Hi again readers! I am presenting to everyone chapter 9! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter! Now then, let's start!
Aichi's POV
Today is the last VF Circuit... I need to concentrate!
" Aichi." Misaki-san said
" Brother." Kamui-kun said
" Yeah! Let's go!" I said
" Yeah!"
We managed to win the circuit with straight wins and then we were transported to the top level of the building and we were told by Takuto-kun a story,
" One day, this planet suddenly came under attack by a mysterious force. In the face of a powerful enemy, all of the formerly squabbling clans of Cray came together to fight back. Three clans became the core of the resistance: Royal Paladin, Shadow Paladin and Kagero. Their efforts were spectacular. The mysterious force was cornered, and victory was close at hand. But... Blaster Blade, Blaster Dark, and Dragonic Overlord, who fought and the forefront, were captured by the enemy. Robbed of their leaders, the three clans fell into chaos and lost their strength. That effect even extended to your world, where the decks of their three clans vanished." He explained
" Then..." Misaki-san said
"... The "Royal Paladin" you were talking about, Brother..." Kamui-kun continued
I just remained silent...
" The disorganized clans didn't know what to do when the enemy stepped up its attack. Right now, Cray is on the brink of destruction." He continued
An explosion and we were back in the real world...
" We need strength. Our powerful enemy even sealed away Royal Paladin. We need a strong power of our own to beat them." he said
" Will you be able to save them if you have that kind of power?! Can you save Royal Paladin?! And my avatar... Blaster Blade?!" I ask
" Yes, if we have leaders with a strong power, who can unite all of the clans and make the mysterious force retreat. I held the VF Circuit in order to choose people with that power. Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong and Japan... The winning fighters of these four circuits are the saviors of Cray, our new leaders!" He explained
" Everyone..." I said
" Now, everyone... on this stage, I shall open the door to Cray!" He said
The top of the building opened up...
" The path is open... Leaders... Come!"
There was a huge gust of wind and we were transported into Cray...
" Where are we?" I asked
" Aichi Sendou... And your team, Q4... As a leader, if you would fight alongside us to try to save Cray, please proceed. Head for the true final stage that waits for you ahead. " And he disappeared
" True final stage?"
" Let's go, Brother!" Kamui-kun said and started walking
" You have to get your avatar back, right?" Misaki-san said as she put her hand on my shoulder and also started walking
I walked and caught up with them...
" Kamui-kun... Misaki-san!"
" We're a team!" Kamui-kun said
" What you want to do is also what we want to do." Misaki-san continued
" Right!" I said
We saw the other teams by our side as well...
" Like Takuto-kun said, we have power. We're leaders. So... let's go! Let's save Cray!" I said
" Not so fast..." A voice said
We stopped in our tracks to see Leon-kun standing in front of us...
" Here's where you turn back." He said
" What are you doing?" Takuto-kun appeared and ask
" It's simple. You people aren't the leaders that Cray needs. That person is me alone, Leon Souryu!" He declared
" Leon-kun?"
" The wind doesn't blow on you. You're not taking one more step. The final stage ends here!" He declared again
" Weren't you listening? The final stage is a fight to free Cray!" Kamui-kun exclaimed
" Unfortunately, my true reason for participating in the Vanguard Fight Circuit was to thwart your plan. The Souryu people are going to regain their power and reign over tThe world. For that grand purpose, Royal Paladin, Kagero, and Shadow Paladin must be sacrificed, sealed away for eternity." he said
" You made a deal with them?" Takuto-kun ask
" That's right. By drawing on their power, Aqua Force will come back." Leon-kun said
" What does that mean?" Misaki-san ask
" Leon Souryu offered them Royal Paladin, Kagero, and Shadow Paladin in exchange for bringing back Aqua Force." Takuto-kun explained
" Leon-kun sold Royal Paladin and the others to the enemy?" I said
" Whether you did it to save your own clan or not, by selling off other clans, you've betrayed all clans... all fighters!" Takuto-kun exclaimed
" How dare you?! You're the one who used all of us when it was convenient to you, Takuto Tatsunagi! I refuse to be your pawn!" Leon-kun said angrily then black mist surrounded him... I sensed something and sinister and my pacifier was starting to glow because of the danger.
" Not only the return of Aqua Force, but your own body...!" Takuto-kun exclaimed
" My ancient clan... resurrect Aqua Force. In order for the Souryu people to once more become the supreme rulers of the world, I'm willing to make any sacrifice." Leon-kun continued
" I won't let you!" Takuto-kun said and his Psyqualia glowed in his eyes
" It's wind is blowing on me. Don't for one minute think Cray's warriors can stop me when they've been stripped of their power!" Leon-kun said
Black mist surrounded Takuto-kun and then he collapsed on the floor and we ran to help him,
" What just happened, Brother?!" Kamui-kun asked
" I don't know..." I said
" He must... be stopped..." Takuto-kun said
I didn't even notice that something dropped out of my pocket. Not until when it opened with a 'click'.
~ Title of lullaby: Lovely memories from the music box~
What is this?
" What the... What's this?" I said
I picked it up. It was in a shape of a shining sun, crystals surrounded it. Inside had crystals too. But those crystals... they look familiar...
" These crystals are those from the shrine!" I thought
" What... is that melody?" Misaki-san ask
" I don't know..." I replied
" D-Nova... D-Nova..." A familiar voice ringed out
" This voice is... Sensei-Sensei!" I thought
" Who's there?" Leon-kun said
Everyone looked around. My Kirara came out. Oh wait... No way.
" A-Ah... Hey, K-Kirara..." I whispered
But Kirara kept floating around, I'm just lucky no one was looking.
" Hey..." I whispered
He is not listening.
" Come here." I whispered
Of all things, he went in front of Leon-kun and the others.
" That's..." Kamui-kun said
Kirara flew in front of Leon-kun.
" What's this?" Leon-kun said
I don't know what Kirara see Leon-kun as but he immediately flew behind me.
" What's wrong?" I ask
Kirara started floating around very quickly, like he was frightened. I quickly closed the locket and placed it in my pocket.
" Aichi-kun, do you know what it is?" Ren-san ask
" U-Uh..." I stuttered
Kirara was still in panic mode.
" K-Kirara..." I murmured
At the corner of my eye, I saw the black mist starting after Kirara. I immediately pulled him back.
" That was close." I said
Kirara hid behind me again.
" Jeez..."
" The character of his Kirara is a bit different." I heard Misaki-san mumbled
" D-Nova... D-Nova..." I heard his voice again
The Kirara of Succession rose from the ground.
" This is..." Misaki-san exclaimed
" What's going on?" Ren-san exclaimed
" The Kirara of Succession is reacting to something." I murmured
The reflection showed Takahashi Minami the 1st then to... Kanata-san.
" Why are they showing this now?" I murmured
The reflection showed another image. It showed me.
" D-Nova... D-Nova..."
" Sensei, why are you showing this now?" I thought
" This is bad." Kamui-kun whispered
" I know." I whispered back
" What should we do?" Misaki-san whispered
" I don't know." I whispered back
" What's the meaning of this?" Leon-kun ask
I didn't know how to respond.
" D-Nova... D-Nova..."
" If this continues, our identities will be revealed." Misaki-san whispered
" I know." I whispered back
" Maybe... that locket... try opening it again." Misaki-san whispered
" I'll try." I whispered
I took out the locket and opened it. The Kirara of Succession went into the crystal at the center and disappeared.
" Sun... Sun..."
We heard his last words before it completely disappeared as well.
" Sun?" I said
I closed the locket and kept it in my pocket again. I noticed Leon-kun pondering about something then decided to shrug it off.
" Never mind. Takuto Tatsunagi... This space that you've constructed is connected to Cray. Thanks to that, I can feel the power from them directly. Leaders who are loved by the wind, you should follow its lead." Leon-kun said as black mist surrounded him and we were blown away
~ On Earth~
Normal POV
The doors separated and Shin entered to see the portal...
" What's happening?!" Shin ask
" This is the portal that Takuto opened... The path to Cray..." Suiko explained
" Cray?! You're telling me that the planet Cray actually exists?!" Tetsu ask her
" Ren and the others are safe aren't they?" he approached the portal but was unable to enter..." You say this is a portal, so why can't I enter it?" He ask again
" My guess is that no one but the chosen fighters are allowed to enter. " she said as she show us an image of what is happening inside...
" Is this what's going on inside? It's too dark to see anything. But I sense it... A huge, evil presence..." Rekka said
" Void..." Kourin finally said, they look at each other before turning towards the screen again
~ Back to the space between Cray and Earth~
Aichi and the others woke up. Aichi got up and lightning strike the sky.
" It seems that Leon's newfound power has destabilized this space and merged the two worlds of Cray and Earth." Takuto said weakly
" Hey..." Kamui said when he saw him starting to collapse
" You aren't the one who sealed away Royal Paladin, are you?" Aichi ask
" The thing that captured Royal Paladin and the others, that gave Leon power... Its name is Void. It's a nihilistic power." He said weakly again
" Void... A nihilistic power..."
"It's Cray's greatest enemy. It's said to have no physical form, existing only as a will. And its power is immeasurable. Void is what sealed Aqua Force long, long ago. But none of the clans have ever been able to help Aqua Force. And now Void has sealed away Royal Paladin and two other clans. "
" Is Void more powerful than before?" Misaki ask
" Yes. But so are the clans. The clans have any years of training, so if they join forces, they should be able to save Royal Paladin and the other clans. That's why... I manipulated all of your memories and switched Gold Paladin and Narukami with the clans that were sealed away. You see, a fighter's ability to lead a clan will be necessary for battling Void. "
" Manipulated memories..."
" Fighter's ability...?"
" I gave you new clans, made you compete in the Vanguard Fight Circuit, even encouraged you to level up, all to free Cray." Takuto continued
" You used us... You used us as pawns..." Misaki said
" That's correct... But using all of you has led to this. Now the only thing I can do is put my trust in you. My power has been weakened because of Void. While I still have power, I'll restore all of your memories." his Psyqualia glowed in his eyes and Aichi, Misaki and Kamui restored all of their memories
" I remember. I remember clearly... I remember all my time with Blaster Blade and Royal Paladin!" Aichi said
" That's right... You originally used Royal Paladin... Brother Aichi." Kamui said
" I can't believe I'd forgotten all this time..." Misaki said
We hold onto Takuto-kun when we realized that he was falling...
" You must hate me for manipulating your memories and using you as pawns." Takuto said
" No. Just the opposite: I'm grateful to you." Aichi smiled and said
" Grateful?" Takuto repeated
" You gave me a way to help Blaster Blade. And more than anything, you introduced to me Gold Paladin. With them, I'll free Cray and help Blaster Blade!" Aichi said
Takuto nodded... " Void... A fearsome power of emptiness... Right now, emptiness has invaded half of Cray's land... No sound can be heard there, no light reaches through... Nothing moves, and everything is enveloped in silence." he said
" That's Void..." Aichi said
" The power of emptiness has begun to move from Cray to this space. And when the emptiness has filled this space, It'll be destroyed and the emptiness will move on to Earth!" Takuto said
" Earth?!" Kamui exclaimed
" The tragedy that once befell the Souryu people will happen to the entire Earth. The land will rot. The seas will dry up. All of Earth's blessings will be lost. All life will be robbed the will to live. Earth will become a planet of death." Takuto continued
" That'll happen to Earth...? We can't let it!" Aichi said
" What should we do?" Misaki-san ask
" The only thing you can do to stop Void is to beat Leon Souryu... No one but the Vanguard Fight winners can exist in this space."
" You mean if we win, it'll be possible to send Leon-kun back to Earth?" Aichi ask
" However, it works the opposite way, too. If you lose in a Vanguard Fight, you won't be able to stay in this space either."
" In other words, if we lose, Earth will..." Kamui said
" Leon Souryu may think he's using Void, but its power is vast. He can't control it completely. And Leon's ambition has made him lose his cool-headed judgement. At this rate, everything will be controlled by Void..."
They carried him to a nearby rock for him to rest...
" If he isn't stopped, both Cray and Earth will come to an end. Quickly, go to him..."
" But how can we find him?" Misaki ask
" Psyqualia... You should be able to sense Leon's Psyqualia..."
" Psyqualia..." Aichi stood up, his eyes glowed and Aichi turned towards Leon's direction... " That way!" Aichi said
" Go. Cray is in your hands."
" Right! Let's go, everyone!" Aichi said
" Right!"
~ Time skip~
" Visibility here just keeps getting worse..." Kamui said
" That means the emptiness aura thing is increasing in strength." Misaki said
" We have to hurry." Aichi thought
~ Time skip (again)~
Aichi stopped and concentrated.
" Aichi?" Misaki ask
" It's no good. I'm not sensing Leon's Psyqualia anymore." Aichi said and turned to them
" Huh?! What'll we do?!" Kamui ask
" We have to beat Leon and don't have a minute to spare! Earth is in danger..." Misaki said
Aichi looked at the sky.
" I won't give up... I swear I'll save them... Blaster Blade and Royal Paladin!" Aichi thought to himself... " Blaster Blade saved me... He made me stronger... He gave me the courage to stand tall... So, this time... I'm going to save him!" Aichi said
A lightning came out and a ball of light appeared in the sky and flew towards Aichi...
" This feeling... I've had it somewhere before..." Aichi went ahead to try and touch it, it flew towards his hand...
" B-Brother...?!" Kamui said
" It's okay... I understand... This is Blaster Blade's soul." There was a sudden flash of light and the ball of light was transformed into a card, then the card shot out a light pointing towards a direction...
" ... Huh? What is this?" Misaki ask as she see the light
" I see... Leon-kun is over there... Blaster Blade, you'll lead me there... Blaster Blade, you... All of you will still lend me your strength, right? I promise I'll save you!" Aichi said and kept the card in his pocket
They were still walking when they suddenly heard screams...
They ran towards the direction of the screams and they saw Lee-kun and Ali-kun on the floor all beat up...
" Lee-kun! Ali-kun!" Aichi said
" What happened?!" Kamui ask
" He's the one that did it..." Ali pointed out
A figure appeared before them...
" Leon Souryu?!" Kamui ask
Instead it was Chris... wait... the guy who did this to them was...?!
" Come on, don't scare us... Wait, don't tell me he did this to 'em?!" Kamui said
" Fight me." Chris said kind of darkly
" You're acting weird..." Misaki said
" Stop it, Chris!" Ali said
" We don't have any reason to fight you here!" Lee added
" The strongest Vanguard Fighter... I'm number one." Chris said
" What happened to you, Chris?!" Ali ask again
" Silence..." Chris said and sent out a sort of shockwave on them and they fell to the ground again
" Is this because of Void? The power of emptiness?" Aichi said
" Void?"
" That's right. Can't you dopes feel it? Void can set your heart free!" Chris said
" Wrong! That's the darkness in your heart, which is usually held in check! You can't let out! Don't listen to it!" Aichi said
" Shut up! I'll do anything to be number one." Chris said again
" Aichi! We have to hurry to Leon, and get Chris back to normal!" Misaki said
" Forget about it, Aichi Sendou. You're going to fight me." Chris said again
" But this isn't the time or place..." Aichi said before he was cut off again
" Are you afraid... of my power?!" Chris said
" Psyqualia... I see... Chris-kun is possessed by it..." Aichithought
" Since that time, I've become way stronger. And it's all thanks to Psyqualia. Psyqualia... Now that I possess the strongest power, no one can beat me." he said
" Just like Chris-kun, I gave myself over to Psyqualia. Before I got back my memories, this darkness is what I was afraid of." I thought to myself " Okay. I'll fight you." I said
" Brother Aichi?!" Kamui-kun exclaimed
" We've got something more important to do!" Misaki-san said
" I can't just let Chris-kun stay like this. I've been where he is." I said and walked towards Chris-kun " I don't care what kind of power you use. I'm going to win. For you and your friends..." I said
" Friends? What nonsense. Only one person can stand at the top. Friends aren't needed there." he said
" That's not true! I'll beat you in this fight and prove it to you!" I said and hold out my deck
~ Back on Earth~
" Aichi Sendou and Chris are going to fight?! What's going on here?!" Tetsu exclaimed
" It's all Void... It's because of the emptiness..." Rekka said
" Only the people in that space will be able to stop that evil presence." Suiko added
" Aichi Sendou..." Kourin said while looking at the screen
~ Mini time skip~
" I won..." Aichi said
They disappeared after that...
" In this space, losing is the same as death. Those three lost their rights to be leaders and were sent back to Earth." They heard Takuto voice
" So it's true, if you lose a Vanguard Fight even once here, you forever lose the chance to defeat Leon-kun." Aichi said
" The Royal Paladin and the fate of Earth ride on our fights in this plane." Misaki added
" That's perfect! After all, I haven't even considered the possibility of losin'!" Kamui exclaimed
" Let's go to Leon-kun!" Aichi said
Lightning strikes the sky even more...
" I have a bad feeling about this... Let's hurry!" Aichi said
" Let's go, Brother! Let's go defeat that Leon guy!" Kamui exclaimed
" Which way?" Misaki ask him
" Um... Brother?" Kamui ask and face Aichi, Aichi nodded
" The nihilistic aura is strong. This way." Aichi said
" I-I thought that was the right way!" Kamui said again, only to find out they are already walking
" Don't leave me behind!" he shouted
~ Time skip~
" Is it me, or is vision getting worse in here?" Kamui ask
" It's probably that Void power is increasing." Misaki replied
" We have to hurry!" Aichi said
" Yeah!"
Lightning suddenly strike in the sky. Aichi head suddenly hurts.
" Aichi?" Misaki ask
" M-My head hurts..." Aichi replied
" You can rest for awhile." Kamui said
" No. I'm fine. Let's go." Aichi said
Aichi started walking.
" If you're feeling unwell, you have to tell us." Misaki said
" If it the worse comes to the worse, I can carry you on my back!" Kamui said
" Thank you, everyone but I'm fine." Aichi said
~ Mini time skip~
A red lightning flashed in the sky. Aichi suddenly sensed something.
" I sense an image of intense fury. Kai-kun?! Is that you?!" Aichi thought when he saw the image " Who is he fighting?" then he saw an image of Leon.
~ Mini time skip~
Aichi and the others arrived but only to see Kai on the ground and Leon in front of him. Aichi ran towards him.
" No way! Kai-kun!" Aichi said
" Kai..." Ren was behind
" Kai-kun! Kai-kun!" Aichi called out and lifted him up
" Kai-kun! Wake up! Kai-kun!" Aichi said
" Aichi... I... I didn't fight alongside you, didn't even encourage you... I'm sorry I couldn't help you."
" That's not true! When I didn't know what to do, when I didn't understand anything, you were the one who showed me the way, Kai-kun! Our paths aren't over yet. I'm sure they'll cross somewhere!"
" Next time, will you show me the way?"
" So let's keep doing our best, Kai-kun...!" Kai was starting to disappear, Ren and Asaka as well
" Defeated fighters lose the right to exist here. That must be it."
" No Don't disappear, Kai-kun!"
" I guess this cardfight is fated between us." Leon said
" Let's settle this, Leon Souryu!" Aichi declared
Wind blew around them.
~ Back on Earth~
Kai, Ren and Asaka were transported back to Earth.
" Ren-sama..."
" I'm wiped out... Please let me sleep."
" Me too..."
" Kai! Wake up!" Tetsu said while shaking Kai
" I think they're exhausted." Lee said, all of Team Genius woke up
" Like we were." Ali added
" Let them rest for now" Chris said
" Got it. Are you guys okay?" Tetsu ask them
" We're fine! We're young, you know, unlike you, old man!" Ali replied
Cue sweat drop...
" Old man?" Tetsu said
" If you're an old man, Tetsu-kun, what does that make me...?" Shin ask
They lean the worn out Team New AL4 on the wall as well and continued watching Aichi and Leon on the screen.
~ Back to the space again~ ~ Mini time skip~
In the middle of the fight, Aichi's vision suddenly went blur...
" What? What's going on?"
Further into the fight, Aichi was engulfed by black mist.
~ On Earth~
" Aichi-kun!" Shin exclaimed
" What happened?!" Yamato ask
" The nothingness... The nothingness is affecting people in the space... Aichi... Aichi is... poisoned by the nothingness!" Kai said
~ Back to the space~
Aichi fainted after Maelstrom delivered a blow. The locket fell out of his pocket and opened. The melody came out of the locket.
" Can you keep fighting?" A voice ask
" That's right... I want to fight..." Aichi said in his mind
" In that case, we'll lend you our power..." A light surrounded him and he got up
" Stand up my avatar! Call! Blaster Blade Spirit!" Aichi declared
And soon, with Platina Ezel, Blaster Blade Spirit and his Gold Paladin friends, Aichi won...
" The time has come!" Aichi hear Takuto voice
" Is this... the planet Cray?" Aichi said looking at the portal that appeared in front of us
" Please take care of Leon-kun." Aichi said and passed the unconscious Leon to Sharlene
" Aichi Sendou... Your clan is the leader of planet Cray... Now... Hold up your deck..." Aichi held up his deck as Takuto instructed and a ray of light went into the portal and they finally freed planet Cray and Aichi fainted...
~ Dream~
Aichi's POV
" My Royal Paladin friends... Blaster Blade!" I said and faced the finally freed clan and my avatar
" Thank you, my leader." Blaster Blade said and tried to bow
" Don't do that! We're friends, aren't we?"
" Royal Paladin's been saved... You can use Royal Paladin again." Takuto-kun's voice echoed
" Gold Paladin and I have... Everyone in Gold Paladin is my dear friend, too. We travelled together, we fought together... So..." I said
" You treasure your friends? That's just like you, Aichi Sendou." Takuto-kun voice said
" Everyone!" I said as they disappeared
" Let's make a vow, my Vanguard. We will be with you for eternity." Blaster Blade said and disappeared
~ space between Cray and Earth~
I woke up and I saw Misaki-san and Kamui-kun holding onto me..
Leon-kun's team was also transported back to Earth.
We were starting to transport back too and when we were, we were already worn out and asleep...
The next day
The next day, Team Q4 won the final stage and everything was back to normal, well, not so normal...
The next day
" Hello!" Aichi was in Card Capital
" Welcome! We've been waiting for you!" Shin said
" Huh?"
"Ah, It's Aichi Sendou!" one boy exclaimed
" He won the VF circuit!" another boy exclaimed
" Fight me!"
" No, with me!" And all the kids gathered around Aichi
" Aichi is popular." Misaki said
" Of course! Since he's the team leader!" Kamui said
" W-Wait a second... You can take turns! Ride!"
" Ah! It's Blaster Blade! It's Gold Paladin!"
" Yeah"
" Huh? Brother, you're sticking with Gold Paladin!" Kamui ask
" Why not? They were your friends who travelled around the world with you." Misaki said
" Yeah."
" Now, who wants to fight me?" Kamui ask the kids
" I'll fight too!" Misaki said
" Stand up, Vanguard!"
That's the end of this chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed it! See you soon!