Chapter 41 (Double-sized)

The myriad worlds were relieved to see Yuya triumphing over his darker side.

Despite numerous duelists facing Z-Arc, he was capable of defeating nearly all of them.

If Z-Arc was in control and if he was able to defeat En Flowers, Ray wouldn't have been able to stop him without any cards in her hand.

For the most part, it is a good thing Yuya was able to come to his senses much as Marik did against Atem.

From the perspective of the myriad worlds, if Yuya can regain control then Z-Arc cannot endanger the ARC-V world.

(ARC-V) Reiji even proposed to his father that they should commence the dimensional integration early so that Z-Arc cannot become a looming threat to their world. With all of the dimensional alter egos of Z-Arc against him, Z-Arc's control can be dismantled ASAP.

The end result would be (ARC-V) Z-Arc being dissolved into his four alter egos, the four dimensions being one again, and the casualties of all this fighting returning.

Thus, one world is getting closer to peace...

"Next duel. (VRAINS World): Playmaker vs Akira Zaizen."

With one duel over, another can begin. The VRAINS world has been one of the more philosophical to date with its arguments on humanity and Artificial Intelligence.

Yet, this duel isn't going to contribute to that argument in a way viewers might expect.

The screen opens up and a room filled with bright lights can be seen. A mature young man can be seen walking up to Playmaker, a duel disk on his arm. By his side is a business-minded woman watching over the proceedings.

A beautiful girl hides behind the door to the room as she peeks into the interior. Blue Angel is surprised to see her brother inside of the SOL Technology Core facing Playmaker. Under normal circumstances, they should not be meeting like this.

Ghost Girl reveals that both parties are here for SOL Tech's data and Playmaker was their decoy.

(VRAINS) Yusaku frowns at the thought he was used as a decoy. Except, what brought them to SOL Technology? History has deviated from the original since the introduction of the screen so his guesses are wildly inconsistent with what his original could guess.

Prior to the two parties breaking into SOL Technology, Playmaker and Ghost Girl dueled each other. At the time, Ai was the prize for the winner but Ghost Girl had a plan in mind for if she lost by using Playmaker's desires to get a profit.

"Get out of the way, Akira," Playmaker threatened.

"I can't let you go any further," Akira denies. He knows why Playmaker is here and his beliefs tell him not to let Playmaker continue down this path.

The myriad world viewers inch closer to their screens. They smell some excellent gossip from the VRAINS world.

Something happened 10 years prior and Playmaker was a victim in that incident. Many recall the fragmented pieces of information from the VRAINS world duels and remember seeing a young duelist in pain. Could it be?

Hearing that Akira looked at the data they were searching for, Ai asks for it as it could have clues to his actual identity but that wasn't included in the data. Depressed, he hangs his head, not noticing Akira's gaze. If Revolver's words were correct, then Ai has already started to develop free will and that can be dangerous.

Akira requests Playmaker to hand over Ai while he works to reveal the truth of the incident from 10 years ago. Ghost Girl reveals though that he doesn't have any good position in SOL Technology thanks to the incident with his sister. He came this far despite that because he wants to do something though.

Playmaker tells Akira that he won't give up because he is involved and if Akira wants to stop him, it will have to be through a duel.

[4000 LP] [4000 LP]

Akira takes the first turn and sets a monster in defense mode. One of the rare instances in the history of the screen's duels.

Since Akira set a monster in defense mode, he activates the monster effect of Tindangle Base Gardna from his hand. Tindangle Base Gardna is then special summoned in defense mode to Akira's side of the field.

Tindangle Base Gardna: [2300 DEF]

Akira sets a card in his spell and trap card zone before ending his turn.

A few of the viewers are annoyed that Akira didn't summon a strong monster like many of the duelists they've seen lately but this is a sign of Akira's steadfast dueling. A more experienced duelist can see the dangers in Akira's plays.

Playmaker discards the level {2} Stack Reviver to activate the monster effect of Bitrooper in his hand, special summoning it to the field.

Bitrooper: [1500 ATK]

Playmaker normal summons Cyberse Gadget.

Cyberse Gadget: [1400 ATK]

"A gadget!" (DM) Yugi exclaims in surprise. Some monsters are the same across many worlds and he holds a fondness for this series of monsters which helped him defeat Atem.

When Cyberse Gadget is normal summoned, its monster effect allows it to negate the effects of a level {2} or lower monster in Playmakers graveyard before reviving it.

Be revived, Stack Reviver.

Stack Reviver: [600 DEF]

{1} Cyberse Gadget {+} and {1} Stack Reviver {+} and {1} Bitrooper {=} set.

Link Summon! Link 3 Decode Talker.

Decode Talker: [2300 ATK]

Playmaker's ace monster is on the field.

Playmaker then activates the monster effect of the Link material, Cyberse Gadget. Since Cyberse Gadget was sent to the graveyard Playmaker special summons a token to his side of the field.

Token: [0 DEF]

The monster effect of Stack Reviver then activates since it was used as a material for a Link Summon. Using its monster effect, Playmaker revives the level {4} Cyberse Gadget from his graveyard in defense mode.

Cyberse Gadget: [300 DEF]

Both of his newly summoned monsters are in Decode Talker's Link Zones, so Decode Talker gains 500 ATK for each of them.

Decode Talker: [3300 ATK]

Akira activates the monster effect of Tindangle Base Gardna since Playmaker special summoned a monster to a Link monster's Link Zone. Tindangle Base Gardna is tributed and Akira special summons from his hand Tindangle Hound.

Tindangle Hound: [2500 ATK]

A ferocious hound comes to Akira's side of the field. Using Tindagle Hound's monster effect, Akira reduces the ATK of all monsters on Playmaker's side of the field by 1000 for each monster then are linked to.

Cyberse Gadget: [400 ATK]

Decode Talker: [1300 ATK]

Akira then activates the continuous trap card Lemoine Point, using its continuous effect to prevent Playmaker from attacking his set monsters while he controls a "Tindangle" monster on his side of the field.

{1} Cyberse Gadget {+} and {1} Token {=} set.

Link Summon! Link 2 Flame Administrator.

Flame Administrator: [1200 ATK]

If Playmaker cannot break through using just Decode Talker, he will build up a stronger offense then. Losing a monster in Decode Talker's Link Zone increases its ATK by 500 and then Flame Administrator gives Playmaker's Link monsters an additional 800 ATK. Flame Administrator will lose 1000 ATK though.

Flame Administrator: [1000 ATK]

Decode Talker: [2600 ATK]

Decode Talker attacks Tindangle Hound and destroys it.

Akira: [3900 LP]

With Tindangle Hound destroyed, Playmaker's monsters regain 1000 ATK.

Decode Talker: [3600 ATK]

Flame Administrator: [2000 ATK]

Akira activates the monster effect of Tindangle Hound, switching one of his set monsters into face-up defense mode when it is sent to the graveyard.

Flip! Tindangle Angel!

Tindangle Angel: [1800 DEF]

Tindangle Angel's flip monster effect activates, reviving Tindangle Hound in face-down defense mode since it is a flip-effect monster. Then, since this monster effect was activated during the opponent's battle phase the phase is forced to end.

The myriad audience is impressed as most duels they are accustomed to do not use flip monsters despite them existing. Akira is not a regular duelist by no means.

Playmaker sets a card in his spell and trap card zone before ending his turn.

Akira stares at Playmaker and thinks that he has had to endure so much for someone his little sister's age.

When he and his sister lost their parents 10 years ago, they were forced to fend for themselves. In order to provide for them, he was willing to do anything possible to keep them afloat. She was what kept Akira going.

He couldn't imagine if she was kidnapped like Playmaker was.

What?! The myriad worlds were surprised. They've gotten snippets of Playmaker's story but they never imagined that he was kidnapped as a child.

Shoichi grits his teeth at Akira's words. Memories of his little brother flash through his mind. Anger fills his and Playmaker's minds.

" "You know nothing about me!" "

For all of the goodwill that Akira feels, he doesn't know what that incident did to them. All he knows is what was written on a piece of paper, none of the emotions that came with it.

That does nothing for someone in pain!

Akira turns his head away from Playmaker, disappointed that he won't heed his words. He flip summons his set Tindangle Hound.

Tindangle Hound: [2500 ATK]

Using Tindangle Hound's flip monster effect, Akira gives it ATK equal to the original ATK of another monster on the field by flipping that monster into the face-down defense position. He targets his Tindangle Angel.

Tindangle Hound: [3000 ATK]

Since Tindangle Hound is face-up on the field, Playmaker's monsters lose 1000 for each monster co-linked to them.

Decode Talker: [2600 ATK]

Flame Administrator: [1000 ATK]

Akira attacks the weaker Flame Administrator with Tindangle Hound, sicking it on the monster like a rabid dog.

Playmaker: [2000 LP]

Since Flame Administrator is destroyed, Decode Talker's ATK resets since there are no co-linked monsters.

Decode Talker: [2300 ATK]

Akira sets a card and ends his turn. Emma looks over at Akira's side of the field and compares it to Akira's family. The rabid dog protects the angelic sister but should he fall, the sister will bring him back to life.

"Brother," (VRAINS) Aoi's eyes tear up.

"What a good brother," (ARC-V) Shun compliments.

"Both siblings help each other out, isn't that right Seto?" (DM) Mokuba asks his brother. Seto just snorts, not wanting to admit that he also feels sentimental.

Playmaker normal summons Balancer Lord.

Balancer Lord: [1700 ATK]

Playmaker activates the continuous trap card Limit Code and places one counter on it since there's one cyberse-type Link monster in his graveyard. Its continuous effect then special summons Encode Talker from his extra deck.

Summon! Encode Talker.

Encode Talker: [2300 ATK]

A new Code Talker is on Playmaker's side of the field, ready to support Decode Talker. Akira reminds Playmaker that will only decrease his monsters' ATK but he has another strategy in mind.

Link {3} Encode Talker {+} and {1} Balancer Lord {=} set.

Link Summon! Link 4 Firewall Dragon!

Firewall Dragon: [2500 ATK]

Playmaker's ace dragon has made the scene! Akira remarks that this monster was able to defeat Revolver and feels cautious. Tindangle Hound's monster effect immediately decreases the ATK of Playmaker's monsters.

Decode Talker: [1800 ATK]

Firewall Dragon: [1500 ATK]

Playmaker activates the spell card Linkage Hole. Since he controls the link 4 Firewall Dragon, he destroys a monster for each of his link 3 or higher Link monsters. Akira's monsters are immediately destroyed, the chain reaction destroying the continuous trap card Lemoine Point since Akira controls no monsters.

Decode Talker: [2800 ATK]

Firewall Dragon: [2500 ATK]

Playmaker attacks Akira directly with Decode Talker and cuts a large gash into Akira's avatar.

Akira: [1100 LP]

Akira gets up to his feet and activates the trap card Tindangle Delaunay. Since he has three or more "Tindangle" monsters in his graveyard, he gets to destroy the Decode Talker that attacked him and special summon from his extra deck Tindangle Acute Cerberus.

Summon! Tindangle Acute Cerberus!

Decode Talker disappears into light as a large gate appears behind Akira. From within, three firey wisps fly out onto his side of the field before forming the heads of a terrifying beast.

Tindangle Acute Cerberus: [0 ATK]

Tindangle Acute Cerberus's monster effect gives it 1500 ATK for each "Tindangle Hound" or "Tindangle Angel" in Akira's graveyard.

Tindangle Acute Cerberus: [3000 ATK]

Playmaker stares at the beast and sets a card.

Akira takes his turn and attacks with his beast. Playmaker activates the trap card Doppler Phase Coating and equips it to Firewall Dragon. Using the trap effect of Doppler Phase Coating, Playmaker protects his Firewall Dragon from destruction.

Playmaker: [1500 LP]

Since Akira attacked with Tindangle Acute Cerberus, its monster effect special summons a token to his side of the field.

Token: [0 DEF]

Since the token is a "Tindangle" monster in Tindangle Acute Cerberus's Link Zone, the mighty beast gains 500 ATK.

Tindangle Acute Cerberus: [3500 ATK]

Akira sets two cards before passing his turn.

Playmaker draws and Akira activates his newly set trap card Gergonne's End equips it to Tindangle Acute Cerberus. Playmaker cannot destroy Tindangle Acute Cerberus with battle effects, or target it. If Tindangle Acute Cerberus's Link Zones are occupied, Akira can then send both it and Gergonne's End to the graveyard to inflict damage equal to its ATK.

Playmaker notes that he has to fill in that last Link Zone himself so he isn't in any danger at the moment. Playmaker then activates the spell card Alert Lancer and gives his Firewall Dragon the ability to inflict piercing damage.

Firewall Dragon attacks Akira's token but Akira activates his continuous trap card Morley's Shield. The continuous effect of Morley's Shield allows Akira to turn battle damage involving his "Tindangle" monsters in the main monster zones to 0 once per turn.

Tindangle Acute Cerberus: [3000 ATK]

Akira draws and activates the continuous spell card Nagel's Protection. His "Tindangle" monsters will no longer be destroyed by battle or card effect. He then attacks Firewall Dragon with Tindangle Acute Cerberus, inflicting double damage thanks to the continuous effect of Nagel's Protection.

Playmaker: [500 LP]

Since Firewall Dragon is equipped with Doppler Phase Coating, it manages to escape destruction. Akira then special summons another token to Tindangle Acute Cerberus's Link Zone.

Token: [0 LP]

Tindangle Acute Cerberus: [3500 ATK]

Ai freaks out at the dangerous odds against them but Playmaker's stony personality constantly rebukes him. The two at this time at the moment are the farthest thing from their versions in the Playmaker vs Ai duel, much to the viewers' dismay.

Playmaker draws his card and sets it. Akira takes this as a sign that Playmaker should stop his road to revenge.

Playmaker is at an age where he should be having fun with his friends and enjoying everyday life. These times are important after all.

As a member of the older generation, he wants to be a good guardian for the younger generation. That's why he will do what he can to straighten out Playmaker's life.

"Brother!" a voice calls out.

Blue Angel comes out from her hiding spot and Akira's sister can be seen. She walks up to the two and asks what happened 10 years ago. Emma agrees with her request as nothing stays buried forever, the truth will come out.

Akira begins to narrate the details of the Lost Incident for everyone watching.

10 years ago, six children went missing. Among the kidnapped victims, Playmaker was one of them.

The screen shows the life Yusaku lived while kidnapped. He was in a room with nothing but a VR headset, each day being forced to duel inside a simulation. For each defeat, there was a jolt of electricity accompanying it. For every victory, a piece of food on his plate. If he wanted to survive, all he can do is duel. His every action and thought was used to formulate the Ignis Ai.

The viewers and the people involved felt a surge of anger as they couldn't believe the inhuman acts being performed on children.

"How awful," (GX) Alexis snarled.

"That's no way to treat children," (5DS) Crow argued.

"Why do something like this?" (ZEXAL) III eagerly wondered.

The children lived like this for half a year before being suddenly rescued. Yet, they weren't able to move past that trauma in their lives.

Playmaker continues forward because he needs the truth, the families of those children haven't healed, and he needs to learn who reached out to help give him strength as a child.

He is unable to forget like Akira wants him to, that is why he is here dueling.

Through research, he learned that the project went by the name of Hanoi. That was what sent him on a crash course for the Knights of Hanoi.

Akira sighed and noted that isn't everything. Since the mastermind of the Lost Incident is in the data he viewed.