And as the fight progressed...
[Yato] - [Akio]
[Hand - 6] - [Hand - 9 (plus "Quick Shield")]
[Soul - 0] - [Soul - 0]
[Damage/CB - 2/0] - [Damage/CB - 1/0]
[Drop Zone - 3] - [Drop Zone - 5]
[FIELD]
[Mage of Eclipse Dragon [G1 - 8000]] [Eclipse Dragon, Sun Flare Dragon [G2 - 10000]] [R]
[R] [Eclipse Caller, Yuna [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[R] [Saga Knight, Wishing Star Dragon [G2 - 9000]] [R]
[R] [Saga Knight, Pengu Brave [G0 - 5000]] [R]
"My turn..!" Yato said, drawing, before holding up a card, as it vanished. "I discard a card! Then, Shine Forth!" He called out, as a black and white energy engulfed the field, before a pair of wings spread out. "The sun and moon dance as one! Ride!" he called out, as a dragon with armor and a blade came out, and let out a powerful roar. "Eclipse Dragon, Altair! Imaginary Gift: Force 2!" He added, tossing the marker onto his vanguard circle. "Then, I call two Eclipse Baby Dragons!" he said, as the tiny dragons with swords appeared in the back row. "Mage of Eclipse Dragon and Baby Dragon swap positions, and then boosts to attack your vanguard!" he called out.
[POWER - 12000]
"No guard!" Akio decided, checking his top card.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Saga Knight, Heaven Dragonarms [G2]]
"In that case, Altair..! Both Baby Dragon's effects!" Yato added, as they went into the soul. "I draw two cards, and give 20000 Power total to Altair!" He called out.
[POWER - 38000]
"Whoa..! No guard!" Akio said, as Yato revealed his top 2 cards.
[DRIVE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon, Altair [G3]]
[DRIVE CHECK - Moon Eclipse Dragon, Night [G1]]
At that, Altair slashed through the Wishing dragon, as Akio staggered back a bit while taking two damage.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Saga Knight, Zavir [G3]]
[DAMAGE CHECK - Saga Knight, Luminous Wisher Dragon [G3]]
"...I end my turn." Yato said.
[Yato] - [Akio]
[Hand - 8] - [Hand - 9 (plus "Quick Shield")]
[Soul - 3] - [Soul - 0]
[Damage/CB - 2/0] - [Damage/CB - 4/0]
[Drop Zone - 4] - [Drop Zone - 5]
[FIELD]
[R] [Eclipse Dragon, Altair [G3 - 13000] [Force 2 x1]] [R]
[Mage of Eclipse Dragon [G1 - 8000]] [Eclipse Caller, Yuna [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[R] [Saga Knight, Wishing Star Dragon [G2 - 9000]] [R]
[R] [Saga Knight, Pengu Brave [G0 - 5000]] [R]
"In that case..!" Akio said, drawing. "It's time to kick this fight into overdrive! I discard the Quick Shield Ticket! From the ride deck!" He called out, as a pillar of golden light engulfed the field. "Go beyond!" he called out, before holding his fist out, as a gust of wind started to blow around the battlefield, much to Yato's surprise. "Exceed! Excite! Overdrive!" he yelled out, as a dragon landed on the field, as well as a blonde haired golden knight riding atop it, wielding a single blade. "Spread your wings, and rush to victory! Ride! Saga Knight, Zavir! Imaginary Gift: Accel 2!" He added, tossing the card. "Then, with Luminous Wisher Dragon, I release the Generation Zone!" he called out, before Zavir leapt up into the air, as an angelic knight with blade wings flew down. "Generation Stride! Brave Saga Knight, Angel Gard!" He said. "Stride Skill! From my deck, I put Saga Knight, Dracomage on top!" He said, as the card moved into the shuffled deck.
That's all..? Yato thought with curiosity.
"I could also give a skill if I paid an additional cost, but...Not yet. Then, when Luminous Wisher Dragon is used to pay the stride cost, I put two Saga Knights from the drop zone on the bottom of my deck to call him!" Akio added, tossing the card. "Then, Saga Knight, Honest's effect from my hand!" he added, discarding him, as the top 3 cards appeared in front of him. "I'll put them back in that order!" he decided, as the cards returned. "Then, call! Saga Knight, Heaven Dragonarms! Then, Angel Gard's effect! I declare two Saga Knight names, and until end of turn, they're treated as the same name! I declare Saga Knight, Wishing Star Dragon and Saga Knight, Honest!" he declared, as Yato became more and more confused by the minute. "Now go, Heaven Dragonarms!" Akio called out, as the unit rushed in. "His effect when attacking! I declare Dracomage!" he called out, before the top card of his deck flipped over, revealing Dracomage. "Alright! Because I called it right, I superior call it, and give 10000 Power to itself and Dragonarms!" He declared.
"What..?" Yato asked.
"In addition, because I called the card revealed by my stride skill, my vanguard receives 15000 Power!" Akio cheered, as well, as the unit let out a battle cry, and engulfed in a golden aura. "Then! Dracomage's effect when placed from my deck! I declare Saga Knight, Honest, and check the top 3 cards of my deck for him!" He said, as his top 3 cards showed up. "I call Honest, and add 5000 Power to him!" He declared.
[POWER - 20000]
"I guard with Eclipse Baby Dragon..!" Yato said, holding out the card, as the barrier got in the way.
"Then with a boost from Pengu Brave, my Vanguard!" Akio declared, as the angel rushed in next. "Because one of the cards declared by Angel Gard was called this turn, he gets drive plus 1!" he added.
"No guard..!" Yato decided.
"Quadruple Drive!" Akio said, as his top 4 cards flew out one at a time.
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Sealed Guardian [G0 - Draw Trigger]]
"Draw Trigger! I give the power to Honest!" Akio declared.
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Luminous Wisher Dragon [G3]]
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Rune Blader [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
A critical Sentinel..! Yato realized.
"I give the critical to my vanguard, and the power to Honest!" Akio declared.
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Dracomage [G1]]
At that, the angel slashed through Altair, as Yato let out a yelp while taking two damage.
"Honest! With Dracomage's effect, all Saga Knights that were called from the deck get 3000 Power during my turn!" He declared.
"No guard..!" Yato said, looking at his hand, before Altair was struck again.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon Maiden [G0 - Heal Trigger]]
"Heal Trigger..! I give the power to Altair, and recover one damage!" Yato declared, holding his hand out as a card was healed.
"However, Luminous Wisher Dragon gets 5000 power for each time I've called from my deck this turn! So with a boost from Dracomage!" Akio declared.
[POWER - 40000]
"...No guard!" Yato decided again, taking a 5th damage.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon, Moon Glitter Dragon [G1]]
[Yato] - [Akio]
[Hand - 7] - [Hand - 13]
[Soul - 3] - [Soul - 0]
[Damage/CB - 5/0] - [Damage/CB - 4/2]
[G Zone - 0] - [G Zone - 2]
[Drop Zone - 6] - [Drop Zone - 5]
[FIELD]
[R] [Eclipse Dragon, Altair [G3 - 13000] [Force 2 x1]] [R]
[Mage of Eclipse Dragon [G1 - 8000]] [Eclipse Caller, Yuna [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[Saga Knight, Honest [G1 - 8000] [Saga Knight, Heaven Dragonarms [G2 - 10000]] [Saga Knight, Zavir [G3 - 12000]] [Saga Knight, Luminous Wisher Dragon [G2 - 12000]]
[R] [Saga Knight, Pengu Brave [G0 - 5000]] [Saga Knight, Dracomage [G1 - 8000]]
In one turn, he almost just completely wiped me out...I can't play into his pace! Yato thought, drawing. "I ride another Altair!" He decided, tossing the card, as a spirit double of Altair temporarily appeared. "Imaginary Gift: Force 2!" he said, tossing it on a front row circle. "Then, I release the generation zone!" he added, tossing Moon Knight Dragon into the drop zone. "Transcend! Into a force that will save the future! Generation Stride!" Yato called out, as Altair took on blue flames on their head, and a larger blade, as well as polished armor. "Eclipse Dragon of Force, Altair! Stride Skill!" he added, counterblasting. "Eclipse! From my deck, I take a grade 2 or 1 card, and call it!" He said, tossing a card. "Call! Eclipse Dragon, Night! Then, an Eclipse activates, depending on the grade of the card I called!"
"Eclipse..?" Akio asked.
"If I called a grade 2, Sun activates, and if I called a grade 1, Moon activates! Night is grade 1, the Moon effect activates! My vanguard receives either 20000 Power, or an additional Critical! I choose a critical! In addition, Night receives 5000 Power when called by an Eclipse effect!" Yato said, holding out a hand, as Altair engulfed in power. "Then, call! Eclipse Dragon, Lunar Flare Dragon! Altair's effect activates!" he added, counterblasting again and flipping another copy up. "For each face up Altair in my G zone, I call that many grade 2 or 1 cards, and an Eclipse activates depending on which one I called more of!"
"But you can only call one card..!" Akio realized.
"That's right, so I don't have to do much mental math." Yato declared, before holding out his hand. "Come! Eclipse Dragon, Sun Centaurdragon!" he called out, as the unit galloped onto the field. "The Sun effect, Altair receives an additional drive! Then, Yuna's Eclipse, when a card is placed by an Eclipse ability!" Yato added, moving her to the soul. "Because it was a Sun effect, I counter charge! Then, Centaurdragon's effect when placed by an Eclipse ability! I soul blast to send Dracomage to the drop zone!" He said, as Lunar Flare was also engulfing in energy, and a blast of flames burned the mage.
"What's up with him..?" Akio asked.
"Every time an Eclipse ability is activated this turn, Lunar Flare gets 5000 Power for each one, and when his power reaches 28000 or greater, he gains an additional critical." Yato explained.
"But there's the stride skill, your vanguard's effect, and Yuna's...That's 3!" Akio said.
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to make that four! Lunar Flare's Generation Break 2! Eclipse Sun!" Yato declared, counterblasting and soulblasting. "I superior call Eclipse Dragon Sun, Daybreak behind my vanguard, add 5000 Power, and because Altair is grade 4, Daybreak can attack from the back row!"
"An attack from the backrow..?!" Akio asked, surprised.
"Then, when Daybreak is placed by an eclipse ability, I return three normal units with Eclipse Dragon in their card names to the bottom of my deck, and counter charge, then Centaurdragon receives 10000 Power!" Yato added.
"Holy..! Yato's really moving!" Lilith said with a smile on her face.
"Of course, a fight really brings out his spirit." Felix told Lilith. "Then again...His opponent's just as fired up. It could go either way at this rate..." he observed.
"Go, Daybreak!" Yato called out, as the dragon slithered from behind, and let out a stream of flames.
[POWER - 15000]
"Guard!" Akio said, tossing a card.
[GUARD - Saga Knight, Wishing Star Dragon [G2 - 5000]]
[TOTAL - 17000]
"In that case, Lunar Flare Dragon!" Yato declared, as the dragon rushed in. "Because his power was 28000 or greater by the effect, add 1 Critical!"
"And he's already on the Force marker..." Akio commented.
[POWER - 41000] [CRITICAL - 3]
"Still, I won't stop!" Akio declared. "I release the Generation Zone!" He called out, tossing a heal trigger. "Generation Guard! Second Chance Liberator, Reia "Ascension"!"
"But you don't have the soul for her effect..! What are you up to?" Yato asked, surprised.
"Of course, I didn't say that was all." Akio said, before tossing a card.
[G GUARD - Second Chance Liberator, Reia "ASCENSION" [15000]]
[GUARD - Saga Knight, Wing Falcon [G0 - 15000]]
[TOTAL - 42000]
"Just enough!" Akio declared.
"In that case, Altair!" Yato called out, as the unit rushed in.
"Perfect Guard!" Akio said, tossing a card. "Saga Knight, Sealed Guardian!"
"In that case, Quadruple Drive!" Yato declared, revealing his top 4 cards.
[DRIVE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon, Fluffy Dragon [G0 - Stand Trigger]]
"Alright..! Stand Trigger!" Yato said with a smile. "I stand Lunar Flare, and give the power to Centaurdragon!"
[DRIVE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon, Moon Barrier Dragon [G0 - Draw Trigger]]
"Draw trigger! I draw one card, and give the power to Lunar Flare Dragon!" Yato declared, Akio's eyes slightly widening.
[DRIVE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon, Sun Flare Dragon [G2]]
[DRIVE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon, Moon Glitter Dragon [G1]]
"Go, Lunar Flare!" Yato declared.
[POWER - 43000] [Critical - 3]
"Heaven Dragonarms Intercepts! Then, I guard! Rune Blader!" Akio declared.
"So, another Complete Guard..." Yato said.
"Not quite! I use her Generation Break 2! When placed, I counterblast to send the top card of my deck to the drop zone, and if I send a Saga Knight, she gets 10000 Shield per grade of that card!" Akio declared with a grin.
"Is he seriously gambling against a 3 Critical attack..?" An audience member asked.
"That's insane! He'd have to send a grade 3 card to get another shield!" Another one said in shock.
"Fights...Are fun. No matter how bad the situation gets, no matter how far back I'm pushed...I'll always respond with everything I've got, even if it means taking a risk! So I'll show you, Yato Apollo...I'll show you how far that fighting spirit goes!" Akio declared, drawing a card with everything he's got, before slowly turning it over...and immediately tossing it into the drop zone. "The card I pulled...was Saga Knight, Luminous Wisher Dragon!" He said, as Yato's eyes slightly widened, as a large amount of shield engulfed Rune Blader.
[GUARD - Saga Knight, Rune Blader [G0 - 30000]]
[INTERCEPT - Saga Knight, Heaven Dragonarms [G2 - 5000]]
"...Centaurdragon!" Yato called out, as the dragons rushed forward.
"No guard!" Akio said, taking a 5th damage, himself.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Saga Knight, Shield Arms [G2 - 5000]]
"When Centaurdragon hits, I can soul charge! I don't use the additional effect!" Yato declared. "...My turn is over, and Altair's Generation Break 2!" Yato added, holding his hand out. "Because I've used 3 or more Eclipse effects this turn, I can either counter charge or soul charge! I choose to counter charge!"
[Yato] - [Akio]
[Hand - 10] - [Hand - 7]
[Soul - 3] - [Soul - 0]
[Damage/CB - 5/0] - [Damage/CB - 5/3]
[G Zone - 2] - [G Zone - 3]
[Drop Zone - 6] - [Drop Zone - 14]
[FIELD]
[Eclipse Dragon, Lunar Flare Dragon [G3 - 13000] [Force 2 x1]] [Eclipse Dragon, Altair [G3 - 13000] [Force 2 x1]] [Eclipse Dragon, Sun Centaurdragon [G2 - 10000]]
[Mage of Eclipse Dragon [G1 - 8000]] [Sun Eclipse Dragon, Daybreak [G2 - 10000]] [Moon Eclipse Dragon, Night [G1 - 8000]]
[Saga Knight, Honest [G1 - 8000] [R] [Saga Knight, Zavir [G3 - 12000]] [Saga Knight, Luminous Wisher Dragon [G2 - 12000]]
[R] [Saga Knight, Pengu Brave [G0 - 5000]] [R]
"Awesome...They're both awesome!" Lilith found herself cheering, as well.
"Heh...Can't argue with you there, Lilith." Felix agreed with a grin on his face.
"Looks like the crowd's getting pumped..." Akio said with a smile, looking around at the audiences practically waving their arms at the fight. "Then I'm gonna give it everything I've got, so regardless of outcome...We'll both be able to say we had a great fight!" he said, tossing a card. "Ride! One more Zavir! Imaginary Gift: Accel 2!" He declared, tossing the marker. "I discard another Luminous Wisher Dragon to pay the stride cost! Let's go!" he called out, as a pillar of light appeared. "The wings of hope soar, and will bring this fight to it's overdrive! Generation Stride!" he called out, as a dragon started to fly out of the pillar, letting out a cosmic howl. "Brave Saga Knight, Wishing Wing Dragon! Stride Skill! I put Dracomage on top of my deck, and discard a card to acquire another skill!" He said, tossing a card. "Then, Luminous Wisher Dragon's effect when used for stride cost! I put Saga Knights back on the bottom of my deck to call him!" He declared, as the dragon let out a roar. "Wishing Wing Dragon's effect, as well! When placed, I call the top card of my deck!" He said, tossing out Dracomage who was on top of his deck. "My vanguard gets 15000 Power, and my Luminous Wisher Dragons get 5000 Power!"
"Right, because that's one card called from the deck...But..." Yato started.
"That's right! Dracomage's effect! I declare Wishing Star Dragon!" Akio said, as his top 3 appeared. "...No targets, but that's what I wanted. Because I can soul charge if I don't call!" he declared. "Then, I call Saga Knight, Spectral Dragon! Dragonarms! Then, Pengu Brave's effect! I put him on top of the deck to counter charge! Let's go! Honest attacks your Vanguard!" Akio declared.
"Intercept..!" Yato said, as Centaurdragon got in the way.
"Dragonarms! I declare Pengu Brave!" Akio said, as he tossed the card behind his vanguard. "Add 10000 Power to Pengu and itself! My Luminous Wisher Dragons get 5000 more power!"
[POWER - 25000]
"Guard!" Yato said, holding out a card.
[GUARD - Eclipse Dragon, Fluffy Dragon [G0 - 15000]]
[TOTAL - 28000]
"Keep going, Luminous Wisher Dragon, with no boost!" Akio called out, as the unit rushed in.
[POWER - 22000]
"Guard..!" Yato said, tossing a Night onto the guardian circle.
[GUARD - Moon Eclipse Dragon, Night [G1 - 10000]]
[TOTAL - 23000]
"In that case, Wishing Wing Dragon! His effect activates! Generation Break 3!" Akio declared, dropping a card and counterblasting and soulblasting. "From the top 10 cards of my deck, I call three Saga Knights! Come, three Wishing Star Dragons!" He called out, as the dragons all appeared, roaring. "Add 5000 Power! I don't get an effect, because I didn't call three different grades, but I'm still gonna go for it!"
[POWER - 57000]
"Guard..!" Yato said, tossing cards.
[GUARD - Eclipse Dragon, Fluffy Dragon [G0 - 15000]]
[GUARD - Eclipse Dragon, Moon Glitter Dragon [G1 - 10000]]
[GUARD - Moon Eclipse Dragon, Night [G1 - 10000]]
[GUARD - Eclipse Dragon, Sun Flare Dragon [G2 - 5000]]
[GUARD - Eclipse Dragon, Sun Flare Dragon [G2 - 5000]]
[TOTAL - 58000]
"...It's my turn to take a chance." Yato said, with a smile.
"Interesting...If that's how we're settling it, then I accept that challenge!" Akio said with a grin.
"Is he out of his mind..?! If Akio gets even one trigger..!" Lilith started, before Felix put a hand on her shoulder, much to her confusion.
"Yato knew the risks when he tossed his cards...He doesn't have much other choice if he wants to survive this turn. One trigger would be enough to end the game either way, by the looks of it..." Felix told her.
"I...I see..." Lilith said, looking back at the screen.
"Triple Drive..!" Akio said, revealing the first card.
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Judgment Squire [G1]]
"Second Check..!" Akio said, tossing the next card.
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Spectral Dragon [G1]]
"No trigger just yet..." Yato said.
"Maybe not...but this last one...will determine this fight!" Akio declared, letting out a yell as he grabbed the last card with everything he had...and flipped it over, as Yato closed his eyes and smiled.
"...Looks like it's over, then." Yato said.
"Quite...but it was a great fight." Akio said with a grin. "Let's fight again sometime."
[DRIVE CHECK - Saga Knight, Divine Priestess [G0 - Heal Trigger]]
At that, the blast of light engulfed the entire dome...as Yato was on a knee, still smiling.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Eclipse Dragon Knight [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
"Oh my...It appears the winner of the first round's first fight...is Akio! But what a fight it was to set the mood for the rest of the event! Let's hear a loud round of applause for both fighters!" The announcer called out, as the audience was happily obliging.
"Yato Apollo...Akio Ryuji...both would make splendid additions, but we should wait to see the rest of the tournament. It seems Vita and Matt were right about their choices, though." A scientist said.
"Yes...Especially that dragon, Altair..." Vanir commented with intrigue.