NOTE: Guest Reviewer(Riya), Misaki was explaining the events of season 1 to Chrono. You're confusing it all with Asia Circuit which was the 2nd season of the original. Emi's Self-Acceptance Arc will be coming to an end next chapter, and we'll be moving into Kourin and some more Chrono for the next couple of chapters. So, look forward to that. I'm also not the biggest fan of how this chapter turned out, but I'm extremely tired and needed to get this done.
Enjoy and review.
Chapter 14: Acceptance
"I'll take the first turn, Princess," Shadow Emi said, cheekily. The nickname from her counterpart caused Emi to grind her teeth in frustration.
"Ride! Haarbau Revenger(G1/6000) and move Creeping Dark Goat(G0/4000) to my backrow," Shadow Emi declared.
Both Emi and Kamui looked at her cards in shock. "Revengers!? But, Ren uses those cards!" Kamui shouted.
Shadow Emi gasped in mock shock. "Really!? I had no idea! It's not like Ren Suzugamori is in this world as well! Use your brain some more, genius!" Shadow Emi said, rudely.
Kamui growled at her mocking, once again confirming to him that she isn't Emi. No matter how attractive she looked to him.
"Don't talk to him that way! Your attention should be on me!" Emi glared at the Shadow. Nobody makes fun of her boyfriend in front of her.
"Trust me, Princess. My attention never left you, now hurry up with your turn," Shadow Emi returned the glare.
Huffing with annoyance, Emi began her turn. "Ride! Seeker, Tranquil Unicorn(G1/5000) and move Seeker. Hartmy(G0/4000) to my backrow."
"With support from Hartmy! Tranquil Unicorn attacks your vanguard!" Emi declared.
"No guard," Shadow Emi replied.
"Drive check(Critical Trigger)! All effects to Tranquil Unicorn!"
"Tch. Damage check(No trigger/Draw Trigger). All power to my Vanguard and I draw a card," Shadow Emi said.
"Alright, Emi! You're already on a good start!" Kamui congratulated his girlfriend. Emi blushed and smiled at Kamui.
"Thanks, Kamui. We're gonna win this for Aichi!" Emi pumped her fist.
"Oh brother! Doing this for Aichi? Pah! As if acting like some hero is gonna make you stand out more!" Shadow Emi shouted.
"What the hell is your problem!?" Kamui shouted, annoyed with her attitude.
"My problem! Is her and everything else!" Shadow Emi shouted and started her turn.
[Emi: Hand: 6/Damage: 0] [Shadow Emi: Hand: 6/Damage: 2]
"Ride! Comet Witch, Serva(G2/10,000)! Call! Fighting Spirit Revenger, Macart(G2/9000)!" Shadow Emi said.
"Macart attacks your Vanguard!"
"No guard! Damage check(No Trigger)."
"Dark Goat boosts Serva in attacking your Vanguard!"
"No guard!"
"Drive Check(Stand trigger)! All effects to Macart!"
"Damage check(No trigger)!"
"Macart attacks again!"
"Guard(15,000)!" Emi stops the third attack. Shadow Emi clicks her tongue, unsatisfied by Emi guarding.
"Stand and Draw!" Emi looks at the card she just drew and smiles. "Rising up to uphold the truth! To seek the future that will set us free! STAND UP MY OLDER BROTHER! BLASTER BLADE SEEKER, AICHI(G2/9000)!" Emi slams the card down on the Vanguard Circle. A blue light burst forth within the dark reaches of space. A silver blade spun into the air before being caught within an armored grasp. He stuck the blade of the sword onto the ground and rested his hands on the hilt.
Aichi Sendou stood in his full glory, clad in Blaster Blade's armor. He gave a warm smile at both Emi and Kamui before setting a strong glare at Shadow Emi, who was seething at the sight of him.
"AICHI SENDOOOUUUU!" She screeched with a voice filled with venom.
"You can't get rid of me, Shadow. No matter what I'll always stand up to fight for my friends!" Aichi declared.
"I promise that you won't have any legs left to stand after I'm done with you and the shitty Princess!" Shadow Emi screamed.
"That won't happen! My brother and I will defeat you!" Emi responded with resolution. Her words did nothing more than infuriate the shadow more.
"Call! Energy Seeker, Madden(G2/9000) and Grynngal Seeker(G1/6000) to the back!" Emi set up her board.
"With support from Hartmy! Blaster Blade attacks!"
"Guard(15,000)!"
"Drive check(Draw Trigger)! All power goes to Madden and I draw one!" Emi decided to allow Aichi's strike to be blocked.
"With support from Grynngal! Madden will attack your vanguard! Madden's skill also activates! When he attacks a Vanguard I can counterblast(1) if I have a "Blaster Blade Seeker" as my Vanguard! His skill grants him an extra +1000 power for each "Seeker" unit on my field! I have three other Seekers, so he gains +3000 power!" The armored knight lights up as more power begins to flow into him and charges toward Shadow Emi.
"Tch! No guard!" The Shadow grunted as the blade struck her Vanguard. "Damage check(Heal Trigger)! Too bad, Princess. You don't do squat this turn," The Shadow taunted as Emi clenched her fist in frustration.
"Don't let her taunts get to you, Miss Emi! We'll still beat this faker!" Kamui cheered her on.
"Kamui's right, Emi. The battle is still in our favor!" Aichi responded. Their cheers had an effect, as Emi's frustrations melted away.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves boys. The little Princess hasn't experienced anything yet!" Shadow Emi cut through their cheerful atmosphere.
[Emi: Hand: 4/Damage: 2] [Shadow Emi: Hand: 4/Damage: 2]
"Stand and Draw." Shadow Emi began to be enveloped by a dark aura as she held a card in her hand. Her face twisted in a dark smile, a smile that reminded Aichi too much of Ren when he was corrupted by Psyqualia. "Shattering every speck of light in the universe! Force reality to face every nightmare! RIDE! REVENGER, PHANTOM BLASTER "ABYSS"(G3/11,000)!" The void began to tremble as a dark circle appeared above Shadow Emi. Two large black hands gripped the outer rings of the circle before breaking them apart. Standing behind her was a black dragon with a large piercing black blade. It released a mighty roar, forcing Emi and Kamui to cover their ears.
Her wicked smile didn't disappear as she stretched her hand forward over her vanguard. "Joining in on the dark parade! He swings his blade to kill his enemies! LEGION! BLASTER DARK REVENGER "ABYSS"(G2/9000)!" The dark counterpart to Blaster Blade appeared next to the black dragon, his eyes staring deep into Aichi's with a piercing gaze.
"Blaster Dark…" Aichi gripped his blade tighter, seeing Ren's avatar being used like this infuriated him.
"Call! Barrier Troop Revenger, Dorint(G1/7000) and Blaster Dark Revenger(G2/9000)! Blaster Dark's skill activates and I retire your Madden." Shadow Emi pointed directly at the Royal Knight as Blaster Dark's blade struck him down. "Dorint's skill activates and I counter charge(1)." She snapped her fingers and the card flipped back over.
"Keep your guard up Emi! Here she comes!" Aichi told his little sister. Emi nodded her head and braced herself.
"Keep thinking that you're safe with your big brother holding your hand. Macart attacks your vanguard!"
"No guard! Damage check(Heal Trigger)! I heal my damage and give the power to my Vanguard!"
"Doesn't matter. With support from Dark Goat! My Legion attacks your Vanguard!"
"Perfect Guard!"
"Twin Drive Check(Critical Trigger/Critical Trigger)! Everything goes to Blaster Dark!" Shadow Emi declares as her Legion's attack was stopped.
"With a boost from Dorint! Blaster Dark attacks!"
"N-No guard!" Emi winced as she watched Aichi take a harsh strike from Blaster Dark's blade.
" Damage check(No trigger/Draw Trigger/No Trigger)! I draw one card!" Emi begins to sweat as her damage went from 2 to 5 in one turn. That previous Heal Trigger really saved her.
"Miss Emi…" Kamui said, worried.
"E-Emi...Don't stop…" Aichi grunts. Emi nods her head and Shadow Emi just shakes in fury.
"Stand and Draw! Coming down from the radiant Heaven to grant us strength. It's eternal wings flap in the name of seeking truth! Ride! Seeker, Thing Saver Dragon(G3/11,000)!" Above Emi was a majestic dragon with sparkling wings. It's eternal wings flapping in the night.
"LEGION! Blaster Blade Seeker, Aichi!" The blue haired knight reappeared next to the radiant dragon. "Call! Brave Stride Seeker, Cherin(G2/9000)!"
"With support from Grynngal! Cherin attacks your Vanguard!"
"No guard! Damage check(No trigger)!"
"With support from Hartmy! My Legion attacks your Vanguard!"
"Guard(25,000)!"
"Twin Drive Check(No trigger/Draw Trigger)! I give all the power to my Vanguard!" Emi declared. Her Legion breaks through the shield and strikes Shadow Emi's Legion. The shadow grunts in pain from the strike.
"Too bad, Princess. Looks lik-"
"Thing Saver's skill activates!"
"Wha-"
"I counterblast(2) and soul blast(3) to discard two cards from my hand to search my deck for another Thing Saver and ride it once more! Then I can redo my Legion with Blaster Blade Seeker!" Emi said. Both units restood once more ready for another battle.
"My Legion attacks once more! I told you that I won't lose anymore!" Emi shouted as her Legion charged forward.
Shadow Emi just smirked and raised her hands into the air. "No guard."
"Twin Drive Check(Heal Trigger/Critical Trigger)! All effects to my Legion!"
"Damage check(No Trigger/Heal Trigger)."
Everyone looked on in shock at the Shadow Emi pulling a Heal Trigger. Shadow Emi just waved the card in her hand as if it was a brand new toy for Christmas. "Look here, Princess! I pulled a miracle heal! Isn't this what you guys always do whenever you're in a tight situation and need to pull through! How does it feel to not be the spotlight!?" The Shadow mocked Emi's dumbfounded face.
"I...no...not again…" Emi flashed back to her fight with Ibuki. She was so sure that she was going to finish him on that turn, only for him to turn the tables and beat her unexpectedly. "It's going to happen again. I'm going to lose just when people are putting their faith in me again! When I finally had Aichi back with me! I'm going to screw it all up-"
"DON'T GIVE UP!"
Emi and Kamui turned to Aichi, who was still standing tall. "We can still keep fighting Emi! Never forget that!" Aichi told her. Once more Emi nodded her head and Shadow Emi's body once more shook with rage.
"Get out of my sight! Aichi Sendou!" Shadow Emi spoke through gritted teeth.
[Emi: Hand: 2/Damage: 5] [Shadow Emi: Hand: 5/Damage: 5]
"Stand and Draw!" Shadow Emi knew that her entire board had enough, so she could still execute her plan. Her bloodlust filled orbs glared directly at Emi and Aichi.
"Macart attacks your Cherin!"
"No guard!" Emi watched as Cherin was struck down.
"My Legion attacks your Vanguard!" She cried out with fury.
"...No guard!" Emi reluctantly called out.
"Twin Drive Check(No Trigger/Stand Trigger)! I re-stant Macart and give the power to Blaster Dark!" The attack struck them, causing Emi to stagger back from the attack.
"Damage Check(Heal Trigger)! I heal from the damage!" Emi released a breath of relief from the heal.
Shadow Emi growled and continued forth in her attack. "Blaster Dark attacks with support from Dorint!"
"No guard!" Emi allowed the attack to hit. "Damage check(Draw Trigger)!"
Kamui grinned from excitement from Emi surviving the onslaught of attacks. "Alright! With this you can give it to her next turn!"
Emi smiled, thankful for Kamui's support. "That's right, Kamui! We're still in this, Aichi's shown us that the battle isn't over as long as we trust each other!"
"Exactly Emi, as long as you believe in your friends, you'll win the fi-"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
The trio turned to look over at Shadow Emi. The shadow was growling like a wild animal as her eyes showed nothing but absolute hatred at the ones in front of her. "Don't give me that bullshit about friends or trusting your cards! Don't look at me with such looks of hope or strength! Don't fill me with confidence that'll just get knocked down the next second! Don't call me a hero! Don't believe in me! STOP LOOKING AT ME AS IF ANYTHING HAS CHANGED, AICHI! BECAUSE NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT ALL! YOU'RE EVERYTHING EVERYONE WANTS! THEY DON'T WANT ME! THEY WANT YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU!" Her fists connected with the table, almost breaking it.
"Emi…" Aichi looked horrified.
"Miss Emi…" Kamui turned to look at their Emi. He saw that she was just standing there, her bangs covering her eyes, but her lips were quivering.
Shadow Emi continued with her turn, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Activating Phantom Blaster's skill! I counterblast(2) and retire three of my rearguards to re-stand my Legion for another attack!" Shadow Emi declared. Phantom Blaster "Abyss" turned around and struck down Blaster Dark, Dorint, and Macart. Powering up along with Blaster Dark Revenger "Abyss."
"JUST SHUT THE HELL UP AND DIE ALREADY!" Shadow Emi roared. "MY LEGION ATTACKS FOR THE FINAL TIME!" Her Legion charges forward towards Aichi and Thing Saver Dragon.
"Perfect Guard."
A golden shield prevented Shadow Emi's Legion from dealing the final blow. The shadow stares in utter bafflement as her attack was stopped. The aura that had appeared around her dissipated.
"I think I finally understand you," Emi's eyes were still hidden by her bangs.
"What…? What the hell do you mean!?" Shadow Emi questioned.
"You are me and I am you. I don't think I truly understood that earlier, only giving in to the desperation to save my brother and boyfriend. But, now at this moment I finally get what you are. Ever since I landed in this world I've done nothing but reject myself and hate myself. Those feelings must've given birth to you, something that manifests in the dark feelings that this place creates," Emi explains.
"Where are you going with this!? If this is just some sappy speech about friendship then I do-"
"You're afraid," Emi cut her off. The shadow gasped from hearing Emi's words.
"You're afraid of that cold and dark abyss we were trapped in before landing in this world. You're afraid of failing all those who placed their expectations on you."
"Shut up…"
"You're afraid of failing all of those who've placed expectations on you."
"Shut up…"
"You're afraid of Kouji Ibuki."
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Shadow Emi had enough. This wasn't supposed to be happening to her! She wasn't the one that was supposed to be broken apart by that Princess.
Emi ignored the stunned looks from her comrades and pushed on. "You...I...we're afraid of Kouji Ibuki and I don't think we ever won't be afraid of him. But, sitting here in the depressing world and feeling sorry for ourselves won't solve anything!" As Emi shouted her deck began to glow brightly. "We have to stand strong! We have to fight to find the truth! And that means facing our fears!" A card flew into Emi's hands and she raised it into the air.
"She stands on the pinnacle of justice! Seeking the truth that binds her heart and soul! Releasing herself from lies and deceit! RIDE! BLASTER SABER, SEEKER(G3/11,000)!" Emi slams the card down, dispelling the Legion of her previous Vanguards. Standing in their place was a warrior in white shining armor. Her blade of energy blazed with power as her hand gripped the hilt tightly. Her long pink hair waved along in the winds with grace and elegance.
Kamui gaped in shock from the card that Emi placed down on the Vanguard circle. "Miss Emi...that card...she…"
"...She willed that card into existence," Shadow Emi spoke softly. She could feel the raw strength of the new unit being aimed directly at her.
Emi outstretched her hand. "Calling forth her comrade to aid her in battle. Together they'll overcome any foe that stands in their way! LEGION! BLASTER BLADE SEEKER!" Aichi appeared once more, standing tall with his blade in his grasp.
He turned to look at the new unit on his right and she turned back. Saber smiled at Aichi with a confident smile, which he gladly returned. Both sword fighters gazed at their opponents. "Her skill activates! When she activates Legion, she can call down one other rearguard from the soul! And they gain at +1000 power increase! Come back out, Thing Saver Dragon!" The majestic Dragon stood once more on the battlefield.
"Call! Seeker, Gilgantech Driver(G3/10,000)! When I start my battle phase, Saber's skill activates. By counter blasting(3) all "Seekers" on my board gain an extra +5000 power!" All of Emi's units began to surge with power. Shadow Emi's face was filled with fear, all of Emi's words having taken an effect on her.
"Imagine it."
"Huh?"
Shadow Emi blinked and found herself standing in a meadow of flowers and saw Emi standing directly in front of her. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw Emi's eyes were glowing with a pink color.
"Imagine yourself walking forward down that mysterious path. Neither of us know where that path will lead us to, but we'll walk down it together. I won't run away from my problems anymore, and I won't use Aichi as an excuse for my failures. Together we'll seek our future," Emi reached out a hand to Shadow Emi. The shadow took a moment before grasping Emi's hand with her own.
"Seems you've finally accepted the truth. Fine, you win this one, Emi Sendou," Both Emi's were enveloped in a bright light.
When Shadow Emi came back to her senses, she saw that her damage zone had six cards in it and that her Legion was struck down by Emi's. All three of them were back in Card Capital instead of space.
In front of her Emi and Kamui were hugging each other tightly, celebrating the victory. Shadow Emi looked down at her hand and saw that she was becoming translucent.
"Hey, you two."
The lovebirds turned around to look at Shadow Emi.
"As a gift, I'll explain everything about this world to you two. So listen up, because I'll only explain this once."
Chapter End
NOTE: Updates may be slow going forward, because I currently been working and that's been taking a lot of my time. Sorry for this, but this a part of life that we can't avoid. And yes, Blaster Saber is an OC card and that's the only one that will exist in this story.