Chapter 14

Meeting The HFH

Hey, guys. It's Toby. Bet you're wondering what's going on? Well, Tyrell and I are preparing for the Jamaica Division. Claire and Sophie have been helping out too.

The requirement to stay on the team is 1400 Points. I decided to keep playing against some top ranked players. Tyrell wanted to do the same. Claire and Sophie, however, decided to take it slow since we have a month to get ready.

Food Court

Today, there was all sorts of stuff. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links. I must be making you hungry. On to us eating breakfast.

Sophie and Tyrell fought over the last muffin. "Give me the muffin!"

"No, it's mine!" She bit his hand.

"Ow! You little-!"

As he was about to chase her, Sophie bumped into a familiar face. "Hi, Kurogane."

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"Tyrell and I were fighting over the last muffin."

"Hm... I think I can fix that. May I?"

"Okay." She handed him the muffin.

He flung it in the air, unsheathed his sword and cut it in two equal pieces. He grabbed them before they hit the ground and gave each piece to Tyrell and Sophie. "There you go. How's that?"

"Cool! Thanks, Kurogane!"

Tyrell then said: "Yeah. Thanks, dude."

"No need." His expression changed as he faced Tyrell. "Just don't fight over food again."

They both then nodded. Tyrell was more fearful than Sophie, who was smiling.

Claire waved her head back and forth, in disappointment. "I don't believe those two sometimes... You're not like that, are you?"

"Only when it comes to my mom's food."

"I can see why. She sure knows her poultry."

We all sat down.

"Yeah. Chicken, turkey. She can cook any kind of bird... As long as they're sold at the supermarket."

A Few Hours Later

Leaderboard Room

We watched the monitor as a woman with white hair was fighting Ling. Shiro was also watching the fight.

Tyrell shouted: "MOM?!"

"That's your mom?"

Claire then said: "Yep. That's Madame Pursia, Tyrell's foster mother."

"You're adopted?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

He then replied: "It's not exactly a topic that I regularly discuss."

They had Miracle Pop, Eva and Lord of Demonic Winds, Vayu as their vanguards. Pursia had Crimson Beast Tamer in the front, with two Turquoise Beast Tamer and Skull Juggler in the back. Ling had two Vayu in the front, with two Red River Dragoon and Desert Gunner, Raien. She had two cards in her hand and five damage, with two flipped over. He had four cards in his hand and four damage, with one flipped over.

It was Pursia's turn. "I shall stand and draw!" She smiled at the card she drew. "Mighty beast of the circus tent, it is time for the grand finale! I Break Ride Barking Manticore!"

It roared.

"He gets 10000 Power and with his skill, I draw and send one card from my hand to the soul!" She sent Jumping Jill. "Now, I call another Barking Manticore and have him attack with support from Turquoise (10000+9000)!"

"I don't guard!" His damage check was Thunderstorm Dragoon.

"Now, Crimson Beast Tamer attack, with Skull Juggler backing her up (11000+7000)!"

"I guard with Spark Edge Dracokid (10000+10000)!"

Tyrell then said: This isn't going to end well for him."

"Why's that?"

Claire then explained: "When Eva's Break Ride is achieved, the vanguard has the power to replace two Pale Moon rear-guard for two in the soul. This allows Pursia to do a max of five attacks or even get a fourth attack in, with boost."

Pursia continued: "Now, my Manticore will attack, with support from my remaining Turquoise (20000+6000)! With their skills, they get 3000 Power when Crimson Beast Tamer's in the soul (23000+9000)! Now, with the Break Ride skill, I send Crimson Beast Tamer and Skull Juggler to the soul! Calling Jumping Jill and Glenn! Their skills grant them 3000 Power(9000+3000) (7000+3000)!"

"I nullify with Guld!" He discarded Vowing Sword Dragon.

"Hmph. If I get a trigger, this match is over. Twin Drive." The first card was Eva. The second was Dynamite Juggler. "All effects are going to Jill (12000+5000) (1+1). She'll attack, with Glenn's support (17000+10000)!"

"I don't have enough to stop it!"

Jill jumped and kicked Vayu in the face. Vayu desintegrated.

Ling's last damage check was Desert Gunner, Raien. "That was a great fight!"

Pursia then said: "Of course it was. My deck never disappoints And yours is pretty amazing as well. Keep this up and you may just beat your brothers."

"You mean it?!"

"Yes, I do. Neko Band, deactivate." A hair band with cat ears flew onto her head.

"Ceremonial Sutra, deactivate." A paper with chinese writing flew in Ling's sleeve.

They walked out of the arena. Pursia saw Tyrell. "My baby boy!" She ran over to us and hugged him with all her might.

Het shouted: "MOM!"

Everyone else laughed. A guy wearing an eyepatch and a bartender's suit, with a sucker in his mouth said: "Sorry if I'm spoiling the family reunion. But, who's willing to fight the big guy here!" He pointed to a guy in a loincloth and feather headdress.

He then said: "Me fight strong fighter! Me win! Me, Archie crush them!"

A familiar voice said: "I'll be your opponent!" It was Shen. "Good to see you, 21."

The eyepatch guy replied: "Hey, Shen. So, you wanna fight Archie?"

"Yes. I have some new cards that I want to test out."

Archie shouted: "Me crush you!"

"No, Archie, I'll crush- no, pulverize you!"

They both went to the signup booth. "Arena E, now!"

Andrew jumped. "R-right away!"

They both ran into Arena E.

(Shen)

I shouted: "Ceremonial Seal, activate!" The wrappings that surrounded my body flew out of my sleeve and created table.

LET'S STAND UP.

Archie took out a boomerang. "Bonemerang, activate!" He threw it. It flew around the arena finally stopping in front of him. It continued to spin.

ANTI GRAVITY GENERATOR, INITIATED. LET'S STAND UP.

We both set our starters and drew our starting hands. "Stand Up, The Vanguard! Seal Dragon, Terrycloth!"

"Stand Up, Vanguard! Ancient Dragon, Baby Rex!"

My hand had Seal Dragon, Kersey, Corduroy, Hunger Hell Dragon, Blockade, and Jakado. "I'll take the first turn. Draw." It was Rinocross. "I ride Seal Dragon, Kersey. Then, I'll move Terrycloth back. Over to you."

"Me draw and ride Ancient Dragon, Gattling Allo. Then, me move Baby Rex back and call Iguanogorg and Tri-Plasma. Him attack, with Iguanogorg support (7000+7000)! Skill gives him 3000 Power (10000+7000)!"

"I don't guard!" My damage check was Seal Dragon, Artpitch. "A draw trigger! I give the 5000 Power to my vanguard (7000+5000) and draw!" It was Flannel.

"Me have Allo attack, with Baby Rex support (7000+5000)!"

"No guard."

"Drive trigger check!" It was Ancient Dragon, Beamankylo.

"I'll check the damage." It was Seal Dragon, Chambray.

"Me end turn."

That was close. Almost took three damage from that last attack. "Draw." It was Biera. "Riding Hungry Hell Dragon! Calling Jakado and Corduroy! Time for an Especial Counterblast! Extinction has just come sooner for Baby Rex! Now, you have to look for a grade 2 from the top four cards of your deck and superior call it!"

"Me no get, but okay." He looked at the top four. "Me call Cryolophor!"

Hmph. The trap's been set.

Leaderboard Room (Toby)

"What's the point of having him call a grade 2 unit this early?"

Shiro answered: "If you knew what the Seal Dragons' secret was, you'd know that is part of their strategy.

Arena E (Shen)

"Corduroy attacks (9000)!"

"Me no guard!" It was Paraswall.

"Now, my vanguard, with support from Terrycloth, is gonna take a bite out of Gattling Allo (10000+5000)!"

"Me no guard."

"Drive check." It was Kersey.

His damage check was Spinodriver.

"Now, Jakado's gonna swing in! His skill grants him an additional 3000 Power when I have a Seal Dragon as my vanguard (9000+3000)!"

"Me... no guard." His damage check was Gattling Allo.

"I'll end my turn there."

"Me stand and draw! Ride, Deino Clawed! Call, Beamankylo in Tri-Plasma place! Him attack first, with Iguanogorg boost! Skill give him 3000 Power when me have Ancient Dragon as vanguard (9000+3000)-(12000+7000)!"

"I'll guard with Flannel (10000+5000)."

"Deino Clawed attack you next! Skill activates! Me retire Iguanogorg so he get 5000 Power (9000+5000)! Now, Iguanogorg skill activates! Me Counter Blast and call him back when vanguard is Ancient Dragon!" He placed Iguanogorg behind Cryolophor.

Leaderboard Room (Toby)

"He brought back his rear-guard with a simple Counter Blast?!"

21 said: "Yeah. Archie likes to use that trick to power up his field when he's a unit short. Can't tell you how many times I've almost lost to him when he used it."

Arena E (Shen)

"I don't guard."

"Drive check." It was Dinodile. "Me give critical to vanguard and power to Cryolophor (10000+5000)(1+1)."

Both of my damage checks were Blockade and Dobi. "Stand trigger. I'll give the power bonus to my vanguard (10000+5000) and stand Jakado."

"Me have Cryolophor attack, with Iguanogorg backup (15000+7000)!"

"I'll have Biera guard (15000+10000)!"

He growled. "Me end turn."

"Stand and draw." It was Blockade. "Eliminate all hope from this battlefield! I ride Seal Dragon, Blockade!"

"That no good!"

"Now, I'll call Kersey and have him support Corduroy for an attack on your vanguard (9000+7000)!"

"Dinodile guard (9000+10000)!"

"This is only the beginning of my assault! Blockade, let's spice things up (10000+5000)!"

"...Me no guard."

"Twin drive." The first check was Chambray. The second check was Shading. "Didn't really want a heal trigger. But, it works out for me nonetheless. I'll recover one damage and give the power bonus to Jakado (9000+5000)."

Blockade spit out a fireball, hitting Deino Clawed.

His damage check was Tri-Plasma.

"I'll now have him attack, along with his skill (14000+3000)."

"Me no guard." It was Caudinoise. "Me stand Beamankylo."

"I'll end it there."

"Stand and draw. Me ride Tyrannolegend! Then, me call Iguanogorg and Cryolophor!"

Hm... He called it behind Tyrannolegend... Why do that?

"Me attack with first Cryolophor! He get support from Iguanogorg (10000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." My damage check was Corduroy.

"Beamankylo next, with support from other Iguanogorg (9000+3000)-(12000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." It was Biera. "A critical trigger, huh? I'll give all the effects to Blockade (10000+5000)."

"Me attack with Tyrannolegend next! Now, for Limit Break!"

Leaderboards Room (Toby)

"That's not good."

Tyrell responded: "Yeah. Especially when Tyrannolegend's ability gives him a big bonus."

"What do you mean?"

Claire stepped in. "You see, Mr. Gentleman, Tyrannolegend's Limit Break has it retire three Ancient Dragon rear-guard during his attack on the opponent's vanguard. This gives him 10000 Power and another critical."

I realized the situation. "This attack would hit for two damage then. And with the two Iguanogorg, he'll get to attack a forth time this turn."

"You got it!"

"But wait! That attack would only have 14000. Blockade is at 15000 right now. If he plans to win, he'll need to get trigger. And even then, That won't stop Shen from guarding."

Tyrell was surprised. "I didn't even think of that... Maybe you should be a detective."

Arena E (Shen)

Archie retired his Iguanogorg and back Cryolophor. That put Tyrannolegend at 21000 and 2 critical. He then used both of the Iguanogorg Counter Blasts to bring them back on the rear-guard, in the same column.

"Oh no. Whatever shall I do. Oh wait! Now I know! I'll nullify it with Rinocross!" I discarded my other Blockade for the effect.

"Me do Twin Drive. First check." It was Spinodriver. "Second check." It was Dinodile. "Me give all effects to Iguanogorg (7000+5000)(1+1). Him attack, with other Iguanogorg support (12000+7000)!"

"Sorry to do this. But Shading guards (15000+10000)."

"...Me... end... turn."

Leaderboards Room (Toby)

21 said: "Seems you knew what would happen before any of us, kid. So tell me, is this going to be the final turn?"

"...Archie has three cards in his hand. Spinodriver has no shield. So, the maximum amount would be 20000. Even if he has a Paraswall in his hand, he is only going to be able to guard two attacks, at most. So, there is a possibility Shen will win. But it's too close to call."

"Good answer."

Arena E (Shen)

"Stand and draw." So, this is how you want to end this. Very well. "Almighty dragon! Engulf this land in your overwhelming flames as the seal that binds your true power is torn to shreds! Crossride The Vanguard! Hellfire Seal Dragon, Blockade Inferno! As the seal is unleashed, true power is awakened!"

Volcanoes shot up from the ground and spewed out plumes of lava.

"Me no feel so good..."

"You're gonna feel worse once I use my Limit Break! Especial Counter Blast! Now, all of your grade 2 rear-guard are about to become sacrifices, in tribute to the Inferno!"

Beamankylo and Cryolophor retired.

"This gives him 10000 Power, along with the 2000 he gets when Blockade's in the soul (11000+2000)-(13000+10000)! Now, bfore I begin my final assault, I'll call Chambray in place of Terrycloth. Corduroy will be taking the first attack, with some support from Kersey (9000+7000)."

"Dinodile guards (11000+10000)!"

"Well, then my vanguard will heat things up, with support from Chambray! His Soul Blast gives a Blockade unit it boosts 6000 Power until the end of the battle (23000+4000)-(27000+6000)!"

"Me no guard."

"Checking the twin drive. First check." It was Artpitch. "Draw trigger. I'l give the power bonus to Jakado (9000+5000) and draw." It was Hungry Hell Dragon. "Now for the second check." It was Blockade Inferno.

His damage check was Iguanogorg.

"Jakado will finish this (14000+3000)."

"Me no guard."

Jakado slashed Tyrannolegend, causing it to disintegrate.

Archie's final damage check was Gattling Allo. "Me... lost! That good fight. You fight me again?"

I put my cards away. "Ceremonial Seal, deactivate." The wrappings went back in my sleeve. "Sure. I'll admit... it wasn't boring."

We exited the arena.

(Toby)

"Awesome match!"

Tyrell said: "No kidding. That finishing blow was explosive, literally."

Shen then responded: "Thank you. Granted I'm not as good as my brother, I work hard to live up to my family's name."

21 unwrapped a sucker and put it in his mouth. "Now that the fun part of our visit, I'm afraid the Eternal Dreamers will have to cone with us to the main office."

I, along with Claire and Tyrell, were confused as to why.

"Don't worry. You're not in trouble. We just have some information ALL of you will want to hear." He glared at me.

Main Office

Abbey and Mason were waiting for us.

Trevor looked concerned about something. He only noticed we arrived by the sound of our feet hitting the ground. "Oh, good. You're here. 21, Pursia, Archie, I believe you have some information on the next stage."

21 took over. "The Jamaica division won't be like New York. Each round will consist of a special rule."

Pursia then said: "Unfortunately that's all we could really gather for the NWL Commitee."

I then asked: "Why do they want to take avatars in the first place?"

21 smiled. "That's the question we want answered ourselves, kid."

Pursia jumped in: "We're sorry to ask this of you. But, we wish to have one of your teams sit out of this division so that we can participate instead and gather more information on ADT."

Trevor pondered. "It's a given that Eternal Dreamers won't back out of this tournament for even a second. So, that leaves Hookfang and CC Crushers... I'll see what I can do about that."

21 responded: "Thank you, Trevor. Now, about the Bloodlet Corporation. We got a mole that was able to find all the member's known history. Here." He threw Trevor a data disk.

"Impressive. It's to be expected of the best agents of the HFH."

"...Thanks. But, it's the field grunts that do most of the work."

I then asked: "You're not gonna take full credit?"

He took out the sucker handle, threw it in Trevor's trash can and readied another one. "Lying can become a bad habit. So, I choose not to do it.

Archie then shouted: "Lying bad!"

"That's right, big guy. Anyway, I'm afraid that's all we have for now."

Trevor was surprised. "So, there are no attacks to be reported?"

"That's another thing. There hasn't been an attack since the NWL began. It's almost as if ADT's plan is about to unfold sooner than expected."

I blurted out: "Or they're going after strong fighters who are participating in the NWL instead of bringing attention to themselves?"

Everyone looked at me in astonishment.

"What?"

21 then said, to Trevor: "Now that I'm thinking about it, we never thought to watch them during the tournament. The kid might be onto something."

Trevor nodded. "It would appear so. That would make all teams participating a top priority."

"Yep. So, I guess we're not gonna be able to get more info."

"On the contrary. You are still going to be part of the next division. Just not as a representative team for the Foundation."

"...?"

Mason stepped in: "That would make it safer for us. And it keeps one of our teams from sitting out."

Trevor responded: "Precisely."

21 said: "Interesting. We get to get dirt on the enemy on our lonesome and you get to fight in your little tournament... I like it."

"Then, it's settled. All of our teams shall fight in the following divisions, and 21's group shall act as our spies. Any objections?"

Tyrell shouted: "I got a couple! One, my mom shouldn't even be involved in this. And two, I don't give a damn about your little power struggle with this Bloodlet guy! I just want my brother back!"

Pursia grabbed his ear. "That's enough, young man!"

"Ow! Let go!"

"How about you listen for a change. Like it or not, I am going to get Surge back. He's not just your brother, ...he's my son. I know, you both were adopted, but that doesn't mean I care for you any less."

"...I didn't say that. Stop putting words in my mouth... I don't want you involved because I'm worried you're going to get hurt!"

"Aw!" She hugged him. "Why didn't you say so?"

"Because-" He gasped for air. "I knew this would happen."

She let go. "Woops. I'm sorry, Ty-dye."

"MOM! Don't call me that!"

She giggled. "Sorry. I forget you don't like baby names anymore... I swear I will not get hurt. I'll be careful. I'm not a Houdini for nothing."

A cat jumped on Tyrell's shoulder. It meowed.

"Aw. Boots missed Tyrell, didn't she?"

The cat meowed again.

Tyrell grunted. "You and your cats..."

Trevor cleared his throat. "Well, if that is all, this meeting is adjourned."

21, and the other two agents went to the elevator. Before he went in, 21 said to me: "Hey, kid. Guess we'll be seeing each other in Kingston. Don't let me down." He went in with the other two. He turned around, took out the sucker handle out of his mouth and flicked it in Trevor's trash can before the elevator door closed.

With fighters like that in the next division, I'll have to up my game.

What'll happen next? If you wanna find out, see ya in the next chapter!