"With that in mind, let's move on to our next fight!" The announcer said, as names started randomizing.
"Heh...It won't matter who I'm faced up with, the new system modifications'll do the trick." A gruff boy said to another younger boy, who seemed to nod at that...as Lilith happened to overhear them.
Wait modified..? Like, cheating? That's not good-! She thought, before the screen showed up, and the announcer spoke up.
"Duffy Harrington, versus Matt Azrael!" The announcer said.
"Alright, it's my time to shine!" The gruff boy said with a grin, going up to the elevator, as Matt was approaching with his hands in his jacket pockets, before Lilith grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Matt..! I heard them talking before..!" Lilith whispered to him, as Matt looked over. "Something about a modification..!"
"Oh? I see." Matt said, before casually moving Lilith's arm off of him. "It's nice that you worry, but don't...If they want to try and play these games...I'll play." He said, getting in the other elevator, as they shot up, as the dome seemed to change itself to an open field at night.
"So, you're my opponent? Then let's get this over with." Duffy commented.
"My thoughts exactly." Matt agreed.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" The two called out.
"Guiding Zombie!" Duffy called out.
"Midnight Maiden, Yami." Matt called out, as a girl with flowing black hair and a sword appeared.
"I discard one card, to ride Midnight Purge, Alin from the ride deck." Matt started, as a blue-haired dark knight appeared. "Alin's effect." he added, discarding a card. "My opponent puts a card from their hand into their soul, and we both draw one card." he declared.
"You know, Chairman...I've seen case files on just about every one of our recruits, but you've never told me why you scouted out Matt Azrael in specific..." A scientist asked.
"Because...Matt Azrael is a peculiar case, himself. With minimal family history, tracking him from the orphanage he was adopted from was only step one...No matter how much life seemed to throw at him, his destiny seemed to be rather unchanged. It's almost as if nothing could ever keep that boy down...Especially not with that talent for vanguard." Vanir commented. "Truly, he's an intriguing one..."
"Ride! Dandy Guy, Romario! I draw one card, and get the quick shield ticket!" Duffy declared, drawing. "Now, get him!" he called out, as Romario punched the knight in the stomach.
[DRIVE CHECK - Knight Spirit [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
"Ha! Critical Trigger!" Duffy added, as two cards flew into Matt's damage zone.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Midnight Abyss Dragon [G1]]
[DAMAGE CHECK - Midnight of Heaven [G0 - Draw Trigger]]
"...Draw trigger." Matt said, drawing. "Still, what a lucky timing for a trigger, huh?" He asked.
"Well, of course! Luck comes to the strong, after all!" Duffy said.
Oh, if only you were as good at fighting as you were at lying through your teeth. Matt thought with a smile on his face.
[Matt] - [Duffy]
[Hand - 5] - [Hand - 7 (plus "Quick Shield")]
[Soul - 0] - [Soul - 2]
[Damage/CB - 2/0] - [Damage/CB - 0/0]
[Drop Zone - 2] - [Drop Zone - 1]
[FIELD]
[R] [Midnight Purge, Alin [G1 - 8000]] [R]
[R] [Midnight Maiden, Yami [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[R] [Dandy Guy, Romario [G1 - 8000]] [R]
[R] [R] [R]
"Matt...If you know what's going on, why aren't you saying anything?" Lilith wondered to herself, frowning.
"Draw. I discard one card to ride Midnight Shadow Tamer from the ride deck." Matt declared, as the unit and his wolf familiar appeared. "They attack your vanguard." he added.
"No guard!" Duffy declared.
[DRIVE CHECK - Midnight Empress [G3]]
[DAMAGE CHECK - Gust Dijnn [G0 - Draw Trigger]]
"Looks like I got a draw trigger, too!" Duffy said, drawing.
"That's quite some good luck, huh?" Matt asked. "I end my turn."
[Matt] - [Duffy]
[Hand - 6] - [Hand - 8 (plus "Quick Shield")]
[Soul - 1] - [Soul - 2]
[Damage/CB - 2/0] - [Damage/CB - 1/0]
[Drop Zone - 2] - [Drop Zone - 1]
[FIELD]
[R] [Midnight Shadow Tamer [G2 - 9000]] [R]
[R] [Midnight Maiden, Yami [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[R] [Dandy Guy, Romario [G1 - 8000]] [R]
[R] [R] [R]
"Ride! Ruin Shade! Then, Romario's effect activates!" Duffy added, counterblasting and moving a card to the soul. "I drop the top three cards of my deck, and oh look, a Blueblood! and I put Gust Djinn into my hand!" he declared. "Then, call! another Blueblood! Another Romario! Blueblood attacks your vanguard!" They called out, as the unit rushed forward.
If Lilith's right, then the next card should be... Matt started, before tapping a card, and tossing it. "Guard!"
[POWER - 21000]
[GUARD - Midnight, Anomalic Blade [G0 - 15000]]
[TOTAL - 24000]
"Tch..! In that case, Ruin Shade! With their effect, I drop two normal units from the top of my deck, and get 4000 Power!" Duffy declared, as the unit rushed in.
"No guard." Matt decided.
[DRIVE CHECK - Knight Spirit [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
"Alright! Another critical!" Duffy cheered, as they slashed through the beast tamer.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Midnight Angel [G1]]
[DAMAGE CHECK - Midnight Devil [G0 - Heal Trigger]]
"...Heal Trigger. I recover one damage." Matt said, moving a card to the drop zone.
"Tch. Lucky you. I end my turn." Duffy commented, as Matt narrowed his eyes.
Knew it. This guy's almost as dishonest as the orphanages that post adoption rates. He thought to himself. Looks like his modification rigged his deck to try and predict my fight.
[Matt] - [Duffy]
[Hand - 5] - [Hand - 7 (plus "Quick Shield")]
[Soul - 1] - [Soul - 4]
[Damage/CB - 3/0] - [Damage/CB - 1/1]
[Drop Zone - 4] - [Drop Zone - 6]
[FIELD]
[R] [Midnight Shadow Tamer [G2 - 9000]] [R]
[R] [Midnight Maiden, Yami [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[R] [Ruin Shade [G2 - 9000]] [Commodore Blueblood [G2 - 9000]]
[R] [R] [Dandy Guy, Romario [G1 - 8000]]
"You know, it's bad taste to cheat in a game. Especially at such a high profile event." Matt said, holding out a card.
"Wha- Cheating? You're throwing some pretty big accusations without proof!" Duffy said.
"Oh, I know...I just want to let you know that cheating won't change the outcome, and cheaters never prosper." Matt said, as the card burned up in his hand, as dark purple flames suddenly engulfed half his body, as he held his arms out and smiled.
"What the hell..?" Duffy started.
"Angel of darkness, beyond your lost wings, a midnight requiem has come!" Matt called out, as Shadow Tamer leapt up into the air, before flashing in light, and changing into another person, who landed on the ground, and let his flowing silver hair out, and stood up straight again. "Midnight Mage...Taboo "Mirror"! Imaginary Gift: Protect 1!" He added, putting the card in his hand.
"Whoa...I know I've never seen Dark Irregulars units like those before, but is that one...also Angel Feather?" Yato asked, as Felix nodded.
"I see you noticed too, bud." Felix commented. "That Matt guy's...definitely an odd one."
"But guys..! That Duffy guy's cheating, I know he is! He was talking to a friend about a "modification!"" Lilith told them, as they both look slightly surprised.
"Really..? Did you tell Matt?" Yato asked.
"Yeah, but he still insisted on going..." Lilith answered.
"Wait, so he knows they're cheating, and still went up to fight?" Felix asked, confused.
"U-Um...It'll be okay..!" Aoi spoke up, as Felix flinched.
"Holy CHRISTMAS-! Oh, hey Aoi, uh...didn't see you there." Felix commented, as Aoi flinched at his reaction.
"I-I'm sorry! I should've spoken up sooner..! But, um...I've known Matt as a coworker, and...um...A cheater isn't going to get the best of him..." She said. "Please, just keep watching..."
"Well...If you say so, I'll trust you on that." Felix told her.
"I call Midnight Succubus, and she attacks Blueblood." Matt declared, as the unit rushed forward, blasting the unit to smithereens. "Then, with a boost from Yami, Taboo "Mirror" attacks your Vanguard." he said, pointing forward, as the unit jumped up into the air, and let out a blast of darkness.
"No guard..!" Duffy declared.
[DRIVE CHECK - Midnight of Heaven [G0 - Draw Trigger]]
"Draw Trigger." Matt started, as he drew. "I give the power to Succubus." He said.
[DRIVE CHECK - Midnight, Anomalic Blade [G0 - Stand Trigger]]
"Stand Trigger." Matt added, as Duffy's eyes slightly widened. "I give the power to Succubus, and stand her." he declared, as the blast exploded on Ruin Shade.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Mortal Mimic [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
"Critical Trigger..! I give the power to my vanguard!" Duffy said. "Still, to think he'd get two..!" he commented, mostly to himself.
"What's wrong? A damage trigger isn't the worst thing, unless you were banking on just one." Matt said, pointing a finger gun, as Succubus rushed in again, and slashed at Ruin Shade.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Mortal Mimic [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
"Oh? Another one?" Matt commented. "Seems like you're always going to get damage triggers." He remarked.
"Tch..! Is that the end of your turn or not?!" Duffy demanded.
"Yeah, yeah." Matt said, shrugging. "Geez, Mr. Cheaty's so impatient."
"I am NOT cheating!" Duffy said.
"Yeah, yeah, and next you're gonna say you'd never throw someone's prize card pieces into the ocean or stack someone else's deck. Just take your turn already." Matt commented.
[Matt] - [Duffy]
[Hand - 7 (plus "Protect 1 x1")] - [Hand - 7 (plus "Quick Shield")]
[Soul - 2] - [Soul - 4]
[Damage/CB - 3/0] - [Damage/CB - 3/1]
[Drop Zone - 5] - [Drop Zone - 7]
[FIELD]
[Midnight Succubus [G2 - 9000]] [Midnight Mage, Taboo "Mirror" [G3 - 12000]] [R]
[R] [Midnight Maiden, Yami [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[R] [Ruin Shade [G2 - 9000]] [R]
[R] [R] [Dandy Guy, Romario [G1 - 8000]]
"Tch..! Shut up! I'll finish things here and now!" Duffy said.
"Oh, by all means, please try." Matt said, with a smile.
"I didn't say I would try, I said I WOULD!" Duffy yelled, tossing a card. "Ride! Master Swordsman, Nightstorm! Protect 1! Then, by dropping the top 2 cards of my deck, he gets 5000 Power! I call another one, and use the same effect!" he added, dropping two more normal units, as Matt narrowed his eyes.
"Come now, two attackers is really enough to finish me?" Matt taunted.
"I'll...I'LL SHOW YOU!" Duffy said, clearly angrily, before tossing cards. "CALL! Ruin Shade! Two Knight Spirits!" He said, filling his board. "Ruin Shade! With her effect, I drop two cards from my deck!" he said, dropping 2 more normal units. "Add 4000 Power!"
[POWER - 18000]
"No guard." Matt said, as the impact slashed at Taboo.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Midnight Empress [G3]]
"The rear guard nightstorm! With its effect, I draw one card!" Duffy added, drawing and looking at what he got.
"Once more, no guard." Matt declared with a smile.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Midnight Fairy [G1]]
"Have you lost your mind?! If you think you know what's going on, my vanguard's attack can easily finish you!" Duffy said, as the other Nightmist rushed forward. "And with its effect, I draw one card!" He added, as the unit readied their blade, as Matt held out two cards.
"I release the Generation Zone." Matt declared. "Generation Guard! Two pairs of Midnight Guardians!" He said, as the two units got in the way.
[POWER - 22000]
[G GUARD - Midnight Guardian [15000]]
[G GUARD - Midnight Guardian [15000]]
[TOTAL - 42000]
"But Matt, he's cheating..! There's no way he won't get two triggers..!" Lilith tried to call out to the screen.
"Lilith, he can't hear you..." Yato started.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Duffy asked. "Or are you just admitting defeat here and now?!" He asked.
"No...because your pride caused your downfall. You just drew the two triggers you stacked." Matt said with a grin. "Since you were planning to attack with the Vanguard first until I got you all bothered, and then draw a card with the other Nightsword." he declared, pointing at Duffy, as he flinched.
"O-Oh yeah, well we'll see about that!" Duffy said, checking his top two cards.
[DRIVE CHECK - Ruin Shade [G2]]
[DRIVE CHECK - Parliament Shade [G3]]
At that, he immediately flinched.
"Oh? Looks like I was right." Matt said with a smug grin.
"Shut up..! I end my turn, I've still got plenty of shield in my hand, and a complete guard, yknow!" Duffy reminded.
"Oh, I know. But it's not going to be enough." Matt declared.
[Matt] - [Duffy]
[Hand - 4 (plus "Protect 1 x1")] - [Hand - 8 (plus "Protect 1 x1"]
[Soul - 2] - [Soul - 5]
[Damage/CB - 5/0] - [Damage/CB - 3/3]
[Drop Zone - 8] - [Drop Zone - 13]
[FIELD]
[Midnight Succubus [G2 - 9000]] [Midnight Mage, Taboo "Mirror" [G3 - 12000]] [R]
[R] [Midnight Maiden, Yami [G0 - 5000]] [R]
[Ruin Shade [G2 - 9000]] [Master Swordsman, Nightstorm [G3 - 12000]] [Master Swordsman, Nightstorm [G3 - 12000]]
[Knight Spirit [G0 - 5000]] [Knight Spirit [G0 - 5000]] [Dandy Guy, Romario [G1 - 8000]]
"My turn!" Matt declared, drawing, before holding his hands out. "Ladies and gentlemen, I will be sure to send our cheating fellow into the depths where he belongs...but I will not stoop to his level. I will show you what a true vanguard fight can lead to!" He declared, before pointing to Duffy with a grin. "Say it with me, my friends in the audience..." he started, as the audience was cheering louder and louder, before calling out with him. "Final Turn!"
"The seats are never empty with Matt involved, are they?" A scientist asked, as Vanir shook his head.
"No, but that's what people like about him. He's not afraid to put on the mask of a performer when necessary...And for when dealing with people that should normally infuriate others." Vanir told them.
"I release the Generation Zone!" Matt called out, tossing the card. "Generation Stride!" he called out, as a nun with angelic wings took the field. "Midnight Witch, Vengeance Healer! Stride Skill!" He declared, as the top 5 cards of Duffy's deck showed up, revealing mostly heal triggers, but a normal unit. "Put Blueblood into your soul." He told them, as the card was moved, and the deck was shuffled, much to Duffy's shock. 'Then, my vanguard acquires a skill. Then, because Empress was discarded as the cost for stride, I can call her, and both of us soul charge!" He added, as the empress showed up, looking rather annoyed. "Yami's effect, as well." He added, resting her. "I put a card from my opponent's drop zone into their soul, then my opponent soul blasts." He said, as a card entered, before leaving the soul, as Empress stood up from their throne, and engulfed in a dark aura.
"What the..?" Duffy asked.
"When my opponent soul blasts, Empress receives 5000 Power." Matt explained. "In addition, because my opponent has soulblasted this turn, Midnight is active." He added. "Then, Vengeance Healer's effect." He added, counterblasting and turning another copy of it face up. "Drive plus 1. Then, both of us put a card from our damage zone into our soul, and then put a card from our soul into the damage zone face up." he said, as the cards vanished, and Matt grinned at the choice. "If my opponent put a normal unit into their damage zone...All of my front row units receive 5000 Power until the end of the turn." Matt declared.
"What..?!" Duffy asked, shocked.
"Battle. At the beginning of it, Midnight Succubus' effect activates. My opponent puts a card into their soul, and soulblasts, meaning Midnight Empress receives 5000 more power." Matt declared.
"No...No...!" Duffy started.
"You brought this on yourself. Was it worth buying a ticket to an event you're about to get publicly outed on?" Matt asked, pointing forward, as a unit rushed in, got blocked out, before Vengeance Healer rushed in, much to their surprise.
"You knew..?" Duffy asked.
"Not at first...But a rather nice girl who heard you babbling like an idiot enlightened me." Matt admitted. "And I don't take too kindly to cheaters." he said, before turning his back to them, as a dark explosive went off from the attack...as Duffy was laying on the ground in shock, as Matt walked back to the elevator.
"Oh my..! The winner of this round is Matt Azrael!" The announcer cheered, as the audience seemed just as keen on cheering.
"Whoa...He won..." Lilith commented.
"Yeah...Sounds like Aoi was right about him." Felix commented.