Chapter 16: Return of the Light Ignis

In Blue Maiden's eyes, she starts to stir awake. Her vision clears and she sees steel bars. She gets up and sees herself in a cage.

"Look who's awake."

Blue Maiden turns to the owner of the voice and sees Tea, Alexis, Akiza, Tori, and Zuzu.

"What's going on here?" Blue Maiden asked.

"Long story." Akiza said. "Do you remember how you got here?"

"I was leaving SOL Technologies after a duel. I was about to head to the plaza to meet someone."

"The plaza? Why go there?" Tori said.

"Next thing I know, I'm here, inside this cage with all of you." Blue Maiden explained.

"You're not alone." Zuzu said. "One minute, I was resting in a spring, the next I wake up inside this cage."

"But what would they want with us?"

"Quiet." Akiza shushed them. "Someone's coming."

The footsteps echo in the dark room. Once the mystery person steps into the light of the lone video monitor, he is revealed as the Doktor.

"Ah, our leading ladies are finally awake." The Doktor smiled evilly.

"It's you!" Zuzu gasps in horror.

"Someone you know, Zuzu?" Tori asked.

"He created those parasites that brainwashed me and my other selves!" Zuzu told them. She then switched to Rin.

"When Celina, Lulu and I had those parasites, we were given the power to Fusion Summon with them." Rin stated. "I wouldn't even think of using those bug cards. I always hated bugs! Yugo would vouch for me if he were here."

"But he isn't." The Doktor smirked.

"What do you want with us!?" Alexis asked him.

The Doktor chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not planning to harm you all. In fact, you're the perfect bait."

"Bait? Who is it you want?" Akiza questioned.

"The only person who had the audacity to obliterate my lab and wipe out my precious parasites!" The Doktor sneered. Though the other girls were clueless, Zuzu already figured out who he wants after she switched back.

"Yuya…"

"Correct!" the Doktor shouts. "It was indeed Yuya Sakaki! He went mad and used his dragon to destroy my lab!"

"You wanted revenge against Yuya? He wasn't himself when that happened!" Zuzu pleaded.

"I don't care what happened. For destroying my parasites, I'll destroy him!" Doktor laughed crazily. He hasn't noticed that Alexis has sent a secret SOS signal to a classmate of hers.

Elsewhere, Playmaker meets up with Yugi and the others. "How's it going so far?"

"I've already got four crystals." Jaden told them.

"I have three." Yuya said showing his crystals.

"I've got four." Playmaker said.

"I have three so far." Yugi said.

"I have five." Yusei said. "How about you, Yuma?"

Yuma was embarrassed to say it. "Sorry, I only have two."

"Only two? You need to step up your game, Yuma!" Jaden tries motivating him.

"Jaden's right. At this rate, you'll never make it to the finals." Yusei agreed.

"He does make a fair point." They hear Ai's voice. The heroes turn to see him.

"Ai." Playmaker glared.

"It's been so long, Playmaker." Ai greeted them and he sees the others. "And I see you made some new friends."

"Uh… hello." Yugi nervously greeted him.

"Pleased to meet you." Ai said. "You must be Jaden Yuki, Yuya Sakaki, Yusei Fudo, Yuma Tsukumo, and Yugi Muto."

"How do you know our names?" Yusei asked.

"This may sound strange to you, but as an Ignis, I get a lot of knowledge in Link VRAINS, including legendary monsters and the duelists who own them." Ai said. "Take Yusei Fudo, for example. He uses weaker monsters to make stronger monsters that bring him victory."

"He's good." Jaden whispered.

"So, what brings you out here?" Playmaker questioned.

"I've come to give my humblest apologies." Ai stated, surprising Playmaker. "Ever since we met, I've come to terms with the belief that humans and AI should coexist with one another, but after Lightning was erased, I was conflicted that maybe Lightning was right about his belief. But once I was defeated by you, I now realized that both sides could be right. If Dr. Kogami had noticed sooner that only Lightning would turn us against mankind, things would be a whole lot different."

"Yes, but Dr. Kogami was hospitalized before all the simulations could be fully run." They hear a voice all too familiar to Playmaker and Ai ahead of them. They turn and see Bohman and a fair-skinned human with shoulder-length blonde hair, and dark yellow eyes. He wears a black shirt with a single gold vertical stripe, denim jeans, and white shoes marked with his Ignis symbol on his right shoe. Ai almost instantly identified the latter as Lightning.

"Oh glitch! It's Lightning and Bohman!" Ai recognized them.

"I haven't seen them since the war." Playmaker noted.

"Ah, Playmaker. We meet again." Lightning greeted them. "I see you got a new look, Ai. It suits you."

"I should say the same about yours." Ai added.

"Why are you here?" Playmaker questioned.

"Why else? I'm here to avenge my defeat in Mirror Link VRAINS." Bohman challenged Playmaker.

"Oh, so you're here for another duel?" Playmaker said.

"You read me like a book."

"If it's a duel you want, you'll get it." Bohman smirks. "Only it's not with me. Your opponent is Ai."

"What?"

"Had he not infiltrated your Neuron Link in our duel, I wouldn't have obtained the card that defeated you." Playmaker informed him.

"You bring up a fair point, Playmaker." Bohman said. "Very well. Ai!"

"Yes, Bohman?" Ai asked.

"I believe you owe me a duel after what you did." Bohman challenged the Ignis.

"Okay, I'll oblige." Ai agrees. "It's been a while since I had a chance to battle."

While Ai and Bohman prepare to duel, Playmaker and Lightning are left. "That leaves just you and me, Playmaker."

"Lightning, of all the times to confront us, why now?" Playmaker questioned.

"Is it not obvious? I believe the host of this tournament has some ulterior motives for the tournament." Lightning said.

"Do you really believe that?"

"Would an Ignis lie to you?" Lightning responds. "I must admit, Playmaker - defeating Bohman would've been impossible if the rest of the Ignis hadn't lent you our power." Lightning admitted.

"On that one thing, we agree, Lightning." Playmaker said.

"But that does not mean I will respect you now. And if you want that respect, you will have to defeat me in a duel." Lightning challenged. "But let's make this more interesting. I say we add a little wager, and I'm not just talking about Link Crystals."

"How's this: I win, you and Bohman join our side. I lose, the Ignis are yours to do as you please." Playmaker declared the terms.

"Fair enough. After all, I've been able to upgrade my deck and with my newfound power, this is where you fall, Playmaker!" Two different duels take place in the dangerous desert and these next words will decide who is victorious.

"Time to duel!"

To be continued…