Responses to Reviews

Thank you to pokemonking0924, TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, rgriffin8999, Jason, savagemaster1999, HunterHQ, donkeyboy100, Ambiguous, Frost190, Ar Garth, Hermes768, FlameFireZero X, Ethan Kironus, Big duels, Dante687, Anonymous, TheBlazingButterfly777, and SakushiRyu for reviewing Chapter 78.

Frost190: Jormungand does have a sense of honor, it's just complicated. Between him being an AI and how he developed, his sense of honor is different from a human's.

This chapter took a long time to finish, and honestly, it wasn't because the duels were difficult to write, but because… I'm tired. Those of you who also read Fifth Circuit will know that I'm feeling burnt out. These stories are supposed to be fun, and they still are, but writing them is feeling more and more like a chore. I still want to finish them obviously, but with everything else in my life, they feel less important than they used to.

That aside, those who read Fifth Circuit will also know that I am deleting guest reviews for that story. I won't be doing that for Hidden Memories, so long as they pertain to Hidden Memories itself. Any guest reviews left here that are responses to Fifth Circuit will be deleted. If you don't like it, then make your own account and leave a review. It isn't that difficult.

Sorry if that sounds catty, but I'm writing this while really tired. In any event, I hope you enjoy Chapter 78.


Chapter 78: Charismatic Defense

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, Cypher 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 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, Chimera, and Erebus. 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 Athena, Parvati, and Sakuya, 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 Cypher, who has a melancholic smile. Cypher turns to the camera and winks, a hand raised in greeting.


"You…" Goldie's eyes narrowed further. "Ai told me about you."

Her opponent raised an eyebrow. "He did?"

"He told me of your bravery and honorable spirit. Under other circumstances, it would have been pleasant to meet you Fatumare, but at the-."

CRASH

Goldie blinked as the young man opposite her face-faulted onto his D-Board. And she swore she saw cracks in it.

"Fatumare?" he groaned. He leapt to his feet, a tick mark on his forehead. "I AM NOT FATUMARE! MY NAME IS GALAHAD! I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE NOT KNOWING WHO I AM!"

The Gold Ignis blinked again at her opponent's outburst. "Galahad?" She narrowed her eyes and discreetly opened a comm channel to her fellow Ignis while the Charisma Duelist raged.

"Goldie?" Ai responded quietly. "Is something wrong? I'm a little busy right now."

"The young man with blonde hair in green and silver; you told me his name was Fatumare, didn't you?"

There was a pause, and then the Dark Ignis snickered in her ear. "You called him that, didn't you?"

"I did." Goldie frowned. "Why did you give me the wrong name?"

"Because I thought it would be funny," Ai admitted shamelessly. "But don't worry; he does use a Black Luster Soldier/Gaia the Fierce Knight Deck. I only lied about his name."

"…We are going to have a talk about your priorities after this, Ai."

"Looking forward to it!"

Goldie closed the channel just in time for Galahad to finish his tantrum. "That's it," the Charisma Duelist decided. "I was already going to beat you to protect Zaizen, but now you've pissed me off! Get ready to lose, Gold Ignis!"

"Angry as you are, I have no hate for you," Goldie replied. "But there is something I must do, and I must get past you to achieve it."

"Duel!"

Goldie: 4000 LP

Galahad: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Galahad said. "Since I control no monsters, I can Normal Summon Gaia the Magical Knight without Tributing!" A knight in blue riding a red horse appeared.

Gaia the Magical Knight ATK 2300 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"So Ai did tell me the correct Deck," Goldie muttered. That lessened her irritation with her fellow Ignis. Though only a little.

"When Gaia the Magical Knight is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 Dragon monster from my hand or Graveyard in Defense Position. From my hand, I summon Curse of Dragon Thunder!" A mechanical dragon made of red armor with blue wings attached at green joints appeared and roared, sparks dancing across its body.

Curse of Dragon Thunder ATK 2000 DEF 1500 LVL: 5

"Curse of Dragon Thunder's monster effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can declare a Level between 1 and 8, and it becomes that Level. I declare Level 7!"

Curse of Dragon Thunder LVL: 5→7

Goldie's eyes narrowed. "Two Level 7 monsters…"

"I overlay my Level 7 Curse of Dragon Thunder and Gaia the Magical Knight!" A bolt of dark green energy formed the Xyz cross. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" The two monsters disintegrated and entered the cross. It fired beams, creating a galaxy that exploded with energy. "The knight that rides the fiercest of steeds! Let thunder and lightning become your very soul! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 7! Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger!" Curse of Dragon Thunder emerged from the galaxy, this time with a knight in red armor wielding two green lances on its back. It roared from the left Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, two orange lights circling behind it.

Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger ATK 2600 DEF 2100 RNK: 7 OU: 2

"Since Curse of Dragon Thunder is attached as an Overlay Unit, Gaia Dragon is treated as a 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' monster and cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. I Set one card. I end my turn."

The Gold Ignis frowned. "Xyz Summoning…" That ruled out Shadow Stegosaurus; its effects only worked on Link Monsters. And since it was protected from being destroyed by card effects, Destroyer Dracorex wouldn't work. But she had other options.

"My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card: Holozoic Evolution!" The card showed a baby violet stegosaurus, with afterimages behind it that eventually changed into a full-grown Holozoic Apex Beast – Shadow Stegosaurus. "I discard a 'Holozoic' monster and add a different 'Holozoic' monster from my Deck to my hand." One of Goldie's cards shattered, and she took a new card from her Deck. "Since Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon was sent from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!" A green baby avian dinosaur appeared and roared in Defense Position.

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

"Appear, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning condition is a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Datalink Dimorphodon in the Link marker!" The green flying dinosaur entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops!" A dark gold baby triceratops emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops ATK 500 LINK-1

"Terabyte Triceratops' monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I add a 'Holozoic' card from my Deck to my hand." Goldie took another new card, then played the one she had previously added. "I summon Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus!" An orange bipedal baby dinosaur with an elongated head appeared and roared.

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

"Abstract Allosaurus's monster effect! I discard Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus to add Holozoic World from my Deck to my hand." The card she sent to the Graveyard showed a baby aquatic dinosaur, with a long tail and four fins, a very long neck, and a wide mouth with two tiny fangs in it. Its skin was light blue with dark blue patches, and the eight-pointed stars were on its back. "When Exabyte Elasmosaurus is sent from the hand to the Graveyard, I target one of your monsters and its attack points become 0! I target Gaia Dragon!" Galahad grit his teeth as his Xyz Monster groaned.

Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger ATK 2600→0

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Holozoic World! And since there is a card in the Field Zone, I can Special Summon Holozoic Beast – Algorithmic Apatosaurus!" An orange baby quadrupedal dinosaur with a long neck appeared in Attack Position.

Holozoic Beast – Algorithmic Apatosaurus ATK 1200 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"Appear again, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set Abstract Allosaurus, Algorithmic Apatosaurus, and Terabyte Triceratops in the Link Markers!" Her 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!" An armored quadrupedal gold dinosaur with a club tail emerged from the portal to the Extra Monster Zone.

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

"Since Abstract Allosaurus and Algorithmic Apatosaurus were sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Holozoic' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand, as well as a 'Holozoic' monster." Goldie took two cards from her Deck. "And since Terabyte Triceratops was used as Link Material, I can Special Summon a 'Holozoic Beast' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Datalink Dimorphodon!" The avian baby dinosaur reappeared at Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position.

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

"Datalink Dimorphodon's monster effect! I target a 'Holozoic' monster and change its Level to between 1 and 8. I target Datalink Dimorphodon itself and make it Level 8."

Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon LVL: 4→8

Goldie gestured to her field. "I activate Holozoic World's effect! Once per turn, I can perform a Fusion or Ritual Summon using monsters from my hand or field. I Tribute Level 8 Datalink Dimorphodon to Ritual Summon! 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 golden light faded to reveal a dark blue aquatic dinosaur with massive jaws, summoned to Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

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

Galahad blinked. "That's a big dinosaur." He looked at the card's information, then grimaced. "And of course a big dinosaur has an irritating effect like that."

Goldie could understand his frustration; since she had Holozoic World in play, Maritime Mosasaur prevented him from activating any cards or effects during the Battle Phase. Considering it and Ancient Ankylosaurus had 2500 attack points each and Galahad's Xyz Monster had 0… the result was obvious.

"I am afraid I am in a hurry, so I will have you exit the stage now, Galahad," Goldie said.

"Heh. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while. Trap activate! Spell Substitution!" The card showed Predaplant Verte Anaconda biting down and tearing up Super Polymerization. "I send a Normal Spell Card from my Deck to the Graveyard, and Spell Substitution's effect becomes that card's effect!"

Goldie blinked. "What?"

"The card I'll be sending to the Graveyard… is Rank-Up-Magic Elemental Force!" Goldie's eyes widened. "I Rank-Up an Xyz Monster into an Xyz Monster with the same Attribute but one Rank higher."

The Gold Ignis grit her teeth and gestured to her field. "Maritime Mosasaur's monster effect! When you activate a Spell Card that would Special Summon a monster-."

"That's pointless! Spell Substitution's effect prevents you from activating cards or effects in response to its activation." Galahad gestured to his field. "I rebuild the Overlay Network with Gaia Dragon!" The Xyz cross reappeared and Gaia Dragon broke apart into particles that entered it. The cross created the exploding galaxy. "Knight of the dragon riders! Be reborn through the power of the hurricane! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 8! Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer!" A mechanical dragon in ruby armor with azure wings emerged from the explosion, a knight in ruby-and-sapphire armor attached to its waist wielding two emerald lances. Three orange lights circled behind the Xyz Monster as the dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer ATK 3200 DEF 2600 RNK: 8 OU: 3

"Elemental Force does more than summon a monster; it also negates the effects of all monsters on the field with a different Attribute than Gaia Dragon until the end of the turn!"

Goldie frowned as Ancient Ankylosaurus and Maritime Mosasaur groaned and slumped. Well, this was problematic. Neither of her monsters was strong enough to defeat Galahad's new Xyz Monster. She glanced at the card in her hand she had added with Abstract Allosaurus's effect: Holozoic Fusion. She could use it to summon Tectonic Tyranno… but it would be pointless. Galahad controlled no Spell or Trap Cards for it to destroy, and with Ancient Ankylosaurus's effects negated, she couldn't destroy Tectonic Tyranno to increase Maritime Mosasaur's attack points.

"It seems I will have to wait a while," Goldie admitted. "Not bad, Galahad. I Set one card. I end my turn. And with the end of the turn, Elemental Force's effect ends, and my monsters regain their effects." Her two monsters perked up at her words.

Ancient Ankylosaurus prevents him from targeting my other monsters for attacks or effects, and it cannot be destroyed once per turn, Goldie thought. And with Maritime Mosasaur's effects restored, Galahad cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase, and I can negate one Special Summon this turn. Her eyes narrowed. I am prepared for this Charisma Duelist's counterattack!

"My turn! Draw!" Galahad gestured to his field. "Gaia Dragon's monster effect! I detach an Overlay Unit to target your monster and switch its attack and defense points until the end of the turn!"

"While Ancient Ankylosaurus is on the field, you cannot target my other 'Holozoic' monsters with effects," Goldie said. "And since Ancient Ankylosaurus is a Link Monster, it has no defense points."

"I know. Which is why when Gaia Dragon targets a Link Monster, its attack points become 0 instead! Typhoon Termination!" One of the lights struck the knight's right lance, which it flung with great force. The lance broke through Ancient Ankylosaurus's back armor, making it cry out in pain.

Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer OU: 3→2

Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus ATK 2500→0

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Order of the Fierce Knights!" The card showed three banners: One had crossed red lances on a blue background, the second had blue lances on a green background, and the last had green lances on a red background. "My Dragon and Warrior monsters cannot be targeted by your card effects, and once per turn, I can target one of my monsters and send up to three Warrior monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard." The Charisma Duelist smirked. "For each monster I send to the Graveyard, my monster can make an attack during each Battle Phase this turn!"

Goldie's eyes narrowed. Target protection and multiple attacks? That could be problematic.

"I target Gaia Dragon and send Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight, and Beginning Knight to the Graveyard. Now Gaia Dragon can attack three times!"

Galahad gestured to his field again. "Battle! Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus! Emerald Dragon Strike!" The dragon charged and wind gathered around its rider's remaining lance. "Ancient Ankylosaurus can prevent its destruction once per turn, but two attacks from Gaia Dragon will end this!"

"In that, you are mistaken." Goldie gestured to her field. "Trap activate! Holozoic Crest!" The card showed an eight-pointed gold star with a smaller star inside it, emblazoned on a pentagonal shield. "I target Ancient Ankylosaurus, and for the rest of this turn, I take no damage from battles involving Ancient Ankylosaurus!" The twin stars appeared in front of Ancient Ankylosaurus's face, and the Xyz Monster's lance struck it. It shook but held firm.

"Tch. Even so, Ancient Ankylosaurus cannot prevent its destruction anymore, and Gaia Dragon has two more attacks. Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus again!" The winds around the lance doubled in force, and this time it broke through the shield and struck Ancient Ankylosaurus in the face, making it explode. However, the shockwave didn't reach Goldie. "You won't avoid damage this time! Gaia Dragon attacks Maritime Mosasaur! Emerald Dragon Strike!" The lance that had impaled Ancient Ankylosaurus reappeared in the Xyz Monster's hand. It fired two bursts of green energy from each lance. The bursts struck Maritime Mosasaur, making Goldie's Ritual Monster explode. This time, Goldie flinched as her D-Board shook.

Goldie: 4000→3300 LP

Goldie's eyes narrowed. "You're the first duelist since Lightning to damage me. Take pride in that. But destroying Maritime Mosasaur has a cost." Galahad blinked as a violet circle appeared on Goldie's field. "When Maritime Mosasaur is destroyed by battle or effect, I target and Special Summon a different 'Holozoic' monster from my Graveyard with its attack points doubled until my next End Phase! Resurrect, Ancient Ankylosaurus!" The armored dinosaur emerged from the circle and roared.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus ATK 2500→5000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Thank you, Galahad, for giving me a monster with 5000 attack points."

"Heh. That's going to be less of a problem than you think it is. I activate my Skill! Second Charge! I banish three Warrior monsters from my Graveyard to initiate my Battle Phase again. I banish Gaia the Magical Knight, Swift Gaia, and Arisen Gaia!" Galahad narrowed his eyes. "Maritime Mosasaur's effect kept me from activating cards or effects during the Battle Phase, but now it's gone, and a new Battle Phase has started. Which means I can activate effects again!"

The Charisma Duelist revealed a card in his hand that made Goldie's eyes widen. "Since Gaia Dragon has Curse of Dragon Thunder as an Overlay Unit, it is treated as a 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' monster, which means I can activate Envoy of Chaos's effect! By discarding it, Gaia Dragon gains 1500 attack points until the end of this turn, and any monster it battles has its attack points become its original attack points during damage calculation!"

Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer ATK 3200→4700

"And don't forget; Order of the Fierce Knights' effect applies for each Battle Phase this turn, not just one! So Gaia Dragon can make three more attacks!"

"Six attacks from one monster?" Goldie exclaimed. Her eyes narrowed. "I see why Ai insisted I not underestimate you."

"I'd have much rather he insisted on getting my name right!" Galahad gestured to his field. "Battle! Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus! And Envoy of Chaos's effect returns Ancient Ankylosaurus's attack points to normal!"

Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus ATK 5000→2500

"Emerald Dragon Strike!" The Xyz Monster charged, and the Holozoic Apex Beast swung its tail in response. The club struck the lances, and the resulting shockwave pushed Goldie back with a cry.

Goldie: 3300→1100 LP

Goldie grit her teeth. "Ancient Ankylosaurus's effect prevents its destruction once per turn!"

"Then I'll destroy it and defeat you with the same attack! Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus again! Emerald Dragon Strike!" The dragon soared high, then dived, wind encapsulating its body.

"With this attack, Goldie will lose!" Blue Maiden said excitedly. Akira narrowed his eyes.

The Xyz Monster's attack struck Ancient Ankylosaurus, making it explode. Goldie shouted as the smoke cloud engulfed her.

Galahad breathed a sigh of relief. "With that, this whole thing is over!"

"You should wait before making premature declarations."

The Charisma Duelist blinked as the smoke faded, revealing an unharmed but frowning Gold Ignis.

"What?" Blue Maiden exclaimed. "How did she avoid the damage?" A question Galahad echoed to his opponent.

Goldie held up a card. "When my 'Holozoic' monster battles your monster, I can banish Exabyte Elasmosaurus from my hand or Graveyard to reduce the battle damage to 0."

"Tch. Even if you didn't take damage, Gaia Dragon has one more attack! Gaia Dragon attacks you directly!" The Xyz Monster, which had been flying beneath the two D-Boards, reangled itself to charge upwards at Goldie's D-Board.

The Gold Ignis narrowed her eyes at the monster and raised her hand. "I banish Holozoic Crest from my Graveyard to negate your direct attack!" The twin stars appeared beneath her and formed a shield. Gaia Dragon's lances struck the shield, but the monster was forced back. "And then I draw a card."

"…I guess this is what Cassiel meant when she called you a superior Ignis," Galahad muttered. "I end my turn, and Envoy of Chaos's effect ends."

Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer ATK 4700→3200

"…Answer a question for me, Goldie," Galahad said. "Do you hate humans?"

The Gold Ignis blinked at the question. "Do I hate humans?" She frowned. "There are individual humans I harbor distaste for," such as Queen for what she did to Earth and Jester for his actions against Cassiel, "but I have no hatred for humanity as a whole. Despite Revolver's rhetoric, mine and Ai's actions are not a declaration of war."

"If this isn't a declaration of war, then what is this?" Galahad demanded. "I understand fighting the Hanoi; they want you dead. But why is Ai fighting his friends? Why are you fighting Cassiel when she's your origin?" His eyes narrowed. "How could whatever you want be worth that?"

"…You are an honest and upfront person, Galahad," Goldie replied. "There is no deception in your actions or words. But that is a flaw just as much as it a strength." Her eyes narrowed. "Ai told me what you said when Revolver wanted to ally against Lightning; you refused to fight with the Hanoi back then."

"I did. And the only reason I'm willing to fight with them now is because they've promised to turn themselves in once this is over."

"Your integrity is laudable, but it blinds you to an uncomfortable truth; sometimes we must compromise our virtues to achieve our goals."

It was Galahad's turn to frown. He actually did understand that; he had compromised his ideals when Terminus approached him before the Tower of Hanoi. When he had been offered payment to duel Morningstar. He had accepted, and after that swore to never compromise his ideals again.

Compromising my ideals did pay for Eiji's bills and save his life but holding on to those same ideals brought Go back to his senses. Galahad shook his head to clear it. Whatever goal the Dark and Gold Ignis were chasing, it couldn't be worth turning against the former's friends.

Could it?

"Ai and myself will do what we must to achieve our goals," Goldie reiterated. "If nothing else, take comfort from the knowledge that we do not hate you. My turn! Draw!" Goldie looked at her card, then gestured to her field. "I banish Holozoic Evolution from my Graveyard to add a 'Holozoic' card from my Graveyard to my hand." She took the card, then played it. "I summon Datalink Dimorphodon!" The baby avian dinosaur reappeared.

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

"Since I control a 'Holozoic' monster, I can Special Summon Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur!" A long-necked dark blue baby aquatic dinosaur appeared in Attack Position and cooed.

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

"Datalink Dimorphodon's monster effect! I target Parallel Plesiosaur and declare Level 4!"

Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur LVL: 3→4

Galahad blinked. "Two Level 4 monsters?"

"Yes," Goldie confirmed. "And one of them is a Tuner monster." Galahad's eyes widened. "Level 4 Datalink Dimorphodon tunes Level 4 Parallel Plesiosaur!" A bolt of gold lightning struck Goldie's D-Board while her monsters disintegrated. They reformed into two rings of four concentric circles, then merged and reformed into a tower of eight blue rings. Light shot through the rings as Goldie chanted.

"Predator of the sky! Chase the winds of the closed world and evolve! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Holozoic Apex Beast – Prevailing Pteranodon!" The light faded, revealing a full-grown avian dinosaur. This one had back legs with three claws on each foot, massive wings with three claws at the tips, a large beak and a cranial crest just as long. Its skin was primarily light green, with dark green armor plating on its sides and the front edges of its wings. Its eyes were solid red, and it had dark green eight-pointed stars on its chest. The airborne dinosaur shrieked from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Prevailing Pteranodon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Synchro?" Galahad exclaimed. He grit his teeth. "Probably best to assume she has every summoning method…"

"As Datalink Dimorphodon was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it, and as Parallel Plesiosaur was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can target and destroy one card in your Spell & Trap Zone. I'll target and destroy Order of the Fierce Knights!" The baby avian dinosaur reappeared in Attack Position and Galahad's Continuous Spell card shattered.

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

"With your Continuous Spell Card gone, I can target Gaia Dragon with effects again."

"Maybe, but destroying it helps me," Galahad countered. "When Order of the Fierce Knights is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a Dragon or Warrior monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Envoy of Chaos to my hand."

"That will matter less than you think," Goldie warned him. "Battle! Prevailing Pteranodon attacks Gaia Dragon!"

Galahad blinked again as the Synchro Monster roared and charged. "You're attacking with a weaker monster?" His eyes narrowed. "I don't know what you're planning, but just in case, I'll discard Envoy of Chaos and target Gaia Dragon!"

Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer ATK 3200→4700

"Take it out, Gaia Dragon! Emerald Dragon Strike!" Wind encased the Xyz Monster's body as it met Prevailing Pteranodon's charge. The dinosaur swung its head, sending a blade of wind from its skull. The attack struck Gaia Dragon's lance, only to fall apart. The Xyz Monster continued its charge, and its lances met Prevailing Pteranodon's skull, making it explode.

"The turn Prevailing Pteranodon is Synchro Summoned, I take no damage," Goldie said, ignoring the smoke.

"Then why attack?" Galahad demanded. His eyes widened in realization. "Unless-!"

"You've realized it." Goldie gestured to her field. "Prevailing Pteranodon's monster effect! When it is destroyed by battle or card effect, I target one monster you control and shuffle it into your Deck! You then take damage equal to its original attack points!"

"What!?" Galahad watched in horror as gale-force winds manifested and tore through Gaia Dragon before hitting him, making him cry out in pain.

Galahad: 4000→800 LP

"You protected your monster from destruction, but there are other ways to remove monsters from the field," Goldie said. "Datalink Dimorphodon attacks you directly!" The baby avian dinosaur gave a tiny roar and charged Galahad. The Charisma Duelist crossed his arms, and the monster slammed its head into them. He cried out in pain as he was knocked off his D-Board.

Galahad: 800→0 LP

"…Galahad, huh?" Goldie muttered as her opponent disintegrated. You are a virtuous person. I wish Ai and I could afford such virtue ourselves. But we have chosen our path, and we must take responsibility for it.


"So that's what the Gold Ignis can do," Athena noted. She and her fellow Stahlritter were watching the duels from a private room on Jormungand's Ark. "Link Summoning, Ritual Summoning, and Synchro Summoning."

"She had a Fusion Spell Card too," Parvati said, reclining on a couch. "So we can add Fusion to the list. And the Dark Ignis used Xyz Summoning earlier, so she probably has it too."

Sakuya scoffed. Athena glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. "You don't find them impressive?"

"Next to Lady Arianrhod? Of course not." The youngest Stahlritter shrugged. "I mean, I guess they're good compared to us and the Enforcers, but our lady would demolish them."

"Except Lady Arianrhod isn't here, we are," Parvati reminded her as she switched to laying down on the couch. "Comparing them to her doesn't really help us."

"…I suppose not," Sakuya admitted. She sighed in frustration. "I still don't understand why we're here. Zahhak and Jester are already here, and they're among the strongest Enforcers. Why would Arianrhod offer our services to Jormungand when he already has them?"

"It is not our duty to question our lady's reasoning," Athena reminded her gently. "If she believes we need to be here, then we'll obey. That's what we each vowed, isn't it?"

"…It is."

"What if we aren't here for Jormungand?" Parvati wondered, watching the duel feed change. "What if we're here for another reason? One a little more personal?"

Sakuya followed Parvati's gaze and scowled. "…Well, at least one good might come out of this debacle."


"As a peer to Blue Maiden, I cannot let her brother come to harm!"

Diana frowned at her opponent. "You are Persephone, the Charisma Duelist who fought with Playmaker against Lightning," she recalled.

"And you are Diana, the former Ouroboros Enforcer who protected Zaizen and Ghost Girl from Bohman," the Charisma Duelist responded.

"Cassiel told you about me?"

"She did. And she gave us her impression of you. And Goldie." Persephone frowned. "Which is why I can confidently say that your behavior makes no sense. Why do Ai and Goldie want SOL's code key? Enough to attack Zaizen for it?"

"There is something they wish to achieve, and control of SOL Technologies is required," Diana said. "You know I was an Enforcer, so you know I am no stranger to operations like this." She raised her Duel Disk. "You held your own against Zahhak, so I know I can't afford to underestimate you. Prepare yourself."

Persephone's frown deepened. "I do not believe we need to be enemies, but I cannot allow you to reach Zaizen. And as you said, you were peers with Zahhak; underestimating you is something I cannot afford to do."

"Duel!"

Diana: 4000 LP

Persephone: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Persephone declared. "I summon Tour Guide From the Underworld!" A pink-haired woman in a blue uniform appeared.

Tour Guide From the Underworld ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Tour Guide's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I Special Summon a Level 3 Fiend monster from my hand or Deck with its effects negated. From my Deck, I Special Summon Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A black-and-red draconic field appeared in Attack Position.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit of the underworld! The summoning conditions are two Level 3 monsters. I set Graff and Tour Guide in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss!" A three-headed armored humanoid emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 500 LINK-2 ↙↘

"When Graff is sent to the Graveyard, I Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Deck. Come, Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A horned and manacled fiend appeared in Attack Position.

Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Since I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I Special Summon Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A pink fiend appeared in Attack Position.

Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 100 DEF 2100 LVL: 3

"Level 3 Rubic tunes Level 3 Cir! The poet's guide to hell and purgatory! Ascend to the earth and perform once more! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss!" A red-haired man in brown and white emerged from the light at Cherubini's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position, strumming a flaming guitar.

Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"Link Summoning and Synchro Summoning on the first turn," Diana muttered. Her Deck is as fast as Ai said.

"When Cir is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Graff!" The draconic fiend reappeared in Defense Position.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Cherubini's monster effect! Once per turn, I send a Level 3 monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and target a 'Burning Abyss' monster. Until the end of the turn, that monster gains attack and defense points equal to the sent monster's attack and defense points. I send Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard and target Graff.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000→1800 DEF 1500→3500

"I Set two cards. I end my turn. And with the End Phase, Cherubini's effect ends."

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1800→1000 DEF 3500→1500

"In addition, during the End Phase of the turn Scarm is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to my hand."

Link Summoning and Synchro Summoning, Diana thought. She looked at Persephone's cards and frowned. Cherubini only has 500 attack points, but it protects Virgil from destruction effects and can prevent its own destruction by sending a card to the Graveyard. She'll doubtlessly use that to send Graff to the Graveyard.

I suppose I'll play it by ear. "My turn! Draw! I summon VirtuaBeast Spam Scorpion!" A mechanical scorpion appeared, and then a hologram of a black scorpion formed around it.

VirtuaBeast Spam Scorpion ATK 1300 DEF 500 LVL: 3

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

VirtuaBeast Gigabyte Goblin ATK 800 LINK-1

"When Spam Scorpion is used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I can target and destroy one of my opponent's cards."

Persephone frowned. "Monsters Cherubini points to cannot be destroyed by card effects, and if Cherubini would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can send another card I control to the Graveyard instead."

"And if I send Graff to the Graveyard, its effect will activate," Diana acknowledged. "Which is why I'll target your Set card!"

Her opponent blinked and then smirked. "You picked the wrong card. Trap activate! Fiend Griefing! I target a monster in your Graveyard and shuffle it into your Deck! I'll shuffle Spam Scorpion into your Deck!"

Behind her visor, Diana blinked. Well, that was unexpected. With Spam Scorpion no longer in her Graveyard, she could not activate its second effect. "With its target no longer on the field, Spam Scorpion's effect resolves without a target."

"Fiend Griefing then lets me send a Fiend monster from my Deck to the Graveyard." I could send Farfa to the Graveyard… but I need resources, and I don't know if Diana will trigger my card. "I send Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard. And when Calcab is sent to the Graveyard, I target and return a Set Spell or Trap Card to the owner's hand."

"I have no Set cards," Diana noted with a frown. "You are targeting your own card?"

"I am. And targeting it allows me to activate it! Trap activate! Treasure Map! This card can only be activated in response to the activation of an effect that would return it to the hand. I draw two cards, then discard one." Persephone drew, then took one. "I discard Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss! When Alich is sent to the Graveyard, I target a monster and negate its effects until the end of the turn. I target Gigabyte Goblin!"

Diana stared at her opponent before smirking. "What an interesting combo. And negating Gigabyte Goblin's effect will slow me down. But not by much. As I control a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I Special Summon VirtuaBeast Hacked Hawk!" An avian machine appeared in Attack Position, and then a hologram of a blue bird of prey formed around it.

VirtuaBeast Hacked Hawk ATK 1600 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Appear again, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Hacked Hawk and Gigabyte Goblin in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! VirtuaBeast Processor Phoenix!" A larger avian machine emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and created a hologram of a red-and-orange bird with flaming wings around it.

VirtuaBeast Processor Phoenix ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↓→

"When Hacked Hawk is used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I Special Summon a VirtuaBeast Token." A small holographic turtle appeared in Defense Position.

VirtuaBeast Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Processor Phoenix's monster effect! I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Come, Hacked Hawk!" The avian reappeared in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Hacked Hawk ATK 1600 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"For a third time, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Hacked Hawk and VirtuaBeast Token in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! VirtuaBeast Graphic Griffin!" A quadrupedal machine emerged from the portal at Processor Phoenix's bottom Link Marker. A hologram of brown mammal with a bald eagle's head, wings, and front talons formed around it.

VirtuaBeast Graphic Griffin ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

"Since I control a 'VirtuaBeast' Link Monster, I can Special Summon VirtuaBeast CPU Crab!" A mechanical crab with a red holographic shell appeared in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast CPU Crab ATK 1400 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

Diana raised her hand again. "Appear, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two or more 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set CPU Crab and Link-2 Processor Phoenix in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur!" A mechanical centaur layered with a hologram of a man in silver armor emerged from the portal at Graphic Griffin's left Link Marker.

VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur ATK 2200 LINK-3 ←↓→

Persephone frowned. "Even with Gigabyte Goblin's effects negated, she still managed to perform four Link Summons in a single turn," she muttered.

"When CPU Crab is used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, one 'VirtuaBeast' monster I control gains 800 attack points until the end of the turn. I'll target Chrome Centaur!"

VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur ATK 2200→3000

"I Set one card." Diana pointed to her field. "Battle! Graphic Griffin attacks Graff!" The Link Monster charged and tore through the red-and-black fiend.

"Why attack Graff?" Persephone asked. "It was in Defense Position."

"Because of Graphic Griffin's effect," Diana answered. "Graphic Griffin's monster effect! When my co-linked 'VirtuaBeast' monster destroys your monster by battle, you take 800 points of damage!" The Link Monster flapped its wings, and the gust made Persephone's D-Board wobble.

Persephone: 4000→3200 LP

"So that's why," Persephone muttered. "But when Graff is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Deck. Come, Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A bearded fiend wielding a flail appeared in Attack Position.

Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Chrome Centaur attacks Cherubini!" The centaur summoned a bow and fired several arrows at the three-headed monster.

"If Cherubini would be destroyed by battle or effect, I can send one of my other cards to the Graveyard!" Persephone reminded her. "I'll send Barbar to the Graveyard!" The freshly summoned monster leapt in the path of the arrows and exploded from the attack.

"But you will still take the damage!" Persephone grunted as the shockwave hit her D-Board.

Persephone: 3200→700 LP

"When Barbar is sent to the Graveyard, I can banish up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards from my Graveyard and inflict 300 points of damage for each card. I'll banish Alich, Calcab, and Rubic!" Diana winced as a red aura briefly formed around her.

Diana: 4000→3100 LP

"I end my turn, and CPU Crab's effect ends."

VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur ATK 3000→2200

"3300 points of damage in a single turn," Persephone muttered. "She really is in the same league as Jester and Zahhak." Her eyes narrowed. "But I can't let her and the Ignis reach the Zaizens; as Blue Maiden's senpai, I will protect them! My turn! Draw!"

Persephone looked at her card and smirked. "Virgil's monster effect! I discard a 'Burning Abyss' card, then target a card on your field or in your Graveyard and return it to your Deck. I target Chrome Centaur!" Virgil strummed his guitar and shot blue flames at the centaur.

"That will not work," Diana said. "Counter Trap activate! VirtuaBeast Salvation! An effect activated while I control a 'VirtuaBeast' Link Monster is negated!" The flames dissipated at her words. "I then activate a Link Spell Card from my Deck!"

Persephone blinked. "A Link Spell from the Deck?"

"Come, the arrows that protect the world! The Link Spell Card: Salvation Arrows!" The card appeared in the Spell & Trap Zone Chrome Centaur's bottom Link Marker pointed to.

Salvation Arrows ↖↑↗

"While linked to Salvation Arrows, Chrome Centaur and Graphic Griffin are unaffected by your card effects."

"But when Salvation Arrows leaves the field, the monsters linked to it return to the hand," Persephone finished. "Cassiel told us about your Link Spell Card." Her eyes narrowed. "I would have liked for Virgil's effect to work, but I suspected you would avoid it. I activate the Spell Card: Pre-Preparation of Rites! I add a Ritual Spell from my Deck to my hand, as well as a Ritual Monster mentioned on it from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss from my Deck to my hand, and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss from my Graveyard to my hand."

"I see," Diana mused. "The card you discarded for Virgil's effect was Malacoda."

"It was. Cherubini's effect! I send the Level 3 Djinn Demolisher of Rituals from my Deck to the Graveyard and target Virgil!"

Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss ATK 2500→4000

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss!" Persephone declared. "And since Djinn Demolisher is in the Graveyard, I can banish it as one of the materials. I banish Level 3 Djinn Demolisher of Rituals from my Graveyard and Tribute the Level 3 Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in my hand! The contract has been made. The demon that guards the fifth circle inherits these two souls. Ritual Summon! Rise, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!" A red-skinned armored fiend appeared in Attack Position, swinging red and blue swords.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700 DEF 2200 LVL: 6

"When I use Djinn Demolisher to Ritual Summon, that Ritual Monster cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects, and when Cagna is sent to the Graveyard, I can send a 'Burning Abyss' Spell or Trap from my Deck to the Graveyard." Persephone took the card and placed it in her Graveyard.

"Three monsters," Diana muttered. "With 500, 2700, and 4000 attack points." She frowned. She had a pretty good idea of what Persephone had planned.

"Battle! Virgil attacks Graphic Griffin! Purgatio Rhapsody!" The man strummed his guitar again and launched blue fire at the Link Monster.

"Chrome Centaur's monster effect! 'VirtuaBeast' monsters linked to it cannot be destroyed by battle!" The flames washed over Graphic Griffin, and while it moaned, it withstood the flames.

"But you will still take the damage!" Diana grunted as the flames hit her.

Diana: 3100→900 LP

"I don't need to destroy your monsters to defeat you! Malacoda attacks Graphic Griffin! Abyssal Slash!" The fiend laughed as it leaped into the air, its swords on fire. It swung and struck the Link Monster on the head, making an explosion that encompassed Diana and her D-Board.

Persephone narrowed her eyes. Did that do it?

When the smoke cleared, she saw that it hadn't; a mechanical cat inside a white hologram was sitting in front of her, generating a barrier.

"Since I took battle damage this turn, I can discard VirtuaBeast File Feline," Diana explained. "And for the rest of the turn, any battle damage I take becomes 0."

Persephone grit her teeth. She suspected Diana would have something like that. She was still disappointed of course. But if Diana was going to have another turn, Persephone would deny her as many resources as possible. "I activate my Skill! Legendary Awakening! I perform a Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Summoning using monsters on my field! I fuse Cherubini, Malacoda, and Virgil! Through hell and purgatory, enlightenment is reached! Become the avatar of paradise! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 9! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss!" A blue-haired man in white, gold, and purple robes appeared at the right Extra Monster in Attack Position, wielding a gold-and-wood staff.

Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss ATK 2800 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"Even if you summon another monster, I will take no damage from your attacks," Diana said.

"Damage isn't what I'm going for. When Maalcoda is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can target a card on the field and send it to the Graveyard. I target Salvation Arrows!"

"I see," Diana said. "Get rid of Salvation Arrows, and Chrome Centaur and Graphic Griffin return to my Extra Deck. A good play… if one I anticipated."

"What?"

"I activate my Skill! Transcendent Link! I Link Summon using monsters I control. Appear, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are two or more 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I Set Chrome Centaur and Link-2 Graphic Griffin in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left, top, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! VirtuaBeast Malware Manticore!" A quadrupedal machine encased in the hologram of a lion with bat wings and a scorpion's tail emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and roared.

VirtuaBeast Malware Manticore ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

Persephone narrowed her eyes. "Malacoda's effect resolves, and Salvation Arrows is sent to the Graveyard." The Link Spell vanished, and Persephone was left with a choice: Attack Malware Manticore and leave Diana without monsters? Or leave it be?

She has Processor Phoenix in her Graveyard, Persephone remembered. If she controls no monsters, she can Special Summon it, then use its effect to Special Summon another monster from the Graveyard. She checked Malware Manticore's effects. Malware Manticore can also Special Summon a monster, but it requires a monster being Special Summoned to its Link Marker. And while it can halve a monster's attack points, it needs to point to a "VirtuaBeast" monster. Even if it didn't need that, Dante cannot be targeted by her card effects. She looked up at Diana. She has no cards in her hand, and she has no cards in her Graveyard that can activate effects. It's more logical to leave Malware Manticore alone.

"I end my turn."

She left me with Malware Manticore, Diana thought. She knew destroying it would let me bring back Processor Phoenix in the Standby Phase and decided against it. With no cards in my hand, what options I have will depend on my next draw. "My turn! Draw!"

Diana drew and smiled. "Since you control a monster, I can Special Summon VirtuaBeast Server Serval!" A yellow-furred hologram around a mechanical feline appeared at Malware Manticore's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Server Serval ATK 1800 DEF 400 LVL: 4

Persephone grit her teeth. She drew a monster!

"Malware Manticore's monster effect! When a monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Hacked Hawk!" The avian reappeared in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Hacked Hawk ATK 1600 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Appear, the circuit that changes reality! The summoning conditions are three 'VirtuaBeast' monsters. I set Hacked Hawk, Server Serval, and Malware Manticore in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the top, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! VirtuaBeast Shutdown Sphinx!" A massive quadruped machine emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. A hologram of brown fur formed around it, then it sprouted eagle's wings. Its head was a human male's, with brown hair in a pageboy's haircut and brown eyes.

VirtuaBeast Shutdown Sphinx ATK 2200 LINK-3 ↑↓→

Persephone blinked. "A new Link Monster?"

"When Hacked Hawk and Server Serval are used to Link Summon a 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I Special Summon a VirtuaBeast Token and add VirtuaBeast Kingdom from my Deck to my hand." A small turtle appeared at Shutdown Sphinx's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position.

VirtuaBeast Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

The Charisma Duelist grit her teeth. "I don't know what this monster can do, but I'd wager it's best to get rid of it. I activate the effect of Avarice of the Burning Abyss in my Graveyard!" The card showed Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss watching as men in rags attempted to push enormous bags of coins up a steep hill. "I add a 'Burning Abyss' card from my Deck to my hand."

Persephone took the card, then gestured to her field. "Dante's monster effect! I send a 'Burning Abyss' card from my hand to the Graveyard to draw a card. I'll discard Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and draw!" She smirked. "When Farfa is sent to the Graveyard, I target a monster and banish it until the End Phase. I target Shutdown Sphinx!"

Diana smirked. "Very clever. But pointless. Shutdown Sphinx's monster effect! When you activate a card or effect that targets my 'VirtuaBeast' monster, I Tribute a monster it points to, negate the activation, and banish your card! I Tribute VirtuaBeast Token!" The turtle shattered and Persephone gasped. "In case you have another trick up your sleeve, I'll activate the Field Spell Card: VirtuaBeast Kingdom! My 'VirtuaBeast' monsters cannot be targeted by your card effects while Kingdom is on the field. And up to three times per turn, I can target a 'VirtuaBeast' monster and activate an effect depending on that monster's Attribute, but I can only target one Attribute per turn. I target the Earth Shutdown Sphinx to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'VirtuaBeast' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect again, Hacked Hawk!" The avian reappeared again at Shutdown Sphinx's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

VirtuaBeast Hacked Hawk ATK 1600 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Battle! Shutdown Sphinx attacks Dante!" The monster spread its wings and opened its mouth, revealing a mouth of sharp teeth.

"You're attacking with a weaker monster?" Persephone exclaimed. She grit her teeth. "What are you up to?"

"Shutdown Sphinx's additional effect! When it battles your monster, I can Tribute a monster at Shutdown Sphinx's Link Marker to negate your monster's effects and make its attack points 0! And since this effect doesn't target, Dante cannot protect himself! I Tribute Hacked Hawk!" The avian shattered and Dante moaned and slumped over.

Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss ATK 2800→0

Persephone gasped. "What!?"

"The attack continues!" Shutdown Sphinx roared and breathed fire. The flames consumed Dante, making him explode. The shockwave struck Persephone and knocked her off her D-Board with a scream.

Persephone: 700→0 LP

"Blue Maiden," Persephone muttered as her body disintegrated. "I'm sorry…"

Diana frowned, watching her opponent vanished. She fought to protect Blue Maiden, she thought. Blue Maiden is Blue Angel, Persephone's fellow Charisma Duelist. She was here to protect her junior. She smiled sadly. I miss the days when things were that simple.


"Such drama!" Chimera proclaimed. "They line up to defend their friends and allies but fall to the grand conviction of their foes! Friends have become enemies! Enemies have become friends! Who will emerge victorious!?"

"…The Dark and Gold Ignis are formidable," Erebus said. "Multiple summoning methods and aggressive strategies allow them to overwhelm their opponents. Meanwhile Diana's new Deck emphasizes Link Summoning with various effects to confuse her opponents."

Chimera pouted at their longtime friend. "Can't you play along? It wouldn't kill you to have fun."

"We're working. More importantly…" Erebus pulled up a different feed. "What are your impressions?"

Chimera looked at it and their expression turned thoughtful. "Ah, that. The former household AI turned duelist." They smiled. "To be frank, I find it beautiful. The Ignis were born with free will and intelligence, but this one was born simple and given free will and intelligence. To see such development… it is so interesting!"

Erebus sighed. "I knew you would say that. But don't get infatuated; there's a good chance we'll have to destroy it."

"I know, I know," Chimera assured him. "Don't worry, I know my role. Which is why I look forward to seeing how this one's role changes over time." Their eyes looked at the other person in the feed. "And how their opponent's role changes."


"Ai and Goldie really are irresponsible," Lilith bemoaned with a shake of her head. "Letting you run around without supervision? What kind of big bro and sis are they?"

"Hey, don't talk about big bro and sis that way!" Roboppi shot back. "They taught me well enough to defeat Blood Shepherd and Ghost Girl!"

"…That they did," Lilith conceded. "But I think you'll find me a different kind of challenge."

"Ha! I'm not afraid of you!" Roboppi pointed at their opponent. "I know you! You're Lilith and you use Magical Muskets! You're tough, but I'm tougher!"

"We'll see about that, won't we? I think it's time you learned a few things from a different big sis." And this will be a perfect opportunity to test out my new Deck.

"Duel!"

Lilith: 4000 LP

Roboppi: 4000 LP

"I went second in my last duel, so I'll go first this time!" Roboppi declared. "I summon Appliancer Socketroll!" A small pink machine with prongs for legs, a socket for a face, and cords for arms appeared.

Appliancer Socketroll ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"By targeting Socketroll, I can Special Summon Appliancer Copybokkle!" Another humanoid machine, this one based on a purple-and-white copy machine, appeared in Attack Position.

Appliancer Copybokkle ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Copybokkle's name, Type, and Attribute now become the same as Socketroll's. Socketroll's monster effect! When another Socketroll is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon another Socketroll from my Deck!" A second pink machine appeared in Attack Position.

Appliancer Socketroll ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that guides me! The summoning conditions are two Level 1 'Appliancer' monsters. I set Copybokkle treated as Socketroll and Socketroll in the Link Markers!" The named machines entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Appliancer Celtopus!" A violet-and-black mechanical octopus with extension cords for tentacles emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Appliancer Celtopus ATK 0 LINK-2 ↙↓

Lilith narrowed her eyes. She had watched Roboppi's duel with Blood Shepherd and Ghost Girl; even though this monster had 0 attack points, it empowered Roboppi's other Link Monsters.

"Appear again, the circuit that guides me! The summoning condition is a Level 1 'Appliancer' monster. I set my other Socketroll in the Link Marker!" The last machine entered the top arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Appliancer Propelion!" A mechanical lion with fan blades for a mane emerged at Celtopus's bottom Link Marker.

Appliancer Propelion ATK 1200 LINK-1

"While Celtopus is linked, you can't target it for attacks or with card effects. I activate the Spell Card: Appliancer Reuse! I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Appliancer' monster from my Graveyard, but when it leaves the field, it is shuffled into my Deck. Resurrect, Socketroll!" The pink machine reappeared in Defense Position.

Appliancer Socketroll ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"For a third time, the circuit that guides me! The summoning condition is a Level 1 'Appliancer' monster. I set Socketroll in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the top-right arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Appliancer Vacculephant!" A robotic elephant with a vacuum nozzle for a nose emerged from the portal at Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker.

Appliancer Vacculephant ATK 1000 LINK-1

"I end my turn."

"This is a weird situation, little girl," Tagoma said into Lilith's ear. Her guardian, like Cam and Kusanagi, was watching from the real world. "Wasn't this thing a household AI?"

"According to Playmaker, it was," she confirmed. "And now it's a duelist strong enough to defeat Blood Shepherd and Ghost Girl." She frowned at that. Flippancy aside, that wasn't a simple feat.

"Maybe, but in that duel, Roboppi had a big advantage: We didn't know what its Deck could do."

"But now we do know," Lilith finished. Celtopus strengthened co-linked monsters while Roboppi's other Link Monsters had effects that depended on whether they were co-linked or not. She smirked. "And Roboppi doesn't know what my new Deck can do."

"The shoe is on the other foot," Tagoma agreed. "Why don't you show them what that looks like?"

"With pleasure. My turn! Draw!" The former bounty hunter looked at her card, then picked a different one from her hand. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Astrogard Armory!" The card showed a massive stone warehouse, where rows upon rows of elaborate gold-and-red swords, spears, shields, and bows were stacked on shelves, and in the very center, a large stone forge. "While this card is on my field, 'Astrogard' cards in my Spell & Trap Zone cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects."

"EH!?" Roboppi exclaimed. "Astrogard!? That's not the Deck you use!"

"After the Ignis War, I changed my Deck," Lilith revealed. "I needed to evolve to keep up with my enemies." Like Jester. I will make him pay for what he did. "I summon Astrogard Rapier!" In a burst of flames, a sword appeared on Lilith's field. It was a thin gold blade with a red circular crosspiece lined with gold, a red knuckle bow protecting a dark gold wooden grip, and a dark gold pommel with an inlaid ruby.

Astrogard Rapier ATK 1400 DEF 600 LVL: 4

Roboppi blinked. "That monster is-!"

"That's right, a Cyberse monster!" Lilith raised her right hand. "Appear, the circuit of my evolution! The summoning condition is a Fire Cyberse monster. I set Rapier in the Link Marker!" The sword became a red whirlwind and entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Astrogard Dainsleif!" An armored humanoid emerged from the portal to the Extra Monster Zone. They wore a gray chainmail shirt, black pants with armor plates on the thighs and calves, and a gray helmet that covered their head completely, save the flaming eyes. In their right hand, they held a dark red ridged longsword that looked like it was made of bone, with gold lining the ridges and a gold gem in the pommel.

Astrogard Dainsleif ATK 1000 LINK-1

"When Rapier is sent to the Graveyard to Link Summon an 'Astrogard' monster, I can equip Rapier to that monster!" The red-and-gold sword reappeared, and the humanoid grabbed it with their left hand. "And when I Special Summon an 'Astrogard' Link Monster from the Extra Deck, Astrogard Armory lets me add an 'Astrogard' card from my Deck to my hand." Lilith took the card, then gestured to her hand. "Dainsleif's monster effect! I target and Special Summon an 'Astrogard' monster from my Spell & Trap Zone to Dainsleif's Link Marker. I target Rapier!" Dainsleif let go of the sword and it fell back to Dainsleif's Link Marker in Attack Position.

Astrogard Rapier ATK 1400 DEF 600 LVL: 4

"Appear again, the circuit of my evolution! The summoning conditions are two Fire Cyberse monsters. I set Rapier and Dainsleif in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Astrogard Tyrfing!" A new armored humanoid emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, this one wearing silver plate armor lined with gold and a silver helmet that hid its head, save its flaming eyes. In its right hand was a longsword with a silver blade and a crimson crossguard with pronged quillons, and an amber gem in its base and pommel.

Astrogard Tyrfing ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←↓

"Tyrfing's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon an 'Astrogard' monster from my hand to its Link Marker. Come, Astrogard Gladius!" A new sword appeared at Tyrfing's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. It had a straight light gold blade with lines resembling flames carved into it, a crimson crossguard and pommel, and dark gold grip.

Astrogard Gladius ATK 800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"For a third time, the circuit of my evolution! The summoning conditions are two or more Fire Cyberse monsters. I set Gladius and Link-2 Tyrfing in the Link Markers!" The two monsters spiraled into the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Astrogard Balmung!" A massive humanoid in red-and-gold armor emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. The armor was ridged, with raised shoulders, spiked knees and elbows, and a helmet that only exposed flaming eyes. In the monster's right hand was a dark gold greatsword with crimson pronged crossugards, a light gold grip, and a crimson pommel. The monster's eyes gleamed as it roared.

Astrogard Balmung ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Balmung's monster effect!" Lilith declared. "Once per turn, I can equip an 'Astrogard' monster from my Graveyard to it. I'll equip Gladius to it." The longsword reappeared in the Link Monster's left hand. "A monster equipped with Gladius can make a second attack during the Battle Phase, and Balmung gains 300 attack points for each 'Astrogard' card equipped to it."

Astrogard Balmung ATK 2400→2700

Roboppi frowned. "Back-to-back Link Summons and equipping monsters… this is a big switch up from her previous Deck."

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Astrogard Comet!" The card showed a comet streaking through the night sky, a trail of red flames behind it, and on the ground watching it was Astrogard Dainsleif. "Since I control an 'Astrogard' monster, I can target one monster on the field. Until the end of the turn, that monster's attack and defense points become 0, and it is unaffected by the effects of other cards! I target Propelion!"

Appliancer Propelion ATK 1200→0

The former household AI blinked. "Wait. Unaffected by other effects?"

"That's right." Lilith smirked. "Meaning Propelion is unaffected by Celtopus's effect." Roboppi's eyes widened in panic. "Battle! Balmung attacks Propelion!" The Link Monster's blades lit up with fire. It swung them, sending a cross of flames at the machine.

"Tch. Propelion's monster effect! Once per turn, when my monster is attacked while Propelion is co-linked, your monster's attack points are halved during damage calculation!" Propelion's man spun and sent a whirlwind at the flaming cross, making it smaller.

Astrogard Balmung ATK 2700→1350

"That isn't enough!" The attack struck Propelion, making it explode. Roboppi cried out as their body fizzled.

Roboppi: 4000→2650 LP

Astrogard Balmung ATK 1350→2700

"That trick did in Ghost Girl's Hexstia, but not me," Lilith boasted. "Since Balmung has Gladius equipped, it can make a second attack. Balmung attacks Vacculephant!" This time, the humanoid spun in a circle and sent a whirlwind of flames at the mechanical elephant.

"Celtopus's monster effect! Since I control only 'Appliancer' monsters and a Link Monster co-linked with Celtopus is battling your monster, Vacculephant gains 1000 attack points for every monster co-linked with Celtopus during damage calculation!"

Appliancer Vacculephant ATK 1000→2000

"And again, that isn't enough! The whirlwind tore through Vacculephant and struck Roboppi, knocking them off their D-Board.

Roboppi: 2650→1950 LP

Roboppi screamed until their D-Board rematerialized under them and they landed on their face. "Ow," they moaned. "Stop knocking me off this thing. It hurts!"

Lilith raised an eyebrow. "How is it you can feel pain?" she wondered. "Do AI have pain receptors or something?"

Her opponent blinked and tilted their head. "Uh… I don't know. But I do know that hurt, so I think I do!"

"Huh. I end my turn."

Roboppi picked themselves up and got a determined look on their face. "You may have surprised me Lilith, but I promised big bro and big sis that I would do my best! I already raised my ranking by defeating Blood Shepherd and Ghost Girl; I'll raise it even higher by defeating you! My turn! Draw!" They looked at their card and smiled. "Yay! The card I needed! I activate the Spell Card: Appliancer Test! I target Celtopus and Special Summon as many Link-1 'Appliancer' monsters from my Graveyard as possible so they are co-linked to Celtopus, but their attack points become 0 and they are banished during the End Phase. Resurrect, Propelion and Vacculephant!" The mechanical lion and elephant reappeared, the former at Celtopus's bottom Link Marker and the latter at Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker.

Appliancer Propelion ATK 1200→0 LINK-1

Appliancer Vacculephant ATK 1000→0 LINK-1

"Vacculephant's monster effect! I discard Appliancer Coating to target and destroy your card! I'll destroy Balmung!" The end of the Link Monster's vacuum nose changed, then it fired a stream of blue energy at Lilith's Link Monster.

Rather than look worried, Lilith smirked. "You were right when you said my dueling has changed… but it also hasn't. My 'Astrogard' Link Monsters all have one effect in common: They let me activate 'Astrogard' Spell and Trap Cards from my hand!"

"Eh!?" Roboppi gasped. "From your hand!?"

"That's right! And from my hand, I activate the Counter Trap Card: Astrogard Black Hole!" The card showed the aforementioned cosmic phenomenon, streams of red and gold light spiraling into the black void. "I can activate Black Hole if you activate a monster effect while I control an 'Astrogard' monster equipped with an 'Astrogard' card. Vacculephant's effect is negated, and your monster is destroyed!" The Machine monster cried out as it was sucked into a void, and its energy blast dissipated.

"Grr," Roboppi growled. "So she can still use Spell and Trap Cards from her hand? But I'm not done! I activate the effect of Appliancer Coating in my Graveyard! When my 'Appliancer' Link Monster is destroyed by a card effect, I can target that monster and a Link-1 monster in your Graveyard. Coating and your monster are banished, and I Special Summon my monster so that it is co-linked! I target Vacculephant in my Graveyard and banish Dainsleif from your Graveyard!" The mechanical elephant reappeared at Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker.

Appliancer Vacculephant ATK 1000 LINK-1

"You already used Vacculephant's effect, so you can't attempt to destroy Balmung again," Lilith said. Her eyes narrowed. "Which means…"

"Appear, the circuit that guides me!" Roboppi declared. "The summoning condition is a Link-1 'Appliancer' monster. I set Vacculephant in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the top arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Appliancer Laundry Dragon!" A gray mechanical dragon with a laundry machine for a body emerged from the portal at Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker.

Appliancer Laundry Dragon ATK 1500 LINK-1

"Appear again, the circuit that guides me! The summoning condition is a Link-1 'Appliancer' monster. I set Propelion in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the top-right arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Appliancer Dryer Drake!" A red-and-white draconic machine emerged from the portal at Celtopus's bottom Link Marker.

Appliancer Dryer Drake ATK 0 LINK-1

Lilith's eyes narrowed further. "That's a new 'Appliancer' monster," she muttered.

"And neither of them is co-linked," Tagoma noted. "Careful."

"Battle!" Roboppi declared happily. "Laundry Dragon attacks Balmung! Laundry Dragon's monster effect! If it battles while not co-linked-!"

"Before that," Lilith interrupted with a smirk. "Balmung's monster effect!"

"Eh?" Roboppi blinked.

"At the start of the Damage Step, if Balmung battles your monster, I can send an equipped 'Astrogard' card to the Graveyard and destroy your monster!" The armored humanoid roared as it spun the sword in its left hand, then flung it at Laundry Dragon. The long sword pierced the Link Monster's body, making it explode.

"Eh!?" Roboppi shouted. "You were prepared for that!?"

"I saw your last duel," Lilith reminded the AI. "I know what that dragon of yours can do."

"Even if you do, I still have a chance! Celtopus's monster effect! When an 'Appliancer' monster that is not co-linked to Celtopus is destroyed by battle or effect, I can draw a card!" Roboppi drew and smiled. "Yes! I'm really lucky today! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Appliancer Rebuild!" The card showed a claw attaching a new head to the damaged body of Appliancer Vacculephant. "I Special Summon an 'Appliancer' Link Monster from my Graveyard to my 'Appliancer' monster's Link Marker!"

Lilith blinked. "What?"

"Resurrect, Laundry Dragon!" The mechanical dragon reappeared and roared at Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker.

Appliancer Laundry Dragon ATK 1500 LINK-1

"Let's try this again! Laundry Dragon attacks Balmung! Laundry Dragon's monster effect! When it battles your monster and is not co-linked, neither of us takes battle damage, your monster is destroyed, and you take damage equal to that monster's original attack points!" The dragon's laundry door popped open, and it reached in and pulled out a boomerang made of clothes. The dragon roared as it threw the boomerang at Balmung. The armored humanoid roared as it was cut in half, and Lilith cried out from the resulting explosion.

Lilith: 4000→1600 LP

"It's time!" Roboppi cheered. "Time for me to show what I can really do! I activate my Skill! Appliancer Switch!"

"Your Skill?" Lilith gasped as Roboppi's Duel Disk lit up.

"That's right! I held off on using it against Blood Shepherd and Ghost Girl, but I'll use it against you! I target two 'Appliancer' Link Monsters and switch their positions, but their positions are switched again in the End Phase. I switch Dryer Drake and Laundry Dragon!" The two mechanical dragons switched their spots. "Now that Dryer Drake is co-linked, it gains 1000 attack points!"

Appliancer Dryer Drake ATK 0→1000

"Dryer Drake attacks you directly!" The monster fired a burst of heated wind at Lilith, hitting her in the stomach and making her stumble.

Lilith: 1600→600 LP

"This is the end!" Roboppi said excitedly. "Dryer Drake's monster effect! Once per turn, when it is co-linked, I switch its location with another Link-1 'Appliancer' monster, and that monster can attack again!" Lilith's eyes widened in shock. "I switch Dryer Drake with Laundry Dragon!" The two monsters switched again, and Dryer Drake moaned as it lost its attack point boost.

Appliancer Dryer Drake ATK 1000→0

"My second victory in a row!" Roboppi cheered. "Here goes! Laundry Dragon, attack Lilith directly!" The dragon pulled out another clothes boomerang and flung it at the girl.

"This," Lilith muttered through gritted teeth. "This… can't be the end!"

She smirked. "And it won't be. I activate my Skill! Astral Projection!"

"Huh?" Roboppi blinked as Lilith's Duel Disk emitted light. Light so blinding that Roboppi was forced to cover their eyes. "What is this?" When the light faded, Roboppi uncovered their eyes and blinked. "What!?"

The clothes boomerang continued on and struck Roboppi in the stomach, making them cry out in pain as their D-Board was knocked of course. They groaned as their D-Board stabilized.

Roboppi: 1950→1200 LP

"What was that?" Roboppi moaned. "Why did I take the damage?"

"That was my new Skill: Astral Projection," Lilith answered smugly. "If I would take damage that would reduce my Life Points to 0, half of that damage is inflicted to you instead. Neat, huh?"

"Not really," Roboppi groaned as they stood up straight. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, my Skill switches Dryer Drake's and Laundry Dragon's places again." The two monsters changed spots, and Dryer Drake roared as it regained its attack point boost.

Appliancer Dryer Drake ATK 0→1000

"Even if you survived, you are at a disadvantage," Tagoma said.

Lilith's smirk turned into a frown, and she nodded. "I know. If I don't end the duel this turn, I'll absolutely lose." The co-linked Laundry Dragon could banish a monster it battled, and Celtopus would increase Dryer Drake's and Laundry Dragon's attack points by 2000. And while the monster in her hand would give her the means to destroy Roboppi's monsters and damage them, Lilith wasn't willing to risk giving them another turn.

"This Deck was created to defeat Jester," Lilith growled. "If I don't have the skill to match its power, then I'll never be able to avenge my parents. This ends here! My turn! Draw!" She drew and smirked at her card. This'll do. "I summon Astrogard Flamberge!" A sword with a crimson hilt, light gold crossguard, and a bumpy dark gold blade appeared.

Astrogard Flamberge ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Flamberge's monster effect! I Special Summon an 'Astrogard' Link Monster from my Graveyard and equip Flamberge to it. Resurrect, Balmung!" The armored humanoid reappeared, swinging its massive sword in its right hand before grabbing Flamberge with its left hand.

Astrogard Balmung ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Balmung gains 300 attack points for each 'Astrogard' card equipped to it. And when Flamberge is equipped to a monster, that monster gains 800 attack points."

Astrogard Balmung ATK 2400→2700→3500

"Balmung's monster effect! I equip Gladius from my Graveyard to it." A third arm sprouted out of Balmung's back, wielding the aforementioned longsword. "With another 'Astrogard' card equipped, Balmung gains 300 attack points, and Gladius allows Balmung to make a second attack."

Astrogard Balmung ATK 3500→3800

"3800 attack points!?" Roboppi exclaimed. They grit their teeth. "But! Celtopus increases my monsters' attack points! You can't defeat me with that!"

"Maybe not. But I can with this! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Astrogard Pulsar!" The card showed a golden star surrounded by a nebula of crimson light. Two beams of red light were being emitted from opposite ends of the nebula. "One 'Astrogard' monster gains attack points equal to its original attack points, and my other monsters cannot attack. I increase Balmung's attack points!" The three-armed humanoid roared.

Astrogard Balmung ATK 3800→6200

"What!?"

"Battle! Balmung attacks Laundry Dragon! Balmung's monster effect! I send the equipped Flamberge to the Graveyard to destroy Laundry Dragon!" The monster's left hand and back hand tossed their swords into the air, switching them. The back hand then threw its new weapon, piercing Laundry Dragon and making it explode.

Astrogard Balmung ATK 6200→5100

"Thanks to Gladius's effect, Balmung can attack twice! Balmung attacks Dryer Drake!"

Roboppi ground their teeth and gestured to their field. "Celtopus's monster effect! The co-linked Dryer Drake gains 1000 attack points!"

Appliancer Dryer Drake ATK 1000→2000

"That isn't enough!" Lilith countered. She smirked. "This is the end, Roboppi!" Balmung roared as it swung its sword, sending a cross of flames at Roboppi's field.

"Grr," Roboppi growled. "I can't lose and leave big bro and big sis alone! I activate the effect of Appliancer Rebuild in my Graveyard! When my 'Appliancer' monster is attacked, I banish Rebuild so that we both take the battle damage!"

Lilith's eyes widened. "What!?"

"We'll both lose this duel!" The flames struck Dryer Drake, making it explode. Lilith and Roboppi cried out as the shockwave struck both of them, making their D-Boards spin out of control.

Lilith: 600→0 LP

Roboppi: 1200→0 LP

"Masako! Are you alright?"

Lilith groaned and shook her head. "I'm fine Tagoma, just disoriented." She raised her head, looked around, and grimaced. "I don't see Roboppi. Where are they?"

"I'm looking… I found them! They're heading for the Zaizens!"

The former bounty hunter grit her teeth. "They won't reach them!"


Alone in the Ark, Jester tilted his head. "So the insect has changed her teeth and claws." He chuckled. "It doesn't matter. The gap is far too wide for her to cross."


"Playmaker! Soulburner! Cassiel! Revolver!" Kusanagi said. "Galahad, Go Onizuka, and Persephone have been defeated!"

"Lilith's duel with Roboppi ended in a draw," Cam said. "But Roboppi is still heading for Zaizen!"

"Along with Ai, Goldie, and Diana!"

Cassiel narrowed her eyes. "We'll head there soon, brother! Guardian Michael attacks you directly! Lightning of the Heavens!" A wave of lightning and fire swept across the field and consumed the copy of Goldie.

Goldie: 2500→0 LP

"Go, Borrelsword Dragon!" Revolver declared. The dragon breathed a stream of fire at its master's opponent, making the copy scream.

Goldie: 1000→0 LP

"You're strong," Cassiel's opponent said. "As expected of my original's origin. But we've stalled you long enough." The AI copy smiled sadly. "I hope you can forgive her." She broke apart into gold data, as did Revolver's opponent.

Cassiel frowned but turned her D-Board back towards the center area, along with Revolver, Playmaker, and Soulburner.


Inside the central area, Ai, Goldie, Diana, and Roboppi met up. "I'm sorry, big bro, big sis," the latter said apologetically. "I couldn't defeat Lilith."

"That's alright," Goldie assured them. "Her having a new Deck was unexpected."

"More importantly," Diana said, looking around, "no one's here."

"Akira Zaizen, Blue Maiden, and Terminus were here," Ai said. "And they haven't logged out; they're still in the network."

Goldie's eyes glowed for a second. Then she nodded. "I found them." She glanced at Diana. "Get ready."

Cassiel, Playmaker, Revolver, and Soulburner shot into the central area, and three of them blinked. "Huh?" Soulburner said. "No one's here."

"Hey guys!" They turned as Lilith joined them. "It's just us now?"

"It is," Cassiel confirmed. The five duelists leapt off their D-Boards and looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"Terminus, Zaizen, and Blue Maiden were never here to begin with," Revolver responded.

"What?" Soulburner asked.

"They were transmitting from a different location," Revolver explained.

"Where are they?" Cassiel asked.

"Somewhere no one can reach," Revolver assured her. "An airplane 12000 meters above Den City."

"A plane?" Playmaker repeated.

"An extra layer of security that Revolver suggested," Lilith told them. "There are no SOLtiS on the plane, and the only connection they have to outside networks is a special algorithm Revolver created."

"So it's impossible to invade," Playmaker surmised. He shared a glance with Cassiel and Soulburner, both of whom had uncertain looks.

Jormungand watched the five duelists talk. Then he glanced at the next feed: the interior of the plane the Zaizens were on. The two of them were in special chairs, while Kenshin Hirai stood between them. He smiled to himself.


A small two-person plane broke the cloud cover beneath the aircraft. In the front seat, Ai smirked. "We found you, Zaizen."

Goldie frowned. "Let's begin the next phase."


Goldie vs. Galahad

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Galahad

As Galahad controls no monsters, he Normal Summons Gaia the Magical Knight (2300/2100/7) without Tributing. As Gaia the Magical Knight was Summoned, Galahad can Special Summon 1 Level 5 Dragon monster from his hand or GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Curse of Dragon Thunder (2000/1500/5) from his hand in Attack Position. As Curse of Dragon Thunder was Special Summoned, Galahad can declare a Level between 1 and 8, and Curse of Dragon Thunder becomes that Level. He declares Level 7 (Curse of Dragon Thunder: 5→7). Galahad overlays his Level 7 Curse of Dragon Thunder and Gaia the Magical Knight to Xyz Summon Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger (2600/2100/7/2) to the left Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. A Dragon Xyz Monster that has Curse of Dragon Thunder as an Overlay Unit is treated as a "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster and cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Galahad Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Goldie

Goldie draws. She activates the Spell Card Holozoic Evolution, which lets her send 1 "Holozoic" monster from her hand to the GY, then add 1 different "Holozoic" monster from her Deck to her hand. She discards Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon to add Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus to her hand. As Datalink Dimorphodon was sent from the hand to the GY, Goldie Special Summons it (900/700/4) in Defense Position. Goldie uses Datalink Dimorphodon to Link Summon Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Terabyte Triceratops was Link Summoned, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Holozoic Beast – Algorithmic Apatosaurus to her hand. Goldie Normal Summons Abstract Allosaurus (800/900/3). As Abstract Allosaurus was Normal Summoned, Goldie discards Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus to add Holozoic World from her Deck to her hand. As Exabyte Elasmosaurus was sent from the hand to the GY, Goldie can target 1 face-up monster Galahad controls and make its ATK 0. She targets Gaia Dragon (Gaia Dragon: 2600→0). Goldie activates the Field Spell Card Holozoic World. "Holozoic" monsters she controls cannot be banished or destroyed by Galahad's card effects. Since there is a card in the Field Zone, Goldie Special Summons Algorithmic Apatosaurus (1200/1300/4) in Attack Position. Goldie uses Abstract Allosaurus, Algorithmic Apatosaurus, and Terabyte Triceratops to Link Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Abstract Allosaurus and Algorithmic Apatosaurus were sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand and 1 "Holozoic" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Holozoic Fusion and Holozoic Apex Beast – Maritime Mosasaur from her Deck to her hand. As Terabyte Triceratops was used as Link Material, Goldie can target and Special Summon 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster from her GY. She Special Summons Datalink Dimorphodon (900/700/4) to Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position. Goldie activates Datalink Dimorphodon's effect, targeting itself and declaring Level 8 (Datalink Dimorphodon: 4→8). Goldie activates Holozoic World's effect to Ritual Summon 1 "Holozoic" monster from her hand by Tributing monsters from her hand or field. She 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. Galahad activates his Set Trap Card Spell Substitution. By sending 1 Normal Spell from his Deck to the GY, Spell Substitution's effect becomes that Spell's effect when it is activated, and Goldie cannot activate cards or effects in response to Spell Substitution's activation. Galahad sends Rank-Up-Magic Elemental Force to the GY, which lets him use an Xyz Monster as Xyz Material to Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster with the same Attribute but 1 Rank higher. Galahad performs a Rank-Up Xyz Change with Gaia Dragon to Xyz Summon Gaia Dragon, the Hurricane Bringer (3200/2600/8/3) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. The second effect of Elemental Force negates the effects of all monsters on the field with a different Attribute than the Summoned monster until the end of the turn. Goldie Sets 1 card. She ends her turn.

Turn 3: Galahad

Galahad draws. He activates Gaia Dragon's effect, detaching 1 material (Gaia Dragon: 3 OU→2 OU) and targeting Ancient Ankylosaurus. Its ATK/DEF are switched until the end of the turn, but as Ancient Ankylosaurus is a Link Monster, its ATK becomes 0 (Ancient Ankylosaurus: 2500→0). Galahad activates the Continuous Spell Card Order of the Fierce Knights. Galahad's Dragon and Warrior monsters cannot be targeted by Goldie's card effects. Galahad activates Order of the Fierce Knights' effect, sending Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight, and Beginning Knight from his Deck to the GY and targeting Gaia Dragon. Galahad's other monsters cannot attack, and Gaia Dragon can make attacks up to the number of sent monsters during each Battle Phase this turn.

Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus. Goldie activates her Set Trap Card Holozoic Crest, targeting Ancient Ankylosaurus. For the rest of the turn, Goldie takes no damage from battles involving Ancient Ankylosaurus. The attack continues, but the first time each turn Ancient Ankylosaurus would be destroyed by battle, it is not destroyed. Gaia Dragon attacks and destroys Ancient Ankylosaurus. Gaia Dragon attacks and destroys Maritime Mosasaur (Goldie: 4000→3300 LP). As Maritime Mosasaur was destroyed by battle, Goldie can target 1 other "Holozoic" monster in her GY, Special Summon it, and make its ATK equal to double its original ATK until the end of her next turn. She Special Summons Ancient Ankylosaurus (2500→5000/3/↙↓↘). Galahad activates his Skill Second Charge to banish 3 Warrior monsters from his GY to conduct a second Battle Phase. He banishes Gaia the Magical Knight, Swift Gaia, and Arisen Gaia. Galahad activates the effect of Envoy of Chaos in his hand, discarding it and targeting Gaia Dragon, which is treated as a "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster as it has Curse of Dragon Thunder as an Overlay Unit. Gaia Dragon gains 1500 ATK until the end of the turn, and every monster it battles this turn has its ATK become its original ATK during damage calculation only (Gaia Dragon: 3200→4700). Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus (Ancient Ankylosaurus: 5000→2500). The attack continues, but Ancient Ankylosaurus is not destroyed (Goldie: 3300→1100 LP). Gaia Dragon attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus. As her "Holozoic" monster is battling Galahad's monster, Goldie activates Exabyte Elasmosaurus' effect in her GY, banishing it to take no damage. The attack continues and Ancient Ankylosaurus is destroyed. Gaia Dragon attacks Goldie directly. As Galahad's monster declared a direct attack, Goldie activates Holozoic Crest's effect in the GY, banishing it to negate the attack, then draw 1 card. Galahad ends his turn, and Envoy of Chaos's effect ends (Gaia Dragon: 4700→3200).

Turn 4: Goldie

Goldie draws. She activates Holozoic Evolution's effect in her GY, banishing it to add 1 "Holozoic" card from her GY to her hand. She adds Datalink Dimorphodon to her hand. She Normal Summons Datalink Dimorphodon (900/700/4). As she controls a "Holozoic" monster, Goldie Special Summons Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur (1000/700/3) in Attack Position. Goldie activates Datalink Dimorphodon's effect, targeting Parallel Plesiosaur and declaring Level 4 (Parallel Plesiosaur: 3→4). Goldie tunes Level 4 Datalink Dimorphodon to Level 4 Parallel Plesiosaur to Synchro Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Prevailing Pteranodon (2500/2000/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Datalink Dimorphodon and Parallel Plesiosaur were sent from the field to the GY, Goldie Special Summons Datalink Dimorphodon (900/700/4) in Attack Position and targets Order of the Fierce Knights in Galahad's Spell & Trap Zone. Order of the Fierce Knights is destroyed. As Order of the Fierce Knights was sent from the field to the GY, Galahad can add 1 Dragon or Warrior monster from his GY to his hand. He adds Envoy of Chaos to his hand.

Prevailing Pteranodon attacks Gaia Dragon. Galahad activates Envoy of Chaos's effect, discarding it and targeting Gaia Dragon (Gaia Dragon: 3200→4700). Prevailing Pteranodon is destroyed, but the turn it is Synchro Summoned, Goldie takes no damage. As Prevailing Pteranodon was destroyed by battle, Goldie can target 1 monster Galahad controls, shuffle it into his Deck, then inflict damage equal to its original ATK. She targets Gaia Dragon and shuffles it into Galahad's Extra Deck (Galahad: 4000→800 LP). Datalink Dimorphodon attacks Galahad directly (Galahad: 800→0 LP). Goldie wins.


Diana vs. Persephone

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Persephone

Persephone Normal Summons Tour Guide From the Underworld (1000/600/3). As Tour Guide was Normal Summoned, Persephone can Special Summon 1 Level 3 Fiend monster from her hand or Deck with its effects negated, but it cannot be used as Synchro Material. She Special Summons Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1000/1500/3) from her Deck in Attack Position. Persephone uses Graff and Tour Guide to Link Summon Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss (500/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Graff was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her Deck. She Special Summons Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1600/1200/3) in Attack Position. As she controls no Spell/Trap Cards, Persephone Special Summons Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (100/2100/3) in Attack Position. Persephone tunes Level 3 Rubic to Level 3 Cir to Synchro Summon Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss (2500/1000/6) to Cherubini's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. As Cir was sent to the GY, Persephone can target and Special Summon 1 other "Burning Abyss" monster from her GY. She Special Summons Graff (1000/1500/3) in Defense Position. Persephone activates Cherubini's effect, sending the Level 3 Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from her Deck to the GY and targeting Graff. It gains ATK/DEF equal to Scarm's ATK/DEF until the end of the turn (Graff: 1000→1800/1500→3500). Persephone Sets 2 cards. She ends her turn, and Cherubini's effect ends (Graff: 1800→1000/3500→1500). During the End Phase, as Scarm is in the GY because it was sent there this turn, Persephone can add 1 Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from her Deck to her hand.

Turn 2: Diana

Diana draws. She Normal Summons VirtuaBeast Spam Scorpion (1300/500/3). She uses Spam Scorpion to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Gigabyte Goblin (800/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Spam Scorpion was used to Link Summon a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana can target 1 card Persephone controls and destroy it. She targets Persephone's Set card, but Persephone chains her Set Trap Card Fiend Griefing, targeting Spam Scorpion in Diana's GY. Spam Scorpion is shuffled into Diana's Deck, then Persephone sends 1 Fiend monster from her Deck to the GY. She sends Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the GY. Spam Scorpion's effect resolves without target. As Calcab was sent to the GY, Diana can target 1 Set Spell/Trap Card and return it to the hand. She targets her Set card. As an effect was activated that would return it to the hand, Persephone activates her Set Trap Card Treasure Map, drawing 2 cards and discarding 1. She draws, then discards Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. As Alich was sent to the GY, Persephone can target 1 face-up monster and negate its effects until the end of the turn. She targets Gigabyte Goblin. As she controls a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana Special Summons VirtuaBeast Hacked Hawk (1600/200/4) in Attack Position. Diana uses Hacked Hawk and Gigabyte Goblin to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Processor Phoenix (2000/2/↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Hacked Hawk was used to Link Summon a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana Special Summons 1 VirtuaBeast Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. 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 Hacked Hawk (1600/200/4) in Attack Position. Diana uses Hacked Hawk and VirtuaBeast Token to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Graphic Griffin (1800/2/←→) to Processor Phoenix's bottom Link Marker. As she controls a "VirtuaBeast" Link Monster, Diana Special Summons VirtuaBeast CPU Crab (1400/1600/5) in Attack Position. She uses CPU Crab and Link-2 Processor Phoenix to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Chrome Centaur (2200/3/←↓→) to Graphic Griffin's left Link Marker. As CPU Crab was used to Link Summon a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana can target 1 "VirtuaBeast" monster she controls and increase its ATK by 800 until the end of the turn. She targets Chrome Centaur (Chrome Centaur: 2200→3000). Diana Sets 1 card.

Graphic Griffin attacks and destroys Graff. As Diana's co-linked "VirtuaBeast" monster destroyed a monster by battle, Graphic Griffin inflicts 800 damage (Persephone: 4000→3200 LP). As Graff was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her Deck. She Special Summons Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1700/1000/3) in Attack Position. Chrome Centaur attacks Cherubini. As Cherubini would be destroyed by battle, Persephone can send 1 other card she controls to the GY instead. She sends Barbar to the GY (Persephone: 3200→700 LP). As Barbar was sent to the GY, Persephone can target up to 3 other "Burning Abyss" cards in her GY, banish them, and inflict 300 damage to Diana for each. She targets and banishes Alich, Calcab, and Rubic (Diana: 4000→3100 LP). Diana ends her turn, and CPU Crab's effect ends (Chrome Centaur: 3000→2200).

Turn 3: Persephone

Persephone draws. She activates Virgil's effect, discarding Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss and targeting Chrome Centaur, but as Persephone 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 Virgil's effect, then Diana can activate 1 Link Spell directly from her Deck. Diana activates the Link Spell Card Salvation Arrows (↖↑↗) at the Spell & Trap Zone Chrome Centaur points to. Link Monsters linked to Salvation Arrows are unaffected by Persephone's card effects, and when Salvation Arrows leaves the field, monsters linked to it are returned to the owner's hand. Persephone activates the Spell Card Pre-Preparation of Rites, adding the Ritual Spell Card Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss from her Deck to her hand and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss from her GY to her hand. Persephone activates Cherubini's effect, sending Djinn Demolisher of Rituals from her Deck to her GY and targeting Virgil (Virgil: 2500→4000). Persephone activates the Ritual Spell Card Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss. If she would Ritual Summon, she can banish Djinn Demolisher of Rituals from her GY as material. Persephone Tributes Level 3 Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in her hand and banishes Level 3 Djinn Demolisher from her GY to Ritual Summon Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss (2700/2200/6) in Attack Position. As Djinn Demolisher was used to Ritual Summon Malacoda, it cannot be targeted by Diana's card effects. As Cagna was sent to the GY, Persephone can send 1 "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap from her Deck to the GY. She sends the Trap Card Avarice of the Burning Abyss to the GY.

Virgil attacks Graphic Griffin. "VirtuaBeast" monsters linked to Chrome Centaur cannot be destroyed by battle (Diana: 3100→900 LP). Malacoda attacks Graphic Griffin. As she took battle damage this turn, Diana sends VirtuaBeast File Feline from her hand to the GY, and for the rest of the turn, any battle damage she takes becomes 0. The attack continues but Graphic Griffin is not destroyed. Persephone activates her Skill Legendary Awakening, which lets her perform a Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Summon using monsters on her field as materials. She fuses Cherubini, Malacoda, and Virgil to Fusion Summon Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss (2800/2500/9) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Malacoda was sent from the field to the GY, Persephone can target 1 card on the field, then send it to the GY. She targets Salvation Arrows, but Diana chains her Skill Transcendent Link, which lets her Link Summon using monsters she controls. Diana uses Chrome Centaur and Link-2 Graphic Griffin to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Malware Manticore (2300/3/↙↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Malacoda's effect resolves, and Salvation Arrows is sent to the GY. Persephone ends her turn.

Turn 4: Diana

Diana draws. As Persephone controls a monster, she Special Summons VirtuaBeast Server Serval (1800/400/4) to Malware Manticore's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. As a monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Malware Manticore's effect activates, and Diana targets and Special Summons 1 Level 4 or lower "VirtuaBeast" monster from her GY in Attack Position with its effects negated. She targets and Special Summons Hacked Hawk (1600/200/4). Diana uses Hacked Hawk, Server Serval, and Malware Manticore to Link Summon VirtuaBeast Shutdown Sphinx (2200/3/↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Hacked Hawk and Server Serval were used to Link Summon a "VirtuaBeast" monster, Diana Special Summons 1 VirtuaBeast Token (0/0/1) to Shutdown Sphinx's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position and adds VirtuaBeast Kingdom from her Deck to her hand. Persephone activates the effect of Avarice of the Burning Abyss in her GY, banishing it to add 1 "Burning Abyss" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to her hand. Persephone activates Dante's effect, sending Farfa from her hand to the GY to draw 1 card. As Farfa was sent to the GY, Diana can target 1 monster on the field and banish it until the End Phase. Persephone targets Shutdown Sphinx, but as Persephone activated a card or effect that targeted a "VirtuaBeast" monster she controls, Diana chains Shutdown Sphinx's effect, Tributing VirtuaBeast Token, negating the activation of Farfa's effect, and banishing it. Diana activates the Field Spell Card VirtuaBeast Kingdom. "VirtuaBeast" monsters she controls cannot be targeted by Persephone's card effects. Diana activates VirtuaBeast Kingdom's effect, targeting Shutdown Sphinx. Shutdown Sphinx is Earth, so Diana can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "VirtuaBeast" monster from her GY with its effects negated. She Special Summons Hacked Hawk (1600/200/4) to Shutdown Sphinx's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Shutdown Sphinx attacks Dante. As it is battling Persephone's monster, Diana activates Shutdown Sphinx's effect, Tributing the linked Hacked Hawk to make Dante's ATK 0 and negate its effects (Dante: 2800→0). The attack continues and Dante is destroyed (Persephone: 700→0 LP). Diana wins.


Lilith vs. Roboppi

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Roboppi

Roboppi Normal Summons Appliancer Socketroll (100/100/1). They activate the effect of Appliancer Copybokkle in their hand, targeting Socketroll. Copybokkle is Special Summoned (0/0/1) in Attack Position, and its name, Type, and Attribute become the same as Socketroll's until the end of the turn. As another Socketroll was Special Summoned to the field, Socketroll's effect lets Roboppi Special Summon 1 Socketroll (100/100/1) from their Deck in Attack Position. Roboppi uses Copybokkle and Socketroll to Link Summon Appliancer Celtopus (0/2/↙↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Roboppi uses Socketroll to Link Summon Appliancer Propelion (1200/1/↑) to Celtopus's bottom Link Marker. While Celtopus is linked, Lilith's monsters cannot target it for attacks or with card effects. Roboppi activates the Spell Card Appliancer Reuse, which lets them Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Appliancer" monster from their GY, but that monster will be shuffled into their Deck when it leaves the field. They Special Summon Socketroll (100/100/1) in Defense Position. Roboppi uses Socketroll to Link Summon Appliancer Vacculephant (1000/1/↗) to Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker. Roboppi ends their turn.

Turn 2: Lilith

Lilith draws. She activates the Field Spell Card Astrogard Armory. While Astrogard Armory is on the field, "Astrogard" cards in her Spell & Trap Zone cannot be targeted or destroyed by Roboppi's card effects. Lilith Normal Summons Astrogard Rapier (1400/600/4). Lilith uses Rapier to Link Summon Astrogard Dainsleif (1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Rapier was sent to the GY to Link Summon an "Astrogard" monster, Lilith equips it to Dainsleif. As Lilith Special Summoned an "Astrogard" Link Monster from the Extra Deck, Astrogard Armory's effect lets Lilith add 1 "Astrogard" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Astrogard Comet to her hand. Lilith activates Dainsleif's effect to target and Special Summon 1 "Astrogard" Monster Card from her Spell & Trap Zone to Dainsleif's Link Marker. She Special Summons Rapier (1400/600/4) to Dainsleif's Link Marker in Attack Position. Lilith uses Rapier and Dainsleif to Link Summon Astrogard Tyrfing (1800/2/←↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Lilith activates Tyrfing's effect to Special Summon 1 "Astrogard" monster from her hand to its Link Marker. She Special Summons Astrogard Gladius (800/1200/4) to Tyrfing's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Lilith uses Gladius and Link-2 Tyrfing to Link Summon Astrogard Balmung (2400/3/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. She activates Balmung's effect to equip 1 "Astrogard" monster in her GY to it. She equips Gladius to it. While Gladius is equipped to Balmung, it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase, and Balmung's effect increases its ATK by 300 for each "Astrogard" card equipped to it (Balmung: 2400→2700). As she controls an "Astrogard" monster, Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Astrogard Comet, targeting Propelion. Until the end of the turn, Propelion's ATK becomes 0 and it is unaffected by other card effects, except its own (Propelion: 1200→0).

Balmung attacks Propelion. As Roboppi's monster was attacked while Propelion was co-linked, Roboppi activates its effect to halve Balmung's ATK during damage calculation only (Balmung: 2700→1350). Propelion is destroyed (Roboppi: 4000→2650 LP) (Balmung: 1350→2700). Balmung attacks Vacculephant. As Roboppi's Link Monster co-linked to Celtopus is battling and Roboppi controls only "Appliancer" monsters, Celtopus's effect increases Vacculephant's ATK by 1000 for each monster co-linked to Celtopus during damage calculation (Vacculephant: 1000→2000). The attack continues and Vacculephant is destroyed (Roboppi: 2650→1950 LP). Lilith ends her turn.

Turn 3: Roboppi

Roboppi draws. They activate the Spell Card Appliancer Test, targeting Celtopus for its effect. Roboppi can then Special Summon as many Link-1 "Appliancer" Link Monsters from their GY as possible to their field so they are co-linked to Celtopus, but their ATK becomes 0 and they are banished during the End Phase. Roboppi Special Summons Propelion (1200→0/1/↑) to Celtopus's bottom Link Marker and Vacculephant (1000→0/1/↗) to Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker. Roboppi activates the effect of Vacculephant, sending Appliancer Coating from their hand to the GY to target and destroy 1 card Lilith controls. They target Balmung. As Balmung is on the field, Lilith can activate "Astrogard" Spell/Trap Cards from her hand. As Roboppi activated a monster effect while she controls an "Astrogard" monster equipped with an "Astrogard" card, Lilith activates the Counter Trap Card Astrogard Black Hole from her hand, negating the activation of Vacculephant's effect and destroying it. As Roboppi's "Appliancer" Link Monster was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY, Roboppi activates the effect of Appliancer Coating in their GY, targeting Vacculephant in their GY and Dainsleif in Lilith's GY. Vacculephant is Special Summoned (1000/1/↗) to Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker and Dainsleif is banished, then Appliancer Coating is banished. Roboppi uses Vacculephant to Link Summon Appliancer Laundry Dragon (1500/1/↑) to Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker. Roboppi uses Propelion to Link Summon Appliancer Dryer Drake (0/1/↗) to Celtopus's bottom Link Marker.

Laundry Dragon attacks Balmung. At the start of the Damage Step, Lilith activates Balmung's effect to send the Gladius equipped to it to the GY to destroy Laundry Dragon (Balmung: 2700→2400). As an "Appliancer" monster that was not co-linked to Celtopus was destroyed by battle or card effect, Celtopus's effect lets Roboppi draw 1 card. They activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Appliancer Rebuild, which lets them Special Summon 1 "Appliancer" Link Monster from their GY to their "Appliancer" Link Monster's Link Marker. They Special Summon Laundry Dragon (1500/1/↑) to Celtopus's bottom-left Link Marker. Laundry Dragon attacks Balmung. As the Laundry Dragon that is not co-linked is battling Lilith's monster, neither player takes any battle damage from this battle, also Balmung is destroyed, and Lilith takes damage equal to Balmung's original ATK (Lilith: 4000→1600 LP). Roboppi activates their Skill, Appliancer Switch, which lets them target 2 "Appliancer" Link Monsters they control and switch their locations, then during the End Phase, their locations are switched again. Roboppi switches the locations of Dryer Drake and Laundry Dragon. The co-linked Dryer Drake gains 1000 ATK (Dryer Drake: 0→1000). Dryer Drake attacks Lilith directly (Lilith: 1600→600 LP). As Dryer Drake is co-linked, Roboppi activates its effect to switch its location with Laundry Dragon to allow Laundry Dragon to make a second attack during the Battle Phase (Dryer Drake: 1000→0). Laundry Dragon attacks Lilith directly. As Lilith would take damage that would reduce her LP to 0, Lilith activates her Skill Astral Projection, which reduces the damage to 0 and inflicts half the damage to Roboppi instead (Roboppi: 1950→450 LP). Roboppi ends their turn. During the End Phase, Appliancer Switch switches Dryer Drake's and Laundry Dragon's locations (Dryer Drake: 0→1000).

Turn 4: Lilith

Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Astrogard Flamberge (1200/800/4). She activates Flamberge's effect to Special Summon 1 "Astrogard" Link Monster in her GY and equip Flamberge to it. She Special Summons Balmung (2400/3/←↓→) and equips Flamberge to it (Balmung: 2400→2700). While Flamberge is equipped to a monster, that monster gains 800 ATK (Balmung: 2700→3500). Lilith activates Balmung's effect to equip Gladius in her GY to it (Balmung: 3500→3800). While Gladius is equipped to Balmung, it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Astrogard Pulsar, targeting Balmung. Until the end of the turn, Balmung gains ATK equal to its original ATK, also Lilith's other monsters cannot attack (Balmung: 3800→6200).

Balmung attacks Laundry Dragon. At the start of the Damage Step, Lilith activates Balmung's effect, sending the equipped Flamberge to the GY to destroy Laundry Dragon (Balmung: 6200→5100). Balmung attacks Dryer Drake (Dryer Drake: 1000→2000). As Roboppi's "Appliancer" monster was attacked, Roboppi activates the effect of Appliancer Rebuild in their GY, banishing it so that Lilith takes the battle damage as well. Dryer Drake is destroyed (Lilith: 600→0 LP) (Roboppi: 1200→0 LP). The duel ends in a draw.


Goldie's copies vs. Cassiel and Revolver

An unknown amount of time is skipped. Goldie controls Cyseraph Guardian Michael (3000/4/←↑↓→) and Revolver controls Borrelsword Dragon (3000/4/←↙↑↓). The first Goldie clone has 2500 LP, and the other has 1000 LP.

Turn ?: Cassiel

Guardian Michael attacks Goldie directly (Goldie: 2500→0 LP). Cassiel wins.

Turn ?: Revolver

Borrelsword Dragon attacks Goldie directly (Goldie: 1000→0 LP). Revolver wins.


Galahad:

Curse of Dragon Thunder
Attribute: DARK Type: [Dragon/Effect] ATK 2000 DEF 1500 Level: 5
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can declare a Level between 1 and 8; this card becomes the declared Level until the end of the turn. A Dragon Xyz Monster that has this card as material gains this effect.
-This card is treated as a "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster. It cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.

Spell Substitution Normal Trap Card
Send 1 Normal Spell from your Deck to the GY; this effect becomes that Spell's effect when that card is activated. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation.

Order of the Fierce Knights Continuous Spell Card
Dragon and Warrior monsters you control cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects. You can target 1 monster you control, then send up to 3 Warrior monsters from your Deck to the GY; this turn, you cannot declare attacks, except with the targeted monster, also during each Battle Phase it can make attacks up to the number of sent monsters. If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can add 1 Dragon or Warrior monster from your GY to your hand. You can only use each effect of "Order of the Fierce Knights" once per turn.

Goldie:

Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus
Attribute: WATER Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 1000 Level: 4
When your "Holozoic" monster battles an opponent's monster (Quick Effect): You can banish this card from your hand or GY; you take no damage from that battle. You can only use this effect of "Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus" once per turn. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes 0.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can target 1 face-up card your opponent controls; negate its effects.

Holozoic Apex Beast – Prevailing Pteranodon
Attribute: WIND Type: [Cyberse/Synchro/Effect] ATK 2500 DEF 2000 Level: 8
1 WIND Cyberse Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters
After this card is Synchro Summoned, you take no damage for the rest of this turn. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; shuffle it into the Deck, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK. You can only use this effect of "Holozoic Apex Beast – Prevailing Pteranodon" once per turn.

Holozoic Evolution Normal Spell Card
Send 1 "Holozoic" monster from your hand to the GY; add 1 "Holozoic" monster with a different original name from your Deck to your hand. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Holozoic" card from your GY to your hand. You can only use 1 "Holozoic Evolution" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Holozoic Crest Normal Trap Card
Target 1 "Holozoic" monster you control; for the rest of this turn, you take no damage from battles involving that monster. If an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: You can banish this card from your GY; negate that attack, then draw 1 card. You can only use each effect of "Holozoic Crest" once per turn.

Persephone:

Avarice of the Burning Abyss Normal Trap Card
For the rest of this turn, "Burning Abyss" monsters you control cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects. During the Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can banish this card from the GY; add 1 "Burning Abyss" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only use 1 "Avarice of the Burning Abyss" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Diana:

VirtuaBeast Shutdown Sphinx (name credit to ThePLOThand)
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2200 LINK-3
↑↓→
3 "VirtuaBeast" monsters
When your opponent activates a card or effect that targets a "VirtuaBeast" monster(s) you control (Quick Effect): You can Tribute 1 monster this card points to; negate the activation, and if you do, banish that card. If this card battles an opponent's monster (Quick Effect): You can Tribute 1 monster in your zone this card points to; that opponent's monster's ATK becomes 0 and its effects are negated. You can only use each effect of "VirtuaBeast Shutdown Sphinx" once per turn.

Lilith:

Astrogard Rapier
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1400 DEF 600 Level: 4
If this card is sent to the GY as material for the Link Summon of an "Astrogard" monster: You can equip it with this card. You can only activate this effect of "Astrogard Rapier" once per turn. A monster equipped with this card gains the following effect.
-This card cannot be destroyed by battle.

Astrogard Dainsleif
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 1000 LINK-1
1 FIRE Cyberse monster
During either player's turn, you can activate "Astrogard" Spell/Trap Cards from your hand. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Astrogard" Monster Card in your Spell & Trap Zone; Special Summon it to your zone this card points to.

Astrogard Tyrfing
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←↓
2 FIRE Cyberse monsters
During either player's turn, you can activate "Astrogard" Spell/Trap Cards from your hand. Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 "Astrogard" monster from your hand to your zone this card points to.

Astrogard Gladius
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 800 DEF 1200 Level: 4
(Quick Effect): You can target 1 "Astrogard" Link Monster you control; equip it with this card (from your hand or field). You can only activate this effect of "Astrogard Gladius" once per turn. A monster equipped with this card gains the following effect.
-This card can make a second attack during each Battle Phase.

Astrogard Balmung
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↓→
2+ FIRE Cyberse monsters
During either player's turn, you can activate "Astrogard" Spell/Trap Cards from your hand. This card gains 300 ATK for each "Astrogard" card equipped to it. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Astrogard" monster in your GY; equip it to this card. At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles an opponent's monster: You can send 1 "Astrogard" card equipped to this card to the GY; destroy the opponent's monster. You can only use this effect of "Astrogard Balmung" once per turn.

Astrogard Flamberge
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1200 DEF 800 Level: 4
You can target 1 "Astrogard" Link Monster in your GY; Special Summon it and equip this card to it. You can only activate this effect of "Astrogard Flamberge" once per turn. A monster equipped with this card gains the following effect.
-This card gains 800 ATK.

Astrogard Armory Field Spell Card
"Astrogard" cards in your Spell & Trap Zone cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects, also your opponent cannot target them with card effects. Once per turn, if you Special Summon an "Astrogard" Link Monster from the Extra Deck: You can add 1 "Astrogard" card from your Deck to your hand. If this card leaves the field because of an opponent's card: You can add 1 "Astrogard" card from your GY to your hand.

Astrogard Comet Quick-Play Spell Card
If you control an "Astrogard" monster: Target 1 monster on the field; until the end of the turn, change its ATK/DEF to 0, also it is unaffected by other card effects, except its own. You can only activate 1 "Astrogard Comet" per turn.

Astrogard Black Hole Counter Trap Card
When your opponent activates a monster effect while you control an "Astrogard" monster equipped with an "Astrogard" card: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card. You can only activate 1 "Astrogard Black Hole" per turn.

Astrogard Pulsar Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 "Astrogard" monster you control; until the end of the turn, it gains ATK equal to its original ATK, also your other monsters cannot attack. You can only activate 1 "Astrogard Pulsar" per turn.

Roboppi:

Appliancer Rebuild Quick-Play Spell Card

Target 1 "Appliancer" Link Monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your zone your "Appliancer" Link Monster points to. If your "Appliancer" monster is attacked by an opponent's monster: You can banish this card from your GY; both players take any battle damage from that battle. You can only use 1 "Appliancer Rebuild" effect per turn, and only once that turn.


Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 79 – Final Defense. Ai and Goldie have boarded the plane Akira and Aoi are on. As Pandor faces Ai atop the plane, Terminus confronts Goldie in the network…


Question of the Chapter

What are your initial impressions of Lilith's new Deck?


Author's Notes

Thank you to SakushiRyu and Haoh Ryu Z-ARC for proofreading the duels and OC cards of this chapter. And thank you to sanedimentio for the name of Lilith's new Deck.

Again, this took a long time to write, and this chapter ended up being longer than I thought it would. But I wanted to give each character their due, and this chapter was the debut of Lilith's new Deck. So let's go down the list.

First off, Goldie vs. Galahad. Naturally, we had to have someone not know who Galahad is, but this time wasn't Goldie's fault. And Galahad got a good showing against her; it isn't easy to get out six attacks with one monster. But alas, Goldie won, and she did so with a Wind Synchro Monster that represents Windy.

Second was Diana vs. Persephone. Not much to say, but I'm kind of regretting not having done scenes with Aoi and Persephone before this; I think that would have benefited Persephone here. But we did get scenes with the Stahlritter, Chimera, and Erebus, and I hope they decently showed off more of their personalities.

And last was Lilith vs. Roboppi, with the former showing off her new Deck courtesy of the Knights of Hanoi: Astrogard. I came up with this Deck a long time ago; their playstyle is a mix of Marincess, Dragunity, and Magical Musket, while their design is a mix of Heroic Challenger and Salamangreat. I do understand Lilith using them and the Hanoi creating them might be weird; this does seem like a Deck Cypher would make. But what's done is done, and I'm looking forward to showing off more of the Astrogard Deck. As for the result of the duel, well, I couldn't have the Astrogard debut be a loss, could I? But at the same time, it's too soon for Roboppi to lose, so the duel ended in a draw.

And finally, we have the Zaizens and Terminus on the plane, Ai and Goldie going after them, and Jormungand having access to the plane. Of course he does; why wouldn't he? Even Revolver can have the wool pulled over his eyes.

Thank you for reading Chapter 78 of Hidden Memories. Please leave a review of your thoughts on the chapter. Hopefully there won't be such a long delay until Chapter 79 comes out, but no promises. Again, I am just really tired.