Vanguard: Acceleration
Chapter 25
Resurgence of the Twin Blades
In the first fight Dalette was barely able to overcome the power of Phantom Blaster Overlord, in the second fight Sade was crushed under the power of The End, and in the last fight Kiba will have to overcome the power unknown to everyone but him that belongs to the captain of Team Resurgence Abygail. Still this trip down the river of time will start just a few minutes before the trip of the last chapter ended. It'll be from Jacob's perspective as he runs towards where the finals are taking place with a look of strong concern over his face presumably due to the words Nikki said to Sade in their fight.
"It can't be true. Alive?... There's just no way." Jacob thought.
Now Jacob's mind began to wander to the point in time that brought such fear in his voice. It's strange as the camera begins to show a bright colored suburban home, with lush green grass, and a Golden Retriever happily sleeping on the front lawn. All and all this home is the personification of the American dream. Looking inside this happy home we see a seven or 8 year old Jacob having a card fight with another girl a year or two younger than him in his room.
"Lunch is almost ready you two, so could you please come to the table?" Jacob's mom asked as she walked into the room carrying a basket of laundry.
"Mom could you please wait until after Jacob and I finish our game? We'll be done in a few minutes." Jacob's sister asked.
"Just don't take too long, and don't rub it in your sister's face when you win Jacob." Jacob's mother answered.
"I don't do that." The young Jacob explained as his mother left the room.
"What makes mom so sure that you're going to win?" Jacob's irritated little sister said.
"Just watch. I boost my vanguard with Embodiment of Armor, Bahr and attack!" the young Jacob declared.
"Oh I was so close that time too." Jacob's younger sister said disappointed by her loss.
"You weren't even close to beating me." Young Jacob retorts.
"You see this is what mom was talking about." Jacob's now annoyed little sister said.
"Still you didn't give up until the end and that shows just how much you've improved." The younger Jacob pointed out.
"Thanks big bro." Jacob's younger sister said.
"So let me give you a piece of advice if that's okay." Jacob said.
"What is it?" Jacob's little sister asked.
"Even when it seems like your victory will be overwhelming, you must never disregard the possibility of defeat." Jacob said.
"What does that mean?" Jacob's sister asked.
"It means the strong shouldn't overestimate their power, and the weak should never underestimate their own." Jacob explained.
"Wow say could I please take a look at your deck brother? This way I can better understand what makes you so strong." Jacob's younger sister asked.
"Alright, but be careful with it." The younger Jacob said as he passed his deck over.
"Wow I think I understand why these guys like you so much." Jacob's younger sister said as her eyes glowed a bright yellow for a moment.
"How could you tell that? You only looked at one….." the younger Jacob was trying to say.
The younger Jacob was interrupted by the sounds of a breaching charge in another part of the home.
"No what are you ahhhh!" Jacob's mom screamed before being suddenly silenced.
"Mommy!" the two siblings screamed.
They were both about to run out of the room and see what happened to their mother when another breaching charge blew a hole into Jacob's room. Two men dressed in dark lightweight body armor to the point where not even a fragment of skin walked into room.
"There's the girl. What should we do with the boy?" the taller of the two armored men asked the other.
"Take the boy outside and deal with him. Now little girl you're coming with us." The other armored man said.
"Daddy!" Jacob's little sister screamed.
"You leave my family alone!" Jacob's dad screamed as he ran into the room brandishing an improvised weapon.
Jacob's father tried his best against these two intruders and even getting some ground against them, but sadly he failed rather….. well let's just say fatally.
"Now like I said before little girl you're coming with me." The shorter of the two armored men said as he carried Jacob's sister over his shoulder.
"Jacob please help!" Jacob's sister yelled kicking and screaming as she was carried out of the home.
"Let my sister go!" Jacob screamed as he ran after these men.
The other armored man stopped Jacob and placed something over his mouth causing him to pass out. When he regained consciousness, Jacob saw his home burned to the ground with sirens fast approaching. A detective came to see Jacob after he spent a couple of days recovering in a hospital.
"Hello Jacob I'm Detective Paxton. I know it must be hard losing both of your parents, but if it's alright I would like to ask you a few questions." Detective Paxton explained.
"Where's my sister?" younger Jacob asks.
"Your si…. Could you please tell me what happened first?" Detective Paxton asked.
The younger Jacob spend the next few minutes telling Detective Paxton about the men in armor, how they killed his parents, and took his sister.
"We did find what was left of your parents where you told me, but there was no sign of foul play." Detective Paxton mumbled.
"Please tell me what happened to my sister?" the younger Jacob demanded.
"Look I don't know how to tell you this but you don't have a sister." Detective Paxton reluctantly tells the younger Jacob.
"How could you say that? I know I have a sister!" the younger Jacob yelled.
"Look according to public and hospital record you're an only child." Detective Paxton explained as he tried to calm Jacob down.
"Don't you dare say that I don't have a sister ! I carried her home when she sprained her ankle after school! I stopped the people bullying my sister! I took care of her all by myself when she was sick! I taught her how to play Vanguard!" Jacob screamed with pure anger.
"Nurse, get me some morphine now!" a doctor ordered.
This flashback ends as the younger Jacob is put under for his own good. Now we're back in the Event Hall for the final fight of this regional tournament.
"That's only because you….. forgot to put on your fight gloves." Kiba pointed out about to yell at Abygail at first.
"Oh so I did." Abygail said as she corrected her mistake.
"Hold on just a second you two have to wait in your assigned benches." The judge interrupts.
"Oh let it go will you. Given the circumstances this already has the makings of an excited fight." Dr. O tells the judge.
"And besides the fans are want to know the ability of Team Resurgence's leader, so I think denying then is a bad idea right now." Sara followed.
"Very well then I'll allow it." The judge said as felt the crowd's death stares beating down on him.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" both fighters yell.
The time is night on the Planet Cray with its stars and moons glowing brightly in the night sky, the moon light is reflecting ever so slightly off this rocky battlefield, and even the many rockfaces in the distance is turned into a beautiful light bulb for this clash.
"Wingal Brave [Power: 5000]!" Abygail yelled.
This silver-haired girl wearing a blue uniform becomes a loyal blue hound with bat-like wings, long brown hair, an even longer red scarf, eyes ready for battle, and a white dagger clenched tightly in his mouth.
"Kaiser Record Keeper [Power: 4000]!"Kiba revealed.
Bearing a strong resemblance to Exorcist Mage, Koh Koh and perhaps was one at some point is Kiba's starting vanguard. A young boy wearing a more orange themed outfit then Koh Koh, with hair as dark and long as Wingal Brave's scarf, and held tightly in his hands like his life is an ancient tomb with the Narukami symbol grafted upon it.
"Now let's see… It has been quite a while since I used this deck, so I wonder which one should I go with?" Abygail mumbled as she looked over her hand with a child-like curiosity.
"With all due respect we don't exactly have time to burn right now Abygail." Kiba pointed out.
"Now our past relationship failed because you were or rather still are a bit impatient. Don't you agree?" Abygail said with her typical airheaded voice.
"Our relationship failed because….. No I'm not letting you get emotionally riled up. Please just go ahead and make your move." Kiba said barely holding back the desire to snap.
"Ah this one's just perfect. I ride Little Sage, Marron [Power: 8000]. Wingal Brave moves to the back and I end my turn." Abygail said.
The loyal hound becomes the loyal little giant ready to fight with his book of spells and strategies, but the loyal hound isn't going to retreat from this fight just because a slightly stronger ally showed up.
"I ride Night Raid Dragoon [Power: 7000], he gains +1000 power, and I search the top 7 cards of my deck adding Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas to my hand. Now I call Red River Dragoon [Power: 8000]." Kiba said.
The blonde red knight wielding a big lance appeared on this battlefield's forefront led by his black lighter armored look-a-like with his smaller lance.
"Red River Dragoon attacks Little Sage, Marron [Total Power: 8000]!" Kiba declared.
With his larger lance stretched outwards, Red River Dragoon runs across this rocky plane thrusting his lance right into the Little Sage.
"Damage check [Dream Painter – No Trigger]." Abygail revealed.
"Now Night Raid Dragoon is swinging in [Total Power: 8000]!" Kiba declared again.
"I'm not going to guard." Abygail said.
"Drive check [Thunderstorm Dragoon – No Trigger]." Kiba revealed.
Night Raid Dragoon makes the same kind of approach as Red River, however the actual strike its self is different as Night Raid swings his lance crashing it into Marron's rib cage.
"Damage check [Pongal – No Trigger]." Abygail revealed.
"Over to you." Kiba said.
Kiba – Abygail
6 – Hand – 5
0 – Soul – 0
0 – Damage – 2
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
Empty, Night Raid Dragoon – Little Sage Marron, Wingal Brave
Empty, Red River Dragoon – Empty, Empty
"It's as I said in that you're too impatient with your moves. You'll never beat me that way." Abygail pointed out.
"I'm plenty patient with my moves, so why don't you take yours?" Kiba retorts.
"I could, but I think it would be more fun if you told everyone why your impatience relates to our past. Unless you want me to talk about the time you were…." Abygail said threateningly yet still maintaining that air-headed tone of voice.
"No don't I'll talk. I know you're getting a kick out of this, so I'll make it quick. I was first interested because you were the only cardfighter I couldn't read in the slightest, so I spent a couple of weeks observing when I happen to see you to get a notion on your personality." Kiba said as he tried to force the statement out of him.
"And because you were patient I said yes when you first asked me on a date. Clearly now you see its value? But there is such a thing as being too patient so let's move the fight along. Illuminate the world in light my avatar! I ride Blaster Blade [Power: 9000]!" Abygail said.
"Im…" Kiba was about to say.
"Impossible I take it? Don't be so surprised seeing as how you did see other legendary cards here. Sendou Aichi wasn't the only one with a copy of this card. Now I activate Blaster Blade's skill and retire Red River Dragoon." Abygail pointed out.
A gust of wind surrounds Marron one way and small but numerous columns of light spin around him the other way. Both elements burst outwards blinding all to see, and once they regained their vision the strongest swordsman of the Royal Paladins took his place with strands of silver hair sticking out of his helmet.
"This prevents you from using your ride chain's skill. It would have been a better idea to just call him to the back row." Abygail said.
Blaster Blade drove his sword into the ground releasing a burst of energy that raced across it like a lightning before disintegrating Red river Dragoon.
"It would be if I intended to use the ride chain's skill. When one can stop the activation of a ride chain one should. I only did that to make you waste your counterblasts so as to make whatever you have planned less effective, but you already knew that." Kiba pointed out.
"It seems we have a fight between analytical players people." Sara announced.
"Oh this match comes down to who can read the other's strategy first then." Dr. O followed.
"Call Knight of Loyalty, Bedivere [Power: 9000]." Abygail said.
Now one of the two Knights sworn to put their swords to Blaster Blade's appears. In this case it's the duel katana wielding Knight standing with one sword over his shoulder and the other next to his waist.
"Bedivere attacks your vanguard, and he gains +3000 power since my vanguard has 'Blaster' in its name [Total Power: 12000]!" Abygail explained.
"Damage check [Hex Cannon Wyvern – No Trigger]." Kiba revealed.
"With a boost Blaster Blade is swinging in [Total Power: 14000]!" Abygail declared.
"Hit me with your best shot." Kiba smugly says.
"Drive check [Pongal – No Trigger]." Abygail revealed.
For the next few minutes lance met sword as Blaster Blade and Night Raid Dragoon clashed weapons, however Blaster Blade simply outclassed his opponent in skill striking a damaging blow across his chest.
"Damage check [Yellow Gem Carbuncle – Critical Trigger]. Man that would have been pretty convenient the other way around." Kiba revealed.
"Like drawing a draw trigger with a draw trigger, that's how it goes sometimes. Wingal Brave moves to the soul and I add Majesty Lord Blaster from my deck to my hand making it over to you." Abygail said.
Kiba – Abygail
6 – Hand – 6
1 – Soul – 2
2 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast - 2
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
Empty, Night Raid Dragoon – Blaster Blade, Empty
Empty, Empty – Knight of Loyalty Bedivere, Empty
"I ride Night-storm Dragoon [Power: 9000]. I might not be able to use the ride chain skill, but he still gets a +1000 power bonus. I call Thunderstorm Dragoon [Power: 10000] and Red River Dragoon [Power: 8000]." Kiba said.
Both of these Dragoon look-a-likes reach the next stage of their evolution by finding a dragon partner to ride upon. Though the darker armored dragoon's is smaller due to his need for stealth, however they don't forget about their past as another Red River stands tall ready to fight.
"Now what did I just say about patience?" Abygail said still maintaining that air-headed tone of voice.
"There may be value in patience, but if you stand still nothing will get done. I boost Thunderstorm Dragoon with Red River Dragoon and attack the Knight of Loyalty [Power: 18000]!" Kiba declared.
"I guard with Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine [Total Shield: 10000]!" Abygail countered.
The combination of the two red dragoons was indeed powerful, but that strength was not enough as she sacrifices herself to protect the Knight of Loyalty from harm.
"Night-Storm Dragoon will swing in at Blaster Blade [Power: 9000]!" Kiba declared again.
"No guard." Abygail said.
"Drive check [Discharging Dragon – No Trigger]." Kiba revealed.
Using the speed and stealth required of one who specializes in night time air-raids, Night-Storm Dragoon quickly closes the distance before sending a precisely aimed bolt of lightning through his lance and right at Blaster Blade.
"Damage check [Alabaster Owl – Critical Trigger]. I wonder if lady luck would have been on my side this turn?" Abygail mumbled.
"Hmph you'll find out when you draw that next card because I end my turn." Kiba retorts.
Kiba – Abygail
6 – Hand – 5
2 – Soul – 2
2 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast - 2
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
Empty, Night-Storm Dragoon – Blaster Blade, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Thunderstorm Dragoon – Knight of Loyalty Bedivere, Empty
Soon this fight will reach Morikawa's favorite part of the fight in the form of the arrival of the grade 3s, however it's time for a little commentary from the peanut gallery.
"What's wrong with big bro? He normally doesn't act like this." Sade asks with concern.
"Abygail is purposely getting Kiba emotionally riled for some reason or another. Kiba knows this and the fact he's falling for it is making it all the more annoying for him." Dalette explained.
And now back to the fight.
"I ride Pure Heart Jewel Knight, Ashley [Power: 11000]." Abygail said.
And so arose the only Knight in the Royal Paladins whose skill with a sword rivals the legendary hero Blaster Blade. She stands tall in this battle against the Dragon Empire with her lowing sword, her steel wings, her shining shield, and her long flowing hair.
"I call Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes [Power: 10000] and another Little Sage, Marron [Power: 8000]." Abygail said.
"Aren't you the one rushing right now? Last I checked that's not exactly being patient." Kiba pointed out
"Perhaps, but thanks to my own I can afford to rush. Palamedes attacked and he gains +3000 power thanks to his skill [Total Power: 13000]!" Abygail countered.
The flames follow not only the Swordsman of Exploding Flame's body, but his two huge swords as well while Palamedes swung them on top of Night-Storm Dragoon's head leaving what will likely be a massive headache among the serious injuries and armor repairs.
"Damage check [Night Raid Dragoon – No Trigger]." Kiba revealed.
"Ashley attacks and she gains +2000 since her target is your vanguard [Total Power: 13000]!" Abygail declared.
"I'm not going to guard." Kiba said
"Twin drive check. First check [Margal – Draw Trigger] I apply the power to the Knight of Loyalty and draw. Second check [Alabaster Owl – Critical Trigger]. Luck goes to the patient and the prepared, so I apply all effects to the Knight of Loyalty." Abygail decided.
Her shining sword and steel wings aren't just for show as Ashley clashes with Night-storm Dragoon. At first Night-storm Dragoon tries to shoot her down with his lance as he approaches, but he fell short as it became a melee fight due to his heavy lance unable to keep up the place with Ashley's nimble sword.
"Damage check [Night-storm Dragoon – No Trigger]. Second check [Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas – No Trigger]. Huh damage checking the ride chain hasn't happened in a while, but don't get so smug as this fight is a long ways off." Kiba said as he placed the cards in the damage zone.
"I'm afraid you're quite wrong. Unless you get very lucky and beat me on your next turn or pull double heal triggers, I'm going to win." Abygail said still with that air-headed tone and yet somehow induces fear in doing so.
"That's a pretty bold declaration wouldn't you say Dr. O?" Sara asks.
"Given the fact Majesty LOrd Blaster is in her hand it all depends on what else is there, but a bold claim it is." Dr. O followed.
"Bedivere boosted by Marron attacks [Total Power: 27000 2crit]!" Abygail declared yet again.
"Malevolent Djinn, Hex Cannon Wyvern, and Old Dragon Mage guards [Total Shield: 20000]." Kiba countered.
"I end my turn." Abygail said with a smile.
Kiba – Abygail
3 – Hand – 6
2 – Soul – 3
4 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast - 2
Empty, Empty – Swordsman of Explosive Flames Palamedes, Empty
Empty, Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas – Pure Heart Jewel Knight Ashley, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Thunderstorm Dragoon – Knight of Loyalty Bedivere, Little Sage Marron
"Why didn't she apply the critical trigger to her vanguard? She would have put more pressure on big bro that way." Sade points out.
"A defense against Dragonic Deathscythe." Dalette answered.
"Huh?" Sade said with clear confusion.
"If Kiba had the fifth damage point and has the card I mentioned in his hand, he would have used it along with Abraxas's skill to take out two of Abygail's rearguard units. That along with the possibility of Kiba pulling just a single stand or critical trigger would have forced her to use extra cards to guard, of which if she has in her hand what I think she does that will throw off her turn's next attack." Dalette explained.
"Oh I understand now." Sade said.
"It just goes to prove the age old concept of all card games that a single card appearing at the right time can turn a match around." Dalette pointed out.
"Stand and draw. Emerge from the night and descend to the field incarnation of lightning! I ride Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas [Power: 10000]! He gains +1000 power, and much as I don't Like it I won't be using his skill. Now I call Discharging Dragon [Power: 10000]." Kiba said.
The other dragon with the tittle of Kaiser has less protruding more form fitting armor, is still yet heavily armored, nearly his entire armor is completely black save for a few sections, and his weapon of choice is a humungous sword shaped like a lightning bolt.
"Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas's Limit Break: When he attacks he'll battle with your vanguard, the back left, and back right rearguard unit in one attack." Kiba explained.
"A shame you can't use that skill to its full potential though." Abygail pointed out.
"I know that, but for now Discharging Dragon attacks [Total Power: 12000]!" Kiba declared.
"Bedivere intercepts [Total Shield: 5000]." Abygail said as she slid the card onto the guardian circle.
"Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas attacks. Now take it my Abraxas Sky Fire [Total Power: 11000]!" Kiba declared.
"I don't guard." Abygail calmly responded.
"Drive check [Photon Bomber Wyvern – No Trigger]. Second check [Rising Phoenix – No Trigger]." Kiba revealed.
Abraxas flies high into the sky and dives straight into the ground with his sword pointed like a lightning bolt. Once this "lightning bolt" crashes into the ground it releases an energy wave that goes in three different directions. One just goes towards the rock faces in the distance, the second severely shocks Ashley, and the third just decimates Marron.
"Damage check [Flash Shield Iseult – No Trigger]." Abygail revealed.
"I boost Thunder Storm Dragoon and come swinging in at your vanguard [Total Power: 18000]!" Kiba declared.
"Alabaster Owl will stop that attack [Total Shield: 10000]." Abygail countered.
"I end my turn." Kiba said.
Kiba – Abygail
3 – Hand – 5
3 – Soul – 3
4 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 2
Empty, Empty – Swordsman of Explosive Flames Palamedes, Empty
Empty, Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas – Pure Heart Jewel Knight Ashley, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Thunderstorm Dragoon – Empty, Empty
"Yawwwwwn. Sorry about that I didn't get much sleep last night. Well I technically did declare final turn a while ago, so I may as well follow through." Abygail said.
"I'd like to see you try." Kiba retorts.
"Embodiment of the twilight road, lend me your blade! Break ride Majesty Lord Blaster [Power: 10000]! Ashley's Break ride skill: My vanguard gets +10000 power and +1 critical for this turn." Abygail explained.
Not many people realizes that even today light and darkness go hand in hand. Both of these powers surround Ashley leaving a dark grey/blue armored knight, flames that represent his valor in battle, a blade that that looks as if it were made of hardened light, and nearly all of Abygail's silver hair is flowing out of the helmet as the ultimate vanguard stands ready to strike a victory against the Dragon Empire.
"Tell me do you know the lore behind your own vanguard?" Abygail inquired.
"Of course I do. At first Abraxas was just an ordinary Narukami squad leader during the war with the Link Jokers. He was assigned a standard patrol route a good ways inside their own borders. It was supposed to be standard at least until they discovered a large covert Link Joker force moving through the canyons towards a major supply base. They tried to retreat in order to warn the others, but were made and forced to fight them directly. Abraxas's squad-mates plead for their leader to retreat as they sacrifice themselves for an opening, however he refused to abandon his comrades and decided to do the opposite instead." Kiba answered.
"And what happened next?" Abygail asked.
"Due to his unwavering determination to protect his comrades he tapped into the power that only those who could be a reincarnation of the ancient Dragon Emperor. He managed to push them back for a while, but he was only saved because Vermillion who was with a large contingent of forces sensed this surge of power. He was granted the tittle of Kaiser and all the privileges, perks, and gear that came with it. This caused quite a bit of controversy as there has never been two Kaisers at one time in the Dragon Empire. At least not while both were still in their youth." Kiba answered.
"I only asked because I wanted to say that power won't be enough. I call Pongal [Power: 6000] to the rearguard." Abygail explained in turn.
"To think that in a Regional Tournament final we would see three of the most legendary cards in the game. I wonder can Abygail truly end this fight right now?" Sara announced.
"Like you said it was indeed a surprise to see Majesty LOrd Blaster, but it is possible if she has the means in her hand." Dr. O followed.
"Now consume the darkness and illuminate the light. I call Blaster Blade [Power: 9000] and Blaster Dark [Power: 9000]. With Blaster Blade's skill I retire Thunder Storm Dragoon." Abygail said.
The knight that represents light and the knight that represents darkness stands together with the hero that wields both powers, but before the next round of battles can begin Blaster Blade once more drives his sword into the ground using the power held within to turn Thunderstorm Dragoon into particles of light.
"Palamedes attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 13000]!" Abygail declared.
"I guard with Photon Bomber Wyvern [Total Shield: 5000]." Kiba countered.
"Majesty Lord Blaster's skill: I move Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark into the soul and he gains +10000 power, but let me also add +2000 power and +1 critical from his other skill as well." Abygail explained.
The knight of light and knight of darkness transform into a collection of both energies before being absorbed into Majesty Lord Blaster's sword. Moments later it glows even brighter along with the flames on top of his head larger as well.
"Majesty Lord Blaster boosted by Pongal is coming in [Total Power: 41000 3crit]!" Abygail declared.
Majesty Lord Blaster jumps with inhumane strength towards Abraxas's upper body with his sword aimed at the same area, of which his dragon opponent attempts to block with his own weapon. Their blades release a shock wave that tears the ground asunder half a mile in every direction the moment they clash. Despite all the power this dragon possesses, his opponent cuts through his sword slashing him across the chest.
"Damage check [Old Dragon Mage – Draw Trigger]." Kiba fearfully revealed.
Final Results
Kiba – Abygail
2 – Hand – 4
3 – Soul – 6
6 – Damage – 4
3 – Counterblast – 4
Empty, Empty – Swordsman of Explosive Flames Palamedes, Empty
Empty, Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas – Majesty Lord Blaster, Pongal
Red River Dragoon, Empty – Empty, Empty
"Match over. Winner of this fight Abygail Ingrid, and winning team of this Regional Tournament is Team Resurgence." The judge declared.
"It's rather unfortunate when fights of such a high level occur so early in these kinds of tournaments. It was still an exciting bout none the less." Sara announced.
"Revealing two triggers was the nail in Kiba's coffin, thOugh he still fought back admirably. Don't forget Team Destiny Breaker even though you may have been defeated you're all still going to nationals." Dr. O announced.
"The only way to get stronger is to reach your limits and then break past them. As is the nature of the Limit Break technique, but even if you break past one limit you'll still reach another eventually. To keep getting stronger you have to keep breaking limits, however from what I've seen you're still stuck at the second limit." Abygail pointed out
As Kiba deeply pondered Abygail's words, he returns to his two remaining teammates as he still strongly felt sting of defeat.
"Sorry I couldn't back up my words guys." Kiba tells Dalette and Sade.
"Um like me you didn't give up, so you don't have anything to be ashamed of." Sade said in an attempt to cheer him up.
"I knew there was going to be strong teams entering Nationals and Regionals, but even so Team Resurgence's ability and resources clearly surpassed my expectations. I should have seen this coming so it's not your fault, but it is quite clear will need to increase our training even further. We'll need to be ready for teams that are as strong as Team Resurgence is now if not stronger." Dalette pointed out.
"You're not exactly making me feel any better right now, but thanks anyway." Kiba responds.
Slowly but steadily the observers and competitors cleared out of this final hallway for the sake of making room for an awards ceremony of sorts. Surprisingly or perhaps not surprising at all a great deal of the defeated teams has taken a seat with the satisfied card fighting fans. Team Destiny Breaker is not among them for obvious reasons as they're all consoling their defeat with food.
"Look guys I'm sorry if my friendly offer from earlier ended up costing you the fight. I just meant for it to be a friendly offer." Quinn apologetically said.
"I don't like to admit it, but the same thing would have likely happened if we fought." Raphugio reluctantly said as he took a sip of his soda.
"You don't know that man. We could have won that fight." Virgil counters.
"Granblue is still one of the most under supported clans in the game despite how long it has been around. Do you really think you could have stopped Tsubasa's overwhelming attack with Luquier, Nikki's never ending attacks with The End, or the power with light and darkness in balance with Majesty Lord Blaster? This is real eye-opener on our ability, so that means we should get ahead ourselves." Raphugio points out.
"But… oh who am I kidding? You're right about that, but it doesn't mean we should give up either." Virgil points out in turn.
"I never said we should. Still what do you think about this Kiba?" Raphugio inquired.
Right now Kiba is lost in his own little world as he's partially slumped over the table they're all sharing, barely picking at the food he ordered, and is just staring at his ace Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas.
"She said in order to become stronger I have to keep breaking past limits as I reach them. Will that mean I have to abandon you an ally that's fought alongside with me from the beginning? I just don't know if I can do that." Kiba thought as if he were holding a conversation with the card.
"I said what did you think about this Kiba?" Raphugio asks again.
"Huh? Oh sorry man. Yeah we have to get stronger in order to win the U.S national tournament, but that doesn't mean we have to abandon the way we choose to fight or the clans we choose to fight with." Kiba answered.
"Of course we wouldn't." Raphugio retorts.
"Why would we man?" Virgil follows.
"The Sky Paladins have been with me since the beginning like you and the Narukami's. I doubt either of us would feel right using something else." Dalette said as she calmly ate a french fry.
Even the award ceremony came to a close as Team Destiny Breaker decided to head home, but that doesn't mean the event hall is empty now. There are people cleaning the building top to bottom, people tallying final sales, and lingering teams who chose to stick around a while longer. Abygail is one such person seemingly walking around the Event Hall.
"Now where is he? We did agree to meet somewhere around here?" Abygail thought.
A few minutes later she still hasn't come across her intended person, but she does come across the end of what appeared to have been a less then pleasant conversation between Jacob and Nikki.
"Don't be ridiculous. There's no way that story could be true." Nikki tells Jacob.
"It is true, I was there, and I saw it happen." Jacob irritatingly points out.
"And you suspect me of all people?" Nikki asks.
"I don't know for sure, but your exact choice of words makes me suspect the possibility." Jacob explained.
"Whatever… just don't talk to me right now." Nikki said as she turned her back to Jacob.
Once she was certain those two had no intention of coming back, Abygail continued her marry little stroll in this huge building. Eventually she stops outside one of the restrooms taking out her cell phone in the process.
"Sigh…. This is taking too long. I'm just going to call the guy." Nikki mumbled.
"Oh just who I was looking for. Sorry for being a few minutes late, but that powder hasn't quite worked its way out of my system." Quinn explained as he coincidently came out of that bathroom drying off his hands.
Abygail turned to face Quinn and the kind if not slightly air headed appearance she's kept up all day quickly disappears. In its place her eyes look as cold as ice and her voice takes a far more serious tone.
"I didn't think you'd seriously have the courage to poison yourself in order to sell a cover. I'm curious why not poison Sade?" Abygail asked.
"If I did that the chances of the entire team dropping out were fairly high. Besides I may be a bastard for some of the things I've done, but I'm not about to poison a kid. I do have a conscience. Unless you're telling me you would have done the same thing?" Quinn said.
"Of course not I am human after all, but thanks for ensuring that Dalette and Kiba had to fight. I'm still impressed that you managed to disable the other members of Team Wild Learning after all." Abygail answered.
"I actually had nothing to do with that incident, and my being selected as a replacement member for Team Wild Learning was just a coincidence as well though I did need the scholarship." Quinn explained.
"Hmph so you claim. In regards to the criteria I gave you?" Abygail asked again.
"It seems past the blood relations they aren't involved in what is going on behind closed doors. Didn't you go out with him to confirm that?" Quinn retorts.
"I admit I did like him a little, but I broke it off once I realized I couldn't confirm anything from that angle. Thanks for helping me get access to their security files all day." Abygail answered.
"Slipping out after going to McDonalds was pretty good. I only wish I didn't accidently trip that computer alarm or you could have gotten more." Quinn said.
"It's enough to start with, and your payment will be transferred to the usual account. I'll contact you again if I have need of your services." Abygail said before walking off herself.
I'm afraid this chapter isn't over quite yet Vanguard fans. You see there is one more tidbit I must add before drawing this curtain to a close. Now Quinn is going his own way carefully checking his surrounding to make sure no one is following him. He goes down a few flight of stairs, down a hallway used for maintenance workers, and into a door that you wouldn't really notice walking by. This was no ordinary door however for as he opened it the inside was pitch black, yet Quinn seemed to know where he was going inside, and that door it's self once opened look distorted like a dark mist was covering only the entryway.
"I'm here to make my report." Quinn said as he stood alone in this darkness.
Suddenly several screens of light appeared around Quinn lighting this dark room yet the darkness seem to go on forever. A silhouette of someone appeared on the biggest screen in the room leaving their gender ambiguous. Could this be the same mysterious person from a few chapters ago?
"Go ahead. I'm listening." The mysterious entity said.
"As ordered I sabotaged Abygail's attempt to access your classified files without raising your suspicion too much, however I still had to give some valid information in the process." Quinn informed.
"If keeping the dogs at bay means dangling a treat in front of their face, I'm fine with that course of action." The mysterious entity said.
"If I may say so, are you sure those people can be trusted?" Quinn asks.
"As long as I hold the means that keep those closest to them alive they'll obey even if their humanity has to die in the process. A concept you should know very well Quinn." The mysterious entity pointed out.
"I do. If there is nothing else I'd like to be on my way." Quinn pointed out.
"You are free to go when I say so, but yes there is something else. Since you were also overseeing the security of the devices here, it would be faster to find out from you rather than wait for an official report. How many people are going to the next stage with my desired traits?" the mysterious entity asked.
"According to the devices read out 2 individuals. One is a natural while the other is a grafted." Quinn answered.
"That is also good news to my ears. In regards to those two individuals….." the mysterious entity was trying to say.
"She'll eventually realize that I lied to her face about this, but for now she doesn't know how connected they really are." Quinn interrupts.
"That's why I like you Quinn. You're one of the few humans that can figure out what I'm going to say next. You've done especially well this month, so I'm giving you the rest of the week off. Others can finish the tasks I assigned in your stead." The mysterious entity informed.
"Yes master." Quinn said.
To Be Continued
Kiba: I wonder what that was about?
Dalette: We'll find out the truth in time, but for now we have to train for what's to come.
Preston: Then stop moping around and actually get to it!
Kiba: What are you doing here?
Preston: I wanted to see what the big deal was about…..
Kiba: No I meant you.
Cloud: The wind carried to me the scent of many roses, so I decided to come here to smell them in person.
Preston: I was here first man.
Dalette: Men can be such idiots at time. Next time on Vanguard: Acceleration "Where the Winds Meet" To think I'd see a fight between users of that legendary oceanic clan.