Tokyo Bay's neon lights blur into watercolor smudges under the rain as Team Rebellion's hovercar halts before the third subbasement entrance of the "Spiritual Vein Authority." Satō's suit is drenched in cold sweat, his chip badge flashing red wildly, the blood-red warning "ALERT: SUBJECT 07 AWAKENED" refreshing on its screen.
"This is the secret lab for Spiritual Pattern Technology," Satō's voice quavers. "After the league finals three years ago, the founder built it to research 'pattern-tech symbiosis'... " He tugs his tie, pointing to a digital screen where crimson letters scroll: "Three months ago, all subjects went haywire—even the safest Subject 07..."
The screen goes black, replaced by security footage: a researcher in a white lab coat bound to a table by transparent chains, a chip identical to the Mechanical Pattern User's embedded in his wrist. The chains tighten, his skin ulcerating to reveal mechanical bones—the true form of the Mechanical User.
"He's absorbing tech patterns!" Xiaotao's Starmoon bracelet heats, blue energy condensing as a warning symbol on the screen. "The pattern code in the chip is corrupted!"
Ajiu's Shadow Ravens burst from her hair, circling the lab as dark purple mist forms the characters "DANGER" in mid-air. Sakura's Sakura Patterns bloom in her palm, pink petals rippling the metal floor—evidence of pattern-tech resonance.
"Stay close." Lin Ye grips his Burning Heaven core, golden flames dancing on his fingertips. "Data patterns here are craftier than anything we've faced."
Lab corridor lights flicker wildly. Digital screens alternate between readouts: "SUBJECT 07 PATTERN CONCENTRATION: 97%" "FUSION PROGRESS: 100%" "WARNING: BREACHING CONTAINMENT ZONE..." Lin Ye's core trembles—at the corridor's end, a dark gold energy stirs within a vault: the sealed "Data Spiritual Core," genetically linked to the Mechanical User's chip.
"Here." Satō stops before a metal door. "Subject 07's cell. When he went berserk, we sealed him in the data space using pattern technology—"
The door emits a deafening hum. Black mist seeps from the cracks, forming the Mechanical User's face—his mechanical eye glows data-blue instead of red, coral scars on his left cheek beginning to heal.
"Welcome to my realm," his voice a hybrid of code and patterns. "You thought purification worked? No... I merely learned to store power through tech."
Lin Ye's core blazes, golden flames in his palm: "You were meant to be a guardian, not a weapon."
"Guardian?" The Mechanical User laughs, static distorting his voice. "When you burned my arena three years ago, did you care that I protected spectators? When the Star Beast corrupted me, your resonance showed me the truth—pattern technology is the real shackle!"
His mechanical eye fires blue beams, all screens lighting up: "Pattern tech's essence is feeding human spiritual energy to Star Beast remnants. So-called 'symbiosis' turns users into batteries!"
Ajiu's Ravens dive, hurricane winds shredding the screens. Xiaotao's bracelet freezes the floor beneath the User; Sakura's Patterns bloom into a petal barrier.
"You're lying," Lin Ye's voice rings steady. "Then why does the Star Beast fragment in you tremble?"
The Mechanical User flinches, his mechanical eye flickering. Cracks appear on his dark gold core—marks of Star Beast corruption.
"Enough!" Satō rushes forward, pressing his chip badge to the User's temple. "I'm the real researcher! Three years ago, I found pattern tech needs balance, not (plunder)!"
The badge emits blinding light. The User's mechanical skeleton disintegrates, his dark gold core floating free. Lin Ye's core collides with it—golden flames wrapped in pink Sakura, blue Starmoon, and purple Shadow energy surge into the data core.
"By the name of Rebellion," Lin Ye's voice thunders. "By the oath of partners—
"Let technology return, and patterns find peace!"
As the data core explodes, all lab screens go dark. The Mechanical User dissolves into stardust, merging with the data space rift. Lin Ye's wrist core warms, silver-blue circuit patterns appearing—marks of Data Pattern resonance.
"So this is..." Satō collapses. "Pattern tech's mission is to guide patterns with human wisdom, not be consumed by them."
Lin Ye picks up the fallen chip badge, finding tiny text on its back: "To future guardians—patterns and tech should be twin stars, illuminating each other."
"Is this...?" Xiaotao peers over. "The league founder's note?"
"No." Sakura's voice trembles, Sakura Patterns glowing pink on the chip. "This is... Su Li's handwriting."
A pink petal drifts from the ventilation shaft—identical to the specimen Sakura gave Lin Ye three years ago. Written in spiritual patterns:
"When data and patterns resonate, true guardians are all who believe in light."
As the rain stops, Tokyo Bay's neon revives. Team Rebellion stands at the lab entrance, watching Satō carry the chip badge toward security. Lin Ye's core pulses, sensing global pattern vibrations—like countless heartbeats resonating in the clouds.
"Where to next?" Ajiu strokes her Raven's feathers. "Heard there are Aurora Patterns in Scandinavia, making rainbows bloom in snow."
"I'll pack extra hot cocoa!" Xiaotao waves her Starmoon bracelet. "Tech cities are cold, Arctic colder."
Sakura smiles, Sakura Patterns blooming as hand-warmers. "I'll keep everyone warm."
Lin Ye gazes at his Rebellion core, seeing faint lights in the data rift—Su Li's consciousness fragments, waiting to resonate. He touches the core: "Pattern meaning was never in temples or deserts."
"Then where?" Xiaotao tilts her head.
Lin Ye looks to the brightening horizon, where dawn pierces the clouds, gilding the sea.
"Wherever life connects."
The hovercar roars to life, its wake shattering neon into prismatic trails. Team Rebellion's patterns shine, weaving with Starmoon blue, Coral purple, Abyss dark purple, and Data silver-blue into a new totem—a star trail unfurling toward Tokyo Bay's horizon.