Ride 7: One's Best Fight
It didn't take much longer for the first round to wrap up, and soon Julian stood at the front of the room with the hat full of names.
"Eight people have been eliminated, and eight are still in," he declared. "Myself. Kelsey. Oliver. Tahir. Sophia. Seth. Elspeth. Alex. At the end of this round, four of us will be gone, and we'll have the team. But we'll keep going after that, of course. Got to know who's the best." He laughed and several others laughed with him. He was still carefree, Seth noted. He hadn't seen Julian's game last round at all, it had ended too quickly for him to even see what Julian was using.
Sophia and Tahir sat with him. Sophia had found some plastic cups somewhere and offered the room drinks, an offer no one had refused. Every now and then someone would come over and help themselves to more lemonade and sweets, always with a smile from Sophia.
She really was the kindest person he knew.
"Thank you for the drinks and snacks, Sophia," Julian called.
"No problem, I thought people might get hungry and thirsty," she replied with a smile. Julian returned it and then started rummaging around in the hat.
"Let's see who's against who," he continued, plucking two names from the hat. "Me against Elspeth." He smiled at the blonde-haired girl across the room, then set the papers down and rummaged around for two more.
"Tahir against Oliver!"
"Well, looks like it's a rematch," Oliver chuckled from where he stood behind Tahir. "Ready for this?"
"Of course," Tahir smiled. "Let's see if it goes the same as last time."
"Last time?" Seth asked, but he was interrupted by Julian.
"Sophia against Alex!"
"We had a practice fight a while ago," Tahir explained as Sophia glanced around and found her opponent, a brown-haired boy in a white jacket. "I won, but we'll see how it turns out today."
Seth nodded, but a realisation suddenly hit him. "Wait… Julian versus Elspeth, you against Oliver, Sophia against Alex… that means…"
"And Seth versus Kelsey!"
"Again?" Seth murmured.
"Yup." Kelsey stood on the other side of the table and smiled. "Looks like we get a rematch. Are you ready?"
He nodded after a moment.
"Hey, remember, it's all for fun," she smiled. "It doesn't matter which of us wins. It'll be sad having to disappoint Liam, but I'm sure he can put on his magic routine for you just as well."
"Liam? Is he your brother?"
She chuckled and nodded. "Yeah. He goes to the other uni, and he loves to put on a show." She laughed and rested a hand on the table. "He's just so… dramatic. He loves to make it entertaining when he fights. It used to annoy me, a bit, but now I smile like everyone else and he loves it."
"He sounds kind of like Sophia," Seth mused.
Kelsey thought for a moment. "Yeah. You could say that." She held up her deck. "Anyway, we should probably stop thinking about the future and see who's actually going to be fighting there, right?"
He nodded and she sat down opposite him.
"Good luck," Oliver said, patting Seth on the shoulder. "I'm sure you're going to do great."
"You've won against Kelsey before," Tahir added. "But as she said. It's all for fun. If you lose, it's not a big deal."
He nodded, and on the inside, he was a little confident. He had beaten her before. It had been down to luck, perhaps, but he had done it. Surely he could do it again. And he'd won against Zoe.
"You're going to be great," Sophia smiled, hugging him. He relaxed a little in her arms, returning the hug as best he could while sitting down. "See you next round?"
"Let's-" he began, before stopping himself. He had been about to say 'let's make it a date', like they were still together and he could still say cheesy things like that because people said it in the movies and that was just what couples did.
If Sophia realised he had meant to continue, she didn't show it. "Let's." And with that and a smile, she walked off for her match with Alex.
Kelsey was looking at him as he laid out his deck and starter Vanguard. "Julian told me that you two used to date."
Seth nodded as he drew his opening hand. All Triggers. He immediately shuffled it back in.
"You're still so close," Kelsey continued as she returned two cards from her own hand. "I've known couples who broke up and never spoke to one another afterwards. But you and Sophia… it's almost like you were just friends forever, and nothing happened between you."
"Sophia's always smiling," Seth replied. He didn't have any of his dragons in his new hand, and he frowned a little. "That's who she is."
"Always helpful, always smiling," Kelsey nodded. "Yeah. I haven't known Sophia long, but that sounds like her. She's lovely."
Unsure of where Kelsey was going, Seth sighed. "Yes. She is."
"You always seem so quiet," she said. "You're always in a corner and she's always trying to get you to come out. I thought maybe you were just shy, but you still act like that, even now."
"I just… struggle," he murmured. His stomach twisted into knots. "Being around people. I want to be here, but when I'm actually around lots of people, it's like I want to run away and hide."
Kelsey nodded sympathetically. "I understand. You know if you ever need a moment, all you need to do is say something, right?"
He nodded, but she didn't get it. He didn't want to bother anyone. Especially not when they were having fun and he was just sat in the corner in a grey haze and wanting to run. It wasn't right for him to disturb them, right? Not for something unimportant like that.
Kelsey held out a coin. "I remembered. Heads or tails?"
"Heads," Seth replied. She flipped it and it came up heads. "I'll go first, then."
"Well, let's go," Julian called above the din. "Stand up! Vanguard!"
"Stand up, Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon!" Kelsey declared.
"Arboros Dragon, Ratoon."
The great library formed in their minds as it had before, Cinnamon appearing on Kelsey's field [Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon – 5000 Power], Ratoon on Seth's [Arboros Dragon, Ratoon – 4000 Power].
"Draw," Seth said. It was an Arboros Dragon, but not the one he needed. "I Ride Maiden of Cherry Stone."
Ratoon reformed in a flash of green, becoming the cherry maiden [Maiden of Cherry Bloom – 7000 Power].
"Since I Rode a unit that isn't Branch, Ratoon moves." He slid the young dragon's card back.
"No Branch, huh. I'm sorry," she said, smiling sympathetically.
"It's okay. I end my turn.
Seth
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Maiden of Cherry Stone/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Empty
Damage: None
Kelsey
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
Kelsey drew, then played a card. "I ride Witch of Cats, Cumin!"
Light engulfed Cinnamon, forming an orange-haired witch in white, holding a cute little kitten [Witch of Cats, Cumin – 7000 Power].
"Cinnamon moves, and I Soul Charge with Cumin's skill."
[Soul Charge – Witch of Strawberries, Framboise – No Trigger]
"She's already lost a Perfect Guard. That's good."
"I call Witch's Familiar, Shiroma," Kelsey continued.
A snowy white ferret wearing a comically large hat appeared at Cumin's side [Witch's Familiar, Shiroma – 4000 Power].
"Shiroma's skill. I shuffle him into my deck and draw a card." She did so. "Then, I look at the top three cards of my deck, put one into my Soul, and the rest go to the drop zone." She slipped a Cardamom into the Soul, discarding Cyber Tiger and Witch of Melons, Thyme.
"She's already got one Cardamom in her Soul. If she builds up two Cardamom and two Oneon, she can do that move again with Mint."
Kelsey paused. "Playing it safe, huh? That's smart, but it won't stop me from ending the fight here. Mint and Chicory, Legion attack! And now, Mint's Legion skill! I Soul Blast six to give Mint 10000 Power and a skill which gives my Witch rear-guards in the front row 5000 Power each!" She discarded two Cardamom, two Oneon, Shiroma and Cyber Tiger from her Soul.
"But that… that doesn't give her more attackers and it makes even less sense with that skill to attack with rear-guards first-" His gaze fell on the drop zone, and on the two pairs of units she had discarded. "Unless…"
"You noticed?" Kelsey asked. "Cardamom and Oneon have the same skill. When they're Soul Blasted, I can Counterblast to Superior Call them and give them 2000 Power this turn." She turned over all four of her face-up Damage cards, calling the four into her rear-guard lanes.
Two white clad rabbit witches and two quill pen holding witches took shape [Witch of White Rabbits, Cardamom – 9000 Power + 2000 Power + 5000 Power = 16000 Powerx2] [Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon – 7000 Power + 2000 Power = 9000 Powerx2].
"With a boost from Cinnamon, Cumin attacks!" Kelsey's words snapped him from the memory.
"No guard," he replied.
Cumin raised her free hand, sending a cat-shaped blast of white energy at Maiden of Cherry Stone [7000 Power + 5000 Power = 12000 Power].
"Drive Check, Critical Trigger!" Kelsey declared. "I give the effects to Cumin!"
[Drive Check – Lemon Witch, Limonccino – Critical Trigger]
The blast landed and smashed Maiden of Cherry Stone against a bookcase.
"Check, no Trigger. Second, Stand Trigger," Seth murmured.
[Damage Check – Corolla Dragon – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Watering Elf – Stand Trigger]
"I end my turn," Kelsey finished with a smile.
Kelsey
Hand: 6
Front Row: Empty/Witch of Cats, Cumin/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon/Empty
Damage: None
Seth
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Maiden of Cherry Stone/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Empty
Damage: Corolla Dragon (U), Watering Elf (U)
Seth drew a card. "I ride Arboros Dragon, Timber."
Timber appeared from a swirl of petals, raising his staff [Arboros Dragon, Timber – 9000 Power].
"And I call Glass Beads Dragon."
With a cute hum, Glass Beads Dragon descended to rest at Timber's side [Glass Beads Dragon – 9000 Power].
"It's okay. Even if you don't have the Ride Chain, you can still win this."
"Glass Beads Dragon attacks!"
The stream of rainbow light lanced from Glass Beads' mouth.
"Guard!" Kelsey retorted, placing down Limonccino.
The witch of lemons appeared and was blasted into white motes by the dragon's breath [7000 Power + 10000 Shield = 17000 Power].
"With a boost from Ratoon, Timber attacks!"
Timber held up his staff and sent a swirling tornado of leaves ripping towards Cumin [9000 Power + 4000 Power = 13000 Power].
"No guard!" his opponent replied.
Seth drew the card and revealed it, the icon in its corner flashing blue. "Stand Trigger! I give the effects to Glass Beads!"
[Drive Check – Watering Elf – Stand Trigger]
Cumin wailed as the tornado tossed her into the air and smashed her into the floor.
[Damage Check – White Snake Witch, Mint – No Trigger]
"Glass Beads attacks again!"
"Guard!"
Glass Beads Dragon breathed its rainbow breath again [9000 Power + 5000 Power = 14000 Power], but was stopped by a white tiger wrapped in cybernetic armor [7000 Power + 10000 Shield = 17000 Power].
Kelsey discarded the Cyber Tiger with a playful smirk. "Sorry. No extra cards for you."
"I end my turn," Seth murmured.
Seth
Hand: 5
Front Row: Glass Beads Dragon/Arboros Dragon, Timber/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Empty
Damage: Corolla Dragon (U), Watering Elf (U)
Kelsey
Hand: 4
Front Row: Empty/Witch of Cats, Cumin/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon/Empty
Damage: White Snake Witch, Mint (U)
"Stand and draw," Kelsey continued. "How did you and Sophia meet?"
"I was being bullied… she helped me out." And he remembered that day. The first time he could remember anyone smiling at him.
"What's wrong?" Seth looked up through his tears to see a girl standing there, black-haired, with warm blue eyes. She wore a uniform like his, but while it was ugly and dull on him, somehow she made it seem… nice.
He didn't want to bother a nice girl like her. "Nothing," he said insistently, wiping his tears away. She probably thought he was pathetic. She'd go away like everyone else did, or call him names. Surely she wouldn't-
"You wouldn't be crying if nothing was wrong." She smiled at him like no-one ever did and he felt shocked to the core. Why was she bothering with him? He looked down, aware he was blushing.
"I'm fine," he said softly.
"You're clearly not. What's your name?" She crouched down now, still smiling at him. Looking at her, he felt warm despite the chilly breeze.
"Seth," he admitted. He wondered if this was a trick. Sometimes people would pretend to be nice just to trick him into some joke they'd set up and make fun of him.
"I'm Sophia. Now, really, why are you crying?"
She was so nice. Could she really be genuine? "I told you, I'm fine," he said, looking away from her face, from those warm eyes and that brilliant smile that warmed him like the sun did.
He heard her sigh. "You don't have to be all macho. I can tell something's wrong, and I want to help." Surprised, Seth looked back at her. Staring into her bright blue eyes, it was like everything about her radiated compassion. His distrust melted. How could she be lying to him when she looked at him like that?
"Why? Why do you want to help me?" No-one had ever offered to help him before. No-one had ever looked at him like she did.
"Because that's me," she said with a chuckle, and it was like music. "Because I like to help. And I like to see people happy. So why are you crying? Maybe I can help." He believed her. He couldn't not believe her. He looked beyond those brilliant eyes and to the boys who had stolen his rucksack, laughing as they did so. They were tossing it around and still laughing. Not how Sophia laughed, warmly and kindly. Their laughter was cruel and cold and just enjoyed making fun of him. It was the laughter he'd heard all his life.
"They stole my bag," he explained with a gesture to them, and she turned to see.
When she looked back, her smile had faded, replaced by a frown. "Why?"
Because he was Seth Abbott. Because his parents were gone. Because his aunt and uncle wished he didn't exist. Because he was awkward and clumsy and got in everyone's way. Because he wasn't good at anything.
"They think it's fun, I guess," he replied. They were laughing about it enough for that.
Sophia's expression hardened like she was angry. "Well, it's not funny." His eyes widened a little at that. Normally when he told people about this, he was brushed off or the people he told just laughed at him like the boys had. "I'll go get it back. Wait here."
Before he could insist that it was okay and that she didn't have to do that, she was gone. Seth watched as she went up to the boys and shouted at them. They laughed at her and threw the bag some more until she kicked them where it really hurt and caught the rucksack as it fell.
It was the first time anyone had ever stood up for him like that.
The teachers were already running over, blowing whistles, but Sophia walked over to him and handed him the rucksack.
"But… you'll get detention. They'll tell your parents," he whispered.
She smiled at him. "I don't mind. I wanted to make you happy."
And he was. It was the happiest he'd been in years.
The snapping of fingers brought him back to reality. "You okay?" Kelsey asked, looking concerned. "You zoned out there."
"I was just… remembering," he replied quietly. "That was how she and I met. I got bullied and she stood up for me."
"That sounds lovely," Kelsey smiled. "Julian and I just got hammered the first time we met." She laughed and took a card from her hand. "I Ride Cardamom."
The Witch of White Rabbits appeared from white light [Witch of White Rabbits, Cardamom – 9000 Power].
"I call Chicory and Thyme!"
The Black Snake Witch and Witch of Melons appeared together at Cardamon's side, the latter hugging the former with one arm while juggling her melon, only to leap back as Chicory shot her a glare [Black Snake Witch, Chicory – 9000 Power] [Witch of Melons, Thyme – 7000 Power].
"Thyme's skill." She took the top three cards of her deck, sliding one into her Soul, then discarding a Shiroma and Jasmine.
[Soul Charge – Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon – No Trigger]
Seth looked at her Drop Zone. "She's got more than enough cards to Legion as soon as she rides next turn."
"With a boost from Cinnamon, Cardamom attacks your Vanguard!"
Cardamom laughed as she tossed a rabbit-shaped bolt of light at Timber [9000 Power + 5000 Power = 14000 Power].
"No guard," Seth answered.
[Drive Check – Witch of Golden Eagles, Jasmine – No Trigger]
The blast hit and exploded, sending Timber skidding back, though he caught himself before slamming into anything.
A green icon flashed as Seth revealed the card. "Heal Trigger. I heal one Damage and give the Power to Timber."
[Damage Check – Sweet Honey – Heal Trigger]
Kelsey nodded, then turned Chicory and Thyme's cards. "With a boost from Thyme, Chicory attacks your Vanguard! Since my Vanguard is a Witch, Chicory gains 3000 Power!"
Chicory's snake-like blast of light lanced over the field at Timber [9000 Power + 3000 Power + 7000 Power = 19000 Power].
"I guard." He placed down Watering Elf.
The green-clad elf appeared with a smile, before shattering into green motes when Chicory's attack struck [14000 Power + 10000 Shield = 24000 Power].
"I end my turn," Kelsey smiled.
Kelsey
Hand: 3
Front Row: Black Snake Witch, Chicory/Witch of White Rabbits, Cardamom/Empty
Back Row: Witch of Melons, Thyme/Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon/Empty
Damage: White Snake Witch, Mint (U)
Seth
Hand: 4
Front Row: Glass Beads Dragon/Arboros Dragon, Timber/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Empty
Damage: Watering Elf (U), Sweet Honey (U)
"Lord of the deep forest," Seth chanted after he stood his units and drew a card. "Sprout life where you tread and defend your beautiful realm! I Ride Deep Green Lord, Master Wisteria!"
With a smile, Master Wisteria appeared from a storm of petals, brandishing his rapier [Deep Green Lord, Master Wisteria – 11000 Power].
"Master Wisteria," his opponent mused. "That's the card that helped you beat Zoe. I saw. That was great thinking, to use the Break Ride skill to refill your field and get around Cyclomatooth."
"Thank you," Seth said, bowing his head.
"Hey, you should be proud," Kelsey said. "You beat something a lot of fighters would struggle with."
Seth nodded, then played a card. "I call Branch."
Arboros Dragon, Branch appeared behind Glass Beads Dragon [Arboros Dragon, Branch – 7000 Power].
"So why Neo Nectar?" she asked. "Why that Clan in particular?"
Seth looked down at the cards. "I just like them. They have nice art. Sophia helped me put this together."
Kelsey looked at him like she was trying to cut into him and get at something deep inside, then she looked away, probably seeing how uncomfortable he was. "Sorry."
"It's okay. Why do you use Witches?"
"I like the style," she answered. "Getting to call out a whole new field from the Soul is cool and the finishers I can pull off with Mint are really fun. And I guess since they go with Liam's deck, though I totally picked mine first!"
Seth flinched back. "I didn't say you didn't…"
She chuckled nervously. "Ah, yeah, you didn't. Sorry. Too many people ask."
"With a boost from Branch, Glass Beads attacks," Seth murmured, wanting to change the subject.
For the third time of the fight, the rainbow light burst over the field [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power].
"Guard."
A witch with a large pot appeared in the attack's way [9000 Power + 10000 Shield = 19000 Power].
"How many Triggers did you have?" Seth murmured.
"Plenty," Kelsey laughed softly as she discarded the Laurier. "Can't let you draw too many cards now. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself again."
Seth chuckled nervously, remembering her failed Final Turn previously. "With a boost from Ratoon, Master Wisteria attacks!"
The Deep Green Lord lunged over the field with a lunge, his rapier gleaming [11000 Power + 2000 Power + 4000 Power = 17000 Power].
"No guard."
"Twin Drive," Seth said. "First, no Trigger. Second, no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Arboros Dragon, Sephirot – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Maiden of Blossom Rain – No Trigger]
The rapier slashed and Cardamom wailed as it struck, falling back and being caught by Thyme.
[Damage Check – Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon – No Trigger]
"Only one…" Seth thought, a little disappointed. "I end my turn."
Seth
Hand: 5
Front Row: Glass Beads Dragon/Deep Green Lord, Master Wisteria/Empty
Back Row: Arboros Dragon, Branch/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Empty
Damage: Watering Elf (U), Sweet Honey (U)
Kelsey
Hand: 2
Front Row: Black Snake Witch, Chicory/Witch of White Rabbits, Cardamom/Empty
Back Row: Witch of Melons, Thyme/Witch of Prohibited Books, Cinnamon
Damage: White Snake Witch, Mint (U), Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon (U)
"Stand and draw," Kelsey said quietly. "You didn't get to see this Witch last time. Perhaps she'll make a difference and let me win this fight. Get ready, Seth. This time, I'll win!" She plucked one of the cards from her hand and held it up. "Beautiful witch of eagles, gaze forward with those oracle's eyes! Pluck victory from the strings of the future! Ride! Witch of Eagles, Fennel!"
Cardamom reformed in a flash of white light, becoming a silver-haired witch in white. She held a staff tipped by a crystal orb in one hand and an eagle rested on the other, glaring with golden eyes [Witch of Eagles, Fennel – 11000 Power].
Kelsey placed a hand over her Drop Zone and smirked. "Seek Mate!" She shuffled Cyber Tiger, Limonccino, Shiroma and Laurier from her Drop Zone back into the deck, taking a card and placing it down beside Fennel's. "White witches with the eyes of eagles! Line up and pierce the future with those eyes! Legion!"
Another witch appeared at Fennel's side, this one blonde and wearing a cowboy-style hat, a golden eagle perched on her arm. The golden crossed swords flashed as the two witches wrapped an arm around each other and smiled, their familiars shrieking [20000 Power].
"I call Jasmine!"
The cowgirl-like witch appeared, casting a puzzled glance at her other self who still had an arm wrapped around Fennel [Witch of Golden Eagles, Jasmine – 9000 Power].
"Jasmine's skill! I Counterblast to Soul Charge three cards, and Jasmine gains 3000 Power this turn!"
[Soul Charge – Cyber Tiger – Critical Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Black Snake Witch, Chicory – No Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon – No Trigger]
Kelsey smiled at the last card. "With a boost from Cinnamon, Fennel and Jasmine Legion attack!"
The two raised their free hands, sending two white arrows in the form of eagles lancing over the field [20000 Power + 5000 Power = 25000 Power].
"No guard!" Seth answered.
"Twin Drive, first. No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Witch of White Rabbits, Cardamom – No Trigger]
"Not where I want you to be," she chuckled. "Second." It flashed with gold. "Critical Trigger! I give the Critical to Fennel and the Power to Chicory!"
[Drive Check – Witch's Familiar, Shiroma – Critical Trigger]
The arrows struck, tossing Master Wisteria across the room as they exploded.
"Damage Check," Seth murmured.
[Damage Check – Maiden of Cherry Bloom – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Maiden of Blossom Rain – No Trigger]
"Cinnamon's skill," Kelsey continued, sliding Cinnamon into her Soul, followed by two more cards.
[Soul Charge – Witch's Familiar, Shiroma – Critical Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Witch of Eagles, Fennel – No Trigger]
"Then, Fennel's Legion skill!" she continued. "During the turn she Legions, at the end of her attack, I Soul Blast three cards," she discarded Cyber Tiger, Shiroma and Oneon from the Soul, "to check my deck's top five cards and add two Witch cards from them to my hand!"
Seth stared, stunned. "She'll have five cards in hand with that… I thought I could whittle her down, but not if she can keep gaining cards. And with that Oneon too…"
She smiled and revealed two of the cards, Mint and Framboise. "I'll take these two, and the rest are shuffled into the deck. Then, Oneon's skill." She turned over a Damage, placing Oneon behind Jasmine. "With a boost from Oneon, Jasmine attacks!"
The lone Jasmine chuckled and tossed an eagle-shaped bolt at Wisteria [12000 Power + 10000 Power = 22000 Power].
Seth stared at his hand. Sephirot, Blossom Rain, Corolla Dragon, Bullet Chestnut and Dancing Sunflower. He couldn't guard both without using the Perfect Guard, and he needed that for Mint's inevitable attack on the next turn.
"No guard!" he answered.
"Hoping a Trigger will help you," Kelsey smirked.
Seth revealed the card and it flashed with blue. "Stand Trigger! I give the Power to my Vanguard!"
[Damage Check – Watering Elf – Stand Trigger]
"So there it is. But you'll still need to guard this one! With a boost from Thyme, Chicory attacks!"
Frowning, Chicory cast the black serpent over the field with a lazy wave of her hand [9000 Power + 3000 Power + 5000 Power + 7000 Power = 24000 Power].
"I guard with Bullet Chestnut!" Seth replied.
The prickly chestnut leapt into the fray and was instantly crushed into a bookshelf by Chicory's snake [16000 Power + 10000 Shield = 26000 Power].
"I end my turn," Kelsey smiled. "You get to Break Ride. Is that going to be enough? Show me!"
Kelsey
Hand: 5
Front Row: Black Snake Witch, Chicory/Witch of Golden Eagles, Jasmine-Witch of Eagles, Fennel/Witch of Golden Eagles, Jasmine
Back Row: Witch of Melons, Thyme/Empty/Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon
Damage: White Snake Witch, Mint (F), Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon (F)
Seth
Hand: 4
Front Row: Glass Beads Dragon/Deep Green Lord, Master Wisteria/Empty
Back Row: Arboros Dragon, Branch/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Empty
Damage: Watering Elf (U), Sweet Honey (U), Maiden of Cherry Bloom (U), Maiden of Blossom Rain (U), Watering Elf (U)
Seth stood his units and drew in silence. She was only on two Damage, he was on five, and next turn she would ride Mint and probably finish it. How had this happened? He had beaten Kelsey before, but now she had pushed him right into a corner.
She was stronger than him. It was like he'd thought so often. He'd beaten her by a fluke before. He couldn't beat her fairly, he had to get lucky. Like he always had to in order to achieve anything. He wasn't that good, not compared to Sophia, not compared to Tahir.
Not compared to anyone he knew. Somehow he could win on Vanguard Online, but that wasn't fair. He was fighting newbies who hadn't gotten proper decks yet.
Kelsey's finger-snapping brought him out of his mind. "You're really distracted today," she noted.
He looked away, unable to meet her gaze. He struggled to hold eye contact at the best of times. He could only manage it with Sophia. "I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be," she replied. "Just try and focus on the game, okay?" She chuckled and he nodded. How could they all be so confident? How could Sophia go and shout at four boys who were bigger and stronger than her, and kick them into submission when they laughed at her? How could Tahir walk around without seeming like he had a burden as massive as his past on his shoulders? How could they do it? Could he ever be like that?
Slowly, he took Sephirot's card from his hand. Focus, he thought. The words of his chant came to mind and were calming. Routine helped. Vanguard helped.
"Guardian dragon who watches over the forests! Manifest now and become the sword of the wilds! Break Ride! Arboros Dragon, Sephirot!"
Sephirot appeared from a storm of petals, calming them with his presence. Gazing with loving eyes, the guardian dragon regarded the witches opposite [Arboros Dragon, Sephirot – 10000 Power + 1000 Power = 11000 Power].
"Break Ride skill," he recited, turning over a Damage. "I call copies of Glass Beads and Branch from my deck." He placed the two down.
The two appeared in his empty spaces, turning his field into a symmetrical pattern as they glowed with Sephirot's power [Glass Beads Dragon – 9000 Power + 3000 Power = 12000 Powerx2] [Arboros Dragon, Branch – 7000 Power + 3000 Power = 10000 Powerx2].
Kelsey regarded his field. He couldn't read her expression, though he guessed something like 'unimpressed'. After all, he'd done this when there was practically no chance of beating her that turn.
"Using the Break Ride to gain two cards for the price of one and also call a powered-up field," she smiled. "I knew it was coming, but it's still great. You use that deck really well."
"Thank you," Seth murmured. He paused for a moment, then rested a hand on one of the Glass Beads. "With a boost from Branch, this Glass Beads attacks."
The rainbow light flew over the field, aimed at Kelsey's Vanguards [12000 Power + 10000 Power = 22000 Power].
"Shiroma and Cardamom guard!" she replied.
The ferret and the Witch of White Rabbits appeared from flashes of light, blocking the beam [11000 Power + 10000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 26000 Power].
"With a boost from Ratoon, Sephirot attacks!" he continued.
Sephirot raised its staff and sent the storm of petals raging across the field [21000 Power + 4000 Power = 25000 Power].
"No guard," Kelsey smiled. "Hit me with everything you've got!"
He nodded. "Twin Drive. First, no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Arboros Dragon, Timber – No Trigger]
"Second," it flashed with gold, "Critical Trigger. I give the Critical to Sephirot and the Power to my standing Glass Beads."
[Drive Check – Bullet Chestnut – Critical Trigger]
The storm struck, hurling Fennel and Jasmine across the room before subsiding.
[Damage Check – Black Snake Witch, Chicory – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Witch of Big Pots, Laurier – Heal Trigger]
"Heal Trigger! I give the Power to Fennel, but I can't heal," Kelsey declared.
"I can't win this turn… but if she doesn't guard this Glass Beads, I can draw with its skill, and I can hold on."
"Branch boosts and this Glass Beads attacks your Vanguard."
Another rainbow breath lanced towards the two eagle witches [12000 Power + 5000 Power + 10000 Power = 27000 Power].
"No guard," she answered. "I can let you have just one."
[Damage Check – Witch of Eagles, Fennel – No Trigger]
"Glass Beads Dragon's skill." Drawing a card, Seth looked at her field, then closed his eyes. "I can do this. I survived that field before. I can do it again." He opened them again. "I end my turn."
Seth
Hand: 7
Front Row: Glass Beads Dragon/Arboros Dragon, Sephirot/Glass Beads Dragon
Back Row: Arboros Dragon, Branch/Arboros Dragon, Ratoon/Arboros Dragon, Branch
Damage: Watering Elf (F), Sweet Honey (F), Maiden of Cherry Bloom (F), Maiden of Blossom Rain (U), Watering Elf (U)
Kelsey
Hand: 3
Front Row: Black Snake Witch, Chicory/Witch of Golden Eagles, Jasmine-Witch of Eagles, Fennel/Witch of Golden Eagles, Jasmine
Back Row: Witch of Melons, Thyme/Empty/Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon
Damage: White Snake Witch, Mint (F), Witch of Quill Pens, Oneon (F), Black Snake Witch, Chicory (U), Witch of Big Pots, Laurier (U), Witch of Eagles, Fennel (U)
"Stand and draw," Kelsey said, smiling. "I'm surprised you went right for the Vanguard in that situation. I might have attacked rear-guards so I'd be more tempted to let the attacks through, and to hold back my Counterblasts."
Seth considered this. She was right. Wasn't she? Would attacking the rear-guards have been the right choice in those circumstances?
"I…"
"We all make mistakes," she said apologetically. "And I can't do anything but use that mistake to end the fight, Seth. You've fought well, but I don't think I'm wrong to call it this time. Final Turn!"
Eyes glanced over, drawn by the call.
"Seriously? Against that guy?"
"You know Kelsey, she loves to call it."
"Haha, maybe she gets it from Liam."
Seth stared at his hand. He could survive it. Surely with seven cards, plus the two Intercepts-
"Witch wrapped in the glow of the white serpent! Gaze into eternity and fight with your prophetic power! Ride! White Snake Witch, Mint!"
Light consumed the Legion Vanguard, forming into Mint. Petting her snake, the witch smiled that same apologetic smile [White Snake Witch, Mint – 11000 Power].
"And, Seek Mate!" She shuffled Cyber Tiger, two Shiroma and Cardamom into her deck, taking the card from it. "Twin witches blessed by the oracle snakes, line up and lay out a perfect future! LEGION!"
Chicory appeared at her counterpart's side, the two standing back-to-back as their snakes coiled together and the golden swords symbol shone [20000 Power].
Kelsey looked at her deck. "Right now, there are twenty-three cards in my deck and most of those are Triggers. You remember, right? My first Legion, I shuffled four Triggers back into the deck, and with Mint's Legion, I returned three. There's one Trigger in my Damage, so at most, I have fifteen Triggers in my deck."
Seth stared at her deck. She was right. Both of her Legions had returned Triggers to the deck. That was the benefit to using Legion multiple times, being able to return spent Triggers.
"You think you can survive," she continued. "But did you take that into account? Let's see! Chicory attacks your Vanguard with no boost!"
A black snake construct shot over the field from Chicory's hands [9000 Power + 3000 Power = 12000 Power].
"Dancing Sunflower guards!"
The sunflower-man appeared with a smile, until the snake crushed him into a bookshelf and shattered him into green motes [11000 Power + 5000 Shield = 16000 Power].
"With a boost from Oneon, Jasmine attacks!" Kelsey continued unrelentingly.
An eagle soared over the field this time, glowing white [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power].
"Bullet Chestnut," Seth answered.
The chestnut appeared and was torn through by Jasmine's eagle [11000 Power + 10000 Shield = 21000 Power].
"I didn't think you'd give up. So you are sure you can survive," she mused. "I wonder what's in your hand to make you think that. Mint and Chicory Legion attack! Legion skill!" She discarded two Cardamom, Oneon, Cinnamon, Fennel and Jasmine from her Soul. "Then, Cardamom and Oneon!" She turned over her remaining three face-up Damages, placing the Witches down over her rested rear-guards.
The black and white snakes lanced across the field, aimed at Sephirot's chest [20000 Power + 10000 Power = 30000 Power].
"Perfect Guard!" he replied, discarding Corolla Dragon. "I can do this."
Maiden of Blossom Rain appeared with a smile, the wall of petals descending to stop the Legion's assault.
"Twin Drive," Kelsey replied. "First." She slowly turned over the card, smiling as it flashed gold. "Critical Trigger. I give the effects to this Cardamom." She rested a finger on the Cardamom in front of Thyme.
[Drive Check – Cyber Tiger – Critical Trigger]
"It's okay. I'm still okay."
"Second check," Kelsey murmured. The tension was too thick in the air as she took the second card, to the point he almost felt like he couldn't breathe. No. It would be okay. Surely-
There was a golden flash.
"No," Seth gasped.
"Got it," Kelsey said. "Double Critical! I give this one's effects to the other Cardamom!"
[Drive Check – Witch's Familiar, Shiroma – Critical Trigger]
Slowly, Seth moved Maiden of Blossom Rain to his Drop Zone, staring at his hand. Timber, Blossom Rain and Cherry Stone gazed back. He could have survived. If not for the Triggers, he'd have held on by a thread. But now-
"With a boost from Thyme, Cardamom attacks your Vanguard!" She didn't even give him a chance to react, just pressing on with the attack.
A white rabbit floated over the field, glowing with gold [12000 Power + 5000 Power + 5000 Power + 7000 Power = 29000 Power, Critical 2].
He could stop this, but the next one would finish him anyway. He still had enough Heal Triggers. That was his only chance.
"No guard," he whispered.
The blast struck and Sephirot reeled back, stunned by the impact. Slowly the mighty Forest Dragon staggered into the wall, smashing against the bookshelves. Magical tomes rained down all around it and opposite, the Witches watched their foe falling. Slowly, Sephirot began to disperse, its body falling into green motes.
[Damage Check – Deep Green Lord, Master Wisteria – No Trigger]
Seth stared at Master Wisteria's card for a good few seconds before letting it fall so Kelsey could see.
"I… lost…"
He looked at his hand again. He had been mistaken. Just one Trigger had been enough for her to win. That almost made it worse. That even with just one Trigger, she would have won.
"Hey, I'm sorry," Kelsey said. "I know you tried your best and that you wanted to be on the team."
But he hadn't done his best. Even she'd admitted he had made a deadly mistake.
"Thank you." The words felt hollow, but he couldn't just say nothing. You couldn't just mope. That's what everyone said. A fighter accepts defeat, learns, and moves on.
"The others are still fighting," she observed. "Want to see how they're doing?"
He nodded slowly. "Yeah." He picked up his cards one at a time, rebuilding his deck. He felt shattered, like the blow of losing had broken his confidence entirely. How were Sophia and Tahir doing?
Better than him, he guessed.
SS7
"Tyrannoquake Legion attacks! Legion skill! Tyrannobite is retired, and returns to the field!"
"No guard," Oliver groaned. He set Abyss Freezer into his Damage Zone. "You win." After a moment, he smiled and shook Tahir's hand. "Still strong, heh. You're going to give anyone you fight a run for their money."
"Thank you," Tahir replied, smiling too. "You fought well too. I'd like to fight again, sometime."
Oliver chuckled. "Whenever you want. You give me some of the best fights I've had in a while."
Tahir looked back to see Seth standing behind him, looking glum. He knew immediately. "You lost?"
Seth nodded.
"I'm sorry," he said. "It happens to all of us. No matter how important the fight is, you can lose. But did you learn from it?"
"Yes," Seth murmured.
"Then it's not for nothing," he smiled. "Learn from it and keep going. So long as you do that, it won't overcome you."
"Do you always manage that?" Seth's expression had changed subtly, with something else joining the glumness. "Do you always manage to just take it in stride?"
Tahir considered. "When I was just starting, the losses stung. My brother had more experience than me and he beat me a lot. But over time I understood that losses are lessons. Defeat is a teacher, a stern teacher, a harsh teacher, but a teacher nonetheless. Once I accepted that idea, the losses stopped hurting."
Seth nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Tahir."
"I'm glad to help," he said. "I was where you are once." He smiled. "Let's see how Sophia's doing."
SS7
"Poseidon attacks Pentagonal Magus! Poseidon's skill! I retire your backrow and Poseidon gains 6000 Power!"
"No guard!"
The final Damage fell and Sophia smiled. "You did well, Alex. You had me on the ropes with that Break Ride."
He smiled back. "You always make me feel better after losing to you, haha. Just that smile of yours."
"Good," she laughed. "If I can make people smile, that's always a win."
Watching from behind her, Seth heard the words and remembered that day again.
"You didn't… you didn't have to get thrown in detention for me. I'm-"
"I told you," she smiled. "I wanted to make you happy. You don't deserve to be bullied like that. No one does."
How could she be so kind? Everyone else had been cold at best and cruel at worst, but like the sun, her presence was warm and bright.
"I'm not worth it."
"You are absolutely worth it, and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong," she replied, meeting his gaze. "You seem shy, but I can tell you're nice. I don't know why you've been bullied like this, but I don't think you did anything to bring it on yourself and I'm not going to stand for it. No matter how many detentions it earns me."
He stared at her, amazed and stunned. No one had ever been so kind to him, not without wanting to play some cruel joke on him. And here she was, smiling and saying she'd happily lose freedom for him.
"Thank you, Sophia…"
"You don't have to thank me," she said. "You being happy is enough."
She never lost, did she? Even if she lost a fight, she'd just smile and laugh and be fine in a second. Whereas his losses ate away at him like his anxiety did and lingered like ghosts haunting him. Defeat is a teacher, Tahir had said. He understood the concept, but that didn't make him able to change how he felt.
He couldn't change who he was, no matter how much he tried to be like Sophia. No matter how much he tried to smile and somehow find that inner warmth, it never came.
He couldn't mope now. His friends had made the finals and the team alongside Julian and Kelsey. He should be glad for them and cheer them on. That's what a good friend would do. That's what they would do if they had lost and he had made it.
And in a way, just watching would be easier.
SS7
Card of the Day:
White Snake Witch, Mint
Grade 3/Twin Drive!
Human – Genesis – United Sanctuary
11000 Power/No Shield
Activate [V]: Legion 20000 "Black Snake Witch, Chicory" (If your opponent's vanguard is grade 3 or greater, this unit may return four cards from your drop zone into your deck once, search your deck for the specified card, and Legion).
Auto [V]: [Soul Blast 6] When this unit attacks a vanguard, if this unit is [Legion], you may pay the cost. If you do, until end of turn, this unit gets [Power]+10000 and "Continuous [V]: All of your rear-guards with "Witch" in its card name in your front row get [Power]+5000.".
Activate [V]: [Counterblast 1] If you have another unit with "Witch" in its card name in your middle column, Soul Charge 3. This ability cannot be used for the rest of that turn.
Would you like to try out the feeling of a frog being preyed on by a snake?
She is a witch of "Genesis" with power surpassing a normal human. She was born into a family who formed a pact with the White Snake, the god of water, and thus she possessed power to manipulate water freely and harden her skin like that of squamates. Despite the rivalry between the family of the White Snake and the family of the Black Snake, she is a good friend of "Chicory". They always do research in the conglomerate together.
SS7
Next time, Sophia takes on Julian while Tahir fights Kelsey. But Julian's deck holds an unprecedented surprise, and without knowing it's coming, can Sophia hold on in the face of it? See in Ride 8: Power of the Dragon!