Chapter 28: Shiro Unleashed

Hey, guys! It's Mason. This day was crazy. So let me break it down for ya.

I was heading to Fighter Central, just like I always do. When I went in, Sai shouted in my face to greet me.

It went something like: "HEY, MASON!"

My ears started ringing. After that, I asked him why he was so jumpy.

"You're not gonna believe this! Wrecking Ball is having a match against Shiro today, in the Megadome!" he replied.

"You're kidding!"

Abbey came through the entrance. "Hey, guys. What's up?"

"We're going to the Megadome! That's what!" I answered.

"Oh, yeah. WB is fighting Shiro today. I was just on my way to tell you about it."

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's go then!" Sai was crazier than usual today. And that says a lot.

"You obviously haven't seen the ticket prices. They went up by twenty bucks." she said.

"Those damn tickets better be made of solid gold. I don't got that kind of cash." I pointed out.

"Neither do I." Sai said.

"I don't even have enough for one ticket."

We all sighed. Then, Jerry came in not to long after.

"Hey, guys! What's u-?" He paused and noticed our disgruntled expressions. "So, who died?"

"No one..." Sai answered.

"It's those damn ticket prices at the Megadome today." Abbey said.

"We don't have enough." I said.

"You guys do know that competitors in the National tournament get the tickets for 75% off, right?"

"HUH?!" The three of us were confused.

"Yeah, just show them your entry passes. Then, you and anyone with you get in with the discount."

"Okay, the regular price for one ticket today is 35 bucks." Abbey said.

"So, multiply that by .25, and it's 8.75 a piece." Sai finished.

"I got 10." I said.

"5." Sai said.

"I got 15. But I was hoping to get a couple of chocolate bars with it." Abbey said.

"Don't you think this is more important than your chocolate addiction?" I asked.

"This coming from the guy who kept buying them for me when we were kids."

"I didn't like watching you cry. Is it so wrong that I wanted to cheer you up every once in a while?"

Jerry intervened: "Break it up. Now, Abbey, don't you wanna watch the match?"

"Yeah. But if I don't get even a little bit of chocolate in my system, I could die."

"I'll buy you one in the break stand." I suggested.

"But wouldn't it be easier if I used my own m-"

I cut her off: "The way you buy chocolate, you'll be broke in a matters of seconds. Besides, they only cost a buck there. We'll still have enough to get in."

"...I guess you have a point. I'll admit, I do go overboard at times."

Jerry continued: "Good. Now that that's settled, I got enough for a ticket if I go with you guys. So, I'm coming along if that's alright."

"No prob." Sai and I said.

"Hold on!" Abbey exclaimed.

"What?" Jerry asked.

Abbey inspected him. She came to a conclusion: "You're hiding something."

Jerry freaked out. "I have no idea what you're talking about! I'm not hiding nothing!" His phone began to ring. "Hello... Yeah, I'll be heading there in a couple of minutes... Yes, third row, second seat to the left... Sure, put some ketchup on it... Okay, see ya." He hung up.

Abbey swiped his phone.

"Hey!"

She pressed some buttons. She looked through the call history to find "Kathy" on the top of the list.

"This is the Katherine you were talking about before, right?" she asked with a goofy grin.

"Maybe..."

I took the phone away and gave it back to Jerry. "Well, come on. Let's go."

Abbey pouted. "You're no fun today."

"Watch it, or I'm not getting you that chocolate bar."

She zipped her mouth shut. Sai and Jerry followed us out. It only took us a few minutes to get our tickets. Jerry showed us to our seats. We found a girl in a purple hoody, with long brunette hair sitting in the exact seat Jerry had mentioned.

"It's about time. Only a couple seconds until the match." she said.

"Sorry. I got interrogated." Jerry said frustratingly.

"Huh?" She saw Abbey waving at her and realized what he meant. "Umm... Hi?"

As we were about to get in our seats, MC Mark began his announcement. "Alright, people! Let's get this show on the road! Today's match-up is Isaac The Wrecking Ball Johnson versus the National Champ three years running, Shiro Jucheng!"

Cheering spread across the bleachers. Thank you, earplugs.

A cloud of smoke appeared next to Mark. Mister E came out a second or so later, and swiped Mark's mic. "A Vanguard Gladiator and a Champion! A match that I wouldn't miss for the world!"

Mark kicked his face and took back the mic. "Let's get started! You both ready?!"

Shiro said "As always."

WB replied "You know it!"

Mark and Mister E fought over the mic and they both said "Begin!"

The holomats appeared and the two had their starters set .

WB started it off: "Stand Up, Vanguard! Amber Dragon, Dawn!"

In the bleachers

"He's using Kagero?" I asked.

"He switches decks from time to time. That's what makes him one of the best fighters in the Megadome." A familiar voice said. It turned out to be Trevor's.

"Hmph. What do you want?" I asked angrily.

"I knew the match would peak your interest. So, I decided to stop by." he answered.

"Why would you bother visiting with us, the team you deserted when they needed you the most?" Sai asked.

"Because I have information that you might want to know. It involves Shiro."

"Shiro?!"

Back in the arena

Shiro revealed his starter: "Stand Up, The Vanguard! Exorcist Mage, Koh Koh!"

Shiro, here! During the match, I shall commentate. Thank you for understanding.

My hand had Seal Knight of Demonic Blade, Flash, Dragonic Deathscythe, Djinn of the Lightning Spark, Red River Dragoon, and Malevolent Djinn.

A lot of Grade 1s... Not my best hand. But, I'll win, nonetheless. "If it's all the same to you, I'll take the first turn. I draw." It was Demonic Dragon Berserker, Garuda. "I'll ride Flash and move Koh Koh to the back. You're up.

That Wrecking Ball guy then replied: "Alright then. I'll draw. Next, I'll ride Amber Dragon, Daylight. Using Dawn's skill, I get to search for one Amber Dragon, Dusk and add it to my hand. Next, I'll call Embodiment of Armor, Bahr. First up will be Daylight. Due to Dawn being in the soul, he gets 2000 Power (8000)."

"I won't guard."

"Checking for a trigger." His revealed card was Dragon Knight, Nehalem.

My damage check revealed Mischievous Jiang-Shi Girl, a draw trigger. "I'll give the 5000 Power to my vanguard (8000+5000) and draw." It was Dragon Monk, Kinkaku.

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

In the bleachers (Back to Mason)

I was trying to watch the match and listen to what Trevor had to say. At first, I thought about ignoring him. But, I thought: If we know more about Shiro, we may find a hole in his strategy and take him down for good later on.

Trevor began his explanation: "According to his video diaries, he was once a priest-in-training at a Chinese monastery about 11 years ago. He was planning to escape from there for some time. Edwin and I also have confirmed he has a family back at the monastery that have been awaiting his return."

"What else?" Sai asked.

"They are his grandfather and two brothers. The older one being Shen, and the younger, Ling. His grandfather's name was never mentioned. I also found news reports of Beau-K stealing artifacts and technology not just here, but throughout the entire country. All by his instruction."

Katherine tried to hide her face under her hood. Jerry was furious.

"Easy now, Jerry. Let's hear her side of the story. Katherine, please tell us why you have been doing this for him. I promise to lower the charges held against you if you cooperate." Trevor assured her.

Katherine lowered her hood and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll tell you. You see, I was a thief-for-hire that took on very dangerous jobs. Some of my best robberies were from high-ranking individuals, such as federal agents. But, Shiro found me-"

"And hired you, right?" Jerry asked.

She nodded. "He asked me to steal a crystal fragment that had landed in Australia the same time as the yellow one had. It was at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Like always, I got away without any trouble. But, when I went to deliver it to him and get my payment, he changed the agreement..."

"Blackmail." Trevor said.

"Yep. He said if I didn't follow his instructions, he would reveal my identity to the FBI. So, I did as he said. It was like that for about two years. It all ended when Jerry finally stopped me. After that, I cut communications with Shiro indefinitely. I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get me arrested yet."

Trevor pondered. "Well... It's possible you outlived your usefulness to him and he decided to let you go. He's never been one to keep pawns on the board for long. First it was you, then Eli."

"Eli?" she asked.

"You know him?" I asked.

"According to what Shiro told me, Eli was the leading officer on my case in the FBI."

"Come on! He can't be any older than us! How could he be in the FBI?" Abbey asked.

"Eli Shamash was top of his Law Enforcement class. For his final extra credit assignment, he arrested a poacher that was selling illegal ivory to corporate businesses. He was unarmed and had nobody backing him. At least that's what his profile said." Trevor answered.

Back in the arena (Shiro)

"I stand and draw." The card I drew was another Red River Dragoon. I wasn't off to a good start, except for the grade 2s. "I'll ride Demonic Dragon Berserker, Garuda. Next, I'll call Djinn of the Lightning Spark and Red River Dragoon. Djinn will start things off. With his skill, he gets 2000 Power when attacking your vanguard (8000)."

"I don't guard." His damage check revealed Dragon Monk, Genjo. "Heal Trigger. I'll give the 5000 Power to my vanguard (8000+5000)."

Hmm, looks like I need to bring things up a notch. I activated my Psyqualia. Hmmm... All I saw was a little fox with a yellow jewel on its forehead supporting Red River's attack. Alas, the attack would not hit. "I'll attack with Garuda, with Koh Koh's support (9000+3000)."

"I don't guard"

"Let's see what the drive check has for me." I got the predicted card: Yellow Gem Carbuncle. "I'll give the critical to Garuda and the 5000 Power to Red River Dragoon.

His damage checks revealed Lizard Soldier, Raopia and Amber Dragon, Daylight.

"Red River's coming in (13000)!"

"Monica will put a stop to that (13000+5000)!"

"Guess that's it for my turn."

"I stand and draw. I'll ride Amber Dragon, Dusk. Then, I'll call Lava Arm Dragon and Nehalem. Lava Arm Dragon is going first. With his skill, he gets an extra 2000 Power when attacking (12000)."

Of course he'd start with that one. He's trying to waste my shield. "I don't guard." My damage check revealed my supposed ace, Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion.

"Next is my vanguard. With its skill, 1000 Power when Daylight is in the soul and another 2000 for attacking your vanguard (12000)."

I sighed. "I don't guard."

"Drive Check." It revealed Blue Ray Dracokid. "Critical Trigger. The 5000 is going to Nehalem. As for the critical-" His dragon's attack landed.

Both of my damage checks revealed Garuda and Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo. "Heal Trigger. I heal one damage and give the 5000 to my vanguard." I sent Jiang-Shi Girl to the drop zone.

I can't let him use his Limit Break. "I'll take out Red River Dragoon with Nehalem."

Red River was placed in the drop zone.

"I'll end my turn there."

Back in the bleachers (Mason)

"So, that Eli guy was just trying to get info out of Shiro?" I asked.

"Yes. But, after a while, he became use to the idea of being part of a national champion team. He kept boasting about how he was the best member of GS4 and how he would one day beat Shiro to prove it. You already know how that turned out." Trevor explained.

"Where is he now?" Katherine asked.

"He dismissed the case and went back home. He's already been reassigned." Trevor answered.

"I see..." She wasn't so much relieved as she was guilty. "None of this would have happened if I hadn't took Shiro's offer..."

"I wouldn't say it's that bad." Abbey said.

"How do you figure?" Katherine asked.

"Let me answer that with another question. What would have happened if you bumped into someone other than Jerry with that shiny rock in your purse?"

"They would have called the police, I guess. Which reminds me. Jerry, why didn't you call the police when you found out about me?"

"Sending you to jail wouldn't have solved the matter. It would have made it worse. I decided to give you a chance like I did Brock, Ron and Mike. Each one on them had a problem they wanted to resolve. But they were doing it the wrong way. I took it upon myself to guide them to the right path. Your situation was no different in my eyes." Jerry answered.

"But, what if I tried to hurt you?"

"Please! Brock nearly killed me when I tried to help him. That wasn't enough to stop me. I owed it to him to keep his emotions under control. If I hadn't, more people would have gotten hurt. I will never give up on someone that needs my help. If it were in my power, I would help Shiro too. But that's ED4's job."

"Wow... BROCK almost killed you?!" everyone asked

Back in the stadium (Shiro)

I took my turn. "I stand and draw." The card I drew was my true Avatar... "FINAL TURN!"

Wrecking Ball asked: "This early?!"

"Great beast, controller of seals, may your arrows reach their mark and bring chaos upon my enemies! I ride Sealed Demon Dragon, Dungaree!"

The amazement that filled the room was astounding. "It's as if these people have never seen me play this card... Oh, right! Because I never have. I only play it when I want to put on a show! TAKE A GOOD LOOK, MASON SHEPARD! AS I DEFEAT YOUR FRIEND WITH MY FULL POWER!" I activated my Psyqualia again. It seemed my fox friend would be accompanied by a demonic wind. "Since Dungaree was placed in the vanguard circle, I bind the top 2 cards from my deck." They were Seal Knight and Lizard Soldier, Riki.

In the bleachers (Mason)

Trevor was shivering. "Anything but that... Not again..."

I tried to figure out what he meant. However, I didn't have much to go on...

In the arena (Shiro)

"I'll call Kinkaku. Using his Counter Blast, I place the top card of my deck in the damage zone." It was Wyvern Guard Guld. "Next is Dragonic Deathscythe. Using HIS Counter Blast, Nehalem is going bye-bye!"

"Damn..."

"I'm not done yet! I call Red River Dragoon! Then, I'll use Dungaree's Limit Break!"

In the bleachers (Mason)

"Did he just say Limit Break?!" I asked. Is this what Trevor was muttering about?...

In the arena (Shiro)

"Using a Counter Blast, I get to return one of my bound cards to the bottom f my deck and retire one of your rear-guard in the front row! This is Dungaree's ultimate skill: Ouranki Sniper!"

Wrecking Ball retired Lava Arm Dragon.

"Djinn of Lightning Spark, switch places with Deathscythe and boost his attack (9000+6000)!"

"I... don't guard..." Maybe if I hold onto enough cards, I can guard his Dungaree's Twin Drive. But, I only have enough to defend against one boosted attack. I gotta make this count. Little did I know, he had two copies of Amber Dragon, Eclipse in his hand and no perfect guards. His damage check revealed Dusk.

"Next up, Kinkaku supported by Red River Dragoon (8000+8000)!"

"I don't guard." Why attack with both rear-guards? His damage check revealed Dragonic Overlord.

"Here comes Dungaree, supported by Koh Koh (11000+3000)!"

"I guard with Blue Ray Dracokid and Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (9000+20000)!"

"Hmph. Twin Drive, first check..." The predicted card, another Yellow Gem Carbuncle. "All effects to Deathscythe."

In the bleachers (Mason)

My head began to ache. My vision had blurred for a second. Then... I saw it... A wind conjured up by a little kid that stood Dragonic Deathscythe back up for another attack... WB was going to lose and I couldn't do anything about it..."

In the arena (Shiro)

"Second Check... heh heh heh...Ha ha ha ha ha... Zephyr Kid, Hayate! A stand trigger! All effects to Deathscythe. Now to finish this! Deathscythe tear his vanguard apart (19000)!"

"I... don't guard..." The attack had cut through Dusk. Both of the damage triggers revealed Bahr and Genjo.

Mark began to announce: "An astounding victory by the one and only Shiro Jucheng!"

Mister E took the mic from Mark and asked: "Any words for the fans out there?"

Shiro took the mic: "I only have one thing to say. Mason Shepard, now that you have seen what I am capable of, I have a request."

"And what would that be?!" I asked

"I want you to join GS4."

Sai jumped out of the bleachers and rn straight for Shiro. "Like that's ever gonna happen, you creep!"

"Spare me the insults, Rabbit Boy. Why don't you go knaw on a carrot or something."

"Why you-!" He went to punch Shiro.

"I wouldn't do that. Hitting another competitor is an immediate disqualification for you AND your team."

Sai paused and went back to the bleachers.

"Well, Mason? How about it?"

Everyone looked at me. "That's an easy one! No! I entered this tournament WITH ED4 and I'm gonna STAY with ED4. It wouldn't matter if you were the best team in the world, my decision isn't changing."

He sighed. "How disappointing." He threw the mic back to Mark and began his way out. "You'll soon want a taste of the limelight. And when you do, we'll be waiting." He continued out the door.

We got out of the Megadome a couple minutes after. Trevor went back home with Edwin to get some more info. Katherine decided to follow them and help. Jerry and Sai went home. Sai was still mad.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about something."

"What is it?" Abbey asked.

"We got so caught up in the match and the long conversation, I forgot to give you that chocolate bar."

"Mason, you don't have to get me one! I was only exaggerating."

"Nah. I said I'd get you one and I don't go back on my word. Come on. The store should still be open."

It only took us 5 minutes to get her that damn chocolate bar. Some things never change...

We were on our way back. She broke off a bit of it. "Want some?"

"No thanks. Don't want to spoil my dinner."

"Come on, please?"

"Alright, fine." I took the piece and ate it. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Why'd you ask?"

"I'd think you be freaked out watching Shiro destroy WB. Especially since he was using his best card."

"Oddly enough, it wasn't that exciting."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm so use to seeing Shiro play now that I don't see him as much of a threat for some reason. Besides, you were the reason I was finally able to beat him."

"But we were only little kids. And Shiro has to have grown stronger by now..."

"Big deal! So have we! Shiro is a creeper anyway. He has information on every cardfighter in the country. How weird can you get."

"Yeah, he is a little creepy."

Back at the VIP BOX

*ACHOO!* It appears someone is talking about me. Hmph. Bet you it was Mason and that little girlfriend of his. Oh well. Regardless if Mason will join us or not, I hold ALL of the cards. Literally.

Vermillion wasn't his avatar? Weird, huh? Well, we got to see how much of a threat he was. Only a week until the real tournament begins! See ya in the next chapter!