WELP! I'M BACK! XD Thanks for those who read. Even though you didn't review, I'm glad that you guys at least read it :D

And thanks to DragonxDelinquent for your suggestions, reviews, and favorite! I truly appreciate them! :D

Anyways! Time for a Cardfight, finally! ;_; It was really hard and I had to keep on referring to my decks to make sure I was doing it right...if you guys find anything wrong, please tell me so I can fix it right away! The format I used is similar to Monsteranime's, except I replace "thousands" for "Ks".

So...ENJOY!


Arrival of Him

"We can't keep hiding out like this!" Faris slammed his hands on the table. His friend, Misa, recoiled at the force.

"Faris! Don't! You're going to break the table," the girl rubbed the table nervously. Faris rolled his eyes before looking at his other friend again.

Akio stared at his friend calmly, "Faris, we have to wait until Genkei gets here. We all agreed that we stand a better chance of defeating Reversed Cardfighters if we stick together. Besides, it would be dangerous if one of us was to become Reversed ourselves." The bigger boy huffed before scanning the card shop for the last time.

Misa gave Akio a helpless shrug and smile. She knew how stressed out Faris was feeling. In truth, she was pretty scared herself. One false move, one false turn, and it could be all over in the blink of an eye. She didn't realize how hard she was shaking until Akio covered her hands with his.

"We'll be all right," he whispered. Misa stared back and nodded. She exhaled slowly, relieving all the tension in her body. Akio nodded and retracted his hands. Misa wasn't trembling anymore.

The fourth member of the group, Imelda, glanced at the door. She said through the corner of her mouth, "Guys, somebody's here."

"It better be you, Genkei. Faris grumbled as he walked over to the door. The door automatically slid open, revealing a near-frozen boy wearing a black jacket.

"Genkei!" Misa shot out of her seat and rushed over to her friend. She gripped his hand tightly, a sign of how relieved she was, "You're finally here!" The boy blinked in response. Misa tilted her head at the lack of reaction. Usually, Genkei would jump for joy with Misa, playing a quick game of Spin-Me! Only this time, he seemed cold, in more ways than one. His hands were freezing, Misa realized in shock. "This way, Genkei!" she led him to where Imelda and Akio were sitting. She rubbed his hands along the way, trying to get the blood circulating again.

"Hey, no greetings?" Faris grumbled as he followed the two back to the table. Genkei kept his mouth shut. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" the young man ruffled his friend's hair. The boy finally responded. He swatted Faris's hand away. Faris grinned, but his smile quickly faded when he saw the annoyed look on Genkei's face.

"Genkei," Akio said before the boy could say anything, "Cardfight. Now." Imelda, who was watching Genkei carefully, could have sworn that she saw the boy smirk slightly.

"All right," Genkei replied emotionlessly. He sat in a free chair, taking out his deck as he did so. Akio placed his starting Vanguard down on the mat and quickly shuffled his own deck.

"Faris, what's wrong with Genkei? Don't tell me…he's been Reversed?!" Misa whispered harshly.

Faris opened his mouth to reply, but somebody beat him to it.

"No…I'm not Reversed," Genkei shuffled his deck after placing his starter face-down. "You will never find me Reversed."

"So why are you acting like this?! You used to be more cheerful than…this!" Misa wrung her hands together.

"…what happened to you, Genkei?" Akio narrowed his eyes. Genkei stared blankly back at his old friend.

"…aren't we going to start?"

Akio knew there was something horribly wrong with Genkei. The boy usually didn't act like this. Heck, he reprimanded Akio for acting like that! His aura was different. Familiar…but different from the Reversed Cardfighters Akio met.

"Stand up the Vanguard!" they chorused.

"Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon," Genkei introduced.

"Eradicator, Strike-Dagger Dragon," Akio said. He frowned at the unit in front of him. Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon…what kind of unit was that? His frown deepened. He knew exactly what he was up against. He steeled himself for the upcoming fight.

"I draw," Genkei started. "I ride Blind-folded Blank Rogue [grade 1, 8K power, 5K shield]. Pedria Dragon moves to rear-guard. And I end my turn there."

Genkei:

Hand: 5

Field:

None / Blind-folded Blank Rogue / none

Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon / none / none

No damage

"I draw," Akio quickly scanned his hand. "I ride Red River Dragoon [grade 1, 8K power, 5K shield]. Strike-dagger moves to rear-guard. I call another Red River. With a boost from Strike-dagger, my rear-guard attacks Blind-folded."

"No guard," Genkei replied. [Red River Dragoon (8K) + Eradicator, Strike-dagger Dragon (5K) = 13K - Blind-folded Blank Rogue (8K)]

"Damage Check. Blank Rogue, Shooter, Draw Trigger [grade 0, 4K power, 5K shield]. How nice," Genkei tapped his Vanguard, "I give the power boost to Blind-folded and draw a card."

Akio rested his Vanguard, "My Vanguard attacks yours for 8K."

"No guard."

"Drive trigger check. Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan [grade 2, 9k power, 5k shield]. No trigger." [Red River Dragoon (8K) - Blind-folded Blank Rogue (8K + 5K = 13K); no pass]

Akio's opponent allowed a small smile to show. "So the attack doesn't go through…"

"I end my turn."

Akio:

Hand: 5

Field:

None / Red River Dragoon / Red River Dragoon

None / none / Eradicator, Strike-dagger Dragon

No damage

"What happened to your other deck, Genkei?" Akio asked. His friend returned his glare.

"I put it away. I'm using this one now."

"But didn't you promise yourself that you would never change clans at all?"

"Hmph. I draw," Genkei selected one card from his hand. "I ride! Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon [grade 2, 9K power, 5K shield]! I call Blank Rogue, Joy [grade 1, 6K power, 5K shield] and Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan [grade 2, 9K, 5K shield]! I activate Yusan's ability! Counterblast (1)!" The boy flipped Blank Rogue, Shooter face-down. He then flipped Pedria Dragon face-down as well. Akio frowned at this. A counterblast and Locking his own unit? What was Genkei's card's ability?

Genkei pointed to Strike-dagger, Dragon, "When Yusan is placed on Vanguard or Rear-guard, if I have a Link Joker-."

"LINK JOKER?!" his other friends shrieked. Before Genkei could get a word in, his friends began a rush of questions.

"How did you get a Link Joker deck?!"

"Why are you using it?!"

"What happened to your other deck?!"

"Only Reversed Cardfighters can use Link Joker, right?!"

"Why didn't you tell us you switched?!"

"What's the matter with you, Genkei?!"

"ENOUGH!" the loud voice was enough to startle the other three students. But what was more surprising was that it was Akio who shouted. It was sometimes difficult to get him to talk, let alone shout. He glared at all of them, "We're Cardfighting. Never interrupt." The three kids looked at each other before nodding guiltily. Akio breathed out an inaudible sigh before looking back at Genkei. The boy didn't react to the commotion at all.

I'll help you. Hang in there.

"Since I have a Link Joker, I may Counterblast (1) and Lock one of my own units. If I do, I may Lock one of yours," Genkei pointed at Strike-dagger Dragon. "An eye for an eye. You won't be able to Superior-ride Descendant next turn."

Akio flipped his starter down. Genkei was definitely getting better. Already, he found a way to prevent Akio from riding a Grade 3 early in the game. Playing against Link Joker with their power to Lock would be extremely difficult. He'll have to be careful. Especially when he knew that he wasn't playing against any normal Link Joker. That means that Genkei won't have any Nebula Lord, Chaos Breaker, or even Infinite Zero. So what kind of cards did his new deck hold?

Genkei turned Dagger Yusan, "Yusan attacks your Rear-guard, Red River for 9000."

"I guard that with Sword Dance Eradicator, Hisen [grade 1, 6K power, 5K shield]." [Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan (9K) - Red River Dragoon (8K) + Sword Dance Eradicator, Hisen (5K) = 13K; no pass]

"With a boost from Joy, my Vanguard attacks your Vanguard. Joy's skill. If she is boosting a Link Joker Vanguard and my opponent has less Rear-guard than me, my Vanguard gains a boost of 4000."

"I won't guard," Akio said calmly. [Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon (9K + 4K) + Blank Rogue, Joy (6K) = 19K - Red River Dragoon (8K)]

"Drive trigger check. Blank Rogue, Surival [grade 1, 7K power, 5K shield]. No trigger there."

"Damage check, Eradicator of Fire, Kohkaiji [grade 1, 6K power, 5K shield]," Akio placed the card into his damage zone.

"Activate Pure Breeze's ability. If his attack hits a Vanguard and I have a Link Joker Vanguard, I can flip a card in my damage zone face up and Soul-charge (1)." Genkei flipped BR, Shooter back up. Taking the top card, Blank Rogue, Mecamera [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield], he placed it underneath his Vanguard. "I end my turn here and Pedria Dragon returns." He unflipped his starter, signaling its Lock had ended.

Genkei:

Hand: 5

Field:

Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan / Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon/ none

Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon / Blank Rogue, Joy / none

Damage: Blank Rogue, Shooter (u)

"I stand and draw. I ride, Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon [grade 2, 10K power, 5K shield]. I call Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan and Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki [grade 1, 7K power, 5K shield] to Rear-guard."

Akio rested his Rear-guard Grade 2 and the unit behind it, "Zuitan attacks Yusan."

"I'll guard that with Maliceous Blank Rogue [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield]. Your attack fails," his opponent muttered. [Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan (9K) + Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki (7K) = 16K - Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan (9K) + Maliceous Blank Rogue [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield] = 19K; no pass]

"All right then. I attack your Vanguard with Thunderboom."

"No guard."

[Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon (10K) - Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon (9K)] "Drive trigger. Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield]. I give my Vanguard the Critical and the power to Red River Dragoon."

"Damage trigger check. Blank Rogue, Rueful Titan Dragon [grade 3, 11K power] and Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon. No triggers…" Genkei placed both cards in his damage zone. Akio stared at the Grade 3. What was that card? Rueful Titan Dragon? Judging Genkei's slightly fallen face, that card was his main avatar. Akio hid a grin. Genkei was never good at poker faces…

"Red River attacks Yusan again for 13000."

"…I'll guard with Blank Rogue, Surival," Genkei placed the card into the Guardian circle. Akio remained impassive as he gestured for his friend to start. Since his turn ended, Akio flipped Eradicator, Strike-dagger Dragon back up. His one damage to Genkei's three damage. It looked like he was in the lead, but Akio knew that Fate was a fickle thing.

Akio:

Hand: 3

Field:

Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan / Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon/ Red River Dragoon

Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki / none / Eradicator, Strike-dagger Dragon

Damage: Eradicator of the Fire, Kohkaiji (u)

"Stand and draw. I ride Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon [grade 3, 11K power]! I call Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon [grade 2, 9K power, 5K shield] and Blind-folded Blank Rogue! With support from Pedria Dragon, Dagger Yusan attacks Red River Dragoon!"

"I'll guard that with Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle," Akio showed the grade 0 before placing it into the Drop Zone. [Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan (9K) + Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon (5K) = 14K - Red River Dragoon (8K) + Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle (10K) = 18K; no pass]

"Next, I attack your Vanguard with Freezing Enthalpy and a boost from Joy! Freezing Enthalpy's skill! When my opponent has less Rear-guards than me, he gains 2000 power!"

"No guard." [BR, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon (11K + 2K + 4K) + BR, Joy (6K) = 23K - Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon (10K)].

"Twin Drive Check. First check, Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan. Second check, Maliceous Blank Rogue, Critical trigger. I give the Critical effect to my Vanguard and the power to Driving Dragon."

"First damage check: Eradicator, Dragon Mage [grade 0, 5K power, 5K shield]. Draw trigger. I give the power to my Vanguard and draw a card," Akio placed the first card in his damage zone and drew another card, adding that to his hand. "Second damage check: Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon."

Genkei rested his last units, "With a boost from Blind-folded Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon attacks Zuitan. His ability activates. If I have a Blank Rogue Vanguard, he gains 3000 power."

"No guard," Akio placed his rear-guard into the Drop Zone. [Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon (9K + 3K + 5K) + Blind-folded Blank Rogue (8K) = 25K - Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan (9K)] "I see you understand when to attack the Vanguard or the Rear-guard."

Genkei blinked, "I was always reckless." He looked at his hands, "But not anymore."

And I don't like you for that…

Genkei:

Hand: 3

Field:

Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan / Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon / Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon

Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon / Blank Rogue, Joy / Blind-folded Blank Rogue

Damage: Blank Rogue, Shooter (u), Blank Rogue, Rueful Titan Dragon (u), Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon (u)

Akio stood his units and drew a card. He took one card from his hand and placed it on his Vanguard, "I ride Eradicator, Electric Shaper Dragon [grade 3, 11K power]. I call Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon [grade 2, 9K power, 5K shield]. Now for my attack. With a boost from Strike-dagger Dragon, Red River attacks Yusan."

"No guard." [Red River Dragoon (8K) + Eradicator, Strike-dagger Dragon (5K) = 13K - Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan (9K)] Genkei retired the Grade 2 unit.

"My Vanguard attacks your Vanguard. His skill activates. When my opponent has three or more damage, he gains 2000."

"I'll guard that with Maliceous Blank Rogue. You need two triggers to pass," Genkei muttered. Akio nodded.

"I see you haven't lost your math skills. Twin drive check. First check," the boy revealed the top card, Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon [grade 3, 11K power]. "No trigger there. Second check. Eradicator Dragon Mage. Another Draw Trigger. I give the power boost to Spark Rain Dragon and draw a card." Akio placed his new cards into his hand. He rested Spark Rain and Shuki, "With a boost from Shuki, Spark Rain attacks Driving Dragon. His skill gives him an extra 2000 power since I have an Eradicator Vanguard."

Genkei checked his hand before looking up to meet Akio's eyes, "No guard." [Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon (17K) + Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki (7K) = 24K - Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon (9K)].

Akio:

Hand: 4

Field:

Eradicator, Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon / Eradicator, Electric Shaper Dragon / Red River Dragoon

Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki / none / Eradicator, Strike-dagger Dragon

Damage: Eradicator of the Fire, Kohkaiji (u), Eradicator, Dragon Mage (u), Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon (u)

"My turn," Genkei said, with a hint of a musical note in his voice. He stood his units and drew a card. "I'll call another Driving Dragon and Blind-folded to the rear. Driving Dragon attacks your Vanguard with a boost from Blind-folded."

"I'll guard that with Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield]," Akio placed the Heal Trigger into his Drop Zone. [Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon (9K + 3K) + Blind-folded Blank Rogue (8K) = 20K - Eradicator, Electric Shaper Dragon (11K) + Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo (10K) = 21K; no pass]

"Then Freezing Enthalpy would attack Electric Shaper," Genkei declared.

"I won't guard that," Akio replied. [Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon (17K) + Blank Rogue, Joy (6K) = 23K - Eradicator, Electric Shaper Dragon (11K)

"Twin Drive check. First check, Blank Rogue, Surival [grade 1, 7K power, 5K shield]. Second check, Forgiving, Blank Rogue Claire [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield]. Heal Trigger activate. I give the power to my standing Blind-folded and heal one damage," Genkei removed Rueful Titan from his damage zone.

"Damage check. Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle. I give the power boost to my Vanguard," Akio said.

Genkei nodded his understanding. He turned his next set of cards to the side, "With a boost from the Pedria Dragon, my front Blind-folded attacks your Vanguard."

"I'll guard that with Eradicator, Dragon Mage." [Blind-folded Blank Rogue (8K + 5K) + Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon (5K) = 18K - Eradicator, Electric Shaper Dragon (16K) + Eradicator, Dragon Mage (5K) = 21K; no pass]

Genkei sighed, "I'll end my turn."

Genkei:

Hand: 3

Field:

Blind-folded Blank Rogue / Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon / Blank Rogue, Driving Dragon

Blank Rogue, Pedria Dragon / Blank Rogue, Joy / Blind-folded Blank Rogue

Damage: Blank Rogue Shooter, Blank Rogue, Pure Breeze Dragon

"What are you up to?" Akio narrowed his eyes. Genkei blinked once again.

"What?"

"You know as well as I do that I have Sweep Command in my hand. And it's very simple for me to retire all of your units in one swoop. So why would you allow me to Break Ride this turn?" Akio asked. His old friend tilted his head to the side.

"I…honestly have no idea…"

Akio shook his head, "Even though you're Reversed, you still make the same mistakes, Genkei."

A sudden fire sparked in the other boy's eyes. He slammed his hands on the table, startling his other friends. Akio remained impassive as ever. "I am not Reversed!" Genkei snarled. "I told you! I will never be Reversed!"

"With your skills right now, you wouldn't survive out there for a day," Akio crossed his arms. Genkei just glared at him. He slid down in his seat.

"It's your turn," he said through gritted teeth.

"I stand and draw. I ride Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon! Break Ride!" Akio announced. "Break Ride's effect! I give 10000 power to my Vanguard and the ability to retire a unit directly behind the front unit I retire! Sweep Command's skill!" the boy took Strike-dagger and placed in underneath his Vanguard. "I retire both Driving Dragon and the Blind-folded behind it!" Genkei flinched but gathered up his two units and placed them in the Drop Zone. Akio smiled, "But I'm not done. Limit Break! Sweep Command's ability activates! Counterblast 2 and Soulblast 2! Your second Blind-folded and Pedria Dragon retires! My Vanguard gains 5000 power and I draw a card! And I think I'll activate it one more time."

His opponent's hand shook as he retired his other two Rear-guards. Akio almost heaved a regretful sigh. Genkei was the same as ever…or was he? He glared at the Cardfighter opposite of him. The boy squirmed under his hard gaze. Hmm…

"Shuki's skill activates. Whenever my opponent's units are retired by my card effects, he gains 3000 power for each unit retired."

Akio! Stop staring at me like that! You look scary!

You fall for this so many times. I wonder if you're even playing for real.

Of course I play for real! It's fun!

Hmph…Sweep Command attacks your Vanguard.

Oh, man! I don't have enough to guard! Heal trigger! Heal trigger! Heal trigger! It's! A Draw trigger…darn…

Hmph…

Wow, Akio! You actually laughed!

What? I did not.

Hey, everybody! Akio laughed! He finally laughed!

I'll bring you back…

"Get ready, Genkei! I call, Eradicator of the Fire, Kohkaiji behind my Vanguard and another Spark Rain! Spark Rain and Red River switch places." Akio rested his two cards after switching them. "Spark Rain attacks your Vanguard!"

"I'll guard that with Claire!" [Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon (12K) + Red River Dragoon (8K) = 20K - Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon (11K) + Forgiving Blank Rogue, Claire (10K) = 21K; no pass]

"Sweep Command attacks Freezing Enthalpy!" Akio rested his Vanguard. He continued to stare at Genkei. The boy looked at what his hand had to offer: Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan and Blank Rogue, Surival. Genkei returned Akio's look.

"No guard." [Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon (11K + [5K x 2] + 10K + 4K) + Eradicator of the Fire Kohkaiji (6K) = 41K - Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon (11K)]

"Hmph. Twin drive, check. First check, Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield]. Critical Trigger. I'll give the Critical to my Vanguard and the power to my Spark Rain. Second check, another Sweep Command. Looks like you lucked out there," Akio muttered. Genkei heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of just one Critical trigger.

"Damage check. First is Oreon, Blank Rogue Shield [grade 1, 6K power, 0 shield]. Second damage check, Blank Rogue Timekeeper [grade 0, 5K power, 10K shield]. Stand trigger. I'll give the power to my Vanguard and stand Joy."

"Too bad that power boost isn't going to help you. With a boost from Shuki, Spark Rain attacks your Vanguard."

Genkei's face fell, "No guard…" [Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon (9K + 3K + 5K) + Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki (7K + [3K x 4]) = 36K - Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon (16K)] "Damage check. Another Timekeeper. I'll give the power to my Vanguard."

Akio:

Hand: 4

Field: Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon / Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon / Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon

Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki / Eradicator of the Fire, Kohkaiji / Red River Dragoon

Damage: Eradicator of the Fire, Kohkaiji (d), Eradicator, Dragon Mage (d), Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon (d), Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle (d)

"Yes! Akio's going to win this!" Faris cheered. Misa smiled and nodded in agreement. Imelda, on the other hand, shook her head.

"I don't think so, guys."

"What?! How can you say that? Akio is clearly in the lead! Genkei has no rear-guards, only two cards in his hand, and five damage. Akio can easily take another damage and guard the last attack!" Faris argued. Imelda nodded in agreement.

"It may look that way. But what secrets are these Blank Rogue holding?" she asked them. Akio ignored them. He stared at Genkei, waiting for his move. The boy drew a card from his deck. A wide smile crossed his face.

He looked up at Akio, "Final turn."

"What?!" Akio jerked back in surprise. Not exactly because the game may just end here, but because Genkei actually said "final turn". The boy had made no pretense of his dislike for the words. He had claimed that in Vanguard, one can never be sure if it was truly final turn or not, even when victory seemed near.

"Sole rebel of the Link Jokers, your time for vengeance has come! No matter how many allies you have, you always fight on your own! I Break Ride! BLANK ROGUE, LONE WOLF MISCELLENA [grade 3, 11K power]!" Genkei set the card on Freezing Enthalpy. Akio tensed. This wasn't good at all. Genkei simply smiled at him:

"Break Ride skill. I give 10000 power to my Link Joker Vanguard and lock two of your units and unlock one of mine. Lock both Spark Rain Dragons!"

His opponent impassively flipped the two selected cards face-down. But Genkei wasn't done yet.

"I call Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan and Blank Rogue, Surival. Activate Dagger Yusan's skill! Counterblast (1)! I lock Blank Rogue, Joy to lock Eradicator of the Fire, Kohkaiji!"

Akio flipped the supporter down. Locking all these units…it wasn't enough for Genkei's final turn. It was quite obvious that Miscellena had a Limit Break. But what was it?

"I activate Miscellena's skill. Soulblast (1)! I think I'll lock Shuki as well," Genkei shook slightly in excitement as Akio flipped the card face-down. "I hope you know what's coming next…activate Miscellena's Limit Break! SNARLS OF LIBERTY!" Genkei tapped the card, "This is where Link Jokers and Blank Rogues differ. This is how I would be able to defeat the Link Jokers."

"Alone, you mean?" Akio asked simply. The other boy flinched as if Akio had struck him. Genkei ignored his friend's statement.

"Allow me to demonstrate Miscellena's Limit Break. I Unlock all units on the field!"

"Wait a minute! All units?! Including your opponent's?" Misa asked in shock. Genkei nodded.

"Of course, I don't Unlock your units for free. Miscellena gains a Critical and, for each unit Unlocked this way, he gains 2000 power. Since five units were Unlocked, he gains 10000 power!" The two Cardfighters unflipped their units. "But that's not the only effect of this Limit Break. If four or more units were Unlocked by this effect, I can retire two of the unlocked units! Both Spark Rain Dragons retire!"

"There goes his Intercepts," Faris groaned as Akio took the two cards and placed them in the Drop Zone. Genkei smiled. Misa shivered at the sight of her friend. The smile was cold and lifeless. Blank.

"And I'll activate Miscellena's Soulblast skill two more times, just to let you know how it feels to have only two units on the field, like me," Genkei took the Blind-folded and Pure Breeze Dragon from underneath Miscellena and placed them in the Drop Zone. Akio responded with flipping Shuki and Red River down. "Surival's skill activates. He gains 3000 power for each Locked unit on the field."

"I didn't think you'll turn out like this, Genkei," Akio said bitterly. Genkei's smile faded, only to be replaced by a serious expression.

"None of us thought that the world would turn out like this, Akio…" the boy rested his Vanguard and supporter. "With support from Joy, Lone Wolf Miscellena attacks your Vanguard for 41000!"

"Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld [grade 1, 6K power, 0 shield] would Perfect Guard that. I send Sweep Command to the Drop Zone as the cost." [Blank Rogue, Lone Wolf Miscellena (11K + 10K + 10K + 4K) + Blank Rogue, Joy (6K) = 41K - Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon (11K) + Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld (0 shield) = cannot be hit; no pass]

"You may think you won this fight. But I still have the Twin Drive. I pull two triggers, and I win," Genkei smiled.

"Why don't you pull those triggers then?" Akio replied, glaring at him.

"Hmph. Don't mind if I do. First check. Blank Rogue, Mecamera, Critical trigger. I'll give all the effects to Yusan. Second check…"

The Cardfighters leaned in unconsciously. All, but one, hoped that it was anything but a trigger. Anything but a trigger. Genkei sensed this and smiled inwardly. He flipped the card up.

"Blank Rogue, Maliceous. Another Critical trigger. I give all the effects to Yusan again."

Misa sunk in a chair with her head in her hands. "No…this can't be…"

Genkei ignored her. He rested Yusan and Surival, "With support from Surival, Yusan attacks your Vanguard." Akio's gaze hardened.

"No guard. [Blank Rogue, Dagger Yusan (9K + 5K x 2) + Blank Rogue, Surival (7K + 3K x 2) = 32K - Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon (11K)] Damage check," he flipped the top card, "Eradicator, Dragonic Descendent [grade 3, 11K]. Second check, Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo. I heal one point of damage and place Descendent into my Drop Zone…"

"Come on, Akio…you can pull a Heal Trigger here," Faris muttered. Imelda and Misa watched their friend anxiously. Everything seemed to be in slow-motion as Akio revealed the top card of his deck.

Yes! I finally beat you for the first time, Akio!

…yeah, you did.

Whoo-hoo! I finally beat him!

Akio…you had enough in your hand to guard. Why didn't you?

His confidence was falling, Imelda. I overheard him telling Misa that he was thinking about giving up Vanguard because he can't beat me.

So…you faked this lost?

…yeah…

Come on, Akio! Let's Cardfight again!

…sure…

Akio blinked rapidly at the Red River Dragoon in his hand. He couldn't help it. Something was caught in his eyes, and he desperately wanted to get rid of it. There was an air of disappointment as the boy let his hand fall on the table. Everyone was silent and shocked at the sight of end of the cardfight. Genkei gathered up his cards and stood up.

"Looks like I win this match, Akio…" the boy smiled down at his friend.

"Was it…with your strength…or theirs?" Akio whispered. He stared at his cards, refusing to let his face show. Genkei's smile disappeared.

"Everything I do now is with my strength and theirs. I'm not like Miscellena. I don't lone wolf things."

"Then-," Misa began before getting cut off by Genkei:

"However, it's better if you cut all ties with me. All of you. Don't even think about following me. You'll only get hurt."

"Why?" Imelda asked. The Cardfighter ignored her question. Putting his deck away, he walked past the three students. The doors of the card shop slid open for him. His friends watched him stroll away as the day seemed to darken and dampen.

"That arrogant little…I'm going to go and beat some sense into him!" Faris yelled. He started to storm towards the exit when Misa stopped him by hugging his arm.

"Don't, Faris! Genkei's…probably not feeling well!" Misa tried to placate her friend. Her attempts, for the most part, were unsuccessful. Faris kept on ranting:

"Not feeling well, my ass! Didn't you see him diss Akio like that?!"

Imelda watched Akio closely as her other two friends continued to argue with each other. His right hand had dropped the Red River Dragoon onto the table. The fist clenched tightly, shaking slightly from the tension. The girl began reaching out to comfort Akio, but something stopped her from doing so. She watched Akio try to compose himself.

She jumped slightly when Akio stood up suddenly. The boy was still looking down as he shoved the chair back. "Akio? Where are you going?!" Misa asked. Her friend ignored her and walked rapidly out the card shop.

"Akio!" Faris shouted, trying to get his attention. The boy finally stopped at the edge of the door. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing!" his voice cracked like a whip. Without looking back, the boy left the card shop.

Worried, Misa looked at her friends. "Imelda…did we lose both Genkei and Akio?"

Being his friend the second-longest, Imelda shook her head, "Just let Akio clear his head. He'll be all right. I'm more worried about what happened to Genkei."


Whoo! Double Critical Triggers for the WIN! I hate it whenever my opponents get those...except when I get them! XD

Anyways, here is Blank Rogue, Lone Wolf Miscellena's card info! May be a bit OP...then again...it's kinda hard to activate his Limit Break without Blank Rogue, Freezing Enthalpy Dragon...oh, well!

Name: Blank Rogue, Lone Wolf Miscellena

Unit Type: Normal Unit

Grade/Skill: Grade 3/Twin Drive!

Power: 11000

Critical: 1

Shield: none

Nation: Star Gate

Clan: Link Joker

Race: Cyberoid

Trigger: None

Card Flavor:

(RRR): Let's make this a little more challenging! Snarls of Liberty!

(SP): Kiss my tainted claws! Who said I was on your side?

Card Effect:

[ACT](VC) Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage):[Counter Blast (3)] Unlock all locked units on each side of the field. This unit gets [Power] +2000 for each unit unlocked by this effect and [Critical] +1. If four or more units were unlocked this way, retire two unlocked units.

[ACT](VC/RC):[Soul Blast (1)] Choose one of your opponent's rear-guards, and lock it (The locked card is turned face down, and cannot do anything. It turns face up at the end of the owner's turn)

[CONT](VC/RC): Lord (If you have a unit without a same clan as this unit, this unit cannot attack)

Lore:

A former "Star-vader", even when part of the Link Jokers, Miscellena did things his own way. He often ignored orders from his commanders, angering them with his lone wolf actions. He made it his goal to anger a commander a day. His favorite line, "Kiss my tainted claws!" often got him on the receiving end of attacks. However, his superior skills saved him every time, and continue to save him from Void as he was a valuable member to the "Star-vaders".

On a campaign, Miscellena decided to challenge his group. When his soldiers locked the soldiers of Cray, he unlocked them. The campaign failed, but Miscellena took great joy from the moment as he felt it made him stronger. The superiors then decided to do away with the Lone Wolf. He managed to escape to the Dark Zone where Rueful Titan Dragon found him fighting a group of Spike Brothers. After defeating the clan together and escaping, the Cyber Dragon offered the Lone Wolf a place in the Blank Rogues. Seeing this as a chance to extract his revenge on Void, Miscellena gladly accepted.