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

72. Chapter 72: Last Chance

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to Jason, D3lph0xL0v3r, SavageWizar9000, DivadX, LoneTaker, Daemon of Wrath, blizzardblaze174, GuestKingOfGuest, HunterHQ, Anonymous, Unknown, Noobmaster, savagemaster1999, pokemonking0924, Zeromk7, Unnamed, AiKokoNoot, Nirvash Neo, Ambiguous, SolanaLeonhart, Ethan Kironus, wolf354 zxc, FlameFireZero X, ZarcEternal, The BlazingButterfly777, Unknowedz, Big duels, Playmaker67, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 71.

GuestKingOfGuests: Sorry, but I'm not accepting OC Cydemon cards. Part of it is the naming themes, the other part is that it's just easier for me to make them myself.

Noobmaster: Yasutake was released as part of Dr. Weissmann's experiment. There was nothing special about him, he just chose him at random.

wolf354 zxc: For the record, Zahhak only took Superior Seraphim; if Yasutake does duel again, he'll still be able to use the Cyspirits, just not Superior Seraphim.

Guest: The Hanoi weren't able to see Morningstar's duel with Zahhak because of the program Zahhak used to keep Morningstar from ejecting Cypher. It also had the side effect of keeping everyone except Cam from watching it. Well, and whoever Zahhak wanted.

Jason: Sorry, but the Church and Dominion have no role in this story.

Thank you all for sticking with this story for so long. This is the last duel of season 2, and if you look close enough, you'll notice I made a slight change to the opening. Have fun!

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Chapter 72: Last Chance

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, the sky clouded over and a barren cherry tree in the background. Sachi looks down on Yasutake's face, a sad smile on her face. Yasutake opens his eyes and both look upwards as the screen jumps to the sky and sun.

---

Playmaker and Ai materialized in LINK VRAINS' central station, surrounded by comatose bodies. "We won," the latter noted.

"Yes." The former looked around with a frown. "But… the cost was too high."

Ai teared up. "Flame, Aqua, Earth, Soulburner, Cassiel, Lilith, Blue Maiden, Revolver… Everyone's gone."

Playmaker frowned but then looked up at a golden light. Particles fell through the air before Ai gasped. "Look, Playmaker!"

The hacker looked down as the people around him were roused, all clutching their heads as though recovering from a headache.

"What's this?"

"Bohman freed everyone," Ai realized.

Golden particles merged into a form in front of Playmaker. One he recognized. "Soulburner!"

The fire duelist blinked. "Playmaker? If I'm here, then that means…" He smiled. "I see! You defeated them!"

Blue Maiden and Blood Shepherd materialized near them. Some distance away, Lilith, Kenmochi, Yoroizaka, and Galahad gasped as they were freed.

"Yusaku!"

The hacker blinked and then smiled at the voice in his ear. Kusanagi was alright.

"Are you all okay?" Akira and Ghost Girl ran up to Playmaker, Soulburner, and Blue Maiden.

"Bohman freed the people," Playmaker explained.

"Why?"

"Probably his pride," Ai answered.

A rumbling sound made them all look up. And they saw as a certain structure collapsed.

"It's vanishing."

"The other LINK VRAINS."

"Now everything is over," Playmaker said.

"Did you save Flame?" Soulburner asked, raising his Duel Disk. Playmaker frowned. Once she noticed his expression, Blue Maiden frowned as well and looked at her own Duel Disk.

"Soulburner, Blue Maiden… Sorry," Ai said miserably.

"Persephone!"

Everyone blinked as Galahad came over, eyes wide and glancing all around. "Has anyone seen Persephone? She isn't answering her calls!"

"Persephone?" Playmaker repeated. His eyes widened as he looked around. "Wait… where is Morningstar?"

"Eh?" Ai looked around as well. "He's not here! Neither is Cypher!"

"Cassiel isn't here either," Blue Maiden noticed with wide eyes.

"Kusa- Unnamed, is our friend there?" Playmaker asked.

"No, he isn't," Kusanagi answered. "The door was open, but he left a note. It says… it says he needed to head back to Café Junpei."

Back to Café Junpei? But if Cam had left… and Morningstar, Cassiel, and Persephone weren't here… then that meant…

"It can't be," Ai whispered, eyes wide and tearful as he reached the same realization his partner had.

CRACK-BOOM

Everyone cried out as a pillar of red lightning struck the center of the central station. Smaller bolts shot out and hit the civilians, making them cry out in pain before they turned red and disintegrated. In mere moments, the only people left were Playmaker, Soulburner, Blue Maiden, Akira, Ghost Girl, Blood Shepherd, Galahad, and Lilith.

"What is that?" the armored bounty hunter demanded, shielding his face with an arm as his cape flapped behind him.

"The people!" Blue Maiden cried out as her eyes widened in horror.

"They're being forcibly logged out!" Akira realized. He pressed a button on his Duel Disk only for an error message to pop up. "And we're being prevented from doing so!"

"Playmaker!" The hacker turned his head and gasped as Soulburner and Blue Maiden were pushed away from him by a heavy wind, leaving him and Ai alone. A circle of red lightning formed around the pillar and Playmaker, isolating them.

The pillar then faded, revealing an armored man kneeling in the center.

Playmaker grit his teeth. "Zahhak."

The Enforcer rose to his feet. "Playmaker."

"What?" Soulburner exclaimed. "Zahhak is here? But… if he is here, then that means-!"

"Yes." Zahhak held up his Duel Disk, which flashed silver. "I defeated Morningstar. He, Cassiel, and the Silver Ignis are right here."

Everyone watching gasped. "Give them back!" Ai demanded. "Let them go!"

"If you desire them back, then defeat me." Zahhak lowered his Duel Disk. "I had hoped to fight Bohman when he was completed, but it seems I won't get that chance. So I'll settle for you."

Playmaker grit his teeth. Morningstar… had lost? That didn't seem possible. Playmaker had a better idea of the former bounty hunter's skill then just about anyone, short of Morningstar himself, Cam, and Sachi. For Zahhak to defeat him a second time… It suggested the Enforcer was not just as strong as they feared, but even stronger.

"Emma," Blood Shepherd whispered to his sister. "What is happening?"

Ghost Girl grit her teeth. "Playmaker's group fought the Light Ignis, who had help from a group called Ouroboros." She noticed him tense. "You know about them?"

"…Only rumors, nothing concrete," the man admitted. "Though supposedly their duelists are on another level. This man is one of them?"

"An Enforcer. The strongest among them, in fact. He beat Morningstar once before, but now he's done it a second time…"

"Tch." Blood Shepherd raised his hand and fired a shot. The energy bolt impacted with the lightning barrier and fizzled out.

Zahhak turned to look at the bounty hunter. "Was that necessary? I would have thought it obvious you couldn't get through. And why would you even bother? I assumed that of everyone here, you would want to help Playmaker the least."

He was right; Playmaker wasn't a person Blood Shepherd would want to help. But he hadn't fired that shot to help Playmaker. He'd done it to test this man's code for himself, and like he'd suspected it was a strong one.

Blood Shepherd had seen Morningstar's duel with Zahhak and had been thoroughly annoyed afterwards. Annoyed that someone else might have claimed his bounty, annoyed that someone who came out of nowhere might have defeated his rival. And now that man had done so again. He wasn't an opponent to underestimate. Blood Shepherd needed as much information as possible.

"Damn it!" Soulburner growled. "Let us through, Zahhak! You were willing to fight me, Playmaker, and Blue Maiden at once before, weren't you? Well now's your chance to go three-on-one!" Blue Maiden nodded her strong agreement.

"I'm uninterested in that," Zahhak said dismissively. "Only one of you has an Ignis now. Playmaker. I'll defeat you and take the Dark Ignis."

"If you think I'll just watch you do that, then you are a fool!"

Zahhak looked up as someone in a trench coat leapt down from a nearby balcony.

"Revolver!" Playmaker gasped.

The Knight of Hanoi yelled as green lightning surrounded his right fist and he brought it forward. His fist impacted with an invisible barrier that struggled against him before slowly opening. Revolver slipped through the hole, only for it to close behind him. The leader of the Knights of Hanoi landed next to Playmaker and rose to his feet, glaring at Zahhak.

"Revolver!" Ai said.

"What are you doing?" Playmaker asked.

"The leader of the Knights of Hanoi," Zahhak noted, and for once there was an actual note of curiosity in his passive and condescending voice. "Why are you doing this? Lightning and Bohman are dead. We have no need to be enemies."

"That may be true to you, but it is not true to me," Revolver replied. "Don't get the wrong idea here, Playmaker; when we teamed up, I told you we would eventually fight to decide the fate of the Ignis. That hasn't changed." His eyes narrowed. "But this person here… he is just as strong as Bohman or the Light Ignis and his motives are unknown. If I have to side with either of you, I'll pick the side whose motives I know."

"Revolver…"

"More than that, this is personal." Revolver scowled. "He defeated Terminus, and he still has his consciousness data. I'll defeat him and free my friend!"

Lilith's eyes widened. Zahhak had defeated Terminus? Then that meant-.

"…So you wish to fight me as well." There was another change to Zahhak's voice. This time, there was a tinge of excitement. "Fine. Two-on-one should even things out. And in a way… I suppose it is appropriate that you of all people oppose us at this stage."

Revolver blinked. "Me of all people?"

"It doesn't matter anymore. Very well; I'll take both of you on. Do you think you can keep up with me?"

"Duel!"

Playmaker & Revolver: 4000 LP

Zahhak: 4000 LP

Lilith grit her teeth. So Morningstar and Cassiel had both lost to this man. And even if Jester had been her father's murderer, Zahhak still had his cards. She needed to know how he got them. And why her father had to die.

"The two of you will share a field," Zahhak said. "As well as a Graveyard and Life Points. I'll take the first turn! By discarding Cydemon Earl, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cydemon Shrine! I activate the effect of Earl in the Graveyard! Once, I can add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add the Field Spell Card: Cydemon Pillars to my hand, and then activate it! While Pillars is on the field, my Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points and are unaffected by your monster effects. I activate Pillars' effect! Once per turn, I can send a Dark Cyberse monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Cydemon Duke to the Graveyard. I activate Shrine's effect! Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my hand or Graveyard in Attack Position. Come, Cydemon Duke!" A large and muscular with red-and-black skin and armor appeared and swung a battle axe.

Cydemon Duke ATK 2600→2900 DEF 600→900 LVL: 7

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

"Playmaker," Revolver said. "I'll take this turn, get a feel for his Deck. You'll take the next." Playmaker nodded in agreement. Revolver's Deck was more focused on brute force than his was, so it made sense for him to try and overpower Zahhak's defenses first.

"My turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: Boot Sector Launch! All 'Rokket' monsters on the field gain 300 attack and defense points! I activate Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon up to two 'Rokket' monsters from my hand in Defense Position. Come, Anesthrokket Dragon and Autorokket Dragon!" Two mechanical dragons appeared, one green-and-yellow with a needle on its head, and the other orange with a missile on its head.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

"Appear, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are two 'Rokket' monsters. I set Anesthrokket and Autorokket in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Booster Dragon!" A new mechanical dragon emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone, this one with a gray body, no front arms, and a massive barrel attached to its head.

Booster Dragon ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↙↘

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Borrel Regenerator! I Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position and equip it with this card. Resurrect, Autorokket Dragon!" The orange metal dragon reappeared.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

"Booster Dragon's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target another monster on the field and increase its attack and defense points by 500, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. I target Autorokket Dragon!" Revolver smirked. "Autorokket Dragon's monster effect! When it is targeted by a Link Monster's effect, I can destroy it, then send a Spell or Trap Card from the field to the Graveyard! I send Cydemon Pillars to the Graveyard!" Autorokket Dragon broke apart and left behind an orb, which entered Booster Dragon's chest cylinder. The dragon fired a beam from its barrel and impacted the Field Spell, disintegrating it.

Zahhak showed no outward reaction to his Field Spell's destruction. "As Pillars left the field, Duke's attack and defense points return to normal."

Cydemon Duke ATK 2900→2600 DEF 900→600

"As Borrel Regenerator was sent to the Graveyard because the monster equipped with it was destroyed, I draw a card," Revolver continued.

"Continuous Trap activate!" Zahhak interrupted. "Cydemon Gula! While this card is on the field, cards in my Graveyard and on my field cannot be banished by your card effects!" Revolver narrowed his eyes. He remembered that card from Zahhak's duel with Persephone; it covered one of the Cydemons' major weaknesses. "I activate Cydemon Gula's effect! Once per turn, I can return a 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard to my Deck, then send a different 'Cydemon' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I return Earl to my Deck and send Cydemon Knight to the Graveyard. I activate Knight's effect and target Duke! For the rest of the turn, any damage I would take that is equal to or lower than Duke's original attack points becomes 0!"

"Damn it!" Ai whined. "That effect is what kept Persephone and Morningstar from hurting him before!"

"Duke has 2600 attack points," Playmaker said, remaining calm. "Any attack that deals 2600 or less points of damage will become 0." His eyes narrowed. "That will be hard to overcome."

Revolver scoffed. "Who do you think you are talking to, Playmaker? A difference like that? I can absolutely overcome it! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Quick Launch! I Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my Deck! Come, Magnarokket Dragon!" A blue metal dragon with a laser on its head appeared in Attack Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"The monster Special Summoned by Quick Launch cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon Noctovision Dragon from my hand!" A new dark blue metal dragon with no front arms and green holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"Appear, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters. I set Magnarokket Dragon, Noctovision Dragon, and Link-2 Booster Dragon in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "My gale that slices open the closed world!" Inside an underground hangar, lights illuminated a massive red and silver mechanical dragon with a gun cylinder in its chest and green holographic wings. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Borreload Dragon!" The dragon shot out of the hanger and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"You brought out your ace monster on the first turn," Zahhak noted. "That will allow you to overcome Duke's attack points. But even if you use Strange Trigger, you won't be able to damage me."

"I'm aware of that," Revolver said dismissively. "Which is why I am far from done! When Noctovision Dragon is sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I draw a card. I summon Rokket Synchron!" A squat blue mechanical dragon with a missile on its back appeared.

Rokket Synchron ATK 300→600 DEF 0→300 LVL: 1

"Synchron… So that's your game."

"Rokket Synchron's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Dark Dragon monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated, but during the End Phase, it is destroyed. Resurrect, Noctovision Dragon!"

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"Level 1 Rokket Synchron tunes Level 7 Noctovision Dragon!" Revolver declared. A bolt of green lightning struck the field and atomized the two monsters, whose data reformed into two green rings. The rings turned blue and merged before becoming a tower of eight blue rings. A surge of light shot through them. "Heroic dragon! Fire by transforming your ferocious fangs into bullets! Synchro Summon! Come out, Level 8! Borreload Savage Dragon!" A red metal dragon covered in silver armor, with green lines on its body and even more holographic wings than its Link counterpart, emerged from the pillar at Borreload Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Borreload Savage Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"Link Summoning and Synchro Summoning in the same turn," Zahhak mused. "If nothing else, dueling you isn't boring."

"Savage Dragon's monster effect! When it is Synchro Summoned, I can equip a Link Monster from my Graveyard to it and increase its attack points by half that monster's attack points, then place Borrel Counters on Savage Dragon equal to that monster's Link Rating. I equip Booster Dragon to Savage Dragon!"

Borreload Savage Dragon: 0 BC→2 BC ATK 3000→3950

"Ha!" Ai cheered quietly. "Not only is Savage Dragon stronger, but its effect can negate any effect that Zahhak might activate. So he can't use his other face-down card!"

"Battle!" Revolver declared. "Borreload Dragon attacks Cydemon Duke! Varrel Cannon of Lightning!" A gun barrel extended from the Link Monster's mouth and fired a golden beam at Zahhak's field, obliterating the large fiend in front of him.

"Due to Knight's effect, I take no damage from this battle," Zahhak intoned.

"That effect is also why Revolver didn't use Strange Trigger," Ai realized.

"Right," Playmaker agreed. "Even if he took control of Duke, it wouldn't have been able to inflict damage."

"You may have blocked damage from the previous attack, but the next one will hit you!" Revolver proclaimed. "Savage Dragon attacks you directly! Varrel Fire of Thunderclap!" A gun barrel extended from Savage Dragon's maw, where it gathered a golden sphere of energy. It released that energy in a beam that hit Zahhak with an explosion, pushing the Enforcer back with a loud grunt as his body fizzled.

Zahhak: 4000→50 LP

"Yes!" Soulburner cheered. "He got him down to 50 Life Points!"

"In one hit!" Blue Maiden added.

"One more attack will put an end to this!" Ghost Girl noted.

Lilith smirked while Galahad grit his teeth. "Cheering on a Knight of Hanoi," the latter grumbled. "What the hell happened to this world?"

Zahhak straightened himself. "Impressive." The tone in his voice indicated that he really was impressed. "You inflicted more damage to me with a single attack than anyone has before. Had your dragon been just a little bit stronger, you might have won."

"It's too early to be impressed," Revolver said. "You have my lieutenant's consciousness data; I won't rest until Terminus is free!"

"Indeed, it is too early to be impressed," Zahhak agreed. "Especially in your case."

"What?"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cydemon Alchemy!" The card showed Cydemons Bishop and Queen looking over a massive cauldron, the former holding several vials and the latter wearing a dubious expression. "When I take damage, I can Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my Deck whose attack points are less than or equal to that damage, then gain Life Points equal to that monster's attack points."

Revolver grit his teeth. "If that is the case, then I'll activate Savage Dragon's effect-!"

"You cannot," Zahhak interrupted. "If I control no monsters, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to Alchemy's activation." Revolver's scowl deepened. "The damage was 3950. Come to me, Cydemon King!" A tall, black-skinned fiend wearing crimson robes and a black mantle, along with a dark gold crown over a black ponytail, appeared in Attack Position, two sheathed longswords at his sides.

Cydemon King ATK 3000 DEF 600 LVL: 8

Zahhak: 50→3050 LP

"A Level 8 monster!" Ai cried out. "And he undid most of the damage!"

Revolver grit his teeth. "You gambled with the certainty that I would inflict damage."

"I did. And I predicted correctly."

"Tch. I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, as Autorokket Dragon was sent to the Graveyard because it was destroyed, I can Special Summon a different 'Rokket' monster from my Deck. Come, Silverrokket Dragon!" A completely silver metal dragon with a missile on its head appeared in Defense Position.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK 1900→2200 DEF 100→400 LVL: 4

"As the two of you are sharing a field, that means Playmaker will take the next turn," Zahhak said. "Which means it is now my turn! Draw! I activate Gula's effect to return Knight to my Deck, then send Cydemon Marquis to the Graveyard! I activate Marquis's effect in the Graveyard! Once, I can add a Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand."

"That won't happen!" Revolver interrupted. "Savage Dragon's monster effect! I remove a Borrel Counter to negate the activation of Marquis's effect!"

Borreload Savage Dragon: 2 BC→1 BC

"He would have gotten Cydemon Pillars back with that effect," Playmaker noted.

"That would have made his monsters unaffected by Savage Dragon's effect," Ai realized.

"You can slow me down, but you cannot stop me," Zahhak said. "I summon Cydemon Pawn!" A human-sized fiend in black-and-red armor appeared, swinging a short sword.

Cydemon Pawn ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 1

"Pawn's monster effect! As it was Normal Summoned and I have at least one 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can draw cards equal to the number of Dark Cyberse monsters in my Main Monster Zones. I control two, so I draw two!"

"Borreload Dragon's monster effect!" Revolver declared. "I target a monster and lower its attack and defense points by 500! You cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect!" His eyes narrowed. "I target Silverrokket Dragon! Silverrokket Dragon's monster effect! When it is targeted by a Link Monster's effect, it is destroyed!" The silver dragon exploded. "Then, I can look at your Extra Deck and banish one card from it!"

"What?" Zahhak tensed.

Eight cards appeared in front Revolver. "I banish Cydevil Sinful Satanael!" The Link-5 monster shattered while the others disappeared.

"Yes!" Ai cheered. "He got rid of the Link-5!" Playmaker smiled.

"If you think I need Sinful Satanael to defeat you, you are sorely mistaken," Zahhak warned. "King's monster effect! Once per turn, if there is at least one 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can Tribute a monster I control to Special Summon a Dark Cyberse Link Monster from my Extra Deck and treat it as having been Link Summoned!" Playmaker's and Revolver's eyes widened. "I Tribute Pawn to Link Summon Cydevil Covetous Leviathan!" The other fiend disintegrated and was promptly replaced a gray-skinned woman in black-and-red armor with chains draped over her shoulders. The woman's red eyes glinted with cruelty from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cydevil Covetous Leviathan ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Revolver grit his teeth. He remembered this monster's effects; Borreload Dragon didn't have anything to worry about, but Savage Dragon did. Thankfully, he had prepared for this.

"Continuous Trap activate! Cross Hack Protection!" The card showed Firewall Dragon and Borreload Dragon trapped in spheres covered in chains of code, with a wave of light washing over the spheres. "Once per turn, I can declare two Monster Types! Then for the rest of the turn, all monsters I control of the declared Types are unaffected by your monster effects! I declare Dragon and Cyberse!"

"That means Covetous Leviathan's effects won't work on Savage Dragon," Lilith noted.

"It's more than that," Akira said. "That effect can be used once per turn and covers two Monster Types, which means that each turn Revolver's and Playmaker's monsters will be protected."

"So that is the game you wish to play," Zahhak muttered. "Very well. Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set King and Link-3 Covetous Leviathan in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "The embodiment of pride who demands obedience! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cydevil Prideful Helel!" A gray-skinned male fiend in black and red armor emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, eight black feathery wings at his back and a black scythe in his right hand.

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

Revolver grit his teeth. That monster…

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cydemon Soulscythe and equip it to Prideful Helel!" The Link Monster's scythe was replaced by another with an even longer handle and a more jagged blade. "While Soulscythe is equipped, when Prideful Helel attacks, you cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step!"

Zahhak gestured to his field. "Prideful Helel's monster effect! Once per turn, if it points to no monsters and I have at least four Dark Cyberse monsters in my Graveyard, I can target a monster you control. I target Savage Dragon!" A red aura formed around said dragon. "All of your cards, except the targeted card, are then banished until your next Standby Phase! You cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect! Reckoning of Pride!" The Link Monster spread his wings, which emitted a crimson light.

Revolver gestured to his field. "Due to Cross Hack Protection, Borreload Dragon isn't banished!"

"But Booster Dragon is." The equipped monster, along with Cross Hack Protection and Boot Sector Launch, vanished. "Which means that Savage Dragon's attack points return to normal."

Borreload Savage Dragon ATK 3950→3000

"Battle! At the start of the Battle Phase, I activate Soulscythe's effect! For the rest of the turn, the equipped Prideful Helel can attack all monsters you control once each!" Revolver's eyes widened. "Furthermore, during the Battle Phase, when it points to no monsters and I have at least four Dark Cyberse monsters in my Graveyard, Prideful Helel's attack points become double its original attack points!"

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 3000→6000

"6000!?" Ai screeched. "And it can attack both dragons?! We'll take 6000 points of damage before we even get a turn!"

"Calm yourself, Dark Ignis," Revolver urged. "The duel isn't over yet." He gestured to his field. "The effect of the banished Cross Hack Protection! The turn it leaves the field because of your card, all damage I take this turn is halved!"

"Is that so? No matter. Prideful Helel attacks Savage Dragon! Ruin of Superbia!" The monster swung his scythe, sending the head flying. It wrapped around the dragon before impaling it. The fiend sneered before pulling back, shredding the dragon. Revolver and Playmaker winced from the shockwave.

Playmaker & Revolver: 4000→2500 LP

"Prideful Helel attacks Borreload Dragon! Ruin of Superbia!" Another swing, and this time the scythe head wrapped around a Link Monster before impaling it. Another tug, and another dragon was shredded in an explosion that pushed the two partners back.

Playmaker & Revolver: 2500→1000 LP

"With the end of the Battle Phase, Prideful Helel's attack points return to normal."

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 6000→3000

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

"During the End Phase, Silverrokket Dragon's effect activates!" Revolver declared. "As it was destroyed, I can Special Summon a new 'Rokket' monster from my Deck! Come, Magnarokket Dragon!" Another blue metal dragon with a laser on its head appeared in Defense Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

Revolver turned to his partner. "It's your turn, Playmaker. I set the board. Now finish it."

"I will," Playmaker promised. "My turn! Draw!"

"During your Standby Phase, Prideful Helel's effect returns Revolver's banished cards to their previous zones," Zahhak interrupted. "Cross Hack Protection and Boot Sector Launch return to your Spell & Trap Zone and Field Zone respectively, but since its equipped monster left the field, Booster Dragon is sent to the Graveyard."

"Since Boot Sector Launch is on the field, Magnarokket Dragon's attack and defense points go up," Ai recalled.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500

Magnarokket Dragon has useful effects, but I can't make use of them fully, Playmaker thought with a frown. I can't replace it with a new "Rokket" monster because I don't have any. Even so, Revolver wouldn't have brought it out if he thought I wouldn't get any use out of it. I'll just have to move ahead.

"I summon Lady Debug!" A pink and yellow female humanoid with a red shell on her back appeared.

Lady Debug ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Lady Debug's monster effect! When it is Summoned, I can add a Level 3 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Backup Secretary to my hand. And since I control a Cyberse monster, I can Special Summon Backup Secretary!" A woman in purple and silver appeared in Attack Position.

Backup Secretary ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Backup Secretary and Lady Debug in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyberse Witch!" A red-haired woman in gray armor with a staff emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyberse Witch ATK 800 LINK-2 ↙↓

"Since I Link Summoned, I can Special Summon Parallel eXceed from my hand in Defense Position to that monster's Link Marker!" A blue, black, and white metal dragon with no legs or arms appeared at Cyberse Witch's bottom Link Marker.

Parallel eXceed ATK 2000 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Parallel eXceed's monster effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon another Parallel eXceed from my Deck in Defense Position!" An identical dragon appeared.

Parallel eXceed ATK 2000 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"When Parallel eXceed is Special Summoned by the effect of Parallel eXceed, its Level becomes 4 and its attack and defense points are halved!"

Parallel eXceed ATK 2000→1000 DEF 2000→1000 LVL: 8→4 x 2

"Cyberse Witch's monster effect! When a monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can banish a Spell Card from my Graveyard. I'll banish Quick Launch. This lets me add a Cyberse Ritual Monster and Cynet Ritual from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cynet Ritual and Cyberse Magician to my hand!"

"Ritual Summoning," Zahhak muttered. "And those two monsters are Level 4…"

"I overlay my two Level 4 Parallel eXceeds!" A bolt of blue lightning shot out of Playmaker's Duel Disk and hit the sky, changing the space and creating the Xyz cross beneath his field. The two monsters disintegrated and entered the cross, which fired beams of light, creating a galaxy that exploded. "The wall of power that annihilates everything! Manifest as the dragon's fang! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Firewall eXceed Dragon!" A large blue-and-white mechanical dragon formed from the explosion, with heavy armor on its chest and legs and two prongs at its back. The dragon roared from Cyberse Witch's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position, two lights circling behind it.

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

"Xyz Summoning," Blood Shepherd muttered.

"While eXceed Dragon is linked to a Link Monster, it gains 500 attack points for each of that monster's Link Markers!"

Firewall eXceed Dragon ATK 2500→3500

"Cyberse Witch's monster effect! During the Main Phase, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Graveyard. Come, Lady Debug!" The pink and yellow humanoid reappeared in Attack Position.

Lady Debug ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Cynet Ritual! I Tribute Level 3 Sea Archiver in my hand and the Level 4 Lady Debug on my field to Ritual Summon!" A blue circle appeared on the field with seven blue flames, along with a white mechanical seahorse. The monsters disintegrated into data then entered the portal, which emitted a pillar of blue light. "The contract has been made! The sage who wields dark power inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise, Cyberse Magician!" A man with long green hair in silver, green, and beige armor and robes emerged from the pillar in Attack Position, a silver and black staff in his right hand.

Cyberse Magician ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Ritual Summoning and Xyz Summoning in the same turn," Zahhak said. "If nothing else, your dueling is efficient, Playmaker."

"It is not just my dueling," Playmaker declared. "It is also Revolver's dueling! I activate Cross Hack Protection's effect! Once per turn, I can target a monster on the field or in the Graveyard and change that monster's Type until the end of the turn! I make Borreload Dragon in the Graveyard a Cyberse monster!"

"What?" Soulburner blinked. "Borreload is a Cyberse Type now?" Revolver smirked as he realized Playmaker's plan.

"eXceed Dragon's monster effect! I detach two Overlay Units to Special Summon a Link-4 Cyberse Link Monster from my Graveyard so that it is linked to eXceed Dragon! Resurrect, Borreload Dragon!" The red mechanical dragon reappeared and roared from Cyberse Witch's bottom-left Link Marker.

Firewall eXceed Dragon OU: 2→0

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"As eXceed Dragon is linked to a Link-4 monster, its attack points increase!"

Firewall eXceed Dragon ATK 3500→5500

"Whatever you are planning, it won't work," Zahhak said. "I activate Gula's effect! I return Cydemon Marquis to my Deck to send Cydemon Knight to the Graveyard! I activate Knight's effect in the Graveyard and target Prideful Helel!"

"If that effect goes through, he won't take damage less than 3000, Playmaker!" Ai said.

"I know. Which is why I'll stop it! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyberse Architect!" The card showed Cyberse Magician firing a red laser beam from his visor, fighting back against a golden beam. "I can activate Cyberse Architect when I control a Cyberse Ritual Monster. Furthermore, since I control a Cyberse monster in the Extra Monster Zone, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation!" Playmaker's eyes narrowed. "Cyberse Architect lets me activate two of three effects. I'll activate the first and third effects. The first increases my Special Summoned monster's attack points by 1000 until my next Standby Phase. The third lets me return up to three cards in the Graveyard to the owners' Decks!"

Zahhak tensed. "What?"

"I increase eXceed Dragon's attack points! Then return Knight, King, and Covetous Leviathan from your Graveyard to your Deck and Extra Deck!" The dragon roared while Zahhak's Duel Disk glowed.

Firewall eXceed Dragon ATK 5500→6500

"Since Knight is no longer in your Graveyard, its effect can't resolve," Ai said smugly. "And since you no longer have four Dark Cyberse monsters in your Graveyard, Prideful Helel's attack points won't double during the Battle Phase."

"Yes!" Soulburner cheered. "If eXceed Dragon attacks, Zahhak will lose!"

"Battle! eXceed Dragon attacks Prideful Helel!" Blue holographic wings formed from the dragon's spines. "Borreload Dragon's monster effect! One monster on the field loses 500 attack points, and your cards and effects cannot be activated in response to this effect! I weaken Prideful Helel! Anti-Enemy Varrett!"

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 3000→2500

"Tch. I can't believe I'm being forced to use this. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cydemon Hellflame!" The card showed Cydemons King, Duke, and Marquis marching through a wall of fire, with each of them having a handful of flames in their left hands. "A Dark Cyberse monster I control gains attack points equal to its original attack points and cannot be destroyed by card effects for the rest of the turn! I target Prideful Helel!"

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 2500→5500

"That isn't enough!" Playmaker said. "Rising Crypt Limit!" The dragon shot out a blue "X" that impacted the fiend, making it explode with a cry. Zahhak grunted as he was pushed back.

Zahhak: 3050→2050 LP

"We can't attack directly the turn we use eXceed Dragon's effect. We weren't able to finish him this turn," Ai noted bitterly.

"But we did damage him, and we crippled him," Playmaker countered. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

"Yusaku!"

Playmaker blinked. "Kusanagi?" he whispered.

"Cam recorded what happened to Cassiel and Morningstar, and the latter's duel with Zahhak," the man said. His tone was… disturbed. "Yusaku, you need to hear this. It may be private, but I think Yasutake would want you to know."

Kusanagi played the audio from partway through Morningstar's duel with Zahhak. When the latter revealed his true relationship with the former and what their true natures were.

"What?!" Ai screeched, unable to stay quiet. "Zahhak and Morningstar are brothers?!"

Revolver's eyes widened. "What?!" His shock was shared by everyone who heard it. In other words, everyone else there.

"Zahhak and Morningstar are brothers?!" Soulburner exclaimed.

"Brothers?!" Blue Maiden repeated.

"What the hell?" Lilith muttered.

Playmaker's eyes narrowed. "Zahhak, is that true?"

All eyes turned to the masked man. "…I see Morningstar's ally on the outside told you. Yes, Morningstar and I are siblings."

"You are?" Akira asked. "But… why would you fight him if you were?" Akira was an older brother; an older sibling protected the younger. Everything he did he did for Aoi. Unbeknownst to him, Ghost Girl glanced at Blood Shepherd, who no one else noticed had tensed.

Zahhak turned to Akira. "I know your past, Akira Zaizen. My past has aspects that you would not understand. As for why I would fight him… that is because it was our choice to fight each other."

"Choice?"

"Morningstar and I were raised without choice, grown without heed to what we wanted to be or do. We didn't question it because we didn't see it as right or wrong; it just was. But then we developed our own free wills, and we each chose a side to fight for. As an older sibling, should I not be proud that my younger sibling found something worth living for?"

"Even if that brings you two into conflict?" Blue Maiden asked.

"Even then. He and I both found lives we are comfortable with, lives we are willing to fight for. I will not waver from my path, nor would I insult Morningstar by trying to convince him to waver from his." Zahhak turned back to his opponents. "But if that doesn't satisfy you, then accept this; my relationship with Morningstar is our business, not yours. I have no need to justify my actions to any of you. My turn! Draw!"

Akira frowned. What Zahhak was saying… On one hand, Akira did understand; he'd been proud when Aoi wanted to fight with the Water Ignis, as she was finding her own path in life. Yes, he was worried, but he trusted her enough to know she could handle herself. Being proud of your sibling for finding their own path in life was natural; he understood that. What he couldn't understand was Zahhak's willingness to be Morningstar's enemy or hurt him so badly. An older sibling looked out for the younger one, didn't they? To have such pride in his sibling but still be willing to fight against him… Akira could only find Zahhak's logic to be twisted.

Galahad grinded his teeth together. "He did this to his own brother," he muttered. Eiji… He could never hurt his brother like that. It didn't matter how proud Zahhak was of Morningstar; what he had done was unforgivable!

"I activate Cross Hack Protection's effect!" Playmaker declared. "I declare Cyberse and Dragon! For the rest of the turn, my Cyberse and Dragon monsters are unaffected by your monster effects!"

"That effect only lasts so long as Cross Hack Protection remains on the field," Zahhak pointed out. "You may have delayed me Playmaker, but you'll find I'm far stronger than Bohman! I activate Gula's effect! I return Cydemon Pawn from my Graveyard to my Deck and send Cydemon Marquis to the Graveyard. I activate Marquis's effect to add a Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Pillars to my hand. I'll then activate the Field Spell Card: Cydemon Pillars!"

"He got it back," Ai groaned.

"That card increases his Dark Cyberse monsters' attack and defense points while also making them unaffected by my monster effects," Playmaker noted.

"It can do more than that," Zahhak said. "I activate Pillars' effect to send a Dark Cyberse monster from my Deck to the Graveyard! I send Cydemon Earl to the Graveyard! I activate Earl's effect in the Graveyard to add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Shuffle to my hand." He gestured to his field. "I activate Shrine's effect! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my hand or Graveyard in Attack Position. From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Cydemon Earl!" A red-skinned fiend in cuirass and robe appeared and hissed.

Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

"Earl's monster effect! Once per turn, if there is at least 1 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Cydemon Token!" A short fiend with black wings wearing a red loincloth appeared in Defense Position.

Cydemon Token ATK 0→300 DEF 0→300 LVL: 2

"I summon Cydemon Bishop!" A thin demon in black robes and a miter appeared.

Cydemon Bishop ATK 1600→1900 DEF 600→900 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Bishop, Earl, and Token in the Link Markers!" The three monsters entered the bottom-left, top, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Rapacious Mammon!" A tall, thin, gray-skinned humanoid with four black wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, covered in black armor and holding an elongated spear in his right hand.

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 2200→2500 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"That monster again!" Ai recalled. "Its attack points can get really high!"

"That's only if it points to no monsters," Playmaker reminded him. "And right now, it is linked to Magnarokket Dragon."

That was due to Revolver summoning his dragon to the center-left Main Monster Zone; in hindsight, a precaution against such a situation.

"I activate Pillars' effect!" Zahhak declared. "Once per turn, I can move a Dark Cyberse Link Monster to a Main Monster Zone it points to. I move Rapacious Mammon to my center Main Monster Zone!" The monster moved.

"Damn it! You spoke too soon, Playmaker!"

"Rapacious Mammon's monster effect! When it points to no monsters and I have at least three 'Cydemon' monsters in my Graveyard, it gains 200 attack points for each monster in the Graveyard!"

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 2500→6100

"3600 more attack points?!" Ai's eyes boggled. "That's eighteen monsters!" Playmaker grit his teeth. That was what made Rapacious Mammon so potentially dangerous; it didn't just gain power from Zahhak's Graveyard, but from his and Revolver's as well.

"Rapacious Mammon's effect activates! Once per turn, I can add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Maiden to my hand. I activate the effect of Earl in the Graveyard to add Cydemon Torture from my Deck to my hand."

"Earl's effect only states 'once, while in the Graveyard,'" Ai muttered grumpily. "It doesn't specify once per turn."

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cydemon Maiden and equip it to Rapacious Mammon!" A black-and-red iron maiden appeared, attached to a chain which Rapacious Mammon held in his left hand. "While Maiden is equipped, Rapacious Mammon cannot be targeted by your card effects and its attack points are increased by 200 for each Dark Cyberse monster in my Graveyard."

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 6100→7100

Playmaker grit his teeth. He knew what Zahhak was doing. Since he controlled a Link Monster, Cyberse Magician's effect kept Zahhak from targeting his other monsters for attacks or effects. And its effect would increase its attack points while also halving any damage. Zahhak was raising Rapacious Mammon's attack points to compensate.

Thankfully, Playmaker had anticipated that. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Security Block!" he declared. "I target a Cyberse monster I control, and for the rest of the turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle and neither of us takes battle damage! I target Cyberse Magician!"

"Ha!" Ai cheered. "Cyberse Magician keeps you from attacking other monsters, and now it won't be destroyed! You can't get past it!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Eh?"

"I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Torture! When I control a Dark Cyberse Link Monster, one monster you control is destroyed, then your Life Points is halved, and I gain the same amount of Life Points!" Ai's and Playmaker's eyes widened. "I destroy Cyberse Magician!" The Ritual Monster shattered while Playmaker and Revolver groaned.

Playmaker & Revolver: 1000→500 LP

Zahhak: 2050→2550 LP

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7100→7300

Playmaker grit his teeth. He hadn't expected that. But even so… "Cyberse Magician's effect activates! If it is destroyed by a card effect, I can add a Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Clock Wyvern to my hand."

"I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Shuffle! This lets me return up to three 'Cydemon' cards from my Graveyard to my Deck, then send an equal number of 'Cydemon' monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard. I return Duke, Earl, and Marquis to my Deck, then send Knight, Marquis, and Rook to the Graveyard."

"Hey!" Ai complained. "You're sending the monster you returned to your Deck back to the Graveyard!"

"Yes. And?"

"That isn't against the card's rules, Ai," Playmaker said. The Ignis grumbled about that. Playmaker sympathized, but he had bigger worries. Like the fact that he remembered that when the monster equipped with Cydemon Maiden destroyed a monster by battle, that monster was returned to the Deck.

"I activate Marquis's effect in the Graveyard to return Cydemon Soulscythe to my hand. I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cydemon Soulscythe and equip it to Rapacious Mammon!" This time, the spear disappeared and was replaced by the jagged scythe. "You cannot activate cards or effects when Rapacious Mammon battles, and during the Battle Phase, I can allow Rapacious Mammon to attack all monsters you control once each."

"Playmaker will lose all four of his monsters," Galahad muttered.

"Worse than that." He turned his head to a frowning Lilith. "Cydemon Maiden returns all destroyed monsters to the Deck. I'm pretty sure Borreload Dragon will go to Revolver's Deck, but still…"

"I might not be able to inflict battle damage, but I can still hurt you," Zahhak continued. "I activate the effect of Cydemon Hellflame in the Graveyard, banishing it and targeting Rapacious Mammon! For the rest of the turn, when that monster destroys your monster in battle, your Life Points will be halved!" Playmaker grit his teeth. "Battle! I activate Soulscythe's effect! For the rest of the turn, Rapacious Mammon can attack all monsters you control once each!"

It seemed he didn't have a choice anymore. "Borreload Dragon's monster effect!" Playmaker declared. "Anti-Enemy Varrett!"

"That effect won't work on Rapacious Mammon," Zahhak said disinterestedly. "While Pillars is on the field, it is unaffected by your monster effects."

"It may be, but Rapacious Mammon isn't my target! I target Magnarokket Dragon!" Everyone gasped at that. "At this point, Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates! Since it was targeted for a Link Monster's effect, it is destroyed, then one monster on the field is sent to the Graveyard!"

"And again, Rapacious Mammon is unaffected by your monster effects."

"The monster I send to the Graveyard is Borreload Dragon!" Everyone gasped again as the two dragons owned by Revolver shattered.

Firewall eXcharge Dragon ATK 6500→4500

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7300→7700

"Why would you… Ah. I see. Clever."

"Clever?" Soulburner repeated.

"Cydemon Maiden's effect," Blood Shepherd realized, having overheard Lilith's comment. "It would have returned Borreload Dragon to Revolver's Extra Deck. Playmaker sent it to the Graveyard so that Revolver could revive it."

"A risky move," Ghost Girl commented. "But against this opponent, a necessary risk." Revolver seemed to think the same if the reluctant smirk he was wearing was any indication.

"Your move might save your partner's monster and reduce the damage you'll take, but you will still lose your other monsters! Rapacious Mammon attacks eXceed Dragon! Scythe of Avaritia!" The Link Monster spun his new scythe and sent a wave of black energy at Playmaker's field, tearing through the Xyz Monster. "Security Block might keep you from taking damage, but Maiden's effect will return eXceed Dragon to your Extra Deck and Hellflame's effect will halve your Life Points!" A black aura appeared around Playmaker and Revolver, making them wince.

Playmaker & Revolver: 500→250 LP

"Rapacious Mammon attacks Cyberse Witch! Scythe of Avaritia!" Another wave of black energy was sent rolling out from the scythe and struck the woman, who screamed before disintegrating. "Maiden's effect returns Witch to your Extra Deck and Hellflame halves your Life Points once again!" The black aura returned and Playmaker and Revolver both gasped from the pressure.

Playmaker & Revolver: 250→125 LP

"I Set one card. I end my turn." Zahhak looked over his opponents. "I'll admit I'm impressed. The two of you have put a far better showing than I expected. But… perhaps that itself should be expected, given who you are."

Revolver narrowed his eyes. "Answer me something, Zahhak."

"Oh?"

"Before this duel started, you said it was appropriate that I be the one to oppose Ouroboros. What did you mean by that?"

"Eh? Oh!" Ai's eyes lit up. "Zahhak did say that."

"…Very well, I suppose I can answer that. It ultimately doesn't matter, but I guess you should know the truth."

"What truth?"

"The truth about your father's relationship to Ouroboros."

Revolver blinked. "What?"

"Dr. Kogami was involved with Ouroboros?" Ai gasped.

"Not knowingly, no. But one of his associates was. One Dr. Hitomu Hirai."

Lilith's and Revolver's eyes widened. "My father was with Ouroboros?" the former exclaimed.

Zahhak turned towards her. "I heard what you said to Jester. What you demanded to know. I suppose now is as good a time as any, but it would be best if I start at the beginning." He turned towards one of his opponents. "Playmaker, did Morningstar's partner on the outside tell you about our origins?"

Playmaker frowned. "He did."

"Then this will be news for the rest of you. Ouroboros's mission is the advancement of humanity, by whatever means we choose. But that mission is deliberately left vague. How does one advance humanity? The answer is left to the individual Anguis, the leaders of Ouroboros. If you were to compare Ouroboros to a company, then the CEO of Ouroboros would be the Grandmaster, who set our mission. The senior executives, or the department heads, would then be the Anguis, seven leaders who decide what path they'll take for humanity's advancement. And when they decide, it is we Enforcers who bring their plans to fruition.

"Over twenty-five years ago, the Third Anguis of Ouroboros was a man named Dr. Georg Weissmann, a geneticist and psychologist who believed the key to humanity's future was in manipulating our genome. To that end, he took the DNA of numerous individuals across the planet, then combined them to form new life."

"New life?" Revolver blinked. "Cloning?"

"That was the basis, but it extended beyond that. Dr. Weissmann created artificial human life. Humans born not of a father and mother, but in a laboratory. Humans that he hoped would provide the next great leap in humanity's evolution. Morningstar and I were two such experiments."

Blue Maiden blinked. "You and Morningstar… are artificial humans?"

"Yes. However, Dr. Weissmann's work was eventually discovered and shut down by the Grandmaster. Ouroboros does have lines we aren't supposed to cross, and Dr. Weissmann crossed several, namely in his care of us. Or rather, his lack of it.

"But such censorship did not deter Dr. Weissmann. He still believed that he could find the path forward for his dream of humanity. And then he discovered the means to do it… through your father, Dr. Kiyoshi Kogami."

Revolver narrowed his eyes. "What did Weissmann want with my father?"

"Lilith, you asked for your father's relationship with Ouroboros? The truth is that Dr. Hirai was one of Dr. Weissmann's chief partners in his experiments and assisted with them semi-regularly. And because of his work at SOL Technologies, Dr. Weissmann learned of Dr. Kogami's work in AI development. Dr. Weissmann himself wasn't a programmer; it wasn't his specialty. But on hearing about what Dr. Kogami was theorizing, he couldn't resist."

"What he was theorizing?" Playmaker repeated.

"What do you mean?" Ai asked.

"AI with free will," Zahhak answered. "Dr. Kogami wanted to advance AI research in ways that would let AI think for themselves. Potentially dangerous yes, but he felt the benefits outweighed the risks. But more importantly… tell me, Revolver; why did your father commit to the Hanoi Project?"

Revolver frowned. "He feared humanity would become extinct. So he wanted humanity to have successors without the limits of age."

"Indeed. But what would be the cause of the extinction? Environmental collapse? Overpopulation? War? What did your father theorize?"

"He…" Revolver's frown deepened. "I cannot remember."

"You cannot remember because you do not know. The truth is that Dr. Kogami did not commit to the Hanoi Project of his own free will. He was… manipulated into it by Dr. Weissmann."

Revolver's eyes widened. "What?!" Everyone stared at Zahhak with wide eyes.

"It is the truth. I don't know the methods he used. Drugs, subliminal messaging, hypnotism; in the end, it doesn't matter. Dr. Weissmann coerced Dr. Kogami to carry through with the Lost Incident, which he observed through Dr. Hirai."

"So Dr. Kogami wasn't the perpetrator?" Ai asked disbelievingly.

"He was, but he wasn't the one in control. Dr. Weissmann expected for the experiment to produce the Ignis, which he would then take into Ouroboros's custody. And once that happened, he would… dispose of the children."

"Dispose of us?" Soulburner muttered, his expression pale and matched by Blue Maiden's and Akira's.

"He would have had no further use of you; you were just loose ends to tie up. But then… the one thing that Dr. Weissmann didn't expect happened; someone reported the Lost Incident to the police, and before he could do anything, the people, the scientists, and their work, had all been taken into custody."

He lowered his head. "The government issued S-class protections for the children, and even Ouroboros's reach at the time was limited in what it could achieve. He could not touch the children without drawing unwanted attention to himself. And Dr. Hirai was his only in at SOL Technologies, meaning that he couldn't do anything about the scientists or the Ignis. His entire plan, one he thought would be impossible to fail, was stopped… by an eight-year-old boy trying to do the right thing. You should be proud, Revolver; no one before had stymied Dr. Weissmann so thoroughly, and you did it completely by coincidence."

…Revolver clenched his fists. "So you're telling me… that everything that's gone wrong since the Incident… my father's death, the Light Ignis's schemes… they were all because this Weissmann manipulated him?"

"I would not say that Dr. Weissmann foresaw these events. But he ultimately set them in motion, yes."

"…Where is he?" Revolver growled. "You say this man manipulated my father! Where is he?!"

"…In a cemetery in Munich." That answer made everyone blink. "Dr. Weissmann died six years ago of pancreatic cancer. If you wanted to take revenge, then I'm sorry; there's no one for you to hunt down."

"…You're wrong." Revolver's eyes narrowed. "There's you! And Jester for killing Hitomu! Even if Terminus's brother worked for Ouroboros, he was still my father's friend! I won't have his murderer, or Ouroboros, escape justice!"

"Agreed," Lilith muttered.

"My turn! Draw!" Revolver looked at his card then gestured to the field. "Cross Hack Protection's effect! I declare Cyberse and Dragon! Since my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! This lets me draw two cards! I activate Boot Sector Launch's effect! Since you control more monsters than me, I can Special Summon 'Rokket' monsters from my Graveyard in Defense Position, up to the difference. Resurrect, Anesthrokket Dragon!" The green-and-yellow metal dragon with a needle on its head reappeared.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7700→7500

"Since I control a 'Rokket' monster, I can Special Summon Absorouter Dragon!" A black metal dragon with eight spines for wings and blue lines on its body appeared in Defense Position.

Absorouter Dragon ATK 1200 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"Appear, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are two Dark Dragon monsters. I set Absorouter Dragon and Anesthrokket Dragon in the Link Markers!" The two dragons entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cartridge Dragon!" A red-and-black metal dragon emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone, with no arms, yellow holographic wings, and two black gun barrels attached to its head

Cartridge Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↙↓

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7500→7900

"When Absorouter Dragon is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Rokket' monster from my Deck to my hand." Revolver took the card from his Deck, then played it. "I summon Metalrokket Dragon!" A dark blue metal dragon with a missile on its head appeared at Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker.

Metalrokket Dragon ATK 1700→2000 DEF 1400→1700 LVL: 4

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Squib Draw! By destroying a 'Rokket' monster I control, I draw two cards! I destroy Metalrokket Dragon!" The metal dragon shattered, and Revolver drew.

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7900→8100

"Cartridge Dragon's monster effect! When a 'Rokket' monster linked to it is destroyed by a card effect, I can banish a card from my Graveyard to add a Dragon Ritual Monster and the Ritual Spell Card Explosive Trigger from my Deck to my hand! I'll banish Cyberse Architect to add Borreload Ravenous Dragon and Explosive Trigger to my hand."

"What?" Galahad blinked. "Ritual?"

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Explosive Trigger! I Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose Levels equal or exceed that of a 'Borrel' Ritual Monster's Level. However, if I control a Dark Dragon Link Monster, such as Cartridge Dragon, I can shuffle Dragon monsters in my Graveyard back into my Deck as well! I shuffle the Level 1 Anesthrokket Dragon and Level 7 Absorouter Dragon into my Deck to Ritual Summon!"

A dark green circle with eight flames appeared. The two dragons Revolver named appeared and disintegrated into data that entered the circle, which emitted a pillar of light. "The contract has been made! The heroic dragon whose hunger ravages the world inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Take flight! Level 8! Borreload Ravenous Dragon!" A new red and gray metal dragon with dark blue armor emerged from the pillar at Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Dark gray spines projected dark blue holographic wings and dark blue horns and tusks framed its face.

Borreload Ravenous Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 8100→7700

"Revolver has a Ritual Monster," Blood Shepherd muttered.

"I saw that monster when you fought Kenmochi," Zahhak remembered. "It has a strong effect, but you must know it isn't strong enough to defeat Rapacious Mammon."

"I know. And don't worry; I'm just getting started! Since a monster was Special Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, I can Special Summon Sea Archiver from the Graveyard!" The white mechanical seahorse reappeared in Defense Position.

Sea Archiver ATK 300 DEF 2100 LVL: 3

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7700→7500

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure! I draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. I draw two cards! Appear again, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are two Dark Dragon monsters. I set Ravenous Dragon and Cartridge Dragon in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Synthborrel Dragon!" A dark orange metal dragon with light red armor emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone, violet holographic wings at its back and a single dark red gun barrel attached to its head.

Synthborrel Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓↘

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7500→7900

Zahhak titled his head. "You used your Ritual Monster to bring this monster out?"

"Synthborrel Dragon's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my Graveyard to its Link Marker with its effects negated. Come, Silverrokket Dragon!" The silver metal dragon reappeared at the Link Monster's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK 1900→2200 DEF 100→400 LVL: 4

"Synthborrel Dragon's additional monster effect! By using monsters on the field as material, I Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster!"

Galahad and Blood Shepherd gasped. "Fusion?!"

"I fuse Silverrokket Dragon and Synthborrel Dragon!" The monsters broke apart into red and blue data that spiraled into a vortex before shooting upwards as twisters. The twisters merged into a single violet tornado. "The two forlorn anger that live in the network, surpass the root of evil and become one! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! Borreload Furious Dragon!" A red and black metal dragon parted the whirlwind from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, with purple holographic wings on its back and violet armor on its legs, arms, and wings.

Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7700→8100

"And now Fusion Summoning," Zahhak said. "Is this monster more suited to your needs?"

"In this instance, yes. Furious Dragon's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target and destroy one monster I control and one card you control. I destroy Sea Archiver and Cydemon Pillars! Null Varrel Fire!" The seahorse and Field Spell Card shattered. "Since Sea Archiver was Special Summoned by its effect, it is banished."

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 8100→7800

Revolver narrowed his eyes. "It's time to end this! I activate the Spell Card: Borrel Onslaught!" The card showed a massive underground hangar, with Borreload Dragon, Borrelguard Dragon, and Borrelsword Dragon all leaping out of it for the surface. "I Tribute Furious Dragon!" The Fusion Monster shattered. "Then, I can Special Summon a 'Borrel' monster from my Extra Deck, along with any number of 'Borrel' monsters from my Graveyard in Attack Position. From my Extra Deck, I Special Summon Borreload eXcharge Dragon!" A black-and-gray metal dragon with heavy armor, a red X on its chest, and red holographic wings appeared at the right Extra Monster Zone with a roar.

Borreload eXcharge Dragon ATK 3000→0 DEF 2500 RNK: 4

"And from my Graveyard, I Special Summon Borreload Dragon, Furious Dragon, Ravenous Dragon, and Savage Dragon!" The Link Monster, Fusion Monster, Ritual Monster, and Synchro Monster all reappeared as well, roaring at the top of their lungs.

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000→0 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000→0 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Borreload Ravenous Dragon ATK 3000→0 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Borreload Savage Dragon ATK 3000→0 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7800→7200

"Eh?!" Ai screeched. "Revolver got five Borreloads out on the field at once!? That's insane!"

Playmaker frowned. "Their attack points are all 0," he noticed.

"Yes," Revolver confirmed. "As a consequence of bringing them with Borrel Onslaught, their attack points become 0, their effects are negated, and they will be destroyed during the End Phase."

"Why sacrifice one dragon with 3000 attack points for five dragons with 0 attack points?" Zahhak asked. He looked over the field and then tensed. "Wait. Could you be-?"

Revolver smirked. "It seems you've realized it. Then I won't delay any longer! Appear, my future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters. I set eXcharge Dragon, Furious Dragon, Ravenous Dragon, Savage Dragon, and Borreload Dragon in the Link Markers!" The five dragons became whirlwinds of energy that entered the top, left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

Playmaker and Ai gasped. "That's-!"

"It can't be!"

"No way!" Soulburner exclaimed.

"Him too?!" Lilith shouted.

"Circuit combine!" Revolver's eyes widened. "My new hurricane that breaks through to the closed world! Reveal the secrets of the world and bring destruction to my enemies! Link Summon! Appear! Link-5! Borrelend Dragon!"

Within the circuit, the underground hangar that contained the Borrel monsters reappeared. Borreload Dragon, Borrelsword Dragon, and Borrelguard Dragon were all shown shadowed under lights. Then a new light switched on, revealing a fourth dragon that was twice the size of the others. This dragon was taken to the center of the hangar before it shot upwards and out of the hangar, roaring as it emerged in the real world.

Borrelend Dragon was a red and gray mechanical dragon like its predecessors, but it was much larger. Its tail ended in four prongs, and it had four wings – two projected yellow holographic wings and two green holographic wings. But the biggest difference was that Borrelend Dragon had three heads, with two attached to smaller cylinders on its chest cylinder's sides. The two heads on the sides had two black horns and two green and silver tusks on the sides of its mouth, while the center head had three black horns and three tusks. All three heads roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Borrelend Dragon ATK 3500 LINK-5 ←↙↑↘→

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7200→8200

"Revolver summoned a Link-5 monster!" Soulburner said.

"No way!" Ai exclaimed, eyes wide. "How does he have that?"

Zahhak's face wasn't visible but his body language made it clear that even he was surprised. "How is this possible?" he muttered. "The Silver Ignis created the Cyberse Trinity, while it was the power of the other Ignis that created Bohman's and Playmaker's Link-5s. How do you have one?"

Revolver smirked. "Do not underestimate human ingenuity and persistence. After the Tower of Hanoi, the Knights of Hanoi had several scans of a Link-5 monster. It took us months of effort, but we were eventually able to replicate those energy levels in a new monster. I didn't get the chance to summon this monster before, but I can't think of a more worthwhile occasion!"

"…Heh heh." Zahhak actually chuckled. "Very impressive, Revolver. Even now, you continue to catch us by surprise. Still, do you think this will be enough? Rapacious Mammon has over 8000 attack points, and even if it isn't unaffected by your monster effects anymore, Cydemon Maiden's effect keeps you from targeting it for card effects. What is your plan, Revolver?"

"My plan is this! I activate the Spell Card: Bayonet Release!" The card showed Borrelguard Dragon firing a beam of fire from its mouth. "Since I control a 'Borrel' monster, I can target and destroy a Spell or Trap Card you control! You cannot activate cards or effects in response to this activation! I destroy Cydemon Maiden!" The iron maiden broke apart, leaving Rapacious Mammon grasping at nothing.

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 8200→7200

"Bayonet Release has an additional effect! The turn it is activated, you cannot activate monster effects from the Graveyard!" Zahhak tensed. "You're not evading this! Borrelend Dragon's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target an Effect Monster on the field and a 'Rokket' monster in my Graveyard. That monster's effects are negated, and the 'Rokket' monster is Special Summoned to my field! I target Rapacious Mammon on the field and Magnarokket Dragon in my Graveyard! Rokket Recycle!" The dragon roared as Rapacious Mammon groaned and the blue metal dragon reappeared in Attack Position.

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 7200→2200

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"Yes!" Ai cheered. "Borrelend is stronger than Rapacious Mammon now!"

"And Magnarokket Dragon can attack directly after Borrelend does," Playmaker said. "Revolver can end this!"

"This war ends now, Ouroboros!" Revolver declared. "Battle! Borrelend Dragon attacks Rapacious Mammon! Ultimate Varrel Lightning Cannon!" The dragon's three heads extended gun barrels and then gathered golden energy in their maws before firing it in a concentrated beam. The beam tore through Rapacious Mammon and struck Zahhak with a shockwave, forcing him back.

Zahhak: 2550→1250 LP

"One more attack and this is over!"

"…Is it?" Revolver blinked. "I am the Enforcer No. I; I won't allow it to end this easily! Trap activate! Cydemon Tristitia! When my Dark Cyberse monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can return all of my banished monsters to my Graveyard!"

"Banished monsters?" Revolver repeated. His eyes widened. "You mean-!"

"I return Cydevil Sinful Satanael to my Graveyard."

Revolver grit his teeth. "Even if that monster is no longer banished, you cannot Summon it! Magnarokket Dragon attacks you directly!" The dragon fired a beam from the laser on its head, but Zahhak gestured to his field.

"Tristitia's effect in the Graveyard!" he declared. "If I would take damage from your card, I can banish it from the Graveyard instead!" The laser petered out. "Furthermore, if Tristitia is banished during the Battle Phase, I can end the Battle Phase."

"He was so close!" Ai whined. "Now Zahhak will get another turn."

Revolver narrowed his eyes. "His Life Points are much lower now. The rest will be up to you, Playmaker." His partner nodded in understanding. "I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, since Metalrokket Dragon was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my Deck. Come, Rokket Tracer!" A red metal dragon with a missile attached to its head and rocket boosters on its arms appeared in Defense Position.

Rokket Tracer ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 4

Zahhak couldn't help it. He chuckled. "It seems I owe the two of you an apology." Playmaker and Revolver blinked. "I underestimated both of you, and I have suffered for it. I focused too much on Morningstar. I assumed I knew how strong the two of you were, and I was mostly right. But I failed to account for you teaming up or for you being stronger than expected. An error I will correct."

He placed his hand on his Duel Disk. "You've shown me your strongest, Revolver; allow me to show you mine! My turn! Draw!"

"I activate Cross Hack Protection's effect!" Revolver interrupted. "I declare Cyberse and Dragon!"

"I activate Shrine's effect!" Zahhak countered. "From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Cydemon Bishop!" A fiend in a black robe and miter appeared in Attack Position.

Cydemon Bishop ATK 1600 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"I activate Prideful Helel's effect in the Graveyard! Once, I can Special Summon up to two 'Cydemon' monsters from my Graveyard in Defense Position with their effects negated. Come, Cydemon Marquis and Cydemon Rook!" Two new fiends – both with black skin, the first in a black military uniform, and the second in red plate armor.

Cydemon Marquis ATK 2400 DEF 600 LVL: 6

Cydemon Rook ATK 1800 DEF 600 LVL: 4

"Bishop's monster effect! As there is a 'Cydemon' monster in the Graveyard, once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Cydemon Knight!" A black-skinned fiend riding a black horse in red armor appeared.

Cydemon Knight ATK 2200 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Bishop, Knight, and Marquis in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, right, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Indolent Belphegor!" A heavyset demon in massive black armor emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, a double-headed axe in its hand and four bat wings at its back.

Cydevil Indolent Belphegor ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↘→

"I activate the effect of Marquis in the Graveyard to add Cydemon Pillars to my hand."

Revolver grit his teeth. "If that is the case, then I'll do this before you activate it! Borrelend Dragon's monster effect! I target Magnarokket Dragon for its effect! At this point, Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates! It is destroyed, and I send a monster on the field to the Graveyard. I send Indolent Belphegor to the Graveyard!" The Link Monster shattered at Revolver's words.

"Tch. I activate the Field Spell Card: Cydemon Pillars!"

Cydemon Rook ATK 1800→2100 DEF 600→900 LVL: 4

"I activate Gula's effect! I return Bishop to my Deck and send Cydemon Earl to the Graveyard. I activate Earl's effect in the Graveyard to add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand." Zahhak took the card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Nightmare!" The card showed a wooden door with a hole in it and Cydemon Pawn shoving his head through the hole, a demented grin on his face. "I shuffle a Dark Cyberse monster in my Graveyard back into my Deck, then destroy one card on the field. I return Sinful Satanael to my Extra Deck to destroy Cross Hack Protection!" Revolver grit his teeth as his Continuous Trap Card shattered.

"He has the Link-5 back," Ai said worryingly.

"Since Cross Hack Protection left the field because of Zahhak's card, all damage we'll take is halved this turn," Playmaker reminded him.

"But our Life Points are 125," Revolver said. "That's not going to be enough."

"I activate Rapacious Mammon's effect in the Graveyard to Special Summon Cydemon Earl and Cydemon Marquis from my Graveyard in Defense Position!"

Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

Cydemon Marquis ATK 2400→2700 DEF 600→900 LVL: 6

"Appear again, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Earl, Marquis, and Rook in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Covetous Leviathan!" The gray-skinned fienddess reappeared at the Extra Monster Zone, chains wrapped around her shoulders.

Cydevil Covetous Leviathan ATK 2500→2800 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Revolver grit his teeth. "Borrelend Dragon cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects," he muttered. "But Rokket Tracer…" If Zahhak equipped Covetous Leviathan with Rokket Tracer, it would be over. Thankfully, he had a backup plan. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Borrel Shielding!" The card showed Borrelguard Dragon emitting a bright blue barrier in front of several Rokket monsters. "As I control a 'Borrel' monster in the Extra Monster Zone, my monsters cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects for the rest of the turn!"

"So you still had a way to protect against Covetous Leviathan's effect. No matter. I activate Pillars' effect to send Cydemon Duke from my Deck to the Graveyard! I then activate Duke's effect in the Graveyard to add a 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Rook to my hand and then Normal Summon it!"

Cydemon Rook ATK 1800→2100 DEF 600→900 LVL: 4

"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Rook and Link-3 Covetous Leviathan in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, top, bottom, and right arrows. "The embodiment of rage! Let your power strike down the world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cydevil Wrathful Amon!" A gray-skinned fiend in black and red armor emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, eight feathery wings at his back and a black greatsword in his hands.

Cydevil Wrathful Amon ATK 2800→3100 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Revolver grit his teeth. "The other Link-4 Cydevil…"

"But it isn't strong enough to defeat Borrelend Dragon," Ai pointed out.

"I activate Indolent Belphegor's effect in the Graveyard!" Zahhak declared. "I Special Summon Duke and Earl from the Graveyard in Defense Position with their effects negated!"

Cydemon Duke ATK 2600→2900 DEF 600→900 LVL: 7

Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Duke, Earl, and Wrathful Amon in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Edacious Beelzebub!" A gray-skinned fiend in black armor with a bulging gut and four fly's wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, a war hammer in its hands.

Cydevil Edacious Beelzebub ATK 2300→2600 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "Why did he use Wrathful Amon to summon this monster? It was much stronger."

"It's not about strength right now," Playmaker realized with a grimace.

Revolver shared his dread. "He's cycling through the Cydevils and sending them to the Graveyard."

"I activate Covetous Leviathan's effect in the Graveyard to Special Summon Marquis and Rook in Defense Position with their effects negated!"

Cydemon Marquis ATK 2400→2700 DEF 600→900 LVL: 6

Cydemon Rook ATK 1800→2100 DEF 600→900 LVL: 4

"Appear again, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Marquis, Rook, and Edacious Beelzebub in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, bottom-left, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus!" A handsome fiend in skintight black armor that left his chest and stomach exposed emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, wielding a black and crimson bow.

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 2400→2700 LINK-3 ←↙→

Zahhak raised his hand, paused, then chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Ai demanded.

"I just realized; my Life Points, the monster on my field… they are exactly the same as when I defeated Morningstar. I wonder if that is ironic or not. But no matter. I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Supremacy! I Tribute a Dark Cyberse Link Monster to Special Summon a number of different Dark Cyberse Link Monsters from my Graveyard, up to the Tributed monster's Link Rating. However, the monsters Special Summoned by this effect will have their effects negated and their attack points will become 0. I Tribute Link-3 Lascivious Asmodeus to Special Summon Covetous Leviathan, Indolent Belphegor, and Rapacious Mammon!" The handsome fiend disappeared, replaced by the fienddess with the chains, the fiend with the axe, and the fiend with the spear.

Cydevil Covetous Leviathan ATK 2500→300 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Cydevil Indolent Belphegor ATK 2600→300 LINK-3 ←↘→

Cydevil Rapacious Mammon ATK 2200→300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

Playmaker and Revolver tensed. Here it comes…

The Enforcer raised his gauntleted hand. "Appear for the final time, the circuit of infinite darkness!" His hand shone with crimson light, materializing the Link portal beneath the entire field.

Blood Shepherd tensed. "This is like what happened in my duel with Morningstar," he muttered.

"I saw that too," Ghost Girl said. "And when Cassiel summoned a similar monster." Her eyes narrowed. "This is bad."

"The summoning conditions are three or more Dark Cyberse Link Monsters!" Zahhak declared. "I set Covetous Leviathan, Indolent Belphegor, and Link-3 Rapacious Mammon in the Link Markers!" The monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the left, bottom-left, bottom, bottom-right, and right arrows. A pillar of crimson energy shot out of the circuit, prompting everyone except Zahhak to cover their faces.

The pillar contracted to the Extra Monster Zone while bolts of red lightning darted across the field. "Circuit combine! The power from below that strikes out against the closed world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-5! Cydevil Sinful Satanael!"

Twelve wings of deepest black shot out of the sides of the pillar. Light seemed to warp around them, as if they were sucking it in. The crimson light faded, revealing a massive humanoid monster with deep gray and obsidian skin, solid red eyes, and short black hair underneath a jagged obsidian circlet. The robes that covered its body were various shades of black, as was the armor that covered its chest, shoulders, forearms, and calves. Obsidian-colored sandals were on its feet, with the robes flaring around the legs. The enormous fiend spread his voided wings from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cydevil Sinful Satanael ATK 4000→4300 LINK-5 ←↙↓↘→

"Another Link-5 monster," Galahad muttered.

"This is the ultimate power my father created," Lilith whispered.

Revolver grit his teeth. This looked bad, but with the data they had, they should be able to survive the turn.

"Sinful Satanael's monster effect! Its effects are dependent on the number of Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in my Graveyard. As there are at least seven in the Graveyard, I can negate the effects of all other cards on the field, then destroy them! And with three or more Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in my Graveyard, Sinful Satanael is unaffected by my opponent's card effects, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of its effects. Fall of Megiddo!"

The Link-5 raised its right hand, glowing with crimson light. A magic circle appeared underneath it that expanded to cover the field, along with a seven-pointed star. The circle glowed, making the field gray out.

Revolver scowled. "Due to Borrel Shielding's effect, Borrelend Dragon and Rokket Tracer cannot be destroyed by card effects this turn!"

"But their effects can be negated," Zahhak pointed out. Cydemon Pillars, Cydemon Gula, and Boot Sector Launch all disintegrated while Borrelend Dragon and Rokket Tracer grayed out and slumped over.

Rokket Tracer ATK 1900→1600 DEF 1300→1000

Cydevil Sinful Satanael ATK 4300→4000

"Battle! Sinful Satanael attacks Borrelend Dragon! At this point, Sinful Satanael's effects take hold! When it battles while I have at least four Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in my Graveyard, you cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step, and if it battles your Special Summoned monster while I have at least five Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in the Graveyard, it gains 1000 attack points for each Dark Cyberse Link Monster in my Graveyard during damage calculation!" Revolver's eyes widened.

Cydevil Sinful Satanael ATK 4000→11000

"11000 attack points?!" Ai screeched. "Playmaker, we can't survive that!"

"This duel is over, Revolver, Playmaker," Zahhak said solemnly. "You both fought well, but in the end, you couldn't keep up with me. Sinful Satanael's attack continues! Seven Sins of the Shattered World!" The field summoned crimson tendrils that took the shape of seven weapons: chains, a war hammer, an axe, a bow, a spear, a sword, and a scythe. The energy merged into a single massive scythe, which the Link-5 swung with a flick of his wrist and a sneer. The energy scythe cut through Borrelend Dragon, bisecting it at the waist and making it cry out before it exploded, sending out smoke and shockwaves that obscured Zahhak's opponents.

"Playmaker!" Soulburner cried out.

On a balcony, Spectre leaned over. "Master Revolver!"

Blue Maiden and Lilith grit their teeth. Akira, Ghost Girl, and Galahad clenched their fists. Blood Shepherd watched tensely.

The energy scythe faded, leaving only smoke behind. "It is over," Zahhak said simply.

"Not yet!"

The man raised his head as the smoke cleared, revealing a still standing and unhurt Playmaker and Revolver.

"We dodged it!" Ai bragged.

"If I would take damage from a battle involving my 'Borrel' monster, I can banish Borrel Shielding from my Graveyard instead," Revolver explained.

Cydevil Sinful Satanael ATK 11000→4000

"…I see. Then you will last another turn. But do not assume you can win. Victory for me is not in doubt. I activate Earl's effect in the Graveyard! I add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll Set one card. I end my turn."

"During the End Phase, I activate Magnarokket Dragon's effect!" Revolver declared. "I Special Summon Metalrokket Dragon!" The blue dragon with a rocket on its head appeared in Defense Position.

Metalrokket Dragon ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

Revolver turned to his partner. "This will be our last chance, Playmaker."

The hacker nodded in agreement and understanding. "Then I'll make it count." He smiled softly. "Don't worry; I won't let you, Morningstar, or any of our friends down!"

"Do not make promises you cannot keep, Playmaker," Zahhak warned. "But Revolver is right; this will be your last chance. Give it everything you have, because if you do not, you will fail."

Playmaker grit his teeth. "Not here. Not now. Not with everyone… not with Morningstar counting on me! My turn! Draw! I summon Clock Wyvern!" A blue and purple mechanical dragon appeared.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Clock Wyvern's monster effect! When it is Summoned, I halve its attack points to Special Summon a Clock Token!" A cluster of sapphire crystals appeared in Defense Position.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800→900

Clock Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning condition is one Normal Monster. I set Clock Token in the Link Marker!" The token entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Link Spider!" A black and blue metal spider emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Link Spider ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Link Spider's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my hand to its Link Marker. Come, Protron!" A small white and black orb with light blue eyes appeared at Link Spider's Link Marker in Attack Position.

Protron ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"Appear again, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning condition is one Level 1 monster. I set Protron in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Linkuriboh!" The small dark blue monster emerged from the portal at Link Spider's Link Marker with a "Kuri kuri ku!"

Linkuriboh ATK 300 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Exclusion!" The card showed a fading Decode Talker, but he was throwing Link Bumper forward with his left hand. "By banishing up to three monsters of different types, i.e., Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz, I can send an equal number of Cyberse monsters from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard. I banish eXcharge Dragon, Furious Dragon, and Savage Dragon from my Graveyard to send eXceed Dragon, Cyberse Clock Dragon, and Cyberse Quantum Dragon from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard."

"He sent his Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters to the Graveyard?" Blue Maiden wondered.

Playmaker's eyes widened. "Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters. I set Clock Wyvern, Metalrokket Dragon, Rokket Tracer, Link Spider, and Linkuriboh in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, bottom-left, top, bottom-right, and right arrows. The observers' eyes all widened while Revolver smirked and Zahhak tensed.

"Circuit combine! The mysterious power filling the universe! Rain down on the miracle star and create infinite life! Link Summon! Appear! Link-5! Firewall Dragon Darkfluid!" In the circuit, in the void of space, a single drop of water hit the surface of the moon. A wave of earth, wind, and fire shot out from the point of impact. And from these elements, a new monster was born. A dragon with black skin and green lines on its body. It had black, blue, and white armor with black and blue diamonds attached to a ring on its back in place of wings. The dragon's red eyes gleamed as it roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Firewall Dragon Darkfluid ATK 3000 LINK-5 ←↙↑↘→

"Playmaker has a Link-5 monster as well?!" Galahad exclaimed.

"Awesome!" Soulburner cheered.

"I was made aware of this monster before I came here," Zahhak muttered. "With this… you just might be able to win."

"When Darkfluid is Link Summoned," Playmaker continued, "If there are Cyberse Fusion, Ritual, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters in my Graveyard, I can put a counter on it for each different type!"

Firewall Dragon Darkfluid: 0 C→4 C

"I know what those counters of yours do," Zahhak said. "And I already have the means to defeat them. I activate the effect of Cydemon Knight in the Graveyard! I target Sinful Satanael so that for the rest of the turn, I take no damage equal to or less than its original attack points!"

"That won't happen!" Playmaker denied. "Darkfluid's effect activates! When you activate a monster effect, I can remove one counter to negate the activation of that effect! Karma Gear!"

Firewall Dragon Darkfluid: 4 C→3 C

"You can't reduce damage this time!" Revolver declared.

"That wasn't the point," Zahhak revealed. "The point was to remove one of your counters."

Playmaker grit his teeth. "During the Battle Phase, Darkfluid gains 2500 attack points for each counter on it," he explained to Revolver. "With all four counters, it would have had 13000 attack points."

Revolver grit his teeth. "But because of Knight, it will only have 10500 instead. With Sinful Satanael's effect, that won't be enough."

"Yes… but there is still hope." Revolver turned to his ally. "I activate the effect of Cynet Expulsion in the Graveyard! If I control a Cyberse Link Monster, I can banish Cynet Expulsion from the Graveyard to draw two cards!"

Playmaker placed his hand on his Deck and closed his eyes. This draw is for the fate of everyone Zahhak defeated. Persephone, Terminus, Cassiel… Morningstar and Cypher… This is for you! His eyes opened as he drew, and when he looked at the cards, he smiled. Yes!

"I activate the Spell Card: Unyielding Bonds!" The card showed three young men, their features obscured by light, save for their spiky hair, all reaching their right hands out towards a light above them. "I target a Link Monster I control and one in my Graveyard. The one in my Graveyard is banished, and then the one on my field gains attack points equal to that monster's Link Rating times 1500!"

Zahhak tensed. "What?!"

"I banish Link-5 Borrelend Dragon and target Darkfluid!" The dragon roared in triumph as it glowed.

Firewall Dragon Darkfluid ATK 3000→10500

"With those attack points-!"

"They can end this!"

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "During the Battle Phase, Darkfluid gains 2500 attack points for each counter on it!" Darkfluid's wings produced dark blue holographic diamonds alongside its real ones.

Firewall Dragon Darkfluid ATK 10500→18000

"This monster is the power that was entrusted to Playmaker and me by my friends!" Ai declared. "And we could bring this power out because of the bonds we forged along the way!"

"Your defeat isn't just because of us, Zahhak!" Playmaker said. "It's because of everyone who dueled you and showed us more of your strength! This is their victory as well!" His eyes widened. "Firewall Dragon Darkfluid attacks Sinful Satanael!"

"At this point, Sinful Satanael's effect activates!" Zahhak declared. "It gains 1000 attack points for each Dark Cyberse Link Monster in my Graveyard!"

Cydevil Sinful Satanael ATK 4000→11000

"That isn't enough!" Revolver declared.

"But this will be! Trap activate! Cydemon Vanagloria!" The card showed Prideful Helel getting his picture painted, an excessively prideful look on his face. "When my Dark Cyberse monster battles, I can prevent my monster's destruction by battle and inflict the battle damage to you instead!"

"What?!" Soulburner and Blue Maiden shouted.

"You will be the cause of your own destruction, Playmaker and Revolver!" Zahhak declared.

"No, we won't!" Playmaker denied. "From my hand, I activate the Counter Trap Card: Arrow Break!"

"What? A Counter Trap from your hand?"

"If you activate a Trap Card while I control a Link Monster, Arrow Break negates the activation!" Playmaker explained. "And if I control a Link-4 or higher Link Monster, I can activate Arrow Break from my hand! Vanagloria's activation is negated!" The Trap Card shattered, making Zahhak gasp.

"You have no defenses now!" Ai declared. "Eat this and give us our friends back!" The holographic diamonds on Darkfluid's wings expanded into their own violet ring around it.

"Go, Firewall Dragon Darkfluid!" Playmaker shouted. "Neo Tempest End!" The dragon fired a beam of multicolored light straight at Sinful Satanael.

"…I can't believe I was forced to this." Zahhak gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Vanagloria in my Graveyard!"

"What?" Playmaker and Revolver gasped.

"When my Dark Cyberse monster battles, I can banish Vanagloria so that the battle damage is inflicted to all players!"

"What!?"

"I would normally never do this," Zahhak admitted. "But if I cannot win… then my pride as an Enforcer demands I not lose!" The beam impacted with Sinful Satanael, making the massive fiend explode. And as it did, the shockwaves rippled outwards across the entire field, hitting Playmaker, Revolver, and Zahhak, sending all three of them flying backwards with a yell.

Zahhak: 1250→0 LP

Playmaker & Revolver: 125→0 LP

"It ended in a draw?!" Galahad exclaimed.

"Playmaker!" Soulburner shouted. The lightning barrier disappeared, allowing him and the others to run up to the two. "Playmaker, are you alright?"

"Master Revolver!" Spectre exclaimed as he leapt down to his leader's side.

"We're fine, Spectre," Revolver said, pushing himself up. Playmaker mirrored his action.

"What about Zahhak?" Ai asked. Everyone turned to look at the armored Enforcer, who was likewise raising himself to one knee, massaging his chest with his hand.

Zahhak looked up at them, red eyes glowing. "…This wasn't the outcome I wanted or expected. But perhaps… it is the most fitting." He held out his right hand. "As this duel in a draw, I will release Persephone's, Terminus's, Cassiel's, and Morningstar's consciousness data. But I will keep the Silver Ignis."

"No!" Ai shouted as four golden spheres were released from Zahhak's hand. "You can't keep Cypher! I already lost five friends, I won't lose another!"

"You have no choice, Dark Ignis." Zahhak raised his head further. "Playmaker… Revolver… with this outcome, we will meet again. And we will decide the fate of the world." With a bolt of red lightning, he disappeared.

---

Cam ran as fast as he could, gasping for breath as he reached Café Junpei. Hands fumbling, he pulled the keys out of his pocket and unlocked his store. "Damn it!" he muttered. He raced instead, then headed straight for the backroom. He pushed the door open and gasped.

The two doors on the far side of the room had opened and Sachi and Yasutake were leaning on the sides, both panting as though they ran a marathon.

"Sachi… Yasu…!" Cam smiled and teared up. "You're free!" He ran for the two of them and took them in his arms.

"Cam!" Sachi exclaimed.

"Cam, I can't breathe!" Yasutake gasped.

"You're safe," he whispered. "You're both safe. That means… Playmaker must have won."

Sachi blinked. "Playmaker won? What do you-?"

"Sachi." She turned her head as much she could while in Cam's arms and caught sight of Yasutake's expression. Her eyes widened. She had never seen him so… defeated.

"…I lost to Zahhak," he admitted. "He defeated me. And…" He looked at his Duel Disk. The lights had gone out. "Cypher?"

There was no response.

Yasutake's eyes watered before he buried his face in Cam's neck. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I'm so, so sorry…"

---

Playmaker & Revolver vs. Zahhak

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel. This Duel is also conducted as a Tag-Team Duel, with Playmaker & Revolver teaming up against Zahhak, and they share the same field, GY, and LP.

Turn 1: Zahhak

Zahhak activates the Continuous Spell Card Cydemon Shrine by discarding Cydemon Earl. Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Earl in the GY to add 1 "Cydemon" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cydemon Pillars to his hand. 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 his opponents' monster effects. Zahhak activates Pillars' effect to send 1 Dark Cyberse monster from his Deck to the GY. He sends Cydemon Duke to the GY. As he controls no monsters, Zahhak activates Shrine's effect to Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his hand or GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Duke (2600→2900/600→900/7) from his GY. Zahhak Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Revolver

Revolver draws. He activates the Field Spell Card Boot Sector Launch, which increases the ATK/DEF of "Rokket" monsters by 300. Revolver activates Boot Sector Launch's effect to Special Summon up to 2 "Rokket" monsters from his hand in Defense Position. He Special Summons Anesthrokket Dragon (0→300/2200→2500/1) and Autorokket Dragon (1600→1900/1000→1300/3). Revolver uses Anesthrokket Dragon and Autorokket Dragon to Link Summon Booster Dragon (1900/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Revolver activates the Equip Spell Card Borrel Regenerator, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster from his GY and equip Borrel Regenerator to it. He Special Summons Autorokket Dragon (1600→1900/1000→1300/3) in Defense Position. Revolver activates Booster Dragon's effect, targeting Autorokket Dragon to increase its ATK/DEF by 500, and Zahhak cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. As Autorokket Dragon was targeted by a Link Monster's effect, Revolver activates its effect, destroying it, then Revolver can send 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field to the GY. He sends Cydemon Pillars to the GY (Duke: 2900→2600/900→600). As Borrel Regenerator was sent to the GY because the equipped monster was destroyed, Revolver draws 1 card. Zahhak activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Cydemon Gula. Cards in his GY and cards he controls cannot be banished by his opponents' card effects. Zahhak activates Gula's effect to return 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY to his Deck, then send 1 "Cydemon" monster with a different name from his Deck to the GY. He returns Earl to his Deck, then sends Cydemon Knight to the GY. Zahhak activates Knight's effect, targeting Duke. For the rest of the turn, any damage Zahhak takes that is equal to or lower than Duke's original ATK becomes 0. Revolver activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Quick Launch, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster from his Deck, but it cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. He Special Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800→2100/1200→1500/4) in Attack Position. As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to his field, Revolver Special Summons Noctovision Dragon (0/2800/7) in Attack Position. Revolver uses Magnarokket Dragon, Noctovision Dragon, and Link-2 Booster Dragon to Link Summon Borreload Dragon (3000/4/←↙↘→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Noctovision Dragon was sent to the GY as Link Material, Revolver draws 1 card. Revolver Normal Summons Rokket Synchron (300→600/0→300/1). As Rokket Synchron was Normal Summoned, Revolver can Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Dark Dragon monster from his GY in Defense Position with its effects negated, but it is destroyed during the End Phase. He Special Summons Noctovision Dragon (0000/2800/7). Revolver tunes Level 1 Rokket Synchron to Level 7 Noctovision Dragon to Synchro Summon Borreload Savage Dragon (3000/2500/8) to Borreload Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. As Savage Dragon was Synchro Summoned, Revolver can equip 1 Link Monster from his GY to it, place Borrel Counters on it equal to that monster's Link Rating, and Savage Dragon gains ATK equal to half of that monster's ATK. He equips Booster Dragon to Savage Dragon (Savage Dragon: 3000→3950/0 BC→2 BC).

Borreload Dragon attacks and destroys Duke, but Zahhak takes no damage. Savage Dragon attacks Zahhak directly (Zahhak: 4000→50 LP). As Zahhak took damage, he activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Cydemon Alchemy, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his Deck whose ATK is equal to or lower than the damage he took, then gain LP equal to that monster's original ATK, and since Zahhak controls no monsters, Revolver cannot activate cards or effects in response to Cydemon Alchemy's activation. He Special Summons Cydemon King (3000/600/8) in Attack Position (Zahhak: 50→3050 LP). Revolver Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, as Autorokket Dragon is in the GY because it was destroyed and sent there this turn, Revolver can Special Summon 1 different "Rokket" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons Silverrokket Dragon (1900→2200/100→400/4) in Defense Position.

Turn 3: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. He activates Gula's effect, returning Knight to his Deck and sending Cydemon Marquis to the GY. Zahhak activates Marquis's effect in his GY to add 1 Spell/Trap Card in his GY to his hand, but Revolver chains Savage Dragon's effect, removing 1 Borrel Counter to negate the activation of Marquis's effect (Savage Dragon: 2 BC→1 BC). Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Pawn (600/600/1). As he has at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in the GY, Zahhak activates the Normal Summoned Pawn's effect to draw cards equal to the number of Dark Cyberse monsters in his Main Monster Zone, but he cannot add cards from his Deck to his hand for the rest of the turn. He draws 2 cards. Revolver activates Borreload Dragon's effect, targeting Silverrokket Dragon and attempting to reduce its ATK/DEF by 500. As it was targeted by a Link Monster's effect, Silverrokket Dragon's effect activates, destroying it, then Revolver can look at Zahhak's Extra Deck and banish 1 card from it. He banishes Cydevil Sinful Satanael from Zahhak's Extra Deck. As there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates King's effect to Tribute 1 monster he controls to Special Summon 1 Dark Cyberse Link Monster from his Extra Deck and treat it as a Link Summon. He Tributes Pawn to Link Summon Cydevil Covetous Leviathan (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Revolver activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Cross Hack Protection, which once per turn, lets him declare up to 2 Monster Types, and for the rest of the turn, his monsters of the declared Types are unaffected by Zahhak's monster effects. Revolver declares Cyberse and Dragon. Zahhak uses King and Link-3 Covetous Leviathan to Link Summon Cydevil Prideful Helel (3000/4/←↙↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Zahhak activates the Equip Spell Card Cydemon Soulscythe, equipping it to Prideful Helel. If Prideful Helel battles, Revolver's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step. As it points to no monsters and he has at least 4 Dark Cyberse monsters in his GY, Zahhak activates Prideful Helel's effect, targeting Savage Dragon. All of Revolver's other cards are banished until his next Standby Phase, at which point they'll return to their previous zones. Savage Dragon and Borreload Dragon are not banished, but Cross Hack Protection, Boot Sector Launch, and Booster Dragon are banished (Savage Dragon: 3950→3000). As Cross Hack Protection left the field, all damage Revolver takes for the rest of the turn is halved.

At the start of the Battle Phase, Zahhak activates Soulscythe's effect to allow Prideful Helel to attack all monsters Revolver controls once each. During the Battle Phase, as it points to no monsters and Zahhak has at least 4 Dark Cyberse monsters in his GY, Prideful Helel's ATK becomes double its original ATK (Prideful Helel: 3000→6000). Prideful Helel attacks and destroys Savage Dragon (Revolver & Playmaker: 4000→2500 LP). Prideful Helel attacks and destroys Borreload Dragon (Revolver & Playmaker: 2500→1000 LP). The Battle Phase ends (Prideful Helel: 6000→3000). Zahhak Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Silverrokket Dragon's effect activates, and Revolver Special Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800/1200/4) from his Deck in Defense Position.

Turn 4: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. During his Standby Phase, Cross Hack Protection and Boot Sector Launch are placed into their previous zones, but as the equipped monster left the field, Booster Dragon is sent to the GY (Magnarokket Dragon: 1800→2100/1200→1500). Playmaker activates Cross Hack Protection's effect, declaring Cyberse and Dragon. He Normal Summons Lady Debug (1700/1400/4). As Lady Debug was Summoned, Playmaker can add 1 Level 3 or lower Cyberse monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Backup Secretary to his hand. As Playmaker controls a Cyberse monster, he Special Summons Backup Secretary (1200/800/3) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Backup Secretary and Lady Debug to Link Summon Cyberse Witch (800/2/↙↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Playmaker Link Summoned, he Special Summons Parallel eXceed (2000/2000/8) from his hand to Cyberse Witch's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position. As Parallel eXceed was Summoned, Playmaker can Special Summon a 2nd Parallel eXceed from his Deck in Defense Position (2000/2000/8). As both Parallel eXceeds were Special Summoned by the effect of Parallel eXceed, their Levels become 4 and their original ATK/DEF becomes halved (Parallel eXceed: 2000→1000/2000→1000/8→4 x 2). As a monster was Special Summoned to Cyberse Witch's Link Marker, Playmaker activates its effect to banish Quick Launch from his GY to add 1 Cyberse Magician and Cynet Ritual from his Deck to his hand. Playmaker overlays his 2 Level 4 Parallel eXceeds to Xyz Summon Firewall eXceed Dragon (2500/2000/4) to Cyberse Witch's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. eXceed Dragon gains ATK equal to the combined Link Ratings of Link Monsters linked to it x 500 (eXceed Dragon: 2500→3500). Playmaker activates Cyberse Witch's effect to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from his GY. He Special Summons Lady Debug (1700/1400/4) in Attack Position. Playmaker activates the Ritual Spell Card Cynet Ritual, Tributing the Level 4 Lady Debug on his field and the Level 3 Sea Archiver in his hand to Ritual Summon Cyberse Magician (2500/2000/7) in Attack Position. Playmaker activates the effect of Cross Hack Protection to target 1 monster on his field or in his GY and declare a Monster Type, then change that monster's Type to that Type until the end of the turn. He targets Borreload Dragon and declares Cyberse. Playmaker activates eXceed Dragon's effect to detach 2 Overlay Units (eXceed Dragon: 2 OU→0 OU) to Special Summon 1 Link-4 Cyberse Link Monster from his GY to his field so that it is linked to eXceed Dragon, but for the rest of the turn, Playmaker cannot Special Summon monsters and his monsters cannot attack directly. He Special Summons Borreload Dragon (3000/4/←↙↘→) to Cyberse Witch's bottom-left Link Marker (eXceed Dragon: 3500→5500). Zahhak activates Gula's effect, returning Cydemon Marquis to his Deck to send Cydemon Knight to the GY. Zahhak activates Knight's effect, targeting Prideful Helel, but as he controls a Cyberse Ritual Monster, Playmaker chains the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyberse Architect, which lets him activate 2 of 3 effects, and as he also controls a Cyberse monster in the Extra Monster Zone, Zahhak cannot activate cards or effects in response to Cyberse Architect's activation. Playmaker chooses to activate the 1st and 3rd effects, letting him increase the ATK of 1 of his Special Summoned monsters by 1000 until his next Standby Phase and return up to 3 cards in the GY to the owners' Decks. He increases eXceed Dragon's ATK (eXceed Dragon: 5500→6500) and returns Knight, King, and Covetous Leviathan to Zahhak's Deck and Extra Deck respectively.

eXceed Dragon attacks Prideful Helel. Playmaker activates Borreload Dragon's effect, targeting Prideful Helel (Prideful Helel: 3000→2500). The attack continues but Zahhak activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Cydemon Hellflame, targeting Prideful Helel and increasing its ATK by its original ATK and preventing its destruction by card effects for the rest of the turn (Prideful Helel: 2500→5500). Prideful Helel is destroyed (Zahhak: 3050→2050 LP). Playmaker Sets 1 card. He ends his turn, and during the End Phase, Cross Hack Protection's effect ends.

Turn 5: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. Playmaker activates Cross Hack Protection's effect, declaring Cyberse and Dragon. Zahhak activates Gula's effect, returning Pawn to his Deck and sending Cydemon Marquis to the GY. Zahhak activates Marquis's effect in the GY to add 1 Spell/Trap Card in his GY to his hand. He adds Cydemon Pillars to his hand, which he then activates. While Pillars is on the field, Zahhak's Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 ATK/DEF and are unaffected by Playmaker's monster effects. Zahhak activates Pillars' effect to send 1 Dark Cyberse monster from his Deck to the GY. He sends Cydemon Earl to the GY. Zahhak activates the effect of Earl in the GY to add Cydemon Shuffle from his Deck to his hand. As he controls no monsters, Zahhak activates Shrine's effect to Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his hand or GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Earl (2000→2300/600→900/5) from his GY. As he has at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates Earl's effect to Special Summon 1 Cydemon Token (0→300/0→300/2) in Defense Position. Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Bishop (1600→1900/600→900/3). Zahhak uses Bishop, Earl, and Token to Link Summon Cydevil Rapacious Mammon (2200→2500/3/↙↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Zahhak activates Pillars' effect to move Rapacious Mammon to his center Main Monster Zone that it points to. As Rapacious Mammon points to no monsters and Zahhak has at least 3 "Cydemon" monsters in his GY, it gains 200 ATK for each monster in the GY (Rapacious Mammon: 2500→6100). Zahhak activates Rapacious Mammon's effect to add 1 "Cydemon" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cydemon Maiden to his hand. Zahhak activates the effect of Earl in his GY to add Cydemon Torture from his Deck to his hand. Zahhak activates the Equip Spell Card Cydemon Maiden, equipping it to Rapacious Mammon. Rapacious Mammon cannot be targeted by Playmaker's card effects, it gains 200 ATK for each Dark Cyberse monster in Zahhak's GY, and if it destroys Playmaker's monster, that monster is returned to the Deck (Rapacious Mammon: 6100→7100). Playmaker activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Security Block, targeting Cyberse Magician. For the rest of the turn, neither player takes battle damage, and Cyberse Magician cannot be destroyed by battle. As he controls a Dark Cyberse Link Monster, Zahhak activates the Spell Card Cydemon Torture, which destroys 1 monster Playmaker controls, then halves his LP and increases Zahhak's by that amount. He destroys Cyberse Magician (Revolver & Playmaker: 1000→500 LP) (Zahhak: 2050→2550 LP) (Rapacious Mammon: 7100→7300). As Cyberse Magician was destroyed by a card effect, its effect activates, letting Playmaker add 1 Cyberse monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Clock Wyvern to his hand. Zahhak activates the Spell Card Cydemon Shuffle, which lets him return up to 3 "Cydemon" cards in his GY to his Deck, then send an equal number of "Cydemon" monsters from his Deck to the GY. He returns Duke, Marquis, and Earl to his Deck, then sends Cydemon Knight, Marquis, and Cydemon Rook to the GY. Zahhak activates Marquis's effect in his GY to add Cydemon Soulscythe from his GY to his hand. Zahhak activates the Equip Spell Card Cydemon Soulscythe and equips it to Rapacious Mammon. While Soulscythe is equipped to Rapacious Mammon, if it battles, Playmaker cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step. Zahhak activates Hellflame's effect in his GY, banishing it and targeting Rapacious Mammon. For the rest of the turn, if Rapacious Mammon destroys Playmaker's monster by battle, Zahhak can halve Playmaker's LP.

At the start of the Battle Phase, Zahhak activates Soulscythe's effect to let Rapacious Mammon attack all monsters Playmaker controls once each. Playmaker activates Borreload Dragon's effect, targeting Magnarokket Dragon. As Magnarokket Dragon was targeted for a Link Monster's effect, it is destroyed, then Playmaker can send 1 monster on the field to the GY. He sends Borreload Dragon to the GY (eXceed Dragon: 6500→4500) (Rapacious Mammon: 7300→7700). Rapacious Mammon attacks and destroys eXceed Dragon, with Cydemon Maiden's effect returning eXceed Dragon to Playmaker's Extra Deck. Hellflame's effect activates (Revolver & Playmaker: 500→250 LP). Rapacious Mammon attacks and destroys Cyberse Witch, with Maiden's effect returning Cyberse Witch to Playmaker's Extra Deck. Hellflame's effect activates (Revolver & Playmaker: 250→125 LP). Zahhak Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 6: Revolver

Revolver draws. He activates Cross Hack Protection's effect, declaring Cyberse and Dragon. As his LP are lower than Zahhak's and only Zahhak controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, Revolver activates the Spell Card Final Offguard to draw 2 cards. As Zahhak controls more monsters than he does, Revolver activates Boot Sector Launch's effect to Special Summon "Rokket" monsters from his GY in Defense Position, up to the difference. He Special Summons Anesthrokket Dragon (0→300/2200→2500/1) from his GY (Rapacious Mammon: 7700→7500). As he controls a "Rokket" monster, Revolver Special Summons Absorouter Dragon (1200/2800/7) in Defense Position. Revolver uses Absorouter Dragon and Anesthrokket Dragon to Link Summon Cartridge Dragon (1200/2/↙↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone (Rapacious Mammon: 7500→7900). As Absorouter Dragon was sent to the GY, Revolver can add 1 "Rokket" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Metalrokket Dragon to his hand. Revolver Normal Summons Metalrokket Dragon (1700→2000/1400→1700/4) to Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker. Revolver activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Squib Draw, targeting and destroying Metalrokket Dragon to draw 2 cards (Rapacious Mammon: 7900→8100). As a "Rokket" monster linked to it was destroyed by a card effect, Revolver activates Cartridge Dragon's effect to banish Cyberse Architect from his GY to add Borreload Ravenous Dragon and Explosive Trigger from his Deck to his hand. Revolver activates the Ritual Spell Card Explosive Trigger, which lets him Ritual Summon 1 "Borrel" Ritual Monster from his hand by Tributing monsters whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster's. Alternatively, as Revolver controls a Dark Dragon Link Monster, he can use Dragon monsters in his GY as material by shuffling them back into his Deck. Revolver shuffles the Level 1 Anesthrokket Dragon and Level 7 Absorouter Dragon in his GY back into his Deck to Ritual Summon Borreload Ravenous Dragon (3000/2500/8) to Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position (Rapacious Mammon: 8100→7700). As a monster was Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, Revolver Special Summons Sea Archiver (300/2100/3) from the GY in Defense Position (Rapacious Mammon: 7700→7500). Revolver activates the Spell Card Link Treasure, which lets him draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. He draws 2 cards. Revolver uses Ravenous Dragon and Cartridge Dragon to Link Summon Synthborrel Dragon (1200/2/↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone (Rapacious Mammon: 7500→7900). Revolver activates Synthborrel Dragon's effect to Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster from his Deck to its Link Marker with its effects negated, but Revolver cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of the turn, except Dragon monsters. He Special Summons Silverrokket Dragon (1900→2200/100→400/4) to Synthborrel Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position (Rapacious Mammon: 7900→7700). Revolver activates Synthborrel Dragon's effect to Fusion Summon 1 Dragon Monster using monsters on his field as Fusion Material. He fuses Silverrokket Dragon and Synthborrel Dragon to Fusion Summon Borreload Furious Dragon (3000/2500/8) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position (Rapacious Mammon: 7700→8100). Revolver activates Furious Dragon's effect to target 1 monster he controls and 1 card Zahhak controls then destroy them. He targets and destroys Sea Archiver and Cydemon Pillars (Rapacious Mammon: 8100→7800). As the Special Summoned Sea Archiver left the field, it is banished. Revolver activates the Spell Card Borrel Onslaught, which lets him Tribute 1 "Borrel" monster he controls to Special Summon 1 "Borrel" monster from his Extra Deck, then any number of "Borrel" monsters from his GY in Attack Position, but the monsters Special Summoned by this effect will have their effects negated, their ATK becomes 0, and they are destroyed during the End Phase. He Tributes Furious Dragon, then Special Summons Borreload eXcharge Dragon (3000→0/2500/4) from his Extra Deck to the right Extra Monster Zone, then Special Summons Borreload Dragon (3000→0/4/←↙↘→), Furious Dragon (3000→0/2500/8), Ravenous Dragon (3000→0/2500/8), and Savage Dragon (3000→0/2500/8) from his GY (Rapacious Mammon: 7800→7200). Revolver uses eXcharge Dragon, Furious Dragon, Ravenous Dragon, Savage Dragon, and Borreload Dragon to Link Summon Borrelend Dragon (3500/5/←↙↑↘→) to the right Extra Monster Zone (Rapacious Mammon: 7200→8200). As he controls a "Borrel" monster, Revolver activates the Spell Card Bayonet Release, which lets him destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card Zahhak controls, and Zahhak cannot activate cards or effects in response to its activation. He destroys Cydemon Maiden (Rapacious Mammon: 8200→7200). In addition, the turn Bayonet Release is activated, Zahhak cannot activate monster effects from the GY. Revolver activates Borrelend's effect to target 1 Effect Monster on the field and negate its effects, then Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster from his GY. He negates Rapacious Mammon's effects (Rapacious Mammon: 7200→2200) and Special Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800→2100/1200→1500/4) in Attack Position.

Borrelend Dragon attacks and destroys Rapacious Mammon (Zahhak: 2550→1250 LP). As his Dark Cyberse monster was destroyed and sent to the GY, Zahhak activates his Set Trap Card Cydemon Tristitia, which lets him return all of his banished monsters to the GY. He returns the banished Cydevil Sinful Satanael to his GY. Magnarokket Dragon attacks Zahhak directly, but as he would take damage from his opponent's card, Zahhak banishes Cydemon Tristitia from his GY instead. As Tristitia was banished during the Battle Phase, the Battle Phase ends. Revolver Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, as Metalrokket Dragon was destroyed, Revolver can Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons Rokket Tracer 1600→1900/1000→1300/4) in Defense Position.

Turn 7: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. Revolver activates Cross Hack Protection's effect, declaring Cyberse and Dragon. Zahhak activates Shrine's effect to Special Summon Cydemon Bishop (1600/600/3) from his GY in Attack Position. He activates Prideful Helel's effect to Special Summon up to 2 "Cydemon" monsters from his GY in Defense Position with their effects negated. He Special Summons Marquis (2400/600/6) and Rook (1800/600/4). Zahhak activates Bishop's effect to target and Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Cydemon Knight (2200/600/6). Zahhak uses Bishop, Knight, and Marquis to Link Summon Cydevil Indolent Belphegor (2600/3/←↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Zahhak activates the effect of Marquis in his GY to add Cydemon Pillars to his hand. Revolver activates the effect of Borrelend Dragon, targeting Magnarokket Dragon. As it was targeted for a Link Monster's effect, Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates, destroying it, then Revolver sends Indolent Belphegor to the GY. Zahhak activates the Field Spell Card Cydemon Pillars (Rook: 1800→2100/600→900). Zahhak activates Gula's effect to return Cydemon Bishop from his GY to his Deck, then send Cydemon Earl to the GY. Zahhak activates Earl's effect in his GY to add Cydemon Nightmare from his Deck to his hand. Zahhak activates the Spell Card Cydemon Nightmare, which lets him return 1 Dark Cyberse monster in his GY to his Deck, then destroy 1 card on the field. He returns Sinful Satanael to his Extra Deck, then destroys Cross Hack Protection. As Cross Hack Protection left the field because of Zahhak's card, all damage Playmaker and Revolver take for the rest of the turn is halved. Zahhak activates Rapacious Mammon's effect in his GY, Special Summoning Earl (2000→2300/600→900/5) and Marquis (2400→2700/600→900/6) from his GY in Defense Position. Zahhak uses Earl, Marquis, and Rook to Link Summon Cydevil Covetous Leviathan (2500→2800/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Revolver activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Borrel Shielding. As he controls a "Borrel" monster in the Extra Monster Zone, Revolver's monsters cannot be targeted or destroyed by Zahhak's card effects for the rest of the turn.

Zahhak activates Pillars' effect to send Cydemon Duke from his Deck to the GY. He activates Duke's effect in the GY to add 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY to his hand. He adds Cydemon Rook to his hand. Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Rook (1800→2100/600→900/4). Zahhak uses Rook and Link-3 Covetous Leviathan to Link Summon Cydevil Wrathful Amon (2800→3100/4/←↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Zahhak activates Indolent Belphegor's effect to Special Summon Duke (2600→2900/600→900/7) and Earl (2000→2300/600→900/5) from his GY in Defense Position. Zahhak uses Duke, Earl, and Wrathful Amon to Link Summon Cydevil Edacious Beelzebub (2300→2600/3/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Zahhak activates Covetous Leviathan's effect to Special Summon Marquis (2400→2700/600→900/6) and Rook (1800→2100/600→900/4) from his GY in Defense Position. Zahhak uses Marquis, Rook, and Edacious Beelzebub to Link Summon Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus (←↙→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Zahhak activates the Spell Card Cydemon Supremacy, which lets him Tribute 1 Dark Cyberse Link Monster he controls to Special Summon different Dark Cyberse Link Monsters from his GY up to that monster's Link Rating, but the Special Summoned monsters have their effects negated and their ATK becomes 0. He Tributes Link-3 Lascivious Asmodeus to Special Summon Covetous Leviathan (2500→300/3/↙↓↘), Indolent Belphegor (2600→300/←↘→), and Rapacious Mammon (2200→300/3/↙↑↘) from his GY. Zahhak uses Covetous Leviathan, Indolent Belphegor, and Rapacious Mammon to Link Summon Cydevil Sinful Satanael (4000→4300/5/←↙↓↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As he has at least 7 Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in his GY, Zahhak activates Sinful Satanael's effect to negate the effects of all other cards on the field, then destroy them, and as he has at least 3 Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in GY, Revolver cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of Sinful Satanael's effects. Cydemon Pillars, Cydemon Gula, and Boot Sector Launch are destroyed, and Borrelend Dragon and Rokket Tracer have their effects negated (Rokket Tracer: 1900→1600/1300→1000) (Sinful Satanael: 4300→4000).

Sinful Satanael attacks Borrelend Dragon. As Sinful Satanael is battling while Zahhak has at least 4 Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in his GY, Revolvers cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step, and as Sinful Satanael is battling Revolver's Special Summoned monster while Zahhak has at least 5 Dark Cyberse Link Monsters in his GY, it gains 1000 ATK for each Dark Cyberse Link Monster in his GY during damage calculation only Sinful Satanael: 4000→11000). The attack continues and Borrelend Dragon is destroyed, but as he would take damage from a battle involving his "Borrel" monster, Revolver banishes Borrel Shielding from his GY instead (Sinful Satanael: 11000→4000). Zahhak activates Earl's effect in his GY to add Cydemon Vanagloria from his Deck to his hand. Zahhak Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, as Magnarokket Dragon was destroyed by a card effect, its effect activates, and Revolver Special Summons Metalrokket Dragon (1700/1400/4) from his Deck in Defense Position.

Turn 8: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Clock Wyvern (1800/1000/4). As Clock Wyvern was Summoned, Playmaker halves its ATK (Clock Wyvern: 1800→ 900) to Special Summon 1 Clock Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Playmaker uses Clock Token to Link Summon Link Spider (1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker activates Link Spider's effect to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from his hand to its Link Marker. He Special Summons Protron (100/100/1) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Protron to Link Summon Linkuriboh (300/1/↓) to Link Spider's Link Marker. Playmaker activates the Spell Card Cynet Exclusion. By banishing up to 3 monsters of different Types (Fusion, Synchro, Link, Xyz) from his GY, he can send Cyberse monsters from his Extra Deck to the GY. He banishes eXcharge Dragon, Furious Dragon, and Savage Dragon from the GY to send eXceed Dragon, Cyberse Clock Dragon, and Cyberse Quantum Dragon from his Extra Deck to the GY. Playmaker uses Clock Wyvern, Metalrokket Dragon, Rokket Tracer, Link Spider, and Linkuriboh to Link Summon Firewall Dragon Darkfluid (3000/5/←↙↑↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Darkfluid was Link Summoned, Playmaker places counters on it equal to the number of Cyberse monsters in his GY of a different monster card type (Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz) (Darkfluid: 0 C→4 C). Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Knight in his GY, targeting Sinful Satanael, but Playmaker chains Darkfluid's effect, removing 1 counter (Darkfluid: 4 C→3 C) to negate the activation of Knight's effect. Playmaker activates the effect of Cynet Expulsion in his GY, banishing it to draw 2 cards. Playmaker activates the Spell Card Unyielding Bonds, which lets him target 1 Link Monster he controls and 1 in his GY. The one in his GY is banished, then the one on his field gains ATK equal to the banished monster's Link Rating x 1500. Playmaker targets Darkfluid and Borrelend Dragon, banishing Borrelend Dragon (Darkfluid: 3000→10500).

During the Battle Phase, Darkfluid gains 2500 ATK for each counter on it (Darkfluid: 10500→18000). Darkfluid attacks Sinful Satanael (Sinful Satanael: 4000→11000). As his Dark Cyberse monster is battling, Zahhak activates his Set Trap Card Cydemon Vanagloria, which would prevent his monster's destruction by this battle and inflict the battle damage to Playmaker instead. As Zahhak activated a Trap Card while he controls a Link Monster, Playmaker activates the Counter Trap Card Arrow Break from his hand, which he can do as he controls a Link-4 or higher Link Monster, negating the activation of Vanagloria and destroying it. The attack continues, but as his Dark Cyberse monster is battling, Zahhak banishes Vanagloria from his GY to inflict the battle damage to both players. Sinful Satanael is destroyed (Zahhak: 1250→0 LP) (Revolver & Playmaker: 125→0 LP). The duel ends in a draw.

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Zahhak:

Cydemon Alchemy Quick-Play Spell Card
If you take damage: You can Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from your Deck with ATK less than or equal to the damage you took, then gain LP equal to that monster's original ATK. If you control no monsters, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation. You can only use 1 "Cydemon Alchemy" per turn.

Cydemon Hellflame Quick-Play Spell Card (name credit to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC)
Target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; that monster gains ATK equal to its original ATK, also it cannot be destroyed by card effects. These changes last until the end of the turn. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; for the rest of the turn, if that monster destroys your opponent's monster by battle, you can halve your opponent's LP. You can only use 1 effect of "Cydemon Hellflame" per turn, and only once that turn.

Cydemon Nightmare Normal Spell Card
Target 1 DARK Cyberse monster in your GY; shuffle it into your Deck, then you can destroy 1 card on the field. You can banish this card from your GY; for the rest of the turn, if your DARK Cyberse monster destroys your opponent's monster by battle, you can return that monster to the opponent's Deck. You can only use 1 effect of "Cydemon Nightmare" per turn, and only once that turn.

Cydemon Vanagloria Normal Trap Card
When your DARK Cyberse monster battles: Your monster cannot be destroyed by that battle, and your opponent takes the battle damage you would have taken. When your DARK Cyberse monster battles: You can banish this card from your GY; both players take any battle damage from that battle. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cydemon Vanagloria" per turn, and only once that turn.

Revolver:

Cross Hack Protection Continuous Trap Card
You can declare up to 2 Monster Types; until the end of the turn, monsters you control of the declared Types are unaffected by your opponent's monster effects. You can target 1 monster in the GY or on your field and declare 1 Monster Type; that monster becomes that Type until the end of the turn. If this leaves the field because of your opponent's card: All damage you take for the rest of the turn is halved. You can only use each effect of "Cross Hack Protection" once per turn.

Borrel Onslaught Normal Spell Card
Tribute 1 "Borrel" monster; Special Summon 1 "Borrel" monster from your Extra Deck, and if you do, you can Special Summon any number of "Borrel" monsters from your GY in Attack Position. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect have their effects negated, their ATK becomes 0, and they are destroyed during the End Phase. You can only use 1 "Borrel Onslaught" per turn.

Bayonet Release Normal Spell Card
If you control a "Borrel" monster: Target 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls; destroy that card, also for the rest of the turn, your opponent cannot activate monster effects that activate in the GY. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation. You can only use 1 "Bayonet Release" per turn.

Borrel Shielding Quick-Play Spell Card
If you control a "Borrel" monster in the Extra Monster Zone: For the rest of the turn, your monsters cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects. If you would take battle damage from a battle involving your "Borrel" monster, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only use each effect of "Borrel Shielding" once per turn.

Playmaker:

Cyberse Architect Quick-Play Spell Card
If you control a Cyberse Ritual Monster: Apply up to 2 of the following effects. If you control a Cyberse monster in the Extra Monster Zone, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation.
-1 Special Summoned monster you control gains 1000 ATK until your next Standby Phase.
-Add 1 "Cynet" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck or GY to your hand.
-Return up to 3 cards in the GY to the owner's Deck(s).
You can only activate 1 "Cyberse Architect" per turn.

Cynet Exclusion Normal Spell Card
Banish up to 3 monsters from your GY that are a different monster card type (Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz); send Cyberse monsters from your Extra Deck to the GY. If you control a Cyberse Link Monster, you can banish this card from your GY; draw 2 cards. You can only use each effect of "Cynet Exclusion" once per turn.

Unyielding Bonds Normal Spell Card
Target 1 Link Monster you control and 1 Link Monster in your GY; banish the second target, then until the end of the turn, the first target gains ATK equal to that monster's Link Rating x 1500, also other monsters you control cannot attack. You can only use 1 "Unyielding Bonds" per turn.

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 73 – I Will Remember You. The Ignis War is finally over. Lightning and Bohman were defeated, and those lost have been returned. But it was not without casualties. Five Ignis are gone, Cypher has been captured by Ouroboros, and Morningstar is no more. And now Yasutake and his friends must deal with the fallout…

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Question of the Chapter

Of the season 2 antagonists – Zahhak, Jester, Merlin, Techbane, Thaumiel – who did you like reading the most?

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Author's Notes

A big thank you to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC for helping with the duel and the OC cards of this chapter.

Well, this was a heavy chapter, as expected of the true final duel. We had Playmaker and Revolver teaming up against Zahhak, and I think it went really well. Revolver and Playmaker both got really good showings in the first few turns, including new cards designed to counter Zahhak's methods that also helped them work together. But then we had a really big reveal: That Dr. Kogami was used by Dr. Weissmann.

Zahhak was telling the truth here; after his experiments with artificial humans were shut down, Dr. Weissmann learned about Dr. Kogami's work with AI through Dr. Hirai and used several mind influencing methods to convince him to perform the Hanoi Project, which Weissmann watched through Dr. Hirai. I hope a reveal like this helps show the influence that Ouroboros has secretly had on the story, and how they continue to influence it. Of course, I also find it amusing that all of Weissmann's schemes with Dr. Kogami came crashing down because of an eight-year-old boy. The government protected the children, so he couldn't retrieve Yasutake, and Dr. Hirai was his only in-road to SOL, so he couldn't access the Ignis he wanted or Dr. Kogami himself. And then, six years ago, Dr. Weissmann died of pancreatic cancer. It was at that point that Jormungand became the Third Anguis and took over Weissmann's plan. This makes Weissmann both the Predecessor Villain and Greater-Scope Villain to Jormungand, as while he is long gone, his influence still moves the story forward.

Then, we returned to the duel and Revolver debuted his Link-5 Borrelend Dragon, which the Knights of Hanoi were able to create using the data they obtained from the Tower about Superior Seraphim. That data served as the basis and eventually they succeeded. And thanks to Playmaker's and Revolver's teamwork, Zahhak was forced to end the duel in a draw, releasing the humans he'd captured but keeping Cypher, the Link-5s he took from Morningstar and Cassiel, and Bohman's core data containing the other Ignis data. And he concealed its existence from the heroes, so they don't know Ouroboros has it. That aside, the outcome of the duel… well, it really could only end in a draw, unsatisfying as it might be. If Zahhak won, then there would be nothing the heroes could do to stop him. But if they won, then Ouroboros would have lost everything. This way, the scales are set in a way that the heroes will have a chance against Ouroboros in season 3. A slim chance, but a chance all the same.

Thank you for reading Chapter 72, the last duel of season 2 of Hidden Memories. I hope you enjoyed it. I'll be doing my best to get Chapters 73 and 74 out before New Year's, which will hopefully be easier since they have no duels. But it will be interesting to write what happens next…