"Wake up..."
"Papa... wake up."
"Hey... Wake up already..."
"BAKA DELTA-HIME-SAMA JUST WAKE UP ALREADY."
I got jolted right out of my sleep... was it a dream?
Just then I saw everyone in front of me. Kat, Koutei, Valodor, Zeeriel, even Kuro and Shio was in front.
"How did you find us?" I asked Kuro.
"Well... there is something called searching the campus? Besides, there isn't any lessons today because all teachers are on patrol for Reversed fighters." Kuro replied.
"Anyways, why on earth did you shout at me Kat?" I asked, stretching to get oxygen back into my head.
A loud growl filled the room.
"What was that?" I asked, still dazed from the hours of sleep.
The growl came again. Kat flushed with embaressment and everyone realised what happened.
"All right, let's get us some food." I patted Kat's head as I stood up.
"Where to?" Koutei asked. "We don't have the money to buy food, and the stores are all closed anyway..."
"There is always something called my dorm you know..." I sighed.
"IF THAT'S SO WHY ON EARTH ARE WE STUCK HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?!" Kat yelled.
"I am not going to carry Koutei up the stairs..." I replied.
Koutei could only sit there with a small grin on his face.
"We are burning time and energy talking here, let's get out before anyone notices!" Valodor said.
With haste, we walked to my dorm, once again. To be honest it is very nice to see my room after sleeping on the floor for once.
"Ok now, I have stocked 2 months worth of dry food in the pantry. Be glad we have these." I said as I looked into the kitchen cupboard.
Soon everyone was eating. With so many people I have to feed, the two months of stock I have would only last us about a week. We need to end this soon.
"Where's Mama, Papa?" Shio asked.
I had initially intended to hide the truth from everyone, and hoped that they don't bring up the topic, but I completely forgot one very important aspect. I guess it is high time I said the truth.
"Listen up everyone." I said.
Everyone looked at me with question marks virtually written all over their faces.
"Tohka... is taken away by Link Joker. Being completely overtaken by the power of Void, her body is now used by Chaos Breaker Dragon."
Everyone stared with surprise.
"Didn't you defeat Tohka previously when she was using that card?" Koutei asked.
"I did, but I forgot one crucial point. If the opponent is that strong, there is no way a single strike will be enough to get rid of Chaos Breaker Dragon from her body. The injured unit had always been trying to get back into her to seek avengence. I believe Tohka doesn't know that too." I lamented.
"Going to save her again?" Zeeriel asked.
I gave him the "Are You Kidding Me?" face to Zeeriel.
"This fight, is mine. However, we are going to fight Void with our might. I hate to admit this, but losing this fight could mean Earth will perish along with Cray. We can't let that happen." I told them in a deeper tone.
The second I said that, tension filled the air.
"Does that mean..." Kat quivered.
"Yes, Kat. We can't back out now. And we have to do this fast. If this drags on, even winning all matches may not be enough." I said.
Everyone started eating at a faster pace.
"Hey, hey! Don't choke on your food!" I shouted at them.
"Don't talk and just eat." Shio said throgh telepathy.
With an awkward look, I went back and munched on my bread. I don't like eating heavy meals, so bread always suffices.
Just then another voice came into my head. It was a male one this time, and the one who almost lost his life using Gust Buster Dragon.
"Delta, will need your help here... it's about my deck."
"After breakfast." I replied. "Just fill your stomach first."
"I am already done..."
"Sure, sure. Give me a minute." I said as I munched into the last bits of my sandwich.
After breakfast, I grabbed the case containing all of my cards. Everyone gathered around me as I opened the case.
"Over here, there are at least 4 copies of every single card known to Cardfighters. Also, there are hidden cards where they aren't revealed."
"You even have cards from the latest Booster set!" Zeeriel said in surprise.
"I just got the cartons a few days back, come to think of it, I haven't opened all of them yet..."
"What kind of rich guy are you?" Kat said.
"A guy that gets everything for free because he helps them write guidebooks?" I shrugged.
"In any case, this is perhaps our only chance to change our decks." Valodor said.
"Not for me though..." I said as I saw that glowing deckbox inside that case.
"What is that?" Kuro asked.
The moment where Takuto shook my hand came back to me once again.
"Know how did your decks change every single time you want to?" Takuto asked.
"This glowing deckbox..." I sighed.
"Treasure this gift of mine. I will let you keep it since you show promise with this deckbox."
"What does it do?" I asked.
"You already saw its power first-hand, didn't you?" Takuto smiled with a awfully gentle gaze.
"I will not let you down." I said.
"You will never be my letdown. Has been a pleasure meeting you. However, this last fight..." Takuto said.
"...it is not just for you and Cray. It is for us on Earth as well." I completed the statement.
"Your fight is our fight. Let's do this together."
I nodded.
"You don't have to know this, Kuro. Just take your pick or help me open booster packs." I said, taking out the Brilliant Strike carton.
"Let me help." a voice came from outside. I must have forgotten to lock the main door again.
"Kai... I mean Shiro!" Valodor shouted as he welcomed everyone in.
"Glad to see you guys all well." I said.
"The match is getting tougher it seems..." Shiro said.
"Yes it is."
"Can you help me open the boosters? I need to help Koutei with something. You can reconstruct your deck from there if you want." I asked.
"Will be my pleasure." Shiro said as he joined in the gang.
"Koutei, come to the table." I called him as I took the heavy case to the dining table.
With that we set out the cards, sorted the deck into their components and placed it flat out.
"Let me guess, Gust Buster Dragon is something you can't handle." I said.
"Yeah..." Koutei said.
"Told you not to use it." Etain's voice filled the air.
"Sorry, milady." Koutei said.
"Anyways, good to see you alive and kicking. Delta, you are helping him with the deck?" Etain asked.
"I guess so. But I don't know what suits Koutei in the first place." I replied.
"I could always try the cards out you know..." Koutei said.
"That could be an idea, but we don't really have time for real tests..." I said.
I took out a list from the bag and a few cards that he could choose.
"Shadow Paladin... Koutei isn't going back to Dimension Police?"
"Daikaiser needed rest and repairs, sending him against Void will not be the best case." Etain said.
"What happens at Cray also happens at Earth?" I asked.
"Yeah, if he were to use Daikaiser, it can cause him so much bad luck he couldn't get out of grade 0."
"Wow...is it that bad?" I asked.
"Of course not, but we can't take that risk."
"At the meantime... what do we have here... we just got new sets for Dragruler Phantom and Desperate Dragon. Maybe you can try them." I said, fumbling with the cards. I got a copy of both cards and showed him.
Holding the cards in his hand. Koutei closed his eyes.
After 10 seconds he opened his eyes.
"Nope, I can't use them." Koutei sighed.
"Why not?" I asked.
"When I am fighting with Etain and the rest, I always had an image, the image of me fighting alongside and within my Vanguard. I don't get an image for either of those."
"Why aren't using Etain then?" I asked.
"I am recuperating my powers here. I have no ability to fight..." Etain said, her tone much quieter than before.
"That was the main reason why I was changing aces all the time. I didn't see eye to eye with Gust Buster Dragon. Can't even imagine myself with it. As I fought, I felt strength being sapped away from my body every second. I can't let this happen again. But... with nothing to fight with, I am but a free entity to Void's attacks." Koutei explained.
"I will see what I can do..." I said for the second time.
"Koutei, time for me to use this Soul Link to help you." I told Koutei, putting my hand on his head.
"Close your eyes, and imagine an avatar fighting alongside you. Don't care about its looks, but rather what you want it to do for you."
"My body fights along with my avatar... emotions fueling each attack... a beast capable of fighting at that calibre."
"Wow, that is a strong image..." Lawkeeper's voice graced the room.
"I think I just know who to call..." Etain smiled.
"Me too." I said as I removed my hand from Koutei's head.
Looking into the case, I took out a unique box from within.
"I put decks into special cases when they have a special meaning to it." I said. "This one, was the one I prepared to fight ex-National Championship for Japan, Ren Suzugamori.
Passing him the deck, He looked at the contents.
"I wonder why I didn't did a Link with Delta, he reads my mind so well!" Etain said.
"Be glad you are Koutei's aide and partner, he is a good person. Not to mention, getting crowded is a little tiring at times..."
"This card..." Koutei said as he touched it.
His eyes widened the second his fingers brushed through the card.
"This strength, it isn't ordinary." Koutei said.
."Whether it fits you though, it is another story. There is only one way to know." I said as I took out a deck.
Shuffling and preparing our opening hand, I looked at the rest. They are almost done with their decks despite being only halfway through the carton. I wonder what I should do with the rest of the cards.
"Ages since we last fought." Koutei smiled.
"This time, show me what you got with that new unit."
"Stand up!"
"My..." I said.
"The..." Koutei said in contrast to me.
"Vanguard!" we both shouted as the starters flipped.
Everyone stopped and went over for a look.
"Judgebau Revenger." I said as I flipped my starter.
"Creeping Dark Goat." Koutei declared.
"Shadow Paladin against Shadow Paladin." Zeeriel said in surprise.
"Draw." I said. "I ride Dorint. Judgebau moves back. I end my turn."
"Draw." Koutei said. "I ride.Charon. my Dark Goat moves behind. Boosted by Goat, Charon attacks!" (12000 Power)
"No guard."
"Drive Trigger check. Modred Phantom."
"Damage Trigger check. Masquarade."
"Turn End."
"Draw. Lost blade of the paladins, I welcome your return! Blaster Dark Revenger, time to grace this field!" I shouted as I placed the card onto the Vanguard circle.
"Nullity Revenger, Masqurade comes in as well! He shall attack your Charon first!" (12000 Power)
"No guard. Nemain."
"Boosted by Judgebau, my Vanguard shall slash!" (14000 Power)
"No guard."
"Drive Trigger Check. Shadow Lancer."
"Damage Trigger check, Abyss Freezer, Power to Vanguard and I draw."
"Turn End."
"Stand and Draw. I ride Rugos. I call Nemain. Nemain's skill activates. I pay a counterblast, discard and draw 2. Goat's skill also activates. I look at the top 5 cards..." Koutei said.
Suddenly the card began to glow.
"Delta, did you add visual effects to your decks?" Koutei asked.
"I am not rich enough for that!"
"Looks like your unit is gonna help you soon." Lawkeeper said.
"But I can't use him yet. Instead. I call Charon behind Nemain, and also Transient Revenger, Masquarade behind my Vanguard. Masquarade boosts, my Vanguard attacks!" (17000 Power)
"No guard." I declared.
"Drive trigger check. Grim Revenger! Power to Nemain and the Critical to my Vanguard.
"Damage Trigger checks, Phantom Blaster Dragon, Mac Lir."
"Boosted by Charon, Nemain attacks your Vanguard!" (16000 Power)
"No guard. Air Raid Dragon. Power to Vanguard."
"Turn End."
"Stand and Draw. Dark dragon of the blaze, sublimate your soul to eternal darkness. The entity has come! I Ride the Vanguard! Phantom Blaster Dragon!" I shouted.
"I call Nemain. her skill activates, I drop a card to draw 2. Also, I call Mana. Her skill lets me superior call a Dorint. Phantom Blaster Dragon. Charge your lance with the souls of Nemain, Mana and Dorint!" I shouted. "Power +10000 and an extra Critical!"
"Lastly, I call a Charon. Boosted by Judgebau, my Vanguard strikes! (25000 Power)
"No guard."
"Twin Drive. First check. Mac Lir, Second Check, Grim Revenger! Power to Masquarade and Critical to my Vanguard!"
"Damage Trigger checks, Mac Lir, Modred Phantom, Rugos."
"Judgebau's skill activates! I pay the 4th Counterblast to superior call 2 Black-wing Swordbreakers! Both skills activate, allowing me to draw 2. Now, boosted by one Black-wing, the other attacks! (12000 Power)
"I intercept with Nemain!"
"Boosted by Charon, Masquarade attacks!" (22000 Power)
"I guard with Grim Revenger and Freezing Revenger!"
"I end my turn. Koutei, show me that power you have gotten."
"Stand and Draw. The Shadows do not fight for honor or pride, but rather for the sake of mankind. We only look evil, but we have the heart to change our fate! It is time to rev it up! I ride my new avatar! Shadow Blaze Dragon!"
"What's that?" Valodor began to ask.
"That card, not many have it. It is not a surprise that not many have used this card before. It is also not surprising that one of the best players in the world has a full set of this." Shiro said.
"I call a Mana myself. Her skill superior calls a Masquarade. Boosted by Masquarade, Mana attacks!" (15000 Power)
"No guard. Dragruler Phantom."
"Shadow Blaze Dragon attacks!" (11000 Power)
"I guard with Grim Revenger!"
"Twin Drive. First check, Mac Lir. Second check, Nemain. However, Shadow Blaze, your work isn't done! Your body shall now charge with me! LIMIT BREAK!"
I smiled.
"Mana and Masquarade, give all your strength to my Avatar! Retire Charon and Black-wing!"
"The game is over. I guess there isn't a need to continue, right?" I said as I piled the entire deck together.
"Thanks for the deck, Delta. I will cherish it." Koutei said.
"You found this unit to be your avatar. It is funny really." I laughed.
"Koutei..." Kat said as she poked Koutei.
"Yes my darling?" Koutei asked.
"Fight me." Kat said.
?
You fools are still fighting amongst yourselves, the portals are almost complete! We shall destroy this planet once and for all!
NEXT: Kat's Resolve