Hello, everyone! This is a new story! I hope it'll work out, so without further ado! I hope everyone will enjoy this story! Now, let's start!
Normal POV
It was after the Seoul Stage. Team Q4 lost to Team New AL4 and Kai... Kamui was trying his best to do better in the next Stage but...
" Why isn't Brother here yet?" Kamui ask
" I'm not sure..." Misaki replied
The shop door opened as a strong gust of wind blew into the shop. Both had to shield their eyes. When the wind had stopped, Kamui saw a deck and a note on the table he was standing at.
" A deck?" Kamui said
He took the deck and looked through it as Misaki also approached him.
" Isn't this... Brother's deck?!" Kamui exclaimed
" What?!"
Misaki took the deck and looked through it as Kamui looked at the note.
' I'm sorry... I was the one who caused our loss at the Seoul Stage... I... want to quit Team Q4... If it weren't for me, none of this would've happened... Please don't look for me after you read this... Thank you and goodbye.'
" Brother..." Kamui said
" No, something's wrong here. Aichi wouldn't just do that. There must be a reason for this." Misaki said
" And to do that, we'll have to train harder and show it to him! Well, wherever he is..." Kamui said
That was when Shin entered the shop to show them an invitation to the resort island for Asia Circuit teams. They decided to go there after that. The next morning, they arrived at the resort but they didn't expect to see New AL4 there.
" Team New AL4!"
" Yo! Huh? Where's Aichi-kun?" Ren ask
" None of your business." Kamui replied
" Kamui." Misaki said
" I know... But if it wasn't for this jerk, then it wouldn't have happened! Tch! I'm going back to my room!" Kamui said, storming off
" Ah! K-Kamui-kun, wait! You still don't know where your room is!" Shin exclaimed, chasing after him
Kai was blinking because he knows that the only jerk that Kamui calls was him. Did he do something wrong?
" What's going on here?" Kai ask
" Sorry, this is a Q4 problem. Stay out of it." Misaki said, walking off
Now Kai was really confused. Did he do something to make his previous teammates like this?
" Kai. They looked angry at you. What happened?" Ren ask
" How should I know? I never talked to them since I joined New AL4. Besides, I can't be bothered." Kai said
However, the tight feeling in his chest wasn't disappearing after seeing Aichi not with his team. Did something happen to him? Wait... Why is he even bothered about Aichi? He sighed inwardly before looking out at the distance at the sea. That was when he saw it... He couldn't mistake the blue hair even though the eyes were covered by a mask.
" Aichi?!"
In a blink of an eye, the figure that he saw disappeared as he looked around the beach.
" Must've been my imagination..." Kai thought
" What are you thinking about, Kai?" Ren ask
" What? Don't be such a busybody." Kai replied
" You looked like you were deep in thoughts." Ren said
" None of your business." Kai said
However, the feeling in his chest came up again... Something's about to happen soon... His instincts were screaming out to him... But what?
~ A few days later at the Hong Kong Stage~
After explaining about what happened, Miwa decided to help out in the Circuit. Now, he and Kamui were going to challenge Team Dreadnought with the legendary Aqua Force.
" Leon-sama. Who are you going to choose as your partner?" Jillian ask, kneeling down on her knee with Sharlene
" The wind will be our guide to victory." Leon said
A wind blew as he opened his eyes and looked into the glass room.
" Is it finally time? You can come out and fight with me." Leon said
At those words, it was silent for a bit before a figure covered by a cloak walked out.
" Are you certain?" Sharlene ask
" Yeah. If you're fine with it." Leon said
The person nodded as Leon also nodded.
" Oh! Team Dreadnought is finally bringing out their mysterious fighter, Masquerade! Team Dreadnought has been dominating the Circuit with only their two members, however, now the leader and the mysterious fighter is coming out! What will happen to Q4?!" MC Miya announced
" A mysterious fighter..." Kamui said
" We better put our guard up since the leader is coming out too." Miwa said
" Yeah."
The two teams prepared themselves after that.
" Stand up, Vanguard!"
" Stand up my Vanguard!"
" Djinn of the Thunder Break!"
" Officer Cadet, Erikk!"
" Battleraizer!"
" Starting Ripple, Alecs."
" I'll start first! Draw! I ride... Red River Dragoon! Thunder Break moves back. Turn end." Miwa declared
" Draw. I ride Silent Ripple, Sotirio. I activate Alecs's skill. I look at the top seven cards at the top of my deck. If there's a Rising Ripple, Pavroth or a Thundering Ripple, Genovious in them, I can put it to my hand. Thundering Ripple, Genovious. Plus, since Alecs is in the Soul, Sotirio gets +1000 power. Turn end." Masquerade declared
" Draw! I ride Raizer Custom! Battleraizer moves back. Turn end." Kamui declared
" Draw. I ride Tear Knight, Theo. Erikk moves back. With a boost from Erikk, Theo attacks Bahr." Leon declared
" No guard."
" Drive trigger check. No trigger." Leon declared
" Damage check. Nothing here either." Miwa declared
" Turn end."
" Draw! I ride Thunderstorm Dragoon! I attack your vanguard!" Miwa declared
" No guard."
" Drive check! Critical trigger! I give all effects to Thunderstorm!" Miwa declared
" Damage check. Second check. Draw trigger. Power to Theo and draw." Leon declared
" Turn end."
" Draw. I ride Rising Ripple, Pavroth. With Silent Ripple, Sotirio in the Soul, he gets +1000 power. I call Storm Rider, Basil and Tear Knight, Lazarus. Basil attacks. Since it's the first turn, he gets +2000 power." Masquerade declared
" No guard! Damage check! No trigger."
" After attacking, I switch Basil with Lazarus. He attacks Raizer Custom as well." Masquerade declared
" The Gong will guard that!" Kamui declared
" My Vanguard attacks. Drive check. Draw trigger. Power to Lazarus and draw." Masquerade declared
" He gave the power to the rear guard?" Miwa ask
" I wonder why..." Kamui said
" With Pavroth's skill... Since the attack hits and Sotirio is in the Soul, I can stand Lazarus and give him +3000 power. Lazarus attacks once more." Masquerade declared
" What?! N-No guard! Damage check! No trigger..." Kamui declared
" Turn end."
" There it is! Aqua Force's combo attack! Team Q4 has been drove to 4 damage in an instant! Will they be able to get back on track?!" MC Miya announced
" This is s~o exciting!" Dr.O announced
" Stand and draw! Now it's my turn for combo attacks! I ride Hi-powered Raizer Custom! I call another Hi-powered Raizer Custom and Raizer Custom! With Hi-powered Raizer Custom's skill, since Battleraizer is in the same column as him, he gets +8000 power!" Kamui declared
" That brings the Vanguard to 16000 power, huh..." Leon said
He then glanced over to Masquerade.
" Don't disappoint me." Leon muttered
" Yes, Leon-sama." Masquerade muttered
" Here I go! My rear guard Hi-powered Raizer attacks!" Kamui declared
" Guard."
" My Vanguard attacks! Drive check. Heal trigger! I recover one damage and I give the power to my Vanguard!" Kamui declared
" Damage check. No trigger."
" Turn end."
" In an instant, the damage is now 3 to 3! What will participant Souryu do?!" MC Miya announced
" I ride Tear Knight, Lazarus. I call another Lazarus, Storm Rider, Basil and Tear Knight, Valeria. Basil attacks. Skill activated, +2000 power." Leon declared
" Guard!"
" He switches places with Lazarus. Lazarus attacks." Leon declared
" No guard..."
" My Vanguard attacks. Drive check. Critical trigger. Power to Valeria and critical to Lazarus." Leon declared
" Damage check... Second check... No triggers..." Miwa declared
" What's wrong with Miwa-senpai?" Kamui thought
He realized it as Leon continued his attacks.
" Valeria attacks." Leon declared
" The Gong guards!" Kamui declared
" Kamui!" Miwa exclaimed
" I got your back, Miwa-senpai!" Kamui said
" Yeah! But..." Miwa said
" Turn end."
" Oh my! Participant Miwa has been dealt three damage this turn! Now Team Q4 has six damage!" MC Miya announced
" Currently, Team Dreadnought has a three damage gap from Q4! Participant Miwa has to turn the tables around this turn or his team will be in trouble!" Dr.O said
" You don't have to say that twice! Stand and draw! I ride... Thunger Break Dragon! I'll settle it this turn! I call Thunderstorm, Dragonic Deathscythe and Red River Dragoon! I activate Thunder Break and Deathscythe's skill! I retire Valeria and Lazarus! I attack your Vanguard with Thunder Break Dragon! Limit Break activated! When attacking the opponent, he gets +5000 power!" Miwa declared
" No guard."
" Twin drive... First check. Heal trigger! Power to Thunderstorm and I heal one damage! Second check... Critical trigger! Power to Thunderstorm and critical to Thunder Break Dragon!" Miwa declared
" Damage check. Second check. Critical trigger. Power to my vanguard Lazarus." Leon declared
" Thunderstorm attacks!" Miwa declared
" Battleship Intelligence will guard." Masquerade declared
" Battle Siren, Mallika will guard." Leon declared
" Turn end..."
" It's alright. They're now at six damage thanks to you. After that guy's turn, I'll finish them off!" Kamui said
" Yeah!"
" Stand and draw. I ride Thundering Ripple, Genovious. Since Pavroth is in the Soul, he gains +1000 power. I retire Basil and call... Two Tear Knight, Theo and Pavroth. Boosted by Theo, Lazarus attacks." Masquerade declared
" No guard!"
" Next, Pavroth attacks, boosted by Theo." Masquerade declared
" Guard!"
" Genovious attacks. Limit Break activated. Since there's three rested units on the front row, I Counterblast two and Persona Blast. I stand all my rear guards." Masquerade declared
" What?!"
" All of the rear guards?!" Miwa exclaimed
" Perfect guard!"
" Twin drive check. Draw trigger. Power to Pavroth and draw. Second check. Critical trigger. All effects to Lazarus." Masquerade declared
" A double trigger?!" Kamui exclaimed
" Kamui!"
" Yes!"
" Pavroth attacks." Masquerade declared
" No guard! Damage check. Critical trigger! All effects to my vanguard Hi-powered Raizer!" Kamui declared
" Lazarus attacks." Masquerade declared
" My rear guard Hi-powered Raizer intercepts!" Kamui declared
" Old Dragon Mage will guard!" Miwa declared
" Turn end."
Both heaved a sigh of relief.
" We managed to survive somehow..." Miwa sighed
" Yeah... And now it's my turn to get back the damage at you! Stand and draw! Raizer series... the great me rides the ultimate machine! Answer your master, Raizers! Gather together here and form Perfect Raizer! All the Raizers in the field goes to the Soul! Perfect Raizer gets +3000 power for every Raizer in the Soul! Plus, a critical if I have four or more in the Soul! Call! Boosted by Raizer Custom, Kirara attacks!" Kamui declared
" No guard."
" Perfect Raizer attacks your Vanguard!" Kamui declared
" Perfect guard."
" Twin drive... Second check! Draw trigger! I draw! Turn end!" Kamui declared
" Good work. Now I can end this." Leon said
" Yes." Masquerade said
" Stand and draw. Behold! Wash away all vice in the flow of furious flood. Its name is righteousness! I ride! Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom! I move Basil forward and I call! Maelstrom and Lazarus! Basil attacks but it can't go through. Switch places with Lazarus. Lazarus attacks Nehalem!" Leon declared
" No guard!"
" My rear guard Maelstrom attacks Berserk Dragon!" Leon declared
" No guard!"
" My Vanguard Maelstrom attacks! Limit Break! Since it's the fourth turn, Maelstrom gets +5000 power and a skill!" Leon declared
" Old Dragon Mage guards!"
" Red Lightning guards!"
" Twin drive... Stand trigger. Power to my Vanguard and I stand by rear guard Maelstrom. Second check. Critical trigger. All effects to my Vanguard Maelstrom!" Leon declared
" No way..." Miwa exclaimed
" Double trigger too?!" Kamui exclaimed
" D-Damage check... No trigger..." Miwa declared
" And that's the end of the match! Team Dreadnought has won the Hong Kong Stage!" MC Miya announced
" We lost again... At this rate, we won't be able to show Brother that Team Q4 can win this..." Kamui said
" Don't worry. We'll do better next time... That's a promise to Aichi, wherever he is." Misaki said
" Yeah!"
Team Dreadnought had already left to their hotel as Jillian and Sharlene left for their room, leaving Leon and Masquerade in their own room.
" Good work today. It's your first time with Aqua Force but you did well with the combo attacks." Leon said
" Anything for Leon-sama." Masquerade said
" I know. Now, let's head to sleep." Leon said
" Yes."
Both drifted off to sleep after that.
~ After the Japan Stage~
With some difficulties, Team Q4 managed to win the Japan Stage with straight wins. Now, they were led to the roof, where they were told about the story of Cray and...
" Team Q4... I noticed for the whole Circuit after the Seoul Stage, Aichi Sendou wasn't there. Care to explain?" Takuto ask
" I-It's a team business. Just get on with what you were about to do." Kamui said
" Fine then... Now, I'll bring everyone to Cray now." Takuto said
His Psyqualia glowed in his eyes as they were transported to Cray. Once they arrived, they started walking forward with the other teams beside them but that was when Leon stopped them.
" Here's where you turn back." He said
" What are you doing?" Takuto ask
" It's simple. You people aren't the leaders that Cray needs. That person is me alone, Leon Souryu! The wind doesn't blow on you. You're not taking one more step. The final stage ends here!" Leon declared
" Haven't you been listening?! The final stage is to free Cray!" Kamui ask
" Unfortunately, that's not my purpose. The Souryu people are going to regain their power and reign over the world. For that grand purpose, Royal Paladin, Kagero, and Shadow Paladin must be sacrificed, sealed away for eternity. Plus, with the aid of Aichi Sendou." Leon said
" You made a deal with them?" Takuto ask
" That's right. By drawing on their power, Aqua Force will come back." Leon said
" What does that mean?" Misaki ask
" Leon Souryu offered them Royal Paladin, Kagero, and Shadow Paladin in exchange for bringing back Aqua Force." Takuto explained
" Leon-kun sold Royal Paladin and the others to the enemy?" Ren said
" Whether you did it to save your own clan or not, by selling off other clans, you've betrayed all clans... all fighters!" Takuto exclaimed
" How dare you?! You're the one who used all of us when it was convenient to you, Takuto Tatsunagi! I refuse to be your pawn!" Leon said angrily then black mist surrounded him...
" Not only the return of Aqua Force, but your own body...!" Takuto exclaimed
" My ancient clan... resurrect Aqua Force. In order for the Souryu people to once more become the supreme rulers of the world, I'm willing to make any sacrifice." Leon continued
" I won't let you!" Takuto said and his Psyqualia glowed in his eyes
" It's wind is blowing on me. Don't for one minute think Cray's warriors can stop me when they've been stripped of their power!" Leon said
Black mist surrounded Takuto and then he collapsed on the floor and they ran to help him,
" What just happened?!" Kamui ask
" I don't know..." Misaki said
" He must... be stopped..." Takuto said
" Oh, and before I forget. About Aichi Sendou..." Leon said
" What?!"
Leon smirked before putting his hand on Masquerade's hood and pulling it down. Under the hood was the exact same person Kai saw at the beach, with the black mask covering his eyes.
" Aichi!"
" What's Brother doing over there?!" Kamui ask
" Leon... What did you do?!" Kai ask
" Don't know... Why don't you ask him yourself?" Leon said
He motioned Aichi to move forward as Aichi did so and was now facing the others. The black mask disappeared and appeared on Leon's hand as Aichi clenched his head before looking up at the others.
" Everyone...?" Aichi ask
" Brother!" Kamui exclaimed
" What am I...? What was I doing...?" Aichi ask
" Sendou." Leon called
Aichi turned behind to see Leon as he gasped and stepped back.
" W-What's going on here...?" Aichi ask
" Aichi?" Misaki ask
" It could be that... All these times... Leon has been controlling him through that mask..." Takuto said
" I see! Now it all makes sense! That note that you found on his deck could've been written by Leon!" Miwa exclaimed
" You're right!" Kamui exclaimed
Kai moved forward and grabbed Aichi's wrist.
" Come on. Let's go back." Kai said
" Kai-kun..." Aichi muttered
Black mist started to roar up into a gust of strong wind as Aichi was being blown off his feet and towards the black mist.
" You're not getting away." Leon said
" Aichi!" Kai shouted
" Support him!" Misaki said
Asaka and Ren went to support Takuto as the three ran and grabbed Aichi's other wrist while Miwa helped Kai.
" Hang on, Aichi!" Miwa shouted
" Everyone!" Aichi exclaimed
" It's no use." Leon said
The wind got stronger as Aichi's grip was starting to loosen.
" No!" Kai shouted
Finally, the grip was gone as Aici started to fly into the black mist.
" Aichi!"
" Kai-kun!"
Black mist surrounded the others after that as they were blown away. The area started to be surrounded by black mist as the wind started to die down. Aichi, now unconscious, floated down slowly into Leon's arms after that.
" Jillian, Sharlene. Go on guard. They could be coming back." Leon said
" Yes."
Both girls went off as Leon placed Aichi down while remembering about how Aichi had ended up with him.
~ Flashback start~
Void has corrupted a legendary mask it had stolen from Cray and handed it to Leon.
" This mask will lead you to the legendary Phoenix of Cray." Void said
" Phoenix?" Leon ask
" You'll see. Once you found him, wear this mask on him and keep him with you. Once you dominate Cray, he'll be a useful prize." Void said
Leon took the mask and nodded. A few days later, he was fighting Daigo with Team Q4 observing them. That was when the mask started glowing. Right after he left, he followed Q4 after hiding away. He followed the mask's trail before he realized that it was targeting Aichi.
" I see..." Leon muttered
He waited until it was the right time before grabbing Aichi and knocking him out in an alley. He carried Aichi back to the island and used the black mist to restrict his movements. He then grabbed Aichi's deck from his pant's pocket before leaving a note on it. Using some more of his powers, he successfully delivered it to Card Capital. That was when Aichi started to awaken.
" Where am I...?" Aichi muttered
He gasped when he realized that he was being held captive as he struggled with the black mist as Leon approached him.
" You're... that person from before...!" Aichi exclaimed
" Welcome to the Souryu Island, Aichi Sendou." Leon greeted
" T-The pleasure is all... Wait-! That's not it! Why am I here and why did you do this?!" Aichi ask
" You're an important piece of my puzzle that I have to keep with me. So, if you don't mind... You'll be becoming one of the members in the family of Souryu now." Leon said, taking out the mask
Aichi gasped.
" No! Get away from me! Let me go!" Aichi screamed
" Scream all you want but you're not going anywhere and neither will anyone be able to save you." Leon said
" No!"
The mask was put on as dark energy started to enter Aichi's body. After a few more minutes of resistance, Aichi finally fainted as the black mist around him disappeared along with the black mist restricting him. Leon then helped Aichi to change into some of the Souryu's clothings. After that, Jillian and Sharlene entered.
" Leon-sama."
" It was a success. He's our new member now." Leon said
" Yay!" Sharlene cheered
Suddenly, there was a glow of light as a big medallion shaped light was above Aichi.
" What's that?!" Jillian exclaimed
" Wait, don't be alarmed." Leon said
The light disappeared and a water crystal was there.
" It's so pretty!" Sharlene exclaimed
Leon took it down and looked at it, not knowing what the shapes in the circle meant.
" It looks like its telling us a story." Jillian said
" Story?" Leon ask
" You might be right... Look. There's a bird like shape over here." Sharlene said
" And there's nine feathers of some sort surrounding it." Jillian added
" Nine feathers?" Leon ask
At those words, something glowed on Leon's wrist as the glow dissipated to reveal a light blue water crystal feather supported by a black string tied around his wrist.
" A feather?!" Leon exclaimed
" It's exactly what's on this story!" Jillian exclaimed
" But... What does that mean?" Sharlene ask
Their thoughts were interrupted by grunting as they saw Aichi starting to wake up.
" Hey, are you awake?" Leon ask
" Leon-sama..." Aichi said
" Starting from now, you're officially part of the Souryu tribe." Leon said
" Yes..."
" Yay! Now, let's go and make your deck!" Sharlene said, taking Aichi's hand
" Deck?" Aichi ask
" Yeah. All members of the Souryu tribe will have their own Aqua Force deck. Let's go make one for you." Jillian said
" Yeah..."
" Don't stress his body out too much. He just woke up after all." Leon said
" Yes!"
" Now, let's go!" Sharlene said
" Yeah..."
The three ran out of the room as Leon's attention was now back at the water crystals as his eyes narrowed.
' What story is hidden behind these two items?' Leon thought
Then, during the next few days before the Hong Kong Stage, the three had made a special bond with Aichi unconsciously and was also equally protective of him.
' I will not bring him into battle unless necessary. No one will lay a hand on my family... No one.' Leon thought
~ Flashback end~
Just as Leon was thinking about all this, Aichi finally woke up.
" Are you awake?" Leon ask
Aichi gasped as he moved away from him.
" S-Stay away from me!" Aichi said
" Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you as long as you listen to what I say." Leon said
" I won't!" Aichi said
" Since you're one of us, we wouldn't dare to hurt you." Leon said
" I'm not!" Aichi said
" Then... Look at what you're wearing." Leon said
Aichi looked down at his outfit as he gasped again.
" You've already accepted to become one of us." Leon said
" Wrong! You're wrong! You were controlling me all this time!" Aichi said
" Then, what about the short time that we had together as a family?" Leon ask
" A... family...?" Aichi said
Aichi clenched his head as he remembered the times of when he was Masquerade.
" During that time, your friends found someone to replace you with another person without even bothering to find any clues about you. Just winning the Japan Stage, not even caring about your whereabouts. They abandoned you." Leon said
" No! You're wrong! You're wrong! Everyone won't... They'll never..." Aichi winced
" But we won't. If you come with me, then we won't leave you alone. Not like them." Leon said, carefully approaching him
" They won't..." Aichi muttered, tears starting to spill out
Leon slowly kneeled down and hugged him as Aichi cried, taking in what Leon had said.
" It's okay. All we have to do now is to get rid of those people who gets in our way and then... The four of us will live peacefully once again." Leon whispered
Aichi stayed silent for a few seconds after his crying.
" Yes..."
Leon took out the mask after that.
" I think this belongs to you. I don't know what it's for but... I feel that you should keep it." Leon said
" Yeah..."
At the same time, Kai and the others woke up as lightning strikes the sky...
" It seems that Leon's newfound power has destabilized this space and merged the two worlds of Cray and Earth." Takuto said weakly
" Hey..." Kamui said when he saw him starting to collapse
" You aren't the one who sealed away Royal Paladin and the others, are you?" Ren ask
" The thing that captured Royal Paladin and the others, that gave Leon power... Its name is Void. It's a nihilistic power." Takuto said weakly again
" Void... A nihilistic power..."
"It's Cray's greatest enemy. It's said to have no physical form, existing only as a will. And its power is immeasurable. Void is what sealed Aqua Force long, long ago. But none of the clans have ever been able to help Aqua Force. And now Void has sealed away Royal Paladin and two other clans. "
" Is Void more powerful than before?" Misaki ask
" Yes. But so are the clans. The clans have any years of training, so if they join forces, they should be able to save Royal Paladin and the other clans. That's why... I manipulated all of your memories and switched Gold Paladin and Narukami with the clans that were sealed away. You see, a fighter's ability to lead a clan will be necessary for battling Void. "
" Manipulated memories..."
" Fighter's ability...?"
" I gave you new clans, made you compete in the Vanguard Fight Circuit, even encouraged you to level up, all to free Cray." Takuto continued
" You used us... You used us as pawns..." Misaki said
" That's correct... But using all of you has led to this. Now the only thing I can do is put my trust in you. My power has been weakened because of Void. While I still have power, I'll restore all of your memories." his Psyqualia glowed in his eyes and Kai and the others restored all of their memories
" That's right... Brother Aichi originally used Royal Paladin..." Kamui said
" I can't believe I'd forgotten all this time..." Misaki said
They hold onto Takuto when they realized that he was falling...
" You must hate me for manipulating your memories and using you as pawns." Takuto said
" No. Just the opposite: I'm grateful to you." Ren smiled and said
" Grateful?" Takuto repeated
" You gave us a way to help the three clans. And more than anything, you introduced to us to new clans. With them, we'll free Cray and help the three clans!" Kai said
Takuto nodded... " Void... A fearsome power of emptiness... Right now, emptiness has invaded half of Cray's land... No sound can be heard there, no light reaches through... Nothing moves, and everything is enveloped in silence." he said
" That's Void..." Asaka said
" The power of emptiness has begun to move from Cray to this space. And when the emptiness has filled this space, It'll be destroyed and the emptiness will move on to Earth!" Takuto said
" Earth?!" Kamui exclaimed
" The tragedy that once befell the Souryu people will happen to the entire Earth. The land will rot. The seas will dry up. All of Earth's blessings will be lost. All life will be robbed the will to live. Earth will become a planet of death." Takuto continued
" That'll happen to Earth...? We can't let it!" Cheis said
" What should we do?" Misaki-san ask
" The only thing you can do to stop Void is to beat Leon Souryu... No one but the Vanguard Fight winners can exist in this space."
" You mean if we win, it'll be possible to send Leon-kun back to Earth?" Ren ask
" However, it works the opposite way, too. If you lose in a Vanguard Fight, you won't be able to stay in this space either."
" In other words, if we lose, Earth will..." Kamui said
" Leon Souryu may think he's using Void, but its power is vast. He can't control it completely. And Leon's ambition has made him lose his cool-headed judgement. At this rate, everything will be controlled by Void..."
They carried him to a nearby rock for him to rest...
" And I'm sure everyone is curious about Aichi Sendou... He's known as the Phoenix of Cray..." Takuto said
" Phoenix?"
" Long ago... before Aqua Force was sealed by Void... Void invaded Cray again... At that time, a legendary warrior had awakened. Despite his weak form, with his light, Void was overwhelmed by his powers... However, it seemed that the warrior had another form... That's right... A Phoenix form... He was a guardian to Cray but he used up the last of his strength battling Void and disappeared..." Takuto said
" Disappeared?!"
" Before he did though, his feathers scattered into nine fragments... Those fragments travelled to Earth after that... Along with the feathers, there were nine pieces of a puzzle..." Takuto explained
" Puzzle?"
" They're in a shape similar to a medallion, however, bigger... Those medallions talks about the story of that guardian and the puzzle of how to reawaken his powers once again... If Leon gets his hands on even one of them, the consequences would be very dire..." Takuto explained
" Then..."
" Oh and one more thing... The mask had belonged to that warrior as well... However, it had been recently stolen from Cray... When the mask is removed, Aichi-kun might gain the memories of when he was part of the Souryu... And... Since he's the guardian... If he feels betrayed by someone, he might send a signal of destruction to his temple in Cray..." Takuto said
" A-A signal..." Ali stuttered
" ... o-of destruction...?" Lee stuttered
" A signal that'll mean the destruction of the very place where the inhabitants that he felt betrayed from... Currently, I'm not sure... But seeing that you used ra replacement and never used an effort to search for clues... There's a possibility..." Takuto said
" Then, we'll have to clear that misunderstanding if it really happens..." Kamui said
" Then let's do it!" Misaki said
" Yeah!"
" At the same time, if Leon isn't stopped, both Cray and Earth will come to an end as well. Quickly, go to him..."
" But how can we find him?" Misaki ask
" Psyqualia... You should be able to sense Leon's Psyqualia..."
" Psyqualia..." Ren stood up, his eyes glowed and Ren turned towards Leon's direction... " That way!" Ren said
" Go. Cray is in your hands."
" Right! Let's go, everyone!" Kai said
" Right!"
Meanwhile, Jillian and Sharlene came running back after Leon helped Aichi to stand up...
" Leon-sama! Something appeared all of a sudden up at front!" Jillian said
" For your safety, you should follow us." Leon said
" Yeah..."
They ran towards where the two girls said as they saw a gigantic temple.
" There's so many water crystals here too..." Sharlene said
" Is it related to the water crystals we have?" Jillian ask
" It could be..." Leon replied
Aichi started to walk into the entrance as the three followed him. But with the speed Aichi was walking in, the three were suddenly finding it hard to catch up to him.
" Sendou, wait!" Leon shouted
" Aichi, come back!" Jillian shouted
" Yeah, it's dangerous!" Sharlene shouted
Finally, Aichi entered a room as he walked over to the bowl made of water crystals in the center of the room. The mask glowed as Aichi walked to the center of the room. Inside the bowl was bright crystal clear water and it was reflecting his friends inside.
" Yes... They betrayed me..." Aichi muttered
The mask glowed again as a single tear drop fell from Aichi's eye.
" Yes... I wish for their destruction..." Aichi muttered
The tear drop fell into the water as it started to glow red.
" Time before destruction of Earth... 2 hours. Key needed... Chosen fighter of Aqua Feather has to appear before destruction countdown begins." Aichi muttered, his eyes with a highlight of red on it
Leon and the others entered at that time.
" Sendou!"
" Chosen fighter has appeared..." Aichi muttered
The water crystal on Leon's wrist suddenly glowed as they shielded their eyes.
" Begin countdown of Earth's destruction." Aichi muttered
A timer suddenly appeared above the water as Aichi collapsed. Leon and the others ran towards him and picked him up.
" Sendou! Sendou! Wake up!" Leon called
" Leon-sama! Look at that!" Jillian said
They looked at the timer as they saw the words written on it.
" Earth's..."
" ... Destruction?!"
Aichi grunted as he opened his eyes.
" Leon-kun..." Aichi muttered
" Look." Leon said
Aichi saw the words as he gasped.
" What...? What's going on?!" Aichi exclaimed
" I don't know..." Leon said
Aichi suddenly fainted again as he started to float up. He opened his eyes, only to see only red glowing eyes.
" This is their fate. Earth deserves to be destroyed for betraying him." Aichi (?) said
" Who are you?" Leon ask
" I am the Phoenix's voice. I speak only his inner desires." Aichi (Voice) said
" Think about it. We're already currently doing it as well. Why not I take over his inner desire? There's no need for you to do it. I will take care of whoever betrays him." Leon said
" Since it's coming from the mouth of a chosen fighter then I have no objections... Then do your worse." Aichi (Voice) said
The countdown stopped as Aichi turned back to normal.
" Leon-kun..." Aichi muttered before fainting again
" Hear that?" Leon ask
" Yes." The two girls said
" So... What happens to people who harms members of our family?" Leon ask
" Of course, their punishment." Jillian said
" Yeah, yeah." Sharlene said
They exited the temple as it disappeared behind them.
" Now let the real fight begin." Leon said, his Psyqualia glowing in his eyes
And that's the end of this chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!