Legends of Capital City

by DaigoUKnow

The story of ED4's, Mason, Abbey, Sai, and Trevor, as they get on the fast track to becoming the US National Champions. Making a lot of friends AND enemies along the way. One of them being GS4, National Champs three years running. As Mason works hard to become a good cardfighter, his greatest enemy is himself as he discovers Psyqualia, a power hidden within him since he was little.

25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25: The Mobster

"We shall now continue the Commemoration Match. The final cardfight will be Charleston von Hercule of GS4 vs. Sai Yamato of ED4!" MC Mark announced.

In the bleachers

"This may just be a Commemoration Match. But, it will show how hard it will be for them to advance." Jerry said.

"Come on, Sai..." Lupa was watching very closely.

Raiden began to sing. "~Popcorn is so amazing! It's even better with butter~!"

"We must make some of this when we get back home. It's so delicious!" Kazu continued to woof down kernels like there was no tomorrow.

Back in the arena

Sai went up to the field line, gloves at the ready. The same could be said about Charley.

"Looks like I got stuck with the runt of the litter." Charley said.

"Watch it!" Sai yelled.

"Easy, wolf boy."

"It's Sai, Charleston!"

"Just cal me Charley. Let's get this over with."

"I couldn't agree with you more!"

MC Mark was still hogging the mic. "Cardfighters, ready?!"

They both nodded.

"Then, you may begin!"

"Stand Up, Vanguard!"

"Spring Breeze Messenger!"

"Megacolony Battler C!"

Back in the bleachers

"B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-bug!" Ron hid under Jerry's seat.

"I almost forgot you were afraid of bugs." Mike said.

"Damn it, dude! Get out from under my seat!" Jerry ordered.

"No, not until the nasty, disgusting bug goes away!" Ron was scared out of his mind.

Back in the arena

"Megacolony, huh?" I asked.

"They are well known for keeping rear-guard from standing." Kotetsu said.

"Dirty tactics like that can only get you so far. So, why play them?" Abbey asked.

"When I was reading Vanguard Monthly the other day, it said Charley was an expert on the clan. It's as if HE is a Megacolony unit." I told her.

"Well, we have an expert of our own. And he happens to play Gold Paladins." Kotetsu said.

Sai's hand had Great Silver Wolf, Garmore, Player of the Holy Axe, Nimue, Blade Feather Valkyrie, Elixir Sommelier, and Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane.

"I'll take the first turn, shrimp. I draw. Next, I ride Phantom Black. Then, I'll move Battler C to the back and end my turn."

"I'm next, I draw." It was Speeder Hound. "I ride Player of the Holy Axe, Nimue! Then, I'll move Messenger back. I'll have him support Nimue for an attack on your vanguard (7000+5000)!"

"I don't guard."

"Time to check for a drive trigger!" It was Lop Ear Shooter.

"Checking for a damage trigger..." The card he checked glowed orange. "Raider Mantis. A draw trigger, huh? I'll give the 5000 Power to Phantom Black and draw."

"I'll end my turn."

"Draw. I ride Tail Joe. Then, I call Bloody Hercules and Machining Mosquito. Using Machining Mosquito's skill, I Soul Charge." It was Iron Fist Phantom, Roly Poly. I'll have Bloody Hercules attack first, with support from Machining Mosquito (10000+7000)."

"I don't guard." Sai's damage check revealed Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel.

"Next is Tail Joe. With his skill, when all of your units are at rest, he gets 3000 Power (11000)."

"I guard with Elixir Sommelier (7000+10000)!"

"Checking for a trigger." It was Paralyze Madonna. "I'll end my turn."

"I stand and draw." It was Flash Edge Valkyrie. "I ride Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane! Next, I'll call Flash Edge and Blade Feather Valkyrie to rear-guard!"

"Sai isn't beating around the bush this time." Kotetsu said.

"Yeah, he usually players around with whoever he's playing against." I added.

"He's probably not wanting to take any chances considering this is the last fight of the Commemoration Match. This is what will determine if we have what it takes to win Nationals after all." Abbey told us.

Sai continued. "I'll have Viviane attack, with Messenger's support (9000+5000)!"

"I'll guard with Megacolony Battler A (8000+10000)."

"You're cutting it a little close, aren't ya?" Sai asked.

"Nah. Either way, I get the result I want."

"Whatever! Checking for a trigger!" It was Listener of Truth, Dindrane. "No trigger..."

"Battler A's skill allows him to move to the soul."

"With Blade Feather's support, here comes Flash Edge (8000+7000)!"

"I'll humor ya this time. I don't guard." His damage check revealed Shelter Beetle. "A critical trigger. Giving all of the effects to my vanguard, Tail Joe."

"With Blade Feather's skill: If she boosted Flash Edge's successful attack on your vanguard, I get to Counter Blast: looking at the top card of my deck for a Gold Paladin to superior call!" It was Lop Ear Shooter. He called it. "Now, because I superior called Lop Ear from the deck, I get to discard one card from my hand: to check the top 3 cards of my deck for another superior call!" He discarded Garmore. The cards he picked up were Flame of Victory, Dindrane, Halo Shield, Mark. "I'll superior call Listener of Truth, Dindrane!" He shuffled his deck. "With her skill: I Soul Blast, allowing me to draw one card." It was Pellinore. "I'll attack one more time with Lop Ear Shooter (9000)!"

"Guarding with Battler A (8000+10000). Again, with his skill, he goes into the soul."

"I'll end my turn..."

In the bleachers

"Even with all of that superior calling, he wasn't able to get Pellinore out..." Lupa was concerned.

"Even if he can't rush ride, he'll still be able to use it's Limit Break." Jerry reassured her.

"I've never seen him use Pellinore's Limit Break. He usually beats someone before their able to do anything." Lupa told him.

"Your serious?" Raiden asked.

"He IS his mother's son... I remember her almost beating me with that same combo of White Rabbit Gold Paladins. But she always came up short when unable to use Pellinore's Limit Break." Kazu said.

"You fought the great Kalulu?!" Raiden was shocked.

"You didn't know?" Lupa asked.

"No! I was always outside the village helping my dad get more food during tournaments!"

Kazu explained: "She was an amazing cardfighter. She had this unique way of thinking out how a card would be played. But, in the end, it came down to her not being able to using those cards to the fullest. This lead to her being beaten many times. When she did win, however, it was magnificent. If it weren't for her leaving, she would've been one of the best cardfighters in the 3 tribes."

Lupa continued to watch the match.

Back in the arena

"I'll end my turn."

"I stand and draw. Now, I ride Death Warden Ant Lion. Then, I'll Soul Charge with his skill, giving him 2000 Power." It was Violent Vesper. "Then, I'll call Tail Joe and Stealth Millipede. I'll have Battler C support Joe for an attack on Lop Ear. With his skill, another 3000 Power is added (11000+5000)."

"I don't guard." He placed Lop Ear n the drop zone.

"Next will be Ant Lion, supported by Millipede. Millipede's skill allows my vanguard an additional 4000 Power when your units are all at rest (12000+10000)."

"I don't guard."

"Checking the Twin Drive..." The first card was Phantom Black. The second card was Bewitching Officer, Lady Butterfly. "No triggers, huh? Aw well... At least I go two cards.

Sai's damage check revealed Nimue.

"I'll finish my turn by attacking with Hercules, supported by Machining Mosquito (10000+7000)."

"Speeder Hound and Dindrane will guard that (9000+10000)!"

"Alright, then. I'll end my turn. Let's see what the legendary White Rabbit can do."

In the bleachers

"How does he-?" Lupa asked with hesitation.

"I thought we were the only ones who knew him by that. What do you think, Kazu?" Raiden asked.

"I don't know what to make of this boy..." Kazu answered.

"Hmm..." Jerry began to wonder how he could know that.

"Boss?" Brock was worried.

"His name was von Hercule, right?" Jerry asked.

"That's what Mark said." Mike answered.

"Well, the von Hercules are known for their research practices. They have books on almost every subject. That would include Native-American history."

"But how would he know about the White Rabbit Tribe? They were nearly extinguished before any records of their existence could be made." Lupa said.

"...Maybe...the great Kalulu wrote about them after she was replaced..." Raiden suggested.

"Maybe..." Lupa and the others kept watching the match, with Ron still under Jerry's seat.

Back in the arena

"I stand and draw." It was Halo Shield, Mark. "Warrior of whose armor eradicates the darkness, stride across this battlefield and create a forefront for your allies to break through! I ride the White Hare in the Moon's Shadow, Pellinore!"

The image jumped into the air and landed in the middle of the field.

"Now, I'll call Lop Ear Shooter. I'll have him attack with support from Dindrane (9000+5000)!"

"I don't guard. I'll check for a damage trigger." It was Stealth Millipede.

"Next will be Messenger supporting Pellinore (10000+5000)!"

"Paralyze Madonna will nullify that." He discarded Lady Butterfly for the effect.

"I still have the Twin Drive!" The first card was Flash Edge Valkyrie. The second card was Ezel. "I'll have Flash Edge, with support from Blade Feather attack Tail Joe (8000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." Tail Joe was put in the drop zone.

"I'll end my turn."

"I stand and draw. I thought one of the last remaining White Rabbits would be better than this. I guess you really are a shrimp... I ride Death Warden Ant Lion."

I asked: "Why ride it again?"

"He's charging his soul for something big. What it is, I'm not sure..." Kotetsu answered.

"..." Abbey concentrated on the match.

"I'll use his Soul Charge and give him 2000 Power." It was Bloody Hercules. "Then, I'll call Phantom Black. I'll have Hercules attack, with support from Machining Mosquito (10000+7000)."

"I don't guard." Sai's damage check revealed Silent Punisher. "Critical Trigger. I'll give all the effects to Pellinore."

"Next is Ant Lion, supported by Stealth Millipede and its skill (22000+10000)."

"I'll have Mark nullify it!" He discarded Flash Edge for the effect.

"Twin Drive..." The first card was Roly Poly. The second card was Sharp Nail Scorpio. "Critical Trigger. Giving all the effects to Phantom Black. I'll have Battler C support him for my next attack (13000+5000).

I only have Ezel... "I don't guard." Both of Sai's damage checks were Mark and Speeder Hound. "I'll give the 5000 Power to Pellinore and draw." It was Elixir Sommelier.

"I end my turn. You got lucky, kid..."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But, you forget."

"Hmm?"

"Gold Paladins rely on luck."

"Of course."

"I stand and draw." It was Nimue. "I call Blond Ezel in place of Lop Ear Shooter! Then, I'll have Flash Edge with support from Blade Feather attack (8000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." Charley's damage check revealed Paralyze Madonna.

"Next is Pellinore, supported by Messenger (10000+5000)! Now, I can activate Pellinore's Limit Break!"

"He's using Limit Break?" I asked.

"He has no choice. This guy's held out longer than anyone he's faced." Abbey said.

In the bleachers

Lupa got excited: "Alright! Go get 'em, Sai!"

"Come on, dude..." Jerry wasn't as enthusiastic.

Back in the arena

"I'll send Flash Edge and Blade Feather to the bottom of my deck. Then, I'll give Ezel and Dindrane 5000 Power each."

"Hmph. I'll guard your attack with Sharp Nail Scorpio and Roly Poly. Then, I'll have Hercules intercept (10000+20000)."

"Grr...Twin Drive..." The first card was Blade Feather. The second card... "Flame of Victory, a critical trigger! I'll give all of the effects to Ezel. Then, with support from Dindrane, he'll finish this (20000+10000)!"

In the VIP room

"He'll come close... But the end result will be the same..." Shiro said.

Back in the arena

"Damage check..." The first card was Phantom Black. And the last... "Medical Battler, Ranpli, a heal trigger. I'll give the 5000 to Ant Lion and recover one damage."

"I'll...end my turn."

"I stand and draw. You're better than I thought you'd be after all. If I didn't pull that trigger, I'd be in hot water right now. But, no matter how close you get, defeat is inevitable. I am the Mobster of GS4. The best Megacolony cardfighter in the entire nation! Nothing will outdo me. Anything that tries will be stomped like a common ant. I'll use Ant Lion's Soul Charge, giving him 2000 Power. Then, I'll use his Mega Blast! Sending the eight cards I collected in the soul to the drop zone and I Counter Blast 5 cards. During your next turn, your rear-guard won't be able to stand."

"WHAT?!"

"But that will lower his power! All that he'll have to attack with is his vanguard!" I shouted.

"To add injury to insult, I'm going to have Ant Lion, supported by Stealth Millipede attack your Ezel (12000+10000)."

"I'll guard with Blade Feather Valkyrie, Nimue and Flame of Victory guard that (10000+20000)!"

"I'll check my Twin Drive." The first card was Raider Mantis. "I'll give the 5000 to my vanguard and draw." The second card was Machining Mosquito. "I'll end my turn."

"I stand and draw" The only unit that could stand was Pellinore. The card he drew was Dindrane. "I'll have Pellinore attack your vanguard (10000)..."

"I'll guard with Raider Mantis, Machining Mosquito and Stealth Millipede (10000+15000)!"

"Checking the Twin Drive..." Both cards were Lop Ear Shooter and Garmore. "I'll end my turn..."

"Stand and draw. I'll call Lady Butterfly. I'll have Battler C support her attack. Since she's attacking your vanguard, she gets another 2000 Power (12000+5000)."

"I don't guard..." Sai's damage check revealed Flash Edge.

"I'll finish this with Ant Lion, supported by Stealth Millipede (10000+10000)!"

The giant insect slammed into Pellinore, crashing him into the wall. The final card flew into the damage zone, revealing Pellinore.

MC Mark announced: "And the winners of the Commemoration Match are Gaia Saviors!"

Sai collapsed.

"Sai!" We ran to him. "Sai! Come on, man! I know you can hear me!"

He who barely say anything. "Mas...n...I'm...s...ry..." He tried to get up.

In the bleachers

Lupa was about to jump down and help him.

"Don't do it..." Kazu ordered.

"Did you not just see that?! I have to get down there!"

Raiden was still eating popcorn. "Lupa, you didn't notice it, did you?"

"Notice what?"

"The way his body was reacting every damage check... He could feel Pellinore's pain..."

"What?..." Her eyes began to glow. When she saw Sai's aura, she almost went into shock. "I can barely see the outline... It's almost like he was the one battling."

"He has it... He has the same power as they did. Being able to connect with their avatars..." Kazu said.

In the arena

Sai was up. But, he looked battered.

"What the hell was that, Charley?!" I asked.

"I didn't do anything to him. That was him."

"Yeah, right!"

Sai kept me from going over there. "Leave him...I thought I cold handle it. But I guess I overexerted myself."

"Wait, what?" I was confused.

Charley explained: "He was able to connect his soul to Pellinore. Every tribe has their own unique way of connecting with their avatar. For most, it would being able to see the auras of other fighters. But, there are two tribes that can use that power at a higher level. This is known as PsyResonance."

"PsyResonance?"

"Yes. It is suppose to help combat the power that you and Shiro have. It's name is PsyQualia."

"They are two seperate powers. One allows you to see and hear your units indirectly. However, PsyResonance connects the user with their cards and allows them to see the auras of other around them."

"So, wait. Sai has what I have too?"

"I was under the impression you could only use PsyQualia."

"I can. But, I can also see auras."

"I've never heard of this." Is it possible that he's the only one who can defeat HIM?

"Regardless, Sai was able to unlock his power. But, he isn't able to handle it. It's in his best interest not to use it again until he's mastered it."

"Why are you telling this to us?" Abbey asked.

Charley turned around to go back to his team's bench. "Because HE wants you to advance. He especially wants to face you, Mason..."

"Why me?"

"That's something you'll have to figure out yourself..." He started walking back to the bench.

"So, I did have it... I've been feeling strange for the past week. Lupa and them told me about how my tribe was able to connect with their cards. But I didn't believe them until now..." Sai was still depressed.

"Well, you're not alone there."

"That's right, you have it too."

"Yeah, but I can only see auras. You can actually fight with Pellinore."

"That was dumb luck. It'll be a while before I can do it again."

"Umm, guys? What are you talking about?" Abbey had this bewildered look on her face.

Well, that match was LONG. I couldn't believe Charley was messing with Sai like that. I also can't believe this power he's got. At least now we know what it's called... PsyResonance, huh?... Next time, the National Championship continues! See ya in the next chapter!