Initiation
Imagine it. A world so far into the future you barely recognize it. A world where card games have become so prevalent that they're everywhere. They're a part of our lives now, whether we like it or not. Thanks to the successes of the past, the world has probably changed for the better. Literally every single child wants to be a pro somewhere down the line, or at least the thought's crossed their mind. But now, imagine this. A world that's tainted by its past just as much as its been blessed by it. Imagine a world where everyone is doing everything they can to be the very best - to produce the very best.
No matter the cost.
"You know I don't approve of this."
The woman who spoke stood at the doorway of a snug bedroom, her arms crossed and her lavender eyes betraying the fiery concern only a mother could have.
"And you know that I have to go, mom," replied a young girl in her teens, perched on top of her bed and stuffing a deck box into her bag. She was already dressed and prepared to leave, a soft stream of ebony hair brushed down to her waist. A purple headband sat atop it, accentuating the rest of her attire, which consisted of a lavender tank top and a black skirt.
"You don't have to do anything!" the girl's mother cried. "Yomi, this entire thing is insane! I've seen what this programme has done to kids. To some of my own students! There's no way in hell I'm letting my daughter go!"
"My best friend is missing," Yomi stated as she zipped up her knapsack. "I owe it to myself to find answers."
"You should leave this to the police!"
"What good have the police ever done?" Yomi murmured. "The fact that United Sanctuary is still here, and hell, loved by everyone and their mother, is proof that they're not doing anything. They never have. Not since that one kid and his friends made a fool out of themselves six years ago."
Her mother held her gaze, neither mother nor daughter backing down as they stared stubbornly back at each other with shared amethyst eyes.
Yomi's mother finally relented. "Fine. But, at the very least, can we have breakfast together before my daughter goes off to that horrendous program? Please?"
Yomi could never turn down that pleading look. Moms will be moms, she supposed. The girl smiled and gave a slight nod. "I'll be down in a few."
By the time she'd gone down, bags in tow, the TV was on. Another episode of Vanguard Now was on air. Yomi perked her ears up at the sound of today's guest.
"Welcome, Mr. Kanzaki," the host, a young woman, said once the crowd's cheers had died down. "It's a great honor to have you here."
"I'm honored to be here as well," the purple-maned man replied. He had a certain air of confidence and control to him, as if everything were at his bidding. Everything was to serve him.
"Before we get started, is there anything you'd like to share with the audience?" the host asked.
As if on cue, he turned to the camera with a confident smirk, like he'd practiced this countless times prior. "Weakness is a sin."
"There it is, folks!" the lady grinned. "That iconic motto."
There was a roar of applause in the background.
"Speaking of, it's been six years, and my has it been a productive six years for you, hasn't it?" the host grinned. "You've revolutionized what it means to be a competitive Vanguard player in such little time, and expanded your branch to not only be the sole Vanguard administration in Japan, but also the top training program for fighters all over the world!"
Kanzaki chuckled. "You flatter me. Truthfully, it didn't take much. After all, it was the only logical step forward."
"Either way, it's been very fruitful. Japan has produced more top results than ever before," the host said. "But do tell us, what inspired you to go forward?"
"Well, that's a very good question–"
The screen went dark.
"Turning off the television won't make it go away," Yomi murmured, turning around.
"True," her mom answered as she set down two plates of food onto the table. "But I don't want you watching any of that garbage in my house. That man is no good, I tell you. Everyone's blind. The media's spewing out lies. It's ridiculous."
Yomi sighed. She didn't disagree with her mother. Not in the slightest. Vanguard Association Chief Kanzaki was an enigmatic man for sure, but he had presence. He was feared and admired all at the same time, and everyone wanted to be at that level. So much so that they would gladly go to his many training centers across the country, all for the sake of being better, being stronger.
"Yomi! My parents are letting me go to the Osaka Training Center! Can you believe it?"
"Alright, calm down, Kuro. You've still got a ways to go."
"Just you wait, I'm gonna come right out and beat the hell out of you when we play again!"
"You're certainly welcome to try!"
Her family was always apprehensive about it, but what could they do? He wasn't their son. His sudden disappearance only made them more concerned, so concerned that Yomi had a hell of a time trying to convince them not to dump her Vanguard cards out the window.
And here she was, chewing on a piece of her toast before she was sending herself off to that same training center, fees paid in full. She still remembered being utterly flabbergasted when she learned that the Kiba Corporation was going to be funding all her expenses pertaining to her little…quest. She also remembered stubbornly refusing the money, only to be met with an equally stubborn boss of a woman who insisted on it. In the end, all Yomi could do was surrender.
"Think of it this way: I scratch your back, and you scratch mine, alright?" her words echoed back.
There was a knock at the door, pulling her from her thoughts.
"That's my cue," Yomi said as she stuffed the last of her breakfast into her mouth.
Her mother gave her one last look of worry before she sighed in defeat. "Fine. Do what you have to."
"I'll be back," she reassured. "I promise. Once everything's over, it'll be like I never left."
"It had better," the older woman snapped. Then she smiled slightly. "You be careful out there, 'kay?"
"I will," Yomi murmured, herself smiling. "And tell dad I love him too."
As soon as she opened the door she was met with a dark suit that towered over her, expression blank and gaze hidden behind dark glasses. If she didn't know he was a personal hire, she would have freaked out and screamed, "Please don't take me in! I'm innocent, I swear!"
He led her away from the porch, her bags swiftly slung over his shoulder, bringing her to a sleek limousine parked right beside the road. While the guard stuffed her luggage into the trunk, she clicked the door open, hopping straight into the cushioned seats. She'd never been in one, for crying out loud! Yomi was hellbent on milking it for what it was worth, sitting with one leg over the other and two arms spread across the tops of the vacant seats. She was cool. She was a cool, top dog.
Or at least she was, until the tall, unimpressed man stepped into the seat in front of her. As soon as the door closed shut, she was reminded of why exactly an ordinary teenage girl like her was sitting in such a luxurious car, and that was enough to get her to sit properly. So she did, and the next few minutes were spent in awkward silence while the chauffeur started the engines and the man sat, unmoving, unnerving, in front of her.
"So, um…" Yomi began, slicing, no, cutting clumsily through the tense air. "How day was you?"
The man stared back at her, a slight eyebrow raised just over the rim of his shades. Because who wouldn't be weirded out by a jumbled scramble of words?
Idiot.
Then the engine finally started, and they were on the road, moving at a steady pace through the neighborhood, and finally into the heart of the city.
It was still early in the morning, and it took a while for the roar of vehicles to fully blitz through the roads as the metropolis yawned awake. The skyscrapers reached overhead into the distant sky, growing ever higher, soaring ever farther up from the grimy muck, as if they were an inspiration for those who sought a better future. And one certainly cannot forget the streets filled with the unbothered, rhythmic movements of people, moving as one bustling crowd swarming over the concrete; one blurred together crowd that would likely shatter apart were there any glitch, any tiny part of it that rejected the majority. And yet, there was another side to it. There was always another side to things, no matter how well it advertised itself otherwise. Advertisements for budding fighters were hoisted up everywhere, draped and painted to look shiny and bright, to lure in any unsuspecting moths only for their wings to burn before it was too late.
One such advertisement shone a bright lavender across the face of a single building. It depicted a young woman, older than her, yet still young and callously beautiful, with lavender curls and an alluring smile. Beside her in bold letters were the words, "WHO SAYS GIRLS CAN'T BE CHAMPIONS? WE DON'T! SIGN UP TODAY AT ONE OF UNITED SANCTUARY'S TRAINING CENTERS AND YOU CAN BE JUST LIKE HER IN NO TIME!"
Or you could just disappear, she thought grimly.
Eventually, Yomi was ripped out of her thoughts by the loud click of a briefcase opening.
"The boss told me to give you this before you go in."
She peered into the open black, only to see a single emerald scarab embedded in the center. "What is it?"
"A communication device. It's connected to a secure line so you can report back anything you find," the man said as he plucked it out. "It will also help you should you encounter any…technical difficulties."
"Technical difficulties?" Yomi echoed.
"It should help you hack into their databases," he explained. "Should the moment arise."
Yomi nodded, taking the scarab. She twisted it around, fiddling it in between her fingers, feeling the smooth metal and the intricate ridges that gave it shape. It was small, sort of like one of those niche thumb drives with cool exterior designs, yet also larger, with tiny holes above it that looked like a speaker. Yomi rotated it around once more, finding a small knob on its flat side.
"Beep!"
The girl screamed as the scarab flared to life, zipping straight into her face. Because her cool spy gadget thing had to be a bug.
"Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew!"
It didn't help that it landed on her shoulder, either, prompting her to scream even louder, much to the other two men's chagrin, and flail, terribly endangering the windows.
"Well this one's definitely a screamer."
"The bug talked! The bug talked!"
"No duh, Grape Eyes," a voice continued to reverberate out of it.
She froze. "Wait, Kon?"
"In the flesh," it said. "Well, more accurately, in steel alloy and wired parts."
There was a moment of silence as she stared at the scarab on her shoulder, her arms paused in the air, not quite knowing how to respond to the fact that her friend was speaking to her from within an insectoid machine.
Oh right.
She snatched the scarab from her shoulder. "What the hell?! You know I'm terrified of bugs!"
"Hey, hey, don't damage the fine goods," Kon protested. "This is one-of-a-kind."
"When I get back, I'll have your head," Yomi gnashed her teeth.
The scarab fidgeted. "I thought we've established that I'm comic relief at your expense."
"Oh shut up!" she snapped, tossing the scarab into the window.
"Which part of 'one-of-a-kind' don't you get?!"
"Steel alloy," Yomi shot back dryly, crossing her arms. "It won't break that easily." She then looked to the man in the suit, who still wore an emotionless expression on his face. "Please tell me his voice isn't the only one I'm stuck with."
"My heart bleeds!" Kon scoffed.
"Well, if you have to report to the boss directly, or her associate, press the green and yellow buttons respectively," the man explained.
She glanced at the side. There were three buttons, to be exact. "I'm guessing the teal one is linked up to Kon?"
"Plot-convenient hacking skills at your disposal," he answered.
Yomi rolled her eyes as she pressed the teal one, shutting it off.
Eventually, the shimmering skyscrapers of the city faded away, leaving a blank canvas of dark pavement and old houses. The vast blue sky draped itself over it all, now visible in all its glory, uncensored, exposed. It wasn't long before the car pulled over, and Yomi was faced with a huge expanse of white right outside the window.
The ground outside was painted white, the building, which towered far above the skyline, was a white board with circuits of electric blue, even the walls and gates surrounding it were a refreshing white, almost as if to hide the fact that it looked somewhat like a glorified prison.
The Osaka Training Center.
"We're here," the man said.
She glanced back at him, then glanced back down.
"This is your last chance to decide if you want to go in or leave," the man said, and for a split second, he had an air of sympathy for her, however quickly it faded away.
Yomi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I already made that decision a long time ago. I'm going in."
※◎◎◎※
"Please wait here while we prepare for your examination," a service woman said, gesturing to a row of blue velvet chairs.
Yomi nodded, and as the woman left, she sat down, taking in her surroundings. The walls were all a pearlescent white, spotless as the light that poured down from the ceiling. Not a single speck of darkness could be found, no scratches, no imperfections. It seemed to be broadcasting its role as the very apex of interior design, though today there wasn't an audience to be found. The only people in the waiting room were her and a single receptionist, who had taken to watching videos on his computer.
She shuffled her feet slightly. The wait was rather nerve-wracking, and there was nothing to do and nobody to talk to. Yomi looked to her left, spotting a stack of magazines, most likely for people in her exact situation she realized, and flipped through them graciously. None, really stood out, most being on general pop culture and Vanguard strategy, and she wasn't exactly thrilled about reading through game theory.
"G Units May Be Gone, but the Future of Vanguard is Not," Yomi read aloud, flipping to a random page.
She remembered when she was ten or so, just learning the basics of the game, when Stride was just as much a part of the game as Riding and Calling, when the game completely and utterly revolved around G Units. Yomi could even recall the day they all disappeared like it was just yesterday. The surreal feeling of the silver-backed cards disintegrating into tiny sparkles in her hand just as she was about to finish a game. The shock as what was left of her, everyone's cards floated up into the sky, never to be seen again. Suffice to say, fighters across the globe went hysterical, some raving over the loss of their precious GR's, some ranting about the desolate future of the game, and others coming together to speculate on the sudden disappearance of something that had only just recently come into existence.
Huh. G Units. Kuro. Things around me seem to have habit of disappearing, don't they?
Many surmised that it was a twisted corporate decision to sell new product, because after all, not long after, Imaginary Gifts made their debut. However, there were some, rather superstitious people who were convinced that it was some mystical cataclysm that made all G Units disappear. Nobody knew exactly what happened, only that it did, and now they adapt. Yomi didn't know what to believe either. Perhaps it was an elaborate business scheme. Perhaps some otherworldly power was indeed at work. Who could say for sure?
"Yomi Asano. Code 2469. Please, follow me."
That was her cue.
Yomi was led across yet another white, gleaming corridor, and soon found herself in a small room, completely empty aside from a single table raised in the center. Just from the playmat aesthetic laid out over the table and the two opposing deck of cards–
Wait, did they search through my stuff to get my cards?
Regardless, she knew what was happening next. What she didn't know, however, was why.
As if to answer her, the glass doors in front of her slid open, revealing a boy, about her age, with cropped brown hair and smug dark eyes, led in by a young woman, pale-skinned, ash-gray hair tumbling down to her shoulders, amber eyes cold and piercing. She was dressed in a black uniform, adding an elegant grace to her appearance. It was definitely different from the white and blue uniforms most of the people working at the Center wore, but she did have the United Sanctuary flag plastered across one sleeve, and while her cap was black, it was still the same shape. She reminded her of a police chief in many ways.
The ash-haired girl stepped to the side, and waited for the boy behind her to reach the opposite end of the table. "I'll keep things simple," she said. "You'll be playing a match against one of our own, so we can examine your ability. After that, you'll be officially registered at The Center."
"What happens if I lose?" Yomi queried.
The other girl regarded her with a chilling smile. "Try not to."
Yomi narrowed her eyes as she left the two of them behind, vanishing as the glass doors closed after her. Then she turned her amethyst eyes on the boy. "Guess it's game on."
"Don't think that I'll go easy on you just because you're a newbie," he answered, already shuffling through his deck.
Rude, Yomi noted, drawing her hand. "I don't expect you to."
"This'll be easy," he went on, cracking his knuckles. "I'll squash you, and then they'll see that I'm not trash to be thrown away."
"Thrown away?" Yomi raised an eyebrow. He didn't mean literally, did he?
The boy nodded as he placed a single hand over his starting vanguard.
Yomi felt uneasy. Would she be thrown right out if she lost? If that was the case, then the best thing she could do now was win. She had confidence in her abilities, and she wasn't about to go down without a fight, either.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" they both yelled, flipping their cards over.
No longer were they in a white-painted room. Now, they were standing within the golden confines of a great temple, lit up by fiery torch lights and vibrant streams of aqua blue.
"Battleraizer!" On one end, the boy's pearlescent figure flashed a bright white, as layers of steel formed and congregated around him, forming a metallic shell of red and white. [Battleraizer – 6000 Power]
"Reflector Angel!" On the other, Yomi was blanketed in lavender, her casual garments replaced in silver robes, with snowy wings carrying her into the air. [Reflector Angel – 6000 Power]
"I go first," Yomi stated. "I ride the Witch of Frogs, Melissa, then use Reflector's skill to draw. Turn end." [Witch of Frogs, Melissa – 8000 Power]
Yomi
Hand: 6
(Empty) – (Witch of Frogs, Melissa) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 0
Unnamed Player
Hand: 5
(Empty) – (Battleraizer) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 0
"Stand and draw," the brunette said. "I ride Death Army Guy, draw, then call another to the side."
In seconds, the giant red mecha shattered into crystalline shards, only to be replaced with an iron-plated droid, with another joining its side.
[Death Army Guy – 9000 Power]
[Death Army Guy – 9000 Power]
The one to the side moved first, and quickly. "The rearguard attacks Melissa."
"I guard with another Melissa," Yomi retorted, holding out her hand to summon a barricade of frogs just in time to absorb the blow. Nova Grappler. He's bound to come at me with a bajillion attacks later on. The best I can do is minimize the damage right now while I still can.
"The vanguard Death Army Guy attacks!" he continued as the second droid raised an arm for a punch.
Yomi braced herself. "No guard."
"Drive check,"
[Drive Check: Shining Lady (Critical Trigger)]
He smirked. "All effects to the vanguard."
And the fist collided, sending up dust and debris hurtling into the air and leaving a large dent in the ground where Yomi's vanguard laid unconscious.
[Damage Check: Witch of Big Pots, Laurier (Heal Trigger)]
Yomi grimaced. "I can't heal. Second check,"
[Damage Check: Apple Witch, Cider (No Trigger)]
"No trigger," she said. That makes two.
Unnamed Player
Hand: 6
(Death Army Guy) – (Death Army Guy) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 0
Yomi
Hand: 5
(Empty) – (Witch of Frogs, Melissa) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 2 – [Witch of Big Pots, Laurier] (U), [Apple Witch, Cider] (U)
"Ha!" the boy spat. "You're making this too easy."
"He says, after getting lucky," Yomi muttered under her breath. "My turn, stand and draw."
She glanced over the field, and the resources she had. Two damage. A hand of five. If I try and rush back, I'll just be playing into his rhythm. No, I'll put the game under my control first.
"Hurry it up," he groaned. "Dammit you're wasting time here."
"I ride Broom Witch, Callaway," she declared, ignoring him. Then, beside her broom-perched vanguard formed another lavender circle, morphing into the figure of a green and white dressed goddess, wielding a wooden scepter. "I call Goddess of Trees, Jupiter as well."
[Broom Witch, Callaway – 10000 Power]
[Goddess of Trees, Jupiter – 10000 Power]
His clan's Imaginary Gift is Accel, if I recall, Yomi thought, turning over one of her cards. "Jupiter attacks the vanguard. I pay one Counter Blast, letting me Soul Charge three cards."
[Soul Charge: Cyber Tiger]
[Soul Charge: Goddess of Trees, Jupiter]
[Soul Charge: Shield Goddess, Aegis]
"No guard," her opponent replied. "No trigger here."
[Damage Check: Asura Kaiser (No Trigger)]
Extra rearguard circles means more attacks. It could get really dangerous really quick, Yomi moved on to her next attack. "Callaway attacks the rearguard Guy."
"What?" the boy gaped. "You crazy?"
"Will you guard, or won't you?" she said coolly.
"Nah. If you're gonna waste your vanguard attack, be my guest."
"Drive check," Yomi said. "No trigger."
[Drive Check: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica (No Trigger)]
She smirked as her vanguard leaped into the air, twisting and swinging with her energy-imbued broom. But if he can't muster up the cards to call to those circles…there's no point!
The broom smashed into the android's chest, slamming it into a nearby pillar. She watched as it exploded and burst into flames. "The attack hit," Yomi stated. "I Soul Blast three cards now, to Counter Charge and draw a card. And that ends my turn."
The boy frowned. "That's annoying."
"Like your attitude?" Yomi retorted.
That probably did it. His dark eyes narrowed in response, and she was pretty sure those were veins etched on the corners of his head.
Yomi
Hand: 6
(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter) – (Broom Witch, Callaway) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 2 – [Witch of Big Pots, Laurier] (U), [Apple Witch, Cider] (U)
Unnamed Player
Hand: 6
(Empty) – (Death Army Guy) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 1 – [Asura Kaiser] (U)
"I ride Iron Killer," the boy said as his vanguard transformed yet again, now wielding a spiked wrecking ball on each arm. "Then I call another Killer and Burstraizer to the front!"
[Iron Killer – 9000 Power]
[Iron Killer – 9000 Power]
[Burstraizer – 9000 Power]
"You're making a lot of calls," Yomi noted.
"That's not all," he smirked. "I also call Shining Lady and Transraizer to the back."
[Shining Lady – 5000 Power]
[Transraizer – 8000 Power]
He's not playing conservatively at all, she thought. Pretty reckless, to be honest.
"With a boost from Transraizer, Burstraizer attacks the vanguard!" [Burstraizer – 9000 + 8000 = 17000 Power]
An explosion of light and smoke warded it off. "I guard with Battle Maiden, Kukurihime." [10000 + 15000 = 25000 Power]
"This time it's Iron Killer!" her opponent said. "If I have three or more rearguards, he gains another five-thousand." [Iron Killer – 9000 + 5000 = 14000 Power]
Yomi took one look at her hand. "I don't guard."
"Drive check,"
[Drive Check: Shining Lady (Critical Trigger)]
"Again?" Yomi grimaced.
"Now we're talking!" he grinned as his mecha swung its wrecking ball down, smashing into the ground.
[Damage Check: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica (No Trigger)]
[Damage Check: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica (No Trigger)]
"Keep going!" he enthused, prompting the mecha next to him to swing, sending Callaway hurtling into the far wall.
[Damage Check: Broom Witch, Callaway (No Trigger)]
"No trigger," Yomi said, letting the card fall into her damage zone. Five. One more and I'm out.
Unnamed Player
Hand: 3
(Iron Killer) – (Iron Killer) – (Burstraizer)
(Empty) – (Shining Lady) – (Transraizer)
Damage: 1 – [Asura Kaiser] (U)
Yomi
Hand: 5
(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter) – (Broom Witch, Callaway) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 5 – [Witch of Big Pots, Laurier] (U), [Apple Witch, Cider] (U), [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica] (U), [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica] (U), [Broom Witch, Callaway] (U)
"You're making this too easy, noob," he laughed.
"Don't count me out too soon," Yomi muttered under her breath. "My turn," she drew a card. "I ride: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica."
Callaway's lilac dress melted into the high priestess's rainbow bordered robes, with a single scepter in hand, crested by a whirling spiral. Her long hair tumbled down in cascades to her legs, pale green locks replaced with Yomi's midnight black. "Imaginary Gift! Force!" she declared, sliding a Gift Marker under Jupiter's circle. "Jupiter gains ten-thousand. Then Angelica's Soul Blast," the girl went on. "When she's placed, I can draw a card. When ridden, though, she gets an additional ten-thousand." [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica – 13000 + 10000 = 23000 Power]
Yomi threw down a couple more cards. "Call: Callaway, Cider." To her side appeared another woman on a broomstick, and behind Jupiter, a sorceress with a glowing apple between her hands, both glowing with a lavender hue.
[Broom Witch, Callaway – 10000 Power]
[Apple Witch, Cider – 7000 Power]
"Tick tock," the boy taunted. "If you don't end things this turn, it's lights out for you."
There's no way I'm finishing it this turn, she thought. She'll have to whittle his defenses down as best as she can. "Callaway attacks Burstraizer."
One of the iron bulldozers moved to the front, shattering from the force of her magic. "The rearguard Killer intercepts. What is your problem with my rearguards?"
"It's nothing personal," Yomi assured. "Next up is Angelica, attacking Burstraizer."
"You're insane!"
She smirked.
He frowned. "Fine. No guard."
"Twin drive," she flipped the top card of her deck over.
[Drive Check: Witch of Big Pots, Laurier (Heal Trigger)]
"Heal Trigger. I heal one damage, and give the power to Jupiter. Second check,"
[Drive Check: Goddess of Trees, Jupiter (No Trigger)]
"No trigger," she stated, as her weapon made contact, blowing the vermilion mecha back and through a pillar, where it finally exploded into pieces of scrap metal.
"Are you even trying to win?"
"I don't need to answer that," Yomi retorted. "Jupiter attacks the vanguard. Counter Blast. Soul Charge three." [Goddess of Trees, Jupiter – 10000 + 10000 + 5000 + 8000 = 33000 Power]
[Soul Charge: Witch of Frogs, Melissa]
[Soul Charge: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica]
[Soul Charge: Battle Maiden, Kukurihime]
"No guard," he answered. "It's only one damage."
[Damage Check: Maximum Raizer (No Trigger)]
Yomi took another look over the field, then smiled, satisfied. "Turn end."
Yomi
Hand: 6
{(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter)} – (Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica) – (Broom Witch, Callaway)
(Apple Witch, Cider) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 4 – [Apple Witch, Cider] (F), [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica] (U), [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica] (U), [Broom Witch, Callaway] (U)
Unnamed Player
Hand: 3
(Empty) – (Iron Killer) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Shining Lady) – (Transraizer)
Damage: 2 – [Asura Kaiser] (U), [Maximum Raizer] (U)
"I don't know what you're playing at, but it ends here," the boy snapped. "I ride Asura Kaiser! Imaginary Gift: Accel!" [Asura Kaiser – 12000 Power]
There it is.
"I'll gain an extra front circle to the top left," he said. "Then call!"
[Maximum Raizer – 12000 Power]
[Twin Blader – 5000 Power]
[Shining Lady – 5000 Power]
He paused to catch his breath. "This'll clinch it. With four attacks, this game is mine!"
"Then why haven't you won yet?" Yomi replied.
"Hmph. First up is Shining Lady. With Accel's bonus effect, she gains another ten-thousand!" [Shining Lady – 5000 + 10000 = 15000 Power]
"Callaway intercepts," she responded as the witch moved in, parrying the kick with her stick. [13000 + 5000 = 18000 Power] "With Cider's effect, I move Callaway to the soul, and charge."
[Soul Charge: Battle Maiden, Kukurihime]
"Asura Kaiser!" [Shining Lady – 5000 + 10000 = 15000 Power]
She hopped back as the robot swung one of its many metal coils down, holding her hand up just as the next came down. "Shield Goddess, Aegis! Perfect Guard!" The attack was blocked by a purple-robed goddess, pushing back with an ever-expanding golden shield.
"Tch. Twin drive!"
[Drive Check: Asura Kaiser (No Trigger)]
Yomi frowned at the sight of the card. She knew was coming next.
"Asura's skill activates," he smirked. "I'll restand Lady, and grant her ten-thousand more power. Second check,"
[Drive Check: Turboraizer (Front Trigger)]
"Front Trigger!" he exclaimed. "Now my entire front row gains ten-thousand!"
He's got three more attacks left. But…
"Here comes Shining Lady one more time!" he said, with a single whip of lightning striking Angelica down, a single grunt escaping her lips.
"Damage check," she responded. "No trigger."
[Damage Check: Goddess of Trees, Jupiter (No Trigger)]
"Twin Blader attacks! I'll use Transraizer's skill to Counter Charge and add three-thousand more power!" [Twin Blader – 5000 + 10000 + 8000 + 3000 = 26000 Power]
"Guard," Yomi said, waving a cybernetic Tiger into existence, which roared the aggressors away. [13000 + 15000 = 28000 Power]
The boy's eyes widened. "No…you shouldn't be able to hold out…"
"Hm?" Yomi smirked. "What's the matter? I thought this was supposed to be your big finish."
"S-shut up!" there went his composure. "Maximum attacks! He's not boosted, so that's another ten-thousand!"
She closed her eyes, unmoving as the green-plated mecha unleashed a blast of blue radiance in her direction, causing yet another of explosion of debris to fly into the air. [Maximum Raizer – 12000 + 10000 + 10000 = 32000 Power]
Her opponent was sweating now. "That should end things."
And yet once the dust cleared, all he saw was her unimpressed figure, brushing bits of dirt out of her hair. A ditzy chef sat in front, frowning at her singed cooking pot, only to disappear into lavender pixels with the wave of a hand. [13000 + 20000 = 33000 Power]
"No," he breathed. "This can't…"
"Is that all?"
"No, most people who come here shouldn't be this strong. You should've…oh no…no…"
"I'm not like most people who come here," Yomi replied. "The fun and games have been great and all, but this battle is settled."
"No, I've got two damage to your five! I'll hold out before you can end me, and then I'll end this!"
She smirked. "We'll see about that."
Unnamed Player
Hand: 2
{Shining Lady} – (Maximum Raizer) – (Asura Kaiser) – (Twin Blader)
(Empty) – (Shining Lady) – (Transraizer)
Damage: 2 – [Asura Kaiser] (U), [Maximum Raizer] (U)
Yomi
Hand: 2
{(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter)} – (Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica) – (Empty)
(Apple Witch, Cider) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 5 – [Apple Witch, Cider] (F), [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica] (U), [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica] (U), [Broom Witch, Callaway] (U), [Goddess of Trees, Jupiter] (U)
"I've got nothing personal against you," Yomi said as she drew for the turn. "Well, except maybe your douchebag personality. But that aside, I have reasons of my for getting into The Center. And I'm not about to let you get in my way."
The boy was silent now, apprehensive, shoulders stiffened. Probably scared he'll get his butt handed to him, her mind supplied.
"Ride," she said as a lavender circle appeared under her vanguard, transforming her into shrine maiden, with sapphire liquid surrounding her, pouring out from her wooden scoop. "Battle Maiden, Mizuha. Imaginary Gift: Force!" The empty ground next to her glowed fiercely, now veiled with a prismatic circle. "When she appears, my vanguard gains ten-thousand and a Critical. Then, I'll have Mizuha and Melissa to the rearguard."
[Battle Maiden, Mizuha – 13000 + 10000 = 23000 Power, Critical 2]
[Battle Maiden, Mizuha – 13000 + 10000 = 23000 Power]
[Witch of Frogs, Melissa – 8000 Power]
"N-no, it's not over…it's not…"
"Mizuha's Soul Blast," Yomi stated, taking six cards from her soul. "During this turn, all front row rearguards gain an extra Critical."
Realization dawned on his face. "That means…"
"Yes, yes that's exactly what it means," Yomi affirmed. She held out her hand. "First, the rearguard Mizuha attacks the vanguard." Out burst a stream of water, unrelenting and unforgiving. [Battle Maiden, Mizuha – 23000 + 8000 = 31000 Power, Critical 2]
He grunted as his vanguard took the attack. The water surged through, ripping out pieces of metal as it went, as if it were a hungry beast razing the land.
[Damage Check: Asura Kaiser (No Trigger)]
[Damage Check: Burstraizer (No Trigger)]
"No…no, it's not over! I'll survive! I have to!"
More water spiraled around her vanguard, only to rip forward like a flurry of bullets with a single gesture. "My vanguard Mizuha attacks." [Battle Maiden, Mizuha – 23000 Power, Critical 3]
"You've overextended. Calling all of your defenses like that was a mistake."
She knew he couldn't guard with just a single Turbo in his hand. Even if he did, there was still Jupiter left. He knew it too. He was trembling.
"N-no guard…"
[Drive Check: Apple Witch, Cider (No Trigger)]
[Drive Check: Battle Maiden, Mizuha (No Trigger)]
And the magic hit home. The robot raised its many arms to defend itself, but nothing could stop the water from tearing through black steel. Cracks began to form all across its body, and it was only a matter of time before…
"Damage check," he said, doing it slowly, taking every ounce of time to pray.
[Damage Check: Death Army Guy (No Trigger)]
"No trigger…" he huffed. More cracks. "Second check…"
[Damage Check: Wall Boy (Heal Trigger)]
"Heal Trigger!" he rejoiced, as his vanguard steeled itself, if only for a while. "I heal one damage."
"One more," Yomi reminded.
The boy nodded. "Third check…"
[Damage Check: Transraizer (No Trigger)]
"No," he breathed.
"This is the last."
…before the mecha shattered apart.
"No…no, no, no, no, no!"
Yomi took a step back. He'd switched almost instantaneously, and it started to scare her a bit. "Hey, are you…"
"What have you done?!" he wailed. "No…no, I can fix this. I can…no…"
He turned just as the doors slid back open. Two men in uniform stepped through, each restraining the boy on each side within seconds.
"Wait! I swear, I can do it! I can do this! I'm not worthless!" he yelled, trying to wrangle free. "Let me prove myself! Please! Please!"
Before Yomi could make a move, she heard the sound of heels clicking on the floor. The ash-haired girl came through the doors as well, an amused grin etched across her face. She took one look at Yomi's opponent before saying, "Well, I certainly didn't expect that good a thrashing. But weakness is a sin, and this defeat is a grotesque sign of weakness." She nodded towards the guards. "Take him away."
"No! Anything but that!" he protested. "Anything! Please!"
Too late. He was already being dragged through the doors, and in moments, they closed shut, and all she could hear now were his muffled screams for help.
Once she regained her composure, Yomi turned to the girl, worry painted over her expression. "What's going to happen to him?"
"We here believe in success for all," came her reply through a twisted smile. "Rest assured, he will reemerge, stronger than ever. But for now, rest. You've won, shown your worth, and you shall be rewarded accordingly."
As the girl walked away, all Yomi could hear were the boy's screams, carved into her memory like the scratches of a madman on prison walls. Another uniformed person came to move her as well, this time a boy around her age, with hair the color of spring leaves and eyes like holy metal. Yet, even as she walked through another white corridor, the only thing on her mind was the question:
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
※◎◎◎※
The door of Yomi's new room opened before her. It was a simple room. Clean, polished, but simple, with a comfortable-looking bed, a desk to the side, a closet and a few cupboards as well. She also noticed her bags at the center of the floor, but at the same time, she also noticed–
"Where are the rest of my bags?" she questioned, turning to the green-haired serviceman who brought her here.
He was already turning to leave, but he tilted his head, giving her one final look. "Rules are rules. You'll get the rest of your stuff once you've earned them."
"Well, how do I earn them?" Yomi asked, arms crossed.
But he was already gone, and the door closed shut. Strange guy, she thought. It was as if he was devoid of emotion, yet at the same time, was that a look of sympathy? And the constant motto with these people...weakness is a sin?
Yomi shook her head and walked over to her bed, beginning to unpack. A flood of clothes and other personal belongings tumbled down onto the bed as she lifted her bag up. One such personal belonging was a familiar emerald scarab, which she picked up.
Right. First thing's first.
She flipped it on its back and hit the green button. Soon enough, she got a response.
"Hello?" a feminine voice came from the other line.
"Hey," Yomi murmured. She never realized just how tired she was, but now that she did, she felt about ready to collapse. Regardless, "I'm in. So what's the next move, Tokoha?"
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard. The anime characters and world, as well as the game, are Bushiroad's property. I only own my OCs and the custom cards designed for the purpose of this story.
Custom Cards
Battle Maiden, Kukurihime
Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Noble/Critical Trigger
Cyber Tiger
Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/High Beast/Critical Trigger
Shield Goddess, Aegis
Grade 0/5000 Power/0 Shield/Noble/Draw Trigger
[CONT]:Sentinel (You may have up to four cards in total with Sentinel in a deck)
[AUTO](GC):When placed, COST [Discard a card from your hand], and one of your units cannot be hit until end of that battle.
Witch of Big Pots, Laurier
Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Human/Heal Trigger
Reflector Angel
Grade 0/6000 Power/10000 Shield/Angel
[AUTO]:When ridden upon, draw a card.
Apple Witch, Cider
Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield/Human
[AUTO](RC)[1/Turn]:When your other unit is retired from (RC) or (GC), you may Soul Charge (1) and put that unit into your soul.
[AUTO](RC):When placed, put a card from your drop zone into your soul. If the card put is a normal unit, this unit gets [Power]+3000 until end of turn.
Witch of Frogs, Melissa
Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield/Human
[AUTO](RC):When your card is Soul Blast, COST [Counter Blast (1)], call that card to (RC) in the same column as this unit.
Goddess of Trees, Jupiter
Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield/Noble
[AUTO](RC):When it attacks a vanguard, COST [Counter Blast (1)], Soul Charge (3), and if your vanguard is grade 3 or greater, this unit gets [Power]+5000 until end of turn.
Broom Witch, Callaway
Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield/Human
[AUTO](VC/RC): When its attack hits, COST [Soul Blast (3)], draw a card and Counter Charge (1).
Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica
Grade 3/13000 Power/Human/Gift: Force
{SECRET}
[AUTO](VC/RC):When placed, COST [Soul Blast (3)], draw a card, if this unit is on (VC), this unit gets [Power]+10000 until end of turn.
Battle Maiden, Mizuha
Grade 3/13000 Power/Noble/Gift: Force
[ACT](VC)[1/Turn]:COST [Soul Blast (6)], and all units in your front row get [Critical]+1 until end of turn.
[AUTO](VC):When placed, this unit gets [Power]+5000. If ridden over a grade 3, this unit gets [Power]+5000/[Critical]+1 until end of turn.