Cardfight! Vanguard, a famous card game enjoyed by millions around the world.
To most, it's just a simple game that they play for fun or in competitions to test their skills, but to a small few, Vanguard is their guide, their purpose, a life-changing experience that transforms them, for better...or for worse...
Chapter One: A Soul's Corruption
"Okay everyone, please welcome your new classmate," said the teacher, Mrs. Pota, as she beckoned a white-skinned boy with glasses, green-ish blue hair, khaki shorts, red Adidas, and a height of 5 '7 to the front of the desk.
"Hello everyone, my name is Martin Railing," he said, adjusting his glasses. "I moved from New York, all the way to here in Florida since my brother got a new job in this town. That aside, I hope to make friends with all of you and have a good year,"
"Wow, very nice introduction!" said Mrs. Pota with an approving grin.
"He seems nice, I wonder what his hobbies are," said a girl near the front of the class.
"True, but I want to know if he's athletic, maybe he could join my club," said a boy near the middle.
"And it seems that the class agrees with me," the teacher continued as she handed Martin a piece of paper. "On this paper I want you to write your hobbies, interests, family condition, etc."
"Okay then, I can do that," said Martin as he began walking towards the desks, soon turning back to Mrs. Pota. "Where am I going to sit?"
"Oh yes, of course, I almost forgot," she said, realizing her mistake. "You can sit next to that boy over there in the back, Zion, wake up and raise your head,"
"Huh?" The boy named Zion muffled tiredly as he slowly lifted his head. "You need something?"
"Yes, I did, but not anymore," said the teacher as Martin put two and two together and walked towards the seat next to Zion. He had short straight bright orange hair, blue sweatpants, a red shirt, blue eyes, with a light caramel skin tone like Mrs. Pota, and was the same height as Martin.
"Now that that's over, let's continue with class," said Mrs, Pota as she diverted her attention to the board.
"Class dismissed, everyone except Martin has their project due next week," said Mrs. Pota as she opened the door, letting the students know to leave and get their stuff. "Have a great day!"
"You too, Mrs. Pota!" some of the students said as they grabbed their stuff and went outside.
"So, Martin, what are your hobbies?" asked the same girl from before.
"Oh, well, for one, I like the play Vanguard, ever heard of it?" Martin replied.
"No not exactly, but I do know a few people who do, do you want me to go get them?" she asked cheerfully.
"Sure, that would be great, thank you,"
"No problem," she said as she ran to a group of guys standing near the sidewalk, soon, three guys, including Zion, caught Martin's attention as he saw them walking towards him.
"So you play vanguard, that right?" asked Zion grimly as he stared at Martin intensely.
"Yeah, it is, what of it, here to challenge me," replied Martin as he prepared to take out his deck.
"Slow down new kid, since you just got here, you wouldn't know," said Zion as his stare became a glare, causing Martin to step back. "I'm the best cardfighter in this school, only losing once, a million years can pass for all I care, you're not good enough to face me yet,"
"I'm pretty good too, you know," Martin shot back with confidence, only causing Zion to chuckle.
"You wanna bet?" asked Zion with a smirk as he took out his deck. "Well, if you really want to test your luck against me, go ahead and see what happens,"
"Where are we going to do this though, I don't see any tables around here?" asked Martin confused as he scanned the field.
"No worries, we're not going to use any regular table, we're gonna use the Spatial Teleportation System, STS for short," Zion answered, pointing to a run-down shed at the very back of the field, guarded by cameras and caution tape.
"B-But the students, no, as a matter of fact, no one is allowed to go there," Martin contested. "If anyone does, the cameras will automatically take a photo and we'll be expelled!"
"Goody-two-shoes," Zion remarked silently as he picked up some rocks and walked a few feet behind the caution tape. "You're right, Martin, we would be expelled, but only if the cameras were working to take the photos," he responded with a malicious grin.
"You wouldn't," Martin warned as Zion winded his arm and prepared to let go, slowly turning his head back at Martin.
"I would," he said, propelling the rock out of his grasp with sonic speed, piercing one of the three cameras, destroying it completely.
Zion repeated this until all the cameras were destroyed and disposed of. "Now, Martin, are you ready to do this or what?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm ready, let's do this," Martin said as he and Zion walked over the caution tape and into the shed, still astonished by Zion's action, but also worried about the consequences if someone found out.
When they entered the shed, Martin saw two pillars across from each other with a cardfight table in-between. "What is this?" he asked curiously.
"STS," Zion answered plainly. "Put your dominant hand on the pillar, I'll do the same," he explained as he and Martin put their right hands on the two pillars. As they did, the area around them began to glow and streaks of light erupted around them.
"Woah!" exclaimed Martin as he looked up from the glowing floor and looked at Zion, who had a plain expression. "Have you...have you used this before, Zion?"
"No, idiot, if I had, the cameras would either already be broken, or I'd already be expelled," he answered indifferently. "The only reason I know how this works is that last year, I overheard some of the teachers were planning to make a cardfight club, I was interested so I stayed to see what was going on,"
"If that's the case, then why is the area restricted from students?" Martin asked confused.
"A year ago," Zion began. "A year ago, some junior scrubs snuck behind the cameras and went in to use the system. They didn't know how it worked, so they fiddled with it, unfortunately for them, they hit something they weren't supposed to and one of the pillars blew up, causing a piece of it to hit one of the students in the head at high speed, hospitalizing him. When the teachers found out, they, along with the parents of the injured kid, banned it from use so that nothing else like that would happen,"
"Wow, that's tough," Martin said pitifully.
"Yeah, anyway, let's continue with the cardfight," Zion said, changing the subject as the light subsided. "Put your deck here and then we can-"
As he put his deck on the pillar, Zion suddenly vanished, but his deck was still there, even though it was in his hands earlier.
"Holy crap, Zion just vanished!" Martin thought shocked. "Maybe if I put my deck on the pillar, I can see where he is," he continued as he did just that, suddenly disappearing as well. When he reappeared, he found himself in a rainbow-like tube-space, quickly being pulled by the force of the forwarding dimension.
Soon, Martin found himself in a damaged arena with vines growing all over, in the midst of it all stood a statue of a dragon, as he watched in awe, he saw Zion in the distance, standing against the wall, eyeing the arena as well.
"Zion, I found you, what is this?' asked Martin, catching Zion's attention.
"I don't even know," he said as he continued to gaze at his body. "For now, that doesn't matter, let's start this cardfight."
"Let's,"
"Stand Up!"
"The,"
"Vanguard!"
"Arc Flame Dracokid!" Zion exclaimed as suddenly a beam of light from beyond the ruins descended onto the field and manifested in flames, revealing a small black dragon with gold armor and wings of fire.
Arc Flame Dracokid
Grade 0/ Power 5000
"Dope, it looks so real!" said Zion in amazement.
"Timepiece Dracokid!" Martin said as a blue and gold dragon emerged from a portal.
Timepiece Dracokid
Grade 0/ Power 4000
"You're right, I can even touch it!" Martin stated as he passed his hand over the golden headpiece.
Turn 1:
"Okay, it seems I'm starting us off, draw, and now I ride, Arc Flame Knight, Rei!" Zion called, as a knight with green armor took place of the dragon.
Arc Flame Knight, Rei
Grade 1/ Power 7000
"Dracokid moves back with forerunner, that's it for my turn,"
End Turn
Zion: Hand {5}
(R) [Arc Flame Knight, Rei(0)] (R)
(R) (Arc Flame Dracokid) (R)
Martin: Hand {5}
(R) [Timepiece Dracokid {0}] (R)
(R) (R) (R)
Turn 2:
"Draw, let's go, I ride, Chronodash Peccary!" Martin exclaimed as a bipedal peccary with steampunk took the place of Timepiece.
Chronodash Peccary
Grade 1/ Power 8000
"Next, I call two Chronocharge Unicorns to the front row, with their skills, I add 3000 power to each other, with that, my first Chronocharge attacks the vanguard!"
(6000+3000=9000) ATK (7000)
"Hmph, no guard, damage check,"
Damage Check: Arc Flame Hero, Jenor (Grade 1)
Damage Count: Zion (1) Martin (0)
"Now with a boost from Timepiece, Peccary attacks the vanguard!"
(8000+4000=12000) ATK (7000)
"I guard,"
"Okay then, drive check!"
Drive Check: Chronoclaw Monkey (Grade 2)
"Finally, my second Chronocharge attacks,"
(9000) ATK (7000)
"Guard,"
"That's it for my turn, off to you,"
End Turn
Zion: Hand {3}
(R) [Arc Flame Knight, Rei(0)] (R)
(R) (Arc Flame Dracokid) (R)
Martin: Hand {6}
(Chronocharge Unicorn) [Chronodash Peccary {0}] (Chronocharge Unicorn)
(R) (Timepiece Dracokid) (R)
Turn 3:
"Now it's my turn to attack, draw and ride, Arc Flame Dragon, Neon!" Zion called as a black dragon with jet black armor and a red helmet took the place of the knight.
Arc Flame Dragon, Neon
Grade 2/ Power 9000
"With the skill of Rei in the soul, draw, and look at the top card of the deck, superior call it plus 2000, I superior call Arc Flame Warrior, Kiswant, then from my hand, I call Arc Flame Veteran, Orvis, now Kiswant attacks the vanguard, with his skill, counterblast, and if I control equal to or more rearguards than you do, add 3000 power!" Zion explained.
(8000+2000+3000=13000) ATK (8000)
"I won't guard, damage check,"
Damage Check: Chronotimer Leghorn (Stand Trigger)
Damage Count: Zion (1) Martin (1)
"Not the best card to pull at this point, no worries through," Martin mumbled to himself. "Power to Peccary,"
"With a boost from Dracokid, Neon attacks the vanguard, with Neon's skill, since a card was superior called this turn, I can retire one rearguard, I retire the Chronocharge to the left,"
(9000+5000=14000) ATK (8000+5000=13000)
"Guard,"
"Okay then, drive check,"
Drive Check: Arc Star Flame, Ion (Draw Trigger)
"Good, a draw trigger, the power to Orvis, draw,"
"He's slowly growing his hand, and if I'm going to do some good damage, that has to stop,"
"For my final attack, Orvis attacks the vanguard!"
(9000+5000=14000) ATK (13000)
"Guard again,"
"I end my turn," Zion said as he stood quietly. "Interesting, it seems I've overestimated you,"
"What do you mean?" Martin asked.
"You'll see on my next turn," Zion answered.
End Turn
Zion: Hand {5}
(Arc Flame Warrior, Kiswant) [Arc Flame Dragon, Neon(1)] (Arc Flame Veteran, Orvis)
R) (Arc Flame Dracokid) (R)
Martin: Hand {4}
(R) [Chronodash Peccary {0}] (Chronocharge Unicorn)
(R) (Timepiece Dracokid) (R)
Turn 4:
"Stand and draw, hey Zion, you said you overestimated me, well that's going to change from this point on!" Martin asked concerned, but no reply was given. "Let's do this, ride, Chronoclaw Monkey!"
Chronoclaw Monkey
Grade 2/ Power 9000
"I call Chronoethos Jackal, Luckypot Dracokid, and Pulsar, Gear Delta!" Martin exclaimed, calling all but one card in his hand. "With the skill of Gear Delta, if I have a "Zodiac Time Beast" grade 3 in my hand, I can look at the top 5 cards of the deck, send two to the bind zone, and send the rest back and shuffle, now with a boost from Delta, Chronocharge Unicorn attacks the Orvis!"
(6000+6000=12000)
Zion didn't say anything, only sending Orvis to the drop zone
"Okay then, with a boost from Timepiece, Chronoclaw attacks!"
(9000+4000) ATK (9000)
This time, Zion nodded, telling Martin that he wasn't guarding,
"Drive trigger check!"
Drive Check: Chronodoze Sheep (Draw Trigger)
"Let's go, a draw trigger, power to Ethos, draw,"
Damage Check: Arc Flame Apprentice, Mendrix (Grade 2)
Damage Count: Zion (2) Martin (1)
"Now with a boost from Luckypot, Ethos attacks the vanguard!"
(7000+4000+5000=16000) ATK (9000)
Once again, all Zion did was reveal a card from his hand to signify a guard.
"I end my turn then,"
End Turn
Zion: Hand {4}
(Arc Flame Warrior, Kiswant) [Arc Flame Dragon, Neon(1)] (R)
R) (Arc Flame Dracokid) (R)
Martin: Hand {3}
(Chronoethos Jackal) [Chronoclaw Monkey {0}] (Chronocharge Unicorn)
(Luckypot Dracokid) (Timepiece Dracokid) (Pulsar, Gear Delta)
Turn 5:
As Zion stood his cards and drew, all he did was glare at Martin.
"Are you going to ride or are you just gonna try to scare me," said Martin annoyed.
"That's how you get serious, hmph, pathetic, simply pathetic," Zion said plainly.
"What do you mean, I'm ahead in damage and I've got a full formation, there's not much you can do with those two attacks," Martin noted, causing Zion to grin.
"Do you really think that I was bringing my all in those past turns?" he asked. "I've been cardfighting for years, the best in school, and you actually thought you were pushing me back?"
These questions sent a chill up Martin's spine. He knew that Zion was right, and wasn't quite sure if he would be prepared for what Zion would bring to the table.
"Unstoppable force, ruler of the ancient flames, show all who stand before you why you lead this army, ride! Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola!"
Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola
Grade 3/ Power 11000
"Zion's ace unit, Arc Flame Rapola, from what I've heard, its skill is simple but could be very detrimental," Martin thought aloud.
"Get ready, Martin, because you are going to regret every challenging me," Zion said as he raised three cards from his hand into the air. "I call Arc Flame, Destiny Rain, Arc Flame Warrior, Kiswant, replacing the old one, and Arc Flame Oppressor, Klaims!"
"I'd better get ready for this," Martin said silently.
"Kiswant attacks Jackal,"
(8000)
"Guard!"
"With Dracokid's boost, Rapola attacks the vanguard, with Dracokid's skill, since I have an Arc Flame vanguard, countercharge, now with Rapola's skill, counterblast, retire one of your rearguards, I choose Luckypot, with that, I can superior call a card from my deck with an additional 5000 power, I superior call Arc Flame Knight, Rei," Zion explained as luckypot was engulfed in flames and a tornado of flames descended onto Zion's side of the field, revealing Rei with a larger sword.
(11000+5000=16000) ATK (9000)
"No guard,"
"Hah, twin drive trigger check,"
First Check: Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola (Grade 3)
Second Check: Rushing Arc Flame Runt, Otis (Critical Trigger)
"That's right, a critical trigger, power to Destiny Rain, critical to Rapola!"
"Tch, damage check,"
First Check: Chronobeat Buffalo (Grade 2)
Second Check: Chronotherapy Hamster (Heal Trigger)
Damage Count: Zion (2) Martin (2)
"Phew, recover one damage, the power to Chronoclaw,"
"With a boost from Klaims, Destiny Rain attacks the vanguard, with Klaims' skill, look at the top three cards of the deck, reveal them, you must target rearguards equal to the highest grade of the revealed cards, grade 2, once that is done, send them to the hand, and then send one card from the hand to the drop zone, then with Destiny Rain's skill, if I have more rearguards than my opponent, I can add 5000 power to the front row!"
(10000+7000+5000+5000=27000) ATK (9000+5000=14000)
"No guard,"
Damage Check: Chronojet Dragon G (Grade 3)
Damage Count: Zion (2) Martin (3)
"Lastly, Rei attacks the vanguard!"
(7000+5000+5000=17000) ATK (14000)
"Guard,"
"Hmph, I'll beat you on my next turn," Zion stated cockily
"Don't be so cocky, you only did two damage this turn, so we'll see about that," Martin said back.
"Yeah, we'll see," Zion said sarcastically. "I end my turn,"
End Turn
Zion: Hand {3}
(Arc Flame Warrior, Kiswant) [Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola(1)] (Arc Flame, Destiny Rain)
(R) (Arc Flame Dracokid) (Arc Flame Oppressor, Klaims)
Martin: Hand {2}
(Chronoethos Jackal) [Chronoclaw Monkey {0}] (R)
(R) (Timepiece Dracokid) (R)
Turn 6:
"Stand and draw, nice," said Martin as his frown went to a smile, but then back again. "Though he did little damage the previous turn, he greatly distorted my formation, I have little hand cards, so I won't be able to recover easily," he thought. "Thanks for adding a card to my hand, Zion, now I have a cost to stride,"
"So what, that won't do anything for you now, you can't beat me," Zion said confidently.
"Maybe so, but I'll leave a good mark," he said before raising a card into the air. "Dragon of time, break through your chains and let loose of my enemy! Ride! Chronojet Dragon "Unbound"!"
Chronojet Dragon "Unbound"
Grade 3/ Power 11000
As Martin said this, four clocks emerged from the ground, revealing a bipedal dragon with black and blue armor, it had a gold and red scarf, along with jagged jet wings, chained by its arms and legs, as it eyed Rapola, its jets expelled rainbow-colored fire, melting the chains off as it sped into the air, looking down at the enemy.
"Liberating the generation zone, legendary beast who soars through dimensions, come forth at the final hour and harvest the lost souls of time, generation stride! Metapulsar, Infinite Glare Reaper!"
Metapulsar, Infinite Glare Reaper
Grade 4/ Power 15000+
A gloomy light descended onto Chronojet as a dark tornado engulfed the central area of Martin's side, and when it dispersed, it revealed a large robed entity with gears giving it form, in its hands was a scythe and beyond the hood was a face with no particular form, having a large glowing red eye in the shape of an x.
"With "Unbound"'s stride skill, I can counterblast one card and select up to three cards from my bind zone, superior call them and they gain a skill, the superior called units are the two cards in my bind zone, Pulsar Tamer, Lugal-ure to the front right and Tick Tock Worker to the back left, behind jackal, now with a boost from Tick Tock, Jackal attacks Destiny Rain, with Jackal's skill, add 4000, then with Tick Tock's skill obtained by "Unbound", I can send a rearguard you control to the bottom of the deck, I choose Kiswant!" Martin explained.
(7000+5000+4000=16000)
"Getting rid of my formation aye, no guard,"
"With Tick Tock Worker's skill, send it to the soul and Time leap jackal," Martin said as Jackal went to the bind zone and out-came a new unit. "Another Lugal-ure!"
"Now my Lugal-ure at the right column attacks, with her skill, since I have a Zodiac Time Beast vanguard, 2000 power is added, then with her skill obtained by Chronojet, I send Arc Flame Dracokid to the bottom of the deck!"
(9000+2000=11000) ATK (11000)
"No guard, damage check,"
Damage Check: Arc Flame Dragon, Neon (Grade 2)
Damage Count: Zion (3) Martin (3)
"With a boost from Timepiece, Reaper attacks Rapola, with Reaper's skill, for every card sent to the bottom of my opponent's deck this turn, that number being two, I can select a card from your hand, and send it to the drop zone, so with that, I'll send the remainder of your hand to the drop zone!"
(26000+4000=30000) ATK (11000)
"Interesting, no guard,"
"Triple drive!"
First Check: Chronovolley Rabbit (Critical Trigger)
"Critical Trigger, all effects to my vanguard,"
Second Check: Pulsar, Obstinacy Ox (Grade 3)
"A grade three, that means you can use the skills of your Lugal-ures," Zion said.
"You've read my mind, soulblast two cards, and I Time Leap my Lugal's, in their places, I call Chronojet Dragon G and Chronojet Dragon Z!"
Third Check: Pulsar, Revolver Dracokid (Grade 1)
"Damage checks,"
First Check: Authoritarian Arc Flame, Astra (Heal Trigger)
"That's good, a heal trigger, power to my vanguard, recover one damage, just my luck as well,"
"Dammit, now my two remaining rearguards can't attack, so much for trying to finish it off this turn," Martin thought, disappointed
Second Check: Arc Flame Dracokid (Grade 0)
Damage Count: Zion (4) Martin (3)
"...I end my turn there," Martin said as he clenched his knuckles in frustration. "Due to "Unbound"'s stride skill, all cards superior called by its skill are sent to the bind zone,"
End Turn
Zion: Hand {0}
(R) [Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola(1)] (R)
(R) (R) (Arc Flame Oppressor, Klaims)
Martin: Hand {5}
(Chronoethos Jackal) [Chronojet Dragon "Unbound" {1}] (Pulsar Tamer, Lugal-ure)
(R) (Timepiece Dracokid) (R)
Turn 7:
"Stand and draw, hey Martin, I must admit, you did good, much better than that sorry excuse for your previous turn, fortunately for you, this is where your suffering ends, liberating the generation zone…" he began.
"Here it comes, Zion's stride," Martin said under his breath as he scanned his hand. "Hopefully I'll be ready for this,"
"Guardian of the bright flame, let all who try to enter your sanctuary be scorched to ash! Generation Stride! Primary Arc Flame, Singed Insignia!"
Primary Arc Flame, Singed Insignia
Grade 4/ Power 15000+
"Damn, that name sounds powerful!" exclaimed Martin as he eyed the titan deity standing before him, with flames spreading out everywhere.
"It is, but first, Rapola's stride skill, if you control more rearguards than me, I can superior call 2 units from my deck, if after that, I have equal to or more rearguards, I can draw, unfortunately, you have three while I only have two, I superior call two Arc Flame Apprentice, Mendrix's, with their skills when placed on rearguard, if I have a card with Rapola as my vanguard or heart card, I can select up to 2 units, and they get 4000 power, I add 4000 to my Mendrix units, then add 8000 to my vanguard, now, my left Mendrix attacks!" Zion explained.
(9000+4000=13000) ATK (11000)
"Hmm, guard,"
"Now my vanguard attacks!"
(34000) ATK (11000)
"No guard,"
"Bad choice, Singed Insignia's skill, when the attack isn't guarded, I can counterblast and soulblast, if I do, I can stand one rearguard I control, then during my triple drive, I can superior call one of the drives, retiring it at the end of the turn," Zion explained.
"That's a powerful skill, indeed," Martin said.
"Triple drive!"
First Check: Arc Flame Defender, Omnus (Grade 1)
"I use Insignia's skill, my resting Mendrix stands, and I superior call Omnus,"
Second Check: Rushing Arc Flame Runt, Otis (Critical Trigger)
"Haha! Just my luck, a critical trigger, the power to my left Mendrix, critical to the vanguard!"
Third Check: Serving Arc Flame, Louin (Grade 1)
"Grr, damage checks,"
First Check: Chronojet Dragon Z (Grade 3)
Second Check: Pulsar, Hypnosis Sheep (Stand Trigger)
"A stand trigger, the power to the vanguard,"
Damage Count: Zion (4) Martin (5)
"With a boost from Klaims, my right Mendrix attacks Chronojet!"
(13000+7000=20000)
"Guard!"
"This is it, with a boost from Omnus, my left Mendrix attacks your vanguard, finish this!"
(13000+6000+5000=24000) ATK (11000+5000)
"Generation Guard!" Martin suddenly declared.
"No way!" Zion said with a shocked face.
"Pulsar Saver, Ilishu!"
Pulsar Saver, Ilishu
G Guardian/ Shield=15000
"Her shield is already more than enough, so her skill won't be needed,"
"Fine then," Zion grunted. "I end my turn, but it doesn't matter, you won't beat me!"
"I wouldn't bet on it if I were you,"
"Tch,"
End Turn
Zion: Hand {3}
(Arc Flame Apprentice, Mendrix) [Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola(0)] (Arc Flame Apprentice, Mendrix)
(R) (R) (Arc Flame Oppressor, Klaims)
Martin: Hand {2}
(Chronoethos Jackal) [Chronojet Dragon "Unbound" {0}] (Pulsar Tamer, Lugal-ure)
(R) (Timepiece Dracokid) (R)
Turn 8:
"This is where it ends, four damage to five, in your favor, but that won't be the case for long, stand, and now I draw, I'll use "Unbound" generation break 2 skill, I can bind two rearguards in my bind zone as the cost to stride!"
"This is bad," Zion thought as he looked at the card Martin shot into the air.
"Liberating the generation zone, Generation Stride! Metapulsar, Mystery-freeze Dragon!"
Metapulsar, Mystery-freeze Dragon
Grade 4/ Power 15000+
"That card's skill will be the end of me if he gets those grades…" Zion said as he stepped back in fear.
"Mystery-freeze attacks the vanguard, with its skill, counterblast two, I bind the top four cards of the deck, and you cannot guard with the pulled grades, also, if a grade 3 is bound, it gets drive plus 1!" Martin explained.
Climax Check!
First Card: (Grade 2) Pulsar, Rewind Tiger
"Don't pull a grade 1," Zion thought
Second Card: (Grade 0) Chrono Dran G
"Yes, that's the way!"
Third Card: (Grade 3) Chronofang Tiger
"That's it, keep going, no matter how many drives you have, it means nothing if I have a complete guard, after that, I can guard the other two with ease,"
"With a grade three, add 1 drive to Mystery-freeze!" Martin announced.
Fourth and Final Card: (Grade 2) Chronobeat Buffalo
"Yes!" Zion bellowed so loudly, even shocking the units. "I complete guard with Serving Arc Flame, Louin!"
"You're not in the clear yet, quadruple drive!"
First Check: Chronodose Sheep (Draw Trigger)
"Hell yeah! Power to Ethos!"
"No, I forgot, with Chronoethos Jackal's skill, if it attacks, it can get four thousand power, that will require me to use both of my intercepts, all I need to hope for is that he doesn't pull another trigger!" Zion thought.
Second Check: Chronofang Tiger G (Grade 3)
Third Check: Chrono Dran Z (Grade 0)
"This is now or never, I need to do this, I know I can win," Martin said as he prepared to reveal the last card.
"He can't pull it, he won't pull it, I need to win, or else…" Zion pondered as sweat flashed down his face. "Please, don't do this to me,"
Fourth Check: Chronomedical Hamster (Heal Trigger)
"And that's that, heal trigger, power to Lugal-ure,"
As Zion saw the green icon, he could hardly believe his eyes, for the first time in seven long years, he would lose, to a new kid of all people. As this knowledge rushed into his head, he looked at his cards, as small tear scurried down his cheek, he fell down on his knees as bowed his head in sadness and shame.
"Chronoethos Jackal attacks Rapola,"
(7000+4000+5000=16000) ATK (11000)
"...N-No...no guard, damage c-check,"
Damage Check: Arc Flame Defender, Omnus (Grade 1)
Damage Count: Zion (6) Martin (5)
"Six damage, I win," Martin said quietly as he laid himself on the ground as they were transported back to the shed.
"I lost, huh?" Zion said with tear-stained eyes as he turned his head to the entrance of the shed, allowing the wind to blow through his hair.
"It was a good game, if you don't mind, there was only one problem-" Martin began.
"Shut it, Railing," Zion said coldly as he stood up and walked out of the shed, out of school grounds, and out of sight, leaving his deck with Martin.
"Sorry," Martin said as he walked out of the shed towards his house.
"Many of your attacks were aimed at my vanguard, on the last turn, if you took it upon yourself to not give up on getting rid of Chronoethos Jackal, you might have won," Martin thought as he continued walking down the neighborhood.
As Zion walked out of the school grounds, he headed the opposite direction from his house, because he knew he would face hell at home. Not knowing where to go, he went to an abandoned neighborhood as it started to rain. He felt the rain damp his clothing as he began to cry. "Why," he thought. "Why did I have to go and lose, I'm never gonna hear the end of it, it's not fair,"
As these thoughts ran through Zion's head, everything suddenly went dark, he looked around, but couldn't make out anything but darkness.
"Where am I?" he asked himself. "Hello!? Anyone here? Does anyone know what's going on?"
Almost as soon as it manifested, the darkness faded, slowly letting the face of a white space, nothing but white, until he turned around.
"W-W-Who are you?" he asked afraid as his eyes were glued to the being in front of him. An enormous neon blue dragon with chrome gold armor, in his hand, was a large, blood-red sword, on his head was a grandiose gold crown with fur that cradled three black-tinted green crystals spread out evenly between the crown, and his eyes were a scary red and black that almost glowed in the distance. When asked the question, the dragon simply put his hand out, with his palm facing the sky and his fingers facing Zion. As it did, a jet black heart formed in its hand as blood pumped out, staining the floor.
"A-Are you going to answer me or what, I don't have all day," Zion said, trying to be brave.
"Silence human, I am a being who far transcends anything you can physically comprehend, in an instant, I could rip your heart from your chest and remove it from existence entirely, so choose your words carefully," the dragon warned, causing Zion to gulp in fear.
Though the dialogue was short, the dragon saw no need in prolonging the inevitable, he closed his claw with the heart, placing his hand on Zion's chest where his heart was, injecting the black heart into his.
"Wh-What are you doing to me?" Zion asked in pain as half of his body was engulfed in darkness, his eyes became like that of the dragon, and once he did, he passed out.
"That is the form you will greet me in, boy, remember your place," the dragon said as he snapped his fingers, causing Zion to instantly disappear.
"Zion, Zion wake up!" a young girl said as she shook Zion, trying to wake him up.
"Huh, oh, Maya, it's you, sis, what is going on?" he asked weakly as he slowly opened his eyes.
"I was looking for you during dismissal, but I couldn't find you, there was no announcement, so I figured you'd be here since this is where you go when you're down," she answered.
"Half-ass explanation much?" Zion joked as he picked himself up. "Sorry, I can understand your worry, something came up and I decided to not go home,"
"Whatever it is, we'll talk about it at home, okay?" Maya asked as she helped Zion to his feet.
"Sure thing," answered Zion as he put his hands into his pocket, when he did, he felt nothing in his right pocket. "What, where's my deck,"
He felt his left pocket and let out a sigh of relief as he took it out and scanned it, his eyes widened as he saw the card on the bottom of the deck.
"It's you, the dragon from before...Daunting Dragon King, Ferteces...no way!" he thought as he read the name of the card and looked at the clan. "Igknights?!"
"Igknights, what's that?' Maya asked as she turned to her older brother.
"Oh, um, nothing, don't worry about it," Zion lied.
"Suspicious," Maya thought as she twirled her bangs.
"New cards, new clan, a dragon that put something into my heart, and that weird form I went into in that dimension, and not to mention I can't see my Kagero units anywhere. Just what in the world is going on?!"
Featured Fan Cards
Chronojet Dragon "Unbound"
G3 Power 11000
Auto VG: GB1: If you have more cards in the bind zone than your opponent, draw, target one rearguard, and you may have it gain +5000 power.
Auto VG: SS/CB1: Select up to three cards from your bind zone, superior call them and they gain, "Auto: When this card attacks a vanguard, target a rearguard your opponent controls, send it to the bottom of the deck,". At the end of the turn, send them back to the bind zone.
Ruling Dragon, Arc Flame Rapola
G3 Power 11000
Auto VG: CB1: When this card attacks a vanguard, retreat one unit your opponent controls, superior call a card from your deck +5000 until the end of the battle.
Auto: VG: SS: If your opponent controls more rearguards than you, superior call up to two cards from your deck, if you do, if you control equal to or more rearguards than your opponent, draw.
Arc Flame Apprentice, Mendrix
G2 Power 9000
Auto RG: If you control a "Rapola" vanguard, select two units, and they gain +4000 until the end of the turn.
Arc Flame Knight, Rei
G1 Power 7000
Auto (In the Soul): Draw one card, look at the top card of the deck, superior call it +2000.
Arc Flame Warrior, Kiswant
G2 Power 8000
Auto: VG/RG/CB1: If you control equal to or more rearguards than your opponent, add 3000 power.
Arc Flame Dracokid
G0 Power 5000
Auto: Forerunner
Auto: RG: If you control an "Arc Flame" Vanguard, countercharge one card.
Metapulsar, Infinite Glare Reaper
G4 Power 15000+
Auto VG: For every card sent to the bottom of your opponent's deck, send a card in their hand to the drop zone.
Pulsar, Gear Delta
Auto: RG: If you have a "Zodiac Time Beast" grade 3 in your hand, look at the top five cards of the deck, send two to the bind zone and send the rest back to the deck and shuffle.
Primary Arc Flame, Singed Insignia
G4 Power 15000+
Auto: VG: CB1/SB1: Target a rearguard you control, stand it, then during your triple drive, superior call one card, retiring it at the end of the turn.