Vanguard – Blue Hour
This is the newest card game around. This is the game which has enthralled young people and children worldwide. This is Vanguard.
Well... this is basically my first Vanguard fic. Ever since a certain other card game anime series sold its soul to the great devil that is nonsensical plot and horrible characters, I've kinda gravitated to Vanguard as a medicine of sorts for my aching soul. Well, I already did, but not so much. And so this is the result.
This fic is set in the UK. I -live- in the UK, so I know it fairly well. And as such hopefully I can give a good impression of what the culture here's like. However, this is set in the UK... in the world of the Vanguard anime. Vanguard anime rules regarding certain cards like Blaster Blade and King of Knights, Alfred are therefore in effect, though I am assuming for one Clan in particular that it is not restricted to one owner. For the purposes of this fic I assume that Vanguard does get to the UK at some point. Also, technology is slightly different. Though not commonplace, hologram technology has expanded to the point of feasibly creating large arena-wide holograms, as shown in the series itself.
According to my handy fanfic timeline, this fic is set roughly in July 2012. As such Vanguard has reached its fourth set in the English version of the game, sets in this version of the game conform to their real-life contents with the very odd exception where certain rare cards are confirmed, primarily Blaster Blade and Alfred. Set 5 is two months away from release in the timeline, so will only show either in epilogue chapters to the main plot, or (hint hint) sequel fanfics.
Now, I will try to depict Vanguard gameplay as fluidly as possible without the visual medium of an anime or manga. I will also do my best to make sure the reader is aware of what's going on and isn't going 'When did he play that card?' and other such questions. Card stats for cards can be found at the end of the chapter in which that card is first played. Cards called to the playing field, specifically. Cards which are mentioned as sent to the Drop Zone, Soul Charged or called to guard will not be counted unless their skill activates in one of these locations.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vanguard. It is the creation of Akira Itou and property of Bushiroad. Credit and thanks to both of those parties for creating this beautiful and enjoyable series to heal my aching heart.
And with the admin out of the way, time to being. Stand up, the Vanguard!
Ride 1: Stand Up
The shadow rose. Its silhouette was illuminated by the edges of light radiating from the eclipsed moon, crimson eyes blazing. Like a demonic avatar of ruin, it hung, and it burned with an aura of tangible malice and fury which radiated like heat from its form.
"Counterblast," he declared, turning over two cards.
A moment later, a card fluttered to a set of others, creating a total of six. The total which cost a player a game of Vanguard, it was his victory. "Good game."
"You too," his opponent nodded, quietly gathering their cards and walking away. The victor relaxed into his seat.
"That's all the regulars?" he queried. No one answered. Then someone stepped forward.
"Not all of them," she said. He regarded her, seeing a young woman with blue-dyed hair, sharp brown eyes and a hard look on her face. "You haven't faced me yet."
"Oh?" he asked quietly. "Is that a challenge?" She seemed to waver for a moment, caught between acceptance and refusal. Then she held up her deck.
"Yes."
"I never deny a challenge," the victor said. "Let's do this."
VBH1
A boy walked across a busy pavement, dodging around the throngs of people milling past. Dressed in funeral black trousers and a crumpled, creased white shirt, he walked through the heat-shimmering air, sweat glistening on his face. A black blazer was slung carelessly over his arm, the top two buttons of his shirt hanging loosely open. In his hand was clutched a deck of cards. Vanguard cards. A silver-grey backpack was slung from one shoulder, swaying slightly with every step he took.
Passing through a towering mass of scaffolding, he trudged along past several shops before stopping outside the one he had walked down here for. Posters were pinned in the windows, depicting dragons, knights, insects, more. A large sign proclaimed its name in bold letters: Card Shop Avalon. With a slight smile, the young man pushed open the door and stepped inside.
He gazed around, taking in everything. The posters hung on the white walls, the tables scattered around, at which people sat, placing cards down and facing one another. The counter to his right, a man stood behind it smiling, dressed in a gray apron over white shirt and black tracksuit bottoms.
"Hello there, Robert," the owner greeted with a smile. "Here to buy anything today?" His face seemed to perpetually smile, mouth creased by endless upward turns of his lips, and his blue eyes sparkled joyfully at overseeing this place of relaxation and enjoyment.
"No, Mr Owens, I'm just here... well, to see if I can get a Cardfight or two, I guess," Robert commented. "Anyone good hanging around today?"
"Well, funny you should..."
"I activate the skill of Phantom Blaster Dragon," a voice said calmly and clearly from across the shop. Robert and the manager both looked to see a young man facing the blue-haired woman across a table, on which were placed several cards. With a stoic gesture, he flipped over two cards to his left, and then placed three more onto a small pile at his right. "Damned Charging Lance, by Counterblasting two cards and sacrificing three of my Shadow Paladin Rearguards, Phantom Blaster Dragon will gain 10000 Power and one Critical for this turn." He gestured across the table to his opponent. "Phantom Blaster Dragon attacks the Vanguard. Shadow Erosion!"
The young woman glanced across the three cards she held, before letting out a sigh of resignation. "No guard."
"Twin Drive, first check," the young man declared, revealing a card. "No Trigger, second check." He revealed a second. "Got it, Critical Trigger. All effects to my Vanguard." The young woman looked in shock for a moment, before picking up two cards one after the other and letting them fall to her left.
"That's game..." she finally said.
"Good game," her opponent concluded. All around, muttering erupted from the other patrons of the shop.
"Damn... he even beat Agatha!"
"If he even beat someone from our shop Regionals team..."
"That's everyone in here beaten by him!"
The young woman finished collecting her cards, and stood, walking to the shop's counter. She leaned against it, running a hand through her hair.
"He even beat me," she murmured, gazing down at the deck in her hand.
"Who is he?" Robert asked.
"Samuel," Mr. Owens said, leaning back to the wall, arms folded behind his head. "He turned up a few days ago, and started challenging people in here. He's beaten everyone he's faced so far... and now he's even beaten one of the star players who came in the top four of the shop tournament six months ago." He glanced to Agatha.
"He hasn't faced or beaten me yet," Robert murmured, looking at his own deck. Agatha's head snapped up.
"You're going to try and face him?" she asked. "Robert, I'm sorry, but I have to be blunt. I've been playing this game practically since it started, and I was good enough to make our team for Regionals. The team which got us to the Regional finals. You're a new player who started three weeks ago, using a Trial Deck. A Trial Deck. You don't know what Samuel's like. He's... amazing." She paused as though unsure how to continue. "No matter what I did, he was able to keep playing the game at his own pace and keep me from retaliating enough to win. Then he took what damage I did do and used it to power his finishing blow."
"Damned Charging Lance," Robert repeated softly. He glanced across the shop to where Samuel sat, taking in the mysterious champion. Deep black hair fell over his eyes, which were visible for instants, a deep dark blue shade like ink. Dressed in plain, unassuming clothes, a plain black shirt and a neat pair of camouflage trousers, he didn't seem much like an imposing monster. And yet you could see it in his eyes, a steel which promised a harsh battle.
Robert stared at the dark player who lurked in the corner. Samuel stared back. His face was angular, handsome but with a sharpness to it, a predatory shape. His appearance spoke of his power even when he tried to appear plain and unassuming. Finally, the young man's lips parted.
"Do you want something?" Samuel asked quietly, voice easily crossing the card shop. Everyone stopped, and looked. There was suddenly a tension in the air, thick and heavy.
"Yes," Robert answered. "I hear you've been beating everyone here."
Samuel glanced around for a brief moment, before fixing his gaze back where it had started. "That's right."
"Well... now there's someone in this room you haven't beaten," the schoolboy challenged. "So I'm going to end your winning streak here and now. I challenge you to a Cardfight, Samuel!" All the eyes in the store turned to him at this declaration. The room was silent, everyone waiting with baited breath for the dark-clad one's response.
"Is that so?" Samuel answered. "I never refuse a challenge. You know my name, but who are you?"
"Robert," the young man answered. "I'm going to try and break your winning streak here and now."
"You're welcome to try," his opponent smiled. "Well, come over here. Make yourself at home. I don't bite." Robert crossed the store, aware of Agatha following him as well as everyone's' gazes pinning him down. His brave new challenger. He took his seat, gazing into the depths of Samuel's inky eyes across the table. Slowly, both players withdrew their Decks, Samuel taking his from a sleek black deck box at his belt, Robert taking his own from his blazer pocket, setting the blazer and his backpack down under the table.
He quickly fanned his deck, plucking a card from it and setting it face-down to the appropriate space on the Cardfight mat before him. Samuel just took the front card and set it down, apparently he had placed his starter Vanguard there beforehand for ease of retrieval. This done, both shuffled their cards and set them down, before holding out their fists.
"Rock, paper, scissors," they recited quietly, before opening their fists, Samuel's into a flat shape like a paper sheet, Robert's into a scissor-like one.
"First turn to you, then," Samuel commented, making five draws as his opponent did the same. "Agatha, please don't loom over the table like that. It's distracting." Agatha pulled back from where she had indeed been leaning over the table, and retreated with a sour look, leaning against the adjacent table to watch the game. Samuel regarded his hand. "I'll mulligan these two." He placed two cards back onto his deck, shuffled it, and made two draws.
"I'll mulligan three," Robert answered, repeating the process except replacing three cards. Samuel smiled, holding a hand out to his face-down Vanguard. He touched his fingers to the card, preparing to flip it over.
"Stand up... the Vanguard!" He flipped over his card. "Fullbau!"
Robert did the same. "Stand up, Vanguard! Cosmo Claw!" Both set their faces into determined expressions, imaging the alternate world in their minds.
They stood under a dark sky, three moons hanging above them and blazing with light. The moons seemed close together, as though aligning. Around them rose a desolate landscape, empty bare rocky wasteland. The wind howled mournfully across the field, as auras of power surrounded the two, dark purple around Samuel's astral form, a vibrant gold around Robert's. The auras burst into blazing life, reshaping into different forms.
Samuel's burst first, revealing a sleek armored dog, its body jet-black with icy blue patterns running across it. A visor of icy blue covered its eyes, the creature giving a dark howl towards the moons before glaring daggers at its opponent. [Fullbau – 5000 Power]
Robert's aura burst into a nimble golden lion, forged from futuristic metal, with burning deep blue eyes [Cosmo Claw – 3000 Power]
"My turn," Robert declared, having won their pre-match Rock-Paper-Scissors. He drew a card. "I Ride Cosmo Roar!" Plucking a card from his hand, he slapped it down.
The golden form of Cosmo Claw burst into aura, blazing and reshaping into the form of a monstrous crimson and silver cybernetic saber-tooth tiger, missile pods attached to its back and blades of crackling power igniting from its spine. [Cosmo Roar – 6000 Power]
"Cosmo Claw's skill," he continued, "when I Ride a Dimension Police onto it, I can call it to the Rearguard Circle." He took the card from beneath his Vanguard and slid it back and to the left.
In a flash of golden aura, the gold lion reformed with a grating roar. [Cosmo Claw – 3000 Power]
"I end there."
Robert
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Cosmo Roar/Empty
Back Row: Cosmo Claw/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
"Draw," Samuel said softly, doing so. He quickly scanned his hand. "Ride, Blaster Javelin!" He played one of his cards.
Dark violet aura surrounded Fullbau, burning up until it burst to reveal a dark-armored knight, wielding a long black lance tipped by a viciously barbed point. With a silent glare, Blaster Javelin settled to a battle-ready stance. [Blaster Javelin – 6000 Power]
"Since I Rode Javelin onto Fullbau," he continued, fanning his deck, "I can add one Blaster Dark from my deck to my hand." He took the named card, flashing its face to his opponent before placing it into his hand. Quickly shuffling his deck, he replaced it on its space. "And while Fullbau is in my Soul, Javelin gains 2000 Power."
Power blazed darkly around Javelin as a mirage of Fullbau appeared behind him in eerie silence. [Blaster Javelin – 8000 Power]
"I now call Gururubau," the dark-clad played declared, playing a second card.
With a ferocious howl, a lithe black-and-crimson wolf took form, snarling viciously and baring its fangs. [Gururubau – 7000 Power]
"Gururubau attacks your Vanguard," Samuel declared, "and when its attack targets the Vanguard, Gururubau gains 2000 Power during that battle."
"No guard," Robert said quietly.
Gururubau howled and surged forward [7000 Power + 2000 Power = 9000 Power], a blur of black which struck Cosmo Roar and ripped into the android, sending sparks flashing from damaged circuitry before Samuel's wolf retreated.
Robert took a card and placed it onto his Damage Zone. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – No Trigger]
"Blaster Javelin attacks," Samuel spoke calmly, turning the card sideways.
"No guard," his opponent responded.
"Drive Trigger, check," he revealed the top card of his deck, "no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Knight of Darkness, Rugoth – No Trigger]
Blaster Javelin charged, drawing back his spear. He struck, stabbing the weapon's barbed point into Cosmo Roar and causing sparks to burst from the impact point, before drawing back before his opponent could respond.
"Damage check," Robert responded.
[Damage Check – Justice Cobalt – Critical Trigger]
The schoolboy frowned at the late Trigger, as Samuel spoke, 'Your turn."
Samuel
Hand: 6
Front Row: Empty/Blaster Javelin/Gururubau
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
Robert drew calmly. "Ride, Twin Order!" He slapped a card down.
Blazing light surrounded Cosmo Roar, reforming into a slender humanoid form. A crimson and black android stood, drawing twin laser-blades from its belt as it struck a dynamic pose, the blades humming softly. [Twin Order – 10000 Power]
"Next, I Call another Twin Order, and Glory Maker!" Two more cards fell into place.
A second android formed, blue instead of the crimson of the Vanguard, followed by a pale blue woman in an elegant dress appearing from the light behind Robert's Vanguard, clasping her hands in prayer. [Twin Order – 10000 Power] [Glory Maker – 6000 Power]
"Glory Maker boosts, and my Vanguard attacks Blaster Javelin!"
"No guard," Samuel answered.
"Drive Check!" Robert called, revealing the card.
[Drive Check – Cosmo Beak – No Trigger]
The android leapt up and descended, slashing with its blades [10000 Power + 6000 Power = 16000 Power]. Blaster Javelin narrowly evaded, the blades crashing down beside it.
"Damage check," Samuel spoke.
[Damage Check – Dark Sorcerer Babd Catha – No Trigger]
"Cosmo Claw boosts, and Twin Order attacks! Cosmo Claw's skill! When it boosts, the boosted Unit gains 3000 Power!"
The blue Twin Order surged forward, swathed in golden aura [10000 Power + 3000 Power + 3000 Power]. It slashed its laser-blades into Blaster Javelin, who met them with the haft of his spear.
Samuel placed the card into his Damage Zone. "Draw Trigger."
[Damage Check – Abyss Freezer – Draw Trigger]
He made a draw even as Robert frowned, "Cosmo Claw's skill. At the end of the turn it boosted, I shuffle it back into my deck." He placed the card onto his deck, and shuffled it. "Turn end."
Robert
Hand: 4
Front Row: Twin Order/Twin Order/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Glory Maker/Empty
Damage: Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha (U), Justice Cobalt (U)
"Draw," Samuel said calmly. He plucked out a single card from his hand, holding it up and gazing at it as he chanted softly. "Black knight, cleave with your unholy sword! Ride, Blaster Dark!" He slapped the card down atop Blaster Javelin's.
Blaster Javelin was consumed in a spiraling flare of violet flames, before a dark sword cleaved through the fire. The knight stepped forth, clad in jet-black armor adorned with lines of blazing pale blue. Resting his blade's point on the ground, Blaster Dark glared in a chill silence across the field at Robert's Units. [Blaster Dark – 9000 Power]
"Blaster Dark gains 1000 Power if Blaster Javelin is in the Soul," he continued, "and I now activate his skill. I Counterblast two to retire your Rearguard Twin Order." He flipped over the two cards in his Damage Zone.
The illusory form of Blaster Javelin appeared behind Blaster Dark, fading into the dark knight's form [Blaster Dark – 10000 Power], then Samuel's Vanguard pointed his blade at the blue Twin Order, causing the android to convulse and then shatter into nothingness.
"I move Gururubau to the back," Samuel said, sliding the wolf's card to the back row, "and call Cursed Lancer and Knight of Darkness, Rugoth." He placed two cards down.
In flares of violet flame, a black-armored knight astride a dark horse, wielding a barbed lance, and a knight on foot also in black armor, wielding a massive blue energy sword and a baleful red katana appeared on his field. [Cursed Lancer – 9000 Power] [Knight of Darkness, Rugoth – 10000 Power]
"Knight of Darkness, Rugoth attacks your Vanguard," the Shadow Paladin player declared calmly.
"Guard, Army Penguin!" Robert retorted.
Rugoth charged with a snarl, drawing back his monstrous blade. However, a dark blue penguin-shaped robot took form in front of Twin Order, shielding the android with its own body [10000 Power + 5000 Shield = 15000 Power]. With a cry of anger, Rugoth cut down Army Penguin, but was left unable to strike Twin Order. He retreated, growling bitterly.
"Blaster Dark attacks Twin Order," Samuel called, turning the card sideways.
"No guard."
"Drive Check," his opponent said quickly, revealing the card. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Black Sage Charon – No Trigger]
Blaster Dark surged forward, raising his mighty sword. He cleaved a vicious arc with the blade, ripping a large gash across Twin Order's chest in a spray of sparks, before drawing away as the android fell to a knee.
[Damage Check – Cosmo Roar – No Trigger]
"Gururubau boosts, and Lancer attacks," Samuel spoke quietly, turning both cards sideways.
Surrounded in blazing violet flame, Cursed Lancer spurred his horse onward, drawing back his lance [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power]. The lance stabbed into Twin Order's chest, a spray of sparks erupting on impact before the knight withdrew.
Robert placed a card into his Damage Zone again.
[Damage Check – Glory Maker – No Trigger]
"When Cursed Lancer hits the Vanguard and I have a Shadow Paladin Vanguard, I can unflip one Damage," Samuel said, turning Abyss Freezer's card back over. "Turn end."
Samuel
Hand: 6
Front Row: Knight of Darkness, Rugoth/Blaster Dark/Cursed Lancer
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Gururubau
Damage: Dark Sorcerer Babd Catha (F), Abyss Freezer (U)
"Draw," Robert smiled, plucking a card from his hand. "I Ride Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha!" He slammed the card down atop Twin Order's with a slight chuckle.
In a flash of blinding light, Twin Order was consumed, rising and reforming. From the light, a gigantic form emerged, a massive white, red and blue mecha wielding a large sword and a star-shaped shield. Eyes blazing, Daiyusha stood like a sentinel of the universe. [Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – 10000 Power]
"I call Cosmo Beak, Justice Strider, and Karenloid Daisy!" He let the remaining three cards in his hand fall to their spaces on the field.
Three new Units exploded from bursts of brilliant light, a colossal red and silver bird-mecha, a green-armored cheetah-man with vicious claws on his gauntlets, and a violet feminine android, blades flickering from its wrists. [Cosmo Beak – 8000 Power] [Justice Strider – 6000 Power] [Karenloid Daisy – 8000 Power]
"Cosmo Beak, Counterblast! When it's called to the Rearguard, I can Counterblast two to give any other Dimension Police I control 4000 more Power! Daiyusha, receive the power of the cosmos!" He turned over the Daiyusha and Justice Cobalt in his Damage Zone.
Light shone from Cosmo Beak's wings, swathing Daiyusha in radiant power as lines of energy ignited across the mecha's form [Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – 14000 Power]
"Glory Maker boosts, and Daiyusha attacks Blaster Dark!" Robert declared passionately. "Both their skills activate! When Daiyusha attacks and its Power is 14000 or more before it gets boosted, it gains one Critical! When Glory Maker boosts a Dimension Police and I have four or more Damage, it boosts by an extra 4000 Power!" He turned both cards sideways.
"No guard," Samuel smiled, closing his eyes.
"Twin Drive, check!" He revealed the first card. "Critical Trigger, get!" Samuel's eyes opened as Robert showed him the card with a smile.
[Drive Check – Cosmo Claw – Critical Trigger]
"I give the Critical to Daiyusha and the Power to Cosmo Beak! Second check!" He revealed a second card, leaving him with two cards in his hand. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Karenloid Daisy – No Trigger]
Daiyusha stormed forward, drawing back its blade as radiant power burned around it [14000 Power + 6000 Power + 4000 Power = 24000 Power, Critical 3]. It slashed down with the sword, smashing Blaster Dark under its incredible power before the black knight emerged from the impact, snarling as he used his sword to boost himself to his feet.
Samuel placed down a card into his Damage Zone. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Gururubau – No Trigger]
"Second check." He revealed this card. "Stand Trigger."
[Damage Check – Darkside Trumpeter – Stand Trigger]
"I give the Power to Blaster Dark, and Stand Lancer. Third check." He placed down the third Damage, leaving him with a total of five.
[Damage Check – Cursed Lancer – No Trigger]
"Justice Strider attacks Cursed Lancer," Robert continued, smiling. "Strider's skill, when it attacks and my Vanguard's Power is 12000 or higher, it gains 3000 Power for that attack!"
Justice Strider raced forward, drawing back his claws [6000 Power + 3000 Power = 9000 Power]. He struck Cursed Lancer, shattering the dark knight into motes of blackness.
"Daisy boosts, and Cosmo Beak attacks Blaster Dark!"
"I call Grim Reaper as a Guardian," Samuel responded, playing the card.
Cosmo Beak shrieked [8000 Power + 5000 Power + 8000 Power = 21000 Power] and unleashed a blinding salvo of light from its wings. However, a black-armored man with fiery crimson hair took form, brandishing a scythe as he took the blasts for Samuel's Vanguard [15000 Power + 10000 Shield = 25000 Power], leaving Blaster Dark unharmed.
"Turn end," Robert muttered.
Robert
Hand: 2
Front Row: Justice Strider/Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha/Cosmo Beak
Back Row: Empty/Glory Maker/Karenloid Daisy
Damage: Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha (F), Justice Cobalt (F), Cosmo Roar (U), Glory Maker (U)
Samuel drew, and silently plucked a card from his hand.
"This is it," he murmured. "Sacrifices must be made to attain your goals. Demonstrate my meaning! I Ride... Phantom Blaster Dragon!" With that, he swiftly placed down the Grade 3 card atop Blaster Dark's.
A tornado of blazing darkness engulfed Blaster Dark, howling and raging. From the darkness, black wings spread, crimson eyes burning into life. A barbed glaive slashed through the blackness and it emerged, a monstrous black dragon, with fell wings and lines of blazing pale blue running over its flesh. Snarling, the nightmare rose, readying its twin-bladed glaive to cleave flesh and metal alike... [Phantom Blaster Dragon – 10000 Power]
"While Blaster Dark is in my Soul, Phantom Blaster Dragon gains 1000 Power," Samuel said.
A mirage of Blaster Dark appeared, fading into Phantom Blaster Dragon's menacing form. [Phantom Blaster Dragon – 11000 Power]
"Call, Abyss Freezer," the player continued, dropping a card down to the field. "Now... I activate Phantom Blaster Dragon's skill. I Counterblast two cards," he flipped over Abyss Freezer and Gururubau in his Damage Zone, "and retire three Shadow Paladin Rearguards,"
A dark-armored angel appeared beside the monstrous black dragon [Abyss Freezer – 5000 Power] , only to be met by the vicious nightmare slashing three savage arcs with its glaive. All three of its fellow Shadow Paladins were cleaved apart, shattering into nothingness with screams of agony. Phantom Blaster Dragon roared, the pale blue lines on its flesh burning to bloody red. [Phantom Blaster Dragon – 21000 Power, Critical 2]
"...to have it gain 10000 Power and one Critical for this turn!" Samuel finished. "Damned Charging Lance!" He took two more cards from his hand and played them. "I call Rugoth and Black Sage Charon."
In flares of blackness, the vicious knight appeared, followed by a black-clad young man with pale blue eyes, clutching a black spell-book close to his chest. [Knight of Darkness, Rugoth – 10000 Power] [Black Sage Charon – 8000 Power]
"Rugoth attacks Cosmo Beak," the player spoke, turning the dark knight's card sideways. Robert realized what he was up to. Even if he guarded this attack, either way would leave him with too little Shield to block Phantom Blaster Dragon's attack boosted by Black Sage Charon.
"No guard," he whispered quietly.
Rugoth leapt up to Cosmo Beak, drawing back his massive blade before swinging and slashing the mecha in two. It burst into shards which instantly faded.
Samuel finally let his calm facade drop, a slight smile reaching his lips. "Charon boosts, and Phantom Blaster Dragon attacks the Vanguard."
"No... guard..." Robert admitted.
"Twin Drive, check," Samuel declared. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Skull Witch Nemain – No Trigger]
"Second check," he revealed the next card, "no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Blaster Javelin – No Trigger]
Phantom Blaster Dragon erupted forward, wings spread wide, glaive drawn back to strike [21000 Power + 8000 Power = 29000 Power, Critical 2]. It struck and the glaive swung, tearing into Daiyusha in a scream of burning darkness.
[Damage Check – Justice Cobalt – Critical Trigger]
[Damage Check – Twin Order – No Trigger]
The fifth and sixth cards fluttered to Robert's Damage Zone, no Heal Trigger presenting itself to save him. It was finished. Samuel had won.
"Good game," the Shadow Paladin player said very quietly.
For a moment there was silence, and then groans from the rest of the card shop at the continuation of the hated and feared player's winning streak. As everyone turned away, some of their words drifted across to the defeated player.
"At least we'll have a strong guy in our shop team for Regionals..."
"That jerk? Seriously? All he wants is to beat people!"
"You really think Mr. Owens would let a guy like that on our shop team?"
"Robert." He looked up to see Samuel had moved to stand over him. "Can I see your deck?"
"Uh... sure, I guess," he said, collecting his cards back into the one whole deck again and handing it to Samuel. The young man fanned the cards and studied them intently.
"Emissary of the Exalted Justice?" he queried. "You played against me with a Trial Deck?" He paused. "How long have you been playing?"
"Three weeks," Robert admitted. Samuel frowned and handed the deck back.
"Did you know I'd beaten everyone else in this shop that I've faced?" the Shadow Paladin player asked. "Did you challenge me knowing that?"
"Yes," the Dimension Police user retorted.
Samuel shook his head slightly. "You don't understand, do you? You don't know where I stood before I came here." He looked back at the table, down at his cards. His gaze fixed on Phantom Blaster Dragon for a moment, before returning to Robert. "Tell me, what do you want to do, Robert? Are you planning to keep playing just for fun, or are you aiming for something more?"
Robert looked down at the deck in his hand. "I guess.. I want to try and go as far as I can," he said. "I mean... I've thought about entering the shop tournament, and trying to get to Regionals... maybe even Nationals..."
"Hm," his former opponent mused. "If that's the case, you'll need to evolve your deck." He looked at his own cards again. "It took me some time to build this Shadow Paladin deck until I felt truly happy with it... you need to do the same. Collect cards and build up your deck until you find its power at its peak." He moved and began collecting his cards back into a deck.
"Yeah... but this deck is all I can really afford," Robert answered. "My family... well... we're not doing too well."
Understanding flashed in Samuel's eyes. "The reason you play with a Trial Deck is because you can't afford anything else?" Robert nodded as his former opponent finished collecting the cards, fanning his deck to find Fullbau and place it at the front.
"I can't buy too many boosters... maybe one a week," he explained. "Mum doesn't really explain all the finances to me, but we're just scraping by, I think."
"And yet you have such big dreams," Samuel murmured, sliding his deck back into its case. "Anyone should be able to achieve their dreams..." He paused and glanced across the store to where racks of cards sat by the counter. Booster packs gleamed in their foil, Trial Decks and expansion packs lay stacked neatly on the shelves. Samuel crossed to this, and scanned the racks, before plucking two boosters from them and moving to the counter.
"Yes, Samuel?" Mr. Owens asked, looking curious at the selection. "Empty Shadow God Eclipse? Aren't you happy with your deck?"
"I'm happy with mine," the victor answered. "These are for someone else." Understanding flooded the shop owner's face, followed by a smile.
"That'll be... four pounds ninety-eight pence, please." Samuel reached into his pockets and withdrew a wallet, taking a five pound note from it and handing it to the shop owner, who handed him the boosters and a two-pence piece. Placing the change into his wallet, which he replaced in his pocket, Samuel crossed the shop again and handed both boosters to Robert.
"Consider these a gift," he said with a slight smile.
The rest of the store burst into mutterings. "He's buying him cards?"
"Really?"
"He's not so cold after all?"
Robert looked at the two boosters in his hand. Several Shadow Paladin Units adorned the pack covers, ones he recognized from the game he had just played, Fullbau, Darkside Trumpeter, Blaster Javelin and Blaster Dark. "You're buying me these?"
"You want to reach that spotlight?" Samuel smiled. "Then I'll do what I can to help you reach it. But cards won't make you ready for what you'll face... you have to train yourself and improve as much as you improve your deck." He gestured to the boosters. "Go on, open them."
Slowly, Robert opened the first booster. He scanned the five cards within slowly, taking them in. Army Penguin, Tail Jaw, Lava Arm Dragon, Dancing Wolf and Platinum Ace gazed back at him. Placing them to the table, smiling slightly at the appearance of Platinum Ace, he turned to the next booster.
He opened the seal, and revealed five more cards. Dark Sage Charon, Garnet Dragon Flash, Enigman Ripple... wait. Was that?
"Diamond Ace, the Dimension Police Omni-Guard," Samuel noted. "That's a lucky pull." Robert nodded, gazing at the Grade 1. Omni-Guards were a key part of most decks, he knew.. He ignored the last card in the booster, Doranbau, fixated on the new Unit.
"So... you're aiming to go to Regionals?" Agatha asked. Robert glanced at the young woman. "We'll see if you can make it, Robert." She glanced at Samuel. "I expect I'll be seeing you aiming for a spot on our shop team too, huh?"
"Indeed," the Shadow Paladin player nodded. "And Robert... with some luck, I hope to see you in those top four as well." Robert looked up at him, expecting a joking, mocking expression. What he got was a serious, but reassuring smile. "I believe I'll see you there. Just work at that deck of yours, huh?"
"I will," Robert nodded...
VBH1
Card of the Day:
Phantom Blaster Dragon
Grade 3/Twin Drive!
Power 10000/No Shield/Critical 1
United Sanctuary – Abyss Dragon – Shadow Paladin
Continuous [V]: While you have 'Blaster Dark' in your Soul, this Unit gains 1000 Power.
Activate [V]: [Counterblast 2, Retire 3 of your 'Shadow Paladin' Rearguards] During this turn, this Unit gains 10000 Power and 1 Critical.
'Death and Despair are my swords! Whirl, Shadow Erosion!'
Card Stats:
(Author's Note: Units marked with an * are fakes created by me or someone else. Credit will be given to others if I use their fake cards, if credit isn't given, the cards are my own inventions. Feel free to use any of them so long as I am credited.)
Robert's Cards:
Cosmo Claw*
Grade 0/Battleroid – Dimension Police/Power 3000/Shield 10000/Critical Trigger
Auto [V]: When you Ride a 'Dimension Police' onto this Unit, you can call it to the Rearguard Circle.
Auto [R]: When this Unit boosts, the boosted Unit gains 3000 Power until that battle's Close Step. Then, during that Battle's Close Step, shuffle this Unit back into your Deck.
(Credit for helping me design this card goes to Neo Ark Cradle forum member, Dionsama.)
Cosmo Roar
Grade 1/Battleroid – Dimension Police/Power 6000/Shield 5000
Activate [R]: [Rest this Unit] Select 1 'Dimension Police'. During this turn, the selected Unit gains 2000 Power.
Twin Order
Grade 2/Battleroid – Dimension Police/Power 10000/Shield 5000
Glory Maker
Grade 1/Alien – Dimension Police/Power 6000/Shield 5000
Auto [R]: When this Unit boosts a 'Dimension Police' Vanguard and you have 4 or more cards in your Damage Zone, during that battle, the boosted Unit gains 4000 Power.
Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha
Grade 3/Battleroid – Dimension Police/Power 10000/No Shield
Auto [V]: At the start of your Attack Step, if this Unit's Power is 14000 or more, during that battle this Unit gains 1 Critical.
Cosmo Beak
Grade 2/Battleroid – Dimension Police/Power 8000/Shield 5000
Auto [R]: [Counterblast 2] When this Unit is called to the Rearguard Circle, you may pay the cost. If paid, choose another 'Dimension Police' you control, it gains 4000 Power during this turn.
Justice Strider*
Grade 1/Alien – Dimension Police/Power 6000/Shield 5000
Auto [R] When this Unit attacks, if your Vanguard's Power is 12000 or higher, it gains 3000 Power until that battle's Close Step.
(Credit for helping me design this card goes to Dionsama.)
Karenloid Daisy
Grade 1/Battleroid – Dimension Police/Power 8000/Shield 5000
Samuel's Cards:
Fullbau
Grade 0/Hi-Beast – Shadow Paladin/Power 5000/Shield 10000
Auto [V]: When you Ride a 'Blaster Javelin' onto this Unit, search for up to 1 'Blaster Dark' from your Deck, reveal it and add it to your hand.
Blaster Javelin
Grade 1/Human – Shadow Paladin/Power 6000/Shield 5000
Continuous [V]: While you have 'Fullbau' in your Soul, this Unit gains 2000 Power.
Auto [R]: [Discard 1 Grade 3 'Shadow Paladin' from your hand] When this Unit is called to the Rearguard Circle, you may pay the cost. If paid, search for up to 1 'Phantom Blaster Dragon' from your Deck, reveal it and add it to your hand.
Gururubau
Grade 1/Hi-Beast – Shadow Paladin/Power 7000/Shield 5000
Auto [R]: When this Unit attacks a Vanguard and you have a 'Shadow Paladin' Vanguard, during that battle, this Unit gains 2000 Power.
Blaster Dark
Grade 2/Human – Shadow Paladin/Power 9000/Shield 5000
Continuous [V]: While you have 'Blaster Javelin' in your Soul, this Unit gains 1000 Power.
Auto [V]: [Counterblast 2] When this Unit is called to the Vanguard Circle, you may pay the cost. If paid, retire 1 of your opponent's Rearguards.
Knight of Darkness, Rugoth
Grade 2/Human – Shadow Paladin/Power 10000/Shield 5000
Cursed Lancer
Grade 2/Human – Shadow Paladin/Power 9000/Shield 5000
Auto [V/R]: When this Unit's attack hits a Vanguard and you have a 'Shadow Paladin' Vanguard, you may unflip 1 card in your Damage Zone.
Abyss Freezer
Grade 0/Angel – Shadow Paladin/Power 5000/Shield 5000/Draw Trigger
Black Sage Charon
Grade 1/Giant – Shadow Paladin/Power 8000/Shield 5000
VBH1
Next time, Robert returns to Card Shop Avalon, just in time for a game between Agatha and a player with high aspirations. As theatrics and trickery collide with sacrifice and brute power, who shall stand victorious?
It's Ride 2 – Looming Shadows