17Aurasoul: Hello everyone and welcome to Vrains! I give a shout out to 0713MM for helping me type this story along with letting me use his OC Glacies and I don't own Vrains just my OCs.
Yukiko: So who is Takeru going to be set up with here?
Aurasoul: I am glad you asked Yukiko for it will be shown in this chapter! So please enjoy everyone!
Chapter 20
"She escaped!" A guard yelled. Outside of the prison, a group of 5 walked outside.
"The time is now." Ryoken smirked. "The Knights of Hanoi are back!"
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Yukiko jumped from the sudden shout from Touma after just picking up her phone by a call from Yusaku, quickly coming down surprised to see Miho groaning sitting at the table holding her tablet, Rai sighing, looking unsurprised, and Touma finishing his drink.
"Yukiko what's going on?" Yusaku spoke from the other line.
"Uh not sure." Yukiko blinked, looking at the 3. "What happened?"
"See for yourself." Rai replied, taking Miho's tablet and handing it to Yukiko.
Yukiko took it, confused, before she looked and gasped to see a news article. "Aunt Kyoko escaped from prison?!" She gasped, quickly holding up her phone. "Yusaku was that why you called?
"Yeah." Yusaku replied.
"I can't believe this. What were they thinking?" Miho groaned.
"Let's calm down now Miho. This is Ryoken. This shouldn't come as a surprise for us." Rai replied.
"Great. So now with not just bounty hunters and that Bohman, but now we got the Hanoi to deal with." Touma grunted. "I don't get paid enough for this." Then Touma's phone rang, making him groan. "Oh I pray that's not boss." He hissed, picking up. "Hello?"
"Not surprised by the sour tone." A familiar voice rang.
"Kyoko!" Touma gasped, making the 3 look up.
"I take it you saw the news already." Kyoko stated.
"Yeah, Miho is already having a near panic attack thanks to you guys." Touma deadpanned, before he frowned. "...Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Kyoko replied.
"That's good." He sighed, relieved. "Please be careful for these kids sake. You guys mean a lot to them you know."
"Just admit it's for her sake as well." Genome spoke on the other side, amused.
"Genome!" Touma hissed, blushing.
"Looks like everything is fine now." Yukiko sweatdropped, speaking to Yusaku as she went upstairs again. "But… This could be a problem for us…"
"It could be, yes." Yusaku agreed. "Or it might not be. We'll just have to wait and see."
"Well regardless, no matter what, I'll stay and support you Yusaku; no matter what. You and Ai." Yukiko smiled.
"Aww! Thank you so much Yukiko-chan!" Ai cried on the other line.
"Hehe don't worry. I got your backs." Yukiko assured happily.
Miho sighed heavily as she typed on her computer at SOL Technologies, rubbing her tired eyes.
"Are you alright Miho?" Miho blinked looking up to see Akira and Hayami looking at her, worried before she gave a sigh.
"Just had a rough night boss." She answered Akira's question.
"You didn't work late again did you?" He accused.
"Not after you sent me home early." She scoffed with a light smirk. "It's just… I had some shocking news last night."
"Oh so you heard about the Hanoi member's escape?" Hayami questioned.
"Not surprising you two heard about it." Miho sighed.
"Miho if you're worried about what happened, your sister is safe now." Akira assured her. "The Hanoi wouldn't dare try to take her again."
Oh I know they won't now. Miho thought with an inward sweatdrop. She then sighed standing.
"I'll be right back. I need a moment." She walked out of the main computer room, walking down the hall with a sigh.
My head is killing me and not just because of that news. I also had that nightmare again… I haven't had it in years so why…? Then her phone rang to her surprise she picked it up.
"This is Miho." She stated.
"It's good to hear you as well Miho." A familiar voice rang in her ears.
"D-Dragon!" She gasped, surprised before scowling. "That was dangerous you know."
"I know." Ryoken remarked. "Why do you think I did it in the first place?"
"Still reckless as ever." She sighed, shaking her head.
"It's called rescuing an ally thank you." Ryoken corrected.
"Well be careful next time. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the article last night." She frowned, worried.
"Humph. If you actually thought I'd be caught, then you were worrying for nothing." Ryoken told her.
"Let your girlfriend worry a little Dragon." She said with a small amused smile.
"...Then you should let me do the same. You sound tired, are you alright?" He asked. She stiffened before relaxing slightly.
"Heh can't ever hide anything from you." She admitted sheepishly. "I just had a rough night. Some nightmares, that's all."
"...Nightmares?" Ryoken repeated.
"Well more like old memories back when me and Rai first started out as Hackers years ago." She sighed. "Our work back then was harsh. Of course, what hacker job isn't I suppose."
"Heh. I suppose I could say the same." Ryoken admitted. "But it has nothing to do with hacker jobs. Least, not directly."
"Oh? You mean besides your current work?" She asked amused.
"Real funny Miho." Ryoken groaned. "Regardless, you're right. I've been doing my own digging into something. Something that might interest you and your siblings."
"Really now? What?" She asked curious now.
"It's about the whereabouts of a certain Juliette Kogami." Ryoken replied. "You know who she is, yes?"
"Don't be smart love it doesn't suit you." Miho deadpanned. "Of course I remember your mom; who was practically our aunt and the one who taught us how to duel."
"Good." Ryoken retorted. "Because I might know where she went all those years ago. But even if the tech I have currently can find her, getting to her is probably impossible. I just checked the bounty list that SOL has before I called you, and she's number 1. Playmaker, Soulburner, Ice Queen, and your younger sister are just below her."
"Number 1 on the bounty hunter's list huh…" She mused.
Aunt Juliette did work here with our parents years ago before she disappeared and Queen placed a bounty on her. I wonder… She leaned on the wall.
"Well why not I help you a bit on locating her. At least I have been worried about her all these years." She remarked.
"And you're saying that I haven't been worried about her?" Ryoken scoffed. "Because you'd be right; I'm not. I'm only doing this because Aso, Kyoko, and Genome want her back."
"It's no surprise. They have known her for years before we were born. And her suddenly disappearing the way she did worried them, and all of us." Miho frowned sadly.
"Humph. Help find her if you want." Ryoken grunted. "If Kyoko didn't beg me, I wouldn't be doing this waste of a search."
"Now don't say that. Even if she didn't beg you, I know you would still do it." She smiled. "Now-"
"Ah Miho, you're here." Miho stiffened at once, quickly looking up to see Queen. "O-Oh Queen! Sorry I just." Miho quickly began.
"It's quite alright. No need to be nervous." Queen replied lightly. "I was just giving our newest guest a tour."
"Guest?" Miho questioned. Once Miho looked at the person next to Queen, her eyes widened in upmost shock and inward dread.
"Miho? What's wrong Mi-" Miho quickly shut her phone, hanging up her call; still staring at the man before her, who only smiled.
"It is good to see you again Miho."
"Are you sure these are the coordinates Ai?"
"As sure as I am Shard-chan!" Playmaker and Shard were flying within VRAINS before landing at a ledge. Shard looking apprehensive.
"I still find it hard to believe that an Ignis actually asked to see Playmaker through a chat." She replied.
"Anything is possible I suppose." Playmaker admitted before glancing down at Ai. "Ai, what is the Earth Ignis like?"
"Oh the Earth Ignis...let me see." Ai hummed. "He's no-nonsense, honest, and umm… Oh! He's like this guy! Massive and orange!... Eh?" Playmaker and Shard blinked, surprised to see Ai having suddenly grabbed an orange figure of his height before he blinked in realization. "Oh! It's the Earth Ignis! Long time no see! How have you been?" Ai asked happily, letting him go. Instead of replying, the Earth Ignis opened up a portal.
"This way." Earth told them as he went through.
"What's with him? I wanted to celebrate our reunion more." Ai pouted.
"Should we go?" Shard asked Playmaker with a frown.
"Yes." Playmaker nodded as he went through the portal Earth made. Shard leaped in after him, both going through to step onto a desolate land as they looked around as the Earth Ignis flew forward.
"Hey wait Earth!" Ai called.
"Earth? You mean me?" The Earth Ignis questioned.
"Yeah I just named you since humans can't pronounce our real names." Ai replied. "By the way, they call me Ai."
"Don't tell me you're named Ai because you're an AI." Earth deadpanned.
"Of course not dummy!" Ai sweatdropped, Shard holding in her giggles. "Not funny Shard!"
"What do you want with me?" Playmaker questioned.
"A duel." Earth answered simply.
"You want to duel Playmaker?" Shard blinked, surprised.
"Is it because you didn't like the name Earth?!" Ai yelped. "This is too sudden!"
"I am socially awkward." Earth only said.
"It's not about that!" Ai scowled. "Just what are you thinking?!"
"I am socially awkward." Earth repeated nonchalantly.
"Um may you please give us a better explanation Earth-san?" Shard sweatdropped. Earth turned to look at Shard, making her flinch and clutch her wrist.
I really need to stop being nervous around the Ignis… She thought.
"I see. Fine." Earth replied. "To determine the truth. To verify human's true nature with my own eyes, I'll duel Playmaker."
"I wouldn't call that a good explanation." Ai frowned.
"It's all we're gonna get." Playmaker frowned. "But should I win, think you could give us information on Bohman?"
"If you wish for any info of that, then you must duel me." Earth told him.
"Guess you got no choice." Shard remarked to Playmaker.
"Yeah." Playmaker nodded.
"But how are you gonna be able to duel Earth?" Ai questioned. Earth glowed an orange energy before suddenly one of the dried tree trunks glowed before suddenly taking shape to their shock to form almost as if a puppet as it raised its arm to allow Earth to stand on.
"Playmaker, I think Earth's partner…" Shard began.
"Yeah. He must be Spectre's Ignis." Playmaker nodded.
"Be careful." She frowned. He nodded to her as he and Earth began their duel. Playmaker started a defense of 1 monster and 1 set card. Earth then took his turn and brought forth the Link 3 G Golem Invalid Doleman and dealt piercing battle damage to Playmaker of 600.
"Such power. Earth is a tough duelist." Shard frowned. The next turn for Playmaker Link Summoned Zombie Prosaber and destroyed Invalid Doleman before damage calculation in hopes to gain control of it. However, Earth revealed that Invalid Doleman's effect negates the effects of all face-up cards the opponent controls upon it being destroyed; thus not only surprising Playmaker, but also negating Zombie Prosaber's effect to Special Summon G Golem Invalid Doleman to his field.
"Too bad you couldn't steal it!" Ai groaned.
Negating the effects of all face-ups on the opponent's field... In a way, it's a good counter and defense against the opponent. Shard thought. Earth then took his turn and Summoned a blue crystal heart monster. Upon seeing the monster, Shard grew wide eyed.
"What…?" She whispered.
What is this feeling? That monster…
"G Golem Crystal Heart effect!" Earth revealed. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon 1 EARTH monster from my GY to Crystal Heart's Link Marker! Resurrect, G Golem Invalid Doleman!" The massive golem monster reappeared onto Earth's field. Once it did, the Crystal Heart went into the square-like piece on G Golem Invalid Doleman. One of its six markers glowed pink.
"Each time I use this effect, Crystal Heart gains a G Golem Counter." Earth explained. "And for each one, the Link monsters that it's linked to gain 600 ATK."
"Now it has 3400 ATK!" Ai yelped. Shard gasped, quickly shaking her head.
I have to stay focused here…! Invalid Doleman destroyed Zombie Prosaber and dealt 1800 damage to Playmaker; thus putting him at 1600 LP. Playmaker then counterstriked on his next turn by Fusion Summoning out Cyberse Clock Dragon after a multitude of Link Summons. He aimed to end the duel by attacking G Golem Crystal Heart, but Earth revealed that when Invalid Doleman is co-linked, only he can attacked.
"I won't allow you to destroy Crystal Heart." Earth vowed.
"Crystal Heart means that much to him..." Shard remarked softly.
"I know." Playmaker remarked. "His dueling style is a defense turned offensive."
"Not only that, but destroying Invalid Doleman negates all your face-up cards effects; making it hard to follow up." Shard added. "He truly is skilled."
"Yeah." Playmaker nodded as he ended his turn. Earth then took his turn and revived Invalid Doleman again via Crystal Heart; thus putting its ATK at 4000 because of Crystal Heart's 2 G Golem Counters. Earth then attacked and destroyed Cyberse Clock Dragon; thus reducing Playmaker's LP to 100. Ai panicked, much to Earth's amusement, but he attacked again thanks to Crystal Heart's additional effect, but Playmaker blocked the direct attack and ended Earth's Battle Phase. Playmaker then took his turn (and the final turn of the duel). He Link Summoned multiple times like before, but this time, Summoned Clock Lizard to return Cyberse Clock Dragon to his Extra Deck, then he Fusion Summoned it again, much to Earth's surprise. Playmaker then attacked Invalid Doleman; thus defeating the Earth Ignis.
"*sigh* I lost." Earth muttered.
"Now as we agreed, tell us about Bohman." Playmaker told him as he approached.
"I do not know where he is." Earth replied nonchalantly. At that, Ai fell anime style.
"Seriously?! That duel for you to say that you don't know?!" Ai groaned loudly.
"He only said he'd tell us what he knows. Which is unfortunately nothing." Shard sighed.
"But." Earth spoke. "I do know someone who does know."
"Eh? You do?" Ai spoke, confused.
"She didn't tell me anything so I could focus on what I needed to do." Earth continued.
"That is correct, Earth." They quickly looked up and Shard gasped upon seeing a woman walking to them. She had short blue and white hair, blue eyes, and wore what looked to be a worn out uniform for SOL Technologies.
"Eh?" Ai blinked. "Who are-"
"A-Aunt Juliette?!" Shard shrieked. Juliette glanced at Shard and nodded, a small smile on her lips.
"Yes Shard." Juliette smiled. Shard covered her mouth with tears before running and tightly hugged Juliette as she cried.
"I-I thought we'd n-never see you again!" Shard cried. Juliette hugged Shard back.
"I'm sorry for leaving you, your siblings, along with my own son." Juliette told her. "But it was necessary."
"N-Necessary?" Shard hiccupped. "What do you mean? Is this about the incident?"
"The Lost Incident/Hanoi Project?" Juliette inquired.
"Huh?! She knows about that?!" Ai yelped.
"Shard, who is this woman?" Playmaker questioned his friend. Shard blinked as if forgetting Playmaker and Ai were there for a moment as she wiped away her tears. "Th-This is Juliette Kogami. She's… Well, Revolver's mom." She introduced.
"WHAT?!" Ai yelled, shocked.
"I see the physical resemblance." Playmaker remarked. "But your personality is way different from Revolver's."
"Hehe yeah. Revolver got his looks from Aunt Juliette and his personality a bit more from Uncle Kiyoshi." Shard chuckled, facing Juliette. "But where have you been all this time Aunt Juliette? We were all so worried."
"I was in hiding." Juliette replied as Earth floated over to her. "While in hiding, I befriended Earth."
"In hiding?" Shard blinked.
"Ms. Kogami." Playmaker began. Juliette turned to face Playmaker.
"Yes Playmaker?" Juliette spoke.
"Earth had said that you might know something about Bohman. If you know anything, please tell us." He told her. Juliette put a hand to her chin.
"I know where he is." Juliette spoke in thought. "But I should probably tell you in the real world. It's too risky here."
"So then you're coming back to Den City?" Shard quickly asked.
"In a sense, yes." Juliette replied. "But I cannot stay near any of you or your friends. Since I have a massive target on my head."
"I see…" Shard spoke softly. "Um Earth if I can ask. Where did you get that monster, Crystal Heart?"
"Aqua gave it to me." Earth replied.
"Aqua?" Shard asked, confused.
"Ah do you mean the Water Ignis?" Ai asked, surprised.
"Yes." Earth nodded.
"The Water Ignis." Playmaker remarked. "Is she also with you 2?"
"She is not sadly." Juliette spoke, sadness in her tone. "But that's one of the things Earth and I have been looking into."
"Wait are you saying she's missing?" Ai questioned, worried.
"She had disappeared before the destruction of Cyberse World." Earth told him. "She had also warned me that Cyberse World was tearing apart."
"Tearing apart? Forget that, it was completely destroyed!" Ai frowned. "Flame said that the ones who did it used a Link Magic card called Judgement Arrows. Which is the same card Bohman used!"
"Then is it possible Bohman is responsible for Aqua's disappearance?" Playmaker wondered. Shard frowned, silent and deep in thought.
The Water Ignis Aqua… Crystal Heart belonged to her before giving it to Earth. Why did I feel a sensation when I saw it? She thought, a hand to her chest. It was as if something familiar came to me… Shard felt a sharp pain to her head, making her flinch. Seeing as if static in her mind. My head…. She thought with a wince, her hand touching her temple.
"Shard?" Playmaker spoke up. She jumped, looking up to see Playmaker's face, giving a weary smile.
"Sorry. Was just thinking." She apologized, glancing at Juliette. "So then you'll be in the area in order for us to reach you, right?"
"Yes, I will be." Juliette nodded. "In fact, tell Playmaker's friend to drive to these coordinates." She hands a document to each Playmaker and Shard. "This is where I am. It's coded so no one can read it unless they decipher it." She then glances at Playmaker. "That should be no problem for you."
"Naturally." Ai remarked proudly.
"I'm sure my brother and sister can decipher these easily." Shard smiled lightly.
"Great." Juliette smiled. However, her smile vanished as quickly as it came. "Make sure your sister does not bring this up to my son. I'll reveal myself to him and my childhood friends when the time is right."
"Then better not to tell her. She can't lie to save her life, especially to him." Shard muttered with a sigh.
"Considering what she does, her lying is like trying to rhyme orange." Juliette retorted. "It just doesn't work."
"I know right?! It's like her brain makes it impossible for her to lie." Shard scoffed. Juliette glanced down at her virtual watch, then back up at Playmaker and Shard.
"It's best that I log out." Juliette told them. "Even though my location is unknown to most, if I'm not careful, I'll be found. And I'd rather not be found by the people that want my head. You 2 should log out as well and get that document deciphered so you can find me."
"Right. We'll do that." Shard nodded, before hugging Juliette again. "It really is great to see you Aunt Juliette."
"Same to you dear." Juliette hugged Shard back before letting go; thus logging out. Once she logged out, the area where Earth had sent them returned them to the main server of VRAINS.
"Well that was an unexpected turn." Ai remarked.
"Yeah. Although to see Auntie again…" Shard remarked with a soft smile.
"She's not really your aunt, right?" Playmaker questioned. "Some people call there parents friends that because of how close they are to the family."
"Haha. Yeah that's right." Shard giggled. "My parents and my aunt had known the Kogamis way before me and my siblings were born. Being co workers and fellow scientists and such, so it was only natural she and Kiyoshi became like an aunt and uncle to us. It was also Auntie who had taught the 3 of us how to duel in the first place."
"Really?" Playmaker asked, intrigued. "Then she must be a very strong duelist. Shame she wasn't around during the continuous Hanoi attacks though."
"Haha. It would've been a one woman army. None of them have ever beaten her in a duel." She laughed. "Not even Revolver."
"What?!" Ai gaped.
"Yup. She's that tough." Shard nodded seriously. "She could even beat you Playmaker."
"If what you're saying is true, then I believe it." Playmaker remarked before he put a hand to his chin. "What is her Deck anyway?"
"Subterror. A Flip Deck." Shard told him.
"Subterror huh?" Playmaker repeated before he laughed. "No wonder her and Earth get along. Subterrors use their defense as their offense."
"I know right?" Shard laughed. "Well we better logout. We need to-" Shard suddenly heard ringing in her earpiece, surprising her before pressing a button.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Shard it's me. Are you and Playmaker ok?" Rai's voice spoke.
"Oh Sparks! Yeah we're fine. Just met the Earth Ignis, but everything is fine." She assured.
"The Earth Ignis? You'll have to tell me later once I get back." Rai sighed.
"Get back? Are you going somewhere?" She questioned, surprised.
"Somewhat. I need to go to the hospital. Miho is there." Rai replied.
"What?! What happened?!" She gasped, shocked.
"Relax. Just hurt her hand at work. Needs a stitch or 2." Rai sighed.
"What?" Shard gaped. "Know what? I'll meet you there." Shard cut off communication sighing.
"What could've happened?" She frowned.
"I dunno." Playmaker shrugged. "Well while you're at the hospital, me, Kusanagi-san and Ai will decipher this document." He paused, then added. "Soulburner will most likely be at Kusanagi-san's truck. I could involve him in this but… Since Juliette is a Kogami...he'll most likely want to take his anger regarding the Lost Incident out on her." Shard winced at the thought and of the Lost Incident.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe we should hold off on telling him." She said.
"I can't avoid it if he's at the truck though." Playmaker told her. "And I'd rather not lie to his face."
"Good point." Shard sighed. "Why not I come with you to help telling him calmly? Then all 3 of us can go to the hospital." She suggested.
"Or ya know, you could hope Ice Queen-chan is with him." Ai grinned. "I'm sure those 2 must be getting along nicely right about now." Shard snickered.
"Yeah maybe." She giggled, before she blinked and looked to Playmaker. "By the way, does Ice Queen know who you are outside of VRAINS?"
"If she does, she hasn't put 2 and 2 together yet." Playmaker remarked.
"Surely she must've. I mean, I bet she knows who Flare is outside of VRAINS." Shard sweatdropped. "She's practically Flare's second best friend."
"Fair enough." Playmaker admitted.
"Then let's log out. I'm glad I logged in inside the truck with you. It makes things easier." She replied with a light smile.
"Yeah." Playmaker nodded as he turned blue; thus logging out of VRAINS.
Shard turned blue as well following her log out.
Yukiko opened her eyes, blinking before sitting up and putting on her glasses.
"Blurry." She grunted, before seeing Yusaku, who was still unconscious. The Lost Incident… Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn… She slowly reached to gently touch his cheek.
And worse of all, you had to suffer through it alone… She thought sadly. Yusaku…
"Yukiko-chan?" Yukiko jumped quickly, turning to look up to see Kusanagi, Takeru and to her surprise, Glacies looking down at her after opening the door. Yukiko blushed red, quickly standing up.
"I-It's nothing!" She quickly said.
"Mmm?" Yusaku blinked. "What's going on?"
"We should tell them what happened Yusaku." Yukiko quickly said.
"Oh. Right." Yusaku nodded, exiting the room. Once he did, he handed Kusanagi a document. "Think you can decode this?"
"Decode what?" Takeru questioned.
"A document to a certain location." Yukiko replied.
"Sure, I can decode this." Kusanagi nodded.
"Okay, clearly something happened while I was at the Zaizens." Takeru frowned.
"Yeah uh…" Yukiko began, glancing at Glacies. Glacies glanced at Yukiko with a "What?" look.
"Since she's here, I can just go out and say it right?" Yukiko asked Yusaku.
"Yeah." Yusaku nodded. Yukiko nodded with a sigh.
"To put it mildly, we met the Earth Ignis, Earth and also… Juliette Kogami." She admitted.
"Revolver's mother." Ai added.
"So that's why you want me to decode this." Kusanagi frowned. "This document has coordinates coded in it."
"Why?" Takeru asked sharply. "Why are we looking for her in the real world? What can she possibly know that could be helpful to us?"
"Homura-kun, she knows something about Bohman. And anything about him is important." Yukiko frowned.
"No." Takeru gnashed his teeth. "I do not believe she knows anything. If she's really Revolver's mother…...then she can't be good news. She's probably in league with Hanoi for all we know."
"Takeru, please calm down." Glacies told him. "Nii-san knows her. She's not in league with Hanoi. Nii-san would know if she was."
"I still don't trust her." Takeru retorted firmly.
"Homura-kun, she's not in league with Hanoi. Not only that, but we met her with Earth." Yukiko told him. "Those two are working together. If she were an enemy, then surely Earth wouldn't be with her right?"
"Indeed. She has a point." Flame nodded. Takeru crossed his arms.
"Fine." He groaned in defeat. "But once this is decoded, I'm going with you to meet her."
"Of course. That was the idea." Yukiko nodded.
"How does it look Kusanagi-san?" Yusaku asked, looking to Kusanagi as he typed.
"She certainly has her way around coding." Kusanagi spoke as he typed. "It's gonna take me a bit for me to fully decode this."
"You'll have Rai to help since she gave me a copy of the document for him to decode as well." Yukiko spoke.
"But you haven't given it to him yet." Kusanagi noted.
"I will once I meet up with him at the hospital." Yukiko replied.
"Hospital? Is Rai-san sick?" Takeru asked worried.
"No not Rai, but Miho." Yukiko frowned. "She hurt her hand and needed a stitch, so she's at the hospital."
"What?!" Takeru gaped.
"Do you guys mind coming with me?" Yukiko asked shyly.
"I'll go with you Yukiko." Glacies spoke up.
"I'll go too." Takeru nodded.
"Thanks guys." Yukiko smiled, facing Kusanagi. "I'll make sure to have Rai contact you once he sees the document."
"Sure." Kusanagi nodded.
The group walked inside the hospital, finding Rai speaking with a doctor before he nodded and left.
"Rai." Yukiko called. Rai turned to see them.
"Ah you guys are here." He smiled. "Oh and Glacies as well."
"How's Miho?" Yusaku asked.
"Fine. Just needed one stitch. Though she does have scratches on her hand too." Rai sighed. "The doctor is stitching her right now. Come on."
"What happened? You said she hurt herself at work." Yukiko frowned, as they walked.
"She hasn't given me the details herself." Rai shrugged. "By the way, what had happened to you 2 in VRAINS?"
"We met the Earth Ignis for one." Yusaku began. "And someone you guys know. Does the name Juliette Kogami ring any bells for you?" At once Rai stopped, looking at them, shocked.
"Aunt Juliette?!" He demanded.
"Yeah!" Ai chimed in as he rose out of Yuskau's duel disk. "She and Earth are, from what I could tell, are partners in a way."
"Earth? You mean the Earth Ignis?" Rai questioned.
"Yeah. Ai named him." Yukiko nodded.
"I see. So what exactly happened?" Rai asked.
"Earth wanted to duel Yusaku. And that was when Aunt Juliette showed herself." Yukiko explained. "She has some information on Bohman too."
"Leaves after all these years and shows up unexpectedly." Rai muttered. "Aunt Juliette never ceases to surprise me. Is she here in Den City?"
"Not exactly." Yusaku admitted. "Kusanagi-san is decoding a document she gave me so we can find her location. Only then will she tell us the information she knows about Bohman."
"She gave me a copy for you to decode as well." Yukiko said.
"Hmm ok. You can show me and Miho once we get back home." Rai began.
"No! Er you can't tell Miho we saw Aunt Juliette." Yukiko winced.
"Huh? Yukiko, Miho would be ecstatic to know about Aunt Juliette." Rai frowned.
"Yeah. But see, Aunt Juliette doesn't want a certain someone to know she's here. And if Miho knows that, a certain someone will find out." Yukiko grimaced. "Get what I mean?" Rai blinked before he sweatdropped and sighed with a facepalm.
"Sadly I do." He groaned. "I'll have to work with Kusanagi-san on this then. Miho is a better decoder than me. Especially on deciphering data."
"Uh what someone do you 2 mean?" Takeru questioned.
"Another time Homura-kun." Yukiko sighed.
"Yes since we're here." Rai said, motioning to a door. Rai opened the door for them to walk in to see Miho talking with a doctor, who was bandaging her hand. They also noticed the black stitch before it was covered.
"So come back in at least a week. Got it." Miho nodded.
"And do be sure to handle your anger." The doctor warned.
"Hmph. You worry too much old man." Miho scoffed.
"Miho!" Yukiko quickly ran to her sister, making Miho look up.
"Yuki, hey you guys." Miho remarked.
"You're hand." Yukiko frowned, looking at the bandaged hand.
"It's fine. Just a bad gash and scratches." Miho assured with a small smile.
"You mentioned it happened at work. Did something happen?" Rai questioned.
"Nothing too bad. It was an accident." Miho replied lightly. Glacies's lips form an amused smile.
"You're lying again." Glacies pointed out.
"Just because you're one of my best friends doesn't mean you can always read me Glacies." Miho smirked.
"Actually, I can." Glacies smirked back. "Your body language gives it away. Remember? Grew up with wild animals for pretty much my whole life? They all read body language to understand each other. I learned how to read body language extremely well because of my arctic family."
"Doesn't make you a lie detector." Miho chuckled.
"Does Zaizen know about this?" Rai sighed.
"I had Hayami tell him and to tell him I'm taking a few days off." Miho hummed, standing.
"Days off? You, the workaholic?" Yukiko gaped.
"Hey I can take a day off!" Miho snapped.
"Yeah, since when do you take a day off?" Glacies laughed. "I know all about your all-nighters at work Miho. Blame Nii-san for that."
"Boss is gonna drive me up the wall one day." Miho scowled.
"It's called looking out for his employees Miho." Glacies groaned. "That's why Nii-san concerns himself with other people and not just himself."
"Yeah, yeah." Miho replied with a yawn as they left. "By the way Yusaku, Yukiko, I heard you 2 checked on something in VRAINS. What happened?"
"We met the Earth Ignis." Yusaku replied.
"He wanted to duel Yusaku-chan for some reason." Ai piped up. Miho grew wide eyed at this before she sighed, a hand to her forehead.
"I see. I guess maybe he was checking on humanity in a sense." She remarked.
"Checking humanity?" Yukiko questioned.
"He must think that the Cyberse World was destroyed by humans. And even though we know Bohman is likely connected to what had happened, we don't know who or what Bohman is. Earth wanted to see the truth of humans with his own eyes." Miho replied. "And he decided to duel Yusaku to find it."
"But he-!" Ai began before Yusaku muted him; thus the rest of his words were cut off.
"Ignore him." Yusaku retorted as he unmuted Ai. Miho raised an eyebrow for a moment before she shrugged.
"If you say so." She replied.
Miho walked into her room with a tired sigh before flopping on her bed; feeling emotionally drained as she looked at her bandaged hand.
*Flashback*
"It is good to see you again Miho." Miho stared at the man before her. He had longish brown hair that was tied back, sharp pale brown eyes, wearing a white suit as he gave her a light smile.
"K-Kiyotaka." She choked.
"Oh? You 2 know each other?" Queen questioned.
"Why yes. We used to work in the same agency years ago." Kiyotaka smiled pleasantly, walking towards Miho. "She was also a very dear friend of my younger brother before his death. I am glad to see you are doing well Miho." Miho felt her body shudder, yet gave a light smile of her own.
"I should say the same to you as well, Kiyotaka. Never thought I would see you again. Least of all here." She replied.
"Yes well, Queen here has offered me quite the position of a project she has been working on and I couldn't help but be intrigued." He replied.
"How like you." Miho stated. "Excuse me Queen, I have to go to the restroom."
"Just be sure to return to work shortly." Queen told her.
"Of course." Miho nodded, walking past them.
Once Miho reached the restroom, she began to shake; clutching one of the sinks and grinding her teeth in pure rage. Old memories flooded in her mind for a moment before she started to see red. Once she realized what had happened, she gasped to see she had punched the mirror now cracked and her left hand terribly cut.
"Shoot…!" She hissed, washing the blood.
"Miho?" Miho jumped, swiftly turning only to relax to see Hayami.
"Oh it's just you." She frowned.
"Miho you're hand." Hayami began.
"It's fine. Just scratched up." Miho frowned. Hayami stared at Miho incredulously.
"Scratched up? You have glass in your hand." Hayami frowned deeply. "I think that classifies as more than just "scratched up", Miho. Plus, I see glass inside the wound. That is, by the way, still bleeding."
"I was going to remove it before you suddenly showed up." Miho sighed, doing just that. "Did the boss tell you to check on me?"
"Yes." Hayami retorted. "He is worried about all of his employees. Most of them accept his hospitality, but why are you trying so hard to avoid it? You know he's a good man."
"Reflex I suppose." Miho hummed, removing the last glass. "My last job was pretty rough before working here. So I'm not used to the hospitality."
"Your last job?" Hayami questioned.
"It was where I learned computer works you can say." Miho retorted. "Say do me a favor?"
"Yeah sure." Hayami replied. "What is it?"
"I'm going to leave early and I need you to tell the boss and also telling him I'll be taking a few days off." Miho told her. Once again, Hayami stared at Miho with an incredulous look on her face.
"You? Take days off? Who are you and what have you done with Miho?" Hayami asked.
"Do I need to announce to the whole company your crush on boss?" Miho snapped, annoyed. Hayami put her hands up in defeat.
"Oi! I was just messing around." Hayami groaned. "Sure, I'll tell him."
"Thank you." Miho sighed, grabbing paper towels for her hand. "And don't you worry, I'll go to the hospital to get this checked."
"Good." Hayami remarked. "Because if you didn't, I'd get boss to drag you to the hospital. And you and I both know that you wouldn't want that." Miho snorted. "Oh believe me I do not. I got two siblings, a caretaker, and his 2 sisters who would do that to me. I don't need him added onto the list." She replied. "And try not to let anybody know about this?"
"I can't promise that." Hayami told her. "But I'll do my best to not tell anyone. That is all I can promise you."
"Thanks. I owe you one." Miho smiled lightly.
*End of flashback*
Miho sighed as she laid on her back. Hopefully once my days off are over, my hand will be fully recovered. She thought. Then suddenly her phone rang, making her sit up to reach in her pocket. "Probably Zaizen." She frowned, picking up. "Hello?"
"Miho what happened?" Ryoken demanded. Miho yelped, nearly dropping her phone.
Shit! I forgot I hung up on him! She thought.
"Sorry Dragon. Queen was there and I had to hang up."
"Oh. I see." Ryoken mused.
"I'm really sorry. I had completely forgotten to call you back." She apologized with a wince.
"It's fine." Ryoken replied.
"If you say so." She sighed, looking at her bandaged hand.
"So will you tell me what happened to your hand?" He asked her. At once she blinked, shocked her body stiffened.
"H-How…? How do you know about my hand?!" She gaped.
"It wouldn't come as a surprise if I were to have spies in SOL Technologies, Miho." She could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
He has a point. She thought with a sweatdrop before she replied.
"But no one else knows except…!" At once Miho gaped in the realization. "Oh you can't be serious…!" She sweatdropped.
"Hayami plays the ditz rather well don't you think." He remarked.
"Oh god." She laughed, shaking her head. "Hayami I can't believe it. Oh then care to explain why she was so insistent on me taking this bouquet of chinese bellflowers? She wasn't letting up."
"But of course I told her she would have to be a bit insistent when I knew you'd wouldn't take it from suspicion." He replied lightly. She blinked by his words for a moment before having a knowing smile.
"You sent those flowers." She stated.
"Yes I did." Ryoken retorted.
"That was very sweet of you." She smiled, looking at said bouquet in the vase at her bedside before she blushed. "And did you also tell her to say that whole truthfully loved thing?"
"Ha! No." Ryoken told her. "If I did, she'd probably quit her spy job. Can't have that now can I?"
"Haha! That's fair." Miho laughed.
"Now don't change the subject. What happened?" He asked gently. She relaxed at his tone as she laid on her bed.
"How much did Hayami tell you?" She asked.
"Everything." Ryoken replied nonchalantly.
"Figured." She smiled weakly. "Kiyotaka was someone me and Rai had to work with years ago in this agency where we learned to be hackers. I can't really get into all the details, contract agreements long story. But Kiyotaka is considered a traitor to us now. He's done things we could never forgive him for, especially me. I guess when I saw him after all this time I just… Snapped. I didn't even realize I punched the mirror till my head cleared."
"Thank you for telling me." He replied. "Are you ok now?"
"Hey I promised to be honest right?" She smiled softly. "And yeah I'll be fine. I went to the hospital and got my hand stitched and took a few days off from work. Hopefully my hand will be fine by then."
"You taking time off? How surprising." He teased.
"Oh hush." She giggled. "Sorry I worried you… Since you got Kyoko out, that means you'll be returning to Den City, right?"
"Yeah." Ryoken confirmed.
"So I'll be seeing you soon. In a way, that is good. I missed you." She admitted. "I'll see you soon then Ryoken."
"See you soon." Ryoken spoke as he hung up. Miho sighed softly with a small smile before she heard a knock, looking up to see Rai.
"He's coming." He stated.
"Soon knowing him." Miho replied with a light smile.
"Well I'm still slugging him once he does." Rai replied nonchalantly.
"Rai." She groaned.
"He made you cry and it is my duty as the big brother to punch guys who do that to my sisters." Rai replied.
"You're only older than me by 2 minutes!" She facepalmed.
"Still older." He smirked.
"Are you sure this is the place Rai?"
"Positive you guys." Yusaku, Yukiko, Glacies, Rai, and Takeru were walking, following the coordinates Juliette gave them in the documents after deciphering them. "Kusanagi-san and I made sure this is the right path." Rai assured.
"Good." Yusaku remarked. "Because it appears we are here now." In front of the group stood what appeared to be an old, rundown house that was the size of a small apartment building.
"An old building like this?" Takeru wondered. "Why would anyone hde in something that could easily be burnt down?"
"It's not like she can be picky. After all, she needs to keep a low profile here." Yukiko frowned.
"So, who wants to knock?" Glacies asked.
"I'll go." Rai replied, walking to the door and knocking. After a few minutes, the door opened up to reveal Juliette Kogami, who was standing at the doorway.
"Oh my! I was expecting Yusaku and Yukiko, but it seems you've brought some more friends." She smiled.
"Hey Auntie." Rai smiled, hugging Juliette.
"Oh Rai! Nice to see you again!" Juliette hugged Rai back.
"Man it really is you. We really thought we would never see you again." Rai weakly chuckled.
"As I told Yukiko in VRAINS a few days ago, I'm sorry that I left when I did." Juliette told Rai. "And since it's been 10 years, you 3 must have been through a lot. Things I couldn't be a part of."
"It's quite alright Aunt Juliette. We never held any ill will to you for leaving." Rai assured. "Plus most of it was your son's fault, so don't be surprised that I'm slugging him once he gets back."
"Made Miho cry I see." Juliette frowned before she put a hand to her forehead. "Yeah. He tends to do that." She paused, then added. "Oh! I should have invited you all inside! How silly of me!"
"Look." Takeru began. "We only came here for the information on Bohman. So why don't you tell us where he is so we can go."
"Homura-kun!" Yukiko scowled.
"What?" Takeru frowned deeply. "And even if she has information, how we do she's not giving us false information?" Juliette looked at Takeru, a sad smile on her face.
"You don't trust me." She told him.
"Of course I don't." Takeru scowled. "You're related to that monster. Why should I believe what you say?"
"Takeru she wasn't even there when that incident happened." Rai frowned. "You can't place your anger on her for it."
"Actually, he can." Juliette replied. "I am Kiyoshi's wife after all. So it's only natural that Takeru would despise me."
"That doesn't mean you are responsible for what happened." Yukiko frowned.
"I may not be responsible, but your friend is letting his anger blind him." Juliette replied. "Blind anger leads to irrational thinking and decisions. He needs an outlet for that built up anger. I'll be more than happy to let him release all that anger on me."
"Wait what?!" Ai gaped.
"You sure about this?" Glacies frowned.
"She is. She's always been like this." Rai sighed with an amused smile.
"What do you mean?" Yusaku questioned.
"That kindness and nature. She's always had it." Rai replied. "You'll know what I mean."
"If you're sure." Yusaku frowned.
"If she's sure about anything, it's that face of hers shall be pummeled into the ground!" Takeru grit his teeth. "Specifically, the virtual ground!"
"Hoh?" Juliette wondered. "So you're challenging me to a duel, Takeru?"
"Of course!" Takeru shot back.
"Uh Homura-kun." Yukiko began, but Rai placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her with a shake of his head.
"Let him get it out of his system." Rai whispered to her. Yukiko frowned slightly but nodded.
"Takeru-san…" Glacies spoke softly.
"Well?! Are you gonna accept my challenge or not?!" Takeru snapped.
"But of course." Juliette replied. "In fact, should I lose, you make me grovel at your feet in addition to getting the information I have on Bohman."
"Way to be a dramatic Auntie." Yukiko muttered.
"That wasn't drama dear." Juliette told her. "I was being serious."
"Takeru." Flame spoke up.
"Yes Flame?" Takeru asked.
"Normally I'd try to talk you out of something like this. But if you feel this will help you continue to our future, don't allow your anger to cloud your judgement." Flame warned.
"I'll try not to." Takeru replied before he turned his attention to Juliette. "You ready?"
"Yes." Juliette replied. "And I have a private server here so that no one can detect, nor find us."
"Man. She really has herself isolated." Ai noted.
"Again she kinda has to be Ai." Yukiko frowned.
"True." Ai nodded.
"We should probably go into the server as well." Yusaku pointed out as he noticed Takeru and Juliette had already gone in.
"Yeah." Rai agreed, Yukiko nodding.
The server looked like that of an old city structure. Several buildings were deteriorating, in addition to the ground in multiple places.
"I made the server like this because no one would bother with outdated technology." Juliette explained as she and Soulburner in the central square area, the others at the sidelines. "And because it's outdated, it very well may crumble from the inside out. Luckily, I've all given you emergency escape programs should that happen."
"She's thought this through." Flame remarked.
"Someone has to." Sparks remarked.
"She's worked for SOL Technologies long before I was born." Ice Queen added. "She may be using an outdated server, but she's using the most advanced security measures on this one server. It just shows that she really doesn't want to be found."
"I've even put high security on that rundown house." Juliette added. "Should anyone try to find me in the real world."
"One of the good things that Earth stuck with her." Ai replied.
"The Earth Ignis?" Soulburner questioned before his eyes narrowed. "Why does she have him then? Shouldn't he be with us?"
"He's the one staying with her by his own free will Soulburner." Shard frowned.
"Tch!" Soulburner grunted as he got his duel disk activated. "I don't plan to show mercy!"
"Fine by me." Juliette retorted as she activated her old style duel disk and put her deck into it.
"DUEL!"
"I'll start." Juliette spoke as she observed her hand. "I'll activate the Field Spell, The Hidden City." The field spell card that depicted a city within a mountain appeared. "Due to this card's effect upon activation, I can add 1 Subterror monster from my Deck to my hand." A card ejected out of her Deck; thus she added it to her hand. "I added the monster Subterror Guru to my hand, which I shall Summon." A small earth dragon-like monster appeared onto Juliette's field. (Subterror Guru, Level 4 EARTH Dragon-type FLIP monster, ATK/DEF: 1600/1800. Juliette's hand: 4 cards. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"I now activate the Continuous Spell, Subterror Cave Clash." Juliette continued as she grabbed 2 cards from her hand. "I set 2 cards and end my turn." (Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) "It's your turn Soulburner."
"That's your turn?" Soulburner frowned before he shrugged. "My turn, draw!" (Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 6 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Soulburne looked at his hand.
With this hand, I can defeat her right here. He thought.
"I'll start by Normal Summoning Salamangreat Foxy!" Soulburner announced. A blue furred and flaming fox appeared onto Soulburner's field. (Salamangreat Foxy, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1000. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"And now I activate-!" Soulburner began.
"Its effect?" Juliette interjected, surprising Soulburner. "I know what you're going to do. So I'll do this. I activate Subterror Guru's effect to flip itself and your Foxy face-down."
"Ehh?!" Soulburner gaped as his Foxy and Juliette's Guru flipped face-down.
Did she read me?! Soulbuurner thought.
"That's our teacher for you. She's able to read him easily." Sparks remarked lightly.
"Regardless, I still get Foxy's effect since he was Normal Summoned!" Soulburner remarked as he pulled the top 3 cards from his Deck and looked at them. He nodded, then revealed Salamangreat Circle. "I shall add Salamangreat Circle to my hand!" He did so; thus the remaining cards shuffled back into his Deck. "On top of that, I shall use the effect of Salamangreat Fowl from my hand! Since I Normal or Special Summoned a Salamangreat, I can Special Summon him from my hand!" A flaming fowl appeared next to the now set Salamangreat Foxy. (Salamangreat Fowl, Level 4 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1800/200. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"But I'm not finished yet!" Soulburner continued as he activated Salamangreat Circle to add Salamangreat Meer to his hand, which Special Summoned itself via its own effect. (Salamangreat Meer, Level 2 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 800/600. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Soon after, Soulburner raised his right arm upward.
"Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" Soulburner announced as the link portal appeared. "The Summoning condition is 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster! I set Salamangreat Meer into the Link Marker! Appear now! Link 1! Salamangreat Babelynx!" Out of the circuit came forth a baby lynx. (Salamangreat Babelynx, Link 1 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, Link Arrow(s): B. ATK: 500. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Babelynx's effect!" Soulburner continued. "Upon its Link Summon, I can add 1 Salamangreat Sanctuary from my Deck to my hand!" A card ejected out of Soulburner's Deck; thus he added it to his hand. "Now I activate it!" A field spell with a volcano in the background, along with what appeared to be Salamangreat Heatleo.
"Your deck is quite the fast paced one." Juliette noted.
"Now with his field spell, he can perform his Reincarnation Link Summon…" Shard remarked.
"Since I Link Summoned previously in this turn, I Special Summon Salamangreat Mole from my hand to the Zone my Babelynx points to." Soulburner continued. The ground split apart as the flaming mole dug his way up to the surface. (Salamangreat Mole, Level 1 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 0. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Fowl, Mole, and Babelynx. He has 3 monsters." Shard replied.
"Link 3." Sparks frowned. Soulburner then raised his right arm upward.
"Appear for the 2nd time! Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" Soulburner announced as the link portal appeared. "The Summoning conditions are at least 2 FIRE Effect monsters! I set Salamangreat Fowl, Mole, and the Link 1 Babelynx into the Link Markers! Appear now! Link 3! Salamangreat Heatleo!" Out of the link circuit appeared a flaming lion, which roared in Juliette's general direction. (Salamangreat Heatleo, Link 3 FIRE Cyberse-type Link monster, Link Arrows: T/BL/BR, ATK: 2300. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Juliette looked at Salamangreat Heatleo with a small smile.
"So the Salamangreats are your Deck, Flame." Juliette spoke to Soulburner's partner. "Unfortunately, as powerful as the deck is, your origin made a fatal flaw in his strategy. He skipped over the Link 2." She chuckled. "Of course, with this set card here, it wouldn't have mattered."
"What do you mean?" Soulburner demanded.
"She saw it coming." Sparks stated.
"I activate the Counter Trap, Solemn Judgement!" Juliette gestured to 1 of her set cards. "Whenever you would Summon a monster(s), or activate a Spell/Trap, I can pay half my LP to negate the Summon(s) or activation, and destroy it!"
"What?!" Soulburner gaped as Heatleo shattered; thus he gnashed his teeth.
She could have used that on my Foxy and my turn would have been over! Soulburner thought angrily. But instead, she waited until I went for a strong monster like Heatleo! Soulburner grabbed 2 cards from his hand and set them.
"I end my turn with 2 face-downs." Soulburner grunted. (Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 2000. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Then it's my turn. Draw!" Juliette declared as she drew. (Juliette's hand: 2 cards. Juliette's LP: 2000. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Juliette looked at the card she drew, then flipped her set Subterror Guru face-up. "Subterror Guru's Flip effect! Upon being Flipped face-up, I can add 1 Subterror card from my Deck to my hand." A card ejected out of her Deck and she added it to her hand. "I choose to add Subterror Call from my Deck to my hand." She then grabbed another card from her hand. "Next I Normal Summon Subterror Nemesis Archer to my field." A blonde female archer appeared next to Guru. (Subterror Nemesis Archer, Level 3 EARTH Warrior-type monster, ATK/DEF: 2100/1900 (originally 1600/1400). Juliette's hand: 2 cards. Juliette's LP: 2000. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Due to my Cave Clash's effect, all Subterror monsters I control gain 500 ATK/DEF for every set monster on the field." Juliette explained. "You have 1, so all my Subterror monsters gain 500 ATK/DEF."
"If Soulburner didn't have Foxy still on his field, he would have lost from 2 direct attacks." Ai noted.
"Juliette planned for that I suppose." Shard frowned.
"Next I activate Subterror Call." Juliette continued. "Since I control a face-up or face-down Subterror monster, I can Special Summon 1 Subterror monster from either my Deck or GY in either face-up or face-down Defense Position." A card ejected out of her Deck and she placed it onto her Monster Zone face-down. "I've chosen to Special Summon a Subterror monster in face-down Defense Position."
"Which means another extra 500 ATK/DEF for her Subterrors." Flame remarked.
"I activate The Hidden City's effect." Juliette revealed. "Once per turn, I can target 1 set monster I control and flip it face-up. I choose the newly Special Summoned set Subterror monster." Suddenly, the ground began to shake and crack open as the monster arose to the field. (Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo, Level 10 EARTH Rock-type FLIP monster, ATK/DEF: 3300/2600 (originally 2800/2100). Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 2000. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Stalagmo's monster effect." Juliette continued. "I discard 1 Subterror monster to draw 2 cards." She looked at the cards she drew. "I win, Soulburner."
"What are you talking about?" Soulburner demanded. "I still have my set Foxy and 2 face-downs."
"Something tells me that doesn't matter." Ice Queen frowned.
"No it does not." Sparks rubbed the back of his neck.
"You want proof? Then allow me to show you." Juliette told Soulburner. "Battle. Subterror Nemesis Archer, attack his set Foxy." The female archer raised her bow and placed an arrow on it, then fired the arrow.
"You know my monster is in Defense, right?" Soulburner frowned.
"Oh I know." Juliette told him. "But due to Archer's effect at the start of the Damage Step, should she attack a face-down Defense monster you control while I control another Subterror monster, your monster is shuffled into the Deck before damage calculation."
"What?!" Soulburner watched as his monster was shuffled into the Deck.
"All part of her plan." Sparks said with a strained smile.
"But now her Subterrors are weaker." Ai pointed out.
"Maybe…" Ice Queen mused as Juliette thrusted her right hand forward.
"Subterror Guru, attack Soulburner directly!" Juliette declared. The earthen dragon launched forward towards the defenseless duelist.
"Tch! I activate the Trap, Energy of Fire! By shuffling my Heatleo into my Deck, I can gain LP equal to its ATK!" Juliette closed her eyes, then opened them while discarding a card from her hand.
"I activate Subterror Fiendess's effect from my hand." Juliette spoke. "By discarding her, your Trap's activation is negated, along with my Subterror Guru being flipped face-down."
"Gah!" Soulburner gnashed his teeth before he sighed. "At least your attack was stopped due to your own card."
"You think so?" Juliette's lips formed a smile.
"What?" Soulburner frowned. "I'm aware that you have one more attack via Subterror Stalagmo, but that attack will leave me with 700 LP left."
"If Revolver's tactics are anything to go by in dueling, then his Mom is thinking farther ahead than he would." Playmaker noted.
"I told you she's that good. And Revolver could never beat her." Shard sighed.
"Wait really?!" Ai gaped. "Then she's probably thinking 5 moves ahead then!"
"Probably more than that." Playmaker told Ai as he looked back at the field. "She hasn't even used an Extra Deck monster yet."
"Stalagmo, attack Soulburner directly!" Juliette declared. The rock monster threw a punch that sent small rocks towards Soulburner.
"I still have 1 card left in my hand!" Soulburner spoke. "I Special Summon Salamangreat Parro since you're attacking me directly! By bringing this monster out, I can make his ATK the same as a monster in my GY!"
"And you choose Salamangreat Heatleo, right?" Juliette questioned.
"You bet!" Soulburner grinned as Parro's ATK became 2300.
"Even with 2300 ATK, that's not enough." Juliette told him as the rocks pummeled the flaming parrot; thus destroying it and Soulburner's avatar fizzled blue. (Soulburner's LP: 4000 - 1000 = 3000. Juliette's hand: 0 cards. Juliette's LP: 2000. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 3000.)
"Due to Subterror Cave Clash's effect, since I dealt you damage, I can add 1 Subterror card from my GY to my hand. I choose to add Subterror Fiendess." She added the card to her hand. After that, she gestured to her set card.
"I activate the Continuous Trap, Subterror Behemoth Conversation to flip up my Subterror Guru." The small dragon flipped up again. "Now Guru, attack Soulburner directly!" The small dragon did just that; slashing Soulburner with its claws. Soulburner tched as his avatar fizzled blue. (Soulburner's LP: 3000 - 1600 = 1400. Juliette's hand: 1 card. Juliette's LP: 2000. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 1400.)
"I end my turn by setting my Subterror Stalagmo." Juliette concluded. "It's your turn."
"What was that about beating me during your turn?" Soulburner remarked as he drew.
"Perhaps I said to scare you." Juliette remarked. "Or maybe it was a miscalculation on my part. Who knows." Soulburner looked at the card he drew.
"I activate the Equip Spell, Rising Fire!" Soulburner began.
"No you don't." Juliette countered. "By discarding Fiendess, your Rising Fire is negated and Guru is flipped face-down."
"Ugh…..!" Soulburner growled. "I end my turn…!"
"Draw." Juliette did so; looking at the card she drew, then Summoned a 2nd Archer, who's ATK/DEF rose by 1000 due to Cave Clash. "Or perhaps I said "I won" because I knew you had no other options. In which case, I did not miscalculate."
"How could you possibly know I had no other options?" Soulburner gnashed his teeth.
"Your 2nd face-down would have been used by now if you had any other options." Juliette told him. "And as Playmaker said, I have not used an Extra Deck monster yet. And I have no reason to." She thrusted her right hand forward. "Battle! Subterror Nemesis Archer, attack Soulburner directly!" The archer fired an arrow at Soulburner, making him wince and fall to his knees as his avatar fizzled blue. (Soulburner's LP: 1400 - 2600 = 0.)
"I couldn't even deal you any damage….!" Soulburner clenched his fists as he pounded them into the ground. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Why?!" Sparks frowned, walking to Soulburner and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Soulburner you need to calm down. Allowing your emotions to run wild is what causes mistakes." Sparks frowned. "Like Juliette had said, you skipped from your Link 2 and went straight for Heatleo. I can understand your anger at what the Incident did to you. But if you allow your anger of what it did to you cloud you and chain you, then you cannot move forward in your future. Something I'm sure Flame hopes for you to do." Soulburner looked up at Sparks, then sighed heavily, standing up.
"You're right." Soulburner admitted. He then turned to face Juliette, a solemn look on his face. "I'm sorry for my anger towards you. It's just…"
"I know." Juliette replied, a sad smile on her lips.
"You know Soulburner, Aunt Juliette left that day because she couldn't forgive Kiyoshi for conducting the incident in the first place." Sparks told him. "Yet she felt guilty for not stopping him." Soulburner's expression went from solemn to sad.
"So that's why….she's in hiding….." He whispered.
"No." Playmaker spoke up. "She's in hiding not just because of that. The bounty on her head is preventing her from returning to Den City."
"On top of my self guilt for leaving my family." Juliette added. "I bet Revolver hates me for what I did. And to be honest, I don't blame him. His only parent that loved him so much left him to essentially fend for himself. Leaving was the hardest decision I ever had to make. If I stayed, there was a chance I'd also be infected and be comatosed like Kiyoshi was. I didn't want my son to be parentless."
"We understood that much once we found out what had happened to Uncle." Sparks frowned sadly. "You only wanted to do what was best for Revolver since you're his mother. That was all you wanted to do."
"Yet will Revolver listen? You know how mule-headed he is." Shard sighed.
"Hopefully Flare can smooth things somewhat." Sparks muttered.
"Playmaker, Soulburner." Juliette spoke towards them, getting their attention.
"Yes?" Playmaker inquired.
"Had I stayed in Den City 10 years ago, I could have stopped the Lost Incident." She began. "But after leaving, I want you 2 to know how much guilt I felt for doing it. The guilt of not being able to stop the Incident. The guilt of not being able to convince Kiyoshi to stop. The guilt of being there for the people I care about the most. All of that guilt consumed after I left. I feared returning not because of SOL, but because of the people I cared about. Especially you, Playmaker."
"Hmm?" Playmaker mused.
"Why Playmaker especially?" Ai questioned, confused.
"Oh boy…" Sparks muttered with a sigh.
"Sparks?" Shard frowned.
"I don't understand." Playmaker frowned.
"I'll give you the information regarding Bohman and something else." Juliette told him. "But first, we must log out so I can give you this information."
"Cooled down enough Soulburner?" Sparks asked.
"Yeah." He nodded. "Now I feel guilty for being a jerk to her."
"Don't be." Juliette reassured him.
"She knew you had to get it all out of your system and she was more than willing to let you." Sparks smiled, ruffling Soulburner's hair. "So don't worry about it. Aunt Juliette is kind like that."
"Well, alright." Soulburner replied sheepishly.
After returning from her private server, Juliette goes to her office, then returns to the group with files on Bohman, along with a personal file for Yusaku.
"Take this, Yusaku." Juliette told him. "It's very personal information on you that concerns you specifically that I managed to steal from SOL's Data Bank before I officially left."
"Huh. So that's what those missing slots were when I hacked in there." Rai remarked.
"And the files on Bohman too." Ai spoke. "Sweet! We got what we came for!"
"We truly appreciate this Mrs. Kogami." Flame nodded.
"You're welcome Flame." Juliette told him. "Oh, and in case you're wondering Earth is, he's not here, obviously. He's searching for Aqua, the Water Ignis."
"Ah I see. Makes sense since he was indeed close to her." Flame said in understanding. "Though I can't help but worry as well since she disappeared before Cyberse World was destroyed."
"She was? Could the ones who attacked Cyberse World have taken her?" Rai frowned.
"We shall find out." Yusaku spoke as he skimmed through the files on Bohman. "It seems the last location he's been at is this." He points at the image of what appeared to be a smaller version of Cyberse World. "This looks like a bunch of cardboard put together to look like the original Cyberse World. But if that's where Bohman is, then we have to go there."
"Aren't you coming with us Mrs. Kogami?" Glacies asked.
"Believe me dear, I'd love to." Juliette answered. "Then again, I promised myself I'd return to Den City, so I might as well."
"I'll call Miho then so she can come too." Yukiko said, getting her phone.
"Will you be joining us to this location Mrs. Kogami?" Yusaku wondered.
"No Yusaku." She replied. "I'll be going into VRAINS to help Earth look for Aqua."
"Probably for the best. Don't want Miho to know you're here yet." Rai smirked.
"You know once I enter VRAINS, SOL will be able to detect me." Juliette remarked. "But of course, I've built a program to make myself invisible to their security; so they won't see me. I also gave Earth a copy, since SOL is after him too." She then frowned. "However, the programs invisibility will not last long. Probably 45 minutes to an hour. That may or may not be enough time for me to catch up to Earth and help him find Aqua. But it's a risk I have to take."
"At least be careful. I don't think any of us could handle losing you again." Rai said with a soft smile.
"I'll be careful Rai." Juliette smiled. "I've been careful for 10 years."
"Ok I just finished talking with Miho." Yukiko said, after hanging up. "Once we send her the coordinates, she'll meet up with us in VRAINS."
"In that case, I say good luck to all of you." Juliette told them.
"Thanks. I feel like we'll need it." Ai replied, as Yukiko hugged Juliette. Juliette then hugged Yukiko back.
"We'll see you soon, right?" Yukiko asked softly.
"Yes." Juliette told her.
"We'll be going as well?" Flame questioned Glacies.
"Might as well." Glacies replied. "I already have a bounty on my head to keep Nii-san in check. And I involved myself in this fight by my choice. So I'm sticking by that choice."
"Then best we be off." Flame nodded.
Aurasoul: And that chapter is over and wow its my longest yet!
Rai: You didn't bother stopping, did you?
Aurasoul: I was in the zone with MM I guess. Welp until then everyone please read and review!
