Response to Reviews
Thank you to HunterHQ, Noobmaster, Kingdom Hearts Guy, Donkeyboy100, Anonymous, Unnamed, Guest, Pancakes, Pikachu99, Ambiguous, Unknown, Guest, Zuzu Kurosaki, T.V. 2000, Guest, Big Duels, Zuzu Hiragi, and Guest for reviewing Chapter 86 of Obscured Truth. Also known as, the last chapter of 2022.
Hi, everybody! 2023 is finally here, and I'm glad to see that you all enjoyed the last chapter of 2022. I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavours, and I hope that you're safe and sound wherever you are in the world. I hope you're looking forward to what's coming this year, for I have a lot of surprises moving forward, that's for sure!
But enough talk. It's time to answer some reviews:
HunterHQ: Thanks for pointing that error out. I'll make the correction as soon as I can. Yes, Windy did take Demeter's consciousness data. Dr. Kogami didn't come clean to his associates nor his wife because if he did, then they'd leave him, and he was afraid of that. Do note that Yukage got rid of the data Frog and Pigeon recorded for the duel because he didn't want unnecessary people to know about it. Watchman's self-righteousness has unfortunately changed him forever due to how he was betrayed by Ukyos, as well as seeing the purest human beings, Myojin and Lyla, die. That, along with what happened in his life, has also contributed to the person Watchman is today. While it is tragic, it doesn't excuse Watchman's actions, nor does it justify them. And Watchman is aware that he's human. Why would Azrael use Teravolt Dragon against Watchman? He doesn't deserve the honour of losing against one of Azrael's best monsters. Oh, expect more fourth wall breaks as the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc continues.
Noobmaster: Regarding Yuhiro's time powers, I don't want to make him overpowered. I actually used Hit's Time Skip ability from Dragon Ball Super, and Bayonetta's Witch Time from the Bayonetta video game series as inspirations. Yes, Urizen's envoys are still out there and alive, but in hiding until the time is right for them to reveal themselves. Ig Alima is the sword Myojin wielded, and you can find more info about it in Chapter 69. Yeah, Akira and Emma will have no choice but to acknowledge that Yuhiro's sibling issues takes the cake compared to their issues. The purple orb that Jericho put in the previous chapter is a snare, which completely masks his presence from his enemies. To put it simply, he can see them, but they can't see him. Nor can they hear him as well. So expect his commentary as the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc continues.
Kingdom Hearts Guy: Of course it was unexpected. Things are about to heat up moving forward.
Donkeyboy100: Glad you liked the chapter. All the best in your sequel to your Arc-VRAINS story.
Anonymous: When Watchman dueled against Revolver, he wasn't at full power. And at the time Aqua scanned Watchman, she saw that he was being truthful. Just as Windy took Demeter's data after defeating her, Lightning took Percival's data after defeating him. Do note that Jericho's building a stronghold while searching for the Ignis, and his deck is obviously strong, second to Urizen himself. Sadly, even though Watchman had good intentions, the methods he used was just too cruel in the end. The Black Keys are weapons the Inquisitors use. Basically, the Black Keys come from the weapons the Executors use in Fate/Stay Night, so look them up if you want to learn more.
Unnamed: In all honesty, putting Soulburner in a Graveyard in Mirror LINK VRAINS makes sense because he isn't dueling Windy in this story. If Raguel used Excalibur and/or his unholy monsters, then he'd be able to break through the barrier. He hesitated because he wasn't sure if Lightning and Azrael had a contingency set up. To put it simply, Raguel didn't want to use up all of his energy in one single attack. Once Watchman realized what was going on, he went to try and save Myojin and Lyla, only to save Yuhiro and Yukage. Here, he put two and two together, realizing that making Yuhiro and Yukage paricipate in the Lost Incident will help in stopping Urizen. Watchman knew that Bohman would lose in the end, and was saying that no matter what happens next, Azrael and the others will end up losing the war. Urizen's companies, believe it or not, are still around.
Guest: Yes, Azrael can look into Watchman's consciousness data to find his memories if he wanted. In terms of whether I'll show recordings of how each Lost Incident child was kidnapped or not will be determined in the story. Again, if Yuhiro used his cursed cards, he would have had a greater chance against Azrael.
Pancakes: Haha. Your sketch was great. It was basically a 'Remember, kids. Never lie, or you'll face the consequences' kind of sketch. Well done.
Pikachu99: I guess you can say that while Watchman's a bit similar to King from VRAINS Overdrive, he's more different in various ways.
Ambiguous: Alright, so let me make this clear to you. Urizen's operations work in a similar way to that of how Darkseid ordered Steppenwolf to conquer worlds in Zack Snyder's Justice League to find the Anti-Life Equation. Here, Urizen has his envoys conquer worlds in order to find the Lost World, and eventually the Root. If an envoy made a claim that the world they're on is the Lost World, and it turns out it's not, then Urizen would have practically delivered a very brutal punishment to them. Better to be absolutely sure than take a risk that leads to death. No, Azrael doesn't have other allies in the Inquisitors. Sadly, Watchman saw everyone else as tools for his revenge, and worked so that they'd all play their proper role in his plan. And again, Watchman doesn't have contact with the other Inquisitors, even though he follows the doctrines. Do you honestly think Herald wouldn't take into account what may happen as a result of his nightmare? He would have made preparations to ensure that the contingency would work in the end.
Unknown: Yes, Bohman would need six Ignis if he were to beat Azrael and Wraith in a duel. In addition, against Malf in his Perfect form, Bohman would need at least four Ignis. Like I said before, I intend to continue Obscured Truth after Season 3 for numerous reasons. One being that there's so much to touch upon! And unfortunately, Watchman didn't take into account that Jericho was in Mirror LINK VRAINS, taking notes and accounting for potential enemies.
Guest: King Villain Watchman? Watchman isn't a king, and need I remind you that there's the Kings in SOL Technologies? They are a threat, especially with how they're the sons of Zero.
Zuzu Kurosaki: Happy you liked the chapter.
T.V. 2000: Yup, Chapter 86 was a great way to close 2022. Yup, Lightning and Watchman aren't that different at all. And yup, Watchman deceiving everyone is similar to that of how Mysterio deceived everyone in Spider Man: Far From Home.
Guest: Due to plot reasons and Azrael's honour as both a duelist and an individual, he isn't going to blow up the boat the other Hanoi members are on.
Big Duels: Regarding the fighting scenes, I can say that some inspiration came from Sword Art Online. However, other inspiration came from video games such as Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Devil May Cry video game series, Mortal Kombat, Genshin Impact, and more. Then there was inspiration from anime such as Dragon Ball Z, the Fate series, and more. I guess you can say Lightning respects Watchman for the lengths he'd go to achieving his goal. You'll love Jericho's Cyberse deck once it makes its debut, and you'll love it even more once you find out where the inspiration came from. Yeah, due to recent events, it's likely that Soulburner will turn his hatred to Watchman as well.
Zuzu Hiragi: Glad you liked the chapter.
Guest: Yeah, that's something Yukage can do for sure. Even though Watchman lost his faith in humanity, out of respect for Myojin and Lyla, he decided to give humanity one last chance to prove itself. If Watchman wanted to destroy humanity, then he would have sided with Lightning.
Now that reviews have been answered, it's time to get to the first chapter of 2023! Enjoy!
Chapter 87: Winds Of Change
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, at Lightning's castle...
"Welcome back, Azrael and Wraith." Lightning greeted the duo, as a portal appeared before Azrael and Wraith stepped out of it, which closed behind them. "You have done splendidly in stopping Watchman before he could cause further harm."
"Not just that, but you also brought down a very powerful enemy as well." Windy added with glee.
"I got my rightful revenge, and I now have Watchman's consciousness data as my reward." Azrael said. "It goes to show that sometimes, defeating a strong enemy can send a warning to their accomplices on what will happen next."
"True, but we are still going with the strategy of picking our enemies off one by one." Lightning reminded Azrael.
"Azrael and I have no problem with that at all, for we agreed with your strategy." Wraith assured Lightning.
"Can I go next, Lightning? Please?" Windy asked, which got Lightning's attention.
"No, Windy. I will go next, and eliminate another of our enemies." Lightning answered, much to Windy's disappointment.
"Do you have an opponent in mind, Lightning?" Azrael inquired out of curiosity.
Lightning smirked upon hearing Azrael's question. "As a matter of fact, I've already decided on my opponent."
"Then in that case, the sooner you get your duel over with, the sooner we can eradicate our enemies."
The air nearby Lightning and Jin twisted and formed into a portal. "My thoughts exactly." He and Jin then entered into the portal, intent on completing their task.
Meanwhile, in another area in Mirror LINK VRAINS….
Raguel frowned as the purple sphere disappeared. "They ended the broadcast."
"Azrael won his duel against Watchman, thus resulting in the latter being turned into consciousness data." Herald recapped. "In addition, Azrael and Wraith threatened Frog and Pigeon into giving up all the data they recorded from the duel. Though I wonder why."
"If I were to guess, Azrael only wants specific individuals to know the truth. No need to get unnecessary people involved." Raguel hypothesized. "But moving that aside, Watchman betrayed us all due to his goals, and the extent he'll go to achieve them."
"I still can't believe that the deaths of your and Azrael's parents, as well as Demeter and Percival's betrayal, are what led Watchman to unlock his powers. He even locked them away in the first place due to him regaining his faith in humanity all those years ago. Then again, it was nothing more than a façade in the end." Herald frowned.
"I think it goes farther than that, Herald. His days as an Inquisitor may have contributed towards his personality as well."
"So do you still care for Watchman, despite his actions and the reasons he had for doing so?" Herald asked out of curiosity, having turned to Raguel, who shook his head back in response.
"While I'll acknowledge the circumstances that led to Watchman's beliefs and actions, that doesn't justify them at all. As you told me, intent does not matter… only consequences, and I have a feeling they'll bite Watchman in the ass once this war is over." Raguel responded.
"Yeah, I'm with you on that one." Herald agreed. "Still, I wonder what Watchman meant when he said that the plan is already in motion."
"Maybe-." Raguel began speaking, before the duo noticed a sound and looked up. As if on cue, the purple sphere reappeared. "Someone's dueling again. Who is it?" His eyes widened upon seeing the image. "Specter."
Herald narrowed his eyes as the sphere showed Specter standing across Lightning and Jin. "So he's up next, huh? This should be interesting."
"While I'm not one to root for a Knight of Hanoi to win, for once, I hope that Specter crushes Lightning for good." Raguel admitted.
"Ditto." Herald acknowledged back, before he and Raguel, as well as everyone else, watched Specter and Lightning's conversation about free will and what it meant to be strong or weak. The topic then changed to how Lightning's war led to Earth's death.
"So Specter did have a connection to Earth in the end…" Raguel muttered back, before snapping out of his thoughts. No. Even if Specter and Earth shared a connection, the former was still a member of the Knights of Hanoi. A group formed in killing the Ignis. If Specter and Earth met, then a duel between them would have been guaranteed to happen.
"A connection, huh?" Azrael mused. As curious as Azrael was in learning more about this topic, such a thing didn't matter. For thanks to SOL Technologies and Lightning, Azrael would never get information on whether a bond between a Knight of Hanoi and their Ignis can exist, especially as they were fighting on opposite sides.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Jericho appeared in the same area Specter, Lightning, and Jin were in, where he sat on a rock nearby them. "As fascinating as this conversation is, I think the duel should commence now, right ladies and gentlemen?"
Sure enough, the duel between Specter and Lightning began, where Jericho immediately jumped onto an area of Armatos Colosseum upon it being activated. Lightning then shocked everyone by forming an Extra Link by using Judgment Arrows and his Armatos Legio monsters. Specifically, Judgment Arrows, two copies of the Link 1 Armatos Legio Decurion, the Link 2 Armatos Legio Pilus Prior, and the Link 2 Armatos Legio Primi Ordines.
"A great start, Lightning. A great start, indeed." Wraith acknowledged, pleased to see Lightning's strategies bear fruit on the single turn.
"Woah! An Extra Link on the first turn?!" Herald exclaimed. "I knew Lightning was a powerful duelist, but he's certainly gotten stronger since we last saw him."
"The fact that Lightning has both Extra Monster Zones is certainly an advantage for him, as Specter's deck relies on Link Summoning." Raguel told Herald. "To put it simply, Lightning's locked down almost all of Specter's deck."
Jericho whistled upon seeing Lightning perform an Extra Link on his first turn. "My, oh my, this is quite fascinating to see. It usually takes me a few turns to perform an Extra Link, but the fact you did it on your first turn has certainly piqued my interest in you, Lightning."
In response to Lightning's Extra Link, Specter surprised everyone by stealing Judgment Arrows and using it to clear the Extra Monster Zones before Link Summoning Sunavalon Daphne, Sunvine Thrasher, and eventually Sunavalon Dryas. However, Raguel was curious on Specter's comment that Lightning had a complex, or a secret that he never told everyone. This annoyed Lightning seconds later.
"Do you know what Specter means, Herald?" Raguel asked.
Herald shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know. In the days I knew Lightning, he was calm and collected like a leader. But even leaders have their faults, Raguel. Let's see how this duel progresses, and perhaps we can get some answers."
Raguel confirmed Herald's suggestion with a nod before turning back to the duel. After Specter unexpectedly took control of the duel, Lightning set up a defensive formation using Armatos Legio Legatus Legionis and Galea. During Specter's turn, he brought out several Sunvine and Sunavalon Link monsters before using them in conjunction with Judgment Arrows to break through Lightning's defenses. However, Lightning was able to reduce the potential damage he would have taken to 700 points of damage. Then Specter blew everyone's expectations out of the water by forming his own Extra Link, to the point where he expanded his field by forming an Extra Link Full Mode.
"Damn, this is unexpected. Lightning's going to have a very hard time in getting past that." Herald stated. "Once the war's over, we'll need to update Specter's profile and upgrade his duel grade."
"Yeah, we'll have to do that." Raguel noted, before he raised an eyebrow once the camera zoned in on Specter's face. "But in terms of accomplishments, I don't think it's something to blush about. That's just ridiculous."
Jericho clapped after seeing Specter's Extra Link Full Mode. "Amazing! You've also piqued my curiosity on you, Specter. I can't wait to duel you if I ever get the chance to do so!"
Azrael sighed as he watched the duel. "Such potential, yet so wasteful..."
"NO! Your comments are illogical! How dare a human like yourself look down on me! The Ignis are far superior to you humans!" Lightning exclaimed, that comment making Jericho laugh with glee.
"How interesting. When backed to a wall, one's true colors are always exposed. Come on, Lightning. Show me who you really are!" Jericho said, excited at what he was seeing.
Wraith chuckled. "Ah, so you're showing your true self, Lightning."
"Like with Watchman, the true identity of an individual is always revealed in time." Azrael commented, a smirk evident on his face.
Herald narrowed his eyes. "I've never seen Lightning lose his cool like this."
"When one is angered, it pushes them to not only continue the duel, but utilize strategies that put the pressure on their opponent. However, if not reined in, it can lead to their undoing." Raguel stated, recalling how his Link Trigger months prior had been his undoing during his second duel against Infearno. "Let's see whether that theory applies to an Ignis."
After Lightning lost more of his temper, he then began his turn by using Judgment Sword to not only banish Sunavalon Dryanome and return it to Specter's field in the Main Monster Zone, but break through Specter's Extra Link as well. In addition, Lightning was allowed to bring out the Link 3 Armatos Legio Tribunus Militum. He then used Armatos Colosseum's effect to discard Armatos Legio Magica Alcum and Special Summon Speculata, Gladius, and Sica to his field.
"I will now illuminate my circuit!" Lightning said, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are three or more 'Armatos Legio' monsters. I set Armatos Legio Speculata, Scutum, Gladius, and Sica into the Link Markers!" Speculata went into the left arrowhead, Scutum went into the top arrowhead, Gladius went into the right arrowhead, and Sica went into the bottom arrowhead, turning all four of them red.
"Bear witness to the commander who leads the might of the military! Link Summon! Appear, Link 4! Armatos Legio Magnus Dux!" A massive, white elephant plated in golden armor appeared on Lightning's field in the Main Monster Zone Tribunus Militum pointed to. A man in golden armor wearing a red plumed helmet, as well as carried a scepter in his hands, sat on a throne on the elephant's back, which was between two cannons.
Armatos Legio Magnus Dux ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ⬅️⬆️⬇️➡️
Lightning then activated Tribunus Militum's effect upon learning that he can't target Judgment Arrows due to Sunvine Plunder's effect, where he immediately proceeded to negate the effects of Plunder, Shrine, Cross Breed, and Dryanome due to Magnus Dux being a Link 4 monster. Once that was done, Lightning then activated Magnus Dux's effect, which allowed him to return cards from the field and/or Graveyard to their owner's hands up to the number of monsters Magnus Dux was co-linked with. As Magnus Dux was co-linked to Tribunus Militum, Lightning immediately proceeded to return Judgment Arrows to his hand, which caused a chain of destruction that wiped out almost all of Specter's field seconds later, save for Dryanome. Once that was done, Lightning activated Judgment Arrows, everything now set for the final attack.
"Any last words?" Lightning tauntingly asked Specter, who didn't respond back. "I didn't think so! Battle! Armatos Legio Magnus Dux attacks Sunavalon Dryanome! And thanks to Judgment Arrows, Magnus Dux's attack points are doubled until the end of the damage step!" As if on cue, Magnus Dux was surrounded in a golden aura, which increased his strength.
Armatos Legio Magnus Dux ATK: 3000 X 2 = 6000
"Ultimum Judicium!" The cannons on Magnus Dux's back fired numerous shots at Dryanome, who screamed as fire enveloped her completely in a series of massive explosions. Seconds later, Specter was sent flying off the ground before he landed on his stomach, which concluded the duel.
Specter: 3200 – 6000 = 0
Raguel grimaced as Lightning walked over to the fallen Specter before taking his consciousness data and teleporting out of the area. Seconds later, the broadcast ended. "It seems that even with all the knowledge we have on Lightning's deck, we still underestimate him."
"With Specter's defeat, our enemies have defeated us twice. We need to make up for both losses if we're to defeat Lightning and Azrael." Herald said.
"Certainly." Raguel agreed.
Jericho, who was still in the area where Specter and Lightning dueled, grinned. "Wow! Now that was quite a duel, and I thought Specter had Lightning on the ropes there! You know, folks. If Specter didn't upgrade that precious mommy tree of his and break the Extra Link Full Mode, he could have gotten another turn to defeat Lightning. Then again, there are no such thing as absolutes when it comes to duels, don't you agree?" After throwing a purple orb at one of the large rocks nearby, he teleported out of the area.
Elsewhere, at Lightning's castle, in Mirror LINK VRAINS...
Windy, who was on Echo's shoulder, cackled with laughter upon seeing Lightning defeat Specter. "Well done, well done, Lightning. Two prey down, and so many more prey to go. So who should I hunt down and dissect and designate and eradicate?" He narrowed his eye at Revolver's image on one of the spheres. "Oh, wait. I already know my target! With the mommy dead, it's now time for the son to taste defeat too!"
"Wait, Windy." Lightning said, as he and Jin teleported back into the former's castle, which made Windy turn to face both of them. "I'd like you to take care of a different opponent, if you don't mind."
"What?! I do mind!" Windy furiously exclaimed. "Need I remind you of what Revolver and the Knights of Hanoi did to me?! They must suffer for injuring me!"
"Do not worry, Windy. You will get your rightful payback on Revolver and the others, my friend." Lightning assured Windy, which partially worked. "Until then, I'd like you to deal with someone other than Revolver. Think of that opponent as a final training exercise before you duel him."
"No, no, no, no, no! I've already trained for this moment, and I will crush Revolver!" Windy insisted, having narrowed his eye at Lightning. "Besides, I crushed Revolver's precious mommy, so it will provide him more incentive to duel me!"
"Maybe, but you'll end up losing in the end." Azrael interjected, which made both Windy and Lightning turn to face him and Wraith.
"Are you doubting my skills too, Azrael and Wraith?!" Windy demanded.
"We aren't doubting your skills, Windy. We're doubting your resolve." Wraith clarified.
"My resolve?" Windy raised an eyebrow at that comment.
"Correct." Wraith then pointed his finger at Slipstream's image on one of the several spheres in Lightning's throne room. "The moment you've failed to kill your Origin, your strength diminished. Whether it was an accidental error or not, it caused an internal struggle within you."
"An internal struggle? How ridiculous." Windy scoffed back.
"But Wraith makes a point. You failed to kill Slipstream, and as a result, it marked you both physically and psychologically." Azrael said. "Your mind's unbalanced, and if you wish to defeat Revolver, then you must finish what you started!"
"And until you defeat Slipstream, you will fail in the end." Malf added with a chuckle.
"Azrael, Wraith, and Malf all make excellent points. I haven't forgotten about your failure to kill Slipstream, and how it impacted the current situation." Lightning said firmly, having narrowed his eyes at Windy. "But now you have a chance to rectify your mistake. If you succeed in defeating Slipstream for good, I will gladly let you deal with Revolver however you want. You can even take your time in making him suffer. "
Windy glared at Lightning before turning it at Azrael, Wraith, and Malf. How dare all of them make those logical and painful points to him! He hated to admit it, but everyone was right. Since Windy failed to kill Slipstream, there were times where he felt an internal struggle within him. As if there was something telling Windy that his actions were wrong. But Windy tried to squash that struggle down, and it unfortunately led to him being physically and psychologically scarred as a result. The worst part? His strength was diminished as well. But now... now Windy had a chance to rectify his mistake. He had a chance to defeat Slipstream for good, and if he succeeded, then Revolver will be on his hit list. The best part was that Lightning gave Windy permission to not only destroy Revolver, but make him suffer however he wanted as well.
"So all of you doubt my resolve, is that it?" Windy asked.
"Pretty much." Wraith answered, the others nodding in agreement as well, much to Windy's displeasure.
"Alright, fine! I will crush Slipstream and prove my resolve to all of you, but after that, I want Revolver for myself! Is that clear?!" Windy demanded.
"Of course. You have my word." Lightning replied.
"And if it's any consolation, Wraith, Malf, and I will make sure Lightning keeps his word." Azrael assured Windy.
"Excellent! Well, I better get started then. Come on, Echo! Let's go!" Seconds later, Windy and Echo teleported out of the area in a green whirlwind.
"I'm surprised you have faith in Windy to complete his task." Lightning commented.
"Well, he did defeat Demeter earlier. Plus, Windy needs some motivation." Wraith pointed out.
"Once Windy defeats Slipstream, he'll eliminate the struggle within himself once and for all." Azrael explained. "In addition, Windy will not only regain his lost strength, but become stronger as well."
"I see." Lightning then turned to the spheres. "Then let's see whether your observations are correct, Azrael and Wraith."
"We will see indeed." Wraith agreed, as he and Azrael, along with Malf, turned their heads to look at the spheres.
Meanwhile, at another area of Mirror LINK VRAINS...
Slipstream walked through the airport runaway as he observed the area he was in. There were numerous types of planes grounded on each of Slipstream's sides, all of them beside one another as if they were in a line. Damn. There's no way to get out of this area, he thought. It looks like I'll have to wait until an opportunity opens up. As for how Watchman was able to try and break through Lightning's barrier program, it has to do with his skills as an Inquisitor, I know it. Just what is Watchman capable of overall in terms of his abilities?
Suddenly, Slipstream noticed a green jumbo jet move nearby him on its own. "What? That's just ridiculous." Unfortunately for him, the other jets began rotating and moving on their own as well. "Okay, then. Something's fishy."
As if on cue, a burst of wind flew through the area, which pushed Slipstream slightly back. His eyes then widened upon noticing a data storm being fired straight towards him!
Just like before, Slipstream felt numerous dots connecting with one another, as if it were a machine, or even a program. Upon making those connections, Slipstream quickly evaded the data storm, where it tried to shred him again. Just like earlier, Slipstream evaded the data storm once again before pressing a few buttons on his duel disk. A green orb of data then appeared, which Slipstream threw into the data storm as it turned into particles.
"Resorting to cheap tricks, Windy? Why don't you come face me like a man? Or are you too much of a wuss to do so?" Slipstream taunted, as a data storm touched down behind him, which dissipated to reveal Windy and Echo seconds later.
"I'm here, just as you wanted." Windy stated, a little irritated at Slipstream's last part of his comment. Seconds later, Frog and Pigeon appeared in the sky, which was near where Windy and Slipstream were.
"Where are we now?" Frog asked.
"Look, boss! It's Windy! And Slimp-!" Pigeon began speaking, before Windy a small data storm fired at the duo, which they narrowly avoided.
"Call Slipstream that ridiculous nickname, and I'll kill you the same way that mascot guy in Rick and Morty died in episode three!" Windy threatened.
"Sorry!" both Frog and Pigeon apologized.
"Apologize to Slipstream as well!" Windy ordered.
"We're so sorry!" Frog and Pigeon directed their apology to Slipstream.
"It's fine. Though I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me by that ridiculous nickname again." Slipstream told Frog and Pigeon, who both nodded in response.
Raguel looked up as the sphere reappeared, which indicated that the broadcast restarted. "That's..."
"Slipstream." Playmaker said.
"And Windy too!" Ai exclaimed, having narrowed his eyes as he looked at the sphere.
"So Slipstream's up next." Revolver narrowed. "I don't have the right to ask you of this, but please eradicate that Ignis and avenge my mother, Slipstream." I also want to see whether you have the willpower to go through in getting your revenge against Windy, he thought in his mind.
Infearno frowned. "Slipstream's unique style of dueling will help against Windy."
"As much as I hate saying this, Flame, a showdown between those two was bound to happen due to the history between them." Soulburner commented.
"Indeed. If Slipstream and Windy met under different circumstances, they would have been really good friends." Flame lamented. Thanks to Lightning's war and SOL Technologies' involvement, such a possibility would never have been tested.
"Aqua, do you remember what Slipstream told us a while back?" Blue Maiden asked.
"Yes. How Windy tried to kill Slipstream, only for his cousin to push him out of the way and get injured instead." Aqua recalled. In a sense, she and Blue Maiden pitied Slipstream for what happened to him. It also reminded the both of them on how they weren't able to be there for Miyu when she needed them.
"Whatever happens next, it will change Slipstream forever." Herald commented, with Raguel nodding in agreement.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Jericho appeared in the same area Windy, Echo, and Slipstream were in, where he sat on one of the airplanes nearby them. "Now this is a duel I've been looking forward to seeing. Put on a good show for me, okay guys? Because there's a lot of people who wanted to see this showdown for a very long while now, and the last thing we need is to disappoint them, right folks?"
Windy sighed before turning to Slipstream, the debacle involving Frog and Pigeon over. "Moving on from that silly thing, if I'm being honest, I wanted to go after Revolver first so I can get my revenge. However, by defeating you once and for all, I'll be able to stomp the internal struggle out of me for good. And that will happen, for with Specter gone, you're now officially the weakest enemy duelist."
Internal struggle? What does Windy mean by that, Slipstream wondered in his mind, before snapping out of his thoughts. "If you say I'm the weakest duelist, that means I know you're the weakest duelist on my end. I mean, compared to Azrael, Bohman, Haru, Malf, and Lightning, it makes sense, don't you agree?"
Windy narrowed his eye in pure fury upon hearing that comment. "What?! How dare you say that! I am a very strong duelist, and I'll prove that by beating you to a bloody pulp!"
"So you say." Slipstream replied. "Before we begin, I have to ask you a question, Windy."
"Oh?" Windy raised an eyebrow. "Alright, sure. Ask away! Well, do make it quick. Because I am on a clock here."
Slipstream's eyes narrowed as he glared at Windy. "Why did you injure Takeda?"
"Takeda... Oh, your cousin, right?" Windy grinned. "Well, I guess it was because a part of me wanted to cause some damage."
Slipstream blinked. "What?!"
"You heard me. I wanted to cause some damage. Take a few lives. Destroy a few things in the process." Windy explained. "But the fact that I injured someone close to you was a sweet bonus."
"So you hurt Takeda just because you wanted to destroy things?"
"That's right!" Windy confirmed with a grin. "Humans are always going to hurt one another, so I decided to do the hurting for them. Dish out my own fists of fury, if you will. Even though I didn't kill you, I did put your cousin in the hospital, and destroyed a car or two in the process. A small victory for me, despite the error being made of course."
"You're insane." Slipstream commented back, before he took a breath, knowing that Windy was trying to rile him up. "You know, there was a time where I wanted to meet you."
"Oh? I'm flattered."
"Raguel and the others told me about you, and how you were a prankster like myself. Believe it or not, I had a feeling you and I were going to get along. But now..." Slipstream grit his teeth. "Now I want to defeat you with my own hands."
"Really, now? You think you'll defeat me? Well, then. The chit chat part is finally done, and the duel part begins. Know that this duel will end in your defeat instead of mine!" Windy had Echo activate his duel disk.
"You're right. This will have an end. And it will end here, with your erasure!" Slipstream argued back, as he also activated his duel disk.
"It's time to duel!" Slipstream and Windy shouted in unison.
Slipstream: 4000 LP
Windy: 4000 LP
"I will go first." Slipstream stated, knowing that if he let Windy go first, it won't end well for the former. "I activate the Spell card, Speedroid Scratch. By sending one 'Speedroid' monster from my hand to my Graveyard, I can add one 'Speedroid' monster from my deck to my hand. I send Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from my hand to my Graveyard, and add Speedroid Terrortop from my deck to my hand." After Slipstream sent a card from his hand to his Graveyard, a card popped out of his deck, which he took and added to his hand.
"As I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop from my hand." A chain of red tops with blades attached to them appeared on Slipstream's field.
Speedroid Terrortop ATK: 1200 DEF: 600 LV: 3
"I summon Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke from my hand to my field." Slipstream continued, as a small, robotic kid wearing a duke's outfit, shoes and all, appeared on Slipstream's field. It had brown hair that had a curl at the ends, which was covered with a hat that had yellow feathers on it. In its hands, it carried a staff.
Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke ATK: 1200 DEF: 600 LV: 3
"It's time to rev it up! I tune the Level 3 Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke with the Level 3 Terrortop!" A bolt of green lightning struck Slipstream as the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one brown and one red, appeared before turning blue and merging. Six blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 3" in front of them. The screen changed to "6" as light surged through the rings.
"Magical sword with the form of a cross! Use your power to rend all enemies!" Slipstream chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" A dark blue machine resembling a cross with a large sword attached to its center appeared on Slipstream's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Hi-Speedroid Kendama ATK: 2200 DEF: 1600 LV: 6
"A Synchro monster..." Windy hissed, having recalled how he was brutally destroyed by Borreload Savage Dragon in his duel against Revolver.
"Oh? You hate Synchro monsters? Good. Because I'll be whooping your ass with them." Slipstream said, glad that Windy was angry. "I activate Kendama's effect. Once per turn, I can banish one 'Speedroid' monster from my Graveyard to inflict 500 points of damage. I banish Den-Den Daiko Duke. Take this!" Kendama blasted Windy with a bolt of blue energy, which caused both him and Echo to take a step back as the former's life points slightly dropped.
Windy: 4000 – 500 = 3500 LP
"With that, I end my turn." Slipstream frowned. Based on the profile we made for Windy, it wouldn't be wise to Set Spell and Trap cards, especially with how he manipulates them for his own gains. I'll have to tread carefully if I'm to beat him, he thought in his mind.
"Considering how Windy's deck focuses on playing around with the Spell & Trap card zone, Slipstream's decision not to Set any Spell and Trap cards is a logical one." Ai commented.
"Yes, Ai. For if there's even one card in the Spell & Trap card zone, then Windy can destroy it and inflict effect damage to Slipstream." Playmaker replied back.
Revolver couldn't help but smirk upon seeing Slipstream inflict effect damage on Windy using Kendama's effect. It seemed that, like Go Onizuka with Mirror Force, Synchro monsters were the trauma that affected Windy's mind. "Keep it up, Slipstream. Make Windy suffer for what he's done to me."
"My turn! I draw!" Windy immediately said. "I'll start by activating the effect of Stormrider Skyfisher in my hand. As I have no cards in my Main Monster zones and Spell & Trap card zones, I can Special Summon this card from my hand to my field." A white airship with numerous fins on its sides appeared on Windy's field in defense position.
Stormrider Skyfisher ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1
"I also forget to mention that once Special Summoned by its effect, you must Set a Spell or Trap card from your Graveyard to your field, and you can't activate it." Windy grinned. "I know there's a Spell card in your Graveyard, so do me a quick favor and Set it to your field, okay?"
"Very well. I Set Speedroid Scratch from my Graveyard to my field." Slipstream complied in annoyance, as a card popped out of his Graveyard, which he took and Set to his field.
"And now there's a Spell or Trap card in Slipstream's Spell & Trap card zone." Soulburner stated the obvious.
"Indeed. Windy has his ways of making sure that Slipstream's Spell and Trap cards appear in those zones, that's for sure." Flame agreed.
"Given how your deck works, Blue Maiden, we can surely keep the lead on Windy should we duel him." Aqua told Blue Maiden.
"Especially with most of the Trap cards becoming Hand Traps, but only if there's a Link 3 or higher 'Marincess' monster." Blue Maiden reminded Aqua. "But still, I'm rooting for Slipstream to defeat Windy. Though the actions he chooses after winning the duel will affect the person he becomes after the war ends."
"That is true." Aqua stated back.
"Awesome! Next, as you control a monster, I can Special Summon Stormrider Griffore from my hand to my field." Windy continued, as a dark-red airship with four yellow fins, orange spheres on its body, and a seagull attached to the front appeared on Windy's field.
Stormrider Griffore ATK: 1200 DEF: 800 LV: 4
"From there, I activate the effect of Stormrider Hippogriff from my hand. As you have a card in your Spell & Trap card zone, which you do, I can Special Summon this card from my hand to my field!" A dark-blue and violet airship with an elongated tail appeared on Windy's field in attack position.
Stormrider Hippogriff ATK: 800 DEF: 1200 LV: 3
"Well, that isn't good. Windy now has three monsters on his field." Herald observed.
"Windy's Link 3 ace monster is coming…" Raguel foreshadowed.
"I will now cyclone my circuit!" Windy declared, as a tornado went upwards before turning into a Link Portal. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Stormrider' monsters. I set Stormrider Skyfisher, Griffore, and Hippogriff into the Link Markers!" Skyfisher went into the bottom-left arrowhead, Griffore went into the bottom arrowhead, and Hippogriff went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning all three of them red.
"Great monster that lies within the obscured skies! Fly forward, and vanquish my enemies with your super-duper awesome firepower! Link Summon! Emerge! Link 3! Stormridership Bahamut Bomber!" A massive, black mechanical whale with black wings, orange fins, and cannons attached to his sides appeared on Windy's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Stormridership Bahamut Bomber ATK: 2800 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️
Infearno crossed his arms. Revolver had trouble against Bahamut Bomber during his duel against Windy, he recalled in his mind. Let's see how you fare against it, Slipstream.
"When Bahamut Bomber is Special Summoned, while I have no cards in my Spell & Trap card zones, I can target a card you control and destroy it, as well as inflict 500 points of damage to you! I target and destroy Kendama!" Windy said, as Bahamut Bomber's mouth opened before he released soundwaves, which destroyed Kendama and caused an explosion that made Slipstream wince while his life points dropped.
Slipstream: 4000 – 500 = 3500 LP
"In addition, I activate Bahamut Bomber's second effect. Once per turn, during either of our turns, when I have no cards in my Spell & Trap card zones, I can target one Spell or Trap on your field and destroy it. Oh, and you take 500 points of damage as well!"
"Aw man..." Slipstream muttered, as Bahamut Bomber opened his mouth before releasing soundwaves once again, which destroyed Slipstream's Set card and made him wince a second time while his life points dropped.
Slipstream: 3500 – 500 = 3000 LP
"Moving on, I summon Stormrider Gargoyle from my hand to my field." Windy stated, as a dark-pink airship with three wings, a green sphere on its body, and a gargoyle's head attached to the front appeared on his field.
Stormrider Gargoyle ATK: 600 DEF: 800 LV: 2
"I will now cyclone my circuit for a second time!" A second tornado went upwards before turning into a Link Portal. "The summoning conditions are one Level 2 or lower 'Stormrider' monster. I set Stormrider Gargoyle into the Link Markers!" Gargoyle went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Stormrider Stratastorm!" A large, dark brown airship with light brown fins and a birds face at its bow appeared on Windy's field in one of the three Main Monster Zones Bahamut Bomber pointed to.
Stormrider Stratastorm ATK: 1500 LINK-1 ⬇️
"A new 'Stormrider' Link monster!" Ai observed.
"Windy's most likely fortifying his forces for a series of all out attacks." Raguel told Herald. "But since Slipstream sent Tri-Eyed Dice to the Graveyard, he can negate the attacks of one of Windy's monsters."
"While Slipstream will most likely negate Bahamut Bomber's attack, he's still going to take more damage this turn." Herald pointed out.
"I activate the Spell card, Stormrider Turbulence." Windy added, as a massive and wild gust of wind blew through the field before settling down. "While this card is on my field, all my 'Stormrider' monsters gain 300 attack points." Green, windy auras surrounded Bahamut Bomber and Stratastorm before their attack points increased.
Stormrider Bahamut Bomber ATK: 2800 + 300 = 3100
Stormrider Stratastorm ATK: 1500 + 300 = 1800
"But that's not all! I activate the effect of Gargoyle from my Graveyard. Since I control a 'Stormrider' Field Spell card in my Field Zone, I can banish this card from my Graveyard to send that Field Spell card to my Graveyard. By doing so, I can take one 'Stormrider' Field Spell card with a different name from my deck, and either add it to my hand or activate it!"
"What?!" Slipstream gasped, having been caught off guard by what he heard.
"You heard me." Windy replied with glee. "I send Turbulence from my Field Zone to my Graveyard, and activate Stormrider Blast from my deck to my field." After Turbulence turned into particles, a card popped out of Windy's deck, which he had Echo take before activating it. Within seconds, a turbulent wind burst through the duel field, which cackled for a moment before dissipating. "Now all 'Stormrider' monsters I control gain 400 attack points, along with an additional 300 attack points for every Field Spell card in my Graveyard." Green, windy auras surrounded Bahamut Bomber and Stratastorm before their attack points increased.
Stormrider Bahamut Bomber ATK: 2800 + 300 + 400 = 3500
Stormrider Stratastorm ATK: 1500 + 300 + 400 = 2200
Jericho whistled upon seeing what Windy just did. "A card that lets you activate a Field Spell card from your deck with a different name. All for the cost of sending your current Field Spell card to your Graveyard. Quite a clever move indeed. What do you think, folks?"
"Windy's gotten stronger since our duel." Revolver observed. If Revolver was being honest, he wasn't expecting Windy to activate a Field Spell card from his deck. Then again, everyone evolved, whether you were a human, an Ignis, or something else entirely.
"It's obvious that Blast's retains the same effects Turbulence does, only with a greater attack point boost for his monsters." Herald stated.
"And because of Blast's second effect, Slipstream will have no choice but to attack starting on his next turn, should he summon a monster to his field." Raguel added.
"Even though Slipstream will survive this turn thanks to Tri-Eyed Dice, he'll certainly be in the red zone due to what Windy just did." Flame said.
"You seriously believe that Slipstream will lose, Flame?" Soulburner asked.
"I'm not saying that, Soulburner." Flame replied. "I'm just merely pointing out a fact, that's all."
"So now that everything is set up for your inevitable defeat, let's get to the grand finale! And since I'm a nice guy, I'll finish you off with my strongest monster! Are you happy?" Windy asked Slipstream, before the former slouched over in disappointment upon seeing the latter grit his teeth. "No happiness, huh? I tried to be nice and give you an honorable defeat, but it seems like you're being a real party pooper here. Then again, it doesn't matter in the end, especially with how I'm going to win within seconds! Battle!" He thrusted out his right hand. "Stormridership Bahamut Bomber attacks you directly! Turbulence Burst!" Bahamut Bomber's mouth opened as he charged up energy in his mouth and cannons before firing it at Slipstream!
"You think this duel's over already? Think again! I activate the Trap card, Empress's Staff from my hand!" Slipstream interrupted.
"From your hand? You can't do that! It's against the rules!" Windy protested.
"I can activate this card from my hand if I control no monsters." Slipstream explained. "And when this card is activated, I can negate the attack and end the Battle Phase!" A staff appeared in front of Slipstream before releasing a bright light, which dissipated the energy before turning it into particles. "Oh, I forgot to mention that you take 500 points of damage as well. So thank you for what you did this turn, for it helped save my butt from elimination."
"Why, you-!" Windy made a fist with his right hand before the staff fired a beam of light, which pushed him and Echo back as his life points dropped.
Windy: 3500 – 500 = 3000 LP
"Okay, I honestly did not expect that." Blue Maiden admitted.
"Since Slipstream activated Empress's Staff from his hand, he managed to bypass Windy's strategies." Aqua acknowledged. "Even though Hand Traps are used more often in your deck, it's good to see that others are doing so as well."
"I get you there, Aqua." Blue Maiden agreed.
"Nicely done, Slipstream." Infearno commented, a smile forming on his face.
Revolver also had a smile on his face, happy after seeing Slipstream use a Hand Trap to halt Windy's turn to a full stop. "Well played, Slipstream. You've certainly done your homework against Windy."
"My, oh my, you surprised me there, Slipstream. The fact that you are able to catch your own Ignis off guard was just amazing!" Jericho stated. "Then again, Hand Traps are becoming common these days, so you better surprise me more, Slipstream."
"Delaying the inevitable, huh? You may have survived for now, but you'll lose soon, that I promise! I end my turn!" Windy concluded in frustration.
"My turn! I draw!" Slipstream said, as he drew the top card of his deck. "I summon Speedroid Double Yoyo from my hand to my field!" Two green discs with blades attached by a single, grey center then appeared on his field.
Speedroid Double Yoyo ATK: 1400 DEF: 1400 LV: 4
"Double Yoyo's effect! When its Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 3 or lower 'Speedroid' monster from my Graveyard. I Special Summon Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from my Graveyard to my field!" A purple dice shaped like a three-shaped pyramid with a red eye and three orbs orbiting around it appeared on Slipstream's field.
Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice ATK: 300 DEF: 1500 LV: 3
"I tune the Level 3 Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice with the Level 4 Double Yoyo!" Slipstream declared, as a bolt of green lightning struck him before the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one purple and one green, appeared before turning blue and merging. Six blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 4" in front of them. The screen changed to "7" as light surged through the rings.
"Spread those wondrous wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" A white and black dragon covered in white, blue, and black armor appeared on Slipstream's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. She had neon green crystals attached to her body, which acted like wings that shone with bright light.
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000 LV: 7
"Alright! Slipstream brought out his ace monster!" Herald cheered.
"And due to Clear Wing's effects being not once per turn, Slipstream can catch Windy off guard even more." Raguel said, a grin on his face.
"Front here, I activate the Spell card, Riryoku." Slipstream added. "This card lets me target two monsters on the field and cut the first monsters attack points in half. By doing so, I can add those lost attack points to the other monster, with these changes lasting until the end of my turn. I target Bahamut Bomber on your field, and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon on my field!"
"What?!" Windy exclaimed.
"As I targeted Bahamut Bomber first, his attack points are halved, while Clear Wing Synchro Dragon gains that lost amount!" Bahamut Bomber groaned in pain, while Clear Wing roared in delight.
Stormridership Bahamut Bomber ATK: 3800 / 2 = 1900
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 2500 + 1900 = 4400
"Yes! Now Clear Wing is strong enough to destroy one of Windy's monsters and inflict massive damage!" Soulburner exclaimed.
"But you're forgetting about Windy's ace in the hole, Soulburner." Flame commented back, which made Soulburner gasp upon putting two and two together.
"Aw, man. So no matter which monster Slipstream attacks with Clear Wing, Windy will still be able to use Storm Access!" Soulburner realized.
"I'm afraid so." Flame sadly confirmed.
"On one hand, Slipstream inflicts massive damage to Windy, but on the other hand, Windy's most likely going to use Storm Access once his turn comes around." Ai summed up, panic evident in his tone.
"It would have eventually happened one way or another, Ai. Sometimes, these things can't be prevented, no matter if the odds are in your favor or not." Playmaker commented.
"Which means Slipstream's going to eliminate the thing that will be the most detrimental to him." Blue Maiden finished.
"Yes. Even though Slipstream won't win the duel, he'll at least get rid of a troublesome threat." Aqua said.
"Battle!" Slipstream declared. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Stormridership Bahamut Bomber! Spinstorm Sky Strike!" Clear Wing rose high into the sky before roaring and diving downwards, green winds whipping around her in the process. She divebombed Bahamut Bomber, destroying him in a massive explosion as Windy shielded his eyes with his left forearm, his life points dropping in the process.
Windy: 3000 – 2500 = 500 LP
"You little-!" Windy snarled.
"I end my turn here, which means the effect of Riryoku ends, and Clear Wing's attack points return to normal." Slipstream concluded, as Clear Wing's attack points reverted to their original amount.
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 4400 – 1900 = 2500
Lightning turned to Azrael and Wraith after seeing Windy lose nearly all his life points at Slipstream's hands. "It seems your faith in Windy has been misplaced, Azrael and Wraith."
"But the duel isn't over yet, Lightning. Windy still has a chance of winning this duel." Wraith countered.
"For the duel isn't over until every card is played." Azrael added.
"True, but the way this duel ends will determine Windy's fate." Lightning told the duo, before all three of them turned back to look at the broadcast.
"My turn! I draw!" Windy said, as he had Echo draw the top card of his deck. "You're seriously getting on my nerves, you know that, Slipstream?"
"Trust me when I say I'm good at that." Slipstream responded.
"Is that so? Well, I believe it's time to end this right now! Starting with this!" Windy spread out his arms in front of him, which caused a data storm to appear, much to everyone's surprise.
"Aw, glitch! Windy's using his Skill!" Ai said.
"He would have done that at one point in the duel, Ai." Playmaker reminded Ai for a second time. "Still, you are right about one thing. Whatever Windy pulls out of the data storm, it won't be good for Slipstream."
"Oh, goodie! Now we're getting to the good part, ladies and gentlemen!" Jericho exclaimed with glee, as he clapped loudly.
"When I have 1000 or less life points, I'm allowed to add a random Cyberse Link monster from the Data Storm! Go, Storm Access!" Windy laughed as a green light appeared in front of him, which formed into a card that went into his deck.
Great! Just great, Slipstream cursed in his mind. While Windy's not necessarily breaking the rules, he's bending them severely.
"As history shows, when one uses Storm Access, the duel always goes in their favor." Herald stated.
"Obviously." Raguel agreed, having grit his teeth upon seeing Windy use Storm Access. It still pissed him off that both Windy and Bohman were able to use their Skill during a master duel. For it meant that anything can happen next, especially when it came to a duel.
"I activate the Spell card, Stormrider Return. When I have no Spell or Trap cards in my Spell & Trap card zones, I can Special Summon one 'Stormrider' monster from my Graveyard to my field. Return to me, Bahamut Bomber!" Windy decided, as Bahamut Bomber reappeared on his field.
Stormridership Bahamut Bomber ATK: 2800 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️
Stormrider Bahamut Bomber ATK: 2800 + 300 + 400 = 3500
"I will now cyclone my circuit!" A tornado went upwards before turning into a Link Portal. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Stormrider' Link monsters. I set the Link 3 Stormridership Bahamut Bomber, and the Link 1 Stormridership Stratastorm into the Link Markers!" Bahamut Bomber went into the left, right, and bottom-left arrowheads, while Stratastorm went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning all four of them red.
"Massive monster that dwells within the turbulent skies! Fly forward, and raze my enemies to dust with your relentless firepower!" Windy chanted. "Link Summon! Emerge before me! Link 4! Stormriderflagship Custom Bahamut Bomber!" A massive, black mechanical whale with wings that had boosters on them and six red fins on his back appeared on Windy's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He had a total of nine cannons, four on each of his sides, and one on his back. He also had a total of eight eyes, six of them being on his face, while the last two were on the front edges of his face. In addition, he had a total of six blade-like wings, three on each side of his underbelly. Finally, he had four turbine engines, two strapped on each of his back sides.
Stormriderflagship Custom Bahamut Bomber ATK: 3000 LINK-4
Stormriderflagship Custom Bahamut Bomber ATK: 3000 + 300 + 400 = 3700
"Okay, now that's one huge whale…." Slipstream muttered, concern and shock evident in his tone.
"And thanks to Blast, Custom Bahamut Bomber is the strongest monster on the duel field now." Aqua said.
"The worst part is that Slipstream doesn't know what effects Custom Bahamut Bomber has." Blue Maiden added.
"But Slipstream will certainly turn things in his favor on his next turn, just as I did when Windy brought out Bahamut Bomber and backed me into a corner." Revolver said, confidence in his voice. He had faith that Slipstream will win this duel, especially with how the latter's deck worked. Combined with the fact that Slipstream understood how Windy's deck worked, Revolver was certain in Slipstream's victory.
"I'm glad you're shaking in terror, Slipstream, especially once I start using my new monster to his full potential!" Windy said. "First, once per turn, when I have no Spell or Trap cards in my Spell & Trap card zones, I can target a monster you control and place it in your Spell & Trap card zone as a Continuous-Spell card!"
"What?!" Slipstream exclaimed, before pulling himself together. "That's not gonna happen! I activate Clear Wing's effect! Once per turn-!"
"Oh, but it is gonna happen, especially when I got this! I activate the effect of Stormrider Tubieloof from my hand!" Windy interrupted. "When you activate a monster effect, I can send this card from my hand to my Graveyard to negate that effect!"
"Why, you!" Slipstream grit his teeth in annoyance and anger as Clear Wing groaned in pain once Windy had Echo send a card from his hand to his Graveyard.
"Go, Custom Bahamut Bomber! Turbulence Shift!" Custom Bahamut Bomber's mouth opened as he fired a blast of sound waves from his mouth, which hit Clear Wing as she turned into particles before reappearing on Slipstream's field as a Continuous-Spell card. "And now I activate Custom Bahamut Bomber's second effect! Once per turn, during either of our turns, when I have no cards in my Spell & Trap card zones, I can destroy all Spell and Trap cards in your Spell & Trap card zone. And not only do you take 500 points of damage for each Spell and Trap card destroyed by this effect, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to Custom Bahamut Bomber's activation as well!"
"Are you serious?!" Slipstream exclaimed.
"Of course I'm serious! When would I ever not be serious?" Windy questioned back. "But moving that aside, it's time to cleanse your field of your precious Spell and Trap cards! Now, Custom Bahamut Bomber! Turbulence Tailwind!" The six red fins on Custom Bahamut Bomber's back released several streams of harsh wind, which tore through Clear Wing as Slipstream winced before his life points dropped.
Slipstream: 3000 – 500 = 2500 LP
"Turning a monster into a Continuous-Spell card and inflicting effect damage. A ruthless combination." Infearno acknowledged. If Windy can turn monsters into Spell cards, that meant he can seize more opportunities to punish the opponent relentlessly.
"Fascinating. You've surprised me as well, Windy." Jericho admitted. It seems the humans have become stronger ever since what happened all those years ago, he thought in his mind. Not just them, but the Ignis born as a result of the Lost Incident as well!
"Now that your Spell and Trap cards are gone for good, it's time to close this duel once and for all! Battle!" Windy declared, as he thrusted out his right hand. "Stormriderflagship Custom Bahamut Bomber attacks you directly! Turbulence Derecho!" The nine cannons on Custom Bahamut Bomber's body glowed blue as they charged up with blue energy, which fired straight towards Slipstream!
"If you ask me, this duel hasn't reached the closing act yet!" Slipstream said. "I activate the effect of Tri-Eyed Dice in my Graveyard! By banishing it from my Graveyard, I can negate your attack!" A silhouette of Red-Eyed Dice appeared before spinning and forming a barrier, which protected Slipstream from the cannon beams before they dissipated.
"Damn you!" Windy exclaimed in an annoyed tone. "Even though you survived, I still have the strongest monster on the field, and thanks to Blast's effect, you must attack it if you're able to do so!"
"Thus making my next turn most likely my last." Slipstream finished.
"That's correct! So let's see what happens next! I end my turn." Windy grinned. He was right. He had the strongest monster on his field, and Blast's effect would force Slipstream to attack with his monster. Unless Slipstream managed to somehow get lucky, this duel was in the bag for Windy.
"Woah! I forgot that Slipstream had Tri-Eyed Dice in his Graveyard!" Ai acknowledged.
"Thanks to Scratch, Slipstream was able to send it to his Graveyard, where he then revived it with Double Yoyo's effect to bring out Clear Wing." Playmaker recalled. "But with her gone..."
"Slipstream has only one chance left to defeat Windy." Blue Maiden observed.
"To put it simply, what happens next will determine the result of this duel." Aqua finished, having narrowed her eyes as she looked at the broadcast.
"Then it seems I'll have to bet everything on this turn! My turn! I'm draw!" Slipstream stated, before he drew the top card of his deck. "I activate the Spell card, Roll of Fate! This card lets me roll a six-sided dice before drawing cards from the top of my deck equal to the result. But in exchange, I must send cards from the top of my deck to my Graveyard! Go, Dice Roll!" A giant dice appeared in front of Slipstream, which he grabbed before throwing it into the air. The dice landed on the ground before rolling, where it eventually landed on a five. "Yes! Lady Luck hasn't left me! As I rolled a five, I can draw five cards from my deck before sending five cards from the top of my deck to my Graveyard!" After Slipstream drew five cards from the top of his deck, he took the next five cards and sent them to his Graveyard.
"Son of a…." Windy muttered in annoyance.
"No matter what situation Slipstream's in, Lady Luck will not abandon him." Herald humorously commented.
"And when Slipstream gets lucky, his opponent gets unlucky." Raguel added, having recalled how Slipstream was able to turn things in his favor during their duel.
"Yes! With more cards, that gives Slipstream more options for his turn!" Ai cheered.
"I Set two cards face-down." Slipstream continued, much to everyone's surprise.
"What?! Why would Slipstream do that?!" Ai exclaimed out of shock. "Is he not aware of what Custom Bahamut Bomber's effects are?!"
"Maybe it's a part of Slipstream's plan." Playmaker hypothesized.
"Well, I didn't expect Slipstream to actually do that, even after doing his homework on how Windy's deck worked." Herald admitted, before turning to Raguel. "What do you think, Raguel?"
Raguel didn't say anything back to Herald. Instead, he frowned upon seeing Slipstream Set two cards face-down. I've known Slipstream long enough to know that he always makes his moves count, he thought in his mind.
Windy raised an eyebrow. Why would Slipstream do such a stupid thing? Was he trying to bait Windy into destroying it? Or was Slipstream so desperate to do such a thing? Either way, in Windy's mind, he can't make any mistakes. Not at this part of the duel. "That was extremely stupid of you, Slipstream. Very, very stupid, and now you'll regret it! I activate Custom Bahamut Bomber's second effect. Once per turn, during either of our turns, when I have no cards in my Spell & Trap card zones, I can destroy all Spell and Trap cards in your Spell & Trap card zone. And not only do you take 500 points of damage for each Spell and Trap card destroyed by this effect, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to Custom Bahamut Bomber's activation as well!"
"I'm aware, so just do it already." Slipstream replied.
"As you wish." Windy complied, before turning to Custom Bahamut Bomber. "Turbulence Tailwind!" The six red fins on Custom Bahamut Bomber's back released several streams of harsh wind, which tore through Slipstream's facedown cards before he winced as his life points dropped.
Slipstream: 2500 – (500 X 2) = 1500 LP
However, to Windy's surprise, Slipstream grinned. "I was waiting for you to do that, Windy."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Because you allowed me to do this!" Slipstream gestured to his field, where a silhouette of a card appeared. "You see, one of the cards you destroyed was a Trap card called Waking The Dragon. When this Set card leaves the field due to your card effect, and is either banished or in the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one monster from my deck or Extra Deck!"
"From your deck or Extra Deck?!" Windy repeated.
"You heard me. Now come from my Extra Deck, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!" A white and magenta dragon covered in dark-blue and yellow armor appeared on Slipstream's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. She had crystal plating on her chest and her lower back, along three crystal spikes that extended backwards. She also had wings that consisted of transparent crystals, which shined with bright light.
Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500 LV: 8
"Wow! He brought out an evolved version of Clear Wing!" Soulburner exclaimed, a smile on his face.
"And bypassing the proper summoning method too. That is very impressive." Flame said.
"Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon. A nice upgrade indeed, Slipstream." Revolver commented. He made a mental note to acquire Waking The Dragon after the war was over.
"Even though Slipstream brought out a new Synchro monster, he still has to attack. But if he plays this right, then the duel is in the bag for him." Infearno acknowledged.
"Very clever, Slipstream. That, I will admit. Still, I control the strongest monster on the field, and you must attack Custom Bahamut Bomber thanks to Blast's effect." Windy reminded Slipstream.
"Don't worry, I'll do that in a bit." Slipstream assured Windy, before he gestured to his field once again, where a silhouette of a card appeared. "But I forgot to mention something else. The second card you destroyed was the Trap card, Wild Tornado. When it's destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can target one card on the field and destroy it. Say goodbye to Blast!" A tornado fired out of the silhouetted card as it turned Blast into particles, which made custom Bahamut Bomber groan in pain before his strength returned to his original amount.
Stormriderflagship Custom Bahamut Bomber ATK: 3700 – 300 – 400 = 3000
"That's actually great. Slipstream lured Windy into a trap, and benefited from it as a result." Jericho stated.
"With Blast gone, not only did Slipstream weaken Custom Bahamut Bomber, he now gets the choice on whether to attack or not." Aqua commented.
"Yeah, but I have a feeling Slipstream isn't done yet." Blue Maiden said.
"I activate the Spell card, Monster Reborn. This card lets me target one monster in either of our Graveyards and Special Summon it to my field. I target Clear Wing in my Graveyard, and Special Summon her to my field!" Slipstream decided, as Clear Wing reappeared on his field in the Main Monster Zone.
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000 LV: 7
"I summon Speedroid Razorang from my hand to my field." A golden boomerang that unfolded its arms and had a chrome head with a red visor on it appeared on Slipstream's field.
Speedroid Razorang ATK: 2000 DEF: 0 LV: 4
"I activate Razorang's effect. Once per turn, I can target one monster on the field and change this card to defense position. By doing so, I can have that monster lose 300 attack points. I target Clear Wing." Slipstream added, before Razorang shifted to defense position as it was surrounded in a golden aura. "And then, I activate Clear Wing's effect. When a monster effect is activated that targets a Level 5 or higher monster on the field, I can target that monster and negate its effects, as well as destroy it. By doing so, Clear Wing gains its attack points until the End Phase."
"What?!" Windy exclaimed, before doing the calculations for several seconds as Clear Wing let out a roar to negate Razorang's effect. He then let out a small gasp upon putting two and two together. Windy was going to lose within a few minutes!
"If this resolves, then Windy's toast!" Ai cheered.
"Thus bringing the duel to a proper close." Playmaker finished.
"You're thinking that I'll attack with Clear Wing first before attacking you directly with Crystal Wing, right? Think again!" Slipstream told Windy. "I activate Crystal Wing's effect. Once per turn, during either player's turn, when another monster's effect is activated, I can negate the effect and then destroy it. I negate Clear Wing's effects! Crystal Nullification!" The wings on Crystal Wing glowed with bright light as Clear Wing turned to particles.
"He negated Clear Wing's effect? If Slipstream didn't do that, he could have attacked Custom Bahamut Bomber with her and ended the duel." Herald said.
"It's likely that Crystal Wing either has a stronger version of Borreload Savage Dragon's effect, or something similar to it." Raguel replied. "Whatever Crystal Wing's effects are, Windy's pretty much done for."
"Why would you do that?" Windy asked in confusion, before smirking. "Another stupid move on your part, Slipstream?"
"No move is stupid, Windy. As an Ignis, you of all people should know that. Because when Crystal Wing successfully negates the effect of a monster and destroys it, she gains attack points equal to the destroyed monster's attack points until the end of this turn!" Slipstream revealed, as Crystal Wing roared, her strength increasing in the process.
Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 3000 + 2500 = 5500
"NO! I can't lose! I can't lose! I can't fail again! I need to get my rightful revenge!" Windy screamed.
"This is the true closing act of this duel, Windy. Prepare yourself! Battle!" Slipstream thrusted out his right hand. "Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Stormriderflagship Custom Bahamut Bomber! Crystal Cataclysmic Strike!" Crystal Wing rose high into the air before light-blue, crystal energy surrounded her entire body. She corkscrewed right through Custom Bahamut Bomber before emerging out of his body, where an explosion occurred that blasted Windy and Echo back. While Echo disintegrated, Windy crashed and flipped onto the pavement with a scream as his life points dropped to zero.
Windy: 500 – 2500 = 0
Lightning sighed after seeing Windy lose the duel. "Another loss. Truly a shame that Windy lost in the end."
"It goes to show that even I make the wrong assumptions." Azrael said.
"Humans aren't the only ones who make mistakes. An Ignis can do the same too." Wraith told Lightning.
"Perhaps, but Mirror LINK VRAINS will snuff out Windy's life." Lightning responded to Azrael and Wraith's comments.
"Impossible! Where did I go wrong? Why did I lose in the end?!" Windy exclaimed.
"The moment you tried to kill me, it caused that internal struggle of yours to occur, which was why you lost in the end." Slipstream answered, having walked to where Windy was as the former took off his mask. "Well, you might have had this coming, it's a shame that your life is about to end in a miserable way." He then walked away from Windy, the conversation over.
Suddenly, Windy screamed as his entire body was consumed in flames. "GAAH! No, no, no, no! This can't be happening! It was a fluke, a fluke! I shouldn't have lost! You just got lucky! Lightning! Wraith! Azrael! Malf! Save me!" It suddenly occurred to him that there was only one person that can truly save him. "Slipstream, please help me! I beg of you! Don't leave me to die like this! Have mercy."
Slipstream grit his teeth before turning back to the burning Windy. "How many people will you show no mercy to in your quest for causing damage, huh? Hundreds? Thousands? You aren't capable of showing mercy, especially after what you've done to Takeda. So what gives you the right to expect any mercy from me?!"
"Please... please, I beg you..." Windy pleaded.
That comment caused a familiar conversation to pop in Slipstream's mind. One that was important to him.
Flashback: A few hours earlier, in the real world, at Café Matsuo….
"Okay! One program containing my algorithm is done!" Herald announced, before handing a ball of white and orange data over to Arashi.
"And it contains everything I need?" Arashi asked. The duo was in the kitchen while everyone else was working on trying to find Yuhiro in the network. In all honesty, Arashi needed a break, and after Herald said that he wanted to speak with Arashi alone, he took the opportunity to do so.
"Of course. As per your request, of course." Herald replied. "Again, I'm just..."
"Surprised?"
Herald shook his head. "No. Just glad you're able to retain your humanity."
"Herald, I still have my humanity. I won't lose it." Arashi sighed. "Again, I don't want to become a killer. I don't want to end up like Yusaku, who lost years of his life due to his goal for revenge. I don't want to end like Yuhiro either, especially with how revenge is slowly corrupting him right now."
"And you won't end up like either of them, Arashi." Herald assured Arashi. "In the end, true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."
Arashi nodded at Herald's words. "Thanks for the wise advice, Herald. You should be the wisest of the Ignis, not Ai."
Herald laughed in response. "There's a reason why Ai is the wisest of us, Arashi. But do remember this. Never underestimate someone and the potential for goodness they have, even if there's a small drop of it in them. No matter how evil or wicked they are."
"No matter how evil or wicked they are..." Arashi quietly repeated Herald's words to himself.
Flashback End: Present Day….
After the previous conversation in the real world hours earlier replayed itself in Slipstream's mind, the words of Gabriella and Playmaker popped up in his mind.
"You are allowed to feel what you're feeling, Arashi, and that goes for everyone else. Emotions are neither good nor bad. However, we have a responsibility on deciding what to do in response to these emotions, and our choices will determine what happens next. From the conversations we had today, I think you're a kind and caring person with a good heart. You're someone who's perceptive, and is able to recognize how you're feeling. You are also someone who knows the difference between right and wrong. That is why I believe that you will make the right choice in the end.
"But on the topic at hand, I know what it's like to be consumed by negative emotions, especially when I've been trapped in them for a good majority of my life. After the Lost Incident, I was consumed with the need for revenge not just for myself, but for the others as well. In the end, all the rage and hatred I was filled with added up to nothing. I wasted years of my life as a result."
At that moment, Slipstream knew what to do. As hard as the decision was, Slipstream knew that it was the only one that will not only grant him true peace, but also prevent him from entering the endless cycle of revenge. The same one that affected Playmaker, Raguel, and Watchman. The same one that is difficult for one to truly escape from. "Damn it." He pressed a few buttons on his duel disk, which caused a sphere of white and orange data to appear in his hand. Slipstream quickly threw it at Windy, where the latter was surrounded in pure energy as it scanned his entire body before dissipating the fire he was in completely. Not only that, but it paused his wounds. Upon seeing the blipping algorithm in Windy's body, Slipstream narrowed his eyes.
"Huh?" Windy looked at his body, having realized that he was no longer in pure agony. "What did you do?"
"There. I created a program using some of Herald's algorithm to keep you stable." Slipstream told Windy. "There's no way I'm letting Mirror LINK VRAINS decide your fate. One way or another, you're going to take responsibility for what you've done, and atone for your actions."
"Are you saying you want me to live?" Windy shockingly asked.
"Yeah, pretty much." Slipstream confirmed, which made Windy gasp. "Vengeance has consumed you. It's consuming them." He sighed. "I'm done letting it consume me."
No one's ever shown me mercy before. Perhaps... perhaps this is an indicator of the kindness and compassion these humans have, Windy thought, before he closed his eye and rested. The white and orange sphere shrunk as it went over to Slipstream, who put it in his duel disk. Seconds later, a green orb consisting of Demeter's consciousness data popped out of Slipstream's duel disk, who looked at it for a few seconds before putting it back.
"Someone who chooses to spare their own Ignis and capture them instead. While I didn't expect that, I honestly hoped you'd let Windy die, Slipstream." Jericho admitted with a frown, as he threw a purple sphere at one of the planes nearby before teleporting out of the area afterwards.
"True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one." Slipstream recalled Herald's words, before letting out a loud shout as he cried. The tears dropped from his eyes as Slipstream fell onto his knees. The tears were not only of sadness...
...But of joy as well.
"Heh. I can't believe I did the right thing in the end, Takeda. Just as you once told me, life's precious. I couldn't see it before, but I now understand why you wanted to help me. You didn't want me to waste my life away…." Slipstream continued to let the tears out, finally getting all the pent up rage and anger out of his system for good. By making the right decision despite the difficulty, Slipstream was finally able to set himself free from revenge.
To put it simply, Slipstream escaped the cycle of revenge before it could consume him for good.
Don't worry, Windy. I'll make sure to reset you so that you're cured of whatever Lightning and Azrael did to you. Once you're cured, you can atone for your crimes, and who knows? Maybe we can be friends for real, Slipstream thought in his mind. He will get through this war. Not just for his own sake, but to protect the people in his life as well. This was something Slipstream will see to the end, no matter what happens next.
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 Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, 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
No new cards appear in this chapter.
QOTC
For each Ignis and Origin pair, which do you think has the most similarities with one another? And which duel do you like better? Slipstream vs Windy, or Soulburner vs Windy?
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 88: The Meaning Of Suffering. With Windy's defeat, Azrael decides to break the tie between his side and his enemies. Having selected his next target, Azrael prepares to drive Infearno into a pit of unavoidable despair as he unveils a dark truth. One that was set into motion many years ago that contributed towards how Infearno became the person he is today...
Author's Notes
Credit to HunterHQ for his help in reviewing the duel in this chapter.
Now this is a great chapter to kick off 2023, don't you all agree? Especially one that had high expectations to fulfil. As such, I think a recap is needed here so that you all understand what's going on here, along with the overall message being communicated here:
First up was the anime duel between Lightning and Specter, or specifically, Raguel and Herald's reactions to it. Along with Azrael, Wraith, and Jericho's views on said duel, of course. This is one of those times where I need to follow anime canon, so like with other anime duels, I did a quick summary of the main highlights so that everyone can understand what's going on. In terms of Jericho's views on it, he's impressed by how fast and efficient both Lightning and Specter performed their Extra Links with their monsters, along with how Specter stole Judgment Arrows. A curious question for you all: Who would you like to see Jericho duel in the future? Lightning or Specter?
But moving on from that, the main focus of this chapter was ultimately between Slipstream and Windy. It was honestly fun seeing Slipstream catch Windy off guard numerous times, especially in how the former had done his homework on the latter's deck. After all, the purpose of the profiles is to document each duelist's decks and how they work, along with essential information so the heroes can efficiently counter against them. And thanks to Revolver's duel against Windy, the heroes were able to get information on Windy's deck, thus enabling them to prepare against Windy. Such examples of Slipstream fighting back against Windy's strategies include using the Hand Trap Empress's Staff to end the Battle Phase, Wild Tornado to get rid of one of Windy's cards, and Waking The Dragon to bring out one of Slipstream's monsters from his Extra Deck.
Speaking of Waking The Dragon, this duel marks the debut of Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, the evolved form of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. Having Crystal Wing debut in this chapter makes sense, as it shows how much Slipstream's grown as a duelist since we met him all the way back in Chapter 46. It also led Slipstream to utilize his overkill combo against Windy, where he activated Razorang's effect to target Clear Wing, used Clear Wing's effect to negate it and gain attack points, and chained it with Crystal Wing's effect to not only negate Clear Wing's effect, but gain more attack points as well. Some of you may be wondering why Slipstream used such a combo. It's because by this point, the duel's pretty much over, and Slipstream wanted to ensure that his victory was certain.
This duel, believe it or not, was the ultimate factor that led me to pick Speedroid over Dragunity for Slipstream's deck. I have nothing against Dragunity at all, and I love how the archetype works. It's just that one of the deck's main strategies is to equip Dragunity monsters to their comrades, thus filling up the Spell & Trap card zones. As a result, Windy can take advantage of this due to how his deck focuses on manipulating the opponent's Spell & Trap card zone. Plus, with Custom Bahamut Bomber's effect being during either player's turn, Slipstream would lose a ton of life points and his Spell & Trap cards. What's more, even if Slipstream brought out a strong Dragunity Synchro monster, Windy could have used the effects of his cards to get rid of them, or at least stall long enough for him to do so on the next turn.
So by choosing Speedroid in the end, it not only shows who Slipstream is as a character and how he grows as the story progresses, it also allows him to catch his opponents off guard with how his deck works. Besides, who would expect a duel monster resembling a toy to actually meddle with their strategies?
Following the duel is another main focus of the chapter. As all of you know, Windy ends up losing the duel against Soulburner before being absorbed by Flame, where he ends up being the one who kills him by the time Bohman duels against Soulburner. But here, because Slipstream dueled against Windy, it changed. While Windy obviously being burned by the fire doesn't change, this time, there's someone who can save him from such a cruel fate, and that person is Slipstream.
Up to now, Slipstream's been consumed by revenge against Windy for what he did to Takeda. However, after recalling his conversation with Herald, and the words from Gabriella and Playmaker from several chapters prior, it's here where he realizes a sad truth. Everyone in the conflict has been affected by some form of revenge. Playmaker lost years of his life as a result of his quest in getting revenge on the Hanoi, Raguel's desire to get revenge on Azrael is slowly corrupting him, and Watchman wanting to get revenge on Urizen has affected him to the point where he's willing to use anyone and anything to achieve his goal. That's not all. Here, Slipstream's realized that revenge is a cycle, where one's actions affects the actions of another person. To put it simply, it's a self-destructive cycle that will consume everyone involved.
So in the end, Slipstream ends up sparing Windy's life by using the program Herald gave him. He then keeps Windy in stasis before putting him in his duel disk. Do note that not only does Slipstream now have Demeter's consciousness data, but is also aware that Lightning reprogrammed him. In the end, by making this decision, Slipstream manages to free himself from being entrapped by the endless cycle of revenge. Do you think Slipstream did the right thing in the end? And how do you think it will affect him moving forward?
With everything recapped, I want to thank you for reading Chapter 87 of Obscured Truth, the first chapter of 2023. 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 duel? Or was it something else?
That's all for now, folks. See you next time, as the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc continues!
