"Attack the vanguard!"
"Damage check. No trigger."
"And there you have it folks!" Cecilia said in her mike. "With that win team Imperial Majesty is heading to the finals of block D!"
The crowd cheered for Imperial Majesty's win.
It's been over a week since team Crusade defeated team Zenith, and in that time each block in the preliminaries has come down to their final two teams. Meaning it's the beginning of the end of the American preliminaries.
And everyone is on the edge of their seats.
"It'd been a fiery two weeks here in the arena. These passionate young cardfighters have been clashing with all they have. It's inspiring to see so many young people pour their hearts into vanguard. Alas, all good things must come to an end." Cecilia said. "It's finally time for the quarter-finals to begin. The two remaining teams in each block are going to duke it out, and whichever team wins will move onto the semi-finals, and then it will be the grand finale. The qualifying match for the right to participate in the main tournament in Athens. I can't say for sure what's going to happen, but I can say this to all the cardfighters who've made it this far. Do your best and have no regrets. Now without further ado, it's time to introduce the two teams that will be duking it out to win A block. Both are rookie teams who are participating in their first official tournament for the first time ever. Team Victories and Team Crusade!"
The crowd cheered loudly in celebration.
As for the two teams. They were sitting next to each other in the stands, looking at each other without blinking. Burning passion in all six sets of eyes. For although they were friends with a common goal, it didn't mean any of them didn't want a passionate cardfight that would bring their souls alive.
"Which of these rookie teams will win, it's anybody's guess," Cecilia said. "However there is one thing I can tell you for sure. You do not want to miss these fights."
The crowd cheered louder than before after hearing this.
While again, the two teams just continued to look each other in the eye.
The fights having already started in each one of their minds.
Sitting in a circle on the floor Anthony, Elizabeth, and Eric all had thinking expressions on their faces.
They were in Anthony's room at his house.
Once the final match for the day ended Anthony suggested a strategy meeting to which the others agreed to. So they headed to his house.
Which actually turned into Eric and Elizabeth having dinner with Anthony's entire family.
His mom's idea, not his.
His mom also decided to show Elizabeth his baby pictures, which almost made him die of embarrassment.
Because of all this the strategy meeting had only just started, and considering how late it was getting they now only had about an hour to strategize before Elizabeth and Eric had to head home.
"So, how should we tackle team Crusade," Anthony asked no one in particular, using a finger to adjust his glasses. "Any ideas?"
"Nope." Elizabeth answered.
"Let's just do what we always do and pretty much wing it." Eric said.
Anthony gave them both a deadpan look because of their responses. "Really guys, really?"
"Well, I don't really think there's anything we can do." Eric said. "Honestly I think we're pretty even. So the only thing left to do is have the matches and whoever wins, wins." He honestly spoke.
"I hate to say it, but I agree with Eric," Elizabeth added.
"Ah, you agree with m-"
Elizabeth glared at Eric. "Don't push it."
"Fine,fine" Eric mused.
"Now as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I agree with Eric. We're all friends so that gives us a pretty good grasp of each other's fighting styles and habits. The thing the matches will come down to tomorrow is most likely who wants it more and nothing else." Elizabeth explained.
"I see." Anthony mused. "Well if you both think that then I won't argue. But if that's the case then why did you guys agree to the strategy meeting in the first place?"
"I wanted to see your room." Elizabeth said.
"I wanted a free meal. One where I didn't have to clean up afterwards like I do at my house." Eric said, putting a shameless smile on his face.
Anthony once again gave his friends a deadpan look because of their responses.
He seriously wondered why he even tried sometimes.
Entering the stadium the following day Anthony and the others looked refreshed and well rested.
All of them had gotten ample sleep the previous night, despite their nerves.
As soon as they entered the three of them started making their way towards the arena, only to cross paths with team Crusade, just as they were about to enter their corridor into the stadium.
"Hey guys," Sylvia said.
"Hey yourself," Anthony answered back.
Nothing else needed to be said. Everyone knew what was coming and knew what was at stake. So a friendly greeting was perfect for the situation.
At least until Elizabeth happened to look at Sebastian.
When she did she saw bags under his eyes and that his skin was paler than usual.
"Sebastian, why do you look like a ghost," Elizabeth asked, a wry smile on her face.
"It's like this." Lucian began.
Apparently Sylvia also had the idea to host a strategy meeting last night. So Sebastian and Lucian went over to her house to do just that.
Then when Sebastian went to use the bathroom he opened the door and came face to face with a tall 6'5 man with light brown shaggy hair and a full beard, looking at him with big dark brown eyes, and with red stains all over his hands and the clothes he was wearing.
Seeing this Sebastian promptly screamed at the top of his lungs and then fell to his knees in horror.
"And that's what happened," Lucian finished.
"Ah I see now. You ran into Mr. Kellens in the wrong situation," Anthony mused.
He knew the man Lucian described in his story. It was Robert Kellens, Sylvia's father.
"Yes, Sylvia explained to me who he was as soon as I calmed down." Sebastian said. "Still I was quite shocked, considering Sylvia's own height I never dreamed her father would be so tall."
"I have mom to thank for my height," Sylvia explained.
Her mother is only 5'3 after all.
"Anyway after that Mr. Kellens explained to me that he had just finished some painting and that's why his clothes were stained red." Sebastian said. "But even so, after seeing that the image sort of haunted my dreams last night and I barely got any sleep." He said
Sylvia showed an apologetic smile in Sebastian's direction, while everyone else had wry smiles on their faces.
Because they all knew they would feel the same way if they saw Sylvia's father like Sebastian had.
"However I don't want you to worry, I am still capable of giving my all in the match." Sebastian said.
"That's good to hear." Eric said.
"Yes." Anthony added. "Anyway let's all get a move on, we don't want to keep the crowd waiting."
So with that team Crusade started down their corridor and team Victories went to their end and did the same thing.
Ready to cardfight when they came out on the other side.
"All right everyone, are you ready to fight?!" Cecilia shouted into her mike.
"Yes!" The crowd roared. There was also a host of cheers mixed in as well.
"Right answer," Cecilia said. "So enough wasting time, let's get this show on the road. From the left, we have team Crusade!"
Team Crusade entered through the corridor on the left, the crowd cheering the entire time.
"And from the right we have team Victories!" Cecilia shouted.
The crowd continued to roar and cheer as team Victories entered from the right.
"Ok, now that both teams are here. Please send out your first fighters." Cecilia instructed.
In team Crusades' waiting area Sylvia looked at Lucian and Sebastian. "So, who wants to go first?"
Lucian stepped forward. "I will." He said. He then walked out to the fight table.
Team Victories watched as Lucian stepped up to the fighter board.
"So, who wants to kick things off," Anthony asked.
"I will." Elizabeth said, stepping forward.
Neither Anthony nor Eric objected, so Elizabeth walked out to her prospective fighter board.
The two of them then set up their boards and hands.
They also played rock, paper, scissors and Elizabeth won, meaning she has the first turn.
"Ok folks, it looks like your first two fighters are all set. So without further ado, it's time to begin!" Cecilia shouted.
Taking that as the signal Lucian and Elizabeth both shouted at the same time.
"Stand up. Vanguard!"
"Lingering Knight Revenger, Conrad!"
Lingering Knight Revenger, Conrad
Grade 0, Power +4000
"Beast Deity, White Tiger!"
Beast Deity, White Tiger
Grade 0, Power +5000
At that moment the motion figure system came to life, and the two units found themselves in a futuristic city belonging to the Star Gate Nation.
"I draw. Then I ride. Black-winged Swordbreaker."
Black-winged Swordbreaker
Grade 1, Power +6000
"Conrad moves back and I end my turn."
[Damage: Elizabeth (0) Lucian (0)]
"My turn then," Lucian said, a feral grin on his face. "I draw!"
[Turn 2: Hand; Elizabeth (5) Lucian (6)]
"Then I ride! Beast Deity, Horned Hulk!" Lucian exclaimed. He then slammed the card down on his vanguard circle.
Beast Deity, Horned Hulk
Grade 1, Power +7000
Elizabeth raised a brow at seeing Lucian be so aggressive. He was ordinarily a very relaxed person, but as she got to know him and from what she had heard from Anthony and the others she learned that as soon as he entered into a cardfight his personality became highly aggressive. She had seen it before in his previous matches during the preliminaries up till now. But now that she was seeing it face to face, she found it quite hard to believe he was a different moment just a few seconds ago.
'Well there's no use dwelling on it.' Elizabeth thought.
As long as she plays her vanguard things will be fine in her book.
"I will now call. Beast Deity, Cyber Wolf. Then with a boost from White Tiger, Horned Hulk will attack your vanguard."
(7000+5000=12000)
"That's a no guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"Cyber Wolf, tear her to shreds."
(7000)
"No guard again. Damage check. No trigger."
"I'll end my turn with that." Lucian spoke.
[Damage: Elizabeth (2) Lucian (0)]
"My turn. I draw." Elizabeth said.
[Turn 3: Hand; Elizabeth (5) Lucian (5)]
"I then ride. Revenger, Meteor Black Dragon."
Revenger, Meteor Black Dragon
Grade 2, Power +9000
"I also call. Revenger, Detonate Heat Dragon. Then with a boost from Conrad, Meteor attacks your vanguard."
(9000+4000=13000)
"No guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"Detonate will attack the vanguard next."
(9000)
"I will guard that one."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Elizabeth (2) Lucian (1)]
"Stand and draw." Lucian mused
[Turn 4: Hand; Elizabeth (4) Lucian (5)]
"Now I ride. Beast Deity, Eclair Dragon."
Beast Deity, Eclair Dragon
Grade 2, Power +9000
"Cyber Wolf moves back, I then call. Beast Deity, Hatred Chaos. Then with a boost from White Tiger, Eclair attacks your vanguard."
(9000+5000=14000)
"I guard that."
"Drive check. A critical trigger. All effects to Hatred Chaos. With a boost from Cyber Wolf, he'll attack. Also with his skill he gains another +3000 power"
(9000+7000+5000+3000=24000)
"No guard. Damage check. First check. No trigger. Second check. A heal trigger. Power to Meteor and I recover one damage."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Elizabeth (3) Lucian (1)]
"Stand and draw." Elizabeth said.
[Turn 5: Hand; Elizabeth (4) Lucian (4)]
"This battle is already incredibly intense." Cecilia spoke into her mike. "If not for that heal trigger just now, then Elizabeth would've been in real trouble. So let's see how she responds." She said.
"Like this." Elizabeth murmured. She then slammed a card down on her vanguard circle. "I Dragon, Raging Revenger Crom Cruach!"
Morterm Dragon, Raging Revenger Crom Cruach
Grade 3, Power +11000
"With a boost from Conrad, Mortem attacks your vanguard."
(11000+4000=15000)
"That's a no guard."
"Twin drive check. First check. A draw trigger. Power to Detonate and I draw one card. SEcond check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"Detonate, attack the vanguard."
(9000+5000=14000)
"That I will guard against."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Elizabeth (3) Lucian (2)]
"Stand and draw." Lucian murmured.
[Turn 6: Hand; Elizabeth (6) Lucian (4)]
'It's the sixth turn, and the damage count is 3 to 2. Ellie is in the lead.' Anthony thought, watching the match.
'But, this is where the real fight begins.' Sylvia thought, watching the match just as intensely.
The same thoughts were running through Elizabeth's and Lucian's heads in that moment as well.
"Time to kick things up," Lucian spoke. "Great serpent of the sky, descend upon this battlefield and lead your warriors to everlasting victory with your genius plans! I ride! Ultra Beast Deity, Sky Serpent Quetzalcoatl!"
Ultra Beast Deity, Sky Serpent Quetzalcoatl
Grade 3, Power +11000
"Liberating the generation zone. Generation Stride! Storm Master Beast Deity, Thunderbird!"
Storm Master Beast Deity, Thunderbird
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Stride skill!" Lucian shouted. He then counter blasted one card and discarded one card from his hand. "Select two rear-guards on the board, and both obtain the same skill. The units I select are Cyber Wolf and Hatred Chaos. I also activate the skill of Thunderbird." Lucian counter blasted one card and then flipped over a card in his G zone. "He obtains a skill. Now, with a boost from Cyber Wolf, Hatred will attack your vanguard and with his skill add another +3000 power!"
(9000+7000+3000=19000)
"No guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"Now the skill that Hatred and Wolf obtained from Thunderbird activates. They both stand, and they each gain an additional +3000 power. In addition to that the skill of Cyber Wolf now activates. When it stands due to an effect from another Nova Grappler unit, then it can add +4000 power to itself and other unit on the board. The unit I choose to gain that power is Thunderbird."
"And there it is folks. The speciality of Nova Grappler." Cecilia said into her mike. "They launch a relentless amount of attacks by standing back up again and again. I wonder, can Elizabeth survive such an onslaught?"
"It's not if I can, but I will." Elizabeth muttered, her determination only growing stronger as the seconds went by.
"With a boost from White Tiger, Thunderbird attacks your vanguard."
(26000+4000+5000=35000)
"Complete guard!"
"Triple drive! First check. Draw Trigger. Power to Hatred and I draw. Second check. No trigger. Final check. No trigger. Once more, with a boost from Cyber Wolf, Hatred will attack, and his skill will activate once more as well."
(9000+7000+4000+5000+3000=28000)
"No guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Elizabeth (5) Lucian (2)]
"Stand and draw." Elizabeth said.
[Turn 7: Hand; Elizabeth (5) Lucian (5)]
'Shit this isn't good.' Elizabeth thought. 'It's only his first stride and he's already pushed me this far. I need to even the score, right now.' She placed a card from her hand in the drop zone. "Liberating the generation zone. Generation stride! Dark Dragon, Carnivore Dragon!"
Dark Dragon, Carnivore Dragon
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Stride skill!" Elizabeth counter blasted one card. "Look at the top five cards of my deck, and then I can superior call any grade 1 or below units." Elizabeth looked at her top five cards. " I call. Black-wing Swordbreaker. And also Elusive Revenger, Elric. Skill of Black-winged Swordbreaker." Elizabeth soul blasted one card. "I draw one card. I then activate the skill of Carnivore Dragon." Elizabeth moved Swordbreaker to her drop zone." I retire one rear-guard unit, then my opponent must choose two rear-guards to retire from their board. If not, then my entire front row gains an additional +4000 power."
"I send Hatred Chaos and White Tiger to the drop zone." Lucian said.
"Ok then. I call. Dylan. I will then have Detonate attack your vanguard. And with his skill add another +2000 power."
(9000+2000=11000)
"That's a no guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"With a boost from Conrad, Carnivore attacks next."
(26000+4000=30000)
"Complete guard!"
"Triple drive! First check. No trigger. Second check. A heal trigger. Power to Dylan and I recover one damage. Second check. A critical trigger. All effects to Dylan. Then with a boost from Elric, Dylan attacks your vanguard. As well as Dylan's skill." Elizabeth counter blasted one card. "He gains another +5000 power since my vanguard is a "Revenger"."
(9000+5000+5000+5000+7000=31000)
"That's a no guard. Damage check. First check. No trigger. Second check, a heal trigger. I recover one damage."
"I end my turn. The skill of Detonate." Elizabeth counter blasted one card, then placed Detonate in the drop zone, before adding a card from her deck to her hand. "I add one "Abyss Dragon '' with limit break 4 to my hand."
[Damage: Elizabeth (4) Lucian (4)]
"Stand and draw." Lucian said.
[Turn 8: Hand; Elizabeth (9) Lucian (4)]
Picking up the top card of his deck Lucian showed Elizabeth a fierce smile. "It's at times like this why I love vanguard so much." He said. "Liberating the generation zone, generation stride! Ultra Beast Deity, Surging Storm Dragon!"
Ultra Beast Deity, Surging Storm Dragon
Grade 4, Power +15000
"I will forgo stride skill this turn since it would be useless. So instead I'll just call. Beast Deity, Hatred Chaos and Beast Deity, Beast Deity, Black Hound. Then with a boost from Wolf, Hatred will attack your vanguard, and with his skill add another +3000 power."
(9000+7000+3000=19000)
"Guard."
"Next up Black Hound will attack. Activating his skill." Lucian counter blasted one card. "I can select another rear-guard unit on the board and it gets to stand with an additional +5000 power. The unit I chose is Hatred Chaos."
(11000)
"No guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"Hatred Chaos, attack Dylan. And with his skill add another +3000 power."
(9000+5000+3000=17000)
"No guard." Elizabeth placed Dylan in the drop zone.
"Now it's Surging's time to attack."
(26000)
"Generation guard! Dark Dragon, Plotmaker Dragon!"
Dark Dragon, Plotmaker Dragon
Grade 4, Shield +15000
"Using his skill add +10000 to the shield!"
(15000+10000=25000)
"In addition, guard!" Elizabeth said. She then placed a grade 2 in the guardian circle.
"Triple drive. First check. No trigger. Second check. No trigger. Final check. A draw trigger. The power to Surging and I draw one card." Lucian said. "But I'm not done yet." He said. Lucian then counter blasted one card, discarded two cards from his hand, and flipped over a copy of Surging Storm Dragon in his G zone. "The skill of Surging Storm. When this unit is finished attacking, stand the same number of rear-guards as there are cards face up in the G zone. Since there are three I stand three." He explained. "The skill of Wolf. Since he stood add +4000 power to himself and to another unit on the board. The unit I chose is Surging Storm. Why you ask? Because, when three or more rear-guard units stand thanks to his skill he also stands, a drive minus -2."
"Oh and there is folks, Lucian Moss is truly showing us the fierce might of his Nova Grapplers!" Cecilia shouted into her mike, as the crowd cheered in concert.
"I'm not done." Lucian said. He then pointed a finger at Elizabeth's hand. "Surging Storms generation break 3. If the vanguard is able to stand, then during the next attack performed by this unit, the opponent cannot call grade one or below units to guard against the attack." He explained.
'Bring it on.' Elizabeth thought.
"Surging Storm, attack the vanguard."
(26000+4000+5000=35000)
"No guard." Elizabeth said. 'I don't have enough to block another round of three attacks, but if I can make it past the vanguard's attack then I'll be able to survive.'
'If she survives this attack then I'm sure she'll be able to block my other two attacks and then make it to her next turn.' Lucian thought.
'So, it all depends on whether a trigger is drawn/whether I draw the right trigger or not!' Elizabeth and Lucian thought at the same time.
Now it is finally the moment of truth.
"Drive check." Lucian said He then slowly turned over the card on top of his deck, revealing it to be a…."Critical trigger. All effects to Surging Storm!"
"I'm ready! Damage check. First check. No trigger. Second check...no trigger."
[Damage: Elizabeth (6) Lucian (4)]
"And there it is folks, the first matchup of the A block semifinal round is over, with team Crusade taking the lead!" Cecilia spoke into her mike.
Once Elizabeth and Lucian collected their decks Lucian's personality returned to how it was. They then walked over to their prospective waiting areas without saying anything to each other.
It is not the right time.
Once the entire match is concluded, that will be the right time to talk.
"Sorry, I lost." Elizabeth said, walking up to Eric and Anthony.
"Don't sweat it. I said you can put faith in us. And I meant it." Eric said. "Now watch me come out on top." He then walked over to the fight board.
"Looks like I won." Lucian said, coming up next to Sebastian and Sylvia. "But man, what a close call. If I didn't draw that trigger at that moment, I definitely would've lost." He mused.
"But you didn't and that's something to be proud of." Sylvia said.
"Yes." Sebastian agreed. "You did well Lucian, so please watch me take this home." He said confidently. He then stepped up to his team's own fight board.
He and Eric then set their boards and decks.
With Eric deciding to go second this time.
"Ok fans, here's match number 2! The master shinobi, Eric, is taking on the tamer of dinosaurs, Sebastian. We're about to see a red hot batte." Cecilia announced.
The crowd cheered, but Eric and Sebastian just went about their business. Then once everything was set they said unison.
"Stand up,Vanguard!"
Signaling the beginning of the second match.
A/N:
That's chapter 14 folks!
The end of the preliminary arc is coming, and after that the world tournament arc is going to begin. I hope you're ready for revelations and even more intense cardfights. Because I'm ready to write them.
Until next time.
Next Time: As the first semifinal match continues Team Victories is on the losing side with no wins to their name. So it's up to Eric to turn it around, against Sebastian, a cardfighter who has a burning passion for the game just as big as Eric's. How will their showdown unfold?
Team Crusade vs. Team Victories Part 2
Fanon Cards:
Grade 1:
Beast Deity, Cyber Wolf
Power +7000 Shield +5000
Skill: [Auto] (RC): When this unit stands due to the effect of a Nova Grappler unit, add +4000 to itself and another unit.
Grade 3:
Ultra Beast Deity, Sky Serpent Quetzalcoatl
Power +11000
Skill (VC): Generation Break 2: If an attack made by this unit succeeds, then [Stand] another rear-guard unit on the board, and add +5000. [Auto] (VC): [Counter blast 1 card and discard a card from the hand.] When a G unit Stride select two units on the board, and they get… When these units are finished attacking they [Stand] gaining +3000 each.
Beast Deity, Black Hound
Skill (RC): Generation Break 1: Counter blast (1) card with "Beast Deity" in the name, and then, when this unit attacks, select one other unit and stand it adding +5000 power to it.
Grade 4:
Storm Master Beast Deity, Thunderbird
Power +15000
Skill [Auto] (VC): [Counter blast (1) card with "Beast Deity" in its name and flip over a card in the G zone.] Then when an attack made by this unit successfully hits the opponents vanguard, you can restand one rear-guard unit, then your opponent must retire one of equal or lesser power than the unit's original power.
Ultra Beast Deity, Surging Storm Dragon
Power +15000
Skill; [Auto] (VC):[Counter blast (1) card and discard two cards from your hand, and turn over a copy of Surging Storm Dragon in the G zone.] At the end of the battle that this unit is finished attacking for every face up card in the G zone with "Beast Deity" in their stand one rear-guard unit on your board. If three or more units stand, then stand the vanguard, a drive minus -2. Generation Break 3: If the vanguard stands, then the opponent cannot guard against the next attack by this unit with any grade (1) or below cards.