Chapter 35
Respect and Teamwork! How A Jinx Became A Champ
We've almost made it to the final, guys. All we have to do now is beat Team Aviation.
Mark began to announce: "As we reach the semi-final round, let me say it has been a priveledge to MC this year's National Tournament and to work along side such an awesome guy! Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. E!"
Cheering could be heard throughout the bleachers.
"Thanks, Mark. It's been an honor to work with you as well. Now, let's get on to the first pairing! Team Eternal Dreamers!"
We waved as cheering continued.
"And let's not forget about Team Aviation!"
Gus, Seth, and Amy waved as everyone cheered for them as well.
"Players, take your positions! First up is Seth facing off against Sai!"
Sai and Seth went to the dividing lines. They set their starters and drew their hands.
"Stand Up, Vanguard!" they both exclaimed.
"Spring Breeze Messenger!"
"Hope Child, Turiel!"
As the fight went on, they were at each others' necks. Each one wouldn't let up.
On the last turn, Seth had Chief Nurse, Shamsiel as his vanguard with Million Ray Pegasus, Burst Shot, Bethnael, Thousand Ray Pegasus, The Phoenix, Calamity Flame, and Doctroid Micros in his rear-guard, with 4 cards in his hand. He was at four damage with 2 cards facedown.
Sai had Knight of the Afterglow, Gerard as his vanguard, with Gareth, Spring Breeze Messenger, LopEar Shooter, and Kahedin in his rear-guard, with only one card in his hand. He was at 5 damage with only one card facedown.
It was Sai's turn. "I stand and draw. I call Viviane and have her attack, with support from Gareth (9000+8000)!"
"I'll guard with Critical Hit Angel (10000+10000)!"
"Next is Gerard, supported by Spring Breeze Messenger (10000+5000)!"
"I'll guard with Bouquet Toss Messenger, Bethnael, and Mastema (10000+15000)!" Hopefully, he won't get a trigger...
"Twin Drive! First Check!" It was Gerard. "Second Check..." It was Speeder Hound. "The power boost to Lop Ear Shooter and I draw!" It was Flash Edge Valkyrie. "Don't think you're out of the woods yet! I'll have my floppy-eared friend attack with support from Kahedin (14000+7000)!"
"Damage Check." It was Rampage Cart Angel.
"Let's not forget about Kahedin's ability. Counter Blast! Retire, Gareth! Now, I look at the top card of my deck for a Gold Paladin and call it to rear-guard at rest. And looky what I got! It's my avatar, Pellinore!"
"Impossible!"
"Let's go! Rush Ride! Now, I'll have my newly appointed vanguard tak e things into overdrive! Limit Break! I send Kahedin and Lop Ear Shooter to the bottom of the deck and he gets 5000 power (10000+5000)! Twin Drive!" The first card was Lop Ear Shooter. "And the second!" It was Dantegal. "Perfect time for a critical trigger! All effects to Pellinore (15000+5000)!"
"Damage check..." His last damage was Shamsiel.
Pellinore cut down Shamsiel, making her disappear.
Mark then announced: "And the first match goes to Sai Yamato of ED4!"
Bleachers (Kalulu)
"Great job, honey! Way to kick butt!"
Arena (Mason)
Sai came back. I gave him a high-five.
"Well done, Sai." Trevor said.
"Thanks. So, who's up next?" Sai asked.
"I haven't played for a while. So, I shall be fighting Amelia, if you don't mind."
"No prob. Let's see what you've got."
Trevor went to the dividing line. Amy did the same. They set their starters and drew their hands.
"Stand Up, The Vanguard! Greedy Hand!"
"Stand Up, Vanguard! Miracle Feather Nurse!"
This match was just as intense as Sai's. Neither would let up.
"Go, Prisoner Beast!"
"Take him down, Fate Healer, Ergodiel!"
"Guard, Cursed Doctor!"
"Intercept, Penemue!"
On the last turn, Amelia had Cosmo Healer, Ergodiel as her vanguard. In her rear-guard, she had Love Machine Gun, Nociel, Lancet Shooter, Thousand Ray Pegasus, and Gatling Shot, Barbiel. She had 5 cards in her hand and was at 4 damage, with 2 of them facedown.
Trevor had Blade Wing Reijy as his vanguard. In his rear-guard, he had Gwynn the Ripper, Alluring Succubus, Greedy Hand, and Emblem Master. He only had 2 cards in his hand and was at 4 damage, with 3 of them facedown.
It was Amelia's turn. "Stand and draw. Call, Bethnael. Then, I'll use Lancet Shooter's Counter Blast twice. I'll have him support Barbiel! Time to put those guns to good use (10000+8000)!"
"I don't guard." It was Demon Bike of the Witching Hour.
"Now, I'll have my vanguard attack, with support from Thousand Ray Pegasus (11000+7000)!"
"I'll nullify it with March Rabbit." He discarded Demon Chariot for the effect.
"Let's see what the Twin Drive has in store for you. First Check." It was Cosmo Healer. "Second Check" It was Rocket Dash Unicorn. "All effects to Nociel. She'll attack next, with help from Lancet Shooter (14000+9000)!"
"Even if I were to intercept, I'd be 4000 short. I don't guard."
Cosmo Healer shot at Reijy, causing smoke to surround the arena.
Trevor's last Damage check was Blitzritter.
Mark then announced: "And the score is tied to 1 a piece! This next match shall decide who reaches the final match!"
Trevor went back to the locker room. "Forgive me. I have failed you all." He lowered his head in shame.
"No big deal. Besides, I get to show them what Mason Shepard's really got." I ran to the dividing line.
Gus did the same and said: "I was hoping we'd fight. I wanna see what those cards of yours can do."
"The Bad Luck Battler versus The Next Aichi Sendou. Who will win?"
"Let's find out."
We both exclaimed: "Stand Up,-"
"My"
"Vanguard!"
"Crimson Heart, Nahas!"
"Forger of the Golden Blades, Anatase!"
"I'll let you have the first turn."
"Alright! Here goes!" I drew. It was King of Sword. The rest of my hand consisted of Tough Boy, Hungry Dumpty, Shining Lady, Clay-Doll Mechanic, and one of my new cards, Crimson Geikielite. "I'll ride Tough Boy. Then, I'll move Anatase to the back and end my turn."
"I draw. Then, I'll ride Crimson Mind, Baruch! Moving Nahas back and calling Thousand Ray Pegasus! The beautiful Baruch attacks, with the equally charming Nahas supporting her (7000+5000)!"
Baruch and Nahas giggled. Baruch then said: "Anything for you, my vanguard!" She lifted up her sword and began to fly in Tough Boy's direction.
"Drive Check!" It was Rampage Cart Angel. "I'll give the power to Pegasus! And the critical-"
Baruch slashed Tough Boy.
"Damage Check." They were Twin Blader and Gold Rutile. "Aww, man!"
"Yeah... It happens. Moving on, Pegasus comes charging in (12000)!"
"No way I'm letting a third damage in! Shining Lady guards (8000+10000)!"
"I'll end my turn. Nice job out there, ladies!" he shouted to his units.
Does... he always flirt with his units?
Seth then exclaimed: "Hey, Gus! Quit making your units blush and get your head in the game!"
"Sorry, Seth! Force of habit!"
This is too wierd... "I draw." It was another new card, Obsidian Brookite. "I'll ride King of Sword! Then, I'll call Crimson Geikielite. Then, I'll use Anatase's Counter Blast! Putting her back in the soul and looking at the top 5 for a Rutile! Luckily, my favorite card was in there when I needed it most! Now, I shuffle and call Hungry Dumpty. Using his skill to flip the card I just used faceup. I'll have him attack first (9000)!"
"I don't guard."
Baruch shreiked as Hungry Dumpty punched her. The damage check was Pure Keeper, Requiel.
"You okay, Baruch?"
She nodded.
I continued. "I'm not done yet. King of Sword, you're up (10000)!"
"I'll guard with Rampage Cart Angel (7000+10000)!"
"Drive Check." It was The Gong. "Draw Trigger. I'll give the power boost to Geikielite and draw (9000+5000)." It was Wall Boy. "He'll attack next (14000)."
He then said: "My sword shall cut down even the strongest of enemies!" He charged after unsheathing his sword.
Baruch then shouted "Ah!" as she was slashed.
"Damage Check." It was Circular Saw, Kiriel.
"I'll end my turn."
"Stand and draw. Then, I ride Crimson Drive, Aphrodite! Then, I'll call Baruch. With Nahas' skill, I send her and Baruch to the soul and superior ride Crimson Impact, Metatron! Then, I'll move Pegasus and call Love Machine Gun, Nociel! With her skill, I'll send Fever Therapy Angel into the damage zone in place of Requiel, who shall go in my hand. Thousand Ray Pegasus gets 2000 Power from the card transfer (7000+2000). I'll have it support Nociel (8000+9000)!"
"I don't guard." It was Top Gun.
"Now, my vanguard is coming in! Another 3000 is added (13000+3000)!"
"Hmm... I'm going to have to risk it. I don't guard."
"You must really have a lot of faith in your cards if you think I wont get a couple of critical triggers. Twin Drive!" The first card was Barbiel. The second was Lightning Charger. "Wow. I guess my bad luck affected me instead. Oh well. You still take damage."
My damage check was Obsidian Brookite.
"I'll end my turn. You did good, Metatron. As expected for my star player."
Metatron blushed.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Why are you encouraging your units like that? It's kinda weird."
"Oh, that? Well, I've always been one to give those who work with me the respect and encouragement they deserve."
"But... they're just cards."
Metatron gasped.
"Now hold on there. They're are not just cards. They're my friends. Don't you think of Gold Rutile as your friend?"
"Sorta. But I don't tell him he's beautiful."
"Everyone's got their own way of encouraging their units. I just happen to use flattery."
"How come you didn't flatter your units when fighting Quixote?"
"I wasn't using my Crimson Angels then. They're my best cards. I usually save them for last."
"...We'll continue this later. Right now, I stand and draw." It was Hungry Dumpty. "I ride Gold Rutile! Then, I'll call Obsidian Brookite. Brookite will support my avatar (10000+7000)!"
"Requiel will nullify that!" He discarded Lightning Charger for the effect.
"Don't think your little girlfriend is safe yet! Twin Drive!" The first card was Brutal Jack. The second... "Fighting Battleship, Prometheus! The critical to Geikielite and the power to Hungry Dumpty! I'll have him attack next! Since I have a Rutile vanguard, he gets another 3000 (14000+3000)!"
"I don't guard." Both of his damage checks were Crimson Impact, Aphrodite and Bethnael.
"Next, Hungry Dumpty goes for Metatron."
"I don't guard." His damage check was Lightning Charger.
"I end my turn."
"Stand and draw. I'll call Barbiel, Baruch, and Thousand Ray Pegasus. Then, I'll use Metatron's Limit Break! Sending Barbiel and Baruch to the damage zone so I can call Kiriel and Lightning Charger! Now, since two cards were sent to the damage zone, my two Pegasus get 4000 Power (7000+4000(2))!. Now, for Fever Therapy Angel, Baruch and Aphrodite's abilities! I'll flip them over giving my Metatron an extra 9000 (10000+9000)! Now, time to show them what you got, my lovely (19000+3000)!"
"Wall Boy, The Gong, and Prometheus will guard (10000+25000)!"
"...Well, Metatron, let's see what the twin drive gives us... First..." It was Metatron. "Second..." It was Barbiel. "Ha! Looks like my luck has betrayed me again! I haven't had this good a match since Shiro. Kiriel, along with Lightning Charger and her Soul Blast, attacks (15000+6000)! Show them what you're made of, girl!"
"I don't guard." It was Tough Boy.
"And my Pegasus, with support from the other (11000+11000)!"
"I don't guard." It was Clay-doll Mechanic.
"This is fun! Wouldn't you say?" He asked his units.
They all nodded.
"You've all done great! I've never been more proud of you guys! Great job!"
I guess he does think of his cards like friends... Maybe that's why he's done so well over the years...
"You okay, Mason? You're a little too quiet."
"Hm... Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about how much respect you have for your units..."
He laughed. "I'm not the only one doing the work. So, I give credit where credit is due. I treat my cards like I would my teammates. They work just as hard as I do and deserve to be treated accordingly."
"I never really thought of it like that..."
"It's never too late to tell someone how much they asset the group. Go on!"
My units looked in my direction.
"...Now that I know how much you guys do to get me through my cardfights, I have a newfound respect for you and the game. Thanks for all that you've done and I'm sorry for abandoning you not too long ago..."
It was quiet for a second. Until Gold Rutile said: You're very welcome, my vanguard."
"Now, let's give this crowd a turn to remember! Final Turn!"
Mark then announced: "Mason Shepard of ED4 just called Final Turn!"
Bleachers(Kalulu)
"Ooh! This is getting exciting!"
Arena (Mason)
"Stand and draw!" It was Tough Boy. "I'll call Tough Boy and Clay-doll Mechanic! I'll have Crimson Geikielite attack, with support from Tough Boy and his skill (12000+8000)!"
"You've really pushed me into a corner... I can't even guard. Gonna have to hope for a heal trigger.." It was Sunny Smile Angel. "Wow. I didn't expect that to work. I'll recover one damage an give the 5000 to Metatron (10000+5000)."
"I still have two attacks left. Gold Rutile, with Brookite's support, send his angel flying (10000+7000)!"
"I don't guard."
"Twin Drive..." First card equals King of Sword. And the second card was Gold Rutile.
His damage check was Critical Hit Angel.
Mark then announced: "And the team that shall be going to the final round is ED4!"
Cheering started throughout the stadium.
My teammates ran to me.
"Mason, that was awesome!" Sai exclaimed.
"It's been a while since you had an intense fight. That had to be your best yet." Abbey said.
"Now we'll face GS4 in the final round! You did exceptionally well!" Trevor shouted.
"Thanks, guys. But, I can't take all the credit. The cards did most of the work. I just told them what to do."
Gus and his team went to us.
"And who can forget my opponent, Gus!" I gave him a high-five.
"You're not to bad yourself. It was a great match and I had fun."
"Same goes for me."
"I can't believe we've dropped down in the top four..." Amy was disappointed.
Seth then said: "Cheer up, sis. There's always next year. And we've still got work to do on the PFS. We can't let our sponsor down."
"I guess you're right. Great job, ED4. But, don't forget, you still have to face GS4. That isn't going to be a walk in the park."
Gus then said: "They can do it. Especially with Mason on their team."
"What're you talking about?"
"Aren't you their leader?"
"Oh n-"
Trevor interrupted: "Yes, he is. He just doesn't like to brag. Am I right, Sai, Abbey?"
Sai then said: "Yep, he's large and in charge!"
"He's our fearless leader alright." Abbey added.
"I wouldn't exactly say fearless-"
"There he goes with the modesty again." Trevor sighed.
Gus continued: "Well, in any case, good luck out there. And try to enjoy it."
"We will. Thanks, Aviation." I said.
They left for their locker room.
"Okay, guys, what's the big idea?"
"What? You are in charge." Sai said.
"I was never informed of this!"
"It was implied, given how strong you've become." Trevor explained.
"Are you saying that you don't want to lead us?" Abbey asked.
"Are you sure that I'm ready? I still feel like I haven't learned enough."
Kotetsu then asked: "Who better than you?"
"...Are you guys sure about this?"
They all nodded.
I sighed. "Okay, I'm on board."
We finally made it! Next up is GS4! Who will win? What other surprises wait around the corner? If you wanna know, see ya in the next chapter!