Ride 10: Believe in my Existence
Nick stared at Luke scornfully. "You think love will win you this fight? No. You're wrong... I'm going to crush you, and your pitiful friends. Take your last pathetic turn. I end mine."
Nick
Hand: 4
Front Row: Devil Blade, Berith/Dark Lord of Abyss/Devil Blade, Berith
Back Row: Prisoner Beast/Doreen the Thruster/Doreen the Thruster
Damage: Fallen Seraphim, Samael (F), Alluring Succubus (U), Werwolf Sieger (U), Prisoner Beast (U)
Luke
Hand: 4
Front Row: Great Sage, Barron/White Dragon Knight, Pendragon/Empty
Back Row: Toypugal/Empty/Young Pegasus Knight
Damage: Pongal (U), Soul Saver Dragon (U), Toypugal (U), Margal (U), High Dog Breeder, Akane (U)
"I stand and draw," Luke murmured. "Pendragon's Limit Break!" He checked his deck's top five cards as a white circle ignited above his vanguard. "Now..." He took a card from the five, playing it. "Answer the call of the dragon king! Superior Ride! White Dragon Knight, Pendragon!"
Pendragon raised his sword and was consumed by blinding light, a second Pendragon appearing from within to take the vanguard circle [White Dragon Knight, Pendragon – 10000 Power]. Luke shuffled the other four cards back into his deck, then continued. "Pendragon gets 5000 Power! And since a card went into the Soul during the Main Phase, Pegasus Knight and Barron power up too!" The two knights and the giant sage glowed with white light [White Dragon Knight, Pendragon – 15000 Power] [Young Pegasus Knight – 9000 Power] [Great Sage, Barron – 11000 Power].
"Another Pendragon... is that all your deck can do?" Nick scoffed. "I'm guessing Soul Saver still hasn't graced you with her presence. Maybe she knows you're going to lose and doesn't want to get involved with someone so weak!"
"No," Luke murmured, playing a card. "I call Young Pegasus Knight." A second Pegasus Knight formed behind his vanguard [Young Pegasus Knight – 6000 Power]. "My other Pegasus Knight moves up, then attacks the Berith in front of Doreen!" With a battle cry, the young knight spurred his pegasus onward towards Berith.
"My other Berith Intercepts!" Nick barked, the other Berith immediately lunging at Luke's knight with scimitars ready. Before he could strike, the pegasus turned and its rider made a slash with his sword, cutting the demon into dark motes [8000 Power + 5000 Shield = 13000 Power].
"With a boost from Pegasus Knight, Pendragon attacks!" Pendragon charged, swathed in shining white light as he readied his holy blade [15000 Power + 6000 Power = 21000 Power].
"March Rabbit guards!" Nick growled in answer, discarding a Hysteric Shirley. Laughing maniacally, the rabbit appeared, brandishing its pocket watch at Pendragon, who was instantly repulsed.
"Twin Drive... first," Luke murmured. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Great Sage, Barron – No Trigger]
"Second... Stand Trigger! I give the effects to my front row Pegasus Knight!"
[Drive Check – Silent Sage, Sharon – Stand Trigger]
Nick scowled as Young Pegasus Knight rose again, prepared for a second attack. Pendragon withdrew to Luke's side, and the young man spoke again. "Pegasus Knight, attack Berith again!" Young Pegasus Knight struck forth for the second time, readying his blade [9000 Power + 5000 Power = 14000 Power].
"No guard." Pegasus Knight struck and Berith was cut down, shattering into motes.
"With a boost from Toypugal, Barron attacks Dark Lord of Abyss!" Barron raised his staff and hurled a bolt of lightning at the terrifying dark figure [11000 Power + 6000 Power = 17000 Power].
"No guard!" Nick growled. The lightning struck, not even scratching Dark Lord of Abyss as he raised a hand to catch it. Slowly, the man clenched his fist, crushing the writhing bolt of light into nothingness.
[Damage Check – Dark Lord of Abyss – No Trigger]
As soon as the card hit the Damage Zone, Nick fell to his knees, trembling as the electric shock ran through him and howling in pain. Everyone stopped, staring at him in horror. Even Mary, Peter and their opponents momentarily stopped fighting to stare at Nick's suddenly broken form. Then the shock ended and he slowly rose, clutching at the table for support.
"You set your own glove to maximum?!" Luke said, horrifed.
"The more pain I take... the stronger I get..." Nick growled.
"That's insane!"
"No... it's the truth. The more I'm hurt... the more I hate... the stronger I become. That's the way of the world. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. And you've given me so much reason to hate you... now I'm going to crush you into the dust like the nothing you are! And your pathetic 'friends' too!"
VFS10
"He really is insane..." Peter muttered, dodging a blow from a dark-haired woman.
"Be careful, Luke!" Mary called out, before being cut off by a blow to the face which knocked her back into Peter. He stumbled and was caught by a vicious kick, knocking him to the ground.
"We've got you now!" a thug jeered, before suddenly being struck from behind.
Mary and Peter looked up to see Sabrina standing them. She kicked out, knocking the thug to the floor. He groaned as he crashed to the concrete, and Sabrina turned, catching a punch and calmly twisting the woman's arm. She howled in pain as Sabrina moved, twisting her arm up behind her back, then knocking her away with an elbow to the back of the head.
"Sabrina... why?" Mary groaned.
"I didn't want to involve you to begin with," she replied, punching away a man as he ran to attack her. "Our business was just with Luke. And now... it's like you said. Nick's... insane. This isn't what I wanted at all."
"You were perfectly fine with torturing him with those gloves, but this is too much?" Mary snapped incredulously.
Sabrina glanced away. "I thought it'd make me happy but... it didn't. And I couldn't speak out against Nick. You don't know what it's like. He's just... in charge. Anyone who spoke out got crushed."
"Help us," Peter said. "We can stop him."
"If your friend can win..."
"He will," Mary retorted. "Trust me. He will."
A thug came at Sabrina from behind, swinging a brick he'd found somewhere. Mary and Peter only just noticed him, shouting a warning which would have come too late. But then Wes was there, catching the man's hand and delivering a knee to the groin which sent the thug reeling. Wes took the brick as it was released, tossing it aside.
"What are you doing?" Sabrina asked.
"This isn't what I signed up for either," Wes replied. "Besides, chances are if their friend wins, they'll have the police in here with what Nick's saying. I know where I want to be when the boys in blue turn up."
"So you're only helping us to save your own skin," Mary muttered. "Wonderful."
"Do you want my help or not?!" he snapped, punching a woman in the face as she moved to attack him with a brick.
The four of them fought together, quickly putting down the few thugs who had obeyed Nick's command. They were left panting and tired amidst a cluster of fallen enemies, some of whom they'd managed to knock unconscious, others groaning from the blows inflicted on them.
The rest of the crowd stared apprehensively between the victorious four and Nick, unsure what to do.
"Get them!" Nick bellowed.
No one moved.
"Nick... they're... Wes and Sabrina are with them!"
"There are four of them and eleven of you!" Nick roared. "Get. Them!"
Once more, no one moved.
"I'm sorry, but... this isn't what I wanted," someone finally said. "I just wanted to beat that kid. Not those damn gloves. Not torturing innocent people."
"Me neither... you said this would make everything better for us. But doing this... it hasn't done anything for me. I don't feel any better."
Nick stared at them, dumbstruck. He turned to the four, staring at them. "Wes... Sabrina... why?!"
"Look at yourself, Nick," Sabrina said softly. "Look at what you're asking us to do. Don't you get it? This isn't what any of us really wanted! When I found your group online, I thought I'd finally found people who could help! I listened when you said the only way for us to get better was to get strong and use our hate to beat Luke! But I still feel empty! And now you're saying you're going to hurt other people just to get at him... this is going too far!"
"Too... far..." he said, looking stunned.
"Nick, man... she's right," Wes added. "This is too much. We never wanted this. Look at yourself and stop, man."
There was silence. Everyone stared at Nick, breaths held, wondering what he would do. He stared at Luke and past him, to the two people he'd thought were on his side.
"You... all of you..." he muttered, his voice full of bitterness. "You're turning on me now? When we're almost there? You... you bastards... I made you strong! I taught you how to be strong! And this is how you repay me?! You'll pay! I'll make you all pay! As soon as I've crushed this pathetic ghost, I'll take you all and make you all pay for daring to betray me!" He looked even more insane than before, wild-eyed, ranting furiously. "End your turn, boy! Now I'll end this!"
Luke stared at him. He wanted to end the fight, just get Wes, Sabrina, and Peter to grab Nick and end it. But then he remembered. The gloves wouldn't come off until the fight was over. This battle had to end first.
"I end my turn," he said softly.
Luke
Hand: 6
Front Row: Great Sage, Barron/White Dragon Knight, Pendragon/Young Pegasus Knight
Back Row: Toypugal/Young Pegasus Knight/Empty
Damage: Pongal (U), Soul Saver Dragon (U), Toypugal (U), Margal (U), High Dog Breeder, Akane (U)
Nick
Hand: 2
Front Row: Empty/Dark Lord of Abyss/Empty
Back Row: Prisoner Beast/Doreen the Thruster/Doreen the Thruster
Damage: Fallen Seraphim, Samael (F), Alluring Succubus (U), Werwolf Sieger (U), Prisoner Beast (U), Dark Lord of Abyss (U)
"Draw," Nick snarled. "This is the end! This is my victory! Final Turn!"
"Oh no..." Sabrina murmured. "He's going to use that Limit Break..."
"I call Doreen the Thruster! And Hysteric Shirley!" A shadow rose before Prisoner Beast, forming a third Doreen [Doreen the Thruster – 6000 Power], while the black-clad, white-haired girl formed in front of Doreen with a pitiful wail [Hysteric Shirley – 4000 Power]. "Shirley's skill! She goes into the Soul and I Soul Charge!" Shirley vanished as he slid a card into his Soul.
[Soul Charge – Alluring Succubus – No Trigger]
"My Doreens power up!" The three elves smirked as one, raising their vicious blades [Doreen the Thruster – 12000 Powerx3]. "I call Fallen Seraphim, Samael!" With a vicious snarl, a black-clad figure took form, spreading six black wings and raising hands clad in clawed gauntlets [Fallen Seraphim, Samael – 10000 Power].
"Here it comes..." Luke muttered.
"I'll show you true power! The power of my hatred!" Nick roared. "Dark Lord of Abyss! Take my hatred and turn it into power! Break the limits with the hatred of the darkness! Limit Break!" A black circle burst into form above Dark Lord of Abyss, forming an ominous haze around the unit. Nick turned over two Damage recklessly, not even caring as the shock gloves sent him to his knees and made him howl in pain. And as soon as he recovered, he grabbed two cards from the top of his deck, shoving them into the Soul. "Soul Charge!"
[Soul Charge – Cursed Doctor – Heal Trigger]
[Soul Charge – March Rabbit of Nightmareland – No Trigger]
"Dark Lord of Abyss gains 1000 Power for every card in my Soul! Right now, I have ten cards in the Soul, so he gets 10000 Power!" Darkness blazed and writhed around his vanguard, radiating from the man like a nightmarish corona [Dark Lord of Abyss – 21000 Power]. "Plus, since I Soul Charged, my Doreens and Samael power up!" The four units soaked in the aura radiating from Dark Lord of Abyss, their expressions turning twisted and horrific [Doreen the Thruster – 18000 Powerx3] [Fallen Seraphim, Samael – 16000 Power]. "The hatred of my units rages even in the soul... it clashes and clashes and with that hate, Dark Lord of Abyss grows even stronger! Behold the resonance of hatred... Soul Resonant!"
Luke stared at the opposing field, seeing the colossal power the Limit Break had unleashed. It chilled him to remember this Limit Break, the same one which had defeated him last time. But things were different now. He could fight this. He was determined to overcome it.
"I'm not finished yet," Nick whispered, his voice as sharp and cold as a sword. "No... not yet. Dark Lord... take even more power from my hatred! Crush every single limit! LIMIT... BREAK!"
"Again?!" Mary exclaimed. "But that'll give him...!"
The black circle burst again, flaring above the monstrous figure of Dark Lord of Abyss. Once again Nick carelessly flipped over two Damage, taking his shock glove with a roar of anger and pain. Then he tore two more cards from his deck and hurled them into the Soul. "Soul... Charge!"
[Soul Charge – Blitzritter – Critical Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Fallen Seraphim, Samael – No Trigger]
"Yes... yes... grow even stronger!" he laughed as the aura around his vanguard grew even larger and more intense, burning like black flames [Dark Lord of Abyss – 33000 Power]. "Doreen... Samael... take this hatred... and become unstoppable! Soul Resonant!" The four units laughed with him, their forms twisted by the dark power surging through their bodies [Doreen the Thruster – 24000 Powerx3] [Fallen Seraphim, Samael – 22000 Power].
Everyone stared, awestruck and horrified. None of them had seen so much power accumulated on a field before. No one could even try to realise how much Nick was going to attack with in that one turn.
"Can Luke survive?" Mary whispered, stunned.
Peter tried to calculate. "57000... 46000... 32000... even the last one would be massive normally, but this field is..."
"He's doomed..." Sabrina murmured. "No one could guard a field that strong. Not without some miracle, not without a Heal Trigger. Even with a Heal Trigger..."
"Hahahaha..." Nick laughed. "I... I've done it... I can crush you... and bring him back! Then we can be together, fight together as a team! And all I have to do is attack! This is the end!"
Luke just stared at him with pity. "Nick..."
"No! No words from you here!" Nick snarled, his laughter abruptly changing to rage. "I'll crush you, you pathetic little nothing! Doreen, boost! Dark Lord of Abyss! Break him with my hatred! Attack!" Dark Lord of Abyss raised his hands, conjuring an unstoppable wall of bladed shadows and hurling them forth [33000 Power + 24000 Power = 57000 Power].
"Luke!" Mary screamed.
He took a card from his hand, playing it. "Flash Shield, Iseult! Guard!" Iseult rose, shining with a faint light against the unstoppable darkness as he discarded Barron. The crystal-armored knight readied her glorious shield and the darkness swept into it, parting around the unbreakable light to smash into the castle around. The stone shattered and was pulverised, the castle fracturing and collapsing around the protected Royal Paladins until only ruins were left. Its rage momentarily spent, the darkness dissolved into mere shadows, and Iseult collapsed her shield, slumping to her knees with an exhausted sigh and fading into motes.
Luke took her card from the field, staring at it. "Thank you, Iseult," he murmured, slowly placing her into the Drop Zone. His Royal Paladins shared his words, nodding to where Iseult had defended them with pity and thanks clear in their eyes.
"You stopped one attack, but you can't stop them all," Nick snarled. "Twin Drive."
[Drive Check – Devil Blade, Berith – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Cursed Doctor – Heal Trigger]
"Heal Trigger," he smirked. "I give it all to Samael and heal one damage. Now, with a boost from Prisoner Beast Doreen, attack! Crush him!" Doreen laughed as she charged, blazing with that terrible darkness [24000 Power + 8000 Power = 32000 Power].
"Sharon, Alabaster Owl, guard!" Luke cried. "Barron, Intercept!" Sharon and the noble owl took shape, Barron moving to join her before all three were cut down by Doreen's vicious blades [10000 Power + 10000 Shield + 10000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 35000 Power].
Nick laughed. "You only have two cards left in your hand, and Samael's attacking for 51000 Power! You're finished! I've won! All of you are finished! I'll finally... I'll finally have him back! He'll finally be my teammate! We'll crush everyone! Do you feel the hate? Do you feel despair? Let him come back!"
"No," Luke replied. "I'll never do that."
Nick's expression snapped from jubilant to nightmarish in an instant. The rage narrowed his eyes and distorted his lips into some savage snarl as he clenched a fist so tightly blood welled from where his fingernails dug into his palm. "You will. Because I demand it! The strong demand what they want of the weak... and in the end, you're too weak to deny me! Look at all the power I summoned with my hatred! My hatred of you for being so small and pathetic, for being nothing like him!" He placed his bleeding hand on Samael's card, blood splashing across the art. "This... is the end! Doreen! Boost! And Samael... bring back the true Luke Adams here and now! ATTACK!"
Samael raised his hands, conjuring a storm of dark blades and hurling them at Pendragon with a vicious roar [22000 Power + 5000 Power + 24000 Power = 51000 Power].
Luke shook his head. "You don't get it. I've told you, but you still won't believe me... you think you can bring back that Luke. You think that was what I really am. But that's not. I'm the true Luke Adams! And I will never become that monster again! Because of the friends who never gave up on me. Because of the family who never let me go. And because of Mary... the one I've loved for so long."
Nick's expression became even more terrible. "It doesn't matter! You can't possibly stop Samael! You. Lose!"
Luke took a card from his hand. "You keep saying hatred is power. But friendship and love are power too. They're my power. And hatred can't ever compare to how precious friendship and love are! Guard!"
Nick's eyes widened as he saw the unit forming. "No... no! That's not... you can't have that card! Not now! I... I was... I won! You can't... you can't do this now!"
"Flash Shield, Iseult!" Luke cried. "Perfect Guard!" He discarded Margal and Iseult took shape from the light, summoning her brilliant shield against the howling storm. Samael's attack slammed into the Flash Shield and was repulsed, deflecting back and striking across Nick's units. They were hurled to the ground as the dark blades tore through the castle, obliterating what was left of it until only rubble remained.
Iseult slowly lowered her shield and glanced back at the Royal Paladins behind her. They nodded to her, thanking their comrade without words. With a smile, Iseult slowly faded away, leaving her friends unharmed.
Nick stared, utterly horrified. "Iseult... you... you bastard... how could you stop it?! I was going to win! I had this game won! He was going to... he was..."
"He doesn't exist!" Luke cried. "I won't let him exist. Not while I have friends, not while I have the people precious to me. Never again. I won't hurt the people I care about like that again. And now, Nick, you imagine it. The light of hope, rising on the horizon, held up by the power of friendship and love. I'm going to show you that power... my true power!"
Nick
Hand: 2
Front Row: Doreen the Thruster/Dark Lord of Abyss/Fallen Seraphim, Samael
Back Row: Prisoner Beast/Doreen the Thruster/Doreen the Thruster
Damage: Alluring Succubus (F), Werwolf Sieger (F), Prisoner Beast (F), Dark Lord of Abyss (F)
Luke
Hand: 0
Front Row: Empty/White Dragon Knight, Pendragon/Young Pegasus Knight
Back Row: Toypugal/Young Pegasus Knight/Empty
Damage: Pongal (U), Soul Saver Dragon (U), Toypugal (U), Margal (U), High Dog Breeder, Akane (U)
"I stand and draw," he continued, making the draw. "Akane... you're here." "Now, Pendragon's Limit Break!" He drew a card. "Sharon." A second. "Lamorak." A third. "Pongal." A fourth. "Gallatin.". And finally, a fifth. There was a moment of stillness and silence as everyone waited with baited breath.
Then he smiled. "You're here."
He held up the card, its artwork shining brilliantly as he chanted. "Dragon given strength by dreams and hope, descend now to stand with friendship and love! Bring the light of hope to relieve those full of despair! Superior Ride!"
Nick stared in horror. "No... no!"
"Answer the call of the dragon king!" Luke called. Pendragon raised his sword as the white circle erupted, filling the courtyard with light as it became a shining gateway. A form wrapped in blinding radiance began to descend, spreading majestic wings as Pendragon closed his eyes and faded with a smile. "Soul... Saver... Dragon!"
The blinding wings unfurled, revealing the beautiful dragon in all her glory. Wrapped in light blue armor, her skin as brilliant as sunlight, Soul Saver was released, unleashing a roar which seemed like a song. The Royal Paladins cheered at her arrival as the holy dragon descended, her eyes a brilliant red beneath her helmet, her light banishing the oppressive darkness from the battlefield. Soul Saver Dragon stared over the field, her eyes unreadable, her form as warm and bright as the sun itself [Soul Saver Dragon – 10000 Power].
"Since Pendragon went into my Soul, my Pegasus Knights power up," Luke spoke, the two knights cheering as they were wrapped in that warm, hopeful light [Young Pegasus Knight – 9000 Powerx2]. "And now... Soul Saver Dragon, awaken the pride of the knights! Soul Blast!" He discarded all five cards from his Soul. "Holy Charging Roar!" His dragon gave her beautiful roar again, the melody sweeping over the field as all three of Luke's units were wrapped in the dragon's light [Toypugal – 11000 Power] [Young Pegasus Knight – 14000 Powerx2].
"No... this can't... you can't do this!" Nick cried.
"I call High Dog Breeder, Akane!" Luke continued. Akane formed immediately, smiling as she felt the dragon's warm light on her skin [High Dog Breeder, Akane – 8000 Power], and cracking her whip as Luke turned over two Damage. "Akane's skill! I Superior Call Pongal!" With a bark, a High Dog clad in steely grey armor appeared behind the front Young Pegasus Knight, a white mane streaming from its neck [Pongal – 7000 Power]. "Pongal's skill! Break the dark clouds and awaken the dragon of light! Pongal goes into my Soul and I add Soul Saver Dragon to my hand!" He turned over a Damage and the High Dog faded into light, soaking into his glorious vanguard as he took his last Soul Saver Dragon from his deck.
"And since another card went into his Soul..." Wes realised.
"My Pegasus Knights power up again!" Luke finished, the two knights shining even more brilliantly [Young Pegasus Knight – 17000 Powerx2]. "This Pegasus Knight moves back and I call Soul Saver Dragon!" In a flash of brilliant light, a second Soul Saver Dragon took shape, shining just as gloriously as the vanguard [Soul Saver Dragon – 10000 Power].
The battlefield seemed transformed with the two radiant dragons hanging above it. The dark clouds were banished, the sun shining through, and the Dark Irregulars recoiling away from the brilliant light. The Royal Paladins seemed invigorated by Soul Saver's presence, all of them standing proud and ready for battle. By contrast, Dark Lord of Abyss seemed diminished, staring at Soul Saver Dragon with those hollow eyes which no longer seemed scary at all.
"This is me," Luke said. "The real me. Do you see now? I'm not that terrible person. I'm sorry for you, Nick. I started you on this path, back then, and I see now what it led you to. Let us help you."
Nick stared at him. "No! You're not the real Luke!"
Luke's eyes were full of pity. "I'm sorry. But this ends here. Boosted by Toypugal, Akane attacks!" Akane rushed forward with a smile, drawing back her shining whip [8000 Power + 14000 Power = 22000 Power].
"Guard!" Nick roared, throwing down his hand. Blitzritter and Berith appeared before Dark Lord of Abyss and were cut down with a crack of the whip [11000 Power + 10000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 26000 Power]. "You're not... I won't accept you! You're not him!"
Luke shook his head. "With a boost from Young Pegasus Knight, Soul Saver Dragon attacks!" His vanguard raised her hand, conjuring a sphere of crackling lightning in it [10000 Power + 3000 Power + 17000 Power = 30000 Power]. "Lightning... Judgment!" His dragon hurled the sphere at Dark Lord of Abyss with a roar.
"No guard!" Nick growled. "I... I'll still win! I just need a Heal Trigger!"
"Twin Drive!" Luke called. "First check, no Trigger. Second... no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Little Sage, Marron – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Knight of Silence, Gallatin – No Trigger]
The lightning engulfed Dark Lord of Abyss, tearing through him with lances of blazing light. He cried out, sinking to his knees under the onslaught of the light.
"Damage Check!" Nick roared, smirking as a green light ignited. "Critical Trigger! Power to Dark Lord!"
[Damage Check – Dark Knight of Nightmareland – Critical Trigger]
Dark Lord rose slightly, invigorated by the Critical Trigger [Dark Lord of Abyss – 16000 Power, Critical 2], while his master collapsed to one knee, brought down by the shock glove.
"I still have one more," Luke said. "This is my power, Nick. I don't focus on myself. I help my friends. And the bonds between us... those are our power. Hatred is nothing before the power of my friendship... my love. And now, I'll wash away your hate with my friendship. Young Pegasus Knight boosts. Soul Saver Dragon, finish this here and now! Lightning Judgment!"
The second Soul Saver Dragon raised her hand and summoned the sphere of bright lightning to it, hurling it at the empowered Dark Lord of Abyss [10000 Power + 17000 Power = 27000 Power].
As the lightning hurtled towards his vanguard, Nick could only stare in shock. "I can't... I can't lose..." he whispered. "I... can't guard..."
The lightning struck, engulfing Dark Lord of Abyss. This time, the demonic man screamed, the light tearing through him and taking him to pieces. He exploded into motes and the light exploded too, spears of radiance cast out to strike through Nick's forces. All of them collapsed, crying out as the light engulfed them and banished them into shadows.
[Damage Check – March Rabbit of Nightmareland – No Trigger]
Nick collapsed fully as the glove activated for the last time, making him scream in pain. Luke's units slowly faded away, taking their radiance with them and leaving the courtyard in shadows.
There was nothing but silence when Nick's scream subsided. Everyone could only stare at the fallen man.
"Is he unconscious?" someone finally asked.
Luke peeled off his glove and slowly moved around the table. Nick wasn't moving.
"Nick... are you okay?"
Suddenly, Nick stirred. He lunged and grabbed Luke by the throat with a roar, one arm still caught by the cable attached to his shock glove. "You... you bastard!" he roared. "How could you take him away?! How could you?! How could you?!" He swung his arm, smashing Luke's head into the Motion Figure System.
"Luke!" Mary cried out, running forwards to help.
Before she could get there, Nick was seized. Someone tore his hand away from Luke's throat, pinning him down and letting the young man scramble back. As he did, he realised that a cluster of people had tackled Nick and were now pinning him down, holding him in place. Angry shouts rang throughout the courtyard, Nick's words incomprehensible due to the anger distorting his voice.
Luke sat there, gasping for breath as he stared. Then someone grabbed him from the side and he wheeled around, thinking it was some supporter of Nick's. It was Mary, tackling him in a tight hug.
"Are you okay?" she asked desperately.
"I'm fine," he murmured to her, gently moving his arms to hold her. The two sat there, clutching each other close. It felt warm and friendly and everything Luke wanted after that desperate fight with Nick.
It ended with Peter speaking. "I think it's time we called in the cavalry."
Mary turned to face him. "Yes, I think so."
Peter produced a walkie talkie from somewhere and spoke into it quietly.
"The police, I'm guessing?" Sabrina asked wearily from behind him. Peter nodded.
"Luke's parents insisted," he replied. "I'm sorry. But they'll probably take you in too. Hopefully, once we explain the situation, they'll realise it was Nick who started the whole thing and be lenient with the rest of you."
"I understand," she said. Then she turned to Luke and Mary. "I'm sorry. I know that's not enough, but-"
"It's enough," Luke replied. "Thank you for helping Peter and Mary."
"Well, should we try and make a run for it?" Wes said, strolling up. "I'm guessing the boys in blue are almost here."
Sabrina shook her head. "I'm facing up to what I did for Nick."
He scowled. "Ah well. I guess I should be a gentleman and not let you go in alone."
"Thank you, Wes," Luke murmured.
The young man looked at him oddly. "It was nothing."
A moment later, a cluster of police appeared, striding in and producing handcuffs. Nick was relieved of his current captors and immediately taken by a knot of police officers. Some of the group struggled as they were arrested, but in the end, all of them were taken away. Wes and Sabrina calmly handed themselves in, accepting their arrest without resistance or question, though Wes offered an officer a dirty look as he was taken away.
Eventually, it was just Luke, Mary and Peter left in the darkness.
"We finally ended it," Peter said quietly.
"Thank you both," Luke said. "For not giving up on me."
"We'll never give up on you," Mary smiled. "Never."
He looked at her. "Before I fought Nick... I tried to ask you, but you said it could wait until after the fight. Those letters... you know how I feel. I love you, Mary. I just... want to know how you feel."
There was silence for a few moments, and before she could speak, a police officer strode up to them. "I thought I should tell you that we've taken every member of the gang here into custody. I admit, I wasn't sure about your approach, but everything seems to have turned out for the best, and that's what matters. We'll need to take statements from you three now, of course."
"Okay, officer," Peter said.
Luke looked at Mary, questioning with his gaze.
"I just need some time to think about it," she finally said. "I'm sorry, I'm just... not sure yet."
"It's okay," he nodded. They slowly parted, standing up and leaving with Peter and the officer.
Finally, the courtyard was left in darkness and silence.
VFS10
Several days later, the card shop was warm and bright. Peter smiled behind the counter as he sat and watched the fights playing out on the nearby tables. At one of them, Luke fought a smiling fan. He was back to normal, though the marks of Nick's fingers were still faintly clear on his throat and the bruise where his head had struck the Figure System was there on the edge of his forehead.
"I stand and draw!" Luke called. "Dragon given strength by dreams and hope, descend now to stand with friendship and love! Bring the light of hope to relieve those full of despair! Ride, Soul Saver Dragon!"
The little girl he was fighting cheered, as did the small cluster of children around them. "Yes! Soul Saver Dragon!"
Luke smiled. "I activate Soul Saver Dragon's skill now. I Soul Blast five cards to give Lamorak, Marron and Pongal 5000 Power each! Holy Charging Roar!" He discarded his Soul and his opponent frowned, realising what it meant, while the other children cheered again. "Now, I call Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes!" He played the card, filling his field. "Pegasus Knight boosts, and Lamorak attacks Kiriel!"
"Uh... Sunny Smile Angel and Lightning Charger guard!" she cried, playing the two.
"With a boost from Marron, Soul Saver Dragon attacks!"
"I... Requiel, guard! I drop Bouquet Toss for a Perfect Guard!"
"Twin Drive... first, no Trigger. Second... Stand Trigger! All to Lamorak, so he stands and gets 5000 more Power!"
His opponent frowned even more and hung her head. "You win then..."
"You might still get a Heal Trigger," he smiled. "Let's see. Lamorak attacks again!"
"I don't guard... Damage Check..." She pouted. "No Heal."
"Hey, it's okay. You had fun, right?"
"Yeah..."
"That's what it's all about," Luke said cheerfully. "So long as you enjoy yourself, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, okay?"
She smiled too. "Yeah. Thank you."
"It's no problem. Now, who wants to fight me next?" All of them started pleading, waving their arms excitedly, and he gave a cheerful laugh. Peter smiled.
He heard his phone and quickly retrieved it from his pocket, reading the text. "Luke!" he called. "You've left your phone off again, haven't you?!"
Luke's smile slipped, and he looked around at the children. "Sorry, guys. Just let me handle this, okay?" They all nodded, and he passed through the crowd, heading to Peter. "What is it?"
"Mary wants to see you at the river," he replied. "She tried to send you a text, but your phone's off." Luke gave a sheepish smile.
"I don't like interrupting fights with the kids," he explained.
"Well, you'd better go see her. I'll handle the kids."
"Thanks, Peter." With that, Luke left, the children all running to see where he was going.
"Where's he going, Peter?" a boy asked.
"He's got something to do," he replied. "Don't worry, I'll fight you guys." He took out his deck and stood up, smiling at their happy faces. "Now, who's first?"
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Me!"
VFS10
The riverbank was peaceful and silent, like a bubble isolated from the rest of the world. Mary stood there, watching the sunlight dancing on the water. She wore white and blue, soft, friendly colors at odds with the nightmarish darkness they had been through just days before.
She stared at the flowing water, remembering that final battle. Luke stopping Nick's furious, powerful attacks with Iseult's sacred shield. And the counterattack, Soul Saver Dragon descending to sweep away darkness with light. Luke's words echoed in her head even now, reminding her that she was part of the reason he had fought so hard in that last battle.
And because of Mary... the one I've loved for so long.
The sun on her face was warm, reminding her of the warmth of Soul Saver Dragon's light... the warmth of Luke's embrace. The sound of the river washed away the dark memories, leaving her with that warmth. She remembered returning home after the battle, being met by a mother who for once cared even a little. The next day, she had met Team Avalon again, feeling they should know that Luke was safe and Nick had been dealt with. Everything felt like it had settled and gone back to normal, even if the shadows were still there in their memories. Luke was using his dragons again, reuniting with them like meeting old friends.
A stone rattled across the shore, and she glanced back, seeing Luke walking up to meet her. He wore that sheepish smile which let her know that once again he had left his phone off.
"Sorry," he said apologetically.
"It's okay," she smiled. That was the Luke she knew. The Luke who smiled, who enjoyed fighting, who left his phone off all the time. The Luke who had stood up to Nick and proclaimed his love, and then cast down the darkness around him.
"You want to talk about something, don't you?" he said after a moment staring across the water.
"Yes," she nodded. "But let's just watch for a bit." So they did. They stood and watched the light bouncing over the water's surface, following the golden ribbon across the river with their eyes. Further out, a bird dived down, perhaps spotting something in the current, and beyond that a boat passed, heading upstream.
"Do you know how Wes and Sabrina are?" he asked.
"Peter went to ask. Apparently they're still in a ton of trouble, their parents are furious with them, but whatever happens they'll probably get a fairly light sentence."
"That's good." A moment of silence came, preceding the question she knew he would ask even though neither of them enjoyed talking about it. "What about Nick?"
"They wouldn't tell Peter. I guess it's much more serious for him, given he was the one behind it all, and all the threats he made."
"Yeah." The mention of Nick left the atmosphere darker and colder, and for a few minutes, they just watched the water.
"There's something I wanted to talk about," she finally murmured. "After that fight, you asked me how I felt about those letters. And I said I needed time to think. Well, I've had that time."
His mouth suddenly felt dry. "And?"
"You fought so hard against him... all because of us," she said. "So much has happened, hasn't it? We've fought at Nationals... and beaten Nick. Together. We've always been together, ever since we were kids. You've always been there."
"You've always been there too... even when I wasn't myself," he murmured.
Mary smiled. "Thank you. I guess... in the end, what I want to say is... you're kind and warm and friendly. You're not cruel at all. I've seen you with those kids, having fun with them. I guess that's what really made me realise... and seeing you fighting Nick the way you did. Luke... I... I love you too."
There was another of those still moments, those moments where the world seemed lost. The river and the sun seemed to fade out, leaving just the two of them close to each other. Luke slowly reached, touching his fingertips to his cheek like he had before. And she reached out too, doing the same. They stared into each others' eyes, basking in the warmth and love which radiated from their depths.
Slowly, they leaned in closer, taking each other into an embrace and then lightly kissing each other. The world seemed to fade even more, it was just the two of them, their arms around each other, the feeling of being so close, and the sensation of their lips pressing together. It felt warm and comfortable and safe, as though they were being bathed in Soul Saver Dragon's light as they held each other. The spectres of their pasts retreated and were gone, all that mattered was the present, and the bright future which shone ahead of them. And as they parted and gazed out over the river, Mary rested her head on Luke's shoulder, they held each other, and the world seemed brighter than ever.
The two of them stood there, not saying anything, just holding each other and watching the sun slowly sink down to the horizon. The light shimmered on the river, the sounds of London resonated around them, but all they cared about was that they were together and the darkness finally seemed to have gone.
The End
VFS10
Card of the Day:
White Dragon Knight, Pendragon
Grade 3/Twin Drive!
United Sanctuary – Human – Royal Paladin
10000 Power/No Shield/Critical 1
Auto [V]: [Limit Break 4] At the beginning of your main phase, look at up to five cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one grade 3 «Royal Paladin» from among them, ride it, and shuffle your deck.
Auto [V]: When this unit is placed on (VC), this unit gets [Power]+5000 until end of turn.
The sanctuary's history has been protected by those with powers of the sacred dragon.
A knight whose clan is blessed by the holy guardian dragon, Soul Saver Dragon. Because there is practically no record of him appearing in lore or history books, his very existence is in doubt, and he is considered to be just a myth or legend. It is said he dwells deep within the ruins of United Sanctuary, protecting the gates to the other realm where his patron dragon dwells, and has done so for countless generations. When the guardian dragon spirit became anxious and concerned about the current state of the Sanctuary, it decided to give aid to the Royal Paladins, sending Pendragon, who didn't hesitate for a second to join under the fold of the King of Knights, vowing to fight by the king's side. The power of the White Dragon King is handed down and controlled by both humans and dragons. Pendragon now holds both the ancient king's sword and that legendary power, having inherited them, and uses them to destroy all who would do nothing but bring harm and ruin.
VFS10
Card Stats:
Fallen Seraphim, Samael
Grade 3/Angel – Dark Irregulars/10000 Power/No Shield
Auto [V/R]: During your main phase, when a card is put into your soul, if you have a «Dark Irregulars» vanguard, this unit gets [Power]+3000 until end of turn.
Black-winged angels are certainly ones to be feared.
VFS10
This is the end of Fallen Sun, but I've already made plans on how to continue Midnight Sun, and that'll start being updated again soon.