It's a dark cloudy day as Team K3 gathers at Card Capital 2, sitting around one of the tables, to discuss their game plan for the day. "Today's the final day... Alex says as Yui and Rina nod.
"We fell pretty far behind yesterday." Rina explains, lowering her head, "We're going to have to put in some serious effort."
Yui pulls out her phone and scrolls through her Fighter's App. "I just checked our team's position," she says, "we're currently rank 39 out of 50."
"Most of that is probably coming from Alex, considering she hasn't had any major losses yet." Rina says, making Alex rub the back of her head.
"Eh ha ha ha…" she giggles, "Well, I've lost a few times." She then fixes her expression to a more serious face, "Still… we have to be at the top of our game. A lot of the weaker teams have already been eliminated, so our opponents will be the toughest we've faced yet." Both Rina and Yui nod in agreement. Alex then stands up from her chair and puts her hand in the middle of the table, saying, "Then let's give it our all!" Rina and Yui put their hands on top of Alex's as they all cheer in unison, "YEEAAAAH!"
Opening Theme – Fighter (Gundam Build Iron-Blooded Orphans OP4)
Drive 29 – A Starlight Road
Yui fights a young boy with brown hair and declares, "I attack your Vanguard with Blessed Root Dragon!" her forest dragon spreads its wings, causing several roots to rise out of the ground and ensnare the boy's buff Vanguard, bringing him to 6 damage.
"You beat me…" he says, watching his points drop to 0, and Yui's goes up a great amount.
"Alright!" she cheers with a jump.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Alex is fighting a team of girls. After defeating the first two, she finishes the third by declaring, "Kashima attacks your Vanguard!" Kashima flexes her wings and flies toward the girl's angelic Vanguard at breakneck speeds, and in a flash of light, the angel explodes, putting the girl at 6 damage.
"No way! I lost!" she exclaims. Alex watches her point count rise even higher as she gives the girls a fist pump and a wink while grinding her teeth.
At the same time, Rina is fighting a young man with short blonde hair. "Using Relena's skill," she exclaims, "I ride another copy of her! I attack you again!" Relena fires a beam of magical energy that hits the man's monk-like Vanguard, putting him at 6 damage. He falls to his knees as Rina's score goes up, making her give a confident smile.
Later, Alex runs through the streets and says, "It's getting harder and harder to find people." However, her search is interrupted by the enticing scent of freshly baked bread. She looks to her side to see she ended up in front of a bakery that had several products in the display cases, from muffins to anpans, and even her favorite, croquettes. Alex just stares at the shelves, with her mouth a gape, as a small amount of saliva drips from it. Just then, she feels her stomach growl, and after wiping the saliva from her face, she walks over to the bakery and presses her face against the glass, in awe of the food.
The old man behind the counter chuckles at Alex's expression and says, "They look good, don't they?"
"You bet!" Alex exclaims, still drooling a little.
"I know! They're the best!" she hears a voice tell her. However, it wasn't the old man's voice. This one sounded more child-like. She looked over to see a young boy, about a year or two younger than her, with orange hair that spiked straight up, who was also in awe of the sweet products on display.
"WHOA! Where'd you come from?!" Alex exclaims.
The boy rubs the back of his head and says, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. The name's Ryuta Katsuragi."
Alex smiles and says, "I'm Alex Shindou. Nice to meet you."
"Yeah same." The Ryuta replies, "Hey! You like anpans too? They're the best!"
Alex scratches her cheek and says, "Ehhh, I prefer croquettes."
"Croquettes…?" the boy says, and then cringes, "Eww… croquettes are way too greasy." Just then, he is caught off guard as Alex gives him a death glare.
"What… did you say…?" she says, with impending doom in her voice, "Croquettes are the greatest treat in existence! They are not greasy, and they taste like Heaven when you bite into them!"
"Anpans are the same!" Ryuta argues back, "They're so sweet and soft! It's like biting into a cloud!"
"Yeah, they are sweet," Alex retaliates, "in fact, a little too sweet! Croquettes can be sweat or savory! You can make them whatever you want! So therefore, croquettes are the better treat!"
"Anpans are better!"
"Croquettes!"
"Anpans!"
Alex and Ryuta argue back and forth about which of the treats is better, in the end, they decide to settle it with a Vanguard fight. "I'm gonna show you the true tastiness of croquettes!" Alex says.
"And I will defend the name of anpans!" Ryuta retorts. They place their hands on their starters and declare in unison, "Stand up… VANGUARD!"
Meanwhile, Rina is walking down the street, finishing a spring roll she bought for lunch. However, after she finishes it, a shadowy figure watches her from some nearby bushes. She looks over, sensing the figure's presence. She chalks it up to nothing and continues on her way, looking for opponents. However, the figure keeps following her, and it even tries to sneak up on her. Sensing the figure coming up behind her, Rina winds up her fist and screams, "HIYA!" as she swings her fist, and hits the person behind her in the face. The figure turns out, wasn't a stalker, but actually just a girl with short brown hair and wearing a light-blue parka jacket, who was rubbing her cheek where Rina smacked her.
"Ow ow ow ow…" she mutters.
Rina helps the girl to her feet and says, "Sorry about that, I thought you were some kind of molester."
The girl smiles, despite her injury, and replies, "It's okay Rina."
The blue-haired girl's eyes widen when she says her name. "How do you know my name?"
"You don't recognize me?" the girl says, "It's me! Nezumi Kisaragi! We went to the same Elementary school together?"
Rina puts her hand on her chin and tries to remember Nezumi from her childhood. "Nope… doesn't ring a bell." She says, making Nezumi flop. However, Rina does remember one thing, "Although, I do remember you from that Survival Quest (Drive 17). You're on Yuto's team, aren't you? Aren't you some kind of idol?"
Nezumi nods and says, "Well… idol in training, but soon, one day, I'll be the greatest entertainer that has ever lived!"
Rina glares at her and walks off, saying, "Good luck with that."
Nezumi is shocked by this action and runs in front of her. "Hey wait!" she screams, "You aren't going to fight me?!"
"I'd rather fight someone strong so they have more points." Rina says, "My team is falling behind, and I don't have time to waste on amateurs like you." She walks past Nezumi, making her spin around, and puffs her cheeks out.
"How rude!" she states. Just then, an idea pops in her head and she makes a smug face. "Well… if you don't fight me, I'll tell your friends about that time you wet your pants during PE."
Rina stops upon hearing this, eyes widened. She looks back at Nezumi and says, "How… do you know about that…?"
"I was there, remember?" she replies, "I even helped get you out of that embarrassing situation."
Rina thinks back, and she actually does remember someone helping her out of the gym at elementary school while her pants were soaking wet.
"Or what about that time you were moping so much you walked face first into a pole?" Nezumi says, to which Rina remembers as well. Nezumi then brings up other embarrassing childhood accidents such as: dropping her lunch and slipping on it, mistaking someone else's mom for her own, and falling for a dirty eraser prank.
Rina's eye twitches as the young idol lists off these embarrassing events in great detail until she finally bursts and says, "FINE! I'll fight you! If it will make you shut up!"
The two of them find a fight table and declare in unison, "Stand up… VANGUARD!"
"Apprentice Witch, Kona (G0/5000)!" Rina declares.
"Entertainer in Training, Lucka (G0/5000)!" Nezumi declares.
Rina is surprised by Nezumi's clan of choice. "Pale Moon…?" she mutters. It is the same clan her mother uses, so she might have a slight advantage in knowing what the clan is capable of.
"I'll go first! I ride! Entertainer on the Rise, Lucka (G1/8000)! With the skills of both of them, I can add two Entertainer cards to my hand. Next, I call Jester Entertainer Rhophi (G1/8000) and end my turn.""
"My turn!" Rina declares, "Ride! Slacking Witch, Relena (G1/8000)! With the skill of Kona, I look at the top five cards of my deck and put a witch card into my hand. Next, I use Relena's skill to add another Relena card to my hand. Then I call a second Slacking Relena (G1/8000)! I attack the Vanguard (8000-16000)!" Relena weakly holds up her staff and fires a magic projectile at the young magician (Nezumi: []).
"Ride!" Nezumi exclaims, "Glow-Up Entertainer Lucka (G2/10000)! I use Rhophi's skill! Soul Charge (Soul 2-4) and draw! Then, with Lucka's skill, each time I soul charge, add 2000 power (10000-14000)! Next, I call Dancing Princess of the Night Sky (G2/9000) and with her skill (Soul 4-3) I call Midnight Bunny from my soul (G1/8000)! Boosted by Rhophi, Lucka attacks your Vanguard (14000-22000)!" Lucka fires a magical beam of hearts from her wand toward Relena, knocking her backward. "Drive check (Critical)." Nezumi's eyes light up with joy, "I got a Critical Trigger! I give the power to Dancing Princess (9000-19000) and the critical to Lucka (22000/Crit 1-2)." (Rina: [][]) "Boosted by my little bunny, Dancing Princess attacks (19000-27000)! With bunny's skill, Soul charge (Soul 2-3)!" (Rina: [][][])
"Stand and draw! Ride! Motivated Witch, Relena (G2/10000)! Using her skill, I call Witch of the Gun, Bellet (G2/10000), then I use her skill to discard one and draw one. Next I call Witch of Butterflies, Venuleia (G1/8000), and using her skill (Soul 2-1), I look at the top two cards of my deck. Then I can call a unit that is grade 1 or less. I call Witch of the Tome Madoka, and since I have three or more Witch rear-guards, add 10000 power (G1/5000-15000)! Boosted by Slacking Relena, Motivated Relena attacks your Vanguard (10000-18000)!"
"No guard."
"Drive check (Draw). Draw Trigger! I add 10000 power to Bellet and draw a card (10000-20000), in addition, with the skill, I soul charge 1 (Soul 1-2)!"
"Damage check (Draw). Draw Trigger! I draw a card and I also get to Soul Charge 1 (Soul 3-4) (Nezumi: [][])!"
"Boosted by Madoka, Bellet attacks (20000-35000)!" Bellet takes aim with her rifle and fires a barrage of bullets, showering Lucka (Nezumi: [][][]). "I end my turn. Madoka is now retired."
"It's my turn, stand and draw!" Nezumi declares. She looks at the card she drew and smiles as she chants, "Brilliant starlight! Let's ride our road to the future! It's time… to SWING INTO ACTION! Starlight Ride!"
"Starlight Ride?" Rina questions.
Lucka leaps into the air, as a pink light surrounds her body, clothing her in fancier stage clothes before she lands and strikes an idol's pose. Nezumi does the same pose as she declares the name, "Shining Entertainer, Lucka (G3/12000)!"
"Wait hold on a minute!" Rina stops her, "What is a Starlight Ride?"
Nezumi smiles and says with glee, "It's just kind of my thing." Making Rina glare at her in annoyance. "Alright, let's do this! I use Rhophi's skill! Soul Charge 2 and draw (Soul 5-7), then I activate Lucka's skill ([X][][])! Soul Charge again (Soul 7-9) and I call Jumping Jill (G2/9000) and Wonder Hanger (G1/8000) from my Soul (Soul 9-7)!"
Nezumi Board State
(G2/9000) (G3/12000) (G2/9000)
(G1/8000) (G1/8000) (G1/8000)
"Boosted by Wonder Hanger, Jumping Jill attacks (9000-17000)!"
"I guard (SLD 10000)!" Rina declares.
"Next Midnight Bunny boosts Dancing Princess of Nightsky (9000-17000)! With the skill of Midnight Bunny, Soul Charge (Soul 7-8)!"
"Guard again (SLD 10000)!"
"Rhophi boosts Lucka and attacks your Vanguard (12000-20000)! I use the skill of Jester Demonic Dragon, Chimera Dragon in my soul ([X][X][]) (Soul 8-7)! I send Jumping Jill to my soul and call Chimera Dragon, adding 10000 power as well (G3/12000-22000) (Soul 7-8)!"
"No guard!" Rina declares.
"Twin Drive (none/Draw)! Draw Trigger! I add 10000 power to Chimera Dragon and Soul Charge 1 (Soul 8-9) (22000-32000)!" Lucka does a twirl and fires a beam of magical energy at Relena, which hits her, causing her to fly back into a tree (Rina: [][][][]). "I use Lucka's skill ([X][X][X]) (Hand 10-8)! Superior Ride another Lucka from my soul (G3/12000)!"
"What?!" Rina exclaims.
"Lucka attacks your Vanguard!"
"I guard (SLD 25000)!"
"Twin Drive (none/Critical)! Critical Trigger! I give all effects to Chimera Dragon (32000-42000/Crit 1-2)!"
"Not good…" Rina thinks to herself.
"Chimera Dragon attacks!"
"I guard and Bellet intercepts (SLD 35000)!"
Nezumi frowns and says, "Aww man… I almost had you. I promise! I'll beat you on my next turn!"
Rina smirks and says, "Sorry, but there won't be a next turn." Making Nezumi's eyes widen, "Ride! Devoted Witch, Relena (G3/12000)! Activating her Soul Drive!" Relena holds up her wand as her hair turns a bright silky white, and her eyes glow bright red. "I retire Venuleia and Slacking Relena! Devoted Relena gains 3000 power, 1 grade, and 1 drive (G3-4/12000-15000/drive 2-3)! Then, with Slacking Relena's skill, Soul Charge 1 (Soul 3-4)! Now I liberate the Generation Zone!"
"You're striding?!" Nezumi exclaims.
"Generation Stride! Witch of Dracoheart Atalana (GX/23000)!"
Nezumi stares in awe at the black-winged unit before her. Then, without her realizing, Rina calls more units to her board, and with a flash of Atalana's sword, all of Nezumi's rear-guards are wiped out, and the fight is over (Nezumi: [X][X][X][][][]).
Nezumi falls to her knees as Rina watches her point count rise. "Aww, man! I lost!" Nezumi screams in disappointment, but then she quickly stands up and walks over to Rina, and offers a handshake. "You beat me, fair and square." She then gives her a very chipper smile and says, "Let's fight again sometime."
Rina hesitates for a moment but then takes her hand and replies, "Yeah. Just no hugs, okay?" The two girls then giggle together at the idea.
Meanwhile, Alex has defeated Ryuta in her cardfight and pumps her fist in cheer. "Yes!" she exclaims.
"Dang, you're good." Ryuta tells her.
"Now you have to admit that Croquettes are better than Anpans." Alex says, trying to resume their petty argument.
Ryuta clinches his fist and exclaims, "No way! Anpans are still better!"
"Croquettes!"
"Anpans!"
"Well, well… what do we have here?" they both hear a voice come from behind them. They look over to see a rather strong young man with spiky blue hair, a purple jacket, and blue jeans.
"S-Senior Sendou!" Ryuta says to the boy, to which Alex steps back in shock.
"S-Sendou…?" she replies, "As in… the legendary Aichi Sendou?!"
The blue-haired boy nods and replies, "Yep… I'm Hajime Sendou. Son of Aichi Sendou."
Ending Theme – Yume no Hikari-Kun no Mirai (Buddyfight DDD Ending 1)
[Next Time]
The third day of the tournament is almost over, and Alex looks around for one more opponent. She encounters a boy named Hajime who uses Royal Paladin. Hajime then reveals that he is the son of Aichi Sendou, the legendary cardfighter. The two of them then decide to have a cardfight, to which the MC announces will be the last fight of the first phase! If Alex wins, her team will have secured a spot in the finals!
Next time on Vanguard X: "A Descendant's Fight! The Final Battle!" Don't miss it!
Message from Team K3 to the reader:
Alex: Hey there everyone! Thanks for reading another chapter. We apologize if the end of this chapter felt a bit rushed compared to the others… The author just wasn't feeling it, and the events in this chapter weren't all that important, to be honest.
Rina: We promise a much more action-filled chapter next time.
Yui: Seriously… we promise.
Alex: Also, if you're on our Discord server, keep a lookout for a big announcement coming very soon! We'll announce it here next chapter but until then…
STAND UP… VANGUARD!