Chapter Seventeen: Cartel
"This won't be easy, how will I find him," Dwight said as he began walking around the city, then an idea came to him. "I know, I'll call him, but something tells me he won't respond," he took out his phone and dialed Alistar's phone number, he waited a little while, but there was no answer, just a voicemail.
"Just as I suspected, but don't think you can get away that easily," Dwight said as tapped his screen, soon a map appeared on it with a flashing red circle. "By calling you and not getting through, my phone will create a map to track where you are, as long as you're not too far away," he said as his phone told him how far Alistar was. "Dang, he's faster than I thought, I better move quickly if I want to catch up," he said as he began running.
"Note to self, think before you give someone your phone number, even if it is a teammate," Alistar sighed as he saw Dwight trying to call him, but hung up and turned off his phone, he then looked around the park he was in. "This should be the place,"
"Glad to see you could make it," a voice said as Alistar turned to see a man behind him, he was tall and appeared to be Alistar's age, he had medium-sized black hair, he was wearing one of those suits you'd see a gang member wearing, there was a small scar across his right eye, and in his hand was a metal briefcase.
"It's been quite a while, aye, Alistar," the man said with a grin.
"That's true, it's felt like forever, hasn't it, Ishmael," Alistar said back to him. "I got your text telling me to come here, you said you wanted to make a deal,"
Ishmael chuckled. "Correct, I believe you are aware of the fact that my team is participating in the Titan Cup," he said.
"Yeah, you're the leader of Team Cartel, you've been doing pretty good in Block B," Alistar said.
"Yes, but do you know that my team will be facing yours to see which team is going to the semi-finals for Block B?" Ishmael asked.
"No, I actually wasn't aware of that," Alistar replied.
"Well, that's where the deal comes in," Ishmael began as he got closer to Alistar. "You see Alistar, I want you to...throw your match against my team,"
Alistar's eyes widened. "What, why on Earth would I do that?" he asked.
"True, it is an odd request, but I think this will change your mind," Ishmael said as he raised his briefcase and opened it, revealing a load of cash, he grinned as he watched Alistar look intently at the money.
"Just asking, how much money is that?" Alistar asked.
"Oh, nothing much, just about a thousand dollars, but it's nowhere near the amount of the prize money the winning team of the Titan Cup Representative Tournament, I hear it's around a hundred to a hundred and twenty thousand dollars," Ishmael proudly said.
"Okay then, why would I take a thousand dollars just for you to possibly get about ten times as much?" Alistar asked suspiciously.
"Because...if my team wins the tournament, we split the money halfway, that's about sixty thousand dollars, all for you, now ain't that a great deal," Ishmael replied as Alistar began contemplating his offer. "C'mon, I'm your top client in the Vanguard Underworld, we've been through a lot together, you know that I always deliver, so, whaddya say,"
"A good offer indeed, but I need to think about it, I gotta find a way to convince my teammates, if the two of them win, it's over, but, as for me, you got my support," Alistar said as he extended his hand.
Ishmael extended his own hand as the two of them shook. "I knew I could count on you, well, I gotta go now, I got something to take care of something, cya at the fight," he said as he walked away from him.
"Now that that's out of the way, I should head back to the stadium-" Alistar began.
"ALISTAR!" a voice loudly exclaimed as Alistar turned to see Dwight running towards him.
"Ah crap," Alistar said to himself as Dwight came closer to him. "Oh hey Dwight, do you need anything, I'm just taking a walk,"
"Cut the crap Alistar, what were you doing, I called you, but you didn't answer, so I had to track you, don't tell me you were just taking a leisurely stroll," Dwight said to him seriously. "You're going to tell me right now why did you come here and what did you do,"
"Fine then, I'll tell you, I was planning to tell you and Nathan anyways," Alistar said as he began to explain the deal he made with Ishmael.
"What were you thinking?!" Dwight exclaimed. "There's no way in hell we're going to throw this match, we've come this far!"
"You think I care about that, how you feel isn't really my problem, the only reason I decided to join Nathan's team is because he beat me in a cardfight, it was the same with you," Alistar said plainly as Dwight looked at him frustrated.
"Look on the bright side, with the money I'll get, I can give Nathan a few thousand dollars, he did this to get money anyways," Alistar continued.
"You think he'll take it, getting it that way wouldn't be fair to him, he fought hard to get where he is," Dwight said with some anger in his voice.
"Fairness doesn't matter right now, as long as I get my money, I could care less about being fair," Alistar said. "Life is all about doing what you can to benefit yourself,"
"That's a dumb belief to live by, all it will do make you not see what a person can be, if all you see in a person is what they can do for you, how are you supposed to create a connection with them, how are you supposed to possibly become their friend!" Dwight exclaimed.
The moment Dwight mention the word 'friend', Alistar seemed to tense up. "Friends, why would I need something so ridiculous, they'll just turn on you!" he exclaimed frantically. "Just like...he did,"
Dwight looked at him confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I...used to have a best friend, back when I was 16 years old, we used to do everything together, it was such a great time in my life," he clarified.
"What happened between you?" Dwight asked.
"Well Toby, that was his name, he got caught up in some pretty bad stuff with gangs, he'd usually ask them for money, and when they did and wanted him to pay it back, he always did, but then there was one time he couldn't, and…" Alistar began to explain as he paused.
"So, what happened, did something bad go down?" Dwight asked curiously.
Alistar sighed as he began to continue. "Yeah...it went down pretty bad,"
[Flashback]
Four Years Ago. Trenton, New Jersey.
"Now I attack your vanguard with Morfessa," Toby said.
"I don't guard, damage check, dang it, you beat me," Alistar said, but soon he smiled. "You're really strong, Toby,"
"Thanks, I've worked really hard to get where I am," Toby replied.
"So, wanna have a rematch?" Alistar asked.
Toby then shook his head. "Nah, let's just talk, you still didn't tell me how you did in your Geography test,"
"I totally failed that, Geography isn't really my thing, you're great at it though, but then again, you're great at everything," Alistar said.
Toby laughed. "What are you talking about, I suck when it comes to business, that class is where you reign supreme. Are you thinking about becoming a businessman?"
"I don't know, you have a point though, I am pretty good at it, I guess I can always give it a try," Alistar replied.
"That's the spirit Alistar, and if you ever need a wingman, I'll be right by your side,"
Alistar smiled. "Thanks, man, it's the same with you, if you need someone, I'll be right by your side," he said as he then frowned. "Hey, Toby, who are they?"
Toby turned around to see who Alistar was talking about, but once he did, he broke out into a cold sweat, it was a group consisting of five men, all wearing worn-out leather jackets. "It's the gang I borrowed money from, they must be here to collect the debt I owe, but I don't have it yet,"
"What? Toby, I told you to be careful not to make deals with people like them," Alistar said to him.
"I know, I know, but I really needed the money, I'll see if I can work something out with them," Toby then walked over to the group. "Hey, TJ, how have you been man, everything is going good,"
"Sup Toby, we want to know if you have the money, it's due today, no exceptions," TJ said.
"Yeah, about that, I kind of...don't have it," Toby said as the group began advancing towards him. "W-Wait, I can explain, I had it, but something happened to it,"
"Really, what happened then?" TJ asked maliciously.
Toby twiddled his fingers quickly and nervously as he tried to think of something, finally, it came to him. "I had the money yesterday, but it was stolen from me," he said.
"Well then, who took it?" TJ asked.
Toby put on his most composed face as he turned behind him and pointed to Alistar who was looking quite worried at the time. "It was him," he said.
TJ pointed to Alistar. "Him, the guy over there?"
Toby quickly nodded. "Yeah, I was about to confront him when you guys showed up," he lied.
A mischievous smirk came upon TJ's face. "Is that so, alright then Toby, just wait here, we'll handle this one ourselves, c'mon boys, let's teach the kid a lesson he'll never forget," he said as he and the other guys slowly approached Alistar.
"Sorry Alistar, I hope that one day, you can forgive me," Toby said to himself as he slowly backed away, then when he was sure he wouldn't be seen, he ran away as fast as he could.
Alistar noticed the group approaching him and tried to get away, but before he realized it, he was trapped in a circle. TJ gave him a harsh look as fear crept up Alistar's spine. "So, you think you can take money from us and get away with it,"
Alistar was then confused. "W-What are you talking about, I didn't take any money,"
TJ slapped him powerfully across the face. "Don't try to play dumb!"
"I'm serious, I didn't take any money, why would I steal from a bunch of thugs anyways," Alistar said in an attempt to sound brave, but to no avail, he could hear his voice crack around the last part.
"So, you wanna keep playing dumb and start insulting us, this won't end good for you kid, get him!" TJ exclaimed as the five of them all began throwing punches and kicks on Alistar.
"I told you, I didn't take anything!" Alistar exclaimed, but it was in vain, the attacks against him didn't cease, they punched him, kicked him, one held him up as the others launched punch after punch. As one of them was punching him, he noticed something.
"Hey TJ, where did Toby go?" he asked as TJ looked around and saw Toby was nowhere to be seen.
"What a minute, I get it now, this kid didn't take the money, Toby used it as an excuse to bounce while we were distracted," TJ realized as they all left Alistar and began running, TJ then turned to the teen, who was covered in bruises. "You lucky we noticed Toby was gone, or we might've just killed you," he said as he began running away.
"T-Toby, he's...gone, is he the reason...this happened to me, why Toby, why," Alistar weakly said as his vision went black and he fell unconscious.
[End Flashback]
"And that's what happened, Toby left, and I never saw him again," Alistar said as Dwight covered his mouth in horror.
"Alistar, I'm sorry, I didn't know, it must have been hard for you,"
"Yeah, I'll admit I was very mad at him, but after some thinking, I realized that he was right," Alistar simply said as Dwight looked at him bewildered.
"Excuse me? Did I imagine that, or did you just say he was right?" Dwight asked.
"That's right, his actions showed that life is about doing whatever you can to benefit yourself and your well being," Alistar replied. "Even though I was his best friend, Toby didn't hesitate to throw me under the bus to save his own ass from the beating those guys would've given him, he showed me that if you only worry about yourself and disregard the way someone else might feel, everything will be alright, that's just the way it is,"
"That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard, Alistar, if you only believe in helping yourself, how will you ever feel complete, how will you ever feel that you made an impact in someone else's life," Dwight said to him.
"What does it matter if I make an impact on someone's life, how would that ever help me?" Alistar asked.
"How will that ever help? Just look at Nathan!" Dwight screamed at him as Alistar looked surprised by the tone he used. "Nathan isn't fighting for just himself, he's fighting for Dante and Sonia, he's fighting so he can make an impact in their lives in order to give them a bright future!"
The surprised look on Alistar's face soon faded and the indifferent look returned as Dwight finished talking. "That's different, those two are his siblings, of course he would fight for them, they can benefit him in the future, the three of us may be teammates, but we're not family," Alistar retorted.
"That doesn't matter, not to me," Dwight said.
"And just why is that, why do you feel so inclined to convince me otherwise?"Alistar asked.
"It's because I had a similar experience, and when I needed help, someone came to save me, I didn't know him, and when I wanted to repay him, he refused," Dwight replied as a slight look of uneasiness appeared on Alistar's face. "It's because of him that I'm here today, so I won't allow you to live your life like that, please!" he exclaimed as he put his head down.
"Dwight, I...fine," Alistar began as Dwight looked up at him. "I guess I could...reconsider my agreement and maybe...start believing like you do, for now at least,"
"Alistar, thank you!" Dwight exclaimed as he ran over and hugged Alistar.
"Hey, what are you doing, let go of me, dammit," Alistar said.
"Sorry, I'm just happy, that's all," Dwight said as he let go of him.
Alistar turned away from Dwight, he could let him see the small smile that was on his face. "Whatever, we should be making our way to the stadium," he said as the two started running towards the arena.
Nathan walked outside the arena and looked around the streets, there was still no sight of Dwight or Alistar. "I hope Dwight can find him, we'll be going up in just twenty minutes," he said quietly to himself.
"Nathan!" two voices exclaimed, Nathan turned around to see Dwight and Alistar running towards him.
"You found him," Nathan said as the two boys stopped running and began panting, Nathan then looked at his teammate. "Where were you Alistar, you really had us worried,"
"Sorry, there was something important I needed to take care of," the brown-haired man simply replied.
Nathan then sighed. "Well, fine then, just don't worry us like that again, we gotta go, the fights will begin shortly," he said as the three of them entered the arena and went to the participant's hall, soon, the teams all came out.
"How's it going everybody, are you ready for the final two fights of the day!" Joshua exclaimed as the crowd cheered. "The winners of today's fights will move on to the Block B semi-finals, let's begin with the first match, it'll be between Team Starblade up against Team Cartel, let's see who our first fighters will be!"
"I'm taking this one," Dwight said as he made his way up to the stadium.
"The first two fighters are advancing, for Team Starblade, making his debut on the national stage, we have Dwight Lansing, and for Team Cartel, we have Isaac Rodney!" Joshua announced.
"I'm fighting a kid, this won't take too long!" Isaac laughed.
Dwight looked at Isaac, he appeared to be in his mid-twenties, but Dwight that age wouldn't be enough to intimidate him. "Doesn't matter if I'm younger than you, I'll beat you anyways," the teen said to him.
"Fighters ready, and, begin!"
"Stand up my, Vanguard!"
"Knight of Early Dawn, Coel!" Dwight exclaimed.
Knight of Early Dawn, Coel
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"Cyclone Johnny!" Isaac exclaimed.
Cyclone Johnny
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"I'm going to win this cardfight, just watch me, Alistar," Dwight thought to himself.
"It's now the end of the sixth turn, the damage count is three for Isaac, and four for Dwight, can the young cardfighter for Team Starblade take the lead on his next turn," Joshua said.
Turn 7: Hand[Dwight(3), Isaac(5)]
"Stand and draw, I have got to win the game right here, if I don't, he'll finish me on his next turn," Dwight said as he discarded a card from his hand. "I'm counting on you! Generation Stride! Sunrise Ray Radiant Sword, Gurguit!"
Sunrise Ray Radiant Sword, Gurguit
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"With stride skill, I look at the four cards of my deck, superior call Perimore, I then superior call Horsa in a rested state behind Perimore, I then call Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius, with Horsa's Unite, add 2000 Power to himself and Perimore, I then send Coel to the soul and look at the top three cards of my deck, superior call Runo, add 2000 power to Runo, with Horsa' Unite once more, add 2000 power to himself and Perimore!" Dwight exclaimed.
"That won't be enough to beat me," Isaac said with a confident grin.
"You're right, but I'm not done yet, I use Gurguit's Unite, add 20000 power to Gurguit and 5000 power to all of my rear-guards!" Dwight exclaimed. "Now with a boost from Runo, Salonius attacks your vanguard, with Runo's skill, add 2000 power to Salonius, with Salonius' Unite, add 2000 power to him!"
(18000+14000=32000)
"I don't guard, damage check,"
[Damage Check - Juggernaut Maximum(G3)]
Damage: [Dwight(4), Isaac(4)]
"Now Gurguit attacks the vanguard!"
(26000+20000=46000)
"Generation Guard! King of Interference, Terrible Linus!"
King of Interference, Terrible Linus
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"With his skill, I send one of my rear-guards to the soul, then for every two open circles on my side of the field, add 10000 to the shield, I have four so that's an additional 20000 to the shield, then I guard with two more cards!" Isaac exclaimed as his vanguard's power rose to 56000 power.
"This isn't good, he still has two cards in his hand plus an intercept, even if I draw two triggers, Perimore will only have 30000 power, I guess it'll be up to the luck of the draw," Dwight thought. "Triple drive,"
[Drive Check #1 - Knight of New Sun, Catillus(G2)]
[Drive Check #2 - Flame of Victory (Critical Trigger)]
"A critical trigger, all effects to Perimore, c'mon, let's see what my next draw is,"
[Drive Check #3 - Player of the Holy Pipe, Gerrie (Stand Trigger)]
"Ah yeah, a stand trigger, all effects to Horsa, with a boost from Horsa, Perimore attacks the vanguard, with his Unite, add 2000 power!"
(25000+21000=46000)
"No way, I don't guard, damage check,"
[Damage Check #1 - Cyclone Johnny(G0)]
[Damage Check #2 - Silence Joker (Critical Trigger)]
Damage: [Dwight(4), Isaac(6)]
"Dammit, I lost," Isaac said as he slowly walked back to his booth, Dwight, on the other hand, was a lot more energetic as he returned to his own booth. "Did you see that guys, I won!"
"That was awesome Dwight," Nathan said as he high fives his teammate. "You've greatly improved since our last fight, you really showed him,"
"Thanks, Nathan, I was a bit worried, but I knew I couldn't afford to lose," Dwight said back.
"We're now moving on to the second fight, for Team Cartel, we have their leader, Ishmael Rogers, will Nathan Packard come out and make it a match between leaders!" Joshua exclaimed.
"That's not a bad idea, wish me luck out there," Nathan said as he began to walk towards the stadium, but was stopped as Alistar put his hand up. "Alistar?"
"Nathan, I want you to let me take him on," Alistar said seriously.
"Why, do you know him?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, and the two of us have some business to take care of," Alistar replied.
Nathan was taken aback, for as long as he has known him, Alistar has never too much of a serious person, he always appeared to be so aloof, but now, with the look in his teammate's eyes, it was like he was seeing him in a new light. "Alright then, if it means that much to you, you can fight him, just make sure that you don't lose," he said.
"Thanks, you can count on me, I'll win this and send us to the semi-finals," Alistar said with a grin as he began to advance toward the stadium.