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

Normal POV

A few weeks later, Aichi was now studying in Miyaji High. However, he had to promise Kai that he could fetch him from school everyday whenever he was free because he was still upset at the fact that he couldn't be in the same school as Aichi. Today was no different.

" Kai-kun!"

Aichi ran towards Kai at the entrance as Kai stood up from the wall he was leaning on. They started walking once Aichi was by Kai's side.

" Hey. How was school today?"

" A little embarrassing..."

" Why so?"

" The Sensei asked about how I would survive in a globalised age... I talked about Vanguard instead..."

" There's no problem with that. What's wrong with playing Vanguard?"

" He said it wasn't appropriate... I heard my classmates mumbling about me too... It was embarrassing..."

" Well, you did transfer back to a school full of study idiots."

" It's not idiotic! But it's true that they never have activities like a Vanguard club in there..."

" I see. And? How are you holding up physically? You're still borrowing Mukuro's illusions?"

" I'm still trying not to... But ever since we made it back to Earth, I haven't been able to light up my ring like before... And Mukuro-san said that lighting up flames would be impossible for now..."

" Is the medicine that Takuto provided you any help?"

" Just a little. I still cough out a little bit of blood once in awhile, especially during physical education. I had to keep hiding it."

" The Tatsunagi Corporation's doctor told me before about your condition. You lost a lung and that is serious. It's no wonder you're still coughing out blood. If there's a donor for it, then there wouldn't be any problem. I should get tested."

" No! I-I won't let you do that! B-Besides, my blood type is a rare one, so there's no way you can just do that!"

" I'll find a way to restore your body back to normal, one way or another. I'm not going to let you die on me again."

" I won't, I promise. I just need to make sure the illusions don't disappear."

" Then don't reject it yet. When we find a way, you can let go of those illusions. But if that's the only thing supporting your life, then don't reject it."

" Alright. I can only hope Chrome-san will be alright too..."

" She lost lesser organs than you and she's strong enough for a girl. You should be worried about yourself. You lost those organs because you went to protect her."

" I know..."

Kai then noticed Aichi turning upset as he patted his head. Aichi turned to him while blushing a little.

" Let's stop talking about that and go back to the topic about your school."

" Yeah!"

Suddenly, both turned behind as they blinked.

" I thought I saw someone behind us."

" Yeah, me too... I guess it's just our imagination."

" I hope so."

They continued their walk to Card Capital as they entered the shop.

" Hello!"

" Welcome! You have guests!"

" Guests?"

" Hey, Aichi and Kai."

They turned their heads to see Chris and the others as Aichi smiled.

" Chris-kun! Lee-kun and Ali-kun too!"

" Long time no see!"

Aichi went over to them while Kai petted Sub-Manager's head before following after Aichi. Awhile later, Aichi's classmate, Naoki Ishida, came up to them as they explained about Cardfight to him. After that, he challenged Aichi to a fight after Ali's remark. Aichi won the game and Naoki ran out of the shop after buying the deck.

" Ishida-kun..."

" Don't worry about him, Aichi. Let's have a fight of our own."

" Yeah..."

Once the others had arrived to fight with them as well, they left the shop in the evening.

" Are you still thinking about your classmate?"

" Yes..."

" He bought a deck, didn't he? That means he's interested. If he is, then you should encourage him."

" ... You're right."

" Be more confident and think more."

" Then, I should go to school tomorrow and ask him one more time."

" That's the Aichi I know."

" Thank you, Kai-kun!"

Kai smiled a little after seeing Aichi happy again as they waved each other off after Kai escorted Aichi back to his house. The next few days were hectic for Aichi after trying to form a Cardfight Club. Once they did, it was now the preparation for the school festival.

" He's telling us to put on a play?!"

" Yeah, since the stage in the gym is the only place we can use..."

" He knows how ridiculous that is."

" I say we do it! Right, Aichi? Let's show 'em the strong will of the Cardfight Club!"

" I hate to say this when you're so fired up, but preparing a play is no simple thing."

" Kourin-san..."

" First, we'd need a script and staging, then we'd have to prepare costumes and a set. How do we do that with just five people?"

" Five people... Come to think of it, where's Shingo-kun?"

Shingo suddenly came in with a box of scripts as one was finally picked out from the various scripts and they started their practice. However, with her idol activities, Kourin couldn't make it to many practices. It was now two days before the festival and one day before the full rehearsal. It was night as Aichi was now asleep.

~ Aichi's dream start~

He was in the tranquil forest as he saw Mukuro sitting at a table while watching the scenery.

" Mukuro-san? It's rare for you to contact me like this."

" Kufufufu. It's once in awhile. Sit down."

Aichi did as told as he watched the scenery as well.

" So why are you contacting me?"

" Nothing much. But you know what your play means, right?"

" You mean the play being arranged at the last minute? Yeah, I know. We're being set up again."

" You're already lucky to have people helping you but that idol... She's the major turning point to your play. If she's been set up, what do you think will happen?"

" I know. But I believe in her... She'll come tomorrow."

" If she's not set up... You know very well how cunning your Student Council members are."

" I'll make sure to contact her tomorrow."

" I would use your powers if I were you. You never know what will happen."

" ... I won't use it unless necessary. I believe in Kourin-san."

" Do whatever you want. Don't say I didn't warn you."

" I know."

Aichi closed his eyes as the scenery slowly disappeared.

~ Aichi's dream end~

It was now morning as Aichi opened his eyes. He got ready for school and left Kourin a message about their full rehearsal before leaving for school.

" I hope I managed to contact her in time..." Aichi thought

There was a sudden tap on his shoulder as he turned to see Kai.

" Kai-kun! Good morning!"

" Something bothering you?"

" N-No!"

" Really? If there isn't, then you would've been waiting outside your house for me."

" Oh yeah... I-I'm sorry!"

" It's fine. So, tell me what's wrong."

" Actually..."

He told Kai about his dream and about the play as Kai listened while they walked to Miyaji.

" I see. Those Student Council really loves to set you guys up. But you should keep believing in her until the end."

" I will. I'm just worried."

" And... I don't want you to use your powers. I'll just as worried if you do."

" I won't... Unless I need to."

Kai frowned a little at the last sentence as they arrived at Miyaji High. Kai waved Aichi off before going to Hitsue High. Once it was 4pm, Kai had waited outside the school as he saw Aichi and the others coming out with a dejected look.

" Aichi."

" Kai-kun..."

" Come with me."

" Y-Yeah... Sorry, everyone. I have to go."

" Take care, Aichi."

" Yeah."

Aichi went over to Kai as they walked together while staying silent.

" So..."

" I didn't contact her in time... She didn't see my message at all..."

" There's still tomorrow. Don't worry."

" But it's the festival already..."

" I told you, didn't I? Believe in her until the end."

" Yeah, I will."

Aichi coughed a little as he took out his handkerchief and coughed into it. Kai looked on in worry as Aichi removed the handkerchief to reveal a splotch of blood.

" You're not feeling any better at all, are you?"

" No, I'm fine... Don't worry about me..."

" I'm going to find a way to save you, Aichi. One way or another."

" Thank you, Kai-kun..."

Aichi kept the handkerchief as Kai interlocked their hands. Once they arrived at Aichi's house, they waved each other off again before Kai headed back to his apartment. It was the next morning as the festival began. While waiting for Kourin to arrive, Suwabe suddenly came to the clubroom and told them that their timing was changed to 1pm.

" No way..."

Aichi messaged Kai about the time change as they quickly went to get ready for the play. Aichi finished changing as he touched the right side of his vest.

" I really don't want to do this but..." Aichi thought as he felt his retracted spear in it

He felt his phone vibrating as he checked his message.

' Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be alright. I'll be watching from the audience. -Kai'

Aichi smiled a little at the message as the play began. It was smooth sailing at first but when Kourin's part was about to come out, it took awhile before Naoki decided something.

" Suck it up, Aichi. Come on, put this on and fight me!"

" But..."

" The story can't finish 'til Alfred appears and beat me! Come on, it doesn't looks like Kourin's gonna be here, so forget about her!"

" You're right. We have to handle this somehow... It's for Kourin-san's sake, too."

" There ya go! That's the Aichi I know! Okay, I'll be waitin' for you on stage!"

Suddenly, Naoki's costume hit the background prop by accident as the background started to collapse.

" That's not part of the show, right?!"

" Aichi...!"

" At this rate..."

Aichi quickly took out his spear while nobody was looking as he tapped it on the ground. The prop stopped collapsing as mist covered the stage. The mist soon started to spread around the gym.

" What's going on?!"

" That idiot!"

Kai ran towards the back as he saw the Student Council and approached them.

" Where's the door to the backstage?!"

" Huh?! Who are you?!"

" Where is it?!"

" T-That door over there!"

Kai ran to the door as he entered the backstage and managed to find Aichi through the mist.

" Aichi!"

" Kai-kun..."

" Are you an idiot?! I told you not to!"

" I'm sorry... But I couldn't just let it happen..."

" Ciaossu!"

They turned their heads to see Reborn.

" You're..."

" Tsuna and the others came to support you after they heard about the play."

" How did you know about this...?"

" I told you, didn't I? I have my own ways. I just changed the script a little secretly through the mist. Read it well and release the mist."

Aichi took the script as he read through it.

" But..."

" You're the Guardian of the Mist like Chrome. This is just a simple feat for you."

" I got it... I'll try... But my opponent..."

" I have that all settled."

Reborn went off as Kai looked at the script.

" It's as if he predicted this would happen."

" Yeah..."

Suddenly, a familiar voice was heard.

" Are you okay, Amaterasu?"

Aichi smiled as he looked over to Kai and they nodded. Aichi released the mist as he used his illusions to make the stage look normal again. As they'd thought, Kourin was there in her Alfred costume.

" Kourin-san!"

" Aichi! I was looking for you! What's with that mist anyway? I saw the stage collapsing then it suddenly turned back to normal..."

" W-Well..."

" And what's with that spear?"

" There's been a change of script. Look."

Naoki took the script as he looked confused while Kai helped Aichi up.

" Thank you for your patience! The hero, King of Knights, Alfred is here!"

" I had faith you would come!"

" We've finally reached the climax! Alfred's battle is going to begin!"

" Not so fast."

They looked around for the voice as Mammon came flying down.

" If you want to battle your true enemy, then you'll have to go through me, his magician, Mammon!"

" Isn't that..."

" ... Varia's Mammon-san?!" Aichi exclaimed

Tsuna and the others were watching at the side of the stage as Tsuna turned to Reborn.

" Hey, Reborn! You did this on purpose, didn't you?!"

" If he wants to save his play, he'll have to do it."

At the backstage, Kai was holding Aichi back.

" No! It's too dangerous!"

" I'll be fine. Once Shingo-kun finishes his lines, I'll go up."

" But..."

" Please, Kai-kun."

Shingo read his script over again as he saw the new lines.

" Oh no! Appearing before us is the chosen and formidable magician of Alfred's true enemy, Mammon! Will Alfred be able to win over his illusions?!"

" A new script?" Kourin whispered

" I don't know either." Misaki whispered

" King Alfred!"

They turned their heads to see Aichi in his Marron outfit.

" Leave it to me! I, Marron, can go up against him! It takes a magician to beat a magician! After I defeat him, you can go ahead and defeat the true enemy who'd ordered the dragon to capture Amaterasu!"

" T-Then I'll leave it to you, Marron!"

" Please stand back then! This'll be dangerous!"

Misaki and Kourin went to stand by the side as Aichi stepped in front of Mammon.

" Marron, huh... You were useless in protecting Amaterasu, why do you stand before me?"

" It's true that I couldn't beat the dragon but I've been training before now. I won't let you stand in the King's way! I'm going to beat you!"

" Interesting. Then try me."

Aichi took out his spear as Mammon summoned many of himself around him.

" Now then... Which is the real me?"

" W-What?!"

" Special effects?!"

" Cool!"

" It doesn't matter which is real, they're all going down!"

Aichi tapped his spear as the fire pillars hit the Mammon around him while the real one escaped from the flames. Aichi immediately spotted him as he went on combat and started attacking.

" Even if you have a weapon, it's not going to change anything. You won't be able to protect anything!"

" This is a test. I know that. It's a test to see if I was even worthy to call myself a Guardian... But everyone have been supporting me and cheered me on... They were always there to save me. Especially you, Kai-kun. Thank you, Kai-kun, everyone. So this time, I'll be the one to protect everyone!" Aichi thought

His flames shone again as his spear became engulfed in it. He tapped it again as fire pillars came out from all directions this time.

" What?! His illusions have been enhanced?!"

Mammon was hit as the battle ended.

" What was that flame just now?" Tsuna muttered

The flames disappeared as Aichi stood up after that.

" I did it..."

" You really are interesting boy..."

Mammon floated up again.

" Well, since you've defeated me, you can now battle my leader. We will meet again, Marron."

" Yeah. I look forward to a friendly battle next time."

" Yeah."

Mammon disappeared as Aichi went to the backstage after letting Kourin take over. He heard a commotion about Daigo and Kourin fighting as he smiled.

" Thank you, Daigo-san..." Aichi thought

He went past Emi and the others secretly as he used his spear for support.

" Aichi!"

Kai ran towards him as Aichi finally collapsed. Blue tentacles caught his fall and placed him down on the floor. Kai went to pick him up after that as he looked up to see Mammon.

" You're Varia's Mammon, right? Why are you here?"

" Reborn asked me to with a hefty sum. But I wanted to come for the boy too. Reborn included fighting so it was worth it."

" You could've hurt the audience and our friends!"

" I lowered my illusions to prevent illusionary poisoning. Luckily, the fight didn't last for long. But, at that last minute, those flames he summoned weren't illusions. It's another power he summoned with his willpower."

" Don't you know what it is?"

" You should've seen it once. With our final battle at Nami Middle, those rings lit up. One of the flames represented the Mist flames. The Indigo Flames of the Mist."

" In that split second?"

" Yeah. Well, you should be able to find out more sooner or later. I'll be leaving now since my job is done."

Mammon disappeared as Aichi opened his eyes soon after.

" Kai-kun?"

" You look tired, are you feeling alright?"

" Yeah... Seems like the play went well in the end..."

" It's thanks to your illusions."

" It's all thanks to Reborn-san and Mammon-san... If they weren't there to help, I think the play would've been disastrous..."

" I can agree a little on that."

The fight was over with Daigo's win as Aichi quickly went up as well. Kai watched from the backstage as the play ended with a happy ending with Aichi and the others winning together. After the play, it was time for them to clean up as Aichi released the illusion once the curtains were drawn, leaving a run down and broken background prop.

" Ah! It was fine just a moment ago!" Naoki exclaimed

" Don't worry about it. Our play is already over. We shouldn't make it too loud either. Let's hurry and clean it up."

" Yes..."

" Oh, but... When did I change the script? I don't remember a magician battle happening in the script..."

Aichi flinched as he tried to smile his way through.

" Is that so? I saw my own script and saw the lines in there. Maybe you just missed it out..."

" Yeah, Bowl-cut. I went to check my own script just now and I saw it too."

" Stop calling me that! But it's still weird... I never called that Mammon person to help us either and those special effects look too real, right, Sendou-kun?"

" Y-Yeah... At least it was well done to fool the audience..."

" Oh well... Let's put all these thoughts aside for now! The VF High School Championship is coming up too! Let's do this!"

" Yeah!"

And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!