Ride 25 – The Phoenix Descends
Card of the Day: Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather
"Sorry, Robert," Charles muttered. "That arrogant jerk was just..."
"It's fine," Robert replied. "I know Phoenix Colosseum... I can beat them." He took his deck from its case, staring down at Cloud's card. "I'll fight Joel and I'll win. I promise."
"Just do your best," Samuel said. "Remember, even if you lose this match, we can still get through to the Nationals."
"I'm going to win," he insisted. "I want to show Raging War that we're not just nobodies for them to sweep aside."
"Do your best," Charles said. Nodding, the Dimension Police fighter walked forward towards the console. On the opposite side of the field, Joel did the same.
"Following the defeat of Charles Bannerman of Team Avalon by Gabriel Collins of Team Raging War, this final fight will decide the victor! Who will prevail, Robert Macmillan of Team Avalon, or Joel Guerra of Team Raging War?"
The two fighters took their positions, placing down their starter Vanguards and shuffling their decks.
"Do you think you can win?" Joel asked. "Even after seeing what Gabriel was capable of? Don't you think someone trained by him will be just as fearsome, especially against a newbie like you?"
"Even if I can't win, I'm going to try," Robert replied. "I owe that to my team. Besides, I'm not scared of you. I've beaten Phoenix Colosseum before. I know the tricks of your deck, Joel."
The Italian smirked. "Is that so? Well, let's see if your experiences with my Clan have taught you everything in the Colosseum's arsenal." He drew his opening hand, and quickly redrew four cards.
"The strong preying on the weak... that's all Phoenix Colosseum is," Robert muttered. He drew his own hand, and redrew two cards. "I can defeat that."
"I doubt that," Joel retorted. "But we'll see how the cards play out." The two rolled the dice, Joel scoring the first turn with a six.
"The match between Robert Macmillan of Team Avalon and Joel Guerra of Team Raging War will now... BEGIN!"
"Stand up, Vanguard!" The battlefield formed around them, taking the image of the colosseum home of Joel's Clan. Dragons, demons and the odd human cheered from the stands.
"Justice Flag!" The armored figure appeared in the midst of the great colosseum, twirling his lance [Justice Flag – 5000 Power]
"Guerilla Tiger!" The great armored tiger formed opposite Flag with a roar [Guerilla Tiger – 5000 Power]
"Draw," Joel said. "I Ride Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist." Guerilla Tiger reformed in a flash of flames, becoming a stocky goblin armed with spiked knuckledusters [Assault Fighter Blood Fist – 7000 Power]. "Superior Call, Guerilla Tiger." With a snarl, the armored tiger reformed behind and to the left of Blood Fist [Guerilla Tiger – 5000 Power]. "Turn end."
Joel
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist/Empty
Back Row: Guerilla Tiger/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
Robert
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Justice Flag/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
"Draw," Robert said. "I Ride Cosmo Roar!" Justice Flag reformed in a flare of silver light, transforming into the silver mechanical lion [Cosmo Roar – 6000 Power]. "Superior Call, Justice Flag." The lance-wielding knight reformed behind Roar, twirling his weapon [Justice Flag – 5000 Power]
"Positioning to avoid Guerilla Tiger's skill?" Joel wondered aloud.
"With a boost from Flag, Roar attacks!" Robert growled. Cosmo Roar unleashed a volley of lasers across the field towards Blood Fist [6000 Power + 5000 Power = 11000 Power]
"No guard," Joel replied.
"Drive Check," as expected, no icon shone on the revealed card, "no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – No Trigger]
"Damage check," his opponent said, holding up a card. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Arena Crier – No Trigger]
"Cosmo Fort... and Daiyusha..." Robert thought. "I can pull off that combo again! And if I do... at the least, he'll be left on the edge."
"Turn end."
Robert
Hand: 6
Front Row: Empty/Cosmo Roar/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Justice Flag/Empty
Damage: None
Joel
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist/Empty
Back Row: Guerilla Tiger/Empty/Empty
Damage: Arena Crier (U)
"Draw," Joel said. "I Ride Sky Fighter ● Wyvern Tail." His Vanguard reformed in a flare of flames, becoming a vicious wyvern, its armored rider wielding a long javelin [Sky Fighter Wyvern Tail – 8000 Power]
"Now, I call Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale, and Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive." A smaller blue wyvern formed behind Wyvern Tail , as to the right, a vicious-looking elf wielding twin spears formed, riding atop a crimson wyvern [Flank Fighter Piercing Gale – 7000 Power] [Flank Fighter Sparrow Dive – 9000 Power]. "Now, with a boost from Piercing Gale, Wyvern Tail attacks..." he smirked, "Justice Flag!"
"What?"
"Wyvern Tail's skill lets it target a Unit in the backrow of the column it's in for an attack," Joel explained as the wyvern burst skyward, its rider drawing back his javelin [8000 Power + 7000 Power = 15000 Power]. "Do you guard?"
"No guard," Robert said. Guarding Wyvern Tail's attack would just take too much at the moment, and it wasn't even aimed at his Vanguard.
"Drive Check," Joel said, holding up the card with a distinct smirk. "Get. Critical Trigger. All effects to Sparrow Dive."
[Drive Check – Blaze Gladius – Critical Trigger]
A thrust of the rider's javelin struck Justice Flag, shattering the Grade 0 Unit on impact. "Now, I activate Piercing Gale's skill. When it boosts and the attack strikes a Grade 1 or lower Unit, I can move Piercing Gale to a front row Rearguard Circle and Stand it." The smaller wyvern soared forward to stand in front of Guerilla Tiger, snarling. "Now, with a boost from Guerilla Tiger, Piercing Gale attacks!" Shrieking, the wyvern dived forward, spraying bullets from the machine guns attached to its wings [7000 Power + 5000 Power = 12000 Power]
Robert considered. There had to be a reason he hadn't given the Critical Trigger to Piercing Gale and not Sparrow Dive, even though it seemed Piercing Gale, with Tiger's boost and the Trigger, would force 15000 Shield rather than the 10000 Sparrow Dive would force. That meant Sparrow Dive probably had some sort of power increase skill Joel was planning to use.
"Justice Rose, guard!" The pink-clad alien appeared [6000 Power + 10000 Shield = 16000 Power], and was blasted apart by the impact of the bullets.
"I see," Joel mused. "Well then. Sparrow Dive attacks! Sparrow Dive's skill, when it attacks a Grade 1 or lower Unit, it gains 3000 Power!" The elf launched forward astride his wyvern, drawing back a spear with a vicious expression [9000 Power + 3000 Power + 5000 Power = 17000 Power, Critical 2]
"No guard." A spear lanced down and struck Cosmo Roar viciously, the barbed point tearing into the mechanical lion, before Sparrow Dive drew away. "Damage Check, first."
[Damage Check – Masked Police Gurender – No Trigger]
"Second check." Once again, no Trigger.
[Damage Check – Diamond Ace – No Trigger]
"Turn end," a satisfied Joel concluded.
Joel
Hand: 4
Front Row: Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive/Sky Fighter ● Wyvern Tail/Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Guerilla Tiger
Damage: Arena Crier (U)
Robert
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Cosmo Roar/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: Masked Police Gurender (U), Diamond Ace (U)
"Stand and draw!" Robert called. "I Ride Cosmo Fort!" The massive armored robot took form from light, holding itself in a defensive stance [Cosmo Fort – 10000 Power]
"This again, huh?" Joel mused. "You're going for that same Critical 3 attack strategy which won you your first match here." He frowned. "You think such a strategy will work against me?"
"I call Pulsar Enforcer and Twin Order," Robert said. The crimson android wielding its twin beam-swords appeared to Fort's right, as the silver pulse-blaster-wielding android formed on the left [Pulsar Enforcer – 9000 Power] [Twin Order – 10000 Power].
"Still playing cautiously, I see," Joel noted. "No boosters?"
"Pulsar Enforcer attacks Wyvern Tail!" his opponent retorted. The android raised its arm, loosing a burst of pulse fire from it.
"Guard, Rear Fighter ● Surging Rain." A blue-clad sylph with glassy wings appeared [8000 Power + 5000 Shield = 13000 Power], and was struck by the pulse shot, shattering.
"Twin Order attacks Wyvern Tail!" Robert snapped. The android leapt forward, drawing its beam-blades back.
"No guard," Joel replied, letting the beam swords strike at his Vanguard. "Damage Check." He held up a card, and then set it down.
[Damage Check – King of Apes – No Trigger]
"Turn end," Robert muttered.
Robert
Hand: 3
Front Row: Pulsar Enforcer/Cosmo Fort/Twin Order
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: Masked Police Gurender (U), Diamond Ace (U)
Joel
Hand: 3
Front Row: Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive/Sky Fighter ● Wyvern Tail/Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Guerilla Tiger
Damage: Arena Crier (U), King of Apes (U)
"Stand and draw," Joel said. He held up a card, smirking viciously. "The weak are forever prey for the strong. Devour the weak in your infernal flames and let your glory be recognized by all challengers! Ride... Arena Master... Phoenix Feather!"
Instantly, a raging firestorm exploded into being, consuming the field in vicious flames. In the stands of the colosseum, the spectators went wild, recognizing the appearance of the Phoenix Colosseum's greatest legend, its mightiest champion. The flames burst, and from the embers, he emerged. Clad in armor the color of flames, Phoenix Feather's helm bore a plume of blazing feathers. Wielding a pair of immense halberds, the champion rose to his full height, glaring viciously across the field as he adopted Joel's features, including that dark smirk [Arena Master Phoenix Feather – 11000 Power]
"I activate Phoenix Feather's skill," Joel declared. "Once per turn, I can move a Phoenix Colosseum Rearguard to any Rearguard Circle I choose." He moved Piercing Gale's card, placing the wyvern back behind his Vanguard. "Now, I call Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash." An armored, masked swordswoman appeared, raising her blade [Sword Fang Scarlet Flash – 10000 Power]
"Now, Sparrow Dive attacks Pulsar Enforcer!" The wyvern-riding elf spurred his steed forward, drawing back a spear.
Robert briefly considered guarding, but the cards in his hand were too valuable for that right now. "No guard." The spear lanced down, and Pulsar Enforcer shattered.
"With a boost from Piercing Gale, go, Phoenix Feather!" Swathed in burning flames, Joel's avatar leapt at Cosmo Fort, drawing back his halberds [11000 Power + 7000 Power = 18000 Power]
"No guard!" Robert answered.
"Twin Drive, first." No icon shone on the card as Joel revealed it and placed it into his hand.
[Drive Check – Spike Trampler – No Trigger]
"Second check," this time, there was a blue flash from the revealed card. "Get, Stand Trigger. All effects to Sparrow Dive."
[Drive Check – Crowd Rouser – Stand Trigger]
Phoenix Feather struck like a meteor, unleashing a flaming blow with one halberd which knocked Cosmo Fort reeling backwards, while the Arena Master leapt away.
"Damage check," Robert muttered. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Cosmo Siege – No Trigger]
"Now, Sparrow Dive, attack Twin Order!" Sparrow Dive launched his steed across the field once more, and as Robert made no move to protect the Grade 2, Twin Order was cut down.
"I'm losing my advantage so fast..." Robert thought.
"With a boost from Guerilla Tiger, Scarlet Flash attacks!" The masked figure raced forwards, drawing back her blade [10000 Power + 5000 Power = 15000 Power]
"No guard." The sword struck in a blazing arc, and Cosmo Fort was knocked reeling back again. "Damage Check." A crimson icon shone as Robert turned over this card. "Get, Draw Trigger." He made a draw.
[Damage Check – Army Penguin – Draw Trigger]
"Turn end," Joel concluded, satisfied.
Joel
Hand: 4
Front Row: Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive/Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather/Sword Fang● Scarlet Flash
Back Row: Empty/Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale/Guerilla Tiger
Damage: Arena Crier (U), King of Apes (U)
Robert
Hand: 4
Front Row: Empty/Cosmo Fort/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: Masked Police Gurender (U), Diamond Ace (U), Cosmo Siege (U), Army Penguin (U)
"Stand and draw," Robert growled. "I Ride Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha!" Cosmo Fort burst into blinding light, and Daiyusha emerged, raising its sword and shield [Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – 10000 Power]. "Cosmo Fort's skill – Daiyusha gains 5000 Power and one Critical That also activates its own skill, Critical plus one!" Daiyusha glowed with energy [Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – 15000 Power, Critical 3]
"I call Glory Maker, Masked Police Gurender and Karenloid Daisy!" The alien woman formed behind Daiyusha, while on the left, the masked superhero appeared, Daisy forming behind him. [Glory Maker – 6000 Power] [Masked Police Gurender – 8000 Power] [Karenloid Daisy – 8000 Power]. "Now, with a boost from Glory Maker, Daiyusha attacks!" The Super Dimensional Robot charged, drawing back its sword [15000 Power + 6000 Power + 4000 Power = 25000 Power, Critical 3]
"Oh, please," Joel said. "You think the same strategy which put paid to a nerdy fanboy will work against me?" He placed a card down. "Lizard Shieldsman Rimund, guard. And then," he placed a card into the Drop Zone. "I drop Crowd Rouser for a Perfect Guard." An armored lizardman wielding a great shield appeared, defending Phoenix Feather from attack.
"N-no..." Robert gasped.
"You didn't expect me to have this, despite the fact I've held onto a single card since this game began?" his opponent said. "You think you can just blindly attack without reading the signs, and hope everything will work out? That's not how it works here."
"You... Twin Drive!" he muttered. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Galaxy Convoy – No Trigger]
"Second check," he grimaced when this check revealed a shining golden icon. "Critical Trigger..."
[Drive Check – Justice Cobalt – Critical Trigger]
"All effects to Gurender."
"You see?" Joel said. "Even if I hadn't used Rimund, I could have stopped your big finisher combo with just Crowd Rouser and Blaze Gladius." He paused. "You've got this far off of luck and more talented teammates... now you're just being exposed as an overconfident rookie who's in a league he should never have entered. You can't win when you fight anyone truly good."
Robert thought on this, and then his thoughts turned to his mother, hardly home, always tired. "That's not true."
"Oh?"
"I've fought hard to get here," Robert said. "I haven't been depending entirely on Samuel and Agatha... I've fought hard by myself. Or are you forgetting that I beat Charles and Lucy? Just because this team doesn't win all its matches in two-zero smackdowns doesn't mean we're not a good team."
"Right. You beat Charlie, a nerdy fanboy, and by using a highly risky combo at that," Joel scoffed. "All I've seen of your other matches are a defeat by a superior player, and a win by sheer luck. All I see about you is a newbie who's got here through luck and skilled teammates."
"You don't get it," the Dimension Police user growled. "I have something I'm fighting for. Something important to me... and I'm not going to lay down and accept defeat while I can still fight for that goal! With a boost from Daisy, Gurender attacks Phoenix Feather!" Gurender erupted skyward, preparing to strike Phoenix Feather with a vicious kick [8000 Power + 5000 Power + 8000 Power = 21000 Power, Critical 2]
"No guard." The kick impacted with Phoenix Feather, except the champion had intersected his halberds, preventing the block from truly landing. Gurender leapt away, realizing it was hopeless. "Damage Check, first."
[Damage Check – Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist – No Trigger]
"Second check." He held up another card. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash – No Trigger]
"I won't go down so easily," Robert said. "Turn end."
Robert
Hand: 3
Front Row: Masked Police Gurender/Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha/Empty
Back Row: Karenloid Daisy/Glory Maker/Empty
Damage: Masked Police Gurender (U), Diamond Ace (U), Cosmo Siege (U), Army Penguin (U)
Joel
Hand: 2
Front Row: Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive/Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather/Sword Fang● Scarlet Flash
Back Row: Empty/Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale/Guerilla Tiger
Damage: Arena Crier (U), King of Apes (U), Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist (U), Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash (U)
"Stand and draw," Joel said. "You say you're fighting for something, and that you won't give in while you can still fight for your goal?" He was quiet. "Well... I feel the same way. And the difference is, that I've trained hard so I can fight and win for that goal."
"You think I haven't done the same?" Robert snapped. "Why do you keep looking down on me? Haven't I done enough to prove I can do this?"
"You've done enough to prove that with luck, you can win," his opponent replied. "You're still not good enough to overcome the opponents standing in your way further down the line." He paused. "I activate Phoenix Feather's skill, moving Piercing Gale." Piercing Gale moved sideways to support Sparrow Dive.
"Now, I use Guerilla Tiger's skill." He flipped over a Damage card and moved Tiger to the Drop Zone. "Daisy and Gurender switch positions." Guerilla Tiger leapt forward, striking Gurender and shoving it back behind Daisy, before leaping away. However, a swing of Daiyusha's sword shattered the creature before it could reach safety. "Call, Spike Trampler." The spiked, armored centaur appeared behind Scarlet Flash.
"With a boost from Spike Trampler, Scarlet Flash attacks Daisy." The swordswoman leapt forward, drawing back her blade [10000 Power + 8000 Power = 18000 Power]
"No guard."
The sword cleaved into Daisy, shattering her. "Scarlet Flash's Counterblast! The Unit behind the Unit she hit is retired!" Joel declared. He flipped over two damage, and a shockwave burst from the arc of Scarlet Flash's swing, striking Gurender and shattering him.
"No...!" Robert gasped.
"And now, Phoenix Feather's skill. When your Grade 1 or lower Rearguard is retired during the Battle Phase, Phoenix Feather gains 3000 Power!" An aura of flames burned around the Arena Master [Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather – 14000 Power]. "Now, Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather, attack Daiyusha!" The blazing figure erupted forward, drawing back his halberd.
"Justice Cobalt, guard!" Robert barked. The blue-armored wolfman appeared in Phoenix Feather's path, preventing the champion from striking [10000 Power + 10000 Shield = 20000 Power]
"Twin Drive," Joel called. "First check... no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Arena Crier – No Trigger]
"Second check... no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist – No Trigger]
The halberd swung and Justice Cobalt was shattered, Phoenix Feather drawing away once more. "With a boost from Piercing Gale, Sparrow Dive attacks!" The wyvern-riding elf attacked, drawing back a spear [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power]
"No guard," Robert said. The spear struck Daiyusha, and Sparrow Dive drew away. "Damage Check." He held up the card. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Cosmo Beak – No Trigger]
"Turn end," Joel concluded.
Joel
Hand: 4
Front Row: Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive/Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather/Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash
Back Row: Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale/Empty/Spike Trampler
Damage: Arena Crier (F), King of Apes (F), Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist (F), Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash (U)
Robert
Hand: 2
Front Row: Empty/Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Glory Maker/Empty
Damage: Masked Police Gurender (U), Diamond Ace (U), Cosmo Siege (U), Army Penguin (U), Cosmo Beak (U)
"Stand and draw!" Robert called. "I call Galaxy Convoy! Twin Order!" The white mechanical dove and the crimson android appeared where Daisy and Gurender had previously stood [Galaxy Convoy – 6000 Power] [Twin Order – 10000 Power]. "Convoy's skill! Daiyusha gains 2000 Power!" The Super Dimensional Robot shone with energy [Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha – 12000 Power]
"With a boost from Glory Maker, Daiyusha attacks!" The gigantic robot charged, raising its sword [12000 Power + 6000 Power + 4000 Power = 22000 Power]
"You've got the spirit to be a champion," Joel said. "But reckless determination won't win you the matches you're trying to win. If you want this goal of yours, chasing it blindly will only lead you to failure. Blaze Gladius, Arena Doctor, guard!" The burning sword and the stretcher bearers appeared before his Vanguard, protecting Phoenix Feather from Daiyusha's onslaught [11000 Power + 10000 Shield + 10000 Shield = 31000 Power]
"Twin Drive, first check!" Robert turned over the card, "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Cosmo Fort – No Trigger]
"Second check!" He held up another card. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Enigman Cloud – No Trigger]
The great robot's sword fell, slashing through the guardians and reducing them to pixels, but it didn't matter. Robert couldn't win this turn, and on his next turn, he would likely lose.
"I'm not giving in," he growled. "You think I can't win? I'll fight on until I prove you wrong, Joel! With a boost from Convoy, Twin Order attacks... Scarlet Flash!" The android raced forward [10000 Power + 6000 Power], and effortlessly cut down the swordswoman as Joel made no move to guard. "Turn end."
"One last desperate move..." Joel murmured. "That's not proving anything new."
Robert
Hand: 3
Front Row: Twin Order/Super Dimensional Robot Daiyusha/Empty
Back Row: Galaxy Convoy/Glory Maker/Empty
Masked Police Gurender (U), Diamond Ace (U), Cosmo Siege (U), Army Penguin (U), Cosmo Beak (U)
Joel
Hand: 2
Front Row: Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive/Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather/Empty
Back Row: Flank Fighter ● Piercing Gale/Empty/Spike Trampler
Damage: Arena Crier (F), King of Apes (F), Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist (F), Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash (U)
Wordlessly, Joel stood his Units and made a draw. "You've fought long enough. Even though you've shown your determination, just determination isn't enough to win you every battle. And now... I'm ending this. Your team was never a match for us, Robert. And you were never a match for me. Final Turn!"
"Joel Guerra has called his Final Turn! Will he prevail now, or will Robert Macmillan manage to evade this final assault?"
"You think you can win so easily?" Robert retorted. "I'm not just going to lay down and let you win!"
"I call Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist," Joel said, "and Arena Crier." The stocky goblin appeared behind Phoenix Feather, while a tall red dragon wearing a crier's uniform and wielding a great bell appeared before Spike Trampler [Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist – 7000 Power] [Arena Crier – 7000 Power]. "Arena Crier's skill. When this Unit appears, I select two of your Rearguard Units in the same column and switch their positions." Crier rang his great bell, sending a shockwave across the field which battered Twin Order backwards until it landed behind Galaxy Convoy. "Since Twin Order is now in the back row, its Intercept is sealed. You only have the cards in your hand to defend yourself with." He considered. "With a boost from Spike Trampler, Arena Crier attacks Galaxy Convoy."
The great dragon burst forwards, raising his bell [7000 Power + 8000 Power = 15000 Power]. Robert understood the intent. It would take 10000 Shield to guard this attack, not coincidentally all he had. But if it struck, Phoenix Feather's skill would activate, raising its Power so much he would need 15000 Shield to guard its attack, too much to stop. Joel was playing with the audience, intending his finishing blow to be with his avatar, the burning warrior of flames the crowd had come to associate with him. Either way, Phoenix Feather would land the final strike.
"No guard," he admitted. The bell crashed down and Galaxy Convoy was blasted into motes.
"Not even defiant now?" Joel said. "You weren't meant to be here. Agatha... Samuel... they could handle it. But not you. You're just a weak link in the chain of your team." He paused as blazing flames swirled around Phoenix Feather, empowering the Vanguard [Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather – 14000 Power]. "One weak link can break the entire chain. Up 'til now, you're been lucky enough to avoid it... but now your luck has run out. With a boost from Blood Fist... finish this, Phoenix Feather! Hell..."
Phoenix Feather exploded upwards, blazing with flames as he drew back one great halberd for an almighty final strike [14000 Power + 7000 Power = 21000 Power].
"...Prominence!" Joel roared. His burning avatar collided with Daiyusha like a comet, the sheer force of the impact toppling Robert's colossus. Flames exploded forth, consuming Daiyusha in a vicious inferno, crushing the robot under the sheer weight of Phoenix Feather's power. Joel made his Drive Checks, no icons glowing.
Not that they were needed.
"Damage Check." He held up the card. "No..."
[Damage Check – Army Penguin – Draw Trigger]
The firestorm exploded outward, consuming Robert's remaining Units. From the inferno, Phoenix Feather rose. Swathed in flames, he truly resembled some bloody deity of war more than his namesake, stood triumphant over the ashes of his enemies. As the crowd – both that of the colosseum, and the audience of the Regionals – cheered, the Arena Master raised a halberd, giving a fearsome cry of victory. Then, the battlefield broke into motes and faded away.
It was done.
"The winner is Joel Guerra of Team Raging War! Team Raging War wins the round!"
"With an explosive final strike from his Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather, Joel Guerra has secured victory for the illustrious Team Raging War over Team Avalon! What a spectacle!"
Joel retrieved his cards, looking at his defeated opponent. "Gabriel was right. You were barely a challenge." He was silent for a moment. "You say you have a goal you're fighting for? Something important? If you want this thing so badly, you need to get better. While you're fighting on that level, you're not getting anywhere near your goal."
"What about your goal?" Robert muttered. "What are you fighting for that's so important?"
Joel considered for a moment. "Family." He turned. "Tell me, Robert. You believe your goal is something you must achieve. Did you ever consider that your goal might pale next to the reasons others have for fighting?"
"What do you mean...?"
"If your goal is so important to you, consider just what it really is," Joel replied. "Is it fame? Fortune, perhaps? To earn the love of some childhood sweetheart?" He looked scornful even as he spoke. "Worthless, greedy, selfish aims. Some people, however, have goals which are truly worth fighting for. To help their family. To get the money for the surgery which can heal a badly injured sibling... or the care which can let a grandparent live in comfort." He paused. "What I'm saying is to look at your own aim and ask yourself – is it worth crushing the dreams and goals of others to achieve this?" With that, the Italian walked away.
"Family..." Robert repeated. His thoughts turned to his mother once more. How she was always tired. How she worked herself to exhaustion for their sakes. He pressed a hand to his pocket, feeling the leaflet inside. If the team lost like this again... his dream to reach the pinnacle of the Vanguard Championships would end here, miles from that glorious peak. Miles from the prize, and the sponsorships.
"Is it worth it...?" he wondered. He picked up his deck, placing the rest of his cards back into it. Joel's words cut deep. He had to wonder, why was Joel fighting?
VBH25
"You were right," Joel said. "He wasn't much trouble."
"I didn't expect them to be," Gabriel mused.
"I wonder what this goal he was fighting for is," the Italian mused. "Is it really something worth fighting for?"
"It doesn't matter," the leader shrugged. "Avalon is an obstacle we can put behind us now, Joel." He paused. "We're one step closer to being able to help your brother." Joel nodded, and he turned to his other teammate. "Anna, let's move. We need to be ready for the next match."
"Right," she said. As she stood, she looked at Joel. "Are you so sure that Robert wasn't fighting for something worth it?"
"What thing could he be fighting for which is worth it?" her teammate replied. "He hasn't suffered what my family suffered..." He fell silent. "Paolo..."
"Don't worry, Joel," she said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'm fighting to help you, remember that. And Gabriel... I'm sure he's thinking about him, too."
"Thank you," Joel said. "Let's keep on fighting, then." With that, the two walked away. Anna cast one last glance across the field to their defeated opponents.
"Team Avalon..." she thought. "What happens to you now? Will you come back from this loss stronger, more determined? Or will you crumble and let yourselves lose?"
VBH25
"We... lost..." Robert murmured. It was a shocking feeling. There had been personal losses before, true. He had lost to Cynthia, and it had been crushing in its own way. But this feeling of such bitter, utter defeat... that was new.
"There's nothing wrong with losing," Samuel said. "As long as you take lessons from it and move forward. And a team like Raging War... they're strong. There's no shame in losing to a strong opponent."
"But still..." He remembered his bravado before the match, how he had thought it would be simple just because Joel was using a Clan he had beaten before. It hadn't been easy. He hadn't even achieved much. His strongest combo, easily blocked at the expense of two cards. And then he had been effortlessly outplayed and defeated by Joel's brutal avatar. He couldn't forget it. Phoenix Feather striking Daiyusha down with a single fiery blow.
"We need to move," Charles said finally. "The next match's pairings will be announced soon." The three slowly walked away, not speaking.
VBH25
"Is this... because of me?" Agatha murmured. Gabriel had crushed Charles. Joel had obliterated Robert. The two were terrifying to watch in action, tearing away their opponent's resources and unleashing one mighty final blow. Blazing Flare Dragon, the god of destruction. Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather, the burning incarnation of war.
"It's not your fault," Richard said, but there was an undercurrent there of dissent. As though he knew deep down, on a level, Agatha was to blame for this. Simply by running from her fight, and letting Charles stand in her place.
"What happens now?" Leah asked, her voice low.
"They're not eliminated," Agatha said after a moment. "The format means that you can still get through to the Nationals with a loss. But two losses... you're practically doomed if you get two losses."
"Are you going to go and fight with them from now on?" Alice said.
"I..." the Pale Moon fighter murmured. "I... let them down. I don't know if... I can fight..."
VBH25
Card of the Day:
Arena Master ● Phoenix Feather
Grade 3/Twin Drive!
Dragon Empire – Salamander – Phoenix Colosseum
11000 Power/No Shield/Critical 1
Continuous [V/R]: If you have no other 'Phoenix Colosseum' Vanguard or Rearguards, this Unit loses 2000 Power.
Activate [V]: Once per turn, you can move 1 of your 'Phoenix Colosseum' Rearguards to any Rearguard Circle.
Auto [V]: During your Battle Phase, when your opponent's Grade 1 or lower Rearguard is sent to the Drop Zone, this Unit gains 3000 Power during that turn.
'The flames of the end, become my blades! Kneel before their might! Hell Prominence!'
VBH25
Card Stats:
Assault Fighter ● Blood Fist
Grade 1/Goblin – Phoenix Colosseum/7000 Power/5000 Shield
Continuous [R]: A 'Phoenix Colosseum' boosted by this Unit can attack any Unit in the same column.
Sky Fighter ● Wyvern Tail
Grade 2/Wing Dragon – Phoenix Colosseum/8000 Power/5000 Shield
Continuous [V/R]: This Unit can attack any Unit in the same column.
Flank Fighter ● Sparrow Dive
Grade 2/Elf – Phoenix Colosseum/9000 Power/5000 Shield
Auto [V/R]: When this Unit attacks a Grade 1 or lower Unit, for that battle, this Unit gains 3000 Power.
Sword Fang ● Scarlet Flash
Grade 3/Human – Phoenix Colosseum/10000 Power/No Shield
Auto [V/R]: [Counterblast 2] When this Unit's attack hits, you may pay the cost. If paid, retire the Unit behind the attacked Unit.
Arena Crier
Grade 2/Flame Dragon – Phoenix Colosseum/7000 Power/5000 Shield
Auto [V/R]: When this Unit is called to the Vanguard Circle or Rearguard Circle, select 2 of your opponent's Rearguard Circles in the same column. Any Unit in each of those circles moves to the other selected circle.
(The Phoenix Colosseum Clan was created by Desgarroth.)
VBH25
Team Avalon has lost, but they still have two more matches to fight. Pitted against Team Cosmic Might, can they prevail after their crushing loss to Team Raging War?
It's Chapter 26 – Starlight Onslaught!