Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 4! I hope everyone will enjoy this new story! Without further ado, let's start!

Normal POV

- Kai and Akira's match-

" Lizard Soldier, Fargo!"

" Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer!"

" Draw! Ride the Vanguard! Dragon Monk, Gojo! Fargo moves back. Gojo's skill! I discard one card and draw one. Turn end."

" Draw! I ride Scout of Darkness, Vortimer! Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer's skill! I look at the top seven cards of my deck and put a Spectral Duke Dragon or a Black Dragon Knight, Vortimer into my hand. Spectral Duke Dragon. Scout of Darkness, Vortimer's skill! When there's a Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer in my Soul, he'll always have +1000 power. Vortimer attacks!"

" No guard."

" Drive check. No trigger."

" Damage check. No trigger."

" Turn end."

- Ann and Asaka's match-

" Silver Thorn Assistant, Ionela!"

" Duo Lovers Singer, Darling!"

" Draw! I ride Silver Thorn Assistant, Irina! Ionela moves back. Irina's skill. I look at the top two cards of my deck. I put one unit into the soul and the other to the bottom. Turn end."

" Draw. I ride Duo Petite Etoile, Peace! Darling moves back. I attack with Peace!"

" No guard."

" Drive trigger check. No trigger."

" Damage check. Nothing here either."

" Turn end."

- Ryuji and Leon's match-

" Blue Storm Cadet, Anos!"

" Exorcist Mage, Dan Dan!"

" Draw. I ride Wheel Assault! Anos moves back. Turn end."

" Draw! I ride Lizard Soldier, Ryoshin! Dan Dan moves back. I attack you with Ryoshin! His skill! He gets +3000 power!"

" No guard."

" Drive trigger check. No trigger."

" Damage check. Draw trigger. I draw one card."

" Turn end."

- Yusuke and Ren's match-

" Judgebau Revenger!"

" Blackboard Parrot!"

" Draw. I ride Revenger, Dark Bond Trumpeter! Judgebau moves back. Turn end."

" Draw. I ride Coiling Duckbill! I move Blackboard Parrot back. And I attack."

" No guard!"

" Drive trigger check. Stand trigger! Power to Duckbill and I stand Blackboard Parrot."

" Damage check. No trigger here."

" I end my turn."

- Makoto and Naoki's match-

" Brawler, Fighting Dracokid!"

" Enigman Flow!"

" Draw! I ride Brawler, Wildclock Dragon! Fighting Dracokid moves back! Turn end!"

" Draw! I ride Enigma Ripple! Enigman Flow's skill. I search my deck for an Enigman Wave and add it to my hand. And my Vanguard attacks!"

" No guard!"

" Drive check. Critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check! Second check! No trigger."

" Turn end."

- Futaba and Misaki's match-

" Regalia of Prayers, Pray Angel!"

" Semilunar Magus!"

" Draw! I ride Purification Regalia, Pure Angel! Pray Angel moves back. Turn end."

" Draw! I ride Crescent Magus! I move Semilunar Magus back and call Circle Magus! Her skill! I look at the top card! I'll put it on the bottom. Stellar Magus attacks!"

" No guard."

" Drive trigger check! No trigger."

" Damage check. Critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard!"

" Not enough power... Turn end."

- Haru and Kamui's match-

" Energyraizer!"

" Little Witch, Lulu!"

" Draw! The great Kamui rides Tankraizer! Energyraizer moves back! Turn end!"

" Draw! I ride Emerald Witch, Lala! And then I call Weather Girl, Milk! Lala attacks your Vanguard! With Milk's skill, the boosted power gets +4000 power!"

" No guard!"

" Drive trigger check! No trigger."

" Damage check! No trigger!"

" Turn end."

- Kai and Akira's match-

" Stand and draw. Ride the Vanguard! Dragon Knight, Nehalem! Attack!"

" No guard!"

" Check the drive trigger! I got a critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check... Second check. No trigger."

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! I ride Black Dragon Knight, Vortimer! With his skill, if I have a Scout of Darkness, Vortimer in my Soul, this unit will always have +1000 power. I call Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane and Listener of Truth, Dindrane! Viviane attacks!"

" Guard."

" Vortimer attacks! Drive check! Draw trigger! I give all effects to my Vanguard and draw!"

" Check the damage trigger. No trigger."

" Turn end."

- Ann and Asaka's match-

" Stand and draw. Now, let's have the curtains rise for the second act. I ride Silver Thorn Beast Tamer, Maricica! I call Silver Thorn, Rising Dragon and Silver Thorn, Breathing Dragon! Breathing Dragon attacks!"

" No guard!"

" Maricia attacks! Drive check. Critical trigger. Power to Rising Dragon and critical to Vanguard!"

" Damage check! Second check! Heal trigger! Power to my Vanguard and I heal one damage!"

" Ionela's skill. When her boosted attack hits, I look at the top two cards of my deck and put one card to the Soul and the other to the bottom. Rising Dragon!"

" Guard!"

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! I ride Duo Falling Heart, Quancy! I call Duo Kelpie Jockey, Syr Darya! Syr Darya attacks Breathing Dragon!"

" No guard."

" Quancy attacks! Drive check! Draw trigger! All effects to my Vanguard and I draw!"

" Damage check. A draw trigger here too. I draw one card."

" Turn end."

- Ryuji and Leon's match-

" Stand and draw. I ride Blue Storm Marine General, Starless! I call Blue Storm Marine General, Gregorios and Blue Storm Marine General, Ianis! Gregorios attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Starless attacks! Drive check. Stand trigger! Power to Ianis and I stand Gregorios. Ianis attacks!" Leon declared

" No guard!"

" Since his attack hits, I draw one card. Gregorios attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! I ride Dragonic Deathscythe! Counterblast! I retire Gregorios! Deathscythe attacks!"

" No guard."

" Drive check! Heal trigger! I recover one damage and power to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check. No trigger."

" Turn end!"

- Yusuke and Ren's match-

" Stand and draw. I ride Blaster Dark Revenger "Abyss"! I call Nullity Revenger, Masquerade. Blaster Dark "Abyss" attacks!"

" No guard."

" Drive check. Draw trigger! I give all effects to Masquerade and draw. Masquerade attacks!"

" Damage check. No trigger."

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw. I ride Compass Lion! I call Melodica Cat and Coiling Duckbill! Coiling Duckbill's skill. I give a skill to Melodica Cat. Melodica Cat attacks Masquerade with a boost from Coiling Duckbill!"

" No guard."

" Compass Lion attacks your Vanguard! Drive trigger check. No trigger."

" Damage check. Nothing here either."

" At the beginning of my end phase, I retire Melodica Cat. Coiling Duckbill's skill activates. When Melodica Cat is retired during the beginning of end phase, I draw one card. Melodica Cat's skill. When he's retired at the beginning of end phase, I superior call Recorder Dog! Turn end."

- Makoto and Naoki's match-

" Stand and draw! I ride Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster! I call Brawler, Big Bang Slash Dragon and Brawler, Wildclock Dragon! Wildclock attacks your Vanguard!"

" No guard!"

" Big Bang Slash Buster! Drive check! Critical trigger! Power to Big Bang Slash and critical to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check... Second check! Heal trigger! Power to my Vanguard and I heal one damage!"

" Big Bang Slash attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! I ride Enigman Wave! Enigman Wave's skill activates! If I have an Enigman Ripple in my Soul, it'll always get +1000 power! I call Glory Maker! I attack your Vanguard with a boost from Glory Maker! Drive trigger check! Critical trigger! I give all effects to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check! Second check... No trigger."

" Enigman Wave's skill activates! When its attack hits and its power is 14000 or more, I draw one card! Turn end."

- Futaba and Misaki's match-

" Stand and draw. I ride Regalia of Fate, Norn! I call Twilight Regalia, Hesperis! Hesperis attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Norn attacks! Drive check! Stand trigger! All effects to Hesperis and stand her! Hesperis attacks once more!"

" No guard!"

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! I ride Stellar Magus! I call Cuore Magus! She attacks Hesperis!"

" No guard."

" Stellar Magus attacks! Drive check. No trigger."

" Damage check. Nothing here either."

" Stellar Magus' skill! When the attack hits, I can declare the top card! ... Crescent Magus!'

Futaba flipped the top card but it was Psychic Bird.

" That's not it..."

" Don't worry, it's just the beginning."

" Right! Turn end!"

- Haru and Kamui's match-

" I stand and draw! The great Kamui rides Ultimate Raizer Dual-flare! I call Phoenix Raizer Flame-wing! Flame-wing attacks! Skill activated! If I have a Raizer in the Vanguard Circle, he gets +3000 power!"

" No guard."

" Ultimate Raizer Dual-flare attacks! Drive check! No trigger."

" Damage check. No trigger either."

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw. I ride Oracle Guardian, Wiseman! Wiseman attacks!"

" No guard!"

" Drive check. Draw trigger! I give all effects to Wiseman and draw."

" Damage check. No trigger."

" Turn end."

- Akira and Kai's match-

" Stand and draw. Ride the Vanguard! Burn everything in this world to ash with your apocalyptic fire! Dragonic Overlord! I call Dragonic Burnout and Burning Horn Dragon! Burnout's skill! I return a Overlord card from the drop zone back to the bottom of my deck and I retire Viviane!"

" The Dragonic Overlord that you discarded from Gojo's skill!"

" That's right. Burnout attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Dragonic Overlord! Burn everything to ash! Twin drive check! Second check! I got a heal trigger! I heal one damage and power to Burning Horn!"

" Damage check... Critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard!"

" Burning Horn attacks! His skill gives him +3000 power!"

" Guard!"

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw. I'm afraid to ask but are you still mad about just now?"

" Hmph. There's nothing to be mad about. A fight reveals everything about a fighter. Remember that."

" So you are angry..." Akira thought

" I ride Conviction Dragon, Chromejailer Dragon! Chromejailer Dragon's skill! Persona Blast! I superior call Flash Edge Valkyrie and Little Battler, Tron! Flash Edge Valkyrie's skill! I superior call Blade Feather Valkyrie! I also call Silver Fang Witch! I use her Soulblast to draw one card! Limit Break! I retire Silver Fang and Dindrane and Chromejailer gets +10000 power and +1 critical! I call Blessing Owl! I give +2000 to Flash Edge! Flash Edge attacks Burning Horn!"

" Burnout intercepts."

" Chromejailer Dragon attacks! Drive check! Stand trigger! Power to Flash Edge and stand her! Second check! Heal trigger! I give the power to Blessing Owl and I heal one damage!"

" Damage check. Second check. I got a draw trigger. I draw one card and give the power to Overlord."

" Boosted by Blade Feather, Flash Edge attacks!

" No guard."

" Blade Feather's skill! When her boosted attack with Flash Edge hits, I get to superior call the top card of my deck! Gigantic Pillar Fighter! Boosted by Blessing Owl, Gigantic Pillar Fighter attacks! His skill gives him another +1000 power!"

" Guard."

" Turn end."

- Ann and Asaka's match-

" Stand and draw. Now, let the third act begin! When your whip of thorns cracks, even dragons fall to their knees! I ride Silver Thorn Dragon Tamer, Luquier! Since you prevented my Limit Break this turn, let's have a small Soul festival. I call Silver Thorn Assistant, Zelma and Silver Thorn Beast Tamer, Ana! Zelma's skill. I put her into the Soul and superior call a unit! Come on the stage once more, Maricica! I call Irina and her skill activates. I put one card into the Soul and the other card to the bottom."

" A full field in an instant!"

" Now, let us begin our performance! Rising Dragon attacks!"

" No guard!"

" Ana's skill. Since her boosted attack hits the Vanguard, I counterblast one to superior call Silver Thorn, Upright Lion from the Soul! Upright Lion attacks!"

" Intercept!"

" Luquier attacks! Twin drive, first check... Second check... Critical trigger! I give the power to Maricica and critical to Luquier!"

" Damage check! First check! Second check! No trigger..."

" Maricica attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Turn end. Upright Lion returns to the Soul."

" Stand and draw. I ride Duo True Sister, Meer! I call Syr Darya, Duo Petite Etoile, Peace, Duo Shiny Tone, Cikola and Duo Falling Heart, Quancy! Quancy attacks Maricica!"

" No guard."

" Meer attacks! Her skills gives her +2000 power!"

" No guard."

" Twin drive check! Critical trigger! I give the power to Syr Darya and the critical to Meer!"

" Damage check. Second check. No trigger."

" Syr Darya attacks!"

" No guard."

" Turn end."

- Ryuji and Leon's match-

" Stand and draw. You have a fierce wind, just like Naoki Ishida but there's some difference between you and him."

" Huh?"

" You'll understand eventually. Savage wind! Become a shock wave and awaken the blue dragon! I ride Blue Storm Wave Dragon, Tetra-burst Dragon! I call Gregorios! Gregorios attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Tetra-burst Dragon attacks! Twin drive check! Second check! No trigger."

" Damage check... No trigger."

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! I ride Sealed Demon Dragon, Dungaree! His skill! When I ride him, I bind the top two cards of my deck. I call Whirlwind Axe Wielding Exorcist Knight! He attacks Gregorios! His skill activates! If I have a 'Dungaree'' Vanguard, he gets +3000 power!"

" Ianis intercepts."

" Dungaree attacks! Twin drive check! Second check! No trigger."

" Damage check. No trigger."

" Turn end."

- Yusuke and Ren's match-

" Stand and draw. Now I remember where I heard your name, Kitagawa-kun. But I won't pry into your past. I saw your latest artwork. 'Desire', was it?"

" Yes. To me, it's one of my best artwork."

" Is that so? I think it would look nicer if you add a little touch to it."

" Hm? What are you getting at?"

" Not trying to criticize it, Kitagawa-kun. But you know, when I saw your work, it reminded me of something of the past. But the problem is... That's all. You're reminding people of the dark past. Maybe you should have a reference."

" ... A reference?"

" Yeah. I'll tell you later. First... Screaming despair in the chaotic silence! Give me the power of darkness from the shadows through which not even visions can be seen! Ride... Revenger, Phantom Blaster "Abyss"! I call Dark Cloak Revenger, Tartu! Tartu's Counterblast! I superior call Transient Revenger, Masquerade! Tartu attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Revenger, Phantom Blaster "Abyss" attacks! Twin drive check. Second check. I got a heal trigger. Power to my Vanguard and I heal one damage."

" Damage check! No trigger..."

" Turn end!"

" Stand and draw. No one offends my art and gets away with it. I'll win this!"

" You can try. But what I said is true."

" I ride Magic Scientist, Tester Fox! I call Binoculus Tiger and Geograph Giant! Binoculus Tiger attacks Tartu with a boost from Recorder Dog! His skill! I give Coiling Duckbill +4000 power!"

" No guard."

" Tester Fox attacks your Vanguard! Binoculus Tiger's skill once more! I give Coiling Duckbill the power! Twin drive check! Second check! Critical trigger! I give power to Geograph and the critical to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check. Second check. I got a critical trigger. All effects to my Vanguard."

" Geograph attacks! Binoculus Tiger's skill activates again! I give +4000 power to Coiling Duckbill!"

" No guard."

" End phase. I retire Coiling Duckbill with Binoculars Tiger's skill. Turn end."

- Makoto and Naoki's match-

" Stand and draw! Scorching soul! Smash everything with your steel fists! I ride Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Buster! Here I go! Wildclock attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Big Bang Knuckle Buster attacks your Vanguard! Twin drive... Second check! Heal trigger! I give the power to Big Bang Slash Dragon and I heal one damage! Big Bang Slash Dragon attacks!"

" No guard!"

" Turn end!"

" Stand and draw. I ride Enigman Storm! With Wave in the Soul, Enigman Storm gets an extra +1000 power at all times! I call Enigman Wave and Masked Police, Grander! Grander attacks Big Bang Slash!"

" Guard!"

" Enigman Storm attacks with a boost from Glory Maker! When Enigman Storm's power is 15000 and above, it gets an extra critical!"

" Perfect guard!"

" Twin drive check! Second check! Draw trigger! Power to Wave and I draw an extra card! Enigman Wave attacks your Vanguard!"

" No guard!"

" Turn end."

- Futaba and Misaki's match-

" Stand and draw. Warrior imbued with the power of a god, all bow down before that noble power! I ride Regalia of the Cosmos, CEO Yggdrasil! I call Regalia of Fate, Norn and Regalia of Abundance, Freya. Norn attacks Cuore Magus!"

" No guard!"

" CEO Yggdrasil attacks! Twin drive check! Second check! Draw trigger! I give the power to Freya and draw one card! Freya attacks!"

" No guard!"

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw! ... I don't really have the break ride so... I ride Pentagonal Magus! I call Circle Magus and look at the top card! I'll leave it at the top. Semilunar Magus's skill! I declare the top card of my deck! Tetra Magus! Since it's correct, I draw two cards and Semilunar Magus goes into the Soul. I call another Pentagonal Magus, Circle Magus and Cuore Magus! Once more, Circle Magus's skill. I'll leave it at the top. Pentagonal Magus' Limit Break! I declare the top card of my deck and if it's correct, Pentagonal Magus gets +5000 power and an extra critical! Psychic Bird! It's correct so I gain the power and critical."

" Nicely done."

" My rear guard Pentagonal Magus attacks Freya!"

" Norn intercepts!"

" My Vanguard attacks!"

" Perfect guard!"

" Twin drive... I got a critical trigger! I'll give all effects to Cuore Magus! Second check! No trigger... Cuore Magus attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Turn end."

- Haru and Kamui's match-

" I stand and draw! A flash of light that pierces the darkness of space! The great Kamui rides Ultimate Raizer Mega-flare! Flame-wing attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Mega-flare attacks! Twin drive check! Second check! Critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard!"

" Damage check... Second check. No trigger."

" Turn end."

" Stand and draw. I ride Scarlet Witch, Coco! Lulu's skill! I call her out from the Soul and Soulblast two cards! Then I draw a card! Coco's skill! If my Soul is empty, I can Counterblast and draw two cards! I call Battle Sister, Glace and she attacks Flame-wing!"

" No guard!"

" Coco attacks with a boost from Milk!"

" No guard!"

" Twin drive... I got a critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard! Second check! Critical trigger! All effects to my Vanguard again!"

" Damage check! Second check! Third check! Draw trigger! All effects to my Vanguard and I draw!"

" Turn end."

- Akira and Kai's match-

" Stand and draw. It's time to end this match. Final Turn! Your form changes once more as you rise in crimson flames! Behold, the purgatory flames of rage! Break Ride the Vanguard! Dragonic Overlord the 'X'! The 'X' gets +10000 power and a skill! Seek the mate! Fight alongside your mate, Dragonic Overlord 'The End'! Legion! Legion skill. I search my deck for the 'X' and add it toy hand. I call one more Burning Horn! Dragonic Overlord the 'X' and 'The End'... Attack Gigantic Pillar!"

" No guard!"

" Check the twin drive... Second check. Critical trigger! Critical to my Vanguard and power to my right Burning Horn! Break ride skill! I discard two cards and stand my Vanguard! Attack his Vanguard, Legion!"

" Perfect guard!"

" Check the twin drive! I got a critical trigger! All effects to my right Burning Horn! Second check! Critical trigger! All effects to my right Burning Horn once more! It's not over yet. I discard the 'X' from my hand and Counterblast! I retire Flash Edge and Blade Feather! My left Burning Horn attacks!"

" Guard!"

" It's over. My right Burning Horn attacks your Vanguard!"

" ... No guard."

The last damage fell into Akira's damage zone and the match ended.

" You've done well adapting to this."

" Uh, thanks."

- Ann and Asaka's match-

" Stand and draw. Looks like we're tied in damage. Then let's end this right now. Let's raise the curtains for the final act! When her whip of thorns cracks, all dragons and servants fall to their knees! Crossride! Silver Thorn Dragon Empress, Venus Luquier! With Silver Thorn Dragon Tamer, Luquier in the Soul, Venus Luquier gets +2000 power at all times. And... Show her your power as the empress! Venus Luquier, Limit Break! Counterblast! I soulcharge two cards and from the Soul, I superior call units! Upright Lion, Rising Lion, Irina, Zelma and Ana! Come up on stage once more! Ionela retires."

" No way... The whole field is..."

" Upright Lion's skill! For each unit I call out from the Soul, it gets +3000 power! A total power of +12000! Irina's skill! I look at the top two cards of my deck. I put one into the soul and the other to the bottom. Rising Dragon, attack the Vanguard with a boost from Ana!"

" Guard!"

" Venus Luquier attacks!"

" I have a perfect guard but against Upright Lion in the next attack... No choice..." Ann thought

" No guard..."

" Twin drive... Second check. Critical trigger. Power to Upright Lion and critical to Venus Luquier!"

The last damage fell into the damage zone after that.

" I lost..."

" It wasn't bad for the first time. But you should keep working on your strategy. Just depending on Legion won't work."

" Yeah."

- Ryuji and Leon's match-

" Stand and draw. It seems like it'll be over soon. Beware. The wind will blow four times from now on! Whirling wind and surging wave! Call forth a fierce storm and bring down blue judgment upon the one who incurs your wrath! Seek my mate! I'll give the name of the blue storm to that noble water general! Blue Storm Marine General, Starless! Legion! I call Border and two Zaharius. Anos goes into the Soul and give a skill to my Vanguard. The first time. Gregorios attacks your rear guard!"

" No guard!"

" Second time. With a boost from Border, Zaharius attacks your Vanguard!"

" No guard!"

" Border's skill! I switch Gregorios and the other Zaharius' places. The second Zaharius attacks! That's the third time."

" Guard!"

" The fourth wind... is going to be a storm! Legion attacks! Legion skill! Counterblast! If it's the fourth or greater turn, they get +5000 power and an extra critical. Tetra-burst's own skill gives them another +3000 power! Anos' skill given to Legion! Counterblast! I draw and retire Dan Dan!"

" No guard..."

" Twin drive... Second check. I got a draw trigger. Power to Legion and draw."

" Damage check... Second check... No trigger."

The last damage fell into his damage zone after that.

" It was a heated battle but of course, your deck needs a bit more work."

" Yeah, I'll work on it and beat you one day!"

" And you're welcome to challenge me again once you do."

- Yusuke and Ren's match-

" Stand and draw. I call Fighting Spirit Revenger, Macart and Nullity Revenger, Masquerade. Let's end this and I'll talk to you all about that painting of yours. Final Turn! People who know each other in a world without light, give me the power to connect souls born into a world of darkness! Seek the mate! The power of a bond born in a hateful hell. Communion of dark knights who wound and stab each other! Line up, you who would never stand in a line! Legion! Macart's skill. I superior call Transient Revenger, Masquerade as rest. Ready?"

" As ready as you are."

" Good. Macart attacks Binoculars Tiger!"

" No guard."

" With a boost from Judgebau, Legion! Twin swords of darkness that even cut through bonds! Attack Tester Fox!"

" Perfect guard!"

" Twin drive check. Second check. Critical trigger. I give all effects to my Vanguard. You don't honestly think it's over yet, do you?"

" What?!"

" I retire three of my rear guards. Reign over the battlefield with a sword that's stained with your comrades' blood! Obey the king of tragedy, dark knight! Phantom Blaster Rising!"

" They're standing again?!"

" Once more, Legion attacks!"

" ... No guard."

" Twin drive check. Critical trigger. Critical to my Vanguard and power to Masquerade. Second check. Heal trigger. I heal one damage and power to Masquerade."

" Damage check... Second check... Third check. No trigger."

" That was a great match."

" I guess. So what about that advice about my art?"

" Seems like you're willing to listen. First, let's wait for the others to finish their match."

" Alright then."

- Makoto and Naoki's match-

" Stand and draw! Here I go! I'm gonna pack my fist with these two souls! Fill me up and tremble! Make him surrender! Seek mate! King of striking who cuts through the air at a high speed! Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster! Legion! Legion skill! I put a Big Bang Knuckle card into the Soul and give Big Bang Knuckle Buster +5000 power! And then I can attack four units!"

" Four units?!"

" That's right! I move Wildclock back and I call Wildfist Dragon and Tonfa Brawler, Arc! Wildfist attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Legion attacks all of your units!"

" Perfect guard for Enigman Storm!"

" Twin drive! Critical trigger! All effects goes to Big Bang Slash Dragon! Second check! Draw trigger! All effects to Big Bang Slash and I draw! Big Bang Slash's skill! When my 'Brawler' Vanguard's attack hits a unit, it gets +3000 power! And Arc's skill! For each of your units being placed into the drop zone, he gets +3000 power! Since three units went into the drop zone, that's a total of +9000 power! Big Bang Slash Dragon attacks your Vanguard!"

" No guard..."

The last two damage landed on the damage zone and the match ended.

" Whew! That was close!"

" Yes, it was a fun match."

" Yeah! We should fight sometime!"

" Sure."

- Futaba and Misaki's match-

" Stand and draw. Here I go, Futaba-chan! Seek mate! Legion! Freya's skill! When my Vanguard Legions, I Soulcharge three cards and she gets +5000 power! Pray Angel moves into the Soul and Soulcharge another three cards, and I also give +5000 power to my Vanguard. I call Pure Angel and Hemera. I put three cards from the Drop Zone into the Soul with Hemera's skill. Pure Angel's skill. I use a Counterblast to give my Vanguard another +5000 power and a skill. Hemera attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Legion attack! Legion skill! I Soulblast six cards and my opponent cannot guard against this attack with any grade 1 or above cards and they gain an extra critical! Since I Soulblasted two Norns and two Achlis, their skills give Legion +20000 power in total! Hesperis' skill since I Soulblasted her from the Soul, I retire Cuore Magus! With Yggdrasil's skill, the total attacking power also goes up by +3000 power!"

" A total power of 53000 power and I can't use a perfect guard?! ... No guard then..."

" Twin drive check. Second check. No trigger."

" Damage check... Second check... No trigger..."

" That was a great match, Futaba-chan. You've improved since your first time."

" Thanks!"

- Haru and Kamui's match-

" Stand and draw! The great Kamui's seek mate! Blue light of a star born in the darkness of space! Magma breathed in and out by a pulsating scarlet star! Explosive descent! Mega-super-ultra-special power! Ultimate Raizer Dual-flare! The great Kamui's Legion! I call two more Dual-flare! I also call Cat Butler, Jetraizer and Battleraizer! Boosted by Cat Butler, my right Dual-flare attacks Glace!"

" No guard."

" Boosted by Battleraizer, my left Dual-flare attacks your Vanguard!"

" Guard!"

" Boosted by Jetraizer, Legion attacks! Legion skill! When they attack and there's four or more rested 'Raizer' units, they gain an extra critical! There are units attached to Legion! When Legion attacks, my Dual-flares will stand and they add +5000 power!"

" Perfect guard!"

" Twin drive! Second check! Critical trigger! All effects to the left Dual-flare! It's not over yet! Cat Butler's skill! When my Legion attack doesn't hit, I retire Cat Butler and stand Legion once more!"

" Three more attacks?!"

" That's right! My right Dual-flare attacks!"

" Guard!"

" My left Dual-flare attacks!"

" Guard!"

" Legion attacks again! Once more, they gain an extra critical!"

" No guard..."

" Twin drive check! Second check! Stand trigger! All effects to the left Dual-flare and I stand it!"

" Damage check... Second check... I lose. That was a great match."

" Yeah! I had fun too!"

" Yes, I did too. Let's do this again when we can."

" Of course! You're welcome to challenge me anytime!"

" Looks like everyone's done with their matches." A voice said

They turned to see Aichi watching them by the railing.

" Aichi? What are you doing here? I thought you were resting."

" I kind of thought everyone would be too into the matches and forgot all about dinner."

" Oh right! It's almost time for dinner!"

" Don't worry. I came back specifically for that. I got Jillian-san and Sharlene-san for help too."

" You're the best, Aichi! But Kai's right... You weren't feelin' well, so you should be restin'."

" I'm alright now. Let's hurry to the dining hall then if everyone has no objections."

" Yeah!"

They headed to the dining hall to see the spread in front of them as they started to dig in. The others were now eating and talking together as Ren bumped Yusuke with his elbow a little.

" So, what kind of image do you see over there?"

Yusuke looked over to where Ren was pointing to as he saw Aichi with Kai beside him while happily talking with his other friends.

" A group of friends happily chatting."

" Not just that. There's a lot more than meets the eye. Look at how everyone is beaming right now compared to that atmosphere in the Vanguard Room."

" Hm, true... They do look more brighter compared to when we were having our matches. Is it because of dinner?"

" No, Kitagawa-kun. It's the matter of who's the center of their attention. Look closely at how everyone is happier around him."

" You're right... I don't see Kai-san smiling this much just now until Aichi-san showed up. And Misaki-san seems brighter too. Not just them, many others around him are getting brighter..."

" You're getting it now. Kitagawa-kun, we've all came from a dark past. You know what? Aichi-kun was the one who dragged us all out of that darkness."

" What do you mean?"

" From what I knew, you've seen his inner heart before. What did it look like?"

" Nothing but light actually. His distortion was a light within the darkness of the Mementos."

" There! That's your answer right there! Put all this together and you get..."

" Aichi-san's the light within everyone's darkness?"

" Bingo! Most of us here were saved from our darkness by Aichi-kun. That's why some of us were a little upset when we heard he wasn't feeling well. He looks past all our darkness and always finds a good within it. So use this as a reference to your artwork. I really think 'Desire' is a good piece but if there's something more you can draw in it, I'm sure it'll look even better. Think about it for a moment. I'm gonna grab myself another dish!"

Ren went to the dining table to grab another dish for dinner as Yusuke stared at Aichi's group for a few more moments before walking over to them.

" Aichi-san."

" Oh, Yusuke-san. Is something wrong?"

" Actually, I have a request for you, Aichi-san."

" What is it?"

" Will you be the next model for my painting?!"

Upon hearing that, the room momentarily fell into silence as they felt a dark aura coming off of Kai.

" What's Inari doing?!" Futaba exclaimed softly

" How should I know?!"

" That guy really can get a little out of control!"

" U-Um... I don't really understand, Yusuke-san... It's a little sudden..."

" Please! It's for an important exhibition and this time, I'll make sure this is going to be the greatest nude painting yet!"

" U-Uh, HUH?!"

" He's done and said it now!" Ryuji exclaimed

" Not really what I meant but oh well... He'll figure it out sooner or later..." Ren thought

" W-Wait a minute! W-W-What do you mean by nude?! I-I don't think I can..."

" This is all for art! Please accept the offer!"

" Uh, I..."

" Hey." Kai stopped them as his dark aura grew stronger, " I've held back but how dare you try to paint Aichi nude..."

" He's went and said something none of us dares to talk about..." Naoki muttered

" Yeah..."

" This guy sounds like he has a death wish marked now with Kai this angry..." Miwa muttered

" We better get away from here..."

They distanced themselves away from Kai as the aura grew stronger again.

" Kai-kun, calm down... I'm sorry, Yusuke-san. I don't really know how the idea suddenly came to you but I don't think trying to do nude painting will help..."

" I see... I guess I should have a different approach to this. Thank you for the suggestion."

" Y-Yeah..."

Soon, the awkward time at dinner ended as Kai decided to bring Aichi back to their room after the rain had stopped.

" We'll see everyone tomorrow morning then. Goodnight, everyone!"

" Goodnight!"

" Night, Aichi! And, uh... Kai."

" Second what Ishida-senpai said!"

" Have a good rest this time, Aichi."

" I will."

Both headed back to their room as Kai locked the door while Aichi prepared to change to his pajamas.

" You should lighten up a little, Kai-kun. I can tell that Yusuke-san is a little... simple-minded."

" He has that feeling of Ren all over for some reason."

" You must be just thinking too much. You've been like that after I told them about our past."

" I'm not..."

" Don't lie. I briefly saw you getting angry at Akira-san during your match when I went to check it out."

" ... Fine. You got me."

" I know I was out of it when I told them but I'm fine now. Everyone's trying to have their own fun during this trip so let's all enjoy ourselves and not get too caught up in the past, okay?"

" Alright... But I'm still not letting Kitagawa off so easily for the nude painting request."

" I was a little surprised actually... I saw him talking to Ren-san for awhile before he had came over, so..."

" Oh?" Kai ask, the dark aura appearing again

" You're making that scary face again."

" Sorry."

" Come on. Change out and let's head to sleep. I'm getting tired from today."

" Yeah."

Kai changed out of his clothes as well as he turned off the lights before going to lie beside Aichi on the bed. He wrapped his arms around Aichi's body after that.

" Goodnight, Kai-kun."

" Goodnight, Aichi."

Burying his chin in Aichi's hair, Kai drifted off to sleep together with Aichi as the night deepened...

And that's the end of this chapter! Longest chapter yet because of the cardfights! So sorry for not updating for so long but I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!