Ride 35: For The Team
Card of the Day: Mistress Hurricane
"How dare you," Agatha said quietly. She had to resist the urge to slap the two around the face, furious that they had done this. Because of them, she had been forced to sit out the round while they walked out onto the field and lost, all for money. She could understand Samuel's reaction, and she was having to drown the urge to abandon them as well.
"Why?" she finally asked. "Why did you do it? Do you really need the money?"
"Talk to Robert," Charles replied, standing up. "Before you start acting as some moral authority like Samuel did, you just hear why Robert accepted that offer. Then you decide whether to take the moral high ground or not." He paused. "As for me, I'm going to get a drink." With that, he walked away. "Don't worry, I'll be back for the next round."
"So you can lose that too," Agatha muttered under her breath, before looking at Robert. "Well... why? Why did you take their offer? The money?"
"Yes... in a way," he said, thinking about his words. "You, Samuel... you don't know. And you can't know what it's like..." He paused. "You both have nice, loving dads... mums with decent jobs... I don't have that in my life." He looked at her, and she saw the sadness in his eyes. "When mum had me, she was still in school. She still had a whole life ahead of her, and when she told father, he just upped and left. He screwed her over, threw all his debts onto her with some loophole." He paused.
"Everyone told her to have an abortion, or put me up for adoption," he continued. "She had a life ahead of her, and they said it wasn't worth losing that for me. My grandparents... my aunt... they all tried to convince her, but in the end... she insisted on keeping me. So she had to drop out of school, and my grandparents pretty much disowned her... they still look at me like I'm everything that went wrong for them. Mum kept getting odd jobs, just to hold the bailiffs off, but she'll never pay the debt off with the money she earns. She works herself to death and it's still nowhere near enough because the interest keeps piling up. Every night she walks through the door half-dead and just collapses because she's exhausted."
She was silent.
"In the end... I'm the reason she has to live this way," he said quietly. "She won't accept money from aunt, or the government... she's too proud, aunt says. But really it's because she feels like it's her mess and she has to fix it herself. I can't... let her keep living that way." There were tears beginning to pool in his eyes. "That's why I wanted to win this. To get the prize money, and all the money from sponsorships and such to help her. But... we're not going to win. Not with everyone in our way. Eternal Nightfall... Celestial Dusk... we can't win against teams like that. And if we get eliminated trying to do that, I'll go home with nothing, and I'll have to watch mum killing herself for another six months before there's even a chance to try again. And even if I get up there, I'll just be crushing other people all the way. Smashing their dreams." There was a moment of silence. "Don't you see? I... just want to help her... but now..." He began to cry, the tears running down his face. "Samuel hates me... you hate me... I don't want to lose my friends... please, understand. I can't let her live like that any more... if I can help her, I have to take that path..."
As he sat there and cried, Agatha looked at him, and felt pity tearing through her. Pity and sadness. She got up and slowly wrapped her arms around Robert, hugging him close. "It's okay, Robert. I understand." He cried into her shoulder as she held him comfortingly. "Samuel will understand too, once he knows."
"Even if he knew... you didn't see him," he replied, voice muffled. "How angry he was... how hurt he was... he's furious."
She didn't reply, just holding him in a friend's comforting embrace. "It'll be okay, Robert. It'll be okay..."
There was no answer.
VBH35
"Moping? That's not like you... well, not as much as this, anyway."
Samuel looked up to see Mr. Owens, the manager looking bemused. "Why aren't you with the others? The fight with Team Melody starts soon." The two were in one of the galleries, Samuel sat in a corner facing the TV.
"I'm quitting the team."
Shock spread across the manager's features. "What?! Why?"
"Didn't you see?" the Shadow Paladin user said bitterly. "How Robert and Charles lost deliberately. The two of them did some dirty little deal with Eternal Nightfall, and meddled to get Agatha out of the way. And then they walked out onto the field and betrayed us... for damn money." He paused. "They're going to do the same this round, and if they want to throw themselves out that way, then damn them. I'm not fighting with them if that's what they want."
"Samuel... they're your teammates."
"They stopped being my teammates the moment they shook Morgan's hand and agreed to lose," Samuel said in a cold tone. "I should never have come back here. I should've known I'd just be betrayed again."
"...again?" the manager asked.
"Once before... I brought a team here. We got into the professional leagues," he said quietly. "In our first match, we fought Eternal Nightfall. Morgan came to us before the games started, made pretty much the same offer. I refused, and so did one of my teammates... but the other one... Henry... he went back and accepted without me knowing. He lost on purpose, and then Alistair beat me." He paused, eyes cold and hard as he remembered. "I only found out afterwards... and then Celestial Dusk swooped in and said they'd been impressed by Henry. He went to join them, and I haven't seen him in person since... not until today."
"Wait... you mean...?"
"Yes. Celestial Dusk's Henry Adamson is my former teammate... my old friend," Samuel confirmed darkly.
There was a long silence, before finally Mr. Owens spoke. "I know you feel betrayed and hurt, Samuel. But they're still your team. You still fought with them at Regionals... what are you going to do? Sit on the other side of the shop and stare daggers at them if they even try to come close? Say nothing to them? Just be as cold as possible because you want to make them remember what they did every time they see you? Are you really so petty?"
"I trusted them, utterly," he said. "I... believed in them... and then they turned and threw it in my face. Do you just expect me to carry on like nothing happened? I can't do that." He paused. "And you can't change my mind."
He sighed. "Samuel, holding a grudge is no use." The young man remained cold and silent. "Don't you think that maybe, on a level, you caused this?"
"What do you mean?"
"I've seen you, Samuel, strutting around making grand plans with them, trying so hard and saying you're going to win," the manager said. "How much pressure do you think that puts on them? So they feel like if they lose even one game, and it's entirely possible and even likely here, that they've somehow failed the team entirely? You acting that way just puts more pressure on Robert, especially once you push him aside and act like Agatha and yourself are the best options, not even giving him a chance." He paused. "At Regionals, you were willing to trust in your teammates so much that you stepped aside to give Agatha a chance to prove herself. But now... think about it. Maybe Robert accepted that offer, but perhaps you pushed him right to the edge by making him doubt and worry with all the pressure you put on his shoulders." With that, he walked away, leaving Samuel to seethe and remember. But as his anger burned and froze in his veins, and the memories stormed through his head, he felt a stab of guilt deep down.
VBH34
"What's up?"
Agatha glared at Charles as he returned, holding a bottle of sports drink. She was still holding Robert, though his sobs had died down and his tears had dried up.
"Robert told me," she said.
"Oh, good. Then you get why I brought him to Morgan?" he said. "Why I went along with this? I'm not doing this for the money I'll get. I'm doing this so that he can get the money to help his mother."
She said nothing, slowly pulling away from Robert. "Our fight with Melody's about to start. Are you ready?"
"Of course," he nodded. "You know what we're doing, though."
"That's your choice."
"What about you? What're you going to do?"
"I'm going to fight my hardest," Agatha replied. "Even if you've decided on losing, I'm not going to lay down and let them win. I'll make sure Samuel knows this team still has some chance."
"Ah, why do you care? He'll just sit and mope in the corner back at the shop, I bet," Charles shrugged. "Guys like him aren't worth giving a damn over. Sad little idealists aren't worth indulging. He needs to grow up and see what it's really all about."
"Don't say that about him."
A look of surprise crossed Charles' face as he turned to Robert. "Why? He's just a sad idealist."
"He's still a good person... better than either of us," he replied. "In the end, he has standards... he believed in us. Even though he walked away... he's still better than us."
Charles was silent.
"Now, teams from Blocks A and B, return to the arena floor for the final matches of this round for your blocks! The pairings are clear, for Block A Team Eternal Nightfall versus Team Four-Leaf Clover, and Team Avalon versus Team Melody, and for Block B..."
"Well, that's our cue," Charles said. "I'll take the first game. Get it out of the way." With that, he turned and walked out onto the field.
VBH35
"Why's Charles going to fight?" Alice wondered. "Isn't Samuel going first this time?"
"Samuel's quit the team." It was Mr. Owens, coming to his seat with a grim expression.
"What?!"
"Apparently... Robert and Charles did a deal with Eternal Nightfall," he said quietly. "That they'd lose on purpose, and get the team eliminated."
"What... why?" Richard exclaimed.
"For money, according to Samuel," the manager said. "He's disgusted... and he's quit. They're on their own."
"But if Robert and Charles want to lose... it's just Agatha who's got a real chance of winning..." Leah said quietly. "Charles... Robert... why...?"
"I always knew Charles was going to do something dodgy," Richard muttered under his breath. "But Robert... what reason has he got to...?"
"His mother," Alice said. "He's doing this for aunt..." There was a look of pity in her eyes as she understood. "Robert..."
VBH35
"The fight between Charles Bannerman of Team Avalon and Howard Orange of Team Melody will now begin!"
"Stand up, Vanguard!"
"Weather Girl Sabrina!"
"Bermuda Triangle Cadet, Weddell!"
The battlefield took shape, a concert stage on the open seas, adorned with vibrant lights. Their starter Vanguards took shape, Sabrina standing upon the platform, a young mermaid with pale blue hair forming in the water for Howard [Weather Girl Sabrina – 5000 Power] [Bermuda Triangle Cadet, Weddell – 5000 Power]
VBH35
Charles
Hand: 4
Front Row: Maiden of Libra/Oracle Guardian Apollon/Omniscience Madonna
Back Row: Oracle Guardian Artemis/Oracle Guardian Gemini/Dark Cat
Damage: Lozenge Magus (F), Omniscience Madonna (F), Oracle Guardian Athena (U), Victory Maker (U), Dark Cat (U)
Howard
Hand: 3
Front Row: Rainbow Light, Carine/Velvet Voice, Raindear/Girls Rock, Rio
Back Row: Mermaid Idol, Sedna/Bermuda Triangle Cadet, Weddell/Prism of the Water's Surface, Miltoa
Damage: Mermaid Idol, Ellie (F), Drive Quartet, Flows (U), Navy Dolphin, Ameer (U), Intelli Idol, Mervill (U), Drive Quartet, Bubblin (U)
"Stand and draw," Howard declared. "I activate Weddell's skill, moving her to the Soul to return a Rearguard to my hand." He slid Weddell's card into the Soul, adding Girls Rock, Rio to his hand. "Rio's skill. I Counterblast to Soul Charge and draw."
[Soul Charge – Cooking Caspian – Draw Trigger]
He made a draw. "Now, I call Rio and Blazer Idols." A cute girl holding a guitar, with purple fins under her arms appeared in front of Miltoa, while a trio of girls in red uniforms appeared behind Raindear, laughing as they embraced one another [Girls Rock, Rio – 8000 Power] [Blazer Idols – 6000 Power]. "I activate Blazer Idols' skill, giving 2000 Power to Carine for the turn. Now, with a boost from Sedna, Carine attacks your Vanguard!"
An adorable young mermaid with a pink tail and hair, wearing a pirate's hat, raised her hands, unleashing a heart-shaped burst of light across the field towards Apollon [10000 Power + 2000 Power + 8000 Power = 20000 Power]
"I guard with Psychic Bird and Intercept with Libra!" The emerald-feathered bird appeared, accompanied by Libra [10000 Power + 10000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 25000 Power], shattering as the heart struck them.
"With a boost from Blazer Idols, Raindear attacks," Howard smiled. Raindear raised her microphone, beginning to wail an opera melody which sent a surge of water racing over the field [10000 Power + 6000 Power = 16000 Power].
"I guard with Lozenge!" The magus appeared in the path of the attack, shielding Apollon from harm [10000 Power + 10000 Shield = 20000 Power].
"Twin Drive," Howard called out. "First check... no Trigger. However, it's a Grade 3."
[Drive Check – Top Idol, Flores – No Trigger]
"Since I Drive Checked a Grade 3, Raindear's skill activates, returning a Rearguard to my hand," he declared. "I return Carine and activate her skill." He turned over a Damage, sliding a card into his Soul, and drawing a card.
[Soul Charge – Blazer Idols – No Trigger]
"Then, I call Carine once again via the second part of Raindear's skill." Carine reformed, laughing [Rainbow Light, Carine – 1000 Power]. "Second check... get, Stand Trigger!"
[Drive Check – Drive Quartet, Ressac – Stand Trigger]
"I Stand Sedna, and give the Power to Raindear," he smiled. The empowered attack from Raindear smashed through Lozenge Magus, shattering her into motes, and then struck into Apollon, crushing the robot into the stage.
"Damage Check... no Trigger," Charles said, revealing the card and placing it down.
[Damage Check – CEO Amaterasu – No Trigger]
The field dissolved into motes as the two fighters retrieved their cards, the referee making his judgment.
"The winner is Howard Orange of Team Melody!"
Charles silently walked away, smiling slightly. Things were still going according to the plan. Even if Agatha won, so long as Robert played his part, they would be eliminated and their side of the deal would be upheld.
"Your turn," he called to Agatha as he walked past her. "Do your best, even if it doesn't matter."
She shot him an angry look, before looking back to Robert. "It'll be okay, Robert... whatever you choose. But... think about it. What do you really want to do?" With that, she stood up and walked out into the arena.
He sat there and thought. "What do I... really want to do...?"
VBH35
The opponent who stepped out to face her was a young man, dressed in a neat black suit, his black hair neatly combed. He seemed entirely at odds with the environment he stood in, even as he held up his deck.
"Well, hello," he said, smiling. "I hope this fight of ours creates a nice sound for the audience to appreciate."
"A nice sound?"
"Yes, that's right," he nodded. "My deck is one of musicians. Even in battle, they create a marvellous song together. Hopefully, that coupled with whatever melody your deck creates will weave something wonderful for the crowd." He set his starter Vanguard down, quickly shuffling his deck.
"Huh... I suppose that would be interesting," she murmured. "Let's see how it goes, shall we?"
"Yes, let's," her opponent smiled. They quickly prepared for the fight, until finally they were stood ready.
"The fight between Agatha Gladstone of Team Avalon and Adam Jameson of Team Melody will now begin!"
"Stand up, Vanguard!" Adam declared, his voice melodic. "Panorama Gazer!"
"Stand up, Vanguard! Moon Summoner!" she answered.
The battlefield took shape, a great shining city, surrounding the square in which they stood. On a raised stage adorned in neon lights, Adam's Vanguard appeared, a hovering sphere of lights and speakers, while opposite, the young elf boy appeared [Panorama Gazer – 5000 Power] [Moon Summoner – 5000 Power]
As the fight began, Agatha became aware of a soft, melodic hum ringing through the air. Drawing her card, she scanned over her hand. "I Ride Skull Juggler!" she called. Moon Summoner reformed into the skull-juggling gremlin [Skull Juggler – 7000 Power], before reforming behind it [Moon Summoner – 5000 Power]. "Juggler's skill." She slipped a card into her Soul.
[Soul Charge – Dancing Griffin – No Trigger]
"With that, I end my turn."
Agatha
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Skull Juggler/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Moon Summoner/Empty
Damage: None
Adam
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Panorama Gazer/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
"Draw," Adam said. "Now, let the concert begin in earnest. I Ride Justice Storm!" Panorama Gazer reformed in a flare of light, taking the form of an alien swathed in brilliant lights, energy blazing across its form [Justice Storm – 8000 Power]. "Panorama Gazer moves to the back." The Unit reappeared behind and to the left of Justice Storm [Panorama Gazer – 5000 Power]
"And now, Justice Storm attacks your Vanguard." Justice Storm exploded forwards, crackling with light and energy.
"No guard!" Agatha called in response.
"Drive Check... excellent. The melody grows richer," Adam smiled. "Got a Draw Trigger." He made a draw, and around them, the melody in the air intensified, becoming somewhat more upbeat.
[Drive Check – Message Carrier, Sagittarius – Draw Trigger]
The shining alien struck in a pulse of light, sending Skull Juggler crashing back.
"Damage Check," Agatha said. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Acrobat Cerberus – No Trigger]
"And now, the musicians shall take a short break," Adam said. "It's your turn."
Adam
Hand: 7
Front Row: Empty/Justice Storm/Empty
Back Row: Panorama Gazer/Empty/Empty
Damage: None
Agatha
Hand: 5
Front Row: Empty/Skull Juggler/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Moon Summoner/Empty
Damage: Acrobat Cerberus (U)
"I draw," Agatha said. "I ride Elephant Juggler!" Skull Juggler reformed into the towering figure, juggling the three elephants [Elephant Juggler – 9000 Power]. "Now, I call Barking Cerberus, Rainbow Magician and Gravity Beast." The gaudy cerberus, white-clad magician and armored beast appeared [Barking Cerberus – 10000 Power] [Rainbow Magician – 4000 Power] [Gravity Beast – 8000 Power]. "And now, Juggler's skill. Soul Charge." She took three cards, sliding them into her Soul.
[Soul Charge – Candy Clown – Heal Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Burning Hippogryph – No Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Hades Hypnotist – No Trigger]
"Now, Gravity Beast attacks your Vanguard!" The beast erupted forwards, preparing to strike.
"I guard with Sagittarius," Adam responded. A robotic figure appeared, a centaur carrying a bag, held aloft by jets built into its feet [8000 Power + 5000 Shield = 13000 Power], before being shattered by a blow from Gravity Beast's claws.
"With a boost from Moon Summoner, Elephant Juggler attacks!" Elephant Juggler hurled an elephant across the field towards Justice Storm [9000 Power + 5000 Power = 14000 Power]
"No guard," Adam said melodically.
"Drive Check... get, Draw Trigger!" Agatha answered. "I give the Power to Cerberus and draw!"
[Drive Check – Rainbow Magician – Draw Trigger]
The elephant smashed into Justice Storm, knocking the alien reeling back. "Damage Check," Adam called. "Ah... no Trigger."
[Damage Check – Stellar Idol, Fornax – No Trigger]
"And now, with a boost from Rainbow Magician, Cerberus attacks Justice Storm!" The cerberus pounced forward with an excited bark [10000 Power + 5000 Power + 4000 Power = 19000 Power]
"No guard," Adam answered, allowing the cerberus to pounce onto his Vanguard and smash it to the ground. "Damage Check... Stand Trigger."
[Damage Check – Synthetica Blimp, Pisces – Stand Trigger]
"I activate Rainbow Magician's skill," Agatha declared. "I Soul Charge, and shuffle Magician into my deck." She slid a card into her Soul, before shuffling the Draw Trigger back into her deck.
[Soul Charge – Nightmare Doll, Alice – No Trigger]
"I end my turn there."
Agatha
Hand: 4
Front Row: Barking Cerberus/Elephant Juggler/Gravity Beast
Back Row: Empty/Moon Summoner/Empty
Damage: Acrobat Cerberus (U)
Adam
Hand: 6
Front Row: Empty/Justice Storm/Empty
Back Row: Panorama Gazer/Empty/Empty
Damage: Stellar Idol, Fornax (U), Synthetica Blimp, Pisces (U)
"Stand and draw," Adam declared. "I Ride Constellation Knight!" Cosmic light swathed Justice Storm, causing the melody around to become triumphant and heroic. From the light emerged a figure swathed in iridescent light, wielding a sword of cosmic energies [Constellation Knight – 10000 Power]. "Next, I call Sonic Conductor, Aries, and Burning Soul, Leo!" In a flare of violet, a ram-man holding an amplifier appeared, followed by a blazing lion-man swathed in fiery gold [Sonic Conductor, Aries – 7000 Power] [Burning Soul, Leo – 9000 Power].
"And now, come forth, Synth Icon, Virgo!" A beautiful alien woman appeared next to Constellation Knight, swathed in pink light and dressed in a white dress, with beautiful gossamer angel wings [Synth Icon, Virgo – 8000 Power]. "Virgo's skill. She and a Unit in the same column rest, and I draw one card." The two fell into rested positions as Adam made a draw. "Since my Units rested, Aries and Leo gain 1000 Power for each." Auras of power began to shine around the two [Sonic Conductor, Aries – 9000 Power] [Burning Soul, Leo – 11000 Power]
"Now with a boost from Aries, Leo attacks your Vanguard!" Leo erupted forwards, blazing with golden flames [11000 Power + 9000 Power = 20000 Power]
"No guard!" Agatha replied, allowing Leo to strike her Vanguard with a blow of its fist. "Damage Check... no Trigger."
[Damage Check – Dancing Griffin – No Trigger]
"Now, Constellation Knight attacks Elephant Juggler!" Constellation Knight burst forwards, swathed in power and light, drawing back its sword.
"Gravity Beast Intercepts and I activate its skill, S-Special Intercept!" Agatha called. Gravity Beast stalked forwards [9000 Power + 5000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 19000 Power]
"Drive Check... perfect. Stand Trigger," Adam smiled. "I give the effects to Leo."
[Drive Check – Synthetica Blimp, Pisces – Stand Trigger]
Constellation Knight slashed Gravity Beast into motes with an iridescent arc of its sword, before leaping away. "Now, Leo attacks your Vanguard once again!" Leo charged, drawing back a fist [11000 Power + 5000 Power = 16000 Power]
"No guard," Agatha replied, allowing Leo to strike with a blazing punch. "Damage Check... no Trigger."
[Damage Check – Hades Hypnotist – No Trigger]
"And now to the interlude," Adam smiled. "Your turn, once more."
Adam
Hand: 5
Front Row: Synth Icon, Virgo/Constellation Knight/Burning Soul, Leo
Back Row: Panorama Gazer/Empty/Sonic Conductor, Aries
Damage: Stellar Idol, Fornax (U), Synthetica Blimp, Pisces (U)
Agatha
Hand: 4
Front Row: Barking Cerberus/Elephant Juggler/Empty
Back Row: Empty/Moon Summoner/Empty
Damage: Acrobat Cerberus (U), Dancing Griffin (U), Hades Hypnotist (U)
"Stand and draw," Agatha called. "Beautiful and fearsome queen of the circus, spread open your wings, and crack your terrible whip! I Ride, Mistress Hurricane!"
Elephant Juggler burst into the shadows, which were whirled into a tornado of darkness. With a cry, a pair of dark wings burst open, unveiling a terrible angelic form. Hanging in mid air, Mistress Hurricane was revealed, an attractive woman dressed in a tight, revealing leotard, her head crowned by brilliant white horns. In her hand was a glistening gold whip made of blades, and a cruel smirk adorned her face as she descended, the talons on her feet clenching menacingly [Mistress Hurricane – 10000 Power]
"Hurricane's Counterblast!" Agatha called. "I Superior Call one Pale Moon Unit from my Soul! Appear once more, Skull Juggler!" She turned over two Damage cards, and behind Cerberus, the gremlin appeared again [Skull Juggler – 7000 Power]. "Next, Juggler's Soul Charge!"
[Soul Charge – Dynamite Juggler – Critical Trigger]
She frowned slightly. "Hurricane's other skill activates. Since I have at least eight Pale Moon in my Soul, she gains 1000 Power." An aura of shadows writhed around the angelic figure as she smirked [Mistress Hurricane – 11000 Power]. "I call Acrobat Cerberus." The cerberus appeared, balancing neatly on one leg [Acrobat Cerberus – 9000 Power]. "Cerberus attacks Virgo!"
The cerberus burst forwards and shattered Virgo into motes with a blow of its paw.
"Now, with a boost from Moon Summoner, Hurricane attacks your Vanguard!" Mistress Hurricane spread her wings, soaring forwards and drawing back her whip [11000 Power + 5000 Power = 16000 Power]
"No guard," Adam replied, almost singing the words.
"Twin Drive!" she declared. "First check... no Trigger!"
[Drive Check – Skull Juggler – No Trigger]
"Second check... no Trigger."
[Drive Check – Midnight Bunny – No Trigger]
Hurricane's whip struck, tearing across Constellation Knight's form in a flash of gold and knocking the knight reeling. "Damage Check... no Trigger," Adam said softly.
[Damage Check – Sonic Conductor, Aries – No Trigger]
"With a boost from Skull Juggler, Cerberus attacks your Vanguard," Agatha continued. Barking Cerberus leapt forwards with a howl [10000 Power + 7000 Power = 17000 Power]
"Pisces guards," Adam replied. A glowing neon blue blimp shaped like a fish appeared, hovering in Cerberus' path and repulsing the attack [10000 Power + 10000 Shield = 20000 Power]
"I end my turn," Agatha concluded.
Agatha
Hand: 5
Front Row: Barking Cerberus/Mistress Hurricane/Acrobat Cerberus
Back Row: Skull Juggler/Moon Summoner/Empty
Damage: Acrobat Cerberus (F), Dancing Griffin (F), Hades Hypnotist (U)
Adam
Hand: 4
Front Row: Empty/Constellation Knight/Burning Soul, Leo
Back Row: Panorama Gazer/Empty/Sonic Conductor, Aries
Damage: Stellar Idol, Fornax (U), Synthetica Blimp, Pisces (U), Sonic Conductor, Aries (U)
"Stand and draw," Adam said. "Now, to bring on the star of this show. The dancing lights and majestic sounds... announce the presence of a true star! I Ride... Supernova Producer, Scorpio!"
Crimson rays of light engulfed Constellation Knight, blazing brightly as the music became darker and more energetic. Out of the light formed an alien figure, a pretty man with brilliant red hair, dressed in a white coat. He wore an alluring smirk, his irises a burning red. Then his coat-tails parted, revealing his tail, a sleek red thing tipped by a glowing crimson stinger as flames burned around his body [Supernova Producer, Scorpio – 10000 Power].
"I call Scorpio and Justice Storm!" A second Scorpio appeared beside the first, while behind the Vanguard, the brilliant alien figure appeared [Supernova Producer, Scorpio – 10000 Power] [Justice Storm – 8000 Power]. "Now, I activate my Vanguard's skill. I rest one of my Rearguards, and Scorpio gains 3000 Power." He moved Justice Storm into a resting position, and Scorpio burned with crimson energy [Supernova Producer, Scorpio – 13000 Power]. "Next, I activate Panorama Gazer's skill. I Counterblast one and rest it to stand another of my Rearguards." He turned over a Damage, moving Gazer to the rested position before standing Justice Storm.
"And since you rested two of your Rearguards..." Agatha murmured, looking at Aries and Leo.
"I was kind of hoping your Vanguard would only have 10000 Power," he murmured as auras of light appeared around the two [Sonic Conductor, Aries – 9000 Power] [Burning Soul, Leo – 11000 Power]. "But oh well. With a boost from Aries, Leo attacks your Vanguard!" Leo erupted across the field, burning with golden flames [11000 Power + 9000 Power = 20000 Power]
"I guard with Candy Clown!" Agatha retorted. The green-clad clown appeared before her [11000 Power + 10000 Shield = 21000 Power], shattering with a blow from Leo's fist.
"With a boost from Storm, Scorpio attacks!" he declared. Scorpio raised his hands with a smirk, casting a bolt of raging crimson light across the field [13000 Power + 8000 Power = 21000 Power].
"No guard," Agatha replied.
"Twin Drive, first check," he spoke. "Not a Trigger, ah."
[Drive Check – Synth Icon, Virgo – No Trigger]
"Second check... also not a Trigger," he frowned, before smiling again. "Oh, well. I guess you can't have them all."
[Drive Check – Stellar Idol, Fornax – No Trigger]
The bolt struck home, blasting a crimson flare around Hurricane, who shrieked in pain. "Damage Check," Agatha said. "No Trigger."
[Damage Check – Elephant Juggler – No Trigger]
Adam considered for a moment. "My Rearguard Scorpio attacks Barking Cerberus!"
"I Intercept with Acrobat Cerberus!" The cerberus leapt forwards and was blasted to motes by Scorpio's blast [10000 Power + 5000 Shield = 15000 Power].
"Ah, well," Adam mused. "I'll take an interlude there. I end my turn."
Adam
Hand: 4
Front Row: Supernova Producer, Scorpio/Supernova Producer, Scorpio/Burning Soul, Leo
Back Row: Panorama Gazer/Justice Storm/Sonic Conductor, Aries
Damage: Stellar Idol, Fornax (F), Synthetica Blimp, Pisces (U), Sonic Conductor, Aries (U)
Agatha
Hand: 4
Front Row: Barking Cerberus/Mistress Hurricane/Empty
Back Row: Skull Juggler/Moon Summoner/Empty
Damage: Acrobat Cerberus (F), Dancing Griffin (F), Hades Hypnotist (U), Elephant Juggler (U)
"Stand and draw," Agatha called. She gazed at a card in her hand. That card again. The one which had won Regionals for her, in the end. "Together with the beasts, light up the performance, and bring the circus to a grand finale! I Ride... Golden Beast Tamer!"
Her Vanguard was swathed in golden light, transforming into the beautiful Tamer, lashing her whip [Golden Beast Tamer – 10000 Power]. "And now, Golden's skill! Superior Call, Mistress Hurricane!" Golden Beast Tamer cracked her whip, and Hurricane reappeared beside her, spreading her wings [Mistress Hurricane – 10000 Power + 3000 Power = 13000 Power]. "I Soul Blast to release Golden's Restraint," she discarded three cards, "then call Midnight Bunny!" Behind Hurricane, the adorable pink-clad woman appeared [Midnight Bunny – 7000 Power].
Adam gazed across the field. "I see... so this is your big push?"
"With a boost from Midnight Bunny, Mistress Hurricane attacks your Vanguard!" Agatha called. Hurricane swooped forwards, drawing back her whip [13000 Power + 7000 Power = 20000 Power]
Adam glanced at his hand for a moment. "No guard." Hurricane's whip lashed and ripped across Scorpio's form, making the singer cry out in pain. "Damage Check... no Trigger."
[Damage Check – Burning Soul, Leo – No Trigger]
Agatha paused. "Robert... I'll show you. Teammates stand together... they don't abandon each other. And together... they can overcome any odds." "Midnight Bunny's Counterblast! I send Bunny to the Soul and Superior Call Purple Trapezist!" Midnight Bunny vanished into the shadows, and Trapezist emerged from them [Purple Trapezist – 6000 Power]. "And now, Trapezist's skill! Hurricane moves to the Soul, and I Superior Call Nightmare Doll, Alice!" Mistress Hurricane vanished in a swirl of shadows, from which Alice rose [Nightmare Doll, Alice – 10000 Power + 3000 Power = 13000 Power]
"With the use of Pale Moon's powerful tactic, Deadly Shadow Beast, Agatha Gladstone has created another full attack lane! Just how will Adam Jameson respond?!"
"With a boost from Trapezist, Alice attacks your Vanguard!" Alice reached out in silence [13000 Power + 6000 Power = 19000 Power]
"I guard with Snack Bearer, Capricorn and Synth Icon, Virgo!" A goat-headed man wearing an apron and bearing a tray of snacks appeared, accompanied by the beautiful form of Virgo [10000 Power + 5000 Shield + 5000 Shield = 20000 Power]
"With a boost from Moon Summoner, Golden Beast Tamer attacks!" Agatha called. Golden Beast Tamer flashed forwards, swathed in light [10000 Power + 5000 Power = 15000 Power]
"No guard," Adam mused.
"Twin Drive... get," she said, smiling. "Stand Trigger. I give all the effects to Alice."
[Drive Check – Skyhigh Walker – Stand Trigger]
There was a distinct look of worry on Adam's face as Alice rose. "Second check," Agatha continued. "No Trigger."
[Drive Check – Hades Hypnotist – No Trigger]
The whip struck, tearing across Scorpio's body just as Hurricane's had. "Damage Check," Adam said quietly. "No... Trigger..."
[Damage Check – Shining Guardian, Taurus – No Trigger]
"Now, Alice attacks your Vanguard!" Agatha continued. Alice reached out once more [10000 Power + 5000 Power = 15000 Power].
"I... no guard," Adam murmured, allowing Alice to strike his Vanguard and crush him in her grip. "Damage Check... Stand Trigger..."
[Damage Check – Shine Guide – Stand Trigger]
"The winner is Agatha Gladstone of Team Avalon!"
She smiled a little. She had managed to buy them a chance at least. But now it all depended on what Robert chose. Silently, she took up her deck and began to walk away.
"Thank you for treating me to such a harmonious performance," she heard Adam call after her. She stopped, and looked back at him.
"Thank you," she nodded in return, before walking away, glancing at Robert.
VBH35
"How amusing," Charles smirked. "She actually won. Ah, well. It's up to you now, Robert. Do your best."
"Yeah..." he murmured, gazing at his deck. And it was up to him. Whether Avalon rose or fell. It was in his hands what happened to them. And in truth, his soul was torn in half by the decision he faced, that final terrible decision. On one side, his mother, exhausted and sickly. On the other, his teammates... his friends. Who did he choose? What was he meant to do?
And hadn't she just proven it, with that last turn? That teammates would always support each other, lifting each other on their shoulders to victory. That a team fighting together could overcome even the toughest obstacles and find victory in the end. And with that fact in mind, his resolve began to crumble, his heart remembering all those good times with them. His teammates. His friends. Could he really betray them?
"Robert." He looked up to see Agatha. "Good luck... and remember. No matter what happens now... it'll be okay..."
He stood. "Thank you..." With deck in hand, he prepared to walk onto the battlefield and make his choice.
VBH35
Card of the Day:
Mistress Hurricane
Grade 3/Twin Drive!
Dark Zone – Chimera – Pale Moon
10000 Power/No Shield/Critical 1
Continuous [V]: If you have 8 or more Pale Moon in your Soul, this Unit gains 1000 Power.
Auto [V]: [Counterblast 2] When this Unit appears in the Vanguard Circle, you may pay the cost. If paid, call 1 Pale Moon from your Soul to a Rearguard Circle.
'The happy slaves always come running at the crack of the queen's whip.'
VBH35
Card Stats:
Panorama Gazer
Grade 0/Workerroid – Synthetica/5000 Power/10000 Shield
Auto: When a Synthetica Rides this Unit, you may call this Unit to a Rearguard Circle.
Activate [R]: [Counterblast 1, rest this Unit] Stand 1 Synthetica Rearguard, other than 'Panorama Gazer'.
Justice Storm
Grade 1/Alien – Synthetica/8000 Power/5000 Shield
Message Carrier, Sagittarius
Grade 0/Workerroid – Synthetica/5000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger
Sonic Conductor, Aries
Grade 1/Alien – Synthetica/7000 Power/5000 Shield
Auto [V/R]: When your Synthetica is placed at rest by the skill of a Synthetica, this Unit gains 1000 Power until end of turn.
Burning Soul, Leo
Grade 2/Alien – Synthetica/9000 Power/5000 Shield
Auto [V/R]: When your Synthetica is placed at rest by the skill of a Synthetica, this Unit gains 1000 Power until end of turn.
Synth Icon, Virgo
Grade 2/Alien – Synthetica/8000 Power/5000 Shield
Auto [R]: [Rest this Unit and 1 Synthetica Rearguard in the same column as this Unit] When this Unit is called to a Rearguard Circle, if you have a Synthetica Vanguard, you may pay the cost. If paid, draw 1 card.
Synthetica Blimp, Pisces
Grade 0/Alien – Synthetica/4000 Power/10000 Shield
Activate [R]: [Send this Unit to Soul] If you have a Synthetica Vanguard, unflip 1 Damage.
Supernova Producer, Scorpio
Grade 3/Alien – Synthetica/10000 Power/No Shield
Activate [V]: [Rest 1 Synthetica Rearguard] This Unit gains 3000 Power until end of turn.
Snack Bearer, Capricorn
Grade 0/Alien – Synthetica/4000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger
Auto [R]: When this Unit is placed at rest by the skill of a Synthetica, select 1 of your other Synthetica. That Unit gains 2000 Power until end of turn.
(The Synthetica Clan was designed by me, with help from Desgarroth. Aries and Leo have been slightly redesigned since their last appearance.)
VBH35
Next time, Robert faces the final member of Team Melody. Torn between his teammates and his mother, just what will he decide? Which path will he take? And even if he resolves to fight at his hardest, will he be able to survive the power of his opponent's strategy?
The answers will be revealed in Ride 36: Edge of Decisions!