Chapter 1

The New kid

"Noo!"

Kimoshita Matsui awoke from yet another nightmare. A nightmare, that would haunt him since long years now and would always cause him to wake up tremling and sweating. His brown hair was a mess, and his blue eyes were bloodshot. He didn't sleep too well, that much was for sure.

"Matsui? So you're awake?"

Matsui's mother opened the door to take a peek inside.

"Yeah... I... Well I just had another bad dream..."
"The usual, huh?"

Matsui just nodded. It was hard on him, and these days were probably the worst of all. Six years now, and he still had these horrid dreams, that kept creeping him out all the time. His mother already left and he got up to get dressed and get going to school. As he went downstairs, he found his little sister Hikari, or just Kari at the table, eating her cereal for breakfast.

"Morning Nii-chan!"

With her jingling voice, Kari tried to greet her brother with all the love she had for him, but Matsui just ignored her and sat down to stuff his head full. Kari just stuck her nose up.

"What's with you?"
"Nothing!"

Matsui was silent and just devoured his breakfast, leaving, without even saying goodbye.

"Man, this guy is unchanging!"
"Don't mind him Kari, you know what day it is today, right?"
"Oh yeah... April 8th..."

Matsui was already on his way, with other students passing by, fooling around in a great mood. Matsui was seemingly like a grumpy old man. Everyone just rushed past him, and noone paid the smallest attention to him. He was just on his first day at his new school. Kannomori Academy High School Division... A completely meaningless name for someone like him. He only moved home a couple weeks ago, and it was only now, that things have straightened out with him enough. He only heard a couple feet slowly tampering around behind him.

"Who is this guy?"
"Does it really matter?"
"Well Duh... ! It does to me... I've never seen him before."

It was obviously a boy and a girl, who were even more obviously talking about him.

"And what's keeping you from... ?"
"I can hear you quite well you know, I'm not deaf!"

Matsui's sudden interference was a bit shocking to the two.

"Go on already!"

They now proceeded closer and line up with Matsui. A Boy and a girl, about the same age as him, and probably, by the looks, twins. The girl had long and free flowing Burgundy colored hair and green eyes. Her brother the same in male version. They were wearing the same school uniform as Matsui, the boys had black pants and the same color Jacket, with a white shirt, and a tie, which Matsui either forgot, or just didn't want to wear. The girls had somethin similar, with mini skirt and a red Ribbon hanging around their neck tied into a bow.

"Err.. So Hi! I'm Setsuna, and this is my brother Chiaki!"

She lent Matsui her hand and pointed at her brother with the other. Matsui just ignored her friendly approach.

"Oh, Hi Setsuna! I'm John Smith, Nice to Meet you! Really!"

Setsuna got pissed for a good and clear reason, and she shook Matsui's hand by force. Matsui still just ignored them, and stepped out to get a bit ahead of them. Suddenly however he seemed to change his mind and turned back.

"Matsui!"

Setsuna and Chiaki just stood still for a second and didn't really get what just happened.

"What was that all about? Was that his name, or an alien word for leave me alone?"
"Who cares? Let's just go if we don't want to be late!"

And Chiaki was right. Setsuna had no other choice but to put her problems aside for now. The First period was History, one, which Setsuna hated from deep of her heart. She hated everything related to knights and kings. She wasn't fond of it all, and if it weren't for their teacher, whom everyone just called Osu-san, she would've just skipped these periods.

"I hate this... Hate this... Hate this... Ha..."

Suddenly the classroom door slid open and in came the Homeroom teacher, Ayukawa Mariko Marched in, closely followed by Matsui himself.

"Stand! Bow!"

Everyone bowed to greet their HR.

"Please Excuse us Osu-san!"
"It's alright!"

Osu-san was an aging old veteran among the teachers, over 50 years of age, with a light mustache under his nose, leisurely dressed as always, more like his students. Mariko sensei on the other hand was always pedant, and well organised. With her height of barely 5 Feet and 2 inches, Mariko sensei was like a Dwarf compared to the slightly oversized Matsui, who was like a Skyscraper in the classroom, everyone staring up at him.

"Class, I'd like you to meet your new Classmate, who will be joining us today, after moving home from the US."

Mariko Sensei was a loud and strict young teacher, barely more than 10 years older than her students, but extremely strict, and often giving out some hefty punishments. Like a complete opposite of Osu-san.

"Please introduce yourself!"

Matsui nodded, then grabbed a Chalk, quickly wrote his name on the board, spun the chalk in the air, and slammed it back in its place, without even a Scratch.

"Nice!"
"Pretty skillful!"

The voices of acknowledgement and awe echoed from everywhere. Setsuna was a bit pissed.

"Not that a Cardfighter can't do that, right?"
"It's kind of Strange to hear you say that, because I've never seen you do that!"
"Showe it up!"

Setsuna stood and hammered her brother over the head while yelling her thoughts out loud.

"You Two! Your names?"
"Owanashi Setsuna..."
"Owanashi Chiaki..."

Mariko Sensei was at it again.

"The twins as always... Classroom cleaning after school!"
"Hai..."

Now everyone's attention turned back towards Matsui, who took a deep breath, and started his introduction.

"I'm Kimoshita Matsui, 16 years old and was Born in this city! It's a pleasure to meet you all!"

Matsui half bowed, but the expression on his face was clearly that of someone who was bored out of his skull. Now everyone bombarded him with all kinds of questions. For a while, Setsuna was just sittig with her arms crossed, and still mad at Matsui for his morning behavior. Suddenly she raised her hand, and of course Matsui turned his attention towards her.

"Yes.. Setsuna?"

Well at least he did hear her introduction, if nothing else... Everyone started pondering, how it was possible for Matsui to know her. Setsuna's question however was a shocking one:

"Do you know what Cardfight Vanguard is?"

Matsui's face suddenly turned to a really dark shade. He shunt his eyes for a few seconds and everyone started fearing, that with his size, he might just jump to Setsuna and devour her alive. The young girl herself was a bit scared by this expression.

"You'll never be worthy of this card... !"

This was all that kept echoing in Matsui's mind. Everyone was afraid of what would come next but he suddenly looked up and without moving a muscle on his face, he replied.

"I've never even heard of it!"

After that he just proceeded and sat down at the nearest empty space, right next to Setsuna. The young girl just stared at him for a second, but immediately turned away from him when he threw his horrifying stare. The periods just flew by and when everyone left, Chiaki and Setsuna were left behind to do their job at cleaning up.

"I'll be right back!"
"And you'll just leave me behind, huh?"
"I said I'll be back! I just gotta go to the toilet, that's all!"

Chiaki was left alone. Setsuna went straight to the nearest rest room and washed her face. That stare in Matsui's eyes was still creeping her out whenever she thought of it. Meanwhile Chiaki was packing up and ready to leave and let his sister down, as usual, when suddenly the door opened up and Matsui stood in his way. Chiaki was faced with someone who was not only way taller than him, but had that really creepy look on his face too.

"Er..."

Matsui was so much taller than him, that when close up, he had to look up, like at the sky.

"And where do you think you're going, huh?"
"I just... Well."

Matsui noticed the bag in his hand.

"Letting your sister down, huh?"
"None of your business! What are you doing here anyway?"
"I just forgot something, that's all..."

He went around Chiaki, who was left standing at the door, but motionless.

"What are you waiting for? Get going already!"

Chiaki's eyes widened.

"You mean it?"
"Yeah! None of my business remember?"

Chiaki just pulled his shoulders.

"If you're okay with that... See ya tomorrow!"

Chiaki left, and Matsui grabbed the broom from the corner, to start doing his work. When Setsuna returned, she was stunned to see Matsui doing al the work for her and her brother, and already almost done.

"Wow... Ma... Matsui, you here?"

Matsui turned around, and ha had a much more peaceful look in his eyes.

"Yeah... I thought you could use some help."

This face of Matsui's was much more likely for Setsuna. He was a bit more talkative and less ignorant towards her now.

"And of Course Chiaki's gone as usual! Was he here, when you came back?"
"He was, but it was none of my business... At least that's what he said."

Setsuna started giggling at that and picked her stuff up.

"He's probably at the shop as always!"
"Shop?"
"Yeah, a Toy shop! Playcorner!"

Matsui went into pondering a bit, and he finally showed a slight smile.

"Oh that... ? I've been around that place a couple times..."
"Good to know! How come you never came in?"
"I'm not a kid anymore you know!"

Setsuna burst into laughter.

"Oh come on! Even I'm a regular customer there!"
"Maybe because you're childish!"
"Yeah, or maybe you're too thick headed!"

Setsuna stuck her tongue out, and Matsui just shook his head.

"What's your deal?"
"You and me, now, to the Shop! What do you say?"

Matsui's surprise was hard to describe.

"I don't really ..."
"Nonsense! Come on!"

Setsuna just grabbed Matsui by the arm, and started dragging him along, all the way up and down some streets until they arrived at the small shop that everyone referred to as Playcorner, and that was exactly what it said above the door: "PlayCorner - Board and Card Games."

"So this is it?"
"Yep! Now then... Shall we... ?"
"Let's fibish this! Tough Boy boostas and Asura Kaiser attacks!"

That voice was familiar and as they Entered, they Saw Chiaki in the middle of a game. The standing was 5-4, and Chiaki was leading.

"Chiaki's attack needs to go through, or else, he'll lose... He doesn't have the cards in his hand for enough defense."

Matsui didn't pay attention however, he was already sunk into the game itself. Everyone was stacked up at the table, and Matsui's sheer size was needed to get them closer.

"I won't let it pass: Cheer Girl Ciara guards and Spike Bouncer intercepts!"
"So with 15 000 Shield... And the extra 5000 from the trigger, and the 11000 power of Juggernaught Maximum..."
"That's a no pass!"

Chiaki revealed two cards from his deck.

"Twin Drive: First: Beast deity Azure Dragon... That's Nothing... Second... "

He was focusing hard, even though everyone was sure his turn was over.

"It's done... No more from here!"
"Not just yet! Asura Kaiser's Skill is active!"

Matsui said his thoughts out loud, and everyone stared at him with wide eyes.

"That's right!"

Chiaki patted his cards.

"Asura Kaiser's skill is, if my drive Check reveals a Grade 3 Nova Grappler, I can Stand one of my front Row Rear Guards! And my choice falls for King of Sword! No them Second Check: Critical Trigger! Since King of Sword Stands, all the effects go to him. And now he attacks for a finisher!"

His opponent looked over his last cards and just shook his head.

"No guard!"

And it was over. Chiaki won... It was a tight game, but a win is a win, nothing to explain about it.

"Anyone else?"

Noone wanted to volunteer.

"Oh well, thanks for the game Tsuyoshi!"
"Yeah.. Good Game man!"

Tsuyoshi just gathered his cards and left in quite a hurry.

"Now's our turn! Matsui wants to try!"
"I don't..."
"I said, you want to try!"

Chiaki just facepalmed.

"Trust me buddy! You're better off listening to her!"

Matsui opened his mouth to say something, but Setsuna handed him a deck, and took her backup deck from her bag, and they both proceeded to the table.

"Okay, so if what you said is true, this is your first time playing, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Good, I'll go first, so you see the basics!"

Matsui nodded and they began the preparations.

"First, place a Grade 0 card on the Vanguard circle face down, then shuffle your deck and place it on the ceck zone!"

That was obvious.

"Now, draw your first five cards from the top of your deck! If you happen to have any, you don't like, just throw them back in the deck, shuffle and redraw! Your point is to have 5 cards in your hand at the start of the game."

They both redrew 2 cards and the game was set to go.

"Okay, Now... If you're ready, close your eyes and imagine as following: ..."

Matsui followed Setsuna in that and Setsuna went into some explanation, that had little to nothing to do, with the game itself, it was just for illustration sake.

"When you awake, your soul has left your body and landed on the distant planet known as Cray! This planet is a lot like Earth and is inhabited by great and colorful wild life and of couse there are also intelligent species there too!"

Matsui was okay with this explanation, while Setsuna was rush and always heavily gesturing.

"The people of Cray have formed into 6 nations and a lot of clans. The clans often wage war on each other, and we are there to help them by becoming Vanguards and leading their troops to battle! The word Vanguard means: The one who leads us... Or just Warlord if you like. I hope this makes sense to you!"
"Yeah just go on!"
"Okay, so as a spirit on this planet, we have two abilities: One is the Ride! Ride means we can take control of one of the units among the soldiers of the given clan and be Vanguards. The other is Call, which means that you can summon forth your fellow soldiers to fight for you!"
"Good! Is that all?"

Setsuna nodded.

"Yep! So muc for now! You ready then?"
"Yeah!"
"Good, now then, if you're ready, flip your card over and then it goes: Stand up Vanguard!"

They both reached out for their cards and the game was good to begin.

"We'll see if you really are who I think you are Matsui! You gave away the truth when you opened your mouth!"

They both flipped the cards over and the game was on.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"