The morning sunlight entered the window of a bedroom, landing directly on the bed. There was a person wrapped up in covers, who began to stir as soon as this happened.
A second later said person untangled themselves from the covers, was revealed to be Cera, dressed in her pajamas. As she sat up on her bed she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes before letting out a yawn. After she did she got up and headed straight for the bathroom to freshen up.
Once she was finished with that business she headed down stairs, and found her family already sitting around the table for breakfast.
Well her mother and sister to be exact. As usual her father was already off to work. He is a banking executive who handles multiple accounts, making him an early riser most of the time.
"Good morning, sleepy head." Cera's mother said to her, a smile on her face. She is the spitting image of Cera for when she gets older. The only difference between the two is their height.
"Morning mom." Cera said, taking a seat at the table. She then looked at her sister. "Good morning, idiot, so how was your date last night? Will this one be sticking around more than a week?"
Cera said this to her sister using a playful voice, one which she didn't use with most people. However with her family and close friends this was completely different. Cera's mother and sister knew she was being playful, so they weren't even upset at all.
Though her sister did have a small frown on her face.
Her name is Blaire, and she and Cera are twins. Fraternal twins though. While they both take after their mother in appearance, Blaire has dark blonde hair and green eyes, courtesy of their father.
"Haha, very funny." Blaire said dryly in retort to Cera's words. "But to answer your question sis, no this one won't be sticking around. The date last night didn't end like either of us wanted it to."
"Shame." Cera said, a small grin appearing on her face.
Seeing this grin irritated Blaire even more, her eyebrow beginning to twitch as a result.
"You know, sis, when was the last time you were on a date, hm?" Blaire asked Cera, an undertone present in her words.
The moment Cera heard this, she put a blank expression on her face.
"It's been quite a while. I'm wondering, why are you asking Blaire." Cera said.
"No reason, on reason at all." Blaire answered.
"I doubt that." Cera said, locking eyes with Blaire. The two of them then began an intense staring match, invisible sparks flying between them as it happened.
That is until their breakfast plates were placed in front of them by their mother. "Now, now, girls, that's enough." She said, giving the two of them a sweet and kind smile. But they both knew better. Seeing that smile on their mother, they knew that if they didn't stop grating each other immediately there would be consequences.
So with that in mind both Cera and Blaire ceased staring at each other and thanked their mom for the food before giving thanks and digging into it.
As the meal progressed, light conversation followed into it.
"So, what do you girls have planned for today," their mom asked them.
"I'm going shopping." Blaire said, a smile on her face.
Unlike Cera she expressed herself more easily. That's one of the reasons she's on the school's cheerleading squad, and has a larger circle of friends than her sister.
Not that it bothers either of them. Their relationship as siblings is very good after all.
"I'm heading to Victory," Cera spoke. "A few of us are getting together to celebrate the start of the World Tournament."
"That's nice." Their mother said.
"So, it's a party then?" Blaire questioned. Cera easily nodded at this. "Will there be any cute boys there?"
Cera gave her sister a deadpan look. "I thought you didn't care for vanguard much?"
Unlike Cera Blaire could never get into vanguard with a passion like her sister.
"I don't." Blaire bluntly stated. "But that doesn't mean there won't be any cute boys there."
Cera just continued to give her twin the deadpan look.
"Hey, what's with that look?" Blaire asked Cera.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Cera said. "And to answer your question, I need you to define what you think of as cute boys, because the only ones who are going to be there are my friends from school and from the shop itself."
"Oh, no thanks then." Blaire immediately said. She had met Anthony and the others before, and while she liked them as people and found them to be good friends for her sister, she didn't have any romantic feelings for any of them at all.
After all, she shot down Eric every time he tried to get her number when they first met.
"That's what I thought." Cera said.
Blaire's brow twitched a bit once more as she saw Cera put a small smug expression on her face. Seeing that, Blaire decided she was going to have some fun with her twin, the consequences be damned.
"So Cera," Blaire said, a smirk appearing on her face, "how are things going between you and Christina?"
As soon as Cera heard that question she choked on the orange juice she was drinking, a small hint of pink hitting her cheeks as well.
The reason is simple.
Cera has a crush on Christina. She has for some time now. As to why, it's because when Cera was fourteen she learned something extremely important about herself.
That she is gay.
She likes women. But the most surprising thing she learned when she finally came to terms with herself is her first and longest crush is Christina.
At first Cera thought the crush would dissipate after a while. But it didn't. Then she tried going on a few dates with some other women, and even ended up in a relationship or two for a while, but in the end all those didn't work out either. No matter how much she tried to put her feelings for Christina away they just wouldn't stop creeping up on her. So when she finally had had enough she told her sister about things, and got a blunt answer.
She wanted Christina, and no one else.
The moment Blaire said those words to Cera she realized it was the truth. There was a big problem though.
As far as anyone knew Christina was straight.
Cera definitely knew, considering Christina is one of the only people around that knows that Cera plays for the other team. So with that Cera made a choice. She would keep her feelings to herself, and not tell Christina ever. She is afraid that if she did she would lose her best friend or worse. So at the moment she is fine with the way things are between them.
That doesn't mean Blaire won't tease her about her massive crush whenever she gets the chance though.
"W-Why are you asking that question Blaire," Cera asked her sister, the pink on her cheeks becoming even more pronounced as the seconds went by. "Me and Christina are fine, the same as we've always been."
"Sure, sure, whatever you say," Blaire said, waving off Cera. However her face had a shit eating grin on it.
"What's this about Christina," their mother decided to ask.
As you can imagine Cera did not tell her parents about her crush on her long time best friend. That would have made things even weirder than they already were.
"Nothing at all!" Cera suddenly spoke up. "All Blaire is asking is how we're doing you know with preparing for the prelims for the world tournament and all, isn't that right, Blaire?"
"Yeah, that's right," Blaire said. She decided she had gotten enough payback. And it felt so sweet.
"Well alright then." Their mother said.
Cera breathed a small sigh of relief now that the conversation was over. She then decided to go back to her breakfast so she could hurry up and get a move on.
She also was making multiple plans to pay Blaire back ten-fold for the embarrassment a moment ago.
Anthony released yet another sigh due to the situation he was in.
"Attack the vanguard!"
"Damage check. Dammit, no trigger!"
"Heh, serves you right for making those comments earlier."
"I told you that was just a few jokes!"
"Right, right, I'm sure. Do me a favor, go fall off a cliff."
"Only if you do first!"
"What was that?!"
"I didn't stutter!"
This is what Anthony had been hearing for the last hour or so, Elizabeth and Eric going at each other's throats, having multiple cardfights with multiple victories and losses to the both of them.
It had been going on like this ever since they had arrived at the shop earlier in the day. The only saving grace Anthony got was that no customers were around to witness such a grudge match.
The shop was closed for the day.
Anthony had got together with his friends who had also formed teams to enter into the world tournament and they had agreed to have a little party to celebrate. Anthony then asked his parents if he could use the shop as the party venue and they had readily agreed.
So that's what was going on today.
At least that's what Anthony was hoping for, but it looks like things weren't turning out that way at all.
As Elizabeth and Eric continued to glare daggers at each other, setting up the board for another match Anthony really wished everyone else would hurry up and arrive sooner rather than later.
He really didn't know how much longer he could go on like this.
"Dammit Blaire," Cera grumbled.
She was walking through the local park, cursing her sister under her breath. It was because before Cera could enter the restroom and attend to her needs, Blair somehow got to it first and took up nearly an hour getting ready.
This caused Cera to take even longer to get ready, and when she left the house and saw the time she knew no matter what she was going to be late to the party.
That's the reason she is cursing her sister right now.
"Blaire, I swear the next time I see you… just ah!" Cera sighed in exasperation. She was going to get her sister back good. She just had to think of a really juicy plan to enact.
But that was for later. Right now she wanted to get to her party and hang out with her friends.
So Cera picked up the pace.
But as soon as she did, an odd sensation spread out all across her body. This caused her to stop in her tracks.
Cera couldn't explain what she was feeling. Then as quickly as it happened it left her.
'What was that?' Cera thought.
"Excuse me, are you alright?"
Cera was knocked out of her thoughts by a voice calling out her name. She turned to see who it was and came face to face with a girl. She was only a year older than herself. She had long ash blonde hair, a single braid resting on the left side of her head, along with bright yellow eyes. As for her attire, she was wearing an all black shirt, a white cardigan, blue jeans, and black boots that came to a stop just below her ankles.
Upon seeing the girl, Cera couldn't help but think along a certain line.
She was a beauty no matter how anyone looked at it.
"Cute." Cera muttered. She then immediately realized what she said and slammed a hand over her mouth.
The girl seeing this just let out a light chuckle.
'Guh, pull yourself together idiot!' Cera thought. She then recentered her self, and looked straight at the girl once more. "Sorry about that, I was lost in thought there for a moment and didn't realize what I was doing."
The girl waved her off. "No harm done."
"Thanks. I'm Cera by the way. And you are?" Cera said.
"You can call me Emilia." The now name Emilia said. "It's nice to meet you."
"The same." Cera said.
"So now that introductions are out of the way, this might be a strange question, but do you perhaps by chance play vanguard?" Emilia asked.
Cera nodded. "Yes, I do."
"I knew it." Emilia said. "I knew you looked familiar. I've seen you playing here in the park at times. That is you, right, the one with the blank expression on her face most of the time?"
"Yep, that's me." Cera answered. She did come to the park to play against others and didn't see a problem with saying so. "But, why do you want to know?"
Emilia smiled. She then took out her deck case. "The thing is, I've always wanted to fight you, but every time I've tried you've always had a line of challengers, and I'm not too good with waiting. So I was wondering, if it's not too much trouble, could we have a cardfight now?"
Cera was going to say no. But then she stopped and thought about it for a moment. She had already texted the others telling them she would be late. And after what her sister put her through this morning she wanted, no she needed to blow off some steam. Otherwise she might explode.
Taking all this into account Cera changed her answer.
"Sure I don't see why not." She said.
Emilia smiled. "Excellent."
The match now agreed upon the two of them looked around for a fight table, and found one nearby. They then set their decks up and draw their first hand.
"So, who goes first," Cera asked.
"You can. I'm fine with it." Emila said.
"Then don't mind if I do," Cera said.
The matter settled, the two of them placed their first cards down in the vanguard circle.
They then shouted in unison, "Stand up. Vangaurd!"
"Cosmic Hero Grandhop!"
Cosmic Hero Grandhop
Grade 0, Power +5000
"Calluna Musketeer, Elma!"
Calluna Musketeer, Elma
Grade 0, Power +5000
"I draw." Cera said. "I then ride. Cosmic Hero, Grandvicle."
Cosmic Hero, Grandvicle
Grade 1, Power +7000
" Grandhop moves back as forerunner. With that I end my turn." Cera said.
[Damage: Cera (0) Emilia (0)]
"My turn then." Emilia stated. "I draw."
[Turn 2: Hand; Cera (5) Emilia (6)]
"I then ride. Amaryllis Musketeer, Tatiana."
Amaryllis Musketeer, Tatiana
Grade 1, Power +7000
"Elma moves back as forerunner. Then with a boost from Elma, Tatiana will attack Grandvicle."
(7000+5000=12000)
"That's a no guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
[Damage: Cera (1) Emilia (0)]
"I end my turn." Emilia said
[Turn 3: Hand; Cera (5) Emilia (6)]
"I draw." Cera said. "I then ride. Cosmic Hero, Grandrifter."
Cosmic Hero. Grandrifter
Grade 2, Power +9000
"With a boost from Grandhop, he'll attack your vanguard." Cera said.
(9000+5000=14000)
"That will be a no guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
Damage check. No trigger."
[Damage: Cera (1) Emilia (1)]
"With that I end my turn." Cera said. "Your move."
[Turn 4: Hand; Cera (6) Emilia (6)]
"Don't mind if I do." Emilia said. "I stand and draw. I then ride. Cyclamen Musketeer, Favilia."
Cyclamen Musketeer, Favilia
Grade 2, Power +9000
"With a boost from Elma, she will attack your vanguard."
(9000+5000=14000)
"I'll guard that."
"Drive check. No trigger."
[Damage: Cera (1) Emilia (1)]
"With that I end my turn." Emilia said
[Turn 5: Hand; Cera (5) Emilia (7)]
"Stand and draw." Cera said. "Now, this is where things really get started. I ride. Bravest Rush, Grandgallop!"
Bravest Rush, Grandgallop
Grade 3, Power +11000
"I also call. Cosmic Hero, Grandsmasher and Cosmic Hero, Grandlady. With a boost from Grandlady, Grandsmasher will attack your vanguard."
(10000+7000=17000)
"I'll guard that."
"With a boost from Grandhop, here comes Bravest Rush."
(11000+5000=16000)
"That's no guard."
"Twin drive check. First check, a critical trigger. All effects to the vanguard. Second check, no trigger."
"Damage check. No triggers."
[Damage: Cera (1) Emilia (3)]
"With that I end my turn." Cera said.
[Turn 6: Hand; Cera (5) Emilia (6)]
"Stand and draw." Emilia said. She then flashed Cera a small smile, causing her to raise a brow.
"What's got you so happy?" Cera asked in her usual monotone voice.
"Nothing much, just an enjoyable cardfight is all." Emilia said. "And it's about to get a whole lot better. I ride. White Clover Musketeer, Mia Rita!"
White Clover Musketeer, Mia Rita
Grade 3, Power +11000
"Of course you know what's coming next."
"I do." Cera said.
"Good then get ready, because here I come. Generation stride! White Lily Musketeer Captain, Cecilia!" Emilia exclaimed.
White Lily Musketeer Captain, Cecilia
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Stride skill of Mia Rita." Emilia counter blasted one card. "Elma retreats. Then I look at the top four cards of my deck and superior call two units from among them, placing the rest in the drop zone." Emilia did just that, calling two grade one units, putting the rest of her cards in the drop zone. "Now the skill of Cecilia. I select two rear-guard units and retire them, then I can look at the top five cards of my deck, and then call three rear-guard units. I'll do just that." Emilia counter blasted one card, then sent her only two rear-guards to the drop zone, looking at the top five cards of her deck to call three new ones. "I now call. Cherry Blossom Musketeer, Augusto. Camellia Musketeer, Tamara. Finally Cyclamen Musketeer, Favila. In addition the skill of Favilia. Thanks to this both her and Augusto will gain an additional +6000 each, and the "resist" effect is applied to both of them as well. Then the skill of Tamara." Emilia counter blasted her last card. "Select one unit on the board, then search the deck for a card with the same name and superior call it to a rear-guard circle. I select Tamara, and call another Tamara. This time behind Augusto."
Taking a look at Emilia's well built and powerful formation, Cera began to sweat a bit.
"Let's get things started then. With a boost from the Tamara on the right, Favilia will attack your vanguard."
(9000+6000+7000=22000)
"That's a no guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"Now here comes Cecilia herself at your vanguard."
(26000)
"Complete guard!"
"My triple drive. First check, no trigger. Second check, no trigger. Final check, a stand trigger. I'll have Favilia stand, and give her another +5000 power."
Cera clicked her tongue at this, but held a strong face.
"Now, I'll have Favilia attack your vanguard once more."
(9000+6000+5000=20000)
"That's a no guard. Damage check, no trigger."
"Now to end things, the Tamara on the left will give a boost to Augusto, and he'll also be attacking your vanguard. In addition, with Agusto's skill add another +3000 power."
(9000+6000+3000+7000=25000)
"Another no guard. Damage check. A heal trigger. The power to Bravest Rush, and I recover one damage." Cera explained.
[Damage: Cera (3) Emilia (3)]
"With that I end my turn." Emilia said. "Also the skill of Mia Reeta. I choose two normal units with "Musketeer" in their name from my drop zone and place them on the bottom of my deck." Emilia did just that.
[Turn 7: Hand; Cera (3) Emilia (7)]
"Stand and draw." Cera said. She then looked Emilia in the eye. "I'll admit, you're pretty good. I'm glad I accepted your challenge."
"Delighted to hear that," Emilia mused, a small smile on her face.
"But, don't think that means I'm going to just let you win," Cera said with determination.
"But of course." Emilia said, "it wouldn't be fun that way otherwise." She matched Cera's fiery glare with one of her own.
"My thoughts exactly. Now, time for me to pay you back for just now. Ge-" Cera began to get ready to stride, but before she could the feeling from earlier overtook her again. She then stumbled for a moment, and leaned on the fight table in front of her, placing her hand on the side of her head as a strange throbbing began.
Emilia tilted her head. "Oh my, is something wrong Cera?" She asked, but Cera couldn't hear her at all.
No, rather she could hear her, but Emilia's words came into her ears as distorted and slurred.
'What's happening?' Cera thought.
But she didn't have time to think for too long before a rainbow of color exploded in her vision.
"W-What?" Cera questioned in utter astonishment.
That is because she found herself on a cliff, overlooking a large rocky plane, but that plane was not empty. No, it was filled to the brim with warriors clashing.
But what shocked Cera even more was that she recognized some of the warriors clashing. That is because they were iconic units from vanguard itself.
On one part of the battlefield she saw Draconic Overlord, being backed up against by Shiranui, combating a being clad in pure black flames.
And in another part of the battlefield she saw Maelstrom working together with King of Knights Alfred to push back a figure cloaked in light. Yet when Cera looked at the light she couldn't help but get a shiver down her spine. As if the light she was looking at was actually the purest of evils in the world.
She didn't like it one bit.
"I-I need to get out of here." Cera mused to herself. She then turned around to leave, and found herself face to face with the same cloaked figures that Anthony had encountered before.
Though she didn't know that yet.
"Agh!" Cera yelped in surprise, almost falling on her butt, but in the end kept herself on her feet. She then looked at the cloaked figures, but for some reason she found that they didn't scare her at all.
In fact looking at the figure in front of her Cera found herself experiencing a serene calmness and clarity that she had never felt before in her entire life.
It just felt right, yet she couldn't for the life of her explain why.
Cera continued looking at the cloaked figure in front of her for several seconds, until finally the figure itself turned its cloaked head down towards her. It then showed her its arm, bearing the symbol of the Star Gate nation itself.
"What?" Cera questioned. "I don't understand. Just who are you and what is this?"
She questioned the figure bearing the Star Gate symbol on its cloak in front of her but it remained silent.
Then before Cera could say anything else, the explosion of light took her in her vision once again.
"-era"
"Cera, hey Cera."
"Cera, earth to Cera."
"Huh!" Cera exclaimed. She then looked around and found herself back in the park, like nothing had happened at all. "No, what, where's the battlefield, and the units?"
"What?" Emilia questioned.
Cera then realized that she was still in a cardfight and looked at Emilia. "Emilia, did I go anywhere just now?"
Emilia gave Cera a confused look and then shook her head. "No you didn't go anywhere at all. You were about to stride, and then you just zoned out for a few seconds standing there like a zombie or something."
"Are you sure it was only a few seconds?" Cera questioned. Because to her what she experienced felt like it took a lot longer than a few seconds.
Emilia nodded. "Yes, it was only a few seconds. Cera, are you alright, after all that experience just now must've been very overwhelming, are you sure you don't want to stop the cardfight and take a few moments?"
Cera shook her head. "N-No, I'm fine to continue with you."
"Are you sure?" Emilia asked once more.
Cera nodded. "I am."
"Ok then if you're sure." Emilia mused.
"I am. Now as I was saying before my little episode, I'm about to pay you back tenfold. Generation Stride! Super Cosmic Hero, x-rogue!"
Super Cosmic Hero, X-Rogue
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Stride skill!." Cera counter blasted one card. "When a G unit strides, then I choose my vanguard and give it another +4000 power. I then call Cosmic Hero, Grandsub. Now I rest Grandlady, then using her skill I give another +4000 power to X-rogue, and I also give +4000 to Grandsub. And thanks to that Gransub's skill now activates. I give another +4000 to X-Rogue and he obtains a skill. Now the skill of Grandop. Burst! Since the vanguard power is 25000 or geater I rest Grandhop, then I choose one unit on the board and give +4000 power until the end of my turn. I choose to give the power to Grandsmasher this time around. But I'm not down yet. Since the vanguard's power is 35000 or greater I send Grandhop to the soul, counter charge one card, and draw one card." Cera did just that. "Ok, first up here comes Grandsub attacking Augusto!"
(9000+4000=13000)
"I'll guard that." Emilia said, using a grade 0 to guard the attack.
"No problem. Next up is x-rogue, attacking your vanguard."
(26000+4000+4000+4000=38000)
"Generation guard! Bond Protector Musketeer, Antero!"
Bond Protector Musketeer, Antero
Grade 4, Shield +15000
"Using his skill add +15000 to his shield."
(15000+15000=30000)
"Triple drive check. First check, draw trigger. The power to Grandsmasher and I draw one card. Second check, no trigger. Third check, no trigger. But I'm not done. Here comes Grandsmasher attacking Cecilia. And now for his skills. Since he's attacking your vanguard he gains another +4000 power and now his Burst is active. Since the vanguard power is greater than 15000 he against another +4000 power, and since the vanguard's power is higher than 35000 no rear-guard units can be used to intercept his attack."
(10000+4000+5000+4000+4000=27000)
"That's a no guard. A damage check, no trigger."
[Damage: Cera (3) Emilia (4)]
"With that I end my turn." Cera said.
[Turn 8: Hand; Cera (7) Emilia (5)]
"Stand and draw." Emilia said. She then started to lightly clap her hands. "Good, very good so far."
Cera gave her a confused look. "What are you talking about Emilia?"
"You're card fighting skills of course," Emilia answered as she stopped clapping. "However, this just won't do. Not with what is to come."
Cera felt her body tense up, and then gave Emilia a wary look. "About what happened earlier, you know, don't you?"
Emilia's utter silence and the look in her eyes was all the confirmation Cera needed.
"What did you do to me?" Cera asked.
"I didn't do anything to you." Emilia countered. "You must sense that at least."
"I don't know what to believe at the moment." Cera said, a bit of anger in her voice. "But if you explain things to me then maybe that'll all change."
Emilia sighed, shaking her head. "Sorry, but I can't."
"Can't or won't?" Cera pressed.
"Both actually," Emilia admitted. "It's too complicated at the moment for you to understand. Besides, would you even believe me if I did?"
"We won't know unless you tell me, so come with it." Cera said.
"I really want to, but unfortunately I can't. However…"
"However?" Cera mused.
"If you beat me in this cardfight I swear to tell you everything." Emilia stated.
"Fine then." Cera said. "Come on, I'm nowhere near done yet."
"If only that were true." Emilia mused, causing Cera to tilt her head in confusion.
"Ok, now you're really not making any sense." Cera stated.
"One moment and you shall see. The current difference between us." Taking a card from her hand Emilia raised it slightly into the air. "Generation Stride!" She slammed the card onto her G zone, and her avatar was engulfed in a bright white light.
When the light entrapping the vanguard circle died down Emilia's avatar came into view. It was Cecilia, only she was different. Instead of being dressed in white as usual she was dressed in bright blue, with gold armor covering her body at certain parts. She was also wearing a cape draped over her right shoulder, stopping just below her waist with the symbol of the Zoo nation of cray embroidered on it, the cape itself being a bright pink in contrast to the green symbol. In her left hand she held a rapier sword, the blade itself pure white, giving off whiffs of some kind of energy that when touching the surrounding area caused flowers to start to bloom all across the field.
Cera was both mesmerized and fearful of the unit she was looking at. Raising her head she looked right at Emilia. "Y-What is that G unit? I've never seen it before."
"Her name is Blooming Queen of Roses, Cecilia. And she will bring me victory." Emilia explained.
Blooming Queen of Roses, Cecilia
Grade 4, Power +15000
Cera narrowed her eyes. "I'll admit, that unit looks dangerous, but aren't you being just a bit too presumptuous in thinking it will bring you victory? A cardfight isn't over until at least one of us has six damage, and last I checked neither of us is there yet?"
Emilia smiled at Cera's statement. "That right there. I can see now why you're a chosen one."
"A chosen one?" Cera questioned. "Explain."
"Like I said, if I did that now you wouldn't understand any of it. So just wait a bit. But enough talk, time to end this." Emilia said.
"Just try it." Cera egged on.
"My pleasure." Emilia mused. "Stride skill. I retire Augusto, then superior call two units." Emilia explained, placing Augusto in the drop zone. She then called two units from the deck and put the rest of the cards in her drop zone.
An action which Cera didn't understand at all. Considering how much trouble Emilia had gone through to protect Agusuto during her last round of attacks and his skill.
'Just what is she planning?' Cera thought. Because she had a sinking feeling she wouldn't like it one bit.
"Now time for Roses to bloom," Emilia announced. "When Ceclia strides on a unit with "Musketeer" in its name for every face up card in the G zone with Cecilia in the name I can then select one card in the drop zone and shuffle it back into my deck. Since there are only two I will choose two cards." Emilia explained. She then selected two cards and shuffled them back into the deck. "Now the skill of Roses." Emilia counter blasted one card, and flipped over a copy of one of her Cecilia G units in the G zone. "Look at the top seven cards of the deck, then for every face up card with Musketeer in its name in the G zone I can superior call one of them, and then they gain +3000 power for each face up Musketeer."
"W-what?" Cera asked in utter shock.
"That's right. And since there are currently three Muskeeter's face up in my G zone I can superior call three units and they each gain +9000 power." Emilia explained. She then picked up the top seven cards of her deck, and selected her units. "A call Augusto, Rendo Gentian Musketeer, Antero, and finally Artemisia Musketeer, Kiara. Each of them then gain +9000 power, in addition Roses generation break 3."
"There's more?!" Cera questioned.
"But of course." Emilia simply stated. "If three or more units were called using this skill, then the vanguard gains an additional +10000 power, and also when she attacks during this turn, the opponent cannot use cards grade 1 or above to stop her attack."
Cera couldn't believe it. She knew powerful G units existed but this was, it was a bit much. And what was worse is that the Cecilia G unit in front of her was giving off the same feeling as she had felt when her earlier vision consumed her mind. She couldn't explain it at all.
"Let's begin. First up is Augusto. And with his skill add another +3000 power."
(9000+9000+3000=21000)
"Guard!" Cera shouted.
"Now, Cecilia will attack."
(26000+10000=36000)
"Triple drive. First check, a critical trigger. Power to Antero and critical to the vanguard. Second check, no trigger. Final check, critical trigger, all effects to Cecilia."
Again Cera was stunned. For her opponent to draw a double critical on this exact turn. It was as if her deck was responding to her call with ease.
"D-damage check. First check. No trigger. Second check, no trigger. Final check, c-critical trigger."
[Damage: Cera (6) Emilia (4)]
Cera placed her last card in her damage zone, biting her bottom lip in mild frustration. "Dammit, why couldn't I win?" She muttered to herself.
"Because you have yet to realize your true potential." Emilia said, causing Cera to look up at her.
"I meant what I said earlier, I watched you fight in the park and I've wanted to fight you for a long time now. It was a good match, despite everything that happened." Emilia explained.
Cera knew it was true, and yet she still couldn't accept the way things went.
"Well I'll be seeing you then." Emilia said. She turned to leave.
"Wait!" Cera said, causing her to stop and turn back around. "At least, tell me something about what I saw, please, it's just too strange not to have anything to go on."
"I was going to do that anyway." Emilia said, giving a small smile.
Cera felt a vein begin to throb on her head. Apparently Emilia, while cute, had a very cheeky personality.
"If you want to know more about what you saw, ask your friend Anthony. After all, you two are the same." Emilia said.
"Huh?" Cera mused. "Me and Anthony are the same, what do you mean?"
"I could tell you, but that would ruin the fun." Emilia said, giving another small smile.
A gentle breeze then picked up in the air.
"Oh and by the way, don't let your card fly off." Emilia said.
"What?" Cera asked once more. Emilia then pointed to the board and Cera looked down, a wide expression coming upon her face.
For sitting atop the vanguard circle was a unit she had never seen before in her entire life.
She reached down and picked it up. "Hey Emilia, what is-" But Cera stopped, for when she looked up Emilia was nowhere to be seen.
To Cera it was one of the strangest days in her entire life.
A/N
That's chapter four folks.
Next Time: The part finally begins.
Anthony and his friends kick off their celebration for the start of the Vanguard World Tournament, but as things progress he and Cera end up with more questions than answers. Not to mention it wouldn't be a cardfight party without a raging battle that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
Full On Cardfight Celebration
Grade 4:
Blooming Queen of Roses, Cecilia
Power +150000
Skill: [Auto] (VC): When this G unit Stride on a unit with "Musketeer" in its name, choose (1) cards in the drop zone for every face up Cecilia in the G Zone send them to the bottom of the deck and shuffle it. GB:3 Counter Blast (1) card and flip over a card named "Cecilia" in the G zone, then look at the top seven cards of the deck and superior call as many units as there are face up Musketeers in the G zone and add to each +3000 power for each one, then put the rest into your drop zone. If three or more units were called using this skill, then the vanguard gains +10000 power and no grade (1) or higher unit can be used to guard against its attack this turn.