"Order up!" A male voice spoke.
"Understood." Another male voice answered back.
That voice belonged to Eric.
He walked up to the order window and took the plate in his hands. Then he walked it out to table number four and placed it in front of them. A smile on his face. "Your steak tacos with a side of queso and guacamole mam."
"Thank you." The woman said, smiling at Eric.
"No problem." Eric said. "If you need anything else please don't hesitate to ask." He explained. He then walked off to check on his other tables.
Eric is currently waiting tables in a restaurant.
Actually the restaurant he is working in is currently owned by his family.
Just like Anthony he has a family business.
They are in the food industry.
The name of Erics' family restaurant is; Slice of Home. A restaurant that specializes in serving comfort food from all over the world. Macaroni and cheese with chicken, tacos, and even pizza and Ramen. Their place serves it all, and today Eric is once again doing his part and helping out.
Running back and forth for the next few hours, Eric waited on tables and served them their orders.
He has no trouble with this since he had been around the restaurant his entire life, and even started helping out when he was eight years old. Though he has only been waiting tables for the past two years. Even so, Eric is a pro at this. It's like his blood is telling his body exactly how to do the job.
Before Eric even realized it four hours had passed.
When he finally had a chance to stop and check his phone he saw that it was 1:PM, and since Slice of Home opens at 9:AM, Eric finally realized he has been working four hours straight without any rest at all.
'It's been a while.' Eric thought. He hadn't worked like this since the summer.
Since he was in school his parents wanted him to focus on his studies and being a kid, so he only worked a couple of nights and two weekends at most during the school year. Today is also a Saturday which usually doesn't get crowded until lunch, but today it was the opposite.
Eric decided it was just one of those strange situations and moved on.
Placing his phone back in his pocket he went to clear a table and took the dirty dishes in the basket into the sink in the back. He then placed them inside, before cracking his neck from side to side.
"Good work today son." The male voice from earlier said.
"Thanks dad." Eric said.
The voice from earlier belonged to Eric's father. A man by the name of Everett Luzin. He has the same colored hair as his son, but his is cut short, and unlike his son he has dark brown eyes.
"Eh, why are you complimenting him Everett, that was nothing." A feminine older voice spoke. But it had a hint of playfulness in it.
"Yes, yes, understood mom." Everett spoke, a small smile forming on his face.
The woman who just spoke is Everett's mom and Eric's grandmother, Camilla Luzin. She has the same colored hair as her son and grandson, but hers has flecks of gray mixed in due to her age, and it also falls to her mid-back. She also has the same colored eyes as her son.
Camilla is also the one who started Slice of Home over thirty years ago with her husband Evan, who passed away when Eric was eight years old.
Eric looked at his grandmother with a raised brow. "Grandma you call working four hours straight without any rest nothing?"
"That's right." Camilla retorted.
"Ok then, what would you consider a hard day's work then?" Eric asked.
Camilla was just about to answer her grandson when someone else entered the kitchen area.
"Grandma, please don't." A female voice asked.
It belonged to a young woman with short red hair and blue eyes. She is Eric's elder sister by four years. Her name is June Luzin.
"And why not June?" Camilla asked her granddaughter. "Didn't you ask me the same question at around this age?"
"Yeah, and that's why I don't want to hear your answer again. I almost fell asleep on my feet listening to it the first time." June admitted.
"So it's that bad?" Eric asked his sister.
She nodded in confirmation.
"Ah you know what grandma I changed my mind. Just forget I said anything." Eric said. If his sister was telling him the answer was that boring he believed her.
After all, they are close siblings.
"No, I think you two need to hear my answer, seeing as how you're trying to avoid it now." Camilla said.
"No, no, I'm good." Eric retorted. "I do know the value of hard work after all. My friends and I aren't shirking our training for the Vanguard World Tournament one bit. We're working on achieving our goal, so I'm good." He explained, hoping his answer would satisfy his grandmother.
"Oh that's right." Camilla mused. "You and your friends are going to compete in that Vanguard Tournament thing. Well nevermind then. Also, I hope you take the entire thing." She said, putting a smile on her face.
"That's right, and all of us will be cheering for you." June added.
"Yes, thank you." Eric. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take my lunch break."
So with that Eric left out of the kitchen and then placed his lunch order.
Some Pork Ramen, along with a slice of cheesecake.
It's been one of his favorite meals since he was a kid after all.
Once Eric finished his lunch he got back to work.
Which lasted another three hours. It was 5:PM before he got another break, however he wasn't complaining at all. He enjoyed helping out in the family restaurant.
Coming out of the kitchen Eric removed his apron and hung it on the nearby rack. He then stretched his arms into the air. Once he was done with that he moved to a table and took a seat.
Sitting down right across from a young man.
He looks to be seventeen years old. He has short fiery orange hair and matching orange-colored eyes. As for his attire, he is dressed in dark brown pants, an orange short-sleeve t-shirt, with a button up red shirt being worn over it. He also has on orange sneakers.
Eric eyed this young man. "So, why have you been watching me since you came in?" Eric asked.
The young man Eric had taken a seat across from had entered the restaurant at 2:PM. He then had lunch and some desert, but since then he hadn't left. He had been sitting in his booth, and Eric soon noticed the young man kept following him around the room with his eyes.
Which was why he decided to confront him here and now.
The orange-haired young man put a small smile on his face. He then reached under the table and then brought out a vanguard deck case in the next second. Which he then set on the table. "The name is Ryan Holmes. A pleasure to meet you. I know we've never met before, but your friends have met mine. Nina Miller and Emilia Lockwood, ring any bells for you?"
Eric widened his eyes at Ryan's words.
"So, you're just like those two hu-"
Before Eric could finish his question his vision suddenly distorted. He then grabbed his head and let out a small wince of pain. But as quickly as the pain came, it left and Eric's vision returned to normal.
"I think that answers your question, doesn't it?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah." Eric mused. When Anthony and Cera had told him and some of the others about their encounter with Nina and Emilia, they described something similar happening to them.
"Good, so we can skip all the mystery and get right down to it. Let's have a cardfight." Ryan said.
"And the same rules apply? If I win you'll tell me what the hell is going on with me and my friends?" Eric asked.
Ryan nodded.
"Yeah, the same rules apply." Ryan said. "But that's only if you win."
"Don't worry, I plan too," Eric said, determination in his voice.
"Great, then let's go." Ryan said.
Eric gave a curt nod.
He then quickly went to inform his sister he was stepping out for a moment. After he was done with that he and Ryan left Slice of Home and went to the nearby park, ending up at the local fight tables that had been set up there.
The two of them then quickly set up the board and their own hands.
Then in unison they said, "Stand up. Vanguard!"
" Stealth Rogue of the Wintry Wind, Kamojigusa!" Eric exclaimed.
Stealth Rogue of the Wintry Wind, Kamojigusa
Grade 0, Power +5000
"Dimensional Robo, Daihawk." Ryan said.
Dimensional Robo, Daihawk
Grade 0, Power +5000
"You can have the first move." Ryan said.
"Don't mind if I do." Eric said. "I draw. I then ride. Stealth Dragon, Chigeregumo."
Stealth Dragon, Chigeregumo
Grade 1, Power +7000
"Kamojigua moves back. I then end my turn." Eric said.
[Damage: Eric (0) Ryan (0)]
"My turn. I draw." Ryan said.
[Turn 2: Hand; Eric (5) Ryan (6)]
"I then ride. Dimensional Robo, Daijustice." Ryan said.
Dimensional Robo, Daijustice
Grade 1, Power +7000
"Daihawk moves back. Then with a boost from Daihawk, Daijustice will attack your vanguard."
(7000+5000=12000)
"That'll be a no guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"I end my turn then." Ryan said.
[Damage: Eric (1) Ryan (0)]
"My turn. I draw." Eric said.
[Turn 3: Hand; Eric (6) Ryan (6)]
"I ride. Stealth Dragon, Kokujyo."
Stealth Dragon, Kokujyo
Grade 2, Power +9000
"I also call. Stealth Beast, Tamahagane. Skill of Tamahagane. Choose one of the opponent's rear-guard units and bind it until the end of the turn. But since you only have one it's not really a choice." Eric explained.
"True indeed." Ryan retorted. He then placed Daihawk in the bind zone.
"Now with a boost from Kamojigusa, Kokujyo attacks."
(9000+5000=14000)
"That will be a no guard."
"Drive check. A critical trigger. Power to Tamahagane and the critical to Kokujyo."
"Damage check. No triggers."
"Tamahagane, attack the vanguard."
(9000+5000=14000)
"I will guard that one."
"I end my turn then." Eric said. "Daihawk returns to your hand."
[Damage: Eric (1) Ryan (2)]
"It's back to me again then." Ryan said. "I stand and draw."
[Turn 4: Hand; Eric (5) Ryan (7)]
As Ryan added the newest card to his hand he noticed that Eric was looking at him with a piercing gaze. "Hey, what's with that look?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe it's because you and your friends just appeared out of nowhere and started messing with me and my friends," Eric sarcastically spoke. "But other than that, I'm great."
"I get it." Ryan said. "And I wish I could tell you more, but as it stands right now you and the other six chosen wouldn't be able to handle it."
"Wait, there are six chosen?" Eric questioned.
"Opps, didn't mean to slip up like that." Ryan said.
But Eric could tell already that Ryan wasn't the kind of guy to simply slip up concerning such an important manner.
'So he's throwing me a bone huh?' Eric thought. With that clue he decided to let up his piercing gaze on Ryan, for the moment at least.
"Thanks for that." Ryan mused. "Now then. I ride. Dimensional Robo, Daibalest!" He exclaimed.
Dimensional Robo, Daibalest
Grade 2, Power +9000
"I then recall Daihawk, and I also call another Daijusice." Ryan said. "Now Daibalest will attack your vanguard."
(9000)
"I won't guard that."
"Drive check. A draw trigger. The power to Daibalest and I draw one card."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"That's ok, because the fun is just beginning." Ryan said.
Eric did not like the way he said that one bit.
"Skill of Daijustice." Ryan said. He then counter blasted one card, before putting Daijustice into the soul. "When my vanguard successfully lands an attack on the opponent's vanguard and it has "Dimensional Robo" in its name then I can place him on the soul and then check the top seven cards of my deck for a grade 3 unit. And if one is there then I can superior call it to an open rear-guard circle."
Eric clicked his tongue. Daijustices' skill wasn't doing him any favors.
Ryan looked at the top seven cards of his deck, and then selected one from among them, before returning the rest and shuffling them back into the deck. "Now I superior call. Super Dimensional Robo Dainexus." He placed it in the same column as Daihawk, where Daijustice had just been. "Now with a boost from Daihawk, Dainexus attacks Tamahagane."
(11000+5000=16000)
"That's a no guard."
"With that I'll end my turn." Ryan said.
[Damage: Eric (2) Ryan (2)]
"Stand and draw." Eric said.
[Turn 5: Hand; Eric (6) Ryan (6)]
"Pretty good move." Eric mused. "Still that won't save you from my coming assau-"
Before Eric could finish speaking his vision began distorting like earlier, then in the next second a blinding rainbow light exploded in his vision.
"Shit!" Eric shouted.
He then took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.
But that calmness was short-lived.
Because once Eric was able to take a proper look at his surroundings he found he was standing in the middle of some sort of temple.
But that wasn't all.
There was an altar sitting in the middle of the temple. And sitting on the altar was a giant multi-colored glowing crystal. The crystal was giving off an incredibly intense light, but more than that Eric was able to glimpse the six symbols of the nations of planet Cray imprinted on the crystal itself.
'Just what the hell am I seeing here?' Eric thought.
But he didn't have too much time to think about it before the roof of the temple was blown away.
Noticing this Eric looked up and saw twelve figures.
Six on each side.
On one side the six figures were cloaked in a malicious aura, which made Eric afraid and sick just looking at it.
But on the other side of things the other six figures were giving off an intense aura that made Eric feel calm and happy, but most of all this intense aura made him feel like he could accomplish anything he put his mind to. It was like the aura was telling him he had no limits.
Which he didn't understand in the slightest.
"Seriously, just what is going on here?" Eric questioned.
But he didn't get any answer.
Then right after Eric poised his question he noticed something. One of the cloaked figures from the side that made him feel like he could do anything looked down, and he could swear that the figure was looking right at him.
Eric also noticed that this cloaked figure bore the symbol of Dragon Empire on its cloak.
'It's definitely looking right at me.' Eric thought. He didn't know why, but he felt that the figure looking at him wasn't going to harm him. No, in fact he felt it was trying to tell him something important.
But before Eric could even get a word in the crystal on the altar started to shine brighter and brighter. It then released a massive amount of energy towards the cloaked figures of light and began empowering them.
Eric had to use his arm to shield his eyes as the intensity of the light just continued to grow, until eventually.
It blinded him once again.
"Shit." Eric murmured.
Leaning on the fight table he could barely stand. He was also taking several deep breaths because he could barely breathe.
As for Ryan he just stood there watching.
"Wow, looks like what you glimpsed was rather intense. That means it's working."
After catching his breath Eric stood back and looked Ryan directly in the eyes. "And what's that supposed to mean? What's working?"
"Like I said, if you beat me I'll tell you." Ryan retorted.
"Then I'll do just that." Eric said. "Now it's time to lead me to victory partner. I ride. Stealth Dragon, Shiranui!" Eric exclaimed.
Stealth Dragon, Shiranui
Grade 3, Power +11000
"With a boost from Kamojigusa, Shiranui will attack your vanguard!"
(11000+5000=16000)
"No thanks, I'll guard that." Ryan said. He then placed two grade 0's in his guardian circle.
"Twin drive check. First check. No trigger. Second check. No trigger." Eric said. "So with that I end my turn."
[Damage: Eric (2) Ryan (2)]
"And it looks like I'm in play again." Ryan happily said. "My turn. I stand and draw."
[Turn 6: Hand; Eric (7) Ryan (5)]
Ryan added the top card of his deck to his hand. "Thanks for showing me your partner. So with that in mind I'll show you mine as well." Ryan took a card and slammed down on his vanguard circle. "All systems are 100% operational. Now take flight and destroy the enemy with your fiery spirit you winged hero of justice. I ride. Super Dimensional Robo, Daifalcon!"
Super Dimensional Robo, Daifalcon
Grade 3, Power +11000
When Daifalcon appeared on the board it revealed itself to be a giant robot with the body of a human, but with the head of a falcon. It was dyed completely orange, and has two-sets of golden phoenix wings on its back.
"Now. Liberating the generation zone. Generation stride! Dimensional Robo Battle Commander, Magna Bird!"
Dimensional Robo Battle Commander, Magna Bird
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Stride skill of Daifalcon." Ryan said. He then counter blasted one card. "When a unit with "Dimensional Robo" in its name strides, then gains +4000 for every face up card with "Dimensional Robo" in its name on my side of the board." He explained. "So that means the vanguard gains an extra +8000 power. I then call Daidragon! Now, Magna Bird will attack your vanguard."
(26000+8000=34000)
"That's a no guard!"
"Triple drive check. First check. No trigger. Second check. A critical trigger. Power to Daidragon and the critical to Magna Bird. Final check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No triggers."
"Dadragon attacks next and with his skill add another +3000 power."
(9000+3000+5000=17000)
"I'll guard that!" Eric exclaimed.
"No problem. With a boost from Daihawk, Dainexus takes aim."
(11000+5000=16000)
"I'll guard that one as well."
"Then I end my turn. Back to you." Ryan said.
[Damage: Eric (4) Ryan (2)]
"Don't mind if I do. Stand and draw." Eric said.
[Turn 7: Hand; Eric (6) Ryan (5)]
'I will not lose. For the sake of me and for my friends, I'll carve out a path to victory!' Eric furiously thought. "Generation stride! Rikudo Stealth Rogue, Atagolord!"
Rikudo Stealth Rogue, Atagolord
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Now then, let's finish this." Eric said, a small smile appearing on his face. "You're about to learn why ninjas should never be underestimated. Stride skill." Eric counter blasted one card. "I will bind Daidragon, and you must discard a card from your hand."
Ryan placed Daidragon in his bind zone and discarded a card from his hand to the drop zone.
'Ah he's really not messing around.' Ryan thought. He knew the speciality of Shiranui and he knew that surviving what was coming was not going to be easy by a longshot.
"I call. Chigeregumo, Kokujyo and Fuuki. The skill of Chigeregumo. Look at the top three cards of my deck, and if any possess the "Afterimage" ability then I can call them." Eric checked the top three cards of his deck and selected one unit. "I call Kegareshinmyo. Kegareshinmyo's skill. Add +3000 power to Chiigeregumo. Now the skill of Fuuki." Eric placed Fuuki in his soul and counter blasted one card. "Pick a card at random from the opponent's hand and they must bind it face down for the rest of the turn. I chose the one on the far left."
Ryan winced, placing that card in his bind zone. Eric had chosen his complete guard.\
"Now let's begin. With a boost from Kamojigusa, Atagolord will attack your vanguard. In addition, his skill." Eric counter blasted one card and flipped over a copy of Atagolord in the G zone. "The opponent must choose a card from their hand and bind it face down for the rest of the turn."
Ryan placed another card in his bind zone, only leaving him with two in his hand.
(26000+5000=31000)
"Oh and one more thing. Since you have three or less cards in your hand, Atagolord gains an extra critical." Eric explained.
"Yeah I know. Ryan said. "Also, no guard."
"Triple drive. First check. Critical trigger." Eric said.
Ryan began sweating a bit at that.
"The power to Kegareshinmyo, and the critical to Atagolord. Second check. No trigger. Final check. A heal trigger. The power to Koukyjo and I recover one damage. This is the end for you." Eric said.
"Maybe." Ryan mused. "Damage check. First check, no trigger. Second check, no trigger. Final check. A heal trigger. I recover one damage, and my vanguard gains +5000 power."
(11000+5000=16000)
"Koukuyjo, take him. Attack the vanguard. And since two cards were placed in the bind zone with him on the field then he gains another +4000 power."
(9000+5000+2000+2000=18000)
"That's a no guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"Looks like that heal trigger went to waste. Time to finish this. Boosted by Chigeregumo, Kegareshinmyo attacks your vanguard."
(11000+7000+3000+5000=26000)
"Sorry, but that's not going to happen. Generation guard! Gallant Incarnation, G-O-Five!"
Gallant Incarnation, G-O-Five
Grade 4, Shield +150000
"And with his skills add +15000 to the shield!"
(15000+15000=30000)
"Fine then I end my turn." Eric said. "The cards in the bind zone return to your hand. And the cards with "Afterimage" return to mine."
[Damage: Eric (4) Ryan (5)]
"I stand and draw." Ryan said.
[Turn 8: Hand; Eric (7) Ryan (5)]
As soon as Ryan finished drawing his card he flashed a smile at Eric.
"Wow why are you grinning at me like that?" Eric asked, a bit disturbd by the bright smile being sent his way.
"No reason. Just glad to know that the Paragons are making excellent progress."
"Say that again." Eric asked.
But Ryan shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry can't. You haven't won."
"But I'm about to." Eric retorted.
"I wonder about that." Ryan mused. He then took a card from his hand and placed it in the drop zone. "Generation stride. Supreme Robo Commander, Daichampion."
An immense light exploded around Ryan's vanguard circle.
And when the light died down and super powerful robot was standing it, equipped with enough firepower to take down anything or anyone.
"Stride skill." Ryan counter blasted one card. "The vanguard gains an additional +8000 power. Now it's time to end this. The skill of Daichampion." Ryan counter blasted two cards, soul blasted one card, and flipped over a "Dimensional Robo" card in the G zone. " His generation break four. For every face-up card in the G zone I can superior call a face down G unit to any open rear-guard circle."
"What?!" Eric exclaimed.
"Relax, this ability isn't that overpowered. The units I call with this skill can't use their abilities, and all of their drives are reduced by two. However they do gain the ability to attack from the back row In addition the vanguard loses the ability to use drive checks for the entire turn."
"Really?" Eric asked.
"Really." Ryan nodded. "However, for every G unit called with this ability, Daichampion can launch an additional attack this turn. So instead of one attack, he gets to launch four of them."
"I thought you said this ability wasn't overpower." Eric deadpanned.
"It's not." Ryan said. "You can survive it in the right situation. Unfortunately you are not there yet." He explained.
Then without warning the end came for Eric.
[Damage: Eric (6) Ryan (5)]
When the cardfight was over Eric noticed that his Shiranui glowed in a brillant rainbow of light before changing right before his eyes.
"Ah it seems like things are progressing smoothly." Ryan mused. He then looked at Eric and nodded. "Let's have a cardfight again. I think you know where."
"Yeah, I do." Eric said.
He also told himself that next time he wouldn't lose.
A/N:
That's chapter eight folks.
Next Time: The preliminaries for the World Tournament are just around the corner. Which is why it's the worst time for an old acquaintance of Elizabeth's to appear and dredge up her colorful past. Can she overcome it, or will she drown in her own darkness?
Elizabeth's Past Comes to Light
Fanon Cards:
Grade 1:
Dimensional Robo, Daijsutice
Grade 1, Power +7000
[Auto] (RC):[Counter blast (1)] When the vanguard successfully lands an attack on the opponent and the vanguard has "Dimensional Robo" in its name, then place this card in the soul and look at the top seven cards of the deck, and if a grade 3 unit is among them then superior call it to an open rear-guard circle. Generation Break 1: If the vanguard is grade 3 or higher when attacking, then this unit gains +4000 until the end of the turn.
Grade 3:
Super Dimensional Robo, Daifaclon
Power +11000
[Auto] (VC): Generation Break 2: At the beginning of the ride phase look at the top 5 cards of the deck, and then superior call a unit with "Dimensional Robo" in its name to the board and add Falcon's original power to it. When a G unit with "Dimensional Robo" in its name Stride, counter blast (1) then add +4000 to the vanguard for every face up "Dimensional Robo" on the board.
Supreme Robo Commander, Daichampion
Power +15000
[Auto] (VC): Generation Break 4: Counter blast (2), soul blast (1) and flip over a card with "Dimensional Robo" in the G zone. You can then call cards from the G zone for as many face up cards as there are in the G zone. Their abilities are cancelled and they have minus -2 drive, but gain the ability to attack from the back row. The vanguard loses all its drive checks, but for every G unit called the vanguard as many times in that one turn.