Chapter Three : Colour me Red

Deaths arms have reached out to you

Theres nothing you can do

You will be dragged by my hand

All the way down to Nightmareland

Jamie woke up with a shiver. He had been having a crazy nightmare. It was creepy. He turned around and looked at him luminous alarm clock. THREE IN THE MORNING !? He turned over and shut his eyes. He fell back to sleep instantly. His nightmare was forgotten. But not for long.

He and Switch walked out of Math Class, dazed after the soporific power of the teachers voice. Fractions, everyone hates them. They made their way to the school cantine. Lunch, not something you should question. Slop with a side order of goo. Charming. They sat down to eat this strange mystery food.

"I had a weird dream last night," said Jamie, interrupting their conversation about afternoon lessons,"It was just black, everything was black, but a voice was singing some twisted lullaby".

"Nom What did it gulp say," asked Switch, "And what kinda voice was it ?"

"I don't remember well, I fell back to sleep right afterwards. I can remember 'You will be dragged by my hand all the way down to Nightmareland'."

"Creepy indeed," replied Switch. Their conversation switched back to afternoon lessons which began a short time afterwards. French, English, Tech. It all went by so slowly. That was the point of afternoon lessons : To make life slower than a slug. After dormir in French, sleeping in English and resting in Tech, the day was over. They dragged themselves out of school, feeling refreshed. A half 3 finish. There was nothing nicer. They speed walked to the Card Shop, finding Chuck sitting on the floor at the back of the shop looking at some blueprints and drinking a coffee.

"Whats up Dudes ?" he greeted cheerily lifting a hand.

"Nothing special. Early finish," replied Switch. "And how are you ?"

"Lookin' at the designs for the Standing Fight Tables Tabitha wants," said Chuck, "They look like I could make 'em by hand, but it wouldn't be easy."

"Where is Tabitha ?" asked Jamie, "I need to ask her about some cards."

"Oh, shes behind the counter, as usual."

Jamie, leaving Switch with Chuck, ran over to the counter, finding Tabitha's backside facing him. He cleared his throat and she stood up and turned around.

"Sorry, how can I help you ?" she asked.

"I wanted to ask you what you knew about the Nightmareland cards," said Jamie.

"Nightmareland Cards ? They're just some cards from the Dark Irregulars clan. Let me see, there's Hungry Egg of Nightmareland, Mad Hatter of Nightmareland, Cheshire Cat of Nightmareland, Dark Queen of Nightmareland, Dark Knight of Nightmareland, and March Rabbit of Nightmareland. They're just a bunch of Triggers and a Sentinel. Why did you want to know anyway ?"

"I had a weird nightmare," answered Jamie who thought it better to be truthful, "Switch told me there were Nightmareland Vanguard Cards."

"Okay... What happened in the nightmare ?"

"Well, everything was black, it was just a voice singing this weird lullaby. Thats what it was tuned like anyway. It went : Deaths arms have reached out to you, theres nothing you can do, you will be dragged by my hand, all the way down to Nightmareland."

"I say not to worry. It was just a dream," replied Tabitha, "In the wise words of Albus Dumbledore 'It does not do well to dwell on dreams' and he's right. You shouldn't be bothered by it."

"Just one last thing," proposed Jamie, "The Nightmareland cards, is it just me or do they sound like some creepy version of Alice in Wonderland ?"

"Yeah, they're a darker perception of those characters. Actually, now that I think about it, there have been rumours about them releasing more. But it's not confirmed. I doubt it."

"Interesting, thanks Tabitha."

"No problems kiddo. But while you're at the counter, anything you need ?" she smiled convincingly at him and he bought a couple of boosters. Jamie walked back to Chuck and Switch who were cardfighting. Chuck, using a Giraffa Deck, Switch, Demon Flare, as usual. The score was totally wacked out with Switch at 2 Damage and Chuck at 5.

"FINAL TURN, I Stand & Draw (8 cards, 5 Unflipped Damage)! I ride Death Warden, Ant Lion. Next, I activate his Skill. Soulcharging the top card of my deck, he gains 2000 power until the End Phase. Next I call 3 Machining Mosquitoes to the Back Row. I have been saving these for this moment. And when Mosquito is called, I can Soulcharge. So now I have 8 cards in the soul. PREPARE FOR ANT LIONS ULTIMATE MEGABLAST ! I soulblast 8 and counterblast 5. Now none of your rearguards can stand next turn. With the little you have left in hand, you'll have trouble getting past this next final attack. Elite Mutant boosted by Mosquito attacks Padlo."

Switch looked at his hand and growled. "No guard, Damage Check : Magibone".

"Next, Ant Lion swings in with a boost from Mosquito."

"I don't Guard."

"Twin Drive... Pupa Mutant... And Shrapnel Scorpio, a Critical Trigger, giving the power to Tailjaw and the Critical to the Death Warden."

"Grr.. Damage Checks : Pierce... I give all effects to Padlo. And then Madge.."

"Tail Jaw sweeps in with Mosquitos boost for a final attack. Plus he gains 3000 power because all your units are rested."

"Damage Check... Nothing... Just Flaming Mage..."

"Wow. That was impressive," said Jamie, "Switch, what happened there ?"

"I got a bad hand," said Switch who looked away, "I need some new cards."

"Well, I did just buy four boosters. Wanna open two ?"

"Sure," he took the two packs from Jamies extanded hand and proceeded to open them. His first pack contained : Modern Golem, Drill (Fall Sentinel); Skeleton Trumpeteer (Demon Flare) ; Square Magus (Oracle Think Tank) ; All-Seer, Strike (Demon Flare) ; Orchestra Conductor (Rare) (Demon Flare). The second pack contained : Skeleton Trumpeteer ; Clock Golem, Tick ; Saxobone, the Musical Skeleton (Demon Flare) ; Rainbow Star, Tucana (Star Children) ; Nightmare Guitarist (RR) (Demon Flare).

"Oh cool, Nightmare Guitarist. Thats a great card, and its a short print, so its kinda like a RRR." Said Jamie.

Switch immediately started making alterations with his new cards, taking out an All-Seer Madge and replacing her with Saxobon, taking out his Magibones and replacing them with Skeleton Trumpeteers and replacing Flareus with Orchestra Conductor. Even replacing 2 Burning Aces for Nightmare Guitarist and All-Seer Strike. He gave the cards he didn't need to Jamie. Jamie slid another Trumpeteer to him across the table and a Skeleton Violinist. Switch changed out another Magibone and Burning Ace for the cards Jamie gave him.

"I want to make the perfect Demon Flare Deck," said Switch, "I need to try different builds. I need to try different strategies. I need to change my playstyle. But I will become stronger."

"That's the spirit," jeered Chuck, "I can help if you like, I am open for a cardfight whenever you want if Tabitha is looking the other way."

"And I can help you with practice too !" cried Jamie who smiled at Switch.

"Thanks guys," sniffled Switch, "I will become the best cardfighter ever."

"Well Switch, and Jamie for that matter, you could test your luck in the shop tournament next weekend." Tabitha had walked over from the counter and was holding out two leaflets. "Every participant also gets a promo card from whatever clan they use. So that way, everybody wins."

"That's so cool," sang Jamie whose eyes lit up at the sight of the leaflets "A competition to test the skills of regulars and other players who wish to participate ~"

"Umm, Jamie, are you okay ?" chuckled Switch.

"I wanna sign up !" declared Jamie who completely ignored Switch.

"There are sign-up sheets on the counter, help yourselves."

Jamie skipped to the counter and returned with one for Switch who folded it up and pocketed it. Switch flicked his hair out his eyes and looked at Chuck.

"I DECLARE A REMATCH !" he yelled, pointing at Chuck.

"I accept under one circumstance," he looked at Tabitha,"Honeey... Can I please play against Switch ?"

"Fine, but afterwards you start making those tables. And you mae them well."

"WOO HOO ! LETS DO THIS THANG SWITCH !"

Switch shuffled his deck with lightning speed and placed it on the table for Chuck to cut. Chuck looked surprised at Switch in shock. He was ready to kick some serious Vanguard. Chuck slowly cut Switches deck and then proceeded to shuffle his deck, putting down his Grade 0.

"Stand Up ! VANGUARD ! Orchestra Conductor ! Larva Mutant, Giraffa !"

Switch drew his first 5 cards, he had drawn Skeleton Violinist, Trumpeteer, Nightmare Guitarist, Skull Stallion and Fire Kindler, Mossag.

Chuck drew his first five cards and ended up with Pupa Mutant Giraffa, Evil Armor General Giraffa, Machining Mosquito, Raider Mantis, and Toxic Soldier.

None - None - None

None - Orchestra Conductor -None

None - Larva Mutant, Giraffa - None

None - None - None

"I draw (Ace Bone Magician, Padlo) (Switch : 6 cards ; 0 Damage & Chuck : 5 Cards ; 0 Damage) ! I ride Skeleton Trumpeteer (7000/5000, Grade 1, [AUTO](V/R)(CB1)When this Units attack hits, pay the cost, your opponent discards one card of their choice). Now I can use Orchestra Master's(4000/10000, Grade 0, [AUTO] When you ride a «Demon Flare» Unit on this card, your opponent discards one card) skill. You have to discard one card. I'll end there."

None - None - None

None - Skeleton Trumpeteer -None

None - Larva Mutant, Giraffa - None

None - None - None

"Yeesh, not holdin' back any punches are we ?" said Chuck, discarding Toxic Soldier, "I draw (Ironcutter Beetle) ! (Switch : 5 cards ; 0 Damage & Chuck : 5 cards 0 Damage) Now I ride Pupa Mutant, Giraffa, which gains 2000 power from having Larva Mutant in the soul. Now I activate Larvas Skill. When I use ride Pupa, I can add Elite Mutant, Giraffa from my deck to my hand. Next I call Machining Mosquito behind Giraffa and Soulcharge with Mosquitos skill (Elite Mutant, Giraffa). Mosquito boosts Giraffa in an attack on Trumpeteer (8000 + 7000 =15000 vs. 7000).

"I don't guard."

Drive Check : Tail Joe

Damage Check : All-Seer Madge

"Turn End"

None - None - None

None - Skeleton Trumpeteer -None

None - Pupa Mutant, Giraffa - None

None - Machining Mosquito - None

"Draw (Skeleton Trumpeteer) (Switch : 6 cards ; 1 Unflipped Damage & Chuck : 4 cards ; 0 Damage). Time to Rock. I RIDE NIGHTMARE GUITARIST (9000/5000, Grade 2, [AUTO](V)(SB2) When you ride this card you may pay the cost, your opponent must discard 1 card. [AUTO] (R) (Retire 1 of your «Demon Flare» Rearguards and SB2) When you call this card to may pay the cost, your opponent must discard 1 card.) !"

"Wow Switch, you're hurting my defences quit badly" said Chuck who discarded Raider Mantis.

"That's not all. I call Skeleton Violinist (9000/5000, Grade 2, [AUTO](V/R)(CB1)When this Units attack hits, pay the cost, your opponent discards one card of their choice) and I also call Skeleton Trumpeteer behind it. With that, my Vanguard begins an attack on Pupa Mutant (9000 vs. 8000).

"No guard"

Drive Check : All-Seer Pierce ; Critical to Guitarist and Power to Violinist.

Damage Check : First : Raider Mantis ; Power to Giraffa and Draw (Shrapnel Scorpio). Second : Evil Armor General, Giraffa.

"Next, Violinist boosted by Trumpeteer attacks Giraffa again (7000 + 14000 = 21000 vs. 13000)."

"I guard with Shrapnel Scorpio."

"Fine, I end my turn," smirked Switch, pleased with how his game was going.

None - None - Skeleton Trumpeteer

None - Nightmare Guitarist - Skeleton Violinist

None - Pupa Mutant, Giraffa - None

None - Machining Mosquito - None

"I stand & draw (Phantom Black) (Switch : 4 cards ; 1 Unflipped Damage & Chuck : 5 cards ; 2 Unflipped Damage). I ride my Elite Mutant, and with Pupa in the soul it gains another 1000 power, boosting it up to 10000. Then I call Ironcutter Beetle on the left and Tail Joe on the right. Behind Ironcutter, I call Phantom Black. Tail Joe starts the assault by attacking your Violinist. It gains 3000 because all of your units are rested."

"I guard with Skull Stallion."

"Fine, Elite Mutant attacks Nightmare Guitarist with a boost from Mosquito."

"Guarding with Fire Kindler, Mossag."

Drive Check : Ironcutter Beetle.

"Ironcutter boosted by Phantom Black goes for your Guitarist."

Damage Check : Bone Ogre, Og.

"Grr... Turn End..."

None - None - Skeleton Trumpeteer

None - Nightmare Guitarist - Skeleton Violinist

Ironcutter Beetle - Elite Mutant, Giraffa - Tail Joe

Phantom Black - Machining Mosquito - None

"I stand and draw (Skeleton Violinist) (Switch : 3 cards ; 2 Unflipped Damage & Chuck : 2 cards ; 2 Unflipped Damage). Final Turn."

"Umm, dude, do you realise what you just said ?" asked Chuck, wondering is Switch had gone loopy.

"If you don't believe me, watch. I ride Ace Bone Magician, Padlo and activate his skills. The first, soulcharging him to gain 2000 power until the End Phase, the second, paying a Counterblast of 2 to draw a card (All-Seer Madge). Next, I call Pierce, Madge and Violinist. Trumpeteer boosts Violinist in at attack on Elite Mutant."

"I guard with Ironcutter and Intercept with the Ironcutter."

"How about Padlo boosted by Pierce ?"

"No Guard"

Drive Check : First : Magihat (All effects applied to the Violinist who had attacked). Second : All-Seer Pierce (Critical to Padlo and the Power to the Violinist who has already attacked).

Damage Check : First : Iron Fist Mutant, Roly Poly. Second : Bloody Hercules.

"Hm, my newly standing Violinist attacks again."

"No Guard"

Damage Check : Pupa Mutant, Giraffa.

"My other Skeleton Violinist boosted by Madge attacks !"

Damage Check : Evil Armor General, Giraffa.

Winner : Switch

Score :

Chuck : 6 Damage

Switch : 2 Damage

"Wow Switch, that was amazing. How could you call that ? The odds of you winning that turn were only plausible if you pulled 2 Triggers and those two triggers exactly," blabbered Jamie.

"I just had a feeling. Call it a lucky hunch but I really had a feeling I could win that turn, and my deck payed out for me."

Chuck was still sitting there in silent shock. The odds were impossible. He couldn't possibly have known he would draw those cards. It was bizarre. He just got lucky, yeah that had to be it.

"Well done dude !" cried out Chuck, masking his shock. "Play like that at the tournament and you're sure to kick some serious booty."

"Will do ! And maybe if you play in the tournament, you could try and get revenge." mocked Switch, sticking his tongue out at Chuck. "But with the ideas I have for my deck, you'll have a hard time trying.

That night, in his sleep, Jamies dream went black. His image of winning the tournament faded to be replaced with a black space. The only thing visible, was a girl, a tall pale girl. She turned to look at him and he saw the blood dripping from her fangs as a smile curled on her face. She moved a lock of her cyan hair from her face and walked towards him, stretching out a clawed hand, also covered in blood. Her small magenta night gown rippled as she walked closer and closer. And then, when she was 2 feet away, she raised a clawed hand and struck his arm that he used to prevent the claws from pkercing his skull. But his arm had 5 deep cuts spewing blood, the pain was real. He woke up and he looked at his arm, his arm he used to block the strike, was caked in blood. On his night stand, rested a single hot pink rose and a small card that read :

For now you've had your dose

That is the power of Edel Rose.