Chapter 23

Victory, Yet Never-Ending Battle

Codebreaker vs. Prototype B: 4000 LP

"Alright! I go first!" Codebreaker said excitedly as he then looked at his cards.

"Master Yu, please be careful. AI Duelist calculates duel more accurately than a normal human duelist," Rossy warned.

"Don't you feel worried, Rossy," he replied. "AI or not, as long as I enjoy the duel, I will be just fine! Time to break some code! First, I normal summon C# Download Knight."

His staple warrior monster appeared. "Then, I activate its effect! I get to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower C# monster from my Deck or Graveyard. I choose my Deck and I Special Summon C# Data Miner!"

His second monster appeared next to Download Knight. "And since he was Special Summoned, I get to draw 2 cards!"

His card count added to 5. "Then, I set a card and end my turn!"

"Draw." Prototype B drew his card as it analyzed the situation and thought to process its strategy. "I play the Spell Card, Machine Duplication."

It showed an assembly line of the machine being built in a factory. "Then, I pay 500 LPs to Special Summon Tentacluster Darkwhip from my hand."

Prototype B (4h): 4000 – 500 = 3500 LP

A jellyfish-like monster with multiple red eyes appeared on his side, swimming beside it.

"Ew, that monster looks kind of ugly, but the name Tentacluster does sound cool," Codebreaker commented.

"Now, I activate the effect of the Spell, Machine Duplication!" Prototype-B declared. "I target 1 Machine-Type monster on my side of the field with 500 or less ATK, and then, I get to Special Summon up to two copies of that monster. I target Tentacluster Darkwhip to Special Summon two more."

Two more of the same monsters appeared.

"Open the circuit." The Link Square appeared just above. "The summoning condition is three Tentacluster monsters. I set three Darkwhips to the Link Markers."

The three Tentacluster Darkwhips turned into three light blue twisters, sucking into the arrows.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3, Tentacluster Nautilus!"

A monster with giant purple shell appeared with tentacles.

"Woah! Now, that's something I don't see every day!" Codebreaker gasped.

"According to my calculation, this monster is 99.9% dangerous!" Rossy stated.

"Tentacluster Nautilus' effect activates," Prototype-B said. "Since it is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 Tentacluster monster from my hand next to its Link. I Special Summon Tentacluster Drillworn."

A monster with a drill for its body appeared just below Nautilus' bottom arrow.

"You fell into my Trap, AI!" Codebreaker exclaimed. "I activate my Trap Card, Link Pit-Hole!"

The Trap Card showed Bitron falling into a hole behind Link Spider with its bottom arrow pointing the direction.

"When my opponent summons a monster in the zone that his or her Link Monster points to, it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard," he explained.

A pit hole appeared below Drillworm, causing it to fall into it.

"Too bad about that, huh, Mr. AI?" Codebreaker said.

"I activate Tentacluster Drillworm's effect!" Codebreaker widened his eyes. "If this card in Attack Position is destroyed by battle or card effect, I send 1 random card from your hand to the Graveyard and if it is a Monster Card, I can send another random card from your hand to the Graveyard."

"Say what!?" He gasped as one of his cards disappeared into the graveyard zone, which was his C# Wordzard.

"Since the card was a monster card, another card in your hand is sent to the Graveyard," stated the Prototype B.

Yu's hand was now at 2. "Now, I normal summon second Tentacluster Drillworm."

The second squid-like monster with a drill for its head appeared. "Then, I use Tentaculster Nautilus' effect. It destroys all cards it points to. I destroy my second Drillworm to activate its effect."

"What!? Again?" Codebreaker cried as another of his monster card was sent to the Graveyard, and then his last card, too.

"All of your cards have been sent to the Graveyard, Master!" Rossy cried.

Thank you for stating the obvious.

"I set two cards and end my turn." Prototype AI-B finished its turn.

Meanwhile, Kitamura, his staff, and Wirisu Kigen were watching at the monitor security center.

Kitamura laughed to himself. "Ha, ha! Yu Akira has no cards in his hands, thanks to my Prototype AI-B. With this, victory is assured!"

"I think that's too early to say, Kitamura-san," Kigen said.

"What are you care? Just wait and you'll see what my AI can do!" Kitamura crossed.

Back to the Speed Duel, Yu did look concern now that he had no cards in his hands.

"This is not good. Usually, I would have two or maybe three cards in my hands, but I have none!" He exclaimed.

"Master Yu, if you don't draw now, it will be 100% chance of potential failure!" Rossy stated.

"I know, Rossy, but don't you worry!" Yu assured her. "This deck….is given from my dad, so I trust it and he always said that whenever I am in troubles, this deck will always give me the solution!"

"I draw!" He drew his card confidently. He then looked at what he drew, and he smiled.

"Alright! Time to input this code!" He beamed.

"Trap Card activates!" Prototype Ai-B spoke up. "Draw Payback."

The said trap showed a duelist paying his loan with some cards. "When my opponent draws a card, that card is sent to the Graveyard immediately."

Kitamura laughed. "Yes, that's it! Now, all my Prototype has to do his dwindle his Life Points completely to zero!"

"Well, thanks to you, you make me activate my card!" Codebreaker declared as Kitamura stopped his short, thought victory.

"Trap Card, C# Dimensional Rift activates at this point of the turn!" The said card appeared out of the graveyard portal, showing a portal where C# Stream Dragon coming out with half of its body while the background looked like a cyber-world with many data roaming around.

"If this card is sent to the Graveyard from my hand by a card effect, I can activate it from my Graveyard! And its effect allows me to Special Summon a C# Link Monster from my Extra Deck with its effect negated! I Special Summon C# Stream Dragon!"

The dragon with TV monitor for its face appeared out of the portal just like in the trap card's artwork. "Now, I set my Link 2 C# Stream Dragon, Level 4 C# Download Knight, and Level 2 Data Miner!"

Download Knight and Data Miner turned into dark blue and green twisters while C# Stream Dragon transformed into two light blue twisters. All four twisters went into the arrows on the link square.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 4! Cyber Magician Girl!" The ace magician appeared as she made her entrance and unintentionally winked at the monitors when Kitamura, his workers, and Kigen were watching. Few of the male staff, including Kitamura himself, blushed a bit.

Somebody got a new waifu.

Kitamura gasped. "Sh-Shut UP!"

"Cyber Magician Girl's effect activates!" The female magician transformed her wand into a whip and used it to tie Nautilus. "Once per turn, I can take control one monster that was Special Summoned to your field to my side…"

Nautilus got tied up, turning into sparkles before it flashed and appeared on Yu's side.

"..and then it is placed next to my magician's Link Marker. Now, she can attack twice since I control another monster beside her! Let's go, Cyber Magician Girl, attack Ai-B's Life Points directly!"

Cyber Magician Girl jumped in for the attack. "Oh no!" Kitamura gasped. "If his monster gets to attack twice this turn, then that means my Prototype will lose!"

"Trap Card. Opens! Negate Attack!" Ai-B revealed its set card. "With this, your monster's attack is negated, and the Battle Phase ends this turn."

"Phew! That's relief. I need to trust my Ai more often!" Kitamura looked relief.

"I think you may have to re-check that, Kitamura-san." Kigen pointed out.

Codebreaker smirked. "Trap Card activates! Seven Tools of Bandit!"

Kitamura gave out the biggest gasp in his life. "WWWWHHHHHAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT!?"

"By paying 1000 LPs, I negate your Negate Attack and destroy it!" The said Trap Card shattered into pieces as Cyber Magician Girl's attack went through successfully.

Codebreaker's LP: 4000 -1000 = 3000 LP

"And, remember, my magician can attack one more time due to her effect! Go, Cyber Magician Girl! Finale Digital Plasma Beam!"

She shot a powerful energy blast from the tip of her wand so easily. The attack obliterated Prototype Ai-B into bits of data.

Prototype Ai-B's LP: 0

Codebreaker WINS!

"Woohoo! That was fun even though it is shorter than my most duels I had," Codebreaker said.

"Now that is over, let's proceed to the data bank, Master Yu," Rossy stated.

"Sir, Prototype Ai-B has just been eliminated by Codebreaker as well. All Prototypes are done!" said a female agent.

"No, my position…" Kitamura mumbled depressingly.

"Also, we detected an unknown intruder!" Another agent said.

"What do you mean by 'unknown' intruder?" Kigen asked.

"We do not know, sir! The moment Codebreaker defeated Prototype Ai-B, we lost visual on him!" said the agent.

"Hmmm, that's strange, but what about Playmaker?"

"Playmaker has just entered the data vault, and…it seems to be that former Chief, Akira Zaizen is in the data vault, too!"

"What!? Zaizen is in the data vault, too?" Kitamura shocked.

"Well, well. This became more interesting. Tonight, it is full of surprises now," Kigen said. "I guess your Ai soldiers need a bit more tests, Kitamura-san."

"Shut up! I don't want to hear this anymore! Stop what you're all doing and transfer all footages to my office, pronto!" He ordered.

"Um, yes sir!" the agents obeyed as Kitamura stormed out of the control center.

Kigen also left and headed back to his office at his department floor. He went to the nearby elevator and press the down button to the BF2.

Back in Link VRAINS, inside the SOL Tech's internal network, Codebreaker was surfing toward the core where the data vault is located until he was approached by another person following behind him.

"Master Yu, I detect another user coming your way!" Rossy exclaimed.

"Who could it be? Another Ai?" He asked.

"No. I detect more…biological object heading our way," Rossy replied.

Soon they found out who or what was coming behind them. The mysterious intruder wore a dark armor with pointy helmets, glowing purple eyes, and sharp shoulder plates. The intruder rode a black D-Board with dark purple outlines over it.

"Hey, you are!" Codebreaker remembered.

"Codebreaker…or rather, Yu Akira, we meet again," said the figure.

"You are Black Knight!" Codebreaker gasped.

"Master Yu, it's Dark Knight, not Black Knight." Rossy corrected for him.

"Oh, right," he remembered correctly. "But, what is he doing here?"

"Codebreaker, I'm here for the same reason you're here," Dark Knight admitted.

"Wait…what do you mean by that?" He asked.

"I'll give you a straight answer," he replied. "I'm here for the clue to the Legendary Codes, and I will stop you and anyone who wants to get it!"

"What!?" He and Rossy gasped.

"But, that's what I'm going to do, too! And, the one who'll get it is me!" Codebreaker claimed.

Dark Knight sneered behind his helmet. "You really think you're worthy to be here or even find the Legendary Codes."

"Worthy? What do you mean?" He asked, becoming a bit tense.

"If you're so determined, let me see it…through a duel," Dark Knight said.

"Alrighty, then. Let's break the code!" Yu agreed as another duel began.

Codebreaker (4h): 4000 LP

Dark Knight (4h): 4000 LP

"I shall start," said Dark Knight. "I set two cards and then I play the Spell Card, Heavy Storm."

"Heavy Storm?" Yu said.

"This Spell destroys all Spell and Trap Cards on the field," Dark Knight said as a huge gust of winds like a storm blew all his set cards away.

Codebreaker covered himself and slowed down, so he wouldn't get blown away, too.

"I end my turn," Dark Knight finished.

Dark Knight (3h): 4000 LP

"What? That is, it?" Codebreaker looked surprised.

"Setting just Spell or Trap Cards and destroying them…it seems that Dark Knight is up to something, Master. Be careful!" Rossy warned.

"Thanks, Rossy," he replied. "My turn! I draw."

Codebreaker (5h): 4000

The Cyberse-type dog appeared at his side. "Since I control another C# monster on the field, I can Special Summon C# Webkumo from my hand. Come out!"

One of his staple monsters came out of the summoning portal. "Now, I input the code to my circuit of hope and dreams!"

A link square appeared in front of him as he surged ahead, with Dark Knight following steadily behind him.

"The summoning condition is at least 2 C# monsters. I set my C# Security Hound and C# Webkumo!" His two monsters turned into silver and light blue twisters respectfully, sinking into the link arrows.

"Circuit Combines! Link Summon! Link 3, C# Lagging Net Dragon!" The golden serpentine dragon with wireless antennas for horns came out of the link square, twirling around a little before it roared at its enemy.

"At this point, I activate one of my cards from the Graveyard that I destroyed by Heavy Storm!" Dark Knight announced as he surfed pass Codebreaker and now he was in the front. "Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Black Cloak!"

In front of Lagging Net Dragon's top arrow, a ghostly figure made of blue, ghostly flames wearing a black cloak floated up out of the graveyard portal.

"When my opponent Special Summon a monster, I can activate this card and Special Summon it as an Effect Monster from my graveyard," Dark Knight admitted.

The Phantom Knights of Black Cloak – Level 4, DARK, Warrior/Effect, 2000 ATK, 0 DEF.

"I've never seen a monster that is a Trap Card!" Codebreaker was surprised.

"Master Yu, if my calculation is correct, it is likely that Dark Knight uses a Pseudo-Trap Deck," Rossy said.

"Pseudo-Trap?" He repeated.

"Pseudo-Trap is a type of Trap Card that can be treated as a monster by its own effect and when it is treated as a monster, it is placed in the Main Monster Zone," Dark Knight explained.

"I see," Codebreaker understood as he also looked amazing. "But, since you did that, I activate C# Lagging Net Dragon's effect! Once per turn, if this card points to a non-C# Monster, that monster's ATK is reduced by half and Lagging Net Dragon gains that same half amount of the monster's ATK!"

A blue aura glowed around Black Cloak temporarily as Lagging Net Dragon's top arrow glowed and its ATK increased to 3300 ATK.

"I set a card and then, it's time to attack! Go, Lagging Net Dragon!" The link dragon roared before it charged up its energy blast and then unleashed it.

"I activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Cursed Robe!" Suddenly, a same ghostly flame appeared, but this one wore a rugged, dark purple robe. It sucked the dragon's whole attack, like a black hole.

The Phantom Knights of Cursed Robe-Level 4, DARK, Warrior/Effect, 0 ATK, 500 DEF.

"When my opponent's monster declares an attack while this card is in the GY, I can negate that attack and then Special Summon this card as an effect monster," Dark Knight explained.

"You had something like that, too?!" Codebreaker gasped, but still looked interested and amazed by his Phantom Knights monsters.

"Master Yu, please focus on the duel…be admired by your opponent is one thing, but just please stay focus on who you're fighting against," sighed Rossy.

"Right!" He replied. "I end my turn here and at this point, Lagging Net Dragon's attack is returned to normal."

Codebreaker (2h): 4000 LP

His Link Dragon's ATK came back to its original 2300 points.

"Hmph. To be frank, I appreciate your interest in my cards. Usually, all enemies I've faced fear my Deck," Dark Knight admitted. "You, Codebreaker or Yu Akira, really admires and loves to see other duelists' cards."

Codebreaker chuckled. "Hee, hee! Well, you got my respect there!"

"However!" Dark Knight shouted. "Like I said, I'll be the one who will get the Legendary Codes and I'll do whatever it takes to obtain it and no one else! I draw!"

"Now, I shall show you my power!" Dark Knight said so strongly.

"Two Level 4 monsters…" Rossy analyzed until she widened her eyes and realized it. "Master Yu, Dark Knight is planning to…!"

"Behold! Witness the fear of the power I hold!" Dark Knight exclaimed. "I activate Cursed Robe's additional effect! While this card is treated as Effect Monster, it can be treated as two materials for an Xyz Summon"

Cursed Robes split into two and both turned into two purple lights, and both those lights swallowed into the galaxy spiral portal.

"Now I remember!" Yu recognized. "Dark Knight did this when I faced that Sir Lady woman from the Knights of Hanoi!"

"When \hope disappears into darkness, despair takes over. The mist of dead will cover the lands, and let no light pass through. No matter how you try to rebel it, you cannot escape from this beast's sight! Xyz Summon! Rise, Rank 4! Phantom Mist Purple Dragon!"

Phantom Mist Purple Dragon-Rank 4, DARK, Dragon/Xyz/Effect, 2500 ATK, 2000 DEF.

An explosion spurred out of the galaxy spiral portal, like a supernova. Yu covered his eyes from the brightness of the explosion until it died out. When he did, the only thing he saw was mists and it covered everywhere.

"What the? Where did this mist come from?" He asked.

Rossy made some beeping sound. "Master Yu, I cannot able to communicate to Tom or anyone. It seems that this mist is jamming the communication link, but like anything in Link VRAINS, it seems that this mist is a program of some kind, but I have never seen such advanced program."

Then, they felt something else was in the mist other than them. Codebreaker continued moving on his D-Board through the mist. Something was in the mist, and it moved very swiftly, yet quietly.

"Did you sense something in the mist, Rossy? Whatever Dark Knight Xyz Summoned, it's definitely here!" Codebreaker stated.

"Sorry, Master Yu, but this mist is also jamming my scanning ability," Rossy said.

"Phantom Mist Purple Dragon's effect activates when it is summoned." Dark Knight spoke despite the mist prevented his opponent from seeing him. "You cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards that can negate this monster's effect until the end of this turn."

"Well, that's not good," Codebreaker said.

"But, that is not just it," Dark Knight admitted. "I detach one of Phantom Mist Purple Dragon's overlay units!"

They heard overlay unit absorbed by its wielder. When it did, a shining purple light glowed in the mist, making the monster noticeable in the thick mist.

Codebreaker looked at the monster but still couldn't see its physical appearance due to the purple light.

"I target one monster on your side of the field and negate its effect. If that monster is in the Extra Monster Zone, my dragon gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK until the end of this turn."

"Say what!?" Both Codebreaker and Rossy gasped again as the light got brighter, so they covered their eyes.

"Your admiration for my monsters will turn into fear of my monsters! Go, my dragon! Attack his pathetic Link Monster with Phantom Mist Raid!"

The dragon roared, which sounded almost like a car put on a quick break on the road. The same purple light grew bigger and bigger until it consumed Lagging Net Dragon as it cried in desperation before it was obliterated.

"Uuwwwaaaaaahhh!" Yu cried.

"Master Yuuuuuuu!" Rossy cried, too.

Codebreaker's LP: 4000 – 2500 = 1500 LP

"I won't let anyone get in my way, even you, Yu Akira!" Dark Knight said.

New Cards Cheat Sheet

Link Pit-Hole-Type: Normal Trap, Effect: When your opponent summons a monster in the zone that his or her Link Monster points to, it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.

Draw Payback-Type: Normal Trap, Effect: When your opponent draws a card, it is sent to the Graveyard immediately.

C# Dimensional Rift-Type: Normal Trap, Effect: If this card in your hand is sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 C# Link Monster in your Extra Deck; Special Summon it with its effect negated. The monster summoned by this effect is banished during the End Phase of this turn.

The Phantom Knights of Black Cloak-Type: Normal Trap, Effect: When your opponent Special Summon a monster while this card is in the GY: Special Summon this card from your GY in Attack Position as an Effect Monster (Warrior/Effect-Type/DARK/Level 4/2000 ATK/0 DEF). When this card is treated as Effect Monster, it cannot declare to attack until another "The Phantom Knights" monster you control attacks instead.

The Phantom Knights of Cursed Robe-Type: Normal Trap, Effect: When your opponent declares an attack while this card is in the GY: Negate that attack and end the Battle Phase this turn. Then, Special Summon this card from your GY in Defense Position as an Effect Monster (Warrior/Effect-Type/DARK/Level 4/0 ATK/500 DEF). This card treated as Effect Monster can also be treated as two materials for Xyz Summon only. If this card leaves the field, it is banished instead.

Phantom Mist Purple Dragon-Rank 4, DARK, Dragon/Xyz/Effect, 2500 ATK, 2000 DEF. Effect: 2 Level 4 DARK monsters. When this card is Xyz Summoned: Your opponent cannot activate Spell and Trap cards that can negate this card's monster effect until the end of this turn. You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls: That monster's effect is negated. If that target monster is in the Extra Monster Zone: Then this card gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK until the end of this turn after you activated this effect.

Hey, guys! A first day of the new month comes with a new update!

This is one of the chapters I wanted to write, and the next one will be another one that I want to write the most! What do you guys think of the new Phantom Knights, including Dark Knight's ace monster?

BTW, next week's episode of VRAINS will show Revolver's TRUE FACE...when he was a child! Not going to spoil anything, but you would know it if you watch the latest episode. Speaking of the latest episode, what did you guys think? I never expected that they would reveal the origin of Ai aka Ignis. Let me know your opinion about the revelation of Ignis' origin from episode 41.

Just like how my friends and writer, OPFan37 asked in his latest chapter for his VRAINS fanfiction, what kind of original Archetype do you guys want to see in the future?

FYI, the contest for OC submission for the Top 10 Charisma Duelist OC is still open, so if you want to submit idea for an original character to appear in my story, please do so by submitting it through PM only (for anyone who submitted it in the past review, do not worry; I accept those if you have done so already).

With all that said, I will see you guys again with another chapter hopefully soon and here is a preview for the next chapter

On the same day and same night, while our heroes infiltrate SOL Tech's sacred data bank, a lone, studious girl who holds a secret is preparing for the biggest opportunity in her life. Will she able to accomplish her goal or will the reach for her life-long dream be null?

The scene shows a busty girl in green, nature-themed outfit dueling against another duelist in a Master Duel while spectators from real world watches and TV news, including the pigeon, frog, and Claire of Den-O News broadcast and report about the duel.

Next in Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS Codes of Secrets, the Blossoming Star!

Playmaker & Codebreaker: Into the VRAINS!

Almost forgot to mention, my birthday is this month, the 29th. Maybe I will show you guys something special. Wait and see ;)