Hello Again! I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 3: The Lesser of Two Evils! Revolver's Arrival!

"SPEED DUEL!"

ReaveArk's LP: 4000

Soul Silver's LP: 4000

The green-tinted programs and codes would be the only light source in the room's waning darkness. The man in white with soulless yellow eyes would replay the live feed of the online user almost deleted by the violent ReaveArk, his way being put to a halt by a blue and red-haired duelist.

"At least you didn't fail me, Baira." Revolver would say as he watched the woman blend into the crowd. Being another small fish in the ocean that is LINK VRAINS. The man would place a finger on his chin as he would start to contemplate on what to do next.

"It seems like the subtle way on enacting our plans has been fruitless so far, However." The mysterious man would add on.

"Maybe...A more powerful approach is in order." He would finish as he prepared for his arrival.

"Are you sure about that sir? SOL technologies are more fixated on this...ReaveArk user than our plans. Staying incognito may be slow, but it'll be rewarding in the long run." A male voice in the shadows would ask his leader. His glasses would glare for just a moment as he pushed the lens up.

"Of course I'm sure...Especially when This." Suddenly, a massive live feed of Soul Silver and Earth dueling ReaveArk would play out in the room, eclipsing everything else in the dark halls.

"Is running around in a world that doesn't need them." Revolver announced as he left the room; leaving his hidden subordinate in a complying silence from his chilling words.

"I will go first worm!" Reave Ark would draw his starting hand in a single flourish, creating a collection of cards that the Beast could use.

"Time to make you cower on the first turn! I Special Summon Fangire Rhino by sending a Fangire Monster from my hand to the bottom of my deck!" The Fangire monster materialized by ReaveArk's side. A horde of colorful glass shards would armor the horned beast's leathery black flesh. The Rhino Fangire would snort and smash its massive fists together like a hammer against anvils.

Fangire Rhino (ATK: 2300, DEF: 200, Level 6, EARTH, Beast.)

"And now! I'll Special Summon Fangire Polar Bear from my hand by banishing Fangire Sea Star from my hand!" Joining the hulking Fangire Rhino was the just as bulky Fangire Polar Bear. The stained glass-scaled carnivore would growl a looming tone as it stood up proudly. Its sharded claws gripped on to a longsword.

Fangire Polar Bear (ATK: 2000, DEF: 0, Level 6, WATER, Beast.)

"I end my turn; let's see if you can top that!" ReaveArk challenged with a cackle, his monsters laughed along with him in distorted chortles.

"Huh, no Link summons? That's quite strange but whatever. My Turn! We Draw!" Soul Silver and Earth would announce together as both of them would draw a card in a mighty flourish. Earth would sink back into his partner's duel disk as he would start his turn.

"I play the Spell Card! Cost down! By discarding G Golem Pebble Dog, I can reduce all the levels of monsters in my hand by two for the rest of this turn!" Soul Silver would send a single card to his graveyard.

"You have Cyberse Monsters? So that's what that little orange thing's purpose is." ReaveArk would reply in return as he glanced at Soul Silver's duel disk.

"He is an Ignis, not a 'thing,' get it right! I then activate G Golem Pebble Dog's effect of adding another one to my hand from my deck!" The duelist would correct as his duel disk would add another Pebble Dog to his hand.

"I then normal summon G Golem Rock Hammer in Attack Mode!" The heavy-headed G Golem monster would arrive in a low-grumbling growl.

G Golem Rock Hammer (ATK: 1800, DEF: 2400, Level 6, EARTH, Cyberse)

"I'll tribute it to activate its effect to Special Summon three G Golem Tokens in defense mode!" Rock Hammer would then suddenly break away like a patch of eroding earth; with each third of itself being formed and molded into a refined piece of stone.

"Appear! The Circuit that quakes before the earth!" The link summoning square would appear in the sky as the three stone tokens would turn into a trio of swirling currents.

"This link monster's summoning conditions is two or more earth monsters!" ReaveArk growled in irritation as pieces of rocks and stone would materialize in thin air; gathering together into a mountain of stone before exploding into a masking cloud of dust and gravel.

"I Link Summon!" Soul Silver threw a single strong punch with his free hand before raising it to the sky in an open palm.

"Link three! G Golem Invalid Dolmen!" With a clasp of both of its boulder-sized hands, the dust would clear out in a great buffet. Fully Revealing the G Golem monster in all of its ragged glory. The floating mass of jagged stone would clench both of its floating fists together; clearing away the surrounding fleeting rock shards as it's emerald green eyes lit up with life.

G Golem Invalid Dolmen

LINK - 3

EARTH, Cyberse

ATK: 2800

Link Arrows: Left, Right, Bottom

2+ EARTH monsters

Co-linked monsters you control are unaffected by the effect of monsters your opponent controls. Monsters your opponent controls must target this card for attacks. If this card battles a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing damage to your opponent. When this face-up card you control is destroyed; negate the effects of all face-up cards your opponent currently controls.

"I set a card face down, and I will attack Fangire Polar Bear with Invalid Dolmen! Earth-Shattering Finale!" Soul Silver ordered the G Golem monster listen to its master's command. Several floating stalagmites would combine before throwing themselves at ReaveArk's Polar Bear monster like a missile made of stone.

"I'll allow it. For its just one step closer to your demise..." ReaveArk growled under his breath as his monster shattered into pieces.

ReaveArk's LP: 3200

"And now I'll activate my skill! Rock You! When my Invalid Dolmen destroys one of your monsters by battle, you take damage equal to the destroyed monster's Level times 200!" Soul Silver's crystal cloak would glow a shade of yellow as the duelist would throw his hand up to the sky. The yellow notes of energy from the duelist's crystal cloak would pour onto the duelist's hands, forming a long wooden spear.

"Take this!" Soul Silver would throw the spear like an Olympian, ReaveArk would let out an agonized roar as the spear would strike the beast's chest.

ReaveArk's LP: 2000

The beast's d-board would go off-course for a couple of seconds before regaining its composure. A vengeful growl would escape from the Beast's maw as Soul Silver ended his turn.

"The tide is turning monster! With Earth by my side, I can protect all of LINK VRAINS from the likes of you!" Soul Silver would declare as he folded his arms. Earth would come out of the duel disk to mimic the same pose as his partner.

"Even...Kisumi..." Soul Silver would whisper remorsefully as a sudden somberness would course through the duelist's mind.

'I'm sorry for leaving you in the dark. But once I'm done making LINK VRAINS safe, I can finally show you the world. The world where I'm a hero. Not some nobody who doesn't deserve your affection.' The Duelist promised to himself as his remorse would soon change into a rush of unbridled determination. Soul Silver would glare at ReaveArk, his strength and composure being as unshakeable as the stone golem monsters that duel alongside him.

"We'll see about that...Draw!" The beast would let out a roar as he drew a card. A twisted grin would try to form from the beast's steel-biting jaw as a devious machination festered in his twisted mind.

"I activate Fangire Rhino's special effect! I'll banish Fangire Rat from my hand to reduce your monster's attack by 1000 points!" As Invalid Dolmen would be shrouded in a thick, toxic shroud. Two small rat-shaped shards of glass would materialize on the field.

"How did you get those tokens?" Soul Silver would ask with a cock of his head.

"Fangire Rat's effect...Whenever it's banished, I can Special Summon two Glass Rat tokens to my field. Come out! The Circuit that will lead to your demise!" The Metal Duelist would let out a howl of maddened laughter as the link square would appear in the sky. Soul Silver stood his ground as the three Fangire monsters would enter into the top right, bottom left, and bottom link makers on the square.

"Prepare yourself...Worm! For I Link Summon! Fangire Alucard! The Vampire Prince!" A crimson red tornado would blast out of the link square; the gusting gale would break apart with a slash of a silver-coated sword from the Fangire Prince that summoned within. Letting out an arrogant laugh as it would bask in its grand entrance.

Fangire Alucard - The Vampire Prince

LINK - 3

DARK, Fiend

ATK: 2500

Link Arrows: Top Left, Bottom Right, Bottom

2+ "Fangire" monsters

When this card is Link Summoned: Banish all "Fangire" monsters that were used as Link materials for this card's Link Summon, gain 500 ATK for each card banished by this card's effect.

"And now it'll gain 500 attack points by banishing Fangire Rhino! Increasing its attack to 3000!"

"This isn't going to be good!" Soul Silver would say defensively, gritting his teeth as ReaveArk's Link Monster's sword would engulf itself in a fiery blaze.

"It's time to shatter that G Golem into a pile of rubble! Fangire Alucard! Attack with Rite of the Fangires!" The Princely fiend would nod to its master before flying up to Invalid Dolmen and slicing the rock monster in two with a single swing of its blade.

"G Golem Invalid Dolmen's effect activates! Once it's destroyed and sent to the graveyard; Fangire Alucard's effect is negated! Losing its 500 attack boost!" Soul Silver explained as he shielded himself from falling pieces of stone.

Soul Silver's LP: 3800

"Your monster still falls before me. I end my turn. Your move Worm!" ReaveArk said as Soul Silver began his turn. The duelist's partner would once again come out of his duel disk.

"He sure does talk a big game...Despite the substantial lifepoint difference." Earth said while shrugging. ReaveArk would respond with a laugh; hiddenly vexed by the Earth Ignis's words.

"Just you wait, the difference is going to change next turn!" The metal duelist would promise.

"Dream on, I draw! I activate the spell card, Gravity Balance! I can Special Summon back two earth monsters from my graveyard with their effects negated, so I'll Special Summon G Golem Rock Hammer and G Golem Pebble Dog back to the field!" The two G Golems would jump out of a single dark, purplish gravitational orb. Both of them ready to face the opposition.

"Appear once again! The Circuit that quakes before the earth!" The link summoning square would appear again in the bright cyber sky as the two G Golem monsters would swarm into the bottom and top link markers in a twin twister.

"I Link Summon!" Soul Silver threw another punch before throwing an open palm to the sky.

"G Golem! Stubborn Menhir!" A single granite moss-covered monolith would appear on the field. The gathered moss would suddenly wilt away as the monolith's symbols and hieroglyphics would come to life in a neon green glow.

G Golem Stubborn Menhir

LINK - 2

EARTH, Cyberse

ATK: 1500

Link arrows: Top, Bottom

2 EARTH monsters

Once per turn: You can target 1 EARTH Monster that cannot be Normal Summoned/Set in your GY; Special Summon it, but it has its effects negated. You can only use this effect of "G Golem Stubborn Menhir" once per turn.

"Effect activate! Stubborn Menhir allows me to Special Summon one non-link Earth monster from my graveyard! So I'll Special Summon G Golem Rock Hammer!" Stubborn Menhir's hieroglyphics would begin to shine brightly.

"I'll counter that Banishing Fangire Moose from my hand!" ReaveArk would retaliate in a booming voice, catching Soul Silver off-guard as his eyebrows would furrow. With a swipe of his claws, a single card from ReaveArk's hand was banished; fading away in a note of black ash.

Stubborn Menhir's glowing hieroglyphics would suddenly shut off like a broken street light. Damaged static would crackle throughout the granite slam before exploding in a gravelly mess.

"Whenever a Monster's effect would activate. I can banish Fangire Moose from my hand to negate it and destroy it! No more Link Summons for you!" ReaveArk explained as his fangs would sink further into the stuck blade between his jaws. Content that his opponent is now free for a direct attack.

"Damn it. Didn't think you're smart enough to have hand trap cards...I end my turn with another set card." Soul Silver cursed under his breath.

"Time to end this! Hahaha!" ReaveArk would callously laugh as he playfully swiped a card from his deck. Soul Silver would grit his teeth as he braced his fortitude against ReaveArk's inevitable assault.

"I Normal Summon Fangire Sungazer to my field!" A blue-stained glass sungazer lizardman would join Alucard's side. It would seep out a long hiss; showing off a maw of broken glass shards as well as a tongue of silvery sand.

Fangire Sungazer (Level 4, ATK: 1800, DEF: 800, LIGHT, reptile)

"Its normal summoned effect activates, I can add one banished Fangire monster to my hand. So I'll select Fangire Polar Bear." A small black cloud would appear above ReaveArk, slowly raining down a single card that the metal duelist would snatch nonchalantly.

"I then banish Fangire Ladybug to Special Summon Fangire Polar Bear once again!" Soul Silver would only scoff in annoyance as Fangire Polar Bear would make its unwelcome return.

attack you directly with Fangire Alucard and Fangire Sungazer End this duel my monsters!" The two Fangire monsters would bare their fangs as they lunged themselves at Soul Silver.

"I Special Summon Lockout Gardna from my hand when you declare a direct attack!" Before the two monsters could sink their fangs into the blue and red-haired duelist. A red lockout chip would block the two Fangires from attacking its owner before transforming into its gardna form.

Lockout Gardna (Level 4, ATK: 1000, DEF: 1000, EARTH, Cyberse)

"Then I will just attack your Gardna then! Fangire Alucard! Attack with Rite of the Fangires!" The prince would obey its master as it would slash down Lockout Gardna. However, its efforts were in vain as Lockout Gardna would turn back into its chip form, defending itself from the attack.

"Trap card activate! Cyberse Beacon! When I take battle damage, I can add one level four or lower Cyberse monster from my deck." A single card would stick out from Soul Silver's deck; he would retrieve the card before his face turned into a grimace from Alucard's attack. His avatar form was fizzling and glitching as his lifepoints were drained.

Soul Silver's LP: 2300

"It can't be destroyed by battle. So I'm safe from your direct attacks!" Soul Silver would declare as he would endure the hits, his avatar getting shocked with a torrent of static as Fangire Sungazer and Fangire Polar Bear would try to crunch the gardna monster into pieces. Failing to break apart the Cyberse monster but succeeding in dealing damage to the Gardna's master.

Soul Silver's LP: 500

The duelist would let out a pained groan as he dropped to his knees, his d-board dipping down slightly from the sudden drop of its rider.

"Turn. End. Your move Worm." ReaveArk would apathetically say. Only gazing at the Fallen duelist in a look of disgust.

"Get up Soul Silver. We have a duel to win." Earth would bolster his partner as the Ignis came out of the duel disk. The young man would struggle to get up as ReaveArk would attempt to break the duelist down with his venom-tainted words.

"You made this choice! I could've snuffed out another Knight of Hanoi, but you decided to intervene! These are the consequences for your foolish actions!" ReaveArk would state as Soul Silver shadowed his eyes; hands clenching his d-board as the surge of static torment would finally end.

"Once I'm done with you...I'm going to hunt again! And NO ONE Will Stop us from getting one step closer!" ReaveArk declared before letting out a mad bellow of laughter. Long blades of steel would come out of the back of the Metal Duelist as they would dance and twitch; joining the beast in his laughter.

"Even hunt that...Kisumi worm you mused about." Soul Silver's olive green eyes would flash in shock.

"I'll personally hunt her down and send her to a coma to teach you a lesson of interfering with my business. All with a satisfied smile on my face!" A devious bile-ridden snicker leaked out of the Metal Duelist's mouth. Now knowing the person who hides behind the online mask of Soul Silver.

"I WILL WIN THIS DUEL!" Soul Silver shouted back as he would quickly get back on his feet. His emotions were flaring in a wrathful red blaze from the mere thought of Kisumi hunted by this monster.

"I made a promise to myself to protect Kisumi From freaks like you! I Draw!" Soul Silver would swipe off a card from the top of his deck in a passionate swing of his hand.

"And I'm not going to break that promise! I activate the spell card! Cynet Mining! I discard my G Golem Pebble Dog to add Widget Kid from my deck! And since I sent Pebble Dog to my graveyard, I can add another one from my deck!" His G Golem card would dematerialize straight out of Soul Silver's hand as two other cards would replace it.

"Go! I Normal Summon Widget Kid which allows me to Special Summon G Golem Pebble Dog!" A blue headset wearing kid would appear before pressing an application on its smartphone. It would open up a portal to which a G Golem Pebble Dog would run out of it.

G Golem Pebble Dog (Level 2, ATK: 400, DEF: 1000, EARTH, Cyberse.)

Widget Kid (Level 3, ATK: 1500, DEF: 900, EARTH, Cyberse.)

"I call upon again! The Circuit that quakes before the Earth!" A black square with lightless link arrows appeared in the crimson red cyber sky.

"The Summoning Condition is two Earth monsters!" Lockout Gardna and G Golem Pebble Dog would start to spin around; forming three golden brown cyclones that would shoot themselves into three separate Link Markers on the square.

"...I Link Summon! Another Copy of! G Golem Stubborn Menhir!" For the second time; a black monolith would rise from a patch of floating earth. Illuminating itself in a green glow.

G Golem Stubborn Menhir (ATK: 1500, LINK - 2, EARTH, Cyberse)

"And unlike last time! I can activate its effect! I can Special Summon G Golem Pebble Dog from my graveyard!" Stubborn Menhir would blast out a figure of solid light in shape of the G Golem monster before the shimmering lights would shed off, reviving the Pebble Dog.

"I call upon, for the last time! The Circuit that quakes before the Earth!" ReaveArk's metal brow would lift up as another blank Link square appeared mid-air.

"This is going to be good...Show me what you got!" The Metal Duelist beckoned as he rubbed his together. All of Soul Silver's monsters would enter into the link markers of the newly-arrived black square.

"The summoning condition is two or more Earth monsters! I set Stubborn Menhir, G Golem Pebble Dog and Widget Kid in the Link Markers!" A large floating earthy platform would appear on the dueling field.

"I Link Summon G Golem! Dignified Trilithon!" Three stone pillars sprouted out of the floating landmass; shining like glittering diamonds.

G Golem Dignified Trilithon

LINK - 4

EARTH, Cyberse

ATK: 3200

Link Arrows: Top, Left, Bottom, Right

2+ EARTH monsters

Once per turn, when this card declares an attack on an opponent's monster: You can send 1 EARTH monster from your hand to the GY; until the end of this turn, that opponent's monster loses 200 ATK, also its effects are negated. When your opponent activates a card or effect that targets a monster(s) you control (Quick Effect): You can negate that effect, and if you do, destroy that card.

"Finally something worthy of being hunted by my blades! Hahaha!" ReaveArk would say almost joyously. His opponent would growl in irritation from his opponent's surprising response.

"This isn't a game you freak! I activate my trap card! Love Gravity! I can Special Summon back an Earth Link Monster and co-link it to my Dignified Trilithon! So I will summon back to the field! G Golem! Invalid Dolmen!" A heart-shaped boulder would appear before exploding in a cloud of dust, revealing the newly-revived Invalid Dolmen that rested within. The heavy-handed Golem would let out a roar as it gripped its fists together once again. Buffeting out loose pieces of jagged stone.

"Wait...WHAT?!" ReaveArk's sadistic joy would be soon sour into a surprised shock, his only eye twitching like a flickering lamplight as he struggled to belie

"That means...I lose..." The metal duelist realized as he slumped down like a spoiled child as if a mother told him that playtime was over and he had to put his toys away.

"That's right! I attack your Fangire Sungazer with Invalid Dolmen! Gaia Crusher!" Invalid Dolmen would throw a massive punch. Shattering the Fangire monster like a broken window as it made contact with the G Golem's huge mallet-like fists.

ReaveArk's LP: 1000

"Now I will defeat you and save this virtual world by attacking Fangire Polar Bear with Dignified Trilithon! Gaia Break!" Soul Silver gave his final attack orders to the stone platform. The G Golem monster listened to its owner. Charging up a ball of electricity as the three pillars would act as its conduit.

"You're right...Until you realize that I still have plenty of tricks up my sleeve! I banish Fangire Moth from my hand to end the battle phase!" Like a dying light; Dignified Trilithon's attack would flicker and flutter before completely shutting off.

"Damn it...Fine, most of my monsters are strong enough to topple anything on your field, so I'm safe for now." The Metal Duelist began to laugh at Soul Silver's false sense of security.

"You think this hunt is over because of your golem monsters? Think again! Because I will end you! Like the little worm you are! I Draw!" ReaveArk declared before clawing out another card from the top of his deck, the card fleeting with a trail of shadowy smog.

"I have all of my G Golem Monsters on the field! Dignified Trilithon has over 3000 attack points! And It has effect negation! So you can't even use none of your Fangire Boar monster effects!" Soul Silver would coolly point out before he folded his arms. Confident enough to doubt the monster duelist's claims.

"I don't need effects to hunt down a pathetic worm like you! Appear! The circuit that will lead to your demise!" Another black, lightless, link marker square would appear above the two duelists.

"I will summon the ultimate Fangire lord! The summoning conditions are two or more Fangire Monsters! I set Fangire Polar Bear and Fangire Alucard - The Vampire Prince!" Soul Silver's jaw would drop as the two monsters would dissolve into two rippling pools of crimson blood before swirling into the top three Link arrows.

"I Link Summon!" Before ReaveArk could summon his final monster. The two duelist's duel would soon be cut short by a blasting beam of neon green light from an unknown assailant. The two duelist's hoverboards once steady streams of control would be scrambled as the data storms powering them were shattered into unrefined gusts of data from the third-party attack. Ending the duel in a no-result.

"What is the meaning of this interruption!?" ReaveArk shouted wrathfully, utterly fuming from his intervention. The metal duelist glared to the source of the attack after his d-board regained its smooth flight as Soul Silver speechlessly turned the same way. Mouthing a silent word of thanks as he wasn't entirely sure if he could counter whatever monster ReaveArk had in store for him.

There, above the two duelists, deep within the coiling crimson cybersky was a massive black metallic dragon. It's metal riveted wings blazing out hellfires of neon green light as the beast would fly through the sky like a worm through soft soil.

Perched upon the top of the pseudo-dragon's head was a man dressed in a tailing coat of pure white with a pair of soulless yellow eyes akin to that of ReaveArk's.

"Who is that?" Soul Silver whispered as the rider pointed at the two duelists, wordlessly ordering its mount to fly at them in a terrifying charge.