 'Cyspirit' monster is sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I draw a card. For a fourth time, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' Link Monster. I set Egregious Electrician in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom-right arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant!" A skeleton in a silver military uniform with black pants emerged from the portal at Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker.
Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant ATK 1000→1400 LINK-1 ↘
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC
"Kooky Kommandant's monster effect! If it is linked to a Cyberse Link Monster, I can Tribute it to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position with its effects negated, then add a Level 8 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster and a 'Cyspirit' Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." The military-outfit-wearing skeleton disintegrated. "I Special Summon Cyspirit Alchemist!" A skeleton in a torn lab coat holding two beakers appeared in Attack Position at Jubilant Jester's bottom-right Link Marker.
Cyspirit Alchemist ATK 1000→1400 DEF 1000→1400 LVL: 3
"I then add Cyspirit Digital Dragoon and Cyspirit Ritual from my Deck to my hand."
"So you're going for Ritual Summoning on the first turn," Zahhak surmised.
"That's right," Morningstar confirmed. "I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Cyspirit Ritual! I Tribute monsters from my hand and field whose total Levels equal or surpass the Level of the 'Cyspirit' Ritual Monster I'm Ritual Summoning! I Tribute the Level 5 Cyspirit Wanderer in my hand!" A silver circle with five flames appeared on the field, along with a skeleton in a brown poncho. The skeleton disintegrated in data, which entered the circle and made it emit a pillar of silver light.
"The contract has been made! The amphibious beast who brings about ruin inherits this one soul! Ritual Summon! Rise, Level 5! Cyspirit Catastrophe Crocodile!" A silver crocodile with two cannons on its back emerged from the pillar and hissed from Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Catastrophe Crocodile ATK 1800→2200 DEF 900→1300 LVL: 5
"What?" Zahhak titled his head.
"Catastrophe Crocodile's monster effect! When it is Ritual Summoned, I add a 'Cyspirit' Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add, and then activate the Ritual Spell Card: Cyspirit Ritual again! I Tribute Level 3 Alchemist and Level 5 Catastrophe Crocodile to Ritual Summon once more!" The circle reappeared with eight flames, then Morningstar's monsters disintegrated and entered it, making it emit a pillar of light. "The contract has been made The horseman who was born anew inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise, Level 8! Cyspirit Digital Dragoon!" A silver skeleton wearing a silver-and-gold officer's uniform emerged from the pillar atop a silver horse skeleton, swinging a cavalry saber while a blunderbuss was slung across his back. The horse whinnied and reared back on its hindlegs from Jubilant Jester's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 2500→2900 DEF 2000→2400 LVL: 8
"Two Ritual Summons back-to-back," Zahhak muttered. "You wouldn't waste resources like that unless the first summon was just as important."
"You can figure that out yourself," Morningstar said. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Blast! By targeting a 'Cyspirit' monster I control and negating its effects until the end of the turn, you take damage equal to its attack points! I negate Digital Dragoon's effects!" A bolt of light struck Zahhak and made him wince.
Zahhak: 4000→2750 LP
"Damage on the first turn," Cypher said smugly. "You can block damage with Cydemons Knight and President, but only if they're in the Graveyard or you have a 'Cydemon' monster in the Graveyard. But when it's the first turn, you're vulnerable."
"Hmph."
CRACK
Morningstar gasped and brought his hand to his head. "Again?"
"I feel it too," Cypher grumbled. "Cam?"
"It's Bohman," the man confirmed. "He just activated a Skill called Master Storm Access."
"Master Storm Access?" Morningstar repeated. Cam gasped in shock. "Cam?"
"The people Bohman paralyzed! They just fell comatose!"
"What?!"
"And Bohman… he just Summoned a Link-5 monster!"
"What?!" Cypher gasped. "A Link-5?! He got that from the Data Storm? How?!"
"That Ignis algorithm Bohman activated," Cam muttered. "He's explaining it to Playmaker; it's called a Neuron Link. He used the consciousnesses of the people of LINK VRAINS to generate that Data Storm."
"A Data Storm powered by human minds?" Morningstar said disgustedly.
"That bastard," Cypher growled. "He should use his own power instead of other people! That's just cheating!"
"As interesting as this is," The two partners looked up at their opponent, "I already told you before; you can't afford to be distracted against me."
Morningstar grit his teeth at the reminder. That's right; he had his own duel to worry about. "I Set one card. I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" Zahhak looked at his card, then at the field. "Jubilant Jester empowers your monsters and Mausoleum protects them from my monster effects. But what does Digital Dragoon do?" He pulled its information up. "I see. If it battles my Link Monster, that monster's attack points are reduced to 0. And if it battles a monster in the Extra Monster Zone, that monster's effects are negated. A powerful anti-Link monster. But its flaws are easily exploited, as are yours."
"What?"
"By discarding Cydemon Knight, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cydemon Shrine!" Morningstar narrowed his eyes on hearing the name of the discarded monster. "I activate Shrine's effect! Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can Special Summon one 'Cydemon' monster from my hand or Graveyard in Attack Position. From my hand, I Special Summon Cydemon Earl!" A red-skinned fiend in a black cuirass, bloodred robe, and black shoulder cape appeared and sneered.
Cydemon Earl ATK 2000 DEF 600 LVL: 5
"Earl's monster effect. Once per turn, if there is a 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Cydemon Token in Defense Position." A small black winged demon appeared and hissed.
Cydemon Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2
"I summon Cydemon Pawn!" A black-skinned fiend in black-and-red armor appeared.
Cydemon Pawn ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 1
"Pawn's monster effect! Once per turn, since it was Normal Summoned, I draw cards equal to the number of Dark Cyberse Monsters in my Main Monster Zones. There are three, so I draw three cards. I activate the Field Spell Card: Cydemon Pillars! While this card is active, my Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points and are unaffected by your monster effects."
Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900
Cydemon Pawn ATK 600→900 DEF 600→900
Cydemon Token ATK 0→300 DEF 0→300
"Three monsters," Cypher muttered.
"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Earl, Pawn, and Token in the Link Markers!" The three monsters entered the left, right, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Indolent Belphegor!"
A tall, heavyset demon emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, with four black bat wings with crimson spines. The fiend wore massive black armor that covered his abdomen, shoulders, and thighs, with the shoulders, sides, and chest colored crimson. Boots and gauntlets of the same colors and designs covered his forearms and feet, though they exposed his clawed toes and fingers. The demon's skin was gray, and his head was covered by a black helmet with curled ram's horns, with his sneering mouth and solid red eyes uncovered. In the fiend's right hand, an equally massive double-headed axe formed, with a black handle and crimson grips. The blades were made of obsidian, dyed crimson at the edges.
Cydevil Indolent Belphegor ATK 2600→2900 LINK-3 ←↘→
"That's the last one," Cypher whispered. Morningstar nodded. Cam had shown him the data from Zahhak's duel with Terminus. "Now the only one we haven't seen is Sinful Satanael itself…"
"Since a Cyberse Link Monster was Link Summoned," Morningstar spoke up, "Cyberse Infinite Coding gains another Cyberse Counter."
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→3 CC
"Indolent Belphegor's monster effect! Once per turn, if I have at least three 'Cydemon' monsters in the Graveyard and it points to no monsters, I can target one face-up card you control and negate its effects until the end of the turn, then reduce the attack points of one of your monsters to 0 until the end of the turn!" Morningstar grit his teeth. "I negate Mausoleum's effects and weaken Digital Dragoon! Shadow of Sloth!" The heavyset demon, a bored expression on his face, swung his axe, sending a black wave across Morningstar's field. Mausoleum greyed out and Digital Dragoon groaned.
Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 2900→400
"Mausoleum leaves the linked Digital Dragoon unaffected by monster effects," Cypher grumbled. "But Indolent Belphegor negates a card's effects before it reduces a monster's attack points, which left Digital Dragoon unprotected.
"Battle!" Zahhak declared. "Indolent Belphegor attacks Digital Dragoon! Axe of Acedia!" The fiend yawned and took to the skies, his axe held above him.
"Digital Dragoon's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "When it battles your-!"
"That won't work," Zahhak interrupted. "Indolent Belphegor's monster effect! While it is on the field, linked monsters cannot activate their effects!" Morningstar's eyes widened. "Digital Dragoon's effects are powerful, but they are all activated ones. And with Mausoleum's effects negated, you have no protection against Indolent Belphegor's effect. Furthermore, when my Dark Cyberse monster attacks, Cydemon Shrine prevents you from activating Spell or Trap Cards!"
"But I can still use effects that aren't activated ones!" Morningstar countered. "Digital Dragoon's monster effect! Since it was Ritual Summoned using Catastrophe Crocodile, once per turn, if it would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard instead! I banish Catastrophe Crocodile itself!"
"But you will still take damage!" The axe impacted with Digital Dragoon's saber, creating a shockwave that pushed Morningstar back with a grunt.
Morningstar: 4000→1500 LP
"We lost over half our Life Points, but we saved Digital Dragoon," Cypher grunted. "When the turn ends, Indolent Belphegor's effect will end too, and Mausoleum will protect Digital Dragoon again."
"Naïve," Zahhak scoffed. "I expected you to prevent Digital Dragoon's destruction. Which is why I held this back. I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Soulsnatch!" The card showed a sneering Cydevil Covetous Leviathan holding Marauding Captain up by his neck, a golden light emerging from the gaunt man's mouth. "I shuffle a 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard into my Deck to target and destroy one monster you control!" Morningstar's eyes widened. "I shuffle Cydemon Pawn into my Deck and destroy Digital Dragoon!" The former bounty hunter winced as his Ritual Monster exploded.
"That's another card I didn't make," Cypher muttered. "And I get the feeling it can do more than what Zahhak just said."
"You're right, Silver Ignis. In addition to destroying your monster, Soulsnatch also increases my Life Points by that same monster's original attack points. Digital Dragoon had 2500 original attack points."
Zahhak: 2750→5250 LP
Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 2200→1800
"Damn it," Cypher muttered. "He could have activated that card before attacking with Indolent Belphegor but chose to activate it after."
"That was to avoid Cyspirit Ritual's effect," Morningstar realized. "I can only use that effect if my 'Cyspirit' Ritual Monster is destroyed by battle, not by a card effect."
"Well, we knew this wasn't going to be easy," Cypher said. "But we're not going to let this setback stop us, right partner?"
"Of course not. We'll just fight even harder to achieve victory!"
"Go ahead and try," Zahhak challenged. "I activate Pillars' effect to send a Dark Cyberse monster from my Deck to the Graveyard! I send Cydemon Bishop to the Graveyard. I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Indolent Belphegor's effect ends, and Mausoleum's effects are restored."
CRACK
Morningstar and Cypher winced at the sound in their heads. "Cam, was that Bohman?"
"Yeah," the man grumbled. "Turns out that Skill of his is a once-per-turn deal, not once-per-Duel."
"Seriously?" Cypher whispered. "Did he just add another Link-5 to his Deck?"
"Looks like it. Anyway, the Hanoi are trying to disrupt it and I'm trying to help. I'll keep an eye on you, but don't worry if I can't focus on you."
"Don't worry," Morningstar assured him. "Zahhak is important, but Bohman is the larger threat right now. Help Playmaker before me." Refocusing on his opponent, he said, "You may have the lead Zahhak, but I'll show you how far I've come since our last duel! My turn! Draw! I activate Infinite Coding's effect, removing two Cyberse Counters to draw a card!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 3 CC→1 CC
"I activate Cyspirit Alchemist's effect in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can add Cyspirit Fusion from my Deck to my hand!"
"Fusion's next, then?" Zahhak muttered. "But you only have one Link Monster; as I recall, your Fusion Monster's strength comes from the number of its materials."
"Who said I only had one Link Monster?" Morningstar challenged. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Philosopher in my Graveyard and banish it! For the rest of the turn, if I would Fusion Summon a 'Cyspirit' Fusion Monster, I can also use 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters in my Graveyard as Fusion Material by banishing them!"
Zahhak tensed. "What?"
"I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Fusion!" Morningstar declared. "I fuse Cyspirit Samurai in my hand, and banish Cacophonic Caller, Egregious Electrician, and Kooky Kommandant from my Graveyard via Philosopher's effect in order to Fusion Summon!" The three Link Monsters reappeared on the field, along with a skeleton in black-and-red armor wielding a katana. The four monsters broke apart into red, blue, green, and orange data that spiraled into a vortex. Four twisters shot upward and merged into a violet tornado.
"The supreme blade that cleaves the wind! Resurrect the ancient legend! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Cyspirit Savage Shogun!" The twister was split by a silver katana, wielded by a helmeted skeleton in black-and-silver armor with two sheaths at its hip. The Fusion Monster sheathed its sword from Jubilant Jester's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800→3200 DEF 2300→2700 LVL: 8
Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 1800→2200
"Another of your ace monsters," Zahhak said. "This one makes use of multiple attacks. But when it is Special Summoned, no other monsters can attack."
"That's right," Morningstar confirmed. "Since Savage Shogun was Fusion Summoned using three Link Monsters, it can attack three times each turn. I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cyspirit War Helm and equip it to Savage Shogun!" The samurai helmet disintegrated and was replaced by a tapered silver helmet with a raised face guard. "While War Helm is equipped to Savage Shogun, it gains 800 attack points, and you cannot target my other 'Cyspirit' monsters for effects or attacks."
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 3200→4000
"4000 attack points. So you seek to end this with multiple strikes. But that won't work. I activate the effect of Cydemon Knight in my Graveyard! Once while it is in the Graveyard, I can target a Dark Cyberse monster I control, and until the end of the turn, any damage equal to or lower than that monster's original attack points becomes 0. I target Indolent Belphegor!"
Morningstar smirked. "That's just what I was waiting for." Zahhak tilted his head. "Counter Trap activate! Cyspirit Malfunction!" The card showed Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary, the rifle in its hands exploding. "When you activate an effect from the Graveyard while I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, that activation is negated!" The former hunter's smirk widened. "Furthermore, so long as Cyspirit Malfunction remains in my Graveyard, you cannot activate cards or the effects of cards with the same original name as the negated card!"
Zahhak stiffened. "What?"
"This card was made specifically to counter you," Cypher gloated. "So long as Malfunction remains in our Graveyard, you cannot use Knight's effect to avoid damage!"
"This duel is ending now! Battle! Savage Shogun attacks Indolent Belphegor!" The Fusion Monster unsheathed his katana and leapt across the field.
"Tch. I activate the effect of Cydemon Bishop in my Graveyard! Once, I can target a Dark Cyberse monster I control, and for the rest of the turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. I target Indolent Belphegor!"
"Even if your 'Cydevil' monster cannot be destroyed, you will still lose!" Morningstar said.
"Savage Shogun gains 1000 attack points when it battles a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck," Cypher said. "You'll take 2100 points of damage from each attack; that's more than enough to drop your Life Points to 0!"
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cydemon Resilience!" Zahhak declared. The card showed Cydemons Knight and Rook roaring, their bodies glowing with crimson energy. "Until the end of my next turn, one Dark Cyberse monster I control gains 1000 attack points! I target Indolent Belphegor!"
Cydevil Indolent Belphegor ATK 2900→3900
Morningstar grit his teeth. "Okay, so you'll survive," Cypher admitted sourly. "But you'll still take massive damage!"
"The attack continues! Savage Shogun's monster effect! When it battles a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, it gains 1000 attack points during damage calculation!"
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 4000→5000
"Go! True Termination Slash!" The Fusion Monster swung its glowing katana and cut a silver streak across the demon's chest, making it growl in pain. The shockwave of the attack continued past the Link Monster and impacted Zahhak, making him grunt as Indolent Belphegor's armor was chipped and a piece struck Zahhak's helmet, denting it.
Zahhak: 5250→4150 LP
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 5000→4000
"I activate War Helm's effect! Since a Fusion Monster equipped with it inflicted battle damage, I can target and destroy a card in your Spell & Trap Zone, then draw one card. I destroy Cydemon Shrine!" The Continuous Spell Card shattered, and Morningstar drew. "Savage Shogun can make two more attacks! The second attack!"
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 4000→5000
The Fusion Monster swung its katana again, cutting another streak against the fiend's chest, making it growl again. A second shockwave rang out and hit Zahhak, along with another piece of the demon's armor that hit his helmet, cracking it at the top.
Zahhak: 4150→3050 LP
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 5000→4000
"The third and final attack!"
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 4000→5000
Savage Shogun swung its sword three times, cutting three streaks of silver light across Indolent Belphegor. It then sheathed its katana, just in time for Indolent Belphegor to explode. The impact struck Zahhak, pushing him back and deepening the crack in his mask.
Zahhak: 3050→1950 LP
Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 5000→4000
"We've got him down to less than half his original Life Points," Cypher said smugly. "A few more turns and-."
CRACK
Morningstar and Cypher gasped as the crack at the top of Zahhak's helmet spread downwards. "What?" Cypher wondered. "Is that helmet-?"
CRACK
The helmet fell apart, revealing the face underneath.
"Oh, so that's what heEEEEHHHH!?" Cypher screamed. Morningstar stared, wide-eyed.
"W-What the hell?!" Cam shouted.
The man in front of Morningstar smiled. "I didn't think it would happen like this." His voice had changed from the deep register it had before. It was still deep, but higher and softer. "But… I suppose now is an appropriate time."
The man raised his head. His skin was light, with black hair styled in spikes, and red bangs that extended across the right side of his face.
Morningstar stared into a pair of hazel eyes set in a face identical to his own, if a few years older. "It's been a really long time, hasn't it… little brother."
Morningstar vs. Zahhak
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Morningstar
Morningstar activates the Continuous Spell Card Cyberse Infinite Coding. Each time a Cyberse Link Monster is Link Summoned, he places 1 Cyberse Counter on Cyberse Infinite Coding, and once per turn, he can remove 2 Cyberse Counters from it to draw 1 card. As he controls no monsters, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Philosopher (1500/600/4) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Philosopher to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC). He activates Cacophonic Caller's effect to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to its Link Marker. He Special Summons Cyspirit Coder (0/0/1) to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker in Attack Position, but it cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. As Coder was Summoned, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand, then send 1 card from his hand, Deck, or field to the GY. He adds Cyspirit Prisoner to his hand and sends Cyspirit Alchemist to the GY. As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Prisoner and Cacophonic Caller to Link Summon Cyspirit Jubilant Jester (1800/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC). As Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Mausoleum to his hand. Morningstar activates the Field Spell Card Cyspirit Mausoleum. While Mausoleum is on the field, Morningstar's linked "Cyspirit" monsters are unaffected by Zahhak's monster effects, and possession of Morningstar's "Cyspirit" monsters cannot switch. Morningstar activates Infinite Coding's effect, removing 2 Cyberse Counters to draw 1 card (Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC). Morningstar uses Coder to Link Summon Cyspirit Egregious Electrician (600/1/↙) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker (Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC). So long as Jubilant Jester points to 1 monster, Morningstar's "Cyspirit" monsters gain 400 ATK/DEF (Egregious Electrician: 600→1000) (Jubilant Jester: 1800→2200). As Morningstar's "Cyspirit" monster was sent to the GY as Link Material, Mausoleum's effect lets Morningstar draw 1 card. Morningstar uses Egregious Electrician to Link Summon Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant (1000→1400/1/↘) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker (Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC). As Kooky Kommandant is linked with a Cyberse Link Monster, Morningstar Tributes it to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position with its effects negated, then he can add 1 Level 8 or lower "Cyspirit" monster and 1 "Cyspirit" Spell Card from his Deck to his hand. He Special Summons Cyspirit Alchemist (1000→1400/1000→1400/3) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-right Link Marker, then adds Cyspirit Digital Dragoon and Cyspirit Ritual to his hand. Morningstar activates the Ritual Spell Card Cyspirit Ritual, Tributing the Level 5 Cyspirit Wanderer in his hand to Ritual Summon Cyspirit Catastrophe Crocodile (1800→2200/900→1300/5) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. As Catastrophe Crocodile was Ritual Summoned, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" Spell Card from his GY to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Ritual to his hand. Morningstar activates the Ritual Spell Card Cyspirit Ritual, Tributing the Level 3 Alchemist and Level 5 Catastrophe Crocodile to Ritual Summon Cyspirit Digital Dragoon (2500→2900/2000→2400/8) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position. Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Blast, which lets him target 1 "Cyspirit" monster he controls, negate its effects until the End Phase, then inflict damage to Zahhak equal to half that monster's original ATK, but Morningstar cannot conduct his Battle Phase the turn he activates this effect. He targets Digital Dragoon (Zahhak: 4000→2750 LP). Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 2: Zahhak
Zahhak draws. By discarding Cydemon Knight, he activates the Continuous Spell Card Cydemon Shrine. As he controls no monsters, he activates Shrine's effect to Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his hand or GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Cydemon Earl (2000/600/5) from his hand. As there is a "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates Earl's effect to Special Summon 1 Cydemon Token (0/0/2) in Defense Position. Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Pawn (600/600/1). As there is a "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates the Normal Summoned Pawn's effect to draw cards equal to the number of Dark Cyberse monsters in his Main Monster Zones, but Zahhak cannot add cards from his Deck to his hand for the rest of the turn. He draws 3 cards. Zahhak activates the Field Spell Card Cydemon Pillars. While Pillars is on the field, Zahhak's Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 ATK/DEF and are unaffected by Morningstar's monster effects (Earl: 2000→2300/600→900) (Pawn: 600→900/600→900) (Token: 0→300/0→300). Zahhak uses Earl, Pawn, and Token to Link Summon Cydevil Indolent Belphegor (2600→2900/3/←↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 2 CC→3 CC). As he has 3 "Cydemon" monsters in his GY and it points to no monsters, Zahhak activates Indolent Belphegor's effect to target 1 face-up card Morningstar controls and negate its effects until the end of the turn, the Zahhak can reduce the ATK of 1 of Morningstar's face-up monsters to 0 until the end of the turn. Zahhak targets Mausoleum and negates its effects, then reduces Digital Dragoon's ATK (Digital Dragoon: 2900→400).
Indolent Belphegor attacks Digital Dragoon. While Indolent Belphegor is on the field, linked monsters cannot activate their effects. As Digital Dragoon would be destroyed, Morningstar uses the effect it gained from Catastrophe Crocodile to banish Catastrophe Crocodile from his GY instead (Morningstar: 4000→1500 LP). Zahhak activates the Spell Card Cydemon Soulsnatch, which lets him shuffle 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY into his Deck to destroy 1 monster Morningstar controls, then gain LP equal to that monster's original ATK. He returns Pawn to his Deck and destroys Digital Dragoon (Zahhak: 2750→5250 LP) (Jubilant Jester: 2200→1800). Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Pillars to send Cydemon Bishop from his Deck to the GY. He Sets 1 card. Zahhak ends his turn, and Indolent Belphegor's effect ends.
Turn 3: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. He activates the effect of Infinite Coding (Infinite Coding: 3 CC→1 CC). He then activates the effect of Alchemist in his GY, banishing it to add Cyspirit Fusion from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates the effect of Philosopher in his GY, banishing it. For the rest of the turn, if Morningstar would Fusion Summon a "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster, Morningstar can also banish "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from his GY as Fusion Material. Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Fusion, fusing Cyspirit Samurai in his hand and banishing Cacophonic Caller, Egregious Electrician, and Kooky Kommandant form his GY to Fusion Summon Cyspirit Savage Shogun (2800/2300/8) to the Jubilant Jester's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position (Jubilant Jester: 1800→2200) (Savage Shogun: 2800→3200/2300→2700). As Savage Shogun was Special Summoned, no other monsters can declare an attack. Morningstar activates the Equip Spell Card Cyspirit War Helm, equipping it to Savage Shogun. The equipped Savage Shogun gains 800 ATK, and Zahhak cannot target "Cyspirit" monsters for attacks or effects, except Savage Shogun (Savage Shogun: 3200→4000). Zahhak attempts to activate the effect of Knight in his GY, targeting Indolent Belphegor, but Morningstar chains his Set Counter Trap Card Cyspirit Malfunction. As Zahhak activated an effect from the GY while Morningstar controls a "Cyspirit" monster, that activation is negated. In addition, so long as Cyspirit Malfunction is in the GY, Zahhak cannot activate cards or the effects of cards with the same original name as Knight.
As Savage Shogun was Fusion Summoned using 3 Link Monsters, it can make 3 attacks during each Battle Phase, but it can only attack directly once per turn. Savage Shogun attacks Indolent Belphegor. Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Bishop in his GY, targeting Indolent Belphegor and preventing its destruction by battle or effects until the End Phase. Zahhak activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Cydemon Resilience, targeting Indolent Belphegor and increasing its ATK by 1000 until the end of his next turn (Indolent Belphegor: 2900→3900). As Savage Shogun is battling a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, it gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation (Savage Shogun: 4000→5000). The attack continues but Indolent Belphegor isn't destroyed (Zahhak: 5250→4150 LP) (Savage Shogun: 5000→4000). As a Fusion Monster equipped with Cyspirit War Helm inflicted battle damage, Morningstar can target and destroy 1 card in Zahhak's Spell & Trap Zone, then draw 1 card. He targets and destroys Shrine, then draws. Savage Shogun attacks Indolent Belphegor (Savage Shogun: 4000→5000). Indolent Belphegor isn't destroyed (Zahhak: 4150→3050 LP) (Savage Shogun: 5000→4000). Savage Shogun attacks Indolent Belphegor (Savage Shogun: 4000→5000). Indolent Belphegor isn't destroyed (Zahhak: 3050→1950 LP) (Savage Shogun: 5000→4000).
This duel will continue…
Morningstar:
Cyspirit Philosopher
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 600 Level: 4
If you control no monsters: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can banish this card from your GY; for the rest of the turn, if you would Fusion Summon a "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster, you can also banish "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from your GY as Fusion Material. You can only use 1 "Cyspirit Philosopher" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Cyspirit Malfunction Counter Trap Card
When your opponent activates an effect from the GY while you control a "Cyspirit" monster: Negate that activation, and if you do, your opponent cannot activate cards or the effects of cards with the same original name as the negated card while this card is in your GY. You can only use 1 "Cyspirit Malfunction" once per turn.
Zahhak:
Cydevil Indolent Belphegor
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↘→
2+ DARK Cyberse monsters
Linked monsters cannot activate their effects. Once, while this card is in your GY: You can target up to 2 "Cydemon" monsters in your GY; Special Summon them in Defense Position with their effects negated. If you have 3 or more "Cydemon" monsters in your GY, this card gains the following effects.
-Once per turn, if this card points to no monsters: You can target 1 face-up card your opponent controls; negate that card's effects, and if you do, you can reduce the ATK of 1 face-up monster your opponent controls to 0. These changes last until the end of the turn. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation.
Cydemon Soulsnatch Normal Spell Card
Shuffle 1 "Cydemon" monster from your GY into your Deck, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy that monster, and if you do, gain LP equal to its original ATK. You can banish this card from your GY; send 1 "Cydemon" monster from your Deck to the GY, then gain LP equal to its ATK. You can only use 1 "Cydemon Soulsnatch" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Cydemon Resilience Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; increase that monster's ATK by 1000 until the end of your next turn. You can banish this card from the GY and target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; increase that monster's original ATK by 600 until the end of your next turn. You can only use 1 "Cydemon Resilience" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 71 – Hidden Memories. Morningstar remembers nothing before the church. He remembers only the priest, and being on his own. But Zahhak knows the truth of him, and the time for that truth to be revealed has come. Zahhak unveils the memories that Morningstar lost, and their epic duel reaches its conclusion…
Question of the Chapter
Season 2 of Hidden Memories is almost over. So my question this time is… At the moment, which duels are you hoping to see the most in Season 3?
Author's Notes
Thank you to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC for helping with the OC cards and providing feedback on the duel so far.
Well, this was an interesting chapter to write. I'll start with the recap of Lightning vs. Revolver. I've said it before that I dislike reiterating anime events, but considering how important the reveals about Lightning were to the story, I thought it necessary to do so. And honestly, I liked doing it this time. Cypher got to express his anger at Lightning being unable to accept his inadequacies, as well as the anger he felt over Windy's origin's death. Personally, I think that Lightning does have a measure of responsibility for that situation, but Windy still did it, rewritten or not, so they're both at fault in my eyes.
Another aspect of these reveals was Lightning revealing Goldie knew about him. This was him trying to sour relations between Goldie, Ai, and Cypher, but Cypher recognized that Goldie didn't act because she wanted to guide Lightning and help him without hurting him. Of course, hindsight is a bitch, but Goldie acted only on her best intentions. That aside, some people suggested Bohman interfering early, but I thought about it, and I figured that Bohman didn't interfere in the anime because he wanted to know what Revolver would do. Whether he would sacrifice Jin for the good of the world or not. That's why I had Bohman hold back. And Zahhak? He disapproved, but he decided it wasn't his fight.
Then we have the reveal about Zahhak's reasons for fighting: He wants a worthy challenge. In this instance, I'd say Zahhak is Jack Atlas from ARC-V. He's so strong that he's bored from dueling, as he can't get any stronger with the opponents he's faced. The main reason he was so excited to face Cassiel and Morningstar was because he knew the Cyangels and Cyspirits were made by the same people who created the Cydemons, so they would be able to push him. That desire for risk, for actual danger, is the reason Zahhak suggested turning this into a PK duel. If he wins, he'll get a good duel. If he loses, then Zahhak will be gone forever, but he'll have gotten the proof that he can still grow stronger.
And then the duel itself. I feel proud of what I've written here, even if it is only the beginning. Morningstar shows how far he's grown, as he was able to explicitly counter Zahhak's usual attempts at negating damage and even inflict considerable damage himself. This is both because of Morningstar's own increased strength as well as his knowledge of the Cydemon Deck and how it works coming into play. Don't forget; Morningstar's a very intelligent bounty hunter, with only Blood Shepherd and Playmaker being his equals in this area.
And then the reveal at the end… I won't say anything about that. All I'll say is that I hope you look forward to Chapter 71 and how this all ends.
Thank you for reading Chapter 70 of Hidden Memories. I hate to leave you on a cliffhanger… Actually, that's a lie, I love leaving you on a cliffhanger! Please leave a review about your favorite moments in this chapter and what you're hoping to see next.