1,980Author's Edit
I'm putting this in after uploading this chapter; for some reason, the arrows I normally use aren't showing up in Doc Manager. So I apologize for the different format I had to use.
Responses to Reviews
Thank you to LoneTaker, pokemonking0924, Ethan Kironus, Iris Luster, TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, kaisershadowhunter, Jason, HunterHQ, TheBlazingButterfly777, Anonymous, Ambiguous, Frost190, Star-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Dante687, donkeyboy100, King of the End, Unnamed, FlameFireZero X, sanedimentio, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 78.
LoneTaker: Dragunity was one of the major inspirations for the Astrogards. Think of them as a mix of Magical Muskets, Dragunity, and Marincess. To be clear though, the Link Monsters are named after weapons from Norse mythology, so we won't be getting Excalibur.
This took a long time to write. And yeah, I'm still dealing with burnout, but real life has also been kicking my ass. I won't make any promises on when Chapter 80 comes out, but I at least hope to get it out before the end of the year.
I hope you enjoy Chapter 79.
Chapter 79: Final Defense
Morningstar's and Playmaker's Duel Disks fall in a black abyss, trailing starlight. They then explode into cards, with Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary and Decode Talker swiping across the screen. It changes to show an open sky and grassy field, where Yusaku, Yasutake, Takeru, Sachi, Aoi, Masako, Ryoken, Kenshin, Kusanagi, Cam, Akira, Go, Takeshi, Katsumi, Emma, and Kenjo stand. In a sweep of grass, it changes to show a stormy sky, under which Playmaker, Cassiel, Soulburner, Blue Maiden, Lilith, Revolver, and Terminus stand. The title "Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories" above them.
Yasutake is walking slowly across a bridge, a morose look on his face. Zahhak's unmasked face appears above him, looking off into the distance. He then turns his head to look down at Yasutake, his expression blank.
Under a black-and-green digital sky, Cypher leans on a balcony, a sad smile on his face as his amber eyes look out behind black-framed glasses. He pushes himself off from the balcony, showing an open door behind him where five shadows stand, one larger than the others and another distinctly feminine.
Yusaku stands at a street corner in the rain, his eyes closed as the rain washes over him. Behind him and facing the other way, the human Ai runs a hand through his hair, a conflicted expression on his face. Sachi sits underneath an umbrella at a café, sipping coffee and reading on her tablet. Around the corner, Goldie watches her sadly before closing her eyes and turning away.
Akira and Aoi walk out of a hospital, while Takeshi and Katsumi walk past them, Takeshi's brother Eiji between them, all three of them laughing. The interior of Café Junpei is then shown, Emily Garcia sitting at a table with Cam, both smiling. At a separate table, Shizuka Midori sips her coffee while a reflection of Sylphid winks in the window.
Masako Himura and Kenshin Hirai stand in front of two graves, their expressions grim. They then switch to Lilith and Terminus, with Astrogard Balmung standing behind Lilith and Subterror Behemoth Fiendess standing behind Terminus. The four then part, revealing Revolver, who raises his hand and unveils Borrelend Dragon, all three heads roaring.
Jormungand stands in the center of the Ark, the reactor behind him. He pushes his glasses up, the lenses showing Jester and Zahhak. It then cuts to Merlin, Techbane, Chimera, and Erebus. Behind them, Witchcracter Golem Aruru, Cyber End Dragon, a violet-skinned humanoid in gray armor, and another humanoid with a dragonhead attached to its chest and left arm, stand. The scene switches to Athena, Parvati, and Sakuya, and behind them stand an armored knight wielding two swords, a red-armored knight wielding a single sword, and a blue armored knight with an elaborate lance propped on his shoulder.
Roboppi speeds by on their D-Board, Appliancers Laundry Dragon and Propelion behind them. Diana and Sylphid follow, VirtuaBeast Cryptograph Chimera and Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana at their sides. Ai and Goldie are then shown, back-to-back, a wild smile on Ai's face and a stoic, determined look in Goldie's eyes. Dark Templar AtIgnister and Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus rise behind them. A blade then parts the screen, showing Ghost Girl and Blood Shepherd with Altergeist Memorygant and Battledrone General. They fly away, showing Go Onizuka, Galahad, and Persephone with Gouki The Powerload Ogre, Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons, and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss at their sides.
The screen cuts to Akira and Blue Maiden side by side, Marincess Great Bubble Reef and Tindangle Acute Cerberus launching attacks and causing an explosion. The smoke fades, revealing Playmaker and Soulburner, Cyberse Clock Dragon and Salamangreat Violet Chimera at their sides. Cassiel then steps forward and holds up a card, with Cyseraph Guardian Michael forming behind her. The three duelists share determined looks, then cut to Yasutake Narahiko looking dejected opposite Cypher, who has a melancholic smile. Cypher turns to the camera and winks, a hand raised in greeting.
Hayami patrolled the hallway, a serious look on her face. "As of now, everything's normal," she said. "I must protect Executive Director Zaizen and his sister!" She stiffened as the plane rumbled and an alarm sounded. "What is that?"
The plane shook violently, knocking the assistant off her feet. "What happened?" she demanded into her earpiece.
"The cargo door was destroyed!" the plane's AI answered. "Initiating emergency repairs!"
Hayami gasped as the door in front of her opened, letting in two people. "You!" she exclaimed, glaring at the one in the front. "You're the one who attacked the Queen!"
"Yes. I'm Ai." The Ignis tapped the woman's forehead, knocking her unconscious. Goldie caught her on the way down.
"They should have chartered a plane from an outside company instead of using one owned by SOL," she said as she set Hayami to the side gently.
"They must have thought we wouldn't find out about this," Ai mused.
"Or perhaps they thought you weren't audacious enough to steal a military plane," Goldie commented, straightening up and giving Ai a flat glare.
"Borrowed," Ai corrected cheekily. "I'm sending it back right now." He had promised after all. In the note he left in the plane's parking spot at the base.
The duo walked past Hayami, only to stop when the next door opened and let two people in.
"We've been waiting for you, Ai and Goldie," Pandor said politely.
"Revolver sent us with Zaizen and Blue Maiden as insurance," Kenshin Hirai said.
"Terminus," Goldie recalled. "I had wondered where you were." She raised an eyebrow at the obvious nonhuman. "And you are…?"
"The AI that was in Go Onizuka's Duel Disk," Ai remembered.
"I am Pandor, an AI created by Master Revolver. A pleasure to meet you, Goldie."
"Revolver created an AI?" Ai smirked. "So we're not the only ones who changed."
"You were in Go Onizuka's Duel Disk?" Goldie asked. "But you would have been erased when he lost. How…" She tilted her head and frowned. "I see. Multiple versions of the same AI. Interesting."
"And a rare opportunity," Ai said. "Seeing as the three of us are AI, we could discuss this peacefully if you want." He held out his hand, only to flinch and pull back as a shield formed around Pandor.
"That won't work, Ai," Pandor said. "Ignis programs don't work on me. Or on Terminus."
"An Anti-Ignis AI," Goldie realized. "Of course that's the kind of AI Revolver would make."
"I can feel strong hostility from the two of you," said AI noted.
"Reading others' souls is in bad taste," Ai chided.
"That is my job. As is this." Pandor held up a green orb. Ai and Goldie blinked at it.
"Our duel data," the Gold Ignis recognized. "Your other selves could share information between themselves."
"It wasn't just Pandor sharing information," Kenshin said. "The Zaizens and I watched all of your duels, so we know what you're capable of."
"Well, isn't that annoying," Ai pouted.
"The doors behind us have had their locks tied to our Duel Disks," The Hanoi lieutenant continued. "They will only open when both of us have lost in a duel."
"In that case, how do you want to do this?" Ai asked. "There are four of us, so we could do a Tag-Team Duel."
"No," Goldie decided. "We should make this fair for all of us." Ai shrugged, not minding in the least.
"In that case, I will take you on, Gold Ignis," Kenshin said.
"I accept."
"Then I get Professor Revolver's pet AI," Ai said. "We could fight inside the network, but since we're here… Let's take this outside, punk!"
Goldie opened her eyes to a blank blue-and-white arena, facing off against Terminus.
"Since the Dark Ignis and Pandor took the plane's roof, we'll duel in the network," the Knight of Hanoi said. "But since we're still on the plane, no one can observe us."
Almost no one, Goldie thought. She sensed a particular program in the air, one belonging to the Third Anguis. Jormungand is watching us. Just as he is watching the plane. But that wouldn't last.
"I am short on time, so let's get this started," the Gold Ignis said.
"Duel!"
Goldie: 4000 LP
Terminus: 4000 LP
"My turn!" Goldie declared. "I summon Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus!" An orange bipedal dinosaur with a thin head appeared.
Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus ATK 800 DEF 900 LVL: 3
"Abstract Allosaurus's monster effect! I discard Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon to add Holozoic World from my Deck to my hand. And when Datalink Dimorphodon is sent from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!" A baby green avian dinosaur appeared in Attack Position.
Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon ATK 900 DEF 700 LVL: 4
"I activate the Field Spell Card: Holozoic World! My 'Holozoic' monsters cannot be banished or destroyed by your card effects. Appear, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Abstract Allosaurus in the Link Marker!" The baby dinosaur entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops!" A baby triceratops emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.
Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops ATK 500 LINK-1 B
"When Abstract Allosaurus is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I add a 'Holozoic' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand, and when Terabyte Triceratops is Link Summoned, I add a 'Holozoic' card from my Deck to my hand." Goldie took two cards from her Deck, then revealed one. "I can Special Summon Holozoic Beast – Algorithmic Apatosaurus when there is a card in the Field Zone!" A long-necked baby quadrupedal dinosaur appeared in Attack Position.
Holozoic Beast – Algorithmic Apatosaurus ATK 1200 DEF 1300 LVL: 4
"Appear again, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set Algorithmic Apatosaurus, Datalink Dimorphodon, and Terabyte Triceratops in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Ancient life! Be reborn through the network and evolve to save the world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus!" An armored gold dinosaur with a clubbed tail emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus ATK 2500 LINK-3 BL, B, BR
"Low Level monsters into a Link-1, and then into a Link-3," Terminus noted. "Your strategy has remained consistent between duels."
"It is efficient. But I am far from done. When Algorithmic Apatosaurus is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I add a 'Holozoic' monster from my Deck to my hand, and when Terabyte Triceratops is used to Link Summon, I Special Summon a 'Holozoic Beast' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Datalink Dimorphodon!" The avian dinosaur reappeared in Attack Position.
Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon ATK 900 DEF 700 LVL: 4
"I activate the Spell Card: Holozoic Nest! I Special Summon two Holozoic Tokens!" Two cracked brown eggs appeared in Defense Position.
Holozoic Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1 x 2
"I can only Special Summon from the Extra Deck once after Holozoic Nest is used. Appear, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning conditions are three monsters, including a 'Holozoic' monster. I set Datalink Dimorphodon and two Holozoic Tokens in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, top, and right arrows. "Power of darkness! Evolve through the network and bring salvation! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Holozoic Apex Beast – Shadow Stegosaurus!" A violet quadrupedal dinosaur emerged from the portal at Ancient Ankylosaurus' bottom Link Marker, pink pentagonal plates on its spine and four spikes at the end of its tail.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Shadow Stegosaurus ATK 2500 LINK-3 L, T, R
"I Set two cards. I end my turn."
"This setup is almost identical to what your copies used against Cassiel and Revolver," Terminus said. He glanced at the cards' information. "Ancient Ankylosaurus keeps me from targeting your other monsters for attacks or with effects and can prevent its own destruction once per turn. Shadow Stegosaurus keeps me from targeting your monsters with effects and can negate a Link Monster's effect when it is co-linked. And Holozoic World prevents your cards from being banished or destroyed by card effects. A rock-solid defense."
"I like being as thorough as possible," Goldie said.
"As an AI, linear thinking like that is second nature to you." Terminus smirked. "But as a human, lateral thinking is just as important."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see. My turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: The Hidden City! When this card is activated, I add a 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to my hand."
Terminus took the card from his Deck, then played a different one. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: The Monarchs Stormforth! If I would Tribute a monster for a Tribute Summon, I can use a monster you control instead!"
Goldie's eyes widened. "What!?"
"I Tribute Ancient Ankylosaurus to Tribute Summon Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken!" The Link Monster vanished as a massive blue-and-white fish with an armored mask appeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken ATK 1400 DEF 2600 LVL: 5
"The turn The Monarchs Stormforth is activated, I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck."
Goldie stared at the monster. That… she hadn't anticipated a move like that. She grit her teeth. She had to regain ground. "Continuous Trap activate! Holozoic Excavation!" The card showed the skeleton of Ancient Ankylosaurus trapped in rock, with veins of gold also coursing through the rock. "I target and Special Summon a 'Holozoic' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Ancient Ankylosaurus!" The Link Monster reappeared at Shadow Stegosaurus' left Link Marker.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus ATK 2500 LINK-3 BL, B, BR
"Trap activate! Holozoic Crest! I target Ancient Ankylosaurus, and for the rest of this turn, I take no damage from battles involving it." Two gold stars appeared in front of the Link Monster's face.
Terminus lightly smirked. She's flustered, he noted. It seems our estimates of her character were right; powerful as she is, she stumbles with the unexpected.
That said, her move wasn't bad; Stygokraken could target and destroy Set cards equal to the number of "Subterror Behemoth" monsters Terminus controlled, and now her Trap Cards weren't Set. And with Ancient Ankylosaurus being able to control attack targeting and prevent its destruction once per turn, using Holozoic Crest on it was logical. But it wouldn't stop Terminus.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Terrors in the Hidden City! You cannot target my face-down Defense Position monsters with card effects, and my monsters that are flipped face-up gain 1500 attack and defense points. Stygokraken's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position." The fish vanished while a card appeared. "As my monster was flipped face-down and I control no face-up monsters, I can Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide from my hand!" A dark blue dragon covered in brown rocks appeared in Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900 DEF 2700 LVL: 10
"Stalaktide's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position. And once per turn, The Hidden City can change a face-down 'Subterror' monster face-up. I change Stalaktide to face-up Attack Position!"
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900 DEF 2700 LVL: 10
"As Stalaktide was flipped face-up while it is on the field, Terrors of the Hidden City increases Stalaktide's attack and defense points."
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900-3400 DEF 2700-4200
"Stalaktide's Flip effect! I target and destroy my opponent's Spell or Trap Card. I destroy Holozoic Excavation!" The dragon fired a stream of water, destroying the Continuous Trap Card.
Goldie grit her teeth again. "When Holozoic Excavation leaves the field, the monster Special Summoned by its effect is destroyed as well. But the first time each turn Ancient Ankylosaurus would be destroyed, it is not destroyed. And when Holozoic Excavation leaves the field because of my opponent's card effect, I draw a card."
"Battle!" Terminus declared. "Stalaktide attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus!" The monster fired another stream of water, this time at Goldie's monster.
"Holozoic Crest's effect keeps me from taking battle damage," Goldie reminded him. "And if my 'Holozoic' monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish Holozoic Nest from my Graveyard instead!" The attack hit the dual-star barrier and then dissipated.
The Hanoi lieutenant was undeterred. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Subterror Shell Game!" The card showed Subterror Guru sitting with three cups in front of him, with statues of Subterror Behemoths Dragossuary, Stalagmo, and Ultramafus in front of the cups. "I target and change a face-up 'Subterror' monster to face-down Defense Position, then change another face-down 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position." I target Stalaktide and change Stygokraken to face-up Attack Position!" The dragon disappeared while the aquatic behemoth reappeared.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken ATK 1400-2900 DEF 2600-4100 LVL: 5
"Stygokraken attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus!" The fish roared, sending a sonar wave at Goldie's dinosaur. The Link Monster shattered, but Goldie was unhurt. "If you think you'll be able to use Shadow Stegosaurus to stage a counterattack, you are mistaken. I activate the effect of Subterror Shell Game in the Graveyard! By banishing it and sending the top three cards of my Deck to the Graveyard, I can activate its effect again!"
Goldie's eyes widened. "What?"
Terminus sent his cards to the Graveyard and gestured to his field. "I change Stygokraken to face-down Defense Position and change Stalaktide to Attack Position!" This time, the aquatic monster vanished, and the terrestrial dragon reappeared with a roar.
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900-3400 DEF 2700-4200 LVL: 10
The Gold Ignis grit her teeth. A monster that was Flip Summoned was treated as a new monster, so it could attack again.
"Stalaktide attacks Shadow Stegosaurus!" The dragon fired a stream of water, tearing through the violet dinosaur and striking Goldie, making her grunt as she was pushed back.
Goldie: 4000-3100 LP
"I Set one card. I end my turn."
Goldie frowned. She knew that Terminus was the strongest Knight of Hanoi after Revolver, but she hadn't expected him to get around her defenses the way he had. Galahad did before, but he brute-forced it.
A lesson in humility, I suppose, she thought. I need to be prepared for the unexpected. Of course, putting that into practice would be the real challenge. "My turn! Draw! I summon Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus!" A baby avian dinosaur with forest green and neon green patches appeared. This one had wings for arms and tiny feet, no tail, and a single double-pronged crest jutting out of the back of its head. The Holozoic symbol was on its stomach.
Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus ATK 600 DEF 100 LVL: 2
"NLP Nyctosaurus's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I Special Summon a 'Holozoic Beast' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Terabyte Triceratops!" The baby gold triceratops reappeared.
Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops ATK 500 LINK-1 B
She brings back the Link Monster? Terminus narrowed his eye. He had a suspicion he knew where this was going.
"I activate Holozoic World's effect! During the Main Phase, I can Fusion Summon a 'Holozoic' monster using monsters from my hand or field. I fuse NLP Nyctosaurus and Terabyte Triceratops! King of the world! Obtain the earth's destructive power and shake civilization to its foundation! Fusion Summon! Arise, Level 8! Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno!" An orange-brown tyrannosaurus rex emerged from the violet tornado, spikes and feathers adorning its back and tail. The dinosaur roared from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8
"Fusion Summoning," Terminus muttered. "After using Ritual and Synchro against Galahad."
"When NLP Nyctosaurus is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I shuffle a 'Holozoic Beast' monster from my Graveyard into my Deck, then add a different 'Holozoic Beast' monster with an equal or lower Level from my Deck to my hand. I shuffle the Level 3 Abstract Allosaurus into my Deck to add the Level 3 Parallel Plesiosaur to my hand."
Goldie gestured to her field. "Tectonic Tyranno's monster effect! I target a Level 4 or lower 'Holozoic' monster in my Graveyard, then shuffle it into my Deck and destroy Spell and Trap Cards you control up to that monster's Level. I target the Level 4 Datalink Dimorphodon!"
Terminus frowned. "I see. You intend to destroy my Field Spell, Continuous Spell, and Set card."
"Of course; clearing the field before initiating battle is an obvious tactic."
"You are correct. But a little too obvious this time." Terminus gestured to his field. "Continuous Trap activate! Fiendish Chain!" Goldie gasped as dark green chains ensnared her dinosaur. "I target Tectonic Tyranno, and so long as Fiendish Chain is on the field, your monster's effects are negated and it cannot attack."
Goldie stared before she gritted her teeth. "You anticipated that?"
"Not Fusion Summoning specifically, but a powerful Effect Monster? Yes. As I said, linear thinking is natural for an AI like you, so this was expected." His visible eye narrowed. "The same can not be said for your attack on SOL."
The Gold Ignis narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"You gave Morningstar a Link Spell Card and told him about Ouroboros, and then Diana used your program to protect Zaizen and Ghost Girl from Bohman. That you even partnered with a human in the first place tells me that you aren't against coexistence; the only people you really consider your enemy are Ouroboros, and considering what happened to Morningstar, his allies would be more than willing to work with you to fight them. And yet, you attack SOL and target Zaizen specifically. As someone who helped create you, I can't help but wonder… why?"
"…" Goldie frowned. "Can the same not be said of you?" she asked. "Even if SOL wasn't behind Dr. Kogami's coma, they are no allies of yours. And considering what Jester did to your brother and what Zahhak told you about Dr. Weissmann… why are you here instead of hunting Ouroboros down?"
"…"
It was a good question. Indeed, after Revolver's and Playmaker's duel with Zahhak, the Knights of Hanoi had scoured the network for anything they could find on Ouroboros. They had their ins: Dr. Georg Weissmann, Dr. Hitomu Hirai; Yukaro Saiba and Kaizo Takakura, the real names of Techbane and Thaumiel, respectively. They had found out Thaumiel's birth name after all, and Hitomu was Terminus's brother, so they felt they had good leads.
Only for those leads to dry up fast. The orphanage Thaumiel had grown up in had been sold years ago, and its records lost. Any evidence of Techbane's current location or employment after leaving SOL couldn't be found. Most of Hitomu's career they knew, and the only things they could find of Weissmann were some universities and companies in Germany he had worked for before, all of which had closed systems, meaning the Knights of Hanoi couldn't hack into them without physically visiting them.
In the end, they had only found one usable lead, one connection between Hitomu and Dr. Weissmann: Alba Research, a company founded by Weissmann that contracted with corporations and governments around the world to do independent research into a multitude of topics. Revolver was almost certain that Alba Research was a front for Ouroboros, but he couldn't find proof. Almost every network of theirs he could find was a closed system, and the few that weren't had top-notch cybersecurity. That level of security alone had Revolver convinced something was wrong with the company, but it was too tough for the Hanoi to break. They couldn't even follow up on the publicly available names and photographs of employees because the company only named the regional leaders of its offices in the interest of personal privacy, and the one at the Japanese offices was clean.
That was when Revolver had hit upon creating a new scan program, one designed to find Ouroboros. But with the Tower of Hanoi scrapped like they had promised Playmaker and his allies, they needed another powerful source to run it. Hence the temporary partnership with Akira Zaizen.
"…We all do what we must to achieve our goals," Terminus finally said. "If the option before us has the best chance of reaching our objective, then we must take it."
"…" Goldie softly smiled. "On that, I firmly agree. Which is why I cannot afford to lose this duel. As I control a 'Holozoic' monster, I can Special Summon Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur!" A baby dark blue aquatic dinosaur with a long neck appeared in Attack Position and cooed.
Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur ATK 1000 DEF 700 LVL: 3
Attacking while he has The Hidden City is pointless, Goldie thought. He can change his Set monster face-up to negate an attack. And Terrors in the Hidden City strengthens his monsters while also preventing me from targeting his Set monsters.
The Gold Ignis revealed a card in her hand. "If I would use a Cyberse monster to Link Summon a 'Holozoic' monster, I can use Holozoic Beast – Boolean Brachiosaurus in my hand as material! Appear, the circuit that evolves reality! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set Parallel Plesiosaur, Tectonic Tyranno, and Boolean Brachiosaurus in the Link Markers!" A quadrupedal baby dinosaur appeared. It had yellow skin with orange splotches on its side, a long neck and tail, ridges over its eyes, and the Holozoic crest on its forehead. The baby dinosaur and Goldie's other two monsters turned into energy and spiraled into the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Flames of the earth! Evolve through the virtual world and erupt! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Holozoic Apex Beast – Geothermal Giganotosaurus!"
A massive bipedal dinosaur with short arms, powerful legs, and a long tail emerged from the Link portal. Its skin was crimson red, with black armor on its legs, sides, and tail, and lines of magma running across its body. Crimson spines traveled down its back to the end of its tail, and its large mouth opened to reveal giant sharp teeth. The Holozoic symbol was on its forehead, and its golden eyes gleamed as it roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Geothermal Giganotosaurus ATK 2500 LINK-3 L, B, R
"A new Link Monster," Terminus muttered with a narrowed eye. And Fire Attribute. And now that I think about it, her other Apex Beasts had different Attributes as well. Is this her way of remembering her fallen kin?
"When Parallel Plesiosaur is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I target and destroy a card in your Spell & Trap Zone, and when Boolean Brachiosaurus is sent from my hand to the Graveyard, I send a Level 4 or lower 'Holozoic Beast' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I'll target and destroy Terrors in the Hidden City and send Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus from my Deck to the Graveyard."
Terminus's Continuous Spell shattered, prompting Terminus to gesture to his field. "With Terrors in the Hidden City destroyed, my monsters' attack and defense points return to normal. But if Terrors in the Hidden City is destroyed by my opponent's card effect while it is in the Spell & Trap Zone, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in face-down Defense Position. I Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" A Set monster appeared on his field even as Stalaktide's stats returned to normal.
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 3400-1900 DEF 4200-2700
She could have destroyed my Field Spell, but instead went after my Continuous Spell, Terminus thought. She wanted to prioritize weakening my monsters over removing my ability to negate attacks. Which could mean…
"Geothermal Giganotosaurus's monster effect!" Goldie declared. "Once per turn, I target and destroy one of your face-up monsters! I destroy Stalaktide!" The dinosaur roared as fire shot out of the spines on its back. The flames struck the behemoth, destroying it. "I then gain Life Points equal to Stalaktide's original attack points, and you take damage equal to that same amount!" Terminus shielded his face as the flames struck him too.
Goldie: 3100-5000 LP
Terminus: 4000-2100 LP
"Geothermal Giganotosaurus cannot attack the turn its effect is activated," Goldie continued. "I Set one card. I end my turn."
Terminus smirked. "Even when I chained your Fusion Monster, you rebounded easily. You are tenacious, I'll grant you. But… it looks like our time is up."
Goldie raised an eyebrow as a screen appeared. It showed the front of the plane as it descended, heading for a runway.
"The plane is landing," she realized. "So you and Pandor only dueled us to stall us?"
"It was the primary purpose; Revolver wanted us here to protect Zaizen, and that's what we'll do."
"Very clever of him… if it had worked."
Terminus blinked at her words and then gasped as the screen showed the plane ascending, away from the airport.
"What?" he said. "What did you do?"
"Nothing. This is Ai's work." It was Goldie's turn to smirk. "I may be in the network, but Ai is dueling Pandor in the real world. He analyzed the plane's algorithm and took control of it."
It won't take him long to purge Jormungand's programs, she thought. Once the Divine Ignis is blind, we can initiate the real plan.
The Knight of Hanoi grit his teeth. "Do not get too cocky, Ignis; you may have control of this plane, but the door to the Zaizens is tied to mine and Pandor's Duel Disks; it will only open if we both lose."
"Then let us finish this, preferably before the plane runs out of fuel."
"My turn! Draw!" Terminus gestured to his field. "I Flip Summon Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken!" The giant aquatic monster reappeared.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken ATK 1400 DEF 2600 LVL: 5
"Stygokraken's Flip Effect! I target Set cards, equal to the number of 'Subterror Behemoth' monsters I control and destroy them. I target your Set card!" The monster fired a stream of water at Goldie's field, but the Ignis's smirk was unabated.
"Trap activate! Holozoic Lure!" The card showed a big-eyed Algorithmic Apatosaurus hanging from a rope attached to a tree, screaming its lungs out. "I target a 'Holozoic' Link Monster, move it to my unoccupied Main Monster Zone, and then Set a Trap Card directly from my Deck. I target Geothermal Giganotosaurus!" The Link Monster moved to her center main Monster Zone, and then a Set card appeared behind it.
Terminus scowled as the water missed. "The targeted card left the field, so Stygokraken's effect resolves without a target." His scowl deepened at an alert in the corner of his eye.
Goldie noticed it, or perhaps she noticed her own alert from her partner. "Ai has defeated Pandor," she said. "He's on his way down."
"Even with Pandor gone, I must lose for the door to open," Terminus reminded her. "The Dark Ignis won't get through while I am here."
"Then let us continue the duel. When I Set a card with Holozoic Lure, it can be activated this turn." Goldie gestured to her field. "And since Geothermal Giganotosaurus points towards a Spell & Trap Zone, I can activate a Link Trap Card!"
Terminus blinked. "Link Trap?!"
"Appear, the three arrows that herald salvation! Link Trap activate! Redemption Arrows!" The card that appeared at Geothermal Giganotosaurus's bottom Link Marker had the same design as Judgment Arrows and Salvation Arrows, but with a silver-and-black background, and golden arrows overlaying the center.
Redemption Arrows TL, T, TR
"A… Link Trap Card?" Terminus breathed. None of the Knights of Hanoi had conceived of such a card existing.
"Redemption Arrows is the sign of my growth," Goldie said. "While it is on the field, Cyberse monsters that it points to cannot be targeted or removed from the field by your card effects. In addition, their effects cannot be negated. But if Redemption Arrows leaves the field, any monsters it pointed to have their effects negated."
Affects Cyberse monsters instead of Link Monsters, Terminus thought, comparing it to Diana's Link Spell Card. Protects against targeting, banishing, effect destruction, and even cards that would send it to the Graveyard. And on top of that, it stops me from negating monster effects.
A truly versatile card… and one he had walked into triggering. My other Set monster is Speleogeist, he thought. It targets a monster and changes its attack points to 0. Had I Flip Summoned Speleogeist before Stygokraken, I could have reduced Geothermal Giganotosaurus's attack points to 0 before she activated Redemption Arrows.
And yet it had been the logical choice to Flip Summon Stygokraken first. Stygokraken's Flip Effect targeted and destroyed Set cards on the field equal to the number of "Subterror Behemoth" monsters Terminus controlled; not "up to", "equal to". Had he flipped Speleogeist first, and then flipped Stygokraken, Terminus wouldn't have been able to activate its effect, as Goldie only had one Set card and he had none.
I made the move that would make the most of my monsters' effects, and the Gold Ignis counted on me doing so, he thought. He reluctantly smirked. I chided her for thinking linearly, and yet I did the same thing, to her anticipation. Well played.
But Link Trap Card or no, Terminus still had a chance to win this duel. "I Flip Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" A massive fiend covered in blue-and-beige armor appeared and roared.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
"I won't activate Speleogeist's Flip Effect. But as a 'Subterror Behemoth' monster was flipped face-up, I can Special Summon Subterror Nemesis Warrior from my Graveyard!" A red-haired man wielding a giant sword appeared in Attack Position.
Subterror Nemesis Warrior ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4
"Nemesis Warrior's monster effect! I send a 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, and then Tribute Nemesis Warrior and at least one other monster whose total Levels equal or exceed the sent monster's Level, then Special Summon that monster in face-up or face-down Defense Position. I send the Level 8 Subterror Behemoth Phospheroglacier to the Graveyard, and Tribute the Level 4 Nemesis Warrior and Level 5 Stygokraken." The two monsters vanished and were replaced by a Set card. "I activate The Hidden City's effect to change Phospheroglacier to face-up Attack Position!" A blue behemoth with a green jewel in its chest appeared and roared.
Subterror Behemoth Phospheroglacier ATK 2600 DEF 2500 LVL: 8
"Phospheroglacer's Flip Effect! I send a card from my Deck to the Graveyard." Terminus took the card, then it shattered. "Battle! Speleogeist attacks Geothermal Giganotosaurus!" The behemoth breathed dark blue flames at the Link Monster.
"While Geothermal Giganotosaurus is co-linked, it cannot be destroyed by battle," Goldie said. The flames washed over the dinosaur, and while it was unaffected, some of the flames hit the Ignis, making her wince.
Goldie: 5000-4500 LP
"Phospheroglacier attacks Geothermal Giganotosaurus!" The monster fired bolts of green energy that struck the Link Monster. It didn't flinch, but Goldie did.
Goldie: 4500-4400 LP
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Glory of the Hidden City!" The card showed the city from The Hidden City, with cracks in the ground around it. The buildings and the cracks glowed with golden light. "I Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from my Graveyard in face-up Defense Position. Resurrect, Stygokraken!" The aquatic behemoth reappeared and roared.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken ATK 1400 DEF 2600 LVL: 5
"Glory of the Hidden City then has Link Summon a 'Subterror' monster using monsters I control!" Goldie's eyes widened. A Link Summon during the Battle Phase? "Appear, our future circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more Earth monsters. I set Phospheroglacier, Speleogeist, and Stygokraken in the Link Markers!" The three behemoths entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Subterror Behemoth Stygokamui!"
The monster that emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone was a gigantic blue octopus with black suckers on its tentacles. The tentacles and its head were armored with dark gray plates, and around its red eyes was a blue-and-silver mask with glowing red horns, with holes on either side of the mask. The monster roared, making Goldie wince.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokamui ATK 1400 LINK-3 L, B, R
This monster wasn't in our information on Terminus's Deck, Goldie thought with a frown.
"Stygokamui's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned using Stygokraken, I can target cards you control, up to the number of monsters used for its Link Summon. Those cards have their effects negated for the rest of the turn, and since I used three monsters as Link Material, I can destroy them!"
Goldie grit her teeth. "While Geothermal Giganotosaurus is linked to Redemption Arrows, it cannot be targeted by your card effects!"
"But Redemption Arrows itself and Holozoic World can be!" The octopus shot black ink out of the holes on its head, aiming for the two cards.
"If my Spell and Trap Cards would be destroyed by your card effects, I can banish Holozoic Lure from my Graveyard instead!" The ink struck the two cards, turning them gray, but they stayed on the field.
"They may remain, but their effects are negated for the rest of this turn. Which means that I can target Geothermal Giganotosaurus with my card effects again."
Terminus gestured to his field. "Stygokamui's additional effect! During my Main or Battle Phase, I can target a card on my field and a monster on yours. I send my card to the Graveyard, and my until my next Standby Phase, your monster's effects are negated, and Stygokamui gains attack points equal to its original attack points! I send Fiendish Chain to the Graveyard and target Geothermal Giganotosaurus!" The Link Monster sprayed ink again, this time catching Goldie's Link Monster in the eyes and making it roar in pain.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokamui ATK 1400-3900
"That is not the only move I have. Since Stygokamui was Link Summoned using Glory of the Hidden City, it can make two attacks during each Battle Phase this turn." Goldie's eyes widened. With its effects negated, Geothermal Giganotosaurus couldn't prevent its destruction, so the damage from that battle and then a direct attack-.
"Stygokamui attacks Geothermal Giganotosaurus!" The octopus's tentacles extended and wrapped around the other Link Monster's legs, tail, and snout, crushing it.
"I activate the effect of Exabyte Elasmosaurus in my Graveyard!" Goldie declared, showing the card she had sent to the Graveyard via Boolean Brachiosaurus's effect. "When my 'Holozoic' monster battles your monster, I banish Exabyte Elasmosaurus to take no damage!" A barrier appeared around her, protecting her from the explosion of Geothermal Giganotosaurus's destruction.
"Tch. Stygokamui attacks you directly!" This time, the octopus lashed out with its tentacles, sending blades of blue light at the Gold Ignis. She screamed as she was pushed back, and when the light faded, she fell to a knee.
Goldie: 4400-500 LP
"I end my turn. During the End Phase, Stygokamui's effect ends, and your cards' effects are no longer negated." Goldie's Field Spell and Link Trap regained their coloring at his words.
Goldie gasped for breath before checking her Duel Disk. She frowned. The card he sent to the Graveyard with Phospheroglacier's effect was Subterror Revolution, she thought. If he banishes it, one "Subterror" monster becomes unaffected by my card effects, and he takes no battle damage from battles involving Set monsters.
How troublesome; Stygokamui had 3900 attack points until Terminus's next Standby Phase, and if she tried removing it with a card effect, Subterror Revolution would protect it. That left battling, and with the card in her hand…
Goldie pushed herself to her feet. "You are just as powerful as Ai told me, Terminus," she said. "You are the first person since Lightning to reduce me to below 1000 Life Points. But…" Her eyes narrowed. "I have come too far to give up now. Me and Ai will achieve our goal! My turn! Draw!"
She looked at her card and smirked. Just what she needed. "When I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Holozoic Beast – Interface Ichthyosaur!" A dark blue baby fish, with a light blue belly, appeared in Attack Position. It had four flippers at its sides, a dorsal fin, and a long beak for a mouth.
Holozoic Beast – Interface Ichthyosaur ATK 1600 DEF 500 LVL: 4
"I activate the Spell Card: Holozoic Revitalize!" The card showed two screens; the left screen showed an allosaurus skeleton, and the right showed a 3D outline of Abstract Allosaurus, with its feet filled out. "By targeting Interface Ichthyosaur, I Special Summon a 'Holozoic' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated, so long as its Level is less than or equal to Interface Ichthyosaur's. Resurrect, Datalink Dimorphodon!" The baby avian dinosaur reappeared in Attack Position and cawed.
Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon ATK 900 DEF 700 LVL: 4
Prevailing Pteranodon would be able to return Stygokamui to Terminus's Extra Deck… if not for Subterror Revolution. Which means I need an alternate plan. Goldie raised both hands. "I use Level 4 Datalink Dimorphodon and Interface Ichthyosaur to build the Overlay Network!" A bolt of gold lightning changed the world around them and created the Xyz cross. Her baby dinosaurs turned into particles and entered the cross, which fired beams and created an exploding galaxy. "Light of a distant time, refract and spread, and awaken in the opened world! Xyz Summon! Come, Rank 4! Holozoic Apex Beast – Spectral Spinosaurus!"
A new giant bipedal dinosaur with strong legs and tiny arms emerged from the galaxy. This one had dark gold skin on its back and light gold on its belly, with yellow lines running over its body and converging on a massive frill on its back, the Holozoic symbol on each side. The claws on its feet and hands were black, and it had an elongated jaw with sharp white teeth. Its red eyes gleamed, as did the Holozoic symbol on its forehead, as it roared from Redemption Arrows' top Link Marker in Attack Position, two orange lights circling behind it.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Spectral Spinosaurus ATK 2500 DEF 2000 RNK: 4 OU: 2
"Xyz Summoning," Terminus muttered. That accounted for all the summoning methods. And this one was Light Attribute. Even after everything it did, she honors the Light Ignis?
"Spectral Spinosaurus's monster effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can target your face-up monster and attach it to Spectral Spinosaurus as an Overlay Unit!"
Terminus's eye widened. "What!?" The dinosaur roared and bit down on an orange light.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Spectral Spinosaurus OU: 2-1
The Xyz Monster's spinal frill lit up with rainbow light that reached for Terminus's Link Monster.
"I activate the effect of Subterror Revolution in my Graveyard! I banish it, and for the rest of the turn, Stygokamui is unaffected by your card effects!" The light faded, leaving the octopus on Terminus's field.
The Knight of Hanoi glared suspiciously at Goldie. "You are too thorough to not have known what was in my Graveyard," he said. "What was the purpose of activating that effect if you knew it wouldn't work?"
"Didn't it?" Goldie asked with a smirk. "I may not have been able to attach Stygokamui to Spectral Spinosaurus as an Overlay Unit, but whenever I detach a 'Holozoic' monster from Spectral Spinosaurus, it is treated as having been sent from the field to the Graveyard." Terminus's eye widened again. "When Interface Ichthyosaur is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I target my monster and your monster, and then my monster gains attack points equal to your monster's current attack points until the end of the turn. I target Spectral Spinosaurus and Stygokamui!" The Xyz Monster roared as it glowed.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Spectral Spinosaurus ATK 2500-6400
"Battle! Spectral Spinosaurus attacks Stygokamui!" The dinosaur roared again as its frill lit up, then fired multicolored beams of light. The beams hit Terminus's Link Monster, making it roar before it exploded. Terminus shouted as he was knocked off his feet and landed on his back.
Terminus: 2100-0 LP
Terminus grit his teeth. "I'm sorry, Revolver. I failed."
"You did not." He looked up as Goldie knelt next to him, her voice a whisper.
She didn't feel Jormungand's programs anymore; Ai had finally purged them.
"If everything goes as planned, then you won't be gone for long," she whispered. "And when you're back, I hope you understand why we took the path we did." Terminus blinked at her words, but didn't have time to respond before he vanished.
Goldie logged out and opened her SOLtiS's eyes, just in time to see Ai setting Kenshin's unconscious body to the side.
"That took you awhile," he said cheerily.
"He was as strong as you said he would be," she replied. "And Pandor?"
"Gone." He sighed. "Such a pity. If only she would have played Topologina Nabee."
"Topologina Nabee?"
"A card that would have won her the duel… if it exists." Ai stood up and looked forward. "The door's unlocked, and I have control of the plane. Double-check for me?"
Goldie's eyes glowed as she looked through the plane's network. She nodded. "There's no trace of Jormungand's programs; he can't see us."
"I also scanned the hull for any electronics in case he planted a tracer," Ai said. "Nothing to speak of."
"Then it's time we land this." Goldie opened the communication line built into her SOLtiS. "Diana?"
"Roboppi and I are here, and we see you. The landing's going to be a bit bumpy though."
"Ai can work it," Goldie responded. "And Sylphid?"
"Going as planned."
"Then it's almost time for us to face the music." Ai chuckled bleakly. "Do you think getting on our knees and begging for forgiveness will help?"
"From Revolver? …Not likely."
Jormungand frowned as the feeds to the plane were cut. Ai purged my programs, he thought. Was that on purpose, or a consequence of taking control of it? The former, most likely. And speaking of the plane…
The Divine Ignis turned to another screen. He had hacked into multiple radar towers to track the plane's flight path, and now they weren't picking up anything. But before he lost the plane's signal, he had detected it moving in a different direction from its takeoff point.
Where are they taking it? he wondered. Are they going to keep it in the air until they have the code key? Or are they landing it somewhere else? Jormungand's eyes narrowed before looking at another screen, one that showed Akira Zaizen and Blue Maiden in a hidden space.
He opened a comm line to the rest of the Ark. "Ai and Goldie have control of SOL's plane and have taken it off the grid," he said. "Be ready to move out at my command."
Goldie vs. Terminus
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Goldie
Goldie Normal Summons Holozoic Beast – Abstract Allosaurus (800/900/3). When Abstract Allosaurus is Normal Summoned, Goldie discards Holozoic Beast – Datalink Dimorphodon to add Holozoic World from her Deck to her hand. As Datalink Dimorphodon was sent from the hand to the GY, it is Special Summoned (900/700/4) in Attack Position. Goldie activates the Field Spell Card Holozoic World. "Holozoic" monsters Goldie controls cannot be banished or destroyed by Terminus's card effects. Goldie uses Abstract Allosaurus to Link Summon Holozoic Beast – Terabyte Triceratops (500/1/B) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Abstract Allosaurus was sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand, and as Terabyte Triceratops was Link Summoned, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Holozoic Nest and Holozoic Beast – Algorithmic Apatosaurus from her Deck to her hand. As there is a card in the Field Zone, Goldie Special Summons Algorithmic Apatosaurus (1200/1300/4) in Attack Position. Goldie uses Algorithmic Apatosaurus, Datalink Dimorphodon, and Terabyte Triceratops to Link Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Ancient Ankylosaurus (2500/3/BL,B,BR) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Algorithmic Apatosaurus was sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can add 1 "Holozoic" monster from her Deck to her hand, and as Terabyte Triceratops was used as Link Material, Goldie can Special Summon 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster from her GY. She adds Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus to her hand and Special Summons Datalink Dimorphodon (900/700/4) in Attack Position. As she controls a "Holozoic" Link Monster, Goldie activates the Spell Card Holozoic Nest, Special Summoning 2 Holozoic Tokens (0/0/1 each) in Defense Position, but she can only Special Summon from the Extra Deck once for the rest of the turn. Goldie uses Datalink Dimorphodon and 2 Holozoic Tokens to Link Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Shadow Stegosaurus (2500/3/L,T,R) to Ancient Ankylosaurus's bottom Link Marker. Goldie Sets 2 cards. She ends her turn.
Turn 2: Terminus
Terminus draws. He activates the Field Spell Card The Hidden City. When The Hidden City is activated, he can add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken to his hand. Terminus activates the Quick-Play Spell Card The Monarchs Stormforth. Once during this turn, if he would Tribute a monster for a Tribute Summon, he can Tribute 1 monster Goldie controls, but Terminus cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck this turn. Terminus Tributes Ancient Ankylosaurus to Tribute Summon Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken (1400/2600/5). Goldie activates her Set Continuous Trap Card Holozoic Excavation, targeting Ancient Ankylosaurus in her GY and Special Summoning it (2500/3/BL,B,BR) to Shadow Stegosaurus' left Link Marker. Goldie activates her Set Trap Card Holozoic Crest, targeting Ancient Ankylosaurus. For the rest of the turn, Goldie takes no damage from battles involving Ancient Ankylosaurus. Terminus activates the Continuous Spell Card Terrors in the Hidden City. Goldie cannot target Terminus's Set Defense Position monsters with card effects, and Terminus's monsters that are flipped face-up gain 1500 ATK/DEF. Terminus activates Stygokraken's effect, changing it to face-down Defense Position. As his face-up monster was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide (1900/2700/10) in Defense Position. Terminus activates Stalaktide's effect, changing it to face-down Defense Position. Terminus activates The Hidden City's effect, changing Stalaktide to face-up Attack Position (1900-3400/2700-4200/10). As Stalaktide was flipped face-up, Terminus can target and destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on Goldie's field. He targets and destroys Holozoic Excavation. As Holozoic Excavation left the field, Ancient Ankylosaurus would be destroyed, but the first time each turn it would be destroyed by battle or card effect, it is not destroyed. As Holozoic Excavation left the field because of Terminus's card effect, Goldie draws 1 card.
Stalaktide attacks Ancient Ankylosaurus. As her "Holozoic" monster would be destroyed by battle, Goldie banishes Holozoic Nest from her GY instead. Terminus activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Subterror Shell Game, targeting Stalaktide. Stalaktide changes to face-down Defense Position, then Stygokraken changes to face-up Attack Position (1400-2900/2600-4100/5). Stygokraken attacks and destroys Ancient Ankylosaurus. Terminus activates Subterror Shell Game's effect in his GY, banishing it from the GY and sending the top 3 cards of his Deck (Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist, Book of Moon, and Subterror Nemesis Warrior) to the GY and targeting Stygokraken. Stygokraken is changed to face-down Defense Position and Stalaktide is changed to face-up Attack Position (1900-3400/2700-4200/10). Stalaktide attacks and destroys Shadow Stegosaurus (Goldie: 4000-3100 LP). Terminus Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 3: Goldie
Goldie draws. She Normal Summons Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus (600/100/2). As NLP Nyctosaurus was Normal Summoned, Goldie can target and Special Summon 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster from her GY. She targets and Special Summons Terabyte Triceratops (500/1/B). Goldie activates Holozoic World's effect to Fusion Summon 1 "Holozoic" Fusion Monster using monsters from her hand or field. She fuses NLP Nyctosaurus and Terabyte Triceratops on her field to Fusion Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Tectonic Tyranno (2500/2000/8) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As NLP Nyctosaurus was sent from the field to the GY, Goldie targets Abstract Allosaurus in her GY. Abstract Allosaurus is shuffled into Goldie's Deck, then she can add 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster with an equal or lower Level but a different original name from her Deck to her hand. She adds Holozoic Beast – Parallel Plesiosaur to her hand. Goldie activates Tectonic Tyranno's effect, targeting the Level 4 Datalink Dimorphodon in her GY, but Terminus chains his Set Continuous Trap Card Fiendish Chain, targeting Tectonic Tyranno. Tectonic Tyranno's effects are negated, and it cannot attack. As she controls a "Holozoic" monster, Goldie Special Summons Parallel Plesiosaur (1000/700/3) in Attack Position. If she would use a Cyberse monster to Link Summon a "Holozoic" monster, Goldie can use Holozoic Beast – Boolean Brachiosaurus in her hand as material. Goldie uses Parallel Plesiosaur, Tectonic Tyranno, and Boolean Brachiosaurus in her hand to Link Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Geothermal Giganotosaurus (2500/3/L,B,R) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Parallel Plesiosaur was sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can target and destroy 1 card in Terminus's Spell & Trap Zone, and as Boolean Brachiosaurus was sent from her hand to the GY, Goldie can send 1 Level 4 or lower "Holozoic Beast" monster from her Deck to the GY. Goldie targets and destroys Terrors in the Hidden City and sends Holozoic Beast – Exabyte Elasmosaurus from her Deck to the GY (Stalaktide: 3400-1900/4200-2700). As Terrors in the Hidden City was destroyed by Goldie's card effect, Terminus can target and Special Summon 1 monster from his GY in face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Speleogeist in face-down Defense Position. Goldie activates Geothermal Giganotosaurus's effect, targeting Stalaktide. Stalaktide is destroyed, then Goldie gains LP equal to Stalaktide's original ATK, and if she does, Terminus takes damage equal to the same amount (Goldie: 3100-5000 LP) (Terminus: 4000-2100 LP). Geothermal Giganotosaurus cannot attack the turn it activates its effect. Goldie Sets 1 card. She ends her turn.
Turn 4: Terminus
Terminus draws. He Flip Summons Stygokraken (1400/2600/5). As Stygokraken was flipped face-up, Terminus can target Set cards, equal to the number of "Subterror Behemoth" monsters he controls and destroy them. He targets Goldie's Set card, but Goldie chains her Set Card Holozoic Lure, targeting Geothermal Giganotosaurus. She moves Geothermal Giganotosaurus to her center Main Monster Zone, then she can Set 1 Trap directly from her Deck, and it can be activated this turn. She Sets Redemption Arrows. Stygokraken's effect resolves without target. Goldie activates her Set Link Trap Card Redemption Arrows (TL,T,TR) at the Spell & Trap Zone Geothermal Giganotosaurus points to. Cyberse monsters Redemption Arrows points to cannot be targeted or removed from the field by Terminus's card effects, also their effects cannot be negated, and if Redemption Arrows leaves the field while it points to any monsters, those monsters' effects are negated. Terminus Flip Summons Speleogeist (3000/1400/11). As a "Subterror Behemoth" monster was flipped face-up, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Nemesis Warrior (1800/1200/4) from his GY in Attack Position. He activates Nemesis Warrior's effect, sending Subterror Behemoth Phospheroglacier from his Deck to his GY. He then Tributes Nemesis Warrior and Stygokraken, whose total original Levels exceed Phospheroglacier's, to Special Summon Phospheroglacier from his GY in face-down Defense Position. Terminus activates The Hidden City's effect, changing the face-down Phospheroglacier to face-up Attack Position (2600/2500/8). As Phospheroglacier was Flip Summoned, Terminus can send 1 card from his Deck to the GY. He sends Subterror Revolution to the GY.
Speleogeist attacks Geothermal Giganotosaurus, but the co-linked Geothermal Giganotosaurus cannot be destroyed by battle (Goldie: 5000-4500 LP). Phospheroglacier attacks Geothermal Giganotosaurus, but it is not destroyed (Goldie: 4500-4400 LP). Terminus activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Glory of the Hidden City, which lets him target 1 "Subterror" monster in his GY, Special Summon it in face-up Defense Position, and then immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 "Subterror" Link Monster using monsters he controls. He Special Summons Stygokraken (1400/2600/5) in face-up Defense Position, then uses Phospheroglacier, Speleogeist, and Stygokraken to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Stygokamui (1400/3/L,B,R) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Stygokamui can make 2 attacks during each Battle Phase this turn. As Stygokamui was Link Summoned using Stygokraken as material, Terminus can target cards Goldie controls, up to the number of materials used for Stygokamui's Link Summon. Those cards have their effects negated until the end of the turn, and then since Terminus used 3 monsters to Link Summon Stygokamui, they are destroyed. He targets Holozoic World and Redemption Arrows. Holozoic World and Redemption Arrows have their effects negated, but as her Spell/Trap Cards would be destroyed by Terminus's card effect, Goldie banishes Holozoic Lure from her GY instead. Terminus activates Stygokamui's effect, targeting Fiendish Chain on his field and Geothermal Giganotosaurus on Goldie's field. Fiendish Chain is sent to the GY, and until Terminus's next Standby Phase, Geothermal Giganotosaurus's effects are negated and Stygokamui gains ATK equal to Geothermal Giganotosaurus's original ATK (Stygokamui: 1400-3900). Stygokamui attacks Geothermal Giganotosaurus. As her "Holozoic" monster is battling Terminus's monster, Goldie banishes Exabyte Elasmosaurus from her GY to take no damage from that battle. The attack continues and Geothermal Giganotosaurus is destroyed. Stygokamui attacks Goldie directly (Goldie: 4400-500 LP). Terminus ends his turn. During the End Phase, Stygokamui's effect ends, and Holozoic World's and Redemption Arrows' effects are restored.
Turn 5: Goldie
Goldie draws. As she controls no monsters, she Special Summons Holozoic Beast – Interface Ichthyosaur (1600/500/4) in Attack Position. Goldie activates the Spell Card Holozoic Revitalize, targeting Interface Ichthyosaur. She can Special Summon 1 "Holozoic" monster with an equal or lower Level from her GY, but its effects are negated. She Special Summons Datalink Dimorphodon (900/700/4) in Attack Position. Goldie overlays Level 4 Datalink Dimorphodon and Interface Ichthyosaur to Xyz Summon Holozoic Apex Beast – Spectral Spinosaurus (2500/2000/4/2) to Redemption Arrows' top Link Marker in Attack Position. Goldie activates Spectral Spinosaurus's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Spectral Spinosaurus: 2 OU-1 OU) and targeting Stygokamui, attempting to attach Stygokamui to Spectral Spinosaurus as an Overlay Unit. Terminus chains the effect of Subterror Revolution in his GY, banishing it and targeting Stygokamui. Until the end of the turn, Stygokamui is unaffected by Goldie's card effects and Terminus takes no damage from battles involving his Set monsters. "Holozoic" monsters detached from Spectral Spinosaurus as Overlay Units are treated as having been sent from the field to the GY. As Interface Ichthyosaur was treated as having been sent from the field to the GY, Goldie can target 1 "Holozoic" monster she controls and 1 monster Terminus controls. She targets Spectral Spinosaurus and Stygokamui. Until the end of the turn, Spectral Spinosaurus gains ATK equal to Stygokamui's current ATK (Spectral Spinosaurus: 2500-6400).
Spectral Spinosaurus attacks and destroys Stygokamui (Terminus: 2100-0 LP). Goldie wins.
Goldie:
Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus
Attribute: WIND Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 600 DEF 100 Level: 2
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster in your GY; Special Summon it. You can only use this effect of "Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus" once per turn. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – NLP Nyctosaurus" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can target 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck, and if you do, you can add 1 "Holozoic" Spell/Trap Card with a different original name from your Deck to your hand.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can target 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck, and if you do, you can add 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster with an equal or lower Level but a different original name from your Deck to your hand.
Holozoic Beast – Boolean Brachiosaurus
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 1800 Level: 4
If a Cyberse monster you control would be used as Link Material for a "Holozoic" monster, this card in your hand can also be used as material. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – Boolean Brachiosaurus" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can send 1 Level 4 or lower "Holozoic Beast" monster from your Deck to the GY.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can add 1 Level 4 or lower "Holozoic Beast" monster from your Deck or GY to your hand.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Geothermal Giganotosaurus
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-3 L, B, R
2 Cyberse monsters
This co-linked card cannot be destroyed by battle. You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy it, then gain LP equal to its original ATK, and if you do, you can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that same amount. This card cannot declare an attack the turn you activate this effect. You can only this effect of "Holozoic Apex Beast – Geothermal Giganotosaurus" once per turn.
Holozoic Beast – Interface Ichthyosaur
Attribute: WATER Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1600 DEF 500 Level: 4
If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Holozoic Beast – Interface Ichthyosaur" per turn, and only once that turn.
-If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: You can target 1 "Holozoic" monster you control and 1 monster your opponent controls; your opponent's monster loses ATK equal to your monster's current ATK until the end of this turn.
-If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can target 1 "Holozoic" monster you control and 1 monster your opponent controls; your monster gains ATK equal to that opponent's monster's current ATK until the end of this turn.
Holozoic Apex Beast – Spectral Spinosaurus
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Xyz/Effect] ATK 2500 DEF 2000 Rank: 4
2 Level 4 Cyberse monsters
"Holozoic" monsters detached from this card are treated as having been sent from the field to the GY. Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; attach it to this card as material. If your "Holozoic" monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can detach 1 material from this card instead.
Holozoic Excavation Continuous Trap Card
Activate by targeting 1 "Holozoic" monster in your GY; Special Summon it. When this card leaves the field, destroy that monster. When that monster leaves the field, destroy this card. If this card in the Spell & Trap Zone has left the field because of an opponent's effect: You can draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Holozoic Excavation" once per turn.
Holozoic Lure Normal Trap Card
Target 1 "Holozoic" Link Monster you control; move it to your unoccupied Main Monster Zone, and if you do, you can Set 1 Trap directly from your Deck. It can be activated this turn. If your Spell/Trap Card(s) would be destroyed by an opponent's card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only use each effect of "Holozoic Lure" once per turn.
Redemption Arrows Link Trap Card You can only activate "Redemption Arrows" in your Spell & Trap Zone a Link Monster points to, also you can only control 1 "Redemption Arrows". Cyberse monsters this card points to cannot be targeted or removed from the field by your opponent's card effects, also their effects cannot be negated. When this card leaves the field while it points to a monster(s), negate the effects of those monsters.
Holozoic Revitalize Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Holozoic Beast" monster you control; Special Summon 1 "Holozoic" monster of an equal or lower Level from your GY, but with its effects negated. You can only use 1 "Holozoic Revitalize" per turn.
Terminus:
Subterror Behemoth Stygokamui
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Sea Serpent/Link/Effect] ATK 1400 LINK-3 L, B, R
2 EARTH monsters
If this card is Link Summoned using "Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken" as material: You can target cards your opponent controls, up to the number of monsters used for this card's Link Summon; negate their effects (until the end of this turn), then if 3 monsters were used for this card's Link Summon, you can destroy them. During your Main Phase or Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You can target 1 card you control and 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; send your card to the GY, and until your next Standby Phase, your opponent's monster's effects are negated, also this card gains ATK equal to its original ATK. You can only use each effect of "Subterror Behemoth Stygokamui" once per turn.
Subterror Shell Game Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 face-up "Subterror" monster you control; change it to face-down Defense Position, and if you do, you can change 1 other face-down Defense Position "Subterror" monster you control to face-up Attack or Defense Position. Once per Duel, if this card is in your GY, you can activate the above effect by banishing this card from your GY and sending the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY.
Glory of the Hidden City Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 "Subterror" monster in your GY; Special Summon it in face-up Defense Position, and if you do, immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 "Subterror" Link Monster using monster(s) you control as material. It can make up to 2 attacks during each Battle Phase this turn. You can only use 1 "Glory of the Hidden City" per turn.
Chapter Preview
Next Time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 80 – Blackout. Ai and Goldie have finally reached Zaizen and Blue Maiden, and the Dark Ignis challenges the siblings to a Tag-Team Duel. Can the siblings hold off Ai's brutal assault?
Question of the Chapter
Now that all of Goldie's ace monsters have been revealed, which one is your favorite?
Author's Notes
Thank you to SakushiRyu for proofreading the OC cards and duel in this chapter.
Going over this chapter and the previous ones, it's obvious to see that Goldie's and Ai's plan is very convoluted. In my defense, I first conceived this plan a few years ago, with the intention of following the anime as long as possible to make things easier for me. That said, that won't be true for much longer.
The meat of this chapter is Goldie vs. Terminus; he did better against her than anyone else did, though he ultimately lost in the end. And we got the last of the Holozoic Apex Beasts, specifically the ones representing Flame and Lightning. Thoughts on them?
Sorry if this chapter and the notes are short, but I'm still tired, and I wanted to get this out. As always, thank you for reading Hidden Memories. I look forward to seeing all of you again for Chapter 80.