Chapter

The Demon Blade, Kurogane

Finally, after we worked so hard to get here, ... we made it. We actually made it to the final round.

You've done great, Mason!" A familiar voice said.

"WB! How have ya been?" I asked.

"Good."

Sophie then ran to me and said: "Hi!"

"Hey, Sophie. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing much. Just watching you guys kick butt!"

Trevor then added: "We have us a fan."

WB then said: "I'll be back in a sec. Think you guys can watch her?"

"No problem." Sai answered.

"Thanks." He went into the bleacher area.

Sophie was running around the hallway until she fell. She was sobbing. I was about to run to her until a guy in a Japanese robe, with hair similar to Gallatin came to her side.

"Are you alright, Little One?" He held his hand out.

"*sniff* Yeah... Thanks, Mister..." She took it and picked herself up.

"You need to be more careful. You could have broken something." He gave her a tissue.

"I'm sorry. My friends are in the final match and I guess I was a little excited." She wiped the tears from her ears.

"No harm done."

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Yeah, Mister. What's your name so I can thank you?"

"My name, Little Miss, is Kurogane. It's a pleasure." He bowed.

"My name's Sophie! Nice to meet you, Mister Kurogane! And these are my friends, Mason, Abbey, Sai, and Meany Trevor."

Trevor then thought: Is she still mad about that?

"Ah, yes. Team ED4, I presume?"

"Kurogane. It's been a while." Trevor said.

"Too long in my opinion, sir. I look forward to fighting you."

"You're in the match?" Abbey asked.

"Yes. I'll be in the first fight as a representative of GS4."

Sophie then asked: "You're not like Shiro. Are you, Kurogane?"

"Of course not, Sophie. I'm not like that at all."

"You promise?"

"By my honor as a samurai."

"Okay! Good luck!" She hugged him and went to the door that lead to the bleachers, with her dad waiting by it.

"Honey, I heard you crying. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Daddy. Let's get ready for the match!"

They both went in.

"Well, I shall be seeing you all later then." He left for the locker room.

"Well, guys, lets head in too." I said.

We went into our locker room. Kotetsu was waiting at the bench next to the door leading to the arena. "Hey, guys..."

"What's wrong, Dad?" Sai asked.

"I just found out a new format they'll be using for the final round..."

"Okay. So, what's the problem?" Abbey asked.

"It's a blackout fight."

"Blackout?" Trevor wondered.

"What's that mean?" I asked.

"It means your team only wins when all of your opposing team's fighters have lost..."

It was quiet for a second.

"WHAT?!" Sai exclaimed.

"Just what I said. You have to beat them all to win..."

"They can't expect us t-"

I interrupted: "Okay. No problem."

Sai turned to me. "Mason?" He saw the determined gleam in my eye. "You're in charge now. So, if you're cool with it, so am I."

"Here is the roster. Kurogane goes first, then Charley, Anna, then Shiro." Kotetsu explained.

"Then, Abbey will fight first, then Sai, Trevor, and last but not least, me." I said.

"Why me first?" Abbey asked.

"I have to face Shiro, Sai has a score to settle, and Trevor..." I smirked.

"Shut up..." He gave me the cold shoulder.

Kotetsu cleared his throat. "Shall we get started?"

Abbey got ready to head out, gloves on hand.

Mark began to announce: "The final match on the United States National Championship is about to begin!"

Mister E appeared. "Cardfighters, get ready! Because this final round features a new format!"

They both exclaimed: "Blackout!"

Bleachers (Kalulu)

Jerry and his friends took their seats. So did Lupa, Kazu, and Raiden.

"I see you all are alright now."

Jerry then said: "Yeah. Luckily, I found these three in the supply closet. And Katherine..."

She interrupted him: "Just keep quiet about it!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" He straightened his back.

Ron and Mike were chuckling. "Boss is getting ordered around by his girlfriend."

"At least I have one. Anything else you wanna say, smartass?"

They then straightened their backs and said: "We'll behave!"

"Good stooges. Hey, Brock. You okay?"

He nodded.

Lupa then whispered in my ear: "When I got up, I took the liberty of drawing on Raiden's face."

As she said, his face was covered in scribbles. One of them being Lupa was here! on his forhead, along with a handlebar mustache on top of his lip. He was chomping down on popcorn as if he hadn't noticed.

A couple of youths sat next to us with what I believed to be their parents.

"'Sup, guys? We miss anything?" the redheaded boy asked.

"It's juat starting, you simpleton." the violet-haired girl said.

Then, the man with the same hair color as the girl spoke: "Luna, that's enough."

"Sorry, Father. But, you have to admit, he puts it on himself."

The woman with green hair sitting next to the man then said to me: "Sorry if our kids are bothering you. They're always at each others' throats."

"It's alright. I wish I had another kid around to mess with my Sai. But, then again, Mason is a good brother figure."

"Oh, so your boy is playing, now is he?" the man asked.

"Yep. That's my little Sai right there in the wolf skin hoody. See him?"

"Yeah. The name's Saturn by the way."

The woman then said: "I'm Gaia. Pleasure to meet you, Miss?"

"Kalulu. And I already know your daughter's name. Who's this cute little guy right here?" I asked while pinching his cheek.

"Ow. Name's Sol. Nice to meet you, Miss Yamato."

"Oh, so you know me already?"

"Long story."

"Eh. I'm not big on details."

"Neither am I. So, how's life in Capital City going?"

"Funny story. I was just settling in when I found out my son and his team were in the National Tournament."

"Were you out on business?" Gaia asked.

"You could say that. I'll tell you about it later."

"Sounds fair. These two have been wanting to watch this final match for a while. So, I know how you feel."

Arena (Abbey)

Mark continued to explain the rules of Blackout. Mister E held up drawings of the bracket.

"You see, after you win one fight, you don't leave until you lose."

"After every fight, you shufflle your deck and start back to Grade 0."

"The match will be over when one of the teams has no one left to fight for them."

"This will be a four on four match."

"So, no one will be left out."

"Now, that that's cleared up-"

They both said: "Let's get on with the match!"

Mark then exclaimed: "First up, Abbey Vulcan of ED4! and The Demon Blade, Kurogane of GS4!"

I went to the dividing line. So did Kurogane.

Before the match began, he said: "You're in for a real surprise."

What's he talking about?

Mark then asked: "Cardfighters, ready?!"

We both nodded.

"Then, begin!"

We both then exclaimed: "Stand Up, Vanguard!"

"Stealth Rogue of Body Replacement, Kokuenmaru!"

"Stealth Beast, Evil Ferret!"

He uses Murakumo too?

"I'll take the first turn. I draw. Then, I'll ride Shijimamaru and move Evil Ferret to the back. Over to you."

"Draw." It was White Mane. All my other cards were Jiraiya, Gigantoad, Midnight Panther, Moon Edge, and Oboro Cart. "I'll ride Midnight Panther and move Kokuenmaru back. He'll support Panther for an attack on your vanguard (7000+4000)!"

"I don't guard."

"Drive Trigger Check." It was Fox Tamer, Izuna. "All effects are going to my vanguard (11000+5000)."

"Damage Check." Both were Leaf Raccoon and Arahabaki.

"I'll end my turn."

"Draw. Now, I ride Swift Archer, FUSHIMI. With his skill, I can attack a unit in your back row. Now, I'll call Left and Right Arrester. I'll have Left Arrester attack, with a boost from Evil Ferret. His skill gives him another 3000 when Right Arrester is on my right flank (11000+5000)."

"I don't guard." My damage check revealed Leaves Mirage.

"Now, my vanguard will attack Kokuenmaru (9000)."

Out of all the units he had to attack. "I'll guard with Izuna and Oboro Cart (4000+15000)!"

"Checking for a trigger." It was Jiraiya. "I'll have Right Arrester attack. Hets 3000 Power when Left Arrester is out (11000)."

"I don't guard."

Right Arrester threw the blade from his chain at Midnight Panther.

My damage check was Rokuro Lady. "I draw." It was Shijimamaru.

"I'll end my turn." He looked in the audience. He saw Sophie waving at him and waved back.

"I stand and draw." It was Bloody Mist. "I ride White Mane. Then, I'll call Bloody Mist, Shijimamaru, and Jiraiya. With his Counter Blast, I put him at the bottom of the deck to superior call Gigantoad. Then, I shuffle. I'll have him attack Right Arrester first (10000)."

"I don't guard." Right Arrester was retired.

"Kokuenmaru supports White Mane for an attack on your vanguard (9000+4000)."

"I don't guard."

"Drive Check." It was Oboro Cart.

His damage check was Stealth Fiend, Karakasa Spirit. "5000 Power to FUSHIMI and I stand Left Arrester up."

"Since White Mane hit your vanguard, I flip one damage back up. Then, I'll have Shijimamaru will lend support to Bloody Mist. This is hitting Left Arrester (10000+8000)!"

"I don't guard. Left Arrester retires." Not much fighters would get rid of those two this early. Shiro was right about this one.

"I'll end my turn. You seem pretty nice. So, why join up with GS4?"

"Stand and draw. I joined them because I owe Master Charley my life."

"Your life?"

3 Years Ago (Kurogane)

I had just moved to America after completing my training. I had mastered the way of the samurai thanks to my grandfather. I inherited the sword passed down in my family for generations.

As I was walking to my apartment, I saw a couple of thugs ganging up on a woman and her children. They were as old as Sophie is. I had to stop them. So, I unsheathed my weapon and went after them. I made sure the the woman and her two kids ran to safety. I held them back as long as I could, but one of them knocked me out. I woke up, hunched over, covered in bruises and scrapes. Leading me to conclude they beat me while I was unconscious. A boy, around my age, with green, spiky hair, wearing a biker vest came over and helped me up.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I th-" I grunted in pain.

"I heard about what you did. You've got guts to take on guys like that by yourself. Especially with an old fashioned katana like this." He handed me my sword.

"Thank you. Now-" I couldn't bare the pain. I fell over again.

"Take it easy!"

"I want to see if they're alri-" My side was killing me.

"Relax, the chick and her kids are fine. Come on, we're taking you to a hospital." He picked me up and dragged me to the medical facilities.

As I got settled in, the doctor told me: "You're really lucky. You would've died if it weren't for your friend bringing you here."

"Forget about me, are they alright?"

The boy then came in the room, with some company. "Look who came to visit."

The woman from early said "Thank you. I'm sorry you got hurt because of us."

"Think nothing of it, Miss."

The little boy then exclaimed: "That was awesome! You took on all those guys by yourself! Can you teach me how to do that?"

"Maybe when you're a little older."

The little girl came over to my bed. "I'm sorry you got hurt, mister."

"Please, don't worry about it. I'll be fine. What about you? Are you okay?"

She nodded.

Their mother then said: "We'll be coming by again if that's okay."

"Sure."

"Come along, Susie."

The girl then said "Okay, Mommy." She kissed my cheek and went back to her mother. They left soon after.

The boy in the biker vest then asked me: "How would you like a job?"

"Hmm?"

"You have a lot of potential. And I've been on the lookout for a bodyguard. And you fit the bill quite well."

"I do owe you for bringing me here... I accept your offer. I have a request though."

"Anything, dude."

"If I see someone in a tight situation, will you allow me to help them?"

"Would you still do it if I said otherwise?"

I nodded.

"Very well. You can help people out of trouble. But, think hard about who you help."

"I will." I shook his hand. "I am Kurogane."

"Charleston von Hercule. Just call me Charley."

Present Day (Abbey)

"Wow. That's quite a story."

"It's more than a story. I owe my life to Master Charley. Thanks to him, I can continue to help people. He saved me that day, and I can't find a suitable way of thanking him except to do whatever he needs me to. Unsheath your sword and imprison my enemies in a cage of obscurity! I ride Dueling Dragon, ZANBAKU!"

A dragon clad in armor, carrying a katana appeared on the field.

"Then, I'll call Bloody Mist, Twin Swordsman, MUSASHI, and Jiraiya! I'll have MUSASHI attack with Evil Ferret's support (9000+7000)!"

"I don't guard." My damage check revealed Shirayuki." Damn it!

"Next, my vanguard, supported by Jiraiya (11000+7000)!"

"I'll have Moon Edge guard and Bloody Mist will intercept (9000+15000)!"

"I'll check the twin drive." The first card was Gigantoad. The second card was Leaves Mirage. "Next is Bloody Mist (10000)!"

"I don't guard." My damage check was Shijimamaru.

"I'll end my turn."

"I stand and draw." It was Yukihime. I have no choice. "I'll ride Gigantoad. Then, I'll call Oboro Cart. Using its Counter Blast, I'll superior call Gigantoad from the deck and shuffle. Then, I'll have Oboro Cart support my left Gigantoad. His skill grants another 1000 (11000+6000)."

"I don't guard." His damage check revealed Left Arrester.

"Next is my vanguard Gigantoad, with Kokuenmaru's support. This time he'll get 3000 (13000+4000).

"Leaves Mirage will nullify that." He discarded Gigantoad for the effect.

"Twin Drive Check." The first card was Shirayuki. Finally! I was getting worried there for a second. The second card was Rokurolady. "I'll give the 5000 to my standing Gigantoad and draw." It was Izuna. "Next, Gigantoad will attack. Along with its ability (11000)."

"Bloody Mist intercepts (11000+5000)."

"I end my turn by returning the Gigantoad called by Oboro Cart to the deck."

"Stand and draw. Then, I call ZANBAKU. I'll attack with him first (11000)."

"I don't guard." My damage check revealed Midnight Panther.

"Next is my vanguard, supported by Jiraiya (11000+7000)."

"I'll guard with Yukihime and Izuna (10000+20000)!"

"Twin Drive." the first check was ZANBAKU and the second was Right Arrester. "Finally, MUSASHI with support Evil Ferret (9000+5000)."

"I'll have Rokurolady guard (10000+5000)!"

"I end my turn."

"Stand and draw." It was White Mane. "I ride-"

Chains began to surround my vanguard.

"What the hell?!"

"That is my ZANBAKU's ability. He seals away your ability to ride unless you sacrifice one card from your hand. This is why they call me the Demon Blade. I keep you from riding another grade 3 just to keep the field at level. only the bravest of fighters is willing to mke the small sacrifice of a card. Sadly, none chose not to. What's it going to be?"

If I sacrifive a card, I can ride Shirayuki and use Kokuenmaru's skill to search for another in case I can't finish him off. But... It just doesn't feel right not having her as my vanguard! "I'll discard White Mane and ride Fantasy Petal Storm, Shirayuki!"

She appeared on the field and said: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Abbey."

"It's cool. Now, I'll use Kokuenmaru's Counter Blast! Putting him in the soul, allowing me to look at the top five cards of my deck for a grade 3!" Yes, Another one! "Adding Shirayuki to my hand and I shuffle! I'll have her attack first (11000)!"

Amazing! She took the chance and sacrificed one of her cards to ride her avatar... "I'll have Cat Devil and Right Arrester guard (11000+15000)!"

"Twin Drive!" I know you can do it! Come on, Shirayuki! Let's show this guy what we've got! The first card was Moon Edge. "All effects to Gigantoad! Second Check!" It was another Moon Edge. "Another critical trigger! All effects to Gigantoad! He'll attack next with Oboro Cart's support (20000+6000)!"

Hmph. Two critical triggers... Looks like I've been beaten... Forgive me, Charley... ZANBAKU and FUSHIMI flew in his damage zone.

Bleachers (Sophie)

"Aww, he lost."

"You were rooting for GS4, honey?" Daddy asked.

"No, just Kurogane. He's cool."

"Maybe I can get him a spot at the Megadome. Would you like that?"

"Yeah! Then, I'd get to watch you and Kurogane play!"

Arena (Abbey)

Kurogane began to head back to the locker room with a sad look on his face.

Charley came out and told him: "Hey, don't worry about it. I'll take care of the rest. You go watch up there."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah. Besides, I hear you made a new friend."

"You were watching me?"

"I knew you'd be on the lookout. After all, you've never been one to leave a kid hangin'. Now, get up there. You've done your part. Let me do mine."

"As you wish." Kurogane went into the locker room. Unbeknownst to us, he was heading for the bleachers.

Mark announced: "The score is ED4 at one win with GS4 at zero! This final round is really heating up!"

Mister E then took the mic and said: "Next is Charley of GS4!"

Charley went to the dividing line. "You ain't getting a second win. I'll mae quick work of you."

"We'll see about that."

Bleachers (Sophie)

I saw Kurogane come in. He sat right next me and Daddy.

"Hi!"

"Hello, Sophie. So, how was I?"

"You were awesome! It's too bad you lost though..."

"Don't forget, I'm from GS4. I'm not suppose to be the one you're cheering for."

"I don't care if you're from GS4. You're nice."

"Well, aren't you sweet."

Daddy then began to cry and hug me. "That's my little angel."

Mason, again! The first fight is ours! The final round continues! I'll be seeing you guys in the next chapter!