A/N: Hey readers, time for the premiere of the antagonist you've all been waiting for. Hope you enjoy this one, cause this clan should be quite a shocker.
Aurora sat in the dining hall of the hotel as she and her teammates ate breakfast. Today was going to be the big day. The day that the World Tournament began. This was where everyone's hard work and countless hours of training would be put to the test.
"So are you two ready?" Aurora asked.
"You better believe it." Anthony said with a grin. "My deck's stronger than ever now. Just wait until those other teams get a load of me."
Dan nodded his head. "I'm all set. We'll take down anyone who stands in our way."
"That's the enthusiasm I like to hear." Aurora grinned. "Alright, Team Cosmic Trio! Let's kick butt today!"
"Right!"
Dan looked at the information provided to them about the tournament. "It doesn't seem to mention what the structure is going to be. I wonder why."
"It's probably just the usual bracket system. Don't worry about it." Anthony said, waving off his teammate's concern. "Regardless, all we gotta do is win."
"There's that simplistic mindset you're known for." Aurora said. "Well with that eagerness, you can be first in our lineup."
"Heh, works for me." Anthony smirked.
Dan looked around at the other tables. There were tons of players gathered here. All of them from across the world. 'We're in for some fierce competition from here on out.'
Once they were finished with breakfast, Team Cosmic Trio prepared themselves and made their way to the stadium. Victory was the only thing on their minds.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Vanguard World Tournament!" Sachi announced. "As always, I'm your announcer, Sachi Fukazawa! And boy do we have some exciting plans here for you all today! Now are you ready to see some cardfights?!"
The excitement in the crowd was plain to see. With all the teams selected, it was finally time to decide who was best in the world.
"Now I'm sure you're all dying to know how the tournament is going to work. So I'll take a moment to explain how things will go for today." Sachi told everyone. "We have 192 teams participating in the Vanguard World Tournament. After today, that number will be cut in half. Each team will play against another, selected by random shuffle. However, there will only be one cardfight in each match, team leader against team leader. Win your game and your team moves on to Day 2. The losing team is out of the tournament. After that, only 96 teams will be remaining. How the tournament will work from there will be explained tomorrow. So for now teams, just focus on making it to Day 2."
Several teams widened their eyes at this. "It's all being decided by one game?!" Anthony gasped.
"And in each case, it's the team leader that fights." Dan noted. He looked over at Aurora. "You up for this?"
Aurora nodded her head. "Yeah. It's not gonna be easy, but we've got no choice. I just gotta make sure I win."
"Without further adieu, let's see who will be fighting in the first match." Sachi said. The computer monitor in the stadium shuffled through team names, finally arriving at the first pairing. "And there we have it! Team Vittoria of Italy versus Team Apocalypse of America!"
Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Vittoria?"
"It means victory in Italian." Maria explained. "Quite a simple name though. It does however show their confidence."
"All other teams are now asked to please leave the field." Sachi said. "We will begin the first match right away."
The other teams all walked off the field. With their large numbers, the VIP room was too small to accommodate everyone. Instead, a portion of the seats in the stadium were set aside for the other teams to watch if they wished to until they were called up for their match.
Aurora's team took a row of three seats and sat down together. Soon, another team came over to them, one they recognized. "Hey Aurora!"
"Hi Sophia." Aurora greeted. "Wanna sit with us?"
"Sure!" Sophia said with a smile. "Oh right, let me introduce you to the last member of Team Southern Jungle." She gestured to the male teen with her and Maria. "This is Bruno Rodriguez."
"Nice to meet you." Bruno waved.
"The pleasure is all ours." Aurora said.
Team Southern Jungle sat down right in front of Team Cosmic Trio. Everyone's eyes were on the cardfight about to begin.
"Team Apocalypse… They're the ones with a unique clan, just like Aurora." Dan said.
"Time to see what this new clan does." Anthony said.
"Here we go folks! The first match will feature Allen Demacio of Team Apocalypse against Leonardo Fellini of Team Vittoria!" Sachi announced. "Before we begin, we'd like to take a moment of everyone's time for a few words from Yukari Tatsunagi, the organizer of this tournament." Sachi said. Yukari walked up next to the announcer and accepted the mic from her.
"Cardfighters from around the world, I thank you for gathering here on this momentous day." Yukari said. "When this tournament began, I announced that there would be a brand new clan premiering in this tournament. However, as some of you have probably recently figured out, that wasn't entirely true." A few gasps came from those in the audience that were unaware of this. "In truth, there are two new clans premiering this tournament. The Star Chaser clan, belonging to Aurora Fujou of the Japanese team is the first. The second however, belongs to the leader of Team Apocalypse's own leader, Allen Demacio. This clan is known as Conquest Empire." Murmurs of gossip spread across the crowd like wildfire. "I hope these exciting twists allow you to continue to enjoy this World Tournament."
Allen let out a quiet chuckle. 'Trying to sell the idea that this was all your doing? Please. We both know that you had no clue of this clan's existence here until I entered your little tournament.'
"Now then, I see no reason to keep all you excited people waiting any longer." Yukari said. "Let the first match begin!"
Both Leonardo and Allen started the game together. "Stand up! Vanguard!"
"Kelpie Rider, Mitros!"
Kelpie Rider, Mitros
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"Imperial Scout, Riley!"
Imperial Scout, Riley
Grade 0, Power: 5000
The Motion figure System activated and the scenery around them changed. Allen and Leonardo now found themselves in an underwater city. Fortunately for them, it was all fake and they wouldn't have to worry about holding their breath for air. Leonardo's starting unit was a child-like soldier with a dagger at his belt. Allen's unit was also young based on its appearance. It had a handgun in each hand and a cybernetic scope attached to the side of his head covering one eye.
"So the Italian guy uses Aqua Force." Anthony said as he watched the fight start. "They can get some pretty swift attacks in if they're used correctly."
"I'm more curious about Allen's clan. Conquest Empire." Aurora said. "I wonder what kind of abilities it has."
"I'll start us off." Allen said. "I ride Imperial Knight, Lucas!"
Imperial Knight, Lucas
Grade 1, Power: 7000
Allen's unit looked like a young swordsman with silver hair. He wore armor resembling a knight, and held a sword in his hands.
"I move Riley behind my Vanguard with forerunner." Allen said. "Turn end."
[Turn 2. Hand: Leonardo(5), Allen(5).]
"Stand and draw." Leonardo said as he started his turn. "Listen here, kid. I don't care whether your clan's special or not. I will not disgrace myself by losing in my home country!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Allen asked with a smirk. "It's such a shame… that you have no chance of winning this fight either way."
"Grr, I'll teach you. I ride Dragon Rider, Dinos!"
Dragon Rider, Dinos
Grade 1, Power: 7000
"Mitros moves with forerunner." Leonardo said, moving the grade 0 unit to the back row of another column. "Next I call Battle Siren Melania! My Vanguard Dinos will attack first!"
"I guard with Death-scope Sharpshooter!" Allen said, holding up the critical trigger.
"Drive check. No trigger." Leonardo said. "Melania attacks next with a boost from Mitros!"
(7000+5000=12000)
"No guard." Allen said. "Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(0), Allen(1).]
"Turn end." Leonardo said.
[Turn 3. Hand: Leonardo(5), Allen(4).]
"Stand and draw." Allen said. "I ride Emergency Rescuer, Klinger!"
Emergency Rescuer, Klinger
Grade 2, Power: 9000
The unit Allen rode looked differently than the medieval appearance of his previous unit. This one was instead a male soldier with a large robotic arm that had a grappling claw for a hand.
"I call Devoted Swordswoman Rachel." Allen said as he called out the grade 2 unit to his front row. This one was a female swordswoman with a thin blade in her hand and long golden blonde hair tied in a ponytail. "Rachel attacks the Vanguard."
"I guard!" Leonardo declared, holding up a grade 1 from his hand.
"Very well then. With a boost from Riley, Klinger attacks."
(9000+5000=14000)
"No guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
"Damage check, critical trigger." Leonardo cursed the timing of the trigger, since Allen had no more attacks left for the turn. "All effects to the Vanguard."
[Damage: Leonardo(1), Allen(1).]
"That will do for now." Allen said. "Over to you."
[Turn 4. Hand: Leonardo(4), Allen(4).]
"I stand and draw." Leonardo said. "Ride! Battle Siren, Adelaide!"
Battle Siren, Adelaide
Grade 2, Power: 9000
"Next I call Battle Siren Janka." Leonardo said, filling up his front row with the grade 2 unit. "Janka attacks!"
Allen held up a grade 1 from his hand. It showed a young girl in her teens with short pink hair and grey robes befitting that of a servant. In her hands was a staff with a red gem. "Enslaved Princess, Mira will guard."
"Adelaide is up next!"
"No guard." Allen said.
"Drive check." Leonardo said. "No trigger."
"Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(1), Allen(2).]
"Boosted by Mitros, Melania attacks."
(7000+5000=12000)
"No guard." Allen said. "Damage check." A smirk came to his face when he saw the card. A female sorcerer dressed head to toe in white. "White Witch of the Imperial Army. It's a heal trigger. I recover one damage and add 5000 power to my Vanguard."
[Damage: Leonardo(1), Allen(2).]
"Turn end." Leonardo said.
"Well folks, so far this match has been neck and neck." Sachi said. "Allen Demacio keeps the score close with a heal trigger. But Leonardo Fellini still holds the lead."
As she watched the game, Aurora narrowed her eyes. "Something's not right."
Sophia turned her head around towards the blonde girl. "What do you mean?"
"That Allen guy. If it wasn't for that heal trigger, he'd be in a really bad spot. But it looks like he doesn't even care."
"You're right." Dan said. "It's as if it doesn't matter to him."
[Turn 5. Hand: Leonardo(4), Allen(3).]
"Stand and draw." Allen said.
"I hope this special clan of your can do more than this." Leonardo said. "Cause so far, I'm not impressed."
Allen let out a chuckle. "Well then, perhaps I should actually start taking this seriously."
"What?!"
"I've let you swim around in your little ocean for long enough. It's time I claim it for myself." Allen said with a smirk. "Fearsome warrior! Draw your blade and lead my forces to victory! Destroy your foes until there's nothing left! I ride General of the Conquest Sword, Alexander!"
General of the Conquest Sword, Alexander
Grade 3, Power: 11000
Allen's unit materialized with the Motion Figure System. It was a male warrior with short brown hair, metal armor, and a powerful-looking broadsword in his hands, along with a red cape flowing down his back.
'So that's a grade 3 Conquest Empire unit.' Aurora thought.
"I call Destruction Gunman, Barbados." Allen said. The grade 2 unit filled up the last spot in his front row. It was a male warrior holding a large bazooka over his shoulder.
"If you hope to outclass my Aqua Force is an offensive assault, you're sorely mistaken." Leonidas said. He narrowed his eyes as Allen began chuckling, soon breaking out into a full laughter. "Sorry, I missed the joke."
"You are the joke." Allen said as he grinned to himself. "When I'm done with you, your mighty armada won't even have a swimming pool left to splash around in!" He held his hand out towards his rear guard Rachel. "Devoted Swordswoman, Rachel! Crush his Battle Siren, Melania! Conquer!"
Leonardo gasped as Rachel charged at his rear guard. She thrusted her sword forward, piercing right through the unit and destroying it.
"What just happened?!" Leonardo questioned. He looked down at his board and widened his eyes. The card Devoted Swordswoman, Rachel was on the rear guard circle that his Melania had just been. And unlike his own units, this one was facing towards him. "What's going on?! Why is your unit on my field?!"
"This is the power of Conquest Empire. The skill known as Conquer." Allen explained. "My Rachel has 9000 power. Since your front row rear guard circle directly in front of it had a unit with less power than her, she was able to invade your field. And since your unit was in the way, Rachel took care of her."
"So your units can invade my field?!"
"That's correct. However, there are some conditions and rules." Allen told the Italian team leader. "First, I can only Conquer a front row rear guard circle, and that circle must either be unoccupied, or have a unit with power lower than that of the unit I'm using to Conquer with. In addition, the unit I use to Conquer must have the Conquer skill, as well as be a lower grade than that of my Vanguard at the time. Plus, it can only Conquer the circle in the same column as it. If you have a unit there when I Conquer, it is retired. However, if the circle behind it is empty you can instead move it to that circle instead. In this case, you had Mitros behind Melania so Melania was forced to retire. Lastly, while my unit is Conquering your rear guard circle, it cannot be boosted and while it is treated as my unit, the circle is still considered part of your field."
Everyone watching the fight gasped in shock at this. Even Sachi needed a moment to collect her thoughts. "U-Unbelievable! I've never seen a skill like this folks! Allen's units are actually invading Leonadro's field!"
"I didn't even know that was possible…" Maria gasped in shock.
"Neither did I." Aurora said.
"It's like an army invading another kingdom's land." Dan said, equally shocked. "So this is Conquest Empire."
"If you thought I was done with that, you're sorely mistaken." Allen said.
"Well you won't be Conquering my other rear guard circle. Janka's power is equal to your Barbados. So you can't Conquer it."
"Then I'll just have to get it out of my way! I use Barbados's skill! Since one of my units Conquered one of your rear guard circles, I can counterblast and retire one of your units in the same column as him! Destroy Janka!"
Leonardo gasped in shock as a blast came from Barbados's bazooka, blowing away his rear guard unit.
"And now since you have no unit occupying your other front row circle, Barbados is free to Conquer it." Allen smirked. "Go Barbados! Conquer!"
"And now the Italian champion's other front row circle is being occupied by Allen's unit!" Sachi exclaimed. "Can he survive this?!"
"Barbados attacks the Vanguard!"
"No guard." Leonardo said. "Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(2), Allen(2).]
"Boosted by Imperial Scout Riley, my Vanguard Alexander attacks!" Allen called out.
(11000+5000=16000)
"No guard."
"No arguments here! Twin drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! Power to Rachel and critical to my Vanguard!"
"Damage check." Leonardo said. "First card, no trigger. Second one, stand trigger! I give the power to my Vanguard and stand Mitros!"
[Damage: Leonardo(4), Allen(2).]
"Rachel will finish things off for the turn."
(9000+5000=14000)
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Leonardo said, holding up a grade 0 from his hand. "Guard!"
"Turn end." Allen said.
[Turn 6. Hand: Leonardo(4), Allen(4).]
"Stand and draw." Leonardo said. "Master of the Raging Seas! Call forth a storm and blow my opponent away! I ride Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas!"
Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas
Grade 3, Power: 11000
"Stride Generation!" Leonardo called out. "Marshal General of Surging Seas, Alexandros!"
Marshal General of Surging Seas, Alexandros
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
'That kid said that even though his units are on my field, it's still considered my field.' Leonardo thought silently. 'Which means I can call over the units on it.'
"Thavas's stride skill! I call Battle Siren Adelaide! It gains Resist and the ability to attack from the back row!" Leonardo said. "And I'm calling it over your Barbados!"
Allen smirked. "So you realized it?"
"That's right! As long as it's still technically my field, I can call units over yours!" Leonardo said with a confident grin. "They may help you on your turn, but on my turn they're sitting ducks!"
"Since Barbados was successfully called over, he returns to my side of the field, and his power becomes 0 until the end of the turn." Allen said as his unit moved back to his field.
"Adelaide's skill! When she's called I counterblast and soulblast to give her 2000 power and the ability to restand once after attacking the Vanguard!"
Anthony grinned as he watched this. "Nice! Now he just needs to call over his other unit and he'll have his field back! This Conquest Empire clan isn't all that scary."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Dan said. "I have a feeling there's more to this clan."
Leonardo took another card from his hand and called it to the circle Rachel was at. "I call Dragon Rider, Dino over your Devoted Swordswoman, Rachel!"
As Leonardo did that, Allen chuckled to himself. "You shouldn't underestimate the warriors of Conquest Empire."
"Talk tough all you want, but-" Leonardo was cut off as the Dino he just called was forced off the rear guard and put in the drop zone. In the image of the Motion figure system, it showed Dino leaping at Rachel, but getting sliced in half by the female warrior's blade. "Impossible! Why was my unit retired?!"
"There's a special little thing about my units when they're Conquering." Allen explained. "If you want to call over them, it has to be a unit with a power level equal to or higher than my unit. Otherwise, your unit is retired instead."
"No way?!"
"It's not all bad." Allen said. "In the case of this happening, my unit's power is decreased by the power of your unit's until the end of the turn. Your Dinos had 7000 power, so Rachel's power goes down from 9000 to 2000. You could even call over it with a grade 0." He then smirked. "However, you only have one card in your hand. Are you really willing to throw away your entire hand just to get rid of my units?"
"Even if I'm not, I still have another option." Leonardo said. "I can have Mitros move up at your Rachel."
Allen smirked. "Not bad. I'm impressed you were able to realize that."
"Go Mitros! Make Rachel pay for invading our waters!"
Mitros moved up to the front row, taking out Rachel and forcing her back to Allen's field. The female warrior was now a 0 power, completely helpless.
'I have to take out his rear guards. If he gets to launch a counterattack next turn, he'll use them to invade my field again and get rid of my units.' Leonardo thought to himself. "Mitros attacks Barbados!"
"High Morale Soldier, Simon will guard." Allen said, holding up a critical trigger from his hand.
"Well let's see what Adelaide has to say about it!"
(9000+2000=11000)
Allen shrugged. "No guard. Barbados is retired."
"Alexandros attacks!" Leonardo declared. "Skill of Kelpie Rider, Mitros! I send it to the soul and call out a grade 3 unit with Thavas in its name from my deck! I call Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas where Mitros was!"
"No guard." Allen said.
"Triple drive. First check, heal trigger. Power to my rear guard Thavas and I recover one damage. Second check, no trigger. Third check, no trigger."
"Damage check." Allen said. "No trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(3), Allen(3).]
"The skill of Alexandros!" Leonardo said as he counterblasted and flipped a card in his G zone face up. "I select two of my rear guards, in this case Thavas and Adelaide. The both become standing and then gain 5000 power for every face up card in my G Zone. I currently have one so that's 5000 to each of them. Now go Thavas! Attack his rear guard Rachel!"
(11000+5000+5000=21000)
"No guard."
"Thavas's Wave 4! I counterblast and restand him! And now he's coming in for another attack, this time at your Vanguard!"
(11000+5000+5000=21000)
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(3), Allen(4).]
"Adelaide attacks next!"
(9000+2000+5000=16000)
"No guard. Damage check, stand trigger. Power to Alexander."
[Damage: Leonardo(3), Allen(5).]
"Adelaide's skill allows her to restand! And now she'll finish you!"
(9000+2000+5000=16000)
"Finish me? Don't make me laugh." Allen said as he threw down a grade 1 from his hand. "Guard."
Leonardo grit his teeth. "Turn end. The Thavas I called with Mitros's skill returns to my hand."
[Turn 7. Hand: Leonardo(5), Allen(2).]
"My turn. Stand and draw." Allen said. He chuckled to himself. "It's about time I end this."
"End this? You only have 2 cards in hand!" Leonardo said. "Don't underestimate the Italian champion!"
Allen sighed and shook his head. "To be honest, I was expecting more from you. Sadly, it seems my expectations were too high."
"Impudent little…"
"Bear witness to true despair! Grovel in the dirt like the weakling you are!" Allen called out. "Stride Generation! Overwhelming Conquest Marshal, Darius!"
Overwhelming Conquest Marshal, Darius
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
The G Unit that appeared on the field was a large warrior. His strength was shown clearly by the two massive swords he was holding, one in each hand.
"Alexander's stride skill! I counterblast and then lower your rear guard Adelaide's power by 5000, while at the same time increasing the power of my Vanguard by 5000 until the end of my opponent's next turn! Of course, since the G Unit leaves at the end of the turn, that power will instead be gone at the end of my turn."
'Not like it matters. I have a perfect guard in my hand, not to mention a heal trigger.' Leonardo thought to himself. 'I can defend against his attacks no problem. Then I'll finish him on my next turn.'
"I call Drill Sergeant of the Imperial Army." Allen said. "I then activate its skill. I return it to the deck and my Vanguard gains a skill that allows me to draw whenever I Conquer an opponent's rear guard circle until end of turn. Next I call General of the Conquest Sword, Alexander to rear guard." The grade 3 appeared in the same column as Adelaide. Leonardo already knew what was coming. "General of the Conquest Sword, Alexander! Conquer!"
The image of Alexander charged forward. He shoved into Adelaide, making the mermaid let out a cry of pain as she was forced to the back row.
"Thanks to Drill Sergeant, I draw a card. Then with Alexander's skill, whenever he Conquers a rear guard circle, I add 5000 to him until the end of my opponent's next turn and draw.
Aurora gasped at this. "He just got rid of one of his opponent's rear guards and got to draw 2 cards just like that?!"
"Skill of Imperial Scout, Riley. Since my rear guard Conquered, I send him to the soul. I then search my deck for a grade 2 or lower card to call to the same column as the rear guard that Conquered. I superior call Supply Soldier, Collin!" This unit was only a grade 1, with its appearance being that of a soldier carrying a large backpack.
"He called a grade 1? But he can't boost a unit that's Conquering?" Sophia said.
"I don't think power was the reason he called that unit out." Maria told her.
"Next I call Devoted Swordswoman, Rachel to my other column. And since your front row circle is empty there, I'll have her Conquer! I draw a card thanks to Drill Sergeant, and with Collin's skill, I draw yet another card."
"So he called Collin to get another card in hand." Dan realized. "He didn't have much before, but now he's rebuilt both his hand and field."
"I call Unbreakable Shield, Ganon behind Collin." Allen said. If the name didn't imply that it was a sentinel, the large rectangular shield the unit was holding definitely drove the message home. "With a boost from Ganon, Collin attacks!"
(7000+6000=13000)
"I guard." Leonardo said, using a grade 2 from his hand.
"Alexander is up next! And when my unit on my opponent's field attacks, Rachel gains 3000 power!"
(11000+5000=16000)
"Generation guard! Blue Wave Armor General, Galfilia! Her skill adds 5000 to the shield!"
Blue Wave Armor General, Galfilia
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Rachel swings in next. Another 3000 is added with her skill."
(9000+6000=15000)
"No guard." Leonardo said. "Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(4), Allen(5).]
"Overwhelming Conquest Marshal, Darius attacks!" Allen called out. "Activating Darius's skill! I choose up to two of my units on my opponent's field and stand them! They both gain 5000 power!"
Leonardo's eyes widened. "What?!"
(26000+5000=31000)
Leonardo looked at his hand. 'I have a perfect guard, and a grade 3 I can discard. But after that, I only have another grade 3 and a critical trigger. If I guard this one and save the critical trigger for Rachel, I can guard it. I'm safe so long as he doesn't draw a critical trigger.'
"Perfect guard!" Leonardo called out.
"Triple drive. First check, no trigger. Second check, no trigger. Third check, no trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger." Leonardo said. A smirk came to his face. 'Yes. I'm safe.'
"Alexander attacks once again. Rachel's skill adds 3000 power to herself."
Leonardo's eyes widened. 'No! I forgot about that unit's skill! I won't have enough to guard either one!'
(11000+5000+5000=21000)
"No guard." Leonardo said, panic beginning to settle in. "Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Leonardo(5), Allen(5).]
"And this will finish it." Allen smirked. "Devoted Swordswoman, Rachel attacks the Vanguard. 3000 added with her skill"
(9000+12000+5000=26000)
"No guard…" Leonardo watched as a sixth card fell into his damage zone. The Italian champion fell to his knees. "Impossible… I lost…"
[Damage: Leonardo(6), Allen(5).]
"Heh, I was right. You really are a joke." Allen said as the Motion Figure System turned off and the scenery returned to normal. "Go lie in the mud, you loser."
Aurora growled as she clenched her fists. "That guy… Who does he think he is?! He already won, he doesn't need to rub it in!"
"I don't like him. He's a big jerk." Sophia pouted.
"Agreed." Maria nodded. "But there's no denying the fact that he's strong."
"Conquest Empire… What a dangerous clan." Dan said. "We'll need to be careful if we end up facing it."
Aurora nodded her head in agreement. 'So that's the group trying to take over Cray. I have to make sure I beat them, no matter what.'
Dan: I still can't believe there's another person with a unique clan in this tournament besides Aurora.
Aurora: I'm more concerned about the other members of Team Apocalypse. Are they as strong as Allen is?
Anthony: Don't worry. I can take that guy down if it comes to it.
Aurora: Well for that to happen, I'll need to win my match. Wish me luck.
Anthony: Good luck. Try not to lose and ruin our goal.
Dan: … You just couldn't leave it at "Good luck", could you?
Next time: Evolved Star
Note: As you've all seen, this chapter introduces the clan Conquest empire, as well as its keyword "Conquer". Similar to the Domination skill of Nubatama, there's a few rules regarding this skill so here's a list of them for your convenience.
1) In order to "Conquer", your unit must have the Conquer skill, be a grade lower than that of what your Vanguard currently is, and have a higher power level than the front row unit on your opponent's field. If there is no unit on your opponent's front row rear guard circle, you can "Conquer" automatically.
2) If your opponent has a unit on their front row that you "Conquer", your opponent may move it to their back row of the same column if that back row circle is open. Otherwise, it is automatically retired.
3) You can only "Conquer" your opponent's front row rear guard circles. You cannot "Conquer" the back row.
4) You cannot "Conquer" a rear guard circle that has a locked unit on it.
5) When you "Conquer" an opponent's rear guard circle, that circle is considered "Conquered" until your opponent successfully calls a unit onto that circle. Your units cannot "Conquer" a circle that is already "Conquered".
6) When on an opponent's "Conquered" rear guard circle, your unit is still treated as your unit, however the circle is treated as belonging to your opponent, so any skills that specify the opponent's field can target those units or circles.
7) Your opponent can call over your unit on a "Conquered" rear guard circle. If the unit being called has equal or greater power than the current power of the unit on it, the call is successful. Otherwise, the called unit is retired while the unit on the circle loses power equal to that of the unit attempted to be called until end of turn. If the call over is successful, you may return your unit to your field if there is an open rear guard circle in the same column. If so, the unit's power becomes 0 until end of turn. The same rules apply in the case of an opponent moving a unit up from the back row.
8) While you are "Conquering" your opponent's rear guard circle, they may attack with units in the back row of that same column. However, they cannot intercept with those units, unless they have a skill stating they can intercept from the back row.
Hope this makes things easier to understand. If you have any other questions regarding how Conquer works, please ask me or Deviljho's Hatred via PM and we will try to answer your question. Depending on some of the questions we get asked, this list may be updated.
Please tell us what you all think of Conquest Empire and the Conquer skill in your reviews. We appreciate your feedback. But for now, onto the Card Gallery. It's a long one this time, as this chapter introduces the Conquest Empire clan.
Card Gallery:
Imperial Scout, Riley
Grade 0
Power: 5000
Forerunner
AUTO RC GB1: Send this unit to the soul. When your rear guard "Conquers", you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for a grade 2 or lower card and call to to RC in the same column as the unit that "Conquered".
Drill Sergeant of the Imperial Army
Grade 0
Power: 4000
Stand Trigger
ACT GB1: Put this unit on top of your deck. Choose your Vanguard and it gets (CONT: When your rear guard "Conquers", draw a card.) until the end of the turn. Shuffle your deck.
High Morale Soldier, Simon
Grade 0
Power: 4000
Critical Trigger
AUTO: Send this card to soul. When your grade 3 or greater Vanguard with "General" in its name attacks you may pay the cost. If you do, draw a card and your Vanguard gains +5000 power until the end of the battle.
Death-scope Sharpshooter
Grade 0
Power: 5000
Critical Trigger
White Witch of the Imperial Army
Grade 0
Power: 5000
Heal Trigger
Supply Soldier, Collin
Grade 1
Power: 7000
AUTO RC 1/Turn GB1: When your rear guard "Conquers", draw one card. Then at the end of the turn, you may send this unit to soul. If you do, CC1.
Enslaved Princess, Mira
Grade 1
Power: 7000
ACT RC GB1: SB1 & Retire this unit. All of your rear guards on your opponent's field gain +5000 power and Resist until the end of your opponent's next turn.
Imperial Knight, Lucas
Grade 1
Power: 7000
AUTO: (Choose a grade 3 in your hand and reveal it) When this unit is placed on RC from hand you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for one card with "General" in its name, reveal it, put it into your hand, shuffle your deck, choose a card from your hand and discard it.
CONT (Hand): When you are paying the cost for STRIDE, this unit gets grade +2.
Unbreakable Shield, Ganon
Grade 1
Power: 6000
CONT: Sentinel
AUTO: Choose a card from your hand and discard it. When this unit is placed on GC you may pay the cost. If you do, choose one of your units being attacked, and that unit cannot be hit until end of battle.
AUTO RC GB1: SB1. At then end of your turn, if one or more of your opponent's RC is "Conquered" you may pay the cost. If you do, return this unit to your hand.
Devoted Swordswoman, Rachel
Grade 2
Power: 9000
ACT RC: Conquer (If your opponent's RC in front of this unit is empty or has a unit with Power less than this unit's Power, this unit can move to that RC.)
AUTO RC GB1: When one of your units on your opponent's field attacks, this unit gains +3000 power.
Emergency Rescuer, Klinger
Grade 2
Power: 9000
ACT RC: Conquer (If your opponent's RC in front of this unit is empty or has a unit with Power less than this unit's Power, this unit can move to that RC.)
AUTO RC GB1: When your unit on your opponent's field is successfully called over, you may return that unit to your hand.
Destruction Gunman, Barbados
Grade 2
Power: 9000
ACT RC: Conquer (If your opponent's RC in front of this unit is empty or has a unit with Power less than this unit's Power, this unit can move to that RC.)
AUTO RC 1/Turn: CB1. When your opponent's RC in a column different from this card's column is "Conquered", you may pay the cost. If you do, choose one of your opponent's rear guards in the same column as this unit and retire it.
General of the Conquest Sword, Alexander
Grade 3
Power: 11000
ACT RC: Conquer (If your opponent's RC in front of this unit is empty or has a unit with Power less than this unit's Power, this unit can move to that RC.)
AUTO VC: CB1. When your G Unit STRIDE, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose one of your opponents front row RCs with a unit on it, that unit gets -5000 power until the end of the turn. Then choose one of your units and add +5000 power until the end of your opponent's next turn.
AUTO RC: When this unit Conquers an opponent's RC, draw a card. Then, this unit gains +5000 power until the end of your opponent's next turn.
Overwhelming Conquest Marshal, Darius
Stride
Power: 15000+
AUTO VC: CB1 & Take a face down card in your G zone and flip it face up. When this unit attacks, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose up to two of your units on your opponent's field, stand them and they both gain 5000 power.