Chapter Twenty-Four: Starblade vs Zenith

Here's the chapter for Day 3, readers. Enjoy!


"The time has come, we've made it this far," Nathan said as he, Dwight, and Alistar walked to the participant's hall. "The only thing standing between us and the finals is Team Zenith,"

"Then when we go to the finals, we'll face off against Team Trinovol," Dwight said.

Alistar nodded. "We've done quite well during this tournament, victory is as good as ours,"

"Soon, all the suffering I and my siblings went through will be a thing of the past," Nathan smiled, but as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. "But that's not it, I'm going to beat King, for Emily's sake. Emily," he thought, his face turned a light shade of red as he thought about the blue-haired girl.

"Hey Nathan, you alright?" Dwight asked.

"W-What, oh, I'm fine," Nathan replied in a flustered tone.

They soon made it to the participant's hall, then they walked into the stadium, greeted by the loud cheers of the audience, from the other side, Nathan could see King and his team walking up too. Joshua and Denton were still up in the commentator's booth.

"Are you ready everyone?!" Joshua exclaimed as the crowd roared. "The next fight up in the Interblock semi-finals will be between the representative team for Block B, Team Starblade, versus the representative team for Block C, Team Zenith!"

"The team that wins this fight will move on to the finals and face Team Trinovol, the stakes are high, which team will come out victorious!" Denton added.

"Go, Team Starblade, you can do it!" Dante and Sonia exclaimed from the stands.

"I wonder who our first fighters to get the ball rolling will be?!" Joshua asked with a tone of anticipation.

"So, who are we sending in first?" Dwight asked as they entered their booth.

"I don't know, you can go first if you want," Alistar plainly replied.

"Alright then, wish me luck out there," Dwight said as he advanced toward the stadium.

"Our first fighters are advancing, from Team Starblade, we have Dwight Lansing, and from Team Zenith, we have Vincent Graymond!" Joshua exclaimed.

"Ah crap, what the hell did I do, I use Gold Paladin, a clan based on superior calling rear-guards, and Vincent uses Kagero, a clan based on retiring my rear-guards!" Dwight thought to himself.

"This battle won't be easy for Dwight, if you take into account their clans, Dwight is at a disadvantage, but it won't guarantee the outcome of the fight," Denton noted.

"He's right, I still have a chance to win," Dwight said to himself as he and Vincent prepared.

"Fighters ready, and, begin!"

"Stand up my, Vanguard!"

"Knight of Early Dawn, Coel!" Dwight exclaimed.

Knight of Early Dawn, Coel

Grade 0, Power: 5000

"Lizard Hero, Undeux!" Vincent exclaimed.

Lizard Hero, Undeux

Grade 0, Power: 5000

"If you don't mind, I'll go first," Vincent said.

Turn 1: Hand[Dwight(5), Vincent(5)]

"Draw, I ride Lizard General, Conroe!"

Lizard General, Conroe

Grade 1, Power: 7000

"Undeux moves down, I end my turn,"


Dwight

[R] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

[R] [R] [R]

Vincent

[R] [Lizard General, Conroe (1)] [R]

[R] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 2: Hand[Dwight(5), Vincent(5)]

"Draw, I ride Knight of Spring Sun, Conanus!"

Knight of Spring Sun, Conanus

Grade 1, Power: 7000

"I call Knight of Red Day, Runo, go Runo, attack the vanguard!"

(7000)

"I guard,"

"With a boost from Coel, Conanus attacks the vanguard!"

(7000+5000=12000)

"No guard,"

"Drive check,"

[Drive Check - Knight of Dawnlight, Jago(G2)]

"Damage check,"

[Damage Check - Flame of Hope, Aermo(G1)]

Damage: [Dwight(0), Vincent(1)]

"I end my turn,"


Dwight

[Knight of Red Day, Runo (2)] [Knight of Spring Sun, Conanus (1)] [R]

[R] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

Vincent

[R] [Lizard General, Conroe (1)] [R]

[R] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 3: Hand[Dwight(5), Vincent(4)]

"Draw, I ride Emperor Dragon Knight, Nehalem!"

Emperor Dragon Knight, Nehalem

Grade 2, Power: 9000

"I call Twilight Arrow Dragon, I'm counting on you Twilight Arrow, take out Runo!"

(9000)

"I guard,"

"With a boost from Undeux, Nehalem attacks your vanguard!"

"No guard,"

"Drive check,"

[Drive Check - Burning Horn Dragon(G2)]

"Damage check,"

[Damage Check - Teaching Knight, Hudon(G3)]

Damage: [Dwight(1), Vincent(1)]

"My turn is over,"


Dwight

[Knight of Red Day, Runo (2)] [Knight of Spring Sun, Conanus (1)] [R]

[R] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

Vincent

[Twilight Arrow Dragon (2)] [Emperor Dragon Knight, Nehalem (1)] [R]

[R] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 4: Hand[Dwight(4), Vincent(4)]

"Stand and draw, I ride Knight of Dawnlight, Jago!"

Knight of Dawnlight, Jago

Grade 2, Power: 10000

"I move Runo down and call Flame of Victory, with a boost from Runo, Flame of Victory attacks Twilight Arrow!"

(4000+7000=11000)

"Not happening, I guard,"

"With a boost from Coel, Jago attacks your vanguard, with the skill of Flame, he goes to the soul and 3000 power is added to Jago!"

(10000+5000+3000=18000)

"I don't guard,"

"Drive check,"

[Drive Check - Knight of Oblique Sundown, Radion(G2)]

"Damage check,"

[Damage Check - Gatling Claw Dragon (Draw Trigger)]

"I got a draw trigger, draw, the power goes to my vanguard!"

Damage: [Dwight(1), Vincent(2)]

"I end my turn,"


Dwight

[R] [Knight of Dawnlight, Jago (1)] [R]

[Knight of Red Day, Runo (2)] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

Vincent

[Twilight Arrow Dragon (2)] [Emperor Dragon Knight, Nehalem (1)] [R]

[R] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 5: Hand[Dwight(4), Vincent(4)]

"Stand and draw, get ready for this," Vincent said. "Immortal dragon of the apocalypse, awaken and bathe your enemies in your fiery wrath! I ride! Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny"!"

Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny"

Grade 3, Power: 11000

"Skill of "The Destiny", Runo retires, I call Burning Horn Dragon, Burning Horn attacks the vanguard, with the skill of Burning Horn, since I have a vanguard with Overlord in its name, add 3000 power to Burning Horn!"

(9000+3000=12000)

"I guard,"

"With a boost from Undeux, "The Destiny" attacks the vanguard!"

(11000+5000=16000)

"No guard,"

"Twin drive,"

[Drive Check #1 - Dragon Knight, Mahmit(G1)]

[Drive Check #2 - Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (Critical Trigger)]

"I got a critical trigger, the power goes to Twilight Arrow, the critical stays with "The Destiny"!"

"Damage check,"

[Damage Check #1 - Sunshine Knight, Jeffery(G1)]

[Damage Check #2 - Player of the Holy Pipe, Gerrie (Stand Trigger)]

"That couldn't come at a better time, Coel stands, the power goes to my vanguard!"

Damage: [Dwight(3), Vincent(2)]

"Crap, now the attack can't hit, I just wasted a trigger, I end my turn,"


Dwight

[R] [Knight of Dawnlight, Jago (1)] [R]

[R] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

Vincent

[Twilight Arrow Dragon (2)] [Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny" (1)] [Burning Horn Dragon (3)]

[R] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 6: Hand[Dwight(3), Vincent(5)]

"Stand and draw, it's a good thing I pulled that trigger, now I have to take the lead," Dwight said as he raised a card in the air. "Unsheath the blade of light, swordsman of the sun, and instill judgment on my enemies! I ride! Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit!"

Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit

Grade 3, Power: 11000

"Liberating the generation zone," Dwight continued. "Generation Stride! Golden Dragon, Build Peak Dragon!"

Golden Dragon, Build Peak Dragon

Grade 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill, look at the top four cards of my deck, superior call Holy Mage, Marleen, since has Unite, I superior the top card of my deck in a rested state, superior call Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius,"

"That's odd, he superior called a grade 2 to his back row, even though it's in a rested state, there's still a chance he could pull a stand trigger," Vincent thought.

"I call Knight of Oblique Sundown, Radion, then I'll use the skill of Build Peak!" Dwight exclaimed. "It gets 3000 power for each of my rear-guards, I have four rear-guards, so add 12000 power to Build Peak, now Marleen attacks Burning Horn, with her Unite, add 2000 power to her!"

(8000+2000=10000)

"I guard,"

"With a boost from Coel, Build Peak attacks the vanguard!"

(38000+5000=43000)

"I don't guard,"

"Triple drive,"

[Drive Check #1 - Holy Mage, Bryderi(G1)]

[Drive Check #2 - Knight of Spring's Light, Perimore(G2)]

[Drive Check #3 - Elixia Liberator (Heal Trigger)]

"I got a heal trigger, one damage is recovered, the power goes to Radion!"

"Damage check,"

[Damage Check - Dragonic Overlord "The Legend"(G3)]

Damage: [Dwight(2), Vincent(3)]

"Now Radion attacks the vanguard, with his Unite, add 3000 power to him!"

(9000+5000+3000=17000)

"I guard, then Twilight Arrow intercepts!"

"I end my turn, with Build Peak's Unite, when it's sent to the G zone from the vanguard circle, I can countercharge and soulcharge,"


Dwight

[Holy Mage, Marleen (2)] [Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit (1)] [Knight of Oblique Sundown, Radion (3)]

[Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius (2)] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

Vincent

[R] [Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny" (1)] [Burning Horn Dragon (3)]

[R] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 7: Hand[Dwight(5), Vincent(3)]

"Stand and draw, liberating the generation zone," Vincent said. "Let's do this! Generation Stride! Supreme Heavenly Emperor Dragon, Vortex Desire!"

Supreme Heavenly Emperor Dragon, Vortex Desire

Grade 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill, Salonius retreats, I then look at the top seven cards of my deck and send Dragonic Overlord "The Legend" to my hand," he said.

Dwight tensed up as he sent Salonius to the drop zone. "Shit, I needed Salonius' skill, with it, I could send him to the soul and call the top two cards of my deck as guardians, seeing that he could retire my intercepts, it seemed like the best move, I guess calling him to the back row must've been a hint that I was planning something," he thought.

"I call Berserk Lord Dragon and Dragon Knight, Mahmit, Burning Horn attacks your vanguard, with its skill, add 3000 power!"

(9000+3000=12000)

"I guard,"

"With a boost from Undeux, Vortex Desire attack's the vanguard, with the skill of Berserk Lord, Radion retreats, with the skill of Mahmit, add 2000 power to himself and he obtains a skill, next up is the skill of Vortex Desire!" Vincent exclaimed. "It obtains a skill to retire one of your rear-guards when his attack on the vanguard is successful!"

"You're right, only if the attack succeeds, which it won't, complete guard with Bryderi!"

"Fine then, triple drive,"

[Drive Check #1 - Flare Trooper, Dumjid(G1)]

[Drive Check #2 - Dragon Dancer, Tara (Heal Trigger)]

"I got a heal trigger, one damage recovered, the power goes to Berserk Lord!"

[Drive Check #3 - Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (Critical Trigger)]

"Perfect, a critical trigger, all effects to Berserk Lord, now with a boost from Mahmit, Berserk Lord attacks the vanguard!"

(9000+10000+7000+2000=28000)

"I don't guard, damage check,"

[Damage Check #1 - Bullrgal(G2)]

[Damage Check #2 - Knight of Insolation, Carinus(G1)]

Damage: [Dwight(4), Vincent(2)]

"Now that's a damage count I can be comfortable with, I use the skill Mahmit obtained since he boosted a successful attack, I soulcharge two cards, now I end my turn,"


Dwight

[Holy Mage, Marleen (2)] [Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit (1)] [R]

[R] [Knight of Early Dawn, Coel (1)] [R]

Vincent

[Berserk Lord Dragon (2)] [Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny" (1)] [Burning Horn Dragon (3)]

[Dragon Knight, Mahmit (2)] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 8: Hand[Dwight(2), Vincent(5)]

"Stand and draw, I don't think I can win this turn, but I have to do as much damage as possible, liberating the generation zone," Dwight said as he dropped a card from his. "When all seems lost and the shadow of despair surrounds you, fear not! For a light will shine and bring hope to this battlefield! Generation Stride! Sunrise Ray Radiant Sword, Gurguit!"

Sunrise Ray Radiant Sword, Gurguit

Grade 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill, look at the top four cards of the deck, superior call Knight of Morning Light, Horsa, since Horsa has Unite, superior call Falcon Knight of the Azure in a rested state, with Falcon Knight's skill, add 2000 power to Marleen, with Horsa's Unite, 2000 power is added to him, I call Perimore, with Horsa's Unite once more, add 2000 power to himself and Perimore,"

"You're powering up your units quickly," Vincent stated.

"It'll only get higher, I use Gurguit's Unite, add 25000 power to Gurguit, add 5000 power to all rear-guards, I use Coel's skill, he goes to the soul, I then look at the top three cards of my deck, and superior call Knight of Red Day, Runo, add 2000 power to Runo, Falcon Knight retreats, using the Unite of Horsa, add 2000 power to himself and Perimore again!"

"Not bad, Dwight, you were able to create a solid formation and add power to them, go for it," Alistar cheered.

"What's this, are you actually cheering somebody on?" Nathan smirked.

Alistar's face went red with some embarrassment. "I was just in the moment, that's all, Dwight has been making some good plays,"

"With a boost from Runo, Marleen attacks the vanguard, with Marleen's Unite, add 2000 power, with the skill of Runo, since Marleen has Unite, add another 2000 power to her!"

(8000+2000+2000+5000+9000+2000=28000)

"No guard, damage check,"

[Damage Check - Emperor Dragon Knight, Nehalem(G2)]

Damage: [Dwight(4), Vincent(3)]

"Now Gurguit attacks the vanguard!"

(26000+25000=51000)

"Complete guard with Dumjid!"

"Triple drive,"

[Drive Check #1 - Knight of the Scorching Sun, Arvirarkus(G3)]

[Drive Check #2 - Player of the Holy Pipe, Gerrie (Stand Trigger)]

"A stand trigger, all effects go to Marleen!"

[Drive Check #3 - Scarface Lion (Critical Trigger)]

"I got a critical trigger, all effects to Perimore, Marleen attacks the vanguard again!"

(19000+5000=24000)

"No guard, damage check,"

[Damage Check - Dragon Monk, Goku(G3)]

Damage: [Dwight(4), Vincent(4)]

"Your at four damage, if this attack hits, I win, with a boost from Horsa, Perimore attacks the vanguard, with Perimore's Unite, add 2000 power!"

(14000+4000+5000+2000+12000+6000=43000)

"That attack is strong, but it won't beat me, not as long as I have this!" Vincent exclaimed. "Generation Guard! Flame Wing Steel Beast, Denial Griffin!"

Flame Wing Steel Beast, Denial Griffin

Grade 4, Shield: 15000

"With the skill of Denial Griffin, Perimore is forced to retire!"

"No way, the attack didn't go through, I end my turn,"


Dwight

[Holy Mage, Marleen (2)] [Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit (1)] [R]

[Knight of Red Day, Runo (2)] [R] [Knight of Morning Light, Horsa (3)]

Vincent

[Berserk Lord Dragon (2)] [Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny" (1)] [Burning Horn Dragon (3)]

[Dragon Knight, Mahmit (2)] [Lizard Hero, Undeux (1)] [R]


Turn 9: Hand[Dwight(4), Vincent(2)]

"Stand and draw, this game is as good as mine, first, I use the skill of "The Destiny", Marleen retreats, liberating the generation zone," Vincent said as he dropped a card from his hand. "Immortal dragon of the apocalypse, with your new strength, shoot down all who oppose you with blazing fury! Generation Stride! Supreme Heavenly Emperor Dragon, Dragonic Overlord "The Purge"!"

Supreme Heavenly Emperor Dragon, Dragonic Overlord "The Purge"

Grade 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill, Horsa retreats, look at the top seven cards of my deck, add Dragonic Overlord "The Destiny" to my hand, now I use the skill of "The Purge", one damage to your vanguard!"

"Tch, damage check,"

[Damage Check - Falcon Knight of the Azure (Draw Trigger)]

Vincent smirked as he saw a happy look on Dwight's face. "Just to let you know, damage triggers taken due to the skill of "The Purge" have all their effects negated," he said. The happy look on Dwight's face faded.

Damage: [Dwight(5), Vincent(4)]

"Burning Horn attacks the vanguard, with its skill, add 3000 power!"

(9000+3000=12000)

"I guard,"

"With a boost from Mahmit, Berserk Lord attacks the vanguard!"

(9000+7000=16000)

"I guard again,"

"Finish this, with a boost from Undeux, "The Purge" attacks the vanguard, now get ready for Generation Break 3 of "The Purge"!" Vincent exclaimed. "It obtains the same number of drive checks as there are cards in your damage zone, since you have five damage, I get five drive checks!"

(26000+5000=31000)

"Generation Guard! Golden Beast, Sleimy Flare!"

Golden Beast, Sleimy Flare

Grade 4, Shield: 15000

"With the skill of Sleimy Flare, Runo goes to the bottom of my deck, then I look at the top five cards of the deck and send two cards of different grades to the guardian circle!" Dwight exclaimed as Gurguit's power rose to 41000.

"I only need two triggers, quintuple drive!"

[Drive Check #1 - Lizard General, Conroe(G1)]

[Drive Check #2 - Gatling Claw Dragon (Draw Trigger)]

"I got a draw trigger, draw, the power goes to my vanguard!"

[Drive Check #3 - Dragonic Overlord(G3)]

[Drive Check #4 - Dragonic Overlord the End(G3)]

[Drive Check #5 - Dragon Dancer, Tara (Heal Trigger)]

"There we go, a heal trigger, no damage recovered, the power to my vanguard!" Vincent exclaimed as his attack broke through Dwight's shield.

"Damage check,"

[Damage Check - Knight of Spring Sun, Conanus(G1)]

Damage: [Dwight(6), Vincent(4)]

"It's over, the winner is Vincent Graymond of Team Zenith, if they can win one more fight, they will go to the finals!" Joshua exclaimed.

Dwight hung his head down as he walked back to his booth. "Sorry, guys,"

"Don't sweat it, I'll take the next one, once I win, the score will be even," Alistar said as he patted Dwight's shoulder and exited the booth.

"Our fighters for the second battle are advancing, from Team Starblade, we have Alistar Forg, and from Team Zenith, we have Beth Ravens!"

"This match is mine, King won't even have to fight," Beth said.

Alistar smirked. "Oh, I wouldn't say that, I'm no pushover,"

"Fighters ready, and, begin!"

"Stand up my, Vanguard!"

"Cosmic Hero, Grandhop!" Alistar exclaimed.

Cosmic Hero, Grandhop

Grade 0, Power: 5000

"Refined Prodigy, Asahiko!" Beth exclaimed.

Refined Prodigy, Asahiko

Grade 0, Power: 4000

"This match is going to be mine, I'll win and leave the rest to Nathan," Alistar said to himself.


"We're now entering the eighth turn, Alistar has just ended his turn, the damage count is four to three, with Alistar in the lead," Joshua explained.

Turn 8: Hand[Alistar(7), Beth(2)]

"Stand and draw, I use the skill of my vanguard, Spiritual Sword of Rough Deity, Susanoo, I soulcharge, now I liberate the generation zone," Beth said. "Generation Stride! State Affair Subjugation Deity, Kamususanoo!"

State Affair Subjugation Deity, Kamususanoo

Grade 4, Power: 15000+

"Skill of Kamususanoo, keep drawing until I have five cards in my hand, then with stride skill, draw one card,"

"Impressive, your hand went up from two to six like that," Alistar stated.

"I call One Advantage Miko, Nanase, with a boost from Imperial Shrine Guard, Sumiyoshi, Nanase attacks the vanguard, Oracle of Sumiyoshi, add 3000 power, Oracle of Nanase, add 5000 power!"

(9000+5000+7000+3000=24000)

"No guard, damage check,"

[Damage Check - Cosmic Hero, Grandvicle(G1)]

Damage: [Alistar(4), Beth(4)]

"With a boost from Asahiko, Kamususanoo attacks the vanguard, with his Oracle, add 5000 power and one critical!"

(26000+4000+5000=35000)

"Complete guard with Grandmonk!"

"Triple drive,"

[Drive Check #1 - Rigid Crane(G2)]

[Drive Check #2 - Efficient Carp (Stand Trigger)]

"A stand trigger, all effects to Nanase!"

[Drive Check #3 - Psychic Bird (Critical Trigger)]

"I got a critical trigger, all effects go to Nanase again!"

"With the skill of Grandmonk, since the attack was of at least 30000 power, I draw," Alistar said.

"It won't matter, Nanase attacks your vanguard again!"

(9000+5000+10000=24000)

"I guard, then I intercept with Grandrifter!"

"I end my turn,"


Alistar

[R] [Great Cosmic Hero, Grandgallop (1)] [Cosmic Hero, Granddabot (3)]

[Cosmic Hero, Grandwagon (2)] [R] [Cosmic Hero, Grandchopper (3)]

Beth

[R] [Spiritual Sword of Rough Deity, Susanoo (1)] [One Advantage Miko, Nanase (3)]

[R] [Refined Prodigy, Asahiko (1)] [Imperial Shrine Guard, Sumiyoshi (3)]


Turn 9: Hand[Alistar(5), Beth(8)]

"Stand and draw, this card should do the trick, liberating the generation zone," Alistar said. "Win this game for me! Generation Stride! Super Cosmic Hero, X-lead!"

Super Cosmic Hero, X-lead

Grade 4, Power: 15000+

"Stride skill, add 4000 power to X-lead, I call Cosmic Hero, Grandvicle, and Cosmic Hero, Grandkungfu, Grandvicle's Burst, add 4000 power to itself and X-lead, now I use X-lead's skill, rest all rear-guards but Granddabot, then add 16000 power to X-lead and Granddabot, now X-lead attacks the vanguard!"

(34000+16000=50000)

"I can't let that hit, if he pulls a critical trigger, I'm done," Beth mumbled. "Guard with four cards, then I intercept with Nanase!" she exclaimed as her vanguard's power rose to 56000. "He'll need two triggers to break through, but he won't take the chance, if he pulls a trigger, he'll give it to Granddabot, and I still have 25000 shield left in my hand," she thought.

"Triple drive,"

[Drive Check #1 - Great Cosmic Hero, Grandgallop(G3)]

[Drive Check #2 - Cosmic Hero, Grandvolver(G2)]

[Drive Check #3 - Cosmic Hero, Grandbeat (Critical Trigger)]

"I got a critical trigger, all effects to Granddabot, Granddabot attacks your vanguard, with its Burst, add 10000 power!"

(11000+16000+5000+10000=42000)

"No, I didn't know it could increase its power!" Beth thought. "No guard, damage check,"

[Damage Check #1 - One Advantage Miko, Nanase(G2)]

[Damage Check #2 - Spiritual Sword of Rough Deity, Susanoo(G3)]

Damage: [Alistar(4), Beth(6)]

"Now it's getting good, Alistar Forg of Team Starblade has won, now each team has one win and one loss, we're going to need a tie-breaker!" Joshua exclaimed.

Alistar walked over to his booth, as he entered, he saw a smile on his teammate's face. "I won just like I said I would, it's all up to you, Nathan," he said as he high fived Nathan.

"Thanks, Alistar, I won't let this team down, I'll win and take us to the finals," Nathan said as he walked to the stadium.