Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard. If I did, a lot of units would have gotten crossrides by now
The day of the party, Aichi and his fellow club members, along with Emi, stood in front of Team AL4 headquarters. Shinn couldn't come due to some important matters he had to do, though he did drive them to their destination. The group saw that the Hitsue High school club have arrived at the same time as them. After stopping a fanboying Morikawa, they entered the building together.
Now the first thing that they didn't expect was Suiko greeting them. The second was they didn't expect Suiko greeting them dressed as...a nurse?! Everyone except Kai either exchanged a look of confusion or gasped at the sight. Though Naoki had the biggest reaction.
"AH! IT'S THE SAILOR SUIT!" He exclaimed
Suiko gave an irritated look but quickly brushed it off
"Welcome! May I have your invitations?" she asked formally.
Kai went to her and gave their invitation. Suiko read it and looked at his group.
"Do you have any extra guest?" she asked.
"No. This is all of us. 4 Senior members and 1 Junior" he said
"Hey, Kai! I'm no junior!" Kamui Katsuragi exclaimed
"You're the youngest member of the group and not yet in high school" Miwa said as he played with Kamui's hair. He merely gruffed in annoyance
"That's all of us" Kai reaffirmed
"Alright" Suiko jotted on the tablet she was holding. After a while, she heard a beep
"Okay! You're all set. Please go up to the 3rd floor where Rekka will assist you." she motioned them to go forward to the elevator.
"Ah. Thank you" Kai nodded as he went to the elevator, his group following suit.
"Okay...Aichi, may I have your invitation?" she asked
Aichi took the invitation from his pockets and gave it to Suiko, which she gladly accepted
"Any extra guest?" she asked
"Ah. my sister Emi is with us" he told her. Emi went to Aichi's side after hearing her name.
After performing the same procedure, she gave the signal for them to proceed
As they entered the elevator, Suiko looked to them and said "Have fun guys! Especially you, Kourin" she winked
Kourin was about to ask but the elevator closed just in time.
She immediately shrugged it off as one of her teasing moments.
As the elevator door opened, the group stepped outside to see Rekka...in a medical outfit. Between two colored doors. They realized that the floor was actually just a wide room with two doors.
"Rekka!" Emi exclaimed "Wow. You look so cute and pretty
"Ah!" Shingo quickly gasped after seeing Rekka's costume "I knew those costumes were familiar!" he exclaimed
The rest of the group looked at him with confused looks.
Shingo stood and pointed at Rekka "...you're dressed as Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel! The nurse from the Angel Feather clan!" he said triumphantly
Rekka smiled "Yup! Good eye!"
The rest of them looked at Rekka again. Then realization dawned them as she really did dress like the Celestial from the Angel Feather clan, minus the hair and Lapiz lazuli wings.
Then Kourin asked "...so if you're dressed up as Zerachiel...then..."
"Yeah. Suiko is Chief Nurse, Shamsiel!" she explained
"So that means..."
"Yep!" she held her tablet up and pointed it at the group "You guys are invited to Ren's surprise Vanguard Costume Party!"
The room went silent for a second. Then all of a sudden, the group exclaimed "Ehhhhhhh?!"
"A costume party?!" Aichi exclaimed
"What are we gonna wear?!" Kourin joined in
"Ahhhh! I can't do it!" Shingo wailed
"Whaaaaat? I didn't bring any clothes!" Naoki interjected
"Is it really necessary?!" Misaki spoke up
"Wow! A costume party sounds cool!" Emi gleefully said
Rekka smiled and said "Not to worry guys. That's why you're here on the third floor!" she turned to the doors behind her "Behind these doors are a wide array of costumes of various cards from Vanguard!" she explained
The rest of the group gave a sigh of relief. At least the costumes were provided...then...
"Wait...do we really have to wear them?" Shingo asked
"Of course, silly!" Rekka laughed "Everyone who attended will wear a costume based on what clan they use" she explained
"Ohh..." was the reply of everyone of the group
"By the way, Kourin. We already picked your costume" Rekka said with a wink. Kourin's eyes widened
"What? But...shouldn't I have a choice?" she defended
"Oh don't worry! It's based on the Royal Paladin Jewel Knights. So you know what to expect!" Rekka stated.
"Anyway...I think you're the last group to come so...go! Left room for the boys and Right for the ladies" she explained as she moved to the side so they may enter.
The group split up to their gender. As they prepared to enter, both groups looked at the other
"Okay guys...see you later" Aichi waved
"Yeah..." Kourin said as her group entered first into their room
"Okay. Let's go" Aichi said. His two companions nodded as they entered the door
Aichi couldn't believe his eyes. The room was like a small department store, but for Vanguard. Clothes were lined up in sets and different weapons and accessories were in one big area, arranged according to nation. There was even a make-up area.
A young man greeted them. "Welcome to the AL4 Costume shop! My name is Mako. What clan do you use?"
Aichi saw that the man was dressed in some sort of officer costume. The pocket on the suit beared the flag of the Magallanica nation. He light blue hair and wore a navy officer cap.
"An Aqua Force soldier?" Shingo noted
"Ah yes! Tidal Assault" Mako said, imitating a marine salute
Aichi was amazed. The costume looked so detailed and well-made, from the hat that he wore up to the white suit, he felt like a real unit was standing in front of him
"So...what clan?" he repeated
"Ah! Royal Paladin for me." Aichi said
"Narukami" came Naoki's reply
"Hmmmm...I would say Murakumo but they mostly consist of Stealth Beast..." Shingo thought out
"Oh. We only have a few Murakumo costumes but would you like to see them?" Mako said
"Alright" Shingo replied
"So one from the United Sanctuary and two from the Dragon Empire...okay!" he tapped on the tablet he held then turned to Aichi "You head on over to the United Sanctuary area and these two will come with me to the Empire, alright?" he explained as he pointed the directions
Aichi nodded as he made his way to the United Sanctuary section...
Meanwhile, the other two went with Mako to the Dragon Empire section. True to its nation, the place was designed with a blazing red motif. The area screamed strength and ferocity like those of the nation's units.
Naoki's eyes shone with excitement
"So cool! Hey, granny glasses! Imma go up ahead and look for something to wear." he said as he went to the Narukami area, which was one of the bigger part of the area alongside the Kagero aisle
Shingo merely sighed as he checked out the Murakumo costumes he could wear. True to Mako's word, the choices were pretty limited. Fortunately, he found something that caught his eye
Naoki, on the other hand, was...in a slump. He only recalled the thunder dragons that the Narukami had, so some of the costumes were either unfamiliar or didn't suit him. Just as he was about to pick something random, he spotted something...
"Ah! This could be cool!" he grabbed the costume and proceeded to go to the fitting room
Aichi stared at the United Sanctuary area. It felt as though he was in a castle ground, as the motif was regal and shining. As one of the bigger areas, the choices were various for each clan, ranging from the blue and white of the Royal Paladins, the mystical and noble motif of the Oracle Think Tank and Genesis clan, though the choices here were limited since majority of their units were female, the dark colors of the Shadow Paladins and lastly the golden costumes of the Gold Paladins. A bit surprising was the lack of Angel Feather costumes, though he understood why since a big part of the clan are female nurses.
Aichi noticed someone standing in front of the Royal Paladin had a short stature akin to a young boy. He was dressed in some sort of platinum armor with red shoulder guards. He thought that the armor looked familiar...
The young boy turned around to face Aichi. He then gave a surprised gasp as he called out
"Takuto?!"
Authors notes:
In case anyone was wondering, this is set after the Legion mate arc (around the time before the last ep. of their graduation)
Suiko: Chief Nurse, Shamsiel
Rekka: Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel
Mako: Tidal Assault