Chapter 60
Challenge From The Genius
"Argh!" A familiar VR avatar in white and blue princess dress laid down to her knee and her duel disk around her left wrist.
Princess Icy: 0 LP
Unknown WINS!
She was just defeated by a strange, mysterious duelist at her own private server, which was composed of an icy castle.
"I can't believe that I lost in less than three turns. This is too surprising, even for me!" Princess Icy exclaimed.
"Hmph. You only lost because you're weak and out of touch since the ranking system changed for LINK VRAINS," the mysterious duelist insulted.
"What?! You dare to say that to me!" She argued.
"It doesn't matter. At least you feel good that you helped me to progress in my own ranking. I will leave you to be," he said as he logged out of the server.
"Damn it. I can't believe I fell to become one of his own victims!" She grunted.
- Codes of Secrets -
"Hiya, Y'all!" The broadcast monitors at the Central Station's courtyard turned on, showing Kitty and Mimi. "Hello, everyone! How are you all doing? This is Kitty in the house, yo!"
"And her partner in crime, Mimi is here as well," Mimi stated.
"So, what's on the news today, Mimi?" Kitty asked.
"We have a lot to say, but let's get to the main point and the trendiest topic being talked on all over the network and LINK VRAINS. A mysterious duelist appeared and dueled a former Top 10 Charisma Duelists, Princess Icy," she said.
"What?! Princess Icy lost?!" Kitty gasped.
"According to our report, apparently so. This is the third former Top 10 Charisma Duelists who lost to the mysterious duelist," she noted.
"I see!" Kitty nodded. "Well, for you all youngsters or new to LINK VRAINS, Princess Icy was one of the former Top 10 Charisma Duelists back in the days of LINK VRAINS 1.0, also known as the old LINK VRAINS. After the network was upgraded to New LINK VRAINS, Princess Icy was no longer in the top 10."
"Not quite accurate there, Kitty (as usual)," Mimi disagreed. "Princess Icy is still one of the prominent, strong Charisma Duelists out there. Just not in the top ranks alongside the top four, who we know are Blue Angel, Blossom Star, Codebreaker, and Metal Mayhem."
"Right," Kitty nodded in agreement. "I just wonder who this mysterious duelist is. He comes and goes, like a ghost or something!"
"I don't know, but the fact remains that this mysterious duelist, whoever he is, defeated so far three former Top 10 Charisma Duelists, who are Capt. Rex Papillo, and Princess Icy. There are also reports that he's been defeating some of the stronger duelists at the North Sector, rising up in ranks there."
"Holy tuna! That is like crazy!" Kitty surprised.
A lot of people or if not, everyone in LINK VRAINS were aware of the mysterious duelist forcing to duel strong duelists. It was the number 1 for trending on the network for couples of days.
"Oh, wow. This sounds scary..." Sakura was watching Kitty and Mimi's show. She watched their shows for news and updates on LINK VRAINS's event and whatnot.
"Miss Aoba." Sakura closed her phones and saw up to the board as the teacher called her. "Would you mind try solving this equation up on the board? I hope you're paying attention."
"Um, yes sir!" She complied as she walked up to the board. Her two best friends noticed her absent mindfulness, so they decided to talk with her after school.
"Are you alright, Sakura?" Her friend, Nami asked.
Sakura and her two friends, Nami and Robin were hanging out at the sushi restaurant. The place became their usual hang-out. There was even a photo of them with the restaurant owner and his pregnant wife, hanging on the wall and the phrase, "Best Costumer in the World".
More like the only customer in the world.
"You've not been focusing lately. Is it something to do with the mysterious duelist?" Robin asked.
Sakura gasped a bit and sighed. "Well, to be honest...yes."
"That's it?" Nami looked a bit surprised. "That's nothing to worry about."
"I know that, but whoever he or she is, they forced someone who I know to duel. Forcing someone to duel is just not right to me," she said.
"Well, you got a point there. If you ask me, I think whoever the guy is, he is a punk and show-off," Nami commented as she took a bite of her tuna roll.
"Are you worry that this mysterious duelist may come after you then?" Robin asked.
Nami gulped on the sushi, almost suffocating herself and the food went through to her stomach, fortunately.
"In a sense, yes. I haven't logged in to LINK VRAINS for almost a month now," she said sadly.
"Meh. I think you will be just fine, Sakura. You are one of the Top 4 Duelists in all of the LINK VRAINS! If you meet the punk, I am sure you can beat him so easily!" Nami boasted.
"I'm not sure about that, Nami," Robbin disagreed. "This mysterious duelist had defeated Princess Icy and Capt. Rex and they are professional Charisma Duelists. I don't think he is someone you should underestimate."
"That's what I think, too," Sakura nodded.
Just then, Sakura's phone rang. It was a video call directly from LINK VRAINS. She accepted the call.
"Yo." Silver Wing's face appeared on the screen.
"Yikes!" She gasped in surprise. "Silver Wing?"
"What? Are you talking with Silver Wing? Let me see!" Nami interrupted and slid in next to Sakura.
"Oh, you're hanging with your chick friends? What's up," Silver Wing greeted as his face was still close on the screen.
"Silver Wing, your face is too close to the screen," Sakura pointed out as she tried to not get Nami in her way.
"Oh, hold on..." Silver Wing fixed his position. "OK, that's good."
"So, why did you call, Birdie?" Sakura asked.
"Birdie?" Robin repeated.
"That is his nickname he wants me to call him as," Sakura explained.
"Oh, I see," Nami said, giving her the look.
"It's nothing like that!" Sakura argued, with her face flustered.
"Hey, are you listening?" Silver Wing asked, looking a bit impatient.
"Sorry, Birdie. Anyway, why did you call?" She asked again.
"Well, I am here in LINK VRAINS to look for that mysterious duelist, so I can ask him to duel me," he answered.
"What?" The girl trio gasped.
"Silver Wing, are you serious? Don't you know that he is strong and had defeated three of the former Top 10 Charisma Duelists? What if you get hurt?" Sakura said worriedly.
"Naw," he shrugged off. "You worry too much. I will be just fine. The only reason I call is that I want to know if you want to help me find the guy. I've been looking for him all over the place except for the North Sector, which I will be heading to next."
"But that's the place for highly qualified users go to. I am not sure if it's a good idea," Sakura stated.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Nothing stops me. I am free as a butterfly. Well, see ya!" He decided.
"Hey, wait! Hold on!" Sakura cried, but the conversation was cut short. "Oh no. I hope he will be alright."
Speaking of the devil, meanwhile, in LINK VRAINS, Silver Wing was ready to go to the North Sector of LINK VRAINS.
"Well, it's time for me to go and find the duelist at the North Sector!" He declared as he pressed some buttons and then disappeared.
In a few seconds, he was re-logged in at the North Sector. The North Sector of LINK VRAINS was one of the four main parts of New LINK VRAINS. This sector was comprised of tall skyscrapers, mostly high-tech looking. It was very futuristic, and the sky was dark blue, making it looks like as if the world is in endless night. There were pathways across through building, made up of glass while strange lines go through them, like an electrical circuit. There was also some data winds path following through some buildings and around them.
"So this is the North Sector of LINK VRAINS. There are sure a lot of tall buildings here. I can see why this place is the coolest place in all four sectors. Wish I can see it all, but I have an important mission right now," Silver Wing talked to himself.
"I was planning to face you next, but I've never expected you to appear here," said a voice.
Silver Wing jumped and looked around. He then turned around and found the source of the voice.
"Well, well. So you must be him, the mysterious duelist that the whole VRAINS is been talking about," Silver Wing said, with a smug expression.
The user presented in front of him was a tall, young man in a silver cyber suit with light blue lines and a silver helmet that came with a red visor that covers his eyes. His hands were covered with light-blue cybernetic gauntlets and he also wore a pair of cyber boots, shoulder pads, and kneecaps. On the center of his suit, there was a big light-blue X that its tip extended out to his shoulders and legs a bit.
"Actually, I've been looking all over for you, but I expected you would appear here. You've been quite famous around LINK VRAINS," said Silver Wing.
"I heard," replied the duelist. "Then, you know what happens next, do you?"
"Oh, that's exactly why I wanted to meet you, pal." Silver Wing responded with activation of his duel disk. "How about we take it to the wind?"
A D-Board with the face of birds and wings materialized in thin air as Silver Wing jumped onto it. The mysterious duelist summoned his D-Board, which looked cybernetic in light-blue color for the frame while glowing yellow lines all over it.
"SPEED DUEL!" They shouted.
Silver Wing vs. Mysterious Duelist
Silver Wing (4h): 4000 LP
M.D. (4h): 4000 LP
They flew on the data winds through the VR city, turning left to right and swirling around.
"Hee, hee." Silver Wing laughed. "I will show you why they call me the Wingman of LINK VRAINS."
"Just make your move," the mysterious duelist said strictly.
"Tch. If you say so," he replied. "I go first! I play the Field Spell, Feather Fiend – Territory Nest! With this card on the field, I can Special Summon one Feather Fiend monster from my deck with its attack halved and it cannot attack this turn whenever I Normal or Special Summon a Feather Fiend monster. The first bird that hatches for today is this one. Go, Feather Fiend – Sniper Sparrow!"
A small sparrow carrying a sniper gun appeared as it flapped its small wings.
"Then, with the effect of the Field Spell, I Special Summon Feather Fiend – Cryptic Crane from my deck!" His second monster appeared, flying beside Sniper Sparrow. "Cryptic Crane's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one Feather Fiend card from my deck to my hand. I add Feather Fiend – Strong Swan from my deck, and activate its effect!"
In his last Main Monster Zone, Strong Swan flapped its wing, summoning at the last opened zone.
"Feather Fiend – Strong Swan can be Special Summoned from my hand if I control only Feather Fiend monsters. Plus, it can increase the ATK of all my birdie friends I control by 200 points for every one of them."
All his monster's power increased by 200 points.
"Ascend!" His right hand glowed in blue. "The circuit of the far-reaching heavens!"
The Link Square portal appeared in front of him.
"The summoning condition is 3 Feather Fiend monsters. I set my Feather Fiend – Sniper Sparrow, Cryptic Crane, and Strong Swan to the Link Markers!" His three monsters turned into three green twisters, sucking into the arrows and turning them red. "Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Feather Fiend – Fierce Falcon!"
His ace monster appeared, flapping its powerful wings and talon as it created a strong gust when it was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.
"Since I Link Summoned a Feather Fiend monster, I can Special Summon Feather Fiend – Wrecking Crow from my hand!" The new Feather Fiend was a black crow carrying a giant wrecking ball that was twice its size. It was summoned next to Fierce Falcon's bottom arrow.
Feather Fiend – Wrecking Crow-Level 4, DARK, Winged-Beast/Effect, 600 ATK, 1600 DEF.
"Feather Fiend – Wrecking Crow's additional effect! Once per turn, this little birdie can inflict 300 points of damage for Link Rating of Link Monster it is linked with. Fierce Falcon is a Link-3 monster, so you take 900 points of damage!"
The small crow used its beak to spin the wrecking ball that's attached with a chain. It released the chain from its mouth, throwing the wrecking ball at the mysterious duelist directly.
He blocked it with his arms crossed, pushing him to the back end of his D-Board, which almost made him fall from it.
M.G. (4h): 4000 – 900 = 3100 LP
"I set a card and end my turn," Silver Wing finished. "And at the end of the turn, if Wrecking Crow is still on the field, it is returned to my hand."
Silver Wing (1h): 4000 LP
"Is that the best you can do?" The mysterious duelist asked.
"What are you saying? I'm only just warming up, that's all," Silver Wing answered boastfully.
"Hmph. Very well. My turn. Draw!" He drew his card. "I summon T.G. Core and set one card."
The new monster was a small mechanical sphere with a single yellow lens. There were a flashing blue, yellow, and red lights inside the lines across it, but nothing else that described its appearance interesting.
T.G. Core-Level 1, LIGHT, Machine/Effect, 0 ATK, 0 DEF.
"I end my turn," he ended quickly.
"Wait. That's it?" He asked.
"That's it," he replied calmly, yet seriously.
'What is with this guy? He just placed a monster with 0 attack. Is he trying to play me or something? Well, if that is how he wants to do it, then I will give it to him!' he thought.
"My turn! Draw!" Silver Wing's hand counted to two cards.
Silver Wing (2h): 4000
"Since I control a Feather Fiend Link Monster, I can Special Feather Fiend – Wrecking Crow from my hand!" The crow with the giant wrecking ball reappeared. "Its effect activates!"
It threw the wrecking ball again to inflict damage to the mysterious duelist. The mysterious duelist took the damage, but unfazed by it at all.
M.G. (3h): 3100 – 900 = 2200 LP
"Due to the Field Spell, Feather Fiend – Territory Nest's effect, I get to Special Summon another Feather Fiend monster from my deck. Take flight, Feather Fiend – Deep Dove!"
Deep Dove was summoned next to Wrecking Crow in the middle Main Monster Zone.
"Feather Fiend – Deep Dove's effect activates!" He declared. "When this monster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon one Feather Fiend monster from my Graveyard, with its ATK and DEF at zero. I Special Summon Feather Fiend – Strong Swan!"
"Strong Swan's effect!" He continued on while Strong Swan made all his Feather Fiends stronger, with his ace monster at 3200 ATK points.
"Ascend! The circuit of the far-reaching heavens!" He caused his hand to glow in blue again, making the portal appear again. "The summoning condition is two Feather Fiend monsters. I set my Feather Fiend – Deep Dove and Wrecking Crow to the Link Markers."
The two said monsters transformed into green twisters, hitting into the arrows.
"Link Summon! Fly high! Link 2! Feather Fiend – Rage Rooster!" The new Link Monster was a giant red and orange rooster with red spikes on its head, glowing red eyes, and huge yellow, sharp beak. Due to that, there were lesser Feather Fiend, the other Feather Fiends lost some ATK points (400 points to be exact).
Feather Fiend – Rage Rooster-Link 2, FIRE, Winged-Beast/Link/Effect, 1500 ATK, Link Arrow: Up, Left.
"Rage Rooster's effect activates! Feather Fiend monsters it points to cannot be affected by Spell and Trap Cards. This way, whatever set card you placed there won't affect my monster," he explained. "With that, anything you do to protect your T.G. Core won't be once Fierce Falcon destroys it and you lose rest of your Life Points. Not only, but when Fierce Falcon attacks, it gains ATK equals to Feather Fiend monster it points to during the Damage Step only. Go, Fierce Falcon! Aerial Phoenix Strike!"
His ace monster roared with a battle cry. It flew high into the sky and swooped down to aim at T.G Core with its sharp claw.
'Once this attack goes through, I win! I guess this guy isn't as tough as everyone thought,' Silver Wing thought, with a smug expression.
"Trap Card, activate! Speedy Tuning!" The mysterious duelist's set card revealed to be a Normal Trap, which showed Speed Warrior and Junk Synchron moving very fast as they performed Synchro Summon while a silhouette of Stardust Dragon flying behind them.
"During my opponent's Battle Phase, when my monster is attacked, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Tuner monster from my hand! I Special Summon Level 4 T.G. Mechanic Genius!"
The next monster was a cybernetic humanoid wielding a spear. It was mainly light-blue with yellow lines over its armored body. It also had a letter X on its chest with the tips extending to its shoulders and legs a bit. Its eyes were covered with a red visor.
T.G. Mechanic Genius-Level 4, LIGHT, Machine/Tuner, 1000 ATK, 1000 DEF.
"Hey, that monster looks like you!" Silver Wing noticed.
"And you will see its power," he responded. "Once after Speedy Tuning's effect resolves, I can perform Synchro Summon with the monsters I control on the field!"
"Wait? You're Synchro Summoning during my battle phase?!" Silver Wing gasped with wide eyes.
The mysterious duelist's lines on the suit glowed green color as yellow waves of energy emanated from behind him.
"I tune my Level 4 T.G. Mechanic Genius with Level 1 T.G Core!" His two monsters turned into green particles of data, turning themselves into rings; four green rings and one yellow ring while he chanted the summoning.
"Machines of the future, to survive for my better future, combines into one great force!" He chanted.
Multiple blue squares spun around until five blue rings stacked each other, making up a tower of rings. Two numbers, 4 and 1 appeared before it added into 5. A beam of light pierced through the rings.
"Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 5! T.G. Miracle Magician!"
The new summoned monster looked like T.G. Wonder Magician with the different color scheme. This one had light bluish-green hair and green eyes. Its witch-lookalike hat and clothes were also the same color as its hair. She wielded a cybernetic wand, with the neon blue color that lights up and swirled around the wand all the way to the upper tip. Unlike the bat-like wings for Wonder Magician, this one had angelic wings.
T.G. Miracle Magician-Level 5, LIGHT, Spellcaster/Synchro/Tuner, 1900 ATK, 0 DEF.
"T.G. Miracle Magician's effect! If she is Synchro Summoned during my opponent's turn, then I can Special Summon one of the materials used to summon her. I resurrect T.G. Core!" The little mechanical sphere returned. "Now, T.G. Core's effect activates! If it is Special Summoned by the effect of T.G. monster, then I can banish one T.G. monster in my Graveyard to increase its Level equals to that banished monster's Level. I banish T.G. Mechanic Genius to increase Core's Level by 4!"
Suddenly, T.G. Core changed its shape to resemble the banished T.G. Mechanic Genius, with its yellow lens in the center of the chest.
"Core transformed into that Mechanic Genius!" Silver Wing exclaimed.
"I am not done just yet. This isn't even my full power yet," he said.
"Say what?" Silver Wing said.
"T.G. Miracle Magician's additional effect! If she is Synchro Summoned during my opponent's Battle Phase, then I can Synchro Summon using her with another monster I control on the field," he revealed.
"What?! Wait! That chick monster of yours is also a Tuner?!" He gasped as he checked the field on his duel disk and saw that it is.
Suddenly, he increased his D-Board's speed, making him fly faster. His speed was so fast that it created a tailwind behind him as he flew faster and faster more.
"What is he doing?" Silver Wing said. "If he goes that fast, he will crash!"
"I tune my Level 5 T.G. Miracle Magician with Level 5 T.G. Core!" He declared as his two monsters turned into green particles and the green light in his lines turned to red. "Behold! The Synchro beyond Synchro!"
"Synchro beyond Synchro?" Silver Wing repeated, sweating nervously and waiting anxiously for what will appear next.
Just like before, rings appeared and stacked each other into a tower, but this time it was red rings. Two numbers appeared; five and another five, and then the numbers combined into 10. A giant beam of light, bigger than the beam of light before pierced through the tower often red rings.
"Power of the machines from the future, let me your strength and support me to survive during this dark time in the present! Accel Synchro! Appear! Level 10! T.G. Blade Buster!"
Powerful light with a shadow of the monster inside it flashed, consuming everything in its surrounding.
"What the…!" Silver Wing cried.
- Codes of Secrets -
The next day, another news report came in and it was the one that shocked Sakura the most.
"Good afternoon, folks! This is Kitty in the house, Y'all!" Kitty said excitedly.
"And Mimi's here, too," Mimi said calmly.
"We got another news update about the mysterious duelist! According to some eyewitnesses in the North Sector, Silver Wing dueled the Mysterious Duelist and lost," Kitty announced.
"Yup. That makes it four duelists so far and we have special commentary from the current Top Duelists of each sector minus Blossom Star though," Mimi stated.
The scene switched to each of the three top duelists from the three sectors.
"Miss Blue Angel, are you afraid of this mysterious duelist going around and beating some of the strongest duelists in LINK VRAINS?" Kitty asked.
"Well, I admit that for this person to beat four of the former Top 10 Charisma Duelists in the short amount of time is pretty impressive," Blue Angel said.
"What is your thought on the duel, Mr. Metal Mayhem, as the latest duel took place in the sector that you are in the top?" Mimi asked.
"No comment," Metal Mayhem answered with bold expression.
"I wish I can duel this mysterious duelist. I just wonder what kind of deck he uses!" Codebreaker commented with a smile.
"Now, the only person we didn't get the chance to interview is Blossom Star, but where is she?" Kitty questioned.
"Who knows. In fact, she hasn't been active for some weeks now. Maybe she is afraid to show up because of the mysterious duelist," Mimi guessed.
"I don't know, but the fandom must be pretty upset and miss her right about now," Kitty said.
She wasn't wrong. Some people were claiming that Blossom Star may have ditched her position just for her not get involved. Some fans defended her voluntarily to claim that she was only taking a break due to stress from her VR life.
"Poor Silver Wing," Sakura sobbed. She was in her bedroom at home. "Maybe I should've gone with him and support him."
That was when her VR duel disk rang. She checked to see that she received a message from Silver Wing.
"It's from Birdie!" She opened it without hesitation.
"He's asking me to come to LINK VRAINS at the west sector. It sounds like he is alright, but I better go and see," she said as she put it on her wrist. "Into the VRAINS!"
She logged into LINK VRAINS, entering the west sector. This sector was mostly in green areas. It was a literal large VR forest garden. There were many kinds of plants and trees, some were based on their real-life counterparts. She logged-in at the nearest platform.
Blossom Star's look had updated since we last saw her. She was now wearing a light green suit with a vest, and few cherry blossom flowers and vines designs on it, and light-green skirted leggings. Her hairstyle was the same, but the heels were replaced with light-green boots with daisy flowers on each, and vines around her arms and legs. The most iconic part of the sector was the giant tree in the center, with some branching data wind paths swirled and even go inside it.
"Yo, Blossom Star." She turned to see her VR friend walking up to her. "Nice new look."
"Thanks," she said as she posed. "I made it due to my parents saying about my...former look before, but I really like this look, too."
"Yeah. So I got to tell you about that mysterious duelist's deck and power. He is…!"
"Blossom Star!" They were surprised and turned to see the devil himself. He had appeared before them.
"You!" Silver Wing shouted.
"So you must be the mysterious duelist," Blossom Star said.
"I am Mech Genius and I come here to challenge you next to a Speed Duel, Blossom Star." He pointed to her.
Blossom Star looked a bit reluctant at first, but Silver Wing stepped in and whispered to her ear. "Blossom Star, let me tell you something about that guy."
After a second of whispering, Blossom Star nodded and stepped in. "I accept your challenge, Mech Genius."
"Very well then. Prepare to fall, like all others I fought!" He materialized his D-Board and jumped onto it. She did the same for her D-Board. Silver Wing followed a bit behind from them, watching safely from a distance.
"The first one who passes that tree over there gets to decide who goes first." Mech Genius pointed to the VR tree ahead.
Mech Genius and Blossom Star raced each other. Blossom Star turned left to right to dodge away from the floating VR trees. Mech Genius was riding his D-Board better than her, so he was able to reach the goal point.
"I won the race, so, therefore, I choose to go second," he declared.
"Very well," she agreed.
"SPEED DUEL!" They exclaimed.
Blossom Star vs. Mech Genius
Blossom Star (4h): 4000 LP
Mech Genius (4h): 4000 LP
"Good luck, Blossom Star," Silver Wing thought aloud.
"I go first," she stated. "I summon Naturia Mantis in attack position."
The cute, green mantis appeared as it buzzed with its wings flapping.
"Then, I set a card. Turn end," she finished.
Blossom Star (2h): 4000 LP
"Hmmm. I see," Mech Genius talked to himself.
Blossom Star slowed down a little to be next to her opponent.
"Mech Genius! I want to know. Why did you duel the former Top 10 Charisma Duelists?" She asked.
"Oh. That's new. None of my opponents asked me that question before," he admitted. "I will answer it to you. It is all just for warm-ups."
"Warm-ups?" Blossom Star questioned.
Silver Wing could hear everything they say through the com-link set beforehand.
"Warm-ups? So this jerk was playing with me!" Silver Wing angered.
"I only went after the former Top 10 Charisma Duelists as warm-ups for stronger duelists. Other times, I went after lower Charisma Duelists for personal training," he explained. "My goal is to become the strongest duelist there is!"
"So you dueled Silver Wing and the others to prepare yourself to save the Top 4," Blossom Star said.
"That's right. And if you want to know further, the reason I choose you first out of the four is that among you, Blue Angel, Codebreaker, and Metal Mayhem, you're the weakest of them all!" He pointed.
"What?" She gasped.
"This jerk is just the worst!" Silver Wing said frustratingly.
As the Speed Duel continued, some other duelists who were in the vicinity saw them passing by.
"Hey, was that Blossom Star?" One of the users asked.
"Yeah. I think it was her!" The other user claimed.
The eyewitness spread fast across LINK VRAINS. Around the same time and same place, two familiar reporters were scouting around for scoop.
"Nothing interesting around here nor Playmaker, senpai," said the pigeon.
"Geez. I thought that logging to the other sector for scoop-hunting is the best plan, but it's harder than I thought!" complained the frog.
"Hey, Senpai, look!" Pigeon cried. "Is that Blossom Star?"
The frog looked and gasped. "It is her!" He said. "This may not be Playmaker-level scoop, but still a scoop! After her and whoever she's dueling now!"
"Aye, aye, sir!" Pigeon complied as he grabbed on his boss's head and flew off after the two duelists.
They started broadcasting the duel and as soon as they did, the whole Den City was watching it, including but not least, some certain people we know.
"Master Yu, it appears that someone is broadcasting Blossom Star's duel against the mysterious duelist," Rossy said.
"Cool! I was thinking of taking a break from Legendary Code search, and this is perfect timing," Yu said happily.
At the Den City's courtyard, Yusaku, Ai, Takeru, Flame, and Kusanagi watched the duel.
"It's Blossom Star! It's been awhile she showed up in LINK VRAINS, and she got a new look!" Ai exclaimed.
"It appears to so, but who is she dueling with?" Flame asked.
"This looks interesting. Can't wait to see her Naturia deck!" Takeru said excitedly.
"I see you both are a fan of her," Flame noted.
"Of course we are! I like Blossom Star over Blue Angel!" Ai claimed.
"I like both of them, but Blossom Star is cool in her own way," Takeru commented. "What do you think, Yusaku."
"I'm not much into an idol," he admitted boldly.
"Well, whatever this is, we're going to learn what that mysterious duelist can do now that somebody is broadcasting a duel, he's in," Kusanagi said.
At Zaizen's residence, Aoi watched alone at the comfort of her home, but she looked both surprised and concerned.
"Blossom Star appeared!" She gasped. "I wonder where she had been lately, and it looks she got a new look, too."
Walking down the street, one of the new students who moved to Den City and another forgetful character, Satoru Hikari stopped and saw the broadcast on the public TV displays.
"Hmmm. That looks interesting, but I am not into it," he said as he continued walking by while other bystanders stopped and watched the show.
The duel continued with Blossom Star and Mech Genius.
"I...I am not weak!" Blossom Star argued.
"Hmph. We'll see about that," he said. "My turn. I draw!"
Mech Genius (5h): 4000 LP
"Since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon T.G. Catapult Wyvern from my hand!"
The new monster was a bionic wyvern with a long, big blue catapult canon attached on its head. Its eyes were orange while the biological part of its body was mostly reddish-orange scale. Its wings were electronically enhanced with solar panels for the upper side of the wings.
T.G. Catapult Wyvern-Level 4, FIRE, Dragon/Effect, 1400 ATK, 1100 DEF.
"T.G. Catapult Wyvern's effect activates! By discarding one card, I can target one monster you control and destroy it," he stated. "I discard a card and destroy your Naturia Mantis! T.G. Launch!"
The catapult canon on the wyvern's head charged up with its energy and the meter turned red, increasing until it reached the tip. It unleashed the energy blast, blasting Mantis away.
"Mantis!" She cried.
"With Mantis out of the picture, I can Normal Summon a monster without being destroyed by its effect," Mech Genius said. "Such easy prediction. This is just one sign that you're the weakest, Blossom Star. I don't understand how you are Top 4 all this time by playing such easy, predictable tactics."
Blossom Star gritted while Silver Wing gave him a discouraged look.
"Now, appear! The circuit of mechanical evolution!" His hand glowed in blue light as a link square portal opened. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower T.G. monster. I set my T.G. Catapult Wyvern to the Link Marker!"
His single monster turned into a reddish-orange twister, swallowing into the arrow and turning it red.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! T.G. Rocket Salvager!" This new monster looked like Fujitoid from TMNT 2012, except with a silver body and a giant rocket on its back. It also carried a long chain with a hook at the end of it.
T.G. Rocket Salvager-Link 1, FIRE, Machine/Link/Effect, 1000 ATK, Link Arrow: Bottom.
"It's a new T.G. Link Monster!" Frog exclaimed.
"I've never seen it before, Senpai," Pigeon said.
"T.G. Rocket Salvager's effect! When it is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower T.G. monster from my graveyard to the zone it points to." Rocket Salvager's bottom arrow pointed to the right Main Monster Zone.
"Resurrect! T.G. Catapult Wyvern!" The wyvern returned as it roared.
"According to my calculation, if Mech Genius declare both monsters to direct attack Blossom Star, she would lose a total of 2400 Life Points, leaving her with only 1600 LP left," Rossy said.
"Yeah. That's going to hurt her a lot," Yu nodded.
"Now, appear again! My circuit of mechanical evolution!" The Link Square portal appeared again above him.
"That jerk's going to Link Summon again?" Silver Wing said, surprised.
"What is he doing? He could've just attacked me directly with his two monsters," Blossom Star thought aloud.
"Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is two T.G. Effect monsters. I set my Link 1 T.G. Rocket Salvager and T.G. Catapult Wyvern to the Link Markers." The two monsters turned into silver and reddish-orange twisters, sucking into the arrows and turning them red. "Link Summon! Link 2! T.G. W-Cross Gunman!"
The next new T.G. Link Monster was a bionic cowboy, with a dark brown cloak with some holes on it, cowboy hat, and ragged jacket. He also wore a pair of blue jeans, but the interesting feature was his mechanical, bionic left arm. Under his hat was a red spiky hair, covering one side of his face, only revealing a single blue eye and half-covered face with a red scarf over his mouth.
T.G. W-Cross Gunman-Link 2, DARK, Warrior/Link/Effect, 1500 ATK, Link Arrow: Top, Bottom.
"I end my turn," he said.
Mech Genius (3h): 4000 LP
"What?! Already?" Blossom Star gasped, surprised to see how he ended his turn so early.
"That's right. I have everything I need for now. Now, make your turn," he said in calm, yet serious tone.
'What is with this guy? He's leaving his monster unprotected. Then again, maybe this is part of his plan or something. I better be careful,' she thought.
"What is that new guy thinking, Senpai? He's leaving his monster vulnerable!" Pigeon stated.
"I have no idea. Just keep rolling the camera, and see what happens next!" Frog ordered.
"My turn. I draw." The next turn began for Blossom Star, starting the turn with 3 cards in her hand. "I Normal Summon Naturia Marron!"
A cute spiked seed pod appeared, making its debut appearance with joyful hops.
"I activate Marron's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can send one Naturia monster from my Deck to my graveyard. I send my Naturia Butterfly." She showed the card itself and then sent it to her graveyard. "Then, once per turn, I can target two Naturia monsters from my graveyard and shuffle those monsters to my deck, and draw one card. I target my sent Naturia Butterfly and Antjaw, and shuffle them back to my deck."
She picked the two cards and shuffled them into her deck. "I draw!" She drew a random new card. "The card I drew is Naturia Seed, and I activate its effect immediately! When this monster is added to my hand other than a normal draw, I can Special Summon it!"
A little black and white seed appeared in the right Main Monster Zone. It had cute brown eyes, mouth, and little white arms and legs.
Naturia Seed-Level 1, EARTH, Plant/Effect, 300 ATK, 300 DEF.
"Due to that I control two or more Naturia monsters on the field, I can Special Summon Naturia Snail from my hand!" A cute snail with a brown shell and two curly eyes that looked like eyeglasses was summoned to her last Main Monster Zones.
Naturia Snail-Level 2, EARTH, Plant/Tuner, 500 ATK, 600 DEF.
"A Tuner monster? Is she planning to summon a Synchro Monster?" Mech Genius thought aloud.
"Now, appear! The circuit of nature!" The Link Square portal appeared in front of her. "The summoning condition is three Naturia monsters. I set my three Naturia monsters on the field to the Link Markers!"
The three Naturia's turned into three green tornados, turning three arrows red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Naturia Forest King!" Her ace Link Monster appeared next to W-Cross Gunman's top arrow.
"Alright! Now that jerk will be taught with some lessons!" Silver Wing smirked.
"Naturia Forest King's effect activates! When it is Co-Linked with another Link Monster, that monster becomes Plant-Type monster and when it does, Forest King gains 600 ATK. Green Absorb!"
Green vines strangled W-Cross Gunman, tightening him as it absorbed his energy and the sucked energy transferred to Naturia Forest King, increasing its ATK to 2600.
"Battle! Naturia Forest King, attack Mech Genius' T.G. W-Cross Gunman! Naturia Wrath!" Its wooden horn grew out with the tips very spiky, pointing toward its target.
"Hmph. Amateur," Mech Genius stated, surprising Blossom Star. "T.G. W-Cross Gunman's effect! During my opponent's Battle Phase, if this card is attacked, I can Special Summon one T.G. monster from my hand to the zone it points. I Special Summon T.G. Mechanic Genius!"
The T.G. Tuner that looked like its owner appeared at Gunman's bottom arrow.
"Hey, that monster looks like the guy!" Ai exclaimed.
"It does," Takeru agreed.
"If T.G. Tuner monster is summoned next to W-Cross Gunman's Link, then I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower T.G. monster from my deck or hand! I bring out my T.G. Core!"
The mechanical sphere appeared in the zone next to Mechanic Genius.
"Why go through all these troubles?" Blossom Star asked.
"You'll find out soon," he answered. "T.G. Mechanic Genius' Quick Effect! If this monster is Special Summoned by the effect of T.G. monster I control during my opponent's turn, then I can use it and another monster I control to Synchro Summon a T.G. monster!"
"Say what?!" Blossom Star gasped as everyone else watching had the same expression. Even Yusaku was a bit surprised.
"I tune my Level 4 T.G. Mechanic Genius with T.G. Core!" The two monsters turned into green particles, becoming into rings. The rings stacked together, turning into blue as two numbers appeared. The numbers, 4 and 1 combined into 5 as a tower of light pierced through the rings.
"Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 5! T.G. Miracle Magician!" The green-haired bionic, angelic magician appeared in the bottom arrow of W-Cross Gunman.
"Even so, my Naturia Forest King will still destroy your Link Monster!" She reminded him.
"I am well aware of that, and I appreciate that you did," he said.
"What do you mean?" She said, but then a flash of thought came through to her. 'Wait. This must be what Silver Wing told me about!'
- Flashback –
"Be careful about him," Silver Wing whispered to her. "That guy has a powerful Synchro Monster, and unbelievable Synchro Summon! Whatever you do, don't underestimate the guy."
- Flashback ends –
'This is must be what he meant!' She remembered.
"T.G. Miracle Magician's effect activates! If she is Synchro Summoned during my opponent's Battle Phase, I can Special Summon one of the materials used to summon her! I bring back T.G. Core!"
The mechanical sphere returned, appearing next to the magician.
"Now, T.G. Core's effect activates! If this monster is Special Summoned by the effect of T.G. monster, then I can banish one T.G. monster from my graveyard and increase Core's Level by that banished monster's Level. I banish my Level 4 T.G. Mechanic Genius to increase Core's Level by 4!"
T.G. Core transformed into a fake copy of Mechanic Genius.
"It transformed into that monster!" Blossom Star surprised.
"You'll be more surprising. Witness my power, Blossom Star!" Mech Genius sped forward his D-Board, passing her by and speeding up as he did.
"Wait! What are you doing? If you are going that fast, you will crash!" She warned him, but her warning was a death shot to his ears.
"I tune my Level 5 T.G. Miracle Magician with Level 5 T.G Core!" His two monsters turned into red particles as the lines on his suit turned red light. He sped up so fast that he created tailwind from behind his D-Board and himself.
Blossom Star covered herself from the tailwind.
"What's up with this wind!?" She cried.
"Here we go again!" Silver Wing announced.
"Uh-oh! What's going to happen?!" Pigeon asked.
"I have no idea, but it looks like he's going to Synchro Summon again!" Frog said.
"Oi, Oi! That guy is going freaking fast!" Ai exclaimed.
"Too fast in fact. No human can ever ride a D-Board that fast. It's impossible!" Flame noted.
Several rings appeared, but these rings were red. They stacked together into a tower. Two numbers, two 5's appeared before it combined into 10. A powerful beam of light pierced through the rings as Mech Genius said the chanting.
"Power of the machines from the future led me your strength and survive during this dark time in the present! Accel Synchro! Appear! Level 10! T.G. Blade Buster!"
This new monster looked a lot alike T.G. Blade Blaster, except it was white instead of green. The parts where it supposed to be orange were blue instead, too. Two silver engine motors attached on the back. Its right hand was a gun with an energy blade instead.
T.G. Blade Buster-Level 10, EARTH, Machine/Synchro/Effect, 3300 ATK, 2200 DEF.
"What?! A Synchro Summon during another player's turn?! Unbelievable and this guy did twice!" Ai flabbergasted.
"Incredible! Humanity is actually far advanced than I thought!" Flame stunned.
"I think that's a bit too overexaggerating much, but yeah, I agree. This is surprising! I have never heard of Synchro Summoning during an opponent's turn, little know during the Battle Phase of all places and time," Takeru said.
"Actually, I've heard a technique like this before a long time ago," Kusanagi admitted. "There are some Synchro Monsters that are also Tuner monster and T.G. is one of the Archetypes that have one of that type of Synchro Tuner monster. However, not only it is very rare, it is very difficult to master it or use it in duels, so normally, most duelists don't use it nowadays."
"However, we're looking at someone who can, and he is right in front of us in a duel right now," Yusaku noted.
"According to my calculation, this is highly unexpected!" Rossy shocked.
"I know right! He Synchro Summoned a Level 10 monster during Blossom Star's turn! Right in the middle of her monster's attack!" Yu exclaimed.
"Senpai! That guy summoned a high-level Synchro Monster during Blossom Star's turn nonetheless!" Pigeon shocked.
"I can see that! This is the probably the biggest scoop we've ever had, maybe second big to Playmaker's stuff! Keep rolling that camera and don't take your eyes away from him!" Frog stated.
"Unbelievable…. A Level 10 Synchro Monster summoned during the middle of the battle," Blossom Star said, but remembered quickly that she was still in the middle of the battle. "But I will still attack your Link Monster with mine! Go, Naturia Forest King! Continue your attack!"
"No, wait! Blossom Star!" Silver Wing shouted.
"Foolish mistake!" Mech Genius declared. "I activate T.G. Blade Buster's effect! If it is summoned next to T.G. Link Monster's link, it is Tribute so that it gains ATK equal to the released monster's ATK until the end of my next turn!"
"Say what?!" She gasped.
"I Tribute my T.G. W-Cross Gunman, so now Blade Buster gains his attack! T.G. Boost!" W-Cross Gunman turned into energy, which Blade Buster absorbed it into itself, increasing its ATK to 4800. "Once this effect resolves, T.G. Blade Buster must battle this turn."
"No way!" She screamed.
"Battle! T.G. Blade Buster! Accel Finisher!" His ace monster flew off in high speed. It went faster, faster, increasing its speed tremendously that it phased out of reality and disappeared.
Everyone turned silent for a moment.
"Wh…Where did his monster go?" Pigeon asked.
"I…I have no idea," Frog said.
Suddenly, out of nowhere but just behind Blossom Star, T.G. Blade Buster reappeared, and Naturia Forest King was destroyed in the blink of an eye.
Everyone's mouth was opened, and their eyes widened.
"Kyyaaahahhh!" Blossom Star screamed.
"Blossom Star!" Aoi shouted.
She quickly took control over her D-Board skidding, regain balance, but lost a lot of Life Points in the process.
Blossom Star (1h): 4000 – 2800 = 1200 LP
"Do you understand now how I defeated those so-called Top 10 Charisma Duelists? This is the power I wield. The power I use to survive in this crazy world of ours. With it, nothing can stop me, not even you!" Mech Genius announced. "And I only just got started!"
Blossom Star watched her foe and his monster, the most powerful and challenging one she ever faced. Could she overcome this?
New Cards Cheat Sheet
Feather Fiend – Wrecking Crow-Level 4, DARK, Winged-Beast/Effect, 600 ATK, 1600 DEF. Effect: If you control a Feather Fiend Link Monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand next to that monster's Link. If you do, inflicts 300x damage for the Link Marker of that monster. If this card remains on the field after it was Special Summoned, return it to your hand at the End Phase.
T.G. Core-Level 1, LIGHT, Machine/Effect, 0 ATK, 0 DEF. Effect: If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of T.G. monster, you can banish 1 T.G. monster in your GY; then this card's Level is increased by that banished monster's Level. You can only activate this effect of "T.G. Core" once per turn.
Feather Fiend – Rage Rooster-Link 2, FIRE, Winged-Beast/Link/Effect, 1500 ATK, Link Arrow: Up, Left. Effect: 2 Feather Fiend monsters. Feather Fiend monsters it points cannot be affected by Spell and Trap Cards.
Speedy Tuning-Type: Normal Trap, Effect: During your opponent's turn, when a monster you control is attacked by your opponent's monster, after this effect resolves, you can Synchro Summon a monster using monsters you control on the field immediately.
T.G. Mechanic Genius-Level 4, LIGHT, Machine/Tuner, 1000 ATK, 1000 DEF. Effect: If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of T.G. monster during your opponent's turn, then you can Synchro Summon a monster using this card and other monster you control on the field. (This is a Quick Effect). You can only activate this effect of "T.G. Mechanic Genius" once per turn.
T.G. Miracle Magician-Level 5, LIGHT, Spellcaster/Synchro/Tuner, 1900 ATK, 0 DEF. Effect: 1 T.G. Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner T.G. monster. If this card is Synchro Summoned during your opponent's Battle Phase, you can Special Summon one of the materials used to summon this card. You can only activate this effect of "T.G. Miracle Magician" once per turn. If this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, you can add the materials you used to summon it to your hand from your GY.
T.G. Catapult Wyvern-Level 4, FIRE, Dragon/Effect, 1400 ATK, 1100 DEF. Effect: Once per turn, you can discard one card: Target one monster your opponent controls and then destroy it.
T.G. Rocket Salvager-Link 1, FIRE, Machine/Link/Effect, 1000 ATK, Link Arrow: Bottom. Effect:1 Level 4 or lower T.G. monster. When this card is Link Summoned, Special Summon one Level 4 or lower T.G. monster from your G.Y. to the zone it points to.
T.G. W-Cross Gunman-Link 2, DARK, Warrior/Link/Effect, 1500 ATK, Link Arrow: Top, Bottom. Effect: 2 T.G. Effect monsters. During your opponent's Battle Phase, if this card is attacked, you can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower T.G. monster from your hand to the zone it points to. If the summoned monster is a Tuner monster, then Special Summon one Level 4 or lower T.G. monster from your hand or Deck. You can only activate each effect of this card once per turn.
Naturia Seed-Level 1, EARTH, Plant/Effect, 300 ATK, 300 DEF. Effect: When this card is added to your hand other than through a normal draw, Special Summon it from your hand.
Naturia Snail-Level 2, EARTH, Plant/Tuner, 500 ATK, 600 DEF. Effect: If you control two or more Naturia monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.
T.G. Blade Buster-Level 10, EARTH, Machine/Synchro/Effect, 3300 ATK, 2200 DEF. Effect: 1 Tuner Synchro Monster + 1 or more non-Tuner T.G. monsters. If this Synchro Summoned monster is summoned next to a T.G. Link Monster's link, you can Tribute that monster, until the end of your next turn, this card gains ATK equals to that monster's ATK. This card must battle after this card effect activation. Once per turn, during your opponent's turn, you can banish 1 T.G. monster from your GY; banish this face-up card on the field to negate one opponent's card activation and if you do, destroy it (This is a Quick Effect). During the next Standby Phase, after this card was banished by this effect: You can Special Summon this card.
"Hey, Y'all! This is Kitty in the house!" Kitty announced.
"And her trusty (also more reliable) partner, Mimi is here as well," Mimi said.
"Oh boy! A brand new rival appears for a challenge!" Kitty announced.
"What are you? Are you trying to be like that 'Challenger is Approaching' screen from Super Smash Bros?" Mimi asked.
"Just for fun," Kitty admitted. "Anyway, how about we show the card of the chapter today?"
"Today's card of the chapter is..." The monitor showed T.G. Blade Buster. "T.G. Blade Buster!"
"Nya, neato!" Kitty said excitedly.
"T.G. Blade Buster is a Level 10 EARTH Machine-Synchro monster with ATK of 3300 and DEF of 2200. This is a very powerful Synchro Monster. The strongest one we have seen so far in this story. It looks like Blossom Star will have a hard time to deal with this thing," Mimi anyalzed.
"You're right, Mimi! This thing can pack a punch and move at hyper sonic speed that it disappears from reality! How does it even do it?" Kitty asked.
"Who knows. I wasn't good in quantum physics in high school," Mimi admitted.
"Also, good news, folks! We got an update from the writing development and the author says that an updated opening and the ending will come out in the next chapter," Kitty declared.
"That's good to hear," Mimi nodded.
"Also, shoutout to the user, johannvanguard for the new cards for Blossom Star and Mech Genius for this chapter," Kitty added.
"Well, until next time, guys. See you all later, alligators!"
Preview for Chapter 61
To survive or to die. That is the only thing Mech Genius strive for and has always been. Two conflicting ideals collide for the battle of all times! Who will come out victorious?
Blossom Star: I will not give up! No matter what, I don't want to lose!
Mech Genius: You know nothing about suffering. I have suffered tremendously at many times in life. Dueling is just one of them and it is the one I strive to get better so I can live and survive for another day!
Next time in Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS Codes of Secrets, Accel Time!
Blossom Star: Into the VRAINS!