Editing Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 009

{{Infobox episode

| image             = Vrains 009.png

| kanji             = 追い求めてきた敵

| ja_name            = {{Ruby|追|お}}い{{Ruby|求|もと}}めてきた{{Ruby|敵|てき}}

| romaji_name        = Oimotometekita Teki

| ja_trans_name      = Enemy I Was Seeking

| series             = Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS

| number            = 9

| season            = 1

| ja_opening        = With The Wind

| ja_ending          = Believe In Magic

| en_theme          = Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Main Theme

| screenwriter       = [[Shin Yoshida]]

| director           = [[Yasumi Mikamoto]]

| storyboard_artist  = [[Tsukasa Sunaga]]

| animation_director =  

{{Episode summary|In order to obtain the program that removes the virus that infected [[Skye Zaizen|Skye]], [[Yusaku Fujiki|Yusaku]] commences a Duel against [[Roken Kogami|Varis]], with the AI, who is also known as [[Ai]], as a wager. Using the [[Link Monster]]s he obtained in his previous [[Duel]]s, Playmaker was able to destroy Varis' "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". However, the back-and-forth Duel between them takes a new turn as Varis activates a shocking [[Skill]]!}}

[[File:Varis sets LINK VRAINS ablaze.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Roken Kogami|Varis]] engulfs [[LINK VRAINS]] in flames.]]

[[Roken Kogami|Varis]] and [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]] ride the [[Data Storm]] on their [[Duel Board]]s, while [[Akira Zaizen|Zaizen]] and [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]] watch from the church, and Zaizen silently looks at the comatose body of [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]] (in the dub, Zaizen asks Ghost Gal if she thinks that Playmaker can defeat Varis, and Ghost Gal replies that he'd better hope so if he wants to see his sister up and about again). Varis warns Playamker that he has interfered with them many times, but Playmaker retorts that his only desire is to battle the [[Knights of Hanoi]]. He thinks back to his childhood, and to [[Jin Kolter|Kolter's brother]], vowing that he'll uncover the Knights' identities when he wins this Duel (In the dub, Varis reiterates the stakes of the Duel, and Playmaker agrees to them, claiming that losing is not an option after what Varis has done to their lives; when he wins, the Knights of Hanoi will be no more). Varis replies that he doesn't care who Playmaker is; there are many in this world who hate them, and Playmaker is just another. Varis only has one goal: to retrieve the [[Ignis]] (in the dub, Varis comments that Playmaker seems so certain he'll win, but he'll lose as all who opposed him have, while also calling Playmaker out on owning an Ignis). Varis' words surprise Playmaker, and Varis asks if he acquired the program without knowing what it was. [[Ai]] irritably retorts that when he wins, he'll eat Varis' program and get his body back (in the dub, he calls Varis rude for answering a question with a question, before admitting that he did so himself). Varis is unfazed, warning them that if he wins, Ai is his (in the dub, he warns Ai not to give him more reasons to delete him, prompting Ai to tell Playmaker to glitch Varis). He asks Playmaker if he agrees; the winner will get everything, and the loser will lose everything. That's competition after all. Ai notes that Varis didn't bring his support AI (in the dub, Ai instead insults Varis after Varis comments on his aggression). Varis retorts that he doesn't trust AI - the internet world is a fiction (in the dub, Varis is the one to bring up his [[Duel Disk]]'s lack of an AI). What's more important are the breath and heartbeat of life. But people are misled by fake user-friendliness and bonds, entrusting their souls to this fiction. If they continue down this path, they will destroy the world (in the dub, he calls LINK VRAINS an illusion that will lead people down the path of destruction, and claims that he is here to stop it, declaring that people need to wake up). Ai is surprised by Varis, wondering why a hacker would be criticizing the internet, and he sweat-drops, wondering it Varis is anti-modern (in the dub, he adds that Varis should never destroy a program as handsome as him). Varis declares that the Ignis will lead them to destruction, and since Playmaker is helping one, he's also guilty. He apologizes for needing Playmaker gone, and reassures him that he'll create a stage fitting for their battle (in the dub, he makes no apology). With a mere gesture, data runs across the streets, and gouts of flame open up in the ground, engulfing [[LINK VRAINS]] in flames. Zaizen is shocked by the sight, calling it akin to hell (in the dub, he just gasps that LINK VRAINS has become engulfed in flames). Varis tells Playmaker that the hellish Duel will now begin, and Playmaker agrees. Ai tells him to seize the wind, and Playmaker and Varis both declare "[[Speed Duel]]!"

[[File:Ghost Gal shows up to Kolter.png|thumb|250px|[[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]]'s feed pops up on [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]]'s monitors.]]

Ghost Gal decides to go after them, and Zaizen asks her to send visual footage. Ghost Gal confirms that she will, leaping out of the rubble and summoning her own Duel Board, surfing after Playmaker and Varis. Zaizen turns to Blue Angel's body, and he thinks that Skye's fate rests in Playmaker's hands. In the Central Square, [[Naoki Shima|Shima]] and the other citizens are still unable to see the Duel, while in [[Café Nom]], [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]] curses, asking why the feed had to cut out now (in the dub, he searches for another feed). Ghost Gal deploys a series of drone cameras, and Kolter's feed picks them up, with Ghost Gal waving at him. Kolter is quite surprised, asking if they're her cameras, before realizing that she works for [[SOL Technologies]] and is pursing Playmaker and Varis (in the dub, he mutters that he's not complaining and tells Yusaku to be careful).  

[[File:Varis summons Cracking Dragon.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Roken Kogami|Varis]] [[Summon]]s "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]".]]

[[File:Varis predits Decode Talker.png|thumb|250px|Varis' field allows him to limit the ATK gained by "[[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]".]]

Catching back up to Varis, Playmaker [[Set]]s a card and then declares his [[Battle Phase]], ordering "Decode Talker" to attack "Cracking Dragon" with "Decode Destruction". "Decode Talker" cuts down "Cracking Dragon" with ease, destroying it and reducing Varis to 2400 LP. Kolter cheers Yusaku's move, and Ghost Gal comments that Playmaker's already destroyed "Cracking Dragon", noting that Hanoi getting the Ignis would be no fun and that she needs Playmaker to win (in the dub, she instead muses that "Cracking Dragon" isn't a threat to him now). Varis comments that he knew "Cracking Dragon" wouldn't be enough to defeat Playmaker (in the dub, Varis claims that he has more powerful monsters in his Deck, and Playmaker retorts that maybe Varis should have Summoned them). Playmaker orders "Capacitor Stalker" to attack directly, and it fires a ball of lightning at Varis, knocking his Duel Board forwards and reducing him to 1400 LP. Playmaker ends his turn, and the effect of "Cracking Dragon" ends, returning "Capacitor Stalker" to 2000 ATK. Ai notes that they took damage, but they destroyed "Cracking Dragon", and they have more LP than Varis. He comments that since Varis' field is empty, he'll lose the will to fight. Playmaker warns him that Varis won't do that yet, much to Ai's confusion, and as Varis lands back on the Data Storm, Playmaker explains that he can sense a strong vigor from him, stronger than [[George Gore|The Gore]] or Blue Angel's; an unwavering conviction (in the dub, Playmaker notes that even someone as stoic as Varis wouldn't be so calm in a tight spot if he really was in danger). Ai asks if this is Playmaker's [[Link Sense]]; can he sense changes within the network, and since when? Yusaku thinks back to himself as a child, and he states that it doesn't matter right now. Ai grumpily agrees to focus on defeating Varis (in the dub, Ai tries to tell Playmaker what he needs to do, and Playmaker snaps that Ai needs to maintain his focus. Ai briefly plays the victim, cheekily trying to make Playmaker feel bad).  

Ai wonders what Varis is thinking; why would he resurrect "Cracking Dragon" when it can't attack? (In the dub, Varis declares now that he's activating his Skill; one that Playmaker may be familiar with). Playmaker notes that in addition to Summoning another monster, Varis also lowered his LP (in the dub, he notes that Varis only cared about his LP). Ai notes that Varis now has 900 LP; did he lower his LP on purpose? (In the dub, Ai wonders which of the numerous Skills there are that Varis could have, and which require you to be low on LP; other than Playmaker's, of course, before realizing what Varis' Skill is). Playmaker notes that Varis can control the Data Storm, and Ai uncomfortably admits that it's true (in the dub, Playmaker points out that no-one ever said that two Duelists couldn't have the same Skill, and Ai curses). Varis claims that he can hear the pulse of the unknown power hiding in the network, and the Data Storm ahead begin to churn (in the dub, he reminds them that he can control the Data Storm in lieu of Playmaker recalling it). Varis comments that it's waiting for him to capture it, and he spreads his hand, which glows with a corrupted light. The Data Storm rises in a massive wave, and Varis tells it to come, and it crests (in the dub, Varis is dissatisfied with the wave until it crests). Varis tells Playmaker that he isn't the only one who can use this Skill, and Ai is shocked to realize that Varis can use ''that'' Skill (in the dub, Ai freaks out over the size of the Data Storm). The wave of data engulfs Varis, and he rides within its roiling depths. Playmaker and Ghost Gal both ride the currents; Ghost Girl is shocked that Varis can control the Data Storm and she asks who he is (in the dub, she just groans nervously). Kolter gasps that the Storm is bigger than Yusaku's (in the dub, he cries that Ai claimed that the larger the Data Storm, the more powerful the monster contained within it).

"Topologic Bomber Dragon" appears with 3000 ATK, and Playmaker is blasted back again as he comments on its power, while Ghost Gal struggles too, shocked that such force has been displayed with the monster's mere Summoning (she simply groans in the dub). As Playmaker lands, Ai asks why Varis is using a Cyberse monster despite being opposed to them, and Varis claims that it's fun to counteract poison with poison, causing Ai to comment that he's so evil (in the dub, Ai begs to know if Playmaker has a plan, and Varis asks him if he can hear fear in his voice. Ai fearfully admits that he might be able to). Playmaker reminds them that "Decode Talker" has more ATK than "Topologic Bomber Dragon", but Varis tells him to stop being so naive. He activates the effect of "Dragonoid Generator", Special Summoning a "Dragonoid Token". Then he activates the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" as a monster was Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, destroying all monsters in the [[Main Monster Zone]]s. Yellow energy wings manifest from "Topologic Bomber Dragon's" stubs, flaring with green energy as Varis declares "Decimation Destruction" to Playmaker's shock. Energy beams blast from "Topologic Bomber Dragon's" energy wings, destroying the "Dragonoid Token" and "Capacitor Stalker", much to Ai, Playmaker, Ghost Gal, and Zaizen's collective shock. Varis comments that since "Decode Talker" lost the monster that it was pointing to, it loses the ATK it gained by its effect, in addition to the ATK that "Capacitor Stalker" itself provided. "Decode Talker" falls to 2300 ATK, and Varis calls their bond weak. Playmaker asks if Varis has forgotten about the effect of "Capacitor Stalker"; since it was destroyed due to a card effect, they both take 800 damage (in the dub, he reveals this effect for the first time). The specter of "Capacitor Stalker" appears and jolts Playmaker and Varis with electricity, reducing Playmaker to 1000 LP and Varis to 100. Varis claims that he didn't forget; he still has 100 LP left, and it's enough to bring Playmaker down (in the dub, he calls it a shame that Playmaker was short by 100 points). Ai snaps that Varis is just talking tough, but Varis ignores him and attacks "Decode Talker" with "Topologic Bomber Dragon", ordering "Malicious Mayhem".

"Topologic Bomber Dragon" blasts a beam of magenta energy from its eye, and the attack destroys "Decode Talker" in an instant and blasts Playmaker backwards, reducing him to 300 LP. He manages to land on the Data Storm, and Ai gasps that they're still alive. Varis comments that the terror of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" is only just starting, and he activates another effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon"; after attacking a monster, Playmaker takes damage equal to that monster's original ATK. "Topologic Bomber Dragon" begins building up pink lightning in its hand as Ai screams that they'll take 2300 damage, and Varis tells Playmaker that he loses, before declaring "Aiming Blast". "Topologic Bomber Dragon" blasts a cross shaped shockwave from its body, and as the shockwave approaches the horrified Playmaker and Ai, Varis smirks in victory.

[[Roken Kogami|Varis]] [[pay]]s 1000 [[LP]] to [[activate]] the [[Continuous Spell]] "[[Dragonoid Generator (anime)|Dragonoid Generator]]" (Varis: 4000 → 3000 LP). During the [[Main Phase]], Varis activates the [[effect]] of "Dragonoid Generator", [[Special Summon]]ing a "[[Dragonoid Token (anime)|Dragonoid Token]]" in [[Attack Position]], but Varis cannot Special Summon monsters from the [[Extra Deck]] for the rest of this turn, also during the [[End Phase]] [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]] Special Summons a "Dragonoid Token" to his [[field]] in Attack Position. He activates this effect twice, Special Summoning two "Dragonoid Tokens" (300/300). Varis [[Tribute]]s two "Dragonoid Tokens" to [[Tribute Summon]] "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]" (3000/0). During the End Phase, Playmaker Special Summons two [[Level]] 1 "Dragonoid Tokens" (300/300) to his field in Attack Position, one at a time. As Playmaker [[Normal Summon|Normal]] or Special Summoned exactly one monster while "Cracking Dragon" is on the field, Varis activates its effect, reducing that monster's [[ATK]] equal to its Level times 200 until the end of this turn, then inflicting [[effect damage|damage]] to Playmaker equal to the ATK lost by this effect. He activates this effect each time Playmaker Special Summoned a "Dragonoid Token" (both "Dragonoid Tokens": 300 → 100 ATK, Playmaker: 4000 → 3600 LP).

At this point, Varis enters the [[Data Storm]]. As Varis' LP is 1000 or less, he activates his [[Skill]] "Storm Access", accessing a Cyberse Link Monster at random from a nearby Data Storm and adding it to his Extra Deck. He obtains "Topologic Bomber Dragon" and adds it to his Extra Deck.

Varis sets "Cracking Dragon", "Sniffer Dragon", and the Link-2 "Twin Triangle Dragon" in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]" (3000/↑↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. During the Main Phase, Varis activates the effect of "Dragonoid Generator", Special Summoning a "Dragonoid Token" in Attack Position, but Varis cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, also during the End Phase Playmaker Special Summons a "Dragonoid Token" to his field in Attack Position. He Special Summons a "Dragonoid Token" (300/300) to a zone "Topologic Bomber Dragon" points to. As another monster was Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, while "Topologic Bomber Dragon" is on the field, its effect activates, destroying all monsters in the [[Main Monster Zone]]s, also Varis' other monsters cannot attack for the rest of this turn. A "Dragonoid Token" and "Capacitor Stalker" are destroyed ("Decode Talker": 3600 → 3100 → 2300 ATK). As "Capacitor Stalker" in the [[Monster Zone]] is destroyed by a card effect and [[send|sent]] to the [[GY]], its effect activates, inflicting 800 damage to each player (Playmaker: 1800 → 1000 LP, Varis: 900 → 100 LP).

"Topologic Bomber Dragon" attacks and destroys "Decode Talker" (Playmaker: 1000 → 300 LP). After [[damage calculation]], as "Topologic Bomber Dragon" attacked Playmaker's monster, its effect activates, inflicting damage to Playmaker equal to that monster's [[Original ATK and DEF|original ATK]].