(Author's Note: Two things I want to say. Firstly, after some discussion with my beta, Desgarroth, he and I have revised Galebau to only have 5000 Power, in order to balance its skill better. Secondly, for storyline and preference reasons (namely not wanting to have to retcon out Royals, Shadows and Kagero should I do a sequel), this fic is no longer considered to be set in the anime's universe. However, for continuity purposes, Blaster Blade and King of Knights, Alfred are still considered particularly rare cards.)
Ride 26: Starlight Onslaught
Card of the Day: Mr. Invincible
"Following those tense matches, Team Raging War and Team Daemon Carnival prevailed over Team Avalon and Team Cosmic Might! Moving into the second round of this Round Robin, Raging War and Daemon Carnival have the advantage!"
"One team down... two to go," Joel mused.
Gabriel didn't speak.
"Is something wrong?" the Italian asked. "Ever since we won against Avalon, you've been a bit quiet."
"It's nothing," the leader replied. "I just thought..."
"That Agatha would be there," Anna finished, leaning back against the wall. "Well, we still won. Avalon are out of the way. Let's just focus on the other two teams. Daemon Carnival and Cosmic Might."
"Daemon Carnival all run Pale Moon," Gabriel mused offhandedly. "Different strategies for each member, from the looks of their match, but nothing particularly difficult."
"Cosmic Might look even less difficult," Anna dismissed. "How about you let me have a fight you don't expect me to lose this time?"
"Feel free to take the first game for both," Joel shrugged. "I don't see a problem with that. Gabriel?"
"That's fine," he acknowledged. "So, Anna, first. Joel, second place?"
"Don't you feel like fighting?" the Phoenix Colosseum user wondered.
"Not especially," Gabriel said. "I've done all I really wanted to. I'll step up if I need to, but I don't think that'll be necessary, against these teams." He smiled ever-so-slightly.
"I'll fight second, then," Joel nodded. "And you'll take the third fight, if you need to. Not that you should."
"Good," their leader said. "We should be getting back for the next round." His teammates filed out, leaving him to follow them. His eyes spoke of his disappointment silently. "Agatha... you didn't even fight me? I thought you were better than that..." He shrugged it off. "No matter... just have to get through these two matches. And then... Nationals."
VBH26
"What are we going to do?" Charles said grimly. Samuel did not reply. "Agatha abandoned us. How can we deal with that now?" There was clear anger in his voice.
"Trust her."
"Trust her? After she ran away from the fight she swore to us she'd face head-on?" he scoffed. "Is this just because she's a teammate?"
"Isn't that a good enough reason to trust someone?"
"Clearly Raging War didn't trust Anna, and look where they are now," the Oracle Think Tank player retorted. "They're sailing ahead, while we're left in the dust." Samuel frowned. "Oh, this again? You hated their plan that much?"
"They threw Anna aside despite her skills, just so Gabriel and Joel could steal all the glory..."
"Really? You know, there's a term for when you do something like that, Samuel. One you might know," Charles observed. "It's called a sacrifice." He paused. "You're the one who's always saying sacrifices have to be made. So why does someone else going along with your little ideals sting you so much?"
Samuel was silent, clearly struck by the point. "It was a sacrifice... in a way..." He considered. "But... they did it so callously..."
"I'm right and you know it," his teammate said. "Is there so much difference between your sacrifice thing, and what Gabriel did? Anna didn't want to go along with that plan, and you know, your Units never look too happy to have Phantom Blaster Dragon cutting them down. You say the sacrifices you make are for the sake of your goals. But didn't they put Anna against you for their own goals?"
"Yes," he admitted. "But..."
"But what?"
Samuel was silent once more, thinking on it. "He's right... they sacrificed Anna's dignity as a fighter for the sake of the team's victory. One player sacrificed for the team's benefit..." He frowned, recalling. "The team sacrificed for one person... Henry..."
"Let's go," he said. "Robert and Agatha will need some reassurance after that."
VBH26
"Why did you run away?" Charles demanded. "Because you abandoned us, we lost, Agatha!"
"I... couldn't fight them. Not with a deck like..."
"That's not good enough!" the Oracle Think Tank user snapped. "Are you going to run out on us every time you lose? If you do, you might as well step back and let me fight all the time. Have you forgotten that we're all fighting for something? You abandon us, you betray the team."
"I know," she murmured.
"Then why did you do it?" he retorted. "You wanted answers, didn't you? So why did you just turn and run away?" He glared at her. "The rest of us stood and fought Raging War. You were the one who wanted to fight Gabriel so much. Why... why did you just run away and hide?"
"Stop it," Robert murmured. "This doesn't solve anything."
"She ran away and if she'd stayed, she might have beaten Gabriel, seeing as she was so sure she could," Charles muttered scathingly. "Then we wouldn't have lost."
"One loss doesn't prevent us from progressing to Nationals," Samuel cut in. "If we win the next two matches, we can still proceed."
"That's not the issue. If she ran away from a fight this once, how can we trust her not to do the same in future?"
"Because she's our teammate," Samuel replied quietly. "If you don't trust your teammates, Charles, don't expect to get too far."
"I don't expect to get too far if my teammates are prone to jumping out on games at the drop of a hat," he retorted. "Either way, the two of us should take the first two fights in the next game. Get those out of the way. We can sort things out after that."
"What the hell?" Robert muttered. "You're pushing me aside too? You lost just as badly as I did, Charles!"
"Really?" But his tone was not as confident as usual, the shadow of Blazing Flare Dragon clear in his eyes. Regardless of how he tried to disguise it behind indignation at Agatha's abandonment of the team, Charles was shaken by his loss to Gabriel. It was evident to them all.
"Yes," the young man said. "If you're going to start making accusations, perhaps you should look at yourself first."
"Next to Samuel, I'm still the most experienced player here," Charles snapped. "Logic dictates the two of us should take the first two spots in the lineup, and then Agatha should take the last one, if she's going to fight at all this time."
"Logic? More like your own self-interest," Robert said.
"Stop it, both of you!" The two of them looked at Agatha, who had spoken. "Fighting isn't going to solve a damn thing... I let the team down. But don't attack Robert just because he lost, Charles. You lost as well."
"It doesn't matter," Samuel said. "One loss is something we can recover from. Let's just learn from this and move forwards." He paused.
"The second round will begin in three minutes! All teams, report to the main arena for the pairings!"
"Let's move," Charles muttered. "Agatha, you going to fight in this one?"
"If I need to, I guess," she murmured. "But Robert can take this one, if he likes."
"Uh... sure," the Dimension Police user murmured. "I'll take... second place?"
"No," Charles retorted. "I'll take second place. Samuel, you're fine with first place still, right?"
"If that's what you want," the Shadow Paladin user shrugged. "Let's go." With that, the four members of Team Avalon walked in silence from the room.
VBH26
"Now, the second round will begin! Current, Teams Raging War and Daemon Carnival stand at 1 point each, while Teams Avalon and Cosmic Might have nothing! If these latter teams fail to win in this round, they're in deep trouble! So now, computer... pair!"
The screen twisted with light, the pairings appearing after a moment.
Team Raging War vs. Team Daemon Carnival
Team Avalon vs. Team Cosmic Might
"I thought this might happen," Samuel said. "It's a common tactic. Pairing the winning teams and losing teams from the previous round to ensure everyone has a chance to pull back towards a win, or fall towards elimination."
"Crowd-pleasing," Charles smirked. "Of course."
"Cosmic Might... the guys who lost to Daemon Carnival last round?" Robert recalled.
"That's right."
"Indeed!" The four turned, taking in the three stood opposite them. Team Cosmic Might were eccentric, that much was clear. One was dressed in an orange outfit with fox-like features, his green eyes sparkling mischievously. The next was dressed in a black jumpsuit, with a crimson headband tied around their head, the man smirking as he looked across the competition. And finally stood a woman wearing a white kimono, her black hair tied back into a ponytail. The three were smiling with excitement and determination.
"You're Cosmic Might?" Charles asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's right," the jumpsuit-wearer said. "I'm Jack, and these are my friends, Ryan," he gestured to the orange-clad man, "and Hannah." The woman smiled.
"Be warned, we're going to beat you," she said. "After all, you're downtrodden and crushed by your loss, while we refuse to give up even after ours!"
"We're not giving up either," Robert retorted. "We're not going to lose here."
"We'll see," Ryan chuckled. "Let's get this show on the road." He raised his deck in hand. "I'm going to enjoy this fight, heh heh."
"That's good," Samuel smiled. "So am I. I presume you're going first?"
"That's right," the orange-clad man said.
VBH26
"The fight between Samuel Wilson of Team Avalon and Ryan Jenkins of Team Cosmic Might will now begin!"
"Stand up, Vanguard!" the two declared. The battlefield formed around them, the familiar moonlit vista of the United Sanctuary's mountains. On one side of the field, shadows coalesced into the form of Fullbau, while on the other, a crimson and white mecha formed [Fullbau – 5000 Power] [Battle Raizer – 3000 Power]
"Let's do this," Samuel said calmly.
"Oh, we will," Ryan laughed. "Just be warned, I'm not going to stop until you're pummelled into defeat!"
VBH26
On the fifth turn of the fight, Samuel's field stood. Blaster Dark occupied the Vanguard Circle, blade held proudly. Skull Witch Nemain hovered, smirking viciously with Blaster Javelin stood behind her. [Blaster Dark – 10000 Power] [Skull Witch Nemain – 3000 Power] [Blaster Javelin – 6000 Power]
Meanwhile, Ryan's field was near-totally filled. On his Vanguard Circle was placed a crackling figure formed of crimson lightning [Super-Electromagnetic Lifeform Storm – 9000 Power], while behind it was the bulky grey form of Tough Boy [Tough Boy – 8000 Power]. On the right were Units not usual to a Nova Grappler deck, a small mouse perched atop a stack of books, supporting a large panda wearing a scholar's hat and clutching a large globe [Intelligent Mouse – 4000 Power] [Geograph Giant – 10000 Power].
Samuel
Hand: 6
Front Row: Skull Witch Nemain/Blaster Dark/Empty
Back Row: Blaster Javelin/Empty/Empty
Damage: Dread Disaster Dragon (F), Darkness Maiden, Macha (U)
Ryan
Hand: 2
Front Row: Geograph Giant/Super-Electromagnetic Lifeform, Storm/Empty
Back Row: Intelligent Mouse/Tough Boy/Empty
Damage: Silver Wolf (F), Grapplemania (U)
"Draw," Ryan declared, smirking. "Now... I'll show you the true spirit of Team Cosmic Might! The unyielding soul which refuses to bow down even against the greatest of odds! A blazing spirit which fights on no matter how bleak things seem!" He held a card aloft. "This card represents our determination to succeed, and the strength with which we'll push on to victory! Ride! Cosmic hero who defies evil with his laugh! Mr. Invincible!"
Light consumed his Vanguard, and with a heroic laugh, a man clad in a dark blue costume and crimson cape soared, striking a heroic pose [Mr. Invincible – 10000 Power]
"Invincible's skill! I Soul Charge one, and unflip one Damage!" He slipped a card into his Soul and turned the Silver Wolf card back over. "Now, I call NGM Prototype!" A hulking black figure clad in dense armor appeared, raising its arms threateningly [NGM Prototype – 8000 Power]. "Like Mr. Invincible, I have a burning soul which doesn't know the words 'give up'! I'll keep fighting for my team no matter how desperate the odds are! NGM Prototype, attack Nemain!"
The machine rushed forwards, raising its great arms to crush Nemain.
"No guard." Samuel said. With a blow of the mighty fist, Nemain was blown into motes.
"I refuse to give up!" Ryan called. "With a boost from Tough Boy, Mr. Invincible attacks! Show us your unyielding spirit!" With a laugh, the superhero rocketed across the field, drawing back one fist [10000 Power + 8000 Power = 18000 Power]
VBH26
"Both players have ridden their Grade 3 Vanguards! As the indomitable Mr. Invincible takes the lead for Ryan, the mighty Phantom Blaster Dragon stands as Samuel's Vanguard! With both players neck-and-neck at four Damage, who will prevail?"
Samuel
Hand: 5
Front Row: Knight of Darkness, Rugoth/Phantom Blaster Dragon/Phantom Blaster Dragon
Back Row: Blaster Javelin/Witch of Secret Medicine, Arianrhod/Empty
Damage: Dread Disaster Dragon (F), Darkness Maiden, Macha (U), Black Sage Charon (U), Grim Reaper (U)
Ryan
Hand: 2
Front Row: Geograph Giant/Mr. Invincible/Empty
Back Row: Intelligent Mouse/Tough Boy/Empty
Damage: Silver Wolf (U), Grapplemania (U), Toolkit Boy (U), Red Lightning (U)
"Stand and draw!" Ryan called, sliding a card into his Soul for Mr. Invincible's Soul Charge. "Call, Scientist Monkey Rue, Silver Wolf! I'll finish this now!" A large monkey holding a large beaker of chemicals appeared, supported by a lithe silver wolf [Scientist Monkey Rue – 10000 Power] [Silver Wolf – 8000 Power]. "Now, I activate Rue's skill! I Counterblast two, and one of my Great Nature Rearguards gains 4000 Power this turn! I use that skill twice, giving the Power to Geograph Giant!" The globe-wielding panda roared as it glowed with emerald energy [Geograph Giant – 18000 Power].
"With a boost from Silver Wolf, Rue attacks!" The monkey yelled as it leapt forward, drawing back a fist [10000 Power + 8000 Power = 18000 Power]
"Guard, Abyss Healer," Samuel replied. The blonde angel appeared before his Vanguard [11000 Power + 10000 Shield = 21000 Power], and Rue smashed her into motes with a blow of his fist.
"With a boost from Tough Boy, go, Mr. Invincible!" Ryan declared. "Show him our unyielding determination!" Mr. Invincible rocketed forwards, drawing back his fist.
"Grim Reaper guards, and Rugoth Intercepts." The scythe-wielding demon appeared as the dark knight leapt forward to join him [11000 Power + 10000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 26000 Power].
"Twin Drive," his opponent called. "First check... get, Critical Trigger! All effects to Geograph Giant! I'll end this here!"
[Drive Check – Red Lightning – Critical Trigger]
"Now, second check!" He laughed as a second golden icon flashed. "Get, Critical Trigger, second! Everything to Geograph Giant! Now I'll end this! My team's unyielding spirit will lead us to victory!" Invincible struck Rugoth and Grim Reaper with a mighty punch, blowing the two into pixels.
"This is my grand finale, the blow which will open the way for my team to win! With a boost from Intelligent Mouse! With boosts from both Critical Triggers! GO, GEOGRAPH GIANT! FINAL ATTACK!"
The great panda erupted forwards, burning with fiery golden aura as it launched at Phantom Blaster Dragon like a meteor [18000 Power + 5000 Power + 5000 Power + 4000 Power = 32000 Power, Critical 3]
Samuel placed a card onto the Guardian Circle. "I guard with Dark Shield Mac Lir."
Ryan gasped in shock. "N-no... when did you...?"
Samuel held up a card, Swiftbau. "I drew it with Swiftbau's Trigger effect last turn. I drop Swiftbau for a Perfect Guard." He placed the card into his Drop Zone, and Mac Lir took form, projecting a shield of shadows into which the massive panda crashed, rebounding away as the Omniguard vanished.
"At the turn's end... the Unit I powered-up with Rue is retired," Ryan admitted, Geograph Giant slumping over and shattering. "Turn end..."
Ryan
Hand: 3
Front Row: Empty/Mr. Invincible/Scientist Monkey Rue
Back Row: Intelligent Mouse/Tough Boy/Silver Wolf
Damage: Silver Wolf (F), Grapplemania (F), Toolkit Boy (F), Red Lightning (F)
Samuel
Hand: 1
Front Row: Empty/Phantom Blaster Dragon/Phantom Blaster Dragon
Back Row: Blaster Javelin/Witch of Secret Medicine, Arianrhod/Empty
Damage: Dread Disaster Dragon (F), Darkness Maiden, Macha (U), Black Sage Charon (U), Grim Reaper (U)
"Stand and draw," Samuel declared. "I call Galebau." With a howl, the black wolf leapt onto the field behind his Rearguard Phantom Blaster Dragon [Galebau – 5000 Power]. "I activate Galebau's skill. When it appears, if I have a Shadow Paladin Vanguard, I can Counterblast one to draw a card," he made a draw, "but I have to discard a card at the end of the turn." He flipped over two more Damage cards, and Ryan's eyes widened.
"N-no!"
"Galebau... Phantom Blaster Dragon... Blaster Javelin," Samuel said. "Through your sacrifice, we shall know victory. Phantom Blaster Dragon's skill, Damned Charging Lance!" The three Units were cut down, his Vanguard roaring fiercely as crimson aura surrounded it and crimson lines blazed on its flesh [Phantom Blaster Dragon – 21000 Power, Critical 2].
"Samuel Wilson has unleashed the true power of Phantom Blaster Dragon, its vicious skill, Damned Charging Lance! This may be the end of the line for Ryan Jenkins!"
"I call Dark Sorcerer Babd Catha," he continued, the dark mage appeared before him with a hazy smile [Dark Sorcerer Babd Catha – 9000 Power]. "Babd Catha's skill activates, I check the top card of my deck and Superior Call it if it's a Shadow Paladin." He held up the card, Darkside Pegasus. "Superior Call." The jet-black pegasus formed behind Babd Catha with a ferocious whinny, beating its wings [Darkside Pegasus – 6000 Power]. "With the skill of Darkside Pegasus, one of my Shadow Paladins gains 2000 Power this turn... I give that Power to Phantom Blaster Dragon!" His immense dragon roared once again, burning with blackness [Phantom Blaster Dragon – 23000 Power, Critical 2]
"No..." Ryan muttered, before staring defiantly at the dragon. "This isn't over... I won't give in yet! I can still survive!"
"Perhaps, if you check a Heal Trigger," Samuel observed. "With a boost from Arianrhod, attack, Phantom Blaster Dragon!" Ryan kept his look of defiance as the dragon lunged over the field and struck, its terrible lance spearing towards Mr. Invincible.
"Twin Drive, first," no Trigger was revealed, "second," no Trigger once more.
[Drive Check – Blaster Dark – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Cursed Lancer – No Trigger]
The lance struck into Mr. Invincible, and smashed him into the rock underfoot, burying the hero under the dragon's malevolent power. Ryan slowly picked up two cards, revealing them in turn with a defiant grimace, before letting them fall.
[Damage Check – Silver Wolf – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – NGM Prototype – No Trigger]
"The winner is Samuel Wilson of Team Avalon!" As the official spoke, the holographic field faded away into nothingness.
"Thank you for the fight," Samuel said, collecting his cards.
"Don't think you've won this just yet," Ryan declared, holding up a card, Mr. Invincible. "This is my team's spirit! Our unyielding will to never give up no matter what!"
"We'll have to see how the next fight goes," his opponent smiled. "But I can respect that sort of attitude. Thank you." And with that, he walked away.
VBH26
"One win..." Robert murmured. "We might do this..."
"We will," Charles retorted. "This team were never a problem."
"Your turn," Samuel said, nodding to the Oracle Think Thank user as he walked up to the team. Charles smiled, and strode ahead past him. "How are you guys?"
"Fine," Agatha murmured.
"Fine," Robert repeated. "Just... maybe you two don't need us... if Charles wins this now..."
Samuel frowned. "That's not true. Charles and I can't do this on our own, Robert. That's why you have teammates, to support you when you need support and console you when you need consolation... that's why I despise teams who throw the members they perceive as weakest under the bus for their own sake. That's not being a team."
"You mean like Gabriel did with Anna..."
"Exactly," Samuel muttered. "She was a strong fighter, but just because he didn't think she was strong enough... he placed her up against me so he and Joel would fight 'easier' matches."
"He's... not like that..." Agatha said softly. "Not the Gabriel I knew..."
"Then he's changed," Robert mused. "It doesn't even matter... he beat us. That's the fact... no matter what's happened to him, his team still crushed us."
"That doesn't make you a weak player," Samuel said. "Not when you were fighting players on that level. Joel's a good fighter, clearly. And his Clan is powerful if you use it correctly." He paused. "I know that loss was a hard one, but it was the same as losing to Cynthia, Robert. You fought a skilled player and things turned against you. You're not any less of a fighter for losing to Joel."
"Maybe..."
VBH26
"So, you're Jack," Charles considered, gazing across the field at his jumpsuit-clad opponent. "I'm Charles. I'm going to take great pleasure in beating you."
"Oh, really?" Jack chuckled. "Well, that's a pity, because that's not gonna happen! For my team, I'm going to beat you! That's our resolve and spirit, our will to never ever give up!" He set a card down on his field, and Charles did the same. The two set their decks down and drew their opening hands.
"Never giving up is fine," his opponent smirked. "As long as you accept defeat when it comes."
"Oh? You don't get it... up until the moment there is no more hope of winning, Team Cosmic Might will continue to fight on for that victory!" Jack announced. "That's who we are!"
"I think you're reckless fools," Charles mused quietly, redrawing two cards. "But let's see who's better."
"The fight between Charles Bannerman of Team Avalon and Jack Lyons of Team Cosmic Might will now... BEGIN!"
"Stand up, Vanguard!"
"Weather Girl Sabrina!" The blue-winged fairy took form before Charles as the holographic field formed, the corporate headquarters of Oracle Think Tank [Weather Girl Sabrina – 5000 Power]
"Blaujunger!" The blue mecha appeared opposite, raising its laser rifle [Blaujunger – 5000 Power]
VBH26
Jack
Hand: 4
Front Row: Stealth Beast Chigasumi/Blaukruger/Empty
Back Row: Stealth Dragon Dreadmaster/Toolkit Boy/Empty
Damage: Dogu Mechanic (U)
Charles
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Weather Maiden Cornelia/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Dark Cat/Empty
Damage: Oracle Guardian Galatea (U), Psychic Bird (U)
"Stand and draw," Charles said. "I Ride Maiden of Libra!" In a flare of light, the bandage-clad angel appeared [Maiden of Libra – 9000 Power]. "And now, Cornelia's skill. When I Ride an Oracle Think Tank, I Soul Charge two cards." He slid two cards into his Soul.
[Soul Charge – Omniscience Madonna – No Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Victory Maker – Draw Trigger]
"Now, I Call Oracle Guardian Wiseman! Oracle Guardian Athena! Oracle Guardian Artemis!" The black stone-clad figure rose to Libra's left, as the two silver robot women stood to her right [Oracle Guardian Wiseman – 10000 Power] [Oracle Guardian Athena – 9000 Power] [Oracle Guardian Artemis – 7000 Power]. "Artemis' skill! When she appears, I select an Athena on my field, and that Unit gains a new skill for this turn!" He smirked. "Now, Wiseman, take out Chigasumi!" The robot fired two crimson beams from its eyes towards the blue-furred tiger-man.
"Three Minutes, guard!" Jack snapped. A crimson-clad wrestler appeared before Chigasumi [8000 Power + 5000 Shield = 13000 Power] and was blown to atoms by the lasers.
"With a boost from Artemis, Athena attacks!" The spear-wielding robot raced forwards, drawing back her weapon [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power]
"No guard," Jack murmured. The spear struck the giant mecha and loosed a flare of power, hurling Blaukruger back. Jack placed a card onto his Damage Zone.
[Damage Check – Hungry Dumpty – No Trigger]
"Artemis' skill," Charles said, slipping a card into his Soul and making a draw.
[Soul Charge – Dark Cat – No Trigger]
"And then, Athena's skill," he took a copy of Oracle Guardian Gemini from his Soul and put it in his hand. "With a boost from Dark Cat, Libra attacks!" Libra loosed a burst of holy light from her scales towards Blaukruger [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power].
"No guard!" Jack answered.
"Check," Charles smirked as a golden icon flashed. "Get. Critical Trigger. All effects to Libra."
[Drive Check – Psychic Bird – Critical Trigger]
The light flashed towards Blaukruger [21000 Power, Critical 2] and struck, searing the robot with exalted radiance.
"Damage check, first," Jack said, holding up a card. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Stealth Beast Chigasumi – No Trigger]
"Second," he smiled as a crimson icon flashed this time. "Get, Draw Trigger! You won't put me down so easily, Charles!" He made a draw.
[Damage Check – Three Minutes – Draw Trigger]
"Libra's Counterblast." Charles flipped over the two cards and made a draw. "Turn end."
Charles
Hand: 6
Front Row: Oracle Guardian Wiseman/Maiden of Libra/Oracle Guardian Athena
Back Row: Empty/Dark Cat/Oracle Guardian Artemis
Damage: Oracle Guardian Galatea (F), Psychic Bird (F)
Jack
Hand: 4
Front Row: Stealth Beast Chigasumi/Blaukruger/Empty
Back Row: Stealth Dragon Dreadmaster/Toolkit Boy/Empty
Damage: Dogu Mechanic (U), Hungry Dumpty (U), Stealth Beast Chigasumi (U), Three Minutes (U)
"Stand and draw!" Jack declared. "You think a little setback like that will knock me down? I'm fighting for my team and this team will never give in! We'll fight to the very end! Ride, embodiment of our unyielding souls, Mr. Invincible!"
With a laugh, the mighty superhero descended, striking a pose in mid-air [Mr. Invincible – 10000 Power]
"Invincible's skill, Soul Charge."
[Soul Charge – Tough Boy – No Trigger]
"And now... call! Stealth Dragon Voidmaster! Oasis Girl!" In a swirl of shadows, the lord and master of the Nubatama Clan appeared, a great purple and black humanoid dragon with baleful red eyes, supported by the cheerful young woman clutching a microphone [Stealth Dragon Voidmaster – 9000 Power] [Oasis Girl – 7000 Power]
"With a boost from Oasis Girl, Voidmaster attacks your Vanguard!" Roaring, the great dragon loosed a burst of shadows from its hands, arrows of darkness ripping towards Libra [9000 Power + 7000 Power = 16000 Power]
"Guard, Psychic Bird." The emerald-feathered bird appeared [9000 Power + 10000 Shield = 19000 Power]. "As if I'd let you use your Nubatama discard skills again," Charles mocked. "You using that Clan is interesting, but they're a one-trick pony I can easily defeat." The arrows of shadow struck Psychic Bird and shattered the creature.
"These Nubatama are just as determined to win as I am," Jack retorted. "I'll merge my burning fighting spirit with their discard skills, and whittle your defenses to nothing! And then my team can know victory! Now, our avatar! Show them your strength, with a boost from Toolkit Boy, Mr. Invincible attacks!" The superhero rocketed forward, laughing [10000 Power + 5000 Power = 15000 Power]
"No guard," Charles smirked.
"Twin Drive!" Jack laughed as a blue icon shone from his revealed card. "Get, Stand Trigger! Stand up, Voidmaster!"
[Drive Check – Lucky Girl – Stand Trigger]
"Second check!" He frowned. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Mr. Invincible – No Trigger]
The fist slammed into Libra, who cried out as she was knocked flying back..
"Damage Check." He held up a card, then placed it down.
[Damage Check – Security Guardian – No Trigger]
"Voidmaster, attack Maiden of Libra!" The dragon loosed its arrows of shadow once more [9000 Power + 5000 Power = 14000 Power]
"Lozenge, guard!" Charles answered. The white-clad magus appeared before his Vanguard [9000 Power + 10000 Shield = 19000 Power], and was blasted to atoms.
"With a boost from Dreadmaster, Chigasumi attacks the Vanguard!" The tiger leapt forwards, drawing back a viciously serrated dagger [8000 Power + 7000 Power = 15000 Power]
"Wiseman, Athena, Intercept." The two leapt forwards and were cut down brutally by the tiger-ninja [9000 Power + 5000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 19000 Power]
"Next turn, you're done!" Jack smiled. "My fighting spirit will open the path to victory for my team!"
"Yada yada yada," Charles shrugged. "You're finished."
"Oh, really?" Jack muttered. "I'll show you the tenacity of Team Cosmic Might! Turn end!"
Jack
Hand: 4
Front Row: Stealth Beast Chigasumi/Mr. Invincible/Stealth Dragon Voidmaster
Back Row: Stealth Dragon Dreadmaster/Toolkit Boy/Oasis Girl
Damage: Dogu Mechanic (U), Hungry Dumpty (U), Stealth Beast Chigasumi (U), Three Minutes (U)
Charles
Hand: 4
Front Row: Empty/Maiden of Libra/Empty
Back Row: Oracle Guardian Artemis/Dark Cat/Empty
Damage: Oracle Guardian Galatea (F), Psychic Bird (F), Security Guardian (U)
Charles made a draw, and smiled. "Final Turn."
"What?" Jack exclaimed.
"Charles Bannerman has called Final Turn with his opponent still at four Damage! Can he fulfill this lofty promise?"
VBH26
"What the hell is he doing?" Agatha exclaimed. "Calling Final Turn here..."
"Theatrics," Samuel mused. "The question is whether he can actually back them up."
"Can he do it?" Robert wondered.
VBH26
"He's going to make a fool of himself," Alice observed.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Richard replied. "He must have some reason to call Final Turn at this point..."
VBH26
Charles held a card aloft. "Beautiful sun goddess, radiate your blessings upon this battlefield, and lead your allies to the brightest future! Ride... CEO Amaterasu!"
He played the card and Maiden of Libra vanished in a flash of almighty solar flame. From the flames stepped a beautiful black-haired woman clad in an orange kimono, holding a shining mirror in her hands. Smiling, Amaterasu hovered above the field, shining faintly [CEO Amaterasu – 10000 Power]
"...Amaterasu..." Jack murmured.
"CEO Amaterasu's skill," Charles declared. "I Soul Charge one card," he slipped a card into the Soul
[Soul Charge – Oracle Guardian Gemini – No Trigger]
"Then I look at the top card of my deck and decide whether to place it on the top or bottom." He looked at the card, and with a smile, put it back on top. "Perfect."
"Is it... a Critical Trigger?" Jack wondered. "Could he be running more than just Psychic Bird... he runs Stands doesn't he? If he does, then... but he could only be running two Stands and six Critical Triggers!"
"Confused?" Charles chuckled. "Let me clarify things a little for myself. Call. Oracle Guardian Hermes!" He played the card and a white marble figure appeared, depicting a bearded man clad in a winged helm and a toga [Oracle Guardian Hermes – 10000 Power]. "Hermes gains two skills if he appears while I have six or more Oracle Think Tank in my Soul. Firstly, you play with your hand revealed during this turn." Jack reluctantly revealed his hand, which Charles studied. King of Sword, Mr. Invincible, Lucky Girl and Round Girl Clara. "Secondly, I get to check the top card of your deck," Jack held up a card. Three Minutes. "Well, that won't do. The second part of this skill allows me to move that card to the top or bottom. Obviously, Three Minutes shall go to the bottom of your deck."
Jack bitterly slid the Draw Trigger to the bottom of his deck. "You still won't stop me, Charles!"
"Oh? Call." He played two cards, and in flashes of light, Oracle Guardian Gemini and Maiden of Libra appeared [Oracle Guardian Gemini – 8000 Power] [Maiden of Libra – 9000 Power]. "Now, with a boost from Gemini, Hermes attacks the Vanguard." The marble burst from Hermes' face, revealing a baleful red eye which loosed a burning laser [10000 Power + 8000 Power = 18000 Power]
"No guard!" Jack cried, knowing he had no other choice. The laser struck his Vanguard and exploded, hurling Mr. Invincible backwards. "Damage Check!" He placed a card into his Damage Zone. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Toolkit Boy – No Trigger]
"With a boost from Dark Cat, Amaterasu attacks!" Charles called. The goddess raised her hands, an orb of solar flame coalescing behind her [10000 Power + 7000 Power = 17000 Power].
"Amaterasu's skill means she gains 4000 more Power when you have four or more cards in your hand..." Jack thought. "...what if that card on his deck is a Draw Trigger? It would explain why he was so willing to empty his hand and negate Amaterasu's power-up skill... and if I guard with just enough to block one Trigger, a Draw Trigger will break my guard by both applying the Trigger power and Amaterasu's skill..." He scanned his hand. "No choice... I've got to risk it. If I guard enough to completely stop Amaterasu, a Trigger will finish me anyway."
"Round Girl Clara, King of Sword, guard!" The blue-clad woman and the regal sword-wielding robot appeared, protecting Mr. Invincible from attack [10000 Power + 10000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 25000 Power]
"Twin Drive, first check," Charles smirked. "Get. Stand Trigger."
"No...!" Jack gasped.
"I give all of the effects to Hermes," his opponent said, standing the Oracle Guardian.
[Drive Check – E-Alarmer – Stand Trigger]
"Second check." He held up this card. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Oracle Guardian Artemis – No Trigger]
Amaterasu loosed bolts of burning flame from the orb behind her, shattering the guardians into motes but leaving Invincible unharmed.
"Now, attack, Hermes," Charles said. The Oracle Guardian loosed its crimson laser once again [10000 Power + 5000 Power = 15000 Power]
"You think this is the end... I'm not giving in! No guard! I'll survive this with my spirit and my deck!" Jack declared. The laser struck his Vanguard and exploded, consuming Mr. Invincible in fire.
"Spirit can only get you so far if you're not up to scratch," Charles replied. "Let's see how this ends."
"Damage Check," Jack said. "Deck, give me what I need to keep fighting!" He slowly drew the card.
"No Trigger, huh?" Charles said, smiling. Jack stared at the checked card for a moment, and let it fall.
[Damage Check – Stealth Dragon Voidmaster – No Trigger]
"The winner is Charles Bannerman of Team Avalon! Team Avalon wins against Team Cosmic Might!"
"Looks like your 'spirit' didn't get you as far as you thought it would," Charles shrugged, picking up his cards and walking away.
VBH26
"One more team to go..." Robert murmured. "Can we do this?"
"Yes," Samuel nodded. "I know you're hurt by your loss, Robert. And... I can understand. But now you can put it behind you. Learn from it and move forward. We're going to win this, I know we are."
"So long as certain people pull their weight, we will," Charles said, shooting a glare at Agatha.
"I know I abandoned you all..." she murmured. "But... I won't leave you to fight alone again. You can rely on me from now on."
"Right," Charles muttered. "After you left us once? Really?" He paused. "I trust Robert more than you right now, Agatha, and he's still the least experienced of us four. How can we know you won't abandon us when it counts again?"
"Let it go, Charles," Robert said. "I believe her."
"So do I," Samuel added sternly. "You can't hold a grudge against Agatha forever."
"Watch me," he retorted. "Why should I rely on the person who left us in the lurch just because she couldn't stand the thought of fighting some guy she used to know?" With that he turned away. "Let's just get ready for the last fight." With that, he began to walk away.
"He's not going to give up over this, is he?" Robert mused.
"No," Samuel muttered. "He needs to be shown that Agatha won't let us down..." He smiled suddenly. "I have an idea..."
VBH26
Card of the Day:
Mr. Invincible
Grade 3/Twin Drive!
Star Gate – Alien – Nova Grappler
10000 Power/No Shield/Critical 1
Auto [V]: At the start of your Main Phase, Soul Charge 1, then unflip 1 card in your Damage Zone.
Auto [V/R]: [Soul Blast 8, Counterblast 5] When this Unit's attack hits, you may pay the cost. If paid, all of your Units Stand.
'Evil will never prevail! Help the good and punish the evil! Finisher, HELL STAND!'
VBH26
Card Stats:
Weather Maiden Cornelia
Grade 1/Sylph – Oracle Think Tank/6000 Power/5000 Shield
Auto [V]: When you Ride an 'Oracle Think Tank', Soul Charge 2.
Oracle Guardian Hermes
Grade 3/Battleroid – Oracle Think Tank/10000 Power/No Shield
Auto [V/R]: When this Unit is called to the Vanguard Circle or Rearguard Circle, if you have 6 or more 'Oracle Think Tank' in your Soul, look at the top card of your opponent's deck, and return it to the top or bottom of their deck.
Auto [V/R]: When this Unit is called to the Vanguard Circle or Rearguard Circle, if you have 6 or more 'Oracle Think Tank' in your Soul, during this turn you can look at all cards in your opponent's hand.
(The above two cards were created by Desgarroth. Oracle Guardian Hermes is a modified version of the anime-only card to make it less broken.)
VBH26
Next time, the final battle of Regionals looms. Team Avalon faces Team Daemon Carnival for a cataclysmic finale. Against the forces of this skilled, powerful team, can Avalon prevail?
It's Chapter 27 – The Shadow in the Mirror!