This chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter. Read the previous chapter before reading this one to understand the context.
"Round 2 goes to Harumi!" the Fukuhara advisor shouts, pointing his hand toward Tokoha, who jumps for joy, while the audience cheers for their school.
"Yes! I did it!" she exclaims, followed by Kumi and Luna running up to hug her and congratulate her.
Meanwhile, Alice walks back to the Fukuhara bench, to which Kyouya looks at her sterned and says, "You had enough to guard in your hand. Why did you throw the fight?"
"I thought it'd be more interesting." Alice tells him, "Besides, I was kind of getting bored anyway, and I wanted out of there."
"Yes, but because of you, we could have had a secure win! Now we need to win this last round in order to maintain our status."
"Don't worry Kyouya," Am says as she stands up from the bench, "I'll do it."
"Are you sure Am?" Kyouya asks, to which she nods. Kyouya huffs and says, "Alright. Don't fail us."
"I'll do my best." Am tells him as she walks up to the fight table. Meanwhile, Aki just continues to suck on his lollipop.
After the girls of Harumi return to their bench, Shion stands up and says, "Alright, guess it's my turn." And then walks up to the fight table.
"It's time for the final round." The advisor states, "Representing Harumi Academy is Shion Kiba, and representing Fukuhara is Am Chouno."
"I gotta say, it's a rare chance to be able to fight an idol." Shion says to Am.
"I could say the same for getting to fight the heir to the Kiba family." Am tells him, making Shion raise his eyebrow.
"How did you know I was the heir?" he asks.
Am shrugs and tells him, "Your surname kinda gave it away."
Shion chuckles and replies, "Huh, fair enough. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be!" the two of them place their hands on their starters and declare in unison… "Stand up… VANGUARD!"
Opening Theme – STORY (Luck & Logic OP)
TURN 11 – The Vampire Princess of Nightfog
On a rickety old pirate ship in the middle of a dark ocean, two figures emerge.
"Shining Knight, Millius (G0/6000)!" Shion declares.
"Undying Departed, Grenache (G0/6000)!" Am declares, "Your team won the last round, so I go first. Ride! Tommy the Ghostie Brothers (G1/8000)!" Grenache vanishes, revealing Am's spirit as two little green ghosts with pirate hats appear around her, "Using their skill, I look at the top five cards of my deck and add a grade 3 to my hand." Am holds up the grade 3 she puts into her hand, then discards one card.
"My turn." Shion exclaims, "Ride! Lunar Crescent Knight, Felax (G1/8000)! I attack the Vanguard!"
"No guard." Am declares.
"Drive check (Critical). Critical Trigger. All effects to Felax (8000-18000/Crit 1-2)." Felax swings its jagged blade, causing the Ghostie Brothers to flutter around dizzily. (Am: [][])
"Ride!" Am declares, "Pirate Swordsman Colombard (G2/9000)!" When the new unit appears, even though it is shirtless, a black piece of cloth covers its chest as it becomes Am's body. "I activate Colombard's skill ([X][])! With it, I can put any card I want from my deck into the drop zone, then I can call a card from my drop zone. I send Skeleton Sea Navigator to my drop zone and then immediately call him (G1/7000)! Next I call Greed Shade (G2/9000) and Ripple Banshee (G1/6000)! With Greed Shade's skill, I discard one card, then I can put the top two cards of my deck into the drop zone (DZ: 1-2-4). Then I can return a card from my drop zone to my hand."
"She's sending her own cards to the drop zone?" Chrono asks.
"Yeah, that's the specialty of Granblue." Tokoha explains, "It can easily fill up the drop zone with cards, and then call them back whenever it wants to."
"It's kind of like my Pale Moon deck." Luna states, "Both of our clans can regularly call cards from places other clans usually don't."
Meanwhile, the fight continues, "I activate Skeleton Sea Navigator's skill! I rest him and Ripple Banshee, to send the top 5 cards of my deck to the drop zone (DZ: 3-8). "Now I'll have Colombard attack the Vanguard!"
"No guard." The ghost pirate slashes through Felax, causing a massive gash on his chest (Shion: []).
"Now Greed Shade attacks!"
"I guard with my Quick Shield (8000-13000)!" Shion declares, as a green shield appears in front of Felax, which stops the attack. Shion then begins his turn, "Ride! Absolute Blade Knight, Livarot (G2/10000)! Using his skill ([X]), I superior call "Starlight Violinist from my deck (G2/10000). Next, I call Laural Knight, Sicilus (G1/8000-13000), and Counteroffensive Knight, Suleiman (G2/10000)! Using Sicilus's skill, I can look at the top five cards of my deck and add a grade 3 to my hand. With his skill, Starlight Violinist boosts, and Livarot attacks the Vanguard (10000-20000)!"
"I guard (SLD 15000)!" Am calls her banshee unit to block Livarot's attack, however…
"Boosted by Sicilus, Suleiman attacks your Vanguard (10000-23000)!" Suleiman slips past the banshee's defense and strikes Am directly.
"Damage check (Heal). Heal Trigger (Am: [][])!" Am then begins her turn, "Stand and draw. I ride!" A mist then rolls over the ship, and through it, Shion can see Am slouched on a red velvet throne on the top of the ship, dressed in blue colonial-inspired pirate attire, while brandishing a bone sword with a glowing green blade. Am then leaps up off her throne and lands on the field as she declares her Vanguard's name, "Vampire Princess of Night Fog, Nightrose (G3/12000)!"
Shion narrows his eyes, ready for what Am has in store for him.
"Imaginary Gift: Protect 2! Next, I use Skeleton Navigator's skill again, to rest him and Ripple Banshee. Send the top five cards of my deck to the drop zone (DZ 9-14). Next I use the skill of Witch Doctor of Powdered Bone Negrobone in my drop zone! By discarding one card and putting him on bottom of my deck, I can call a grade 1 card from my drop zone, but if I have ten or more cards in my drop zone, I can call any grade instead."
"So she can call anything she wants." Kazuma states.
"I call Dragon Undead, Skull Dragon (G3/12000-17000)." A massive boney dragon appears, cloaked in a dark purple mist, "And with his skill, he gains 2000 power for each card in my drop zone."
"Two thousand for each card?!" Kazuma exclaims.
"Hang in there Shion…" Kumi says. Meanwhile, the skeletal dragon raises its sword as the mist around it grows more intense (17000-45000).
"I call Witch Doctor of Powdered Bone Negrobone (G1/8000)
Am's Board State
(G3/45000) (G3/12000) (G2/9000)
(G1/8000) (G1/7000) (G1/6000)
"Greed Shade attacks your Vanguard!" Am declares.
"But it doesn't have enough power…" Taiyou states, "so why…?"
"I use Nightrose's skill! I can add 5000 power to my rear-guard when it attacks (9000-14000)!"
Shion looks at his hand and declares, "No guard." (Shion: [X][])
"Then at the end of the battle, I retire the rear-guard that attacked. Next, I Negrobone boost Skull Dragon and attack! With Nightrose's skill, add 5000 power to both units." Nightrose points her sword at both units, as a green aura appears around them, raising their power (8000-13000) (47000-52000-65000).
Shion takes a card from his hand and declares "Complete Guard!"
"I retire Negrobone and Skull Dragon, "Nightrose attacks your Vanguard, and I activate her skill ([X][])! With it, I can call two cards from my drop zone to the same column. I call Greed Shade (G2/9000) and Stormride Ghost Ship (G2/9000-14000), with Greed Shade's skill, I can discard one card, and put any card from my drop zone into my hand." The card Am chooses to add is a unit with a 0 shield. Nightrose then leaps into the air, preparing to perform a diving slash on Shion's Vanguard.
Seeing this, Shion tries to formulate a strategy in his mind. "Suleiman intercepts and I guard (SLD 20000)."
"Twin Drive! First check (none). Second check (Draw(Sentinel)). Draw Trigger! I add 10000 power to Stormride (14000-24000) and draw a card. Stormride Ghost Ship attacks your Vanguard, with his skill, add 15000 power (24000-39000), and with Nightrose's skill, add another 5000 power (39000-44000)!"
"No guard." Shion declares as the Ghost Ship steamrolls his Vanguard (Shion: [X][][]).
"At the end of the battle, Stormride is retired due to his skill, and I draw a card." Am smiles and declares, "I end my turn."
"Wow, she's good." Tokoha says, "Not only did she lay into Shion, but she also replenished her hand and got a Complete Guard out of it."
"Yeah…" Luna mutters, sounding upset.
"What's wrong Luna?" Kumi asks.
"It's just… I don't know who I want to win his fight." She says, "Shion's a member of my club, but Am is my friend. I always thought she was really talented, as both an idol and as a Vanguard fighter, and I look up to her, so I don't want to see her lose, but Shion is fighting for our club's reputation. So… I don't know who to root for." Tokoha looks at Luna with disheartened eyes before looking back up to the fight.
"Luna was right." Shion says, "You are strong."
Am giggles and says, "Luna gives me too much credit, really, I'm not as good as she thinks I am. When it comes to Vanguard, I'm just an average girl who likes playing the game. Although, it does push me to be a better idol, so I can make people smile, and show them how fun Vanguard can be."
"Am…" Luna mutters, inspired by her speech.
"Vanguard is a game full of endless possibilities. I want to experience those possibilities with everyone I meet! That's why I became an idol."
Shion smiles at her and replies, "You seem like you've thought everything through."
"Yeah." Am says with a nod.
"I also have a goal in mind." Shion adds, "To become the next head of the Kiba family, so I will fight my hardest to make that dream a reality!" Shion then begins his turn by riding his signature unit, "Ride!" A light surrounds Shion, and once it fades, he is clad in white and blue armor, carrying a sword and shield. He raises his sword to the sky and shouts his name, "Blue Sky Knight, Altmile (G3/13000)! Imaginary Gift: Force 2 (13000/Crit 1-2)! I activate Altmile's skill ([X][X][])! I can put two grade 2 cards from my deck into my hand. Next, I call Livarot (G2/10000) and Suleiman (G2/10000)! Using Livarot's skill ([X][X][X])! I call Hopesong Angel (G2/10000) from my deck, and Blue Sky Knight Altmile from my hand (G3/13000)! With the skill of my Altmiles, add 15000 power to both of them if I have no face up cards in my damage zone (13000-28000) (13000-28000)!"
Shion's Board State
(G2/10000) (G3/28000/Crit 2) (G3/28000)
(G2/10000) (G2/10000) (G2/10000)
"Go my valiant knights! Boosted by Hopesong, Livarot attacks!"
"I don't guard." Am declares (Am: [X][][]).
"Boosted by Startlight Violinist, Altmile attacks your Vanguard (28000-38000/Crit 2)!
"Complete Guard!"
"Twin Drive (none/Critical)! Critical Trigger! I give all effects to my other Altmile (28000-38000/Crit 1-2). Now Suleiman, Altmile, attack Nightrose!" Altmile and Nightrose clash swords before Altmile gets the upper hand and slashes Nightrose's stomach, causing her clothes to tear a slight bit, revealing her midriff (Am: [X][][][][]). "I end my turn." Shion then thinks to himself, "She had another Complete Guard in her hand from her last drive check…" and thinks back to the draw trigger she got on the last turn, "if she had used that, she could have avoided getting to five damage. Unless maybe she wants to conserve the cards in her hand."
"It's my turn, stand and draw." Am smiles and says, "I'll show you how far I've come Kiba! I'll show you my true power! I ride once again, Nightrose (G3/12000)! Imaginary Gift: Protect 2! I use Negrobone's skill in the drop zone to I call Pirate Swordsman Colombard from the drop zone (G2/9000)! With his skill ([X][X][][][]), I can send any card from my deck to the drop zone, then call any card from my drop zone, I call Ripple Banshee, and with her skill (Soul 4-3), draw a card and add 4000 power (G1/6000-10000). Ripple Banshee and Greed Shade exchange places. I then use the skill of another Negrobone in my drop zone to call Tommy the Ghostie Brothers from my drop zone (G1/8000-13000)."
Am's Board State
(G2/14000) (G3/12000) (G2/14000)
(G1/10000) (G1/7000) (G1/8000)
"Boosted by the Ghostie brothers, Colombard attacks your Vanguard! With Nightrose's skill, add 5000 power to both of them (14000-19000-37000)!
"Suleiman and Hopesong intercept from the back row, also I guard (SLD 25000)!"
"I retire Colombard and the Ghostie Brothers, then I'll have Ripple Banshee boost Greed Shade and attack (14000-24000) and with Greed Shade's skill, if I have ten or more cards in my drop zone, add 5000 power, plus another 10000 from Nightrose's skill to both him and Ripple Banshee (24000-39000)!"
"No guard." (Shion: [X][X][X][])
"Ripple Banshee and Greed Shade are retired. Skeleton Navigator boosts Nightrose and attacks! Add 5000 power to Navigator (12000-24000)! Then I use Nightrose's other skill ([X][X][X][][])! I call Skull Dragon (G3/12000-17000) and Ripple Banshee (G1/6000) from my drop zone! With Banshee's skill (Soul 3-2), I draw a card and add 4000 power (6000-10000)!"
Shion is unsure of what to do. "I could guard Nightrose's attack with Livarot and the Sicilus in my hand…" he thinks to himself, "but then I'd have to take Skull Dragon's attack. If she draws a trigger, That's it. I'll just have to take a chance!" He clinches his fist and declares, "Livarot intercepts, and I guard with Sicilus (SLD 15000)!"
"Twin Drive! First check (none)." The whole area is tense, as Am prepares to draw her second card, "Second check… (none)." Am sighs in annoyance as the attack is blocked. "Navigator is retired. Now, boosted by Ripple Banshee (10000-15000), Skull Dragon attacks, and with his skill, add 2000 power for each card in my drop zone, which is currently 21 (17000-32000-37000-79000)!"
"No guard." Shion declares as the Skeletal Dragon slices through Altmile, making Shion scream in pain (Shion: [X][X][X][][]).
"Skull Dragon and Ripple Banshee are retired, and I end my turn."
"Stand and draw." Shion declares, "Your strong Am. I have to say, this fight has been pretty fun."
Am smiles back and says, "Yeah, I agree. However, only one of us can walk away the winner!"
"Indeed." Shion holds up a card and declares, "Generation Ride! Aerial Divine Knight, Altmile (G3/13000/Crit 2)! Imaginary Gift: Force 2! I use Aerial Divine Knight Altmile's skill ([X][X][X][X][]) (Soul 4-3)! I can call one grade 2 unit from my deck and drop zone respectively. I call Livarot and Suleiman (G2/10000) (G2/10000)! With Livarot's skill ([X][X][X][X][X]), I call Starlight Violinist (G2/10000)! Next, with Aerial Divine Knight Altmile's skill, if I have no face up cards in my damage zone, add 10000 power to all of my grade 2 units and if I have an Altmile card in the soul, add 1 critical to them as well!"
Shion's Board State
(G2/20000/Crit 2) (G3/13000/Crit 2) (G3/28000/Crit 2)
(G2/20000/Crit 2) (G2/20000/Crit 2) (G2/20000/Crit 2)
"Let's battle! Aerial Divine Knight Altmile attack (13000-33000/Crit 2)!" Altmile dashes at Nightrose who braces for the attack. Altmile throws one of his swords and strikes the pirate's blade with the other. The two of them, Shion and Am, grin at each other as they lock blades together. However, Am looks behind her to see the sword Altmile threw spinning around before coming down to stab her through the back, making her scream in pain, thus, ending the fight. (Am: [X][X][X][][][])
The Fukuhara advisor, while annoyed, announces the winner, saying, "Round 3 goes to Harumi Academy. They are the victors!"
Everyone in the Vanguard club smiles and cheers for Shion's victory. Tokoha and Kumi hug each other, while Kazuma and Taiyou high-five each other, and Luna just smiles at Am. Even though she lost, she doesn't see her as any weaker than she did before.
Later, both clubs stand facing each other as they did when they first met as Tokoha and Kyouya walk toward the center. The blonde boy extends his arm and says, "It pains me to say it, but you guys were the clear victors in his competition. I do hope we will be able to fight again someday."
"Yeah, me too." Tokoha says, taking Kyouya's hand and shaking it, as everyone else claps and applauds.
As the Fukuhara students are getting into their car, Am stops when she hears Luna shout, "Am wait!" she turns around to see Luna running up to her. She blushes a little as she tries to get the words to leave her mouth, but she musters up the courage and asks, "N-Next time we meet, at our next idol event… I… I want to have a cardfight with you!" the determination in her voice is enough to make Am smile.
"Of course, Luna." She says, "I'll fight you whenever you want!"
"You mean it?" Luna asks and Am nods in response. The pink-haired girl's eyes then light up with absolute joy as she gives her fellow idol a great big bear hug, "Thank you Am! I promise I won't disappoint you!"
Am pulls Luna off of her and says with a giggle, "I look forward to it… Luna."
Luna gives Am a great big and warm smile as Am proceeds to get into the car before it drives off. Luna then pulls out her phone and looks at the picture of her and Am on its wallpaper, thinking to herself that their relationship has grown ever so closer.
Ending Theme – Days of Dash (Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo ED)
Later that night, at an unknown mansion on the hillside, an ominous figure sits on a throne-like chair as he looks out the large stained glass windows in front of him. The large door then opens behind him and a boy with pink hair, wearing a baseball cap and a yellow sweater walks through and kneels, saying to the figure in the chair, "We've found him… the heir to the Kiba family."
"Excellent…" the man in the chair says with a foreboding tone, "The stars are aligning. Soon we will have all the pieces in place for the resurrection. Everything is going according to plan." He smirks as his body emits a dark purple aura, as he holds up a card. It depicts a dark purple dragon with red and blue wings and a 6 spiked-shaped halo above its head.
[Next Time]
Kumi: You did great out there Shion!
Taiyou: Yeah! It was such a close call when Am almost pulled a trigger.
Shion: I know… I was worried too at first.
Tokoha: Well now that we've beaten Fukuhara, let's all go celebrate with some croquettes!
Chrono: Are croquettes all you ever think about?
Tokoha: Eh heh heh… well… not ALL the time…
Chrono: So yes…
Next Time on Vanguard GV: "Ace's Trap!" Don't miss it!