Chapter 7

The Rutile Emperor At His Finest

Hey, guys! It's Mason. Sorry I haven't been narrating that much. I wanted to give Toby a shot, given him being new and all. Anyway, on to the story!

Sports Floor, Room 4, Mason's Room

My phone began to ring. I picked it up. "Yeah?"

It was Trevor. "Mason,...you think you can stop by the Medical Department? Visiting hours just opened up... And you think you can bring Claire?... She's been worrying."

"Sure, I can do that. I was going to check on him anyway."

"I'm sorry if I can't go, myself. But, all the work-"

"Don't worry about it. That's what I'm here for, dude."

"...Thanks, Mason."

"Don't mention it."

He hung up.

As instructed, I went to Supernatural Affairs and picked up Claire. Then, we went to the Medical Department on the 14th floor. The head instructor guided us to her brother's bed... It was James. His upper body was covered in bandages and he had burn marks on his arms. "...Claire?..."

She ran to him. "James! Oh god... What happened?!"

"What? This?... I just got into a scrape with some jerks. They didn't bang me up that much..." He grunted.

She began to cry.

"Why is my little sorceress crying?..."

"Quit calling me that! I'm not some little kid!"

He smiled. "Sister, no matter hold old you get, you'll always be that little girl that tried to conjure up spells from storybooks in my eyes... I love you..."

"... I love you too, Brother..." She hugged him.

"Ow ow ow!"

"Oh god! I'm so sorry!" She backed up.

"Nonono, it's okay. Just that damn stitching. Whoever did it did a sloppy job."

Doctor Razor came in. "I'll fix it later."

I then asked: "Well, is he gonna live?"

"Yeah. But, it's going to be a while before he canm get back in the field."

James then said: "It's alright. I've been in need of a vacation."

"This is serious, kid. In fact, we've asked all agents to take on missions with senior members for extra precaution. If we're not careful, the HFH and the Foundation aren't going to last long."

"Are there any clues on who's been doing it?" I asked.

"Word has it they were former members of both organizations. But, other than that, there's nothing to go on." Razor explained.

"Oh, they were former members alright. I remember them perfectly." James said.

"Well, spill it." I demanded.

"One had light, purple hair and was wearing a salmon colored suit. There was also a guy with short, blond hair and wore a sleeveless vest and shirt. Both were black and grey. Finally, there was a little girl with long, blond hair that carried around a giant sword almost twice her size."

"...Where did they say they were going?" I asked.

"They said they were heading for New York in the next couple of weeks."

Claire then realized: "They're going to compete in the League tournament!"

"What did they take from you?" I asked.

"Well... Nothing... But, I haven't heard from-" His eyes widened. He checked his deck case. There was a blank card. "Oh no... Amaterasu!"

"What's wrong?" Claire asked.

"Amaterasu... She's... gone!"

"...James, what was Amaterasu to you?"

"She was my avatar... She got me through every cardfight... Now,... she's gone..." He began to cry.

"James..." She turned to me. "You have to get her back. He's nothing without her..."

"We'll do everything we can. No one can beat me and my Nova Grapplers."

James then said: "Thank you, Mason... You're a true friend."

"Hey, if it weren't for that cardfight that day, I wouldn't be here. It's the least I can do. I'll get Amaterasu back. You can count on it." I went to the elevator.

As soon as I got to the first floor, I walked out and decided to take a walk. I went to my old hang out, Fighter Central, to check up on Osamaru and Mark. "Hey guys. How's business?"

Osamaru then said: "It's great! ever since the new trial decks came out, business couldn't be better!"

"Plus, we may just have some new recruits for you in the next couple of days." Mark added.

"You don't say. Well, we'll bring someone down later in the week. Anyway, you need anything?"

"Your visit is just enough. It's good to see a regular come by to share his wisdom with new players." Osamaru said.

"Yeah... In a way, they remind me of us..."

"...I remember when Abbey first introduced you to me. You two... I've never seen two people so close... She's lucky to have someone like you..."

I was about to head out. "I'm afraid you're wrong there. It's me who's lucky to have her... I'll be seeing you guys later."

They both then said: "Come again!"

As I went out, I noticed someone was following me. At first, I thought it was Abbey. But, when I checked their aura with my psyresonance, I decided to go back to the Foundation to see what they would do.

They kept following me. When I finally got to the door, I called them out: "Whoever you are, just come out."

It was a guy with light, violet hair, wearing a pink suit. "It's salmon, imbecile!"

"I could give a rat's ass! Now, what do you want?!"

"I want Titanium Rutile..."

"...I thought it was you,...Allen Wakefield."

"A pleasure to take your avatar this evening." He bowed.

"Think you can tell me why you took Amaterasu?"

"I'm afraid that's classified."

I took out the sword handles. "Golden Nitōichi!" Blades of light were produced from them.

"Ah... So, this is your PFS?... Well, allow me to show you mine. He took out a book. It's appearance seemed demonic. "Hell's Directory! Activate!"

ANTI GRAVITY GENERATOR, INITIATED. LET'S STAND UP.

"Well, if it's a cardfight you want! Activate!" The scaberds' blades disappeared and they began to float in tandem.

ANTI GRAVITY GENERATOR, INITIATED. LET'S STAND UP.

We set our starters and drew our starting hands. Mine had Tough Boy, King of Sword, Bloody Rain, Fighting Battleship, Prometheus, Clay-doll Mechanic.

We both then exclaimed: "Stand Up, My Vanguard!"

"Lionet Heat!"

"Amon's Follower, Fate Collector!"

"...So, you're still trying to live in his shadow using his clan. You're pathetic."

"Ha! Like I need your approval! I draw. Ride, Poet of Darkness, Amon! Then, I'll move Fate Collector back and end my turn!"

"Draw." It was Beast Deity, Ethics Buster. "Riding Tough Boy. Moving Lionet Heat to the back and having him support for an attack (8000+4000)!"

"I don't guard."

"Checking." It was Red Lightning. "All the effects to my vanguard, Tough Boy (12000+5000)!"

Both of his damage checks were Demon World Marquis, Amon and Amon's Follower, Hell's Deal.

"I end my turn."

"Draw. I ride Demon of Aspiration, Amon. Then, I call Hell's Draw. Using her skill, I Soul Charge 2 cards." They were Fuu Shinrin and Meteor Cracker. "Now, she'll attack first (9000)!"

"I don't guard." It was King of Sword.

"Now, Amon attacks, with support from Fate Collector (8000+5000)!"

"I don't guard."

"Drive Check." It was Amon's Follower, Psychic Waitress. "I'll give 5000 to Amon and draw."

"Damage Check." It was Beast Deity, Golden Anglet.

"I'll end my turn."

"Stand and draw." It was Brutal Jack. "I ride Jack. Then, I'll use his Counter Blast and call King of Sword, Bloody Rain, and Clay-doll Mechanic. Using his skill, I flip the card I just used back up. King of Sword attacks first (10000)!"

"I guard with Waitress (8000+5000)."

"Now, Jack attacks with support from Lionet Heat and his skill (16000+4000)!"

"Hmph. I don't guard."

"Drive Check." It was Twin Blader.

His damage check was Fool's Palm.

"Bloody Rain attacks next, with Clay-doll's support (8000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." it was Hell's Trick. "I'll recover one damage. Wow, You've only done one damage this turn. I expected better from the Rutile Emperor." he said, with a sinister smile.

"You do know that you only have 3 damage right now because of a lucky draw, right?"

"Grr... You and him make me sick... Stand and draw! I ride King of Masks, Dantarian! Then, I'll call Fool's Palm and have him support Hell's Draw (9000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." My damage check was Ethics Buster.

"Now, my vanguard will attack, with support from Fate Collector! With Dantarian's skill, he gets 1000 Power and I Soul Charge (12000+5000)!" It was Lon Shinrin.

"Prometheus and Red Lightning will guard (11000+20000)!"

"I still have the Twin Drive! First Check!" It was Demon World Marquis, Amon. "Now, the second!" It was Meteor Cracker. "All effects to Hell's Draw! She'll attack (9000+5000)!"

"I don't guard." It was Clay-doll.

"I'll end my turn. Honestly, I don't see how you're the best player in the Foundation and he's the President. Neither of you are deserving of your titles."

"We worked hard to get where we are. While you got everything you wanted on a silver platter.-"

"Don't you even try to put everything on me! I worked just as hard as you! You and Trevor got everything! Honor, Respect,... you even have significant others... What does that leave me with?"

"...Honestly... Get over it! If you're still wallowing over that, then you're not even worth the trouble! Stand and draw." It was Wall Boy. "I ride Ethics Buster. Then, I'll have King of Sword attack (10000)!"

"I don't guard." It was Dantarian.

"Now, Ethics Buster attacks, with Lionet Heat (13000+4000)!"

"Vlad Specula will nullify it!" He discarded Heal's Deal for the effect.

"Don't be forgettiing the Twin Drive!" The first card was Bloody Rain. The second was The Gong. "I'll give 5000 to Bloody Rain and draw." It was Twin Blader. Now, I'll be able to nullify two attacks. "Bloody Rain comes chargin' in! His skill gives him 3000 Power when I have a unit with Limit Break (16000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." It was Cruel Hand. "Aww... Couldn't finish me off? I guess you've lost your touch."

"Shaddup!"

"Hmph. Stand and draw. This fight is reaching its climax! Almighty lord of darkness, envelope this battlefield with the corpses of my enemies! BREAK RIDE! DEMON WORLD MARQUIS, AMON!"

The demonic figure appeared and snarled at Ethics Buster.

"Dantarian's skill gives Amon 10000 Power and three of my rear-guard get 1000 Power for each Dark Irregulars in the soul until the end of this turn (10000+10000) (9000+6000) (7000+6000) (5000+6000)! Now, I call Psycho Glaive and Poet of Darkness, Amon! Psycho Glaive's Counter Blast allows me to Soul Charge and give him 5000 Power (9000+5000)!" It was Hell's Draw. "Now, that's another 1000 for the three rear-guard (15000+1000) (13000+1000) (11000+1000)! Now, Psycho Glaive, with Poet's support and his skill (14000+9000)!"

"Given your jealousy, that hasn't dulled your skills. I don't guard." It was Brutal Jack.

"Now, my vanguard, supported by Fate Collector! Amon gets 1000 Power for each Dark Irregulars in the soul (27000+12000)!"

"I'll have to nullify that." I placed Twin Blader in the guardian circle and discarded The Gong for the effect.

"Twin Drive..." The first card was Marquis Amon. The second was Fuu Shinrin. "Hell's Draw, with Fool's Palm supporting her (16000+14000)!"

"Nullifying again!" I said, with a goofy smile. I discarded Bloody Rain for the effect.

"Two nullifications in one turn?! Impossible!"

"No, nothing is impossible. Only difficult to a certain degree. Which is what you would have knownn if you didn't betray us."

"...I end my turn..."

"Stand and draw. Your loss is my gain! Taking down all impossibilities and turning them into reality! That is the Nova Grapple to me! I Break Ride Armored Heavy Gunner!"

"You're not using Titanium Rutile?!"

"Of course not. I don't use him unless I really need to."

"So... you... held back?..." This is why he's the Rutile Emperor... Not even I could stand against him... even without his avatar...

"10000 Power is added! I call Wall Boy and have him support King of Sword (10000+5000)!"

"I guard with Meteor Cracker (10000+10000)!"

"Bloody Rain, with support from Clay-doll (11000+7000)!"

"Hell's Draw and Psycho Glaive will intercept (10000+10000)!"

"Armored Heavy Gunner's gonna finish this, with support from Lionet Heat! Time for a Limit Break! Another 5000 is added (25000+4000) and I stand King of Sword and Bloody Rain back up!"

Damn! Even if I survive this, I'll have to deal with two more attacks! "I don't guard!"

"Let's go, Twin Drive!" the first card was Armored Heavy Gunner. And the second: "Prometheus is a go! Critical trigger activated! the 5000 to the King and the critical-"

The robot slashed at Amon.

"D-damage... check..." It was Dantarian. "I... lost..."

"Now, are you going to coopera-"

A cloud of smoke filled the area. Then, a voice said: "Come on, let's get outta here, Allen! The boss wants us!"

Then, another voice said: "Come on, Danderhead! We gotta go!"

Then, Allen said: "I'll have you know, I use shampoo quite frequently!"

The fog disappeared and they were gone. "Damn those three!" I went in.

Edwin was at the door. "What just happened, sir."

"The guys that hurt James just got away when I had them, that's what!"

I made my way to the elevator and noticed Toby running toward me. "Hey, Mason! What's up?"

"I'm on my way to tell Trevor something."

"What's that?"

"Nothing. Just go back to your training. You've got 400 Points now?"

"Actually, I went up to 430. This system is amazing! Even when I lose, I benefit from it."

"That's what makes the Foundation such a great place after all. Now, if you'll excuse me." I went in the elevator and pressed the button marked 25.

"See ya." he said before the door closed.

Floor 25, Main Office

I exited the elevator and went straight for Trevor's desk. He was on the phone. "Thanks for the help, Slick. We'll keep you posted." He hung up. "Mason? What brings you here?"

"Well... I know who did that to James."

He got out of his chair. "You know?"

I nodded. "It's that old rival of yours and some others."

"Allen?... Good lord... Why of all people does it have to be him?... I need an aspirin..."

"What do we do now? Do we report it?"

"Of course we do. But, we'll also show them an example in the League since they're already planning to participate. And guess how we're going to do it."

"Trevor, he's not ready. Plus, even if he were to unlock its abilities, there's no guarantee he'll be able to control them."

"That's where you and the rest of Eternal Dreamers come in."

"...You can't be serious."

"I am."

"But, he's still inexperienced-"

"Need I remind you who was in the same position when we made that said person leader?"

"...You know where I'm getting at. It took me months to even think about being a pro."

"But that kid is special. You see it, Abbey sees it. Even Shiro does. He's got what it takes and it's your job to help him realize what he is capable of... I didn't think much of you at first, but look how you turned out."

"Only because you guys helped me... Alright, I'll help the kid. That's what I signed up for."

"There you go. Now, how was James?"

"He was... better?"

"He's miserable, isn't he?"

"Very much so."

"Carry on."

"Thanks, Mr. President."

"That's Trevor to you!" We bumped fists.

I went back to the elevator.

Leaderboard Room (Toby)

"Sweet! I'm at 450! Just a little more!"

Tyrell then said: "We've got less then two weeks! You think you can get there?"

"You know it! I'll reach 700 and enter the New World League!"

"Good! Now, get out there and cardfight!"

We high-fived. "You got it!"

Well, today was pretty eventful. I saw James for the first time in a while, I beat the guy who put him in a hospital bed, and Toby's on his way to getting 700 points to enter in the first tournament in the New World League. If you wanna find out what happens next, I'll be seeing you in the next chapter!