A/N: Alright, I'm sure you've all been waiting for this match after the end of last chapter so here it is. The semifinal match between Cosmic Trio and Star Gate Sentai. Enjoy.

Moments passed after Star Gate Sentai's 'memorable' entrance was made to those who viewed it. No one spoke a single word making the team in question stand still in their poses. It wasn't until one person shouted that the mood lightened up again.

"THAT WAS SO COOL!"

Both Aurora and Dan looked at their teammate in surprise and shock. Seeing Anthony stare all starry eyed at the opposing team, even jumping a bit in excitement. The members of Star Gate Sentai all brightened up at the cheer and began their show once again.

"Aha! So it seems that not even our foes are immune to the power of our camaraderie!"

The member wearing blue stepped forward and raised his fist up high. "It is clear that his soul burns with the passion of justice just the same as we three!"

"As a show of good faith, come join us in our pursuit of peace and justice."

Looking like an riled up, excited puppy, Anthony was about to bolt on to the stage until Aurora yanked him back. "Don't even think about it you idiot. We don't need you embarrassing us."

Aurora jumped back in surprise when Anthony slapped her hands off of him. He fixed her with a steady glare with his stars in his eyes still present. "Do not ruin this moment for me Aurora! You have no idea what this means to me!"

"The heck are you going on about?"

The teen's head fell low, raising his fist in a dramatic fashion. "You have no idea what it's like Aurora. Being a child in a strange land, growing up while having no language skills to talk to the other kids. The only thing giving me comfort growing up was anime and hero shows that my relatives put on. Those shows kept me going and taught me to never give up! So that is why… That is why I cannot let this once in a lifetime moment pass me by! I am going to meet their passion head on and you can't stop me!"

Aurora felt like the wind was knocked out of her with the sheer weight of Anthony's passion. Never before had she seen him look so enraptured by something. Especially nothing this cheesy and showy. But there was something more important right now.

"Listen." Aurora said. "If you want to play Power Rangers with those guys over there then fine. But do it after we win!"

"But… but…" Anthony looked back and forth between his team leader and the opposing team over and over again, before finally sighing in defeat. "Fine. It hurts, but I must fight against the side of justice today."

Aurora wanted to scold her teammate for acting like an even bigger moron than usual, but decided to let it go. As long as he played and fought to win, she would take what she could get.

"Leave this first guy to me." Dan said as he tugged on his gloves for the Motion Figure System.

"It seems we must do battle against these fiends. They even hold back one of their own from pursuing the path of righteousness." the blue one spoke. "Let me take on this scoundrel, my friends! I will defeat him swiftly!"

'I can't believe I have to fight a guy like this.' Dan thought to himself as he stood at his position on the field. Aurora practically had to drag Anthony into the waiting room.

"W-Well, it seems the match is about to begin. The first match will feature Dan Kisha against… Blue Lightning." Sachi said in a tone that showed she was feeling just as awkward as everyone else.

Dan blinked his eyes in surprise. "Blue Lightning?"

"I cannot have my secret identity revealed to the public! I wear this mask to protect my loved ones!" the one known as Blue Lightning said. "Also because it looks cool."

Dan let out a sigh. "Let's just get this over with."

Both players place their decks on their boards and drew their opening hands. They began the game simultaneously.

"Stand up! Vanguard!"

"Cat Knight in High Boots!"

Cat Knight in High Boots

Grade: 0, Power: 5000

"Dimensional Robo, Daihawk!"

Dimensional Robo, Daihawk

Grade: 0, Power: 5000

'Dimension Police. I expected as much with their team name and how they act.' Dan thought. 'They may act weird, but they're still a team that's made it this far. I can't let my guard down.'

"I'm up first." Blue Lightning said. "I ride Dimensional Robo, Dairapter!"

Dimensional Robo, Dairapter

Grade: 1, Power: 7000

"Daihawk moves back with forerunner. Turn end."

[Turn 2. Hand: Dan(5), Blue Lightning(5).]

"My turn. Stand and draw." Dan said as he began his turn. "I ride Cutie Paratrooper."

Cutie Paratrooper

Grade: 1, Power: 7000

"Paratrooper attacks!" Dan called out.

"No guard."

"Alright then, drive check. No trigger."

"Damage check, no trigger." Blue Lightning said as he placed his card in the damage zone.

[Damage: Dan(0), Blue Lightning(1).]

"Turn end." Dan said.

[Turn 3. Hand: Dan(6), Blue Lightning(5).]

"My turn. Draw." Blue Lightning looked at his hand. "This hero of justice will do. I ride Dimensional Robo, Daiball!

Dimensional Robo, Daiball

Grade: 2, Power: 10000

Dan widened his eyes. '10000 power at grade 2?!'

"The skill of Daiball. I reveal a Dimensional Robo grade 3 from my hand. If I don't, or if my Vanguard is not a grade 3 unit with Dimensional Robo in its name, its power is decreased by 5000." The blue clad hero took a card in his hand and revealed it. "Dimensional Robo, Dainexus. It's a grade 3 so my unit keeps its 10000 power. And now it'll use that power to attack with a boost from Daihawk!"

(10000+5000=15000)

'I could use a grade 0 from my hand. But if he pulls a trigger, it'll be wasted.' Dan thought. "No guard."

"Drive check, stand trigger. Power to the Vanguard."

"Damage check, no trigger."

[Damage: Dan(1), Blue Lightning(1).]

"That will be all for me." Blue Lightning said. "Do your worst, villain."

[Turn 4. Hand: Dan(6), Blue Lightning(6).]

"My turn. Stand and draw." Dan looked at his field. Cat Knight in High Boots was still in the soul, and would stay there until he strode. That meant he had no units currently on the field to boost his Vanguard. And he had no grade 2s in his hand capable of surpassing Daiball's 10000 power on their own. He wasn't a fan of using much of his hand in the early game, but he knew he had to get some damage in.

"I ride Face Magician, Lappin!" Dan said. "Next I call Darkside Sword Master behind it."

Face Magician, Lappin

Grade: 2, Power: 9000

"With a boost from Swordmaster, Lappin attacks!" Dan called out.

(9000+4000=13000)

"Guard!" Blue Lightning said, holding up the stand trigger he had gotten last turn.

Dan grit his teeth. With a shield that big, even if he pulled a trigger, it wouldn't be enough. "Drive check, stand trigger. Power to the Vanguard."

"Ha! You will have to do better than that to penetrate my shield of justice!" Blue Lightning said confidently.

"Turn end."

[Turn 5. Hand: Dan(6), Blue Lightning(6).]

"Very well then. My turn." Blue Lightning stood his units and place his hand on top of his deck. "A righteous soul will always triumph no matter what. He can forge his own destiny with his noble heart. Justice draw!"

Dan blinked his eyes in confusion. 'Justice draw? Really?'

Blue Lightning held up one of the cards in his hand. "Great warrior of justice, appear on this battlefield! Make those with evil hearts quake in fear in front of your noble presence! Ride! Super Dimensional Robo, Dainexus!"

Super Dimensional Robo, Dainexus

Grade: 3, Power: 11000

"A hero is nothing without his allies! I call Dimensional Robos Daibattles, Daisupporter, and Great Daiyusha!" In the blink of an eye, Blue Lighting called out 3 units, giving himself four rear guards.

From the waiting room, Aurora narrowed her eyes. "He just used up a lot of his hand. Why deplete his defensive options this early in the game?"

"And now I will show you the power of justice!" Blue Lightning announced. "I use Daihawk's skill! I counterblast and move my four Dimensional Robo rear guards to the soul! This allows me tro stride into a Dimensional Robo unit!"

Dan gasped. 'He's able to stride even though I'm only at grade 2?!'

"Burn this image into your eyes, villain! The true power of those who walk the path of righteousness! Stride Generation! Dimensional Robo Battle Commander, Magna Daibird!"

Dimensional Robo Battle Commander, Magna Daibird

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

"Oh my goodness!" Sachi exclaimed. "Even though Dan Kisha is only at grade 2, Blue Lightning has managed to stride into a G Unit!"

"I activate Magna Daibird's skill!" Blue Lightning explained as he took a copy of Daibird in his G zone and flipped it face up. "With that, my Vanguard gains a skill. Next I call another Dainexus to rear guard!"

'He managed to stride, but his formation is pretty weak. I can handle this.' Dan thought.

"Dainexus attacks!"

Dan looked at his hand. 'It's only 11000. I can block this.'

"I guard!" Dan said as held up a grade 1 from his hand.

"Magna Daibird's skill! Soulblast! I turn over the top 3 cards of the deck." He revealed the top 3 cards of his deck. "Since each of them have Dimensional Robo in their names, I can add up to one grade 3 among them to my hand and retire my opponent's guardian."

"What?!" Dan exclaimed. He watched as his unit on the guardian circle was retired and a copy of Great Daikaiser was added to his opponent's hand. With nothing else defending his Vanguard, he was forced to take the hit.

[Damage: Dan(2), Blue Lightning(1).]

"Now Magna Daibird attacks!"

"Perfect guard with Lovely Companion!" Dan called out. "You might be able to retire my guardian, but not before it's skill fully blocks your attack!"

"Very well then. Justice Triple Drive!" Dan inwardly groaned at another "justice" title being added to something regular for the cardfight. "First check, no trigger. Second check, no trigger. Third check, stand trigger. All effects to my rear guard Dainexus!"

Dan had already used a good amount of his hand to guard this turn. And he couldn't afford to waste another card that was at risk to being destroyed by Daibird's skill. He took the next attack that came his way.

[Damage: Dan(3), Blue Lightning(1).]

"I'll let you off with that for now, villain. Turn end."

[Turn 6. Hand: Dan(3), Blue Lightning(6).]

'This hero and villain stuff is getting really old.' Dan said as he started his turn. "My turn. Stand and draw." Finally, it was time for him to get serious. "The moon shines a spotlight on the stage, signalling for the show to begin! Ride! Masked Phantom, Harri!"

Masked Phantom, Harri

Grade: 3, Power: 11000

"I see. So that is your true form, villain. A truly heinous appearance indeed."

"What are you talking about?! Harri isn't a villain! He's a performer!"

"An evil performer!"

Dan was at his limit. "Alright fine. You want me to play the villain? Well then this villain is going to beat you to a pulp, hero! Stride Generation! Masquerade Master, Harri!"

Masquerade Master, Harri

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

"Cat Knight in High Boots's skill! I call him to rear guard, then use his other skill to call Cutie Paratrooper to rear guard! Then I use Cutie's magia to soul charge and call Darkside Princess to rear guard!" With that, Dan had an almost completely full field. Cutie Paratrooper and Darkside Princess made up one column. Darkside Swordmaster was positioned behind his Vanguard. The only one left was the open rear guard circle in front of Cat Knight in High Boots. "Next up, Harri's stride skill! I soul blast and call Lovely Companion!"

"I see. Having your cohorts hiding in the shadows to ambush your foes. Truly a villainous act."

In the waiting room, Aurora groaned to herself. "This is ridiculous."

"I know." Anthony said, trying to hold tears back. "To think our teammate was such a villainous scoundrel all this time? How could we allow someone with such an evil heart to get so close to us?"

"Oh shut up!" Aurora yelled as she bashed her teammate across the head. "Between those dorks and you, I have just about had it with this hero and villain garbage!"

"Lovely Companion is up first with a boost from Cat Knight!"

(6000+5000=11000)

"Justice guard!" Blue Lightning said, holding up a card from his hand.

"Boosted by Cutie, Darkside Princess attacks! Her skill adds another 5000 power!"

(9000+5000+5000+7000=26000)

"No guard."

[Damage: Dan(3), Blue Lightning(2).]

"Darkside Princess goes to the soul as per her skill. And now Masquerade Master, Harri attacks! With Darkside Swordmaster's skill, I send her to the soul to add 5000 power and draw!" Dan called out. "Masquerade Master's skill! I send Cutie and Cat Knight to the soul! Then I call out Cutie Paratrooper and Flying Peryton!"

Usually, Dan would have added Happiness Collector into the mix, but he had yet to see it from his deck. It lowered his defensive options, but there wasn't much he could do about it. "Cutie's magia! I call out Face Magician Lappin and add 5000 power! Then I use Peryton's magia to call out Moonlight Melody Tamer, Betty!"

(26000+5000=31000)

"Justice will not fall to an attack such as this. No guard."

"Triple drive! First check, no trigger! Second check, critical trigger! Critical to Harri and power to Lappin! Third check." As Dan turned over the card, he frowned at what he saw. Happiness Collector. "No trigger."

Two cards fell into Blue Lightning's damage zone, neither of them being triggers. The annoying thing was Happiness Collector being in Dan's hand. He would much rather have it in the soul. As things stood, he wouldn't be able to use it's skill much this game to add to his hand.

[Damage: Dan(3), Blue Lightning(4).]

"Lappin attacks with a boost from Cutie! With Lappin's skill, I soul charge!" Dan took the top card of his deck and added it to the soul. "Masked Magician, Harri. It has magia so 5000 power is added."

(9000+5000+5000+3000+7000+3000=32000)

"Generation guard! Gallant Incarnation G-O-Five! With its skill, 5000 is added to the shield, and another 10000 after that since I took damage this turn!"

"With Betty's boost, Peryton is flying in!"

(9000+3000+7000=19000)

"Justice intercept!" Blue Lightning called out.

Dan widened his eyes. "But your rear guard is a grade 3!"

"Dainexus's Generation Break. All my grade 3 Dimensional Robo rear guards gain 10000 shield and the ability to intercept."

Dan gasped as his attack was blocked. He had to push his attacks further. "Betty's skill. I send Peryton back to the soul. I call Flying Peryton! Then with its magia, I call Cat Knight in High Boots! With High Boots's skill, I call Cutie Paratrooper!" Dan called the grade 1 unit over the Cutie Paratrooper currently on the field, sending the other one to the drop zone. "Cutie's magia! I call out Masked Magician, Harri!"

"And just like that, Dan Kisha calls out yet another two full columns!" Sachi spoke into her mic. "He's coming in with attack after attack! He's unleashing the full power of the Pale Moon clan!"

"Cat Knight boosts. Go Flying Peryton!" Dan called out.

(9000+3000+5000+3000=20000)

Blue Lightning quickly held up a critical trigger from his hand. "Guard!"

Dan only had one more attack. But he was going to make damn sure it counted. "Harri attacks with a boost from Cutie!"

(11000+5000+3000+7000+3000=29000)

"No guard." Blue Lightning said. "Damage check. Heal trigger. Power to the Vanguard. I recover one damage."

[Damage: Dan(3), Blue Lightning(4).]

Dan couldn't believe his eyes. Despite his relentless assault, he had only managed to get in two damage. And he hadn't gotten much out of his opponent's hand either. "Turn end."

[Turn 7. Hand: Dan(7), Blue Lightning(3).]

"It's my turn then. Justice draw!" Blue Lightning spoke. He pointed towards his opponent. "Villain! You're evil shall be extinguished here and now! Observe!" he yelled out as he discarded a grade 3 from his hand. "Stride Generation! Dimensional Robo Command Chief, Final Daimax!"

Dimensional Robo, Command Chief, Final Daimax

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill of Dainexus! I put the grade 3 Dainexus in my drop zone on the bottom of my deck. Then I look at the top 4 cards of my deck and call up to one Dimensional Robo unit among them." Looking at the top 4 cards, he quickly found the card he wanted. "Call, Dimensional Robo, Daiball! It's power is also added onto my Vanguard as part of the stride skill! In addition, Daiball increases its own power and the power of any grade 3 rear guards by 5000 power with its own skill!"

Dan gasped. Daiball was a grade 2 with 10000 base power. That meant his Vanguard would gain another 10000 as well, bringing it up to 36000 on its own.

"I call Dimensional Robo, Daicrusher! With its skill, I soul charge! The card is Dimensional Robo Daibattles! Because it has Dimensional Robo in the name, 2000 is added to Daicrusher!" Blue Lightning explained. "And that's not all! I activate Final Daimax's skill!" He turned over a copy of the card in his G zone. "Since I have a heart card with Dimensional Robo in its name, 10000 power is added to my Vanguard. Next, because I have 2 or more face up cards in my G Zone, it gains a critical as well! And finally, since there are 4 or more cards in my G Zone, my front row rear guards with Dimensional Robo in their name gain 5000 power and a critical!"

The people watching could barely believe it. Blue Lightning's Vanguard was at 46000 power, while his two front row rear guards, Daiball and Daicrusher, had 20000 and 16000 power. And to top it all off, all three of them were critical, dealing 2 damage if they hit.

"The skill of the two Daibattles in my soul! By sending them to the drop zone, I add 3000 to my Vanguard for each one, for a grand total of 6000 added on, bringing my Vanguard to 52000!"

Dan looked at his hand. 'I have a perfect guard in my hand for his Vanguard. And I've also got a few trigger units. I should be able to guard against two of his attacks.'

"I call Daisupporter behind Daicrusher. Daiball attacks!"

(10000+5000+5000=20000)

"No guard." Dan said. "Damage check. First check, no trigger. Second check, no trigger."

[Damage: Dan(5), Blue Lightning(4).]

"Go Daimax! Ultimate Justice Smash!"

(26000+10000+10000+3000+3000=52000)

"Perfect guard!" Dan called out.

"Drive check, first check critical trigger. All effects to Daicrusher. Second check" Blue Lightning revealed a grade 3 from his check. "Daicrusher's skill. When I reveal a grade 3 Dimensional Robo in my drive check, 10000 power is added. And now for the third check." Fortune seemed to smile upon the blue clad hero as he revealed the card heal trigger. Power to Daicrusher."

Dan looked at his hand. With the boost from Daisupporter, his opponent's unit would be at 43000. The total shield in his hand added up to 30000. 'I'm not going to have enough…'

"Boosted by Daisupporter, Daicrusher will end you!"

(9000+2000+5000+10000+5000+5000+7000=43000)

"No guard." Dan said, knowing what the result of this fight was.

[Damage: Dan(6), Blue Lightning(4).]

"Winner!" The referee declared. "Blue Lightning of Team Stride Gate Sentai!"

The crowd cheered at the conclusion to the exciting fight. Dan sighed regrettably as he walked away. He found his teammates standing right outside the waiting room.

"Sorry guys. I lost." Dan said.

Aurora shook her head. "It's alright, you did your best."

"This is because you don't have a pure heart burning with justice!" Anthony scolded.

"Not you too." Dan groaned. He looked at his teammate with a glare. "Look, you need to get serious. If you lose this next fight, it's over for us."

"Yes. This will be a true clash of heroes." Anthony said as he walked forward.

Aurora shook her head and sighed as Anthony walked up to the field. "We're doomed."

"Well, nothing we can do about it now." Dan said. "At the very least, I'm pretty sure Anthony will go all out. I doubt he wouldn't play seriously in a situation like this."

Anthony walked forward to the stage to meet his opponent. He was the one in the yellow suit looking pretty confident in himself. At least that's what he could tell from his posture considering the helmet on his face.

"Okay everyone! Time for the next round! Anthony Fergus versus … Golden Spark." The referee trailed off towards the end of her introduction.

"Hey, don't lower your enthusiasm when speaking my name! You must shout it out loudly for the world to hear!" Golden Spark cried out. "But regardless of that, you face the herald of justice Anthony! The true embodiment of peace and hope in the universe!" He emphasized his statement with a dramatic pose.

Anthony met the pose in kind with one of his own. "Bring it on! I'll show you the power to protect this world lies right here!"

"Ah, try lifting your arm a bit more to the right."

"Oh, like this?"

"Yeah there it is!"

Aurora put her face in her hands out of despair. There was no way she could escape being associated with this idiot going forward. "Oh my gooood…"

Dan could only pat the girl on the back to comfort her shame. This would come back to bite them, he just knew it.

"Now let's get started! Prove to me that you're more of a challenge then that villain was for Blue Lightning!" Golden stated while placing his hand on his starting vanguard.

"Trust me, it's not gonna be easy for you!" Anthony said as they both prepared to flip over their starting Vanguard.

"Stand up! Vanguard!"

"Hardrod Dracokid!"

Hardrod Dracokid

Grade: 0, Power: 5000

"Build Standard!"

Build Standard

Grade: 0, Power: 5000

'Yup Dimension Police like with Dan. This is gonna be a hard one but I know I got this." Anthony thought.

Golden Spark began the game for them. "I'll take the first move! I draw and ride Cosmic Hero, Grandscout!"

Cosmic Hero, Grandscout

Grade: 1, Power: 7000

"Using the forerunner of Build Standard, I move him behind the vanguard. Turn end."

[Turn 2. Hand: Anthony(5), Golden Lightning(5).]

"My turn! I ride Trainee Monk Dragon and place Hardrod behind him with forerunner."

Trainee Monk Dragon

Grade: 1, Power: 7000

"Boosted by Hardrod my vanguard attacks!" Anthony called out.

(7000+5000=12000)

"No guard, come get me!"

"Drive check, no trigger."

Trainee Monk Dragon moved in and jump kicked Grandscout right in the chest. Golden Spark's demeanor or stance didn't change as he performed his damage check. "No trigger."

[Damage: Anthony(0), Golden Spark(1).]

"Turn end!"

[Turn 3. Hand: Anthony(6), Golden Spark(5).]

"Stand and draw! You're going to regret giving me that damage. I ride Cosmic Hero, Grandbalger! Then I call Cosmic Hero, Grandwisdom to the rear guard!"

Cosmic Hero, Grandbalger

Grade: 2, Power: 9000

Anthony scoffed at the offense Golden was going on. "That's not gonna scare me!"

"Then what about this!? I activate Build Standard's skill. By paying a counter blast and moving him into soul, I give my vanguard plus 4000 power and draw a card!"

Anthony narrowed his eyes slightly. A break even in his hand could cover for defense next turn. 'Gotta make sure to rip cards out early.'

"Grandwisdom attacks the vanguard!"

"No guard!"

A solid punch knocked the dragon back a bit. Performing a damage check, there was no trigger to help his defense.

[Damage: Anthony(1), Golden Spark(1).]

"My vanguard is coming in!"

(9000+4000=13000)

"No guard again!"

"Drive trigger check! No trigger!" Holding up his card for a moment, he added into his hand as Anthony performed his damage check.

He smirked while holding up his damage. "Heal trigger. Recover one and power to the Vanguard."

[Damage: Anthony(1), Golden Spark(1).]

"Hmm seems you only escaped with one damage this turn. But you won't be so lucky next time!" Golden Spark called out while pointing a finger. "Turn end."

[Turn 4. Hand: Anthony(6), Golden Spark(6).]

Anthony gave a smirk of his own as he stood and drew a card for his turn. "We'll see about that, hero. My turn! I ride Martial Arts Dragon!"

Martial Arts Dragon

Grade: 2, Power: 9000

"Time to regret calling that extra unit, with Martial Arts Dragon's skill I counter blast and soul blast to retire and bind Grandwisdom!"

"What!?" Golden Spark looked with dismay as his unit was struck by a bolt of lightning and was retired from the field. "You absolute villain! Attacking my partners with such trickery!"

"That's no feat of a villain, a hero does what he needs to in order to protect his world!" He looked to his forerunner and rested it. "Skill of Hardrod Dracokid. Normally, you would bind a card from your drop zone but since you don't have any cards to bind, I counter charge and add 3000 power to the vanguard!"

"Using my own tactics against me, what a scoundrel!"

"But that isn't all! I call Demonic Dragon Berserker, Chatura! And he's coming in with an attack to your vanguard! 3000 power is added with its skill!"

(8000+3000=11000)

Golden Spark reached into his hand and threw down a 5000 shield card. "I don't think so!"

"Then how about this? Martial Arts, hit 'em hard!"

(9000+3000=12000)

"No guard!"

Anthony did his drive check and showed it to his opponent. "No trigger."

As Martial Arts delivered a hard uppercut to Grandbalger, the cosplaying opponent stepped back a bit from the hit. "Damage check. No trigger."

[Damage: Anthony(1), Golden Spark(2).]

"I think I'll leave it like that so you can reflect on who the true hero is. Turn end!"

[Turn 5. Hand: Anthony(6), Golden Spark (5).]

"True hero? We'll soon see who the true hero is, you fiend! Stand and draw!" Golden looked to his hand a stood tall as he picked his ride. "The hope of the cosmos rests on his shoulders! Come so that all may bare witness to your shining justice! Golden Ride! Bravest Viktor, Grandgallop!"

Bravest Viktor, Grandgallop

Grade: 3, Power: 13000

"A 13000 power vanguard!?"

"That's right, only the most powerful can even dare to oppose the shining justice that is Grandgallop!" The unit in question stood tall and imposing over the dragons. "And that's not all! Call! Cosmic Hero, Grandwisdom! Go and attack that fiend Chatura!"

Anthony hated to lose such a good unit this early on. But considering he wouldn't be able to even hit that vanguard, it was for the best to let him go, "No guard."

"Now Grandgallop, show him true justice!"

"No guard!"

"Twin drive check! First, nothind. Second check." Golden triumphantly raised the second card. "Critical trigger, all effects to the vanguard."

Anthony grit his teeth as he took both damage. Unlike last turn there was no heal to mitigate the damage taken this turn.

[Damage: Anthony(3), Golden Spark(2).]

"I'll end my turn here. You're up now!"

[Turn 6. Hand: Anthony(6), Golden Spark(6).]

"Hmph, I'm not gonna let that push me back! Stand and draw!" Anthony grabbed the card he wanted to ride and gave a look of confidence to his opponent. "The power of the skies is in your hands! Descend upon the battlefield and blow all foes away with your wrathful lightning! I ride Dragonic Vanquisher 'SPARKING'!"

Dragonic Vanquisher "SPARKING"

Grade: 3, Power: 11000

"An impressive ride, foe but you're going to need more than that to reach me!"

"Not like I was gonna go easy this turn! Stride Generation! Conquering Supreme Dragon, Dragonic Vanquisher 'VBUSTER'!"

Conquering Supreme Dragon, Dragonic Vanquisher "VBUSTER"

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

"I'm not gonna activate the stride skill." Anthony said.

Golden Spark stepped back at this announcement, as if offended by the action. "Are you making light of me!?"

"Far from it. You'll see why I did that soon enough. I call Circular Blade of Strong Lightning, Grizel and Dragon Dancer, Vianne in the same column. Now the skill of my vanguard, I soul blast one to retire and bind a card from your field and bind a card from your drop! And since I have more rearguards than you, I give 3000 power to my vanguard, Grizel and Hardrod Dracokid!"

"Geh, to not only bind my cards from field but my drop zone as well. Is there no end to your cheap tactics villain!?"

"Cheap or not, this is what Narukami does best! Skill of Vianne, since a card was put into the drop zone I return her to the deck, shuffle and draw a card. I'd counter charge too if I had any face down damage but what can you do? Now I call Smash Boxer Dragon behind Grizel. Grizel is coming in on that vanguard of yours!"

(9000+3000+7000=19000)

"I think not, I guard!" Golden threw down the critical trigger he pulled last turn to block the attack.

Antony smiled at the block, less cards that he could use for his field the better. "Smash Boxer's skill, at the end of the battle that he boosted move to soul and draw a card. I'd counter charge but same with Vianne, I got nothing to flip up. With a boost from Hardrod, VBUSTER show him what you got!"

(26000+3000+5000+3000=37000)

"I won't guard such a weak attempt!"

"Is this weak!? Triple drive! First check nothing, second check nothing. Third check, heal trigger! Recovering one and giving the power to the vanguard!"

Golden Spark gasped out as the opposing G Unit flew overhead and shot down a wicked thunderbolt right on top of him. "D-Damage check! No trigger."

[Damage: Anthony(2), Golden Spark(3).]

"Turn end!"

[Turn 7. Hand: Anthony(7), Golden Spark (5).]

The yellow Sentai clenched his free hand before standing his units. "I'll show you what true justice is your dragonic fiend! Stand and draw! Behold as the light of the future rains down on my victorious new form! Golden Stride! Bravest Peak, X-Gallop!"

Bravest Peak, X-Gallop

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

"With my stride skill I soul blast a card to give my vanguard 12000 power bringing me up to 40000 power!"

"What!? How's that possible for just one soul blast!?"

"My power right now is the least impressive part of this situation. Now my allies can show their true strength with my vanguard at such a high power level! I call Cosmic Hero, Grandbalger and Cosmic Hero, Grandhogan! Grandhogan's skill, when he's placed on the rear guard I counter blast to draw one card then since my Grandgallop vanguard is 40000 power or above, Grandhogan gets plus 4000 power and I counter charge! Now it's time to feel my justice! Grandhogan get in there and hit that dragon!"

(9000+4000=13000)

"Keep dreaming! Generation Guard! Sky Guardian Supreme Dragon, Impede Dragon!"

Sky Guardian Supreme Dragon, Impede Dragon

Grade: 4, Shield: 15000

Discarding the heal, Anthony called down his guardian from the G Zone against the attack. "Skill of Impede Dragon, by flipping a G Guardian face up from my G Zone, you retire and bind one unit on your side of the field."

"But my Grandbalger has the resist skill so he can't be retired by your effects!"

"Well that's tough, that means you're losing the attacker!"

Golden Spark grunted as he placed his rear guard to the bind zone. "Though he might be retired, X-Gallop shall avenge him. My vanguard attacks! I activate his skill. By paying a counter blast and flipping any G unit, my vanguard gets a skill depending on his current power. Since he has at least 40000 power, I gain an additional drive to my attack!"

(28000+12000=40000)

'I'm only at two damage so I can afford a hit.' Anthony thought. "No guard!"

"Golden Quadruple Drive!"

Dan face palmed himself as he heard this from the waiting room. "Another one of those stupid titles?"

"It can't be helped, I guess." Aurora said with a shake of her head. "These three may be weirdos, but their skills are the real deal. Both this guy and the blue guy from before are really good."

"First check! Draw trigger! I'll draw one card and give the power to Grandbalger. Second check, nothing. Third check, critical trigger! Critical to my vanguard and power to Grandbalger!"

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Anthony looked to his damage. 'Four damage, huh? A bit uncomfortable but-.'

"Final check, critical trigger! Same as before with the effects!"

"What!?"

"Incredible! Three triggers with two of them being criticals!" The announcer Sachi proclaimed as the audience cheered. "Just like that Anthony is being pushed to the brink of defeat!"

Not letting the crowd hyping bother him, the teen performed his damage checks. "Damage check first. Draw trigger. Drawing one and giving the power to the vanguard. Second check." He frowned at seeing there was nothing there for him. "Third check. Heal trigger! Recovering one and giving the power to my vanguard!"

[Damage: Anthony(4), Golden Spark(3).]

Golden scoffed at the heal trigger and pressed on with his attacks. "Grandbalger attacks the vanguard! With his skill, since I have a Grandgallop vanguard with 40000 power or greater he gains 8000 power until the end of the battle!"

(9000+8000+15000=32000)

"Not a chance! Perfect guard, Summon Lightning Dancing Princess, Anastasia!" The red clad woman quickly jumped in between the attack and put up a large barrier to block the hit. "Thunderstrike 4, when she's retired from the guardian circle I get to draw a card."

Golden Spark was a bit disappointed he couldn't put his opponent at five damage. But the lead he gained would certainly help out in the long run. "Turn end."

[Turn 8. Hand: Anthony(6), Golden Spark (9).]

'This guy's good. That huge power up during his stride turn coming up could really push me to the edge. I gotta do as much as I can to hit hard.' Anthony stood his units and drew his card. "Stride Generation! Conquering Supreme Dragon, Dragonic Vanquisher 'VBUSTER'!"

Conquering Supreme Dragon, Dragonic Vanquisher VBUSTER

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill. I counter blast and bind a card from your drop zone and a card from your field since my stride has the Thunderstrike skill."

"You can bind a card from drop but Grandbalger has resist, so he's immune to your villainous binding!" Golden laughed at his opponent.

Anthony didn't let his boast bother him and continued with his turn. "Call Plasmatron Dragon and Lightning of Triumphant Return, Reseph behind him. Skill of Plasmatron, when he's placed on the rear guard you bind another card from your drop!"

Golden laughed as he put another card in his bind zone. "Is that all you got? Bind away, it won't make a difference."

"Says you because I just hit lucky number 7! 'VBUSTER's' Thunderstrike 7 that is. Generation Break 3, All my units in the front row gain 5000 power and my vanguard gains a drive and goes critical!" He smiled as he looked at Golden Spark take a step back. "And that's not all, skill of Hardrod. Since you have no cards to bind in your drop I'll give 3000 power to Grizel and counter charge. Then both skills of Plasmatron and Grizel, I counter blast for both of them so Plasmatron gains 2000 power for every card in your bind zone for a total of 14000 and Grizel gains 9000 power and the ability to attack an additional unit as well as the vanguard. Resist might protect it from being retired but that doesn't save it from being hit! Plasmatron and Reseph, get in there!"

(9000+14000+5000+4000=32000)

Golden quickly discarded a heal to protect himself. "Generation Guard! Super Cosmic Hero, X-carivou! Since your attacking unit has 30000 or above I gain 10000 shield!"

"'VBUSTER', tear him to pieces! With the skill of Reseph I move him to soul to gain 5000 power and draw a card!"

(26000+5000+5000=36000)

"Heroes will never fall to such an assault! Perfect guard with Enigman Calm!"

'Tch, this guy has all the answers in the world.' Although three cards were gone from his hand, Anthony was annoyed that he had yet to hit him. "Quadruple drive! First, critical! All effects to Grizel. Second, another critical! Giving all effects to Grizel! Third, nothing and final nothing."

The vanguard attack may have been guarded but Golden looked to his hand and the incoming giant swing. He was losing too many cards but he'd be done for if this next attack hit.

"Grizel's coming to end it!"

(9000+9000+3000+5000+10000=36000)

"Golden guard!" The sentai threw down the two critical triggers he got the turn before, as well as another trigger to guard against the attack."

"Turn end…"

Aurora clicked her tongue. "Dang, not even a single damage went through. This is bad."

"Yes and no." Dan pointed to Golden Spark on stage. "Look at him, he doesn't look too confident in his hand right now."

"Guess we're gonna have to see where this goes."

[Turn 9. Hand: Anthony(8), Golden Spark(3).]

'This isn't good, my hand is too resource heavy to go all in. I need the counter blast for Bravest Peak's skill but…' Golden Spark quickly shook his doubts away and stood tall once more. "No, I will not be defeated here! Stand and draw! Golden Stride! Bravest Peak, X-Gallop!"

Bravest Peak, X-Gallop

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

Anthony looked to his hand. He knew these swings were gonna be huge this turn. 'I gotta play this smart.'

"With the stride skill of Grandgallop I soul blast one to gain 12000 power. And now you'll see my G unit's true power. His Generation Break 3 gives himself 10000 power for every face up card in the G Zone! Putting me to a grand total of 70000!" Golden took one last look at his hand and knew what he had to do. "I call Bravest Rush, Grandgallop. Now my vanguard attacks and I activate his skill. By counter blasting and flipping a card from my G Zone I gain a drive check. And now with that extra card face up in my G Zone I can show off my true power!"

"Another skill?"

"Behold fiend! As when my vanguard's power becomes 80000 or greater, I will stand my vanguard at the end of the battle with drive minus four!"

"That's insane!" Aurora cried out. "Even if he loses all his drives, that's still nigh unguardable!"

Anthony looked to his hand. Aurora may have been freaking out but he knew what he was doing. 'Time to show Golden Spark who the real hero is!'

"But that's not all! With Bravest Rush's skill when my vanguard attacks, if it's power is 30000 or greater he gets 4000 and if it's 60000 or above gain a critical! Mow him down X-Gallop! Golden Justice Slash!"

(28000+12000+40000=80000)

"Perfect guard!" Anthony threw down another perfect guard to block the gigantic swing.

"Erk! Q-Quadruple drive!" Revealing all four cards from his deck, not a single one of them where triggers. 'No, it can't be!'

"My perfect guard's skill lets me draw one card when it's retired from guardian circle."

"E-Even so, you'll still have another attack to deal with! X-Gallop stands and attacks once more! Bravest Rush's skill will give himself another 4000 power and critical!"

(28000+12000+40000=80000)

"No guard!" With no trigger checks to worry about, he could afford to take the single damage. "Stand trigger! Standing Grizel and giving the power to vanguard."

[Damage: Anthony(5), Golden Spark(3).]

That extra trigger just made things all the more difficult for Golden as he went in for his last attack. "Bravest Rush, attack the vanguard!"

(11000+4000+4000=19000)

"And I'll guard!" Dropping a critical trigger from his hand, the attack was blocked.

Golden Spark couldn't believe his eyes. "I… end my turn."

[Turn 10. Hand: Anthony(7), Golden Spark(6).]

Anthony inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Even though he had the extra perfect guard in hand, he didn't want to waste any more cards than he had to with guarding. "Stand and draw! Skill of 'SPARKING', I counter charge and you bind a card from your drop. You know Golden Spark, I really like how you and your team acts. But I'm gonna show you a power that surpasses even yours! Lightning Stride! Conquering Supreme Dragon, Dragonic Vanquisher VOLTAGE!"

Conquering Supreme Dragon, Dragonic Vanquisher VOLTAGE

Grade: 4, Power: 15000+

Aurora hung her head in shame at Anthony getting caught up in this nerdy mess of a cardfight. "This is never gonna end, is it?"

"Hopefully it will by the end of this turn." Dan commented.

"With my stride skill you bind a card from drop but not your field since 'VOLTAGE' doesn't have the Thunderstrike ability. But that doesn't matter because I'm calling Dragon Dancer, Vianne and activating Hardrod's skill to bind another card from your drop. Then I counter blast and move him into soul to retire and bind Bravest Rush, Grandgallop and give Grizel 3000 power! Vianne's skill will put her back into the deck and shuffle to draw a card and counter charge! Now I call two Lightning of Triumphant Return, Reseph behind Grizel and the vanguard and a Mighty Bolt Dragoon behind Plasmatron Dragon."

Golden looked to his field and back to his opponents. His was empty while the other was full. The intimidating force coming from the Dragon Empire units was overwhelming.

"Now for the finishing touch, 'VOLTAGE's' skill! I flip a copy of him in my G Zone to give my vanguard a skill and my front row units the continuous skill of gaining 3000 power for every card in the bind zone!" Anthony took a look to the bind zone and smile. "So eleven cards in the bind zone huh? Let's do the math. That makes 33000 power to my entire front row! And just to go in for the overkill I'll activate Plasmatron's skill to gain 2000 for every card in the bind zone! Grizel attacks and with her skill she'll gain an additional 9000 power!"

(9000+9000+4000+3000+33000=58000)

"N-No way! I-I guard!" Golden threw down four cards to block the attack.

"And that was the weakest of my attacks! My vanguard is coming in to hit hard! The skill of both Reseph's. Send them to the soul. For each one, 5000 is added to the Vanguard and I draw."

(26000+33000+5000+5000=69000)

Golden lacked the cards to guard this one. "No guard…" If he was lucky then he could avoid a critical trigger.

"Triple drive! First check, stand trigger! All effects to Grizel!" That stand trigger opened up a fresh terror in the sentai's stomach. "Second check nothing and third check nothing."

"Damage check critical trigger! All effects to the vanguard!" Golden put the card in his damage zone and stood tall. "I'm not out of this yet!"

[Damage: Anthony(5), Golden Spark(4).]

Anthony laughed while shaking his head. "That trigger isn't going to save you. Because the on hit of my vanguard now activates, binding two additional cards from your drop zone. Oh, and since my vanguard's power boost skill is a constant activation, the power increases from 33000 to 39000! Grizel, get him!"

(9000+9000+5000+39000=62000)

Golden once again did not guard the attack and didn't get a trigger to help him guard the next attack.

[Damage: Anthony(5), Golden Spark(5).]

"Plasmatron ends it!"

(9000+7000+22000+39000=77000)

"... No guard…" Golden took his damage and despaired in seeing that it wasn't a heal trigger to keep him in the game.

[Damage: Anthony(5), Golden Spark(6).]

"And with that, the second fight has come to an end!" Sachi announced. "Anthony Fergus gets a win for Team Cosmic Trio, tying the teams up at one win each. We will now go to the final match between the leaders of both teams! Aurora Fujou and… White Cosmos…"

Anthony walked over to his team with a big grin on his face. Aurora walked outside just as he was close to the door. "And that's how a true hero gets things done."

"I'm going to try and ignore everything you did in that cardfight, minus winning." Aurora said. "But now it's my turn to get us a win."

Suddenly, Sachi's voice registered in the mic. "Wh-what is this?! Something's happening with the leader of Team Star Gate Sentai!"

Aurora and Anthony both looked towards the other end of the field, while Dan came out to check things out as well. The white clad leader of the other team held his head with both of his hands, as if in pain.

"No… I can't hold it back anymore…" he said.

"What's going on with him?" Aurora asked worriedly.

"Raaaaaaahhhhhhh!" White Cosmos let out a yell that sounded as if he was crying out in pain. The more shocking part though was when his body suit slowly changed color, going from pure white to pitch black.

Dan blinked his eyes in surprise. "What the…"

"Hehehe… HAHAHAHAHA!" White Cosmos laughed hysterically. "Yes! Finally! The darkness has unleashed my true power! Fear me mortals, for I am the bringer of destruction!"

The entire crowd, as well as Sachi stared at this in disbelief. Sachi spoke into her mic. "Umm… White Cosmos? Are you ok?"

"Don't call me by that ridiculous name!" the team leader shouted. "That weaker part of me is gone now! From now on, call me… Black Chaos!"

Aurora slowly began piecing together what was happening as her expression quickly turned from concerned to unamused. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Now, I will spread my terror across the world! With the Vanguard World Tournament, I will reign supreme over this world!" Black Chaos called out. He held out his deck. "Now, fight me Aurora Fujou! Be the first victim in my reign of terror! You will fall to my villain deck!"

The other two team members of the team quickly ran out of the waiting room and onto the field. "Oh no, this is horrible!" Blue Lightning spoke. "Our fearless leader White Cosmos has fallen to the temptation of darkness!"

"The only way to bring him back to his former self is to defeat him in a cardfight!" Golden Spark added. "I know it must be tough, having to stand against a great hero of justice! But you must steel your heart Aurora Fujou! For only you can save him at this point!"

"It isn't tough at all." Aurora said as she walked up to her position on the field. "I planned on winning this fight from the start. Whether you want to act as a hero or villain makes no difference to me in that regard."

"Then show me your power, Aurora Fujou. For I will be the one to crush you." Black Chaos spoke.

"Go ahead and try." Aurora said as she and her opponent set their starting Vanguards on the field.

"Well… this match has had plenty of twists and surprises." Sachi said. "But it's finally time to bring it to an end. The final fight between Aurora Fujou and White Cosmos-"

"Black Chaos!" the leader yelled out, interrupting the announcer.

It was clear Sachi was beginning to run low on patience with the odd team, but she went with it. "Fine. Aurora Fujou vs Black Chaos. The final fight will now begin!"

Aurora and her opponent started the fight simultaneously. "Stand up! Vanguard!"

Dan: So after all those heroics, we now have to deal with one of them acting as a villain.

Anthony: Oh the agony! Why must fate be so cruel!

Aurora: Hero or villain, I don't plan on losing. I'll give this fight everything I've got.

Dan: He's not the leader for nothing though. this guy's seriously strong.

Aurora: Bring it on.

Next time: Surprise Twist! The Merciless Black Chaos!