"Both sides are showing off the great combination plays we've expected, but the difference in damage is stark. Team Villager's player has taken three damage in one round of combat, making this battle lopsided."
"Fortunately for her, it's her turn to hit full power. Hopefully, she has a chain reaction waiting in the wings. Otherwise, this promising team will have to pack it in."
"I stand and draw," said Sal, unphased by the commentary. Years of playing sports have taught her to ignore those in glass boxes or on high ledges. Still, this girl was hanging in there a lot better than Sal anticipated, both blunting serious offenses and delivering tough blows of her own. "You really know what you're doing. Guess I have to return the favor." She carefully pulled a card from her hand. "The twin blades of thunder and lightning come crashing in. Nothing is going to stop this bad boy's rampage. I ride Detonix Chainsaw Dragon." The stone underneath Pile began to clatter and shake, before giving way to a geyser of crackling light. The ninja shielded their eyes to avoid the piecing glow. When the geyser silenced, a giant dragon towered over both formations, holding a pair of motorized blades in his battered hands.
Detonix Chainsaw Dragon- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker
"Thanks to that, I gain an Accel II Gift, meaning an extra circle and one more card. Next, Pile has a skill that activates when he's rode on, allowing me to call him to an open RC, and draw a fresh card."
"Sal's hand is catching back up!" grinned Adam.
"Meaning more fuel for her combos," Carlos smiled. "That board is toast."
"Moving Pile also activates his on-place ability," Sal continued. "By discarding a card, I can bind one of your front row rearguards, and gain 3k for each grade of it. Say goodbye to Kosai." The freshly summoned dragon planted his weapons into the cobblestone, discharging both spikes with a sadistic glee. A trail of crackling lightning snaked its way across the battlefield, swallowing Kosai in a dramatic fashion. Yowling, the ninja disappeared from the battlefield, unraveling into trails of smoke. "Since he's a grade 2, that's an extra 6k for Pile."
"One down, two to go," Lucas nodded. "If she does that, Chainsaw's front row buff'll kick in, seriously amping up the pressure."
"I move Thunder Halberd back, then call Thundering Mountain Lord, Shuten-Denji Gigavolt." A second geyser of lightning emerged, bringing forth another mountainous warrior. This one was a heavily armored ogre, wielding a double-ended kanabo with great fury. He grimaced at his opponents, thin trails of electricity arcing off his teeth and wild mane.
Shuten-Denji Gigavolt- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker
"That'll do it," chuckled Tyler.
"When this big guy is placed, by counter blasting one and binding a card from my hand, I can choose up to two of your rearguards and bind them. Your RG Shinrai and Haikyo are goners." The ogre roared with a feral fury, slamming his weapon into the stone with an unmatched barbarity. Another ripple of energy surged towards the ninja formation, shredding two of the demons into smokey ribbons. "Since I bound two, I get to draw a card."
Anita nodded quietly. "I don't suppose you're done?"
"Oh, I still got a few tricks up my sleeve. See, the card I bound for Shuten-Denji's skill was Detonix Roller Dragon, and when he's bound from hand, he can be called straight to RC."
Detonix Roller Dragon- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
"Last but not least, I call Demonic Dragon Monk, Pindaka." A coil of storm clouds rolled in behind Roller, spiraling upwards like a charmed snake. Fittingly, the emerging figure was a naga, coiled around a golden naginata, his monk's robes covered in charms and engraved beads. It opened it's pure red eyes, exhaling a small amount of roiling smoke from its mouth.
Pindaka- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"When he's placed, I can discard a card to add an Order card from my deck to hand. I'm adding...Emergency Shielding, Denial Bolt. Finally, I have some buffs to dole out. Wrecker gains 1k for each of your rearguards bound this turn; Shuten-Denji gets 5k and a crit if you have no rearguards; and since I bound at least three of your rearguards this turn, Chainsaw buffs all units in my front row by 10k." Chainsaw let out a ferocious battle roar, causing the skies around the battlefield to darken and distant booms of thunder to break out. Most of the warriors in his formation began to emit an intimidating glow, as if they were coated in lightning themselves.
"Man, Sal's really set up a killer field," Erica awed.
"She still has quite the defensive hand to get past," Midori replied. "If memory serves, her opponent managed to get a hold of a card with a 30000 point Shield."
"She doesn't have to deal all five points of damage right now," Nat shrugged. "As long as she puts her in a bad enough spot, it'll work out."
Anita furrowed her brow. She knew it was foolish to expect a lucky critical trigger to corner an opponent, but the speed at which Sal turned it around was concerning. Her own grade 3 turn would have to be spectacular in its own right, but at the moment, she had to decide which attacks would be let through. At only one damage, she could certainly take a beating without having to throw up the guard, but with a whole line of powerful attackers staring her down, she absolutely had to be careful, especially against the ogre.
"For the first attack," Sal said, "Pindaka will boost Roller. Since he was placed from the bind zone, you'll need two or more cards to block this attack." The heavily armored dragon snarled and snapped his jaws, revving the crushing wheel attached to his arms. With a final roar, he began a forward charge, sending bits of debris flying every which way.
Strength- 27000
Anita put her analytical skills to work. Blocking the vanguard's attack would be an exercise in futility, and while taking two damage at once wouldn't sit well, she could take it. Given her opponent's expertise, she could count on her swinging with the two smaller rearguard columns, and despite this attack having "menace," they'd be much easier to stop. "Then I'll use two cards. I guard with Jujun and Teisatsu." As Roller got closer, two flashing, darting figures hopped out from behind Shinrai. They quickly moved towards the oncoming attacker, peppering him and his path with caltrops, kunai, and various other throwing projectiles. Groaning under the weight of the harassment, Roller decided to cut his losses before he was completely shredded.
Defense- 29000
"Alright, for the second attack, Pile comes straight for your vanguard." The second subordinate dragon cocked both of his eponymous weapons before setting out with a lumbering but determined gait.
Strength- 30000
"I'll guard against that with Eclipse Wing." Pile continued his warpath, only to be tripped up when an unexpected figure zipped past him. He whirled to try and find the interrupter. As he searched, something rammed into his gut. Staggering and gasping for breath, he looked up shakily to find a pitch-black wyvern, ornamented in silver armor and decked with throwing knives and grenades. It dove down for another attack, but this time, Pile managed to smash it with a wild swing. Regardless, Pile was in no shape to fight, and was thus called back to Chainsaw's front ranks.
Eclipse Wing- Grade 0/5000 Power/30000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 39000
"Well, third times the charm. With a boost from Thunder Halberd, Gigavolt is coming in to even the score." The ogre warlord let out a bellow like a rumbling thunderclap, rivers of current cascading over his body. "Don't forget that this blow is critical." Frenzied, Gigavolt charged his opponent, his weapon trailing behind him.
Strength- 39000/2 Critical
"I don't guard," Anita winced. The warlord delivered on his bravado, first clobbering Shinrai with a wide swing, then pivoting into a downward smash that caused the ninja to crater completely. Each attack caused a huge discharge of electrical energy, temporarily blinding both players. "D-damage checks...first...second...Stealth Beast, Picking Palm, a draw trigger! Shinrai will receive an extra 10k Power, and I draw a card."
"Well, that throws a wrench in," Nat murmured. "With that, defending just became a lot easier."
"Not by much," Carlos shook his head. "Sal only has her vanguard left to attack with, and defending those swings is always an uphill battle. Especially since Chainsaw can restand itself."
"Since Gigavolt attacked while supercharged, he's retired at the end of the battle," Sal explained. The exhaustion of his excursion finally catching up to him, the ogre keeled over, unfurling into a billow of black clouds and crackling electricity. "And now, Chainsaw is going to come charging in." The alpha dragon's eyes glowed like a pair of fiery gems as he revved both of his blades. A cacophony of whirring teeth and symphony of flying sparks rang out across the battlefield, augmented by Chainsaw's own battlecry.
Strength- 22000
Anita hesitated. If she remembered correctly, Chainsaw had an after-battle skill that allowed him to attack again, and given that Sal hadn't boosted it boosted it yet, she was counting on the extra Power next time to finish the game before she could even hit grade 3. But if memory also served, restanding increased the dragon's Critical and Power, meaning the next swing would end the game if not blocked. With half her hand without any defense shields, she had to let this one through, and prey the cards she had would hold off the second wave. "I don't guard."
"You got it." Chainsaw snarled again, taking huge but hasty strides towards his opponent. Each blade dragged across the stone, cutting through it like it was fresh mud. "Twin drive, first...Ironwing Wyvern Knight, Glen, a draw trigger! The Power goes straight to Chainsaw, and I draw. Second...no trigger." Like a storm in and of himself, the dragon slashed away at his target in a whirling berserker's haze. Shinrai could do little but fall to ground, writhing in heavy pain.
"Damage check...no trigger."
"Hate to do this to you, but I've gotta keep my team in this tournament. Since you have two or less rearguards, I can discard two after battle to restand my vanguard, with an extra 5k, plus one Crit, and minus one drive." It wasn't long after Chainsaw had returned to his position that his entire body was consumed by surging, radiant energy. With a third roar, thunder rang out all over the battlefield, and lighting struck the stone with such strength it sent rubble flying.
"And there it is! That's the dramatic skill that delivered Team Villager their very first win this tournament! Could we be looking at a quick game after all?"
"Well, things certainly don't look good for Team Miracle's player. If that attack lands, the game's over. It all comes down to what's left in her hand."
Anita winced again. A quick sequence in her head told her the attacking strength of the next assault would be 48000, and the shield of every card she could defend with would pump her up to 54000. She had to pray her opponent wasn't fortunate enough to check a trigger; otherwise, she'd have to pray even harder for a heal trigger.
"You asked me not to hold back, so I'm not stopping now," Sal said authoritatively. "With a boost from Wrecker, Chainsaw cuts his way through again." Chainsaw charged again, rumbling across the field at inhuman speeds, blades shining like they were made of energy. "Let's go, Chainsaw! Berserker's Storm Blades!"
Strength- 48000/2 Critical/1 drive
"I guard against that- Stealth Beast, Maul Chain; Lady of Phantasmal Bloom, Akahana!" Two smaller roguish demons appeared to block Chainsaw's advance- one was a weasel-like figure, lanky and matty, covered in bandages and wielding a fiendish kusarigama; the other, a ladylike demon in snow-white robes and covered in dying plants and flowers. "I must stop you!"
Maul Chain- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Akahana- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger
Defense- 54000
Sal looked at her opponent's defenses. If she still had cards in hand, those had to be grade 3 or order cards; otherwise, she'd have called them to GC in order to bolster the defense. At 54k, she'd only need a trigger to break through, though given what she drew last time, it was unlikely. "If that's it, I'm checking for a trigger...nothing, huh? Looks like you're going to scrape by for another turn." Chainsaw swung both his blades downward, shredding the defenders with ease, but the energy in which he did so robbed him of his aura. The growing fatigue finally got the best of him, and he trudged back to his rearguards.
Anita breathed a sigh of relief. She may have completely depleted her supply of defensive cards, but she would live to fight another round. "That was far too close."
"'Close' only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, as my coach always says. Anyway, I'm ending my turn there. Now show me what you've been holding on to."
End of Turn 5
Hand Count- Sal 5, Anita 2
Damage Count- Sal 3, Anita 4
"What a turn! With that, Mendez managed to turn the tables in terms of damage on top of filling her field via a massive combo! These two may be on the young, but they're showing some masterful skill!"
"And how! Unfortunately, Kumar's field is completely empty. Unless she has her own master combo in the wings, she won't be able to make enough headway to stay in the game."
"I feel like he says that every turn," Erica chuckled.
"Well, it's been a real back-and-forth," Adam leaned back. "Every time one of them starts their turn, they come out with some fancy combo play to come back from nothing."
"Sal better not let her guard down," Lucas worried. "Even with a PG and defense order, we don't know how powerful Anita's ace is."
"If she hung onto it after that huge offensive," Tyler speculated, "it's got to be super powerful. Certainly powerful enough for her to think she can make a comeback with it."
"I stand and draw," Anita said breathily. She had her ace and a key combo piece in hand, but the next couple of draws needed to be good in order for her to stand a chance. She cautiously looked at her new card. Is this...thank goodness, this is exactly what I need.
"Is everything alright," Sal asked, showing a modicum of concern.
"It's nothing." Anita added the drawn card to hand, then reached for a different one. "Master of sabotage, strike from the darkness and purge the battlefield of all traitors and curs. I ride Demonic Dragon of Hidden Shadows, Chujitsuna Zanzo." Shinrai dropped a smoke bomb in front of him, but rather than a puff, the explosive brought up a torrent of shadowy flames. In rapid movements, they swirled and spiraled into shape. A serpentine dragon with wine-dark scales and whiskers like a catfish, he was covered in obsidian armor decorated with silver and gold seals. His mane was braided in a way that resembled a clutch of venomous snakes. Six arms sprang forward, four of them holding a type of classical ninja weapon. Completing its appearance were a pair of wings made of pure shadowy energy sprouting from it's back.
Chujitsuna Zanzo- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker
"By riding him, I get an Accel II marker, and activate Jujun's skill from the drop zone- when a grade 3 Zanzo unit is placed on my VC, I can call him to RC." Chujitsuna brought his two free hands together in a sort of temple shape, muttering something in a dead language. With a quick succession of additional shapes, the stealth dragon managed to produce a plume of underworldly smoke behind him, bringing forth a fiendish warrior.
"Fetching stuff from drop," Tyler observed. "Is this a ninja clan or Granblue?"
"Next, I call Shikko Zanzo and Mienaiha Zanzo." Chujitsuna snapped two sets of fingers, summoning two more plumes of smoke. From the first burst a bipedal drake, slender and emerald green with deep red eyes. Dressed in silver robes, he brandished a set of long, cold steel claws. The second burst summoned a much larger figure- a brutish ogre decorated in light, crimson armor and various warmasks. His raven black hair streamed down in an unkempt fashion, and his entire face was decorated with white and red paint.
Mienaiha Zanzo- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker
"When Mienaiha is placed, if my vanguard has Zanzo in its original name, I can counter blast one and soul blast one to choose two units with different names, and call one additional copy of them from my deck or drop zone." The ogre reeled back, masks clattering, before delivering a hefty stomp into the stone. The impact caused a great summoning circle to emerge, spitting out two trails of mist. Each circled Chujitsuna before landing in separate spots among his formation. "I superior call a Jujun from my deck, and a Shikko from my drop zone."
"This bites," Nat ticked. "Sal worked so hard to shred that lineup, and now they're coming back like weeds."
"Weeds with kunai," Adam chuckled. "Kinda badass."
"When Shikko is placed by a card effect," Anita explained, "if I have two or more units with the same name, he gets a 5k boost." She glanced at the last card in her hand. "I call Merchant of Stealth, Collector Crow." A flurry of black feathers swirled along the ground. With a biting gust, the gale became a small twister. When the winds scattered, a crow-like tengu in exorbitant robes made its presence known, waving a pair of paper fans in his clawed hands.
Collector Crow- Grade 1/7000 Power/10000 Shield
"Even with that call," Lucas studied, "she doesn't have a ton of muscle behind her. She's out of cards, and doesn't have enough raw Power to pin Sal."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Tyler said. "Collector Crow's a tech card, but a damn good one."
"What does it do?"
"I'm using Crow's skill," Anita stated. "By moving him to the bottom of my deck, I draw two cards." Tossing his fans aside, the tengu spun in place, disappearing into another howling gale.
"Oh, crap. With that-"
"Yeah, she'll be able to completely fill her field," Tyler nodded. "She'll be going full throttle after all."
Sal seemed to have reached a similar conclusion. "So, what's filling that last circle instead?"
Anita looked at the two cards she drew. "I call...Stealth Dragon, Iron Bola Dragon." A final plume of smoke struck the field, revealing another dragonic warrior. A gargoyle-like dragon with heavy iron armor and a black blindfold, it clutched his namesake in his bronze hands.
Iron Bola Dragon- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"And finally, I activate my vanguard's once-per-turn. With a counter blast and a discard, I can choose one of my units to give its name to my whole formation. All of my units now share Chujitsuna's name." The stealth dragon's weapons faded into mist as he flattened his six palms. Each one soon cradled a pure white fireball, which they nursed to the size of boulders. Chujitsuna, muttering in the same old tongue, then dashed each one, sending a rippling wave of phantom flames across the field. Each of his subordinates absorbed the energy, adopting the appearance of menacing, white-coated phantoms.
"I mean, okay?" puzzled Adam. "Why would she even-"
"Now I can apply the second part of his effect. If I have two or more units with the same name, my entire front row gets 5k. If I have four or more, Chujitsuna gets an extra Critical and drive check this turn. And since I have six, I gain an extra Accel II gift, and can call a unit from my drop zone to it."
Nat's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me? She gets five attacks just like that?"
Carlos gulped. "A full field from nothing. That's worrying."
"In addition to Sal's dearth of defensive options," Midori nodded. "Very worrying."
"I superior call Shinrai," Anita concluded. Chujitsuna molded all three pairs of arms into arcane symbols, firing off another pulse of mysterious energy. To his far right, a billow of mist shaped itself into the previous vanguard, who landed onto the stone with a three-point landing. "And now, he attacks Chainsaw." As soon as he came, the ninja drew his blades and began a mad dash to his opponent.
Strength- 14000
Sal looked at her hand, trying to hide her hint of vexation. She was staring down a salvo of five whole attacks, many of which coming from units that'd punish her for playing defense. She absolutely didn't have the cards to fend them all off, so this was a nasty case of picking one's poison. And with at least three drive behind the vanguard, Anita could accrue some serious advantage while she bled cads just trying to survive. All this really ramped up the pressure, but at least this poke would be easy enough to block. "Pile will step with an intercept." The armored dragon on Chainsaw's far flank made a rush for Shinrai, who easily leapt over the bulldozing lizard. Shinrai planted his swords into Pile, who let out a pathetic whine as he collapsed into dust. The ninja then threw a swarm of knives at Chainsaw, who easily blocked it with the flat of one of his swords.
Defense- 17000
"Very well. The attack didn't hit, but I'm not activating his skill. Next, I'm having my first Jujun boost my first Shikko to rend your vanguard." The first Shikko, on command, sharpened his claws in a menacing fashion before fading into shadows.
Strength- 22000
"Guarding that too- this time with Javelin Dracokid." Shikko popped out behind Chainsaw's formation, crossing his claws to deliver a devastating back attack. It was interrupted by the lightning dragon's own ambush, this one a defensive reserve unit. Shikko ended up ripping through the wrong target, and was forced to step away when Chainsaw began to pivot in his direction.
Javelin Dracokid- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 27000
"I'm activating Shikko's after-battle skill. If his attack was unsuccessful, I can move him to my soul to draw a card. For the third attack, Mienaiha comes in. His battle skill states that if I have three or more units with the same name, I can add 10k to the attack." The ogre took a theatrical breath, moving into a flamboyant crouch before bursting forward. Each step seemed to take him several strides forward, an illusionary art that closed the distance at alarming speeds. "Of course, he goes to the soul at the end of that battle, but that allows me to draw a card or spin a rearguard of yours."
Strength- 32000
"That's an annoying unit. Welp, that settles it- I'm using my blitz Order, Denial Bolt. By paying one counter blast and by binding one of my rearguards, I can bind one of my opponent's attackers. I bind Pindaka to get rid of Mienaiha." At a sudden notice, Pindaka growled in agony, suddenly bursting alight into a sparking bolt. It lashed at Mienaihai, who was completely consumed by the blinding light. In seconds, the only thing left of the ninja were the ashes of his masks and his footprints.
"Three down, two to go," Adam cheered. "Man, Sal's not letting anything through."
"She can't keep it up forever," Carlos worried. "I know she still has a PG in there, but against a vanguard with triple drive-"
"All Anita has to do is reveal two critical triggers and she wins," Midori finished. "And even then, if Sal survives, it's highly probable she won't have enough field presence or cards in hand to end the game."
Lucas crossed his fingers. "Whiff the drive," he muttered to himself. "Come on, whiff the drive…"
Anita nodded. "You've created a strong defense, but it won't do much against my vanguard. With a boost from my other Jujun, Chujitsuna takes aim." The stealth dragon waved each of his hands, rematerializing his arsenal in less than a second. He began to glow unsettlingly, spreading his arms to show the full breadth of his martial might. Next second, he vanished in the wind, reappearing far above Chainsaw's head. "Graceful Dance of Hidden Steel, go!"
Strength- 25000/2 Critical/3 drive
"No thanks," Sal said. "With Glen, I'm nullifying the attack." As Chujitsuna plummeted down, whirling like a gale, a wyvern-back knight zipped in between the two dragons. The mount spread its wings, throwing up the iconic green barrier that completely stopped the stealth dragon. Knowing better than continuing his struggle against a sentinel's shield, Chujitsuna fell back, disappointed but not discouraged.
Ironwing Wyvern Knight Glen- Grade 0/5000 Power/0 Shield/Draw Trigger
"You can't keep defending forever," Anita huffed. "Triple drive- first card...second card...Stealth Fiend, Lady of Frost Storm, a critical trigger! All effects to the Shikko who hasn't attacked yet!"
"Oh no," Nat despaired. "If she gets one more-"
"Third…" Anita breathed in. She knew what had to happen if she wanted to end it here. "It's...Akahana, a heal trigger!" She grunted. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd rather that've been a critical trigger. Still, I add an additional 10k to Shikko."
"That guy must be huge by now," Tyler observed. "But at two critical, he's not strong enough to end the game."
"Yeah, but Sal's down to one card," Lucas said. "She may not have enough to finish it next turn." He bit his thumb. "I'm kinda worried about this…"
"Have faith in your teammates, man. She was up a creek in the first round too, but she pushed through anyway. No reason to think that can't happen again."
"I hope you're right."
"For the last push of the battle phase," Anita continued, "Iron Bola is boosting Shikko for another push against Chainsaw. If I have three or more units with the same name, I can give Iron Bola an additional 8k." Both stealth dragons took flying leaps towards Chainsaw. Shikko's blades were shining black, and Iron Bola tailed close behind.
Strength- 55000/2 Critical
Sal didn't seem bothered. "Can't block them all. I'm not gonna guard." With a jerk and a screech, Iron Bola threw his eponymous tool at Chainsaw, who found himself tangled with rope and hampered by iron weights. With his target immobilized, Shikko dove downward, delivering a duo of devastating scrapes with his claws, rending both Chainsaw's armor and the ropes that bound him. "Damage checks- one...two...Ogre Stongarm, a draw trigger! I'll happily take that extra card."
"That will make two of us- since it's the end of my turn, and since Iron Bola boosted, I can move him to the bottom of my deck to draw a card. I would've liked to end it this turn, but I have to end it here. I look forward to your next move."
End of Turn 6
Hand Count- Sal 2, Anita 6
Damage Count- Sal 5, Anita 3
"This is getting heavy! Thanks to Chujitsuna, the situation has completely reversed itself! Unless Mendez just drew into a serious power card, we're done here!"
"It's a tough position, that's for sure. I wouldn't count her out just yet- she held a similar position against Team Grimoire, and she wow'd us all with a stunning comeback. My money's on a repeat performance."
"I dunno about this," Carlos doubted. "She has to deal three damage this turn, but with only three cards to work with, she won't have the formation to do it."
"Or the raw Power to pressure a six card hand," Nat agreed. "Getting shut out in the semifinals like this is rotten."
"It's not over 'til it's over," Adam rejoined. "Sal's pulled full formation out of nothing before. She'll pull through no problem."
"I stand and draw," Sal said. Looking at the pair of cards in her hand, then smiled. "You're good. Really got me hanging on by the skin of my teeth."
Anita cocked her head. "You seem to be in good spirits for someone with so few options. With six cards in hand, I can easily shut down whatever you can throw at me."
"I wouldn't count on it. To start, I ride a Detonix Chainsaw Dragon on top of my old Detonix Chainsaw Dragon." Chainsaw growled, then let out a defiant, ear-shattering roar. A pillar of lightning stuck him head on, replacing the old, battered dragon with a fresh copy. The new double stood proudly over his crumbling formation, ready to rally against the enemy. "Gaining another Accel II marker- one more circle, one more card." She looked at her drawn card, then smiled again. "Perfect. First, I call Thunder Mallet Ogre."
Anita caught on quickly. "I sense a combo coming."
"You're right about that. Using Chainsaw's once-per-turn, I counter blast one and soul blast one to bind two of your rearguards." Chainsaw revved his blades, producing a shower of sparks and din of swirling teeth. "Shikko and Shinrai are getting out of the way- permanently." With a low exert, the dragon slashed his swords, sending cutting waves of energy towards his victims. Each was cut in twain quickly, their bodies faded to shadowy nothingness in seconds. "That activates Thunder Mallet's skill- when one of my opponent's rearguards is bound, I can soul blast one and bind a card from hand to draw two."
"And a lot of Sal's cards get their effects off by being bound from hand," Erica realized. "That means she's just getting started!"
"Since I bound a Gigavolt from my hand with this effect, I can call him straight to RC with an extra 5k." A thick column of lightning crashed onto the stone, once again bringing the monstrous mountain warrior. "And when he's placed, I can counter blast one and bind a card from hand to bind up to two of your rearguards. Both of your Jujuns can get lost." The dominant ogre reared back in a familiar motion, creating a violent fissure that swallowed both of his enemy's remaining minions. "Since I bound two, I draw again."
Anita's spirits began to fade. Not only was her rearguard now completely depleted, but her opponent just kept drawing into new cards to keep up the pressure. Not to mention, thanks to Gigavolt, four cards were bound this turn, activating Chainsaw's front row buff. The situation has not only reversed, but turned her chance to win into a pure impossibility. "This is...absurd."
"Oh, don't think I'm done. Since the card I bound from hand was a Detonix Wrench Dragon, I can call him to RC too, and with an extra 3k to boot. Finally, I call Detonix Pile Dragon and Two-Faced Djinn." A trio of bolts struck the field as a dense overhead began to encroach along the skyline. Each spawn a fighter eager to finish the fight in a total, crushing victory.
Two-Faced Djinn- Grade 0/5000 Power/150000 Shield/Critical Trigger
"She just called a trigger unit to boost," Tyler noticed. "She's set on making this the last turn."
"And it'll be pretty easy to pull that off now," Lucas awed. "You were right, she can do this."
"You've always gotta have faith in your team, man."
"You say that like you have experience." Lucas grinned. "But when you're right, you're really right."
"Before my battle phase starts, I got some buffs to kick in," Sal said. "Thanks to Chainsaw, the front row gets 10k. And since your rearguard is a ghost town, Gigavolt gets 5k and a crit. Finally, Wrecker gets 1k for each of your rearguards bound this turn, meaning 4k for him." One more, the entire Narukami formation began to glow with an electric energy. "Now let's have some fun."
Anita struggled to bite back a grimace. "This won't be fun at all…"
"Hey, you're the one who didn't want me to hold back. With a boost from Djinn, Wrench is coming straight for your vanguard." The smallest of the tool-wielding dragons raised his namesake enthusiastically before making a wild beeline towards his opponent.
Strength- 26000
A dozen threads of threat raveled their way around Anita's mind. There were six attacks heading her way, and there was no way she could stop enough to not hope for a heal trigger. It'd still be poor play not to try and employ defensive maneuvers- enough damage triggers, and she may stand a chance. All she could do now is try and block what she could. "I guard with Frost Storm." A Wrench continued his clumsy but determined rampage, he found himself slowed by a sudden stream of cold winds emerging from behind his target. Eventually the smaller dragon was brought to a chilly standstill before the winds intensified. A new boreal push sent the dragon flying backwards, landing bellyfirst back where he started.
Lady of Frost Storm- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 27000
"Fine by me- one less card to worry about later. Thunder Mallet attacks next. He gains 3k if my opponent's front row is empty." The monk grinned, picking up a chunk of debris like it was a hunk of plaster. He swung his hammer and smashed the chunk like it was a baseball, sending it rocketing towards his opponent's forehead.
Strength- 27000
"Akahana will guard that." Despite the speed and size of the projectile, it shattered harmlessly against a sudden green barrier.
Defense- 32000
"Oh yeah? Let's see you stop Pile boost by Thunder Halberd." The largest of the subordinate dragons cocked his weapons, and began his own thundering warpath.
Strength- 30000
Anita gritted. Her situation was clearly hopeless at this point, but not stopping this attack would be foolish. "I guard again- Haikyo; Kosai; and Stealth Dragon, Swindle Tail." Three ninjas leapt fort in the last defense of their master. The lupine and demon were quickly dispatched by Pile discharging his weapons. The enemy dragon, a bipedal drake clothed in rags and sporting a third hand on his long tail, was trampled underfoot. Despite this brutality, Pile was not able to make it to Chujitsuna without exhausting himself, and thus retreated.
Swindle Tail- Grade 0/5000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger
Defense- 32000
"Not giving up so easily, huh? I like that. Still, I have a vanguard to attack with, and you've only got one card left in hand. So without further ado, Chainsaw charges in." The largest thunder dragon revved his blades again, the overhead breaking out into a concerto of thunderclaps and lightning flashes.
Strength- 22000
Anita sighed, placing her lone card down on the table. "I don't guard."
"Twin drive check- first...Ancient Dragon Shaman! A heal trigger! I give the 10k to Gigavolt, and recover one! Second...no trigger." Chainsaw swung his blades in a feral circular motion, spinning like a Kansas twister. Each cut deep into Chujitsuna, who, not used to such fierce frontline fighting, collapsed in pain quickly and pathetically.
"Damage check...n-no trigger."
"I think you know what happens next- I counter blast one and discard two cards to restand Chainsaw with 5k more Power, an extra crit, and one less drive." Chainsaw had hardly returned before he roared again, clearly still energetic and ready to brawl. The booming thunderstorm had not paved way for a heavy downpour of rain, which began to fill in the craters left by the night's intense battle. "Now with a boost from Wrecker, Chainsaw's ending it! One more time- Berserker's Storm Blades!" Supercharged, Chainsaw launched himself forward, both blades overhead to deliver the coup de grace.
Strength- 39000/2 Critical/1 drive
Anita didn't look up. "I can't guard."
Sal's bravado deflated upon seeing her opponent. "I, uh, check my drive trigger…oof, Javelin Dracokid. That's a crit to my vanguard, and 10k to Gigavolt."
"Damage checks...one...two...nothing. And that makes six."
With a cacophonic bellow, Chainsaw delivered the mother of all overhead swings, using his blades to slice Chujitsuna clean in two. Each half lingered in the air for a bit, but eventually unraveled into wandering trails of smoke. With all of his energy spent, the glow slowly left Chainsaw's body, and he sheathed his blades. When the last vestiges of Chujitsuna disappeared, the last dragon let out a final roar, coinciding with the machine finally powering off.
End of Turn 7
Hand Count- Sal 2, Anita 1
Damage Count- Sal 4, Anita 6
Sal wins
"And with that, Mendez seals a decisive victory! Team Villager has tied the score, forcing this matchup to a third game in one of the best final pushes I've ever seen!"
"The whole game kept swinging back and forth, but that final turn was something of a spectacle. Let's hope the third game keeps up this string of amazing games."
Sal paid little mind to the cheering crowd (including some whooping from Adam that seemed to echo above everything else), or the commentator's congratulations. Her eyes were fixed on Anita, who seemed frozen mid-sulk. Thinking quickly, she quickly departed her side of the console and jogged over to her opponent's side of the machine. By the time she got there, Yuri already had an arm draped over Anita.
Sal attempted a bit of comfort. "I'm...sorry. I guess I went a bit overboard."
"It's okay," croaked Anita. "Really. I just...didn't expect to lose."
"You're fine," Yuri reassured. "But thanks for coming over."
"Will she be alright?" Sal asked.
"I will," Anita muttered. "I was looking forward to heading to the finals, but...I can get over that."
"We aren't beaten yet," Yuri said. "Team Villager has still got to make it past Veronica."
"And she's the toughest?" Sal said.
"She's our captain for a reason." Yuri shepherded Anita back to their team's bench. "I'm looking forward to seeing what your ace in the hole can do."
Sal nodded. "Likewise. Take care, and no hard feelings."
"There aren't any." Yuri smiled. "Or at least, there won't be after a few minutes."