Editing Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 052

In the present, Soulburner's [[Speed Duel]] against [[George Gore|The Gore]] continues, with Gore on 3500 [[LP]] and controlling the 3000 [[ATK]] "[[Dinowrestler King T Wrextle (anime)|Dinowrestler King T Wrextle]]", while Soulburner only has 2100 LP and the 1800 ATK "[[Salamangreat Jack Jaguar (anime)|Salamangreat Jack Jaguar]]". Soulburner activates the [[Spell Card]] "[[Link Fire's Return]]", which will allow him to [[Special Summon]] a "[[Salamangreat]]" monster from his [[Graveyard]]. He revives "[[Salamangreat Heatleo (anime)|Salamangreat Heatleo]]" and adds that since he Special Summoned a [[Link Monster]], Gore will take damage equal to its [[Link Rating]] times 200. "Heatleo" is [[Link 3 Monster Cards|Link-3]], so Gore takes 600 damage, reducing him to 2900 LP. Soulburner explains that the Summoned "Heatleo" can't attack or use its effects the turn this turn, and Gore scoffs. At [[SOL Technologies]], [[Risa Hayami|Hayami]] begins to worry over what will happen to [[Akira Zaizen|Zaizen]] if they fail to capture the [[Ignis]] (in the dub, her thoughts are replaced with Soulburner continuing to disparage Gore). The oblivious Zaizen asks what [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker's]] status is, and one of his staff tells him that Playmaker is moving through [[LINK VRAINS]] (in the dub, they specify that they'll lose Playmaker if The Gore can't defeat Soulburner). Hayami worries that Zaizen might get demoted again, and she gets a determined look on her face and thinks that she won't let that happen; she must protect the Chief (once again, her thoughts are cut from the dub, though her expressions are not). Back in LINK VRAINS, Gore warns Soulburner that even if he keeps resurrecting "Heatleo", The Gore will keep pummeling it. Soulburner tells him to go ahead and try, it'll be good training (in the dub, he snaps that he didn't ask Soulburner to worship him, nor put a poster of him up on his wall. Soulburner protests that Gore didn't have to, and how did he know about the poster on his wall?).

A blast of energy suddenly fires from behind them and in between them, exploding on the wall ahead (in the dub, Flame warns him before it strikes). Soulburner asks if it was an attack from the outside, and asks how Gore could resort to such dirty tricks. Gore is shocked by the accusation, and Flame declares that attacks from outside during a Duel are inexcusable (in the dub, he snarkily defines the word "cheater" to Gore). Soulburner snaps that he misjudged him, and Gore mutters that Soulburner must think lowly of him if he thinks that he did that, much to Soulburner's surprise.

With a determined look on her face, Hayami enters commands into her tablet, thinking that she won't let Zaizen be demoted. Her screen depicts a target moving between The Gore and Soulburner as she thinks that the Chief doesn't need to worry; no-one will take his seat again. She lets out a demented smile as she targets Soulburner and presses "Action", releasing another blast of energy. Soulburner gasps in shock, but Gore furiously orders them to stop the attack and he flies in front of Soulburner and intercepts the blast with his Duel Board, causing a cloud of smoke to engulf them. Soulburner, Flame, and Zaizen all gasp in shock, and Hayami reels back and screams in horror, attracting Zaizen's attention. He gets up and sharply asks Hayami what she did, and Hayami tries to protest that it was nothing, but Zaizen takes her tablet from her as she tries to protest that he'd be demoted but bursts into tears before she can finish. Zaizen is taken aback, but reassures her that he'll be fine (in the dub, she drops a line begging Zaizen not to call off their future wedding, much to his surprise, but then they're distracted by the status update and Hayami quickly says "Nevermind"). One of Zaizen's staff asks how The Gore is, and Zaizen and Hayami look to see Gore emerging unharmed from the cloud of smoke. Another staff tells the first that The Gore is fine and he's back in the Duel. Zaizen returns Hayami's tablet, warning her not to interfere when Duelists are fighting seriously. Hayami apologizes, and Zaizen tells her to come to the office when this is done. Hayami sadly agrees (in the dub, Hayami notes that it'l be another embarrassing story to tell their grandkids; Zaizen does not tell her to come to his office, instead noting that she did have the best of intentions).

Gore and Soulburner enter an underground section of the canal, and [[Flame (character)|Flame]] notes that Gore voluntarily protected them, so he wasn't responsible for those attacks. Soulburner agrees that The Gore he knows wouldn't do that (in the dub, he comments that Gore might say he's changed, but he's more like his old self than he thinks, except for the unitard). He tells The Gore that he's coming, and Gore tells Soulburner to bring it. Soulburner activates the [[Field Spell Card]] "[[Salamangreat Sanctuary (anime)|Salamangreat Sanctuary]]", explaining that it will allow him to [[Link Summon]] a "Salamangreat" Link Monster by using a monster with the same name as the entire material. He [[Summon chants in Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|chants]] "Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" and [[Link Material|sets]] "Salamangreat Heatleo" in the [[Link Arrow]], [[Reincarnation Link Summon]]ing the Link-3 "Salamangreat Heatleo". "Heatleo's" flames flare to life, and Gore repeats the Summon name in shock (in the dub, he asks why Soulburner would Summon the same monster again). Soulburner activates the effect of the Reincarnation Link Summoned "Heatleo", making the ATK of Gore's monster the same as one in Soulburner's Graveyard. He chooses to make the ATK of "King T Wrextle" the same as "[[Salamangreat Meer (anime)|Salamangreat Meer]]"; 800. The ATK of "King T Wrextle" falls, much to Gore's shock as he repeats the value (in the dub, Gore states that's no way to treat a king). Soulburner asks if Gore sees, this is - This is Soulburner's special technique, Flame interrupts. Soulburner protests that Flame shouldn't be hogging the spotlight, and Flame tells him that he thought it would be awkward and pretentious for Soulburner to brag about his own technique; he was being nice. Gore muses that since the ATK of "King T Wrextle" has been decreased, Soulburner will use "Heatleo" to destroy it and damage his LP, but he won't let him. (In the dub, Soulburner retorts that he just did treat the "King" this way, and Flame criticizes his trash talking. Gore declares that he won't be trash talking, but taking out the trash, and an impressed Flame suggests that Soulburner take notes.)

As Soulburner declares battle, Gore activates the effect of "Dinowrestler King T Wrextle". During this [[Battle Phase]], "Jack Jaguar" must attack first. Soulburner is shocked that "Jack Jaguar" is being forced to attack first, and Soulburner notes that "Jack Jaguar" has 1800 ATK, and that only one monster is allowed to attack due to the effect of "[[World Dino Wrestling (anime)|World Dino Wrestling]]". Gore adds that "Jack Jaguar" will also be destroyed at the end of the Battle Phase if Soulburner doesn't attack with it, and Soulburner states that of course he'll attack, and "Salamangreat Jack Jaguar" wheels around and attacks "Dinowrestler King T Wrextle". But Gore activates the effect of "[[Dinowrestler Martial Ankylo (anime)|Dinowrestler Martial Ankylo]]" from his hand since his "[[Dinowrestler]]" monster battled a monster with equal or higher ATK, sending it to the Graveyard to prevent "King T Wrextle" from being destroyed by that battle. Soulburner reminds Gore that he'll still take the damage, and Gore's LP falls to 1900, but then he reveals that the effect of "Martial Ankylo" will halve the ATK of Soulburner's monster. "Jack Jaguar" falls to 900 ATK as it lands, and Soulburner declares that the effect of "Heatleo" ends and the ATK of "King T Wrextle" returns to normal, rising back up to 3000. Soulburner admits that Gore's "Dinowrestler" Deck is pretty tough and Flame reminds him that this isn't the time to be in awe, but he admits that The Gore has truly mastered his new Deck. Soulburner declares that The Gore truly is impressive, and and Gore grins, commenting that he won't be defeated that easily. Soulburner ends his turn. (In the dub, Flame notes that this gives them the opportunity to make a comeback, and Soulburner points out that Gore used to do so too. Gore grins that he's learned that being ahead feels better, and Soulburner states that Gore doesn't really believe that. Gore retorts that Soulburner doesn't know anything about him).

Gore declares his turn and draws, thinking that Soulburner has the 2300 ATK "Heatleo" and the 900 ATK "Jack Jaguar", while Gore has the 3000 ATK "King T Wrextle". In his previous life as an [[Dueltainer|entertainer]], he would have attacked "Heatleo" with "King T Wrextle" to create a highlight when their ace monsters clashed, but now that he's a bounty hunter, he decides to aim for a guaranteed win rather than a highlight. He declares battle and orders "Dinowrestler King T Wrextle" to attack "Salamangreat Jack Jaguar", and as "King T Wrextle" lunges forwards with a raised fist, he adds that the effect of "World Dino Wrestling" will increase its ATK by 200. "King T Wrextle" powers up to 3200 ATK, and Gore thinks that if this works, Soulburner will take 2300 damage, more than his LP. But Soulburner activates the effect of his Field Spell "Salamangreat Sanctuary" since he would take battle damage, allowing him to pay 1000 LP, reduce the ATK of a "Salamangreat" Link Monster he controls to zero, and then gain LP equal to the lost ATK. His LP falls to 1100, then the ATK of "Heatleo" becomes zero, and Soulburner rises to 3400 LP. "King T Wrextle" then destroys "Jack Jaguar" with ferocious blow, reducing Soulburner to 1100 LP. Gore grits his teeth in frustration, muttering that he wanted to finish Soulburner off this turn (in the dub he notes that Soulburner refuses to go down for the three-count, and Soulburner points out that of course he doesn't; would Gore?) His A.I. reminds him that the effect of "World Dino Wrestling" will now expire, and the ATK of "King T Wrextle" will return to normal. Gore then explains that he can Special Summon "[[Dinowrestler Rambrachio (anime)|Dinowrestler Rambrachio]]" from his hand in Defense Position since a "Dinowrestler" Link Monster inflicted battle damage to Soulburner. He thinks that the effect of "Rambrachio" will prevent other "Dinowrestlers" from being affected by effects next turn, so even if Soulburner activates the effect of "Heatleo" again, "T Wrextle" will be protected. He ends his turn.  

Soulburner tells The Gore that he knows how devoted he is to Dueling, and he remembers being at his parents' photos with his grandparents, declaring that he also has a reason why he can't afford to lose, and he draws (in the dub, he tells Gore that he might have forgotten who he is, but Soulburner hasn't because if it wasn't for him he wouldn't be here). Theodore remembers his hometown, [[Kiku Kamishirakawa|a girl with a plait]] cycled along the waterfront in search for him and found him by the dock, where he was reading about Playmaker, [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]], and The Gore's heroism (in the dub, he thought that they had been fighting the Knights of Hanoi, while he'd been here doing nothing). As he got to his feet, the girl rushed to him, calling his name and asking what he was doing here and told him to come to school already. Theodore hesitantly told the girl, Kiku, that he'd go. Kiku was pleased that Theodore finally felt like it, but noted that it was only four days until summer vacation and smiled. Theodore stated that he didn't care about summer vacation and he and Kiku looked up at the seagulls. Theodore stated that he was leaving the city, and Kiku asked in shock what he meant. Theodore explained that he wasn't himself right now and that this wasn't the real him. Kiku asked what he was talking about and she stated that Theodore was himself. But Theodore strapped on his [[Duel Disk]], stating that that was why he's leaving. He walked past Kiku and put his hand on her shoulder, asking her to look after his grandparents, and she whispered his name before nodding in determination, stating that she didn't know what was going on, but wishing him good luck if that was his decision, because he looked like he was full of life. (In the dub, their conversation is more focused around school rather than the logistics of the situation. Kiku states that "Teddy" can't skip school just because he's the smartest in the class, and Theodore admits that he thought it was Sunday. Kiku admits that she took notes for him, and Theodore admits that he might need her to continue doing so as he's leaving town for a little to deal with something that he should have taken care of a long time ago. Kiku comments on the cryptic statement, but notes that it's important to Theodore and she won't stop him. However, she won't take notes for him, since semester break is coming up.) Theodore thanked Kiku, before running away from the waterfront.

Soulburner explains that after the Lost Incident he hated everything and anything he did was halfhearted. He stopped Dueling and sealed away his past memories, but during that time he learned that Duelists were fighting against those who made him suffer. He couldn't sit still, so he came to [[Den City]]. Flame tells Soulburner that he knows how he feels, but Soulburner ignores him, declaring that he can't forget about the past (in the dub, Soulburner states that he never beat the Lost Incident, only survive it, but Gore fought against the Knights of Hanoi to prevent further horrors despite not even being related to it because it was the right thing to do, and Soulburner should have been fighting alongside him. Flame tells him that he shouldn't be so hard on himself, but Soulburner insist that he should have been). He remembers that his grandparents later brought him to their home, telling him that starting today it would be his home too. Theodore asked why, and his grandmother told him that he was living with them now. Back in the present, Soulburner thinks that his time has remained stopped since that day. He touches the green gem on his chest and it glows, and he remembers seeing portraits of his parents with his grandparents. His grandfather tearfully told him that his mother and father searched for him every day, and then they were in an accident, while his grandmother sobbed (in the dub, it is stated that they disappeared while searching for Theodore). Soulburner reflects that after losing his parents, all he had left were his grandparents, and Dueling - which he vowed never to do again. The gem on his chest swells into a bright orange, and Soulburner clutches the power in his fist, declaring that to make time move again, all he can do is Duel (in the dub, he states that it's better late than never to do the fight thing, even though he never expected that his hero would be the first person he had to fight). He activates his [[Skill]], lowering his LP to 100 to draw a card for every 1000 LP that he paid, and flames engulf his body. Flame reaches out, flames spiraling around his arm as he tells Soulburner's soul to burn, and Soulburner chants "Show a miracle! Burning Draw!" as he draws a flaming card.

Flame tells Soulburner well done, and Hayami holds her hand over her mouth in shock, her eyes brimming with tears as Zaizen narrows his eyes and the room remains completely silent. Gore lies on his back, whispering that he lost. He struggles up on his elbows, and then to his surprise, Soulburner holds out his hand. Gore scoffs, gets up without taking it, and begins walking away. Soulburner tells The Gore that to him he's the hero who defeated the Hanoi and saved LINK VRAINS, that hasn't changed. But to get his real self back, Soulburner has to keep winning. Gore lowers his head as Soulburner begins to tell Gore that he's the same, but Gore asks what he's trying to say. Soulburner stops, and Gore states that he'll tell him this; no-one can always win, and everyone experiences defeat. Will defeat rot him, or will he use it as a springboard? When you lose, your true self is revealed. (In the dub, he vows that every time he gets beaten, he'll come back bigger and badder, and that's the only similarity between the old and new Gores.) He walks away stiffly and logs out. Flame pops up, commenting that Gore must lose a lot to be such a sore loser. Soulburner comments that Flame's pretty condescending, and Flame retorts "Not really." Soulburner just looks in the direction Gore vanished. (In the dub, after Gore gives them his two cents and logs out, Flame remarks that it was more like a dollar than two cents. Soulburner notes that Flame waited until Gore had left to say that, and Flame states that it would have been unwise not to; he isn't [[Ai]].)

Playmaker and [[Ai]] continue to descend through the winds, and Ai groans that it's rough going as he braces himself (in the dub, he's grousing about what he should have said to Flame; Playmaker points out that Ai didn't say anything and tells him to focus on the task at hand). Playmaker spots a light blue circle of energy and he notes that it's the lower area. Ai recalls that [[Kal Kolter|Kolter]] told them about it, and Playmaker confirms it. He remembers Kolter telling them that the sphere in the Restricted Area's bottom level should have a gate at its center. They continue moving down the column, but shivers suddenly run down Ai's form and he gasps that he's spooked. Playmaker agrees; he senses something bad. Ai emphasizes that it's really bad and suggests that they withdraw (in the dub, he realizes that it's bad if Playmaker's [[Link Sense]] is acting up). Behind them, [[The Shepherd]] emerges from behind a piece of rubble on his Duel Board and without warning, fires an energy blast at Playmaker from his artificial arm, which they barely dodge. The Shepherd swiftly descends upon them, another blast glowing in his palm, and he declares that he's caught the bounty.