"Damage check. No trigger."
"And there you have it folks, the winners of this matchup are team Victories." Cecilia spoke into her mike.
The second cardfight in the match between team Victories and team Shadow Walkers had just concluded, with Anthony winning the match.
After the match was over he walked over to his opponent and congratulated her on a good cardfight.
To which his opponent accepted with grace.
When that was done Anthony went back over to his team's waiting area and he and Eric started walking out of the arena, hoping to see what the others had been able to find out about Teressa.
Stepping out of the corridor into the general area of the stadium Anthony took his phone out of his pocket and looked at his messages.
During the match just now he felt a buzzing in his pocket, letting him know that he had received a message.
Quickly reading the message Anthony put his phone back into his pocket and then turned towards Eric. "I just read a message I got during the match. It was from Elizabeth. She says she wants us to meet up with her and Cera. They have something important to tell us."
"I got the same thing." Eric said. He then started giving Anthony a curious look. "By the way, what happened with you two earlier?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." Anthony answered.
"Yeah right." Eric deadpanned. "With the way you two were acting it's obvious that something happened. Come on, what was it? You can tell me, I won't tell anybody."
Anthony released a small sigh. He knew that Eric wouldn't leave this alone. That's just the kind of guy he is about things like this. So relenting Anthony whispered into Eric's that he and Elizabeth had shared a brief kiss right before he showed up.
Upon learning this Eric gave Anthony a big grin.
"Stop that," Anthony immediately said after seeing the grin.
"Why?" Eric asked. "This is just my way of showing that I'm happy for you."
"Well stop it." Anthony said again. "Besides, it's complicated." He mused.
It's not that Anthony doesn't like Elizabeth, but at the moment he still only sees her as a friend and nothing more. That is not to say his feelings for her aren't changing, but at the moment it's still too early for him to put his feelings into words. The matter is also further complicated given the many situations they are facing right now.
Anthony quickly explained his thinking to Eric.
"See and that's why I don't know how I really feel at the moment." Anthony said. "Do you get it?"
Eric nodded. "Yeah, I get it." He said. He also dropped the grin on his face. "I won't bring the matter up again, at least not until you two decide what the next step is."
"Thanks," Anthony said.
The two then got a move on to meet up with Elizabeth and Cera.
In no time at all Anthony and Eric arrived at Cera and Elizabeth's location. The water fountain they had been at since they received the phone call from Emilia.
It was the perfect place to discuss things, since they were the only people in the area at the moment.
As soon as Anthony and Eric arrived Elizabeth immediately started explaining things without reservation. How Emilia had contacted them, and how she definitely knew what was going on with Teressa, and how if they wanted answers they had to win the preliminaries.
"And that's the whole story." Elizabeth finished, taking a few deep breaths to catch her breath. She had explained the story in one go without stopping after all.
"Wow, just wow,"Anthony mused. "This is a lot to take in."
"Yeah it is." Eric said. "But at least we now know what we have to do if we want to find out what made Teressa change so drastically. I mean we were already striving to enter the World Tournament to get answers about what we've all experienced, and this only makes things much clearer. This is all connected."
Everyone else had already reached the same conclusion.
"Now then onto another big question. Can we trust Emilia and her friends?" Eric asked.
"I think we can." Cera spoke up. "Don't ask me why, but I get the feeling they are on our side somehow. And after all they somehow gave us new cards and we all got stronger because of it, so I don't think that they're evil or anything."
"True." Anthony agreed. "But when we faced them in cardfights we also got those strange visions, and when we asked those three about it, they avoided the question like the plague. So I'm not entirely sure we can rely on them."
"I've never met any of these three. All I know is my friend is in trouble and they know what's happened to her. So no matter if they're trying to help us or hinder us, if they stand in my way of getting Teressa back, then I won't show them any mercy." Elizabeth spoke, a fiery determination present in her gaze.
"Ok the truth is we really only have pieces," Eric mused. "So the only option is to move forward. If we do that the path will probably open on its own."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Eric's statement.
Their only choice was just keep cardfighting with all they had, only then would they get the answers they sought.
They all agreed on the matter with ease.
"Ok, so the question now is, how do we explain this to the others?" Anthony asked.
Of their friends only Sylvia and Christina knew about the four of them and their situation in its entirety. Everyone else was in the dark.
Moments passed before anyone spoke up, since they were all thinking on the matter in earnest. But then someone finally did speak up.
"I think we should tell them."
The person who spoke up was Cera.
"Why?" Eric asked.
"Because they're our friends," Cera stated. "I know we can trust them. I also think they'll believe us. So I think we should put our faith in them, and tell them everything."
"Even Sebastian?" Anthony asked.
Sebastian may go to school with them, but they had only known him for two months at best. They had no clue how he would react if they told him their collective story.
"I'm actually up in the air with him, but I think he should also know," Cera admitted. "How fair would it be to him if Sylvia and Lucian knew and he was kept in the dark? Besides, Emilia did say that others like Teressa have a chance of popping up, and since he's associating with us he might very well be caught up, even if we try and keep him out of it. So that's why I think telling him is the lesser of two evils."
"I can see your point." Elizabeth said. "Also, I can't stop wondering that if I had stopped being so wrapped up in myself and just broke through Resa's barrier sooner then none of this might've happened to her."
"You can't know that for sure,"Anthony said.
"I know that." Elizabeth answered. "But I also know now that sometimes speaking your mind is much better than staying silent. So on that note I'm in agreement with Cera on telling everyone the truth. Now, what about you two?"
Eric and Anthony shared a look before looking at Cera and Elizabeth again.
"I mean if you guys feel that strongly about it, then I'm in." Anthony said.
"I really don't like this idea all that much, but the pros do outweigh most of the cons, so I'll go along with it." Eric said.
"Looks like we're all in agreement then." Cera said. She then took out her phone. "I'll send out a text to everyone and have them meet here on the double." She explained. She then got up and started moving around, while sending out the text.
A second later Eric took out his phone and looked at the screen. "Oh would you look at that, my sister just texted me and asked how the first day of the prelims went, so if you'll excuse me I need to take this." He said. He then walked off as well.
Leaving Elizabeth and Anthony all alone.
Elizabeth looked right at Anthony. "So...I sort of, told Cera about our kiss," she awkwardly said.
"Well I did the same thing with Eric," Anthony admitted.
"I see." Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Anthony said.
An awkward silence filling the air.
'Not again.' Both of them thought.
The silence went on for a few seconds, however unlike last time Anthony and Elizabeth could at least make eye contact with each other.
"So listen Anthony," Elizabeth began. "About...the kiss. I...what I mean is….it's not that I don't like you, because I do. But at the moment I just see you as a friend." She finally managed to say.
Anthony used a finger to adjust his glasses. "I see. Well, that's how I feel at the moment as well." He said.
"You do?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Y-yeah." Anthony muttered. "Why? Is that bad?" He asked.
"No, not at all." Elizabeth said. "Actually it's perfect. Honestly with everything going on right now, and with me working through my own problems I don't have the space in my head to think about anything else. That's not to say I think our kiss was disgusting or a mistake, because it wasn't. All I'm saying is my emotions are all over the place right now, and I need time to deal with some stuff before I can even begin to think about a relationship." She tried to explain.
"I completely understand." Anthony said. "I feel the same way. So just friends for now?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah, friends for now is the best option I think for the both of us."
Anthony nodded. "That's great." He said.
So with that the matter was settled. Anthony and Elizabeth agreed just to remain as friends and teammates for the foreseeable future.
The business between the two of them settled, Anthony informed Elizabeth about their match with team Shadow Walkers. Then by the time he was finished everyone else had arrived.
Once they did, Cera called the meeting to order.
"So listen you guys, there's something we have to tell all of you. Something that we've been keeping secret," she began.
The four of them, along with Sylvia and Christina then explained all the strange events that had happened to them right before the World Tournament began. The visions, the mysterious three cardfighters, their strange new cards, and anything else they knew. Nothing was held back, including the information regarding Teressa.
"And that's all of it," Cera said. "Questions?"
"This sounds completely insane," Joshua mused. He then sighed, rubbing the back of his head lightly. "But even so, if it's you guys telling me then I'll believe it."
"The same for me," Lucian nodded. "Making this kind of thing up isn't something you guys would do."
"I am of the same opinion." Allison added. "Even though I don't really play vanguard like all of you, and I don't really know any of you that well but I trust Ellie, and if she trusts you then so will I." She explained.
Sebastian didn't say anything. He just stood there with a wry smile on his face, lightly scratching the side of his cheek.
"Sebastian, are you ok?" Sylvia asked. "I know this is a lot to take in, and in your uncomfortable just let us know." She said.
"Well actually just a bit," he admitted. "But I don't feel like you guys are messing with me. I may not have known you long personally, but you did invite me to join your team so I'll put my trust in you. Even though my head is spinning just thinking about this." He said.
"Thank you," Sylvia said, giving a small smile.
"Also thank you all for trusting us," Anthony added. "Anyway, we know what we have to do now. If we want to learn anything more about the strange events surrounding us then one of our teams needs to advance to the main tournament." He said seriously. "But even so I won't hold back against any of you," he admitted.
"I would be disappointed if you did." Sylvia said.
"We came here to test our skills, and that's exactly what I intend to do. No matter what." Joshua spoke up.
The others were in agreement as well.
Because even with such a goal in front of them, their cardfighting spirits grew even stronger.
A few days had passed since Atnhony and his friends had their meeting concerning all the strange events that had been happening around them.
In that time the American preliminaries kicked into high gear.
The cardfights started to become even more intense, and participating teams were eliminated left and right.
But teams Victories, Mystic, and Crusade were still in it, going strong. The same could be said for team Imperial Majesty who was dominating D block like it was the easiest thing in the world. Their team always finished with two straight wins in their designated matchups, speaking to their prowess as cardfighters.
Even so, no one is giving an inch in this tournament.
Sitting in one of the stadium's cafeterias Anthony and his friends were relaxing, as they finally at the day's intermission stage for the matches.
Putting down his milkshake after taking a sip Anthony looked at Sylvia. "So your next matchup takes place right after the intermission right?" He asked.
Anthony and team Victories had just finished their match for the day, so now they could focus on supporting their friends in theirs.
Sylvia nodded. "That's right. We're facing some team who goes by the name Zenith," she mused.
"Interesting," Anthony murmured. "So, do you know what they're like," he questioned.
When he did the entire team Crusade gained frowns on their faces.
"What, did I say something wrong?" Anthony questioned.
"Not at all." Sylvia said. "It's just that the rumors we've heard about this team are anything but good."
"Yeah," Lucian said. "I heard that they mock their opponents after winning their matches." He shared.
"The other day a girl bumped into me and she was crying," Sebastian said. "When I asked her teammates chasing her what happened, she said the captain of team Zenith told her she should just give up on cardfighting, and that the match he had against her was completely worthless and an absolute waste of his time."
The more everyone heard about team Zenith's conduct, the more the team fell in all their eyes.
"This team Zenith sounds like real pieces of work," Eric mused.
Sylvia nodded. "They probably are considering all the smack being talked about them. Even so they made it this far into the preliminaries so they must have decent cardfighting skills." She surmised.
"Yeah," Elizabeth added. "Even so, there's no need for such cruelty to opponents in that manner."
"I couldn't agree more." Cera added.
"Someone needs to put these guys in their place," Joshua added. "Teach them a little compassion and humility."
"Don't worry, we plan too," Lucian said
"That's right." Sylvia said. She couldn't stand any vanguard player that mocked another. It was one of her sore spots.
"Ok enough about team Zenith, let's just enjoy the intermission. We can deal with them afterwards." Christina said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They weren't going to let rumors about another team ruin their relaxation time.
And just like that the conversation returned to normal. The group was chatting about small, everyday things. They also talked about who they might face in the finals of their perspective blocks.
A nice atmosphere was created.
Which was then shattered in an instant.
*Crash!*
Everyone in the cafeteria turned their heads in the direction of the crash when they heard it. What they saw was a girl having bumped into a guy, spilling her tray filled with food all over him.
"What the hell, are you blind or just stupid?!" The guy angrily screamed at the girl in front of him.
"I'm sorry." The girl said.
But the guy wasn't having any of that.
He moved closer to her, and in doing so forced her to fall onto her butt. Seeing this he put a smirk on his face.
"That's much better." The guy spoke. "You're exactly where you ought to be now, on the floor with the rest of the trash." He told her.
When the girl heard this she started to cry.
Meanwhile the guy just looked at her, his two companions at his sides laughing at the scene.
"Crying really?" The guy mused. "We're the same age, yet you're acting like a baby. What, can't handle a little yel-"
Before the guy could continue someone placed a hand on his shoulder and forcefully turned him to face them.
It was none other than Maxwell Bloom.
"Victor, that's enough," Maxwell sternly said.
While this was happening Noel helped the girl to her feet and started to lead her towards the restrooms, giving Victor a dirty glare as she did so.
The boy now known as Victor slapped Maxwell's hand off his shoulder. "Don't touch me Bloom," he settled out in anger. "And anyway this is none of your business."
Maxwell shook his head in disappointment. "It looks like you haven't changed at all since the last time I saw you. Quite sad actually."
"Shut your mouth!" Victor roared. "I don't need your pity. I don't need anything from you. Don't think that we're equals because we're not. And I'll prove it. Just watch me make it to the finals and crush you," he said, a smile appearing on his face. "Then once that happens everyone will finally see that I'm a better cardfighter than you." He proclaimed.
Looking at the scene taking place between Victor and Maxwell some people started whispering about it, while others were just watching the whole thing in silence.
Anthony's group being in the latter category.
"Whatever you say Victor," Maxwell said.
Victor started to get red in the face with anger after hearing Maxwell's response to his declaration.
"Looks like someone's got a temper," Cera mused.
"Yeah, and he's a horrible personality as well." Elizabeth added.
"I've got it." Christina suddenly spoke up. Everyone then looked at her.
"Got what?" Joshua asked.
"I know who that Victor guy is." Christina said. This whole time she had felt that Victor looked familiar but she couldn't place him, and now it had finally clicked into place for her. "His full name is Victor Truman, and at the moment he's ranked 2nd in the American youth cardfighter league." She explained.
"You know now that you mention I thought he did look familiar," Anthony mused. He then remembered that he had seen Victor in a couple of vanguard magazines before. "Yeah, Christina is right. That is Victor Truman."
"Really, that guy," Eric mused. He pointed to Victor who was stomping his foot on the ground in anger like a child who had his toy taken away. "He's the 2nd ranked cardfighter in the American youth league?"
"Yeah, I don't see it." Cera said.
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth." Anthony said.
"Yep, it's true." Joshua said. His phone in hand he showed everyone an article he found proving that Victor was indeed 2nd place in the American youth league. A position he had held for the past three years without losing one match.
In fact the only person who had ever beat Victor is the current 1st ranked American youth cardfighter and champion, Maxwell Bloom. A person Victor has never been able to beat during all their matches. According to the article Joshua found.
"Looks like he's got a major inferiority complex." Eric pointed out.
"Not only that, it says here that Victor's family owns and operates Truman Trucking, a massive nationwide trucking company that's been around since the 1950's." Joshua said, reading another article he found on his phone.
"Great, so he's basically a spoiled rich kid." Sylvia muttered. "Just great." She was really not in the mood to deal with this.
While Sylvia was griping about Victor he had finally stopped stomping on the ground. His face had also regained its normal color. Once that happened he looked Maxwell straight in the eyes.
"I hope you enjoyed the spotlight while you could, because once these matches are over it will be my team that will go to the world tournament. And you'll be nothing." Victor said.
"Already thinking that this tournament is yours. That overconfidence will be your undoing Victor. Especially since you don't know what will happen in a cardfight until it's over." Maxwell explained.
Victor snorted. "Please. The matches I've played up til now haven't even been a warm-up for me and my team. All of them were losers, and they should stay where losers are supposed to. At the bottom and out of my way. I could beat anyone here with one hand tied behind my back. Even our next opponents aren't worth the time we will spend fighting against them. Team Crusade, what a joke. Especially with that midget leader of theirs. I didn't know grade-schoolers were allowed to compete in this thing." He joked.
Hearing Victor's word a demonic aura appeared around Sylvia the very next second. She then almost jumped out of her chair and started running towards Victor, preparing to claw his eyes out.
But before she could reach him she was stopped in her tracks.
Courtesy of Mitchell. He had grabbed the back of her shirt and was keeping her in place. "Woah there," he mused. "I know he's an ass but you can't kill him. No matter how much you want to."
"Don't call me short!" Sylvia yelled at Victor, flames of hatred burning in her eyes.
Victor turned toward Sylvia and gave her an annoyed look." Sorry, but who are you and why are you talking to me?"
A number of tick marks appeared on Sylvia's head after hearing that. "Hehe, I see. You want to die today, huh?" She mused. Her demonic aura only seemed to grow bigger as the seconds ticked by.
As for Mitchell he was seriously considering letting go of Sylvia and letting her have her wish. Victor deserved what was coming to him, and he really didn't just do himself any favors at all with his comment and attitude.
"No seriously, who are you kid?" Victor asked.
"I'm not a kid," Sylvia roared. "My name is Sylvia Kellens, your next opponent."
Victor's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh so you are the midget captain of the next group of losers me and my team are facing. I didn't even recognize you. But then again, why should I try and remember someone who doesn't stand a chance against me in the first place?"
"You sure talk a big game, but that's a little rich coming from you. Isn't it number two?" Sylvia said, a satisfied smirk appearing on her face
Victor's face turned red again in the next second.
He then opened his mouth and started to say something, but closed it immediately after. "You know what, forget it. There's no reason for me to argue with the likes of you. It's better if I just show you the difference between us during the match. Hope you're ready to see your dreams die." Victor said.
He and his teammates then walked off.
Sylvia tried to free herself from Mitchell's grasp the entire time while Victor and his team were in the cafeteria. It wasn't until they actually left that she stopped struggling to free herself and finally started to calm down.
Once that happened Mitchell let go of her shirt.
"Pay him no mind," Maxwell said, walking up to Sylvia. "Just play your vanguard and you will defeat him. In fact I think losing too you will do Victor some good. Maybe it'll change him back to the way he youst to be."
"Really, so he hasn't always been set on dick mode," Sylvia questioned in fake surprise.
Maxwell gave her a deadpan look in response. "No, actually he hasn't. Victor and I started playing in the American youth league at the same time three years ago. Back then he was a bit cocky, but he had the heart of a true fighter. However as time went on he changed into what you just saw." Maxwell shook his head in disappointment once more. "It's truly sad that such a great cardfighter has turned into that."
"Whatever you say." Sylvia mused. "Anyway, don't worry about a thing. I'll crush him and make him cry to his mommy." She mused, a feral grin appearing on her face.
Maxwell showed a wry smile at this.
He didn't have the heart to tell Sylvia she was completely missing the point of what he was saying.
"Welcome fans to another exciting match of the American preliminaries of the Vanguard World Tournament. As always, I your trusty and reliable commentator Cecilia Blackwell will be here to guide you through these explosive cardfights that are taking place." Cecilia said into her mike.
The crowd released a chorus of cheers after she did.
"With our short intermission over it's time to continue. The two teams facing off in this round have both been blazing a trail through the preliminaries showing incredible skill. On the left we have team Zenith!" Cecilia crowd.
Team Zenith walked out of the corridor on the left side.
As they did they were met with a chorus of boos and silence.
The spectators had no love for team Zenith's mocking of their competition or their belittlement of others.
However not one member on the team showed an ounce of shame or concern on their face.
Eventually the crowd quieted down.
"That's rough. But considering team Zenith's conduct you can't blame the crowd for acting the way they did," Cecilia announced. She personally didn't like team Zenith's conduct either, but as an announcer she had to show impartially when speaking.
Otherwise she wouldn't be able to do her job.
"Anyway, enough about that. Let me introduce the other team. In the right we have a rookie team with no prior experience in tournaments to their name. Give it up for team Crusade!" Cecilia shotue into her mike.
Team Crusade walked out of the corridor on the right side.
When they did, the crowd cheered for them with all their might. Then a few moments later they fell into silence once more.
"Ok, now that both teams are out, let's get ready to fight!" Cecilia said. "Both teams, please send out your first fighter," she asked.
When she did, Victor stepped up for team Zenith.
As for team Crusade, it was Sylvia who stepped up, a look of determination in her eyes.
"Oh and right off the bat we have a captain's face off," Cecilia spoke. "It looks like this match is going to be intense."
Victor snorted at Ceclia's words. "I wouldn't bet on it. I'll finish you off quickly midget, then you can run back to grade school and enjoy your juice boxes and cookies."
"A lot of tough talk 2nd place but we'll see who's laughing in the end," Syvilia replied, a smirk appearing on her face.
Victor ground his jaw upon hearing the comment.
As the two set up their boards and hands, invisible sparks started flying in the air between them.
Up in the stands Sylvia's friends could only put wry smiles on their faces. The same for team Imperial Majesty who was also watching from the stands.
"Such a thick tension in the air you couldn't cut it even with a steak knife. It tells me these two fighters are ready to go, so without further ado let the match begin." Cecilia announced.
"Stand up. Vanguard!" Sylvia shouted.
"Stand up, my vanguard!" Victor shouted
"Amon's Follower, Barmaid Grace!"
Amon's Follower, Barmaid Grace
Grade 0, Power +5000
"Kelpie Rider, Mitros!"
Kelpie Rider, Mitros
Grade 0, Power +5000
"Since I'm just a "grade schooler" it wouldn't be fair of me to go first. So 2nd place, please go ahead." Sylvia said, giving Victor the first turn of the match.
"Pretty soon that smart mouth of yours is going to be shut," he retorted. "I draw. I then ride. Dragon Rider, Dinos."
Dragon Rider, Dinos
Grade 1, Power +7000
"Mitros moves back and I end my turn." Victor said. "Now go on little girl, it's your move," he sarcastically said.
[Damage: Victor (0) Sylvia (0)]
"Don't mind if I do, number two." Sylvia saing with a smirk on her face. "I draw."
[Turn 2: Hand; Victor (5) Sylvia (6)]
"I then ride. Amon's Follower, Hateful Cyclone."
Amon's Follower, Hateful Cyclone
Grade 1, Power +7000
"Grace moves back. Then with a boost from Grace, Hateful Cyclone will attack your vanguard."
(7000+5000=12000)
"No guard."
"Drive check." Sylvia showed the top card of her deck and then put a smug grin on her face. She then lightly waved the card in Victor's direction. "Well would you look at this. A critical trigger. All effects to Hateful Cyclone."
(12000+5000=17000)
"Damage check. No triggers."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Victor (2) Sylvia (0)]
"I draw." Victor said.
[Turn 3: Hand; Victor (6) Sylvia (6)]
"I then ride. Battle Siren, Adelaide."
Battle Siren, Adelaide
Grade 2, Power +9000
"I then call. Battle Siren, Cipla. Then with a boost from Mitros, Adelaide will attack your vanguard."
(9000+5000=14000)
"No guard."
"Drive check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"Go Cipla."
(9000)
"I'll guard that one."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Victor (2) Sylvia (1)]
"Stand and draw." Sylvia said.
[Turn 4: Hand; Victor (5) Sylvia (6)]
"I ride. Amon's Follower, Audios Thunder."
Amon's Follower, Audios Thunder
Grade 2, Power +9000
"I also call. Amon's Follower, Hell's Draw. With her skill, since the vanguard has "Amon" in its name then I can soul charge two cards." Sylvia said. She then placed two cards in her soul.
"Oh and there it is folks. Sylvia is finally beginning to show the speciality of her Amon deck and the Dark Irregulars clan as a whole. The power of the soul." Cecilia announced.
'Heh, it's not like it'll change anything in the end.' Victor thought.
"With a boost from Grace, Thunder will attack your vanguard."
(9000+5000=14000)
"That's a guard."
"Drive check. No trigger. Draw, attack Cipla."
(9000)
"I'll also guard that one."
"Then that's it for my turn."
[Damage: Victor (2) Sylvia (1)]
"Stand and draw." Victor said.
[Turn 5: Hand; Victor (4) Sylvia (5)]
Victor took a card from his hand and smirked after he did. "I think it's about time I show you just why I'm superior."
"Bring it on, I can't wait." Sylvia said in a sarcastic tone, rolling her eyes as well.
"You won't be so cocky for long." Victor mused. "Now I ride. Fierce warrior who rules over the seven seas. Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas!"
Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas
Grade 3, Power +11000
"And now with a boost from Mitros, Thavas will attack your vanguard."
(11000+5000=16000)
"I don't guard."
"Twin drive check. First check. No trigger. Second check. A critical trigger. Power to Cipla and critical to Thavas."
"Damage check. No triggers."
"Serves you right. Now Cipla, attack Hell's Draw. And with her skill since my vanguard has "Thavas" in its name she gains resist and also another +2000 power." Victor explained.
(9000+5000+2000=16000)
"I don't guard."
"I end my turn."
[Damage: Victor (2) Sylvia (3)]
"Stand and draw." Sylvia said.
[Turn 6: Hand; Victor (5) Sylvia (6)]
"You think you're scary, well you ain't seen nothing yet." Sylvia said. "I ride. Amon's Eye, Agares!"
Amon's Eyes, Agares
Grade 3, Power +11000
"His skill. When he's placed on the vanguard circle I can choose any two units on my board and give them +1000 power for each card in my soul. There are four cards in my soul currently so that's an extra +4000 power. However since Grace is my only rear-guard at the moment I will give the power to her. Then, liberating the generation zone. Generation stride! Ringleader of Uproar, Gharvans!"
Ringleader of Uproar, Gharvans
Grade 4, Power +15000
"I can't use Agares stride skill at the moment, so instead I'll just call. Amon's Follower, Ron Greelin. Amon's Follower, Hell's Nail. And Amon's Follower, Hell's Deal. The skill of Hell's Deal. When she's called and the vanguard is "Amon" then I can soul charge two cards." Sylvia explained. "Now Ron Greelin, attack Cipla. Also with his skill since the vanguard is Amon he gains an additional +3000 power."
(9000+3000=12000)
"No guard." Victor said, moving Cipla to the drop zone.
Up in the stand Maxwell nodded. "Smart move getting rid of Cipla. It's a key unit in the Thavas archetype, and if left unchecked can do real damage later on." He mused.
"Yes, and this also gets rid of an intercept." Noel spoke.
"Looks like shorties actually got skills after all." Mitchell spoke.
"With a boost from Grace, Garhvans will attack your vanguard."
(26000+5000+4000=35000)
"In addition I activate the skill of Garhvans." Sylvia spoke. She counter blasted one card, flipped over a copy of Garhvans in the G zone, and then placed the top five cards of her deck into her soul. "When this unit attacks I can soul charge five cards. And if any of the cards were trigger units then I can one card from my deck for each one. There was one. It was a critical trigger. Amon's Follower, Grausam. Which means I draw one card. In addition, the skill of Grausam." Sylvia counter blasted one card. "Since he was placed into my soul by the effect of another one of my cards and there are over six cards in the soul, the opponent must choose one rear-guard unit and retire it. But you only have one. So say bye-bye to Mitros."
Victor begrudgingly placed Mitros in his drop zone.
"And just like that Sylvia has greatly increased her soul and cleared her opponent's board, allowing her to set the pace of the fight. Cecilia announced.
"Say, let's not forget about the other skill of Garhvans. If you want to guard against his attack then you must place equal or more to the number of normal units I just placed in my soul using his ability. But it doesn't look like you have that many in your hand, right?" Sylvia questioned, a completely innocent expression on her face.
Which only pissed off Victor even more.
"N-no, guard." He murmured.
"My triple drive then. First check. No trigger. Second check. A stand trigger. Power to Hell's Nail and Ron Greenlin stands. Final check. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"Ron Greenlin once more, attack the vanguard this time."
(9000+3000=12000)
"No guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"With a boost from Hell's Deal, Hell's Nail will attack your vanguard. Also activating her skill." Sylvia counter blasted one card. She then placed three cards in her soul. "When this unit attacks a vanguard I can soul charge three cards."
(9000+7000+5000=21000)
"Like I'd allow that to happen. Generation guard! Blue Wave Armor General, Galfilia!"
Blue Wave Armor General, Galfilia
Grade 4, Shield +15000
"There's no need to waste her skill since her shield is strong enough." Victor explained.
"Sure." Sylvia mused. "I end my turn."
[Damage: Victor (5) Sylvia (3)]
"Stand and draw." Victor said.
[Turn 7: Hand; Victor (5) Sylvia (5)]
"Oh and look at this folks. It's only her first stride but Sylvia has Victor Truman on the ropes." Cecilia spoke.
"Heh, don't make me laugh." Victor retorted. "It's time to show you what true cardfighting is, little girl. Generation stride! Storm of Lament, Wailing Thavas!"
Storm of Lament, Wailing Thavas
Grade 4, Power +15000
"Stride skill! I choose a unit from my hand and call it to one of my rear-guard circles." Victor explained. He then called a unit to the back right. "I call. Sea Serpent Rider, Lathum! Also because he was called with the skill of Supreme Ruler he obtains a skill. In addition, his own skill." Victor counter blasted one card. "For every open circle on my opponent's board he gains +2000 power until the end of the turn. He also obtains another skill." Victor explained. "Now I call. Battle Siren, Cipla and Battle Siren Janka. Then Lathum will attack your vanguard. With the skill he obtained from Supreme Ruler he can attack from the back row."
(7000+2000=9000)
Lathum's attack did not work since it didn't have enough power.
However Sylvia knew better than to let her guard down.
"The second skill that Lathum obtained." Victor stood him. "If it's the first or second attack of the turn and the vanguard is "Thavas" then he stands." Victor explained.
'So this was his plan.' Sylvia thought. She knew the speciality of Aqua Force was standing units, and depending on what cards the player was using from Aqua Force the times units stood and attacked the worse it could be. Which was why she was preparing for anything to happen.
"Lathun attack one more, and this time go after Hell's Nail."
(7000+2000=9000)
"No guard."
"Battle Siren, Janka, attack the vanguard. Activating her skill." Victor soul blasted one card. "When she attacks and it is the third attack of the turn or later and her target is the vanguard, then she gains +4000 power for every other unit on my board with the wave ability. Since there are three, she gains +12000 power."
(12000+9000=21000)
"That's a no guard. Damage check. No trigger."
"Cipla will now attack the vanguard. Also her skill." Victor counter blasted one card. "I draw one card, and she gains an additional +3000 power, and since my vanguard is "Thavas" she gets another +2000 power."
(9000+3000+2000=14000)
"I guard that."
"Go ahead. But this is the end. Wailing Thavas, attack the vanguard. Activating his skill." Victor counter blasted one card. "Since it is the third attack or later, Wailing gains +5000 for each time my rear-guard units attacked this turn. It was four, so he gains +20000 power."
(26000+20000=46000)
'This was his plan all along.' Sylvia thought.
"Also while Wailing is attacking you can't use grade 1 cards to guard," Victor explained. A triumphant smirk appearing on his face.
"Oh what a powerful move." Cecilia mused. "Not only has Victor stopped Sylvia from playing a complete guard, but his vanguard alone has over +40000 power. That's going to be tough to stop, and with four damage she's in real trouble."
"That's not even including the drive check." Lucian murmured.
"Don't worry. I'm sure Sylvia will find a way to pull through." Sebastian said. He really believed it.
Looking at her hand and then at her deck, Sylvia put a smile on her face. "No guard." She said with ease.
"Pfft. Looks like you've finally realized that I'm going to win no matter what," Victor sneered. "Well I guess you do have some brains, letting me win will make this go much easier for you."
"Who said I was letting you win?" Sylvia questioned. "I just decided to believe in my deck, nothing more."
"Oh really," Victor mused. A dark glint in his eyes. "Then let's see how well you believe in your deck after this crushing defeat!" He exclaimed. "Triple drive. First check. A stand trigger. I'll stand Janka and she'll also receive the power. Second check. No trigger. Final check."
Everyone in the stadium was holding their breath, waiting to see what the final card of Victor's drive check would be. When he flipped it over and revealed it, some people couldn't believe their eyes.
"H-heal trigger. I recover one damage." Victor spoke. "Power to Janka."
"Damage check. A draw trigger. Power to Agares and I draw one card." Sylvia said.
(11000+5000=16000)
"Don't get smug. This is the end for you!" Victor shouted. "Janka attack the vanguard, and with her skill add another +12000 power. Finish this!"
(9000+12000+5000+5000=31000)
"Generation guard! Nighttime Gentleman, Saint-Germain!"
Nighttime Gentleman, Saint-Germain
Grade 4, Shield +15000
"Using his skill. Since there are ten or more cards in the soul, he gains +10000 to his shield." Sylvia explained.
(15000+10000=25000)
"I end my turn." Victor said.
[Damage: Victor (4) Sylvia (5)]
"Stand and draw." Sylvia said.
[Turn 8: Hand; Victor (5) Sylvia (4)]
"Would you look at this marvelous cardfight folks," Cecilia said. "Sylvia Kellens was on the ropes. If Victor had drawn a critical trigger it would've been over for her, but it looks like luck was on her side today. She's still in this. However the question remains, can she win, or will fate smile upon Victor and give him another chance? Keep watching to find out."
"Shit," Victor muttered under his breath. 'No wait, calm down.' He thought. 'I'm getting worked up for nothing. She can't possibly win. I have the cost for a generation guard in my hand. I also have intercepts as well, and a complete guard. I'm still in this. Yes, there's no way I could lose to someone like her.'
"Well I think it's about time we finish this. Final turn!" Sylvia shouted.
The crowd cheered at that.
"Oh my word folks Sylvia Kellens just declared a final turn. We haven't seen one of those yet since the preliminaries began. Let's see if she can pack it up." Cecilia said.
"Final turn, on me, don't make me laugh." Victor roared.
"It's not a joke. Here we go." Sylvia said. "Skill of Agares. Since it's the beginning of my ride phase I can select up to two rear-guard units on my field and give each of them +1000 power for each card in my soul. Last time I checked the total is twelve. So both Ron Greelin and Hell's Deal gain and additional +12000 power." She explained.
'Shit all that power and she hasn't even strided yet!' Victor thought.
He had been severely underestimating Sylvia and her deck. Now he's going to pay the price.
"Liberating the generation zone. Generation stride! Amon's Red Eye, Forneus!"
Amon's Red Eye, Forneus
Grade 4, Power +15000
"This time around I will use Agares stride skill." Sylvia said. She then counter blasted one card. "Now I can soul charge the same amount of cards from my deck as there are currently in my soul. The number is twelve so I soul charge twelve cards." Sylvia placed an additional twelve cards in her soul. "That brings the total to twenty-four. Skill of Forneus." Sylvia counter blasted one card and placed Grace on the drop zone. "My opponent must now select one rear-guard unit and send it to the drop zone."
Victor placed Lathum in the drop zone.
"Good job." Sylvia said. "Thanks to that, for every five cards in my soul, Forneus gains an additional +5000 power until the end of my turn. There are twenty-four cards in my soul, so he gains an extra +20000 power. Also since there are twenty or more cards in my soul I can select two of my opponent's rear-guard units and send them to the drop zone. You only have two, so they're gone."
Victor placed his two rear-guards in the drop zone, a bead of sweat starting to roll down his face.
"One more thing. Since my heart card is an "Amon'' then Forneus gains an extra critical until the end of my turn." She explained.
"Oh what a comeback." Cecilia cried. "Not only has Sylvia completely destroyed her opponents board once again, but her unis have gained an immense amount of power. What marvelous play!"
"I'm not done yet." Sylvia said. "I call. Hateful Cyclone and Audious Thunder. Both of their skills now activate. I soul charge two more cards. Then Cyclone's power reduces by -2000, but now he gains an additional +5000 power for each five cards in my soul. Since there are now twenty-six cards in the soul he gains an additional +25000 power. A similar thing with Thunder. He also gains an additional +25000 power."
Looking at the line-up he was facing Victor felt a child down his spine. 'No. No way, I won't lose. Not to someone like her! I won't!' He roared in his thoughts.
"Forneus, attack the vanguard."
(26000+20000=46000)
"Don't mess with me. Complete guard!" Victor yelled.
"Triple drive check. First check. No trigger. Second check. A critical trigger. All effects to Thunder. Final check. Another critical trigger. All effect to Ron Greelin."
"Oh double critical and at just the right time too." Cecilia cried.
Seeing this Victor lost some light in his eyes.
'No. I don't want to lose!' He thought.
But that wasn't the case.
"Boosted by Hell's Deal, Thunder will attack your vanguard."
(5000+25000+7000+12000+5000=54000)
"N-no guard. Damage check. No triggers!"
[Damage: Victor (6) Sylvia (5)]
"And there you have it folks. The winner of the fist match of this round is team Crusade, led by their captain Sylvia Kellens."
As Sylvia collected her deck the crowd cheered.
Meanwhile Victor had lost the light in his eyes.
As for Maxwell in the stand he just gave a curt nod. "She's strong. She also trusts in her deck. If she had just an inch of doubt, then Victor would've probably won on his last turn."
"Yes." Noel answered.
"I hope I get to fight her." Mitchell said.
"With the first fight now concluded, will the next two fighters please step forward?" Cecilia asked.
Lucian went for team Crusade, and from team Zenith it was one of Victor's lackeys named Aiden.
The cardfight was over in a flash, Lucian ending up the winner.
"And that's that folks. The team moving on to the next round is team Crusade." Cecilia said.
While team Crusade was enjoying their win Victor exited the arena, a dark look in his eyes.
"Fucking shit!" Victor yelled.
He then kicked a nearby tree.
After his team lost in the preliminaries he ran out of the stadium and went to a nearby park, where he started ranting about his loss.
"Little midget, thinks she can make a fool of me?!" He roared.
He only did this because he was alone though. Victor would never act in such a way in front of other people.
Well at least not this much.
"If only I had stronger cards, a stronger deck, then everything would be different." He murmured to himself.
"Dammit!" He cried.
He then started taking deep breaths since he screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Fufu, do you want power?" A voice suddenly called out.
Victor looked around but didn't see anyone.
"Who said that? Where are you?"
"Here." The voice said louder this time.
Victor heard it coming from his deck case, so he took it out and placed it in his hands.
As soon as he did, dark energy started emitting itself from his deck case.
"Ok, what is this?" Victor asked.
"It's what you want. Power. The power to crush anyone in your path." The voice spoke again. "So, do you want it?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Victor questioned.
"Hehehe, I thought that might be your answer." The voice said.
A second after it did dark energy encompassed Victor's entire body. His eyes then glowed a deep yellow and a strange and evil smile appeared on his face.
Which gave off a vibe of extreme danger.
A/N:
That's chapter 13 folks.
Next Time: As the Preliminaries draw closer and closer to the climax, it's finally time for the block finals to begin. The first match, A block. Where team Victories and team Crusade will clash with all their might.
Team Victories vs. Team Crusade Part 1
Fanon Cards:
Grade 1:
Sea Serpent Rider, Lathum
Power +7000 Shield +5000
[Cont.] (RC): If you have a vanguard with "Thavas" in its card name then this unit gains "Resist".[Auto] (RC): Generation Break 1 Wave-1st or 2nd time only [Counter Blast (1) card.] When this unit is placed on a rear-guard circle it gains +2000 power for any open circle on the opponent's board, and when this unit attacks and the vanguard is "Thavas" then at the end of the battle [Stand] this unit.