"About now, it would seem," said Midori. "I shall see you in Block C, Lucas."

"Really?" Lucas peeked at the bracket. "Woah, you're right. This'll be a match to remember."

"I certainly hope so," nodded Midori. She led the way to one of the tables, her opponent trailing close behind.


Admittedly, Lucas didn't know too much about Midori. She had been one of the original members of the Cardfight Committee, but he didn't go out of his way to hang out with her. He knew she was wickedly intelligent, and that she and Nat went way back. She was sort of an unheard voice of reason in the Committee, and she wasn't too shabby a cardfighter. But beyond that? The overall picture was fuzzy. This would have been a chance to talk one-on-one with her, had it not been a timed tournament setting.

There was a silence as both players shuffled their decks. Not an uncomfortable one, to be sure, but neither party had much to say to each other. Lucas had to rack his brain a bit to break the quiet. "So, you helped Nat and Adam with their new decks?"

"Yes, I did. As enthusiastic as they are with the game, their deckbuilding skills are, well…"

"Jank?"

"I was going to say 'awful.' I'm not a fan of the term 'jank.'"

"What, too harsh?"

"Too...nonsense, I suppose. Just not a fan of those types of terms."

"I see. Not a fan of being down with the kids."

"...What?"

"A joke. That was a joke."

"Ah."

Both drew their starting hand. A bit more silence followed, before Lucas cleared his throat. "So, anything else going on in your life?"

"Mostly just studying for midterms. I'd also be tutoring Nat and Adam, but they've been wrapped up in training."

"I'm guessing they'll be trying to keep their heads above water next week, huh?"

"Don't remind me. I've been pleading with them, but they insisted this was more important."

Lucas grinned. "Gee, that paid off, huh?"

"Again, don't remind me."

"Are all cardfighters ready to start?" Tyler interrupted.

"Guess this is it," said Lucas. "You ready?"

"Of course."

"Let round two begin!"

"Now stand up, Vanguard!"


Due to its immense size, the Dragon Empire was home to a number of distinct biomes. One of the less studied but nonetheless fascinating areas of the Empire were the jungles of the dinodragons. Filled with unique flora and fauna, it was an academic's dream, if not for its fiercely territorial denizens. The dinodragons and their human companions who patrolled these lands made short work of everyone and everything that entered their lines of sight. In one of the several clearings, the jungle's inhabitants spotted another mob looking to encroach on their home. A battle was about to begin…

"I ride! Muscle Babyface, Kid Stern!"

Kid Stern- Grade 0/6000 Power/10000 Shield

"I ride!" replied the green astral body. Fading into the verdant undergrowth, it was soon replaced with a diminutive, cream-colored dinodragon. Resembling an infant tyrannosaurus, it wore part of its eggshell atop its head like a crown, proudly carrying around a small branch like a scepter. "Child Tyrant, Enfant Rex!"

Enfant Rex- Grade 0/6000/10000 Shield


"Still rocking Tachikaze, huh?"

"Of course. Equip Gauges are prime for experimentation. Anyway, I'm first. I draw, then ride Plasma Tail Dragon, Electroraptor."


The wannabe ruler disappeared into the earth, leading the way to a much larger dinodragon. It was the size of a standard stallion, resembling a crane-necked velociraptor with a set of blue and green armor. It sported a lengthy tail, lined with ionized spikes and crackling with an advanced electricity. Gnashing it's teeth, it fixed its shining green eyes on its opponent.

Electroraptor- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield


"Due to Enfant Rex's skill, I draw a card, and end my turn."

End of Turn 1

Hand Count- Midori 6, Lucas 5

Damage Count- Midori 0, Lucas 0

"My turn," stated Lucas. "I draw, and ride Muscle Kilo, Bursting Serr."

Bursting Serr- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"Thanks to Kid Stern, I draw a card. Next, I call Muscle Kilo, Grabby Oppo to rearguard."

Grabby Oppo- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"It seems you're already committing to offense."

"Well, given how hard Tachis hit, I gotta get as big a lead as I can. First up, Oppo will attack your vanguard."

Strength- 8000

"I don't guard. Damage check...no trigger."


With a screeching squeal, the copper red alien lunged towards the raptor. After planting each of its hands firmly onto the dinodragon, it pivoted into a full throw, using all its strength to toss his target upwards. After a brief hang in the air, Electroraptor descended gracelessly, cratering into the jungle's turf like a fish out of water.

Serr chuckled a bit. "Don't think this is over yet, you stupid lizard! I'm next!"

Strength- 8000

The dinodragon found its footing soon after the threat. "I don't guard," it barked. It may not have had the impressive processing power of his superiors, but even he knew wasting resources now would be foolish.

"Drive check...nothin', but this will hurt anyway!" Serr trampled towards his opponent, taking a small leap at the last second. While airborne, his dominant arm bulked up, allowing him to bring down his fist like a massive hammer upon the raptor's head. Cackling, he lept back to his ally, leaving the injured lizard to struggle back upwards.


"Damage check...no trigger this time either."

"Welp, that's my turn. Over to you."

End of Turn 2

Hand Count- Midori 6, Lucas 6

Damage Count- Midori 2, Lucas 0

Midori nodded. "I draw. Now I ride Breakthrough Dragon, Batterspino."


Electroraptor disappeared in a flurry of electric sparks. In its place emerged a much larger dinodragon- resembling a spinosaurus of sorts, it's aqua-colored armor was decaled with a yellow trim. Its arms were fortified with a set of piston-like gauntlets, and instead of a crest, its back sported a large, reinforced buzzsaw. It let out an intimidating roar, revealing a set of dagger-like teeth.

Batterspino- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield


"Electroraptor, when rode upon, can be called to my rearguard. In addition, I can attach the top card of my deck face-down to it as an Equip Gauge."

There she goes, already stacking Gauges. This won't be easy. I wonder if-

"Excuse me, sorry." He heard a familiar voice coming to the play area. "Sorry it took so long. Adam was...hard to move."

Lucas sighed. "No one asked you to come, Nathaniel."

Nat rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure I'm allowed to watch, Robertson. Ah, I see Midori is already spreading out her Gauges. Looks like things are about to get interesting."

Midori adjusted her glasses. "Glad you could come, Nat, but I'm in the middle of something. I call Covering Fire Dragon, Tricalibur, and Mobile Bunker Dragon, Landship Ankylo."


Roaring in from the distance came two more heavily armored dinodragons. One was a dark green shade, similar to a WWII battle tank, resembling a triceratops with tank guns instead of horns. The other was a metallic grey, bulky ankylosaur , scratched and chipped after years of battle, and covered with built in tank guns. Both rolled up to their vanguard on large sets of worn tank treads, fixing their guns on the enemy formation.

Tricalibur- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield

Landship Ankylo- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield


"Now for Ankylo's skill. I counter blast one and rest him to attach the top card of my deck to Tricalibur and give him an additional 5000 Power. And now I begin my battle phase- Tricalibur attacks your vanguard."

Strength- 14000

"I don't guard. Damage check...no trigger."


Locking on to the alien, Tricalibur adjusted and leveled its cannons to track the enemy formation. With a deep whir, it fired a shot from its trio of guns. Two of the shots missed, creating small bursts of soil besides Serr, but one hit the alien in his gut, engulfing him in a cloud of flame and smoke.

Without waiting for any comeback, the leading dinodragon prepared for its own push. "Electroraptor, lend me your support!" The buzzsaw on its back began to spin rapidly. "I'll blow right past you!"

Strength- 17000


"When Batterspino attacks, I can retire one of my rearguards to draw a card, and add the top card of my deck as an Equip Gauge on another rearguard. Landship Ankylo is retired, and I add a Gauge to Tricalibur."

"I'm not gonna guard."

"Very well. My drive check...Savage Herbalist. That's 10000 Power to my vanguard and one less damage for me."


After a trampling charge, Batterspino launched itself at Serr, somersaulting onto its target buzzsaw first. The blade tore into the alien, causing a serious yowl of pain, after which the dinodragon rolled away before stomping back to his formation. "Damage check," groaned Serr. "No trigger…"


"And with that, my turn is over."

End of Turn 3

Hand Count- Midori 6, Lucas 6

Damage Count- Midori 1, Lucas 2

Lucas nodded. "Okay, I stand and draw. I ride Muscle Mega, Showboat Anco."

Showboat Anco- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield

"Since I rode on Serr, I can call him from soul to an open RC. I move Oppo back, then call Muscle Mega, Boomerang Thorac."

Boomerang Thorac- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield

"Now I'm ready to attack. First up, Oppo boosts Thorac for an attack on Tricalibur."

Strength- 17000

Nat scratched his head. "Wait, why attack the rearguard? You're already behind in damage."

"Use your head, Nathaniel. That rearguard has two Gauges on it. If Midori wants to make any plays, she needs as many Gauges as possible. See where I'm going with this?"

Midori nodded. "In addition, his Nova Grapplers can attack multiple times, so even if I don't take damage for this attack, he can make up for it with further assaults."

"Yeah, exactly. You can learn a lot from her, Nathaniel."

Nat curled his lip. "Alright, so if this attack hits, she'll be down two Gauges."

"Which is why I'm guarding this attack. With an Electroraptor from hand, that attack is blocked."

Defense- 19000

"Okay," said Lucas, "that whiffed. Now Serr boosts Anco for an attack on Batterspino. With Serr's skill, I discard a card to buff him my 3k and soul charge one. Also, I'm using Thorac's skill- one counter blast and one soul blast to stand him back up and buff him by 5k."

"So that's what she was talking about," Nat thought aloud.

Strength- 20000

"That's fine, I don't guard," responded Midori.

"Drive check...Color Commentator, Jabber scored me a critical trigger. That's 10000 Power to Thorac, and an extra damage on this attack."


With a rapid descent, Anco's boots smashed against the dinodragon's skull, denting it's head armor and even knocking a few teeth out with much force. As the alien used his opponent's head as a kickoff point for a flashy somersault back. "Damage checks," growled Batterspino. "First...no trigger. Second...no trigger."

Anco cackled. "Hope that hurt, lizard boy! How was your visit to the dentist?" He turned to his weapon wielding subordinate. "Thorac, baby, I want you to take another whack at getting rid of Tricalibur. Can't let our opponent use those Gauges, hmm?"

"No problem, boss," responded Thorac, prepping both of his boomerangs. "This time, I ain't missing!"

Strength- 24000

Batterspino, despite its daze, still had enough energy to think strategically. "I'm not letting you touch him! I defend him with Savage Herbalist!" Just then, a human figure appeared before the dinodragon formation- a woman dressed in various furs and covered with various exotic plants and flowers. While dwarfed by the sheer size of her allies, she managed to summon a barrier of verdant flora, deflecting both boomerangs. The flora swirled around her like a twister, causing her to dissapear with her companion unharmed.

Savage Herbalist- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger


Lucas sighed. "Man, you really want that on the board. Well, since it's the end of my turn and I have five or less cards in my hand, I can move Oppo to my soul to draw an extra card. And that's my turn."

End of Turn 4

Hand Count- Midori 4, Lucas 6

Damage Count- Midori 3, Lucas 2

"I stand and draw." Midori examined her hand briefly. "I must apologize, Lucas, but I believe I have the hand to end the game right here. I ride Insatiable Storming Dragon, Twincrocanto."


The deeply wounded dinodragon was consumed by a chilling light, sinking into the jungle's turf. Seconds later, it was replaced by a new pillar of light. As it dispersed, a new dinodragon materialized. A terrifying giant, it resembled a fully armored tyrannosaurus, clad in a thick body of turquoise plating. In each of its small arms, it carried a massive firearm, each sporting a pair of imposing gatling guns. On its back was welded an impressive rail cannon, flanked by a pair of traditional tank cannons. Completing the menacing visage was that the dinodragon had not one head but two, both letting out an ear splitting roar.

Twincrocanto- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker


"By riding Twincrocanto, I gain an Accel I Gift. Now, for his once-per-turn skill. By retiring one of my rearguards, I can retire one of yours. Tricalibur gives his life to force Thorac off the battlefield."

Lucas moved Thorac to his drop zone. "I'm guessing that's not it."

"No, not remotely. As part of Twincrocanto's skill, I can either draw a card or gain an Equip Gauge. Obviously, I draw a card. Now for Tricalibur's skill- with one counter blast and one soul blast, I can return it's Equip Gauges to my hand."

Nat nodded. "A stellar play. Getting rid of an important rearguard, and gaining three cards off it. You're in trouble Robertson."

"We'll see, Nathaniel," said Lucas. "She's just getting started."

"Indeed I am," said Midori. "Next, I call: Batterspino to my Accel circle; Petty Tyrant, Chariot Rex; Siege Tower Dragon, Argent Fortress; Landship Ankylo; and finally, Missile Salvo Dragon, Diracohail."


With a pair of aggressive stomps and another roar, Twincrocanto summoned a horde of dinodragons to his side- five in total. Three were fresh faces- one, a large carnivorous lizard in bronze armor, a giant lance welded to each of his sides. Another was a towering behemoth, a skyscraping brontosaurus with obsidian black armor, decked out with various turrets and cannons. Finally, a stegosaurus of sorts with yellow and black armor, sporting a row of missile launchers on it's back instead of the standard spines.

Anco gulped. "Well, this is going to suck…"

Chariot Rex- Grade 3/12000 Power/Accel Marker

Argent Fortress- Grade 3/12000 Power/Accel Marker

Diracohail- Grade 1/7000 Power/10000 Shield


"First, I'm using Argent Fortress's on-place skill. I can take a card from my drop zone and make it an Equip Gauge for one of my rearguards. That's an extra Gauge for Electroraptor, and since I stocked a grade 1 or lower unit, Argent Tower gains 10000 Power. Next, Landship Ankylo's skill- resting him and one counter blast to attach the top card of my deck to Batterspino as a Equip Gauge, in addition to 5000 more Power. Finally, Chariot Rex's skill- I discard a card to equip another Gauge from the top of my deck to Batterspino, and since it has two or more Gauges, I can draw a card."

Lucas furrowed his brow a bit. Those are some killer combos. Maybe she's really going to end it before I get to grade 3. He looked at his hand. This really isn't a good hand for defending. I'm kinda up a creek here…

Nat smiled. "Oh, this will be quite entertaining."


Twincrocanto stared at Anco with one of its heads as the other turned to its lumbering comrade. "Argent Fortress, take Diracohail's support," it growled gutturally. "Your target is that fop." The brontosaurus snorted, adjusting its various weapons to focus on the much smaller alien, while Diracohail notched a missile in each of its launchers.

Strength- 2900

Anco gulped again. He really wasn't in any position to guard these assaults. "Ooh, this is going to hurt. No guard…" His hesitation was warranted, as second later he was bombarded with a shower of missiles, bullets, and cannonfire. Anco groaned as he struggled to find his footing again, in a field covered in craters and divots. "Damage check...no trigger. Sonuva-"


"For my next attack, Chariot Rex attacks. By counter blasting one, I activate his skill- that's another Equip Gauge from the top of the deck for Batterspino. In addition, Rex gains 10000 Power for each of that rearguard's Gauges."

Lucas blinked as Nat grinned. "So he's coming in at 42k?" he asked incredulously.

"That is correct."

Strength- 42000

Lucas sighed. "Yeah, not guarding that. Damage check...Muscle Babyface, Charismatic Leva. Thank god, a heal trigger. That's one less damage for me, and 10000 Power for my vanguard."

"It will take far more than a heal trigger to survive this turn. With a boost from Electroraptor, Twincrocanto attacks. By discarding four gauges with my vanguard's skill, he gains 15000 Power, an extra drive, and an extra critical for this attack." Midori detached two cards from Electroraptor and two from Batterspino. "This attack will seal it."

Strength- 35000/2 Critical/3 Drive

Lucas didn't hesitate. "I'm stopping that with Pyra. By discarding a card, your attack is nullified."

Defense- Perfect Guard

Pyra- Grade 0/5000 Power/0 Shield/Draw Trigger

Midori adjusted her glasses. "Very well, I check my triple drive. First...no trigger. Second...Rainbow Wing Dragon, Prism Pteryx, a draw trigger. That's 10000 Power to Batterspino, and an additional card for my hand. Third check...no trigger."

Lucas breathed out. "So much for a final turn, huh?"

Nat ticked as Midori shrugged. "This next attack will still corner you. Batterspino attacks. With his combat skill, I retire Diracohail to draw a card. Now Diracohail's skill activates- when he's retired, I can draw another card and equip him to another rearguard as a Gauge. I attach him to Batterspino. Batterspino's passive gives him 5000 Power for each Gauge, as well as another critical if he has two or more."

Nat brought out his hands. "So that's nine plus ten from the Accel marker, plus ten from the trigger, and fifteen from Gauges…"

"44000 Power," answered Midori.

Strength- 44000 Power/2 Critical

Lucas grimaced. "I really don't want to do this, but I have to take the critical. First check...no trigger. Second...Concession Jerk, Chugg, huh? Well, that's one more card for me."

Midori adjusted her glasses once more. "Well, that was disappointing. I thought I could finish it this turn. Unfortunately, my turn is over."

End of Turn 5

Hand Count- Midori 8, Lucas 5

Damage Count- Midori 3, Lucas 5

Lucas nodded. "I stand and draw." He frowned a bit. This was a bad spot to be in, one of the worst to have happened in a while. Midori may not have been able to make good on her promise to end the game on that turn, but he had a lot of ground to cover- he had to deal three points of damage against an eight card hand and an intercept. He needed to seriously weigh his options, or get wiped out. He studied his hand, trying to develop any semblance of a game plan…

"Uh, Robertson, it's your turn," interrupted Nat. "Are you giving up already?"

"Don't pester him, Nat," said Midori. "He's at a serious disadvantage. I assume he's constructing a comeback strategy."

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting." He blinked a couple of times before grinning slightly. "I think I have a way to get nine attacks. Let's see you survive that."

Nat sputtered. "Nine? That's impossible."

"Watch and learn, Nathaniel. First things first, I ride Muscle Ultima, Undefeated Brach."

Undefeated Brach- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker

"Thanks to this bad boy, I gain an Accel III Gift. Any unit on that circle gets 15000 extra Power, but has to be retired at the end of my turn."

"I see," observed Midori. "You're hoping to break through my defenses with raw strength."

"Something like that. Now, I call; Thorac to my Accel RC; Muscle Mega, Rocksteady Iliac; Muscle Kilo, Kneelift Semi; and finally, Anco."

Rocksteady Iliac- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield

Kneelift Semi- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"Capping off my main phase, I use Brach's once-per-turn skill- by soul blasting two cards, I give my front row 5000 Power."

Nat blinked. "That's it? I don't see how you're getting nine attacks out of this."

Midori sighed. "Sadly, I do. This will be a challenge."


Brach cracked both pairs of knuckles. "Let's get to work, boys. Anco, get rid of Batterspino. Can't let our intercepts ruin our fun."

Anco broke into a wide grin. "Oh, of course!" He rocketed off, drawing back his dominant arm.

Strength- 14000

Twincrocanto tried its best to maintain its composure. Batterspino was an essential ally, but with a flurry of attacks heading its way, it would have to focus on just surviving. "I don't guard," it muttered. Anco, cackling in glee, delivered a sparking uppercut directly into Batterspino's jaw. The towering dinodragon stumbling in pain before totally collapsing, crumbling to dust beneath the jungle's turf.

Brach guffawed. "Not bad, not bad at all! 'Aight, Semi and Iliac, you're up! Head straight for that freak of a gecko!" Iliac let out a guttural moan in acknowledgment before taking a lumbering pace towards his target.

Strength- 22000

The head dinodragon lowered its body slightly, planting its feet firmly. "I defend myself with Savage Blowpiper!" Out of the verdant undergrowth sprang one of its human allies- bronze-skinned, covered in warpaint and camouflaging foliage, and wielding a lengthy bamboo blowpipe. After a quick inhale, she shot a dart from her weapon, nailing the rock giant between its eyes. Iliac stumbled sharply back, gripping its forehead in pain. When it stabilized, the ambush trooper had disappeared, and he lost the strength to continue the drive forward.

Savage Blowpiper- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger

Defense- 27000


"No big loss. I use Semi's skill- I move him to my soul to restand the unit he boosted and buff him by 4k. Iliac restands, back in action. For attack number three, Thorac swings in at your vanguard."

Strength- 29000

Midori sighed. "I don't guard. Damage check...nothing. Unfortunate, I needed a damage trigger."

"Now for attack number four," grinned Luacs, "Iliac charges again. Since he's attacking a vanguard, I can counter blast one to restand one of my rearguards and give it 5k Power. Thorac is standing once more."

Nat turned pale. "I can see how he can get nine attacks out of this turn."

Strength- 18000

Midori tried her best to maintain calm. "I guard with Diracohail."

Defense- 22000

"For attack number five, Thorac takes aim at Chariot Rex."

Strength- 34000

"Chariot Rex?" inquired Midori. "Why not my vanguard?"

"That guy's a huge beater. Can't leave him alone, or I'm in trouble next turn. Besides, I have four more attacks after this."

"I see. I don't guard."


In a flash, a pair of boomerangs slashed across the subordinate tyrant, eliciting a pained roar. It struggled to remain upright and conscious, but to no avail. Under the weight of its own wounds, it soon collapsed, crumbling to dust that mixed with the jungle's soil.

Brach leaned forward, ready to strike. "Serr. let's finish this! Get ready, ya toad!"


"By counter blasting one and discarding a card, I can use Brach's combat skill. He gets an extra drive, and I can restand a rearguard with a 5k buff. I restand Iliac. On top of that, I use Thorac's skill- when my vanguard attacks, I can counter blast and soul blast once each to restand him and give him 5k."

Strength- 23000/3 Drive

"Brach's attack is futile. With Rainbow Wing Dragon, Prism Pteryx, your attack is nullified.


Brach swung his fists towards Twincrocanto in a fierce spinning lariat. Rather than making contact with either of the dinodragon's heads, however, his fists wran smack into a shimmering auroral barrier. "What the-" Brach stumbled back, taking another swing, once again ramming against a shining shield. Drawing back, he saw the culprit- an archeopteryx, the size of a small labrador, sporting white fur and a pair of wings, each sporting feathers of all colors. Brach smashed his fists against the barrier several times, but no matter how much force he put into his attacks, the barrier remained unmoving, uncaring. "Just great…"

Defense- Perfect Guard

Prism Pteryx- Grade 0/5000 Power/0 Shield/Draw Trigger


""No biggie, still got my triple drive. First check...Pyra, a draw trigger! Good timing! That's 10000 Power to Iliac, and another card for me. Second...no trigger. Third...nothing. Well, let's get on with attack number seven. Thorac attacks your vanguard."

Strength- 39000

Midori glanced at her hand. "I can survive the other two attacks if I let this one through," she thought aloud. "I don't guard. Damage check...Relentless Dragon, Batterpachy. I'd rather see this on my turn, but the extra 10000 Power for my vanguard is still appreciated."

"I've pushed you up to five damage this far, I just need one more! Attack number eight- Iliac charges! With his skill, since I restood him this turn, I can counter blast one to restand one of my other rearguards! Thorac is coming back for more, and with 5k more Power!"

Strength- 34000

"What is this, the billionth time he's been restood?" Nat asked, incredulous and disgusted.

"Third, but I share your exasperation," Midori said. "I guard with Savage Herbalist."

Defense- 42000


Brach laughed arrogantly and heartily. "Cornered like a rat! There's no way you're blocking this! Thorac, swing in for the win!"

"Aw, hell yeah!" Thorac cried, winding up both of his charged boomerangs. Like a pair of ballista, he flung his weapons towards his haggard opponent. "TWIN SPIRAL TWISTER!" Both weapons spun around each other, creating a colorful vortex of wind and plasma, ripping its way towards the dinodragon. "Ain't armor in the universe thick enough to stop my new signature move!"

Strength- 44000

Twincrocanto snorted and stood its ground. "Boasting will do you no good! Landship Ankylo, Electroraptor, and Tricalibur will guard!" A trio of armored dinodragons appeared from the aether, the remaining soldiers of Twincrocanto's pack, and charged at full speed to meet the oncoming projectile. The two forces collide quickly, creating a fierce explosion of scrap, soil, and seething energy. As the boomerangs returned to their wielder, the dust cleared, revealing a scarred battleground, but an unscathed Twincrocanto.

Defense- 47000

Brach turned crossly to Thorac. "Some signature move, champ."

Thorac chuckled sheepishly. "It's, uh, a work in progress."


Lucas shrugged. "Man, I thought I had you there. My turn's over."

End of Turn 6

Hand Count- Midori 0, Lucas 4

Damage Count- Midori 5, Lucas 5

Midori sighed. "That was far too close. I stand and draw." She drew the top card of her deck, stared at it a bit, and began to drum her fingers.

"This is bad," Nat thought aloud. "She's only got one card in hand, only one unit in her front row, and she's at five damage. She's out of options."

"Guess I put her in a bad spot, huh?" Lucas chuckled. "Well, it all comes down to what she drew."

"Well, first I use Landship Ankylo's skill- by resting him and counter blasting one, I can move a card from my drop zone to one of my rearguards as an Equip Gauge. Electroraptor gets a Gauge. Then, I use Twincrocato's once-per-turn skill- by retiring Ankylo, I force Iliac to the drop zone, and put the top card of my deck face down as an Equip Gauge to Electroraptor. Finally, I call Resupply Dragon, Droptera."


A loud, desperate screech resonated through the jungle's canopy. As Brach looked up to investigate, he saw a large, metallic figure descend slowly onto the battlefield. A broad pteranodon, it's steel gray armor was complemented with red highlights and several headlights on its wings. In its talons, it carried a massive metal container, no doubt the supplies mentioned in its name.

Droptera- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield


"With Droptera's skill, I counter blast and soul blast once each to turn the top two cards of my deck into Equip Gauges for two different rearguards. That's one more Gauge for Electroraptor and one for Argent Fortress, and since the skill resolved successfully, I can soul charge one and give Droptera 5000 Power."

Nat's eyes widened a bit. "That's four Gauges. Does that mean-"

"Indeed. For my first attack, Electroraptor boosts Twincrocanto. I discard my four Equip Gauges for 15000 Power, one more critical, and one more drive check."

Strength- 35000/2 Critical/3 Drive

Lucas blinked. "You know I have a PG, right?"

"I'm counting on it. If you use your Perfect Guard, you'll be down two cards, leaving you with two cards to defend with. Unless you have the right cards, you won't have enough to block both of my attacks."

"That kinda depends on your drive checks, though, right?"

"Yes, but that's a gamble I'm willing to take."

"Makes sense. Guess I just have to grit my teeth. With Pyra, your attack is nullified."

Defense- Perfect Guard

"Now, for my triple drive. First...Savage Blowpiper. All effects to Droptera. Second check...no trigger. Third check, please...no trigger." She sighed. "Unfortunate. Well, to soften your defenses further, Argent Fortress attacks your vanguard."

Strength- 12000

"I guard with Iliac from hand."

Defense- 17000

"You're down to your last card, and you'll need at least 15000 Shield to stop this next attack. Droptera will end this game."

Strength- 24000/2 Critical

Lucas grinned. "How about 20k worth of Shield?"

Nat's jaw dropped. "You're kidding…"

"I guard with Charismatic Leva!"

Charismatic Leva- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger

There was a brief pause as Midori stared on disappointed. "I see. Very well, I end my turn."

End of Turn 7

Hand Count- Midori 3, Lucas 0

Damage Count- Midori 5, Lucas 5

Lucas nodded. "I stand and draw. Hate to do this to you, Midori, you put up one hell of a fight. But I just got the one card guaranteed to end the game right here and now. I ride Muscle Apex, Unrivaled Brach MAX!"

"Aw, crap," groaned Nat. Midori maintained her composure a bit better, but was still visibly shaken.

"That's another Accel III Gift for me. Now for the big guy's skill- on place, I can soul blast a grade 3 to draw a card, then call a card from my hand to RC." He drew a card. "Well, not what I was looking for, but still good. I superior call Muscle Kilo, Jobber Poll."

Jobber Poll- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

Lucas smiled. "I may not get the front row buff, but I have enough attacks to end the game right here and now. First up, Anco attacks Droptera."

Strength- 9000

"I see. Trying to eliminate all of my defensive options." Midori drummed her fingers again. "I don't guard, I need everything to hold off your vanguard."

"Capping it off, Serr boosts Brach MAX for one last push on Twincrocanto."

Strength- 20000

"I guard with Savage Blowpiper."

Defense- 27000

"Just one card, huh? If I get a trigger, I'm busting through."

"But if you don't, I'll still have everything I need to stop your Accel circle Poll. It's a calculated risk I have to take."

"Well, let's check the twin drive. First check...no trigger. Second check...Muscle Babyface, Boisterous Diga! There we go, a critical trigger!"

"You're kidding," gasped Nat.

"That's 10000 Power and an extra critical for my vanguard! Sorry, but this game's over."

"Yes, yes it is," Midori sighed. "Last damage check...no trigger."


MAX trampled his way towards his opponent with a possessed fury. Despite the alien being dwarfed by the dinodragons, his raw determination and anger managed to shake the enemy formation enough to cause a general rout. "Here comes the MAX Meteor Storm! Say goodnight, you sack of scales!" MAX slammed fist after fist into Twincrocanto, leaving a flurry of dents in its armor. To cap off his assault, MAX delivered a pair of devastating uppercuts to both of Twincrocant's heads. With a painful groan, the dinodragon swayed side to side, trying to maintain any semblance of footing. However, it was not to be, and Twincrocanto eventually collapsed onto the jungle turf, crumbling bit by bit into a fine powder…


Midori slid her last card into her damage zone. "Well played, Lucas. That's the best game of Vanguard I've had in awhile."

Lucas grinned. "Same here. You've still got it."

Nat sighed. "That was so, so close. If Robertson hadn't gotten that trigger, he'd be sunk."

"No kidding. You're right about something for once, it was down to the wire."

"Close or not," Midori said, "you made the best out of a bad situation. Your flexibility is admirable."

"Yeah, and the way you managed to trigger Twincrocanto with only one card in hand was pretty baller, too."

"Yeah, hate to admit it, but," Nat scratched his head, "that was...fun to watch."

"Thank you, Nathaniel."

"You're very welcome, Robertson."

Lucas grinned. Still, he scraped by in that fight a bit too close for comfort. If he was going to win first, he'd need to step up his game, and fast...