DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fate/Extra or Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS. Both are properties of Nasu and Konami respectively. I own none of the characters or events that take place in the story, save for original events and original characters.

Previously, on Fate/VRAINS – Laplace!

"Knights of Hanoi, you are my enemy!"

"Every last one of these cards is my partner! They are part of me!"

"You ready for this, Zaizen?"

"It's been a while, Hakuno Kishinami."

"Allow me to introduce myself properly."

Fate/VRAINS – Laplace

TURN-03: The Man and the Archer

It was over. The old man stood there, his face remarkably calm and solemn in spite of the fact that his Servant had just been defeated. Robin Hood kneeled on the ground, a sword sitting inside his chest as though he were its sheath. There was no blood, but the damage on his body was arguably worse than any actual blood or wound. Pieces of his body were breaking down into black blocks that shattered the moment they touched the ground. Separating Hakuno and Archer from their enemy was a wall of red.

"So, this is how it ends, eh?" Blackmore mused. He looked as though he was in a daze, staring at Archer in amazement. "Incredible… To think there would be a Heroic Spirit whose power would be able to craft weapons of other heroes…"

"How'd we lose?" Robin Hood asked through gritted teeth. "Master has more ability and more determination, so how did…?"

Hakuno wasn't sure she could answer that herself. Her body was still shaking. She could hardly believe she was still standing. Her palms were caked in sweat.

Blackmore and her eyes met. Her stared at her for several seconds before his lips curled upward. "It would seem that I am the one lacking experience in this battle," he said. "More than that, I doubted my capabilities too much for this battle royal. Having a reason to fight is different from believing in that reason. I lived as a warrior, but that life gave me many regrets."

Blackmore laughed, "Reviving my wife with the power of the Holy Grail—what a silly delusion. I gave up everything, even my own individuality, to become a 'good soldier.' It wasn't until at the end of that life did I ever find a goal to pursue and abandon. All this time, I have been fighting as a man. In doing so, I sentenced myself to defeat by putting my principles as a knight ahead of my principles as a man."

"Yes, a fool indeed… But I was a fool who wanted to see her smile again before I arrived on death's doorstep, if only for a short time."

Hakuno stared at him, feeling a growing pit form inside her chest. This person had a dream he wished to pursue. He had every reason to fight, and it was for a better reason than hers. She fought to live, but this man fought to bring his lover back to life. So much so that he was willing to put his own life on the line for it. And yet he had fallen before he could obtain that dream. He was dying, and in a few moments, the Moon Cell would erase him.

All because she defeated him, all so she could live.

He was her enemy. If he won, she would die. So she fought back and ordered Archer to defeat him. There was no reason for her to sit idly by and allow someone she did not know to kill her, no matter what their reason was. This was a "war," and wars were cold and unforgiving.

So, why?

What is this feeling in my chest? Hakuno grasped the fabric of her shirt, as though she were grabbing at her own heart. An emotion she did not know wormed its way into her head and brought her anguish. Why do I feel so…?

"Do not feel sorry, young miss," Blackmore smiled warmly this time. The act caught her off guard and she stared at him in disbelief. "In fact, you should feel proud. That final blow… It was delivered splendidly. Not a hint of doubt in that final stroke. You have as much reason to fight and believe in as anyone else. My wish is nothing special, nor is anybody else's, no matter how grand. However, your struggles… I imagine they will be most difficult for you. But they will harden you. They will make you stronger, without question."

The black corrupt spread further into him. By now, half his torso was disintegrated and his right arm was falling apart. The right half of his face had turned to black and was falling apart, like pieces of a puzzle coming undone. In spite of this, Blackmore looked as dignified and noble as he first had when they met the first time.

"I apologize you must see me like this. It may be odd to say this, but I feel oddly at peace with myself. I have lost, but in doing so, I might become the foundation for a youth to grow stronger and seize their future."

Robin Hood looked as though he wished to say something, but he fell silent. Instead, he opted a rueful smile and bowed his head, accepting his defeat. His body was worse than his Master's and looked ready to crumble any moment.

"Sheesh, this sucks…" the orange-haired bandit remarked. "I finally got a chance to fight fair for once, and I ended up failing my Master. This day can't possibly get any worse." He paused for a moment. He looked up and stared at Archer. "I've probably got no reason to ask you this, seeing as how we lost and all, but how did I lose to you anyway? You said you got no reason for fighting or even a wish you want to have fulfilled, so what's the difference between us?"

Hakuno stared at her Servant. The silver-haired man in red's eyes swam with emotions she couldn't quite describe, almost as though this scene brought out some sort of nostalgia. After a moment, the nameless man answers his fellow Archer's question.

"There is no difference. We both fought for our Masters, and in all honesty, your reasons for fighting are better than mine. All I am is a nameless Servant, representing someone with no background or past to speak of. But, if I were to wager a guess as to why you lost…"

He grinned. "It's because I couldn't afford to lose. I would be a pretty worthless Servant if I couldn't live up to my Master's expectations, no?"

Robin Hood stared at him for a moment before he laughed. "Yeah, I guess that's a good a reason as any. Damn, now I feel bad about being summoned. If it was somebody else as Master's Servant, he wouldn't have lost. Ah, oh well. Them's the breaks. Still…"

The green-clothed man looked at Hakuno, offering one last smile before his body was consumed by the black corruption.

"I'm glad I lost to someone like you, brownie."

His last words, right as he crumbled to pieces. The black blocks that were the remains of the Servant known as Robin Hood existed for only a second before they broke down into particles and faded from existence.

Blackmore stared at the spot where his Servant was mournfully. "Thank you, Archer. I am truly sorry," he muttered before looking back up at Hakuno. "Forgive me for being so selfish, but would you mind listening to a dying man's last words?" Hakuno nodded. "From here on out, no matter who you may face or who you may have to defeat… Think about it. Feel it. Process it. Accept your doubts, but never allow yourself to be crippled by them. Accept the consequences of your actions, and turn all you feel and all you have learned into strength. If you wait until the end to think, you will only have regrets waiting for you.

"More than that, learning something from your battles. Through battle, learn about the things you need to: the reasons you fight, the reasons you cannot lose. Find the answers you seek from battle. It will be your responsibility to have those answers when you survive this war."

His smile was bright, different from the worn-out face of a soldier. It was loving and kind, almost like that of a grandfather. His body was covered in shadows, yet he still continued to smile as the Moon Cell erased every fiber of his existence.

"Ah… I will finally see you again, my love… My Anne…"

He closed his eyes and succumbed. His body crumbled to pieces and broke apart into nothingness. The wall vanished and the path opened, as if inviting her to proceed forward.

Hakuno doesn't move. She just stared at the spot where Dan Blackmore and Robin Hood once stood, their words echoing and repeating over and over in her heart. The feeling of unease lessens as she realizes what this feeling was.

Regret.

She felt regret that she battled someone who had better reasons to fight, that she had to kill someone like that. Compared to the horror and fright she felt when she killed Shinji Matou, the feeling she had when she killed Blackmore is different. She does not feel disgust with herself or feel horrified by her actions. Instead, she felt regret that she had killed a good man.

"Are you alright, Master?" Archer called out to her. She nodded numbly. "That man… Even if he was an enemy, he was a worthy foe. No, more than that… You shouldn't ever forget his words, Hakuno Kishinami. No matter how hard or arduous this battle is, there's always a meaning and reason behind it."

A meaning to battle…

Hakuno wasn't sure what meaning she could derive from her battle with Blackmore, but she knew one thing for certain. Even if she lost and was erased by the Moon Cell, she would never forget what that man told her.

She would never forget Dan Blackmore or the words of advice he spoke, no matter what.

The memory of that day played out so clearly in Hakuno's mind that, for a moment, she stared at the young man standing alongside Robin Hood in disbelief. Emotions ran through her all at once. At first she was angry, believing the man before her to be an imposter and assuming Dan Blackmore's identity, then confusion as to how he could have obtained Robin Hood. Resignation and sadness settled as she stared into the eyes of her opponent—Alkaid.

The same eyes as the old soldier she defeated in the second round of the Moon Cell Holy Grail War.

"How…?" Hakuno didn't realize it was her voice until after the words left her mouth. "How are you here? No, why are you here?! Why are you with the Knights of Hanoi?!"

Alkaid smiled wryly. "A long story, one I wouldn't mind discussing another time. However, I'm afraid story time will have to wait."

Hakuno wanted to argue, but Alkaid's expression told her everything. He intended to fight her, even if she wanted to talk. This was not a place for discussion, but a place of battle. They were in the middle of a duel, or in other words a battlefield. A place Dan Blackmore knew very well.

She felt Playmaker's stare on her, her partner in this battle no doubt having several questions he wished to ask, but he made no sound. Instead, he returned his attention to the task at hand.

"When Robin Hood is successfully Xyz Summoned, I add Yew Bow from either my deck or Graveyard to my hand. Next, I equip it to Archer." Alkaid took the card from his deck before placing it on his duel disk. The next moment, Robin Hood's signature bow formed over his forearm. "And now, battle. I attack Cyberse Magician with Black Luster Soldier – Superior Soldier."

Superior Soldier has 6000 ATK, Hakuno analyzed the situation. Cyberse Magician has 5200 ATK. If Blackmore destroys Playmaker's monster, we'll take 800 damage, maybe more depending on what kind of effects Robin Hood has.

Just how did the emerald Archer's bag of tricks translate to this card game? Somehow, she dreaded the answer.

Playmaker countered as she expected. "I activate my face-down Trap, Cynet Access! I banish a Cyberse Monster in the Graveyard and target a Cyberse Monster on my field! Until the end of the turn, the Cyberse Monster on my field gains 200 ATK equal to the banished monster's Level! I banish the Level 4 Processlayer Adion and raise Cyberse Magician's ATK by 800!"

Alkaid rubbed his chin. "If you did that, Cyberse Magician would equal Superior Soldier's own ATK. And with Grid Rod, it's destruction would be negated and I would lose Superior Soldier instead. Not a bad strategy."

"Unfortunately for you," Robin Hood smirked. "That plan is a bust."

"What?!"

Playmaker and Hakuno watched in dumbfounded awe and shock as the green-clad outlaw summoned a purple-tipped arrow and knocked it back, taking aim and firing it straight at Playmaker's facedown. Just as it flipped up to activate its effect, the arrow pierced it. Seconds later, it was encroached by purple corruption.

Both Archer and Caster stared at the sight, mouths open and eyes wide. "What happened?!" Playmaker demanded. "What did you just do?!"

"My effect, Sherlock. What else?" Robin Hood snarked. "Master sends a card in his hand to the Graveyard, and I negate the activation of any Trap or Spell you play. As an added bonus, that card is destroyed. You also take 100 damage."

"While Yew Bow is equipped to Archer, any and all effect damage he deals is doubled," Alkaid explained. "When the equipped monster deals effect damage, Yew Bow can double the damage and gain 1 counter."

What the hell's up with that?! Hakuno could hear Tamamo scream in indignation.

Even Hakuno herself admitted it was unfair upon hearing this. So long as Blackmore's Archer had Yew Bow equipped, it virtually made any damage he dealt quadrupled because both cards amplified their ability to deal damage. It seemed incredibly broken to her.

Nonetheless, Playmaker's card shattered and exploded. The force of the blast was stronger than they expected and caused them to sway, but they managed to regain their balance shortly afterwards. "Thanks to Cyberse Magician's effect, the damage we take is halved!" Playmaker pointed out.

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 1900 → 1700

With nothing else to protect them, Superior Soldier leaped into the fray and swung its greatsword at Cyberse Magician. Sword met stave. The wizard was ultimately forced back, rod partially damaged.

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 1700 → 1300

"I believe I'll end my turn here." Alkaid ended his assault. "If Lustrous Gaia the Fierce Knight is in my Graveyard or is banished during the End Phase, I add a Ritual Spell and Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand."

"But you never-" Hakuno stopped herself and remembered what Robin Hood said before. "Archer's effect…?"

"Correct, young miss. I believe the next move is yours."

The brunette looked at her monsters, both of whom stared back in concern. They were worried about her, considering her opponent was someone she knew, and more importantly, someone she respected as much as she did Rani and Rin.

"I'm fine," she assured the two. She remembered Blackmore's words to her back in the Moon Cell. She could not afford to hesitate for even a moment. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell, Processlayer Formula!"

"Don't think so!" Robin Hood knocked another arrow and shot at the card in her hand. It made contact and exploded in her hand, causing her to hiss in pain.

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 1300 → 1200

"Thanks to Cyberse Magician, the damage is halved. Though at this rate, we'll be burning through Life Points just trying to empty his hand." Playmaker frowned.

Hakuno nodded in agreement. "Robin Hood employs all kinds of tricks. Something tells me negating and destroying our Spells and Traps isn't the only way he can deal damage. Even so, he only has one card left in his hand. I might be able to use that to our advantage." She turned her attention back to the duel and continued. "I activate the Equip Spell, Mage Power and equip it to Cyberse Magician! While equipped with Mage Power, Cyberse Magician gains 500 ATK and DEF for each Spell and Trap we control! Including Mage Power, we control Grid Rod! Cyberse Magician gains 1000 ATK!" A blue aura enveloped Cyberse Magician and his power began to increase.

[Cyberse Magician: ATK 2800 → 3800 / DEF 2000 → 3000]

Their monster was stronger now, but still not powerful enough to defeat Superior Soldier or Mass Deletion Dragon. Perhaps a little extra power was required. "I activate the effect of Cynet Access from the Graveyard! I banish it and a Cyberse Monster on my field, then Special Summon a monster from my banished zone to my field if its ATK is less than the Cyberse Monster I banish! I banish Cyberse Magician and return Archer to the field!"

Cyberse Magician waved its wand, its form vanishing. The haze surrounding her Servant faded and returned in earnest, letting out a groan. "About time," he muttered before leveling a glare at Robin Hood. "Never thought I'd see you again."

"Ah, we've fought before I take it?" Robin Hood questioned. "When me and Master fought brownie back home, she had a white Saber with her."

White Saber?

Hakuno looked at her Duel Disk. Though she couldn't see her face, she could tell Nero was just as confused as she was. Did that mean the Hakuno Kishinami of this version of Dan Blackmore had a different Servant as well?

She pushed the thought to the back of her mind and resumed the duel. "I activate Archer's effect!"

Archer smiled viciously as he raised his hand, palm facing Mass Deletion Dragon. To the Knight of Hanoi's shock and horror, the dragon squirmed and wailed as its body broke down and reformed into a silver arrow in Archer's hand, which he proceeded to knock back and fire. The arrow was sent flying and pierced Superior Soldier's armor easily, causing it to shatter to pieces.

Playmaker whistled in appreciation while Alkaid's subordinate opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, unable to believe what just happened. "How?! How did you destroy Mass Deletion Dragon?!"

"I didn't destroy him, dimwit," Archer scoffed. "I tributed your dragon. Any monster my Link Arrows point to are fair game regardless of who owns them, and I can use them as ammunition. In this case, I tributed Mass Deletion Dragon to destroy Blackmore's Black Luster Soldier – Superior Soldier."

Alkaid sighed. "So I saw. A frightening ability, that. When Superior Soldier is sent to the Graveyard, I send a LIGHT or DARK attribute monster in my deck to the Graveyard."

"Next, I activate the Spell, Arsenal Stock! I banish any multiple of 2 Equip Spells in my Graveyard, and for each multiple of 2 I banish, I draw a card! I banish two Processlayer Formulas, Hrunting, Caliburn, Grid Rod, Resume Mace, Cynet Defrag and Mage Power and draw three cards! I then activate the Spell, Zone Ascension! If I don't control a monster in an Extra Monster Zone, but I have a monster that can be Special Summoned in an Extra Monster Zone, I can move it to that zone! I move Archer from the center Main Monster Zone to the Extra Monster Zone and activate the Quick-Play Spell, Codecast Signal! Once per duel, if I control a Link 3 or higher Servant, I can Special Summon up to two Level 5 or higher monsters from either my Graveyard or banished zone next to my Servant's Link Arrow! I revive Cyberse Magician from the Graveyard and return Caster from my Banished Zone!"

Cyberse Magician leaped out from the dark portal that opened up near Hakuno's D-Board while the static film over Caster faded, much to her relief. "About time!" Tamamo whined before leveling a glare at Alkaid's subordinate. "First chance I get, boyo, I am going to give you a taste of my Polygamy Castration Fist for that stunt, you hear?"

"Caster raises the ATK and DEF of all Special Summoned monsters on my field by 500!"

[Servant Archer – EMIYA: ATK 2400 → 2900]
[Cyberse Magician: ATK 2500 → 3000]
[Servant Caster – Tamamo-no-Mae: ATK 2300 → 2800]

"I summon Processlayer Nullion!" A machine adorned in lime-green and white armor wielding a double-edged spear appeared at her side.

[Processlayer Nullion / WIND / Level 4 / Cyberse / Tuner / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 0]

When Nullion is used to Synchro Summon, it gives the Synchro Monster an effect that allows it to prevent my opponents from activating any card effects during the Battle Phase. If I used it and Caster to summon Processlayer Final Sigma, the strongest Processlayer in my deck, we might be able to win this!

That was, assuming everything went according to plan. Hakuno had no doubt Alkaid would do everything in his power to prevent her from using Final Sigma. She had to press on, even if it meant being shot. In a way, it was as though she was walking through a minefield. The smallest misstep and she would pay dearly for it, but there was no way to tell where the bomb was.

She could not retreat.

"I tune my Level 4 Processlayer Nullion with Caster!"

Robin Hood's eyes narrowed. "Summoning from the Extra Deck, huh? Sorry, brownie, but that's not happening!" As Hakuno began her summoning, Nullion becoming green rings that surrounded Caster, he was already moving to action. One of the green orbs surrounding him fell into his crossbow, forming into a glowing green arrow. He knocked it back and opened fire. The arrow shot straight into the rings surrounding the lights that had been Caster and exploded.

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 1200 → 600

Playmaker and Hakuno struggled to remain on their D-Boards as the shockwave from the explosion rocked the surrounding area, even blasting large bodies of water into the air. "What happened?!" the former asked in shock. "Did he use an Overlay Unit?!"

"When my opponent Special Summons a monster from the hand, Graveyard or Extra Deck, Robin Hood can use an Overlay Unit and destroy it as it is being summoned." Alkaid explained. "Archer can also inflict 300 damage to my opponent, which is doubled by both his own effect and by Yew Bow. I place a second Counter on Yew Bow. Were it not for you summoning Cyberse Magician, you may very well have lost all your Life Points."

His subordinate snickered. "Not that it matters, since your Life Points are almost gone!"

Hakuno grimaced. "Since Final Sigma was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard, I add a "Processlayer" card from my deck to my hand."

"Reset Recycler's effect!" Playmaker called out suddenly. "If it was sent to the Graveyard by its own effect, and if my opponent negated the Special Summon of a monster from the Extra Deck, I can banish Reset Recycler and Special Summon one of that monster's Materials! I revive Servant Caster – Tamamo-no-Mae!"

Tamamo emerged from the dark opening, shaking her body and fur as though ridding herself of something. "Whew! That was an experience," she muttered before turning to the dark hole she emerged from. "Thanks a bunch, little guy!" Hakuno swore she saw something wave back at her as the opening closed. Tamamo then turned to Playmaker and grinned. "And thank you, stranger~ Remind me to give you a thank-you gift when this is all over."

Playmaker raised a brow at that and looked at Hakuno. She offered him a wry smile and a shrug, having already become accustomed to Tamamo's eccentric behavior.

Since summoning Final Sigma is out of the question, I guess there's one option left. Hakuno glanced down at the ring on her finger, which began to glow. A pale-blue band formed around her wrist, circuits running across her whole hand.

"When my Life Points are 1000 or lower, I can activate my Skill and add a monster from the Lunar Ocean to my Extra Deck, then use any monsters on my field as Materials to Special Summon it!" Hakuno raised her hand into the air, stretching out as if to grab the Moon Cell. "[Regalia-!"

"I think not!" Alkaid shouted, catching the two off-guard. "I activate my Skill: Theft Arrow! This skill only activates when Archer is present on the field with his Noble Phantasm equipped! Once per duel, I discard a card from my hand, and if my opponent activates their Skill, I can negate its activation and deal 1000 damage!"

Playmaker's eyes widened. "What?!" He quickly turned to Hakuno and shouted. "Look out!"

His warning came too late. The green-clad bowman knocked a red arrow back, and with incredible precision, set it flying. The arrow struck Hakuno's hand, causing her to cry out in pain as the ring around her wrist shattered as though it were glass. The Regalia ceased to glow. Though the arrow faded and broke apart into bits of light, the wound it left behind remained. A small wound the size of a pinball sat in the middle of her hand. Though her cyber frame quickly repaired the damage and sealed the hole, her arm from the elbow down felt numb. Red sparks danced along it as though it were an infection.

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 600 → 100

"Mikou?! Husband, are you alright?!" Tamamo cried in shock. Hakuno grimaced, pushing past the pain and nodding. The fox woman sighed in relief, though it was quickly pushed aside by fury. She glared at the two Knights of Hanoi, her pupils becoming pinpricks. "You think you can get away with hurting my husband like that and not suffer the consequences?! That tears it! This wife is officially pissed off!"

"Calm down, Caster," Archer hissed. "Don't lose your cool. Master, can you still duel?"

"I think so…" Hakuno flexed her fingers. They moved, but they felt stiff and barely responded to her commands. Whatever Robin Hood did to her arm, it did a lot more than negate her skill. "We're just lucky Cyber Magician halved the damage."

Still, we're all out of options. I don't have anymore cards to play. I don't like how Robin Hood's ATK is at zero, and I'm definitely sure he still has plenty more tricks up his sleeve. Even so, I'm just going to have to risk it!

"Battle!"

Alkaid interrupted her, face solemn. "I do not think so. I banish Super-Electromagentic Turtle to activate its effect. Once per duel, I end my opponent's Battle Phase."

Playmaker scowled. "He had a card like that this whole time…?" It was not often he saw someone using such old cards, much less cards as old as that.

"I end my turn," Hakuno said bitterly, having been unable to put so much as a sizable dent in their defenses.

"I believe it's time we brought this reunion to a close," Dan Blackmore remarked somberly.

Hakuno and Playmaker both stared at him, though the former quickly realized what was about to happen as she and her Servants both felt it.

An abrupt surge of mana began to fill the air, swirling around Robin Hood. His face turned cold, eyes focused like a hunter stalking his prey.

"This arrow from my grave… A blessing from the forest…
Which becomes a poison to tyrannical regimes."

A Noble Phantasm, one that Hakuno was awfully familiar with.

"During the End Phase, if I dealt effect damage to my opponent and destroyed at least one card with Archer's effect, I can destroy Yew Bow," Alkaid explained. "For each counter on Yew Bow upon its destruction, my opponent takes 400 damage. Yew Bow accumulated two counters. You have one hundred Life Points left. This is where our story ends."

Alkaid's face hardened, briefly showing the face of the experienced soldier that Hakuno Kishinami knew very well. "End this, Archer!"

"Poisonous blood, emerging from the deep green!
The Wise Man's Yew Bow, be known as the sacrament of the druid-! !"

A stream of bright green power was launched straight from the now cracked bow of Robin Hood. The Noble Phantasm was unleashed in its full glory, tearing straight through the water and carving itself a path.

"Master!"

"Husband!"

Hakuno's vision was consumed by light. In the next moment, her whole world exploded.

Just as Lapis and Rin were about to mount their counterattack, a massive explosion emanating not far from their location caught their attention. The blue-haired girl looked and saw green-and-purple lights rising into the sky alongside towers of rushing water and smoke.

"What was that?" Rin asked fearfully. "Don't tell me… Is that where Hakuno is?!"

Their opponent smirked. "It seems Alkaid and my companion have dealt with Playmaker and your friend," she said haughtily, causing the two to glare at her. "All that is left is for me to finish our task and defeat the both of you. Lapis' "Silver Streak," and Rin Tohsaka's Servant… I will crush both of you at once!"

"Like hell you will!" Lapis growled. "My turn! Draw!"

I have to hurry and finish this up quick, Aoi Zaizen thought, concerned for her sister. Haku's strong, but if she's serious and this Alkaid guy is that strong, then we have to hurry! Even if I can't finish her off this turn, I can at least make it so Tohsaka can kick her ass! But, first things first, I have to get rid of Hack Worm. I can't summon any monsters from my Extra Deck so long as it's on our field!

Lapis looked at the cards in her hand and stared at them for a moment. The gears in her head suddenly started to click into place. She smiled.

"I think I got it!" she whispered excitedly. "I'll start my comeback by activating the Spell, Sky Formation! I summon a "Silver Streak" monster whose Level is 4 or lower from my deck in Defense Position! I summon Silver Streak Cloud Strider!" A silver-clad machine appeared on her field, form vaguely reminiscent to Sky Surfer but as big as she was and skating across the digital ocean's surface with what looked like roller blades.

[Silver Streak Cloud Strider / LIGHT / Level 2 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 500 / DEF 100]

"Then I summon Silver Streak Cloud Searcher!" Another smaller humanoid machine appeared, this one flying through the air with small glowing silver wings.

[Silver Streak Cloud Searcher / LIGHT / Level 4 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 1000 / DEF 700]

"Unfortunately for my friends, they won't be staying for long. I activate the Spell, Sky Burst! I destroy up to two LIGHT attribute monsters on my field and draw a card for each monster I destroy! I destroy Cloud Strider and Cloud Searcher!" The monsters were promptly shattered into gold pieces. "When Cloud Strider is sent to the Graveyard from the field, I add either a "Sky" or "Silver Streak" card to my hand from the deck. I also activate Cloud Searcher's effect! Since it was destroyed by a card effect, I can target a non-Cyberse monster on my field and send it to the Graveyard, then Special Summon a Level 4 or lower LIGHT attribute monster from my hand."

The Knight of Hanoi gasped. "The only non-Cyberse monster on your field is…!"

"You said earlier that I couldn't destroy or tribute the Hack Worm you so rudely shoved on us, but that doesn't stop me from getting rid of it by another way!" Lapis smirked as she put a hand on her hip. "And thanks to this, I can now summon from my Extra Deck!"

That said, her Steelswarm Sentinel and Jack Jumper are going to be a problem, she thought and stared at the two monsters that she knew were going to be a major hindrance. So long as she has those monsters, any monsters I summon that are Level 5 or higher will have their effects locked up.

There was a positive aspect to this, though. Their effects only affected monsters with Levels. Her Link Monsters didn't have Levels, and were therefore safe from her opponent's lockdown strategy. The real problem was getting enough monsters out on the field and using their effects efficiently while avoiding Jack Jumper and Steelswarm Sentinel's own effects.

A challenge Lapis was more than ready to face and overcome.

"With Cloud Searcher's effect, I summon Trickstar Seeder from my hand!" On cue, a tiny fairy emerged on Lapis' field, wearing a brown sundress with vines wrapped around her ankles and wrists, carrying what looked to be a drum.

[Trickstar Seeder / LIGHT / Level 2 / Fairy / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 0]

"When Trickstar Seeder is Normal or Special Summoned, we both draw a card." The Knight of Hanoi and Lapis took the top card from their decks before the latter continued. "Appear! The circuit that connects our future!" At the blue-haired girl's call, the circuit manifested up in the air. "I set Trickstar Seeder into the Link Marker! Link Summon!" Her monster leaped into the air and dived straight into the middle-bottom cursor. Moments later, the monster emerged; a fairy dressed in a vibrant purple dress and black tights with twinkle-toe tipped boots and elbow-length gloves. In each hand was a pair of drum sticks, but no drum. "Link 1! Trickstar Orchid Dancer!"

[Trickstar Orchid Dancer / LIGHT / LA: Bottom / Fairy / Link / Effect / ATK 1200 / LINK-1]

"When Orchid Dancer is Link Summoned, I draw a card for every monster my opponent controls. You have four monsters, so I draw four cards!"

Knight of Hanoi scoffed. "A meaningless move, since you will have to discard most of those cards when your next turn arrives if your hand hasn't been reduced to six by then. That is, assuming you survive long enough!"

"I guess we'll see about that, won't we? And I'm not done! When Trickstar Seeder is used as a Link Material for a LIGHT attribute Link Monster, I can summon up to two Level 4 or lower "Trickstar" monsters from my deck! As an added bonus, I can add a "Trickstar" card from my deck to my hand! With Orchid Dancer's effect, I summon Trickstar Narkiss and Nightshade!" Two small fairies appeared at Lapis' order, one carrying what looked like a gun with a sunflower and the other wielding a mastro's stick.

[Trickstar Narkiss / LIGHT / Level 4 / Fairy / Effect / ATK 1000 / DEF 1800]

[Trickstar Nightshade / LIGHT / Level 1 / Fairy / Effect / ATK 100 / DEF 0]

"When a "Trickstar" monster is Special Summoned to a Main Monster Zone Orchid Dancer points to, you take 200 damage!" Orchid Dancer cheered as it twirled its drum sticks, proceeding to strike the spot in front of it as though it were a drum. Rings of white light formed from the movement, striking the Knight of Hanoi and making her wince.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 8000 → 7800

"I activate the Field Spell, Trickstar Light Stage! When its activated, I add a "Trickstar" monster from my deck to my hand. Appear again, the circuit that connects our future! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is two "Trickstar" monsters! I set Trickstar Orchid Dancer and Nightshade into the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" A familiar monster emerged from the circuit, one that brought a smile to Lapis' face as it descended and smiled back at her before flailing its morning star around in a threatening gesture towards her opponent. "Appear, Link Summon! Link 2! Trickstar Holly Angel!"

[Trickstar Holly Angel / LIGHT / LA: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right / Fairy / Link / Effect / ATK 2000 / LINK-2]

"Next, I activate Trickstar Light Stage's effect! Once per turn, I choose a card in your Spell/Trap Zone! While Light Stage is active, you can't activate that card until the End Phase! Furthermore, during my End Phase, you must either activate its effect or send it to the Graveyard! I choose Hacking Virus! Then I activate the Spell, Silver Flock! Silver Flock lets me Special Summon up to two LIGHT attribute monsters in my Graveyard, but I'll have to banish them if they leave the field! Return, Orchid Dancer!" A light emanated from beneath the digital ocean's surface. Moments later, the purple-clad fairy returned to Lapis' side. "When Trickstar Nightshade is used as a Link Material for a "Trickstar" Link Monster, I can Special Summon her from the Graveyard. However, if she leaves the field, she will be banished. Since both Nightshade and Orchid Dancer were Special Summoned in Main Monster Zones Holly Angel points to, you take 400 damage! You also take an additional 200 damage from Trickstar Light Stage, as it deals effect damage when I inflict battle or effect damage with a "Trickstar" monster!"

Holly Angel raised a hand, palm facing the Knight of Hanoi and sent out two bolts of white light. A third bolt was launched from Lapis' spell card. All three bolts landed a direct hit on the Knight of Hanoi, much to her chagrin.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 7800 → 7200

"Holly Angel gains ATK equal to the damage you took from her effect," Lapis continued as her monster gained an increase of power, the thorns on her morning star increasing in size.

[Trickstar Holly Angel: ATK 2000 → 2400]

"When added to my hand by any way other than by drawing, I can Special Summon Trickstar Lilybell from my hand!" A pink-haired fairy wielding an oversized bell appeared at Lapis' command, settling down next to Holly Angel.

[Trickstar Lilybell / LIGHT / Level 2 / Fairy / Effect / ATK 800 / DEF 2000]

"Appear, the circuit that connects our future! I set Trickstar Lilybell and Orchid Dancer into the Link Markers! Link Summon!" A red-clad fairy descended unto Lapis' field, sliding beside Holly Angel and wielding two large handcuffs in each hand while sporting a mischievous grin. "Link 2! Trickstar Bloody Mary!"

[Trickstar Bloody Mary / LIGHT / LA: Right, Bottom-Left / Fairy / Link / Effect / ATK 2000 / LINK-2]

"Holly Angel's effect!"

Two more bolts of light struck the Knight of Hanoi. The woman scowled. "This strategy…! I see you being called Blue Angel's successor is no exaggeration!"

Knight of Hanoi – LP 7200 → 6800

[Trickstar Holly Angel: ATK 2400 → 2600]

"When my opponent takes effect damage outside of Damage Step, I can Special Summon my second Trickstar Narkiss from my hand!" The yellow-clad fair waved as it appeared beside Bloody Mary. "When a "Trickstar" monster is Special Summoned in a Main Monster Zone Bloody Mary's Link Arrows point to, I gain 200 Life Points."

Lapis & Rin – LP 2200 → 2400

"Appear, the circuit that connects our future! I set my two Trickstar Narkiss into the Link Markers! Link Summon!" A wicked-looking fairy with a cat tail emerged from the circuit, its smile devious and wielding a microphone stand resembling a staff with a heart ornament at the top. "Link 2! Trickstar Sweet Devil!"

[Trickstar Sweet Devil / LIGHT / LA: Left, Right / Fairy / Link / Effect / ATK 2000 / LINK-2]

"Bloody Mary's effect!"

Lapis & Rin – LP 2400 → 2600

So far, so good, Lapis noted. She was pleased to see everything was going smoothly, but she couldn't afford to get cocky. If she did, she and Rin would pay dearly for her mistake. With that thought in her mind, she pressed onward.

"I activate the Spell, Silver Rally Show! Once per turn, I tribute a LIGHT attribute monster on my field and add a "Silver Streak" monster in my deck to my hand! I tribute Trickstar Nightshade!" As Lapis took the card, her monster swept into a bow and disappeared. "Nightshade is now banished with its own effect. Since I have a LIGHT attribute monster in the Extra Monster Zone, I can Special Summon Silver Streak Azure Feathers in the Main Monster Zone Holly Angel points to!" The silhouette of a bird covered in armor with azure-glowing wings appeared at her side.

[Silver Streak Azure Feathers / LIGHT / Level 4 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 1000 / DEF 500]

"Since Azure Feathers isn't a "Trickstar" monster, Holly Angel's effect doesn't activate." Lapis raised her hand into the air once again. "Appear once more, the circuit that connects our future! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is two or more "Trickstar" monsters. I set the Link 2 Trickstar Bloody Mary and Sweet Devil into the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!"

The two monsters smiled at Lapis before they became bodies of white light, splitting apart into two separate streams that were absorbed into the cursors of the circuit. Moments later, a regal-looking fairy with long green hair wielding a large ax landed beside the blue-haired girl, smiling gently at her before brandishing its weapon, aiming it at the Knight of Hanoi.

"Appear, Link Summon! Link 4! Trickstar Bella Madonna!"

[Trickstar Bella Madonna / LIGHT / LA: Top, Right, Bottom-Left, Bottom / Fairy / Link / Effect / ATK 2800 / LINK-4]

"Holly Angel's effect!"

Knight of Hanoi – LP 6800 → 6400

[Trickstar Holly Angel: ATK 2600 → 2800]

The Knight of Hanoi grimaced upon seeing the new Link Monster. "This doesn't look good…"

"When Bella Madonna is Link Summoned and doesn't point to any monsters, it can't be affected by any card's activated effects!" Lapis said smugly.

Rin grinned. "Nicely done. Even if she does activate Steelswarm Hercules' effect, Bella Madonna won't be destroyed." Her smile fell. "But, you do realize its ATK is lower than her monsters, right?"

"Not for long," Lapis promised. "I equip Trickstar Bella Madonna with Trickstar Morninglory!" A series of vines and vegetation began to encroach Bella Madonna's ax, sporting an assortment of different flowers, each possessing a vibrant color. "Trickstar Morninglory equips only to "Trickstar" monsters. Then I activate Bella Madonna's effect! Once per turn, when there are no monsters next to its Link Arrows, you take 200 damage for every "Trickstar" monster in my Graveyard with a different name!"

The Knight of Hanoi paled. "What?!"

"With the exception of my banished Trickstar Morning Orchid and Nightshade, I have Trickstar Narkiss, Sweet Devil, Bloody Mary and Lilybell in my Graveyard! That's four monsters! Not including Light Stage's effect adding on 200 damage, you take 800 damage from Bella Madonna's effect!"

The Knight of Hanoi paled. "1000 damage?!"

The flowers on Bella Madonna's ax began to glow as it swung its weapon, sending forth an arc of energy that slammed straight into Lapis' opponent, nearly knocking her off her D-Board and pushing her away. The woman struggled to remain on course before gaining after the two and keeping pace.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 6400 → 5400

"Holly Angel gains ATK equal to the damage you took," Lapis reminded the white-clad terrorist. "Trickstar Morninglory also raises Bella Madonna's ATK equal to the damage dealt by its own effect!"

[Trickstar Holly Angel: ATK 2800 → 3600]
[Trickstar Bella Madonna: ATK 2800 → 3600]

Lapis took a moment to stop and look at her field. Both of her monsters were at their strongest. The thorns on Holly Angel's mace were large and looked as though it could smash a hole into a wall of steel. Bella Madonna's ax was glowing, wreathed in the light emanating from the flowers growing on its blade.

With this, we can destroy both Cracking Dragonis Lord and Steelswarm Hercules, she thought. But, just to be on the safe side…!

"I summon Silver Streak Azure Claws and Azure Fangs from my hands through their effects!" Lapis called and brought forth two silhouettes of beasts, each armored with glowing azure light on different parts of their bodies. "Azure Claws can be Special Summoned if I control a LIGHT attribute monster whose Level is higher than Azure Claws. Azure Fangs can be Special Summoned if my opponent controls a monster whose Level is equal to Azure Fangs' or is higher than its Level, and its summoned in the same column as that monster."

A cool breeze whipped past Lapis as the circuit formed above her without her prompting. She heard the war cry of her partners, both on the field and in her deck, and reciprocated those feelings of encouragement by setting one of them free.

"Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is two or more LIGHT attribute monsters. I set Silver Streak Azure Feathers, Azure Claws and Azure Fangs into the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" A torrent gale swallowed all three monsters and hurled them into the circuit, where they joined with it and lit up three cursors. "Link Summon!"

Speeding out from the circuit, riding atop a silver surf board with gold-plated edgings, was a silver-armored figure with glowing yellow eyes, a blue-and-white bodysuit faintly visible beneath the gaps in the armor.

"Ride through the wind and blaze a path forward! Link 3! Silver Streak Sky Surfer!"

[Silver Streak Sky Surfer / LIGHT / LA: Top, Left, Right / Cyberse / Link / Effect / ATK 2400 / LINK-3]

"When Sky Surfer is Link Summoned, all LIGHT attribute monsters on my field gain 500 ATK and DEF and cannot be destroyed by card effect at least once!"

[Trickstar Holly Angel: ATK 3600 → 4100]
[Trickstar Bella Madonna: ATK 3600 → 4100]
[Silver Streak Sky Surfer: ATK 2400 → 2900]

Lapis smirked. "I hope you're prepared, miss Knight, because we're going to end this!"

"I'm afraid not!" The blue-haired girl was stunned at her opponent's confidant rebuttal. "I was waiting for this moment! Didn't I tell you? The goal of the Knights of Hanoi is destroy Cyberse! Did you not consider the fact that I knew you'd summon that monster? I activate the Counter Trap, Jack Jammer! If my opponent Link Summons a Cyberse Monster and I control either "Jack Jumper" or "Jack Wyvern," I negate that monster's effects and destroy it!"

"What?!" Lapis' eyes widened as Jack Jumper suddenly let out a twisted whine, creating a distorted film that began to encroach the field. She acted quickly when she realized the film was about to envelop her field. "I activate the Counter Trap, Gem-Shield! If a monster on my field would be destroyed by my opponent's card effect, I tribute a "Gem-Knight" monster on my field and negate its destruction! Obsidian!"

The black-armored knight quickly moved in front of Sky Surfer, spreading its arms outward as if to protect Aoi Zaizen's monsters. When the wave reached it, Obsidian's armor began to crack apart before it ultimately shattered to pieces.

Lapis grimaced. Though she managed to protect her monster, that did not mean she managed to repel Jack Jammer's other effects.

[Trickstar Holly Angel: ATK 4100 → 3600]
[Trickstar Bella Madonna: ATK 4100 → 3600]
[Silver Streak Sky Surfer: ATK 2900 → 2400]

"I was hoping Sky Surfer's effect would defend my monsters from Hercules' effect, but I guess I was a bit too ambitious," Lapis muttered before glaring at the Knight of Hanoi. "Even so, I won't let it end here! Battle! I attack Steelswarm Sentinel with Silver Streak Sky Surfer! Turbulent Strash!"

The silver-clad monster roared as it swerved around Lapis and shot towards her opponent's field. It reached the tiny metal bug and twisted its board just as it reached its target, slicing it straight in half. As it returned to Lapis' side, the monster exploded.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 5400 → 4100

"And next up is Steelswarm Hercules!" Lapis continued. "Trickstar Bella Madonna! Destroy Steelswarm Hercules!"

Bella Madonna leaped forward and charged at the colossal multi-armed monster, its ax meeting its fist in a head-on collision. Just as Lapis thought her monster would overcome Steelswarm Hercules, the Knight of Hanoi intervened. "I activate the Counter Trap, Infestation Parasite! This only activates if a "Steelswarm" monster on my field was destroyed by battle! If my opponent attacks a monster on my field whose Level is 7 or higher with a Link Monster, and if it would be destroyed, my monster's ATK is increased, equal to the original ATK of 1 "Steelswarm" monster that was destroyed this turn!"

"What?!"

The white-clad terrorist smirked as Steelswarm Hercules began to push back against Bella Madonna's ax. "Steelswarm Sentinel had 1100 ATK. Hercules' ATK becomes 4300!"

[Steelswarm Hercules: ATK 3200 → 4300]

Lapis winced and watched as her monster was promptly destroyed and crushed by the opposing monster's fist, vanishing into the depths of the digital ocean.

Lapis & Rin – LP 2800 → 2100

"Kuh…! One last shot, then. Holly Angel! Destroy Cracking Dragonis Lord!"

Holly Angel, incensed by the loss of her comrade, swung her morning star with all her might and brought it straight down upon the massive dragon. The blow hit it dead on, even creating a shockwave underneath the dragon's body that kicked up an explosion of water, obscuring both duelist's vision for a moment.

"Yes! A direct hit!" Rin cheered and watched her opponent's Life Points fall.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 4100 → 3500

The wall of water fell back into the ocean. Both Lapis and Rin stared in disbelief.

Cracking Dragonis Lord was still standing.

"H-how?!" Rin demanded. "Holly Angel's ATK was higher! It should have been destroyed!"

"Cracking Dragons Lord can only be destroyed by monsters that are Level 7 or higher, or by a Link Monster whose Link Rating is equal to or greater than Cracking Dragonis Lord's," the Knight of Hanoi explained calmly.

Lapis scowled. "Tch… I end my Turn!" she exclaimed bitterfly. "Trickstar Light Stage's effect. What will you do? Destroy or activate Hacking Virus?"

"I activate it," the Knight of Hanoi answered. "Specifically, I activate its second effect. By destroying it, I banish a face-up monster on your field. I choose Trickstar Holly Angel!" She took some pleasure in watching the second monster disappear from view and Lapis' look of anger. She did not understand why duelists felt as though their monsters were allies or companions. To her, they were just tools to be used; a means to an end so that their goal may be achieved.

And she would use her monsters however she pleased to destroy the Cyberse, no matter who stood in her way.

"My Turn, draw!" the Knight of Hanoi began. "It is time we end this!"

Rin cursed. "Shit! Here it comes!"

"I activate Steelswarm Hercules' effect! I pay half my Life Points, and in exchange, all cards except Steelswarm Hercules are destroyed!"

She hissed in pain as she felt her energy being drained by her monster. Hercules' eyes glowed bright red as it let out an unholy roar and brought its hands together before bringing them straight down. The result was the equivalent to a bomb going off. Rin and Lapis narrowly evaded the explosion, but their field was empty. The waves created by Steelswarm Hercules' attack ceased and calmed.

The oversized beetle was the only being standing.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 3500 → 1750

"When I have a DARK attribute Link Monster in my Graveyard and have fewer than 2000 Life Points, I can activate my Skill, Hacker Revolution! I banish a Cyberse Link Monster in my Graveyard, then Special Summon a DARK Link Monster in my Extra Deck whose Link Rating is equal to the Link Monster in my Graveyard! This summon is treated as a Link Summon!"

Something tore itself out from the digital ocean's depths and out into the open air, flying through the air before descending down beside Steelswarm Hercules. A familiar metal dragon whose presence was enough to fill Rin and Lapis with dread.

"She destroyed her own monster, only to bring it back." Rin frowned. "Not bad…"

I have finished all preparations, there's no way they will be able to withstand this.

Even so, she knew better than to leave things for chance. She could not afford to embarrass herself or Alkaid, much less Revolver.

"I set a card face-down and equip Cracking Dragonis Lord with Cracking Canon!" A pair of large turrets attached themselves to the oversized metal monster's hips, easily matching the length of a train car. "While Cracking Canon is equipped, you cannot attack any monsters I control except Cracking Dragonis Lord! Furthermore, while it is equipped, Cracking Dragonis Lord cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effect, and gains 1000 ATK!"

[Cracking Dragonis Lord: ATK 3000 → 4000]

"Battle! Steelswarm Hercules! Attack Lapis and Rin Tohsaka directly!" the Knight of Hanoi ordered. The large monster let out a warbled groan and reared a fist back, curling its fingers into a fist before throwing it straight forward. "You're finished!"

"…are you sure about that?"

Lapis' smirk and unfounded confidence made the white-clad terrorist falter. "W-what?"

"I activate the Trap, Trickstar Wisteria's Oath! Once per turn, if this card was sent to the Graveyard from the field and my opponent would attack me directly, and reduce my Life Points to zero, I banish all "Trickstar" Link Monsters in my Graveyard! Afterwards, I gain 200 Life Points equal to the total Link Rating of the banished monsters!"

Rin smirked. "Currently, there are four "Trickstar" Link Monsters in the Graveyard. The Link 2 Holly Angel, Bloody Mary and Sweet Devil, and the Link 4 Bella Madonna; that brings the total Link Rating up to 10. We gain 2000 Life Points."

Just as Steelswarm Hercules' fist was about to make contact, a barrier made up of roses and leaves and vines prevented its attack and forced it back, much to its controller's displeasure.

Lapis & Rin – LP 2100 → 4100 → 900

"The damage was over 2000…" she muttered, heart full of dread. Panic was starting to settle. She could not allow this to continue. "Cracking Dragonis Lord-!"

"I don't think so!" Lapis countered. "I activate my Skill: Silver Bullet!"

"You're acting that now?!" she cried incredulously.

"This activates only when I have fewer than 1000 Life Points! I Special Summon 1 "Silver Streak" Fusion, Synchro, or Link Monster in my Graveyard in an empty Extra Monster Zone! That monster also gains ATK equal to the damage I took this turn until the end of the Battle Phase! Blaze forward, Silver Streak Sky Surfer!"

Lapis made a finger gun gesture, aiming it at her opponent before a silver light shot out from the tip of her pointing finger. From that light came Silver Streak Sky Surfer, striding through the waves of the digital ocean, standing between the two opposing monsters and its master as though daring them to attack.

[Silver Streak Sky Surfer: ATK 2400 → 5600]

The Knight of Hanoi gritted her teeth, frustration and anger building up. She didn't understand, when did this happen? When did Lapis set that damned card? Had she somehow planned this from the start? Did she anticipate this move?!

"…I end my Turn."

[Silver Streak Sky Surfer: ATK 5600 → 2400]

Rin smirked as she flipped her hair. "I guess it's time for me to take to the stage, then."

"Try not to screw this up, Tohsaka," Lapis deadpanned. "I did not go through this much damned trouble just so you could fuck it up."

"Oh, have ye a little faith, Zaizen. Anyway, it's my Turn. Draw!" Rin looked at the card she drew and smiled more widely. "Oh, yeah. I definitely have this win in the bag! Let's set the stage for your defeat, shall we? I activate my Skill: Luster Supremacy! As you said earlier, in order for me to activate this Skill, I have to take 2000 damage or more. Once per duel, I summon as many "Gem-Knight" monsters from my hand, deck and Graveyard, equal to the number of monsters on your field! For the rest of my turn, any and all Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters in my Extra Monster Zone gain 500 ATK for every "Gem-Knight" monsters with different names in my Graveyard! You control two monsters, so I summon two "Gem-Knights!" I summon Gem-Knight Ruby Apprentice from my Graveyard and Gem-Knight Diamond Squire from my deck!"

Two monsters, both armored and clad in robes, appeared in a dazzling multi-colored light that was expelled from Rin's hand. One was clad in ruby-red armor and wielding a scepter, while the other was clad in silver armor decorated with diamonds and carrying a sword held in a sheathe.

[Gem-Knight Ruby Apprentice / FIRE / Level 6 / Spellcaster / Effect / ATK 2100 / DEF 1200]

[Gem-Knight Diamond Squire / LIGHT / Level 1 / Tuner / Normal / Effect / ATK 100 / DEF 100]

"Then I activate the Spell, Amory of Tuatha De! I tribute a monster on my field, then add a Spell Card from my deck to my hand. During my End Phase, however, that card will be banished. Not that it matters, since I intend on finishing this duel here and now. I tribute Silver Streak Sky Surfer and add Gáe Bolg."

Rin stopped for a moment and looked down at her Duel Disk. "Ready?"

[Ready as I'll ever be,] a rough-sounding voice replied from her Duel Disk. [Been a while since I got to stretch my legs. Hurry it up, will ya, lass? I'm itching to run my spear through something!]

"And you'll have your wish, Lancer," Rin smiled before she raised her hand forward, circuit running across her hand. "Now then, Knight of Hanoi… Let me show you just why I'm a Master! I tune my Level 1 Gem-Knight Diamond Squire with my Level 6 Gem-Knight Ruby Apprentice!"

The two monsters broke down into data, stretching and reformatting until they reformed into seven rings. In the center of the column of rings, a brilliant red light began to form and expand, slowly forming into a new form suitable for the monster being brought into the digital world of VRAINS. The air became charged with power, a palpable sense of bloodlust and danger emanating from the one that was about to take to the battlefield.

As she waited on baited breath, Lapis felt her right hand itch in irritation. The red markings on Rin's hand glowered brilliantly as the amassing power reached its apex.

"The Hound of Chulainn! Let none escape the ferocious power of your mighty spear! Synchro Summon!" The rings shattered and the light exploded. Emerging from that light was a young man clad in a skin-tight blue bodysuit with glowing lines marked across the fabric. His hair was dark blue, eyes as red as blood. In hand was a crimson red spear, the tip surrounded by barbed spikes. "Come forth, Level 7! Servant Lancer – Cú Chulainn!"

[Servant Lancer – Cú Chulainn / DARK / Level 7 / Servant / Synchro / Effect / ATK 2500 / DEF 1000]

Lapis stared at the newly formed Servant in awe. "So, that's Rin's Servant…"

"Finally!" Lancer hollered as he rolled his neck, spear sitting on his shoulders and arms draped over its shaft. "Why is it these damned summon methods take so damned long? A guy can only be so patient before he gets antsy."

"I brought you out, didn't I?" Rin replied dryly. Lancer rolled his eyes, but nonetheless gave her a toothy grin and assumed his battle stance. Even if his time in a duel would be short, he could at least give Rin his money's worth and give his opponent a spectacular defeat. "There are eight different "Gem-Knight" monsters in my Graveyard. Ruby Apprentice, Diamond Squire, Lazuli, Alexand, Obsidian, Garnet, Sapphire, and Ruby Lord. Therefore, Lancer gains 4000 ATK!"

Lancer's grin widened as his spear began to develop a blood-red glow. The aura of bloodlust surrounding him grew stronger.

[Servant Lancer: ATK 2500 → 6500]

The Knight of Hanoi paled. "6500 ATK…?" she whispered in horror. She recovered quickly and mounted a final defense. "I activate the Continuous Trap, Hacking Vigor! If my opponent controls a monster with 4000 ATK or higher, monsters on my field cannot be destroyed by battle, and I take no damage from battles or by effects!"

"Oh, that's just cute. Really, it is." Rin smiled sweetly. It was the smile of a woman who, to put it bluntly, could give two shits. "But, see, here's the thing. When I play… I play to win. I equip Lancer with his Noble Phantasm, Gáe Bolg."

Mana began to charge in the air. The red aura surrounding Lancer's spear expanded in size, almost becoming a violent storm. Lancer's grin turned bloodthirsty as his eyes zeroed in on his prey. It was telling that the ferocious battle spirit he was releasing was enough to outright terrify both the woman's monsters, slowly inching away and raising their respective weapons in defense as if they stood a chance.

"On the turn Lancer is Synchro Summoned, he can attack his enemy directly." Rin said and relished the look of terror on the Knight of Hanoi's face. "Gáe Bolg also negates the effects of all face-up cards on your field. Game, set, match. Battle."

"Resign yourself, and receive my blow-!"

Lancer leaped into the air, his spear poised for the killing blow. The Knight of Hanoi cried out in fear as the bloodlust reached its apex. To Lapis and Rin, Lancer was a man who loved the thrill of battle and enjoyed every moment. To her, he was a demon about to kill her. She swerved her D-Board around and immediately sped in the opposite direction.

It would not save her.

Lancer threw his spear forward.

"-Gáe Bolg! !"

Lapis compared Lancer's Noble Phantasm to watching a missile hit the ground and explode on impact. A massive shockwave kicked up a huge amount of water. The walls of digital waves flied high in the sky, easily several miles high before crashing back down. All she saw was a burst of red light the second it struck the Knight of Hanoi, and the next, everything was wiped out. Her monsters were nowhere to be seen, having been consumed by the explosion and sent hurdling into the depths of VRAINS' digital seas.

There was no sign of the Knight of Hanoi. Lapis did not know if she was alive or dead. The only thing that remained was her D-board, sitting motionlessly on the waves of the lunar ocean they rode upon.

Knight of Hanoi – LP 1750 → 0

YOU WIN!

Lapis looked at the desolate and calm sea in front of her, searching for a trace of the white-clad terrorist she had been facing only moments ago. Unease settled in her chest. "Is she…?"

"No, her account's been erased," Rin told her much to her relief. "It'd be in pretty bad taste of I just killed her, so I had the algorithm modified. Anyway, we've wasted enough time dealing with her. We need to go over to Hakuno and fast."

"Why?" Lapis asked. "Is she in danger? Aside from these goons are after her deck?"

Lancer snorted. "A lot worse than that, lass. That girl is squaring off against a Servant right now."

"What?!" Lapis immediately grew alarmed. "No, don't tell me… Leftovers from Kiara?!"

Rin shook her head. "No, it's someone else. I have no idea who they are, but whoever it is, they're bound to be dangerous. Now come on, let's go!"

"R-right!"

The two immediately shot off and headed towards where Hakuno was, following the sound of battle and the growing stack of smoke in the horizon. Lancer glided across the ocean surface, seemingly running atop it and keeping pace with the two.

Haku, please be okay…!

The air was as putrid as it was rancid. Tears stung in her eyes and her throat felt as though it were on fire. She could barely breathe. She coughed haphazardly and waved a hand in her face, attempting to dispel the smoke clouding her. It wasn't until a minute had passed that she and Playmaker escaped the cloud of smoke and fumes, greeted by the cool sea breeze that welcomed her with relief.

"What?!"

She looked behind her and saw her opponents staring at her with mixed expressions. Alkaid's expression seemed surprised, but it faded quickly, replaced with a grin of anticipation. Likewise, his Servant was smiling widely for reasons she couldn't fathom. Alkaid's subordinate, on the other hand, was utterly shocked and staring at them in disbelief.

"H-how…?!" the subordinate demanded angrily. "How did you manage to survive that?! Your Life Points should have been wiped out!"

Hakuno had no idea what happened. She fully expected that attack to wipe them out, yet here they were, perfectly safe. She looked at the likely cause behind their survival.

His face was slightly marred by smoke and soot, but Playmaker's face was otherwise neutral and betrayed nothing.

"I activated Restoration Caretaker's effect from the Graveyard," he explained coolly. "When there's a Cyberse monster on our field and my opponent activates an effect that would inflict damage to our Life Points and/or destroy one or more card on our field, I can banish it from the Graveyard and gain Life Points, double to the amount of damage we would take. Yew Bow's effect dealt 800 damage, thus Restoration Caretaker gave us 1600 Life Points."

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 100 → 1700 → 900

Archer hummed. He's not bad. This is definitely not his first rodeo with these guys.

"Nice play~" Tamamo praised Playmaker. "You're very good. Ah, not as good as my beautiful Husband, of course, but still good."

Alkaid's subordinate scowled. "My turn!" he roared and drew a card. "I'll make sure you fall here!"

"Tch, calm down would you?" Robin Hood grumbled at his Master's companion. His words fell on deaf ears.

"When there are no monsters in my Extra Monster Zone, I can Special Summon Recycle Bug from my hand, as well as one banished DARK Machine monster! I summon Burst Wurm!" Alongside the aforementioned worm, a steel-plated caterpillar appeared with glowing green spikes on its backside.

[Recycle Bug / DARK / Level 2 / Machine / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 1000]

[Burst Wurm / DARK / Level 3 / Machine / Effect / ATK 1300 / DEF 0]

"I set Recycle Bug and Burst Wurm into the Link Markers! Link Summon!" At the man's call, the circuit absorbed the two monsters and released the Link Monster from its confines. The dragon paled in comparison to the size of Mass Deletion Dragon, but its sharp claws and spiky armor made up for it, along with the impressive iron fangs it sported inside its armored maw. "Link 2! Input Drago!"

[Input Drago / DARK / LA: Left, Bottom / Machine / Link / Effect / ATK 1100 / LINK-2]

"When Input Drago is Special Summoned, once per turn I can summon a DARK Level 4 or lower Machine Monster from my deck! I summon Jack Wyvern!" At his call, a serpentine-armored dragon with green lights seeping out from its body emerged.

[Jack Wyvern / DARK / Level 4 / Machine / Effect / ATK 1800 / DEF 0]

"Jack Wyvern's effect! I banish it and a face-up monster on my field, then Special Summon a DARK monster in my Graveyard! Return, Mass Deletion Dragon!"

The two monsters disappeared into green bursts of light, forming into a singular large shape. With a loud war cry, the large metal dragon re-emerged from the Graveyard and glared down at its enemies, intending on wiping them out as per its master's orders.

"Mikou?!" Tamamo cried in shock. "That ugly dragon is back? And, wait, it's in the center Monster Zone? But that's…"

Archer frowned. "It's linked to me?"

"Battle!" Alkaid's subordinate declared, unable to prevent himself from smirking. Even if he could not destroy the two in battle, his dragon's deadliest effect would end them just as easily. Something they would soon discover, if they managed to withstand this. "I attack Cyberse Magician with Servant Archer – Robin Hood!" The green-clad bowman frowned, clearly not used to taking orders from someone other than his Master, but obeyed and readied his bow. As he knocked an arrow back, the sole remaining light circling around him fell into the arrow, causing it to light up. "Robin Hood's effect! By using an Overlay Unit, he can destroy a monster at the start of the Damage Step and deal 500 points of damage!"

Robin Hood released his grip. The arrow struck true, piercing Cyberse Magician in the shoulder. The arrow glowed brighter before it promptly exploded, covering the field in smoke for a brief moment. Hakuno and Playmaker winced, feeling the power behind the explosion.

Hakuno & Playmaker – LP 900 → 400

"When Cyberse Magician is destroyed by an opponent's card effect, we add a Cyberse monster from our deck to our hand," Playmaker said as he and Hakuno both drew a card.

The Knight of Hanoi smirked. "With that annoying monster out of the way, you can't halve anymore damage! Let's see if you can protect yourself from this?! Mass Deletion Dragon! Destroy Servant Caster! Error Burst Flare!" The dragon opened its maw, the rings around its body spinning wildly. Electricity flowed through its being and focused on the dragon's mouth, slowly forming a ball of energy that thrashed around inside Mass Deletion Dragon's maw before finally letting it loose.

"Mikou?! I'm the target?! I'm doomed!" Tamamo cried out in shock and horror as the blast grew closer. Her fear faded and was replaced by a grin. "Sorry, just kidding~ Husband?"

Hakuno smiled and countered, "I activate the Spell, Processlayer Algorithm!"

"What?!" the Knight of Hanoi cried. "A Normal Spell, during the Battle Phase?!"

Caster laughed. "My effect lets my Husband activate Spell Cards from her hand once per turn. Processlayer Algorithm banishes a "Processlayer" monster in the Graveyard, then Special Summon one or two monsters whose Levels equal the banished monster's Level exactly. Those monsters also gain an extra 1000 ATK bonus until the end of the turn~ Sadly, neither my Husband or our dear friend Playmaker here can't Special Summon anymore the turn this effect is activated."

"I banish the Level 12 Processlayer Final Sigma and Special Summon Cyberse Magician and Processlayer Multiplier from the Graveyard!" Tamamo waved two hanafuda talismans in the air before throwing them, summoning the aforementioned monsters.

[Processlayer Multiplier / EARTH / Level 4 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 500 → 1500 / DEF 2000]

[Cyberse Magician / DARK / Level 8 / Cyberse / Ritual / Effect / ATK 2500 → 3500 / DEF 2000]

The Knight of Hanoi grimaced slightly, but was still confidant in his victory. Seeing as how he could no longer destroy them by way of battle, he'd do it the way he intended to from the start. "I'll end my Turn… At this moment, I activate Mass Deletion Dragon's effect! I choose to banish Servant Archer – EMIYA!" He could no longer suppress his grin. "When a monster linked to Mass Deletion Dragon is banished, you take 1000 damage! Even if you have Cyberse Magician, you'll still take 500 points of damage! Enough to wipe out the rest of your Life Points!"

"Think so?" Hakuno challenged.

"What?!"

"I activate the effect of Processlayer Matrix in my hand! By sending it to the Graveyard, I can tribute a Cyberse Monster on my field, then make one of my monsters unaffected by my opponent's card effects until the end of the turn! I tribute Processlayer Multiplier and choose Archer!"

Mass Deletion Dragon let out a roar that made the air shake, only to find the effects of its roar useless as the gold-plated monster that appeared alongside Cyberse Magician let out a glowing light that enveloped Archer. Instead of him being turned transparent, it was Multiplier who suffered its effects and faded away into pixels that broke down shortly afterwards.

"N-no way…" the Knight of Hanoi stared in dumbstruck shock. "H-how…?"

"My turn, draw!" Playmaker declared. "I activate Archer's effect and tribute Mass Deletion Dragon to destroy Servant Archer – Robin Hood!"

Alkaid refused to allow such a thing to happen. "I activate the Ritual Spell, Chaos Overture's effect from the Graveyard! When my opponent would destroy a Special Summoned monster on my field, I banish Chaos Overture alongside a LIGHT Ritual Monster and DARK Ritual Monster from my Graveyard! Until the end of the turn, Archer is unaffected by card effects, cannot be destroyed by battle, and gains 500 ATK for each LIGHT and DARK monster in my Banished Zone! I banish Black Luster Soldier – Superior Soldier and Lustrous Gaia the Fierce Knight from the Graveyard! Including those two, there are seven LIGHT and DARK monsters in my Banished Zone!"

Archer's arrow found itself countered by one of Robin Hood's own, both arrows meeting each other halfway and exploding on impact.

[Servant Archer – Robin Hood: ATK 1500 → 5000]

Playmaker furrowed his brow upon seeing this, but didn't let it bother him. Hakuno studied his expression. It seemed as though he expected something like this to happen. As he prepared for his next move, he suddenly stopped.

She knew why. She felt it also.

"Of all times…!" Archer hissed when he noticed the reason behind their sudden pause approaching them in the distance.

At first glance, it looked like a water twister. A spinning mass of data pulled from the very depths of VRAINS. A force of nature that appeared sporadically, and at times, without warning. The size of the twister, this [Data Storm], told one of how powerful it was and how dangerous it would be to get pulled in. If a Data Storm was small in size, escaping it was easy and the only risk of being caught inside was several cuts and bruises, especially when you were spat out. If it was large, however, escaping it was near impossible and likely to be torn to pieces once inside the storm's body.

"Oi oi, why is it coming over here?!" Tamamo's ears and tails went ramrod straight when they saw the large Data Storm heading toward them.

Hakuno and her Servants quickly dashed away to avoid the incoming path of the twister. Alkaid and his subordinate quickly did the same and darted away in the opposite direction.

The only one who didn't was Playmaker, who defied rational and common sense by speeding towards the Data Storm instead of away from it!

Archer went wide-eyed. "Does that idiot have a death wish?!"

The closer Playmaker—Yusaku Fujiki—got to the Data Storm, the stronger the torrent winds that spurned the data of VRAINS into a wild frenzy became. Even at this distance, he could hear it across the ear-shattering howls of the Data Storm's winds. The sounds of monsters roaring and moaning, calling out for someone.

"The [Data Density] is at Level 3," Kusanagi informed him via the comm link network between them. "Despite its size, you shouldn't get anything powerful from it. Still, anything inside that Data Storm will help you somehow. Just try not to tear up your arm in the process, we still haven't perfected that program yet."

He nodded and sped forward. Once he was within distance, he bounced off the digital ocean's surface and allowed the winds to carry him inside the twister. The second he and his D-Board infiltrated the Data Storm, he was met with oppressing forces on all sides. He felt as though he was at the bottom of the ocean, being crushed on all sides and struggling to keep on his board. He kept his feet as grounded to the D-Board as he could while pushing past the immense pressure.

He endured the crushing weight until he broke past the walls and into the eye of the storm itself. The winds were calmer, but no less dangerous as Playmaker now had to fight to keep himself from steering back into the walls and being torn to shreds in the process.

His hand began to burn up, the yellow markings on his fingers emanating a soft orange glow. He closed his eyes and listened to the echoing cries from inside the storm. Slowly, and surely, he heard one cry in particular call out to him. It sensed him and approached. His hand glowed brighter.

Once the monster reached him and began to call out, he activated the program.

"[STORM ACCESS]!"

He shoved his hand deep into the Data Storm's embrace. All at once, it fell inward and was sucked up into his palm. The monster calling out to him fell into his grasp and held on. The data surrounding them continued to be pulled in, slowly and surely granting the monster in his hand the power it needed to manifest properly in the world of VRAINS. Playmaker struggled to keep his hand steady, gripping his wrist as he continued to suck up all the data within the storm.

After a minute, the program finished its work. The excess data dispersed and scattered back into VRAINS. The storm was dispelled and he shooting forward like an arrow released from the bowstring. He came crashing back down to the digital ocean's surface and glided across the waters, his new monster sitting in his Duel Disk, waiting to be called on.

The gears in his hand spun and turned until he could see it. The route he needed to take in order to win.

He rejoined Hakuno Zaizen, ignoring the bewildered and shocked stare she and her Servants were giving him. "I'll need to borrow your monsters," he told her. She nodded dumbly, still surprised by what he had just pulled off. He nodded in thanks and turned his attention back to the Knights of Hanoi, one of which was pale after having witnessed him executing his Skill. "I set Cyberse Magician into the Link Marker! Link Summon!"

Playmaker called upon the circuit. After Cyberse Magician was integrated into it, lighting up one of the cursors in the process, the monster he called on from the Data Storm emerged. It was mechanical in nature, body little more than metal rods with ball-shaped joints like a stick figure with large metal pieces grafted onto its chest, shoulders, arms and feet. Two tails of dark-green data flowed out from behind its head, almost like a ponytail or scarf. Upon arrival, its yellow-orange eyes glowed and assumed a battle stance.

"Link 1! Data Conveyor!"

[Data Conveyor / DARK / LA: Right / Cyberse / Link / Effect / ATK 0 / LINK-1]

"When Data Conveyer is Link Summoned successfully, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from the Graveyard in a Main Monster Zone it points to. Revive, Processlayer Multiplier!" At Playmaker's order, one of Hakuno's own Cyberse monsters answered the call and manifested beside his own Link Monster.

A powerful gust of wind blew against his backside. The cry of a monster echoed from his Duel Disk. "I hear you," he replied. It wanted to end this duel as much as he did and saw no reason to deny its request. He raised his hand high into the air and bellowed, "Appear, the circuit that leads to the future!" The circuit manifested overhead. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is two or more Effect Monsters. I set Servant Archer – EMIYA, Servant Caster – Tamamo-no-Mae and Data Conveyor into the Link Markers!"

"Sheesh, using me to bring out something else. And you aren't even my Husband," Caster sighed deeply, then shrugged her shoulders. "Well, fine. You get a freebie this time, Playmaker, but only because you helped out my Husband!"

Archer chuckled. "Let's get this over with."

Playmaker watched the three monsters all become bodies of light, integrating with the circuit and becoming the components necessary to bring forth the weapon that would defeat the Knights of Hanoi. Three cursors lit up, and following this, the circuit "pulsed." An armored figure emerged from the circuit, body black with a purple grid layered atop its form. Thick pieces of purple armor covered its body, piercing purple eyes glaring at the Knights of Hanoi with intensity. In its hand was a glowing purple sword that radiated power.

"Appear, Link Summon! Link 3! Decode Talker!"

[Decode Talker / DARK / LA: Top, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right / Cyberse / Link / Effect / ATK 2300 / LINK-3]

Hakuno stared at Playmaker's monster. "That looks like Sky Surfer… But, the feeling I get from it is different. What is…?"

"When Data Conveyor is used as a Link Material for a Cyberse Monster, it's ATK is raised by 500 times its own Link Rating, and I can move one or more monsters on my field next to that monster's Link Arrows."

[Decode Talker: ATK 2300 → 3800]

"I move Processlayer Multiplier to Decode Talker's Bottom-Right Link Arrow," Playmaker continued. "When Decode Talker points to a monster, it gains 500 ATK. Power Integration!" In addition to the incredible boost of power that Yusaku's previous Link Monster offered it, the purple-clad warrior developed a red aura around it as its sword increased in size.

[Decode Talker: ATK 3800 → 4300]

The Knight of Hanoi laughed shakily. "E-even if you brought out a strong monster like that, it's ATK is still nowhere near Robin Hood's. Looks like what he did back there was just a-"

"Arrowheads confirmed!" Playmaker declared, ignoring the knight. "The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse Monster. I set Processlayer Multiplier in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Come forth, Link 1! Link Devotee!"

Erupting from the circuit was a small spindly robot with a halo-like arc of metal over its head.

[Link Devotee / DARK / LA: Top / Cyberse / Link / Effect / ATK 500 / LINK-1]

"As of this moment, Processlayer Multiplier's effect activates! If its sent to the Graveyard and I control a Cyberse Monster in the Extra Monster Zone, its ATK is doubled until the end of the turn!" At this, the Knight of Hanoi paled while Alkaid sighed in resignation, realizing where this was heading. "Process Boost!"

The aura surrounding Decode Talker grew stronger and its sword grew in size, becoming as large as a greatsword.

[Decode Talker: ATK 4300 → 8600]

"Battle!" Playmaker declared suddenly, taking the white-clad cyber terrorist off-guard and staring at the duelist as if he were insane. "Decode Talker! Attack Servant Archer – Robin Hood!"

The purple-clad warrior let out a mechanical battle and leaped toward the Knights of Hanoi, its sword trailing behind them. Alkaid's subordinate screamed and tried to turn tail and run, but he was ultimately too slow. He would not avoid the attack, no matter how fast he went. Alkaid and Robin Hood on the other hand stood where they were and let the attack hit them dead on.

Playmaker's gaze turned cold. "End this. Decode End! !"

Rather than strike Robin Hood down, Decode Talker went straight past him and instead aimed for the duelists themselves in spite of Playmaker's order. What Playmaker didn't know was that Robin Hood could not be attacked. Any attacks that did come his way would instead go to the monster next to him or to his Master.

"…this sucks," Robin Hood got out before he faded into blue pixels, flowing back into Alkaid's Duel Disk.

Decode Talker swung his sword. A purple slash enveloped the Knights of Hanoi, blowing them out of the water and into the air, one screaming in pain as his consciousness faded while the other tanked the blow, arms folded over their body to protect themselves from the incoming attack.

Knights of Hanoi – LP 2900 → 0

YOU WIN!

Alkaid's subordinate crashed straight into the digital ocean while Dan Blackmore himself landed atop one of the stone platforms—the top of a marble pillar of a structure hidden beneath the digital ocean in a crouch, panting slightly and covered in wounds.

Decode Talker grunted as it returned to Playmaker's side. Hakuno followed after him and cornered Alkaid, flanking him on either side.

"Well, I cannot say this was unexpected." Despite having been defeated, Alkaid's tone was still pleasant. Playmaker frowned heavily as he watched the man rise up to his feet, dusting off his clothes. "I had anticipated I would be defeated, but in truth, I thought it would be at the hands of young Hakuno over there. Well done, young man."

What's with him? Playmaker was troubled by his behavior. Up until now, all the Hanoi men he encountered were brash and arrogant or downright obsessed with destroying anything related to the Cyberse. Yet this man, who revealed his IRL identity so easily and shared some kind of history with Hakuno Zaizen, was not like that. Respectable, admirable, even cordial to someone who saw him as an enemy and met their efforts with equal measure.

Is this man really with the Knights of Hanoi?

"It's time for some answers, Blackmore." Hakuno's Duel Spirit, Archer, manifested from the Duel Disk. His eyes were narrowed, and in each hand were a pair of black-and-white Chinese blades. "How are you here? It's obvious you're different from the one we know of, so that means one of two things… You either came here with Tohsaka and her friends, or you're one of Kiara Sessyoin's leftovers."

Alkaid smiled wryly. "I can assure you, I have no affiliation with that woman. Admittedly, she did attempt to recruit me. Both myself and Archer politely refused, of course. As to how I am here, that is a story for another time, I'm afraid. And as much as I would love to catch up, I'm afraid I cannot allow myself to be captured here."

His Duel Disk flashed rapidly. Playmaker's eyes widened, recognizing what was happening. He scowled and yelled, "Decode Talker!" His ace monster attempted to grab Alkaid, but just as it reached him, the man's form was embraced by a bright light that forced everyone present to shield their eyes.

The light faded and Playmaker cursed.

Alkaid—Dan Blackmore—was gone.

"Tch…"

Anger and frustration bubbled to the surface. He was so close this time! He finally had a possible lead, someone who knew something more about the organization and their leader, but his lead slipped through his fingers. He should have just grabbed the man when he had the chance instead of letting him talk with Zaizen, however brief their conversation was.

After he shoved his frustration down to the back of his mind, he glanced at Hakuno and her Duel Spirit. He had so many questions, both about her and how she was in the possession of something only spoken of as an urban legend. There was clearly more to his classmate than met the eye, though he knew one thing. Like him and Lapis, she also used the Cyberse archetype. And with incredible efficiency, too.

That made her a target.

She cannot get involved in this.

"Hakuno!" "Haku!"

Playmaker looked ahead. Lapis and another girl, the Fourth Ranked Duelist Rin Tohsaka, were rapidly approaching. He did not know how or why Tohsaka was here, but he assumed it was because she helped Lapis defend against her attacker. The fact that the blue-haired duelist was alright was a relief all the same, since it meant the Knights of Hanoi failed to claim another victim.

Kusanagi suddenly spoke up on the comm link, "Yusaku, you have to get out of there. There's a large group of people heading your way. Looks like it's the Advancers."

[Advancer].

Unlike in LINK VRAINS, where SOL Technologies had their own personal security task force to hunt down any and all rogue elements or troublesome duelists that were disobeying the rules or just causing trouble in general, VRAINS was virtually a lawless cyberspace. Legally speaking, as they no longer had the rights to VRAINS (not that they could even try and attempt to take over the domain anymore anyway, seeing as how it was more or less its own separate world altogether since the Day of Hell), SOL Technologies could not send its security task force to intervene if an incident occurred.

As VRAINS was a neutral space—a domain open to everyone where any and all kinds of activity was fair game—and because it would become a problem of trouble-making individuals started to take over the cyberspace, various companies including SOL wanted to take advantage of the creative freedom and power this world—SERAPH VRAINS—offered. To this end, they hired duelists to act as unofficial peace keepers.

These were the Advancers; duelists who belonged to companies seeking to make a profit from the vast, untapped potential of a world made entirely out of data they could only dream of.

Given his past history with the Knights of Hanoi, regardless of the fact that they were his enemy, the Advancers were not the bunch who were reasonable. He had to make himself scarce. He quickly set up an escape program and dismissed Decode Talker, getting ready to leave.

Zaizen called out to him. "Wait!"

"You and Lapis should stay away from VRAINS for a while," he told her. "The Knights of Hanoi might still be after you. You shouldn't get involved any further."

With that said, he sped away and entered the portal opened up by his escape program.

Though he hoped Hakuno Zaizen and her sister would take his warnings to heart, Yusaku felt that he would meet the two of them again sometime soon. And it would not be at school.

After all, their fates were intertwined…

Yew Bow / Spell / Equip / Equip only to "Servant Archer – Robin Hood." If the equipped monster activates an effect that deals damage to your opponent: You can double that damage, and if you do, place 1 Counter on this card (max. 5). During your End Phase, if you dealt effect damage to your opponent and destroyed at least one card on their field with an effect of the equipped monster: You can destroy this card and inflict 400 damage to your opponent for every counter that was on this card. You can only activate each effect of "Yew Bow" once per turn.

Cynet Access / Trap / Normal / Banish 1 Cyberse Monster from your GY to target 1 Cyberse Monster you control: Until the end of this turn, it gains ATK equal to the Level of that banished monster X 200. During your Main Phase: You can banish this card from your GY and 1 Cyberse Monster you control; Special Summon 1 of your banished monsters whose ATK is less than the ATK of the monster banished for this effect.

Lustrous Gaia The Chaos Knight / EARTH / Level 7 / Warrior / Ritual / Effect / ATK 2300 / DEF 2100 / You can Ritual Summon this card with "Chaos Gaia Ritual". If this card is sent to the GY or banished: You can activate this effect during the End Phase; Add 1 Ritual Spell Card and 1 Ritual Monster from your Deck to your hand. This card is treated as a LIGHT and DARK monster on the field and in the GY. If you would Ritual Summon a "Black Luster Soldier" monster: You can treat this card on your side of the field as a Level 4 or Level 8 monster.

Arsenal Stock / Spell / Normal / Banish any multiple of 2 Equip Spell Cards in your GY; Draw 1 card for every multiple of 2 cards banished with this effect – 1.

Zone Ascension / Spell / Normal / If you do not control a monster in either Extra Monster Zone and control a monster in one or more of your Main Monster Zones that can be summoned to an Extra Monster Zone: You can target 1 of those monsters; Place it in the Extra Monster Zone.

Codecast Signal / Spell / Quick-Play / If you control a Link 3 or higher Servant Monster: Special Summon up to 2 Level 5 or higher Monster from among the cards in your GY or that are banished to each zone that Servant Monster points to. You can only activate 1 "Codecast Signal" per duel.

Processlayer Nullion / WIND / Level 4 / Cyberse / Tuner / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 0 / If you control no cards: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand or GY) and 1 other "Processlayer" monster from your hand or GY, but you cannot summon monsters from the Extra Deck the turn you activate this effect except Cyberse Monsters. You can only use this effect of "Processlayer Nullion" once per turn. A Cyberse Monster Special Summoned using this card as a Material gains this effect.
● If it is summoned, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase of this turn.

Reset Recycler / DARK / Level 1 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 300 / DEF 0 / If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can Special Summon this card. If this card is Special Summoned other than with this effect, send it to the GY. If this card is in the GY because it was sent their by its own effect and your opponent negated the Special Summon of a monster from the Extra Deck: You can banish this card; Special Summon one of the monsters used as a Material for that monster's Special Summon.

Theft Arrow / Skill / Activate only if you control a "Servant Archer – Robin Hood" equipped with "Yew Bow" when your opponent activates his/her Skill: Discard 1 card; Negate the activation of that skill, and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent's LP.

Restoration Caretaker / WIND / Level 3 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 400 / DEF 600 / If you control a Cyberse Monster when your opponent activates an effect that would inflict damage to your life points and/or would destroy 1 or more cards you control: You can banish this card from your hand or GY; Gain LP equal to double any effect damage you would take, also, return any cards destroyed by that effect to their original position on the field. You can only use this effect of "Restoration Caretaker" once per duel.

Sky Cloud Formation / Spell / Normal / Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Silver Streak" monster from your deck in Defense Position.

Silver Streak Cloud Strider / LIGHT / Level 2 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 500 / DEF 100 / If your opponent controls a Level 5 or higher monster: Special Summon this card (from your hand) in a Main Monster Zone in the same column as that card. When this card is sent to the GY from the field: Add 1 "Sky" or "Silver Streak" card from your deck to your hand. Cannot be used as Link Material.

Silver Streak Cloud Searcher / LIGHT / Level 4 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 1000 / DEF 700 / When Special Summoned from your hand or deck: Add 1 "Silver Streak" monster from your GY. Once per turn: If this card is destroyed by card effect, target 1 face-up non-Cyberse monster on your field: Send that card to your GY, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower LIGHT monster from your hand.

Sky Burst / Spell / Normal / Destroy up to 2 LIGHT monsters on your field and draw 1 card for each monster you destroy with this effect. (You can activate only 1 "Sky Burst" per turn.)

Trickstar Seeder / LIGHT / Level 2 / Fairy / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 0 / If your opponent controls a monster whose Level is 8 or higher: Special Summon this card (from your hand). When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Both players draw 1 card. If this card would be used as Link Material for a LIGHT Monster: Special Summon up to 2 Level 4 or lower "Trickstar" monsters from your deck, and if you do, add 1 "Trickstar" card from your deck to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Trickstar Seeder" once per turn.

Trickstar Orchid Dancer / LIGHT / LA: Bottom / Fairy / Link / Effect / ATK 1200 / LINK-1 / 1 Level 4 or lower "Trickstar" monster
When this card is successfully Link Summoned: Draw 1 card for every monster your opponent controls. When a "Trickstar" monster is Special Summoned in a Main Monster Zone this card points to: Inflict 200 damage to your opponent. If this card is destroyed by battle or by card effect: Send this card face-up to your Extra Deck and target 1 LIGHT Monster in your GY: Special Summon that monster in Defense Position with its effects negated.

Silver Flock / Spell / Normal / Target up to 2 LIGHT monsters in your GY: Special Summon those monsters, but if they leave the field, banish them.

Silver Rally Show / Spell / Normal / Tribute 1 LIGHT Monster you control and target 1 "Silver Streak" Monster in your deck: Add that monster to your hand. (You can only activate 1 "Silver Rally Show" per turn.)

Trickstar Morninglory / Spell / Equip / Equips only to "Trickstar" Link Monsters. If the equipped monster inflicts effect damage with its effect: Increase the equipped monster's ATK equal to the damage dealt by its effect.

Jack Jammer / Trap / Counter / If your opponent Link Summons a Cyberse Monster and you control either "Jack Wyvern" or "Jack Jumper": Negate that Link Monster's effects, and if you do, destroy it.

Gem-Shield / Trap / Counter / If a monster you control would be destroyed by your opponent's card effects: Tribute 1 "Gem-Knight" monster you control and negate that monster's destruction.

Infestation Parasite / Trap / Counter / Activate only if a "Steelswarm" monster you control was destroyed by battle. If your opponent's Link Monster would battle a Level 7 or higher "Steelswarm" monster on your field, and that card would be destroyed: That card gains ATK equal to 1 "Steelswarm" monster that was destroyed this turn. (You can activate only 1 "Infestation Parasite" this turn.)

Hacker Revolution / Skill / Activate only if have a DARK Link Monster in your GY and have few than 2000 LP. Banish 1 Cyberse Link Monster in your GY and Special Summon 1 DARK Link Monster from your Extra Deck whose Link Rating is equal to the Cyberse Monster you banished. This Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon.

Cracking Cannon / Spell / Equip / Equips only to DARK monsters. The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK and cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effect. Your opponent cannot declare an attack against any monsters you control, except the equipped monster.

Trickstar Wisteria's Oath / Trap / Normal / If a "Trickstar" Link Monster you control was destroyed by battle: Special Summon that card from your GY to your field and increase its ATK by 1000 until the end of your opponent's turn. Once per turn, if this card was sent to the GY from the field: If your opponent would attack you directly and reduce your LP to zero: Banish all "Trickstar" Link Monsters in your GY. You gain 200 LP x total Link Rating of the "Trickstar" Link Monsters banished by this card's effect. After this effect resolves: Banish this card.

Silver Bullet / Skill / Activate only when you have fewer than 1000 LP. Special Summon 1 "Silver Streak" Link, Fusion or Synchro Monster from your GY in an empty Extra Monster Zone. That monster gains ATK equal to the damage you took this turn until the end of the Battle Phase.

Luster Supremacy / Skill / Activate when you take 2000 or more damage. Special Summon as many "Gem-Knight" monsters from your hand, deck and GY, equal to the number of monsters on your opponent's field. For the rest of the turn: Any Link, Xyz, Synchro or Fusion Monsters in your Extra Monster Zone gain 500 ATK x number of "Gem-Knight" monsters with different names in your GY.

Gem-Knight Diamond Squire / LIGHT / Level 1 / Tuner / Normal / ATK 100 / DEF 100 / The apprentice knight of the indominable Master Diamond. Though his brilliance is dull now, one day he will shine as brightly as his master.

Armory of Tuatha De / Spell / Normal / Tribute 1 Monster you control and add 1 Spell Card to your hand, but during your End Phase: Banish that card.

Servant Lancer – Cu Chulainn / DARK / Level 7 / Servant / Synchro / Effect / ATK 2500 / DEF 1000 / 1 Tuner + 1 Level 6 non-Tuner Monster
When this card is Synchro Summoned to the Extra Monster Zone: You can Special Summon 1 Link Monster with a Link Rating of 2 or lower from your Extra Deck to a Main Monster Zone below this card, ignoring its summoning conditions. (You can only use this effect of "Servant Lancer – Cu Chulainn" once per turn.) On the turn this card is Synchro Summoned: This card can Attack your opponent directly. This card inflicts piercing damage. If you battle a monster in Defense Position with this card and its DEF is higher than this card's current ATK: Destroy that monster at the start of the damage step, and if you do, inflict half of this card's original ATK as damage to your opponent.

Hacking Vigor / Trap / Continuous / While your opponent controls a monster with 4000 ATK or higher: Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle and you take no damage from battle or card effects.

Gae Bolg / Spell / Equip / Equip only to "Servant Lancer – Cu Chulainn." While this card is equipped: Negate the effects of all face-up cards on your opponent's field during the Battle Phase only. The equipped monster can attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each. Once per turn: Tribute 1 monster you control whose Level is higher than this card's and target 1 face-up Spell/Trap Card on your opponent's field: Negate that card's effects, and if you do, destroy it. The equipped monster cannot battle the turn you activate this effect.

Restoration Caretaker / WIND / Level 3 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 400 / DEF 600 / If you control a Cyberse Monster when your opponent activates an effect that would inflict damage to your life points and/or would destroy 1 or more cards you control: You can banish this card from your hand or GY; Gain LP equal to double any effect damage you would take, also, return any cards destroyed by that effect to their original position on the field. You can only use this effect of "Restoration Caretaker" once per duel.

Recycle Bug / DARK / Level 2 / Machine / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 1000 / If you control no monsters in the Extra Monster Zone: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand), and if you do, you can Special Summon 1 of your banished DARK Machine Monsters. You can only use this effect of "Recycle Bug" once per turn.

Input Drago / DARK / LA: Left, Bottom / Machine / Link / Effect / ATK 1100 / LINK-2 / 2 DARK Machine Monsters
When this card is Link Summoned Successfully: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower DARK Machine Monster from your deck. You can only use this effect of "Input Drago" once per turn.

Processlayer Algorithm / Spell / Normal / Banish 1 "Processlayer" monster from your GY; Special 1-2 monsters from your GY whose total levels exactly equal the level of the monster banished for this effect, also, those monsters gain 1000 ATK until the end of this turn. After this card is activated, you cannot Special Summon additional monsters. You can only activate 1 "Processlayer Algorithm" per turn.

Processlayer Matrix / WIND / Level 4 / Cyberse / Effect / ATK 0 / DEF 2000 / If you Special Summon a Cyberse Monster from the Extra Deck: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If this card is sent to the GY as a Material for the Special Summon of a "Processlayer" monster or because it was detached as a Material: You can add this card from your GY to your hand. (Quick Effect): You can discard this card and tribute 1 Cyberse Monster you control to target 1 monster you control; That target is unaffected by your opponent's card effects until the end of this turn. You can only use each effect of "Processlayer Matrix" once per turn.

Chaos Overture / Spell / Ritual / This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Black Luster Soldier" or "Gaia" monster. You must also tribute monsters you control or in your hand whose Levels exactly equal the monster being summoned. (Quick Effect) If a Special Summoned monster you control is targeted by an opponent's card effect: You can banish this card, 1 LIGHT Ritual Monster, and 1 DARK Ritual monster from your GY; Until the end of this turn, that monster's effects are negated, it is unaffected by other card effects, cannot be destroyed by battle, and gains 500 ATK for each of your banished LIGHT and DARK monsters.

Data Conveyor / DARK / LA: Right / Cyberse / Link / Effect / ATK 0 / LINK-1 / 1 Level 5 or Higher Cyberse Monster
If this card is Link Summoned Successfully: You can target 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse Monster from your GY; Special Summon it to a zone this card points to. If this card is used as a Link Material for a Cyberse Monster: You can increase the ATK of that monster by 500 X its Link Rating, and if you do, you can move 1 or more monsters you control to zones that monster points to.

NEXT TIME

A moment of respite leads to recollection

A moment of recollection leads to resolution

They search for the answers that lie within their hearts

And now they stand at the crossroads, unsure of what path waits for them

"Who are you, Playmaker…?"

TURN-04: A Moment in Peace

Into the VRAINS! ! !

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Special thanks go to Donjusticia for his beta-work.

And whew, finally done. This is the first time I've decided to write two duels, and I'm thinking this will be the last time. I've never had to go back-to-back before, and it was an absolute nightmare!

Slight change was made to Processlayer Multiplier / Mathmech Multiplication. Its effect to double a monster in the Extra Monster Zone's ATK only works if its sent to the Graveyard. Here, it doubles the ATK if its linked to a Cyberse Link Monster, and only during the Battle Phase.

Donjusticia note: Or this change WOULD have been necessary had I not fortunately seen my mistake and fixed the duel at the last minute! Whew!

Also, I'm happy to see everyone is enjoying Laplace so far. I hope you all continue to stick around, since I have so much planned for our leads. I also finally got my hands on Fate/Extella Link, so I was able to play it for myself instead of looking up YouTube videos. I've already completed all the story routes, so all that's left is for me to get all the Servants to Bond Lv. 30 and do all the Extra Battles and whatnot.

The next chapter will not feature any duels and will instead focus on Hakuno and Aoi interacting with Yusaku, as well as reactions from SOL Technologies about the Knight of Hanoi's sudden actions and from the organization itself.

One last thing before I end this. For anyone who plays Fate/Grand Order, the F/GO x Fate/Requiem collab event started not too long ago for JP servers, and reveals some interesting things about Voyager and Erice Utsumi. Beware of slight spoilers if you have not read the Fate/Requiem light novel once I actually get to that point.

Reminder that this story has a TV Tropes page, so if you'd be so kind, could you maybe check it out and possibly add to it?

REVIEWS:

jmcdavid: Fun fact, I did not realize that Gem-Knights and Steelswarm apparently have a history until I finished the duel outline. It's a two-fer!

Yolea Irk's: I will not include Servants from Fate/Grand Order unless they appear in Fate/Extella Link, such as Scathach, Darius III and Arjuna. Altera will appear at some point, just not in this story.

Guest #1: Thank you for pointing that out. I'll try and change it if I have the time.

achen5041: I literally couldn't think of any other deck that was more fitting for Rin, being the gem-whore that she is. I will explain Dimension Summon at a later date, but it's sort of a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that is only available in "official duels." Gilgamesh will only appear when he wants to. He's so goddamn broken he'd easily curb-stomp everyone if he's summoned, and the last thing he wants is for Hakuno to have an easy experience. How else is she supposed to grow?

Furno-king-of-flames: Tempting, but as much of a fan I am of the Count, he will not be appearing in the Fate/VRAINS series. Only Servants who have appeared in Fate/Extra, Fate/Extra CCC, Fox Tail, Fate/Extella and Extella Link will be featured in this story.

Akasha Bloodriver: Rin's duel record is genuine. She does need some kind of hobby. And Playmaker and Hakuno play very well together, and it helps both use monsters of the same type, which helps fuel their synergy.

D. : Without giving away spoilers, the Knights of Hanoi have two Masters and two Servants. We have Alkaid, or Dan Blackmore, and one other.

goomyiscute777: I've been tempted to include the Numbers archetype, but I'm holding off on it until I have a good excuse for it to appear. Maybe in the sequel.