Chapter Fifteen: The Art of the Ninja
"This is it, I can't lose, Andrea got us the first win, it's up to me to take it home and bring us to the semi-finals," Joel thought to himself as he walked up to the stadium. He wondered about what Andrea said about Team Shinobi not being pushovers, he got a feeling of nervousness, but it soon faded away once he reached the stadium.
"Now we've reached the second match between Team Trinovol and Team Shinobi, for Team Trinovol, we have Joel Leandrew, and for Team Shinobi, we have Shawn Rossiu!" Joshua exclaimed. "Shawn's sister, Hannah, was defeated in the previous fight, can Shawn win and keep his team in the running, or will Joel win and send his team to the semi-finals, we'll see right now!"
"There's no question, I'm going to win," said Joel to himself as he was about to prepare, but then he looked over to where Shawn was supposed to be and saw that he wasn't there.
"Uh, where's Shawn Rossiu, he isn't on the stadium," Joshua said. "Did he not hear me, if he doesn't make his way to the stadium, either another member of Team Shinobi appears, or they forfeit,"
"No need to be rash, I'm right here!" a voice loudly exclaimed as everyone turned to see where it was coming from, they soon found its origin, up in the stands, a figure stood, dressed head to toe in a black ninja outfit.
"Andrea, it's him, he and that other guy were the ones who were following us earlier," Leroy said as he pointed to the figure.
Andrea then put her finger on her chin. "But what is he doing all the way up there?"
"Prepare to be amazed!" Shawn exclaimed as he began running down the stairs of the stands with great speed, then suddenly, he jumped up into the air, the audience was shocked, they were even more shocked when he landed on his side of the stadium so skillfully, a roar of applause then followed.
"Shawn sure knows how to make an entrance," Denton said.
"Are you ready?" Shawn asked as he removed the part of the suit that was covering his head to reveal his face, his skin tone was of a caramel color, similar to his sister, but his hair color was a mix of blue and pink.
"I'll admit, that was an awesome trick you pulled off, but you'll need more than tricks if you want to beat me," Joel said confidently as he and Shawn prepared their field.
"Don't worry, I won't need any tricks to beat you," Shawn said back with a smirk.
"Now that both players are ready, let's begin!" Joshua exclaimed.
"Stand up my, Vanguard!"
"Black Sword Rookie, Deren!" Joel exclaimed.
Black Sword Rookie, Deren
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage!" Shawn exclaimed.
Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage
Grade 0, Power: 4000
"Murakumo, now that's a ninja-based clan," Joel said.
"That's right, this is the clan that will beat you," Shawn said. "I'll go first,"
Turn 1: Hand[Joel(5), Shawn(5)]
"Draw, I ride Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru!"
Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru
Grade 1, Power: 8000
"Terukage moves down, that will end my turn,"
Joel
[R] [Black Sword Rookie (1)] [R]
[R] [R] [R]
Shawn
[R] [Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru (1)] [R]
[R] [Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage (1)] [R]
Turn 2: Hand[Joel(5), Shawn(5)]
"Draw, I ride Treacherous Dragon Knight, Conju!"
Treacherous Dragon Knight, Conju
Grade 1, Power: 7000
"Deren moves down, with Conju's skill, I look at the top three cards of my deck and add one to my hand, I call Black Star Mage, Maka, Maka takes aim at your vanguard!"
(8000)
"I don't guard, damage check,"
[Damage Check - Stealth Beast, Charcoal Fox(G1)]
Damage: [Joel(0), Shawn(1)]
"WIth a boost from Deren, Conju attacks your vanguard!"
(7000+5000=12000)
"I guard," Shawn said as he threw down a grade 0.
"Drive check,"
[Drive Check - Lightless Blade Dragon(G2)]
"Your vanguard's attack has been shut down," Shawn said.
"Perhaps, but I can still win, my turn is over," Joel responded.
Joel
[Black Star Mage, Maka (2)] [Treacherous Dragon Knight, Conju (1)] [R]
[R] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [R]
Shawn
[R] [Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru (1)] [R]
[R] [Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage (1)] [R]
Turn 3: Hand[Joel(6), Shawn(4)]
"Draw, I ride Stealth Dragon, Fudoublast!"
Stealth Dragon, Fudoublast
Grade 2, Power: 11000
"What the hell, a grade 2 with 11000 power!" Joel gasped.
"Relax, Fudoublast can't attack the vanguard unless there's another copy of it on the field, but that won't be a problem because I call another Fudoublast," Shawn said as another Fudoublast appeared by the first one.
"That won't be good for Joel, as well as having stronger attacks, it'll be harder for Joel to land attacks on his turn," Andrea said.
"My rear-guard Fudoublast now attacks Maka!"
(11000)
"I guard,"
"With a boost from Terukage, my vanguard Fudoublast attacks your vanguard!"
(11000+4000=15000)
"No guard,"
"Drive check,"
[Drive Check - Stealth Beast, Drench Serpent (Stand Trigger)]
"Nice, with the stand trigger, all effects go to my rear-guard Fudoublast!"
"Damage check,"
[Damage Check - Fallen Angel Dragon, Zako(G1)]
Damage: [Joel(1), Shawn(1)]
"Now my rear-guard Fudoublast attacks Maka again!"
(11000+5000=16000)
"No guard, Maka retreats,"
"My turn is now over,"
Joel
[R] [Treacherous Dragon Knight, Conju (1)] [R]
[R] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [R]
Shawn
[Stealth Dragon, Fudoublast (2)] [Stealth Dragon, Fudoublast (1)] [R]
[R] [Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage (1)] [R]
Turn 4: Hand[Joel(5), Shawn(4)]
"Stand and draw, I ride Lightless Blade Dragon!"
Lightless Blade Dragon
Grade 2, Power: 9000
"I call Jet Wing Familiar, Falc, Falc now attacks your vanguard, with his skill, since I have equal to or more cards in my hand than you do, add 5000 power!"
(10000+5000=15000)
"Fudoublast intercepts!"
"Now with a boost from Deren, Lightless Blade attacks your vanguard!"
(9000+5000=14000)
"Not happening, I guard,"
"I only need a trigger, drive check,"
[Drive Check - Dusk Dragon, Umbra(G2)]
"Darn it, now I can't use Lightless Blade's skill," Joel said, a bit frustrated.
"Shawn made a clever move riding Fudoublast as his grade 2, the extra power would mean he only needs a little shield to shut down Joel's attacks," Denton noted.
"You got that right Denton, and thanks to Fudoublast's high power, Joel wasn't able to inflict any damage to Shawn this turn," Joshua added.
"I end my turn,"
Joel
[Jet Wing Familiar, Falc (2)] [Lightless Blade Dragon (1)] [R]
[R] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [R]
Shawn
[R] [Stealth Dragon, Fudoublast (1)] [R]
[R] [Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage (1)] [R]
Turn 5: Hand[Joel(5), Shawn(3)]
"Stand and draw, this has been quite the slow match, but that will change now, prepare to see the power of the ninja," Shawn said as he rose a card into the air. "Illusive being that moves in the night, strike down my enemies, and bring them to their knees! Ride! Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie!"
Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie
Grade 3, Power: 11000
"I call Tenjiku Stealth Rogue, Dokube, look out because Dokube is coming for your vanguard!"
(9000)
"I guard,"
"Now with a boost from Terukage, Yasuie attacks your vanguard!"
(11000+4000=15000)
"I don't guard that one,"
"Twin drive,"
[Drive Check #1 - Gateway Stealth Rogue, Ataka(G1)]
[Drive Check #2 - Stealth Rogue Courtesan, Agemaki (Draw Trigger)]
"A draw trigger, draw, the power goes to my vanguard!"
"Damage check,"
[Damage Check - Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel(G3)]
Damage: [Joel(2), Shawn(1)]
"My turn will end there,"
Joel
[Jet Wing Familiar, Falc (2)] [Lightless Blade Dragon (1)] [R]
[R] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [R]
Shawn [Tenjiku Stealth Rogue, Dokube (2)] [Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie (1)] [R]
[R] [Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage (1)] [R]
Turn 6: Hand[Joel(4), Shawn(5)]
"Stand and draw, you might ahead of me, but it's only by one damage, I'll take the lead right now," Joel said. "Jet black wings, it's time, descend and cloak the battlefield in endless shadows! I ride! Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel!"
Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel
Grade 3, Power: 11000
"Liberating the generation zone," Joel called out. "Black knight who wields the icy blade, come forth and freeze the hearts of my adversaries! Generation Stride! Cold-Hearted Knight, Froz!"
Cold-Hearted Knight, Froz
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"With stride skill, draw two cards, superior call Black Horn Dragon, Detest from my deck, add 4000 power to Detest and Falc, I call Unholy Mage, Kei, with Kei's Dusk, add 4000 power to him," Joel said. "Next up is Froz's skill, I counterblast and discard a card from my hand, then all my units get an additional 3000 power, with a boost from Kei, Detest attacks your vanguard!"
(16000+14000=30000)
"No guard, damage check,"
[Damage Check - Stealth Dragon, Oboro Keeper(G2)]
Damage: [Joel(2), Shawn(2)]
"With a boost from Deren, Froz attacks your vanguard!"
(29000+8000=37000)
"I don't guard that one either,"
"Time for a triple drive,"
[Drive Check #1 - Black Wing Messenger(G1)]
[Drive Check #2 - Black Star Mage, Maka(G1)]
[Drive Check #3 - Shadow Dagger Scout, Tyron (Critical Trigger)]
"A critical trigger, power to Falc, critical to Froz!"
"Damage check,"
[Damage Check #1 - Stealth Fiend, Oboro Cart(G1)]
[Damage Check #2 - Stealth Rogue of the Fiendish Blade, Masamura (Critical Trigger)]
"You're not the only one who pulled a critical, all effects go to my vanguard!"
Damage: [Joel(2), Shawn(4)]
"Alright then, Falc now attacks your vanguard, with his skill, add 5000 power!"
(10000+4000+3000+5000+5000=27000)
"I guard with two cards!" Shawn exclaimed.
"I end my turn,"
Joel
[Jet Wing Familiar, Falc (2)] [Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel (1)] [Black Horn Dragon, Detest (3)]
[R] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [Unholy Mage, Kei (3)]
Shawn
[Tenjiku Stealth Rogue, Dokube (2)] [Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie (1)] [R]
[R] [Robust Stealth Rogue, Terukage (1)] [R]
Turn 7: Hand[Joel(6), Shawn(3)]
"Stand and draw, that was a good play, you were able to take the lead and deal me four damage," Shawn said as he gave Joel an approving nod.
"Thanks, you've made some good plays yourself, but now I believe you can see that I will win this fight," Joel said back.
"I wouldn't say that, you have yet to see my power, liberating the generation zone," Shawn called. "Alright, Generation Stride! Ambush Demon Stealth Rogue, Kagamijishi!"
Ambush Demon Stealth Rogue, Kagamijishi
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"With stride skill, I select one rear-guard, then I superior call two cards with the same name as that unit to rear-guard, I select Dokube, then with the skill of Kagamijishi, add 2000 power to two Dokube units, I then call Stealth Dragon, Yashabayashi to rear-guard, now the Dokubes in the back row can attack from the back row," Shawn explained.
"What, from the back row!" Joel exclaimed.
"That's right, next up is the skill of Terukage, I send him to the soul and draw, now the Dokube in the back row attacks your vanguard, with his skill, add 3000 power!"
(11000+3000=14000)
"I guard,"
"Now my other Dokube attacks vanguard, with his skill, add 3000 power!"
(11000+3000=14000)
"I guard again,"
"Alright, Kagamijishi attacks your vanguard!"
(26000)
"No guard,"
"Triple drive,"
[Drive Check #1 - Stealth Beast, White Heron(G1)]
[Drive Check #2 - Stealth Dragon, Runestar(G2)]
[Drive Check #3 - Stealth Fiend, Tamayuki (Heal Trigger)]
"I really needed that, recover one damage, power to the remaining Dokube!"
"Damage check,"
[Damage Check - Corrupted Beast, Leopald(G3)]
Damage: [Joel(3), Shawn(3)]
"Now the remaining Dokube attacks your vanguard, with his skill, add 3000 power!"
(14000+3000=17000)
"I guard that one as well,"
"Alright, now Yashabayashi attacks Detest!"
(9000)
"I'm not letting it through, guard!"
"My turn is over, due to Yasuie's stride skill, the Dokubes I called this turn go the bottom of my deck,"
Joel
[Jet Wing Familiar, Falc (2)] [Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel (1)] [Black Horn Dragon, Detest (3)]
[R] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [Unholy Mage, Kei (3)]
Shawn
[Tenjiku Stealth Rogue, Dokube (2)] [Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie (1)] [Stealth Dragon, Yashabayashi (3)]
[R] [R] [R]
Turn 8: Hand[Joel(2), Shawn(6)]
"Stand and draw, that was a nice play, you were able to attack four times," Joel said. "I want you to know that this has been a great cardfight, but now, it must come to come to an end, liberating the generation zone," Joel said as he dropped two cards from his hand. "Dark creature who was rejected by all who knew you, join me and let us fight together! Generation Stride! Outcasted Shadow Beast, Rocorio!"
Outcasted Shadow Beast, Rocorio
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Alright, Joel's striding on his finisher, victory is all but assured," Leroy said excitedly.
"With stride skill, draw two cards, superior call Maka from the drop zone, add 4000 to her and Detest, with Deren's skill, three cards from my drop zone go to the bottom of my deck, then I draw, next up is Rocorio's skill!" Joel exclaimed. "I check the top two cards of my deck and activating a skill depending on the card type, let's see the first card,"
"The first called revealed is Unchivalrous Knight, Yugo, a stand trigger!" Joshua announced.
"Damn, that was a waste, I can't stand anything, but I give the power to Rocorio," Joel said. "Now is the second check,"
"The second card revealed is Dusk Dragon, Umbra, a grade 2!" Joshua called.
"That's better, add it to my hand, then add 4000 power to Falc and Detest, then with Kei's Dusk, add 4000 power to him, now with a boost from Kei, Detest attacks your vanguard!"
(15000+11000=26000)
"No guard, damage check,"
[Damage Check - Scheming Stealth Rogue, Taemahime(G3)]
Damage: [Joel(3), Shawn(4)]
"With a boost from Deren, Rocorio attacks your vanguard!"
(31000+5000=36000)
"I complete guard that one with White Heron!" Shawn exclaimed.
"Triple drive check!"
[Drive Check #1 - Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel(G3)]
[Drive Check #2 - Black Arctic Mage, Toya(G3)]
"What the hell, two grade 3s, that's some bad luck," Joel said as he sucked his teeth and checked the last card.
[Drive Check #3 - Shadow Dagger Scout, Tyron (Critical Trigger)]
"That's more like it, a critical trigger, all effects to Falc, now with a boost from Maka, Falc attacks your vanguard, with his skill, add 5000 power, this is it, Shawn, you're finished!"
(24000+12000=36000)
"My team needs me, I can't lose, Generation Guard! Ambush Demon Stealth Fiend, Hougen Wing!"
Ambush Demon Stealth Fiend, Hougen Wing
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"With the skill of Hougen Wing, select one rear-guard and send a copy of that card from my deck to the guardian circle, I select Dokube, then I guard and intercept with Dokube!" Shawn explained as Joel's final attack was stopped dead in its tracks.
"No way!" Joel exclaimed in disbelief.
"What a shock, Joel's attack was almost certain to land, but Shawn defended it!" Joshua exclaimed.
"Fine then, my turn...is over,"
Joel
[Jet Wing Familiar, Falc (2)] [Darkwing Bladesman, Palandel (1)] [Black Horn Dragon, Detest (3)]
[Black Star Mage, Maka (2)] [Black Sword Rookie, Deren (1)] [Unholy Mage, Kei (3)]
Shawn
[R] [Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie (1)] [Stealth Dragon, Yashabayashi (3)]
[R] [R] [R]
Turn 9: Hand[Joel(8), Shawn(2)]
"Stand and draw, you had me worried there, but I won't lose, as a cardfighter, and a ninja, I will always strive to achieve victory, and now it's time to truly end this match," Shawn said as he dropped a grade 3. "A silent being that hides in the shadows, a sharp blade that will cut through any foe, it's time to show your true power! Generation Stride! Dharma Deity of the Five Precepts, Yasuie Genma!"
Dharma Deity of the Five Precepts, Yasuie Genma
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"With stride skill, I select Yashabayashi and call two copies to rear-guard, I then call another Yashabayashi and Stealth Fiend, Goumajiki, I soulblast three cards, then all Yashabayashi units except the back center one gain 2000 power and obtain a skill, they can also attack from the back row," Shawn explained.
"You used up all your hand cards, you've decided to pull all the stops just like Hannah," Joel stated.
"Correct, but unlike my sister, I'll win, Goumajiki attacks your vanguard, with his skill, since I have a Yasuie vanguard, add 2000 power!"
(9000+2000=11000)
"Falc intercepts,"
"You stopped it, bad move, I now use Goumajiki's Shadowstitch, since the attack didn't hit, I send the top card of my deck to the drop zone, add 2000 power to the back left and center Yashabayashi units,"
"Even though I blocked the attack, you were still able to take advantage of it, interesting," Joel said.
"Now Yasuie Genma attacks your vanguard!"
(26000)
"Let's go Detest, discard two cards, complete intercept!"
"Alright, triple drive!"
[Drive Check #1 - Stealth Rogue of Revelation, Yasuie(G3)]
[Drive Check #2 - Stealth Beast, Drench Serpent (Stand Trigger)]
"A stand trigger, Goumajiki stands, the power to the back center Yashabayashi!"
[Drive Check #3 - Stealth Rogue of the Fiendish Blade, Masamura (Critical Trigger)]
"Nice, a critical trigger, all effects go to the back center Yashabayashi, it's all over for you now!"
"What do you mean, I'm only at three damage, I have six cards in my hand, and your attacks aren't very strong," Joel stated confused.
"That will change right now, I use Yasuie Genma Generation Break 3, Sadowstitch!" Shawn exclaimed. "Since the attack was not successful, I add 5000 power and 1 critical to all rear-guards!"
"To all of them!" Joel exclaimed.
"Yes, Goumajiki attacks your vanguard again!"
(14000+2000=16000)
"I guard!"
"With Goumajiki's Shadowstitch, add 2000 power to the front and back right Yashabayashi units, now the back left Yashabayashi attacks your vanguard!"
(11000+2000+5000=18000)
"I guard again!"
"With Yashabayashi's Shadowstitch, countercharge, add 2000 power to the back center Yashabayashi, now the front right Yashabayshi attacks your vanguard!"
(11000+2000+5000=18000)
"I guard that one too!"
"With that Yashabayashi's Shadowstitch, countercharge and add 2000 power to the back center Yashabayashi, next up is the back right Yashabayashi, attack the vanguard!"
(11000+2000+5000=18000)
"Guard!"
"Once again with Shadowstitch, countercharge and add 2000 power to the back center Yashabayashi, it's all over, the back center Yashabayashi finishes off your vanguard, end this once and for all!"
(9000+2000+5000+5000+5000+6000=32000)
Joel looked at the last two cards in his hand and knew that there was no way he could stop the attack. "No...guard, damage check,"
[Damage Check #1 - Uncharitable Knight, Noa (Draw Trigger)]
"A draw trigger, I draw, the power goes to Palandel,"
[Damage Check #2 - Treacherous Dragon Knight, Conju(G1)]
"Please, I need to pull a heal trigger, the team is counting on me, I can't lose, I won't lose!"
[Damage Check #3 - Dusk Shield Guardian(G1)]
Joel looked at the last card with shock and disbelief as he slowly placed it into the damage zone, marking his sixth damage point.
"We have a winner, from Team Shinobi, Shawn Rossiu, Joel Leandrew has lost, marking Team Trinovol's first defeat since the beginning of the tournament, we'll have to go into a third match to break the tie!" Joshua exclaimed.
"You fought well, Joel, but it seems the goddess of victory smiled on me today," Shawn said as he walked back to his booth, Joel began to do the same when he got a feeling coming from the stands, he turned to the stands, and up there, he saw Tommy with a mocking grin on his face, shaking his head. Joel only felt his shame deepen as he walked back to his booth.
"Sorry guys, I lost this one, I was so close too," he said.
His teammates gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't sweat it, Joel, you tried your best, that's all we can ask for," Andrea said.
"Thanks," Joel said with a small smile as he turned to his leader. "It's up to you now Leroy, win this and take us to the semi-finals,"
"I will, I'll win this and take us to the next match, just watch me," Leroy said as he flicked his nose and began walking. "It doesn't matter how powerful Team Shinobi is, I can't lose this, I'll take us to the top and discover the secret to our clans, you'll see Denton, you'll see,"
Featured Fan Cards:
Stealth Fiend, Goumajiki
Grade 2, Power: 9000
Auto RC: When this unit attacks a vanguard, if you control a vanguard with "Yasuie" in its name, add 2000 to this unit until the end of the turn.
Shadowstitch - Act RC/Send the top card of your deck to the drop zone: When this unit attacks a vanguard, if the attack doesn't hit, add +2000 to two units you control until the end of the turn.