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

75. Chapter 75: Infiltration

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to LazinessRules, TheBlazingButterfly777, pokemonking0924, Nirvash Neo, HunterHQ, Jason, Ambiguous, Seeker213, Noobmaster, Unknowedz, Valtryek-sama, TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, Ethan Kironus, Big duels, ThePLOThand, SakushiRyu, Unnamed, GuestKingOfGuest, Anonymous, Nameless, savagemaster1999, blizzardblaze174. DivadX, rgriffin8999, kaisershadowhunter, FlameFireZero X, Reader2, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 74.

Hidden Memories is back! It's been off for over a year so I could focus on Fifth Circuit, but now I'm here to start season 3! And because I know how long it's been for not just me, but the readers too, I'm going to include a recap to jog everyone's memory. And for this chapter only, because it's the first chapter of season 3, the opening will be at the very end. So I hope you all enjoy this!

---

Recap

The Ignis War has ended. Bohman and Lightning were defeated, and the people they had taken were restored. But every war has its costs, and this war's costs were particularly heavy. Masako Himura discovered that Jester, Enforcer No. XIII of Ouroboros, was the one who killed her father and mother. Yukaro Saiba, who allied with Ouroboros to save his grandfather, found that he was too late to prevent his grandfather's death. And Yasutake Narahiko recovered the memories that had been taken from him all those years ago.

25 years ago, Dr. Georg Weissmann, the 3rd Anguis of Ouroboros, began an experiment to create artificial human life, an experiment that ended when it was discovered 14 years later. But before it ended, it produced two boys who would become Yasutake Narahiko and Zahhak. The latter remained with Ouroboros and eventually became Enforcer No. I, while the former had his memories sealed and was released into the world. But Dr. Weissmann's influence in his life didn't end there; the 3rd Anguis manipulated Dr. Kogami into enacting the Lost Incident and made certain that Yasutake would be one of the eight subjects.

Despite their past connection, Morningstar and Zahhak fought in a PK duel, and the former was defeated. The cost was the Morningstar avatar being deleted, the Link-5s Cyspirit Superior Seraphim and Cyseraph Divine Gabriel being taken, and Cypher the Silver Ignis being captured. At that point, Playmaker defeated Bohman, but before the next-generation AI died, Zahhak stole his core data, including the remnants of the 5 Ignis he absorbed. Zahhak attempted to take Ai from Playmaker, but the hacker, who teamed up with Revolver, forced the Enforcer to end their duel in a draw.

In the aftermath of the war, everyone picked up the pieces left behind. Masako, desiring vengeance against her parents' killer, has joined the Knights of Hanoi, who are all too happy to avenge their lost friend. Yukaro, his reason for being a bounty hunter gone, has joined Ouroboros as Enforcer No. XII. And while Yasutake at first attempted to get his avatar back, he was forced to accept that Morningstar was truly gone.

But the threats are not over. Jormungand, the Divine Ignis and current 3rd Anguis of Ouroboros, has regained the data stolen by Dr. Hirai 8 years ago, and now complete, has given the 5 Ignis that are believed to be dead new life, albeit with their memories gone. And with his true position as the 3 Kings of SOL, he is finally ready to complete his Final Ascension Plan: the digitalization of humanity.

But his plan is not without opposition; Ai and Roboppi have joined forces with Goldie the Gold Ignis, the former Enforcer No. III Diana, and Diana's protégé Sylphid. On Christmas Eve, as most of the human world celebrates the holiday, these 5 take the first step to stopping Jormungand's Final Ascension…

---

Chapter 75: Infiltration

December 24th, Christmas Eve…

Two people – a man and a woman – stood in front of five graves, looking down at them.

"Big bro! Big sis!"

They turned to look back at a blue-haired children waving at them, next to a small black circular creature with narrowed eyes. Past them, two women – one a teenager and one an adult – were also waiting. "Let's get going!"

The duo looked at them before turning back to the graves. "Do you think they would understand our choice?" the man asked.

"Of course they would," the woman answered. "Whether they would approve of it… that's more uncertain."

The man smirked. "I suppose all we can do at this point is go ahead. But Yusaku, Takeru, Sachi, and the others… they are going to be so angry with us."

The girl nodded, a sad look in her eyes. "Our preparations took too long. This is the only path left to stop Jormungand." Her eyes narrowed. "After a certain point, all we will be able to do is hope."

"Heh. How human of you, Goldie."

"No need for insults, Ai."

---

Later…

Goldie and the two women stood on a ledge overlooking a massive cylindrical structure.

"Rothman Programming Firm," the younger one, Sylphid, said. "You're sure they have what we need?"

"They have the foundation of what we need," Goldie clarified. "I'll have to modify it for our purposes first."

"And you know they have this how?"

"Very thorough research." Goldie's eyes narrowed. "Diana, is the way clear?"

The older woman had been kneeling, her Duel Disk held out with a scanner active. "It should be. This company is smaller than SOL, and their security traps are basic. There is a chance we could encounter AI duelists, but it's a low chance."

Goldie sighed. "Alright. Ai and Roboppi should be making their move about now. We need to time this just right." She frowned. "If everything goes as planned, we should be in and out before anyone notices."

---

"Don't say it."

"I didn't say anything."

"I can see it in your face."

"My face doesn't say words, it just conveys feelings."

"Well, you clearly feel like you want to say it."

"Would you prefer I say it?"

"I would prefer no one say it," Goldie responded to Diana with a frown.

"It's good for you," the former Enforcer insisted. "Helps keep you humble."

"I am humble enough in my opinion."

"But you can always be humbler."

"Girls?" Sylphid spoke up again. "Could we save this for afterwards?"

Goldie blushed but eventually sighed. Sylphid was right; now wasn't the time to get into a childish argument. Not with three AI duelists bearing down on them.

The plan had been simple: Infiltrate Rothman Programming Firm's central database, grab what they needed, then leave. The first part had been simple enough… at first. Then an alert had been triggered, and three AI duelists had appeared to apprehend them.

And despite what Sylphid and Diana might say, it had not been Goldie's fault; why was she to blame for her new human body limiting her peripheral vision?

Stupid biological evolution, prioritizing binocular vision in humans, she thought.

Refocusing on the present, Goldie decided to break their situation down. "I've jammed the alarms, so we only have to worry about automated defenses," she said.

"Like the three AI behind us."

"Yes," she replied to Diana. "Like them. And they are likely inferior to SOL's designs, so they should not be a problem for us." She narrowed her eyes. "Split off and deal with them. And avoid any further traps."

"Sure thing!" Sylphid agreed. Diana nodded. At a three-way intersection, Diana went ahead, Goldie took the left route, and Sylphid the right. Each of them was followed by a single AI.

Sylphid looked back at the AI chasing after her. "Sorry!" she said cheerily. "I know you're just doing your job, but I have to scrap you."

"Engaging opponent."

"Speed Duel!"

Sylphid: 4000 LP

Security AI #1: 4000 LP

"Taking the first turn," the AI said. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Guardians' Dominion." The card showed an island with a stone castle atop it, and rising above the castle was Guardian Eatos holding Celestial Sword – Eatos. "My monsters equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and my Equip Cards cannot be targeted by your card effects. Guardians' Dominion's additional effect: When it is activated, I add a 'Guardian' monster and one Equip Spell listed in its text from my Deck to my hand."

Sylphid raised an eyebrow. "Guardian, huh? That's a rare archetype.

"As I control no monsters, I activate the Spell Card: Heart of the Guardians." The card showed a young man leaning over a firepit, and across from him were specters of Guardians Eatos, Grarl, and Kay'est. "I pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon two Guardian Tokens in Defense Position." Two small stone statues of Guardian Grarl appeared in Defense Position.

Security AI #1: 4000→3500 LP

Guardian Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1 x 2

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Butterfly Dagger – Elma and equip it to one Guardian Token." An elaborate dagger appeared in the stone hands of one statue. "The monster equipped with Butterfly Dagger gains 300 attack points."

Guardian Token ATK 0→300

"As I control Butterfly Dagger, I can Special Summon Guardian Elma." A red-haired woman in loose green and red clothes appeared.

Guardian Elma ATK 1300 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Appear, my circuit. The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set Elma and two Guardian Tokens in the Link Markers." The monsters spiraled into the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon. Appear. Link-3. Greater Guardian Forerunner." A humanoid monster in gray robes and armor emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone. Its visor was tinted gold and its helmet that three spines on the back.

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Forerunner's monster effect. I reveal one 'Guardian' monster in my hand, then Special Summon it while ignoring its summoning conditions. I reveal Guardian Tryce and Special Summon it." A blue-skinned man in a golden cuirass appeared at Forerunner's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Guardian Tryce ATK 1900 DEF 1700 LVL: 5

"Forerunner gains attack points equal to the combined attack points of 'Guardian' monsters linked to it."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500→4400

"While Forerunner is on the field, my opponent cannot target my other 'Guardian' monsters for attacks. I set one card. I end my turn."

Sylphid frowned as she looked over her opponent's cards. "So I can only attack a monster with 4400 attack points. But the Field Spell only protects Equip Cards and monsters with Equip Cards. If that's the case…" She smirked. "Then this won't be a problem. My turn! Draw!"

"Continuous Trap activate," the AI interrupted. "Guardians' Armory." The card showed several weapons racks, with swords, bows, axes, and daggers propped up on them. "Once per turn, I target a 'Guardian' monster I control, and equip 1 Equip Spell Card from my hand or Graveyard to that monster. I equip Butterfly Dagger – Elma to Forerunner."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 4400→4700

Sylphid blinked. "…Okay, this will be a problem. But only for a while. I activate the Spell Card: Dragunity Glow! I add a Level 5 or higher 'Dragunity' monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Dragunity Arma Gram to my hand. I summon Dragunity Aklys!" A red dragon with silver armor appeared.

Dragunity Aklys ATK 1000 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"Aklys's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I Special Summon a 'Dragunity' monster from my hand, then equip Aklys to it. I summon Dragunity Militum!" A humanoid in a green helmet with green wings on its back and two blades in its hands appeared in Attack Position. The sword in its right hand vanished while Aklys transformed into a spear and took the sword's place.

Dragunity Militum ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Militum's monster effect! I target and Special Summon a 'Dragunity' card in my Spell & Trap Zone. I Special Summon Aklys." The spear vanished and the red dragon reappeared in Attack Position.

Dragunity Aklys ATK 1000 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"Level 2 Aklys tunes Level 4 Militum! Spear of the heavens! Transform into the dragon of lightning! Synchro Summon! Descend, Level 6! Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana!" An orange-armored dragon with purple skin emerged from the light, with an orange-armored rider wielding a spear. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana ATK 1900 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

"Vajrayana's monster effect! When it is Synchro Summoned, I equip a Level 3 or lower Dragon 'Dragunity' monster from my Graveyard to Vajrayana. I equip Aklys to Vajrayana." Another spear appeared in the rider's left hand. "Vajrayana's additional effect! I send the equipped Aklys to the Graveyard to double Vajrayana's attack points until the end of the turn!" The spear vanished at her words.

Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana ATK 1900 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

"Since Aklys was sent to the Graveyard while it was equipped to a monster, I can destroy a card on the field. I'll destroy Guardians' Dominion!" The Field Spell Card shattered.

"Guardians' Dominion's effect activates," the AI spoke up. "If it is sent to the Graveyard by my opponent's card effect, I can Special Summon a 'Guardian' monster from my Deck, ignoring the summoning conditions. I Special Summon Guardian Eatos." A woman in brown clothes with wings and an eagle's head as a headdress appeared in Attack Position.

Guardian Eatos ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Interesting feature, but that won't help. By banishing Aklys and Militum from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Dragunity Arma Gram from my hand!" A massive red dragon with golden wings appeared in Attack Position, wielding a hooked sword in its right hand while flames wreathed its head, elbows, and tail.

Dragunity Arma Gram ATK 2900 DEF 2200 LVL: 10

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Dragunity Divine Lance and equip it to Vajrayana. Vajrayana gains attack points equal to its Level times 100 and is unaffected by Trap effects." The spear in Vajrayana's rider's right hand was replaced by an ornate golden lance with multiple sets of wings in the middle.

Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana ATK 3800→4400

"I activate Divine Lance's effect! Once per turn, I equip a Dragon 'Dragunity' Tuner monster from my Deck to the equipped Vajrayana. I equip Dragunity Brandistock to Vajrayana." A blue dragon with a pike attached to its head appeared, then morphed into a spear that Vajrayana's wielder held in its left hand. "While Vajrayana has Brandistock equipped, it can make a second attack during the Battle Phase."

Sylphid gestured to her field. "Arma Gram's monster effect! Once per turn, I target a face-up monster. That monster's effects are negated, and it loses 1000 attack points for each Equip Card I control. I target Forerunner!" The sword-wielding dragon breathed red flames that consumed Forerunner, making it groan.

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 4700→2800→800

"I Set one card." My Spell & Trap Zone is full, so I can't use Arma Gram's effect, Sylphid thought. But that's not a big loss. "Battle! Vajrayana attacks Forerunner!" The dragon knight charged forward. Vajrayana has 4400 attack points and can attack twice, while Arma Gram has 2900 attack points. This'll end it swiftly.

"I activate my Skill," the AI announced. "Damage to Life. If I would take damage, that damage is reduced to 0, then I gain Life Points equal to the damage I would take."

Sylphid frowned. "But Forerunner will still be destroyed."

"If my monster equipped with an Equip Card would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish Heart of the Guardians from my Graveyard instead." The dragon knight's weapons hit Forerunner's dagger, but the Link Monster withstood the attack.

Security AI #1: 3500→7100 LP

Sylphid sighed. "I guess this will be dragged out another turn. But no matter; Vajrayana attacks Forerunner again!" Once again, the dragon rider brought his spears down, and this time, the spears pierced the Link Monster's body, making it explode.

Security AI #1: 7100→3500 LP

"Arma Gram attacks Tryce!" The other dragon's sword lit on fire, then it swung the blade through the blue-skinned man, cutting him in half.

Security AI #2: 3500→2500 LP

Sylphid frowned. That Skill had been unexpected, but unexpected things happened all the time. And while leaving Eatos on the field might be bad, she was confident enough in her own skills not to lose.

This won't be like last time, she thought. This won't end like it did against Thaumiel. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, Vajrayana's effect ends."

Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana ATK 4400→2500

"My turn. Draw. I activate the Spell Card: Guardian Rebirth." The card showed a man kneeling in the rain, and Guardian Eatos holding out her hand for him to take. "I Special Summon a 'Guardian' monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position, ignoring its summoning conditions. I Special Summon Greater Guardian Forerunner." The humanoid in gray armor and robes reappeared in the AI's center Main Monster Zone.

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Forerunner is linked to Eatos, so it gains attack points equal to Eatos's attack points."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500→5000

"I activate the effect of Guardian Rebirth in the Graveyard. I banish it to add one 'Guardian' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Guardian Grarl to my hand. I now activate Guardians' Armory's other effect to reveal one 'Guardian' monster in my hand or Graveyard, then add one Equip Spell listed in the monster's text from my Deck to my hand. I reveal Guardian Grarl in my hand to add Gravity Axe – Grarl from my Deck to my hand. I activate the Equip Spell Card: Gravity Axe – Grarl and equip it to Forerunner." A bronze two-pronged axe appeared in Forerunner's right hand. "The monster equipped with Gravity Axe gains 500 attack points, and while Gravity Axe is on the field, my opponent's monsters cannot change their battle positions."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5000→5500

"As I control Gravity Axe – Grarl, and it is the only card in my hand, I can Special Summon Guardian Grarl." A brown-skinned humanoid reptile in a yellow vest appeared at Forerunner's right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Guardian Grarl ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"As a new 'Guardian' monster is linked to Forerunner, Forerunner gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5500→8000

Sylphid frowned. "A Link Monster with 8000 attack points, and two other monsters with 2500 attack points each. Yeesh."

"Battle. Forerunner attacks Arma Gram." The robed monster charged forward, its axe held out to its side.

The girl grit her teeth… and then smirked. "Trap activate! Burst Breath! I Tribute Arma Gram!" The large dragon burst into a red inferno. "All monsters on the field whose defense points are less than or equal to Arma Gram's attack points are destroyed!" The flames exploded outwards, washing over both fields. Eatos and Grarl screamed before exploding, while Forerunner and Vajrayana floated above it. "Vajrayana's defense points are lower than Arma Gram's attack points, but since it's equipped with Dragunity Divine Lance, it is unaffected by Trap effects like Burst Breath's."

Sylphid was rather proud of herself for coming up with this strategy. Pity her AI opponent couldn't appreciate it. "Since Eatos and Grarl are no longer on the field, Forerunner's attack points go way down."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 8000→3000

"A replay occurs. Forerunner attacks Vajrayana." The robed monster continued its charge and swung its axe, cutting the orange dragon in half. Sylphid winced from the backlash.

Sylphid: 4000→3500 LP

"I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!"

"I activate Guardians' Armory's effect," the AI spoke up. "I equip Butterfly Dagger – Elma to Forerunner." The hand that didn't hold the axe gained a dagger.

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 3000→3300

"Strengthening your defenses, huh?" Sylphid mused. "I can understand that; you're up against an opponent who outclasses you, so all you can do is make it harder for them." She frowned. "I know that feeling all too well."

She had lost her parents 2 years ago in Osaka. Diana had taken her in, introduced her to Goldie, and after Sylphid had started to recover, they had told her who was responsible for her loss.

Thaumiel.

When she found out he was in LINK VRAINS, Sylphid had tried to confront him. But she had lost. And then Lilith had defeated Thaumiel, and someone else had killed him. Her tormentor was gone.

But where did that leave her? It left her feeling that her business was unfinished. Even if Thaumiel was behind her parents' deaths in Osaka, Ouroboros had been the people who'd enabled him. And now one of their leaders was attempting to become a god.

Ouroboros thinks they can just toy with people's lives, Sylphid thought. My parents did nothing wrong, but Thaumiel caused their deaths all because he could. And now Jormungand wants to decide the fate of humanity because he thinks he knows best. Her eyes narrowed. They've gotten away with too much! I won't allow Ouroboros to just do what they please!

"I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed!" Sylphid drew her cards. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Burial from a Different Dimension! This returns up to three banished monsters to the Graveyard. I'll return my banished Aklys and Militum to the Graveyard. I summon Dragunity Guisarme!" A small turquoise dragon with a spiked head appeared.

Dragunity Guisarme ATK 600 DEF 1600 LVL: 3

"Guisarme's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Wind Dragon or Winged Beast monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Militum!" The masked warrior armed with a sword and dagger reappeared in Attack Position.

Dragunity Militum ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Level 3 Guisarme tunes Level 4 Militum! Sword of the king! Incarnate through the power of the dragon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Level 7! Dragunity Knight – Gormfaobhar!" A massive turquoise dragon with a spike at its forehead emerged from the light, a rider in armor of the same shade on its back armed with a spear. The dragon roared from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Dragunity Knight – Gormfaobhar ATK 2600 DEF 2300 LVL: 7

"Gormfaobhar's monster effect! When it is Synchro Summoned, I equip a 'Dragunity' Tuner monster to it. I'll equip Aklys to it." Sylphid smirked. "Gormfaobhar's additional effect! By sending an Equip Card equipped to it to the Graveyard, I target up to two cards in your Graveyard and banish them. I'll send Aklys to the Graveyard to banish Eatos and Grarl!"

She gestured to her field. "The effect of the formerly equipped Aklys activates! When it's sent to the Graveyard while equipped to a monster, I target and destroy a card on the field! Your Field Spell is no longer on the field, so I'll destroy Forerunner!" The red dragon reappeared and charged the robed monster. It pierced the monster's stomach, making it explode.

"Now you're wide open! Battle! Gormfaobhar attacks you directly!" The dragon roared and released a stream of green energy. The beam consumed the AI, making it disintegrate.

Security AI #1: 2500→0 LP

Sylphid let out a little chuckle. "That was as easy as I expected it to be; these Rothman AIs aren't even in the same league as the ones SOL, the Hanoi, and Ouroboros used." She adopted a small smile. "If nothing else, this'll be good practice for the show ahead."

---

Diana glared at her opponent. "I really don't have time for this," she said. "So I'll go ahead and scrap you."

"Commencing duel."

"Speed Duel!"

Diana: 4000 LP

Security AI #2: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" the former Enforcer declared. "I activate the Spell Card: VirtuaBeast Pride!" The card showed a massive rock formation, with one rock stretching over a grassy plain. Atop that rock, VirtuaBeast Network Nemean was roaring. "I send a 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, then add a different 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Deck to my hand. I discard VirtuaBeast Spam Scorpion to add VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin to my hand. I summon VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin!" A mechanical fish appeared, then a holographic shell of a white dolphin with a pink belly formed around it.

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Data Dolphin gains 200 attack points for each 'VirtuaBeast' monster I control."

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000→1200

"Appear, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning condition is a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster. I set Data Dolphin in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! VirtuaBeast Gigabyte Goblin!" A humanoid machine emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone, then a hologram of a big-nosed green-skinned goblin formed around it.

VirtuaBeast Gigabyte Goblin ATK 800 LINK-1 ↓

"When Data Dolphin is used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I add a Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." Diana took the card from her Deck, then played it. "I activate the Field Spell Card: VirtuaBeast Kingdom! While this card is on the field, my 'VirtuaBeast' monsters cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects." She then gestured to her field. "I activate VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect and target Gigabyte Goblin. Gigabyte Goblin is Earth Attribute, so I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Data Dolphin!" The metal fish reappeared in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Gigabyte Goblin's monster effect! Once per turn, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my hand. Come, VirtuaBeast Vaccine Vulture!" An avian machine appeared at Gigabyte Goblin's Link Marker in Attack Position, then formed a hologram of a black bird with a pink head.

VirtuaBeast Vaccine Vulture ATK 1400 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Appear again, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Data Dolphin and Vaccine Vulture in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! VirtuaBeast Processor Phoenix!" Another avian machine, this one much larger, emerged from the portal at Gigabyte Goblin's Link Marker. A holographic shell of a red-and-orange bird with the edges of its wings aflame formed around it.

VirtuaBeast Processor Phoenix ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↓→

"When Vaccine Vulture is used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I draw a card. Processor Phoenix's monster effect! Once per turn, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect once again, Data Dolphin!" The Cyberse monster reappeared again in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"I activate VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect and target Data Dolphin. Data Dolphin is Water Attribute, so I add a 'VirtuaBeast' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand, but I cannot Link Summon Link-4 or higher monsters for the rest of the turn." Diana took a card from her Deck, then gestured to her field. "For a third time, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two or more 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Data Dolphin and Link-2 Processor Phoenix in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur!" A mechanical centaur emerged from the portal at Gigabyte Goblin's Link Marker, then a holographic shell of a black-haired, brown-furred, male centaur formed around it, wielding a wooden longbow.

VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur ATK 2200 LINK-3 ←↓→

"I activate the effect of Spam Scorpion in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a different 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Vaccine Vulture!" The smaller avian reappeared in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Vaccine Vulture ATK 1400 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"For the fourth time, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Vaccine Vulture and Gigabyte Goblin in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! VirtuaBeast Holographic Hydra!" A quadrupedal machine emerged from the portal at Chrome Centaur's left Link Marker. A green shell formed around it, along with five serpentine heads and a spiked tail.

VirtuaBeast Holographic Hydra ATK 1900 LINK-2 ←↓

"When Holographic Hydra is Link Summoned using a Link Monster, its attack points become double its original attack points until my next Standby Phase."

VirtuaBeast Holographic Hydra ATK 1900→3800

"Chrome Centaur's monster effect! When a 'VirtuaBeast' monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I inflict damage equal to that monster's original attack points!" The centaur drew its bow back and fired a bolt at the Security AI.

"I activate my Skill," the AI announced. "Damage to Life. If I would take damage, that damage becomes 0, then I gain Life Points equal to the damage I would have taken." The bolt broke apart.

Security AI #2: 4000→5900 LP

Diana frowned. That was disappointing; she had held off on using VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect to target Processor Phoenix to inflict damage because it prevented any further damage, but since Chrome Centaur was Earth and Holographic Hydra was Water, she couldn't use its effect. "I Set two cards. I end my turn."

"My turn. Draw. I activate the Field Spell Card: Guardians' Dominion. While this card is on the field, my monsters equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and my Equip Cards cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects. In addition, when Guardians' Dominion is activated, I add one 'Guardian' monster and one Equip Spell listed in its text from my Deck to my hand. I add Guardian Grarl and Gravity Axe – Grarl from my Deck to my hand."

Diana raised an eyebrow behind her visor. Guardian? That wasn't an archetype she'd fought before. Mostly because it was barely an archetype in the first place.

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Guardians' Castle." The card showed a stone castle similar to the Disney Land castle, with an engraving of Guardian Eatos on the main gate and statues of Guardian Grarl on either side of the gate. "Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can discard one Equip Spell to Special Summon as many Guardian Tokens as possible, but these Tokens cannot be used as Tributes for a Tribute Summon. I discard Rod of Silence – Kay'est." Three small stone statues of Guardian Grarl appeared in Defense Position.

Guardian Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1 x 3

"Appear, my circuit. The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set three Guardian Tokens in the Link Markers." The tokens entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon. Appear. Link-3. Greater Guardian Forerunner." A humanoid in gray armor and robes with a golden visor emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Forerunner's monster effect. Once per turn, I reveal one 'Guardian' monster in my hand, then Special Summon it, ignoring the summoning conditions. I reveal and Special Summon Guardian Grarl." A brown humanoid reptilian in a yellow vest appeared at Forerunner's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Guardian Grarl ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Forerunner's additional effect. It gains attack points equal to the combined attack points of 'Guardian' monsters linked to it, and my opponent cannot target my other 'Guardian' monsters for attacks."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500→5000

"I activate the Spell Card: Guardians' Termination." The card showed Guardian Ceal releasing an arrow on its Shooting Star Bow that was wreathed in flames. "I pay 1000 Life Points to destroy cards my opponent controls, up to the number of 'Guardian' monsters I control, then my opponent takes 800 points of damage for each destroyed card."

Diana grit her teeth. VirtuaBeast Kingdom only prevented her monsters from being targeted; since that Spell Card didn't specify that it targeted cards, only destroyed them, it bypassed that protection.

Security AI #2: 5900→4900 LP

"I control two 'Guardian' monsters, so I will destroy VirtuaBeast Kingdom and Chrome Centaur."

An annoying loophole, but one that Diana was prepared for. "Counter Trap activate! VirtuaBeast Salvation!" The card showed a glowing card with three red arrows at the top, and floating above was VirtuaBeast Cryptograph Chimera, all three of its heads roaring. "Since you activated a card or effect while I control a 'VirtuaBeast' Link Monster, that activation is negated!" The Spell Card shattered at her words. "Then, VirtuaBeast Salvation allows me to activate a Link Spell Card directly from my Deck!" Diana took the card from her Deck. "Come forth, the arrows that protect the world! The Link Spell Card: Salvation Arrows!" The card appeared at the Spell & Trap Zone Holographic Hydra's bottom Link Marker pointed to.

Salvation Arrows ↖↑↗

"Link Monsters Salvation Arrows points to are unaffected by my opponent's card effects. But when it leaves the field, monsters linked to it are returned to their owners' hands."

Diana's AI opponent showed no reaction to her move. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Gravity Axe – Grarl and equip it to Guardian Grarl." A two-pronged axe appeared in the reptilian's hands. "My opponent's monsters cannot change their battle positions and Guardian Grarl gains 500 attack points."

Guardian Grarl ATK 2500→3000

"As the attack points of a 'Guardian' monster Forerunner points to changed, Forerunner's attack points also change."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5000→5500

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Shooting Star Bow – Ceal and equip it to Forerunner." A white bow formed in the Link Monster's right hand. "Forerunner loses 1000 attack points, but it can attack my opponent directly."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5500→4500

"Battle. Greater Guardian Forerunner attacks you directly." The monster pulled the string on its bow back, and an arrow formed. It released the string, releasing the arrow straight at Diana.

Who was unconcerned. "Trap activate! VirtuaBeast Pitfall!" The card showed VirtuaBeast Server Serval with wide eyes falling into a leaf-covered pit. "When you declare an attack while I control a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, that attack is negated, then you take damage equal to half of the attacking monster's original attack points!" A beam of gold light shot out of the Trap Card, disintegrated the arrow, then hit the AI and made its body fizzle.

Security AI #2: 4900→3650 LP

"Guardian Grarl attacks Chrome Centaur." The reptilian roared as it leapt into the air, then swung its axe down towards the Link Monster.

"When my 'VirtuaBeast' monster would be destroyed by my opponent's card, I can banish Vaccine Vulture from my Graveyard instead!" Chrome Centaur lifted its longbow, blocking the axe strike. Diana winced from the blowback of the attack.

Diana: 4000→3200 LP

"I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw! During the Standby Phase, Holographic Hydra's attack points return to normal."

VirtuaBeast Holographic Hydra ATK 3800→1900

Diana clenched her right fist. "When I joined Ouroboros, I did so out of gratitude for the one who saved me," she muttered. "And when I became an Enforcer, it was to find my own path separate from hers. And after Osaka… I saw that following the justice I desired would mean turning my back on Ouroboros.

"What I want is a world where things do not stay the same, where people change and evolve. I am not the person I was when she took me in, nor am I the person I was when I decided to accept his request. I am the Enforcer who decided to follow her heart instead of her orders. And I will keep following my heart to the very end!"

Diana gestured to her field. "I activate the effect of VirtuaBeast Salvation in my Graveyard! I banish it, and for the rest of the turn, my opponent cannot Special Summon monsters!" She had seen Guardians' Dominion's effect in its text; she would not deal with a new "Guardian" monster this turn. "I activate VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect and target the Earth Chrome Centaur. I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect again, Data Dolphin!" The mechanical fish reappeared in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Appear, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two or more 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Data Dolphin and Link-2 Holographic Hydra in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! VirtuaBeast Network Nemean!" A feline machine emerged from the portal at Salvation Arrows' top Link Marker, then a hologram of a gold armored lion with a mane formed around it and roared.

VirtuaBeast Network Nemean ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Chrome Centaur's monster effect! When a 'VirtuaBeast' monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, you take damage equal to that monster's original attack points!" The centaur drew its bow and launched several arrows at the AI, whose body fizzled.

Security AI #2: 3650→1250 LP

"When Data Dolphin is used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I add a Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." Diana took the card then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: VirtuaBeast Watering Hole!" The card showed a lake reflecting a clear sky and sun, with numerous VirtuaBeasts lining the shore and drinking from it. "As I control a 'VirtuaBeast' Link Monster, I can Special Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my hand or Graveyard, but that monster cannot attack or be used as Link Material this turn. Resurrect for the last time, Data Dolphin!" The fish reappeared, a sweatdrop on its head over being Special Summoned so many times.

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Data Dolphin gains 200 attack points for each 'VirtuaBeast' monster I control."

VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin ATK 1000→1600

"Network Nemean's monster effect! I Tribute a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster, then target my opponent's face-up cards, up to the Tributed monster's Level. I Tribute Level 4 Data Dolphin and target Guardians' Dominion, Guardians' Castle, Forerunner, and Grarl." Data Dolphin disintegrated and Network Nemean roared, sending shockwaves across the field. "The targeted cards have their effects negated, and since Network Nemean is co-linked, they are then destroyed!" The monsters, Continuous Spell, and Field Spell all grayed out, then shattered.

"Network Nemean cannot attack the turn its effect is activated, and Chrome Centaur cannot attack the turn its effect is activated either. But I have a workaround." Diana raised her hand. "Appear, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Chrome Centaur and Network Nemean in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! VirtuaBeast Graphic Griffin!" A quadrupedal machine with wings and a tail emerged from the portal at Salvation Arrows' top Link Marker. A hologram of a brown-furred mammal with the head, wings, and talons of an eagle formed around it and screeched.

VirtuaBeast Graphic Griffin ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

"Tempting as it is to use Cryptograph Chimera here, it is unnecessary," Diana said. "Battle! Graphic Griffin attacks you directly!" The mythological creature screeched and flapped its wings, sending a sonic scream and a blast of wind at the AI. The attack swept over it, disintegrating its body.

Security AI #2: 1250→0 LP

"Hardly a challenge. Sylphid and Goldie will overcome this as well." Diana smiled softly. "Then the first step to saving the world will be taken."

---

Goldie stared back at her AI opponent. "I suppose this is a good opportunity," she mused. "I will finally get a chance to test out the Deck I constructed with Ai's help."

"Engaging trespasser. Commencing duel."

Goldie sighed. "Such a simple creation you are. Meant for a single purpose and not given any freedom outside of it. For me, this is akin to kicking a dog simply because it is in the way. How distasteful. But for the sake of the future I desire, I must go through with this."

"Speed Duel!"

Goldie: 4000 LP

Security AI #3: 4000 LP

"Starting the first turn," the AI duelist announced. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Guardians' Dominion. My monsters equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects and Equip Cards I control cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects. When Guardians' Dominion is activated, I add a 'Guardian' monster and an Equip Spell Card listed in its text from my Deck to my hand. I add Guardian Grarl and Gravity Axe – Grarl from my Deck to my hand."

Goldie raised an eyebrow. "Guardians?" she mused. "Unexpected; let's see if you can make that archetype work."

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Guardians' Castle. Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can discard one Equip Spell Card to Special Summon any number of Guardian Tokens. I discard Shooting Star Bow – Ceal to Special Summon three Guardian Tokens." Three statues of Guardian Grarl appeared in Defense Position.

Guardian Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1 x 3

"Appear, my circuit. The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set three Guardian Tokens in the Link Markers." The tokens entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon. Appear. Link-3. Greater Guardian Forerunner." A humanoid in gray robes and armor appeared at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→

"While Forerunner is on the field, my other 'Guardian' monsters cannot be attacked by my opponent's monsters. Forerunner's monster effect. Once per turn, I reveal a 'Guardian' monster in my hand, then Special Summon it, ignoring the summoning conditions. I reveal and Special Summon Guardian Grarl." A humanoid reptilian in a best appeared at Forerunner's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Guardian Grarl ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Forerunner gains attack points equal to the combined attack points of 'Guardian' monsters linked to it."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 2500→5000

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Gravity Axe – Grarl and equip it to Guardian Grarl." A two-pronged axe appeared in the reptilian's hands. "Grarl gains 500 attack points and my opponent's monsters cannot change their battle positions."

Guardian Grarl ATK 2500→3000

"As Grarl's attack points changed, Forerunner's attack points also change."

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5000→5500

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

Goldie looked over the field. "So I can only attack a monster with 5500 attack points, and due to the Field Spell, I cannot target and destroy Gravity Axe. How interesting. But also fragile." She frowned. "I do not have time to waste on this task. I will end this quickly. My turn! Draw! I summon Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus!" A baby dinosaur appeared on Goldie's field. It stood on two legs with two short forearms, had a tail and an elongated head. Its skin was orange, with mottled yellow spots, and yellow spheres at the joints in its legs and arms. Atop its forehead was a golden eight-pointed star, with a smaller eight-pointed star inside it. The baby dinosaur opened its mouth and let out a little roar.

Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus ATK 800 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Abstract Allosaurus's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I discard a card to add a 'Holozoic' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll discard Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon to add Holozoic World to my hand. And when Datalink Dimorphodon is sent from my hand to the Graveyard, its effect Special Summons itself!" A new baby dinosaur appeared in Attack Position, this one being an avian with wings, hands atop the wings, hind legs, and a tail. Its head was thin with a large snout, and small feathers covered its body. Its skin was forest green, and patches of light green dotted its body and wings. The same symbol on Abstract Allosaurus's body – the golden eight-pointed star with a smaller star inside it – was on the small dinosaur's back.

Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon ATK 900 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Holozoic World!" The card showed a massive jungle island, with multicolored dinosaurs flying above it, walking on the land, or swimming in the ocean around it. "While this card is on the field, my 'Holozoic' monsters cannot be banished or destroyed by my opponent's card effects."

Goldie raised her right hand. "Appear, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Abstract Allosaurus in the Link Marker!" The baby dinosaur turned into an orange whirlwind and entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops!" A baby triceratops, with its three horns and beaked mouth, emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. Its skin was dark gold with light gold patches along its sides, its beak, horns, and toes were dark silver, and the eight-pointed stars were in the center of its frill.

Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

"When Abstract Allosaurus is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I add a 'Holozoic' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Holozoic Fusion to my hand. Terabyte Triceratops' monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I add a 'Holozoic' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur to my hand. And as I control a 'Holozoic' monster, I can Special Summon Parallel Plesiosaur!" The baby dinosaur that appeared in Attack Position was an aquatic dinosaur, with a thick body, four fins, a tail, and a head atop a very long neck. Its body was dark blue with lighter blue patches on its fins and neck, and the eight-pointed stars were in the center of its back. The dinosaur cooed, its mouth having only a few sharp teeth.

Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur ATK 1000 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"Appear again, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set Datalink Dimorphodon, Parallel Plesiosaur, and Terabyte Triceratops in the Link Markers!" The three monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Ancient life! Be reborn through the network and evolve to save the world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus!" A quadrupedal dinosaur emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. This one had dark gold skin like Terabyte Triceratops but had light gold lines running up and down its body, coalescing at the eight-pointed stars on its forehead. Dark gold spikes covered its back, and its tail ended in a light gold club. It had four short horns on its head, two atop its head and two at the sides, all pointed backwards. Its blue eyes gleamed as it roared.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"When Parallel Plesiosaurus is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can target and destroy one card in my opponent's Spell & Trap Zone. I cannot target Gravity Axe, so I'll target and destroy your Set card!" A phantom of the aquatic dinosaur appeared and tore through the Set card, revealing it. "Negate Attack, hm? That wouldn't have mattered even if I hadn't destroyed it. In addition, when Terabyte Triceratops is used as Link Material, I can target and Special Summon a different 'Holozoic Beast' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Datalink Dimorphodon!" The winged baby dinosaur reappeared in Attack Position.

Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon ATK 900 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"Datalink Dimorphodon's monster effect! Once per turn, I target a 'Holozoic' monster and declare a Level between 1 and 8. Until the end of the turn, that monster becomes that Level. I target Datalink Dimorphodon itself and declare Level 8."

Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon LVL: 4→8

"I activate Holozoic World's effect! Once per turn, I can Ritual Summon a 'Holozoic' Ritual Monster from my hand by Tributing monsters from my hand or field. I Tribute Level 8 Datalink Dimorphodon to Ritual Summon!" A golden magic circle appeared on her field, with eight gold flames on it. Data Link Dimorphodon broke apart, and its particles entered the circle, creating a golden pillar. "The contract has been made! The great predator of the deepest ocean inherits this single soul! Ritual Summon! Appear, Level 8! Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur!"

The pillar faded, revealing a massive aquatic dinosaur, twice the size of Ancient Ankylosaurus. Its body was the same shape as Parallel Plesiosaur's, with four fins and a tail, but it had no neck, and its jaws were the size of half its body. Its body was dark blue, with spines covering its back, and light blue lines crisscrossed its body, starting from its fins and ending at the blue eight-pointed stars on its forehead. The monster roared from Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Holozoic Fusion!" The card showed Ancient Ankylosaurus and Parallel Plesiosaur, colored gold and silver, spiraling into an orange vortex. "I Fusion Summon a 'Holozoic' Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field. However, since I control a 'Holozoic' Link Monster, I can also shuffle 'Holozoic' monsters in my Graveyard into my Deck as material. I shuffle Abstract Allosaurus and Terabyte Triceratops in my Graveyard into my Deck to Fusion Summon!"

The two monsters reappeared, then broke apart into red and blue particles that spiraled into a vortex. Two whirlwinds shot upwards, then merged into a single violet tornado. "King of the world! Obtain the earth's destructive power and shake civilization to its foundation! Fusion Summon! Arise, Level 8! Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno!" A tyrannosaurus rex, halfway in size between Ancient Ankylosaurus and Maritime Mosasaur, emerged from the tornado. Its skin was primarily orange-and-brown with light orange lines running up-and-down its body, starting at its tiny claws and toes and meeting at the orange eight-pointed stars on its forehead. Small spikes lined its back and tail, with short feathers lining the spikes. The dinosaur's yellow eyes glowed as it roared from Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

Link, Fusion, and Ritual all in the same turn, Goldie thought smugly. Eat your heart out, Cypher.

Out loud, she said, "Tectonic Tyranno's monster effect! Once per turn, I target a Level 4 or lower 'Holozoic' monster in my Graveyard, then shuffle it into my Deck. I can then destroy Spell or Trap Cards my opponent controls, up to that monster's Level. I shuffle the Level 3 Parallel Plesiosaur in my Graveyard into my Deck to destroy Guardians' Dominion, Guardians' Castle, and Gravity Axe!" All three cards shattered at her words.

Guardian Grarl ATK 3000→2500

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5500→5000

"The effect of Guardians' Dominion activates," the Security AI spoke up. "When it is sent to the Graveyard by my opponent's card, I can Special Summon one 'Guardian' monster from my Deck, ignoring the summoning conditions. I Special Summon Guardian Eatos."

A humanoid figure started to appear on the AI's field, but Goldie just gestured to her field. "Maritime Mosasaur's monster effect! When you would Special Summon a monster or activate a card or effect that would Special Summon a monster, Maritime Mosasaur negates that Summon or effect, then shuffles that card into your Deck!" The humanoid figure vanished at her words.

"Ancient Ankylosaurus's monster effect! Once per turn, I target two linked monsters. I target Guardian Grarl and Maritime Mosasaur. The first target is destroyed, and until the end of the turn, the second target gains attack points equal to the first target's original attack points." The reptilian shattered and the aquatic dinosaur growled.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur ATK 2500→5000

Greater Guardian Forerunner ATK 5000→2500

"Battle! During the Battle Phase, while I control a 'Holozoic' Link Monster or Holozoic World is in my Field Zone, Maritime Mosasaur prevents my opponent from activating cards or effects. Maritime Mosasaur attacks Forerunner!" The dinosaur opened its mouth, then fired a stream of water at the Guardian monster.

"I activate my Skill," the AI duelist announced. "Damage to Life. If I would take damage, that damage becomes 0, then I gain Life Points equal to the damage I would have taken." The water tore through Forerunner, destroying it, but none of it hit the AI.

Security AI #3: 4000→6500 LP

Goldie was undeterred. "Tectonic Tyranno attacks you directly!" The king of the dinosaurs roared and charged forward. It spun around, and struck the Security AI with its tail, making its body fizzle.

Security AI #3: 6500→4000 LP

"Ancient Ankylosaurus attacks you directly!" The squat dinosaur spun around, lashing its tail out. The tail sent a wave of light at the AI, making it fizzle again.

Security AI #3: 4000→1500 LP

"Tectonic Tyranno's additional effect! When my 'Holozoic' monster inflicts battle damage, I can target that monster, and that monster can attack again in a row! I target Ancient Ankylosaurus!" She allowed herself a satisfied smirk. "Ancient Ankylosaurus attacks you directly!"

Another tail swing, another wave of light. This light hit the AI head on, knocking it off its D-Board as it disintegrated.

Security AI #3: 1500→0 LP

Goldie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I do not take joy in destroying another AI like that… but it was necessary for the path ahead. She opened her eyes, then opened communications. "Diana, Sylphid; do you read me?"

"I hear you."

"So do I."

"I've finished my opponent. I'll head for the central server. Meet me there."

"We will."

---

Minutes later, the trio stood in the middle of a circular room. It wasn't like SOL's data bank, with the wide space and orbs floating around. This one had a cylindrical shape, with files lining the walls like shelves. Goldie stepped forward to the central console and activated it, running through the options.

"…Here it is," she said, hitting a button. The shelves walls rotated, bringing one section to the front. Then it lowered itself until it was in front of the three women.

Goldie reached out and pulled the file, transforming it into a golden sphere in the process. Her eyes narrowed as she widened it, looking through the data.

"Is it what we need?" Diana asked.

Data flowed across Goldie's eyes before she nodded. "Yes. This is more than enough to serve as the basis. It'll take me a day to construct the entire program, but Ai's ultimatum will give me that time."

"Will it work?" Sylphid asked hesitantly. "Ouroboros was very thorough, and he's very smart; you'd think he would have found a way by now."

"He is not an Ignis like I am." Goldie's eyes narrowed. "We need this to work. More than anything, this will be the proof of our intentions. And when the time comes, we'll need him back in action." She turned and looked at Sylphid. "That will be your part. Be ready."

Sylphid frowned but nodded in determination. "I won't let you down," she promised. "I'll get him back into shape."

Goldie nodded in understanding. "I know you will. Ai, Roboppi, Diana, and I will do our part. If everything goes right… then Jormungand's world will never come to be."

And Sachi will finally be able to move forward with her life.

---

Sylphid vs. Security AI #1

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Security AI #1

AI #1 activates the Field Spell Card Guardians' Dominion. AI #1's monsters equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and AI #1's Equip Cards cannot be targeted by Sylphid's card effects. As Guardians' Dominion was activated, AI #1 can add 1 "Guardian" monster and 1 Equip Spell Card listed in its text from its Deck to its hand. It adds Guardian Elma and Butterfly Dagger – Elma from its Deck to its hand. As it controls no monsters, AI #! Activates the Spell Card Heart of the Guardians, paying 500 LP (AI #1: 4000→3500 LP) to Special Summon 2 Guardian Tokens (0/0/1 each) in Defense Position. AI #1 activates the Equip Spell Card Butterfly Dagger – Elma, equipping it to 1 Guardian Token and increasing its ATK by 300 (Guardian Token: 0→300). As it controls Butterfly Dagger – Elma, AI #1 Normal Summons Guardian Elma (1300/1200/3). AI #1 uses Elma and 2 Guardian Tokens to Link Summon Greater Guardian Forerunner (2500/3/←↓→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. AI #1 activates Forerunner's effect to reveal 1 "Guardian" monster in its hand, then Special Summon it, ignoring its summoning conditions. It reveals Guardian Tryce, then Special Summons it (1900/1700/5) to Forerunner's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Forerunner gains ATK equal to the combined of "Guardian" monsters linked to it (Forerunner: 2500→4400), and while it is on the field, Sylphid cannot target AI #1's other "Guardian" monsters for attacks. AI #1 Sets 1 card. It ends its turn.

Turn 2: Sylphid

Sylphid draws. AI #1 activates its Set Continuous Trap Card Guardians' Armory. Once per turn, it can target 1 "Guardian" monster it controls and equip 1 Equip Spell Card from its hand or GY to it. It targets Forerunner and equips Butterfly Dagger – Elma from its GY to Forerunner (Forerunner: 4400→4700). Sylphid activates the Spell Card Dragunity Glow, which lets her add 1 Level 5 or higher "Dragunity" monster from her Deck or GY to her hand. She adds the Level 10 Dragunity Arma Gram to her hand. Sylphid Normal Summons Dragunity Aklys (1000/800/2). As Aklys was Normal Summoned, Sylphid can Special Summon 1 "Dragunity" monster from her hand, then equip it with Aklys. She Special Summons Dragunity Militum (1700/1200/4) in Attack Position and equips Aklys to it. Sylphid activates Militum's effect to target and Special Summon 1 "Dragunity" card in her Spell & Trap Zone. She Special Summons Aklys (1000/800/2) in Attack Position. Sylphid tunes Level 2 Aklys to Level 4 Militum to Synchro Summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (1900/1200/6) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Vajrayana was Synchro Summoned, its effect activates, and Sylphid targets and equips Aklys from her GY to Vajrayana. Sylphid activates Vajrayana's effect, sending Aklys to the GY to double Vajrayana's ATK until the end of the turn (Vajrayana: 1900→3800). As Aklys was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Sylphid can target and destroy 1 card on the field. She targets and destroys Guardians' Dominion. As Guardians' Dominion was sent to the GY by Sylphid's card effect, AI #1 can Special Summon 1 "Guardian" monster from its Deck, ignoring its summoning conditions. It Special Summons Guardian Eatos (2500/2000/8) in Attack Position. Sylphid activates the effect of Arma Gram in her hand to banish 2 Dragon and/or Winged Beast monsters from her GY to Special Summon Arma Gram. She banishes Aklys and Militum from her GY to Special Summon Arma Gram (2900/2200/10) in Attack Position. Sylphid activates the Equip Spell Card Dragunity Divine Lance, equipping it to Vajrayana. Vajrayana gains ATK equal to its Level x 100 and is unaffected by Trap effects (Vajrayana: 3800→4400). Sylphid activates Divine Lance's effect to equip 1 Dragon "Dragunity" Tuner monster from her Deck to Vajrayana. She equips Dragunity Brandistock to Vajrayana. While Brandistock is equipped to a monster, that monster can make a second attack during each Battle Phase. Sylphid activates Arma Gram's effect, targeting Forerunner. Its effects are negated, and it loses 1000 ATK for each Equip Card Sylphid controls (Forerunner: 4700→2800→800). Sylphid Sets 1 card.

Vajrayana attacks Forerunner. As its monster equipped with an Equip Card would be destroyed by battle or card effect, AI #1 banishes Heart of the Guardians from its GY instead. As it would take damage, AI #1 activates its Skill Damage to Life, which reduces the damage to 0, then increases its LP by the damage it would have taken (AI #1: 3500→7100 LP). Vajrayana attacks and destroys Forerunner (AI #1: 7100→3500 LP). Arma Gram attacks and destroys Tryce (AI #1: 3500→2500 LP). Sylphid ends her turn, and Vajrayana's effect ends (Vajrayana: 4400→2500).

Turn 3: Security AI #1

AI #1 draws. It activates the Spell Card Guardian Rebirth, which lets it Special Summon 1 "Guardian" monster from its GY in Attack Position, ignoring the summoning conditions. It Special Summons Greater Guardian Forerunner (2500/3/←↓→). Forerunner gains ATK equal to the linked Eatos's ATK (Forerunner: 2500→5000). AI #1 activates Guardian Rebirth's effect in the GY, banishing it to add 1 "Guardian" monster from its Deck to its hand. It adds Guardian Grarl to its hand. It activates Guardians' Armory's effect to reveal 1 "Guardian" monster in its hand or GY, then add 1 Equip Spell listed in its text from its Deck to its hand. It reveals Guardian Grarl in its hand and adds Gravity Axe – Grarl from its Deck to its hand. AI #1 activates the Equip Spell Card Gravity Axe – Grarl, equipping it to Forerunner. Forerunner gains 500 ATK (Forerunner: 5000→5500) and Sylphid's monsters cannot change their battle positions. As it is the only card in its hand and it controls Gravity Axe – Grarl, AI #1 Special Summons Guardian Grarl (2500/1000/5) from its hand to Forerunner's right Link Marker in Attack Position (Forerunner: 5500→8000).

Forerunner attacks Arma Gram. Sylphid activates her Set Trap Card Burst Breath, which lets her Tribute 1 Dragon monster, then destroy all face-up monsters on the field whose DEF is less than or equal to the ATK the Tributed monster had on the field. She Tributes Arma Gram, which has 2900 ATK. Eatos, and Grarl are destroyed, but Vajrayana equipped with Divine Lance is unaffected by Trap effects. (Forerunner: 8000→3000). A replay occurs and Forerunner attacks and destroys Vajrayana (Sylphid: 4000→3500 LP). AI #1 ends its turn.

Turn 4: Sylphid

Sylphid draws. AI #1 activates the effect of Guardians' Armory, equipping Butterfly Dagger – Elma to Forerunner (Forerunner: 3000→3300). Sylphid activates the Spell Card Pot of Greed and draws 2 cards. She activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Burial from a Different Dimension, which lets her target and return up to 3 banished monsters to the GY. She targets and returns Aklys and Militum to her GY. Sylphid Normal Summons Dragunity Guisarme (600/1600/3). As Guisarme was Normal Summoned, Sylphid can target 1 Level 4 or lower Wind Dragon or Winged Beast monster in her GY and Special Summon it with its effects negated. She Special Summons Militum (1700/1200/4) in Attack Position. Sylphid tunes Level 3 Guisarme to Level 4 Militum to Synchro Summon Dragunity Knight – Gormfaobhar (2600/2300/7) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Gormfaobhar was Synchro Summoned, Sylphid can target and equip 1 "Dragunity" Tuner monster in her GY to it. She targets and equips Aklys to Gormfaobhar. Sylphid activates Gormfaobhar's effect to send 1 Equip Card equipped to it to the GY, then target and banish up to 2 cards in AI #1's GY. She sends Aklys to the GY, then targets and banishes Eatos and Grarl. As Aklys was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Sylphid targets and destroys 1 card on the field. She targets and destroys Forerunner.

Gormfaobhar attacks AI #1 directly (AI #1: 2500→0 LP). Sylphid wins.

---

Diana vs. Security AI #2

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Diana

Diana activates the Spell Card VirtuaBeast Pride, which lets her send 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster in her hand to the GY, then add 1 different "VirtuaBeast" monster from her Deck to her hand. She discards VirtuaBeast Spam Scorpion and adds VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin to her hand. Diana Normal Summons VirtuaBeast Data Dolphin (1000/1200/4). Data Dolphin gains 200 ATK for each "VirtuaBeast" monster Diana controls (Data Dolphin: 1000→1200). Diana uses Data Dolphin to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Gigabyte Goblin (800/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Data Dolphin was used as Link Material for a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana can add 1 Spell Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds VirtuaBeast Kingdom to her hand. Diana activates the Field Spell Card VirtuaBeast Kingdom. While VirtuaBeast Kingdom is on the field, Diana's "VirtuaBeast" monsters cannot be targeted by AI #2's card effects. Diana activates VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect, targeting Gigabyte Goblin. Gigabyte Goblin is Earth, so Diana can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "VirtuaBeast" monster from her GY with its effects negated. She Special Summons Data Dolphin (1000/1200/4) in Attack Position. Diana activates Gigabyte Goblin's effect to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "VirtuaBeast" monster from her hand to her field. She Special Summons VirtuaBeast Vaccine Vulture (1400/800/3) to Gigabyte Goblin's Link Marker in Attack Position. Diana uses Data Dolphin and Vaccine Vulture to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Processor Phoenix (2000/2/↓→) to Gigabyte Goblin's Link Marker. As Vaccine Vulture was used to Link Summon a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana draws 1 card. Diana activates Processor Phoenix's effect to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "VirtuaBeast" monster from her GY with its effects negated. She Special Summons Data Dolphin (1000/1200/4) in Attack Position. Diana activates VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect, targeting Data Dolphin. Data Dolphin is Water, so Diana can add 1 "VirtuaBeast" Spell/Trap from her Deck or GY to her hand, but she cannot Link Summon Link-4 or higher monsters for the rest of the turn. She adds VirtuaBeast Salvation from her Deck to her hand. Diana uses Data Dolphin and Link-2 Processor Phoenix to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur (2200/3/←↓→) to Gigabyte Goblin's Link Marker. Diana activates Spam Scorpion's effect in her GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster from her GY. She Special Summons Vaccine Vulture (1400/800/3) in Attack Position. Diana uses Vaccine Vulture and Gigabyte Goblin to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Holographic Hydra (1900/2/←↓) to Chrome Centaur's left Link Marker. As Holographic Hydra was Link Summoned using a Link Monster, its ATK becomes double its original ATK until Diana's next Standby Phase (Holographic Hydra: 1900→3800). As a "VirtuaBeast" monster was Special Summoned to Chrome Centaur's Link Marker, Diana can inflict damage to AI #2 equal to Holographic Hydra's original ATK. As it would take damage, AI #2 activates its Skill Damage to Life, reducing the damage to 0, then gaining LP equal to the damage it would have taken (AI #2: 4000→5900 LP). Diana Sets 2 cards. She ends her turn.

Turn 2: Security AI #2

AI #2 draws. It activates the Field Spell Card Guardians' Dominion. As Guardians' Dominion was activated, AI #2 can add 1 "Guardian" monster and 1 Equip Spell Card listed in its text from its Deck to its hand. It adds Guardian Grarl and Gravity Axe - Grarl from its Deck to its hand. While Guardians' Dominion is on the field, AI #2's monsters equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and its Equip Cards cannot be targeted by Diana's card effects. AI #2 activates the Continuous Spell Card Guardians' Castle. As it controls no monsters, it can discard 1 Equip Spell to Special Summon any number of Guardian Tokens in Defense Position, but Guardian Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon. It discards Rod of Silence – Kay'est to Special Summon 3 Guardian Tokens (0/0/1 each). AI #2 uses 3 Guardian Tokens to Link Summon Greater Guardian Forerunner (2500/3/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. It activates Forerunner's effect to reveal and Special Summon 1 "Guardian" monster in its hand, ignoring its summoning conditions. It reveals and Special Summons Guardian Grarl (2500/1000/5) to Forerunner's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Forerunner gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of "Guardian" monsters linked to it (Forerunner: 2500→5000). AI #2 activates the Spell Card Guardians' Termination. It pays 1000 LP (AI #2: 5900→4900 LP) to destroy cards Diana controls up to the number of "Guardian" monsters it controls and inflict 800 damage for each destroyed card, but for the rest of the turn, only "Guardian" monsters can declare an attack. It attempts to destroy VirtuaBeast Kingdom and Chrome Centaur, but as AI #2 activated a card or effect while she controls a "VirtuaBeast" Link Monster, Diana chains her Set Counter Trap Card VirtuaBeast Salvation, negating the activation of Guardians' Termination, then she can activate 1 Link Spell Card directly from her Deck. Diana activates the Link Spell Card Salvation Arrows (↖↑↗) at the Spell & Trap Zone Holographic Hydra points to. Link Monsters linked to Salvation Arrows are unaffected by AI #2's card effects, and when Salvation Arrows leaves the field, monsters linked to it are returned to the owner's hand. AI #2 activates the Equip Spell Card Gravity Axe – Grarl, equipping it to Grarl. Grarl gains 500 ATK and Diana's monsters cannot change their battle positions (Grarl: 2500→3000) (Forerunner: 5000→5500). AI #2 activates the Equip Spell Card Shooting Star Bow – Ceal, equipping it to Forerunner. Forerunner loses 1000 ATK, but it can attack Diana directly (Forerunner: 5500→4500).

Forerunner attacks Diana directly. As AI #2's monster declared an attack while she controls a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana activates her Set Trap Card VirtuaBeast Pitfall, negating the attack, then inflicting damage to AI #2 equal to half of Forerunner's original ATK (AI #2: 4900→3650 LP). Grarl attacks Chrome Centaur. As her "VirtuaBeast" monster would be destroyed by AI #2's card, Diana banishes Vaccine Vulture from her GY instead (Diana: 4000→3200 LP). AI #2 ends its turn.

Turn 3: Diana

Diana draws. During her Standby Phase, Holographic Hydra's ATK returns to normal (Holographic Hydra: 3800→1900). As she controls a Link-3 or higher "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana banishes VirtuaBeast Salvation from her GY, and for the rest of the turn, AI #2 cannot Special Summon monsters. Diana activates VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect, targeting Chrome Centaur. Chrome Centaur is Earth, so Diana can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "VirtuaBeast" monster from her GY with its effects negated. She Special Summons Data Dolphin (1000/1200/4) in Attack Position. Diana uses Data Dolphin and Link-2 Holographic Hydra to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Network Nemean (2400/3/↙↓↘) to Salvation Arrows' top Link Marker. As a "VirtuaBeast" monster was Special Summoned to Chrome Centaur's Link Marker, Diana inflicts damage equal to Network Nemean's original ATK, but Chrome Centaur cannot declare an attack this turn (AI #2: 3650→1250 LP). As Data Dolphin was used to Link Summon a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana adds 1 Spell Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds VirtuaBeast Watering Hole to her hand. As she controls a "VirtuaBeast" Link Monster, Diana activates the Spell Card VirtuaBeast Watering Hole, which lets her Special Summon 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster from her hand or GY, but it cannot attack or be used as Link Material this turn. She Special Summons Data Dolphin (1000/1200/4) in Attack Position. Data Dolphin gains 200 ATK for each "VirtuaBeast" monster Diana controls (Data Dolphin: 1000→1600). Diana activates Network Nemean's effect, Tributing Data Dolphin, then targeting Guardians' Dominion, Guardians' Castle, Forerunner, and Grarl. The 4 targeted cards have their effects negated, and as Network Nemean is co-linked, they are destroyed. Diana uses Chrome Centaur and Network Nemean to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Graphic Griffin (1800/2/←→) to Salvation Arrows' top Link Marker.

Graphic Griffin attacks AI #2 directly (AI #2: 1250→0 LP). Diana wins.

---

Goldie vs. Security AI #3

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Security AI #3

AI #3 activates the Field Spell Card Guardians' Dominion. As Guardians' Dominion was activated, AI #3 can add 1 "Guardian" monster and 1 Equip Spell Card listed in its text from its Deck to its hand. It adds Guardian Grarl and Gravity Axe – Grarl from its Deck to its hand. AI #3 activates the Continuous Spell Card Guardians' Castle. As it controls no monsters, it activates Guardians' Castle's effect to discard 1 Equip Spell Card to Special Summon any number of Guardian Tokens. It discards Shooting Star Bow – Ceal to Special Summon 3 Guardian Tokens (0/0/1 each) in Defense Position. AI #3 uses 3 Guardian Tokens to Link Summon Greater Guardian Forerunner (2500/3/←↓→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. It activates Forerunner's effect, revealing Guardian Grarl in its hand to Special Summon it (2500/1000/5) to Forerunner's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position, ignoring its summoning conditions. While Forerunner is on the field, Goldie cannot target AI #3's other "Guardian" monsters for attacks, and it gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of "Guardian" monsters linked to it (Forerunner: 2500→5000). AI #3 activates the Equip Spell Card Gravity Axe – Grarl, equipping it to Grarl. Grarl gains 500 ATK, and Goldie's monsters cannot change their battle positions (Grarl: 2500→3000) (Forerunner: 5000→5500). AI #3 Sets 1 card. It ends its turn.

Turn 2: Goldie

Goldie draws. She Normal Summons Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus (800/900/3). As Abstract Allosaurus was Normal Summoned, Goldie can discard 1 card to add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand. She discards Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon to add Holozoic World to her hand. As Datalink Dimorphodon was sent from the hand to the GY, its effect Special Summons it (900/700/4) in Attack Position. Goldie activates the Field Spell Card Holozoic World. While Holozoic World is on the field, Goldie's "Holozoic" monsters cannot be banished or destroyed by AI #3's card effects. Goldie uses Abstract Allosaurus to Link Summon Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Abstract Allosaurus was sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand. She adds Holozoic Fusion to her hand. As Terabyte Triceratops was Link Summoned, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur to her hand. As Goldie controls a "Holozoic" monster, she Special Summons Parallel Plesiosaur (1000/700/3) in Attack Position. Goldie uses Datalink Dimorphodon, Parallel Plesiosaur, and Terabyte Triceratops to Link Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Parallel Plesiosaurus was sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can target and destroy 1 card in AI #3's Spell & Trap Zone. She targets and destroys AI #3's Set Negate Attack. As Terabyte Triceratops was used as Link Material, Goldie can Special Summon 1 other "Holozoic Beast" monster from her GY. She Special Summons Datalink Dimorphodon (900/700/4) in Attack Position. Goldie activates Datalink Dimorphodon's effect, targeting itself and declaring Level 8. Datalink Dimorphodon becomes Level 8 until the end of the turn (Datalink Dimorphodon: 4→8). Goldie activates the effect of Holozoic World to Ritual Summon 1 "Holozoic" Ritual Monster from her hand by Tributing monsters from her hand or field whose Levels equal or exceed that Ritual Monster's Level. Goldie Tributes Level 8 Datalink Dimorphodon to Ritual Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur (2500/2000/8) to Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Goldie activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Holozoic Fusion, which lets her Fusion Summon 1 "Holozoic" Fusion Monster using monsters from her hand or field. However, as she controls a "Holozoic" Link Monster, she can also shuffle "Holozoic" monsters from her GY into the Deck. She shuffles Abstract Allosaurus and Terabyte Triceratops from her GY into her Deck and Extra Deck to Fusion Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno (2500/2000/8) to Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Goldie activates Tectonic Tyranno's effect, targeting the Level 3 Parallel Plesiosaur in her GY. Parallel Plesiosaur is shuffled into her Deck, then she can destroy Spell/Trap Cards AI #3 controls, up to Parallel Plesiosaur's Level. She destroys Guardians' Dominion, Guardians' Castle, and Gravity Axe (Grarl: 3000→2500) (Forerunner: 5500→5000). As Guardians' Dominion was sent to the GY by Goldie's card effect, AI #3 can Special Summon 1 "Guardian" monster from its Deck, ignoring the summoning conditions. It attempts to Special Summons Guardian Eatos, but as AI #3 would activate a card or effect that would Special Summon a monster, Goldie chains Maritime Mosasaur's effect, negating the Summoning of Eatos and shuffling it into AI #3's Deck. Goldie activates Ancient Ankylosaurus's effect, targeting the linked Grarl and Maritime Mosasaur. Grarl is destroyed, and Maritime Mosasaur gains ATK equal to Grarl's original ATK until the end of the turn (Maritime Mosasaur: 2500→5000) (Forerunner: 5000→2500).

As Goldie controls a "Holozoic" Link Monster, Maritime Mosasaur's effect prevents AI #3 from activating cards or effects during the Battle Phase. Maritime Mosasaur attacks Forerunner. Forerunner is destroyed, but as AI #3 would take damage, it activates its Skill Damage to Life, which reduces the damage to 0, then increases its LP by the amount of damage it would have taken (AI #3: 4000→6500 LP). Tectonic Tyranno attacks AI #3 directly (AI #3: 6500→4000 LP). Ancient Ankylosaurus attacks AI #3 directly (AI #3: 4000→1500 LP). As Goldie's "Holozoic" monster inflicted battle damage, she activates Tectonic Tyranno's effect, targeting Ancient Ankylosaurus and allowing it to make a second attack in a row. Ancient Ankylosaurus attacks AI #3 directly (AI ##: 1500→0 LP). Goldie wins.

---

Security AI Duelists:

Greater Guardian Forerunner
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Warrior/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→
2+ monsters
Your opponent cannot target "Guardian" monsters for attacks, except this one. This card gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of "Guardian" monsters linked to it. You can reveal 1 "Guardian" monster in your hand; Special Summon it to your zone this card points to, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can only use this effect of "Greater Guardian Forerunner" once per turn.

Guardians' Dominion Field Spell Card
When this card is activated: You can add 1 "Guardian" monster and 1 Equip Spell Card listed in its text from your Deck to your hand. Monsters you control equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Equip Cards you control cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects. If this card is sent to the GY by your opponent's card effect: You can Special Summon 1 "Guardian" monster from your Deck, ignoring its summoning conditions.

Heart of the Guardians Normal Spell Card
If you control no monsters: Pay 500 LP; Special Summon 2 "Guardian Tokens" (Fairy/LIGHT/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. If your monster equipped with an Equip Card would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only use each effect of "Heart of the Guardians" once per turn.

Guardians' Armory Continuous Trap Card
You can target 1 "Guardian" monster you control; equip 1 Equip Spell Card from your hand or GY to it. You can reveal 1 "Guardian" monster in your hand or GY; add 1 Equip Spell Card listed in its text from your Deck to your hand. You can only use 1 effect of "Guardians' Armory" per turn, and only once that turn.

Guardian Rebirth Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Guardian" monster in your GY; Special Summon it, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Guardian" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use each effect of "Guardian Rebirth" once per turn.

Guardians' Castle Continuous Spell Card
If you control no monsters: You can discard 1 Equip Spell Card; Special Summon any number of "Guardian Tokens" (Fairy/LIGHT/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. These Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon. You can only use this effect of "Guardians' Castle" once per turn.

Guardians' Termination Normal Spell Card
Pay 1000 LP; destroy cards your opponent controls, up to the number of "Guardian" monsters you control, then inflict 800 damage to your opponent for each card destroyed by this effect, also for the rest of the turn, monsters you control cannot declare attacks, except "Guardian" monsters. You can only use 1 "Guardians' Termination" per turn.

Diana:

VirtuaBeast Pride Normal Spell Card
Send 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster in your hand to the GY; add 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster with a different original name from your Deck to your hand. Once per Duel, if this card is in your GY: You can banish 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster from your GY; add this card to your hand. You can only use each effect of "VirtuaBeast Pride" once per turn.

VirtuaBeast Salvation Counter Trap Card
When your opponent activates a card or effect while you control a "VirtuaBeast" Link Monster: Negate the activation, then you can activate 1 Link Spell directly from your Deck. If you control a Link-3 or higher "VirtuaBeast" Link Monster: You can banish this card from the GY; for the rest of the turn, your opponent cannot Special Summon monsters. You can only use 1 "VirtuaBeast Salvation" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

VirtuaBeast Pitfall Normal Trap Card
When an opponent's monster declares an attack while you control a "VirtuaBeast" monster: Negate that attack, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half of that monster's original ATK. At the start of the Damage Step, If your "VirtuaBeast" monster battles an opponent's monster: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster you control; for the rest of the turn, if that card battles, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step. You can only use 1 "VirtuaBeast Ptifall" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

VirtuaBeast Watering Hole Normal Spell Card
If you control a "VirtuaBeast" Link Monster: Special Summon 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster from your hand or GY in Attack Position, but for the rest of the turn, it cannot declare an attack and it cannot be used as Link Material. You can only use 1 "VirtuaBeast Watering Hole" per turn.

Goldie:

Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 800 DEF 900 Level: 3
If this card is Normal Summoned: You can discard 1 card; add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from your GY to your hand.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand.

Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon
Attribute: WIND Type: [Cyberse/Tuner/Effect] ATK 900 DEF 700 Level: 4
Once per turn: You can target 1 "Holozoic" monster you control, then declare a Level between 1 and 8; that monster becomes the declared Level until the end of the turn. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can Special Summon this card.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can target 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster in your GY, except "Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon"; Special Summon it.

Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓
1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster
If this card is Link Summoned: You can add 1 "Holozoic" card from your Deck to your hand. If this card is used as Link Material: You can target 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster in your GY, except "Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops"; Special Summon it. You can only use each effect of "Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops" once per turn.

Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur
Attribute: WATER Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 700 Level: 3
If you control a "Holozoic" monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur" once per turn this way. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can target 1 card in your opponent's Main Monster Zone; destroy it.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can target 1 card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone; destroy it.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
2+ Cyberse monsters
Your opponent cannot target "Holozoic" monsters for attacks or with card effects, except this one. The first time this card would be destroyed by battle or card effect each turn, it is not destroyed. Once per turn: You can target 2 linked monsters on the field; destroy the first target, also the second target gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK until the end of the turn.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur
Attribute: WATER Type: [Cyberse/Ritual/Effect] ATK 2500 DEF 2000 Level: 8
You can Ritual Summon this card with a "Holozoic" card. If you control a "Holozoic" Link Monster or "Holozoic World" is in your Field Zone, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase. You can only use each of the following effects of "Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur" once per turn.
-When your opponent would Special Summon a monster(s), OR activate a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, that includes an effect that Special Summons a monster(s) (Quick Effect): You can negate the Summon or activation, and if you do, shuffle that card into the Deck.
-If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 "Holozoic" monster in your GY, except "Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur"; Special Summon it, then make its ATK become double its original ATK until the end of your next turn.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2500 DEF 2000 Level: 8
1 "Holozoic" monster + 1 Link Monster
You can target 1 Level 4 or lower "Holozoic Beast" monster in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck, then destroy Spell/Trap Cards your opponent controls, up to that monster's Level. If your "Holozoic" monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can target that monster; it can make a second attack in a row. You can only use each effect of "Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno" once per turn.

Holozoic World – Field Spell Card
"Holozoic" monsters you control cannot be banished or destroyed by your opponent's card effects. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic World" per turn, and only once that turn.
-During your Main Phase: Fusion Summon 1 "Holozoic" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material.
-During your Main Phase: You can Ritual Summon 1 "Holozoic" Ritual Monster from your hand, by Tributing monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed its Level.

Holozoic Fusion – Quick-Play Spell Card
Fusion Summon 1 "Holozoic" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material. If you control a "Holozoic" Link Monster, you can also shuffle "Holozoic" monsters from your GY into the Deck as Fusion Material.

---

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 76 – Preparations. Ai & Roboppi attacked Queen and took her code key. They, alongside Goldie & Diana, have declared war on SOL Technologies. Akira sends out a call for help, but not everything is as it seems. What is the purpose of the Ignis's actions, and will the truth be uncovered in time…

---

Question of the Chapter

What are your first impressions of Goldie's new Deck?

---

Author's Notes

I finally got to publish this! A big thank you to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC and SakushiRyu for helping with the OC cards of this chapter and the duels.

I'll start with the simple stuff: Why did the AI duelists use Guardian Decks? Well, I wanted Goldie's introduction duel to parallel Ai's intro duel (which is also why she used Fusion and Ritual, to contrast Ai's use of Synchro and Xyz), and since Queen used Allure Queen, an archetype with very little real-world support, I thought that another archetype with little real-world support would work best, and the Guardians were the ones I chose.

As for Goldie's Deck, I initially planned for her to use VirtuaBeasts, but I decided to give her a new Deck. Her new Deck is Holozoic Beasts, a dinosaur themed Cyberse Deck that makes use of all the summoning methods same as Ai's Deck and are intended to be equal in power to the AtIgnisters. (SakushiRyu mentioned this in his story, but the "At" symbol doesn't work on fanfiction dot net, so I'll be calling them AtIgnisters.) Fitting in to her nature as the Ignis of Creation, all of her Main Deck monsters are Earth, Water, and Wind monsters, while her ace monsters are Holozoic Apex Beasts that represent the other Ignis in a way. The main gimmick of the Holozoic Beasts is that each has an effect that activates when sent to the GY, but which effect activates depends on whether it was sent from the hand or from the field.

This chapter was mostly an introduction to get us into the swing of things in season 3. And like I said before, the start of Hidden Memories season 3 will follow VRAINS' season 3… but there will be a point of divergence. When will it diverge? You'll have to wait and see. I'll be writing Hidden Memories and Fifth Circuit at the same time, so things might be slow, but I do hope to maintain the quality of my work.

And last, but certainly not least… I have a new opening for Hidden Memories. I held it off for the end because I wanted to introduce Goldie's new Deck first, but here it is… the opening for season 3!

---

Morningstar's and Playmaker's Duel Disks fall in a black abyss, trailing starlight. They then explode into cards, with Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary and Decode Talker swiping across the screen. It changes to show an open sky and grassy field, where Yusaku, Yasutake, Takeru, Sachi, Aoi, Masako, Ryoken, Kenshin, Kusanagi, Cam, Akira, Go, Takeshi, Katsumi, Emma, and Kenjo stand. In a sweep of grass, it changes to show a stormy sky, under which Playmaker, Cassiel, Soulburner, Blue Maiden, Lilith, Revolver, and Terminus stand. The title "Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories" above them.

Yasutake is walking slowly across a bridge, a morose look on his face. Zahhak's unmasked face appears above him, looking off into the distance. He then turns his head to look down at Yasutake, his expression blank.

Under a black-and-green digital sky, a young man with dark silver hair wearing a gray dress shirt, silver blazer, and dark gray scarf leans on a balcony, a sad smile on his face as his amber eyes look out behind black-framed glasses. He pushes himself off from the balcony, showing an open door behind him where five shadows stand, one larger than the others and another distinctly feminine.

Yusaku stands at a street corner in the rain, his eyes closed as the rain washes over him. Behind him and facing the other way, the human Ai runs a hand through his hair, a conflicted expression on his face. Sachi sits underneath an umbrella at a café, sipping a coffee and reading on her tablet. Around the corner, Goldie watches her sadly before closing her eyes and turning away.

Akira and Aoi walk out of a hospital, while Takeshi and Persephone walk past them, Takeshi's brother Eiji between them, all three of them laughing. The interior of Café Junpei is then shown, Emily Garcia sitting at a table with Cam, both smiling. At a separate table, Shizuka Midori sips her coffee while a reflection of Sylphid winks in the window.

Masako Himura and Kenshin Hirai stand in front of two graves, their expressions grim. They then switch to Lilith and Terminus, with Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel standing behind Lilith and Subterror Behemoth Fiendess standing behind Terminus. The four then part, revealing Revolver, who raises his hand and unveils Borrelend Dragon, all three heads roaring.

Jormungand stands in the center of the Ark, the reactor behind him. He pushes his glasses up, the lenses showing Jester and Zahhak. It then cuts to Merlin, Techbane, a person with long pale pink hair wearing a gray jumpsuit with black armor, and a man with spiky black hair wearing an azure mask that leaves his mouth and red right eye exposed. Behind them, Witchcracter Golem Aruru, Cyber End Dragon, a violet-skinned humanoid in gray armor, and another humanoid with a dragonhead attached to its chest and left arm, stand. The scene switches to three women in armor, their faces shadowed, and behind them stand an armored knight wielding two swords, a red-armored knight wielding a single sword, and a blue armored knight with an elaborate lance propped on his shoulder.

Roboppi speeds by on their D-Board, Appliancers Laundry Dragon and Propelion behind them. Diana and Sylphid follow, VirtuaBeast Cryptograph Chimera and Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana at their sides. Ai and Goldie are then shown, back-to-back, a wild smile on Ai's face and a stoic, determined look in Goldie's eyes. Dark Templar AtIgnister and Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus rise behind them. A blade then parts the screen, showing Ghost Girl and Blood Shepherd with Altergeist Memorygant and Battledrone General. They fly away, showing Go Onizuka, Galahad, and Persephone with Gouki The Powerload Ogre, Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons, and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss at their sides.

The screen cuts to Akira and Blue Maiden side by side, Marincess Great Bubble Reef and Tindangle Acute Cerberus launching attacks and causing an explosion. The smoke fades, revealing Playmaker and Soulburner, Cyberse Clock Dragon and Salamangreat Violet Chimera at their sides. Cassiel then steps forward and holds up a card, with Cyseraph Guardian Michael forming behind her. The three duelists share determined looks, then cut to Yasutake Narahiko looking dejected opposite the young man with silver hair, who has a melancholic smile. The silver-haired boy then turns to the camera and winks, a hand raised in greeting.

---

Thank you for reading Chapter 75 of Hidden Memories. Please leave a review of your thoughts and feelings on the chapter. And look forward to this story going on till the end.