Sorry for the long wait. After my last semester ended, I had to go through graduation, and I now have a full-time job in addition to writing a novel and managing one (soon to be two) youtube channel. I will try to upload more.

Chapter 3: The Blaster Lord vs The Dark Celestial Dragon

Black Moon Dragon stared at Aichi for a moment with his brown eyes fixated on him from under the mask. Eventually, Black Moon Dragon started making his way toward the bleachers, shocking the crowd. The normally ecstatic audience suddenly fell silent. Despite hailing the cardfighter as a celebrity, he still had an intimidating presence. Aichi suddenly felt Rati squeeze his arm. When he turned toward her, he noticed a worried look on her face. When he looked back up, Black Moon Dragon was standing right in front of them.

"You wanted to talk to me?" he asked coldly.

Before he knew it, Aichi was in a storage room with Rati and Black Moon Dragon.

"We can speak here in private," the masked man stated. "Now, who are you?"

"I-I am Aichi Sendou, and my friend is Rati Curti," he answered nervously.

"What is it you wanted to speak to me about?" he asked.

Aichi gulped. He didn't know what to say to him. He didn't know if the man would believe him, and even if he did, there was no telling whether or not he would help them. Nonetheless, he didn't have many options.

"Listen," he stated. "What I have to say may seem really hard to believe."

"Try me," the man responded.

Aichi hesitated. "Something bad is coming and I was told to ask you for help."

Black Moon Dragon stared at him intently before asking, "Who sent you?"

"Huh?" Aichi questioned.

"Who put you up to this?" the man asked again.

Aichi's heart started pounding. He glanced at Rati and saw that she was equally nervous.

"It was a person named Takuto," he responded.

"Oh, him again," the man sighed.

"You know him?" he asked.

"I've never met him," he replied. "However, this is not the first time he has sent someone to ask for my help."

Aichi's eyes widened at the revelation. Suddenly, his fear was replaced with curiosity.

"Did you help him then?" he asked.

"Yes," was the man's simple answer.

"Does that mean you'll help us too?" Rati chimed in.

"No," was his simple answer.

"What!" Aichi and Rati shouted in unison.

"Why not?" Rati objected.

"That power you have," he stated. "It's Psyqualia isn't it?"

"Huh? How did you know?" Aichi asked in bewilderment.

"I met another one once," he started. "Let's just say it didn't work out too well between us. If I am going to help you, I must first determine that I can trust you."

"What do you propose?" Aichi asked.

"I want you to fight me Aichi," he declared. "If you win, I will temporarily trust you enough to help you."

"And if I lose?" he asked.

"I will strip you of your Psyqualia and trap you within your own mind like I did with the other one," he stated ominously.

Rati gasped, "Aichi, you can't agree to this."

He didn't have much of a choice. "I accept your challenge," he replied.

The two set up some folding chairs and sat across from each other while Rati observed from the side.

Aichi Sendou vs Black Moon Dragon

Aichi Sendou: "Stand up, my Vanguard! Wingal Brave!"

Black Moon Dragon: "Stand my Vanguard! Stardust Dracokid!"

"I'll go first," Black Moon Dragon declared as he drew his card.

Turn 1: Aichi Sendou; Damage 0; Cards in hand 5/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 0; Cards in hand 6

"I ride Lunar Crescent Knight, Felax!" he declared as the knight replaced Stardust Dracokid in a flash of light.

"Next," he continued, "When a unit other than Celestial Mage Gwenon rides, I can call Stardust Dracokid to the rear guard.

The dragon hatchling then reappeared behind Felax.

"I end my turn," he finished.

"My turn, then," Aichi responded. "Draw"

Turn 2: Aichi Sendou; Damage 0; Cards in hand 6/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 0; Cards in hand 5

Aichi contemplated his plan of attack. Based on what he saw from Black Moon Dragon's last fight, he gathered that his deck relied on forming power columns to overwhelm his opponent. Additionally, his deck became increasingly dangerous when his strides entered the field. That being said, Aichi knew that he would have to beat the masked fighter before he could stride. Luckily, he had a strategy in mind to do just that. He selected a card from his hand and started his turn.

"I ride Swordsman of Light, Blaster Rapier Laura!" he called out as the woman in white armor took Wingal's place on the field.

"Next, I use the forerunner skill to move Wingal Brave to the rear guard," he continued. "Now, with a boost from Wingal Brave, Laura attacks your vanguard.

Swordsman of Light, Blaster Rapier Laura 7000 - 12000 vs Lunar Crescent Knight, Felax 8000

"No guard," the masked man replied.

Aichi performed his drive check but did not get a trigger. Black Moon Dragon then placed a card from the top of his deck into his damage zone.

"I use the skill of Wingal Brave!" Aichi declared. "During the battle that a unit he boosted hits, I can send him to the soul to add one 'Blaster' unit from my deck to my hand."

As Aichi added his card to his hand, the blue dog-like creature finished into light and was absorbed by Laura.

"My turn," Black Moon Dragon stated. "Draw."

Turn 3: Aichi Sendou; Damage 0; Cards in hand 7/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 1; Cards in hand 6

"I ride Black Moon Knight," he stated calmly. "With a boost from Stardust Dracokid, I attack your vanguard!"

Black Moon Knight 9000 - 14000 vs Swordsman of Light, Blaster Rapier Laura 7000

Aichi noticed that he did not activate the searching skill of Black Moon Knight. This likely meant that he already had Black Moon Dragon in his hand.

"No guard," Aichi responded.

Black Moon Dragon performed his drive check and revealed the critical trigger, Blazing Jewel Knight, Rachelle. A worried expression made its way onto Rati's face. The appearance of the trigger wasn't game changing or anything. However, it was worrisome to see one this early in the game due to the aggressive nature of Black Moon Dragon's deck.

"All effects got to Black Moon Knight," he said while pointing to the card in question.

Aichi put two cards from the top of his deck into his damage zone before stating, "My turn. Draw."

Turn 4: Aichi Sendou; Damage 2; Cards in hand 7/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 1; Cards in hand 6

"I ride Hero of Silence, Gallatin!" he shouted as the blindfolded knight took the place of Laura. "Next I call Favored Disciple of Light and Darkness, Llew and Blaster Friend Bargal to the rear guard!"

Llew appeared to the right of Gallatin while an armored dog-like creature appeared behind Llew.

"With a boost from Barcgal, Llew attacks your vanguard!" Aichi declared. "And since he is boosted by Barcgal, he gains an additional 3000 power!"

"No guard," his opponent replied.

Favored Disciple of Light and Darkness, Llew 9000 - 19000 vs Black Moon Knight 9000

Llew's sword clanged against one of Black Moon Knight's shoulder plates as the latter grunted from the impact. Black Moon Dragon placed a card from his deck into his damage zone.

"Llew's skill activates!" Aichi continued. "By counter blasting 1 and sending Llew to the soul, I can call a grade 2 'Blaster' unit to the rear guard and give it a power boost of 3000! Arise, my avatar! Blaster Blade!"

Llew disappeared and was replaced with Blaster Blade.

"And that's not all!" he revealed. "Barcgal's skill lets me counter charge when Blaster Blade is called to the same column."

"Way to go, Aichi!" Rati cheered.

She had an uneasy feeling ever since the fight started, but her mood increased immensely with this early aggressive play. Aichi would now get three attacks in on this one turn. Perhaps Aichi could beat Black Moon Dragon before he could get a chance to stride. The fight was looking a lot more hopeful.

"Next," Aichi continued. "Gallatin attacks your vanguard!"

Black Moon Dragon responded by placing Blazing Jewel Knight, Rachelle in his guardian circle.

Hero of Silence, Gallatin 10000 vs Black Moon Knight 9000 - 19000

The elven knight intercepted the blind swordsman's attack as the latter grunted in annoyance.

Aichi conducted his drive check and revealed the draw trigger Margal.

"Power to Blaster Blade and draw." Aichi stated. "Now Blaster Blade will swing at your vanguard."

"No guard," his opponent replied.

Blaster Blade and Black Moon Knight locked swords and glared at each other before returning to their previous positions. Black Moon Dragon placed another card in his damage zone.

"My turn," he stated "Draw."

Turn 5: Aichi Sendou; Damage 2; Cards in hand 6/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 3; Cards in hand 7

"Creature of light and darkness, the one with the potential to preserve life or cause death and destruction, the embodiment of my soul, I ride, Black Moon Dragon!" he chanted as the beast entered the field replacing Black Moon Knight. The dragon let out a low growl as it stared down Aichi's units.

"Next, I call Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes to the rear guard," he continued. "With a boost from Stardust Dracokid, Black Moon Dragon attacks your vanguard."

"Nova Knight, Llew will stop that attack!" Aichi responded.

The masked fighter checked the twin drive but didn't get any triggers.

"I attack your vanguard with Palamedes!" he announced.

This time Aichi decided to take the hit and placed a card in his damage zone.

"It's my turn now," Aichi declared. "Draw."

Turn 6: Aichi Sendou; Damage 3; Cards in hand 6/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 3; Cards in hand 7

Rati observed the field before turning to her friend.

"Aichi, on his next turn he will be able to stride and attack you relentlessly," she commented "Will you be able to end it on this turn?"

"I won't know unless I try," he responded. "Here it goes. I ride Majesty Lord Blaster!"

Rati's eyes widened and a smile crept to her face as the unit entered the field in place of Gallatin. It was an old unit, but it was very useful in this situation. It was the unit that allowed Aichi to defeat Ren, and now, it might be the unit to slay the Black Moon Dragon.

"Next, I call Blaster Dark to rear guard," Aichi continued as the dark counterpart to Blaster Blade took his place to the left of Majesty Lord Blaster. "Then I call Knight of Benevolence, Kay and Blaster Friend, Barcgal to rear guard."

Kay and Barcgal took their places behind Blaster Dark and Majesty Lord Blaster respectively.

"With a boost from Kay, Blaster Dark attacks your vanguard!" Aichi declared.

"No guard," the masked man responded.

Blaster Dark 9000 - 16000 vs Black Moon Dragon 11000

The black knight slashed the dark dragon across his chest causing the latter to howl in pain.

"Next, Blaster Blade will attack your vanguard with a boost from Barcgal!" Aichi exclaimed.

"No, guard," he replied.

Blaster Blade 9000 - 16000 vs Black Moon Dragon 11000

The white knight slashed the beast in much the same way Blaster Dark had during the previous attack. The dragon roared in annoyance.

"And finally," Aichi stated, "I attack your vanguard with Majesty Lord Blaster boosted by Barcgal. But first, Majesty Lord Blaster's skill activates. By sending Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark to the soul, Majesty Lord Blaster gains 10000 power until the end of the battle."

Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark vanished into orbs of light and were absorbed by Majesty Lord Blaster's sword.

"That's not all," Aichi continued to explain. "As long as both Blasters are in the soul, Majesty gains an additional 2000 power plus an extra critical!"

Aichi and Rati both grinned in excitement. Black Moon Dragon was sitting at five damage while Majesty Lord Blaster was preparing to hit his vanguard at 29000 power and two criticals. Majesty Lord Blaster swung his sword at the dragon's neck preparing to decapitate the beast. The sword tore through the air and struck a barrier. Aichi and Rati gasped in unison upon the attack's failure to hit its target. A female elf appeared between the two units.

"Holy Knight Guardian will nullify that attack," the masked fighter stated calmly while discarding a card.

Aichi checked the twin drive and revealed two critical triggers, but they were useless at this point.

"No," Rati stated in a defeated tone. "That means . . ."

"It's my move, now," the masked fighter responded.

Turn 7: Aichi Sendou; Damage 3; Cards in hand 4/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 5; Cards in hand 6

Black Moon Dragon drew his card and regarded Aichi for a moment.

"Did you really think I wouldn't see through your plan? Were you really so caught up in your plan to finish me off quickly that you failed to notice how many attacks I let through despite my hand size? Did it not occur to you that I was saving my cards so that I could stop this attack and still have enough cards in my hand to mount an offensive comeback?"

Aichi reeled back in shock at the realization that his opponent had been a step ahead of him the entire fight. While Black Moon Dragon had more damage, he was the one currently in a position to win the game.

"Generation stride!" he declared while discarding a Palamedes. "Come forth, Holy Dragon, Life Saver Dragon!"

Black Moon Dragon vanished in a pillar of light and was replaced with the quadrupedal dragon that won the masked man's last fight.

"With Black Moon Dragon's stride skill," he continued, "I counter blast 1, call Stardrive Dragon from my deck, and give it 5000 power!"

The beast took its place to the left of Life Saver Dragon while letting out a challenging roar.

"Next, I use Life Saver's skill to counter blast 2 call a Black Moon Knight to the rear guard, and give it 5000 power," he explained as the aforementioned knight appeared behind Palamedes.

"Next," he stated once again, "since Black Moon Knight was called to a back row rear guard, I can call another Black Moon Knight from the soul and give it 5000 power."

Another Black Moon Knight appeared behind Stardrive Dragon.

"Now it begins," the masked fighter stated ominously. "With a boost from Black Moon Knight, Palamedes attacks your vanguard!"

"No guard," Aichi responded.

Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes 10000 - 27000 vs Majesty Lord Blaster 10000

Palamedes slashed Majesty Lord Blaster across the chest causing him to flinch in pain.

"Life Saver Dragon attacks your vanguard with a boost from Stardust Dracokid," he continued.

"Bringer of Divine Grace, Epona will nullify the attack," Aichi replied while discarding Margal.

Black Moon Dragon checked the triple drive, but did not get any triggers. He found it peculiar that he hadn't been getting lucky on the triggers during this fight.

"Finally," he stated returning his attention to the fight, "with support from Black Moon Knight, Stardrive Dragon attacks your vanguard!"

"No guard," Aichi responded.

Star drive Dragon 10000 - 29000 vs Majesty Lord Blaster

Star drive Dragon fired a beam of light into Majesty Lord Blaster who winced upon impact. Aichi conducted his damage check and revealed another Margal. Aichi drew from the trigger before starting his turn. Life Saver disappeared and Black moon Dragon returned to the field.

"My turn. Draw."

Turn 8: Aichi Sendou; Damage 5; Cards in hand 4/ Black Moon Dragon; Damage 5; Cards in hand 9

Aichi stared at the few cards he had and let out a sigh.

"Generation stride!" he declared while discarding a card. "Let your radiant light shine through the darkness! Come forth, Holy Divine Knight, Gancelot Peace Saver!"

The majestic knight riding a white armored horse took Majesty Lord Blaster's place on the field.

"Next," Aichi explained, "I call Favored Pupil of Light and Darkness, Llew to the rear guard!"

Llew took his place to the right of Gancelot.

"Next I call Knight of Virtue, Bedivere to rear guard," he stated as the knight appeared to the left of his vanguard.

"With Bedivere's skill, I give 2000 power to Knight of Benevolence, Kay and counter charge 1."

Black Moon Dragon raised an eyebrow from beneath his mask, impressed at the sudden turnaround. Rati suddenly regained her optimism.

"With a boost from Barcgal," he started "Llew attacks your vanguard! And because of his skill, he gains an additional 3000 power"

"I guard with Celestial Mage, Gwenon and Transmigration Knight, Brede," his opponent replied.

Favored Pupil of Light and Darkness, Llew 9000 - 19000 vs Black Moon Dragon 11000

"Llew's skill activates!" Aichi explained. "I counter blast 1 and put him into the soul in order to call Blaster Blade Spirit from my deck and give him 3000 power!"

Llew vanished and was replaced with an astral projection of Blaster Blade.

"Blaster Blade Spirit's counter blast!" Aichi declared. "Your Palamedes is retired!"

Palamedes was then struck by lightning and exploded before crying out in pain one last time.

"Gancelot attacks your vanguard with a boost from Barcgal!" Aichi declared.

"Holy Knight Guardian will nullify the attack," he responded while discarding a card. "Since I have another copy of her in my drop zone, I can counter charge."

"Through Gancelot's skill," he explained, "I get an additional drive check."

Aichi checked the quadruple drive and revealed a draw trigger, a critical trigger, and a heal trigger.

"All effects go to Blaster Blade Spirit and recover one damage!" he cried out. "Next, with a boost from Kay, Bedivere will attack your vanguard."

"I'll call another Holy Knight Guardian to nullify that," his opponent replied. "Counter charge."

Rati observed the situation. Aichi still had one 28000 attack ready to go while Black Moon Dragon had only three cards left in his hand. There was a chance that the attack might not get through, but the scenario was a lot more hopeful.

"You get him, Aichi!" she called to her friend.

"Finally," Aichi continued, "I attack with Blaster Blade Spirit!"

Black Moon Dragon glanced at his hand. He did not have enough to guard the attack which meant he would have to rely on getting a heal trigger.

"No guard," he replied.

The spirit of Blaster Blade lunged at Black Moon Dragon and pierced his chest. The creature grasped at its heart in pain and let out a gasp. The masked man checked the damage and revealed an Encourage Angel. He placed the sixth and final card into his damage zone. The Black Moon Dragon glared at Blaster Blade Spirit one last time before fading out of existence.

Aichi and Rati started cheering, but their celebration was interrupted.

"Very well then," Black Moon Dragon stated. "I will help you."

Response to readers

Anglelover1827 - I'm glad you like it.

Mira Haruka - Thank you so much for your review. I always planned on continuing this fanfic, (even though it was postponed) but your review has inspired me to revive it even sooner. Thank you. As for your other questions, this takes place during G NEXT, but since this is an AU, things will play out significantly differently. I am not quite sure where Black Moon Dragon's power level will be compared to the others yet. In terms of playing style, Aichi is better, but Black Moon is a much stronger Psyqualia user.