Vanguard: Acceleration
Chapter 10
Turbo-ized Finale
An exciting start to the second cardfight on V-Wheel's wouldn't you say? And so to catch you all up if you missed any details in the last chapter it seems Dalette's relationship to Sakura is more then a case of doppelgangers, Kiba due to a combination of indecisiveness and perhaps procrastination didn't build his deck until last-minute with help from his father, and now in the fight it's self despite going second he got to a grade three first. In fact we shall begin the end of this fated battle right before that very moment.
"I activate the skill of what was my starting vanguard: As long as my vanguard is Accel Knight, Equiste by moving himself and Ilyanan to the soul I can superior ride a certain unit from my deck." Kiba explained as his V-Wheel's on board computer dispensed that card from his deck.
"Tch how did I not know about that skill?" Sakura thought as she was caught off guard by Kiba's move.
Oh that's interesting, so it seems Sakura's father didn't show her all the Turbo Paladins. I wonder why he did that?
"Oh so that's what you mean. Guess I should have paid better attention when we looked through the cards. Well whatever. GO KIBA AND TAKE THE LEAD!" a one super excited Virgil yelled.
"I promise to win with the card you selected for me." Kiba thought with a truly happy grin. Continuing aloud after taking a deep breath "Descend to the battlefield with your faster then light swordplay! I superior ride Accel Knight, Lancelot[Power: 11000]!" Kiba yelled.
As Kiba held that card proudly in his hand, it had both a golden and sea-foam green glow, of which is likely due to the light of the sun reflection from Sade's good luck charm. As for Lancelot, he's a knight with shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a sea-foam green coat, under silver armor, and wielding a sword that's up to his chest in height. In order for Lancelot to fight in this world of speed he flies by extending his armored angelic like wings.
"You may have been able to get out a grade 3 unit before me. But the question is can you use him to the fullest?" Sakura inquires though mostly in an attempt to hide her surprise.
"Well I've always wanted to see how well I stacked up against the best. Guess this is the closest I'm gonna get to finding out. I call Accel Knight, Turbo Booster[Power: 6000] behind my vanguard." Kiba answers.
When you imagine Turbo Booster think of a smaller version of Cosmo Beak, yet closer to the appearance of a fighter jet, and like all Turbo Paladins it's armor is colored to their signature sea-foam green.
"With a boost from Turbo Booster, Lancelot attacks your vanguard. Next when Turbo Booster boosts a Turbo Paladin vanguard as long as my total speed counters are equal or greater than yours the boosted unit gains +4000 power[Total Power: 21000]!" Kiba explained then declared.
"I'm not going to even bother guarding that." Sakura replies.
"Twin drive check. First check[Accel Knight, Weyland – No Trigger]. Second check[Accel Knight, Axorus – No Trigger]." Kiba revealed.
Even though Lancelot only has the wings of an angel, he moves with such god-like speed that to lesser eyes it seems like he's teleporting. In reality he's actually moving with a series of well-timed bursts of accelerations to catch Cameron off guard and slash him across the chest with his sword.
"Damage check[Accel Knight Sage, Elrond – No Trigger]." Sakura revealed.
"Next I"m going to have one of my Garandin swing in towards one of your left one[Total Power: 10000]!" Kiba declared yet again.
Sakura doesn't bother saying a word, and rather lets her motorcycle infused knight be taken out by a burst of energy from Kiba's.
"I end my turn." Kiba said very confidently.
Kiba – Sakura
5 – Hand – 4
4 – Soul – 2
8 – Speed Counter - 7
2 – Damage – 2
1 - Counterblast – 0
Empty, Accel Knight Garandin – Empty, Empty
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Accel Knight Cameron, Empty
Empty, Empty – Accel Knight Garandin, Empty
"Stand and draw. Lay down the road that I race across for victory! I ride and call Accel Knight, Capri[Power: 11000]." Sakura declared.
Capri is a beautiful Valkyrie like maiden with translucent wings that seem like it's extending from her shoulder pads, a head-piece adorned with feathers, long piece of cloth extends from the back of her legs, plus the back of her arms, leg armor that leaves only a small part of her upper thigh revealed, long flowing purple hair, wielding a sword with a katana-like curve and her outfit is of course colored in the Turbo Paladins sea-foam green. Her double's color scheme matches her purple hair.
"I call Accel Knight, Lucius[Power: 6000] behind my vanguard Capri, and boost her to attack your vanguard! Next my vanguards skill when attacking: While I have 8 or more speed counters she gains +2000 power[Total Power: 19000]!" Sakura declared.
"I'll take that attack." Kiba replied.
"Twin drivecheck. First check[Apprentice of Accel Knight – Critical Trigger]. I apply the critical to my vanguard and power to Garandin. Second check[Accel Knight Percival – No Trigger]." Sakura said with a smug grin.
A trail of light flows from Capri's translucent wings as she flies towards Lancelot, but rather then follow behind him like a cop on a car chase she takes to the skies and dives down towards her rival knight like an eagle hunting it's pray.
"Damage check[Accel Knight, Lancelot – No Trigger]. Second check[Accel Knight Shield, Reon – No Trigger]. Loosing that other perfect is going to hurt." Kiba mumbles.
"Rearguard Capri attacks[Total Power: 11000]!" Sakura declared.
"Accel Knight, Weyland will guard that[Total Shield: 5000]!" Kiba declared as he slammed the card on the guardian circle.
"I'm having Garandinswing in towards your vanguard[Total Power:15000]!" Sakura informed.
Like how Sakura maintained silence when Kiba attacked her, Kiba does the same. It takes a good marksmen to his a target in a moving target, a great marksmen to miss while making it look like they're trying to hit you, and I'd say Garandin proved just that by firing his beam right at the center of Lancelot's chest armor.
"Damage check[Medicine Man of Accel Knight – Heal Trigger]. I apply the power to my vanguard and recover 1 damage." Kiba reveals
"I'm done for now." Sakura said signaling the end of her turn.
"Stand and draw. I call Accel Knight, Axorus[Power: 10000] and Accel Knight, Ilyanan[Power: 7000] I'm not using her skill." Kiba informs.
Once more the lightly covered elf with a hover-board returns to the battlefield field, or race track . Accel Knight, Axorus is a heavily armored knight, with a shield bigger then his chest, wielding a sword as big as his body, and a cape just above his ankles in length.
"I activate Lancelot's especial counterblast: During this turn all of my Accel Knight rearguards gain +5000 power. Then to take advantage of that, with a power bonus from Turbo Booster Lancelot attacks[Total Power: 26000]!" Kiba declared.
"I'm not guarding." Sakura replied after a quick glance over her hand.
"Twin Drive check. [Accel Knight Shield, Reon – No Trigger] Second check[Accel Knight, Swiftgal – Stand Trigger] Power goes towards Axorus." Kiba revealed.
Thanks to the power bonus from his own skill Lancelot is able to move at such speed that Capri is barely able to perceive it, however she fails to do fast enough as her shoulder bares the brunt of Lancelot's sword.
"Damage check[Accel Knight, Capri – No Trigger]." Sakura reveals as she slides the card to the damage zone.
"With a power bonus from his skill, Axorus attacks your vanguard[Total Power: 22000]!" Kiba declared.
"Garandin intercepts and Apprentice of Accel Knight guards[Total Shield: 15000]!" Sakura explained as she placed the cards on the guardian circle.
Despite being slowed down slightly by his heavy armor Axorus is able to catch Capri off guard, however the loyal Apprentice and fellow knight realizes his move and sacrifices themselves to protect their leader. This move forces Axorus to move back behind allied lines.
"I boost Garandin and swing in towards your vanguard[Total Power: 27000]!" Kiba declares.
"I'll waste my hand if I guard that." Sakra thought. Continuing aloud "Give it your best shot!" signaling that she'll take the attack.
Thanks to having his motorcycle mounted guns super charged, Garandin fires off a beam of energy that envelops Capri. However this is not enough to finish her off, but it does char or burn off a good portion of her armor.
"Damage check[Accel Knight, Percival – No Trigger]." Sakura revealed.
"Over to you Ms. Champion." Kiba said signaling the end of his turn.
Kiba – Sakura
5 – Hand – 5
4 – Soul – 3
10 – Speed Counter - 9
4 – Damage – 4
2 - Counterblast – 0
Accel Knight Ilyanan, Accel Knight Garandin – Empty, Empty
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Accel Knight Capri, Accel Knight Lucius
Empty, Accel Knight, Axorus – Accel Knight Capri, Empty
"Stand and draw. I retire Capri to call my own Axorus[Power: 10000] and Accel Knight,Victus[Power: 5000] behind him." Sakura explained.
Victus is one of the few members of the Turbo Paladins, let alone those in other clans that still practice archery and wear leather armor. There are a few small supply pouches ties around his waste, of which if necessary he can tie to an arrow and fire it towards an ally.
"Victus's skill: Soulblast 2 and draw 1. I call Accel Knight, Shield Knight[Power: 8000] and Accel Knight, Ilyanan[Power: 7000] behind him." Sakura informed.
Shield Knight is a unit with a heavy thick shield facing forward, with his legs attached to tank tread like roller skates, and a large rocket booster to allow him to move.
"With a boost from Ilyanan, I'll have Shield Knight attack[Total Power: 15000]!" Sakura declared.
"No guard." Kiba replies.
Shield Knight pressed down hard on the proverbial accelerator in a car, and charges at Lancelot like a tank and a boss inflicting max blunt force trauma.
"Damage check[Apprentice of Accel Knight – Critical Trigger] I give the power to my vanguard." Kiba decides.
"I boost Capri and attack[Total Power: 19000]!" Sakura declared.
"Accel Knight Shield, Reon guards[Perfect Shield]." Kiba responds.
"Twin drive check. First check[Apprentice of Accel Knight – Critical Trigger] I give all effects to Axorus. Second check[Apprentice of Accel Knight – Critical Trigger] Once more all effects to Axorus." Sakura decides.
Like with her last attack, Capri takes to the skies an dives towards Lancelot like a hawk, however just seconds before her attack hits Reon gets in the way. By pressing a button on his arm Reon activates a powerful energy shield that Capri's blade simply can't pierce.
"With a boost, Axorus attacks your vanguard[Total Power: 27000 3 Crit]." Sakura said signaling her last attack of the turn.
"I'll block that with two Swiftgals[Total Shield: 20000]" Kiba replied.
The cheetah may be one of the fastest animals on earth, however Swiftgal's are one of the fastest Hi-breeds on Cray. For they move just in time to take Axorus's super charged attack.
"I end my turn." Sakura says.
"So what do you think of this Kiba kid guys?" a random stadium goer said asking his friends.
"For some random low-level team member he's not bad, but he's making way to many mistakes that you'd only make in a standing fight if at all." random stadium goer's friend A said.
"No kidding. If that amateur wants to win now, he has to pull something major now. Not that it's going to matter given whats in Sakura's hand." random stadium goer's friend B said.
"Stand and draw. I call Accel Knight, Weyland. Next up I activate Lancelot's Accel Break!" Kiba yelled as the symbol you see on the back of Vanguard cards explode around him.
"At last we have an Accel Break. One of the new techniques that come in this form of card fighting. It has the same activation condition like a normal Limit Break in that you need to be at 4 damage, however all Accel Breaks will involve in some way or another the user's speed counters. Would you like to explain Lancelot's Accel Break Dr. O" Sara inquired.
"Oooooh yes I would. Lancelot's Accel Break: By paying a counterblast cost of 2 he gains +1000 power for each one of Kiba's speed counters, and if he has 10 Lancelot also gets a +1 critical.
"Now take this! My Light Flash Requiem[Total Power: 33000 2 Crit]!" Kiba declared.
"My Apprentices will guard plus Shield Knight's especial intercept[Total Shield: 30000]." Sakura replied as she slid the cards to the guardian circle while feeling the increasing tension.
"Twin drive check. First check[Accel Knight, Mog – Draw Trigger]. I'm giving all effects to my vanguard." Kiba said.
With what has the potential to be a game winning play, the entire crowd is paying close attention to this drive check like no others. It's not for the sake if "Can the underdog turn it around?", but "It'll be Sakura's victory once this is over."
"Big bro might actually win." Sade said excitedly.
"GO AND SHOW THE POWER OF US UNDERDOGS!" Raphugio and Virgil scream even more excitedly as they stand arm in arm.
"Draw the trigger!" Dalette yelled unable to hold back her excitement either despite her normally aloof personality.
"Second check[Accel Knight, Swiftgal – Stand Trigger] I give all effects to my vanguard, and that means my attack goes through!" Kiba happily explained.
"Impossible...I'm about...to loose." Sakura thought as the powerful shock of an imminent defeat finally hits her.
Lancelot's entire body begins to glow with a light so bright that it could cause blindness instantly. By using his ability of multiple sudden bursts of acceleration, it almost seems as if Lancelot is flashing in and out of existence as he flies towards Capri. It should be notes that this glow of light is no mere show, as the moment he and Capri clash blades a powerful explosion is created as a result, of which the smoke from it envelopes them both.
"Damage check[Medicine Man of Accel Knight – Heal Trigger] I apply the power to my vanguard and recover one damage point." Sakura informs.
Even before Sakura's first damage check, the booming noise of excitement has now become a state of dead silence. The question all these vanguard fans ask is not "When will Sakura win?". But rather are they all really about to see their champion loose?
Her hand shaking possibly with fear as it picks up the top card of her deck, Sakura says "Second check[Medicine Man of Accel Knight – Heal Trigger] I give all effects to my vanguard and recover one damage point."
As the smoke from the explosion created by a clash of powerful blades clears, Capri can be seen standing, but badly beaten as her armor has almost been completely destroyed. When the camera zooms in on Capri's face, they see Sakura's and bits of her ash-ridden hair smiling.
"I end my turn, and when doing so my speed counters are halved due to Lancelot's skill." Kiba explains also feeling a heavy shock, but from having victory snatched right out of his hands.
Kiba – Sakura
5 – Hand – 3
4 – Soul – 3
12 – Speed Counter - 11
5 – Damage – 5
3 - Counterblast – 0
Accel Knight Ilyanan, Accel Knight Garandin – Accel Knight Axorus, Accel Knight Victus
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Accel Knight Capri, Accel Knight Lucius
Empty, Accel Knight Axorus – Empty, Accel Knight Ilyanan
"Final Turn!" Sakura declared.
"There it is a declaration of victory. Tell me Dr. O do you think she can pull it off?" Sara inquired.
"With the miracle of her survival and Kiba quite possibly being wide Open." Dr. O answers.
"End this battle with your demonic like speed! I break ride Accel Knight, Percival[Power: 10000]. Capri gives my vanguard +10000 power, and I can call any unit from my deck whose power is equal or less then 1000 times my total number of speed counters. I superior call Accel Knight, Rugos[Power: 8000]. Next with a counterblast cost of 2 Percival can perform the same skill, and by replacing Victus I superior call Accel Knight, Weyland[Power: 6000]." Sakura explained.
If you imagine a large demonic knight, wielding a demonic sword, and wearing demonic armor the you have Percival in your mind perfectly
"Lucius skill when boosting Percival: By soulblasting 1 card he gives Percival and extra +5000 power[Total Power: 36000]!" Sakura declared.
"Tch no choice. I'll leave it to the fate known as triggers." Kiba said clearly indicating his desire to take that attack.
"Twin Drive check[Apprentice of Accel Knight – Critical Trigger] Critical to my vanguard and power to Rugos. Second check[Accel Knight Shield, Reon – No Trigger]." Sakura revealed.
Dark energy gathers around Percival's sword as with his demon like speed, he strikes the killing blow on the warrior of light.
"Damage check[Accel Knight, Lancelot – No Trigger]. Guess that's it." Kiba informs.
Like with the end of all these Turbo Cardfights as I'll call them for now, someone at the end has "Loser" appear on their screens. Immediately the emergency breaks in Kiba's V-Wheel forces him to slow down, however he is able to return to the pit before he stops completely. Like clockwork his friends are there waiting to console him.
"Sorry guys." Kiba said with his voice filled with guilt as he took off his helmet.
"You showed us an awesome fight, so don't worry about it." Virgil tells his friend in order to make him feel better.
Before anyone can say another word, Sakura rides into Kiba's pit and walks up to him.
"Not bad, but you still have much to learn." Sakura said as he offered Kiba a hand shake.
"Thanks." Kiba said accepting it.
Once again the crowd's excitement is flared by the sign of Kiba and Sakura's good sportsmanship, however they are silenced again as Alexander appears once more on T.V screens nation wide.
"First of all I'd like to thank young Kiba for putting up such a grand fight despite his inexperience. Now that this exhibition match has concluded there are a few words I have to say. As you all know Vanguard was nearly brought to extinction because of the disaster at Vermillion Arena, and since then team tournament became taboo. They were only played again at charity events willing to tolerate their presence, and national tournaments in an attempt to keep the game alive became singular events making tag matches a thing of the past and teamwork pointless. Which is why along with the release of the Turbo Paladins in our Turbo-ized Acceleration pack, I officially declare that the next U.S national tournament will be a team event once more!"
To Be Continued
What kind of team will Sakura found or join? How skilled will the members be? Can they keep up with her? Find out next time in "Spectral Ocean Battle"
Turbo Paladin Card List
Accel Knight, Lancelot G3 Twin Drive
Power: 11000
Flavor: Take all my speed and fury! Light Flash Requiem!
Skill: Act(V):[Limit Break 4][Counterblast 2] If you pay the cost, this unit gains +1000 power times your total number of speed counters until the end of turn. If you have 10 or more counters when the cost is payed, this unit gets +1 critical until the end of your turn. At the end of your turn when this skill is activated, reduce your speed counters by half.
Act(V):[Counterblast 2 "Accel Knight"] When you pay the cost, all of your Accel Knight rearguards gain +5000 power until the end of turn.
Lord Status
Accel Knight, Capra G3 Twin Drive*
Power: 11000
Flavor: No one knows more about vehicle formations then me!
Skill:[Limit Break 4] When a "Turbo Paladin" rides this unit, search your deck for up to 1 "Turbo Paladin" whose power is equal or less then 1000 times your total speed counters and call it to a rearguard circle. Choose one of your Vanguards that unit gets +10000 power until the end of turn.
Auto(V): When this unit attacks, if your speed counters are 8 or more this unit gains +2000 power until the end of that battle.
Lord Status
Accel Knight, Weyland G1 Boost
Power: 6000 Shield: 5000
Skill: Auto(R): When this unit boosts a "Turbo Paladin" if your speed counters are greater then your opponent, the boosted unit gets +3000 power until the end of that battle.
Accel Knight, Axorus G3 Twin Drive
Power: 10000
Skill: (V/R): When this unit attacks a vanguard, if you have a "Turbo Paladin", this unit gets +2000 power until the end of that battle.
Accel Knight, Lucius G1 Boost
Power: 6000 Shield: 5000
Skill: Auto(R):[Soulblast 1] When this unit boosts a unit names "Accel Knight, Percival" you may pay the cost. If you do, the boosted unit gets +5000 power until the end of that battle.
Apprentice of Accel Knight G0 Boost Critical
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Accel Knight, Percival G3 Twin Drive
Power: 10000
Skill:Auto(V):[Limit Break 4] When this unit attacks a vanguard, this unit gets +5000 power until the end of that battle.
Auto(V):[Counterblast 2] When this unit is called to the vanguard circle, you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to 1 unit whose power is equal to or less then 1000 times your total speed counters, call it to a rearguard circle, and shuffle your deck.
Accel Knight, Swiftgal G0 Boost Stand Trigger
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Medicine Man of Accel Knight – Heal Trigger
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Skill: You can have only up to 4 heal triggers in your deck.
Accel Knight, Rugos G2 Intercept
Power: 8000 Shield: 5000
Skill: Auto(V/R) When this unit attacks, if your speed counters are equal or greater than your opponent, this unit gets +3000 power until the end of that battle.
Accel Knight, Victus G1 Boost
Power: 5000 Shield: 5000
Auto:[Soulblast 2] When this unit is placed on a rearguard circle, if you have a "Turbo Paladin" vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, draw 1 card.
