Face the Despair of the Shadows:
This part of the story will star where the last part ended, Max and Raphugio have just walked up to the m.f. system
"You won't get a second win off my team!" Raphugio exclaimed as he and Max set their starting vanguards.
"Funny, I was just about to say the opposite, but at least now I can show my true power." Max said with both a dark and mysterious tone.
Just then, Megan swore she could see a blackish purple aura radiating off Max in swirls.
Kimi to egaita yume hatenai ashita o katariakashita
Bokura wa itsumo mubou na chousensha
GO FIGHT! RIDE ON! VANGUARD!
Tsumazuitemo kizutsuitemo warawaretemo akiramenai
Kimi ga itakara
GO TO THE V-ROAD michi naki michi tsukuri sekai e
Nanatsu no umi tobikoe
Shintenchi mezashi
GO TO THE V-ROAD daremo shiranu michi no sekai e
Hashire susume hikari terase
Shouri o tsukame! Mirai e
GO FIGHT!
BUDDY e!
GO FIGHT!
"What's with Max's attitude?" Greg asked.
"Oh, that's right, you never seen him when he's serious." Tom realized.
"He gets serious?" Megan asked.
"Rarely, but when he does, I sometimes feel like I might not be able to win every time I cardfight him." Tom answered.
"If he can win this, I'd like to see it." Megan said honestly
"If you both are ready, begin the match." The referee stated.
"Stand up, the vanguard." Max declared.
"Stand up, vanguard." Raphugio declared
The light generated from the m. transformed the battlefield into an abandoned golf course. The moon's light hangs eerily over the fogged sky, the house that can be seen has a cracked window, and there's a lot of trees throughout the field.
"Judgebau Revenger (5000)!" Max revealed.
Max's starting vanguard burst forth from purple light. It's fur is as black as night, and it's claws are deep blue.
"Greedy Hand (5000)!" Raphugio revealed.
Raphugio transformed into a butler like elf with snow white hair
"Looks like its a battle between the Shadow Paladins and Dark Irregulars, which side will come out on top?" Doctor.O asked.
"Draw, and ride Transient Revenger Masquerade (7000), Judgebau moves." Max informed.
Max's vanguard evolved into a white haired man in a tuxedo, but his right arm is covered in metal. The black furred dog appeared out of the way.
"I end my turn." Max informed.
Max - Raphugio
5 - hand - 5
0 - damage - 0
0 - soul - 0
0 - counterblast - 0
Empty, empty - empty, empty
Empty, Transient Revenger Masquerade - Greedy Hand, empty
Judgebau Revenger, empty - empty, empty
"Draw, and ride Alluring Succubus (7000)! Greedy moves" Raphugio informed.
In cases of gender-swapping Raphugio's vanguard evolved into a female demon with long white hair, and purple skin. The butler appeared behind her.
"I use her effect to soul charge
Soul Charge: Free Traveler - no trigger
"Greedy Hand boosts, Succubus attacks (12000)!" Raphugio declared.
"I don't guard." Max informed.
"Drive check (Blitzritter - critical trigger) I give all the effects to my vanguard (17000, 2 critical)." Raphugio revealed.
The demon raised the palm of her hand, and from it dark energy surged, causing Masquerade to suffocate as he breathed in the dangerous smoke.
"Damage check (Battle Spirit Revenger Mackart - no trigger) second check (Abyss Revenger - draw trigger) power to my vanguard, and I draw." Max revealed.
"I end my turn." Raphugio informed.
Max - Raphugio
6 - hand - 6
2 - damage - 0
0 - soul - 1
Empty, empty - empty, empty
Empty, Transient Revenger Masquerade - Alluring Succubus, Greedy Hand
Judgebau Revenger, empty - empty, empty
"Draw, I ride Nullity Revenger Masquerade (9000)!" Max declared.
Max's vanguard changed into a pure black armor wearing a red cape, it still holds the gauntlet.
"Rukea (9000), and Rakia (7000) to rearguard!" Max declared.
Two more knights appeared around Max's vanguard; one has short purple hair, while he also wore glasses, he wielded a sword like a professional would, and the other was also male, and he wielded his sword in an even better fashion, but his purple hair was long.
"Rakia boosts, Masquerade attacks (16000)!" Max declared.
"I don't guard." Raphugio declared.
"Drive check (Illusionary Revenger Mordred Phantom - no trigger)!" Max revealed.
Max's vanguard raised his arms, extending the hidden weapons, then slashed the demon where she stood.
"Damage check (Hysteric Shirley - draw trigger) power to my vanguard (12000), and I draw." Raphugio revealed.
"I end my turn." Max smiled.
Max - Raphugio
5 - hand - 7
2 - damage - 1
1 - soul - 1
0 - counterblast - 0
Empty, Overcoming Revenger Rukea - empty, empty
Self Control Revenger Rakia, Nullity Revenger Masquerade - Alluring Succubus, Greedy Hand
Judgebau Revenger, empty - empty, empty
"Stand and draw." Raphugio called out
"What I've seen so far, a lucky trigger saved Raphugio from taking 2 damage that turn, but can he keep that luck up?" Doctor.O asked.
"I don't know, but this fight is interesting to watch." Sara gleamed.
"Yes, and what about our other fights Sara?" Doctor.O asked again.
"Team Knightly Order has lost 2 games to 1 against Team Napoleon, meaning 1 more loss match, and Knightly Order is out of the tournament." Sara explained.
"While Team Napoleon has won that game, teams Star Ocean and Resurgence have made a perfect 2 and 0 sweep in their games, earning them spots in the main tournament." Doctor.O informed.
"I heard about those teams while reading vanguard monthly." Tom said as he overheard the commentary made by the announcers.
Megan let out a great big sigh in annoyance
"Its not as bad as you think it is." Tom told her.
"Whatever." Megan rolled her eyes.
"Max, you have to win this so we can advance in the tournament." Tom thought as he started working on his deck.
Enough with the peanut gallery don't you think?
"Ride! Decadent Succubus (9000)!" Raphugio informed.
Raphugio's vanguard's white hair turned red, then her clothes became part of her body and turned purple, then her face morphed, this Succubus seems to be even more evil then the last.
"Doreen the Thruster (6000), and Free Traveler (8000) to rearguard.
A snow white haired thief, and a black haired elf in a purple dress appeared on the battlefield.
"The effects of Decadent Succubus and Free Traveler allow me to soul charge." Raphugio informed
Soul Charge: Amon's Follower Vlad Specula - no trigger
Soul Charge: Decadent Succubus - no trigger
Soul Charge: Demon Bike of the Witching Hour
"Doreen gets 9000 power (15000), and with her support Free Traveler attacks your vanguard (23000)!" Raphugio declared.
"I don't guard." Max informed.
This thief did a sprint then jumped higher in the air, he then proceeded to do a back-flip, and struck the armored man.
"Damage check (Healing Revenger - heal trigger) poser goes to my vanguard (14000), and I recover 1." Max revealed.
"Greedy boosts, Decadent attacks!" Raphugio declared.
"No guard." Max smiled.
"Drive check (Psychicer of Ash Hadar - no trigger) Raphugio revealed.
Just like the previous Succubus, this one raised her hand in the air, then unleashed a deadly toxin that caused this knight to cough like crazy.
"Damage check (Self Control Revenger Rakia - no trigger)." Max revealed.
"I end my turn." Raphugio informed.
Max - Raphugio
5 - hand - 6
3 - damage - 1
1 - soul - 5
0 - counterblast - 1
Empty, Overcoming Revenger Rukea - Free Traveler, Doreen the Thruster
Self Control Revenger Rakia, Nullity Revenger Masquerade - Decadent Succubus, Greedy Hand
Judgebau Revenger, empty - empty, empty
"1 card in the drop zone, and enough damage to do that, alright." Max thought as he drew.
"What could he be planning?" Raphugio thought
"Shadow Dragon rise from the ashes of tour old self, and cause a new darkness to arrive! Ride, Revenger Phantom Blaster 'Abyss'! (11000)!" Max declared.
Max's vanguard was engulfed in darkness, then came a large dragon. This dragon is Phantom Blaster Overlord wearing Phantom Blaster Dragon like it was armor, and its wings are pure red.
"Illusionary Revenger Mordred Phantom (11000) to rearguard." Max informed.
A knight wearing shadow armor who rides a black Pegasus appeared in front of the dog.
"Judgebau boosts, Mordred attacks Free Traveler (16000)!" Max declared.
"I don't guard." Raphugio informed.
The thief tried to escape getting caught by jumping, but the Pegasus pounced on him, then the knight slashed him in half.
"Judgebau's counterblast sends him to the soul, then I search for Abyss Revenger (5000), and a second Rakia (7000)!" Max informed.
An old man, and a second swordsman appeared on the battlefield.
"Rukea gets 4000 power (13000), and Rakia gets 2000 power (9000)." Max informed.
"What's his deal, why didn't he stop the attack?" Megan asked.
"Maybe he needs that space open for something, but as far as I know, I don't know any Dark Irregulars unit that could work with Doreen." Greg answered.
"The mate in his legion could." Tom said suddenly.
"Crap, I need to study Dark Irregulars a little better then." Greg stated as he slapped himself on the head.
"Rakia boosts, Phantom Blaster Abyss attacks (22000)!" Max declared.
"I nullify with Vlad Specula (perfect defense)!" Raphugio countered.
"Twin drive (Grim Revenger - critical trigger) all effects to Rukea (18000 2 critical), second check (Nullity Revenger Masquerade - no trigger) Max revealed.
The shadow dragon made his attack, but was blocked by a man in demonic like armor.
"Rukea (18000)!" Max declared.
The long haired knight slashed the Succubus
"Damage check (King of Masks Dantarian - no trigger), second check (Alluring Succubus - no trigger)." Raphugio revealed.
"I end my turn." Max informed.
Max - Raphugio
6 - hand - 4
3 - damage - 3
3 - soul - 5
1 - counterblast - 1
Self Control Revenge Rakia, Overcoming Revenger Rukea - empty, Doreen the Thruster
Self Control Revenger Rakia, Revenger Phantom Blaster 'Abyss' - Decadent Succubus, Greedy Hand
Abyss Revenger, Illusionary Revenger Mordred Phantom - empty, empty
"1 card in my drop zone, and 3 cards in his, perfect." Max thought.
"Stand and draw, Remove the existences that stand in the way of what you want most! Ride Psychicer of Ash Hadar (11000)!" Raphugio declared.
Raphugio's vanguard morphed into a man in black elastic clothing that has yellow trims allover the outfit, and he radiates psychic energy.
"I call Izaya (9000)!" Raphugio informed.
Izaya has spiky silver hair, and has the same outfit as the vanguard.
"Greedy Hand's counterblast sends him to the soul, then I send Demon Bike to the soul, then I call Demon Bike behind my vanguard (6000)." Raphugio informed.
"Looks like he's starting his big push." Max thought.
"Using my vanguard's skill, soul blast Greedy hand, then I soul charge." Raphugio informed.
Soul charge: Psychicer of Ash Hadar - no trigger
Soul charge: Doreen the Thruster - no trigger
"Since 4 cards were sent to the soul, Doreen gets 12000 power (18000), then Demon Bike gets 4000 with his skill (10000)!" Raphugio informed again.
"Yep, that's a lot of power." Max thought.
"Seek Mate!" Raphugio exclaimed
Vlad Specula, the card he paid the cost of the perfect guard, Greedy Hand, and Free Traveler all moved back into the deck, then a copy of Izaya came from the deck, and into Raphugio's hand
"From ash to ash and life to death... embody these ideals together! Legion!" Raphugio exclaimed.
Another silver haired psychic appeared next to the red head.
"Shame that the rearguard Izaya couldn't power up as well." Max stated.
"Maybe so, but I still have enough power to finish this." Raphugio informed.
"How?, I have 3 damage like you." Max stated, confused by his opponent's statement.
"Like this, my bike boosts, legion attack! Legion skill since there's 10 cards in the soul, my vanguard and 2 rearguard all get 5000 power, and that power goes to Doreen (23000), and Izaya (14000), (total vanguard power: 35000)!" Raphugio declared.
"I don't guard." Max smiled.
"Twin drive (Blitzritter - critical trigger) power to Izaya (19000), and the critical to my vanguard (2 critical), second check (Dark Soul Conductor - no trigger)." Raphugio revealed.
The two psychics raised their hands, then a huge surge of psychic energy slammed itself into Phantom Blaster 'Abyss'.
Damage check (Revenger Phantom Blaster 'Abyss' - no trigger) second check (Revenger Air Raid Dragon - critical trigger) all effects to my vanguard (16000, 2 critical)." Max revealed.
"Doreen boosts, Izaya attacks your vanguard (42000)!" Raphugio declared.
"5 types of shadows unite to stop the 5 elements that protect the light, Hellrage Revenger Quesal Quintet wall!" Max countered.
A female magic user appeared in front of the dragon
Top card: Revenger Dark Bond Trumpeter - no trigger (5000)
Top card: Grim Revenger - critical trigger (10000)
Top card: Healing Revenger - heal trigger (10000)
Top card: Blaster Dark Revenger 'Abyss' - no trigger (5000)
Top card: Illusionary Revenger Mordred Phantom - no trigger (0)
The six defenders blocked the attack made by the spiky haired psychic
"You got a thirty-thousand shield from that?!" Raphugio asked, shocked.
"I've always been lucky with this, but I still have an intercept, so even if it was a 25000 point shield, your attack still wouldn't have worked." Max informed.
"I end my turn." Raphugio informed.
Max - Raphugio
5 - hand - 5
5 - damage - 3
3 - soul - 10
2 - counterblast - 2
Self Control Revenger Rakia, Overcoming Revenger Rukea - Psychicer of Dust Izaya, Doreen the Thruster
Self Control Revenger Rakia, Revenger Phantom Blaster 'Abyss' - Psychicer of Ash Hadar/Psychicer of Dust Izaya, Demon Bike of the Witching Hour
Abyss Revenger, Illusionary Revenger Mordred Phantom - empty, empty
"There's not much left for me to say." Max informed.
"What do you mean?" Raphugio asked.
"Final turn." He declared as he drew.
"Max Suzugamori has declared final turn, now given the circumstances, he doesn't have a lot he can do." Doctor.O informed.
"Raphugio Gomez has 5 cards in his hand as well, so this final turn could be hard to pull off." Sara followed.
"Connect yourself to your vessel knight, Seek the Mate!" Max exclaimed.
Healing Revenger, Blaster Dark Revenger 'Abyss', Hellrage Revenger Quesal, and Grim Revenger all flew back Into the deck, then a copy of Blaster Dark Revenger 'Abyss' came out of the deck, and flew into Max's hand.
Shadow knight who refuses to stand in a line, line up with the dragon king that shares the name 'Abyss', Legion!" Max exclaimed.
Blaster Dark appeared next to the shadow dragon.
"Abyss Revenger boosts, Mordred attacks the rearguard Izaya (16000)!" Max declared.
"I don't guard." Raphugio informed.
The Pegasus riding knight destroyed the psychic user with a single slash.
"Rakia boosts, go shadow knights bound by the heart, destroy all threats to your homeland, Legion attack (29000)!" Max declared.
2 blitzritters, and Dark Soul conductor will guard that (25000)!" Raphugio countered.
"Twin drive (Healing Revenger - heal trigger) power to my vanguard (34000), and I recover 1, and the second check (Grim Revenger - critical trigger) all effects to my vanguard (39000, 2 critical)." Max revealed.
"Double trigger?" Raphugio asked.
"I'm just as surprised as you, I mean I only gave the effects of the first trigger to my vanguard because of my legion skill." Max informed.
The 2 dark knights cut through the defense, then slashed the two psychics.
"Damage trigger check (Hysteric Shirley - draw trigger) power to my vanguard (16000), and I draw, second check (Free Traveler - no trigger)." Raphugio revealed.
"And don't forget about your soul charges." Max told him
"Right, Conductor's skill activates." Raphugio informed
Soul charge: Decadent Succubus - no trigger
Soul Charge: Alluring Succubus - no trigger
"Loyal knights share your power with the vanguard, sacrifice yourselves, go! Phantom Blaster Rising!" Max exclaimed.
The dragon attacked Mordred, and Blaster dark attacked the rested Rakia and Freezing Revenger
"The blood of your allies gives you the power to attack again, go Knights who're bound by the word 'Abyss', Legion attack (32000, 2 critical)!" Max declared.
"I don't guard." Raphugio informed.
"Twin drive (Blaster Dark Revenger 'Abyss' - no trigger), second check (Grim Revenger - critical trigger) the power to Rukea (14000), and the critical goes to my vanguard (3 critical)!" Max revealed.
"He's a bit too trigger happy this match." Megan said suddenly.
"He's always had amazing trigger luck against Dark Irregular players, that's why he loves fighting them." Tom shrugged.
The shadow knight and dragon struck the 2 psychics once again, forcing them to use a great deal of their psychic energy to try to heal themselves.
"Damage check (Psychicer of Ash Hadar - no trigger) second check (Cursed Doctor - heal trigger) power to my vanguard (21000), and I recover 1." Raphugio revealed.
"Your not out of the woods yet." Max told him
"I know!" Raphugio snapped.
"Yeesh, touchy." Max thought.
"Third check (Psychicer of Dust Izaya - no trigger)." Raphugio revealed.
The battlefield turned back to the stadium as all the units faded off the field.
"Winner, Max Suzugamori!" The referee exclaimed.
"Just when you though you've seen everything, Max Suzugamori has devastated his opponent, allowing his team to win their first paramilitary match!" Doctor.O exclaimed.
"Yes, and as per rules, they get an hour break before their next match." Sara informed.
The teammates of the two competitors walked up to the motion figure system and everyone shook hands.
"Good luck in your next match. I look forward to facing you soon" Tom told both Kiba and Dalette.
"Why?" Dalette asked.
"I really want to see what you can do personally." Tom said then walked away.
"Strange guy." Virgil stated.
"Eh, when he wants to fight a person, he'll wait for when the time's right, he just wanted to go first to see how he'd fair against you." Max explained.
"Sounds like he was nervous." Kiba responded.
"We have every right to be, this is our first time competing in the national tournament." Max informed.
"Really, but you and Tom played like you've played here before." Kiba stated.
"Yeah, well, we don't let our fears get the best of us, all that matters is the opponent we're facing." Max informed.
"Well, we still have 1 match to play before we make it to the main rounds, and I hope we get to play you guys in the final match." Greg smiled.
"Why?" Kiba asked.
"I really want to face 1 of you guys as well." Greg smiled.
"Me too." Megan added.
"Alright, its a deal." Dalette decided before she and her team walked off.
"Tom, I wish you were more of a people person." Max sighed.
Mike: congrats on winning your first match
Tom: thanks, wait, are you guys our next opponents?
Kelly: that's right
Max: Next time: New Light, Shine Alfred XIV
Megan: I won't lose this!
