Response to Reviews

Thank you to HunterHQ, Ambiguous, Guest, Unnamed, Cyber Warrior, Noobmaster, Kingdom Hearts Guy, Big Duels, Jason, T.V. 2000, Flash King, and Pancakes for reviewing Chapter 84 of Obscured Truth.

Hi, everyone! As always, I hope you're safe and sound wherever you are in the world. We're in the holiday season, so I'll do my best to do a bit more uploads than usual, especially as there will be one duel per chapter following this chapter.

But enough talk. Let's get to answering some reviews:

HunterHQ: I'll make that edit as soon as I can. Touching moments are needed, especially because it allows the characters to talk and reflect on the people they once were, as well as how much they've grown. It also gives them a chance to be grateful for what they have, and what they learned. In my defense for the Bitboots, they're nothing more than cannon fodder, but I at least wanted to bump up their skills a bit now that they've been infected by Malf. It was either that or the heroes storm the castle and stop Bohman from synchronizing with LINK VRAINS. Regarding Avengers: Age of Ultron, that makes sense, for the Hanoi wanted to kill the Ignis upon realizing the damage they can cause to humanity. In the end, they settled for an AI with limited free will. I will say this for the last time: Yuhiro isn't going to corrupt Turboblaze Dragon. Of course that's how Yuhiro and Yukage are different. Whereas Yuhiro accepted what came his way, Yukage decided to forge his own path no matter the cost.

Ambiguous: Of course life isn't always kind. Everyone has free will, where their choices can either positively or negatively affect others. Regarding Azrael, I wanted to create a villain that people can relate to rather than a mere juggernaut who was unstoppable and had no personality whatsoever. In my opinion, villains that people can relate to have the most impact regarding the story. It helps you learn things from different perspectives. Even if Bohman noticed the snares, there's so many that it'd take him a long time to disarm each one. While Lightning can sense that the Bitboots were killed, he can't determine that it was Jericho due to the fact that the snares are masking his presence. That, and Jericho also has a masking program as a backup. Therefore, Lightning would assume that the Bitboots are being finished off by the heroes. And let's be honest: If Jericho dueled against Lightning, the former would win, especially how he has no qualms in letting humans die for his own goals.

Guest: While Yeshurun has his Chaos Xyz monster, he doesn't use it. Rather, it's locked away until someone worthy can use its power without getting corrupted. He's not like the other Black Market leaders due to his honour.

Unnamed: Gil's virus bomb was used to deal with the Bitboots until Lightning had Malf infect them, thus changing their code and making it ineffective. If Urizen appeared in the chaos, both the heroes and villains would be screwed, no questions asked.

Cyber Warrior: Since there's people calling Slipstream by the ridiculous nickname Slimpstream, I decided to put that in for both laughs and to throw it back in the faces of those people. While there are a few good things that came from Sevens and Go Rush, I prefer the first six Yu-Gi-Oh series because that's what I grew up with.

Noobmaster: You'll see a Darkscourge version of Full Metal Dunkle in this chapter. While the Hanoi aren't aware that Raguel can log into the network whole, they have made contingencies to deal with him. And should Raguel truly become a threat to humanity, then of the Hanoi, Revolver would have the greatest chance to defeat him. The Kings don't realize that Akira was responsible for exposing their crimes to Greg about Central Japan. And need I remind you that Yukage and Yuhiro lost their parents, so in a sense, Yukage already lost someone he cared about. In addition, Yukage lost the person he once was. Yes, Yuhiro made other cards using Ace's deck as inspiration. And Herald can ask the Cyreath monsters to be on alert for anything suspicious. The Bit and Boot Gil captured now serves him. For the contingency, I won't spoil when it will be used.

Kingdom Hearts Guy: Thank you very much. I hope you enjoy the rest of the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc.

Big Duels: Don't worry about it. Well, Revolver obviously tanked the full blast of the scan like a champ, thus showing how strong he is as both a human and a duelist. For Zero's deck, I do plan on expanding its strategies aside from bringing out Yggdrago. What hypnotist duelist are you talking about? Well, Slipstream had every right to be angry for hearing Bitboot call him Slimpstream. And thanks for the good luck and wishes.

Jason: You'll see once the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc is over.

T.V. 2000: Well, I do wanted to give the Bitboots a fighting chance before getting booted out of the story. A good majority of them, anyway. It was my plan to have Azrael break the fourth wall, so expect more fourth wall breaks in this season. As for your answer to the QOTC, everyone has their own opinions.

Flash King: No, I haven't read that fanfic yet.

Pancakes: In all honesty, not your best sketch, but not your worst one either.

Now that all reviews have been answered, it's time to get to the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 85: Bonds Beyond Time

In a desolate landscape under a bloody sky, two pendants, one white-ruby and one white-sapphire, fall to the ground before transforming into Excalibur and Muramasa. Their owners, Raguel and Azrael, grab their swords before charging at one another, the blade lock resulting in a flash of light flooding the screen. When the light fades, LINK VRAINS is shown before being replaced my Mirror LINK VRAINS. The Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS logo then appears, with the words "OBSCURED TRUTH" to ominously appear underneath it in rainbow colours. Two symbols also appear underneath those words, with the first one consisting of a dark-orange demonic crest that had lion fangs on the sides, as well as Excalibur slashing it down the middle. The other symbol consisted of a dark-blue demonic crest that had two mirage blades making an X, as well as Muramasa slashing it down the middle.

Yuhiro, Yusaku, Takeru, and Arashi are sitting around a table at Café Nagi, looking at duel footage as they discuss strategies they can use to counter their enemies. At a nearby table, Roxy, Kusanagi, and Greg are chatting, a hamburger in Roxy's hand, and a hotdog in Kusanagi's hand. Rachel is shown nearby playing with Rasterliger, Salamangreat Balelynx, and Linkuriboh, until the four of them turn their heads to see Herald, Ai, and Flame chatting on the best type of entertainment in the world. All four of them go towards the three chatting Ignis and scare them with a large shout. This causes Yuhiro, Yusaku, Takeru, Arashi, Roxy, Kusanagi, and Greg to laugh at the three Ignis, who are still flustered by the prank.

Kengo Dojun looks down at the hospital bed his mother is on, gritting his teeth before making a fist with his right hand. At another hospital room, Yuhiro, Roxy, and Aoi are shown, where they look down on Miyu resting on her hospital bed. Yuhiro puts his hands on the sides of his head, a panicked and stressed look on his face as Roxy and Aoi try to calm him down, his anxiety settling in. Red, glowing cracks start to spread over his body before dimming on and off. Behind him, shadows form, one of which is Cyreath Pandora twirling around before he eyes glow red, where she raises her right arm in front of her and places her left hand on her chest, as if she were singing. After she disappears, Cyreath Alastor appears in her place, his multicolored shapes resembling eyes glowing as the knight pulls out all three blades and slashes the screen completely.

Raguel and Playmaker appear, riding parallel to one another on their duel boards, with Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode and Firewall Dragon following after them. Next is Soulburner and Slipstream, with Salamangreat Heatleo and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon following after the second duo. Last but not least, Blue Maiden and Numera appear, with Marincess Marbled Rock and Geomathmech Final Sigma following after the third duo.

At SOL Technologies, Akira, Hayami, Queen, and Pawn are looking at a monitor that showed Go Onizuka in the training dome, having won a duel against a virtual Playmaker. While the first two individuals frowned with concern, the second two had satisfied smiles on their faces.

In a dark abandoned room, Yukage narrows his eyes as looks at a happy memory of him and Yuhiro playing together as children by using the memory scanner. Blue, glowing cracks start to appear on his right hand, causing Yukage to take deep breaths to calm himself down. After looking at his pendant for a few moments, Yukage puts on his duel disk before he and Wraith raise their right hands to the sky and log into the network. Haru is then shown training under Azrael's tutelage in a room of a palace, having faced off against multiple upgraded Bitboots with Hydradrive Nagini, Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun, and Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun behind him. Nearby, Azrael and Wraith watch the match, wanting to see how much stronger Haru has become.

The screen then shifts to another room of the palace, where Bohman is sitting cross-legged, his eyes closed as he begins to meditate. His eyes open before they glow a rainbow color, the glow also spreading to his chest as the room briefly lights up before dimming down. But in the shadows, Malf's eyes glow red as he proceeds to lick his mouth, hunger on his mind.

Silhouettes of Yua Kogami and Katsuya pop up before they morph into their VRAINS personas Demeter and Percival, where the screen goes back to one room of the palace. Windy, who is wearing a cape and eyepatch, commands Stormridership Bahamut Bomber to attack Demeter, who responds by having Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty intercept the attack. In another room, Jin Kusanagi stands with Lightning as the latter snaps his fingers, causing a small squad of Armatos Legio Decurions and Centurions to appear behind him. Armatos Legio Magnus Dux, along with Tribunus Laticlavius and Legatus Legionis also appeared behind Lightning. Percival growls as Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon rises from behind him, and two copies of Phantom Knights' Spear appear in his hands.

A silhouette of Ace is shown above Uchida Industries, his right hand outstretched over the company. Drachen faces off against a squad of Bitboots with Red-Eyes Black Dragon behind him, hellbent on getting it back from Ace. The screen then flips over to show Electrolyzer trying to escape his restraints using PSY-Framegears Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta, with Jericho ominously laughing in the background.

Smoke appears in various areas of the central station in LINK VRAINS, which has been attacked by multiple Bitboots. Phoenix and Gil stand back to back, with Nephthys, the Scared Flame and Abyss Actor – Evil Heel beside the duelists as they confront one Bitboot each. SengokuQueen and Ghost Girl do the same, with Secret Six Samurai – Rihan and Altergeist Memorygant beside the duelists as they too confront one Bitboot each. Stregone is shown arriving to assist both groups, Quintet Magician and Enlightenment Paladin behind him. Nearby, Rosetta confronts Ace, Black Rose Moonlight Dragon rising from behind her before roaring at Ace, who has Dystopia the Despondent rise behind him in response.

Watching these events using the Spatial Cube is Watchman, who is in his server. A disappointed look appears on his face before he pulls out a total of six Black Keys, three in each of his hands. Watchman's eyes glow purple before three copies of Crimson Nova the Dark Cubic Lord appear behind him, which proceed to fuse into Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord as the screen is covered with purple cubes.

Raguel and Azrael are then shown facing off against one another in a matrix-like battlefield. Turboblaze Dragon, along with Cyreaths Blazing Orthros, Aetos Dios, and Lernaean Hydra, appear behind Raguel before combining to form a tall, white-colored bipedal dragon with red irises and black pupils, as well as a long and slender neck. He had a long, voluminous wispy mane streaming out from the upper side of his snout and outwards from his head, with the two protrusions on his head having merged to form into a long, bright and blazing one. His four arms were slender and arm-like with a wing-like appearance and four fingers on his glowing, fiery claws. On his head was a golden piece of armor, with fiery-golden armor pieces on his feathered chest and body. Each of his feet had large grey claws, three at the front and one positioned at the back to resemble high heels. The jet-like engine tail's bands expanded outwards, with the feathers in it spiking upwards before a massive blast of fire erupts from it.

Teravolt Dragon, along with Cychaics Pluto, God of the Underworld, Jupiter, God of the Storm, and Neptune, God of the Sea, appear behind Azrael before combining to form a tall, purple-colored bipedal dragon with blue sclera and white pupils, as well as a small horn-like protrusion on the tip of his snout. His head sported a thundercloud-like crest tipped with yellow coloration, along with pieces of golden armor as well. At the base of his neck, his shoulders, knees, and wings was a black, stud-like feature resembling that of armor, with spikes appearing on the shoulders. His large wings consisted of a fanned shape that expanded outwards to show three spikes tipped with electricity. Strapped to his back was a halo with three spikes on it. Attached to his arms were baseball-mitt-like formations, with three-clawed hands on the undersides that glowed with electricity. His three-clawed feet also glowed with electricity as well. His tail now consisted of two electric generators with a spike at the end, which hummed before releasing electricity from it.

In a garden of Asagao flowers, Miyu sees Yuhiro on one knee, having grabbed the hilt of Excalibur to try and stand up on his feet, the sword having been planted on the ground. She run over and helps Yuhiro stand up on his feet, the both of them having grateful smiles on their faces. The both of them look upwards as the screen jumps to the bright sky and the glowing sun.

In Mirror LINK VRAINS...

Bitboot chased after Infearno, the two duelists riding parallel to one another. "Knight of Hanoi found! Let the extermination begin!"

"Really now? You think you can beat me, even with those pathetic upgrades Malf gave you?" Infearno questioned back. "Allow me to show you the strength I've built as a human!" Both duelists immediately activated their duel disks.

"Speed Duel!" Infearno and Bitboot shouted in unison.

Infearno: 4000 LP

Bitboot: 4000 LP

"We're going first! Our turn!" Bitboot said, having looked at their hand. "We summon Darkscourge Saber Sardine from our hand to our field!" A purple and grey mechanical fish that had a black star emblem with red eyes on its sides appeared on Bitboot's field.

Darkscourge Saber Sardine ATK: 800 DEF: 300 LV: 3

"We activate Saber Sardine's effect. Once per turn, by paying 400 life points, we can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge token' in defense position to our field." After Bitboot's life points dropped, a small purple and green orb that had a black star emblem with red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in defense position.

Bitboot: 4000 – 400 = 3600 LP

Darkscourge Token ATK: 200 DEF: 200 LV: 2

"Appear, our circuit!" Bitboot declared, as a Link Portal appeared above them. "The summoning conditions are two 'Darkscourge' monsters. We set Darkscourge Saber Sardine and the Darkscourge token into the Link Markers!" Saber Sardine went into the left arrowhead, while the Darkscourge token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Darkscourge Battle Coela!" A large, purple mechanical fish with black star emblems on its sides that had red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Instead of yellow eyes, it had red eyes, and light-red glowing lines ran over its body instead of green lines.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

"As there are no monsters in our Main Monster Zones, we can Special Summon Darkscourge Piercing Saury from our hand to our field." Bitboot continued, as a thin, purple and red fish that had a black star emblem with red eyes on its sides, as well as a light-purple glowing tip appeared on Bitboot's field.

Darkscourge Piercing Saury ATK: 1100 DEF: 800 LV: 3

"Next, we activate the Equip Spell card, Darkscourge Torpedo, and equip it onto Battle Coela!" A set of cannons with red spores on the sides attached themselves to Battle Coela's back. "We also activate Battle Coela's effect. Once per turn, we can move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to." Battle Coela moved downwards to the Main Monster Zone it pointed to.

"The time has come! We activate our Skill, Markers Portal!" Bitboot announced. The stars on Bitboot's body glowed as he placed his arms in front of him, one crossed on top of the other. "Once per duel, when our life points are less than our original amount, we can activate a Link Spell card from our deck. In addition, the Link Spell card that was activated by this Skill can no longer be negated or destroyed by your card effects.

"Of course they use that Skill..." Infearno muttered to himself. It seemed that Bitboot preferred to keep their original Skill instead of getting a new one from Malf. Then again, it was probably better this way, as the last thing Infearno wanted to deal with was a Bitboot who had Delusional Heartbeat as their Skill.

"We activate the Link Spell card, Judgment Arrows!" The Link Spell card appeared in the Spell & Trap card zone that Battle Coela was pointing to.

Judgment Arrows ↖️⬆️↗️

"When a Link monster Judgement Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled. However, should Judgment Arrows leave the field, all monsters it points to will be destroyed." Bitboot stated. "But moving along, we activate Battle Coela's other effect. Once per turn, we can move this card to the Link Marker of a card linked to it. Therefore, Battle Coela moves to Judgment Arrows' far-left Link Marker." Battle Coela performed said action, moving further away from Bitboot.

"We activate Torpedo's effect. Once per turn, we can inflict 900 points of damage times the number of times the equipped monster moved this turn. Since Battle Coela moved twice, you take 1800 points of damage!" The cannons attached to Full Metal Dunkle fired at Infearno, who winced as his life points dropped.

Infearno: 4000 – 1800 = 2200 LP

"Appear, our circuit!" Bitboot declared, as a Link Portal appeared above them. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. We set the Link 2 Darkscourge Battle Coela, and Piercing Saury into the Link Markers!" Battle Coela went into the left and right arrowheads, while Piercing Saury went into the bottom arrowhead.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle!" A large, red and purple metal fish with dark-purple jaws, fins, and missile launchers on its back adorned with red spores, along with black star emblems on its sides that had red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field at Judgment Arrows' top link-marker.

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle ATK: 3000 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

Infearno narrowed his eyes upon seeing Bitboot's Link monster. A Link 3 monster with 3000 attack points, he thought in his mind. The only other time I've seen this was in my duels against Raguel. Such a thing will not stop me!

"Battle Coela's effect now activates! As it was used as Link Material for the Link Summon of a 'Darkscourge' Link monster, you take 1000 points of damage!" Bitboot added, much to Infearno's shock as a silhouette of Battle Coela appeared before opening its mouth and firing a blast of energy at him, who winced a second time as his life points dropped once again.

Infearno: 2200 – 1000 = 1200 LP

"We also activate Full Metal Dunkle's effect. Once per turn, during either of our turns, when you take effect damage while it's on the field, it not only gains attack points equal to the damage you took, we gain that many life points as well! As you took 1000 points of damage, we gain 1000 life points, and Full Metal Dunkle gains 1000 attack points!"

"Tch." Infearno grit his teeth as both Full Metal Dunkle and Bitboot were surrounded in a red-purple aura that increased their strength.

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle ATK: 3000 + 1000 = 4000

Bitboot: 3600 + 1000 = 4600 LP

"We Set one card face-down and end our turn." Bitboot concluded.

"My turn! I draw!" Infearno said, as he drew the top card of his deck.

"Not so fast! We activate the Trap card, Darkscourge Deterioration!" Bitboot interrupted, as they gestured to their face-down card. The card showed red particles inside an ocean, which caused pieces on Full Metal Dunkle's body to flake off as it was on the ocean floor in pain. "When this card is activated, all cards in your hand are banished, and you take 200 points of damage for each card banished by this effect. But in exchange, you get to draw cards equal to the number of cards banished by this effect."

"What?!" Infearno exclaimed, shocked at what he just heard. Since the cards in his hand were being banished, that meant he couldn't activate the effects of his 'Burning Abyss' cards.

"As five cards were banished, you take 1000 points of damage, and Full Metal Dunkle's effect activates once again because you took effect damage!" Red particles emerged from Deterioration that surrounded all five of Infearno's cards, which turned them into particles as he winced once again, his life points having decreased for a third time now.

Infearno: 1200 – (200 X 5) = 200 LP

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle ATK: 4000 + (200 X 5) = 5000

Bitboot: 4600 + (200 X 5) = 5600 LP

"You'll regret that!" Infearno drew the top five cards of his deck, having grit his teeth in anger in the process. "I activate the Ritual Spell card, Good and Evil in the Burning Abyss. This card lets me tribute monsters from my hand or field whose combined levels equal or exceed that of the stated Ritual monster, and then summon it from my hand. I tribute the Level 3 Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and the Level 3 Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my hand."

A dark red magic circle with six flames appeared on his field, along with two demons. The first was a draconic fiend with wings and claws. The second was a winged demon with no arms and long white hair. Both Graff and Farfa disintegrated into light and entered the center of the circle, which emitted a pillar of dark red light.

"The contract's been made!" Infearno chanted, his duel disk's screen and black sections glowing dark red. "Demonic leader residing in the eighth circle of Hell! Accept these two sacrifices and serve your master! Ritual Summon! Rise, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!" A red-skinned demon in blue armor appeared on Infearno's field. He wielded two swords, one blue and one red, and also had a tail resembling that of a dragon's head.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK: 2700 DEF: 2000 LV: 6

"Prepare for the end, you wretched AI!" Malacoda told Bitboot as he brandished his swords for battle, who slightly shivered in response.

"Wait a second! Your monsters talk too?!" Bitboot demanded. "I thought only Cyberse monsters had sentience!"

"My monsters are a bit... unique. But moving on, the effects of Graff and Farfa activate. First, since Graff was sent to the Graveyard, I get to Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my deck. Serve me, Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A horned, bearded old man appeared on Infearno's field, wielding a spiked ball on a chain.

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

"Second, as Farfa was sent to the Graveyard, I can target a monster on the field and banish it. I target and banish Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle!" Infearno generated a hellish blast of energy in his hands before firing it at Full Metal Dunkle.

"Sorry, but once per turn, if Full Metal Dunkle would leave the field by battle or card effect, we can move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to instead! We move Full Metal Dunkle left!" Bitboot countered, as Full Metal Dunkle shifted left, the ball of fire dissipating into particles in the process. "In addition, as this card is moved, we can banish a card you control and inflict damage equal to the attack points of one non-link 'Darkscourge' monster in our Graveyard at the End Phase!"

"Is that so?" Infearno thought this information over. That meant he had to defeat Bitboot on this turn, or else he'll become a part of Mirror LINK VRAINS. Luckily, Infearno knew what to do in response to this, especially with the fact that Full Metal Dunkle already used its effect. "Appear, the circuit of blood and death!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one Fiend monster. I set Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss into the Link Markers!" Malacoda went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Charon, Ferryman of the Burning Abyss!" A skeleton wearing a long red cloak over his body and riding on top of a long boat appeared on Infearno's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Charon, Ferryman of the Burning Abyss ATK: 0 LINK-1 ⬇️

"The effects of Charon and Malacoda both activate. First, when Charon is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard to a Main Monster Zone he points to. Return, Graff!" At Infearno's command, Graff appeared on his field.

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

"Alright! I'm back from the dead!" Graff cheered.

"Second, when Malacoda is sent to the Graveyard, I can target a card you control and send it to the Graveyard." Infearno continued, which made Bitboot sweatdrop upon realizing the former's plans. "I target and send Full Metal Dunkle to your Graveyard." An apparition of Malacoda appeared before charging at Full Metal Dunkle and slashing it twice with the swords in his hands, which turned it into particles as Bitboot gasped in response.

"From there, I activate the Spell card, Aurora Draw. When I have no other cards in my hand, I can draw the top two cards of my deck." Infearno drew the top two cards of his deck. "I activate the Spell card, Monster Reborn. This card lets me target a monster in either of our Graveyards and Special Summon it to my field. Return, Malacoda!" At Infearno's command, Malacoda reappeared on his field.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK: 2700 DEF: 2000 LV: 6

"Last but not least, I activate the Continuous-Spell card, Rise of the Burning Abyss." Infearno added. "While this card is on my field, all 'Burning Abyss' monsters I control gain 500 attack points."

"GAH! Oh no!" Bitboot exclaimed, as Charon, Malacoda, Barbar, and Graff were surrounded in fiery energy that increased their strength.

Charon, Ferryman of the Burning Abyss ATK: 0 + 500 = 500

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK: 2700 + 500 = 3200

Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1700 + 500 = 2200

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1000 + 500 = 1500

"It seems you've realized that you're done for. Allow me to put you in your place!" Infearno said, as he thrusted out his right hand. "Battle! Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss attacks you directly! Abysmal Destruction!"

"I'm going to enjoy this!" Malacoda said, as his swords lit up on fire. He charged forward at Bitboot before slashing them twice, which made them wince as their life points dropped.

Bitboot: 5600 – 3200 = 2800 LP

"The battle continues! Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss attacks you directly!"

"Hahaha! Take this!" Barbar stated, as he swung the spiked ball attached to the chain before swinging it at Bitboot, who winced again as their life points dropped.

Bitboot: 2800 – 2200 = 600 LP

"It's time to put an end to this! Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss attacks you directly!" Infearno declared.

"You're finished, sucker!" Graff shouted, as he lunged forward and slashed Bitboot with such force that it caused an explosion, which sent them flying off their duel board as their life points dropped to zero.

Bitboot: 600 – 1500 = 0

"Did we just lose at the hands of talking demons?" Bit questioned.

"Yup..." Boot replied with fear, the both of them turning into particles.

Infearno frowned as he rode past the disintegrated Bit and Boot. Despite their altered appearance, they were a bit stronger, though not strong enough as to defeat a human. That was evident by the number of times they lost so far. The good news is that there's not many of these AIs left, Infearno thought in his mind. But this war won't end until Lightning and Azrael are defeated for good. After all, I have a personal score to settle with Azrael for what he's done to us.

Elsewhere, in Mirror LINK VRAINS…

WHOOSH!

Watchman threw several Black Keys in his hands at the Bitboots nearby, which turned them into particles. He honestly had no time in dealing with cannon fodder, and now that he unlocked his powers, nothing was holding him back in doing what was right in the name of preserving humanity's future. What's more, Watchman decided to re-embrace his Inquisitor side after unlocking his powers, aware that there were people who had to be eliminated with no mercy.

Considering how humans couldn't solve their own problems, especially the fact that they couldn't stop themselves in creating unique beings who had the potential in eradicating them, Watchman had no choice but to take it upon himself in using his powers to save them. Apparently, the betrayals of Percival and Demeter reminded Watchman of how humans always reverted to their sinful and selfish sides, thus being another factor in his decision to unlock his powers.

To sum it up, Watchman was now willing to do whatever it took to save humanity. Even if it meant betraying his allies. Even if he had to kill anyone in his way, be it friend or enemy. Even if it meant teaching his allies a painful and harsh lesson. Watchman will not falter until his goal was complete.

Suddenly, a duel anchor shot out of nowhere before wrapping itself around Watchman's right arm, which disappeared seconds later. "Son of a…"

"We got you at last!" Bitboot exclaimed, having sped up to where Watchman was so they can ride parallel to him.

"I am aware of how the duel anchor works, AI. So let's get this duel over with, shall we?" Watchman responded, having activated his duel disk.

"Of course, human. We will comply with your final request." Bitboot replied, having also activated their duel disk.

"Let's Speed Duel!" Watchman and Bitboot said in unison.

Bitboot: 4000 LP

Watchman: 4000 LP

"We're going first. Our turn!" Bitboot stated. "We summon Darkscourge Saber Sardine from our hand to our field!" A purple and grey mechanical fish that had a black star emblem with red eyes on its sides appeared on Bitboot's field.

Darkscourge Saber Sardine ATK: 800 DEF: 300 LV: 3

"We activate Saber Sardine's effect. Once per turn, by paying 400 life points, we can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge token' in defense position to our field." As Bitboot's life points dropped, a small purple and green orb that had a black star emblem with red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in defense position.

Bitboot: 4000 – 400 = 3600 LP

Darkscourge Token ATK: 200 DEF: 200 LV: 2

"Appear, our circuit!" Bitboot declared, as a Link Portal appeared above them. "The summoning conditions are two 'Darkscourge' monsters. I set Darkscourge Saber Sardine and the Darkscourge token into the Link Markers!" Saber Sardine went into the left arrowhead, while the Darkscourge token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Darkscourge Battle Coela!" A large, purple mechanical fish with black star emblems on its sides that had red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Instead of yellow eyes, it had red eyes, and light-red glowing lines ran over its body instead of green lines.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

"We activate the Equip Spell card, Darkscourge Torpedo, and equip it onto Battle Coela!" Bitboot continued, as a set of cannons with red spores on the sides attached themselves to Battle Coela's back. "We also activate Battle Coela's effect. Once per turn, we can move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to." Battle Coela moved downwards to the Main Monster Zone it pointed to.

"From there, we activate the Field Spell card, Castle Link." Bitboot added. "Once per turn, we can target one Link monster we control and move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to. We target Battle Coela, and move it to the Main Monster Zone it points to on the left." Battle Coela then shifted to the left a second time, indicating that it switched Main Monster Zones once again.

"The time has come! We activate our Skill, Markers Portal!" The stars on Bitboot's body glowed as he placed his arms in front of him, one crossed on top of the other. "Once per duel, when our life points are less than our original amount, we can activate a Link Spell card from our deck. In addition, the Link Spell card that was activated by this Skill can no longer be negated or destroyed by your card effects."

"Just activate it already..." Watchman seethed at Bitboot, who sweatdropped in response.

"Alright, alright. We activate the Link Spell card, Judgment Arrows!" Bitboot said, as the Link Spell card appeared in the Spell & Trap card zone that Battle Coela was pointing to.

Judgment Arrows ↖️⬆️↗️

"When a Link monster Judgement Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled. However, should Judgment Arrows leave the field, all monsters it points to will be destroyed." Bitboot stated. "We also activate Battle Coela's other effect. Once per turn, we can move this card to the Link Marker of a card linked to it. Therefore, Battle Coela moves to Judgment Arrows' far-right Link Marker." Battle Coela performed said action, moving further away from Bitboot.

"In addition, we activate the Equip Spell card, Parallel Panzer, and equip it onto Battle Coela!" A plate-like jet with a dragon's neck that had a cannon in its mouth was also attached to Battle Coela's back. "Once per turn, we can move the equipped monster to a Main Monster Zone it points to. We move Battle Coela left!" Battle Coela then shifted to the left, indicating that it switched Main Monster Zones.

"Last but not least, we activate Torpedo's effect. Once per turn, we can inflict 900 points of damage times the number of times the equipped monster moved this turn. Since Battle Coela moved four times, we inflict 3600 points of damage to you!" The cannons on Battle Coela's back then fired at Watchman, who winced as his life points dropped.

Watchman: 4000 – (900 X 4) = 400 LP

"With that, we end our turn." Bitboot concluded confidently.

"My turn! I draw!" Watchman stated, as he drew the top card of his deck. "I activate my Skill: Cubic Oblivion!" His eyes glowed purple for several seconds before dimming. "Once per duel, I can Fusion Summon one 'Cubic' Fusion monster by using monsters in my hand, field or deck as Fusion Materials! In addition, the Fusion Summoned monster is unaffected by your card effects while it's on the field!"

"Fusion Summon?!" Bitboot repeated out of surprise.

"I use the three copies of Crimson Nova the Cubic Dark Lord in my deck as Fusion Materials!" Soon, three purple-colored monsters whose cores consisted of a purple sphere with a red oval and golden lash marks surrounding each of them, which was inside a translucent purple-cube appeared on Watchman's field. Each of them had two muscular arms, with two eyes each. One at the shoulder, and one at the back of its hand. Their right hands consisted of two un-even pincer blades that formed a claw, while their left hands consisted of a pendulum blade. Flowing underneath each of their cores was a trail of solidified purple cubes, which formed into a tail. All three of them turned into black blobs of energy that each had one eye before they went upward and swirled into a vortex, which resulted in them shooting upwards and merging to form an orange whirlwind.

"Collection of wicked consciousness! Blacken out all remaining hope, and lead this world into a despair without light!" Watchman chanted, his eyes now glowing red. "Fusion Summon! Descend now from the pitch black darkness, Level 10! Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord!" A massive, red-skinned demonic looking monster with golden elements, several eyeballs embedded on its body and four tentacles with bladed claws appeared on Watchman's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord ATK: 4500 DEF: 3000 LV: 10

"Battle! Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord attacks Darkscourge Battle Coela! And when it declares an attack, your life points are halved! Cubic Devastation!"

"WHAT?!" Bitboot gasped, as all of Crimson Nova Trinity's eyes glowed before firing dark, cubic beams of energy that went upwards, which hit Bitboot as their life points were halved.

Bitboot: 3600 / 2 = 1800 LP

Bitboot immediately shook the pain off before thrusting out their right hand. "Do note that when the Link monster Judgment Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled until the end of the damage step." As if on cue, Battle Coela was surrounded in a golden aura that increased its strength.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 2000 X 2 = 4000

"That doesn't matter! Cubic Catastrophe!" Watchman shouted, as Crimson Nova Trinity fired a blast of dark, cubic energy from the cube attached to its body, which destroyed Battle Coela and nearly made Bitboot lose balance on their duel board as their life points dropped.

Bitboot: 1800 – 500 = 1300 LP

"Ha! While we didn't expect you to Fusion Summon, we still survived your monster's wrath! So just-!" Bitboot began speaking.

"I forgot to mention something." Watchman interrupted, which got Bitboot's attention as a smirk appeared on the former's face. "When Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord destroys a monster by battle, it can make a second attack during the Battle Phase!"

"OH NO!" Bitboot screamed in panic upon hearing this information.

"The battle continues! Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord attacks Darkscourge Battle Coela! And like before, when it declares an attack, your life points are halved! Cubic Devastation!" All of Crimson Nova Trinity's eyes glowed before firing dark, cubic beams of energy that went upwards, which hit Bitboot as their life points were halved for a second time.

Bitboot: 1300 / 2 = 550 LP

"Finish this AI off with Cubic Catastrophe!" Watchman ordered, as Crimson Nova Trinity fired a blast of dark, cubic energy from the cube attached to its body, which sent Bitboot flying off their duel board by the time their life points dropped to zero.

Bitboot: 550 – 4500 = 0

"What the actual Hell was that?!" Bit exclaimed.

"Not sure, but this human ain't ordinary." Boot responded, before the both of them turned to particles.

Watchman sped past the disintegrated Bitboot, a small smirk evident on his face as he saw them fully disappear. Neither pity nor empathy nor remorse was shown on his face, for the defeat of this cannon fodder brought him one step closer to ending this war. And if things kept going the way they were right now...

...Then perhaps this war would provide him with the very thing needed to save humanity, eradicate the ultimate sinner, and get revenge at the same time. The best part? His deception worked, and all the pieces were coming together. Whatever came next, Watchman was ready for it.

Meanwhile, in another area of Mirror LINK VRAINS…..

Revolver frowned as a Bitboot sped up to where he was. "Hmph. So an ugly mess of AI dares to get in my way, huh?"

"Eliminating you, the leader of the Hanoi, is of high priority." Bitboot told Revolver.

"Is that so? Then let's see who is superior, and who is inferior!" Both Revolver and Bitboot immediately activated their duel disks, ready to throw down.

"Speed Duel!" Revolver and Bitboot said in unison.

Bitboot: 4000 LP

Revolver: 4000 LP

"I will go first. My turn!" Revolver decided. "I activate the Spell card, Trade-In. By discarding a Level 8 monster from my hand to my Graveyard, I can draw the top two cards of my deck. I send the Level 8 Outburst Dragon from my hand to my Graveyard, and draw." After Revolver took a card in his hand and sent it to his Graveyard, he drew the top two cards of his deck before looking at both of them, a grin appearing on his face.

"From there, I activate the Continuous-Spell card, Supply Squad. Once per turn, when a monster I control is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can draw one card from the top of my deck. Last but not least, I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Revolver narrowed his eyes. "Come now, AI. Let's see whether you got what it takes to defeat me."

Bitboot narrowed their eyes. That's it? That's all Revolver, the leader of the Knights of Hanoi, will do for his turn? Perhaps this would be easier than they thought it would be. "Our turn! We draw!" They drew the top card of their deck. "We summon Darkscourge Saber Sardine from our hand to our field!" A purple and grey mechanical fish that had a black star emblem with red eyes on its sides appeared on Bitboot's field.

Darkscourge Saber Sardine ATK: 800 DEF: 300 LV: 3

"We activate Saber Sardine's effect. Once per turn, by paying 400 life points, we can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge token' in defense position to our field." As Bitboot's life points dropped, a small purple and green orb that had a black star emblem with red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in defense position.

Bitboot: 4000 – 400 = 3600 LP

Darkscourge Token ATK: 200 DEF: 200 LV: 2

"Appear, our circuit!" Bitboot declared, as a Link Portal appeared above them. "The summoning conditions are two 'Darkscourge' monsters. I set Darkscourge Saber Sardine and the Darkscourge token into the Link Markers!" Saber Sardine went into the left arrowhead, while the Darkscourge token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Darkscourge Battle Coela!" A large, purple mechanical fish with black star emblems on its sides that had red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Instead of yellow eyes, it had red eyes, and light-red glowing lines ran over its body instead of green lines.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

"Thank you for doing that." Revolver suddenly said, a grin evident on his face.

"What do you mean?" Bitboot asked, confusion evident on their face.

"When you Special Summon a Link monster, I can Special Summon Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay from my hand to my field." Revolver revealed, as a purple, bipedal dragon clad in golden armor appeared on his field. Blue energy sprouted from his gauntlets that formed into blades, while blue energy formed into wings.

Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800 LV: 7

"In addition, I now get to draw cards equal to the number of Link monsters you control plus one before shuffling cards from my hand into my deck equal to the number of Link monsters you control. As you control one Link monster, that means I draw two cards and shuffle one back into my deck!" After Revolver drew the top two cards of his deck, he chose one before shuffling it back into his deck.

"In that case, we activate the Field Spell card-." Bitboot began speaking.

"Not so fast! Continuous-Trap, activate! Anti-Spell Fragrance!" Revolver interrupted, as he gestured to his field. "While this card is on the field, the both of us must Set Spell cards before activating them!"

"What?!" Bitboot exclaimed. That meant they couldn't use neither their Skill nor the Spell cards in their hand! "You may have sealed our Voyage to Hell combo, but it doesn't mean we're not done our turn! As there are no monsters in our Main Monster Zones, we can Special Summon Darkscourge Piercing Saury from our hand to our field." A thin, purple and red fish with that had a black star emblem with red eyes on its sides, as well as a light-purple glowing tip appeared on Bitboot's field.

Darkscourge Piercing Saury ATK: 1100 DEF: 800 LV: 3

"Appear, our circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Bitboot. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. We set the Link 2 Darkscourge Battle Coela, and Piercing Saury into the Link Markers!" Battle Coela went into the left and right arrowheads, while Piercing Saury went into the bottom arrowhead.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle!" A large, red and purple metal fish with dark-purple jaws, fins, and missile launchers on its back adorned with red spores, along with black star emblems on its sides that had red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field at Judgment Arrows' top link-marker.

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle ATK: 3000 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

"In addition, we activate Battle Coela's effect! As it was used as Link Material for the Link Summon of a 'Darkscourge' Link monster, you take 1000 points of damage!" Bitboot added, much to Revolver's ire as a silhouette of Battle Coela appeared before opening its mouth and firing a blast of energy at him, who winced as his life points dropped.

Revolver: 4000 – 1000 = 3000 LP

"We also activate Full Metal Dunkle's effect. Once per turn, during either of our turns, when you take effect damage while it's on the field, it not only gains attack points equal to the damage you took, we gain that many life points as well! As you took 1000 points of damage, we gain 1000 life points, and Full Metal Dunkle gains 1000 attack points!"

"How annoying..." Revolver muttered, as both Full Metal Dunkle and Bitboot were surrounded in a red-purple aura that increased their strength.

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle ATK: 3000 + 1000 = 4000

Bitboot: 3600 + 1000 = 4600 LP

"We Set one card face-down." Bitboot said, as they gestured to their field. "Battle! Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle attacks Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay!" Full Metal Dunkle opened its mouth, ready to fire a blast of energy at Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay.

"I don't think so! I activate the effect of Exactorokket Dragon in my hand!" Revolver countered. "When you declare an attack, I can Special Summon this card from my hand to my field in face-up defense position!" Soon, a long, red and green dragon with green lines running over its body and long wings appeared on Revolver's field in defense position. All over its body were armored shields, which also had green lines running over it.

Exactorokket Dragon ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 7

"Exactorokket dragon also has two other effects! First, when it's Special Summoned by its own effect, you can only target it for attacks!" The armored shields on Exactorokket Dragon glowed as it got Full Metal Dunkle's attention. "Second, I can target one monster you control, and have it gain attack and defense points equal to the half of the targeted monsters attack and defense points! I target Full Metal Dunkle!" Exactorokket Dragon released a scanning wave towards Full Metal Dunkle, analyzing it for a moment before a red aura surrounded it, which increased its attack and defense points.

Exactorokket Dragon ATK: 0 + 2000 = 2000 DEF: 0 + 2000 = 2000

"Very well. We will target your monster instead." Bitboot complied. "Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle attacks Exactorokket Dragon!" Full Metal Dunkle opened its mouth before firing a blast of energy at Exactorokket Dragon, which turned it into particles.

"Because a monster I control was destroyed by battle or card effect, I can draw the top card of my deck." Revolver reminded Bitboot, as he drew the top card of his deck.

"We end our turn." Bitboot concluded, annoyed that they couldn't finish or deal massive damage to Revolver this turn. Then again, there was always next turn for them to try and win the duel.

"At this point, the effect of Exactorokket Dragon activates." Revolver said. "Since it was destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my field with a different name." Revolver said. "Rise, Anesthrokket Dragon!" A green and yellow metal dragon with green holographic wings and a syringe on its head appeared on Revolver's field in defense position.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK: 0 DEF: 2200 LV: 1

"My turn! I draw!" Revolver drew the top card of his deck.

"Sorry, but we're not letting you bring out the big guns of yours, especially when we have this! Trap card, activate! Darkscourge Chaff!" Bitboot countered. "When this card is activated, we can send cards on your field to your Graveyard up to the Link rating of one 'Darkscourge' Link monster we control. We control the Link 3 Full Metal Dunkle, which means we can send up to three cards on your field to your Graveyard. We send Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay, Anesthrokket Dragon, and Anti-Spell Fragrance to your Graveyard!"

"Tch." Revolver grit his teeth as black spikes fired out of Chaff, which turned the three declared cards into particles. And because Anesthrokket Dragon was sent to the Graveyard instead of being destroyed, that meant he couldn't activate Supply Squad's effect. While Revolver didn't see that coming, there was no way that was going to deter him from winning this duel. "When you control a Link monster, I can Special Summon Gateway Dragon from my hand to my field." A six-sided golden gate surfaced onto his field, out of which emerged a three-armed golden dragon that appeared on Revolver's field.

Gateway Dragon ATK: 1600 DEF: 1400 LV: 4

"Gateway Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand. Come on out, Sniffer Dragon!" Revolver announced, as a red, humanoid dragon with black metal attachments appeared on Revolver's field.

Sniffer Dragon ATK: 800 DEF: 400 LV: 2

"When Sniffer Dragon is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a copy of it from my deck to my hand." A card popped out of Revolver's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I summon a second copy of Sniffer Dragon from my hand to my field." A second copy of Sniffer Dragon appeared on Revolver's field.

Sniffer Dragon ATK: 800 DEF: 400 LV: 2

"Manifest, my circuit!" Revolver said, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two Level 4 or lower Dragon monsters, except Tokens. I set both copies of Sniffer Dragon into the Link Markers!" One Sniffer Dragon went into the bottom arrowhead, while the other went into the right arrowhead, turning them both red.

"Link Summon! Come on out! Link 2! Twin Triangle Dragon!" A black, gold, and purple dragon with two golden triangles around its arms appeared on Revolver's field in the right Extra Monster Zone, which resulted in it being co-linked with Full Metal Dunkle.

Twin Triangle Dragon ATK: 1200 LINK-2 ⬇️➡️

"I activate Twin Triangle's effect. When it's Link Summoned, by paying 500 life points, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard to a Main Monster Zone it points to. But in exchange, its effects are negated, and it can't attack. Return, Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay!" At Revolver's command, Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay reappeared on his field in the Main Monster Zone Twin Triangle Dragon pointed to.

Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800 LV: 7

"Manifest for a second time, my circuit!" Revolver declared, as a second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are three or more effect monsters. I Set the Link 2 Twin Triangle Dragon, Gateway Dragon, and Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay into the Link Markers!" Twin Triangle Dragon went into the top and left arrowheads, Gateway Dragon went into the bottom arrowhead, and Fantastical Dragon Phantasmay went into the bottom-left arrowheads, turning all four of them red.

"My gale that fortifies the closed world! Link Summon! Rise! Link 4! Borrelguard Dragon!" A large, red and silver mechanical dragon that had multiple green lines running over its body appeared on Revolver's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. On its arms were pieces of blue, cylindrical armor that had silver bolts all over it. There were also pieces of dark-blue plating on its legs, which had holes on them. It also had two, large cartridges resembling spines attached to his back, which projected orange holographic wings. Orange energy was also projected from its neck, as though it were a pelt. Borrelguard Dragon also had a gun cylinder in its chest, ready to be used.

Borrelguard Dragon ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ⬆️➡️⬇️↘️

"Everything's set for this! I activate my Skill: Rokket Burst!" Revolver stated, as the four dots on his visor glowed orange, along with the red lines on his jumpsuit glowing the same color. "When a 'Borrel' monster is Special Summoned from my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon one 'Rokket' monster from my hand, deck, Graveyard, or banished zone." A card popped out of his deck. "Come from my deck, Metalrokket Dragon!" A blue metal dragon with green holographic wings and a missile on its head appeared on Revolver's field.

Metalrokket Dragon ATK: 1700 DEF: 1400 LV: 4

"Next, I can activate a series of effects in sequence depending on the type of 'Borrel' monsters I control and are in my Graveyard. As there's a 'Borrel' Link monster on my field, the effects of all cards you control are negated!"

"WHAT?!" Bitboot exclaimed, as Borrelguard Dragon roared, which caused shockwaves to head straight towards Bitboot's field that hit Full Metal Dunkle before greying it out.

"That isn't the only thing you should be worried about, you piece of junk. I activate Borrelguard Dragon's effect." Revolver continued. "Once per turn, I can target one monster on the field and change it to defense position. You can't activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation as well!"

"But Link monsters don't exist in defense position!" Bitboot reminded Revolver.

"I know, which is why I target Metalrokket Dragon!" Revolver replied, as Borrelguard Dragon roared loudly, which caused Metalrokket Dragon to change to defense position. "Metalrokket Dragon's effect also activates! When it's targeted by a Link monster's effect, I can destroy this card to destroy all cards in the column it's in!"

"..!" Bitboot looked at the cards on their duel disk before gasping, which showed that Metalrokket Dragon was in the same column Full Metal Dunkle was in! And with its effects negated, it was game over for them!

Metalrokket Dragon's entire body transformed into a bullet that went into the gun barrel in Borrelguard Dragon's chest.

"Say goodbye to Full Metal Dunkle!" Revolver declared. "Fire!" The gun barrel rotated as Borrelguard Dragon opened its mouth and fired a blue beam, which pierced Full Metal Dunkle before turning it into particles. "In addition, because a monster was destroyed by battle or card effect, I can draw the top card of my deck!" Revolver drew the top card of his deck.

"I now activate Borrelguard Dragon's effect. Once per turn, I can send one Spell or Trap card from my Spell & Trap card zone to my Graveyard to Special Summon one monster from either Graveyard that was destroyed and sent there this turn. In exchange, its effects are negated. I send Supply Squad to my Graveyard, and Special Summon Full Metal Dunkle from your Graveyard to my field!" At Revolver's command, Full Metal Dunkle appeared on his field in the Main Monster Zone, much to Bitboot's shock.

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle ATK: 3000 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

"OH NO!" Bitboot exclaimed.

"This is known as countering a poison such as yourself with a poison enslaved to my will, and you will feel the strength of your former comrade first hand!" Revolver said, as he thrusted out his right hand. "Battle! Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle attacks you directly!" Full Metal Dunkle opened its mouth before firing a blast of energy at Bitboot, who nearly lost their balance as their life points dropped.

Bitboot: 4600 – 3000 = 1600 LP

"The battle continues! Borrelguard Dragon attacks you directly! Electric Borrel Guard Beam!" A gun barrel extended out of Borrelguard Dragon's mouth as it fired a massive beam of orange energy at Bitboot, which sent them flying off their duel board as their life points dropped to zero.

Bitboot: 1600 – 3000 = 0

"We lost the moment this duel began!" Bit stated the obvious.

"Something tells me we're not gonna get a victory anytime soon..." Boot responded, with Bit grimly nodding in agreement as the both of them turned into particles.

Revolver smirked as he rode past the disintegrated Bitboot. As evident from their duel, he was superior, while that ugly mess of an AI was inferior. It went to show that no matter how many times an AI was upgraded, they couldn't comprehend the creativity of the human mind. But there were more battles to come, and mankind wouldn't be free until all threats from the network were eradicated. That was something Revolver would see to the end no matter what transpired next.

Elsewhere, in Mirror LINK VRAINS….

Explosions rang through the area as Specter rode on his duel board. Apparently, they were coming from the duels that were occurring in different parts of the area. That, and Bitboots were flying off their duel boards like the useless cannon fodder they were, which amused Specter. If Bitboot couldn't defeat a human even with the enhancements provided by Malf, then there was no point in using them anymore.

"What's with that smirk, Knight of Hanoi?" Bitboot questioned, as they rode to catch up with Specter.

"It was a smirk of confidence in how I'll defeat you in our coming duel." Specter replied, the smirk still evident on his face as he activated his duel disk. "That, and it's amusing to see your comrades get torn apart one by one."

"You think you're funny, huh? Let's see if you're still laughing once we defeat you!" Bitboot activated their duel disk.

"Speed Duel!" Specter and Bitboot said in unison.

Specter: 4000 LP

Bitboot: 4000 LP

"I will go first, my little friend. My turn." Specter said, as he looked at the cards in his hand. They will help for sure. "I summon Sunvine Genius Loci from my hand to my field." A golden statue with a green base holding a brown seed appeared on Specter's field.

Sunseed Genius Loci ATK: 0 DEF: 600 LV: 1

"I will now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Specter. "The summoning conditions are one Plant Normal monster! I set Sunvine Genius Loci into the Link Markers!" Genius Loci went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Come forth! Link 1! Sunavalon Dryas!" A giant tree with a few bulbs hanging from the branches and what appeared to be a face in the center appeared on Specter's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Sunavalon Dryas ATK: 0 LINK-1 ⬇️

"WHAT?! Trees don't fly! That goes against the laws of physics!" Bitboot protested. If trees can fly all of a sudden, could it mean that pigs can fly, they wondered in their mind. Seconds later, Bitboot snapped out of his thoughts. They were not helping at all, especially when they had a duel to win!

"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn." Specter concluded. "Now, let's see what you got now that Malf infected you guys to the core."

"It'll be our pleasure to show you what we've got." Bitboot replied. "Our turn! We draw!" They drew the top card of their deck. "We summon Darkscourge Saber Sardine from our hand to our field!" A purple and grey mechanical fish that had a black star emblem with red eyes on its sides appeared on Bitboot's field.

Darkscourge Saber Sardine ATK: 800 DEF: 300 LV: 3

"We activate Saber Sardine's effect. Once per turn, by paying 400 life points, we can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge token' in defense position to our field." As Bitboot's life points dropped, a small purple and green orb that had a black star emblem with red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in defense position.

Bitboot: 4000 – 400 = 3600 LP

Darkscourge Token ATK: 200 DEF: 200 LV: 2

"Appear, our circuit!" Bitboot declared, as a Link Portal appeared above them. "The summoning conditions are two 'Darkscourge' monsters. I set Darkscourge Saber Sardine and the Darkscourge token into the Link Markers!" Saber Sardine went into the left arrowhead, while the Darkscourge token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Darkscourge Battle Coela!" A large, purple mechanical fish with black star emblems on its sides that had red eyes appeared on Bitboot's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Instead of yellow eyes, it had red eyes, and light-red glowing lines ran over its body instead of green lines.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

"We activate the Equip Spell card, Darkscourge Torpedo, and equip it onto Battle Coela!" Bitboot continued, as a set of cannons with red spores on the sides attached themselves to Battle Coela's back. "We also activate Battle Coela's effect. Once per turn, we can move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to." Battle Coela moved downwards to the Main Monster Zone it pointed to.

"The time has come! We activate our Skill, Markers Portal!" The stars on Bitboot's body glowed before he placed his arms in front of him, one crossed on top of the other. "Once per duel, when our life points are less than our original amount, we can activate a Link Spell card from our deck. In addition, the Link Spell card that was activated by this Skill can no longer be negated or destroyed by your card effects."

"You aren't you without that Link Spell of yours, am I not correct?" Specter asked.

"Hey, it's our main weapon against you humans, so we ain't getting rid of it!" Bitboot replied. "We activate the Link Spell card, Judgment Arrows!" The Link Spell card appeared in the Spell & Trap card zone that Battle Coela was pointing to.

Judgment Arrows ↖️⬆️↗️

"When a Link monster Judgement Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled. However, should Judgment Arrows leave the field, all monsters it points to will be destroyed. But moving that aside, we also activate Battle Coela's other effect. Once per turn, we can move this card to the Link Marker of a card linked to it. Therefore, Battle Coela moves to Judgment Arrows' far-left Link Marker." Battle Coela performed said action, moving further away from Bitboot.

"We activate Torpedo's effect. Once per turn, we can inflict 900 points of damage times the number of times the equipped monster moved this turn. Since Battle Coela moved three times, you take 1800 points of damage!" Bitboot added, as the cannons on Battle Coela's back then fired at Specter, who winced as his life points dropped.

Specter: 4000 – (900 X 2) = 2200 LP

"Thanks for doing that, especially now that I can use this." Specter responded, as he gestured to his field. "Continuous-Trap, activate! Sunavalon Glorious Growth! Whenever I take battle or effect damage, I can Special Summon one 'Sunvine' token to my field." A small, dark-brown plant with a golden center appeared on Specter's field in defense position.

Sunvine Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Next, I can Link Summon one 'Sunavalon' Link monster using monsters I control."

"A Link Summon on our turn?!" Bitboot repeated out of confusion and shock.

"I bet you weren't expecting that, were you? But let's move on to the now, shall we?" Specter replied. "I will now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two Plant monsters! I set the Link 1 Sunavalon Dryas, and the Sunvine token into the Link Markers!" Dryas went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while the Sunvine token went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Sunavalon Dryades!" The tree grew and changed as it was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone. It was now much larger, with a lot more bulbs hanging from its branches than before. There was also a pink-skinned woman growing at the center of the tree.

Sunavalon Dryades ATK: 0 LINK-2 ↙️↘️

"Great! There's a bigger flying tree we have to deal with!" Bitboot complained. And if this kept up, not only would Bitboot end up losing the duel, but the chances of pigs flying would increase as well.

"I wouldn't be complaining if I were you, as Glorious Growth has a few more effects." Specter stated, which got Bitboot's attention. "First, I gain life points equal to the damage I took. You inflicted 1800 points of damage, so I gain 1800 life points!" A golden aura surrounded Specter as his life points increased

Specter: 2200 + 1800 = 4000 LP

"Second, when I gain life points, you take damage equal to the amount of life points I gained. As I gained 1800 life points, you take 1800 points of damage!" A golden burst of energy fired out of Glorious Growth, which hit Bitboot and nearly made them lose their balance as their life points dropped.

Bitboot: 3600 – 1800 = 1800 LP

Bitboot looked up Glorious Growth's other effects on his duel disk and gasped. If they continued using their usual strategy, it'd be lights out for them within seconds. That meant there was only one thing they could do so they can not only survive the next turn, but win once their next turn came around. "We Set one card face-down and end our turn."

"Oh? Done already? Well, I expected more from an AI that's been enhanced by a virus, don't you agree? But moving on. My turn! I draw!" Specter said, as he drew the top card of his deck. "I summon Sunseed Twin from my hand to my field." Two little elven twins, one boy and one girl, which were wrapped up in vines, appeared on Specter's field.

Sunseed Twin ATK: 0 DEF: 800 LV: 2

"Sunseed Twin's effect! Since it was Normal Summoned, and I control a 'Sunavalon' monster, I can target one Plant Normal monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it. Return to my field, Genius Loci!" At Specter's command, Genius Loci reappeared on his field.

Sunseed Genius Loci ATK: 0 DEF: 600 LV: 1

"I will now manifest my circuit!" Specter said, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one Plant Normal monster. I set Sunseed Genius Loci into the Link Markers!" Genius Loci went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Sunvine Thrasher!" A blue-skinned warrior wearing a green coat and cloak appeared in the Main Monster Zone Dryades pointed to. It swung the large sword in its hand, ready for battle.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK: 800 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Thrasher's effect!" Specter continued. "As it's in a Main Monster Zone a 'Sunavalon' monster is pointing to, it gains 800 attack points equal to that 'Sunavalon' Link monster's Link rating! Since Dryades is a Link 2 monster, that means Thrasher gains 1600 attack points!" Thrasher held a hand to its chest as a wind surrounded it, powering the warrior up.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK: 800 + (800 X 2) = 2400

"I will manifest my circuit for a second time!" A second Link Portal appeared above Specter. "The summoning conditions are two Plant monsters. I set the Link 1 Sunvine Thrasher, and Sunseed Twin into the Link Markers!" Thrasher went into the left arrowhead, while Twin went into the right arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Sunavalon Daphne!" A tree monster who had the face of a woman on it, along with plant-like arms appeared on Specter's field in the Main Monster Zone Dryades pointed to.

Sunavalon Daphne ATK: 0 LINK-2 ⬅️➡️

"And now it's time for the main event! I manifest my circuit for a third time!" Specter stated, as a third Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more Plant Link monsters. I set the Link 2 Sunavalon Dryades, and the Link 2 Daphne into the Link Markers!" Dryades went into the top and bottom arrowheads, while Daphne went into the bottom-left and bottom-right arrowheads, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Emerge! Link 4! Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!" The tree grew and changed as it was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone. Not only did its size changed, its leaves had become purple flowers, and there were multiple roots and tentacles extending outwards from it. The woman from before was in the center of the tree.

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK: 0 LINK-4 ↙️⬆️⬇️↘️

"I activate my Skill: Sunavalon Harvest!" Specter was soon surrounded in a green aura. "Once per duel, I can take damage that's less than or equal to 1000 to Special Summon one 'Sunvine' Link monster from my Extra Deck or Graveyard to a Main Monster Zone a 'Sunavalon' Link monster points to. What's more, all Plant Link monsters I control and summon are unaffected by your card effects until the end of this turn, and the best part is that I regain life points equal to the number of life points lost."

"That Skill's overkill!" Bitboot protested. And since all of Specter's Plant Link monsters, along with the one he was about to Special Summon to his field would be unaffected by card effects, that meant Bitboot's facedown card was useless!

"No, it's not. It's a Skill that compliments my deck." Specter shot back. "I take 800 points of damage, and Special Summon a copy of Sunvine Thrasher from my Extra Deck to my field!" A red aura surrounded Specter, which decreased his life points.

Specter: 4000 – 800 = 3200 LP

"Oh, and need I remind you about Glorious Growth's effect?" As if on cue, a golden burst of energy fired out of Glorious Growth, which hit Bitboot and nearly made them lose their balance as their life points dropped.

Bitboot: 1800 – 800 = 1000 LP

Then a second copy of Thrasher appeared on Specter's field in one of the two Main Monster Zones Dryatrentiay pointed to.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK: 800 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Thrasher's effect!" Specter continued. "Just like before, as it's in a Main Monster Zone a 'Sunavalon' monster is pointing to, it gains 800 attack points equal to that 'Sunavalon' Link monster's Link rating! Since Dryatrentiay is a Link 4 monster, that means Thrasher gains 4000 attack points!" Thrasher held a hand to its chest as a wind surrounded it, powering the warrior up.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK: 800 + (800 X 4) = 4000

"I activate the Continuous-Trap card, Sunavalon Bloom! When this card is activated, I can negate the effects of all monsters you control by targeting a Link-4 or higher Plant Link monster I control! I target Dryatrentiay!" Soon, purple flowers flowed out of Bloom, which greyed out Battle Coela. "Battle! Sunavalon Dryatrentiay attacks Darkscourge Battle Coela!"

"Are you nuts? That tree has no attack points!" Bitboot pointed out.

"True, but when the targeted Link monster battles, its attack points become equal to the attack points of all monsters it points to until the end of the damage step." Specter said back, a smug look evident on his face, much to Bitboot's shock. "That means Dryatrentiay gains Thrasher's 4000 attack points!" Dryatrentiay glowed with purple light as her strength increased.

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK: 0 + 4000 = 4000

"And as the cherry on top, I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Shrink! This card lets me target a monster you control and halve its attack points until the end of this turn! I target Battle Coela!" Battle Coela was surrounded in a red aura that halved its strength.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 2000 / 2 = 1000

"Do note that when a Link monster Judgment Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled until the end of the damage step." Bitboot reminded Specter, as Battle Coela was surrounded in a golden aura that increased its strength.

Darkscourge Battle Coela ATK: 1000 X 2 = 2000

"So what? That doesn't matter! Sunavalon Dryatrentiay, finish this duel with Nature's Prominence!" Specter shouted, as Dryatrentiay released two of her tentacles at Battle Coela, which hit it with such force that it caused an explosion, thus sending Bitboot flying off their duel board in the process. Seconds later, their life points dropped to zero.

Bitboot: 1000 – 2000 = 0

"Let the record show that we were defeated by creatures, not flying trees!" Bit exclaimed.

"Uh, I don't think we can change that fact…." Boot lamented, which caused the two of them to groan in disappointment of themselves as they turned to particles, much to Specter's amusement.

Specter chuckled as he rode past the disintegrated Bit and Boot. Even with their upgrades, Specter was right. They weren't able to defeat him and the others. But the Bitboots were nothing compared to Lightning and Azrael, for they were the true enemies they had to defeat if Specter and the others were to put a stop to this war for good.

Meanwhile, in another area of Mirror LINK VRAINS...

Blue Maiden let out a sigh, having defeated another Bitboot just now. "That's the last of them, Aqua."

"On our end, yes. But it may not be true for our allies." Aqua pointed out, before she noticed something. "Someone new is approaching."

This got Blue Maiden's attention as Haru appeared on his duel board.

"I'm your next opponent, Blue Maiden." Haru said.

"Who's that?" Blue Maiden quietly asked Aqua.

"According to Playmaker and Raguel's information, he's Bohman's younger brother." Aqua told Blue Maiden.

"Bohman's younger brother?" Blue Maiden repeated.

"Yeah, that's right." Haru confirmed. "But moving that aside, once I defeat you, I'll be strong enough to settle my score with Raguel once and for all! So stop talking, and start dueling!"

"If I defeat Haru, I may be able to learn where Lightning and Azrael are in this place." Blue Maiden muttered to herself before turning to Aqua. "You ready, Aqua?"

"Yes." Aqua confirmed.

"It's time to Speed Duel!" Haru and Blue Maiden said at the same time.

Blue Maiden: 4000 LP

Haru: 4000 LP

"I'll go first, Blue Maiden. Prepare yourself!" Haru told Blue Maiden. "My turn! I activate the Field Spell card, Hydradrive Caduceus. Next, when neither of us have no monsters in the Main Monster Zones, I can Special Summon Hydradrive Booster from my hand to my field." A mechanical monster that resembled a gold and silver dragonfly appeared on Haru's field.

Hydradrive Booster ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Appear, my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Haru. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Booster into the Link Markers!" Hydradrive Booster went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Coolant Hydradrive!" A light-blue and grey segmented mechanical dragon appeared on Haru's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. It had a visor on its face, as well as a Hydradrive sigil on its chest.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Looks like Haru's using the same deck as Bohman..." Blue Maiden told Aqua.

"Yes, it seems like it." Aqua agreed.

Haru chuckled upon hearing their conversation. "Such a comment no longer bothers me. It's true that Bohman and I use the same deck, but the way I use my deck is different compared to him. In fact, the different strategies I used was what helped me nearly defeat Raguel twice."

"What?" Blue Maiden gasped, and so did Aqua.

"Pay attention, and you'll see what I mean. I activate the Spell card, Hydradrive Rebuild." Haru continued. "This card lets me target and destroy a 'Hydradrive' monster on my field. I target and destroy Coolant Hydradrive!" Coolant Hydradrive turned into particles. "Coolant Hydradrive's effect! When it's destroyed, I can Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' token to my field." A small mechanical bug with the Hydradrive sigil appeared on Haru's field in defense position.

Hydradrive Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Hydradrive Rebuild's second effect! If the 'Hydradrive' monster destroyed by this effect activates its own effect in the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' monster from my Graveyard. However, it can't attack, its effects are negated, and is destroyed at my End Phase. Return to the field, Coolant Hydradrive!" At Haru's command, Coolant Hydradrive reappeared on Haru's field in the middle Main Monster Zone.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Appear, for a second time! My circuit!" A second Link Portal appeared above Haru. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set the Hydradrive token into the Link Markers!" The Hydradrive token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Flow Hydradrive!" A bipedal green and dark blue dragon appeared on Haru's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Its face had a green visor on it, while at the center of its body was the Hydradrive sigil.

Flow Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"I summon Hydradrive Launcher from my hand to my field." Haru added, as a maroon-brown segmented mechanical dragon appeared on his field. Although it had a jaw like the rest its brethren, its head was that of a harpoon arrow with a scope. Its hands were also replaced with harpoon arrows as well.

Hydradrive Launcher ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 4

"Launcher's effect! When it's Normal Summoned and I control a 'Hydradrive' Link monster in the Main Monster Zone, I can take one Link Spell or Link Trap from my deck and activate it in a Spell & Trap card zone it's pointing to!"

"What?!" both Blue Maiden and Aqua exclaimed at the same time.

"Let me show you firsthand!" Haru replied, as a card popped out of Haru's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I activate the Link Spell, Judgment Arrows!" Launcher raised its head and fired a yellow blast into the sky, which landed in the Spell & Trap card zone Coolant Hydradrive was pointing to.

Judgment Arrows ↖️⬆️↗️

"Since you already know what Judgment Arrows does by this point, there's no point in reminding me. Instead, I'll do this! Appear, for a third time! My circuit!" A third Link Portal appeared above Haru. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Launcher into the Link Markers!" Launcher went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Grand Hydradrive!" A quadrupedal orange and brown machine appeared on Haru's field in the Main Monster Zone Flow Hydradrive pointed to.

Grand Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"When Launcher is used as Link Material for the Link Summon of a 'Hydradrive' Link monster, I can target one 'Hydradrive' Link monster on my field and draw cards equal to its Link rating. I target Grand Hydradrive, which is a Link 1 monster. That means I can draw the top card of my deck." Haru said, as he drew the top card of his deck before looking at it, a smirk forming on his face.

"I activate Caduceus's effect. Once per turn, by destroying a 'Hydradrive' monster on my field, I can activate one of two effects. I destroy Grand Hydradrive to activate its first effect, which lets me Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' monster with a different name than the destroyed monster from my deck or Graveyard. Emerge from my Graveyard, Hydradrive Booster!" After Grand Hydradrive exploded into particles, Hydradrive Booster reappeared on Haru's field in defense position.

Hydradrive Booster ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Grand Hydradrive's effect! When it's destroyed, I can Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' token to my field." Haru told Blue Maiden, as a second Hydradrive token appeared on his field in defense position.

Hydradrive Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Appear, for a fourth time! My circuit!" Haru declared, as a fourth Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set the Hydradrive token into the Link Monster!" The Hydradrive token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Burn Hydradrive!" A red and orange segmented mechanical dragon appeared on Haru's field in the Main Monster Zone Flow Hydradrive pointed to. It had a visor on its face like the rest of its brethren, as well as the Hydradrive sigil on its chest.

Burn Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Appear, for a fifth time! My circuit!" Haru said, as a fifth Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are three 'Hydradrive' Link monsters. I set the Link 1 Flow Hydradrive, Burn Hydradrive, and Coolant Hydradrive into the Link Markers!" Flow Hydradrive went into the top arrowhead, Burn Hydradrive went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Coolant Hydradrive went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning all of them red.

"Now, my envoy of decimation! Arise, and petrify my enemies into dust!" Haru chanted. "Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun!" A female, pseudo-reptile with the long tail of a snake and the upper waist of a woman appeared on Haru's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Her attire was consisted of a ragged dress, with a belt at the waist of her body that had the Hydradrive sigil in the middle. She had green and red skin with golden braces at the middle of each of her six, long heads, which were robotic in nature and the size of a slender rifle. Each of the heads had red eyes and the Hydradrive sigil on top of all six heads like a crown, as well as fangs. At the upper waist of her body was a larger version of the Hydradrive sigil split into four pieces, as well as a set of human arms with white gloves on them. All six heads hissed loudly upon seeing Blue Maiden.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 2300 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"A Link 3 monster..." Blue Maiden muttered.

"When Hydradrive Kragun is Link Summoned, I can move her to a Main Monster Zone she points to." Haru explained. "I move Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun to the left diagonally." Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun then moved to the left diagonally, where she was now in the Main Monster Zone at Judgment Arrows' Link Marker.

"I now activate the Spell card, Hydradrive Gift. When this card is activated and I control a 'Hydradrive' Link monster, I can draw cards equal to the number of 'Hydradrive' Link monsters in my Graveyard."

"What?!" Blue Maiden exclaimed, shock evident in her tone.

"And since Haru has four 'Hydradrive' Link monsters in his Graveyard..." Aqua began speaking.

"That means I can draw the top four cards of my deck!" Haru finished, as he drew the top four cards of his deck. He looked at them carefully, and was happy with what he drew. Then again, it was good to have contingencies, that's for sure. "I activate the Spell card, Hydradrive Utilization. By paying 500 life points, I can target one 'Hydradrive' monster in my Graveyard and banish it to add a second copy of that monster from my deck to my hand. I banish Launcher, and add a second copy of it to my hand." A red aura surrounded Haru as his life points dropped, where a card popped out of his deck afterwards, which he took and added to his hand.

Haru: 4000 – 500 = 3500 LP

"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn." Haru grinned. "Okay, Blue Maiden. Let's see what you've got."

"Damn, I didn't expect Haru to activate a Link Spell or a Link Trap from his deck." Blue Maiden admitted. Not only that, but Haru brought out a Link 3 monster with 2300 attack points, two Set cards, and two cards in his hand. One of which being Launcher, which meant that Haru would most certainly activate a Link Trap from his deck on the next turn.

"But you're capable of breaking through Haru's defenses." Aqua assured Blue Maiden. "Trust yourself and your deck!"

"Right! My turn! I draw!" Blue Maiden drew the top card of her deck. "I summon Marincess Blue Tang from my hand to my field." A woman who wore a black vest over a blue dress, as well as had her long blue hair tied in a ponytail appeared on Blue Maiden's field.

Marincess Blue Tang ATK: 1500 DEF: 1200 LV: 4

"When Blue Tang is Normal or Special Summoned, I can send one 'Marincess' monster from my deck to my Graveyard. I send Marincess Sea Star from my deck to my Graveyard." Blue Maiden said, as a card popped out of her deck, which she took and sent to her Graveyard.

"Shine, the circuit of love, friendship, and bonds!" A Link Portal appeared above Blue Maiden. "The summoning conditions are one Level 4 or lower 'Marincess' monster. I set Marincess Blue Tang into the Link Markers!" Blue Tang went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Marincess Blue Slug!" A little girl wearing a blue dress that had yellow dots, along with dark-blue and purple hair with yellow highlights appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Blue Slug ATK: 1500 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Okay! I'm gonna give it my best!" Blue Slug promised Blue Maiden and Aqua.

"Don't worry, Blue Slug! We have faith in you!" Aqua assured Blue Slug, who waved back.

"Hang on a minute! Your Cyberse monsters talk too?!" Haru exclaimed out of pure shock and annoyance. Great! More talking Cyberse monsters! What's next?! Can pigs fly now all of a sudden, Haru screamed in his mind.

"Every living being has the right to a voice. You should know that." Aqua told Haru, who narrowed his eyes.

"The effects of Blue Slug and Blue Tang activate in sequence. First, when Blue Slug's Link Summoned, I can add one 'Marincess' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Sea Star from my Graveyard to my hand." Blue Maiden began listing out each effect, as a card popped out of her Graveyard, which she took and added to her hand. "Second, when Blue Tang is sent to the Graveyard for the Link Summon of a Water Link monster, I can excavate the top three cards of my deck, and add one 'Marincess' card amongst the three to my hand, as well as shuffle the other two into my deck." Blue Maiden continued, as she looked at the top three cards of her deck. "I add Marincess Sea Horse from my deck to my hand." She took a card and added it to her hand before shuffling the other two back into her deck.

"I activate the effect of Marincess Sea Horse in my hand, which lets me Special Summon her to a Main Monster Zone a 'Marincess' Link monster on my field points to." A girl wearing a pink and golden dress who had blond hair appeared on Blue Maiden's field.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

"Shine, for a second time! The circuit of love, friendship, and bonds!" Blue Maiden declared, as a second Link Portal appeared above her. "The summoning conditions are one Level 4 or lower 'Marincess' monster. I set Marincess Sea Horse into the Link Markers!" Sea Horse went into the left arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Marincess Sea Angel!" A little girl in a white dress with long white hair, and the Marincess emblem on her forehead appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the Main Monster Zone Blue Slug pointed to.

Marincess Sea Angel ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬅️

"Yay! I'm on the duel field! I'm on the duel field!" Sea Angel cheered, waving her hand to Blue Maiden and Aqua, who waved back.

"When Sea Angel is Link Summoned, I can add one 'Marincess' Spell card from my deck to my hand. I add Marincess Dive from my deck to my hand." Blue Maiden decided, as a card popped out of her deck, which she took and added to her hand. "I activate the Spell card, Marincess Dive from my hand, which lets me activate one of two effects. I choose effect one, which lets me target one non-Link 'Marincess' monster in my Graveyard, and Special Summon it to my field. I target Sea Horse in my Graveyard, and Special Summon her to my field once again!" Sea Horse then reappeared on Blue Maiden's field.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

"Shine, for a third time! The circuit of love, friendship, and bonds!" A second Link Portal appeared above Blue Maiden. "The summoning conditions are two Water monsters. I set the Link 1 Marincess Blue Slug and Sea Angel into the Link Markers!" Blue Slug went into the left arrowhead, while Sea Angel went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Marincess Coral Anemone!" A young woman with orange hair appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the Main Monster Zone Blue Slug pointed to. She wore a white and pink dress with yellow frills resembling that of a jellyfish over purple tights.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

"Alright! Don't worry, Blue Maiden! With my assistance, you'll win this duel!" Coral Anemone assured Blue Maiden, the latter nodding back in response.

"I activate Coral Anemone's effect. Once per turn, I can-." Blue Maiden began speaking.

"No! Like I'll let you reap the rewards of your strategies! Continuous-Trap, activate! Hydradrive Impermanence!" Haru interrupted, having gestured to his field upon looking up Coral Anemone's effects. "If I control a 'Hydradrive' Link monster and you activate a card effect, I can target one face-up card you control and negate its effects. I target and negate Coral Anemone's effects!" Hydradrive Impermanence fired a rainbow-like vortex at Coral Anemone's, which hit her and greyed her out, much to Blue Maiden's annoyance.

"He anticipated us bringing out a Link 4 monster..." Aqua muttered.

"Believe it or not, that was actually one of the reasons why I activated Impermanence, along with preventing you from getting control of the duel of course." Haru revealed, a smirk evident on his face. "So what will you do now, Blue Maiden?"

"Keep going, that's what!" Blue Maiden answered back. "Shine, for a fourth time! The circuit of love, friendship, and bonds!" A fourth Link Portal appeared above Blue Maiden. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Marincess' monsters. I set the Link 2 Marincess Coral Anemone, and Sea Horse into the Link Markers!" Coral Anemone went into the left and bottom arrowheads, while Sea Horse went into the right arrowhead, turning all three of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Marincess Marbled Rock!" A woman in a red dress with spiky violet hair appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the Main Monster Zone Blue Slug pointed to. Spiked coral sat atop her shoulders, and fins adorned the sides of her dress. She also carried a fan-like weapon in each of her hands.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

"I'm at your beck and call, Blue Maiden!" Marbled Rock said, ready for battle.

"Thank you, Marbled Rock!" Aqua called back, grateful that Marbled Rock was on their side.

Haru, on the other hand, internally screamed in his mind. First Blue Slug, then Sea Angel, then Coral Anemone, and now Marbled Rock! Just how many of Blue Maiden's Cyberse monsters were sentient? While it was good that only the Link monsters were sentient, he still had no idea how many of them had sentience. But then again, these thoughts were irrelevant compared to Haru's mission, which he had to complete if he wanted a chance to settle the score with Raguel. "Since Coral Anemone left the field, Impermanence is destroyed." As if on cue, Impermanence turned into particles.

"When Coral Anemone is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Marincess' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Sea Horse from my Graveyard to my hand." Blue Maiden responded, as a card popped out of her Graveyard, which she took and added to her hand. "Next, I activate Sea Star's effect from my hand. By discarding this card from my hand to my Graveyard, I can target one 'Marincess' monster on my field, and increase its attack points by 800 until the end of this turn. I target Marbled Rock!" After Blue Maiden sent a card from her hand to her Graveyard, Marbled Rock was covered in a blue aura, which increased her strength.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 2500 + 800 = 3300

"In addition, I activate Marbled Rock's effect. Once per turn, I can target one 'Marincess' card in my Graveyard, and add it to my hand. I target and add Sea Star from my Graveyard to my hand." A card popped out of Blue Maiden's deck, which she took and added to her hand. "And I once again activate Sea Star's effect from my hand."

"What? You already activated Sea Star's effect!" Haru reminded Blue Maiden.

"Sea Star's effect can be activated up to twice per turn." Blue Maiden explained. "And like before, by discarding this card from my hand to my Graveyard, I can target one 'Marincess' monster on my field, and increase its attack points by 800 until the end of this turn. I target Marbled Rock once again!" After Blue Maiden sent a card from her hand to her Graveyard, Marbled Rock was covered in a blue aura once again, which increased her strength.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 3300 + 800 = 4100

"Heh. 4100 attack points won't be enough once Judgment Arrows activates." Haru reminded Blue Maiden.

"That's true, but who said I was done yet?" Blue Maiden inquired back. "I activate the Spell card, Solidarity. While I have one type of monster in my Graveyard, all monsters I control that are the same type gain 800 attack points!" Marbled Rock let out a shout as her strength increased.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 4100 + 800 = 4900

"Crap..." Haru muttered, having been caught off guard by what he just heard.

"Marbled Rock is strong enough to defeat Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun now!" Aqua commented excitedly.

"I Set one card face-down." Blue Maiden then thrusted out her right hand. "Battle! Marincess Marbled Rock attacks Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun!" Marbled Rock got ready to attack Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun.

"When a Link monster Judgment Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled until the end of the damage step." Haru told Blue Maiden, as a golden aura surrounded Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun, which doubled her strength.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 2300 X 2 = 4600

"So what? You're still losing both your monster and some of your life points!" Blue Maiden countered. "Fan Vortex!" Watery energy surrounded the fans in Marbled Rock's hands before she threw them at Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun.

"You think I'm losing my monster? Think again! I activate the effect of Impermanence in my Graveyard!" Haru replied. "By banishing it from my Graveyard, 'Hydradrive' Link monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle this turn." A rainbow-like aura surrounded Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun as the fans hit her, which fell off seconds later. Haru, on the other hand, slightly winced as his life points dropped.

Haru: 3500 – 300 = 3200 LP

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 4600 / 2 = 2300

"Tch." Blue Maiden grit her teeth. Her plan was for Marbled Rock to destroy Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun and get rid of a powerful monster on Haru's field. If she had Marincess Current, she could have dealt much more damage as well. But sadly, both plans were thrown out the window due to both Impermanence and Blue Maiden not having Current in her hand. Luckily, she was equipped to deal with whatever Haru threw at her on his turn. "I end my turn, which means Sea Star's effect ends, and Marbled Rock's attack points return to normal." Marbled Rock's strength reverted to her original amount.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 4900 – (800 X 2) = 3300

"Darn. I was close." Blue Maiden commented angrily.

"Don't worry, Blue Maiden. You'll get another chance on your next turn." Aqua reassured her partner, which made Blue Maiden nod back in confidence.

"Another chance, you say? I will acknowledge the optimism the two of you have." Haru commented. "Still, the both of you won't win against my modified Hydradrive deck!"

Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes. "This duel's only getting started, Haru. One I don't plan on losing any time soon, especially for Miyu's sake and my brother's sake on the line!"

Haru smirked. "Your brother, huh? You are aware Akira isn't your real brother, right? I mean, you guys don't share the same blood or DNA, so it makes sense, am I not correct?"

"You're wrong! Akira and I are family, and always will be!" Blue Maiden replied back.

"I suppose that's a comment I'll acknowledge as well." Haru admitted with a frown. "But on the topic of Miyu. You are aware that Raguel's fighting for her sake, right? And look at what's happened to him as a result! A broken human, who's shackled by pathetic morals and ethics! Do not go down that path, Blue Maiden. Or else you'll end up just like that waste of human life!"

"Raguel's made mistakes, but he's working hard to repent for what he's done." Blue Maiden began speaking. "And even if what he did was wrong, Raguel still had good intentions in fighting for the one he loved the most."

"Are you not fighting for someone you care about, Haru?" Aqua questioned back.

Haru narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth. "Of course I am, Water Ignis! I'm fighting to protect my big brother from you guys, and I will win this duel!"

"Thus making you and I alike..." Blue Maiden finished, which made Haru gasp. "I'll fight you in order to protect the ones I care about, and defeat anyone who stands in my way!"

"Is that so? Then let's resume this duel, shall we? My turn! I draw!" Haru drew the top card of his deck. "I activate Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun's effect. Once per turn, by banishing one 'Hydradrive' Link monster in my Graveyard-."

"Not so fast! I activate the Trap card, Marincess Wave from my hand!" Blue Maiden suddenly interjected, having looked up Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun's effects with her duel disk.

"What?! You can't activate Trap cards from your hand! That's illegal!" Haru protested.

"Normally, yes, but I can activate Wave from my hand when I control a Link 3 or higher 'Marincess' monster." Blue Maiden clarified. "When this card is activated, I can target a monster you control and negate its effects until the End Phase. In addition, if I control a Link 2 or higher 'Marincess' monster, all face-up monsters I control are unaffected by your card effects for the rest of this turn!" As if on cue, a torrent of water fired out of Wave, which formed into watery rings that restricted Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun's movements.

"Crap..." Haru grit his teeth. He intended to use Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun's effects to weaken Blue Maiden's monsters, but it seemed that wouldn't be the case. Then again, there was something else Haru can do. "Appear, my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Haru. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Booster into the Link Markers!" Hydradrive Booster went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Coolant Hydradrive!" A second copy of Coolant Hydradrive appeared on Haru's field at Judgment Arrows' top-right marker.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"You may have kept your monsters safe, Blue Maiden, but such a thing won't keep you in this duel! I summon Hydradrive Launcher from my hand to my field!" Haru continued, as a second copy appeared on his field.

Hydradrive Launcher ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 4

"Launcher's effect! Just like before, when it's-."

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Marincess Typhoon!" Blue Maiden suddenly replied, having gestured to her field. "When you activate a card effect, I can negate the effect and banish it!"

"What?!" Haru exclaimed, as Launcher turned into particles.

"In addition, as I control a Link 2 or higher 'Marincess' monster, I can banish cards you control up to the number of 'Marincess' Link monsters I control." Blue Maiden told Haru.

"As Blue Maiden currently controls one 'Marincess' Link monster, she can banish an additional card on your field, Haru." Aqua said.

"I banish Judgment Arrows!" Blue Maiden immediately decided, as a typhoon of water blasted out of the card before consuming both Launcher and Judgment Arrows completely. "And with Judgment Arrows gone, the monsters it points to are destroyed!" Judgment Arrows then fired three arrows of light in the Main Monster Zones it pointed to, which pierced Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun and Coolant Hydradrive, much to Haru's shock.

"Coolant Hydradrive's effect! When it's destroyed, I can Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' token to my field." Haru reminded Blue Maiden, as another Hydradrive token appeared on his field in defense position.

Hydradrive Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

Then to Blue Maiden and Aqua's surprise, Haru laughed.

"What you did wasn't wise, especially when I have this!" Haru gestured to his field. "Quick-Play Spell card, activate! Hydradrive Ramification! If a 'Hydradrive' monster is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can Special Summon it back to my field. Return to my field, Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun!" At Haru's command, Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun reappeared on his field in the right Main Monster Zone.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 2300 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"Here's the best part. If a Link 3 or higher 'Hydradrive' Link monster is Special Summoned by this effect, I can activate two of three effects in sequence!" Haru added.

"Two out of three effects?!" Blue Maiden and Aqua repeated out of pure surprise.

"That's right! I choose to activate effects one and two. The first effect allows me to add a card from my Graveyard to my hand, while the second effect lets me Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' token to my field. I add Utilization from my Graveyard to my hand." A card popped out of Haru's Graveyard, which he took and added to his hand. A few seconds later, another Hydradrive token appeared on his field.

Hydradrive Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Appear, for a second time! My circuit!" Haru said, as a second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set the Hydradrive token into the Link Markers!" The Hydradrive token went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Burn Hydradrive!" A second copy of Burn Hydradrive appeared on Haru's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Burn Hydradrive ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Prepare for this, Blue Maiden! Appear, for a third time! My circuit!" Haru stated, as a third Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Hydradrive' Link monsters. I set the Link 1 Burn Hydradrive, and the Link 3 Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun into the Link Markers!" Burn Hydradrive went into the top arrowhead, while Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun went into the left, bottom, and right arrowheads, all four of them turning red in the process.

"Snakes affiliated with the demonized woman! Embrace your bestiality, and merge to form into a rampant creature of annihilation! Link Summon! Come forth! Link 4! Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun!" A female, pseudo-reptile with the long tail of a snake and the upper waist of a woman appeared on Haru's field in the right Extra Monster Zone, which resulted in her being co-linked with Marbled Rock. Her attire mainly consisted of metallic armor all over her body, with the Hydradrive sigil on the chest plate portion of it. At the center of the armor was a great, stone-white face of a terrifyingly beautiful woman. She had scaly, grey skin, with tiaras resembling the Hydradrive sigil attached to the top of her eight, long heads, which were robotic in nature and the size of a hybrid crossbow. Each of the heads had a black visor covering their red eyes, which had a red gem at the center, as well as fangs. All eight heads hissed loudly upon seeing Blue Maiden.

Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ⬅️⬆️⬇️➡️

"So that's Haru's ultimate monster..." Blue Maiden muttered.

"Be on your guard, Blue Maiden. For we don't know what this new monster's effects are." Aqua cautioned.

I'd use Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun's stronger effects, but thanks to Marincess Wave, Blue Maiden's monsters are unaffected by my card effects for this turn, Haru reminded himself in his mind. At least there were other things he can do. "I activate Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun's first effect. Once per turn, I can move her to a Main Monster Zone or Extra Monster Zone she points to. I move her to the right Main Monster Zone!" Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun then changed positions at Haru's command.

"Next, I activate Hydradrive Caduceus's effect. Once per turn, by destroying a 'Hydradrive' monster on my field, I can activate one of two effects. I destroy the Hydradrive token I control to Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' monster with a different name than the destroyed monster from my deck or Graveyard. Emerge from my Graveyard, Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun!" After the Hydradrive token exploded into particles, Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun reappeared on Haru's field in the left Main Monster Zone.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 2300 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"From there, I activate the Spell card, Hydradrive Fortification!" The card showed bubbles of different colors going into Medusoid Hydradrive Kragun's chest, powering her up in the process. "I can activate a series of effects in sequence depending on the Link ratings of 'Hydradrive' Link monsters in my field and/or in my Graveyard."

"You have got to be kidding me!" Blue Maiden exclaimed.

"As Haru has 'Hydradrive' Link monsters of different Link ratings in his Graveyard, he'll most likely activate different effects that'll either benefit him or impede our progress." Aqua summed up.

"First, when I have a Link 1 'Hydradrive' monster on my field or in my Graveyard, I can discard a card from my hand to draw a card from the top of my deck. I discard Utilization and draw!" Haru began speaking, as he took a card and sent it to his Graveyard before drawing the top card of his deck. "As I don't have a Link 2 'Hydradrive' Link monster in my field or in my Graveyard, I can't use the second effect of Fortification. But moving on, because I have a Link 3 'Hydradrive' monster on my field or in my Graveyard, I can target one card in my banished zone and one card in my Graveyard before shuffling one into my deck and adding the other to my hand. I target Ramification in my Graveyard and Judgment Arrows in my banished zone, where I'll shuffle the former back into my deck, and add the latter to my hand." Two cards, one from a black portal and the other from the Graveyard, popped out before Haru took one and shuffled it into his deck. He then took the other card and added it to his hand.

"Fourth, since I have a Link 4 'Hydradrive' monster on my field or in my Graveyard, all 'Hydradrive' cards I currently control and play are unaffected by your card effects for the rest of this turn." As if on cue, rainbow auras surrounded both Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun and Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun.

"Great. Just great..." Blue Maiden muttered. That was certainly annoying to deal with.

"I activate the Equip Spell card, Attribute Bomb, and equip it onto Medusoid Hydradrive Kragun When this card is activated, I can declare an attribute, and if the equipped monster battles with a monster of the declared attribute, you take 1000 points of damage!" Haru added.

Blue Maiden grit her teeth and narrowed her eyes in anger, knowing exactly what attribute Haru was going to declare.

"I declare Water!" As if on cue, Medusoid Hydradrive Kragun was surrounded in a brown aura. "Oh, and I almost forgot! I activate the Link Spell card, Judgment Arrows!" Once again, Judgment Arrows appeared in the Spell & Trap card zone Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun pointed to.

Judgment Arrows ↖️⬆️↗️

Haru then thrusted out his right hand. "Battle! Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun attacks Marincess Marbled Rock! And thanks to Judgment Arrows pointing to Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun, her attack points are doubled!" A golden aura surrounded Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun, which doubled her strength.

Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun ATK: 3000 X 2 = 6000

"In addition, since Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun is battling a Water monster, Attribute Bomb inflicts 1000 points of damage to you! Take this!" A blue-colored energy bomb fired out of the card, which hit Blue Maiden and made her wince as her life points dropped.

Blue Maiden: 4000 – 1000 = 3000 LP

"Finish this, Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun! Venom Petrification!" Haru declared, as the eyes and mouth of the face on Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun's body opened up before revealing snake-slit eyes and horrifying fangs, which released a beam of energy that headed straight towards Marbled Rock!

"Not so fast! I activate the Continuous-Trap card, Marincess Bubble Wall from my hand!" Blue Maiden said back. The card showed Marbled Rock and Coral Triangle joining forces to create a bubble wall that protected both them, Sea Horse, and Mandarin from several energy beams headed towards the group. "While this card is on my field, 'Marincess' monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and any battle damage I take from battles involving them is halved!"

"But you're still taking damage!" Haru countered, as several bubbles formed around Marbled Rock, which protected her from the beams of energy. Blue Maiden, on the other hand, winced as her life points decreased.

Blue Maiden: 3000 – (2700 / 2) = 1650 LP

Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun ATK: 6000 / 2 = 3000

"The battle continues! Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun attacks Marincess Marbled Rock! And just like before, when a monster Judgment Arrows points to battles, its attack points are doubled until the end of the damage step!" A golden aura surrounded Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun, which doubled her strength.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 2300 X 2 = 4600

"Venom Vaporizer!" Haru declared, as all six of Scyllonic Hydradrive's heads opened wide and gathered poisonous energy in their maws before repeatedly firing it at Marbled Rock.

"I activate Marbled Rock's second effect!" Blue Maiden said back. "When an attack is declared, by sending a 'Marincess' monster from my hand to my Graveyard, all monsters for that battle are not destroyed, and I take no damage as well. I send Sea Horse from my hand to my Graveyard!" After Blue Maiden took a card and sent it to her Graveyard, a bubble formed around Marbled Rock, which protected her from the beams of energy.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 4600 / 2 = 2300

"Being defiant, huh? Fine! I end my turn." Haru begrudgingly concluded. With my two monsters, along with Judgment Arrows on my field and Hydradrive Gardna in my hand, as well as my Skill, I'll be able to defeat Blue Maiden once my next turn comes around, he confidently thought in his mind.

"My turn! I draw!" Blue Maiden said, as she drew the top card of her deck. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Marincess Blessing!" The card showed a bright light shining on Sea Angel as she was illuminated with strength, with Wonder Heart performing the ceremony. Watching the ceremony was Blue Tang, Sea Horse, Mandarin, Pascalus, and Marbled Rock, the five of them clapping out of joy and happiness. "By targeting one 'Marincess' Link monster on my field, I can not only shuffle 'Marincess' monsters into my deck and Extra Deck with different names equal to its Link rating, but also draw the same amount of cards as well. I target Marbled Rock, who is a Link 3 monster. That means I can shuffle three cards before drawing the top three cards of my deck. I shuffle Blue Slug, Coral Anemone, and Sea Angel into my Extra Deck, and draw!" Three cards popped out of Blue Maiden's Graveyard, which she took and shuffled into her Extra Deck. Once that was done, Blue Maiden drew the top three cards of her deck.

Upon looking at the three cards, Blue Maiden grinned. "I activate Marbled Rock's effect. Once per turn, I can target one 'Marincess' card in my Graveyard, and add it to my hand. I target and add Sea Horse from my Graveyard to my hand." A card popped out of Blue Maiden's Graveyard, which she took and added to her hand.

"Next, I activate Sea Horse's effect from my hand. Once per turn, I can Special Summon her to a Main Monster Zone a 'Marincess' Link monster points to." Blue Maiden continued, as Sea Horse once again appeared on her field in the Main Monster Zone Marbled Rock pointed to.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

Marincess Sea Horse ATK: 1400 + 800 = 2200

I don't know what Blue Maiden's up to, but I can't risk anything in this duel, Haru swore in his mind. "Not so fast! I activate my Skill! Hydreality!" The gauntlets on Haru's arms, along with the star on his chest, glowed a rainbow color. "Once per duel, I can declare an attribute, and change the attributes of all monsters on the field to the declared attribute!"

"You're changing our monster's attributes?" Aqua questioned, while Blue Maiden gasped.

"Yup! I declare Wind!" Haru decided, as his right fist glowed, which caused green auras to surround Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun, Scyllonic Hydradrive Gorgun, Marbled Rock, and Sea Horse. "And for each monster whose attribute was changed by this effect, I gain 500 life points. Since four monsters attributes were changed, I gain 2000 life points!" A golden aura surrounded Haru, which increased his life points.

Haru: 3200 + (500 X 4) = 5200 LP

Blue Maiden frowned. That didn't sound good, as her stronger 'Marincess' Link monsters needed Water monsters. However, such a thing wouldn't deter her from winning this duel. "Shine, the circuit of love, friendship, and bonds!" A Link Portal appeared above Blue Maiden. "The summoning conditions are one Level 4 or lower 'Marincess' monster. I set Marincess Sea Horse into the Link Markers!" Sea Horse went into the left arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Marincess Sea Angel!" Sea Angel once again appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the Main Monster Zone Marbled Rock pointed to.

Marincess Sea Angel ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬅️

Marincess Sea Angel ATK: 1000 + 800 = 1800

"Yes! I'm back! I'm so happy!" Sea Angel cried out of joy, with Marbled Rock gently patting her on the head in joyous response.

"And just like before, when Sea Angel is Link Summoned, I can add one 'Marincess' Spell card from my deck to my hand. I add Marincess Battle Ocean from my deck to my hand." Blue Maiden added, as a card popped out of her deck, which she took and added to her hand. "I activate the Field Spell card, Marincess Battle Ocean. Now all 'Marincess' monsters I control gain 200 attack points." Marbled Rock and Sea Angel were surrounded in a blue aura that increased their strength further.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 3300 + 200 = 3500

Marincess Sea Angel ATK: 1800 + 200 = 2000

"I activate the effect of Marincess Mandarin from my hand. As I control two or more 'Marincess' monsters, I can Special Summon her to my field. However, she's banished once she leaves the field." Soon, a pink-haired girl in an orange robe over a blue skirt appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the Main Monster Zone Sea Angel pointed to.

Marincess Mandarin ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 1

Marincess Mandarin ATK: 100 + 800 + 200 = 1100

"From there, I activate the Spell card, Link Baton Pass." Blue Maiden added. "By tributing a Link monster I control, I can Special Summon a Link monster with a different name whose Link rating is equal to or less than tributed monsters, and treat it as a Link Summon! However, it can't attack the turn it was Special Summoned by this effect."

"Your card can do that?" Haru questioned.

"It sure can! I tribute Marbled Rock to Special Summon Coral Anemone from my Extra Deck to my field!" Blue Maiden announced, as Marbled Rock turned to particles. Seconds later, Coral Anemone reappeared on Blue Maiden's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK: 2000 + 800 + 200 = 3000

"Whew! It's good to be back! The Graveyard can be chilly!" Coral Anemone commented.

"I get what you're saying..." Aqua agreed.

"Shine, for a second time! The circuit of love, friendship, and bonds!" Blue Maiden said, as a second Link Portal appeared above her. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Water' monsters. I set the Link 1 Marincess Sea Angel, the Link 2 Coral Anemone, and Mandarin into the Link Markers!" Sea Angel went into the top arrowhead, Coral Anemone went into the left and right arrowheads, and Mandarin went into the bottom arrowhead, turning all of them red.

"Sorceress of the ocean! Heed my call, and safeguard the ocean from those who threaten it! Link Summon! Arise! Link 4! Marincess Aqua Argonaut!" A woman with yellow eyes and very long silver hair that was tied in two long strands appeared on Blue Maiden's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Her attire consisted of sleeveless black shirt with a blue tie, as well as a silver skirt over tights. Attached to her back was a pair of pink, translucent wings resembling that of an angels. In her hands, she carried a battle halberd.

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 2300 LINK-4 ⬅️⬆️⬇️➡️

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 2300 + 800 + 200 = 3300

"If you dare threaten my allies, I will deal with you swiftly!" Aqua Argonaut declared.

"So will I, Aqua Argonaut! I will protect those I care about!" Blue Maiden added. "But moving forward, Coral Anemone's effect activates. When Coral Anemone is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Marincess' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Sea Star from my Graveyard to my hand." A card popped out of Blue Maiden's Graveyard, which she took and added to her hand.

"I now activate Battle Ocean's second effect. When a 'Marincess' Link monster is Special Summoned to the Extra Monster Zone, I can target that monster, and equip up to three 'Marincess' Link monsters with different Link ratings from my Graveyard to that monster!"

"Are you kidding me?!" Haru exclaimed. Was that effect something that turned monsters into... Link Spells? No. That couldn't be at all!

"I equip Marbled Rock from my Graveyard to Aqua Argonaut!" A silhouette of Marbled Rock appeared as she turned to particles, which went into Aqua Argonaut and powered up. "And a 'Marincess' Link monster equipped with other 'Marincess' Link monsters gains attack points equal to the total Link rating of those monsters times 300. As Marbled Rock's Link rating is three, that means Aqua Argonaut gains 900 attack points!"

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 3300 + (300 X 3) = 4200

"In addition, I activate the effect of Typhoon in my Graveyard. When I Link Summon a 'Marincess' Link monster, I can banish this card from my Graveyard to decrease your monster's attack points equal to the Link Summoned 'Marincess' Link monster's original attack points." Blue Maiden revealed.

"WHAT?!" Haru gasped.

"Aqua Argonaut's original attack points are 2300, which means Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun loses 2300 attack points!" A typhoon hit Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun, which decreased her strength.

Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun ATK: 2300 – 2300 = 0

"I summon Marincess Sea Star from my hand to my field." Blue Maiden continued, as a girl with spiked, dark-turquoise hair appeared on her field. Her attire consisted of a dark-blue shirt with no sleeves, light-green baggy pants, purple shoes, and a white scarf wrapped around her neck.

Marincess Sea Star ATK: 800 DEF: 400 LV: 2

Marincess Sea Star ATK: 800 + 800 + 200 = 1800

"I now activate Aqua Argonaut's effect. Once per turn, I can target one Water monster on my field and one card you control, and return them to our hands."

"Oh, crap..." Haru muttered to himself.

"I target Sea Star and Judgment Arrows, and return them to our hands!" Blue Maiden decided, as both cards turned to particles that returned to their owner's hands.

"And with Judgment Arrows gone, both of your monsters are toast!" Aqua reminded Haru.

"Not necessarily!" Haru countered. "I activate the effect of Hydradrive Gardna in my hand. By sending it from my hand to the Graveyard, 'Hydradrive' Link monsters I control can't be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn!" A shell-like version of the Hydradrive sigil appeared behind Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun and Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun, which caused the arrows of light to bounce off of them. "You'll have to try harder than that to defeat me."

"Perhaps, but I can still get control of this duel." Blue Maiden replied. "I activate Sea Star's effect from my hand. By discarding this card from my hand to my Graveyard, I can target one 'Marincess' monster on my field, and increase its attack points by 800 until the end of this turn. I target Aqua Argonaut!" After Blue Maiden sent a card from her hand to her Graveyard, Aqua Argonaut was covered in a blue aura, which increased her strength.

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 4200 + 800 = 5000

"Battle! Marincess Aqua Argonaut attacks Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun! Hydro Halberd Slash!" Aqua Argonaut leapt into the air and slashed Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun with the halberd in her hands, which hit the shell surrounding the latter at the last second. An explosion then occurred, which caused Haru to nearly lose balance on his duel board as his life points dropped.

Haru: 5200 – 5000 = 200 LP

If I didn't use my Skill, I would have lost, Haru realized in his mind. He made a good call, and thanks to his cautiousness, he had one more chance to defeat Blue Maiden.

"With that, I end my turn, which means Sea Star's effect ends, and Aqua Argonaut's attack points revert to the amount they were at." Blue Maiden concluded, as Aqua Argonaut's strength slightly decreased.

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 5000 – 800 = 4200

"My turn! I draw!" Haru said, as he drew the top card of his deck before looking up Aqua Argonaut's effects. He frowned after doing so upon realizing what she can do. If Haru was to win this duel, he had to tread carefully, or else he'd lose in the end.

"Not so fast! I activate Bubble Wall's second effect!" Blue Maiden interrupted. "By sending it to my Graveyard, I can target one 'Marincess' monster I control, and have it become unaffected by your card effects for the rest of this turn! I target Aqua Argonaut!" As if on cue, bubbles orbited around Aqua Argonaut, which formed a blue aura that surrounded her.

"Tch." Haru grit his teeth. That meant there was no point in activating Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun or Medusoid Hydradrive Kragun's effects. However, there were some things he can do. "I activate the Spell card, Pot of Avarice. This card lets me target five monsters in my Graveyard and shuffle them into my deck, and by doing so, I can draw the top two cards of my deck. I target a copy of Coolant Hydradrive, Burn Hydradrive, Grand Hydradrive, Flow Hydradrive, and Hydradrive Booster in my Graveyard!" Haru took five cards in his Graveyard, and shuffled them into his deck and Extra Deck. Once that was done, he drew the top two cards of his deck.

"Appear, my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Haru. "The summoning conditions are one 'Hydradrive' Link monster. I set the Link 4 Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun into the Link Markers!" Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Hydradrive Syzoth!" Six glowing arms with snake heads on the tip of all its fingers and thumbs appeared on Haru's field in the right Extra Monster Zone before going over to where Haru was. Two of the arms orbited above Haru's head, the second two orbited at his sides, and the last two orbited near his legs. One arm glowed blue, the second glowed red, the third glowed green, the fourth glowed yellow, the third glowed brown, and the last one glowed purple.

Hydradrive Syzoth ATK: ? LINK-1 ⬇️

"When Syzoth is Link Summoned, it gains attack points equal to the attack points of the 'Hydradrive' Link monster used for its Link Summon." Haru explained. "As Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun had 3000 attack points, that means Syzoth gains 3000 attack points!" All six arms glowed as their strength increased.

Hydradrive Syzoth ATK: ? + 3000 = 3000

"Next, I activate Caduceus's effect. Like before, by destroying a 'Hydradrive' monster on my field, I can activate one of two effects. I destroy Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun to activate the first effect, which lets me Special Summon one 'Hydradrive' monster with a different name than the destroyed monster from my deck or Graveyard. Emerge from my Graveyard, Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun!" After Scyllonic Hydradrive Kragun turned to particles, Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun reappeared on his field in the Main Monster Zone.

Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ⬅️⬆️⬇️➡️

"Get ready, Blue Maiden. Because I once again activate the Link Spell card-." Haru began speaking.

"I don't think so, Haru! I activate Aqua Argonaut's second effect!" Blue Maiden interrupted. "Once per turn, during either of our turns, when you activate a Spell or Trap card, I can Special Summon one of my 'Marincess' monsters equipped to her to my field and negate that effect."

"Great! Not this again!" Haru grit his teeth.

"I Special Summon Marbled Rock to my field, and negate Judgment Arrows! Hydro Suction!" Aqua Argonaut raised her halberd high into the air, which caused two whirlpools of energy to appear before heading over to Blue Maiden and Haru's fields. One pulled Marbled Rock to Blue Maiden's field, while the other one suffocated Judgment Arrows completely.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 2500 + 800 + 200 = 3500

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 4200 – (300 X 3) = 3300

"And with Judgment Arrows gone once again, your monsters are toast! This time for good!" Aqua added, as arrows of light appeared before heading towards Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun!

"Sorry, but if a 'Hydradrive' monster I control would leave the field by battle or card effect, I can banish Fortification from my Graveyard instead." Haru replied, as different-coloured bubbles formed around Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun, which protected her from the arrows of light. "To be honest, I knew you'd do that at one point. And thanks to your little actions, I can now do this! I activate Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun's effect! Once per turn, by shuffling one 'Hydradrive' Link monster into my Extra Deck, all monsters you control that share the same attribute as the shuffled monster have their attack points reduced to zero. What's more, their effects are negated as well."

"WHAT?!" both Blue Maiden and Aqua exclaimed at the same time. While Aqua Argonaut was going to be safe from such an effect, Marbled Rock on the other hand...

"I shuffle the Link 1 Coolant Hydradrive into my Extra Deck, which means all Water monsters you control have their attack points reduced to zero, and their effects negated as well! Venom Siphoner!" A card popped out of Haru's Graveyard, which he took and shuffled into his Extra Deck. Soon, Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun's eight heads turned blue, all of them going through eight separate portals that appeared in front of her before appearing on Blue Maiden's field and biting Aqua Argonaut and Marbled Rock. Whereas Aqua Argonaut was okay, Marbled Rock screamed in pain as her strength was siphoned completely.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 3500 – 3500 = 0

"Last but not least, I activate the Spell card, Property Cyclone!" Haru added, as he played a card in his hand. The card showed multiple colored bubbles swirling around a spell card as it turned to particles. "When this card is activated, I can banish Spell or Trap cards on your field up to the number of 'Hydradrive' Link monsters on my field."

"Oh no!" Blue Maiden gasped, and so did Aqua.

"As I control two 'Hydradrive' Link monsters on my field, that means I can banish two Spell or Trap cards to your Graveyard. I banish Solidarity and Marincess Battle Ocean to your Graveyard!" Multiple colored bubbles swirled around Solidarity and Battle Ocean, turning both of them into particles. "And without your two cards, Aqua Argonaut's attack points revert to normal." Aqua Argonaut grit her teeth as her strength reverted to normal.

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 3300 – 800 – 200 = 2300

"I Set one card face-down." Haru said, before he thrusted out his right hand. "Battle! Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun attacks Marincess Marbled Rock!"

"Sorry, but while Aqua Argonaut is in the Extra Monster Zone, you can only target her for attacks." Blue Maiden told Haru, as Aqua Argonaut went in front of Marbled Rock to protect her.

"Well, you're still taking damage one way or another." Haru replied. "Venom Petrification!" The eyes and mouth of the face on Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun's body opened up before revealing snake-slit eyes and horrifying fangs, which released a beam of energy that made Aqua Argonaut scream in agony. The eight heads then opened wide and gathered poisonous energy before firing beams of energy that melted Aqua Argonaut and caused a massive explosion, much to Haru's joy. He smiled more as he saw Blue Maiden wince from the attack before her life points dropped.

Blue Maiden: 1650 – 700 = 950 LP

"Bleed from this, Blue Maiden! Hydradrive Syzoth attacks Marincess Marbled Rock!" Haru thrusted his hands in front of him as the six arms of energy charged forward towards Marbled Rock!

"I activate the second effect of Blessing from my Graveyard." Blue Maiden suddenly said. "By banishing this card from my Graveyard, I can target one 'Marincess' monster on my field, and gain life points equal to its original attack points! I target Marbled Rock, whose original attack points are 2500. That means I gain 2500 life points!" A blue aura surrounded Blue Maiden as her life points increased.

Blue Maiden: 950 + 2500 = 3450 LP

"You're still losing your monster." Haru responded, before having Syzoth's arms brutally pummel Marbled Rock by directing their movements with different kinds of punches, as if he were in control of them. Soon, an explosion occurred that pushed Blue Maiden back as her life points dropped once again.

Blue Maiden: 3450 – 3000 = 450 LP

"Now, Blue Maiden! Free the sleeping emotions within you!" Aqua exclaimed.

"I activate my Skill! Shape of Sea!" Blue Maiden declared, as a set of white wings sprung from her back. A tornado of water then formed in front of her.

Haru blinked. "What is this?"

"When I take battle damage, I can Special Summon one Water monster from my Graveyard whose attack points are equal to or less than the damage I took. As the damage was 3000, that means I can Special Summon Aqua Argonaut from my Graveyard to my field." At Blue Maiden's command, Aqua Argonaut reappeared on her field in the Main Monster Zone.

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 2300 LINK-4 ⬅️⬆️⬇️➡️

Haru grit his teeth as both him and Syzoth cracked their knuckles out of annoyance. "I end my turn." It's alright. You have two strong monsters on your field, and Hydradrive Retaliation face-down in case you have no other option. Survive this turn, and you'll get the chance to settle the score with Raguel once and for all, he assured himself in his mind.

"My turn! I draw!" Blue Maiden said, as she drew the top card of her deck. In her mind, this was her last chance to defeat Haru. For should she fail, then he'll win the duel. No. I won't lose here. For Miyu's sake and my brother's, I will win, she vowed in her mind.

"I activate the effect of Marincess Sleepy Maiden in my hand. By targeting one 'Marincess' monster I control, I can Special Summon her from my hand to my field." A woman with light-purple hair who wore a tiara on her head appeared on Blue Maiden's field. She wore a light-purple dress with yellow outlines and blue gems on the sides. On her chest was the Marincess emblem.

Marincess Sleepy Maiden ATK: 500 DEF: 2500 LV: 5

"In addition, the targeted monster can't be destroyed by battle or card effects while she's on the field." Blue Maiden continued. "But moving past that, I activate the Spell card, Pot of Avarice. This card lets me target five monsters in my Graveyard and shuffle them into my deck, and by doing so, I can draw the top two cards of my deck. I target Sea Horse, Sea Star, Blue Tang, Blue Slug, and Sea Angel in my Graveyard, and draw!" Five cards popped out of Blue Maiden's Graveyard, which she took and shuffled into her deck and Extra Deck. After doing so, she drew the top two cards of her deck, and smiled upon doing so.

"I activate the Spell card, Marincess Encore!" The card showed Aqua Argonaut putting on a musical performance for Sea Angel, Blue Tang, Basilalima, Crown Tail, Sea Horse, and Mandarin, all of them cheering with joy. "By tributing a 'Marincess' monster on my field, I can Special Summon one 'Marincess' monster from my Graveyard to my field. I tribute Sleepy Maiden, and Special Summon Marbled Rock from my Graveyard to my field." After Sleepy Maiden turned into particles, Marbled Rock reappeared on Blue Maiden's field.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

"Next, I activate Sleepy Maiden's effect in my Graveyard. By banishing her from my Graveyard, I can target one 'Marincess' Link monster I control, and equip it with one 'Marincess' Link monster in my Graveyard." Blue Maiden added. "I target Aqua Argonaut, and equip her with Coral Anemone!" A silhouette of Coral Anemone appeared before she turned to particles, which went into Aqua Argonaut.

"I activate the Continuous-Spell card, Marincess Schooling." Blue Maiden thrusted out her right hand. "Battle! Marincess Aqua Argonaut attacks Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun! And when a 'Marincess' monster battles a monster you control, I can have that monster gain attack points equal to the attack points of one other 'Marincess' monster I control until the end of the damage step."

"Crap... I didn't expect that..." Haru admitted.

"As Marbled Rock's attack points are 2500, that means Aqua Argonaut gains 2500 attack points!" Blue Maiden said, as Aqua Argonaut was surrounded in a blue aura, which powered her up.

Marincess Aqua Argonaut ATK: 2300 + 2500 = 4800

"Hydro Halberd Slash!" Aqua Argonaut leapt into the air and slashed Medusoid Hydradrive Gorgun with the halberd in her hands, which caused an explosion that began going to where Haru was.

"If I can't win, then I'll ensure you don't win this duel either! Trap card, activate! Hydradrive Retaliation!" Haru said. "When a 'Hydradrive' Link monster is-."

"Sorry, but I'm not gonna allow that to happen! I activate Aqua Argonaut's second effect!" Blue Maiden interrupted. "Once per turn, during either of our turns, when you activate a Spell or Trap card, I can Special Summon one of my 'Marincess' monsters equipped to her to my field and negate that effect."

"Damn it! This can't be!" Haru exclaimed.

"Oh, but it is! I Special Summon Coral Anemone to my field, and negate Retaliation's effect! Hydro Suction!" Aqua Argonaut raised her halberd high into the air, which caused two whirlpools of energy to appear before heading over to Blue Maiden and Haru's fields. One pulled Coral Anemone to Blue Maiden's field, while the other one suffocated Retaliation completely.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

As a result, Haru could do nothing but scream as the explosion struck him before he was knocked off his duel board.

Haru: 200 – 1800 = 0

Memories flowed through Haru's head. He remembered when Bohman woke up, and how he was crying with joy when Bohman remembered his name. Haru also remembered something else. He was sitting on the statues, looking at the artificial sunset with Bohman.

"Lightning may be smart, but he will never know what is in our hearts. As long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, I will always be your brother, and you will always be mine."

Isn't that funny, Haru thought, tears falling from his eyes. Bohman said that family is forever, just as how Blue Maiden said how the people in her life motivates her to keep fighting. Perhaps humans and AIs aren't so different after all. We both fight for those we care about, even if it means risking everything. Maybe this is what it means to be human.

Haru closed his eyes. Goodbye, Bohman. You were the best brother I ever had. And Azrael and Wraith. Thanks for being my mentors. I've truly found out who I am thanks to you guys, and will never let the ideals I've formed about myself go. See you guys later.

Before Blue Maiden's eyes, Haru turned gold before disintegrating into data. "I...I didn't want this..."

"Blue Maiden, listen closely." Aqua said firmly, which got Blue Maiden's attention. "You feel the pain of others because that is who you are. And you must never sacrifice that. Never! Not for anyone or anything else! Do you understand me?"

"Aqua..." Blue Maiden muttered.

"As long as your heart is open, you'll be able to retain your compassion, your empathy, and all the good qualities that are inside you. Blue Maiden, please promise me that you'll keep your heart open no matter what happens next. Promise?"

Blue Maiden nodded back. "I will, Aqua. You have my word."

"Excellent. Then let's go stop Lightning and Azrael!"

"Right!"

Blue Maiden then sped forward on her duel board, intent on finding Lightning and Azrael's whereabouts. But unbeknownst to her and Aqua, the golden pieces of data turned into a ball, which floated upward to where Jericho was before hovering just above his right palm.

"What an excellent duel, Blue Maiden! Thanks for the data, along with this guy right here!" Jericho exclaimed cheerfully, as he poked the golden data ball with his left index finger to see if Haru was still active. Sure enough, he was. And thanks to Blue Maiden, Jericho managed to capture Haru's data. With the right amount of effort, Jericho was confident that Haru can be restored.

One down, one to go, Jericho thought in his mind, before following after the others. No one can see him, and he can see them thanks to his masking program and the snares he's been setting up. Both of those things will be key factors in him completing his mission, that's for sure.

After all, no one can stop what's coming if they didn't know about it, right?

Meanwhile, in Lightning's castle...

"Mirroring system synchronization complete," a voice announced, as the light faded from Bohman.

Upon seeing Haru being defeated at Blue Maiden's hands before his very eyes on the screen, Bohman yelled and stood up on his feet, the blue cords rising with him. Tears began falling from Bohman's eyes. "HARU! You sacrificed your life for me, and for that, I promise to avenge you. This I swear!"

"Tell me, Bohman. How does it feel to lose a loved one?" Azrael taunted, which made the saddened and angry Bohman turn to him.

"Ha! Just as you said, Azrael. Loss can be a powerful motivator, and it seems that it did the trick for Bohman." Wraith commented humorously. "Now he's motivated for sure."

"I now understand what you mean by discovering humanity and emotions, Azrael. For thanks to your words, I have become stronger in mind and body." Bohman told Azrael.

"Glad to hear, Bohman." Azrael replied, before walking to the entrance of Bohman's chambers. He stopped walking, however, upon reaching it. "Oh, I have one last piece of advice for you."

"And what would that be?"

"If you intend to fulfil your calling and forge your own path, don't just stop at the little girl who defeated your little brother. Keep avenging on everyone that is in your way. Don't hold anything back while doing so, and keep avenging until everyone that has wronged you has been defeated." Azrael smirked before leaving Bohman's chambers, leaving a grieving and angry Bohman alone.

Is that right, Bohman thought in his mind, as he made a right fist. Alright, then. I will not stop until all of my enemies has been defeated. And should any of my allies get in my way, I will destroy them as well!

Green, wispy pieces of data are shown floating through the network as a bright light briefly covers the screen, multiple cards popping up one by one.

Yusaku is first shown walking to school before he morphs into his VRAINS Persona Playmaker. Takeru is also shown doing the same thing before he morphs into his VRAINS Persona Soulburner. Last but not least, Yuhiro and Arashi are shown doing the same thing before they morph into the VRAINS Personas Raguel and Slipstream. Ai, Flame, Aqua, and Herald pop up on the screen one by one afterwards.

A split screen then pops up, showing Aoi walking down the street on one side, while Emma scratches the back of her head on the other side, as if she were stressed out. The both of them then morph into their VRAINS Personas Blue Maiden and Ghost Girl. A second split screen pops up afterwards, showing Rachel on her tablet on one side, while Gekiryushi practices her swordsmanship on the other side with concentration. The both of them then morph into their VRAINS Personas Numera and SengokuQueen.

Soon after, a third split screen appears, showing a skinny Go Onizuka clutching his head in pain with his left hand, while Kengo Dojun puts a hand on his chin, as if thinking something over. The screen then cracks, showing a virtual network where Go closes his eyes and spreads out his hands with a smile, while Blood Shepherd aims his right hand at the screen. A fourth split screen appears, showing Akairo completing some schoolwork, while Brion is in his apartment, looking at a picture in his locket with narrowed eyes, which showed his family. The screen then cracks, showing Drachen with Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword in his hand, while Electrolyzer has PSY-Framegears Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta attached to his body.

The main tower LINK VRAINS is shown before the screen cracks in two, which reveals the main tower in Mirror LINK VRAINS. Lightning's faction is shown in the light, but then the screen is enveloped in darkness before depicting Azrael flaring out the Muramasa with Malf and Wraith on his sides.

Revolver, Specter, and Infearno are then shown on the screen, with Revolver on the left, Infearno in the center, and Specter on the right.

The screen changes to show multiple people at Green Park. First is Kusanagi and Roxy beside one another, with Akira speaking to Emma and Gekiryushi nearby. Next is Arashi crossing his arms, with Takeru is looking out at another area while Yusaku simply looks ahead of him, Aoi sitting down on the stairs nearby. Yuhiro is seen looking ahead of him with a stressed expression on his face, a silhouette of Miyu trying to comfort him. Rachel runs up to where Yuhiro is before standing next to him, with Naoki trying to wave his hand to the humans nearby. Herald is shown with Ai, Flame, and Aqua nearby the humans. Last but not least, Ryoken, Youta, and Emon are shown conversing in another area of Green Park.

The screen then shows a grey landscape, where duel monsters appear in pairs. First is Firewall Dragon and Firewall eXceed Dragon, second is Salamangreat Heatleo and Violet Chimera, third is Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode and Turboblaze Dragon, fourth is Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake, and fifth is Borreload Savage Dragon and Borreload Dragon before all of them disappear one by one. Last but not least, a network background appears, with a strand of rainbow data flowing around it before Raguel, Playmaker, Soulburner, and Slipstream appear, along with Ai, Flame, and Herald. All four humans draw a card from the top of their decks before a bright light covers the screen.

Card Gallery

Bitboot:

Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle (LR: 3/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 3000/⬅️⬇️➡️)

Effect: 2 or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. During either player's turn, when your opponent takes effect damage (Quick Effect): You can have this card gain ATK equal to the damage your opponent took, and if you do, gain LP equal to the damage your opponent took. If this card would leave the field by battle or card effect (Quick Effect): You can move this card to a Main Monster Zone this card points to instead, and if you do, during the End Phase, you can banish a card your opponent controls, and if you do that, inflict damage equal to the ATK of 1 non-Link 'Darkscourge' monster in your GY. You can only use each effect of 'Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle' once per turn.

Darkscourge Deterioration (Normal Trap card)

Effect: When this card is activated: Banish all cards in your opponent's hand, and if you do, inflict 200 damage to your opponent for each card banished by this effect. Then, your opponent draws cards from the top of their deck equal to the cards banished by this effect. You can only activate 1 'Darkscourge Deterioration' per turn.

Haru:

Hydradrive Fortification (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Activate the following effects, in sequence, depending on the Link ratings of 'Hydradrive' Link monsters on your field and/or in your GY:

Link 1: Discard 1 card from your hand, then draw 1 card from the top of your deck.

Link 2: Target 1 'Hydradrive' Link monster you control; gain LP equal to its original ATK.

Link 3: Target 1 card in your GY and 1 card in your banished zone; shuffle 1 into your deck, and if you do, add the other to your hand.

Link 4: For the rest of this turn, 'Hydradrive' Link monsters you control are unaffected by your opponent's effects.

If a 'Hydradrive' monster you control would leave the field by battle or card effect: You can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only activate 1 'Hydradrive Fortification' per turn.

Property Cyclone (Normal Spell card)

Effect: When this card is activated: Banish Spell and/or Trap cards your opponent controls, up to the number of 'Hydradrive' Link monsters you control. You can only activate 1 'Property Cyclone' per turn.

Hydradrive Syzoth (LR: 1/Cyberse/Earth/ATK: ?/⬇️)

Effect: 1 'Hydradrive' Link monster. When this card is Link Summoned: You can have this card gain ATK equal to the ATK of the 'Hydradrive' Link monster used for this card's Link Summon. If this card battles, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the damage step. If your opponent activates a card effect that targets a card(s) you control (Quick Effect): You can negate it, and if you do, banish it. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to each of these card's effects. You can only use this effect of 'Hydradrive Syzoth' once per turn.

Blue Maiden:

Marincess Encore (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Tribute 1 'Marincess' monster on your field; Special Summon 1 'Marincess' monster from your GY to your field with a different name. You can only activate 1 'Marincess Encore' per turn.

Marincess Blessing (Quick-Play Spell card)

Effect: Target 1 'Marincess' Link monster you control; shuffle 'Marincess' monsters into your deck and/or Extra Deck, and if you do, draw cards equal to the number of monsters shuffled by this effect. If this card is in your GY, except the turn it was sent there: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 'Marincess' monster you control; gain LP equal to its original ATK. You can only use each effect of 'Marincess Blessing' once per turn.

QOTC

If this Haru dueled against different versions of Haru from other VRAINS fanfics (ex. Hidden Memories, Overdrive, etc.), how would he fare against them? And which of Haru's duels did you like this season?

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 86: Hypocrisy Of A Saint. Playmaker's alliance has broken through Lightning and Azrael's defenses. But just when they reach their common foes, there are separated and entrapped, where they will be picked off one by one. Wanting to provide a preview for what's to come, Azrael approaches Watchman, the former having sinister plans for the latter...

Author's Notes

Credit goes to HunterHQ for reading the duels, as well as Donjusticia for helping out with Haru's character development.

This chapter continues from the previous chapter, where the heroes arrive in Mirror LINK VRAINS. So I'll just simply talk about the duels that occur here, as that's one of the more prominent things that happens here.

First up is the duels between the three Knights of Hanoi and their respective Bitboots. Now in the previous chapter, you said that the duels got a bit... repetitive in terms of the strategies Bitboot used. But in all honesty, Bitboot only has one main strategy, which was the Voyage to Hell combo. So to change things up a bit, I had Bitboot bring out Darkscourge Full Metal Dunkle, and boy was it powerful. It actually proved to be a tough obstacle for the Hanoi to get through. But being the Knights of Hanoi, they tore through the Bitboots, thus proving that humans are superior, and AIs are inferior.

We also get to see Revolver and Specter's Skills in this chapter as well. First up is Revolver's Skill, which is called Rokket Burst to replace Storm Access. Do note that Revolver lost Storm Access thanks to Malf back in Chapter 66, so reread that chapter if needed. This is how Rokket Burst works: After Revolver Special Summons a 'Borrel' monster, he can not only bring out a 'Rokket' monster from his hand, deck, Graveyard, or banished zone to his field, but also activate a series of effects depending on the type of 'Borrel' monsters on his field and in his Graveyard. Think of it as a Skill version of Bayonet Punisher. As for Specter's Skill, it's called Sunavalon Harvest, where in exchange for taking damage that's less than or equal to 1000, he can Special Summon one 'Sunvine' Link monster to a Main Monster Zone a 'Sunavalon' Link monster points to. The best part is that all Plant Link monsters are unaffected by the opponent's card effects.

Watchman also duels a Bitboot in this chapter, where we see his Skill as well, which is called Cubic Oblivion. Basically, it lets him Fusion Summon a Cubic Fusion monster by using monsters from his hand, field, or deck as Fusion Materials. It also makes that Fusion monster unaffected by the opponent's card effects while it's on the field. Thanks to that Skill, I think Watchman is the only duelist who won a duel by technically not playing any cards from his hand.

I actually have a curious question for you guys: Do you think the Bit and Boot under Gil's control should duel? If so, then they won't use D-Scale, and will use a different archetype instead. Let me know what you think of this idea, as feedback is needed for the future.

But now onto the main part of this chapter, which was the Blue Maiden vs Haru duel. Now from your reviews, I saw that you really wanted Haru to win. If I'm being honest, I actually considered making this duel end in a draw, but this is unfortunately one of those times where I have to follow anime events. Besides, if Haru didn't lose at Blue Maiden's hands, then Bohman would have lost the motivation to avenge his little brother, right? Still, in honor of Haru and how he developed as a character, I decided to have him unleash everything he had against Blue Maiden with no mercy at all. It got to the point where he was willing to finish the duel with his own hands. Well, Hydradrive Syzoth's hands anyway. For those of you wondering where I got inspiration for this monster, look up Loptr on Bayonetta, as he summoned magical arms to fight her in one of the games.

But even with all the upgrades and training Haru had throughout this season, he was unable to defeat Blue Maiden. Haru put up a much better fight, and nearly defeated her, but ended up losing in the end. I will confirm this: If Haru survived one more turn, he would have won in the end. As for Haru's loss, there's two reasons for this. The first is that, like I said above, there are times where I must follow anime events, and this is unfortunately one of those times. The second is that Blue Maiden is more experienced than Haru. While both duelists understood their decks and how their cards worked in tandem with one another, in the end, Blue Maiden managed to outwit, outsmart, and outthink Haru.

Following the duel, just when you think Haru's disappeared for good, his data ends up forming into a golden ball that heads straight to where Jericho is. I will confirm this now: Jericho has captured Haru, and now has his data as a result of Blue Maiden's duel. What does Jericho have in mind for Haru, you may ask? I can't spoil that for you, but expect more of Haru as the story progresses.

Regarding Haru's relationship with Azrael and Wraith, while he does have the canonically brotherly relationship with Bohman, he has formed an attachment with the duo because of how they mentored him. And thanks to Azrael and Wraith, Haru managed to form his own ideals about himself, as well as solidifying his own identity as Bohman's little brother. Again, I just want to thank Donjusticia for helping with Haru's character development, for he's a much better character in this story compared to what the anime showed about him, don't you agree?

And then after that is anime events, with Azrael telling Bohman to keep avenging until all of the latter's enemies have been defeated. Simple as that.

Therefore, I want to thank everyone for reading Chapter 85 of Obscured Truth. As always, please let me know your thoughts about the chapters below in your reviews. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated, as your tips and advice helps make the story better. In addition, don't forget to favourite and follow the story. That way, you will get a notification once the next chapter is released.

What did you enjoy the most from this chapter? The duels? The fact that Jericho has captured Haru? Or the special conversation between Blue Maiden and Aqua?

That's all for now, folks. Starting next chapter, every chapter will have a single duel as we move forward into the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc. Let me know what you're looking forward to seeing in the coming chapters. And remember: Expect the unexpected. I'll do my best to release the next chapter by Christmas should all go well, but if not, expect the next chapter to be released close to New Year's Eve. But in the meanwhile, Merry Zarcmas everyone! See you next time!