Chapter four my peeps! Read on! And if I get any of the card's ability's wrong, it was because I'm still new to Vanguard and don't know the limitations of each and every single ability there is.
I leaned over Lucas's shoulder to see the screen. "So do you know what type of deck it is?"
He glanced at me and shrugged.
Before continuing, I'll tell you about Lucas. He's our resident Vanguard expert and deck builder. If there's anyone who can build a deck or instantly identify a unit, it's him. He's the same age as my brother and the rest of my friends, only there's a slight problem. Lucas is mute. At school anyway, not when he's at home. You see, Lucas never speaks at school, or even around his friends (A.K.A, us) for reasons unknown. So he uses electronics to communicate. Be it his phone or computer, he'll open up a typing program and type down a message for all to read.
I sighed, "Oh, well thanks anyway."
I turned around to leave, but then he grabbed my sleeve.
"Yeah?" I asked.
He went back to the computer and opened up Microsoft Word, and then began typing out a message.
Hold on, before you go, I did find something out about the deck you're using. The races your units are from multiple clans, as well as their abilities.
I raised an eyebrow and he turned to me. Lucas went back to his computer and typed out another message.
Races are like Cray's version of Nationalities, like Chinese, American, etc. etc.
"Ah," I nodded my head. That makes a lot more sense.
I also found multiple abilities related to specific clans according to the races your units belong to. For example, if your unit is a dragon-type unit, then it will have abilities related to the clans in the Dragon Empire.
"That's interesting," I said.
I know. However, I also found a connection to all of your cards. Most clans are related on some kind of theme, like how the Bermuda Deltas are made up of mermaids, or how the Nova Grapplers are machines. Destiny Guardians are a mix of all of those clans at once, but they also contain a special ability. Around half of your cards are able to 'borrow' the abilities of their comrades, which means they can copy an ability without having to pay that certain abilities' cost.
"Oh man," I said. "That sounds wicked awesome!"
Not only that, he continued, but some of those units can also 'steal' an ability from your opponent's rearguards. It'll be able to copy an ability of your choice while preventing your opponent from activating that ability during your turn.
"Double awesome!" I cried.
Isn't it? However, I still don't get how you have a deck like this. I checked 'Destiny Guardian' up online, but I didn't get any hits. Well, any hits that would give me an answer. Apparently, your deck is something no one has ever seen before.
I looked at my deck. "Whoa, so it's not even out yet?" I grinned as giddiness welled up in me. This is so cool! I could have a never-before-seen deck that isn't out yet sitting in my hand!
Lucas tapped my arm and pointed to the screen. I glanced and noticed that he wrote something else while I was off in LaLa land.
Actually, I'm not sure it's even supposed to exist.
My jaw dropped. "Wait, so it's illegal?!"
He shook his head.
No.
I sighed.
Unless if the person who created this deck was a crazy Vanguard guy who was also a con artist, which would mean you'll be arrested soon.
I tensed and shivered. "Arrested?!"
Joking, Nia.
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Well it was a very mean one."
What I'm trying to say, is that the deck you're using is something unique and mysterious. You got it at that card shop in the mall, but they didn't have another deck like yours when you asked. Correct?
"Got that right," I said. "I thought that they just had it out of stock."
No, but your deck is special that's sure.
I glanced at my deck once again. "Special . . . Would mean mysterious and strange."
The last and final card slipped off my deck and sat next to the other five lined up in a row. I smiled at my brother. "Neat-o bro! You won!"
He scoffed. "Only because of that draw trigger. If it weren't for the plus five-thousand power to my final attack, I would've been in deep trouble."
I cocked my head and smirked. "Is that so? Oh well, it wouldn't look good on your résumé that you're little sister beat you in a Cardfight."
"Yeah," he murmured as he continued gathering his cards.
I eyed him warily. "Spill it. I know that look, and when you've got it, it means something confuses you, and if something confuses you, then it means that it is weird, strange, and completely unexplainable."
"Don't worry," He said. "It's nothing."
I shook my head. "Quit it. If you're using those clichéd lines from those shows and books and whatnot, it means you are definitely hiding something."
Ryo turned to me. "I'm serious! It's only some kind of crazy dream."
I froze and stared at him. It couldn't be possible that . . . Maybe . . . I cautiously asked, "What happened in it?"
He propped his elbow up on the table and laid his head on it. "Well, it was really crazy. I remember waking standing up near the stairs, and then you came down and said we had to go to school."
I held my breath. Exactly what happened in my last dream. "What happens next?" I pressured.
"I asked where I was," he replied. "And then you got all frantic, and you dragged me outside, but I had to go back in the house because I needed my shoes."
I paled even further.
"So next-"
I cut him off because I had a sinking feeling I already knew what happened after that. "-I explained to you that we were in another dimension where the anime came to life, and then we went to school, and after school you tagged along with Emi Sendou and found me finishing a Cardfight with Aichi."
He blinked. "Oh. My. Vanguard. It was real?!" He screeched.
"Shhh!" I looked around at the eyes watching us around the store as if we were aliens. I glanced at them and laughed. "Sorry everyone, I just picked up this really rare card, and my brother believed that it wasn't legit, so, well, you know."
My body language should be so obvious to a five-year-old that I was lying, but I guess these people were all too focused on their card games to notice that huge detail. They just went back to staring at their cards and playing them out.
I glared at Ryo and whisper-screamed, "Are you from the Dark Zone or something?! We don't need anyone else knowing about his!"
"My bad," he apologized. "But are you for real? Did we really meet the characters from Vanguard?" My brother asked giddily. "If so, then this must be a dream come true."
"Definitely a dream, that's for sure," I said.
"But why were we there in the first place?" Ryo asked. "I don't get it, why were a couple of kids like us chosen for this?"
I thought for a moment. "Maybe we're part of this ancient clan that's in charge of protecting the two worlds of Cray and Earth, or something like that."
He shook his head. "Nah, that's too crazy."
I laughed. "And the fact that we met the gang from the anime isn't?"
He shrugged and grinned. "Maybe."
"So," I said. "How did school go?"
"Eh, the usual. Fan girls at the table in lunch, straight A's-"
"I didn't mean that, genius!" I whacked him upside the head and he yelped. "I meant that if you saw Kai and Miwa back in anime world yet."
He rubbed his head and replied, "Yeah, they're in the same class as me and I even struck a conversation with 'em. Alright, I only got to talk to Miwa and Kai just looked out the window."
"Sounds like him," I snickered. "But still, what part of the anime do you think we're at?"
"The first season from what I see," he said. "It can't be the third one because Morikawa and Izaki would be in the same class as me and in the second season . . ."
He didn't say anything.
"What, is there some freaky dude behind me or something?"
My brother sweat dropped and shook his head. "No, I just don't have any differences to compare."
I yawned and stretched my arms out. "We'll find more clues tonight. Let's go home, 'cause I think 21 card fights in a row is good enough for now."
I woke up back in the Vanguard world and rubbed my eyes. I yawned and stretched as I glanced at the clock. Nine forty-five, not a bad time to wake up on my first weekend here in another universe.
I sat up in my bed and yawned once more before getting ready to head out into the world, and by world, I mean Card Capital with my big brother if he wants to. I slipped off my bed and went to my closet to choose which clothes to wear for that day.
Yes, I know, standard issue 101 here people! Since this is a book and not a movie, I have to describe what things look like, otherwise the future parts of the story won't make any sense at all.
So yeah, I went with the first thing that popped into my head; a white tee with purple brushstrokes, ripped distressed jean shorts, a light-wash jean jacket with purple paint splatters on the front and back, and purple deck shoes.
My black hair was in its usual side braid with a purple feather flower tie holding it in place. What? My favorite color is purple, so sue me. I dropped my deck case into my black book bag with magenta flowers all over it and slung it over my shoulder.
I opened the door, closed it behind me as I ran down the steps, and slid into my seat at the table. "So, what's cooking?"
"Standard American," Ryo replied. He took a bite of his toast and said, "Bacon and eggs with bread and butter."
Yum. I went to the kitchen and grabbed my eating utensils before filling my plate up with food. A strip of bacon, a small egg, and a piece of toast.
You need to eat more, sis.
Well, sorry mister! Not all of us have stomachs as huge as a continent!
True, but you're so skinny!
Bro, just keep it down and let me type before I sick Raging Firestorm on you!
But he'll burn down the house!
Then I'll send one of my Pale Moon beasts after you!
Then they'll tear the house down!
Who cares! I'ma writing here! Story in construction! Argos, be a good boy and look after him.
Not him! Anyone but Ar-gah!
After finishing my breakfast and cleaning my plate, I picked up bag. "Hey, bro, are you going to Card Capital today?"
He snickered. "Of course I am!" He picked up his deck and snapped it onto his belt. "Let's see what episode today brings us."
"I don't know what's going on!"
Bam!
I groaned as I lifted my face from the ground. "Ow. How many times am I going to be a cushion for someone?!" I strained my eyes to the side to see who ran into me this time, and lo and behold, it was Aichi.
He blushed and quickly got off me. "Ah! N-Nia, I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were there!"
"It's fine," he offered me his hand and I took it. Aichi tugged on my hand and the momentum got me back on my feet. "Thanks."
Emi came out of the store and frowned. "Aichi, you need to be more careful! You're lucky that this girl isn't hurt!"
I blinked at her and said, "Oh, it's you."
"Huh?" She looked back between my brother and me and realization lit her face. "You're the two from then!"
My brother nodded. "Nice to see you again, Emi."
"That jerk!" The doors slid open to reveal an extremely ticked off Kamui glaring daggers at my brother.
I'll make this one short for the sake of not getting covered with rotten tomatoes by angry fans; Kamui Katsuragi uses the Nova Grapplers, is at the current age of twelve, and is your regular hotheaded guy who is in love with Aichi's little sister, Emi.
There, now all of you experienced people out there won't decide to come to my house and strangle me alive.
Ryo gulped and backed up. "Uh, hi?"
"No one hits on my girl and gets away with it!" He yelled. He pointed at my brother and shouted, "I challenge you to a battle!"
Aichi rubbed the back of his head. "Um, actually Kamui-"
Kamui must have cotton in his ears or something because he completely ignored him. "And then afterwards, I challenge you to a battle for hurting Aichi!" He pointed to me and I looked around.
I blinked and said, "You mean me?"
"You tripped Aichi on purpose back there," he declared. "So I'm going to beat you into a pulp!"
I smiled and said, "You're on, dude."
"Awww, man!" Ryo groaned. "I lost to a middle schooler!"
The boy across the table laughed. "That's because you went against me, the great Kamui!"
"He's the Great One!" A boy said.
Another one said, "GO, yo!"
The first one who spoke is Reiji Uno, one of Kamui's friends and fans. He wears glasses and has his hair in a ponytail. The boy who said, 'yo' is another friend of Kamui, named Eiji Saga. He speaks hip-hop and always speak in initials with a 'yo' at the end of his sentences. Both of them uses-duh-Nova Grapplers like their idol over there, but I've never seen what they're capable of yet in any of the seasons of the Vanguard anime.
"Now," he said. Kamui turned to me with an intense stare and said, "It's your turn to be crushed by the Great Kamui!"
I took my deck out of its case and placed it on the table. "Let's do this, little dude!"
He scowled. "Let's see how you do when I'm through with you! Stand up-"
"-my-," I added.
"Vanguard!" We both yelled.
"I ride Keeper of Keys, Selman!" (Gr. 0: 5000)
"Battleraizer!" (Gr. 0: 5000)
I drew my hand and quickly analyzed them. Two grade threes and three more grade twos. I picked two cards in my hand, slid them to the bottom of my deck, and redrew before shuffling. I placed my deck back onto the table and looked at the cards I drew. I only got a grade one and another grade two . . . Looks like I'll have to make this work.
"I'll go second," Kamui announced.
I didn't see any problem with that. "Alright, I'll stand and draw."
I took the top card of my deck and added it to my hand. That's better. "I ride Celestial Muse, Coria!" (Gr. 1: 7000) I stacked the card on top of Selman and envisioned the battle on Cray.
I slipped my pointer finger under Coria and slid Selman back behind Coria. "Activating Selman's skill! Since he's a forerunner, I'm able to call him to any rearguard circle if I ride a unit of the same clan on top of it. Then, Coria's skill becomes active! By dropping a card from my hand, I check the top five cards of my deck and add a grade one to my hand." I glanced at the cards and slipped one into my hand. I looked back at Kamui and said, "I end my turn."
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 0
Counterblast- 0
Hand- 5
Soul- 0
Drop zone- 0
N – N
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) – Celestial Muse, Coria (Gr. 1: 7000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 0
Counterblast- 0
Hand- 5
Soul- 0
Drop Zone- 0
N –N
N – Battleraizer (Gr. 0: 5000)
N- N
"Then I stand and draw," he stared intently at the card before smirking. "Now you'll see why I like going second. I ride Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout!" (Gr. 1: 7000)
The mechanical droid across the field instantly transformed into-
My Vanguard crinkled her nose and blinked at her opponent's Vanguard. An octopus with shades and a headset with a red bowtie. Coria stared at it in dismay as it continued yelling random phrases as if it was at a football game. Actually, on second thought, it looked like it should be at a football game with the way it's acting. My Vanguard shook her head and raised her lyre. He might look ridiculous, but he might be trouble.
The supposed 'Great One' tapped his hand on the Vanguard circle. "I activate Battleraizer's skill and move him to the rearguard. Then I call Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) and attack with Battleraizer's boost!" (6000+5000=11000 7000)
I looked at my hand. "I won't guard. Damage check," I flipped over the top card of my deck and placed it in the drop zone. (NT-Analyzing Mechta)
"Then, my Vanguard's coming in!" (7000 = 7000)
I removed a card from my hand. "It's guarded with Runecastor!" (Shield: 10000)
"Trigger check," (NT-Hungry Dumpty) Kamui looked at the card and frowned. "No trigger. I end my turn and return Battleraizer to my deck and shuffle it."
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 1
Counterblast- 0
Hand- 4
Soul- 0
Drop zone- 1
N – N
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) – Celestial Muse, Coria (Gr. 1: 7000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 0
Counterblast- 0
Hand- 5
Soul- 0
Drop Zone- 0
N –N
N – Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout (Gr. 1: 7000)
N - Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000)
"Stand and draw," I read the new card in my hand and adjusted my strategy. "I ride Beast Caller, Reyna!" (Gr. 2: 8000)
I blinked back onto the field and felt a rush of andreline course through my veins. I opened my eyes and glanced at my new form. I wore a blue leotard with knee high boots and my silver hair tied in a high ponytail over my head. I eyed the black whip with aquamarine studs sharpened to a lethal point circling around the tail. I smirked at my opponent as he backed off in fear.
"Then, I call Shield Maiden, Lifanna to the left and (Gr. 2: 9000) activate Reyna's skill! I soulcharge one card and counterblast another to superior call a Highbeast or Warbeast to the rearguard." I picked up my deck and leafed through it until I found what I was looking for. "Superior calling Griffon of the Night to the right, (Gr. 2: 8000) and activate Griffon's and my Vanguard's other skill!" "
I mentally smirked once I saw Kamui's surprised face. "What's wrong?" I taunted. "Never seen two abilities activated at once?"
He shook his head and quickly regained his courage again. "Hah! As if something like that will freak the Great Kamui out!"
"That's good, because there's more coming your way!" I declared.
Kamui jerked his head down a few inches and regarded me with a level gaze. His guard is up, meaning that now is the time to strike while he's confused.
I took another card from the top of the deck and slipped it under my Vanguard. "By soulcharging another card, my Vanguard gains plus two-thousand power at all times!
I smirked. "And there's more."
The rest of his confidence drained away. Kamui jerked back and said, "Say wha-?"
"By soulblasting 3 cards from the soul, my Shield Maiden's ability activates and I get to draw a card," I tapped my Shield Maiden sideways. "Now, I attack your Vanguard!" (9000 7000)
"No guard, damage check." (NT-King of Sword)
"And next," I turned Beast Caller, Reyna sideways. "My Vanguard is coming in with Selman's boost and her activated skill!" (8000+5000+2000=15000 7000)
Kamui took a breath and said, "I won't guard that one either."
"Trigger check," I flipped over a card and showed it to Kamui. (NT-Rose of Hope, Liana)
Back on the field, my Vanguard grinned eerily and brought out her whip. She uncurled it as she ran towards Shout, who was running back and forth in a panic. Reyna leapt high into the air and brought her whip crashing down onto the octopus, lashing repeatedly a few more times before jumping back to her allies.
Kamui revealed his damage card to me before putting it into his damage zone.
"And now, Griffon of the Night attacks!" (8000 7000)
Kamui took a card from his hand and placed it in the Guardian circle. "Your attack is cancelled by Eisenkugel!" (Shield: 5000)
My Vanguard watched as Griffon roared and charged towards the octopus. Shout panicked and closed his eyes, only to open them and see that a robot had taken the hit for him. Shout sighed in relief as Eisenkugel disappeared in a shower of dust and Griffon stalked back.
"I end my turn," I declared.
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 1
Counterblast- 1
Hand- 5
Soul- 1
Drop zone- 0
N – Shield Maiden, Lifanna (Gr. 2: 9000)
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) – Beast Caller, Reyna (Gr. 2: 8000)
N – Griffon of the Night (Gr. 2: 8000)
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 2
Counterblast- 0
Hand- 4
Soul- 0
Drop Zone- 1
N – N
N – Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout (Gr. 1: 7000)
N - Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000)
Kamui smirked and yelled, "Alright! Now it's time to show you what I've got! I ride Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000) and slide Queen of Heart back to call Hungry Dumpty!" (Gr. 2: 9000)
I tensed up and sharpened my senses. I knew exactly what Brutal Jack was capable of, and according to Kamui's damage, it can attack up to two times this turn.
He turned Jack sideways. "I pay the cost and release Jack into high gear after your Vanguard!" (11000 10000=2000+8000)
"I guard it with Flying Sorceress, Kalia!" (Shield: 5000)
He smirked and touched the top card of his deck. "Trigger check," (CT-Shining Lady) "Critical trigger is activated!" He yelled. Kamui pointed his cards to Jack and yelled, "All effects to my Vanguard!" (11000+5000=16000 13000=5000+2000+8000)
I gritted my teeth and checked the damage. (NT-Ocean Depth Dragon)(NT-Sanctuary Sphinx) "No triggers there."
The middle school kid moved his last two standing units to the rest position. "Finally, Hungry Dumpty is after your Vanguard with support from Queen of Heart!" (6000+9000=15000 10000=2000+8000)
I slid Griffon onto the Guardian circle with another card from my hand. "Your attempt won't get pass my Griffon of the Night and Prism Knight, Amarite! (Shield: 5000+5000=10000)
"And since the guard was successful," I added. "I get to soulcharge two cards from the top of my deck!"
Kamui smirked and said, "As if that will do you any good! Let's see how you make a cone black to that!"
I stared at him in confusion. "Cone black . . . ?"
Misaki sighed. "He means 'comeback'."
"Oh," I mused. "That makes total sense." I'd forgotten that Kamui would always get phrases mixed up.
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 3
Counterblast- 1
Hand- 3
Soul- 3
Drop zone- 3
N – Shield Maiden, Lifanna (Gr. 2: 9000)
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) – Beast Caller, Reyna (Gr. 2: 8000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 2
Counterblast- 1
Hand- 3
Soul- 1
Drop Zone- 1
N – N
N – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) - Hungry Dumpty (Gr. 2: 9000)
"Stand and draw," I picked up a card and added it to my hand. "I ride Soul Seer!" (Gr. 3: 11000)
My vision wavered a bit to reveal the battle happening on Cray. My Vanguard winked at Brutal jack before disappeared in a flash of light. Her bright silhouette changed its form before showing me the unit I had put into play. The light swirled around Soul Seer before jerking away like they were scared of her, which it should.
Brutal Jack glared at her, and my sight returned to reality. I watched Kamui as he glared at me too, just like Brutal Jack did back in Cray.
I took my mind off my surroundings and glanced at my hand. I took a card out of it and placed it on a rearguard circle. "And I also activate Seer's skill! Since I called her to the Vanguard circle, I'm able to soulcharge up to two cards."
I slipped a couple of cards from my deck and put them into my Vanguard's soul. I picked a card of my hand and placed it on an empty Rearguard circle. "Then I call Rose of Hope, Liana behind Lifanna!"
A glow started to emit behind Lifanna and she turned around to see what unit had been called into battle to support her. She waited impatiently as the light faded away in a shower of rose petals. The petals started swirling around and around the new unit, faster and faster until the petals formed a small tornado. The unit soon decided that now was the time to reveal herself to her comrades and enemies. The petals burst above the field and showered everyone with their beauty as they stared at a very pretty girl in a dress made of rose petals and thin vines.
Rose of Hope, Liana regarded them above her ruby red rose and smiled.
"With her boost, Lifanna's in it to win it!" (6000+9000=15000 11000)
Kamui glanced at his hand, then at me. "No guard."
Liana brushed her red lips against the petals of her rose. She pulled back and winked as she pointed her rose a Lifanna. The angel in front of her glowed as she received her power and attacked Brutal Jack.
Lifanna rose into the air and held up her shield for all to see. It emitted a light, dim and small at first before growing as bright as a new sun. Jack stepped backwards but couldn't dodge the attack. Lifanna's shield shot out a beam of white-hot energy that scorched Brutal Jack and sent him reeling backwards.
"Damage check." Kamui flipped over a card and showed it to me. (NT-Mr. Invincible)
"Thanks to that attack," I said. "I get to activate Liana's skill."
Kamui glared at me as I calmly flipped over a card in my Damage zone and checked the top five cards of my deck. I frowned at my luck. "No grade one or two's to superior call."
I shook my disappointment off and tapped my Vanguard and her support sideways. "Now Seer's after Brutal Jack with Selman's boost!" (5000+11000=16000 11000)
"I won't guard that one either!" My opponent bravely declared.
I glanced at his hand. He's only got three cards left in his hand and a half-full formation. If you include the three cards he'll be receiving next turn - from his draw and twin drive- he should have guarded it. I narrowed my eyes. What are you planning?
"Twin drive check," I took two cards into my hand and turned them over at once. (NT- Flying Sorceress, Kalia)(NT- Ice Shooter) I added the cards to my hand and announced, "I pass the turn over to you."
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 3
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 4
Soul- 5
Drop zone- 3
Rose of Hope, Liana (Gr. 1:6000) – Shield Maiden, Lifanna (Gr. 2: 9000)
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) –Soul Seer (Gr. 3: 11000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 4
Counterblast- 1
Hand- 3
Soul- 1
Drop Zone- 1
N – N
N – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) - Hungry Dumpty (Gr. 2: 9000)
He drew a card and smiled. "Now it's time to crank it up a blotch!"
I stared at him and said, "You mean 'crank it up and notch'."
He froze and gave me a shaky grin. "Uh, yeah! That's what I meant."
Kamui vigorously shook his head and slammed down a card on his Vanguard circle. "I ride Mr. Invincible, (Gr. 3: 10000) and call Brutal Jack to the side!" (Gr. 2: 11000)
I watched across the battlefield as Jack lifted his triangle-shaped head as rings of light emitted from the ground around him.
The Rearguard circle next to him started emitting circles too.
All of a sudden in a flash of light,
Yikes, sis. You need to say something else other than 'flash of light' in your story.
You try writing then, Ryo. 'Cause I can't think of anything else to say.
Of course you can! There's, uh . . . um . . .
See? Told ya!
I should-are you writing everything I say down?!
Let's see, it's in bold lettering, I mentioned your name, so yeah.
Erase it immediately or else I'll read your journal!
Sorry, no can do! ARGO! RYO'S GOT A NEW CHEW TOY FOR YOU!
NIA!
Ruff! Ruff!
As I was writing down before I was rudely interrupted, two new units appeared in a flash of light.
The Vanguard was what looked like a blue superman wannabe,
Dude! That's my Vanguard you're talking about!
. . . You want me to call Nagisa?
NO!
. . . Thought so.
And the second one was yet another Brutal Jack. My Vanguard sighed and stared daggers at Jack, who returned the same gaze with his red LED eyes.
"Now I pay the cost and kick Jack into High gear!" (11000 11000)
I slammed a card down between our fields. "Not gonna happen with Ice Shooter in the way." (Shield: 5000)
He shrugged and said, "Eh, no big feel."
"Deal," I corrected.
"Who cares?!" He shouted. "Mr. Invincible is attacking Lifanna!" (10000 9000)
"No guard," I said. I slid Lifanna off to the edge of the table before hitting the end. I rose my hand and placed her in the drop zone before looking at Kamui for his next move.
Smart, I commented in my head. Taking out Lifanna so he doesn't have to deal with Liana's counterblast. That way, I won't be able to superior call and fill up my formation.
"Trigger check," The orange-wearing kid turned over two cards. (NT- Dancing Wolf)(NT- Asura Kaiser) "Well, you're lucky this time kid."
I glared at him. "Kid?" I dangerously hissed.
He ignored my comment and tapped Dumpty and Queen of Heart to the side. "And now, Hungry Dumpty boosted by my Queen is attacking your Vanguard!" (6000+9000=15000 11000)
"It goes through," I said. My eyes trailed to my Destiny Guardian deck as I moved a card into the damage zone. (CT-Fire Ifirit)
I glared at the card as it shone its shiny gold critical trigger in the top corner. Oh, so you decide to show yourself now. Well, good for you! My sarcastic self thought. "All effects to Soul Seer." I dully said.
"Humph," Kamui puffed up his chest and smirked at me. "Your turn."
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 3
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 3
Soul- 5
Drop zone- 5
Rose of Hope, Liana (Gr. 1:6000) – N
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) –Soul Seer (Gr. 3: 11000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 4
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 4
Soul- 2
Drop Zone- 1
N – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
N – Mr. Invincible (Gr. 3: 10000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) - Hungry Dumpty (Gr. 2: 9000)
Kamui looked back to me with his usual arrogant face, but I got some weird feeling at the back of my head. He was planning on doing something last turn . . . But what?
I took my mind off of my surroundings and glanced at my hand. I took a card out of it and placed it on a rearguard circle. "Callin' Flying Sorceress, Kalia (Gr. 1: 8000) in front of Liana and I'm attacking your Mr. Invincible!" (6000+8000=14000 10000)
Kalia straightened as she felt her comrade's energy course through her. All of a sudden, without any warning at all, Kalia shot off in a streak of red and white towards Mr. Invincible. She swung her staff to the side and chanted a spell, muttering in some language that I bet only Runecastor knew.
The flower that was at the jewel's base bloomed into a dotted red tiger lily along with the jewel. The staff let out a low humming sound like the calm before the storm, then bam! Kalia unleashed a wave of red light that oddly smelled like a burning mixture of salt and vanilla. A weird note, but who's listening? I'm just relaying what was going on the battlefield in my head, so it's not like it's of any use to you guys.
A huge explosion rocked the terrain up and down like a high-powered seesaw, making everyone but Kalia get a free karate-style massage by a black belt who lived in the mountains most of his life. Free things were always the cheapest and worst types of services a person can get.
The dust cloud that shrouded the whole field in obscurity settled down. My Vanguard raised her eyebrow and Liana regarded Mr. Invincible with wide eyes. I could see why, because another unit had idiotically went up in front of him and guarded the attack.
I watched with a very prominent tick mark on my head as Kamui nonchalantly dropped a card into the space behind his deck. "Sorry, but your attack is useless.
I rested two fingers on my Vanguard and turned her horizontally. "Soul Seer is after Brutal Jack!" (5000+11000=16000 10000)
"Guarded with Hungry Dumpty!" (Shield: 5000)
"Drive trigger check," I turned over the top two cards of my deck and revealed them to Kamui. (NT-Ocean Depth Dragon)(NT-Sanctuary Sphinx)
"Tch," I muttered. "I end my turn."
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 3
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 5
Soul- 3
Drop zone- 5
Rose of Hope, Liana (Gr. 1: 6000) – Flying Sorceress, Kalia (Gr. 1: 8000)
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) –Soul Seer (Gr. 3: 11000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 4
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 3
Soul- 2
Drop Zone- 3
N – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
N – Mr. Invincible (Gr. 3: 10000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) - N
"Right," the grade schooler across me drew a card. He glanced at it then back to me, and that irritating sneer of his grew even bigger as anything that's bigger than Texas! Asia maybe? No, that's too big. Maybe Mexico? Yeah, I'll go with that.
Beside the point, this guy was really testing my limits now. I am getting sick and tired of his arrogant act! As soon as the episode where Kamui and Aichi goes to Card Shop Handsome, (which has the strangest name. I thought whoever owned that shop was a narcissist!) I am going to find Nagisa and have her tackle him!
So it was you who told her I was going to be there!
Dude, she was going to find out about your visit anyway. Just look at the anime!
Still! How would you like it if I wrote about that guy you've been swaning over so much?
Swooning, and I don't like-
Who are you talking about now?
Eek! Delete, delete, delete!
Kamui spun the card between his fingers.
I just stared at him impatiently, thinking, Baka, always the dummies that show off.
FYI (For Your Info)'baka' means 'idiot' in Japanese, and that's your daily dose of the Japanese dictionary here, people! Thanks for coming!
Oi, I need to stop switching between writing about the battles and thoughts, and real-life conversations! Back to the fight!
Then he slammed his card down on an empty Rearguard circle. "I play King of Sword (Gr. 2: 10000) followed up with Dancing Wolf for my Vanguard's support!"
He tapped Brutal Jack sideways and I had my hand ready on a card. "Jack is attacking Kalia!" (11000 8000)
My face must have contorted up all weird like because my brother was spilling his guts out laughing. "Gee, thanks for the support." I rolled my eyes over for extra effect on the sarcasm.
"Ahem," I looked back to my opponent and saw him impatiently tapping Mr. Invincible. "So, hey, are you guarding or what?"
My eyes snapped open as my mind focused back to the battle again. "Nope, no guard." I took Kalia before placing her into the drop zone.
"Alright," Kamui announced. "I'm adding Dancing Wolf's power to my Vanguard as he comes in for the kill!" He tapped Mr. Invincible and Wolf. (7000+10000=17000 11000)
I'm not letting this one get through! "Guarded with Fire Ifirit (Shield: 10000) and Sanctuary Sphinx!" (Shield: 5000)
"No pass," I declared. Unless if he's lucky enough to get a double trigger.
"Trigger check." (NT-Twin Blader)(ST-Lucky Girl)
"Well, how for tuna mate of me!" He said.
I shook my head and corrected him. "It's fortunate, not for tuna mate. Unless if you're talking about fish."
Kamui turned red as Reiji and Eiji tried to hide their snickers.
"It seems that we need to get you a dictionary, oh Great One!" Reiji commented.
Eiji flashed a peace sign and followed up with a, "NAD, yo!"
Ryo scratched his head. "NAD? Oh, you mean 'Need A Dictionary'."
Kamui glared at the three-who bluntly ignored him- and tapped Jack to the side. "Jack stands back up again and gains the extra power! Then, the King and Queen come in after Soul Seer!
"And that's not all," he continued. "Because of Queen of Heart's skill, the King is coming at you with an extra four-thousand power!" (6000+10000+4000=20000)
"I'll let that one through," I said.
Soul Seer watched as the King of Sword charged at her full of hatred as he swung his sword. She calmly glanced left and right before realizing that her comrades weren't going to help her this time. Soul closed her eyes and grunted her she felt the sword ripple through her body. The slice left no visible wounds, but she felt some her strength leave as pain clenched her stomach where the sword had hit.
"Damage," I slid a card into the damage zone and quickly gazed at it. (NT-Beast Caller, Reyna)
"And finally," Kamui commanded. "Brutal Jack is being sent to attack your Vanguard!" (16000 11000)
"I'll be guarding that attempt with Healing Touch, Lavira (Shield: 10000) thank you very much."
"Then I end my turn." Kamui bluntly said.
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 4
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 2
Soul- 3
Drop zone- 9
Rose of Hope, Liana (Gr. 1: 6000) – N
Keeper of Keys, Selman (Gr. 0: 5000) –Soul Seer (Gr. 3: 11000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 4
Counterblast- 3
Hand- 4
Soul- 2
Drop Zone- 3
N – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
Dancing Wolf (Gr. 1: 7000) – Mr. Invincible (Gr. 3: 10000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) – King of Sword (Gr. 2: 10000)
I drew a card and took a deep breath. I've only go tone chance and I need to make it count. I glanced at my hand. I have to do this. "Final Turn!"
Everyone that was watching our fight gasped as I started filling in the empty rearguards. "I call Ocean Depth Dragon (Gr. 3: 11000) and Pyro Knight (Gr. 1: 7000) and Prism Knight, Amarite (Gr. 2: 9000) to the left, right, and behind my Vanguard! And then I activate Selman's skill! By putting him into the soul, I can give Ocean Depth an extra three-thousand power!"
I tapped my dragon sideways along with Liana. "And now I attack King of Sword!" (6000+11000=17000 10000)
"Nuh-uh!" Kamui countered. "Not with Lucky Girl in the way." (Shield: 10000)
I smirked inwardly. "Bad move, you should have let that one through."
Kamui glared at me. "And why should I?"
"Because of my Dragon's skill!" I shouted. "Since I have four rearguards in play and you have three cards left in your hand, I can add two-thousand power to Pyro Knight and Amarite!"
"So?" he cockily retorted. "That won't help you."
I tapped Soul Seer and the dragon man behind her and gazed heatedly at Kamui. "Attacking your Vanguard with some help and a boost from Pyro Knight!" (7000+11000+2000=19000 10000)
I stared at Kamui and waited for him to guard or not. "Nice try, but Lucky Girl (Shield: 10000) along with Ring Girl, Clara will protect me," (Shield: 10000) He folded his arms and gave me a smug smile. "You're going to need two triggers to get through this one."
I bit my lip. "Drive check." (NT- Shield Maiden, Lifanna) (DT- Runecastor)
The second card gleamed with a red light and I smiled. "Draw trigger activated. That's five-thousand power to Amarite and an extra card for me, and I'll activate her skill! Since I have four rearguards, she'll get another two-thousand at all times!" (9000+5000+2000+2000=18000 10000)
"I'll let that one through."
Amarite raised her sword and screamed a battle cry as she charged to Mr. Invincible. He flinched as the knight brought her sword swinging down and leaving pain running around his system. Amarite returned to her spot beside her Vanguard with her weapon resting by her side.
"Damage check," Kamui revealed the top card and placed it along with the other damage cards. (NT- Stern Blaukluger)
I looked at my hand. This is bad, really bad. I've got a grade zero, two, and three, giving me a total of fifteen-thousand shield points. twenty if you include Amarite, my intercept. I analyzed Kamui's field. I can guard Brutal Jack's attack, but I need to use my whole entire hand to defend against his second or third attack. I'll be able to make it just so long as he doesn't pull a trigger!
"I end my turn."
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 4
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 3
Soul- 4
Drop zone- 3
Rose of Hope, Liana (Gr. 1: 6000) – Ocean Depth Dragon (Gr. 3: 11000)
Pyro Knight (Gr. 1: 7000) –Soul Seer (Gr. 3: 11000)
N – Prism Knight, Amarite (Gr. 2: 9000)
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 5
Counterblast- 3
Hand- 1
Soul- 2
Drop Zone- 6
N – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
Dancing Wolf (Gr. 1: 7000) – Mr. Invincible (Gr. 3: 10000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) – King of Sword (Gr. 2: 10000)
Kamui added a card to his hand and gave me that cocky smile of his.
"You know," he began. "You're a really good opponent to push me this far, but I have to say that this is the final turn!"
I cringed as everyone around us watched our battle even more raptly than before.
"I call Clay-doll Mechanic to behind Brutal Jack and activate both of their skills. I get to unflip a card from the damage zone, but since I'm attacking with Brutal Jack, I don't get to waste any cards that are unflipped. I attack your Prism Knight, Amarite!" (7000+11000=18000 11000=2000+9000)
Wait, why does Amarite have eleven-thousand power instead of the usual nine-thousand?
That's because I had four rearguard units and the ability is continuous, so she has eleven-thousand power at all times, MeiMei.
Oh, no wonder!
"No guard." I slid Amarite into drop zone. At least that wasn't a damage trigger. But that was my intercept . . . !
"Now I'm attacking your Vanguard with mine!" (7000+10000=17000 11000)
I placed a card into the Guardian Circle. "I'll guard that with Runecastor (Shield:10000) and Beast Tamer, Reyna." (Shield: 5000)
I clenched my teeth and gazed at Kamui's deck. Just two triggers. That's all he needs in order for this attack to get through.
"Trigger check." (ST- Tough Boy)(CT- Shining Lady)
My breathing hitched and I paled. "Critical . . ." I whispered.
Kamui pumped his fist into the air and yelled, "Yeah, daddy!-"
"Baby," I automatically corrected.
He ignored me and continued with his cheering. "A critical and a stand trigger! The stand and power goes to Clay-doll Mechanic, while the critical will be going to King of Sword, and he attacks with the Queen's support and skill!"
"D-damage check," I forced my shaking hand to reveal the top card of my deck. It's over. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore so I just squeezed my eyes closed and flipped over the card. I heard everyone gasp, and I hesitantly pried one of my eyes. The image came out a little blurry at first, but my vision cleared and I looked at what fate had in store for me. My jaw dropped and I couldn't believe my luck.
(HT- Healing Touch, Lavira)
"A-a heal trigger!" I stammered. "That's five-thousand power to my Vanguard and I get to heal a point of damage."
I sighed in relief. That was too close.
"I stand and-"
"Nuh-uh!" Kamui said. He waved a finger in front of my face. "It's not over yet. Or have you forgotten Brutal Jack's counterblast?"
I mentally berated myself in my head. I totally forgot! Then that means-
"Now with a boost from Clay-doll, I pay the cost and release Jack after Soul Seer!" (7000+5000+5000+11000=28000 11000)
I hesitated. I don't have anything to guard with, and I don't think I'm lucky enough to get another heal.
Finally I sighed and flipped over the card. "Damage . . ."
I faintly heard the sound of my Vanguard screaming in pain as I gazed at the card. (CT- Fire Ifirit) I smiled and said. "You win, oh Great One." I joked.
Nia Kinaki:
Damage- 6
Counterblast- 2
Hand- 1
Soul- 4
Drop zone- 6
Rose of Hope, Liana (Gr. 1: 6000) – Ocean Depth Dragon (Gr. 3: 11000)
Pyro Knight (Gr. 1: 7000) –Soul Seer (Gr. 3: 11000)
N – N
Kamui Katsuragi:
Damage- 5
Counterblast- 5
Hand- 1
Soul- 2
Drop Zone- 6
Clay-doll Mechanic (Gr. 1: 7000) – Brutal Jack (Gr. 2: 11000)
Dancing Wolf (Gr. 1: 7000) – Mr. Invincible (Gr. 3: 10000)
Queen of Heart (Gr. 1: 6000) – King of Sword (Gr. 2: 10000)
I heard applause broke out all around us. I looked to the left and right and saw that everyone in the store had gathered around us to watch our fight. Everyone was cheering and shouting things like,
"Awesome match!"
"Who's the girl? I want to challenge her sometime!"
"That was so cool! Can you teach me how to play Vanguard?"
Random people kept asking me and praising me about the match. I blushed and bowed my head as I picked up my cards. I looked up, my face still red. "Um, thank you?"
I know, even though I've participated in tons of plays in front of a huge audience without flinching, I blush and get nervous in front of a group of fifteen people after a Cardfight. Oh, the irony.
"So," I looked at Kamui and he gazed back at me with dead serious eyes. "I've got to hand it to ya, but you're good," he smirked. "But not good as I am! All hail the Great One!"
"Who should be in diapers!"
I coughed and tried to hide my laughter as Kamui angrily looked around. "Who said that?! I'm twelve years old for your info mansion!"
"You mean information?" I asked.
He faced me and yelled, "That's what I just said!"
I chuckled and rolled my eyes.
Even though me and my brother are stranded in a crazy dimension until nightfall, (or is it morning?) at least we have some friends to keep us company.
Sorry that I couldn't upload this sooner, but I had gotten grounded by my mother while typing this chapter, because I had music blasting in my ears while she was hollering out that it was lunch. He, he, he!
