A/N: Hey readers. The story is back for its final arc. The tournament brackets are set up after going through requests. Not all fights requested are going to be in it sadly, but there should be at least 1 fight from almost every list requested. Also, this sadly won't be doing weekly updates as we cannot write out the chapters fast enough for that with everything going on right now. Chapters will be updated as they get finished. Hopefully it should be on roughly a once per month basis at least.
A month had passed since Yukari's announcement of the Vanguard Invitational cup. Ever since it was made public, excitement had gradually been building up to the fateful day of the event. Nearly a year had passed since the Vanguard World Tournament, and this would be the biggest tournament since then.
Aurora stood in front of the stadium for the tournament. It wasn't as big as the one for the Vanguard World Tournament in Rome, but it was still the stadium used for Japan's National Vanguard Tournament so it was still plenty big. People were already heading inside, eager to get to their seats.
"It's finally time, huh?" a voice said from behind Aurora.
Aurora turned around and saw Dan and Anthony walking up to her. Together, the three of them had won the Vanguard World Tournament as Team Cosmic Trio. But the Vanguard Invitational Cup had no teams. They would each be on their own here.
"Let's all do our best, no matter who we get paired up against." Aurora said.
"That goes without saying." Anthony grinned. "After all, I'm the one who's going to win this in the end."
"Ever the egotist." Dan said with a small smile. "Just don't be too disappointed when I end up winning instead."
"You're both crazy." Aurora told them. "I'm gonna win in the end."
"Well you three are as eager as always it seems." a new voice said. Cosmic Trio all turned to see William, Elizabeth, and Thomas of Team Round Table walk over. "Not that it isn't fun to watch."
"Hope you're ready to lose, rich boy." Anthony said. "Cause if we fight, you're going down."
"I look forward to a good fight." William said. He looked at some of the people walking inside. "I must say, Yukari certainly went all out with this. I haven't seen so many famous cardfighters gathered together since the World Tournament."
"Nervous, are we?" Elizabeth asked with a smirk.
William shook his head. "Hardly. I'm excited."
"We should probably head inside ourselves." Aurora suggested. "Wouldn't want to be late."
The six cardfighters walked into the stadium. Each of them had only complete and total victory set on their minds.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Vanguard Invitational Cup." Yukari said as she addressed the thousands of people in the crowd. "I hope everyone is ready for the series of exciting battles in store."
The cheers of the crowd were deafening. It was clear that the excitement was at its peak. Every single person there was a Vanguard fanatic, and no one was going to want to miss a single second.
Yukari waited for the cheers to die down before continuing. "We have a total of thirty-two players gathered from across the world." Yukari explained. "Some are famous fighters you will likely recognize. Others are faces none have seen before. But at the end of this three day event, only one cardfighter will be left standing. As for who will be competing, you'll just have to wait and see. For the first round, even our participants will not know who their opponents are until they step out onto the field. By the end of the first round, you will all see who our thirty-two participants are. Now then, are you ready for some Vanguard?!"
The cheers erupted once again. A monitor was present above where Yukari was standing. On the screen, it could be seen shuffling through a series of numbers as the first match was being decided. After a few seconds, it finally stopped and showed two numbers.
"The first fight will be between contestants number 1 and 27!" Yukari declared. "Both players will step out onto the field in a few minutes!"
"Well, wish me luck guys." Aurora said as she parted ways with Dan, Anthony, and Madoka. She was contestant number 1, meaning she was going to be in the opening game.
"Good luck." Dan said.
"Knock 'em dead!" Anthony called to her.
Aurora walked away as she headed towards the entryway to the field. Madoka watched as her friend from school vanished. "Man, this is so nerve wracking. How is Aurora able to be so calm?"
"This isn't her first big tournament." Anthony pointed out. "Plus, compared to fighting with the fate of the world at stake, this is nothing when it comes to nervousness."
"I guess so." Madoka admitted. She looked at her entry number. It was a relief for her to not be fighting Aurora in the first round. "I still can't believe I was given an invite to this. I'm not a famous cardfighter or anything. I'm still a beginner."
"Don't sell yourself short." Dan told her. "Remember, a lot of the people that helped fight Purgatory were invited to this, and you helped defend a lot of people back then. It's not necessarily just about skill level. Plus you've been training hard for this."
"He's right. So long as you're not fighting a crazy strong fighter, like us for example, you'll be fine." Anthony grinned. "Don't get any ideas about winning the whole thing though."
"To be honest, I'm just hoping to make it past the first round." Madoka said.
"Just take it one fight at a time. And make sure to have fun." Dan said. "Now let's go check out Aurora's fight."
The three teens headed to the spectator area and watched as both fighters were about to walk out onto the field. Everyone waited with bated breath for who the two fighters would be."
"First up, we have contestant number one." Yukari said. "Aurora Fujou!"
The second her name was heard, the crowd blew up as the blonde teen came out onto the field. It was only natural, given that she was the leader of the team that won the Vanguard World Tournament. An eager look was seen in her eyes.
"And now for her opponent." Yukari said. "Contestant number twenty-seven. Sa-"
Yukari was cut off as music was suddenly heard all around the stadium. Spotlights shined down on the other end of the field as a girl with long black hair and a fancy dress walked out onto the field. Everyone gasped in recognition of who it was.
"Hello cardfighting fans! My name is Sachi Fukazawa!" Sachi greeted. "Many of you may remember me as the master of ceremonies for the Vanguard World Tournament! Well I'm here today once again! This time, as a fighter!"
Aurora found it hard to believe her eyes. She had not been expecting Sachi to be one of the fighters chosen for this event.
"It looks like you're surprised to see me, Aurora Fujou." Sachi smiled.
"Kind of, yeah." Aurora admitted. "I wasn't aware you were a big player."
"Of course. I may not be a professional or anything, but don't underestimate my skills." the girl said with a smirk. "Now then, let's get underway!"
The crowd roared with applause. Aurora cracked a small grin. 'Even when she's fighting, she always focuses on pumping the crowd up.'
The Motion Figure System started up as the boards for Aurora and Sachi came up from the ground. Both girls placed their decks down and drew their opening hands.
"The first fight! Aurora Fujou vs Sachi Fukazawa!" Yukari announced. "Begin!"
"Stand up! Vanguard!"
"Ace Starship Pilot, Dipper Major!"
Ace Starship Pilot, Dipper Major
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"Chouchou, Amalia!"
Chouchou, Amalia
Grade 0, Power: 5000
Both units appeared with the help of the Motion Figure System. Aurora looked at the unit by Sachi. 'Bermuda Triangle.'
"I'll start." Aurora said. "I ride Sharpshooter of the Stars, Sagittarius!"
Sharpshooter of the Stars, Sagittarius
Grade 1, Power: 7000
"Dipper Major moves back. Turn end."
[Turn 2. Hand: Aurora(5), Sachi(5).]
"My turn then." Sachi said. "Ride! Chouchou, Sonia!"
Chouchou, Sonia
Grade 1, Power: 7000
"I move Amalia with forerunner." Sachi said. "And now a duet from those two is coming straight for your Vanguard!"
(7000+5000=12000)
"No guard."
"Drive check, no trigger."
"Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Aurora(1), Sachi(0).]
"And that brings an end to the exciting opening moves of both players!" Sachi said, talking more to the crowd rather than Aurora. "Keep watching to see how the exciting cardfight will develop."
[Turn 3. Hand: Aurora(5), Sachi(6).]
"Stand and draw." Aurora said. She couldn't deny that it was a bit strange with how Sachi was trying to juggle being an announcer and a fighter at the same time. But that didn't change the fact that this was still a cardfight. She just had to play like she always did. "Ride! Swordsman of the Twin Sabres, Gemini!"
Swordsman of the Twin Sabres, Gemini
Grade 2, Power: 10000
"I call Luminia." Aurora said. "And now she'll attack the Vanguard!"
(9000)
"Guard!" Sachi said, holding up a card from her hand.
"Gemini and Dipper will attack next!"
(10000+5000=15000)
"No guard."
"Drive check, no trigger."
"Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Aurora(1), Sachi(1).]
"Turn end."
[Turn 4. Hand: Aurora(5), Sachi(5).]
"Here goes then. Stand and draw." Sachi said. "I ride! Chouchou, Darina!"
Chouchou, Darina
Grade 2, Power: 10000
"Next I call Chouchou Lirun." Sachi said. "With a boost from Amalia, Darina attacks!"
(10000+5000=15000)
"No guard." Aurora said.
"Drive check, draw trigger." Sachi said. "Power to Lirun and I draw."
"Damage check. No trigger."
[Damage: Aurora(2), Sachi(1).]
"Alright Lirun, go get Luminia off the field!"
(9000+5000=14000)
"Guard!" Aurora said as she held up a critical trigger from her hand.
"My turn's over." Sachi said.
[Turn 5. Hand: Aurora(4), Sachi(6).]
"Stand and draw." Aurora said. She took a card in her hand and grinned excitedly. "Time to shine and illuminate this battlefield! Here comes my ace! I ride Starlight Swordswoman, Hikari!"
Starlight Swordswoman, Hikari
Grade 3, Power: 11000
"Next I activate Dipper Major's skill! I bind him and then bind Gemini from my deck!" Aurora explained. "Let's go Hikari! Attack the Vanguard!"
(11000)
"No guard." Sachi said.
"Twin drive. First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! Power to Luminia and critical to Hikari!"
"Damage check." Sachi said. Two cards went into her damage zone, neither being the triggers she wanted.
[Damage: Aurora(2), Sachi(3).]
"Luminia's coming in next!"
(9000+5000=14000)
"I guard!" Sachi said, using up a card from her hand.
"Turn end." Aurora said. "Activating Dipper's soul blast to add him from the bind zone to my hand."
[Turn 6. Hand: Aurora(7), Sachi(5).]
"Stand and draw." Sachi said. "Now folks, as you've clearly seen, this fight is a neck and neck battle between both players. But with this next move, the excitement will go through the roof!" She held up a card in her hand as she smiled. "The stage is set and the show must go on! Appearing to you here and now, it's Chouchou Debut Stage, Tirua! Ride!"
Chouchou Debut Stage, Tirua
Grade 3, Power :11000
"Stride Generation!" Sachi called out. "Chouchou Headliner, Lapria!"
Chouchou Headliner, Lapria
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! I draw one card and reveal it!" Sachi said. "Next it's time for my Chouchous to all come out! I call Ranfa, Schera, and Irune!"
"She just completely filled her field." Dan noted. "She's planning on going in hard this turn."
"Lirun's skill! She gets 2000 power!" Sachi explained. "And with Schera's boost, she attacks!"
(9000+2000+7000=18000)
"Guard!" Aurora said, holding up a card in her hand.
"With a boost from Amalia, my Vanguard attacks!" Sachi said. "Activating Lapria's skill! I send Chouchous Schera and Lirun to the bottom of the deck, then draw 2 cards. And with Schera's skill, since she was returned to the deck, I countercharge and soul charge. And with Irune's skill, all my front row Chouchous now get 2000 power!"
(26000+5000+2000=33000)
"No guard."
"Triple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, heal trigger! Power to Ranfa and I recover one! Third check, critical trigger! I give all effects to Ranfa!"
Aurora narrowed her eyes. 'So that's her game.' she thought. "Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Aurora(3), Sachi(2).]
Madoka narrowed her eyes. "Why give the critical to her rear guard? Her Vanguard' attack hit so she could have dealt more damage."
"You'll see in a second." Anthony told her. "Ranfa's got a dangerous skill."
"And now Ranfa attacks with a boost from Irune! Irune's skill adds 2000 power!"
(9000+7000+2000+10000=28000)
"Generation guard! Star Cross Barrier, Crux!"
Star Cross Barrier, Crux
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Crux's skill! I send a unit in my bind zone to the drop zone, then bind a card in my drop zone, and add 5000 shield!" Aurora said.
"Irune's skill! After the battle she boosted, I can send Amalia to the bottom of the deck and draw." Sachi said. "Then with Ranfa's skill, when another unit of mine is sent to the bottom of the deck, I counterblast and soul blast to stand her and add 5000 power!"
Madoka widened her eyes. "So that's why she gave the critical to her rear guard! Cause she was getting two attacks with Ranfa!"
"Go Ranfa! Attack the Vanguard again!"
(9000+2000+5000+10000=26000)
Aurora looked at her hand. She couldn't afford to drop anymore this turn. "No guard. Damage check. First card, no trigger. Second card, heal trigger! Power to the Vanguard and I recover one!"
[Damage: Aurora(4), Sachi(2).]
"And with that, the leader of Team Cosmic Trio just narrowly escapes being pushed to five damage!" Sachi announced. "Will she be able to overcome this setback?! Stay tuned to find out!"
"She's a bit of an oddball announcing her own cardfight." Dan commented. "But she's really good. If it wasn't for that heal trigger, Aurora would be just one damage away from losing."
"Yeah, but if I know her, she's about to turn things around." Anthony grinned.
[Turn 8. Hand: Aurora(5), Sachi(7).]
"Stand and draw." Aurora said. "That was a pretty good move on your part, Sachi. But now it's my turn to turn up the heat. Stride Generation! Nebula Beast, Twilight Vulpes!"
Nebula Beast, Twilight Vulpes
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! I bind Sword of the Stars, Hikari from my deck and call Gemini from the bind zone!" Aurora declared. "Gemini gets 5000 power, and then his Warpdrive gives him another 5000 power, along with the ability to boost! Next up, I use the skill of Twilight Vulpes! I send Hikari in my bind zone to the drop zone! Since she's grade 3, I bind the top 3 cards of my deck! And next, I call 3 cards from my bind zone! Come forth Irene, Aquarius, and Tauros!"
"Darn. No Warpdrive units out of those three." Dan said. "But at least she's got a full field with a pretty decent formation. And she didn't have to touch her hand either."
"Luminia attacks with a boost from Irene!"
(9000+2000+6000=17000)
"I guard!" Sachi said, using one of the cards in her hand.
"Vulpes attacks next!" Aurora said. "Skill of Vulpes! I bind Luminia, Irene, and Tauros! Vulpes gains 3000 power for each unit bound! Then since, three or more were bound, add one drive!"
(26000+9000=35000)
"No guard."
"Quadruple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! Power to Gemini and critical to the Vanguard! Third check, no trigger. Fourth check, no trigger."
"Damage check." Sachi said. "First card, no trigger. Second card, no trigger."
[Damage: Aurora(4), Sachi(4).]
"Boosted by Aquarius, here comes Gemini!"
(10000+5000+5000+7000+5000=32000)
"Generation guard!" Sachi called out. "Chouchou Cradle Lullaby, Milena!"
Chouchou Cradle Lullaby, Milena
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Skill of Milena! I send Irune to the bottom of the deck! In exchange, I get to countercharge and add 10000 to the shield!"
'Darn. I wasn't able to damage her hand as much as I wanted to. I'll just have to try to clinch the game next turn.' Aurora thought. "Turn end."
[Turn 9. Hand: Aurora(9), Sachi(5).]
"Stand and draw." Sachi said. "And now everyone, the opponent of Aurora Fujou will now use every ounce of her power to take her down here and now! With one or less rear guards on the field, Tirua allows me to stride without paying a cost!"
'Here it comes.'
"Generation Zone, release! Now watch as a miraculous geyser appears, stunning all in attendance of this performance! Stride Generation! Chouchou Pupular Favor, Tirua!"
Chouchou Popular Favor, Tirua
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! I draw and reveal the card I added!" Sachi said. "And now, call! Irune! Verne! Lirun! Darina! With Lirun's skill, she gains 2000 power and all my grade 2 and greater Chouchou rear guards get resist and boost! Next, using Tirua's skill, I flip a G Unit face up to give my Vanguard a continuous skill!"
'She's got a really scary formation up.' Aurora thought to herself. 'It's clear she plans to end things this turn.'
"With Verne's boost, Lirun will start!"
(9000+2000+2000+11000=24000)
"Guard!" Aurora said, holding up a pair of cards from her hand.
"Irune and Ranfa, you're next!"
(9000+2000+7000=18000)
"Guard!" Aurora said, holding up a trigger from her hand.
"Skill of Irune! Sending Verne to the bottom of the deck to draw!" Sachi explained. "Next, Ranfa's skill! Since a rear guard was sent to the bottom of the deck, I counterblast and soul blast to stand her with an extra 5000 power! And since Verne was sent to the bottom of the deck, her skill lets me give 5000 power to Ranfa! And thanks to the skill Tirua gained, all my front row Chouchous get 5000 power for each of my open rear guard circles!"
In the stands, Isabelle and Sophia watched the cardfight progress. "Can this friend of yours win?" Isabelle asked. "It seems like she's cornered."
"Of course she can. Aurora never gives up. Never, ever, ever." Sophia told her sister. "Go Aurora! Fight!"
"Ranfa attacks for a second time!"
(9000+5000+5000+5000+2000=26000)
"No guard." Aurora said. "Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Aurora(5), Sachi(4).]
"Aurora Fujou is on the brink! Can she survive?!" Sachi asked the crowd. "One way to find out. Tirua attacks with a boost from Darina!"
(26000+5000+10000=41000)
"Perfect guard!" Aurora called out.
"Triple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! Everything to Ranfa! Third check, no trigger." Sachi said. "Activating skill of Tirua! I send Irune, Darina, and Lirun to the bottom of the deck to stand Tirua with drive minus 2! Then, Ranfa's skill activates! I stand her with another 5000 power!"
Madoka gasped. "She restood her Vanguard and a rear guard just like that?!"
"That's not even the worst part." Dan noted. "Sachi just got three more open circles now. That means another 15000 to her front row units."
"Go Tirua! Attack the Vanguard!"
(26000+20000=46000)
"Skill of Irene in the bind zone!" Aurora said. "By discarding a card from my hand, as well as paying a counterblast and soul blast, I can guard with her from the bind zone. Afterwards however, she's excluded from the game!"
"Drive check." Sachi said. "No trigger. But can you survive Ranfa's final attack?!"
(9000+5000+5000+5000+20000+5000=49000)
"Generation guard! Protector of the Cosmos, Andromeda!"
Protector of the Cosmos, Andromeda
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Skill of Andromeda! Since there are two or more cards in the bind zone, add 10000 shield!" Aurora said. "In addition, I guard with Dipper from my hand and intercept with Gemini!"
"Turn end." Sachi said.
[Turn 10. Hand: Aurora(1), Sachi(8).]
"Stand and draw." Aurora said. "Using Hikari's skill, I bind Gemini in my drop zone to countercharge."
"It all comes down to this turn." William said as he watched with Elizabeth and Thomas. "Aurora has to win it here or it's over."
"Generation Zone, release!" Aurora called out. "Clustering stars, come together! Form the constellation of my future! Stride Generation! Constellation of Light, Hikari!"
Constellation of Light, Hikari
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! I bind Sagittarius from the deck and call Luminia from the bind zone! Using her skill, I look at the top three cards, bind Apollo, and call Gemini behind the Vanguard! Gemini's Warpdrive gives him 5000 power and boost!" Aurora said. "Next, I call Starshot Gunner from my hand! Finally, I activate my Vanguard's skill! Generation Break 3! Hikari gains 10000 power, plus one critical and a skill! When one of my units attacks this turn, I can send a card from the bind zone to the drop zone! Until the end of that battle, the opponent cannot guard with cards from their hand of the same grade!"
"Leave it to Aurora to turn a situation like that around." Rose said with a small grin as she watched the fight with Iris and Juliet.
"Luminia is up first! Take this!"
(9000+4000=13000)
"Intercept with Rafina!"
"Boosted by Gemini, here comes Hikari!" Aurora said. "I send Sagittarius to the drop zone and prevent grade 1s!"
(26000+10000+10000+5000=51000)
Sachi looked at her hand. No grade 1s meant her sentinels were sealed off. And she didn't have the necessary cards in hand to block the massive attack from Aurora's vanguard. "No guard."
The crowd watched as Hikari leaped across the field towards Tirua. A clean slash through the mermaid ended the fight as two cards went straight to Sachi's damage zone.
[Damage: Aurora(5), Sachi(6).]
With the fight over, the crowd roared in excitement for the incredible fight. Aurora collected her cards, wiping the sweat off her forehead at how close that fight had been. She looked across the field and saw Sachi clapping for her as well.
"That was an excellent fight, Aurora." Sachi said.
"Thanks." Aurora said with a smile. "You were really incredible. You should consider going pro."
Sachi let out a giggle. "Thanks, but I the idol life is where I really feel at home." She turned around and walked away. "Make sure to wow the crowd again in the rest of your matches."
Aurora nodded her head. "You got it." She looked up at the sky. 'My heart's racing and it's only the first round. This is going to be one crazy tournament.'
The VIP room of the stadium had a full view of the field. No other seat in the entire venue allowed someone to get a better view of the action. Ironically however, the person watching from the room was the person who wanted to be there the least out of everyone in the stadium.
"This is pointless." Kouta said as he looked on with a bored expression. "How can they put so much energy into a stupid game?"
"You truly do have a way of brightening up the room." Yukari commented sarcastically as she watched with him. "They can put all their energy into the game because they find enjoyment out of it. Competing with each other. Getting stronger with each fight. The players here all embody that spirit."
"Whatever. I just want this to be over with so I can go."
Yukari let out a sigh as she stood up. "Try to keep an open mind. You might see something that surprises you." She turned and walked out of the room. She spared one last glance at the boy before leaving. 'I hope you learn what I'm trying to teach you, Kouta. You're the biggest reason for this tournament after all.'
Aurora: That game was so exciting! I can't wait for my next fight!
Dan: Easy there. There's still the rest of the first round to go through.
Anthony: I wonder who's up next. I hope it's me.
Aurora: Looks like we're about to find out.
Next time: Groovin Beat of Justice