NOTE: Sorry for taking so long. Was busy with life and stuff. Just want to say that this story is cross posted on AO3 now if you care about that. It's not caught all the way up to this one yet though.

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Chapter 19: Awakened Maiden

"Ok, Shin, do you want to explain what that was all about?" Misaki asked after getting shoved inside her home. The other two girls stood by Misaki, wondering the same thing. The grown man chuckled nervously at his niece's glare.

"Ah, I just felt like the two kids could get to know each other while we have a private conversation. It's not everyday that Chrono gets to hang out with someone his own age, ya know?" Shin responds.

Misaki wasn't buying it, her uncle has been somewhat off ever since he returned from his errand. Constantly pestering Chrono for a cardfight, and having this weird air around him. "That's not the real reason, Shin. You've been acting off this entire time around Chrono, please just tell me what's wrong," Misaki begged softly.

The man dropped his goofy façade, forgetting that his niece is more perceptive of her surroundings than he is. He sighed before walking over to the table, to which the girls followed him. He didn't speak a word, just stared at the table, and sighed again.

"Are you gonna spea-" Rekka was cut off by Shin turning around to look at them.

"I'm scared," He suddenly said, catching them off guard.

"Scared? Why are you scared, Mr. Shin?" Emi asked.

"I'm not scared for myself or anything like that, but for Chrono," Shin answered.

"Why be scared for him? I get that the boy is socially awkward to the max, but he seems ok to me," Rekka shrugged. Shin shook his head, seeing as Rekka didn't understand why he was concerned.

Misaki though was able to piece it together. "Is it about his deck, Shin? Gear Chronicle showing up out of nowhere with a new game mechanic we've never seen before?" Misaki revealed.

Emi perked up at that new bit of information. "Chrono's deck appeared in front of him too!? With a new game mechanic!?" Emi repeated.

"Yeah, I guess this is a bit similar to your situation isn't it, Emi? While Chrono was in the orphanage his deck appeared before him in a bright flash of light. He didn't know what to do with it though," Misaki explained.

"Does he have Psyqualia too?" Rekka asked, now interested.

"No, Chrono wouldn't be able to have or gain Psyqualia," Shin answered the youngest idol.

"Wait, Shin, how would you know that?" Misaki was more confused by her uncle's attitude towards Chrono.

"To gain Psyqualia, one has to go through traumatic experiences and would need to crave a desire. Aichi's Psyqualia was born from years of bullying and his desire to get stronger to fight Kai and Leon's was born from his desire to resurrect his clan. Chris' Psyqualia was born from his need to be the best, to prove he was better than those around him. Chrono has none of those," Shin explained.

"Then, how come I can use Psyqualia?" Emi questions. When she gained this ability she didn't necessarily have any traumatic years growing up like Aichi or have a strong desire.

"The Psyqualia was gifted to you, Emi. Now it makes sense as to why you didn't stand a chance against Ibuki. With his heart so filled with hatred for Vanguard and his strong desire to erase it, it makes sense that you'd be completely overwhelmed by him," Rekka explained.

Emi nodded her head. She may not have been strong then, but after everything she experienced in the Shadow World, she believed herself to be stronger now.

"But, Shin, why are you so interested in Chrono? If he doesn't have Psyqualia, then his fate shouldn't be one to worry about," Rekka said to the Shop Manager.

"Because Chrono's deck specializes in time travel."

"HUH!?"

"T-That makes sense...his deck has an ability that nobody has ever heard of before and it just appeared in front of him. The way he used it towards the end of our fight, he looked as if what he was doing was nothing new," Misaki started to make sense of the situation.

"That's why you're so worried about Chrono. If his deck comes from the future, then that means something important involving him is going to happen," Emi said.

"Chrono just discovered Vanguard. He's not ready for anything that's coming, that's why I want to fight him, I need to help him," Shin said softly. "I'm the only one who can, right Master?"

"Gear Chronicle?" Tokoha was surprised to see a completely new clan right in front of her. She didn't remember hearing any news about a new clan on any forums or news outlets or anything. "Maybe he's play testing?" Tokoha thought.

"Uh? Y-Yeah, if it's too much of a bother I can use a trial deck," Chrono responded, afraid to upset her.

"No, it's fine. I really want to see what it can do!" Tokoha said with anticipation. Chrono nodded his head, he drew the first card to start the match.

"Ride, Brasswing Dragon(G1/7000) and Dracokid move to the back row. I end my turn," Chrono said.

"Fruits Basket Elf(G1/8000)! I can activate Broccolini Musketeer, Kirah's skill! When I ride over her and my opponent's Vanguard is a Grade 1 I can draw a card," Tokoha drew a card from her deck.

"Fruits Basket Elf attacks your Vanguard!"

"No guard."

"Drive check(Heal Trigger). Ah, it showed up too early, oh well," Tokoha giggled. Chrono stared at her as if she lost her mind.

"Why are you laughing?" Chrono asked, confused.

"What do you mean Chrono?" Tokoha asked.

"You just pulled a heal trigger at the start of the game. Shouldn't you be upset?" He said as if it was an obvious thing.

"Hm, I guess I am a bit miffed. But, that doesn't mean I should just start throwing a tantrum over it, the game just started, so who knows what'll happen," Tokoha smiled.

"Weird," Chrono muttered.

"Hm?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Ah-nothing! It's my turn!"

[Chrono: Hand: 5/Damage: 1] [Tokoha: Hand: 7/Damage: 0]

"I draw. I ride, Smokegear Dragon(G2/10,000) and I call Twinmaser Dragon(G2/9000)!" Chrono declared as he prepared to do more damage to Tokoha. In his mind he could see his field and hers perfectly as if he was there himself.

"Twinmaser Dragon attacks your Vanguard!" Chrono said.

"No guard." Tokoha twitched when she placed the card into her damage zone. She wasn't sure as to why she twitched.

"With support from Dracokid, Smokegear attacks!"

"Guard!(18,000)"

"Drive check(Critical Trigger)! Yes! That breaks through your guard!" Chrono smiled, broadly at getting the lead.

"That's the first time he's shown me any semblance of emotion besides indifference or annoyance," Tokoha thought in her head. "Damage check(No trigger/No trigger)." Her body twitched a bit more this time, but she chose to ignore it. " That's three damage for me already. Don't think I won't repay you for that, Chrono," Tokoha winked. The boy blushed, not used to the tone she used.

"I Stand and Draw! Ride, Lily of the Valley Musketeer, Kaviant(G2/10,000)! Next I'll call down Night Queen Musketeer, Daniel(G0/5000) and Dandelion Musketeer, Mirkka(G1/8000)! I activate Mirkka's skill! When placed I can soulblast(1) to call a plant token in the same row as this unit!" She pulled a plant token from the deck and placed it onto the table. "Then when I place a unit in the same row as Mirkka, she gains +3000 power!" Tokoha finished setting up her forces.

"Mirkka attacks your vanguard!" Tokoha declared.

"What? Why isn't she using the token to support the attack? Whatever, I can just defend her next attack," Chrono figured would be the best course of action. "No guard." He winced a bit from the hit and took the damage. "Draw Trigger! I draw a card and give the power to my Vanguard."

"With support from Daniel, Lily attacks your Vanguard!" Tokoha smirked.

"Guard!(20,000)"

"Drive check(Stand Trigger)! I give all the effects to Mirkka!" Tokoha grinned at Chrono's shocked expression.

"So, that's why she didn't boost Mirkka in that first attack, but how did she know she'd pull a Stand Trigger?"

"I got totally lucky with that Stand Trigger! Good thing Chrono will never know!"

"With a boost from the plant token, Mirkka attacks again!" Tokoha went for her third strike.

"Tch! No guard," He grunted from taking the damage, not pulling a heal trigger.

Tokoha placed a hand on her hip and struck a smug smirk. "Seems we're even now, Chrono."

"Don't get cocky, I'm still getting started!" Chrono felt excitement coursing through him. Tokoha was bringing something out of him and he really liked it.

[Chrono: Hand:4/Damage: 3] [Tokoha: Hand: 5/Damage: 3]

"Stand and Draw!" Chrono smiled at the card he drew, allowing the warm sensation of familiarity flow through his body. "Lead me to the Future! Open a new world! Ride! Chronojet Dragon(G3/11,000)!"

Tokoha froze as she gazed at the card Chrono just rode, feelings of familiarity flowed through her mind like a river. "Chronojet...Dragon...why do I feel like I know you?"

Chrono looked down at his hand and smirked. "Why waste time when I can end the fight now?" Chrono shrugged. "GENERATION ZONE, RELEASED!"

"Generation Zone!?" Tokoha questioned. Suddenly something she remembered from before began to reappear in her mind, that sensation began to vibrate through her systems once more. "Chrono...that was you...wasn't it?"

"Now, show me the world that I truly desire! STRIDE GENERATION!"

Everyone upstairs paused in their conversation at the sensational feeling that was born from Chrono Striding. Emi dropped to her knees, breathing heavily as the memories flew back into her head.

"EMI!? WHAT'S WRONG!?" Rekka was at her side in an instant.

"T-That feeling...that warmth I felt inside the void...it's back…" Emi said between breaths.

Misaki and Shin both rushed down the stairs only one thought coursing through their heads. "Chrono!"

"Ride! Interdimensional Dragon, Chronoscommand Dragon(G4/15,000)!" Chrono pumped his fist forward, the adrenaline coursing through his body. He loved this sensation, this rush of Striding, everything about it filled him with absolute joy! "I activate Chronojet's skill! By counter blasting(1) I can send one of your rear guards to the bottom of the deck! I'll send Mirkka to the bottom of your deck!" Chrono declared.

"R-Right!" Tokoha was still trying to wrap her head around who exactly Chrono was. None of this was making any sense to her! "And why does he look so damn cool!?"

"Call! Steam Knight, Ubara-tutu(G3/10,000)!" Chrono placed down another rearguard.

"Ubara-tutu attacks your Vanguard!"

"G-Guard!"

"Twinmaser Dragon attacks next!"

"N-No guard," Tokoha stuttered. "Why am I so flustered right now!?" She tried to think. "Damage check(Heal Trigger). I don't take the damage and power to my Vanguard!"

"Doesn't matter! You won't have enough to survive Chronoscommand with a boost from Dracokid!" Chrono was pushing forward and Tokoha couldn't muster the strength to continue fighting back.

"Don't give up!"

"Wha-"

"Don't give up, Tokoha! When your back is pushed against the wall, you keep fighting back! This fight isn't over yet! You can still push forward!" A soft yet encouraging female voice echoed through her head. Tokoha looked down at her hand and saw that the voice was right.

"Perfect Guard!"

"WHAT!?"

Chrono was shocked to see that Tokoha had blocked his attack. "Triple drive check(No trigger/Critical Trigger/No trigger)!" He grit his teeth at the sight of victory almost at his grasp. "I-I couldn't finish it?"

"I managed to survive the attack, but even still, Chrono is still in a better position than me!" Tokoha frowned.

"Do you believe you can still fight, Tokoha?" The voice asked again. She gasped when she felt her body be moved to a flourishing grassy field. In front of her was the woman from her dreams.

"Y-You! You're the one from my dreams! You must've been the one to speak to me earlier!" Tokoha pointed at the taller woman.

"Hello, Tokoha. I wish we had more time to talk, but for now you must awaken the strength to fight," She said.

"To fight? To fight, Chrono?"

"No, to fight for your world."

"I don't get it," Tokoha answered.

"No, I suppose you won't understand it now. But, you will someday. But, for now just call my name and you'll always be capable of standing in the toughest of situations. We'll always be together, Tokoha. We're partners," The woman knelt down and clasped her hands into Tokoha's.

"We'll always be together. Wait...I know your name. I've always known it, but I just could never put it into words," Tokoha smiled.

"Hehe, now go out there and give those boys a run for their money!"

"Right!"

A bright light was born from their hearts joining together, blinding Tokoha. When she opened her eyes she was a shining card brimming with strength in her hands. She turned over to look at her deck and saw that it was also shining in a green light. Her honey-like orbs trailed back over and smirked at Chrono's awestruck face. "Let's do this, partner."

"Majestic flower bud, now is the time to blossom! I ride Ranunculus Flower Maiden, Ahsha!"

Chapter End

NOTE: Ren nor Kai were brought up in this chapter, because they wouldn't know about Ren's past nor would they know Kai recently awakened his Psyqualia. Chrono does have a very strong connection to Cray even without Psyqualia, he's a very special boy that we all love. Tokoha's deck has changed, so that Ahsha can work properly. That'll be explained later.

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