Hello everyone and welcome back to Stand Up, the LRIG! I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!
Wixoss World: Tokyo City Streets
"Well, I guess this is where we part ways for now."
Later that night, Sakuya and the rest of the group around her had journeyed over to the stairway entrance that led to the underground station where the Selector's train back to Aomori would be departing in several minutes from this current instance. Although she had been initially saddened that most of her intended plans for reuniting with Hitoe took a brief detour when she and Midoriko were reversed, she knew dwelling on that would not brighten up the happier mood she had now found herself in. Hitoe stood in front of her from a distance whilst Aichi, Ruko and Kai remained beside a nearby tree, feeling it would be better to give their friend the personal space she would need to make the farewell less strenuous on her.
"Actually... there's something I want to do now that I know what's going on," said Sakuya.
"W... What is it?" Hitoe asked curiously.
The Selector smiled for a moment before taking out Midoriko's card that she currently had in her pocket, causing the green LRIG to look up at her in slight confusion as to why this was happening. She then handed it over to her closest friend, leaving even more confusion evident on her's and Yuzuki's expressions.
"Now that I know these Selector Battles are bad news... and how much you've grown since 'that'," she answered "I won't need Midoriko to grant any wish I want. That and I already fulfilled mine anyway."
"So what are you saying?" asked Yuzuki.
"I'm not tossing Midoriko away, if that's what you're thinking," Sakuya replied "I'm just giving her a second chance, to be there for Hitoe if she needs it."
Midoriko stared up at Hitoe, surprised that her now 'former' Selector had given her back to the person that she felt that she had failed to be there for when she had needed her the most. Now that she had seen how much she had grown in her absence however, she felt that a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders and that she needed to make the most of this second chance as much as possible, until they could bring the Selector Battles to an end.
"A... Are you sure you want to hang on to me again?" she asked.
"Midoriko... you're one of my closest friends," said Hitoe "Of course I would like to be with you again."
"Then it appears we have reached a decision," Sakuya interjected as she came over to the Selector, putting an arm on her shoulder "Do the best you can, in life and in this mess you're all fighting to get out of. If you ever need me, I'm always a train ride away to the north."
Hitoe then placed Midoriko's card in the neck wallet she wore, placing it in the opposite direction so that the green LRIG would be facing Yuzuki. Then, the two Selectors briefly embraced one another as the night atmosphere went completely silent for a few seconds before they broke apart with Sakuya backing away towards the stairs leading down to the station below.
"Take care," she spoke before looking over to Aichi "Keep up whatever it is you're doing. I know you're from a different world but Hitoe could really have someone like you in her lifetime."
As Aichi smiled meekly in response whilst closing his eyes for a moment, Ruko waved towards Sakuya to bid her farewell for the moment until they would all hopefully meet again some time in the future. Kai looked over to the now 'retired' Selector, opening his eyes with a hint of his usual demanor enshrouded amongst them, though less harsh than they normally would appear to most others.
"Even if you are no longer participating, I suggest being careful," he spoke "This third strike of Reverse in this world won't be the last."
Although Sakuya still kept on smiling, she nodded briefly to assure the Kagero user that she would heed his warning to her, regardless of the circumstances. She then ran down the stairs that led to the station, eventually disappearing down a corner in the passageway. When she was no longer present amongst them, Hitoe turned around and rejoined her companions who walked over to join her.
"Sakuya's really been looking out for you," said Ruko "You're really lucky to still have a friend like her."
"Thanks Ruko," Hitoe replied as she looked over to Aichi "And thank you Aichi... for... everything."
As she briefly paused between her words, her cheeks faintly turned pink for a moment, not that anyone else noticed this at all. The Royal Paladin user simply scratched the back of his head for a brief moment.
"You're welcome, Hitoe-san," he answered "I'm really happy for you."
His smile immediately faded however when he felt a hand placed rather firmly on his shoulder. He turned around to see that Kai seemed rather serious in his expression which could only mean that he wanted his attention for something that was on his mind.
"Kai-kun?" Aichi pondered.
"Aichi, when we return to the apartment..." he spoke "I... need to battle you."
Vanguard World: Foo Fighter
Meanwhile, outside of the entrance to Foo Fighter within the dark space that enveloped most of the surrounding area, Misaki and Futase had continued on with their current fight whilst Ratie watched on from the side. So far, it had only been the end of the fourth turn and the Genesis user had finally managed to recover her lead with the attacks that she had made, despite Pray Angel remaining Locked due to Volt Line's own ability. On her field was Midday Regalia, Hemera as her current Vanguard who was currently taking up a defensive stance and to her left was Regalia of Fertility, Freyja with Purification Regalia, Pure Angel behind that unit. Futase so far had been knocked back to two damage after guarding previously with Tellurium as she stared at her Drop Zone, currently housing the Heal Trigger and Promethium.
Ratie watched on anxiously from where she was standing, hoping that Misaki would be able to recover from the rather early Omega Lock, seeing that it was putting her at a disadvantage in that she was only lucky to land an earlier hit with Hermera due to a lucky Critical Trigger pulling through for the Genesis user. The Selector then began her turn as she drew her next card before the eye hidden behind the red lens and metal covering over the top left portion of her face widened for a brief moment, upon seeing which card it actually was.
I really wish it never had to come to this... she murmured in her thoughts as she held out the card in front of her But for your's and Fumio's sake...
"Fragile locus, emerge with your stained heart and defile the light of those before you! Ride the LRIG!"
(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Link Joker Theme)
As soon as the word LRIG was uttered, both Misaki and Ratie stared at the card that Futase held high above her head as it was covered in a familiar dark red aura before the Selector placed it down onto her table on top of Gravity Collapse Dragon. The Cyber Dragon disappeared in an eruption of that same coloured aura as the shadow of a humanoid figure began to appear admist the darkness that was swirling around Futase's side of the field. The aura dispelled to reveal that it was none other than the LRIG Anne who was far from what she usually appeared like, as evidenced by what she was wearing in the place of her usual dress.
The girl was covered from head to toe in plates of white, black and grey coloured steel with several dark red lines etched into various portions of the armour she wore. A black visor covered over her eyes, obscuring them from sight from an outsider's perspective. Some of the armour seemed to be somewhat complimentary and the overall shapes of the plating appeared resembled the dress that she would normally wear with the lower half being changed to several long 'blades' of grey armouring and a large black ring hovered behind the LRIG's back, seemingly giving her the power of flight as she hovered above the ground in front of Futase's table, as she announced the name of Anne's new form.
"Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity!" she called.
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity/Grade 3/Twin Drive!/SLD: 0/POW: 11000/Link Joker/Star Gate/'Human/LRIG'
"So that's an LRIG..." Misaki murmured, recalling seeing the 'Race' listed on Remember's Grade 0 card before it had vanished the previous night.
"No way..." Ratie breathed as she stared up at Anne "That appearance is almost like..."
A familiar image suddenly formed in the back of the former Quatre Knight's mind, despicting Blaster Blade under the power of Link Joker as evidenced by the black ring behind the Swordsman of Light's back and the red glint from his obscured eyes. Truth be told, she didn't know why she felt like making this comparison to the form that Aichi had called 'Blaster Joker', but there was something about Anne in this state that made it feel neccessary for her to do so. Futase then placed down two more cards which were Gravity Ball Dragon and Singularity Sniper.
"Singularity Sniper attacks!" Futase declared "With its skill if the attack hits, I can Lock a rear-guard!"
As Gravity Ball Dragon lowered its stance, a dark aura surrounded Singularity Sniper as it recieved the Cyber Dragon's boost and took flight into the air. As the three small black rings in front of it opened up to allow the projectile between them to fire through, it launched immediately after the Cyber Fairy pulled it back and let go rather quickly as it hurled towards Hemera.
"Guard!" Misaki responded as she placed down Battle Maiden, Kukurihime to the Guardian Circle.
The unit appeared in a green flash in front of Hemera to take the hit for her as the projectile grazed past her dress, causing her to scream loudly as she vanished from the battlefield afterwards.
"With Volt Line's boost, Anne attacks your Vanguard!" the Selector continued.
Anne held out her right hand in front of her as a dark red aura began to manifest a new weapon for her to use, the shadow of it beginning to materialize in the palm of the LRIG. The darkness dispersed to reveal that it mostly resembled the one in her Level 4 form, only the fan 'blades' had been replaced with the stylized black rings seen on Gravity Ball Dragon and Gravity Collapse Dragon. Misaki could only clench her teeth as she looked down at her hand before making a decision.
"No guard..." she muttered.
Futase remained silent in response as she conducted her Twin Drive upon looking her to her deck. Revealing the first card, it was Star-vader, Weiss Soldat as the card glowed brightly, causing both Anne and Osmium to glow a bright yellow as the trigger effects were applied to them seperately.
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity/Critical: 1 - 2
Flash Gun Star-vader, Osmium/POW: 9000 - 14000
The Selector then picked up the second card from the top her deck and looked at it closely with her visible non-covered eye, causing Misaki to ponder what she had managed to pull on her second check.
"Tell me Tokura," she spoke "Is Takuto's reason for beginning the Asia Circuit still fresh in your 'Perfect Memory'?"
"The capture of Cray's Three Heroes by the Void," the Genesis user replied, recounting the events as if they were still fresh in her mind "What about it?"
"It would be of your best interest, to meet the one who freed Aqua Force for Soryu on that night," the Selector answered as she turned over the card, revealing it to be a Grade 3 unit.
"Schwarzschild Dragon?!" exclaimed Ratie.
Shortly afterwards, the rings on Anne's weapon illuminated brightly as a large static orb materialized at the end of the staff on the sharpest furthermost point, just as she pointed it down towards Hemera before firing the orb right at the Genesis unit. As the sphere made contact with her, the orb suddenly engulfed her and grew even larger to the point where it had even enveloped Misaki's entire side of the field as both Hemera and the Genesis user suddenly cried out in pain as they were suddenly forced to their knees as if they had just been thrown to the ground by a very heavy weight. The orb's effects suddenly wore off as Misaki stumbled for a moment, trying to comprehend what was going on.
"What was that...?!" she coughed It almost felt like I was being crushed from Anne's attack!
"I Omega Lock Pray Angel again and Osmium attacks!"
Misaki quickly glanced to her damage zone, seeing that she did not manage to set off any damage triggers from the aftermath of Anne's previous attack before looking to her hand.
"Guard!" she called as Exorcism Regalia, Shiny Angel appeared in front of Hemera "And intercept!"
Freyja joined the Grade 1 unit as the two of them stood side by side in front of her vanguard, prompting Osimium to lower its firearm once again for the second time throughout this fight as the two of them vanished from the field immediately afterwards. Futase remaining motionless, remained silent in response to this as her turn came to an end.
End of Turn 5
Misaki vs Futase
Hand - 3 : 4
Soul - 2 : 3
Damage - 3 : 2
Front Rows : EMPTY - Midday Regalia, Hemera (Vanguard) - EMPTY : Flash Gun Star-vader, Osmium - Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity (Vanguard) - Singularity Sniper
Back Rows : Purification Regalia, Pure Angel - Regalia of Prayers, Pray Angel (Locked) - EMPTY : EMPTY - Star-vader, Volt Line - Gravity Ball Dragon
Misaki stared down at her table, seeing that she was somehow back to square one, given that Pray Angel was still Omega Locked for the second turn in a row, knowing that at the rate the fight was progressing, she would have to make do without a unit boosting her Vanguard at all. Looking back up at Anne who remained still since the end of her attack, she couldn't help but ponder what it was that made this 'LRIG' special unlike any other unit, not knowing of what LRIGs actually were from her lack of knowledge of Mayu or the Selector Battles. Drawing her single card, she looked across towards Futase whose gaze had remained unwavering throughout the majority of the fight thus far before holding out the card she drew in front of her.
(Cardfight! Vanguard OST: Fight 1)
"Warrior imbued with the power of a god, all bow down before that noble power!" the Genesis user called "I ride Cosmic Regalia, CEO Yggdrasil!"
Hemera was enveloped in a bright green flash of light as the new Regalia unit descended from the brilliant light in its place in all of her spectacular glory. She was dressed in a set of robes like most of Misaki's Genesis units thus far and her weapon of choice appeared to be a staff much like Anne's, only it was stylized more like a very tall flower of some kind. Immediately to her left, another Freyja appeared onto the same rear-guard circle that the previous Freyja had been occupying for the duration of the last two turns, as if nothing had changed about her at all.
"Seek mate!"
A green aura surrounded Yggdrasil as the silhouette of another figure began to materialize in a blinding white glow beside her before it disappeared to reveal the unit named Regalia of Fate, Norn. Her choice of dress was similar to Yggdrasil's own, only she had her hair tied up in a bun, she wore a pair of glasses in front of her eyes and she carried what appeared to be an urn or a jug over her shoulders. The Legion symbol briefly flashed for a moment, showing that Misaki had completed it successfully as her Drop Zone was now completely empty.
"Freyja's skill!" she called "Counter Blast and Soul Charge!"
"It's coming..." murmured Ratie before she looked over to Misaki and called out in encouragement "Go, Misakin!"
The Genesis user nodded in acknowledgment before looking over to Futase, preparing to start her attack at this very moment.
"Here I come, Futase!" she declared "Yggdrasil and Norn, Legion Attack!"
The two units immediately nodded in reply as they held out their weapons in front of them, charging up a large attack together as pure white energy began to crackle between the top of Yggdrasil's staff and the edge of Norn's urn as they took aim towards Anne who remained motionless.
"Yggdrasil's Legion skill!" Misaki continued "I send all the cards in my soul to the drop zone! You cannot guard with Grade 1 or higher units and she gains an extra Critical!"
As a yellow aura surrounded the Legion pair, showing that they were about to gain more strength, Futase closed her eyes in response, showing she wasn't concerned with what was about to occur.
"Is that all?"
Misaki blinked in shock for a moment, upon hearing a voice that was completely unfamiliar to her speak out at this very moment, almost as she was willing to mock the Genesis user for her efforts thus far. Looking up to Anne, she suddenly realized that it was the LRIG that spoke out at this very moment, but how this was, she still had no idea as to why.
"Anne's Soul Blast!" Futase called as Micro-hole Dracokid slid out from underneath Anne's card and moved to her drop zone.
Anne then held out her staff as sparks flew out of it and spread across to Misaki's side of the battlefield, shocking both Yggdrasil and Norn for a brief moment as the yellow aura around them forcibly disappeared and a new one appeared around the LRIG.
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity/Critical: 1 - 2
"What the?!" gasped Ratie "Anne just gained a critical and Misakin's Legion didn't get any!"
"So Anne can steal Criticals from my units?!" Misaki gasped.
"Not entirely," Futase replied "Any time a unit on any of our fields would gain a Critical whilst you have a Locked card, I can Soul Blast and steal that Critical until the end of that turn."
Misaki frowned for a moment upon seeing that the Selector was easily anticipating that manuver without having to waste any of her hand to guard what was now a regular attack with no other downsides to taking a hit.
"Twin drive!" she called as she revealed the first card, Regalia of Far-sight, Clear Angel "Critical Trigger!"
"That's useless!"
Upon hearing the declaration from Anne herself, sparks immediately flew from the card as Misaki cringed in pain for a moment. The LRIG glowed a bright yellow once more, indicating that Futase was somehow using her skill again.
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity/Critical: 2 - 3
"My Critical Triggers are vulnerable to that skill as well?!" she exclaimed as she looked over to Futase, who had moved Gravity Ball Dragon to the drop zone as a cost, saying nothing more. "I give the power to Freyja!"
She then revealed her second card to be Cold Blast Regalia, Svalinn, not having a Trigger marking on it to further aid her in this scenario. Although most of the energy from their combined attack had been lost, Yggdrasil and Norn launched what was left of it at Anne who remained still as it collided with her, causing a large explosion nonetheless. Star-vader, Scouting Ferris flew past Futase's line of sight and landed face-up in her damage zone, now alongside Gravity Collapse Dragon and Gravity Ball Dragon, the card glowing for a brief moment as she drew her next card.
"Freyja attacks Osmium!" Misaki continued.
"No guard," Futase replied calmly.
Freyja then charged towards Osmium and lashed down her blue coloured whip upon the Star-vader, retiring him from the Selector's side of the field. Anne briefly gazed down upon her before the Regalia unit retreated back to Misaki's side of the field as she reviewed everything that had transpired in her mind.
Anne's skill can shut off the danger of Yggdrasil's skill... she muttered in her thoughts But... Futase only has one card left in her soul. If I can force her to use it up...
"Turn end."
(End Music)
End of Turn 6
Misaki vs Futase
Hand - 4 : 5
Soul - 0 : 1
Damage - 3 : 3
Front Rows : Regalia of Fertility, Freyja - Cosmic Regalia, CEO Yggdrasil (Legioned with Regalia of Fate, Norn) - EMPTY : EMPTY - Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity (Vanguard) - Singularity Sniper
Back Rows : Purification Regalia, Pure Angel - Regalia of Prayers, Pray Angel (Locked) - EMPTY : EMPTY - Star-vader, Volt Line - Gravity Ball Dragon
Futase then drew her single card as the red lens covering her left eye began to illuminate brightly, catching the attention of both her opponent and the onlooker who were wondering what exactly was going on at this very moment. She then held out her right hand over Anne's card as the dark red aura of Link Joker enveloped the two of them, signifying that something was about transpire in their favour. For whatever reason though, the Selector inwardly cringed for a moment as a tear left her closed right eyelid and dripped onto the table. The sound of this caused Misaki to stare closely at her, feeling that there was now more to the situation than it was first apparent.
"... Seek mate," Futase spoke.
(Selector Infected Wixoss OST: Battle ~ Even if I Hurt Someone)
As Anne held up her staff into the air, four of the five cards in her drop zone, those being Micro-hole Dracokid, Osmium, Promethium and Tellurium, all hovered and set themselves on the top of the Selector's deck as as file of light scanned through the cards until it found the one that was required. It pulled it out of the deck as it was covered in the same dark red aura from before and Futase caught it with her open hand, clenching her teeth for a moment, almost as if she was trying to hold back some frustration of some kind.
"It is time," a familiar voice echoed in her thoughts, one that was always heard by her throughout her service to Mayu's cause. The Selector then opened her eyes and held up the card high into the air.
"Dragon of darkness, born of dark flames..." she began "Convey an unending nightmare to those who incur your wrath! Appear, Schwarzschild Dragon! Legion!"
She then threw down the card onto the Vanguard circle of her table to the left of Anne's card, a black and red coloured version of the Legion symbol briefly flashing for a single moment as a giant dark shadow began to emerge onto the battlefield. Misaki stared on as the darkness began to disappear, revealing the dragon in all of its nightmarish outlook as a dark chuckle began to boom over the area. The entire body of Schwarzschild Dragon was almost a much more evolved appearance of its previous form, Gravity Collapse Dragon before it roared loudly, landing on its feet behind Anne and sending a loud thud across the front entrance of Foo Fighter.
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity and Schwarzschild Dragon/POW: 22000
"Schwarzschild's skill!" Futase declared as one card in her damage zone turned face down before the top five cards of her deck hovered up to her view. She then picked out another copy of Schwarzschild Dragon which she revealed to everyone else before the remaining cards shuffled themselves back into the deck. "Then I call!"
She then immediately filled up her left rear-guard column with two new units by the name of Eclipse Star-vader, Charcoal and a Stand Trigger by the name of Shockwave Star-vader, Dysprosium, the two units immediately taking offensive stances the moment they appeared on the battlefield.
"Anne's Legion skill!" the Selector continued as she revealed another copy from her hand and dropped it into her Drop Zone on the table "Then, Limit Break!"
A dark red Vanguard circle flashed above both Anne and Schwarzschild Dragon before two pairs of black rings encircled both Freyja and Pure Angel, causing them to scream loudly as they were trapped in respective black spheres, locking them. Misaki could only tense her expression as she stared at the locked field that she now had from the Legion she was now facing.
"H... Hey!" yelled Ratie "Aside from the fact that Schwarzschild Dragon needs a Counter Blast of 3 for its skill, how come its Limit Break went online from you having three damage?!"
"Charcoal's skill and my own Persona Blast," Anne responded emotionlessly, somewhat taking the former Quatre Knight aback from the fact that it was her talking "With its presence, Limit Breaks mean nothing to my 'master' and my Persona Blast erases one of the costs that are required."
"Furthermore," Futase continued "By Soul Blasting, I can give Schwarzschild's extra Critical to Anne instead."
As the LRIG glowed brightly from recieving Schwarzschild's extra Critical in the dragon's stead, Misaki glanced towards the pair, knowing that she had to be very careful with how she was planning to get out of this dangerous scenario.
"Schwarzschild, Anne," the Selector spoke "Bring endless suffering to those before you as a reminder to our mistress' ideal! Legion Attack!"
Schwarzschild's eyes flashed a bright red for a brief moment as it took flight and charged towards both Yggdrasil and Norn who could only brace themselves for impact as they could also see Anne pointing her staff towards them.
"Quintet Wall!" Misaki called as she revealed Svalinn from her hand, the unit appearing in front of her Legion pair.
Five green circles flashed in front of the unit as Freyja, Shiny Angel, Kukurihime, another copy of Norn and Lot Angel, all taking defensive stances as they stared off with the oncoming Schwarzschild Dragon.
SLD: 30000
"Twin drive..." Futase spoke as she revealed the first card to be Promethium which she immediately added to her hand. The next card she revealed was Star-vader, Weiss Soldat once again. "I give all the effects to Dysprosium."
Shockwave Star-vader, Dysprosium/POW: 4000 - 9000/Critical: 1 - 2
Whilst Anne lowered her staff, seeing that the attack was not going to break through to Misaki's Legion, Schwarzschild Dragon roared fiercly and slashed across Svalinn and all the units that she had called, causing each and every one of them to vanish in an instant as it gazed upon Yggdrasil for a moment before flying back to Futase's side of the field as she immediately rested all the cards in her left column. Dysprosium, true to his name, used his orb to generate a shockwave that knocked both Norn and Yggdrasil to the floor as the next two cards from Misaki's damage check revealed themselves to be Midnight Regalia, Nyx and Regalia of Compassion, Eir.
"Heal Trigger!" she called "I recover one and add power to my Legion!"
Singularity Sniper remained outwardly emotionless, but kept a hint of annoyance under its breath as it did not have a target that was weak enough for it to even attack in the first place. Futase upon noticing this said nothing more as the turn came to a close.
(End Music)
End of Turn 7
Misaki vs Futase
Hand - 3 : 4
Soul - 1 : 0
Damage - 4 : 3
Front Rows : Regalia of Fertility, Freyja (Locked) - Cosmic Regalia, CEO Yggdrasil (Legioned with Regalia of Fate, Norn) - EMPTY : Shockwave Star-vader, Dysprosium - Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity (Legioned with Schwarzschild Dragon) - Singularity Sniper
Back Rows : Purification Regalia, Pure Angel (Locked) - Regalia of Prayers, Pray Angel (Locked) - EMPTY : Eclipse Star-vader, Charcoal - Star-vader, Volt Line - Gravity Ball Dragon
"That was close..." Ratie sighed in relief "Misakin just held on..."
Misaki upon regaining her composure began her turn as she looked back up to Schwarzschild Dragon and Anne, knowing that there was much for her to do to overcome this great opposition. There was something however that had been bothering her since the start of the previous turn and that was concerning Futase in herself.
Something about this seems off... she murmured in her thoughts At that moment... her resolve wavered for an instant. Unless I'm mistaken, is it possible that...?
"Keep up your pointless struggle."
The Genesis user blinked upon hearing the second new voice that had suddenly addressed her at this very moment.
"Given everything I've heard so far, I'm guessing that it's you this time, Schwarzschild," she spoke, her tone becoming bitter when she addressed the dragon's name.
"Hmm... not one of Takuto's chosen, but an observant one," it responded in a somewhat bold tone "A rare trait if I do say so myself."
"W... Why are the three of you doing this?" Ratie asked "Taking all of Cray's units by stripping their cards from their fighters..."
"I already told you," Futase interrupted "It's all for the sake of our mistress. That is all there is to it." She then gazed back to Misaki. "It is still your turn."
The Genesis user then looked down at her hand and took two cards from out of them and placed them down on her right column. Those were additional copies of Hemera and Shiny Angel as they gained a bright green aura to them, as did both Yggdrasil and Norn as they found the strength in themselves to stand back up onto their feet after the earlier punishment from the previous turn.
"Attack!" Misaki declared "And Legion Skill!"
Cosmic Regalia, CEO Yggdrasil/Critical: 1 - 2
As the Legioned pair prepared to strike their opponents together, Futase remained silent to show that she had no intention of guarding this next attack after gazing down at her hand.
"Alright!" Ratie cheered "Anne doesn't have any Soul! All Misakin needs is a Critical Trigger and it's over!"
Misaki however didn't appear to share as much sentiment with the former Quatre Knight's statement, knowing that there had to be some reason Futase was remaining this calm. Was the Selector really that confident that she would not pull a Critical Trigger to end the fight or did she have faith that she would draw a Heal Trigger to prolong the outcome for much longer? Either way, there was no time to hesitate as she immediately conducted her Twin Drive, her first check revealing a second copy of Svalinn. She then revealed her second card which glowed brightly, but didn't quite have what she would have benefited from the best.
"Draw Trigger..." she murmured as Hemera powered up from the effect.
As Ratie moaned in annoyance, Misaki drew her next card, her eyes wavering in surprise for a brief moment. Yggdrasil and Norn unleashed all of their might from a combined attack once again as it took charge towards the Legion pair. Both Schwarzschild and Anne remained motionless as if the attack did nothing to them at all as Futase's next damage checks revealed Charcoal and Volt Line, no triggers appearing to aid her at this very instance.
"Hemera!" she continued.
"Perfect Guard!" Futase responded as she revealed Promethium from her hand and discarded Singularity Sniper.
As the turn came to an end, all of the Locks around Misaki's units began to come undone one after another. The first to be freed was Pray Angel, then it was Pure Angel and finally...
"Dysprosium's skill!" the Selector interrupted "Counter Blast and moving to the Soul!"
The Lock that had Freyja trapped within it remained as it was, as if it had not been affected in the slightest at all as Dysprosium vanished in a dark blue aura that was immediately absorbed by Schwarzschild Dragon as it chuckled darkly under its breath.
"Another Omega Lock?!" groaned Ratie "Come on!"
Misaki however remained as calm as she could possibly be as she stared over at the card she drew from Lot Angel's trigger effect, a memory from the distant past stirring in the back of her mind.
Flashback
It was daylight on the boat that was taking Kai and his group back to Japan from Leon's island, after they had gone through the extensive 'training' that they believed was necessary for them to take a second shot at the Quatre Knights and talk to Aichi, unaware of what was really going on at the time. Misaki whilst thinking on the subject like almost everyone else present, had her concerns lying elsewhere for the moment. That lay with Kourin, who had sided with them after somehow recovering her memories of the times she spent around everyone she knew, after Takuto had disappeared from the world to deal with his Link Joker doppelganger once and for all. She wanted answers as to why she was helping them and why she was insistant on no one even being allowed to talk to Aichi at all.
"Hey, Misaki."
The Genesis user turned around to see that Naoki had called out to her at this very instance, curious as to why he wanted to talk to her.
"Listen..." he began "About what Kamui and I said about Kourin earlier... You were right, I was actin' out of line there."
"Ishida..." she murmured.
"I get that she hasn't been through the best of times with what happened..." Naoki continued "But still... why didn't she tell us something if she got her memories back?!"
"I'm certain she has her reasons, if she's using Link Joker on her own accord," Misaki replied, looking down to the hairband that she had held on to since 'that' day.
As she was contemplating the situation however, the Narukami user was digging through his pockets as if he was looking for something that he had stuffed in there earlier during their stay. Eventually, he pulled out what appeared to be a single card out of his right trouser pocket and handed it over to Misaki, who stared at it in partial confusion, but mostly wonder.
"I found it on that islet with Big Bang Knuckle Buster," he explained "If we come across Kourin again, I thought it might help."
"I see..." the Genesis user replied as she inspected it closely, now seeing how it could be beneficial to her in the coming struggle.
Present
(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Solitary Soul)*
However... I never even made it to Kourin, to try and save her with this card.
Misaki closed her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and gazing over to Futase who was already starting her turn, looking over her hand to consider her options, before calling a second Gravity Collapse Dragon to the rear-guard.
If what I think is going on with Futase is true... then this time, I'll get to the bottom of this!
"Legion Break!" the Selector announced as she revealed another copy of both Anne and Schwarzschild Dragon from her hand before discarding them to her Drop Zone.
As Schwarzschild Dragon's eyes flashed a bright red, two pairs of black rings encircled Hemera and Shiny Angel before a third pair encircled Pray Angel, immediately locking all three units at the same time. The same yellowish aura from before surrounded Anne as she powered up from the dragon's presence that was behind her.
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity/Critical: 1 - 2
"Tokura Misaki, this is the end," Futase spoke "Let's go! Legion Attack!"
As both Anne and Schwarzschild Dragon took flight into the air, preparing to strike both Yggdrasil and Norn once again, Misaki looked up at the pair before taking Svalinn's card from her hand and throwing it onto the Guardian circle at the front of her table.
"Quintet Wall!" she called "And I guard with Lot Angel!"
As the two units appeared in front of the Legioned pairs once again to shield Misaki's side of the field from harm, five more green circles materialized as from each of them emerged another copy of Yggdrasil, Nyx, Norn, Kukurihime and Eir, all of which taking up defensive stances as they landed on the ground beneath them. Anne and Schwarzschild Dragon made little work of retiring them from the field, but their combined power as of yet was still not enough for them to overpower their opponents as of yet. Futase upon noticing this immediately conducted the first check of her Twin Drive, revealing Star-vader, Scouting Ferris.
"Draw Trigger!" she called "I give the power to Gravity Collapse!"
As the rear-guard Gravity Collapse Dragon grew in strength, Singularity Sniper immediately took aim at Yggdrasil after Schwarzschild and Anne retreated back to the Selector's side of the field. The Cyber Fairy pulled back on her projectile and shot it out through the three rings that it was originally inbetween.
"I guard with another Norn!" Misaki responded as the second copy of her Legion-Mate caught the attack with her urn before disappearing from the field immediately afterwards.
Gravity Collapse Dragon then generated a static orb in front of its claws before roaring loudly and hurling it towards Yggdrasil and Norn who braced themselves for impact as the sphere made contact with the ground in front of them, engulfing them in an explosion. When the smoke cleared, Misaki's fifth damage was Regalia of Fertility, Freyja. Futase remained slightly unnerved, seeing that her efforts were only successful in dealing one damage throughout the entire turn. She gazed down to her hand for a moment, recounting her options from amongst them.
With a Locked field, there's nothing more she can do she murmured in her thoughts Even if she can somehow build up the soul again with that one circle, I can still intercept.
Misaki then drew a card to begin her next turn before looking over to the card that she had held onto since the previous Twin Drive, believing that now was as good of a time as any to put it to good use. Before she took ahold of it, she looked over to the Selector that she faced.
"I don't know why you are doing this," she spoke "But throughout this fight, I've noticed that your conviction seems to waver. You seem uncomfortable with using the cards you have and you don't seem certain with what you are doing."
(End Music)
Whilst Ratie blinked in confusion, Futase raised an eyebrow for an instant, wondering why the Genesis user was addressing her this way.
"And what concern does it have to do with you?" she asked "Your entire field is still locked and I can still counter Yggdrasil's Legion skill. You have no hope remaining, Tokura."
"If you won't tell me the reason behind that, then I will defeat you first."
Misaki then took ahold of the card that she had and held it high into the air, just as it began glowing a bright white colour, much to the shock of almost everyone else present on the presmises of Foo Fighter's front entrance. Even the observer from just outside the main gates couldn't help but be in awe somewhat of what he was witnessing at this moment.
(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Triumphant Limit Break)
"Light of justice, descend from the heavens of Cray and bring hope to those around you!" she called "Ride!"
As Yggdrasil and Norn turned around to Misaki, nodding for a moment as they disappeared in a bright white aura, a blinding white flash engulfed the entire space of where the fight had taken place. Even Futase couldn't help, but cover the metallic lens that covered over her left eye, not wanting to risk any sort of blindness from the whole ordeal.
The figure that emerged was a Noble, much like all of Misaki's Genesis units thus far. She wore a two-piece set of robes and wore large ornamental headdress of some kind over the top of her long purplish hair. Her weapon of choice were a large and long sword and in her left hand on what appeared to be a hilt to a sword, hung a pair of scales that would be used to weigh something. Even Ratie found this unit unrecognizable from all of the fights that she and Misaki had partaken in up to this point, having seen it for the first time like everyone else around the Genesis unit as she finally announced its name.
"Goddess of Law, Justitia!"
As Justitia hovered down to the ground, Futase couldn't help but stare at the unit that had just been played, almost completely surprised by what she was now seeing.
Justitia...? But... she wasn't in Photon's data for Misaki! Just what kind of unit is this?!
Schwarzschild Dragon growled loudly as it stared over to the new Genesis unit, almost as if it could sense that this was going to cause some trouble for the Selector, her LRIG and itself in a matter of moments. As the bright light died down, Misaki kept her firm gaze level with Futase's faded composure, determined to bring an end to the fight right here and now.
(End Music)
And there we go! As Hitoe and the other bid farewell to Sakuya who returns back to Aomori after handing Midoriko over to her friend, Kai requests to battle Aichi in order to confront his doubts on Dragonic Overlord's power. Back in the Vanguard world, Misaki discovers that not only has Anne been transformed into a servant for Link Joker, but she and Futase are also in the service of the mastermind behind the cause of Takuto's reason to form the Asia Circuit, Schwarzschild Dragon. Fighting back, the Genesis user unveils a new unit that she intended to use against Kourin during her own efforts to overcome the Quatre Knights in the past. Will it be enough to overcome the challenge she now faces? Find out next time on Stand Up, the LRIG!
Please share your thoughts and criticisms in the reviews and I'll see you all next time! Until then!
*This first plays in Episode 177 when Kourin performs Legion with Garnet Star Dragon.
Cards of the Chapter:
Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity
Grade 3
Twin Drive!
SLD: 0
POW: 11000
Clan: Link Joker
Nation: Star Gate
Race: Human/LRIG
Unit Type: Normal Unit
[ACT](VG): Legion 21000: "Schwarzschild Dragon" (If your opponent's vanguard is grade 3 or greater, this unit may return four cards from your drop zone into your deck once, search your deck for the specified card, and Legion)
[ACT](VG): [Counter Blast (1) & choose a card from your hand named "Anne-ThiЯd, Locus of Gravity" and discard it] Choose 1 of the costs for your Legion-Mate's Limit Break 4 and that cost is nullified until the next time that ability is activated. This ability cannot be used for the rest of that turn.
[AUTO](VG): [Soul Blast (1)] When a card or effect that would increase a unit's [Critical] is activated whilst your opponent has a Locked card, you may pay the cost. If you do, apply the [Critical] from that card or effect to this unit instead. This unit's [Critical] is reset to 1 during every End Phase.
Schwarzschild Dragon
Grade 3
Twin Drive!
SLD: 0
POW: 10000
Clan: Link Joker
Nation: Star Gate
Race: Cyber Dragon
Unit Type: Normal Unit
[ACT](VG) Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage): [Counter Blast (3) & Choose a card named "Schwarzschild Dragon" from your hand, and discard it] Choose up to three of your opponent's rear-guards, lock them, and this unit gets [Power]+10000/[Critical]+1 until end of turn.
(The locked card is turned face down, and cannot do anything. It turns face up at the end of the owner's turn)
[AUTO]: [Counter Blast (1)] When this unit is placed on (VG), you may pay the cost. If you do, look at up to five cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one card named "Schwarzschild Dragon" from among them, reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand, and shuffle your deck.
[CONT](VG): If you have a card named "Gravity Collapse Dragon" in your soul, this unit gets [Power]+1000.
