One day late at night in a dark bedroom illuminated by only a small desk lamp, a young boy with scruffy brown hair sits at the desk with several papers and open books scattered across the desk. He struggles to write something on the paper that looks like a homework assignment. Just then, a loud thud is heard on the desk next to him. He looks over to see a stack of five books having been placed next to him. He looks up to see his mother, whose face can barely been seen in the light, and she says with a scowl, "You have these books to do too. Hurry up and finish." She then turns on her heels and walks out of the room and slams the door behind her. The boy the looks at the papers below him and grits his teeth and tears stream down his cheeks…

TURN 9 – Taiyou Asukawa


In the morning, Tokoha Anjou walks down the street and turns to the front door of a small white modern looking house. "I sure hope Chrono is up today." She thinks to herself.

She then stops when she sees the door open and a sees a messy-red-haired boy run out while putting his shoe on and saying, "Thanks Mom! Gotta go!" The then stops when he sees Tokoha, "Morning Tokoha."

She sighs and walks up to him, "You know Chrono," she complains, "you've become very responsible, but lately you've started to slack." She then gestures toward the blue tie that he's wearing, "Look tie is a loose. You can't go to school like that people will think you're a delinquent." She grabs his tie and tightens it.

"Thanks Tokoha." He thanks her.

"And look, you're hair isn't even straight." She tells him pointing to the several random strands of hair sticking up. She stands on her toes, as she's shorter than him, and lightly ruffs her hand in his hair to try and flatten the strands.

"Look, I'm trying okay…" he tells her turning slightly pinkish.

"I'm glad that you're trying, but try a little harder okay?" she tells him crossing her arms.

"Yes ma'am. I promise I'll try harder." He says tilting his head forward.

"Good, then let's get to school." She says and the two of them walk off.


The two of them then walk down the sidewalk through the light crowd of people. Tokoha then looks up to her friend. "Chrono… Yuji told me about what happened during your last quest." She says concerned, "are you sure you're okay?" he looks down for a second, but then turns up and gestures a thumbs up.

"Don't worry about me, I'm perfectly fine!" he says cheerfully and she gives him a warm smile. "Come on, I'll race you to school!" he challenges her running ahead.

"Chrono wait up!" she says and starts running after him after scrunching her shoulders, "Ooooh you're such a child sometimes!"

Meanwhile Chrono continues to run down the sidewalk, but as he turns the next corner he runs head first into a young boy who was also coming around the corner. The two of them fall on their butts and several papers scatter on the ground. "Ow…" Chrono groans standing up while rubbing his tail bone. He then notices the scruffy-brown-haired boy. "Hey, are you okay?" he asks offering a hand to help him up.

The boy looks up at him and takes his hand, "Yeah… thanks…" he says.

"Chrono!" Tokoha calls him from behind as she catches up. "You can't just go running off like that." She says annoyed, "See? You've made a mess of this kid's stuff."

Chrono looks at the boy and he looks like he's about to cry. "Hey it's okay," Chrono tells him, "I'll help you pick this stuff up."

The boy then looks at Chrono with his teary eyes and sad face, but doesn't even speak. He simply leans down and starts collecting his papers. Chrono and Tokoha give each other a confused look and then lean down to help him. When they're done, they hand the papers to the boy. "Thanks…" he says in a monotone voice and walks off.

"I wonder what's up with him." Chrono asks as he watches him leave, but Tokoha then pulls on his ear. "Ack! Hey that hurts!" he says.

"You're the one who ran off and bumped into him." She tells him annoyed.

"Sorry…" Chrono mutters.

"I'm not the one you should apologize to." She says and looks to where the boy walked off, but he had disappeared into the crowd. "If we ever see him again, you should apologize."

"I know…" Chrono says.


Later at school, Chrono packs up his stuff after class. "Mr. Shindou." He hears a voice call him from the side. He looks to see a young brunette girl with glasses approach him carrying a clipboard. "Hi, I'm Shina Izuki of the Student Council." She tells him, "I was just wondering if you're decided on an after school club."

"A club?" Chrono questions.

"Yes, we recommend all of our students join club for after school so they can get extracurricular activities."

Chrono ponders for a minute then answers, "I haven't really given it any thought."

"Well I can recommend some clubs for you." the girl says and starts flipping through papers on her clipboard, "Let's see… oh! How about the Soccer Club? They could use an extra team member."

"I'm not really that athletic." He replies.

"Alright then… how about the Literature Club?" she suggests.

"I can barely write an essay." He says and the girl puffs her cheeks at him.

"Well if you ever decide on a club, please let me know." She tells him.

"Sure." He says and she walks off.


Later on the school rooftop, Chrono, Tokoha, Luna, and Am gather for lunch. "Huh? A school club?" Luna asks as she's about to bite her sandwich.

"I've never even thought about it…" Chrono says in a slump. "What about you guys? Have you been asked to join any clubs yet?"

"I've been asked numerous times but none of the clubs interest me." Tokoha says as she eats her rice.

"What about you guys?" Chrono asks Luna and Am. Luna scratches the back of her head awkwardly.

"Yeah… about me…" she starts…

Flashback

Several hunky looking boys surround Luna and Am. "How about you ladies come join us in the Soccer Club? We'd be glad to have you." One of them says with a charming smile.

Several nerdy looking boys surround Luna and Am. "Join us in the Art Club! You'd make great models!" One of them says.

Several girls surround Luna and Am. "Come join us in the Swim Club! I bet you guys would great in swimsuits!" One of them says.

End of Flashback

"Most of the people who asked us just wanted us because we're idols." Am says in annoyance.

"I see." Chrono says squinting his eyes.

"But I think you should consider joining a club Chrono, it can be fun." Tokoha tells him, "I was in a club back in middle school and I enjoyed it."

Chrono leans back on the metal fence behind him, "Mmm… maybe I'll give it some thought…" he says and looks up at the clear blue sky.


Later after school, Chrono and Tokoha head over to Card Capital Z for some Cardfights. But when they enter the store, they see no one in sight. "Hello? Yuji?" Chrono calls out. They walk around and turn the corner and they see Yuji sitting on the couch next to a young boy with scruffy-brown hair and Chrono recognizes him immediately. "It's the kid from this morning." Chrono thinks to himself and Tokoha nudges him on the arm.

"Go on, apologize." She whispers to him and Chrono nods.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Yuji says as Chrono walks up to the boy.

"I-I am sorry for bumping into you today." Chrono bows in apology, but the boy simply glances away.

"It's fine…" he says quietly.

"You two know each other?" Yuji asks.

"No, Chrono and him kinda ran into each other on our way to school this morning." Tokoha explains.

"I see. Well you guys came at a perfect time." Yuji tells them, "This kid here was looking for somebody to Cardfight with. I was going to do it myself, but since you're here why don't you fight him?"

"Please mister?" The boy pleads with hope in his eyes.

Chrono ponders for a minute on the boy's sudden change of attitude, "Weird, he looked upset just a minute ago."

"I think that's a great idea." Tokoha says, "Why don't you play against him Chrono?"

"Uh… sure. Why not?" Chrono says and gives the boy a smile.

"Really?!" the boy cheers, "Thank you so much!"

The two of them then gather at a fight table. "By the way, what's your name?" Chrono asks.

"Taiyou Asukawa." The boy replies and Yuji, who is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, is slightly shocked.

"Taiyou huh? Doesn't that mean sun? I like it." Chrono tells him.

"Really?!" Taiyou says, "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

"My name's Chrono Shindou. Let's begin." Chrono says.

"Yeah." Taiyou replies and the two of them declare, "Stand up… VANGUARD!"


"Gunnergear Dracokid (G0/5000)!" Chrono declares.

"Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (G0/5000)!"

"Gold Paladin?" Tokoha wonders.

"Yeah." Yuji says, "They clan of knights of the sun. A fitting clan for his name."

"I'll go first!" Chrono says, "Ride! Mazergear Dragon (G1/8000)!"

"My turn!" Taiyou declares, "Ride! Knight of Morning Shadow, Kimarcus (G1/8000)! Attack the Vanguard (8000-13000)!" Taiyou's attack lands (Chrono: []).

"Ride! Smokegear Dragon (G2/10000)! Boosted by Dracokid, I attack the Vanguard (10000-15000)! Drive Check (Critical)! Critical Trigger, all effects to Smokegear (15000-25000/Crit 1-2)!" (Taiyou: [] []).

"Ride! Knight of Dawnlight, Jago (G2/10000)! I call Hold Mage, Elio (G2/10000)! Boosted by Coel, Jago attacks the Vanguard (10000-15000)!" Taiyou's attack lands again (Chrono: [] []). "Elio now attacks the Vanguard!"

"No Guard." Chrono declares (Chrono: [] [] []).

"Using Elio's skill (Taiyou: X [])! Send her to the soul (Soul: 1-2) and look at 3 cards from the top of my deck, call one unit among them to Rear Guard and add 3000 Power! I call Knight of Evening Glow, Capoir (G2/9000-12000)!"

"He gets another attack off of that!" Chrono exclaims.

"Capoir attacks!" Taiyou declares.

"Guard (Shield: 5000)!" Chrono declares.

"I end my turn."

"Stand and draw." Chrono says as he starts his turn, but when he looks at his hand, he's slightly disconcerted, "I… I don't have Chronojet in my hand." He says in his mind. "I guess I'll have to settle for this…" He takes the card from his hand and prepares to ride, "Ride! Steam Maiden, Elul (G3/12000)!

"Huh? Did you not get Chronojet or something?" Tokoha asks him.

"No I didn't…" Chrono says annoyed.

"Hmm… I wonder what you was Elul would look like?" Yuji comments with a big smirk on his face making Chrono blush.

"Hmm…" Tokoha pictures it too and then giggles at the realization.

"Please don't picture that!" Chrono pleads and Tokoha and Yuji chuckle at his embarrassment. Taiyou watches his unfold causing him to break into a chuckle as well. "Ugh… let's just get on with the fight. Imaginary Gift: Force! Apply it to the Vanguard (12000-22000)! Elul's skill (X [] []) (Soul 2-1)! Send Capoir to the bottom of the deck! I call Paradigm Dragon (G2/10000) and Summit Crest Gear Wolf (G1/7000)!"

Board State

(G3/22000) – (G2/10000)

(G0/5000) – (G1/7000)

"Boosted by Dracokid, Elul attacks the Vanguard (22000-27000)!"

"No Guard." Taiyou declares.

"Twin Drive (SDraw)! Got it! A Super Draw Trigger! Power to Paradigm and I draw 1 card (10000-25000)!" (Taiyou: X [] []) "Boosted by Gear Wolf, Paradigm attacks (25000-32000)! Chrono's attack hits (Taiyou: X [] [] []). "I could use Paradigm's skill now to get another attack in, but I should probably save it…" Chrono strategizes. "I end my turn."

"Wow… you're really good Chrono." Taiyou says in joy, "However, I'm not going to hold back!" Taiyou draws his card and raises a card into the air, "Let's do my partner, the knight who protect the weak from the wicked! Sunrise Ray Knight, Gurguit (G3/12000)! Imaginary Gift: Accel! I gain 1 Accel Circle! Liberating the Generation Zone!" Taiyou places a card into his drop zone and imagines himself flying through a starry vortex. "The radiance and warmth of the sun, it comforts and protects, as I journey toward a better future! Generation Stride!" He is then engulfed by a bright yellow light. "Golden Dragon, Ray Breath Dragon (G4/27000)! Gurguit's Stride Skill (X X [] [])! Look at five cards from the top of my deck, call one unit to Rear Guard and it gets 2000 Power! Then if I call it to an Accel Circle, it gains an additional 5000 Power!"

"What?!" Chrono exclaims.

"I call Knight of High Noon, Percival (G2/10000-20000-22000-27000)! I then call Jago (G2/10000), Kimarcus (G1/8000), Knight of New Sun, Catillus (G2/9000), and Knight of Red Day, Runo (G1/7000)!"

Board State

(G2/9000) – (G4/27000) – (G2/10000) – (G2/27000)!

(G1/7000) – (G0/5000) – (G1/8000)

"Boosted by Runo, Catillus attacks the Vanguard (9000-16000)! Catillus's skill! Unite!"

"Unite?" Chrono questions.

"It's the specialty of Gold Paladin, it's a skill that can only be activated if I've called 2 or more units this turn." Taiyou explain. "Catillus adds 3000 Power! Next Runo's skill! When he boosts a unit with the Unite ability, add another 2000 Power to that unit (16000-19000-21000)!

"No Guard." Chrono declares as he takes the hit (X [] [] []).

"Boosted by Coel, Ray Breath Dragon attacks the Vanguard (27000-32000)! Ray Breath's skill! Unite! When he attacks, add 8000 Power to himself and 4000 Power to all other units in the front row (G4/32000-40000) (G2/21000-25000) (G2/10000-14000) (G2/27000-31000)!

Chrono hesitates for a second, but then guards with, "Complete Guard!"

"Triple Drive (none/none (Sentinel)/Critical). Critical Trigger! All effects to Percival (31000-41000/Crit 1-2)! Percival attacks the Vanguard! Percival's skill (X X X [])! All units in the Front Row gain 5000 Power and a skill! That skill is, Unite! Add 3000 Power (G4/40000-45000-48000) (G2/25000-30000-33000) (G2/14000-19000-22000) (G2/31000-36000-39000)!"

"Guard (Shield: 10000+10000+15000=35000)!" Chrono declares.

"Boosted by Kimarcus, Jago attacks (22000-30000)!"

"No guard." (Chrono: X [] [] [] []).

"I end my turn." Taiyou says. "I'm enjoying this fight so far Chrono."

"I'm glad! Now it's my turn!" Chrono draws his card and breathes a sigh of relief. "Ride! Chronojet Dragon (G3/13000-23000)! Imaginary Gift: Force! Apply it to the front left Rear Guard circle!" Chrono them looks up and smirks, "Elul's skill!"

"Huh?!" Everyone gasps.

"Forerunner! Move Elul to a Rear Guard circle! I move her to the front left circle (G3/12000-22000)!"

"A Grade 3 with Forerunner?!" Tokoha says in shock.

"I've never heard of such a thing!" Yuji exclaims.

"Elul's skill (X X [] [] []) (Soul 1-0)! Send Percival to the bottom of the deck! And when a unit is sent to the bottom of the deck, add 3000 Power to Gear Wolf (7000-10000)! Generation Stride! Interdimensional Dragon, Faterider Dragon (G4/38000)! Imaginary Gift: Force! Apply it to the front right Rear Guard circle. Add 10000 Power to Paradigm (G2/10000-20000)! Chronojet's Stride Skill (X X X [] [])! Send Catillus to the bottom of the deck! Add another 3000 Power to Gear Wolf (10000-13000)! I call Steam Maiden Millia (G1/7000)!"

Board State

(G3/22000) – (G4/38000) – (G2/20000)

(G1/7000) – (G0/5000) – (G1/13000)

"Here I come Taiyou!" Chrono challenges!

"Bring it on Chrono!" Taiyou replies.

"I attack the…!" Chrono begins to say but…


"What do you think you're doing young man?!" The voice of a women booms stopping the fight in its tracks. Everyone turns to where the voice came from. They all see a middle aged woman with bushy brown hair, wearing a red business suit and high-heels. Taiyou freezes with fear the moment he sees her.

"M-Mom…" he whimpers.

"That's your mom?" Chrono questions.

"Are you playing that stupid card game again?" She asks him in fury as she storms up to him. "Well are you?!" Taiyou slowly nods. She then clicks his teeth at him. "I am very disappointed at you young man." She scolds him, "I thought I told you to never touch these cards again!"

"I… I'm sorry mom…" Taiyou apologizes.

"Give me those cards." She orders him and he glances at them. "I said give them to me!"

"No!" Taiyou yells back at her. "I love this game to much, I'm not about to let you ruin it for me!" The room was then silent for a moment, but the woman then raises a hand and violently slaps Taiyou across the face and knocks him to the floor, shocking everyone. She then sweeps his cards off the table and proceeds to aggressively step on them. "Mom no! STOP!" Taiyou pleads but she knees him in the face.

Everyone gasps, "Hey! He said stop so stop!" Chrono yells at her and goes to stop her, but she then kicks him in the groin causing him to crumple in pain.

"Chrono!" Tokoha exclaims and runs over to him.

"You are a disgrace to this family by playing this retched game!" she tells Taiyou, "You're too focused on his game, and not on your studies to achieve perfection!" After she has stepped on all of his cards, she grabs him by the wrist and picks him up off the floor. "We will discuss your punishment later!" she tells him and drags him out of the shop. He tries to reach for his cards, but she slaps him again and yells, "DO NOT TOUCH THOSE CARDS!" Taiyou lets up and they walk out of the shop!

"Hey wait!" Chrono gets up, having recovered, and tries to catch them, but Yuji steps in.

"Let them go Chrono." He tells him.

"WHAT?! You can't be okay with this! Did you see what she did to his card?!" Chrono yells at him.

"But there's nothing we can do about it!" Yuji tells him, "That women is Suiko Asukawa, president of Asukawa Corporation, the second largest Corporation in the world."

"In the world?!" Chrono questions in shock.

"That woman has so much power, she could easily have us both arrested for arguing with her." Yuji explains.

"But… she was abusing Taiyou!" Tokoha says.

"There have been rumors involving her with child abuse," Yuji says, "but even if we were to try and use that to our advantage, she could easily deny it."

"Well what would her husband say about this?!" Chrono asks.

"Her husband's dead." Yuji tells them. "It was said he died in a work related accident three years ago, but I call BS! Look you guys, there's nothing we can do for Taiyou right now. It's better to just let it go."

"Grrrrrrr…..!" Chrono growls and squeezes his hand tightly.


Next Time

Yuji suggests that Chrono finds a team for Vanguard. Chrono denies the idea, but Yuji gathers him a team anyway.

TURN 10 – TRY3