Wixoss World: Selector Battlefield

(Selector Infected Wixoss OST: Profane Wish)

Within one of the towers of the Selector Battlefield, the atmosphere in the air around that area had grown more tense by the new arrival to the space. Standing on the windowsill were Tama and Yuki, with their Selector standing on the floor of the tower, looking out from the windowsill. Kai stood beside Ruko, his intense gaze being present within his green eyes, directed to the unit that he had summoned before them that was hovering in front of the opening that was before them. Dragonic Overlord flapped its large wings as it came down to the edge of the tower windowsill, gazing down at the two LRIGs standing before it as it then turned his attention towards the one who had called upon him here.

"What is your reason for summoning me here?" the Kagero commander asked, a rough tone to its voice.

"Overlord, I need answers from you," Kai spoke "And I assume you already know the reason as to why."

"The previous battle, if I am not mistaken," the dragon replied.

"That's correct," the cardfighter continued "During that time, before the Seed's overloaded power consumed me, I could sense that it was somehow interacting with you as well." His gaze then narrowed sharply, indicating that he was holding back a hint of frustration within his expression. "Why is that?! And how isn't that power gone from you after Aichi defeated me?!"

A low growl sounded from under Dragonic Overlord's teeth as it leaned closer towards Kai, its gaze still remaining as it was, making the whole scenario almost like a stare-off of some kind, if only due to the Kagero commander being shrunk down as a result of the battlefield's properties with LRIGs and other human-like beings that could be called into battle as them.

"You still haven't accomplished it yet."

Kai blinked for a moment, confused by Overlord's response to his questions at this moment, as was Ruko who had been standing beside him.

"You let go of that power long ago," the Kagero commander spoke as it hovered into the air and backwards by a little distance "However... not using it since then has not simply meant you have overcome it."

"What do you mean?!" he asked.

"It is true, Reverse still flows through my veins since my abrupt reawakening," Overlord continued "However, I was never reversed to begin with. Instead, I took the very power those accursed demons attempted to revive me with and wielded it as my own, dominating any will that the Void attempted to imprison me with once again."

The cardfighter then clenched his teeth as he looked down at the floor, now taking into account about this new information he had learned from the unit he had wielded throughout a majority of his life.

Then... Aichi's efforts in our fight were for nothing?! he growled within his thoughts Was I only able to save him afterwards through just ignoring the power that still remained?!

"Wait a second!"

Kai then looked up to see that Ruko had spoken out at this very moment, bringing Dragonic Overlord's attention over towards her. The Selector did her best to keep her composure together from the dragon's own fierce gaze being directed upon her at this very moment, now that she had seemingly dropped the 'attitude' she had donned when she was infected by Reverse from wielding Yuki when she was previously known as Kuro.

"Kai's not to blame for being brought back into Reverse!" she called "You know I'm responsible for using that power as well!"

"I have not forgetten your face, Ruko..." the Kagero commander spoke "But, this is not a matter of who is to blame. What we know now is that power has still remained within Kai this entire time. Albeit in a weaker state from the absence of Link Joker from his world until the fragment of the Seed was embedded within him. He simply has not dominated it as he has previously believed so."

The Kagero user simply clenched his fists, knowing for a fact that there was some truth to Dragonic Overlord's words at this point. Ever since his first battle with Ruko had abruptly concluded, he had started to second guess on whether he had truely let go of Reverse as he had previously believed or not. But the fact that some of it remained in the commander himself had also raised other doubts of his own. Whilst it was true from his previous battles until then that no one was reversed as a result of his efforts, if it was true that he had dominated it so it would have no further influence on him, who was to say that such a power could spiral out of control again? Kai didn't know exactly what to think at this point, but he knew that as of this moment, he had no idea on how to properly 'dominate' over that power for good, so that it would no longer haunt his every thought or put those he cared about in further danger. And until he could learn how to do that, he was unsure of whether he could still use Dragonic Overlord in battle again.

(End Music)


Vanguard World: Paris

Back within the Holy Prominence Prison, Gaillard and Miyako were still in the midst of their cardfight, with the fourth turn now having coming to an end. Both of them were sitting at three damage to one and the Quatre Knight currently held a greater field presence in having four units to Ulith whose expression had remained practically unchanged throughout the entirety of the fight thus far. Gaillard had Phallon as his Vanguard with Guido still behind him for boosting and standing to both sides of the Liberator of Royalty were Oath Liberator, Aglovale. From the sidelines, Neve and the children beside him could only watch on in concern, hoping that Gaillard would be able to defeat Miyako and find out why she had attacked their home in the first place.

Ruko's former mother kept her cold and calm composure as it was, drawing a single card to begin her next turn after standing her units back up. Placing it into her hand, she picked out a different one with her metallic hand and held it high into the air above her.

"Cruel embodiment... descend now and stain all before you with the necessary suffering they must endure!" she called "Ride!"

(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Link Joker Theme)

In that instant, a purplish glow enveloped the Ulith that was on the field, changing up some of her appearance in the result. Her overall outfit had not changed at all, but the bat like wings on both her back and boots were removed completely, being replaced with black feathered wings instead. Ulith's weapon had also undergone several changes, the tip being changed to a sharp dark red point that radiated a dark purple aura. Increasing her cold smile by a little, the 'LRIG' pointed her weapon towards Phallon who suddenly dropped to his knees, seemingly getting weaker for whatever strange reason. Gaillard gasped as he noticed this, not expecting this sort of scenario to befall him at the very moment.

Liberator of Royaltly, Phallon/POW: 9000 - 2000

"What is that?!" one of the young girls on the side of the field exclaimed.

"Phallon just got weaker...!" Neve muttered "Just what kind of skill is this...?"

"Ulith's skill," Miyako interrupted "By discarding a card when I ride her, I decrease a unit's power by 7000 until the turn's end phase. Then, if that unit is a rear-guard that has zero or less power, it is retired."

"So this is Ulith's speciality," Gaillard replied "Increasing the amount of shield I have to throw out when guarding your attacks. But that isn't all, is it."

Ruko's former mother remained unfazed in response to the Quatre Knight's immediate deduction of what she seemingly had planned for him, immediately moving her metallic hand over another card from her hand as she called it to the rear-guard along with another unit. These were the two black Devil SIGNI from her world, known as Hecate, Sloth of Mission and Maymon, Fallen Confession.

Maymon, Fallen Confession/Grade 2/Intercept/POW: 9000/SLD: 5000/'?'/Dark Zone/Devil

Hecate, Sloth of Mission/Grade 1/Boost/POW: 6000/SLD: 5000/'?'/Dark Zone/Devil

"Hecate's skill. I rest her and she becomes a Charm for one rear-guard of my choice."

And with that, Miyako turned Hecate's card sideways into the rest state before it immediately slipped right underneath Maymon, Fallen Confession, much to the shock of everyone else within the prison. The black SIGNI, now as a Grade 2 unit, gained a dark aura to it, as if it was somehow getting stronger from the effect of being tagged with a Charm as Miyako had called it.

Maymon, Fallen Confession/POW: 9000 - 14000

"Call, Gwynn the Ripper!" she called as the Dark Irregulars unit materialized to the left of Ulith "With his skill, I retire Guido!"

The murky coloured elf smirked in an evilish glee as the blades on his right wrist flung out and began spinning around at high speed like a buzzsaw of some kind. He leaped all the way to the other side of the prison where he immediately disarmed Guido before striking down the Gold Paladin across the front, causing him to vanish in a flourish of dark blue sparks as the card moved to Gaillard's drop zone.

"I attack one of your rear-guard Aglovales!" Miyako's voice sounded out, as Gwynn immediately turned his attention towards the Aglovale to Phallon's right.

Gaillard simply gritted his teeth, knowing that there wasn't much he could in this situation as the Dark Irregulars unit swung his right arm into Aglovale, the still spinning blades already making quick work of retiring the unit, before he leaped back to her side of the field.

"Come on!" one of the boys beside Neve called out "She's weakened Phallon but still going after the rear-guards?!"

"She's trying to reduce the number of shields Gaillard can use to block her attack," the former Quatre Knight muttered "Especially if she has Stand Triggers."

He looked over to Gaillard to see that he was still standing for the moment, keeping a close eye towards Miyako who had remained unfazed throughout the entire fight, even though she knew about what was going to come next.

"Ulith attacks Phallon!" she declared.

"Guard!" the former Quatre Knight responded as he revealed Strike Liberator and Numinous Tree Liberator, Elchea from his hand, the two trigger units immediately appearing in front of Phallon to shield him from harm.

Miyako silently conducted her Twin Drive, her first check revealing the Dark Irregulars' Heal Trigger, Cursed Doctor. The card illuminated brightly in a yellow glow as one of the face-down cards in her damage zone moved to her drop zone whilst Maymon in turn recieved the power bonus. Her second card revealed March Rabbit of Nightmareland, no trigger being available for her to power up any of her units again. Ulith still kept her cruel smile as she raised her spear, drawing out purple fire from the walls of the prison before pointing the tip of her weapon right towards Gaillard. The fire erupted from the spear as the flames immediately engulfed Strike Liberator and Elchea, the heat forcing the former Quatre Knight to shield his face immediately.

"Ggh...!" he groaned "Even though the attack didn't hit...?!"

"Maymon!"

He immediately resumed his attention to the fight as the flames in front of him cleared out for the Devil SIGNI to strike the already weakened Phallon directly, dealing him his second damage, that being Bluish Flame Liberator, Percival. The cardfighter gritted his teeth as he looked back towards Miyako, who simply made a silent gesture to end her turn as Phallon's power returned back to normal.

(End Music)

End of Turn 5

Gaillard vs Miyako

Hand - 4 : 4

Soul - 1 : 3

Damage - 2 : 2

Front Rows: Oath Liberator, Aglovale - Liberator of Royalty, Phallon (Vanguard) - EMPTY : Gwynn the Ripper - Ulith, Enma of Screaming Hell (Vanguard) - Maymon, Fallen Confession (Equipped with Charm)

Back Rows: EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY : EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY

It's true, we're break even for damage... Gaillard muttered in his thoughts But... this woman and the units she commands alongside the Dark Irregulars... there's a malicious aura about them.

As he remained silent for the moment, as did Miyako with what was only visible of her eyes under the shadow of her coat's hood, it appeared that the two for the time being were staring off, only raising the tension in the prison around the both of them. The former Quatre Knight drew his next card to begin his turn before staring back to his opponent, a sign showing that he was prepared to go all out from here.

(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Gaillard no Theme)*

"Bluish flames that singe the soul! Turn your noble faith into power!" he called as he held one card high into the air before placing it down on top of Phallon's card. "I ride Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare!

Phallon vanished in a dark blue glow as in his place, arrived the unit whose name was called out by Gaillard. Complementary to his name, the dragon that the cardfighter had brought into the fight had several trails of azure blue fire flying out from between the structures in his wings and the top of his head. Carried in his right claw was what appeared to be the hilt of a saber of some kind, only it lacked the blade to make out any offence. At least, for the moment, it appeared to be that way. Appearing to Prominence Glare's right was Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter as Gaillard then held out one hand over the card on the Vanguard circle.

"Seek mate!"

As a golden ray of light shone up towards the 'roof' of the blazing prison around everyone, all four cards that were in his drop zone flew back into his deck and rearranged themselves amongst the remaining cards as a file of light scanned through and picked out the one card that he needed, bringing it straight into his open hand.

"For the sake of the ideal, high up in the heavens, gather, warriors, whose hearts are one! Together, raise the flag! Regulation Liberator, Aglovale! Legion!"

Within a blinding flash, Aglovale now wearing different attire in comparison to the Oath Liberator that remained on the left column of Gaillard's rear-guard, appeared alongside Prominence Glare as the Legion symbol appeared to all, representing the completed unity between the two units and the new power that they would wield in battle from this moment onwards. Whilst the children beside Neve cheered in joy, Miyako remained simply motionless in response, as if she wasn't even concerned about what was about to happen next.

"Lawful Trumpeter's skill!" he declared as three cards from the top of his deck hovered up into the air before he took ahold of one of them and slapped in down onto the table behind the unit "Superior Call Bruno and Explosion Blue!"

As Bruno appeared behind Lawful Trumpeter, a blue Vanguard circle flashed above Prominence Glare and Aglovale, indicating that another skill was being triggered at this point. As the former Quatre Knight turned over the only face-up card in his damage zone face-down, he revealed the unit known as Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Core from his hand before dropping it into his drop zone. This caused a yellowish aura to surround Prominence Glare as it seemed to get stronger from the skill that he had dubbed as 'Explosion Blue'.

Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/Critical: 1 - 2

"Nice!" one of the boys on the sidelines called out "Now that woman won't be able to use that March Rabbit of Nightmareland to guard this attack!"

"Go for it Gaillard!" one of the girls interjected.

As Neve remained silent, feeling uneasy from Miyako's current stance, he knew that there was a chance that she was more than prepared to handle whatever Gaillard was planning to throw her way. The former mother of Ruko gazed at Prominence Glare and Aglovale, not concerned with what she was now faced with but almost as if she was studying their appearance for whatever reason.

"The final stage of Percival," she mused out aloud "The warriors from Cray's lost history."

"You know of their origin...?" Gaillard murmured, his gaze mixed between both curiousity and utter suspicion.

"I am not blind to the existence of Cray," Miyako replied "But my companion will be most interested in my acquisition of Blaze Paladin for her agenda."

The cardfighter decided at this point that it was time for him to go all out and hope that his efforts would be enough to defeat her and get some more answers to what was really going on. Taking two cards from his hand, he called another Bruno to the back row behind the Legioned vanguards and Fast Chase Liberator, Josephus behind the other Aglovale that remained on the rear-guard.

"Let's go, Miyako!" he called "Lawful Trumpeter attacks!"

"Guard," she responded calmly, revealing Cursed Doctor from her hand to block the attack.

"Prominence Glare, Aglovale!" he continued "Bring down your furious judgment upon our foes! Legion Attack!"

As Prominence Glare and Aglovale soared high into the air, Ulith simply gazed down and kept her calm expression hidden from sight, as did Miyako who simply remained silent, using only a single hand gesture to show that she had no intention of guarding.

"Twin Drive!" Gaillard called as he revealed the first card, Strike Liberator "Critical Trigger! I give 1 Critical to Prominence Glare!"

Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/Critical: 2 - 3

Oath Liberator, Aglovale/POW: 9000 - 14000

"Just one more..." Neve murmured "One more and it's over."

As the children beside him remained tense in silence for the moment, Gaillard conducted his second check immediately. To his slight disappointment, it was Halo Liberator, Mark that he had obtained. But he wasn't completely upset, given the advantage that he now possessed. Prominence Glare's saber then blazed to life with a small blade of bluish fire erupting from the hilt as both the dragon and Aglovale slashed down the front of Ulith who cringed loudly in pain, but immediately recovering her smile afterwards, as if for whatever disturbing reason, she was actually enjoying being in this much pain. Miyako revealed the first card from the top of her deck as Hysteric Shirley, allowing her to draw a card and power up Ulith against the next attack. Her next two cards revealed themselves to be Ulith, Enma of Screaming Hell and Ariton, Fallen Annihilation, no triggers being revealed this time.

"Aglovale attacks!"

As the other Aglovale on the field ran towards Ulith and raised his saber in preparation to strike the final blow, an explosion of smoke appeared in front of him as he immediately halted to see that Dark Queen of Nightmareland had come to protect her from the supposed final attack. Gritting his teeth, the Oath Liberator leaped back to Gaillard's side of the prison as the turn came to an end after that.

(End Music)

End of Turn 6

Gaillard vs Miyako

Hand - 3 : 3

Soul - 2 : 3

Damage - 2 : 5

Front Rows: Oath Liberator, Aglovale - Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare (Legioned with Regulation Liberator, Aglovale) (Vanguard) - Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter : Gwynn the Ripper - Ulith, Enma of Screaming Hell (Vanguard) - Maymon, Fallen Confession (Equipped with Charm)

Back Rows: Fast Chase Liberator, Josephus - May Rain Liberator, Bruno - May Rain Liberator, Bruno : EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY

"Stand and draw."

As Miyako drew the top card of her deck with the metallic hand that she had, she took ahold of one card with only the sharp pointed fingertips, causing Gaillard to tense up, having known about what was to come from seeing it earlier in the fight. She then looked over to the children on the sidelines who immediately retreated behind Neve as he returned a glare of his own in her direction.

"Misguided, I see," she spoke, her tone taking an icy cold approach.

"What are you getting at?" Gaillard asked.

"It is most unfortunate," Miyako continued "That the youth of our worlds have been misguided by the corruption in the people they look towards for the path they seek, resulting in the cycle of deceit, despair and greed that continues into adulthood and passes down to the next generation. Believe me when I say this, Quatre Knight, that I know of such ideolgy. When my companion's ideal is realized, such corruption shall finally be purged."

The cardfighter simply stared at the woman as she raised her mechanical hand high into the card, the tips of her fingers still firmly held onto the card that she had picked out.

"Being of torture," she spoke "Bring those unworthy souls to ruin and bask in their pain and suffering! Ride!"

(Cardfight! Vanguard OST: Ren's Power)

The firery walls of the Holy Prominence Prison started to spit flames around the field before several streams from above starting pouring themselves right into Ulith as she briefly screamed out loudly in pain before her expression changed to one of absolute madness as she began laughing both madly and evilly, almost identical in tone and voice to the real Ulith back in her own world. As Gaillard and the others gasped in shock for a moment, the feathered wings on the 'LRIG's' back burned away to reveal solid black wings in their place as the flames disappeared to reveal the form that stood before them.

"Ulith... Infinite Enma!"

Ulith, Infinite Enma/Grade 4/Twin Drive!/POW: 13000/SLD: 0/'?'/'Human/LRIG'

"Grade... 4..." Neve breathed "The Grade that only one unit should possess. And yet... how has she managed that feat?"

As he and Gaillard looked towards the figure that represented Ulith on the battlefield before them, a dark reddish aura suddenly surrounded her as she looked up to the two former Quatre Knights, the smile that was well recognizable being present on her lips.

"Hello... scum."

As Gaillard and Neve gasped in shock as to what they just witnessed, the children on the sidelines were just as confused by their own expressions.

"D... Did she just speak?!" one of the boys exclaimed.

At this moment, Miyako turned her attention to the 'unit' that she just rode into and snapped her metallic fingers, capturing Ulith's attention back towards her.

"Why have you intruded on this fight?" the woman asked, a hint of annoyance to her tone.

"Oh, I'm not intruding," Ulith replied as she glanced over her current appearance "I thought I'd temporarily manipulate the image generated by this Holy Prominence Prison, just so I don't miss out on all the fun you're having without me."

"Who are you really?!" Gaillard demanded.

"She already said it out loud. I am Ulith," she spat as she turned back around to face the cardfighter "And you must be one of those 'guardians'. I must say, the twisted emotions I pulled from your former 'master' have been most amusing."

The former Quatre Knight gasped as he suddenly realised as to what the cruel demanored Selector, currently through her manipulation of the image of Ulith generated by the prison's properties, was talking about. And it was a suspicion that had been knawing at his concerns for days he had heard it much like many of the others he knew.

"Don't tell me..." he breathed as he clenched his open fist "That Aichi's screams... were your doing?!"

"Of course," Ulith calmly replied "But it appears I'm out of time for now. Have fun, Miyako."

And with that, the real Ulith vanished from the presence of the imaged one that was present on the field as evidenced by the dark red aura that had finally faded away from everyone's presence. When the brief silence had passed over, Miyako immediately resumed her turn from where she had left off.

"Ulith's skill!" she called "Counterblast and discarding 1 Dark Zone unit. Then I pay the cost once more!"

Within mere seconds, a dark purple aura surrounded Prominence Glare as the Cosmo Dragon screamed out loudly in pain, much to Gaillard's shock as he looked over to his Legioned Vanguard before gazing back at Miyako.

"What are you planning...?!" he growled, partially agitated from finally realizing who was responsible for Aichi's screams that he had heard beforehand on that night.

"Prominence Glare loses 20000 power and as long as it remains on the field, that decrease is permanent."

"20000?!" he exclaimed in shock.

Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/POW: 11000 - '-9000'

As Prominence Glare began to slump down from being weakened so greatly by the imaged Ulith that was still present on the field, Gaillard could only stare on towards the 'unit' in question, still wondering as to how this was only a representation of the cruel demanored Selector that he only spoke with for a mere few seconds or so. But representation or not, he knew that he was now in serious trouble and he had to defend as hard as he could.

"He's only got -9000 power?!" one of the girls gasped.

"Gaillard!" one of the boys cried out in concern.

As Neve gritted his teeth, he could only stare towards Miyako and Ulith, now seeing how terrifying the 'LRIG' could be in action, now that she had seemingly reached the full height of her strength.

"Prepare yourself, Quatre Knight," Ruko's former mother spoke "Gwynn attacks Prominence Glare!"

Gwynn extended his blades and spun them at high speed before charging straight towards Prominence Glare who was already severly weakened by Ulith from earlier. Aglovale leaped in front to try and block the attack, but was quickly shoved aside by the Dark Irregulars unit as he slashed across the front of the Cosmo Dragon, dealing Gaillard his third damage. That damage check revealed Liberator of Royalty, Phallon.

"Ulith attacks!" Miyako declared.

"Perfect Guard!" Gaillard responded as he placed down Halo Liberator, Mark on the Guardian circle and discarded Fast Chase Liberator, Josephus from his hand.

The Gold Paladin unit then appeared in front of Prominence Glare, shielding the Cosmo Dragon from harm as Ulith's spear came into contact with the barrier that was created.

"Twin Drive..." Miyako murmured as she revealed the first card, that being Dark Knight of Nightmareland "Critical Trigger! I give all the effects to Maymon!"

Maymon, Fallen Confession/POW: 14000 - 19000/Critical: 1 - 2

"Second check."

Her next card then revealed Dark Queen of Nightmareland, much to everyone else's shock as they soon realized exactly what this had meant for Gaillard this turn. The cardfighter in question could only clench his teeth in annoyance as he realized what was about to befall him as Gwynn was radiated in a bright blue aura, indicating that Miyako was applying the trigger effects to him alone.

Gwynn the Ripper/POW: 9000 - 14000

As Mark vanished from the battlefield, Ulith's annoyed frown changed to a smirk as she leaped back to the woman's side of the field before she wordlessly with only the gesture of her metallic hand gave the signal for Maymon to attack. The Devil SIGNI held the fingers of her right hand to her lips in an alluring like gesture before leaping high into the air and landing a large kick on Prominence Glare which caused the already weakened dragon to scream even more loudly in pain, much to the shock of Aglovale who was just recovering from the tackle that Gwynn had dealt to him moments earlier.

"Damage check!" Gaillard called as he revealed his first card to be Halo Liberator, Mark. He then revealed the second card to be Numinous Tree Liberator, Elchea, much to his slight annoyance as he knew he could not heal any damage in this scenario. "I give power to Prominence Glare!"

Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/POW: '-9000' - '-4000'

"Gwynn!"

As Gwynn revved up his spinning blades for a second time and leaped into the air towards Prominence Glare for a second time, Gaillard threw the only card that he had left onto the Guardian circle of his table.

"Strike Liberator guards!" he declared "And intercept!"

Strike Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter and Oath Liberator, Aglovale all appeared in front of the Cosmo Dragon, willing to shield it from harm by any means necessary. As the elf slashed across the three guardians, retiring them from the current battle, the Legion-mate Aglovale who had finally recovered from his earlier beating stopped Gwynn's blades right in their rotation using his saber at the right timing. Annoyed, the Dark Irregulars unit retreated back to Miyako's field as the woman did not share such an expression herself.

(End Music)

"You only have one chance left," she spoke as she gazed down at her hand "But unless you can re-ride, you effort will mean nothing."

End of Turn 7

Gaillard vs Miyako

Hand - 0 : 3

Soul - 2 : 4

Damage - 5 : 5

Front Rows: EMPTY - Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare (Legioned with Regulation Liberator, Aglovale) (Vanguard) - EMPTY : Gwynn the Ripper - Ulith, Infinite Enma (Vanguard) - Maymon, Fallen Confession (Equipped with Charm)

Back Rows: Fast Chase Liberator, Josephus - May Rain Liberator, Bruno - May Rain Liberator, Bruno : EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY

Gaillared slowly breathed in and out in an effort to regain his composure, after barely having managed to survive the onslaught of attacks that Miyako had thrown his way, not helped by the permanent power decrease that she had given to Prominence Glare as a result of Ulith's ability in this new form. Clenching his fist tightly, he faced the woman in preparation for his last chance.

"I don't know why you're doing this..." he murmured "I can certainly understand that there can be corruption in any world like you said... but that's no excuse to justify the aggression you used to grab my attention or the fact you're looking to take our units by force! Prepare yourself Miyako! Final Turn!"

As Neve and the children gasped in shock, knowing that it was even rare of Gaillard to even use that phrase in any cardfights he partook in, Miyako remained motionless to his declaration as she knew that only a luck of the draw would be able to turn things around in his favour. Clutching the top card of his deck, the former Quatre Knight prepared to pull it off to reveal what he had gotten.

"This draw will now determine everything!" he declared as he pulled out the card, turning it around to reveal what he had gotten.

His expression remained neutral whilst Neve, who had been watching both the fight and his hand from the start could only look down in worry, leading the children to immediately assume the worst had happened.

"No Grade 3," Miyako murmured "How disappointing."

"Even so... this fight will end on this turn!" Gaillard called as he placed the card down on the front right rear-guard circle of his table.

(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Onslaught of the Quatre Knights)

"Prominence Glare's skill!" he declared "I retire the unit I called and look at the top four cards!"

As the top four cards hovered over to him, he immediately took a hold of one of them before placing it straight onto the rear-guard circle that was occupied by the unit he previously retired. This was another copy of Oath Liberator, Aglovale.

"Not yet!" he continued "The Bluish Flames will continue to burn! Aglovale's skill! Superior call my avatar, Percival!"

Appearing on the only empty rear-guard circle that remained on Gaillard's field was Bluish Flame Liberator, Percival in all of his original glory as he ignited the saber that he held, almost identical to the one held by his alternate form, Prominence Glare. The Brunos that remained in the back row suddenly gained a golden aura to them, as if they were somehow drawing strength from Gaillard's plays at this very moment.

May Rain Liberator, Bruno x2/POW: 7000 - 13000

"He not only made the best of his scenario to fill out his board, but he managed to power up as well," Neve murmured "And thanks to Bruno's power up, Prominence Glare now has enough power to attack Ulith head on."

"I don't know why the real Ulith has harmed Aichi-san," Gaillard spoke "But if you're working with her, then I cannot forgive you! With Bruno's boost, Prominence Glare and Aglovale attack!"

Prominence Glare let out a triumphant roar as it and Aglovale took to the air thanks to their newfound strength gained from Bruno's power. As the imaged Ulith gazed up to the Legion pair, Miyako simply kept her gaze upon the former Quatre Knight, not fazed by the situation she found herself in as she took out one of the cards from her hand and placed it at the front of her table.

"Guard," she spoke as Dark Queen of Nightmareland appeared in front of Ulith.

"Twin Drive!" Gaillard called as he revealed his first card, that being another copy of Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare, before immediately revealing the second card to be Liberator of Hope, Epona. "Critical Trigger! I give all the effects to my avatar!"

Bluish Flame Liberator, Percival/POW: 11000 - 16000/Critical: 1 - 2

Prominence Core and Aglovale brandished their sabers once again as they charged head on towards their target with Dark Queen of Nightmareland using her whip to catch the Regulation Liberator off guard. The Cosmo Dragon roared loudly as it attempted to strike Ulith who simply held out her spear's pole horizontally to block the attack effortlessly, having known that he was weakened still from Miyako's efforts during the previous turn.

"Aglovale attacks!" Gaillard called.

"Intercept," Miyako responded as Gwynn used his spinning blades to block the other Aglovale's attack with the greatest of ease before vanishing from the fiery prison.

"This will end it!" he declared "Brandish your sword and destroy my disobedient enemy, my avatar! Percival!"

Percival held up his saber high into the air as a torrent of blue fire swirled around it before he thrust it forwards like a lance to send a spiral of fire towards both Ulith and Miyako. The woman calmly discarded Dark Knight of Nightmareland before she revealed the very last card that she held in her hand.

"Perfect Guard."

March Rabbit of Nightmareland then appeared in front of Ulith as its pocket watch suddenly sent out a ripple through the battlefield, immediately extinguishing Percival's attack before it had even reached the imaged LRIG, much to Gaillard's shock before the Dark Irregulars unit left the battlefield in a flurry of black sparks.

"And with that, your final turn has failed," Miyako spoke as she drew her single card "I activate Ulith's skill for one final time."

The woman then revealed another copy of Ulith, Infinite Enma from her hand before discarding straight to her drop zone and turning the last card in her damage zone face-down before the same aura from before surrounded Prominence Glare, weakening it once more.

Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/POW: '-9000' - '-19000'

"Attack."

Ulith gleefully ran across the prison in a crazed manner and laughing maniacally whilst Aglovale charged towards her in a desperate attempt to prevent her from landing the final blow. The imaged LRIG smirked and then leaped right over the top of the Regulation Liberator and landed right at the feet of the weakened Cosmo Dragon. Increasing the depth of her smile, she pulled back her spear before thrusting it straight into Prominence Glare, causing him to roar loudly in even more pain. Then to his sudden shock, Gaillard suddenly clenched his chest in pain, almost as if the final attack for whatever reason was affecting him as well. Everyone else gasped in shock for his concern as the final damage revealed itself to be Strike Liberator, ending the fight there.

"Gaillard!" the children and Neve cried out in concern.

As the imaged units that were still materialized in the prison faded out of existence, Miyako then held out her metal hand towards Gaillard, now containing a blank Wixoss card much like Kiyoi when she had won against Kamui. The images on Gaillard's cards suddenly began to fade to black and white before turning into complete blanks, much to his horror as he looked back towards his victorious opponent, who had rematerialized the deck in the cold metallic palm of her right hand as one that was suitable for play in both the Wixoss card game and the Selector Battles.

(End Music)

"No..." he breathed as he slammed one of his fists down onto the table before crying out in pain as a purple glow showed a marking, identical to the one on Kamui's right hand carved itself into that same fist. "H... How could I have failed..."

"Not yet!"

Gaillard looked forward to see that Miyako was far from finished as purplish black smoke was rising from the damage zones of both his and her's tables within the prison.

"Incinerate," she spoke "Judgment!"

The two columns of smoke suddenly rose into the air and combined into one cloud that was high above the heads of both participants of the fight just now before a torrent of dark purple fire suddenly rained down upon Gaillard, causing him to scream loudly in pain as was engulfed by the inferno.

"Gaillard!" one of the children cried out as he tried run forwards, only to be held back by Neve.

"Don't!" he called "You'll be burned as well!"

As the group of children looked back at Neve in worry, they could only look back in horror to see Gaillard's torture continue on for several more moments until the prison walls finally disappeared from around them. When they found themselves back in the courtyard of the orphanage, the former Quatre Knight's punishment had ended as he fell to the ground with scorch marks present on his clothing and skin as well as small patches of smoke that was pouring out. For him, the experience was nothing short of being in the middle of a blast furnace, having experience his own signature judgment once before when Kai had finally defeated him for the first time when they still bitter enemies.

Miyako placed the reforged deck into her coat pocket as she then turned around and brought out another blank card, seemingly preparing to depart from the premises at last.

"Wait!" yelled Neve, bringing her attention back to him "What is your reason for this?! Who is this companion you're speaking of?"

"Phillipe Neve," she spoke as she held the card above her "If you do not wish to bring harm to those close to Kai Toshiki, stay away from the other world. This will be your only warning. Open!"

And with a blinding flash, Miyako disappeared from the premises of the orphanage at last, presumably to hand over Gaillard's stolen Liberators over to Mayu herself, to do to them what she had already done to Kamui's Raizer units and the crew that piloted them. Neve simply stared at where she last stood for a moment or two before running over to Gaillard who was struggling to get back onto his feet.

"Gaillard!" he called, helping him from under his shoulder.

"I'm sorry... Neve..." he groaned weakly "I... couldn't stop her..."

As he coughed for a moment, one of the boys amongst the group of children approched the two from the front.

"Are you going to be okay?!" he cried in concern.

"... I'll live..." Gaillard replied as he looked over to Neve "Once I start recovering, head to Japan immediately. You've got to warn them...!"

"I understand," Neve answered "But right now, you're the one whose in need."

The former Quatre Knight simply held his head down in shame, from having both his pride and will shattered in an instant after that fight. First, he had his units stolen by Miyako for her 'companion', then he was marked with the same symbol that was carved onto Kamui's right hand and to add further insult to injury, he had just been through torture from the Judgment of his former prison, something that Miyako should not have even had access to. At the same time, there was the matter of Ulith who had briefly spoken to him and what she had done to Aichi on that night. Somehow, remembering back to that had only raised his internal concerns for the Royal Paladin user even more, praying that he was safe for the moment.


And there we go! Gaillard fights back bravely against Miyako, but fails to overcome the daunting trickery of Ulith who briefly speaks with him for a moment, informing him of her brief torture to Aichi's mental state. Ruko's former mother takes his Liberator units back to Mayu whilst marking him like Kiyoi has done with Kamui and leaving behind a warning to 'stay away' for Neve. Meanwhile, Kai confronts Dragonic Overlord on the subject of Reverse apparently still coursing through their veins and wonders if he can still battle alongside the Kagero commander without endangering anyone like before. Can Kai overcome his inner doubts? And will there be a way to recover Gaillard and Kamui's stolen units in the foreseeable future? Find out next time on Stand Up, the LRIG!

Please share your thoughts and criticisms on the story so far and I'll see you all next time. Until then, here's a return to the segment introduced from last chapter.

*This first plays in Episode 169 when Gaillard and Kai begin their fight. For those wondering, this is also the soundtrack used at the end of Ride 5 earlier in the story.


Card of the Chapter:

Ulith, Infinite Enma

Grade 4

Ability: Twin Drive!

Shield: 0

Power: 13000

Critical: 1

Nation: Dark Zone

Clan: N/A

Race: Human/LRIG

Unit Type: Normal Unit

[CONT](Hand): If you do not have a Grade 3 Vanguard with "Ulith" in its card name, you cannot Ride this unit.

[ACT](VG): [Counter Blast (1) and choose a Dark Zone unit from your hand and discard it]: Choose 1 of your opponent's units and that unit gets [Power]-10000 whilst it remains on the field.

[CONT](VG): If a rear-guard's [Power] is 0 or less, retire it.

[CONT]: This card counts under all clans from the Dark Zone nation. (You may only run cards with "Ulith" in their card names and any cards with ? in their clan name from the Dark Zone nation with one of those clans in your deck)