Me: Hello. I'm back. I don't have much time to waste up here, so let's hurry it up and get to the story.

Astral: We do not own Cardfight Vanguard, or this would already be season 4.

Me: I haven't proofread this so if any mistkaes pop up I'll fix them later.


Cardfight! Vanguard: Cray's Heroes

"And you're sure we won't be caught?" Kouichi asked Leo for the twentieth time that night. Around ten people were sitting on logs around a campfire in the middle of the forest, at midnight. It would be a disaster if any of them were caught.

"Positive!" Leo yelled, and Mana stiffened next to him. She smacked the back of his head, making him yelp. "What was that for?!"

"If you keep being that loud we will get caught." She said.

"Ah, let him have his fun." Rean said. "This is supposed to be a party."

"Exactly! So both of you stop being so uptight about it!" Leo said to Mana and Kouichi, who glared at him back.

"But still, you didn't really have to do this…" Rei said shyly. Apart from a boy with light blue hair and yellow eyes who was quietly eating smores named Haseo, she was the only Soul Saver Blue there.

"It's celebration!"

"You deserve it after all that bitch did." Mana bit into a smore hard. "Cheating and saying that terrible stuff, she deserved to have garbage duty for a month! She should have it for the rest of the year!"

"Besides, you and Emil did great." Kouichi said. "Here." He passed a smore over to Emil, who took it.

"T-Thanks…" He said, biting down into it. He yelled, accidentally spitting it out and scraping his tongue with his teeth. "Hot hot hot!"

The rest of them doubled over with laughed as Emil despaired. "It's not that funny!"


Vanguard Fight!
Taiyō no Beam karadajū ni abite
Stand Up saa Soul Chārge shite hashire
Vanguard Fight, Ready Go! !
Ready Go! !

Atarashī Generation!
Makiokose! Revolution!
Mirai e Navigation!
Asu o kiri hiraite Break suru

Ike yo! Perfect janakute mo ī sa
(Drive Check Vanguard!)
Tobeyo! Seishun no sora e

Vanguard Fight!
Taiyō no Beam karadajū ni abite
Stand Up saa Soul Chārge shite hashire
Aiyaiyaiyaiyaiyaiya!

Vanguard Fight!
Ride on the wave! Nani mo osorenaide
Shōri no Card furikazase saa ikou
Ayaiyaiyaiyaiyaiya!

Vanguard Fight, Ready go! !


"Okay, let's do something fun!" Leo cheered. "Scary stories!"

Mana smacked the back of his head. "No!"

"Scared? You scared?"

"Of course not! It's just…" Mana looked around. "Emil might get scared! I'm just being nice!"

"Sure you are…" Leo teased her, elbowing her in the side. "You're totally not scared…"

"I told you I am not!"

"So, any of you know any scary stories?" Kouichi said.

"Oh, oh, I got one!" Leo held his hand in the air. Kouichi sighed. Of course he did. "It's the story of the ghost ship that haunts this island!"

"Ghost ship…" Both Emil and Mana paled.

"Sounds interesting. Let's hear it." Haseo said, biting into another smore. Rei nodded. Kouichi shrugged. Why not?

"Okay then! It starts like this!" Leo leaned towards the fire, the flames illuminating his face creepily. "This story takes place in a school. But not just any school, our school! Vanguard Academy!"

"And?" Donavan asked.

"Well, every night, at the harbour of the school, a boat appears. It disappears as quickly as it comes, and reappears every morning, disappearing again." Leo said in a spooky voice. "A cloaked person always goes onto the boat, disappearing and reappearing in the morning. This island was once a graveyard, and that cloaked person is actually the last person who died here on the island, the main building being built over his grave. He now wants revenge on everyone who goes to this academy, and is going to start with the Dragonic Reds…."

Emil squeaked.

"That means you're in danger yourself." Haseo pointed out.

"First year Dragonic Reds!" Leo corrected.

"This is suspiciously sounding like something built just to scare Emil here." Rean said.

"No it isn't!" Leo protested. "It's just a story!"

"Where did you hear a story like that anyways?" Rei asked.

"Oh, some Second Year Blues told me last week." He said. "They were out at night when they saw something at the harbor. Apparently some ghost in a black cloak. They were terrified, but they couldn't tell any teachers or else they would have to admit that they had gone out after curfew! I don't think they'll be okay for a long time! They were shaking really hard."

Just then, a tree next to them shook, and a cloaked figure was visible to Kouichi behind some bushes a few meters away. He froze.

"G-G-G-G-G-G-"

"What?" The rest of them looked where Kouichi was looking, then froze. "G-G-G-G-G-"

"GHOST!" Mana screamed, then fainted dead away.

"THE GHOST SHIP AND THE GHOST IS REAL!" Emil yelled. "I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"


Ride 7: Clash in the Pale Moonlight

The cloaked figure approached them, and everybody began to panic, screaming for help. Why was this happening?! There really was a ghost haunting the island?! This wasn't possible! Kouichi hid behind the log he had been sitting on with Rean, the two of them freaking out silently. Oh, what was he supposed to do, what was he supposed to do?!

"You do realize being out this late is against school rules, right?" The cloaked figure said. Huh? A girl? Kouichi poked his head out. "Jeez, you guys screaming like crazy isn't exactly helping it."

There was only one person who could say that after seeing all that they were doing. Rei stuck her head out too. "H-Heiwami-san?"

The cloaked figure pulled off the hood of the cloak, and shook out her long black hair. She blew out air from her mouth. "Are you guys trying to get caught? Being out this late isn't allowed to begin with. Should I call this one, or maybe even two for yelling so loud. But there isn't anything in the rules about yelling…"

"W-Wait a minute!" Kouichi yelled, standing up. Last time Heiwami had gotten to three, a dude flew into a wall. "Why are you out so late anyways if it's against the rules!"

Heiwami stiffened. She turned away, crossing her arms. "None of your business Kanbara!" She said. "What are you people doing out this late anyways?!"

"Holding a party for Rei and Emil for winning!" Leo said, suddenly recovering from the shock and smiling brightly. "Since she's now Miss Vanguard Academy and everything!" Heiwami blinked.

"Oh. Okay then." She shrugged. "Well, have fun with that." She put the hood of the cloak back on and began to walk away. Wait, seriously? It was over just like that?

"Oi! Wait just a second!" Kouichi yelled, and Heiwami looked at him through the hood.

"What? I'm late for something?" She grumbled.

"You have a lot to explain!" He said. "Why are you sneaking around? How do you know all this stuff about all this, yeah I can tell you know something! And most importantly, what's with that weird fire around you?!"

Heiwami's eyes widened for a second as she stared at him. Her eye twitched. She suddenly glared at him, teeth grinding. "Shut up. Shut up now."

"I'm asking you about it—"

"SHUT UP NOW!" She suddenly grabbed him by the collar, shoving him up up to a tree. "How do you know about the fire. Are you saying you can see it? It's impossible for any human to see it what are you?!" She growled.

"W-What are you talking about?" Kouichi tried to wriggle out of the grip, but she was surprisingly strong, keeping him pinned to the tree. "It's fire, fire surrounding you, there's something weird about that!"

"And there's the problem! Human eyes aren't made for seeing that you're saying you saw it HOW?!"

"H-How? I used my eyes! It's around you right now!" The front of his shirt was starting to blacken, hissing from the heat surrounding her. It burnt his chin, the hand near it, and he cringed.

Heiwami glared at him, her eye twitching. She began dragging him away. "We're going to Brown right now and having you shipped off for maybe Chris to study you or something. Maybe he can find something wrong with your brain or something."

"L-Let me go and hear me out for a second!" Kouichi yelled, grabbing the collar so he wouldn't choke. Heiwami paused for a second, then let him go.

"You have 10 seconds." She said. "Starting now."

Kouichi took a deep breath, looking at her annoyed expression. "Cardfight. You, me. I win, you explain. You win, I'll leave you alone. You can even turn us in."

Haseo stared. "Dude!"

"What if you lose?! We'll all be dead!" Rean said.

"Why would I bother agreeing to that." Heiwami replied. "You bore me, it'd be too easy, and honestly, I don't see any reason to."

"If you don't agree, I'll spread rumours about you walking around at night!" Kouichi yelled.

Everybody stared at him.

"Yeah, the teachers are gonna get suspicious, along with all of the other students! Plus there's gonna be a panic going around because a student's breaking curfew!"

"Fine!" Heiwami yelled, surprising them all. "Your funeral, idiot!"

She took out two devices from underneath the cloak, flicked a switch on both of them, and threw one of them at Kouichi. "Here!" He caught it unsteadily.

"What's this?" He said, watching her attach her device to her left arm. He attached it to his. It was a metal device, with a vanguard circle in the middle.

"Vanguard Aegis. For cardfighting mobile." She said, pressing a button on it. It folded apart, into a full vanguard field with six circles instead of one, a strip on the side for damage, a slit near the bottom for the damage zone, and a slot underneath the field where she inserted her deck. It was purple with red trim. His was plain grey. "Well? Move it! I set the functions to hologram, and turned off the shock setting! Should be enough of a handicap for you."

Kouichi made a face, then searched the device for the button, when he pressed it, it popped apart, two circles appearing on the sides of the first, main one for the front row, then the back row appearing, sliding behind it. He took out his deck, then put it inside it. "Okay then… How come I've never heard of these?"

"I've never heard of mobile Vanguard playing devices before." Rei said, with Emil still cowering behind her. "Are they new?"

"Not particularly. Invented two years ago." Heiwami replied, just confusing them all more. "Never released to the public for a good reason. If you wanna survive longer Kanbara, I suggest you don't fiddle around with it."

Kouichi nodded, not understanding. The main circle was the vanguard circle, he could tell that much. They both placed the vanguard down, and stood a distance apart with the others standing on the side.

"Stand up, vanguard!" Kouichi yelled.

"Stand up, the vanguard!" Heiwami yelled.

The two spots in front of them began glowing in a circle, with Kouichi's glowing black and Heiwami's glowing purple. In front of them formed their first vanguards, glaring at each other.

"Master Blacksmith, Dragonan!" Kouichi said, staring as the man dressed in black, oily clothing with a pair of tongs in one hand and a half-made axe in the other hand appeared in front of him. He had unwashed hair, with a large grey beard and moustache. [Master Blacksmith, Dragonan – 3000]

"Emerald Beast Tamer." Heiwami said, as an elf with long, curly silver hair appeared from the glowing purple light. She wore a purple leotard decorated with beads, and held a whip made from a green, thorny vine in her hand. [Emerald Beast Tamer – 5000]

"Woah… this isn't a motion figure system… but the units are in front of them!" Emil said quietly.

"I've never heard of this before." Rei said. "Something like this existed?"

"Draw." Heiwami drew the card from the device on her arm, and Kouichi thought he saw fire blaze from the card. "This is why you don't fight me when I have my real deck with me. First act, start now!"

Fire erupted around her, and Kouichi had to narrow his eyes just to see what she was doing through the blinding light. None of the others seemed to notice it though, for some reason.

"Cobalt Beast Tamer, enter the field!" She yelled as the girl jumped backwards, and in her place, another tamer with short, straight blue hair and a whip made from dark blue jewels. [Cobalt Beast Tamer – 7000] "Emerald moves back. Cobalt's skill activates."

Cobalt Beast Tamer used her whip, drawing a star in the air by cracking it in the shape. A vanguard card appeared in the middle, promptly disappearing along with the symbol.

[Soul Charge – Amethyst Radiance Tamer – No Trigger]

"That ends the first act."

"Okay then." Kouichi said, drawing his card awkwardly. This felt really weird and foreign. "I ride Dark Prophet, Elindil!"

The blacksmith walked backwards, and in his place rose up a man wearing dark robes and strange charms around his neck. [Dark Prophet, Elindil – 8000] "Dragonan moves back. I call Eager Squire, Dreg and Black Esquire, Ramon!"

A boy holding armour under one arm and a small sword in the other, wearing simple clothing appeared, along with a man in black robes and a bookbag on his side. [Eager Squire, Dreg – 6000] [Black Esquire, Ramon – 7000]

"Dragonan boosts, Ramon attacks Cobalt! Dragonan's skill! He gains 3000!" [7000 + 3000 + 3000 = 13000]

The dark robe wearing man ran forwards and punched the blue-haired tamer across the face, making her fall back. Heiwami held the side of her face for a second before damage checking.

[Damage Check – Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah – No Trigger]

"Dreg boosts, Elindil attacks Cobalt Beast Tamer! Dreg's skill! He gains 4000 since I have more rearguards than you!" [8000 + 6000 + 4000 = 18000]

The prophet chanted some words, and a branch broke off of a tree near them, nearly hitting Emil in the head as it flew towards the tamer, hitting her in the stomach before dissolving apart in dark light.

[Drive Check – Leon the Bandit – No Trigger]

[Damage Check – Hypnotizing Beast Tamer of Hades – No Trigger]

Heiwami breathed heavily for a second before looking at her Aegis. "Even on its lowest setting… you can still feel it…"

"Dragonan returns to my deck. I end my turn."

Kouichi – Heiwami

4 – Hand – 5

0 – Soul – 1

0 – Damage – 2

0 – Counterblasted – 0

Field:

none – Black Esquire, Ramon = none – none

Eager Squire, Dreg – Dark Prophet, Elindil = Cobalt Beast Tamer – Emerald Beast Tamer

none – none = none – none

"Second act, starting now." Heiwami said. Her eyes narrowed, and fire began racing around the area, bursting everywhere. "Ride the Vanguard! Avatar of the apocalyptic flames, burn everything in this world to ashes! Crimson Beast Tamer!" [Crimson Beast Tamer – 8000]

From the fire sprung out an elf with long silver hair, curling up at the end. She had a revealing purple leotard on, with a see-through frilly skirt. There was long red gloves and boots on her arms and legs, and a whip made of pure flames, flickering as she whipped it all around. The tree behind Heiwami caught on fire, and Leo yelled in surprise as some flames fell near him.

"Woah! That's way too real!" He yelled.

"Sunstone, Quartz, call." She said, ignoring the side comments as two more tamers, each with a whip of sparkling jewels rose up. [Sunstone Beast Tamer – 9000] [Quartz Beast Tamer – 7000]

"Emerald Beast Tamer, skill activate! I counterblast and look at the top three cards of my deck, adding one of them to the soul." She fanned out the three cards. "I add Amethyst Radiance Tamer to my soul."

[Soul Charge – Amethyst Radiance Tamer – No Trigger]

"Sunstone Beast Tamer attacks Elindil!" [9000] The blond-haired tamer lashed out with her yellow whip, striking the prophet across the chest, knocking him back.

Kouichi yelled in pain as he held his chest. There was a searing pain there for a second, before slowly dying away. "Damage check." He said, placing the card on the strip.

[Damage Check – The Knight of Lies, Dramon – No Trigger]

"Sunstone's skill. Soul charge. I unflip one card in my damage zone."

[Soul Charge – Crimson Beast Tamer – No Trigger]

"Emerald boosts, Crimson Beast Tamer! Strike down Elindil!" Heiwami yelled. "I have another Crimson in my soul, so she gains 3000 power!" [8000 + 5000 + 3000 = 16000]

"No guard!" Kouichi yelled. The fire around them grew brighter, and he began sweating from the heat. It twisted, forming a huge whip which struck down Elindil from the side, with Crimson Beast Tamer guiding it with her hand. Elindil yelled in pain, half of his cloak burning away to nothing.

[Drive Check – Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah – No Trigger]

[Damage Check – Reaper of Souls, Haradrim – Critical Trigger]

Kouichi screamed, grabbing his side which was steaming. He gasped, feeling the raw, burnt flesh underneath his jacket. Then when he pulled up his shirt to check, there was no injury there as the pain subsided. "C-Critical and power to Elindil." He said quietly.

"Emerald's skill! When she boosts an attack that hits, I choose the card I sent to the soul with her skill and superior call it! Amethyst Radiance Tamer, come to the field!"

The green-wearing tamer disappeared, and a tamer wearing a leotard studded with gems and a whip of pink crystals appeared. She cracked it, a pure note resonating through the air from it, then disappeared in a poof of smoke.

"Amethyst Radiance Tamer, counterblast. Persona Caller, activate." She said. "I retire her, then search my deck for one Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier and add her to my hand. Now Quartz attacks Ramon! Quartz's skill! Since I have a vanguard with Tamer in its name, she gains 3000!" [7000 + 3000 = 10000]

"D-Dark Priest, Ledom guards!" The tamer's pure white crystal whip was stopped by a small priest appearing in it's past, muttering a chant which formed a barrier.

"That end my second act." Heiwami bowed down. "I can't wait for the third."

Kouichi – Heiwami

3 – Hand – 5

0 – Soul – 4

2 – Damage – 2

0 – Counterblasted – 2

Field:

none – Black Esquire, Ramon = Quartz Beast Tamer - none

Eager Squire, Dreg – Dark Prophet, Elindil = Crimson Beast Tamer – none

none – none = Sunstone Beast Tamer – none

"Well, it's your turn. Go." Heiwami said, the fire flickering around them brightly. Kouichi held his side, breathing heavily.

"Kouichi-kun? What's wrong?" Rei called.

"It's like he got hurt by the attack." Emil said. "But how…"

"Do you give up? Can I stop wasting my time?" Heiwami asked. She heard a chuckle, and her eyes narrowed. Kouichi laughed, and laughed, standing up straight.

"That's really cool! It's a bit like you're the units themselves!" He said. "This is really cool! A new way to cardfight!"

"Cool… You called this cool…" Heiwami muttered.

"No way I'm giving up! This is too cool!" Kouichi yelled. "Stand and draw! I ride The Black Knight, Morgarath!"

In front of him, the shadows seemed to gather around his vanguard as it transformed into a knight dressed in plain black armour. There was a large black sword in his hand, along with a sword and dagger at his belt, ready for battle. Shadows flickered around, gathering under the flames in a strangely comforting fashion. [The Black Knight, Morgarath – 9000]

"Morgarath loses 2000 for being the vanguard, but by moving Ramon to the soul, he gains 3000 for this turn!" He yelled, the squire disappearing, it's shadows adding to the ones already there. "Now I call The Knight of Emptiness, Shapur and Grazel, the Missionary!"

Two more knights appeared on his field, ready for battle. [The Knight of Emptiness, Shapur – 10000] [Grazel, the Missionary – 8000]

"Grazel attacks Crimson Beast Tamer!" He yelled, the military clothing dressed man racing forwards.

"Sunstone, guard." Another copy of the yellow gem wielding tamer appeared in its path, the collision making both of them disappear.

"Morgarath attacks with a boost from Dreg! I have more rearguards than you, so that's 4000 more power!" [7000 + 3000 + 6000 + 4000 = 20000]

"Hypnotizing Beast Tamer of Hades. Perfect guard." An elf dressed in mystical, shimmering clothing and holding a pendulum appeared, swinging it back and forth. The knight stopped in its tracks, walking backwards after seeing it. Kouichi frowned.

"Drive check."

[Drive Check – Eager Squire, Dreg – No Trigger]

"Shapur attacks Crimson Beast Tamer!" The knight dressed forwards, void of all expression as it sliced at the tamer across the arm with its daggers. Heiwami winced slightly, damage checking.

[Damage Check – Cobalt Beast Tamer – No Trigger]

"I end my turn." Kouichi said.

Kouichi – Heiwami

2 – Hand – 2

1 – Soul – 4

2 – Damage – 3

0 – Counterblasted – 2

Field:

Grazel, the Missionary – The Knight of Emptiness, Shapur = Quartz Beast Tamer - none

Eager Squire, Dreg – The Black Knight, Morgarath = Crimson Beast Tamer – none

none – none = Sunstone Beast Tamer – none

"… hey. Did you know?" Heiwami said quietly, although being completely clear. "How many people have been damaged, injured, suffered, cried, screamed, and corrupted by these devices?"

Kouichi blinked. Huh?

"And yet, you're calling this cool? Cool?" Her eyes flashed dangerously, the fire rising. "You should be cowering! And yet, you're calling this cool?! How cool do you think this is!" She drew her card fiercely. "Get swept away in the burning wave of dimensions, and lose yourself amongst the gap between worlds! Ride the Vanguard!"

Suddenly, the entire field rippled, and they were all transported to a place with no ground or sky. Portals and different planets appeared in different places around them over and over, disappearing as quickly as they came. They all floated in midair, with Emil freaking out, Leo finding it cool, and Rean upside down. In the middle of the field, or what seemed to be the middle, a swirling vortex appeared out of the ground, and an elf with long silver hair and a huge black cape sprung out. She held an ordinary whip, and when she cracked it, two huge chimera beasts appeared out of portals around them. "Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah!" The beasts roared, sending Kouichi's field back. [Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah – 11000]

"Let's see if you still think this is cool." She spat out the last word. "Tarah attacks Morgarath! Tarah's skill, she gains 1000 and I can soulcharge 1 card!"

[Soul Charge – Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier – No Trigger]

"Six cards in my soul! The circus now goes to the next level!" Heiwami yelled.

"What?!" Kouichi took a step back in midair as the elf charged towards him, commanding the two beasts to strike at Morgarath. They both bit his sides, making him backwards. Kouichi yelled in pain as he fell backwards, his shoulder burning.

[Drive Check – Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier – No Trigger]

[Drive Check – Topaz Beast Tamer – Critical Trigger]

[Damage Check – Black Esquire, Ramon – No Trigger]

[Damage Check – Dark Priest, Ledom – Stand Trigger]

"Power to Morgarath… I stand Shapur…"

"Sunstone attacks Morgarath! Sunstone's new skill! Since I have more than six cards in my soul, she gains 3000 power!" [9000 + 3000 = 12000]

"F-Field Medic, Graak guards!" Kouichi yelled as the blond tamer leapt into the air, cracking her yellow whip and smashing it into the newly appeared doctor, making him yell in pain before disappearing.

"Quartz. Attack Shapur." Heiwami said, the elf dashing past her and striking the knight with her whip. [7000 + 3000 + 5000 = 15000]

"Third act, end." She said. "So, is this still fun?"

Kouichi – Heiwami

1 – Hand – 4

1 – Soul – 6

4 – Damage – 3

0 – Counterblasted – 2

Field:

Grazel, the Missionary – none = Quartz Beast Tamer - none

Eager Squire, Dreg – The Black Knight, Morgarath = Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah – none

none – none = Sunstone Beast Tamer – none

Kouichi breathed heavily, holding his stomach to try and stop himself from throwing up. "Well?! I said, IS THIS STILL FUN?! GETTING HURT OVER AND OVER?!"

Kouichi took in a deep breath. "I don't know what happened… or why you're like this…. But these could be really fun…"

Heiwami stiffened, biting her lip and holding herself back. "WHAT IS WITH YOU?! THINKING SOMETHING LIKE THIS—"

"That's not what I mean!" Kouichi yelled. "These could really make a cardfight fun, feeling the same pain your vanguard does, really bonding with them! But just using it to inflict pain, that just doesn't seem right!"

He drew his card, trying to ignore the fire burning his skin. "O King and god, your dark knights await! I ride the King and God of the Dark Ones, the Shadow Knight!"

Morgarath held his sword in the air as shadows swirled around him, transforming into a man covered head to toe in black armor, made of nothing of this world. There was a a huge sword made of black metal in his hand, which seemed effortlessly light in his hands. The shadows swarmed around him, making him seem larger in size than he actually was. [The King and God of the Dark Ones, The Shadow Knight – 11000]

Kouichi looked at the field and at his hand. I guess I have to play it defensive right now. "Dreg boosts, The Shadow Knight attacks Tarah!" [11000 + 6000 = 17000]

"No guard." Heiwami said calmly.

"Drive check."

[Drive Check – The Knight of Lies, Dramon – No Trigger]

[Drive Check – Reaper of Souls, Haradrim – Critical Trigger]

"Critical trigger!" He yelled.

"Don't forget the pathetic effects of your own card." Heiwami said. "You're forbidden from powering up your own vanguard. You've been limiting yourself the entire time, staying stuck in your own world without ever bothering to look outside it. What's the end result of you barricading yourself in your own world, never ever being able to break through your own limits? You being unable to do anything now."

Kouichi looked down at his Vanguard Aegis. "… critical and power to Grazel…"

The knight swung his sword, intending to slice across the middle of the elf, although she stepped back into a portal, disappearing from sight. The sword sliced apart her two pet chimeras, which disappeared and were quickly replaced by two more that jumped out of portals, one carrying Tarah on its back. She smiled, the attack having done no real damage.

[Damage Check – Jade Beast Tamer – Heal Trigger]

"Power to Tarah. I don't heal." She said.

Kouichi – Heiwami

3 – Hand – 4

2 – Soul – 6

4 – Damage – 4

0 – Counterblasted – 2

Field:

Grazel, the Missionary – none = Quartz Beast Tamer - none

Eager Squire, Dreg – The King and God of the Dark Ones, The Shadow Knight = Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah – none

none – none = Sunstone Beast Tamer – none

"So. Answer me something." Kouichi looked at Heiwami, whose face was light up by the fire flickering next to it. "Stuck in that little shell, being unable to do anything, don't you ever find it sad? Have you ever realized how weak you really are?"

"Hey! You have no right to call me weak!" Kouichi yelled.

"I have every right. I saw your opening fight. You thought you were doing so well." She frowned. "You annoy me. Naïve people like you who think they can achieve something the way they are now annoy me. Annoying, annoying, it's so annoying. You're so annoying! The one thing you should never do is annoy me! Final Turn!"

"What?!" Kouichi yelled.

"So, it's over this turn?" Leo said.

Rei looked at the field. "It pretty much is." Haseo nodded in agreement.

"Hey, did you know," Heiwami said, "There's a world that even goes past breaking limits. One so dangerous regular people haven't been able to get there without extreme power from both outside and within. Do you want me to show you a little bit of this world?"

She drew the top card of her deck, then held one in the air. "When the world is enveloped in darkness, the radiance that shines through will call people to the tent. The one who can command the light to find people is here, center stage. Fall into the dream, and fantasize a world where there's no such thing as limits! Our circus is infinitely powerful! Break Ride!"

Tarah waved goodbye as the two chimeras next to her turned into pillars of light, swirling around her. The light burst apart, blinding the field and everyone in it as a huge, purple vanguard circle flashed in the air.

At Vanguard Academy's main office, Principal Brown looked outside to see the large pillar of light in the middle of the forest. He sighed. "Who decided to challenge her anger her enough to use that card?"

A ring of fire flickered around a new tamer with long, black hair down to her ankles. She wore asymmetrical black clothing articles, lined with silver. There were long, silver boots with the toe and heel sparkling, along with a whip made out of what seemed to be pure diamonds, too delicate to move. A diamond flower was embedded in her hair, along with a star next to her eye. The world flickered around them, growing fuzzy and hard to focus on as she cracked her whip, colors swirling around them like a kaleidoscope. "Tamer of light and dreams. Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier." The elf smiled with contempt, and lashed out with her whip, setting it ablaze with fire. [Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier – 11000]

"The Break Ride's effect! Saquier gets 10000 more power, along with a skill!" She yelled. "Quartz moves back. Call! Aquamarine Beast Tamer, Cobalt, and one more Quartz." Three more tamers, one with a whip made of water crystals, and the other was a blue-haired tamer with the dark blue whip, and the third being a copy of the pure white one near her. [Aquamarine Beast Tamer – 8000] [Cobalt Beast Tamer – 7000] [Quartz Beast Tamer – 7000] "Cobalt's soulcharge."

[Soul Charge – Topaz Beast Tamer – Critical Trigger]

"I'll skip on Aquamarine's skill. Now, do you want to see it? The world where limits don't even begin to exist?" She said quietly. "Do you want to take a little glimpse out of your world, and into the real one?"

Kouichi frowned. "Why don't you just try it then!"

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Heiwami said, holding another card into the air. "Welcome to the main attraction of the Finale. Circus Tamer Liberation! Personification Break, Soul Edition!"

"Personification Break?!" Emil stared. "W-What's that…"

"It's the next level of the Persona Blast." Rei said quietly. "Having another one of yourself where you can accept it, and then discarding a copy of yourself to unlock new powers. Personification Break. Extremely rare."

"And that's hers." Rean said. "Woah."

"Since I have a copy of Saquier in my soul, by dropping a mirror of herself down, I unlock new powers!" Heiwami yelled, the card fluttering down to the drop zone. "Counterblast 1. Now for this turn, all of my Tamers get 3000 each time a unit's called to the rearguard from the soul!"

"What?!" Kouichi took a step back in shock. Okay, that's a crazy skill. But she hasn't called any from the soul. As long as it's like that, I'll be fine. Hope for no critical and I'll be fine.

"Quartz boosts, Sunstone Beast Tamer attacks the Shadow Knight!" [9000 + 7000 + 3000 = 19000]

"Reaper of Souls, Haradrim guards!"

"Cobalt boosts, Saquier attacks the Shadow Knight! Break ride skill, activate!" She yelled. "I move Sunstone to my soul, and from it, call my avatar again! Crimson Beast Tamer!"

The tamer dressed in yellow turned into a ball of flames, which reshaped into an elf with long silver hair, a small leotard, and a whip of fire. [Crimson Beast Tamer – 8000] "She gains 3000 due to her skill, and 5000 due to the breakride's. And now all of my units get 3000 more power! Go, Saquier!" [11000 + 10000 + 7000 + 3000 + 3000 = 33000]

The world around them flickered again, and Kouichi was suddenly standing on a bright, circus stage, spotlights shining on him. The diamond elf looked at him, smiled, and then her whip lashed out, wrapping around his vanguard and throwing him down to the ground like some rag doll, effortlessly. He screamed in his head, refusing to let it go to his mouth, and could only watch in horror as his vanguard was repeatedly lashed at with the diamond whip, striking him all over. He doubled over, holding his middle and sides to try and stop the pain.

"Twin drive." Heiwami said.

[Drive Check – Agate Beast Tamer – Draw Trigger]

"Draw Trigger. Power to Crimson, and I draw one card. Second check."

[Drive Check – Hypnotizing Beast Tamer of Hades – No Trigger]

"D-Damage… check…" Kouichi took a quick gasp of air, before grabbing his top card and putting it on the damage zone. He sighed in relief when he saw it.

[Damage Check – Field Medic, Graak – Heal Trigger]

"Heal trigger! I heal one card, and the power goes to my vanguard." He said.

Heiwami seemed unfazed. "Cobalt's new skill. I counterblast 1, move her to the soul, and from it, superior call another Amethyst Radiance Tamer to replace my rested Quartz!"

The blue-haired tamer disappeared, and then the white one next to where it used to be glowed pink, splitting off into two with one of them disappearing and the other taking her place, glowing the same color as her pink crystal whip. [Amethyst Radiance Tamer – 7000]

"Another one!" Mana said. "That means…"

"I won't activate Amethyst's skill right now. Although…" Heiwami said. "Personification Break's effect! All of my units get 3000 more power! Quartz boosts, Aquamarine attacks! Oh, did I mention? Quartz's hidden skill is that she gains 2000 whenever a unit is called from the soul!" [8000 + 7000 + 6000 + 6000 + 4000 = 31000]

"No guard." Kouichi cringed, bracing himself for impact. The tamer cracked her whip, a wave of water crashing down into him and his vanguard as he yelled.

[Damage Check – Grazel, the Missionary – No Trigger]

"Crimson, let's end this." Heiwami said. The silver-haired elf nodded, fire erupting in a circle around her. Kouichi's eyes widened. That was it. That was the fire he constantly saw around her. He didn't know how, but it was this specific fire. Not any regular one, but this one. And this fire was the last thing he saw before he blacked out as it raced towards him. [8000 + 3000 + 5000 + 6000 + 7000 + 3000 = 32000]

[Damage Check – The King and God of the Dark Ones, the Shadow Knight – No Trigger]

Kouichi – Heiwami

2 – Hand – 5

2 – Soul – 8

6 – Damage – 4

0 – Counterblasted – 4

Field:

Grazel, the Missionary – none = Aquamarine Beast Tamer - Quartz Beast Tamer

Eager Squire, Dreg – The King and God of the Dark Ones, The Shadow Knight = Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier – none

none – none = Crimson Beast Tamer – Amethyst Radiance Tamer

The units around them faded away, as Kouichi collapsed to the ground, his body covered with burn markings. The others ran to him, as Emil checked his pulse.

"I-I can feel something!" Emil said.

"He's breathing too!" Rean said, holding his hand over Kouichi's mouth. "Oh come on! How does this even happen?!"

Rei stared at the Vanguard Aegis. She tore it off of his arm and threw it behind her, and Heiwami caught it. "That was mean! How could you do that?!" She screamed at her, tears beginning to come out.

"He asked for it. What's the problem?" Heiwami asked. "It's just a few side effects, although he seems to have took more than regular people. Weird." She shrugged. "I'm late already, thanks for giving it back. I won't tell, although the end of the fight was disappointing."

She looked at Kouichi, who was still unconscious, and sighed. "He's weird." And then Heiwami disappeared into the woods, putting the hood back on her head.

-linebreak-

"Hey hey, did you hear about the weird beam of light last night?"

"It woke me up! What was that?!"

"It came from the forest, didn't you see it?"

"Oh man that was bright!"

Heiwami walked down the hallway of the school, listening to the students whisper and move aside when they saw her. She inwardly sighed. Idiots. Jeez. Although maybe she did lose it a little last night. That was pretty stupid. No, nope, no it wasn't. It was all that Kanbara's fault.

And she had been late. Oh that got them real pissed off at her. She got the whole 'don't be late' speech again and it bored her to pieces.

Now where was that idiot Macy…

"You're late." She looked up to see Stephan standing at the main entrance of the school with his arms crossed, although he didn't look angry. "I expected this though."

Heiwami scowled. "Can we just get this over with? I'm missing out on my afternoon nap."

They walked into the forest, not far from where the cardfight had happened last night. Stephan got out some papers and read over them. "So far, your essays and writing assignments show that you have the spelling, grammar, and vocabulary of someone around the age of 7. Your math skills are behind too, and you have virtually no knowledge of science and history. You were asked one class to explain the concept of gravity, and according to this note, you responded 'Who cares, as long as the sun doesn't squash us I'm good.' Can you see why your academic skills are a bit of a concern?"

"Not really." She responded, lying down on the ground and closing her eyes. She yawned.

"Do you know anything about the strange light last night?" He asked.

"No idea at all Macy."

Stephan looked at her and sighed. "I don't see why you're hiding it if you know something, but I'll respect your personal space. You heard how Kouichi Kanbara, a Vermillion Yellow, was hospitalized with first degree burns, right?"

"Yeah, it's all over the place. Who doesn't?"

"Some friends of his dragged him to the hospital in the middle of the night, sometime after the light. It's connected, meaning something happened last night with the light to get him like that."

"So? None of my business."

"You're a strange girl, you know."

"Okay." Heiwami shrugged. "Are we done for today? I'm sleepy."

Stephan studied her. He lay down on the grass opposite to her. "Why not. I could do with a nap as well."

He heard some light snoring, and lifted his head to see her already asleep. He smiled. "Strange girl."

-linebreak-

"Did you hear? Your old friend Kouichi's been up to some trouble." A girl dressed in a purple uniform and the craziest, colourful hair ever said, lounging on a sofa. She spoke in a strange accent, making all of her words come out mysteriously.

"It's all over campus. That idiot has no idea what he's doing half of the time." A guy responded, typing on a computer. "Ugh, these stupid reports. Why do they bother assigning homework here anyways?"

"It's to 'make sure you understand' the material." The girl responded. "I don't see why you do it. I mostly just force a random kid to do it for me in exchange for some money."

"I gotta keep up the image of 'Fourth Best Fighter' here, so I have to do the stupid stuff." The boy said. "Print. There. Done." He closed the laptop, then leaned back in his chair. "So, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Operation Cray."

"What, are they finally starting phase 2 of it?"

"Of course, and then they've got the four of us to do it."

The boy snorted. "Keji's still unable to move around properly for more than two hours at a time without equipment, and Night's who knows where, slacking off. We're just there to handle any threats on this island, and there isn't going to be any, since no one knows about it."

"Precautions are precautions. You've monitored the school for some time, put in some names, and the upcoming tournament will just give us more opportunities. Thunder and Scarlet will know their places."

"And yet you lost to both of them." The guy chuckled, and the girl glared at him.

"Never mention it."

"Okay then Sammie, or would you rather me refer to you as Fortune still?"

"I don't care Knight" She stressed the name. "Or would you rather me refer to you as Kimnara?"

"Who cares? We're the only ones here." Kimnara looked around his room, one of the best Soul Saver Blue dorms. "Just monitor the tournament, give results, and cause some chaos."

"That is something all of us are good at."

"Well then," he stood up and opened the window, the cold night air rushing in, "Team Pluto's set to go."


Nan man-kai demo makenai kimochi dorō shite
Kagayaku mirai e Ride massuguna kimi ga sukida yo!

Naitemo waratte mo ichido kiri no shinken shōbu honkidesu hora hibana chirase
Seikai mo riyū mo nakute ī yo yancha-gokoro kattedesu! Tsukande hanasanaikara

Makezugirai kuyashī toki wa namida shite mata tsuyoku narou
Tsugi no itte wa (hisshō! )
Nan demo ari no (jōkyō! )
Ima kirifuda misete ageru yo

Nan man-kai demo atsui kimochi dorō shite
Kimi ga omou mama ni Ride don'na sora mo toberu yo

Genkai toppa de saigo wa makikaesou So Let' s Fight!
Matta nashi ne honki dashite motto saikō no Fight o!


Me: Welp, Cray Heroes Ride 7 is done. I was aiming to stage this later but, well, things happen and I didn't have any ideas for fillers. Plus I didn't wanna write fillers. They annoy me.

Astral: The next ride has more plot.

Me: Thanks to all my friends at the Vanguard Academy forum for helping me work out the Personification Break and the Persona Caller! Love you guys!

Astral: Figuratively.

Me: I still love you guys! All my readers! Review, and see you next time!


Name: Haseo Rouge
Age: 16

Hair: Neck length light blue hair
Eyes: Pale yellow eyes
Clothes: Soul Saver Blue jacket zipped up with dark green denim jeans and white shoes.
Rank: Second Year Soul Saver Blue
Personality: He's usually quite calm, and speaks formally to just about everyone. He likes reason, and not doing things on whim. He does care about his friends, while not showing it though.
Fun Facts: He doesn't like sweets, rain, dancing, and black olives. He fails at telling jokes.
Creator: Black Chains of Abyss


(The following Pale Moon units were created by me. The concept of Personification Break was also created by me)

Emerald Beast Tamer
Grade 0/Elf – Pale Moon/4000 Power/10000 Shield
AUTO: Pioneer (When another unit from the same clan rides this unit, you may call this card to (RC))
ACT [R]: [Counter Blast (1)] Look at up to three cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one card with "Tamer" in its card name from among them, move it to your soul, and shuffle your deck. When this unit boosts an attack that hits, you may move this unit to your soul, and superior call the unit you moved to your soul with this skill.
"The whip of thorns signals the start of the circus!"

Citrine Beast Tamer
Grade 0/Elf – Pale Moon/5000 Power/10000 Shield/Critical Trigger
"Precision is my specialty."

Topaz Beast Tamer
Grade 0/Elf – Pale Moon/4000 Power/10000 Shield/Critical Trigger
ACT [Soul]: When your vanguard is being attacked, if you have a «Pale Moon» vanguard, and you do not have any cards in your hand, you may call this card to (GC) as [Rest].
"We'll strike from all angles."

Agate Beast Tamer
Grade 0/Elf – Pale Moon/5000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger
"Keeper of the cages, that's me!"

Jade Beast Tamer
Grade 0/Elf – Pale Moon/5000 Power/10000 Shield/Heal Trigger
"We're beautiful tamers with whips that command the gem beasts."

Cobalt Beast Tamer
Grade 1/Elf – Pale Moon/7000 Power/5000 Shield
AUTO [R]: When this unit is placed on (VC) or (RC), if you have a «Pale Moon» vanguard, you may Soul Charge (1).
CONT [V/R]: If you have six or more cards with "Tamer" in its name in your soul, this unit gets: "AUTO [R]: [Counter Blast (1) & Put this unit into your soul] When an attack hits during the battle that this unit boosted, if you have a «Pale Moon» "Tamer" vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose a «Pale Moon» other than a card named "Quartz Beast Tamer" from your soul, and call it to (RC)."
"That's good, come closer. Don't worry, the beasts won't bite."

Quartz Beast Tamer
Grade 1/Elf – Pale Moon/7000 Power/5000 Shield
AUTO: When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with "Tamer" in its card name, this unit gets [Power]+3000 until end of that battle.
CONT [V/R]: If you have six or more cards with "Tamer" in its name in your soul, this unit gets: "AUTO [V/R]: When a «Pale Moon» is placed on (RC) from Soul, this unit gets Power +2000 until end of turn" until end of turn.
"The Tamers of the Pale Moon specialize in all sorts of tricks."

Hypnotizing Beast Tamer of Hades
Grade 1/Elf – Pale Moon/6000 Power/0 Shield
CONT: Sentinel (You may only have up to four cards with "CONT: Sentinel" in a deck.)
AUTO: [Choose a «Pale Moon» from your hand, and discard it] When this unit is placed on (GC), you may pay the cost. If you do choose one of your «Pale Moon» that is being attacked, and that unit cannot be hit until end of that battle.
"Watch the pendulum. Turn back now. It's bad news to oppose our circus."

Amethyst Radiance Tamer
Grade 1/Elf – Pale Moon/7000 Power/5000 Shield
CONT: Persona Caller (You may only have up to four cards with "CONT: Persona Caller" in a deck.)
AUTO: [Counter Blast (1) – unit with "Tamer" in its card name, retire this unit] When this unit is placed on (VC) or (RC), if you have a «Pale Moon» "Tamer" vanguard, you may search your deck for one unit with "Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier" in its name, reveal it to your opponent, and put it in your hand.
"Let's light up the field with our act!"

Sunstone Beast Tamer
Grade 2/Elf – Pale Moon/9000 Power/5000 Shield
AUTO [V/R]: When this unit's attack hits a vanguard, if you have a vanguard with "Tamer" in its card name, choose a card from your damage zone, turn it face up, and Soul Charge (1).
CONT: If you have six or more units with "Tamer" in its name in your soul, this unit gets this skill: "AUTO [R]: When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with "Tamer" in its card name, this unit gets [Power] +3000 until end of that battle."
"Light can blind the truth of the circus from the watchers."

Aquamarine Beast Tamer
Grade 2/Elf – Pale Moon/8000 Power/5000 Shield
AUTO [R]: [Counterblast 1]. When this unit is placed in (VC) or (RC), if you have a «Pale Moon» vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to one «Pale Moon» with "Tamer" in its name, put it in your soul, and shuffle your deck.
CONT: If you have six or more units with "Tamer" in its name in your soul, this unit gets this skill: "AUTO [R]: [Counter Blast (1) & Put this unit into your soul] When this unit's attack hits, if you have a «Pale Moon» vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose a «Pale Moon» other than a card named "Quartz Beast Tamer" from your soul, and call it to (RC)."
"Be careful of the seats near the water, they could be deadly!"

Alter-Dimera Tamer, Tarah
Grade 3/Elf – Pale Moon/11000 Power
AUTO: Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage): When a «Pale Moon» rides this unit, you may choose one of your Vanguards, that unit gets [Power] +10000, and gets "AUTO [V]: [Choose 1 of your «Pale Moon» "Tamer" rear-guards, and put them into your soul] When this unit attacks a vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose 1 «Pale Moon» with "Tamer" in its name from your soul, and call it to (RC). That unit gets [Power]+5000 and gets 'AUTO: [Move this unit to Soul] When this unit's attack hits or boosts an attack that hits, if you have a «Pale Moon» "Tamer" vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose a «Pale Moon» "Tamer other than that card from your soul, and call it to (RC).'" until end of turn.
AUTO [V]: When this unit attacks a Vanguard, you may Soul Charge (1), and this unit gets [Power] +1000 until end of that battle.
CONT [V/R]: Lord (If you have a unit that doesn't belong to the same clan as this unit, this unit cannot attack)
"We're a circus, we don't need limits!"

Fantasy Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier
Grade 3/Elf – Pale Moon/11000 Power
ACT [V]: Personification Break Soul 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage) (This ability is active if you have one copy of this card in your soul and your hand): [Counter Blast (1) – Card with "Tamer" in its card name, Choose a card named "Diamond Radiance Tamer, Saquier" from your hand, and discard it] All of your «Pale Moon» units get [Power] +3000 for every unit called from the soul until the end of your turn.
AUTO [V]: [Counter Blast (2) – Cards with "Tamer" in its card name] When this unit attacks a Vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, move three «Pale Moon» rearguards with "Tamer" in its name to the Soul. Then choose up to three «Pale Moon» with "Tamer" in its name from your soul, and call them to separate (RC). If three units were called with this skill, your Vanguard gets Critical +1 until the end of your turn.
CONT [V/R]: Lord (If you have a unit that doesn't belong to the same clan as this unit, this unit cannot attack)
"Even a diamond's brilliance doesn't stand a chance against me! I'm the star of the circus!"


(The following Shadow Knight units were originally created by littleblackwing, revised by me)

Master Blacksmith, Dragonan
Grade 0/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 3000/Shield 5000/Draw Trigger
AUTO: When another «Shadow Knights» rides this unit, you may call this card to (RC).
AUTO [R]:When this unit boosts, the boosted unit gets [Power]+3000 until end of that battle, and at the beginning of the end phase of that turn, return this unit to your deck, and shuffle your deck.

Dark Prophet, Elindil
Grade 1/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 8000/Shield 5000

Black Esquire, Ramon
Grade 1/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 7000/Shield 5000
ACT [R]: [Put this unit into your soul] If your Vanguard is "The Black Knight, Morgarath", you may pay the cost. If you do, that unit gets Power +3000 until end of turn.

Grazel, the Missionary
Grade 1/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 8000/Shield 5000

Eager Squire, Dreg
Grade 1/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 6000/Shield 5000
AUTO [R]: When this unit boosts a «Shadow Knights» vanguard, if the number of rear-guards you have is more than your opponent's, the boosted unit gets Power +4000 until end of that battle.

The Black Knight, Morgarath
Grade 2/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 9000/Shield 5000
CONT [V]: This unit loses -2000
AUTO [V]: [Counterblast 2, retire one rearguard] If this unit's attack is successfully blocked, you may pay the cost. If you do, superior ride one "The King and God of the Dark Ones, the Shadow Dragon" from your hand in rest position.

The Knight of Emptiness, Shapur
Grade 2/Human – Shadow Knights/Power 10000/Shield 5000

The King and God of the Dark Ones, the Shadow Knight
Grade 3/Abyss Dragon – Shadow Knights/Power 11000
CONT [V/R]: If you have a non-«Shadow Knights» vanguard or rear-guard, this unit loses 2000 power.
CONT [V/R]: You cannot give trigger effects to this card.
AUTO [V]: If this unit's drive check reveal's a stand trigger, this unit gains +2000 power.


Kouichi: Strength… am I really… not the tiniest bit strong…

Emil: K-K-Kouichi?! Are you alright?!

Kouichi: I don't know…

Rei: Well, cheer up! Everything will be fine! Oh, I heard about this special class they're having especially for vanguard training!

Emil: It's supposed to be really tough though…

Vayle: Oh that class! You might wanna avoid that class… Tough doesn't begin to describe it… It's reduced third years to tears in seconds…

Leo: What kind of class is that?!

All: Next time, "Tough Training, Suck it Up"

Kouichi: T-This class…

Heiwami: Operation… Cray…