A/N: Hey readers. Back with another chapter. Time to start the second round. Who will fight who? Well you'll find part of the answer to that... now!
It was the second day of the Vanguard Invitational Cup, and the stadium was just as packed as the day before with people excited for a day filled with action. The first day had shown plenty of cardfights that had people on the edge of their seats. No doubt the second round would have fights just as fierce, if not fiercer.
Sachi stepped out on the podium and spoke up to the crowd. "Hello cardfighting fans! Are you ready for day 2 of the heart pounding Vanguard invitational?!" Hearing the crowd roar in response was all the answer she needed. "Alright then! Allow me a brief moment to explain how things will work this round! Just like last round, fighters will be chosen each round at random right before the match! Win and you move on to the next round! Lose, and that's it! However, there's a little extra catch to this round to spice things up! As you may have noticed, we have a total of 18 fighters remaining! Cut that in half and we'd have 9 for the next round! We can't have that, so there'll be two special instances today where a fighter will have to play two matches in a row! When these special matches will happen is a total mystery, so don't breathe easy just for a single win, players! And we're calling these special moments Cardfight Mania!"
Sophia's eyes beamed with excitement. "So that means we get to fight even more then?! Woohoo!"
"Leave it to you to be excited about something that would make most fighters a nervous wreck." Bruno said with a light-hearted chuckle.
Maria smirked at her friend. "Says the one member among us who lost in the first round."
"Ugh… you don't have to rub it in." Bruno moaned as he held his head low.
Sophia let out a giggle. "Don't worry, Bruno. We'll make sure to win a lot for you."
Back on the podium, Sachi continued with her announcements. "Well everybody, I'm sure you don't need anymore talking from me! Time for what you really came here to see! On with the pairing for the first match!"
On cue, the monitor shuffled through images of each of the remaining fighters. Seeing as all of the remaining competitors were already known, it made little sense to keep up with the number system for the remaining rounds. Finally, the shuffle stopped and two fighters were chosen.
"Woah boy, we're starting off with a big one!" Sachi announced. "The first match of the second round will be William Lewis versus Allen Demacio!"
William and Allen each tensed up at hearing their names called. They had fought several times training for the threat against Purgatory, but this would be their first time fighting each other in an official match. And neither of them planned on losing.
A few minutes passed as everyone waited for the two players to get to the field. When both were finally ready, Sachi spoke to the crowd once again.
"Now then, let's welcome today's first fighters out onto the field! They surely need no introduction based on their performances in the Vanguard World Tournament last summer! The leaders of Team Round Table and Team Apocalypse! Give it up for William Lewis and Allen Demacio!" Sachi paused a moment for the crowd to cheer as both players walked out onto the field. "These two both made it to the Top 4 of the Vanguard World Tournament, but didn't get the chance to fight! But fate has given us all a chance to see who is king among the knights! The gallant and shining Royal Paladins, or the massive and powerful Conquest Empire!"
William and Allen stared each other down. It was true they hadn't fought in an official match back at the World Tournament, but they had still fought each other during that time back when Allen was consumed with his lust for power. For Allen, this was his chance to fight William as an equal and worthy challenger rather than how he had been before.
In William's case, fighting Allen reminded him of his battle against Alexander on Cray. The general had parted with him, saying he hoped they might one day meet again. Given the unlikeliness of Conquest Empire's forces physically appearing on Earth, this was probably the closest he would get to it. Fighting against the human Alexander had chosen as his avatar.
"Let's do this, Allen."
"You bet."
"Here we go cardfighters!" Sachi called out. "You know the words!"
"Stand up! Vanguard!"
"Imperial Flag Bearer, Marco!"
Imperial Flag Bearer, Marco
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"Wingal Brave!"
Wingal Brave
Grade 0, Power: 5000
"I'll start things off." Allen said as he drew for his turn. "Ride! Inspired Young Knight!"
Inspired Young Knight
Grade 1, Power: 7000
"Marco moves back. Turn end."
[Turn 2. Hand: Allen(5), William(5).]
"Stand and draw." William said. "Ride! Awakened Blaster Javelin, Larousse!"
Awakened Blaster Javelin, Larousse
Grade 1, Power: 7000
"Moving Wingal Brave back! And now I'll have him support my Vanguard in an attack!"
(7000+5000=12000)
"No guard." Allen said.
"Drive check, no trigger."
"Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(1), William(0).]
"Activating skill of Wingal Brave. Since the attack hit, I send it to the soul and add a Blaster unit from my deck to my hand." William explained. "Adding Awakened Blaster Arrow, Elisse to my hand. And with that I'll end my turn."
[Turn 3. Hand: Allen(5), William(7).]
"Stand and draw." Allen said. "Ride! Noble Swordsman, Roberto!"
Noble Swordsman, Roberto
Grade 2, Power: 9000
"With a boost from Marco, Roberto swings in."
(9000+5000=14000)
"No guard."
"Drive check, critical trigger!" Allen said with a smirk as he revealed the card. "All effects to the Vanguard."
"Damage check. First card, no trigger. Second card" William showed a smirk of his own as he revealed the card he had pulled. "Heal trigger. Power to the Vanguard and I recover one damage."
[Damage: Allen(1), William(1).]
"Turn end."
"We're off to a thrilling start, folks!" Sachi announced to the crowd. "Both fighters refuse to let the other gain too much of an advantage. How will things progress from here?!"
[Turn 4. Hand: Allen(6), William(7).]
"Stand and draw." William said. "Ride! Awakened Blaster Axe, Grawl!"
Awakened Blaster Axe, Grawl
Grade 2, Power: 9000
"Calling Awakened Blaster Rapier Laura, and Awakened Blaster Javelin Larousse! And now Laura attacks!"
(9000+1000=10000)
"Guard!" Allen said, holding up a card from his hand.
"Boosted by Larousse, Grawl attacks!"
(9000+7000+1000=17000)
"No guard."
"Drive check, no trigger."
"Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(2), William(1).]
"Turn end." William said.
[Turn 5. Hand: Allen(5), William(6).]
"Stand and draw." Allen said. He took a card from his hand and held it out. "Warrior of the Reborn Empire! Appear now and lead my forces to victory! Crush all that stand in the way of your goal! Ride! Imperial Reborn Hero, Alexander!"
Imperial Reborn Hero, Alexander
Grade 3, Power: 11000
"I call Duplication Mage, Lisanna! And I'll have her Conquer your empty front row rear guard circle!" Allen explained. "Lisanna's skill! When she Conquers, I can counterblast to call a copy of her from my deck! Both she and the new Lisanna gain 3000 Power! Now the new Lisanna will Conquer over Laura!"
"Tch. Laura moves back." William said.
"I think I'll go ahead and activate the same skill again with my new Lisanna! So now a third one appears, giving herself and the Lisanna who called her 3000 power!"
"Amazing! Allen Demacio suddenly turns one card into three with the help of the two face up damage that William gave him so far!" Sachi called out. "How will the Euro League champion deal with this wave of an assault?!"
"I think I'll have my first Lisanna attack your Laura in the rear guard!" Allen declared.
(9000+3000=12000)
"No guard. Laura is retired."
"Lisanna number two is up next! And this one's coming for your Vanguard!"
(9000+3000=12000)
"Guard!"
"Alexander attacks with a boost from Marco!"
(11000+5000=16000)
"No guard."
"Twin drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, draw trigger! Power to my standing Lisanna and I draw!"
"Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(2), William(2).]
"Lisanna, get him!"
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(2), William(3).]
"I think that's enough punishment for one turn." Allen said. "You're up, Lewis."
[Turn 6. Hand: Allen(7), William(5).]
"How kind of you. Stand and draw." William said. "Be ready Allen. Just as you have the hero of Conquest Empire, I have the greatest swordsman on all of Cray. Now come forth my sword and avatar! Ride! Blaster of Light and Dark, Llew!"
Blaster of Light and Dark, Llew
Grade 3, Power: 11000
"Llew's skill! Counterblast!" William declared. "I retire the Conquering Lisanna on the left!"
Allen watched as Llew swung his white sword, creating a slash of energy that cut down his rear guard. That left him with the two Lisannas that were in a column together. A smart play, considering he wouldn't be able to move his other Conquering Lisanna back if she was called over.
"And now Stride Generation!" William called out. "Divine Knight of Twin Absolutes, Saint of Twin Sword!"
Divine Knight of Twin Absolutes, Saint of Twin Sword
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! Soul blast! I call a Blaster from my deck! Come forth Laura!" William said. "With her skill, she's at 10000 power! And she'll use it to take back that rear guard circle Lisanna is on!" The image of Laura sped forward, striking Lisanna with her rapier and causing the sorceress to vanish. William then threw out another pair of cards onto the field. "I call Grawl and Little Tactician, Marron!"
"Here it is folks! The field swarming the Royal Paladin clan is known for! William Lewis isn't going to let Conquest Empire play around in his backyard if he has anything to say about it!" Sachi announced.
"Grawl attacks! Take out his remaining Lisanna!"
(9000+1000=10000)
"No guard."
"Take this! Boosted by Larousse, my Vanguard attacks!" William said. "Skill of Saint of Twin Sword! Counterblast! I call a pair of grade 2s from my deck! Now join the fray, Grawl and Elisse!" The two knights appeared onto the field, with Grawl liberating his remaining Conquered circle, and Elisse being called over the Larousse that was boosting his Vanguard. "Twin Sword's other skill lets both of the called units gain 5000 power for every face up card in my G Zone! I now have one, so that's 5000 to each of them!"
(26000)
"No guard."
"Fine with me! Triple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! Power to Elisse and critical to the Vanguard! Third check, heal trigger! Power to Laura and I recover one!"
"Damage check. First card, no trigger. Second card, critical trigger! All effects to the Vanguard!"
[Damage: Allen(4), William(2).]
"I'm not done yet! Elisse attacks!"
(9000+1000+5000+5000=20000)
"You're dreaming if you think I'm going to let you push me any farther! Guard!"
"Let's see how you handle this then! Grawl attacks!"
(9000+1000+5000+5000=20000)
"I'll handle it just fine! Guard!"
"One more time! With a boost from Marron, Laura attacks!"
(9000+1000+5000+7000=22000)
Allen used yet another card from his hand to protect himself, desperate to keep William's assault at bay. "Guard!"
"Turn end."
[Turn 7. Hand: Allen(4), William(5).]
"Stand and draw." Allen said. "Stride Generation! Offensive Rush Marshal, Attila!"
Offensive Rush Marshal, Attila
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! Counterblast! I retire Laura and call Roberto to that circle to Conquer! Roberto gains 5000 power, and another 5000 from his own skill! Next I call Imperial Analyst! Using its skill, I retire it! Until the end of the turn, every time my rear guard Conquers, I draw a card! Now I call Inspired Young Knight! Using Marco's skill, I rest him to give 5000 Power to Roberto and Inspired Young Knight! And with Young Knight's power over Grawl's he's free to Conquer over it! I draw! Finally, with Inspired Young Knight's soul blast, he gains 10000 power since he's Conquering!"
"And just like that, Allen Demacio invades William Lewis's field once again!" Sachi said. "Just when will this back and forth struggle end?! I don't know if my heart can take it!"
"Inspired Young Knight attacks!"
(8000+5000+10000=23000)
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(4), William(3).]
"Roberto is up next!"
(9000+5000+5000+5000=24000)
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(4), William(4).]
"Attila attacks!" Allen declared. "Activating skill! I move Roberto and Inspired Young Knight to my back row, and call Piercing Bullet Sniper and Alexander from my hand to the Conquered rear guard circles! These calls are treated as Conquering those spaces again, so I draw 2 cards!"
(26000)
"Generation guard! Vivid Sacred Staff, Andragius!"
Vivid Sacred Staff, Andragius
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Skill activated! Since I have at least 2 grade 2 rear guards, add 10000 to the shield!"
"Triple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, no trigger. Third check, heal trigger! Power to Sniper and I recover one damage!"
[Damage: Allen(3), William(4).]
"Let's go! Sniper attacks!"
(9000+5000=14000)
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(3), William(5).]
"Alexander, finish him off!"
(11000)
"I don't think so! Guard!" William called out.
"Turn end." Allen said. "Alexander's soul blast. Both of my Conquering rear guards get 5000 power until the end of your turn."
[Turn 8. Hand: Allen(5), William(3).]
"Stand and draw." William said. "I must admit, you've come a long way Allen. You're a true cardfighter now, compared to how you were back when we first fought."
"Indeed. I'm no longer who I used to be." Allen said in agreement. "That's why I want to beat you like this. On this stage. To show how far I've come."
"Heh. Well you've got spirit, I'll admit that much." William told him. "However, I too have no intention of losing! So I'm going to pull out all the stops here! Using Llew's skill! I counterblast and retire your rear guard Alexander!" He took a card from his hand and discarded it. "Generation Zone, release! Now watch as order and chaos merge together! Become one and form my sword! Stride Generation! Blaster Infinity, Llew!"
Blaster Infinity, Llew
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"Stride skill! Superior call Laura to the space Alexander was on to liberate it! Since a Blaster was called from the deck, Grawl gains 5000 power! And that gives him enough power to take back my other rear guard space from your Piercing Bullet Sniper!"
"Tch, Sniper moves back."
"Don't think I'm done yet! Cause now I'm activating my Vanguard's skill! I send a card from my hand to the soul! All of my Blaster rear guards gain 5000 power, and my Vanguard gains a skill!" William said. "In addition, Llew has another skill! Generation Break 4! Since I have a unit of a different clan than my heart card in my soul, he gains 10000 power, plus one critical, and plus one drive!"
"Incredible! William Lewis is showing why he is the current champion of the Euro League!" Sachi announced. "Since Blaster of Light and Dark, Llew is both a Royal and Shadow Paladin, it technically fits the criteria for having a heart card with a different clan! Can Allen Demacio survive this?!"
"Here I come, Allen! Laura attacks with Marron's boost!"
(9000+1000+5000+7000=22000)
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(4), William(5).]
"Elisse is up next!"
(9000+1000+5000=15000)
"Intercept with Sniper!"
"Blaster Infinity, Llew attacks!" Allen declared. "Activating skill! I counterblast and call 2 Blasters from the deck to rear guard! Come! Blaster Axe, Grawl and Guardian Blaster Iesault! This Grawl gains 5000 power and Iesault gains 3000 power, while my other Grawl gains 10000 in total!"
(26000+10000=36000)
"Perfect guard!"
"Quadruple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! All effects to the Grawl in front of Iesault! Third check, no trigger. Final check, heal trigger! Power to the other Grawl and I recover one!"
[Damage: Allen(4), William(4).]
"Boosted by Iesault, Grawl attacks!"
(9000+15000+5000+6000+3000=38000)
"Generation guard! Imperial Guardian, Nerokius!"
Imperial Guardian, Nerokius
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Skill of Nerokius! I move Marco to the guardian circle! He gains 5000 shield!"
"My other Grawl will attack!"
(9000+5000+5000=19000)
"No guard. Damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Allen(5), William(4).]
"Turn end." William said. "Iesault's skill. Since she was called from the deck, I can return her to my hand."
[Turn 9. Hand: Allen(2), William(7).]
"Stand and draw." Allen said. "Here goes! Generation Zone, release! A hero rises to take the mantle of leadership! Infinite futures, line up for the emperor Stride Generation! Imperial Cosmic Emperor, Alexander!"
Imperial Cosmic Emperor, Alexander
Grade 4, Power: 15000+
"I call Roberto and Death-scope Sharpshooter! Activating Alexander's skill! Generation Break 3! Counterblast! My Vanguard gains two skills, one to increase the power of all my rear guards by 5000 and another to increase his own power by 5000 for each of my rear guards! Then, since I have less than 5 cards in my hand, I draw until I have 5!"
"Uh oh! William's in trouble now!" Sachi said. "With that play, Allen's hand is back at a five card total, giving him plenty of rear guards to fill his formation with!"
"Calling Imperial Reborn Sabre, Rachel! Roberto and Rachel Conquer over your two Grawl units!" Allen declared. "Roberto's skill gives himself 5000 power while Rachel's gives her 10000! Then, I move my other Roberto up to my front row, and call New Age Knight, Lucas and Imperial Reborn Hero, Alexander!"
Up in the stands, Amy watched the fight going on. Allen had completely filled up his field with his latest series of calls. It all came down to whether or not it would be enough to finish William off. "Come on Allen…"
"Cheering for your boyfriend? Maybe you should put on a full cheerleader uniform."
"Huh?" Amy turned around and saw a familiar face standing near her. "Keith, you're still here? I thought you would have gone back home after you lost."
"Eh, what can I say? I was interested to see who would win this little shindig." Keith said with a shrug. He stared out onto the field. "To think that pompous former client of mine got this strong. Neither of us made it past day one, but he might just go all the way if he keeps it up."
A slight smile came to Amy's lips. "You know, you may have just been a mercenary, but you were still a member of Team Apocalypse. Any chance of you coming back?"
"I wouldn't hold my breath to that happening. I'm more of a wanderer type" Keith said with a chuckle. "Although… that's not to say it wouldn't be a little nice."
Back on the field, Allen began his assault. "Boosted by Lucas, Roberto attacks!"
(9000+5000+7000+5000=26000)
"No guard. Damage check, critical trigger. All effects to the Vanguard."
[Damage: Allen(5), William(5).]
"My Vanguard attacks next, along with a boost from Death-scope Sharpshooter! Activating skill! Both of my Conquering rear guards get 5000 power!"
(26000+35000+5000+5000=71000)
"Perfect guard!" William called out.
"Triple drive! First check, no trigger. Second check, critical trigger! All effects to Rachel! Third check, draw trigger! Power to Roberto and I draw!" Allen said. "Roberto strikes next!"
(9000+5000+5000+5000+5000=29000)
"Generation guard! Holy Beast, Divine Maskgal!"
Holy Beast, Divine Maskgal
Grade 4, Shield: 15000
"Skill activated! Since there is a rear guard in my front row, add 10000 to the shield! And since it doesn't have to be my own rear guard, your Conquering ones will do just fine!"
"Clever move, but I'm not done yet! Rachel attacks!"
(11000+10000+5000+5000+5000=36000)
Rachel sped forward, taking aim at William's Vanguard. But before she could hit him, three units appeared to block her path.
"Guard!" William said, barely managing to hold the swordswoman off.
With her attack blocked, Rachel leapt back to her position. But as she was moving back, another figure was already charging forward. Allen's final attack.
"Alexander attacks with a boost from Inspired Young Knight!"
(11000+5000+7000+5000=28000)
William let out a sigh, though still wore a satisfied smile on his face. "No guard."
Llew brought both of his swords up to block the swing of Alexander's sword. The two became stuck in a test of strength. But eventually, Llew gave out and Alexander's blade tore through him. As it did, a sixth card appeared in William's damage zone.
[Damage: Allen(5), William(6).]
"What an amazing cardfight!" Sachi exclaimed. "It was so back and forth I wasn't sure who was going to win! But now we have our first cardfighter moving onto the third round! Allen Demacio of America!"
A collection of cheers shouted through the crowd. Allen gathered his cards before looking across the field at William. Neither of them said a word, but the grins on their faces told them all they needed.
"Next time, I won't lose."
With that, the two fighters turned around and walked away from each other. The second round had just begun and there was still plenty of action left to be had for the day.
Elizabeth: Ugh, damnit! I wanted to be the one to beat William in this tournament!
William: My apologies. It seems I just wasn't strong enough.
Elizabeth: Only one thing to do now! I'm going to win it all and prove I've surpassed you!
Aurora: Don't expect us to make it easy for you. I know I've certainly got no intention of losing.
Sophia: Let's start the next fight already! I want to see who's playing next!
Next time: The Fight That Could Have Been