EDIT 9/5/2017: A glitch in the upload didn't bring the update date up to date. My sincerest and humble apologies to anyone who has already read the chapter regardless.
Vanguard World: Card Capital
As midday broke in this world at last, the weather seeming less moody than it did back in the world of the Selector Battles, Misaki and Ratie were sat on a bench outside of Card Capital in the side alley to the left of the store. Joining the two of them was Miwa and Shingo as well as Neve who had arrived in Japan earlier in the morning, the three of them now being caught up to speed from what had happened the night before. Misaki told them all about her previous fight with Futase and Anne, believing that the former seemed to be forced to battle the way she did under the baleful gaze of Schwarzschild Dragon, even confirming that Kamui was in the same world as the one Aichi and Kai had gone to, before she and Ratie recieved her note and entered Foo Fighter to discuss what happened.
"We then found this woman with a metal hand of some kind who beat Tetsu," the younger Quatre Knight continued "It looked like she was the one that led the attack on Foo Fighter."
"Metal hand...?!" Neve murmured in shock, bringing everyone's attention to him "Then that must have been...!"
"The same person who defeated Gaillard," Misaki muttered, now piecing everything together "She must have been Miyako."
"Well... it seems we now have a lot on our hands," said Miwa, unsure of how to make out the events that had occurred "But at least, we now know where Kamui is."
"Still though..." Shingo pondered as he re-read Futase's note which Misaki had given to him "I wonder why they've gone through the trouble of coming here when Sendou-kun is in that world. I just hope Ishida's keeping everything under control over there after I agreed to stay back."
Before anyone else could add anything to the discussion, the sound of footsteps caught their attention towards two people who were coming towards the alleyway they were in. The first one was a tall man with black hair, wearing a dark red bandanna that was wrapped around the top of his head whilst his accomplice, who was considerably much shorter than him. Both of their expressions seemed downcast as they approached the group, the man being the first to speak out aloud.
"Have you had any luck in finding Kamui yet?" he asked.
"No Gouki," Misaki replied "But we might have an idea of where he's gone."
"I won't give up looking for Kamui-chan!" the younger girl cried out "He must be all lonely in wherever that Kiyoi dumped in, waiting helplessly for my love!"
Miwa and Ratie couldn't help but sweatdrop in response to her desperation to finding Kamui, knowing that this was how she usually behaved in regards to any subject involving the Nova Grappler user. As the two of them looked over the pair, they gasped in shock to find the 'Mark of Penalty' engraved on their right hands.
"Wait a minute...!" called Miwa as he looked over the mark "Did...?!"
"Yes..." Gouki sighed as he raised his right hand "Kiyoi busted into Shop Handsome this morning and defeated all us, even showing no mercy to Nagisa. She then marked us and took all of our units with blank cards of her own before high-tailing it out of there."
"She even said that I'd never find Kamui-chan again...!" Nagisa growled "Just wait until I give her one of these and...!"
As Gouki gently used one arm on her shoulder to try and restrain her anger, Misaki's thoughts trailed back to the fight she had with Futase, where she had recalled the Selector calling Kiyoi 'Remember' for some reason, unaware that the latter was really the LRIG of the real Kiyoi, now currently known as Piruluk. One thing however was now clear in that Miyako's group were now targeting other teams who were into the game of Cardfight! Vanguard and capturing their units for whatever purpose Mayu had in mind for them. What that purpose was however was a mystery still to be revealed as she looked at Anne's still card which Futase had left behind.
Wixoss World: City Streets
(Selector Spread Wixoss OST: Chiyori)
By the time Kamui and Chiyori managed to escape the sight of the reversed Selectors long enough for Kai to distract them in battle, they had come to a stop in a different park than the one that they had first met within, this one being much more involved with the city atmosphere itself. The two of them were seated on a pair of swings with the Selector having got rid of her boredom by swinging back and forth, humming to herself as she did so whilst the Nova Grappler user was busy going through his deck, glancing over the last second changes that he made in Card Luck before he found out from Kai that there were reversed Selectors outside of the shop. A quick adjustment with one or two cards later however, he seemed fairly satisfied with what was now holding, even seeming somewhat surprised about some of the cards he had obtained.
At this moment, Chiyori had managed to finally quell her boredom for a long enough as she hopped off her swing and came alongside him, peering over his shoulder to see his readjusted deck.
"Wow, so you're mixing in another colour?" she pondered "Even I think that's a little gutsy."
"Well, it's not like I have a choice at the moment," Kamui replied "If I'm gonna get another shot at Remember, I'm gonna need to take advantage of whatever I can find in Wixoss. Besides, if Ruko could handle a hybrid colour deck, who says I can't?"
"I can't say that I can blame you," Eldora said as she looked over his cards "With the fact that your Nova Grappler's colour was otherwise non-existant in Wixoss until you came here, much like Ishida's yellow Narukami units until his own arrival, it's not surprising the physical card game could not have any ARTS or Spells to compliment them."
"Yeah, about that..."
Kamui shuffled his cards around until he reached the backmost one, showing it to Eldora and Chiyori who were surprised to say the least, the LRIG moreso having now been curious as how Naoki had even had the Spark Crash ARTS in his deck on the night he arrived in this world. The Nova Grappler user put then his deck back into the case before placing it back into his pocket and hopping off the swing that he had been sitting on for the past few minutes.
"At any rate, I better find Amika and hope she's still alright," he spoke "Especially with her mom hanging in there..."
"Then we'll leave things to you," Eldora replied "Let's go Chiyori. And try not to bring the attention of any reversed Selectors to us, alright?"
"Fine, I got it Eldora!" Chiyori huffed in reply as she stuffed the card she held back into her jacket "See you around, Kamui!"
And with that, the younger Selector hurried off into the distance once again, leaving Kamui on his own as he looked up to the darkened sky for a brief moment, wondering if Kai was doing alright with the small group that he was now battling against. He knew from his recount of his battle with Noriko that Dragonic Overlord was currently with Aichi, meaning that he would not be able to battle as effectively as he would normally do so.
"Ah, who am I kidding," he muttered to himself with a smile "If there's one thing I know about Kai now that he's back to normal, there's no way he'll lose that easily."
Turning around to try and begin his search for Amika and Piruluk, he soon discovered that he wouldn't have to start a long trek across the city once again after all. Gasping for a brief instance, he could see the Selector in question slowly walking down the street beside the park swings, seeing that her head was hanging down, her expression currently hidden from the distance he currently was away from him. Clutched in her hand was a single Wixoss card with a white backing, immediately giving him a sign that she was currently holding Piruluk's card.
(End Music)
"Oi Amika!" he called as he ran over to her "Are you okay?!"
The Selector suddenly stopped in her tracks and lifted her head as she looked to her left to see Kamui. He suddenly stopped in his tracks as he saw that her eyes were completely blank, almost lifeless in appearance as she paid almost no attention to his presence. Then, an all too familiar aura began to surface as he gasped in horror upon realizing what had happened to her.
"Oh no...!" he gasped "They got to you?!"
"Not they. Remember."
(Cardfight! Vanguard OST: Semarikuru Kiken)
The Nova Grappler user blinked to hear that it was Piruluk who had answered his question as the emotionless Amika unconditionally turned the card around to bring her into view for him. Kamui could only stare at the blue LRIG, taking not of her blackened eyes, reverse markings and the 'third' eye marking that was on her forehead as a result of Venom Dancer's own powers.
"So we meet once again, Katsuragi Kamui," she spoke "What is it you're after?"
"I was hoping to find you whilst you weren't reversed!" he replied "That Reverse is messing with your heads! And why is Amika not saying anything?!"
"This enhanced power I recieved has given me full control over Amika," the blue LRIG replied "Her free will no longer exists."
Kamui groaned upon realizing that it was Remember who was responsible for reversing the two of them in the first place and presumably the group of Selectors that Kai was currently battling back at Card Luck. Now this had further complicated things for him as he knew he would have to battle them to undo their state and from the way he battled the last time, his chances didn't appear to look hopeful. Piruluk's usual disinterested expression remained as it was as she continued to speak out for herself.
"It is ironic, that the very power she infected me with will be the same power that I will use to destroy her," she said, a hint of musingness underneath her monotone "Amika is simply a disposable pawn, just like all the other Selectors who have possessed me prior to this moment. If taking her body is another sacrifice required to reach Remember, then so be it."
"But then... what about all the other Selectors and LRIGs you'll reverse?!" the Nova Grappler user exclaimed "Are you really fine with what happens to them?! Are you fine with what happens to Amika?!"
Piruluk then stared right into Kamui's eyes, her harsh gaze remaining trailed upon him as she did so.
"Yes."
He hissed under his breath for a moment as he dug into his pocket to bring out his deck, preparing to battle both her and the motionless Amika who remained still, not uttering a single noise or action as she held Piruluk's card.
Hang in there Amika! I'll definitely save you!
"Let's go Piruluk... no, Kiyoi!" he called.
The blue LRIG, now addressed by her true name, smiled for a brief instance as Amika held the card still for an instance as she gazed down at Kamui emotionlessly, the harsh breeze around them stirring up a small gust for a second. The sky above them seemed to darken a little as the Selector finally uttered two words from under her breath, in an emotionless monotone similar to Kiyoi's very own.
"Open..."
And with that, the dark red aura of Reverse spread across Amika and Kamui, bringing them both to the specialized battlefield that awaited both them and the LRIG in question.
Link Joker Fight Field
When Kamui regained his foresight, he could see that he was indeed in the exact same field he fought in against certain reversed fighters throughout the duration of Link Joker's invasion of his home world. He had never expected it however to also be a Selector Battlefield for those wielding the power of Reverse or a Link Joker deck in general. Looking over to his table, he could see that his starting hand and Life Cloths were laid out for him, before looking ahead to see Beast Deity, White Tiger in front of him and that Piruluk was standing front of Amika's table, the Selector having already picked up the five cards that formed her starting hand. An all too familiar creaking noise sounded as the Nova Grappler user looked above him to see the roulette spinning.
Eventually, after several long and tense moments had passed by, the wheel stopped on a blue slot, much to the Nova Grappler user's annoyance as he looked back towards the blue LRIG.
"There is one more thing you should know," she spoke "In this battle, Amika will only be my liason for 'my' cards. The sole opponent you will face is me."
"What are you saying?" he asked, confused by her statement.
The eye marking that was on Piruluk's forehead then flashed a bright pink as Amika then drew a single card to begin the first turn of the battle. As the LRIG kept her eyes closed, images of the cards that the Selector held in her hand flashed before her as she then made her decision on what to do.
(End Music)
"I grow."
A swirling red aura enveloped her as her garb underwent a small change in appearance whilst two crystal wings materialized behind her back, showing that she had now grown to Level 1. She then gazed upon Kamui with a harsh outlook, sending a message to him that it was all she was going to do for the turn. Trying his best to not get frustrated with her usual outlook, even if she was being influenced by Reverse to some degree, he drew his two cards to start his turn before picking out the top card of his LRIG deck and placing it on top of White Tiger's.
"Let's go! The great Kamui Grows Tough Boy!" he called.
White Tiger vanished in a white glow as a new Battleroid that didn't belong to the Beast Deities descended onto the battlefield. It was bulky with multiple silvers and greys, mixed with several small yellow plates of metal as five shield like circles covered over both of its arms and its back. Tough Boy landed on its feet in an offensive stance as to the left and right in front of him, Max Beat and another Beast Deity with teal coloured lines and littered in yellow armour and spikes joined it on the battlefront, ready to face off with the reversed LRIG in front of them.
"Desert Gator, Max Beat, take it to Kiyoi!" Kamui declared.
The two Beast Deities rushed over towards Piruluk who remained completely motionless as Desert Gator slashed down the front of her whilst Max Beat smacked her with its staff. The first two Life Cloths were revealed to be the Spell PICK UP whilst the other was Code Art SMP.
"Amika, am I getting through to you?!" the Nova Grappler used called as he tried to reach out to the Selector. It was no good however as Piruluk recovered immediately whilst Amika once again remained motionless to what was going on around her.
"Damn it," he groaned "Tough Boy attacks!"
"Naive," Piruluk interrupted as Blue Storm Guardian Dragon, Icefall Dragon materialized in front of her "Quintet Wall."
In front of the Tear Dragon appeared five green circles and from each of them emerged Medical Officer of the Rainbow Elixir, Tidal Assault, Code Heart VAC, Code Art SMP and Code Art WTC, their combined number being more than enough to prevent Tough Boy from being able to land a hit. The Battleroid emitted a tone of annoyance as it stood down before the SIGNI and units in front of it vanished from the field. Kamui clenched his teeth, knowing that it wasn't going to be easy to try and knock some sense into both Piruluk and Amika this early on.
"Turn end!" he huffed.
End of Turn 2
Kamui vs Kiyoi
Hand - 5 : 5
Life Cloths - 7 : 5
Current LRIGs - Tough Boy : Code Piruluk K
SIGNI : Beast Deity, Desert Gator - EMPTY - Beast Deity, Max Beat : EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY
Ener - 0 : 6
The Selector then drew her next two cards emotionlessly as Piruluk's 'third eye' illuminated once again, allowing her public knowledge to the cards that she had just drawn for her next turn. Kamui couldn't help but feel frustrated, knowing that he couldn't reach either of them in time before Amika had decided in her earlier haste to challenge Remember out of fear for her mother's safety. Suddenly, he soon remembered that Amika's wish wasn't the only thing he had planned to see to in his earlier efforts to search for the two of them.
"Hey Kiyoi, if you were a Selector before, you must have had a wish!" he called.
"And what interest does that have to you?" she replied bluntly.
"Does the name Sakaguchi mean anything to you?!"
Upon hearing that name once again, a brief instance of anger flared through Piruluk's thoughts before she immediately calmed herself. Her eyes narrowed as she stared back at the Nova Grappler user.
"So what Remember said was true then," she murmured in her usual monotone "You know about Sakaguchi's name without her telling you, yet nothing of what had really happened."
"What are you saying?" asked Kamui.
"You always seem insistant on answers, aren't you. Very well then. I shall give them to you."
The 'third eye' on Kiyoi's forehead then glowed a bright pink, blinding Kamui for a brief instance as he felt the space around him fade away into obscurity.
...
(Selector Spread Wixoss OST: Mayu and White Room)
Kamui eventually regained his line of foresight, just in time to see that he was seemingly in the domain of the White Room, only knowing of its existence prior through word from Aichi, Kai and Ruko, despite them having not visited the place themselves. Looking around to see exactly where it was he was standing in confusion, he looked ahead to see Piruluk recovering consciousness from the floor in front of him. Before he could run over to see what had happened, he gasped in shock as the physical form of Mayu seemingly phased right through him, blinking in utter bewilderment for a moment.
"Right now, you are in the confines of my memories," Kiyoi's voice echoed harshly "So I suggest you pay close attention if you want to know the truth."
"Fine, I got it!" Kamui groaned in reply.
He ran over towards where the past Piruluk and Mayu now stood, keeping his distance from the two as he watched closely. The blue LRIG looked around in confusion, wondering where it exactly it was she had regained consciousness within.
"You have awoken I see," Mayu said gently "Nice to meet you Kiyoi-san, I am Mayu."
Upon hearing the name that was given to him, Kamui soon realized that this was the mastermind of the Selector Battles that Aichi and the others had explained to him earlier, now seeing her for the first time despite it being from Kiyoi's own memories.
"So she's the one behind all this...?" he murmured.
"W... What is this?" the past Kiyoi spoke as she looked down at herself in confusion.
"From this point forward, you will be an LRIG."
The now blue LRIG blinked in confusion as she looked up to Mayu upon hearing the answer that she had now recieved. The mastermind of the Selector Battles smiled gently as her throne materialized behind her back before she jumped back into it.
"This 'White Room' you see is part of a crevasse between this world's reality and the dark dimension that lies outside," she began "All girls who win their required Selector Battles and successfully conduct their oath, as you and Remember did so, come to this very realm. It is all a process of how one enters your world's reality from the cards that are dispersed there."
"What are you saying...?" Kiyoi murmured "What about my wish coming true? What do you mean about becoming an LRIG?"
"Rest assured, your wish will come true any moment now," Mayu replied with a smile "However, you won't be the one to grant it. That task, has fallen to Remember."
"Then... Remember has my body?"
"In exchange for embracing your wish," she continued "You performed the oath, otherwise known as the 'Ritual of Consent'. Your body becomes the possession of your LRIG and whatever is left of you is then turned into the LRIG you are now. Remember is now the being that will grant your wish, but there was one requirement that was needed and that was to not tell you the truth."
Kiyoi could only remain still as she took in all of this newfound information that was being thrust upon her whilst Kamui simply watched in silence, wondering what exactly was happening in front of him. He now had a vague idea of how the whole 'body-swap' that occurred in the oath took place and that this memory he was being shown was of the first time she had become the LRIG known as Piruluk. Mayu tilted her head slightly, curiously gazing at the motionless Kiyoi.
"You act considerably calm," she murmured "Most girls usually cry by now of their LRIG's 'deception' or how they were tricked."
"I... was always alone," Kiyoi spoke "Sakaguchi said she liked me so much... and yet, I made her suffer. I made a vow with Remember that I would do anything to save Sakaguchi. That's why..."
"That girl will never know your sacrifice," Mayu interrupted "Is that really alright with you?"
"I hate it... but still," the LRIG continued, smiling bitterly "If Sakaguchi was at least saved, then it doesn't matter anymore. Remember told me she would grant my wish and I have faith in her."
Kamui couldn't help but stare at the past Kiyoi, surprised that she wasn't concerned with being stuck as an LRIG if it had meant Sakaguchi could be saved as she was telling Mayu. But the question that remained for him however was how did she die in the first place? He had a bad feeling however that he was about to discover the answer to that same question.
"You really have faith in her? Interesting."
The blue LRIG stared at Mayu for an instant, confused about the sudden change in her tone.
"Yes..." she answered "She is... my friend. However, I have no interest in becoming an LRIG."
"And why is that?" the mastermind asked.
"After listening to what you told me, I've figured out how these battles are supposed to work" Kiyoi answered "They're bound... by these terrible rules. By winning in battle and becoming an Eternal Girl, an LRIG, you gain the power to grant another girl's wish. Remember gained control of my body and just like how I've become an LRIG, she must have been in that situation once before. Those girls gain special powers as LRIGs and use them to grant their Selectors' wishes in order to return to the real world in swapped bodies."
"Very perceptive," Mayu replied calmly "There may have not been a single lie told, but after Selectors after enticed by the saccharine and tricked into becoming LRIGs, they are bound by the rules and coerced into betrayal."
As Kamui couldn't help but clench his teeth, now understanding that Kiyoi was just as much of a victim in the Selector System's twisted rules as the other LRIGs he had met in this world, including the ones that Aichi and Kai had managed to befriend, his previous perception on the blue LRIG had started to change a little. The past Kiyoi then clenched her left fist as she then turned around to face Mayu once more.
"This... this isn't the Wixoss that Sakaguchi loved!" she muttered "I will never decieve anyone just to return to the outside world! Not on my life!"
"So then..." Mayu spoke "You're the first girl in years who has decided to stay in the world of cards of her own will... that poses quite the complication for my game."
"Game...?" Kiyoi murmured, her eyes narrowing upon hearing that word.
"You are under a misconception," the mastermind continued as she got up from her throne and walked over towards the window that was behind the blue LRIG "Wishes do not come true, they are granted. Just as I told you before, your LRIG may be the one granting the wish, but since they now possess your body, their right to their previous powers is revoked as I decree."
Kiyoi then suddenly blinked in confusion, wondering why it was that Remember no longer had her powers as an LRIG when she had taken over her body to grant her wish. A sudden thought then crossed the back of her mind, causing her expression to grow in concern.
"Most of these wishes are from ungrantable," Mayu explained "Common sense and 'self-protection' obstruct the realization of a wish. An LRIG is unbound by those can fulfill a wish."
"But if that's true, then..." the LRIG breathed "Sakaguchi won't wake up immediately?"
"Even the doctors have given up, if what I heard is true."
"What are you saying a simple child can do?!" cried Kiyoi "Unless a miracle happens...!"
(End Music)
Mayu then smiled once again, placing a hand over the LRIG's shoulders to 'reassure' her that her wish would indeed be coming true, one way or another.
"The oath requires that wish must either be granted or maintained," she spoke "If an LRIG fails to uphold that in a certain period of time, they will disappear and that body within 24 hours will wither away and decay. I will ask you once again. Do you still believe in your LRIG?"
As Kiyoi began to waver in her state of rationality, she snapped her fingers as the frame of the window beside them began to open with both a blinding white glow and a loud creak. Kamui ran over to the windowsill to see what it was that Mayu was trying to display to them at this very moment. The image displayed on the window now showed Remember in Kiyoi's body, now standing inside of Sakaguchi's hospital room. Her gentle smile suddenly turned into a slight sneer as she moved closer towards her face. The blue LRIG's expression slowly turned to utter horror as she stared at the scene unfolding before her.
"Remember...! What are you doing?!" she screamed.
"I did a bit of preparation so no one would interfere," the former LRIG spoke in a seemingly gentle, yet sinister tone "Who am I to disappoint her? Now then... enjoy your peaceful rest."
And with that, she immediately removed the tube to the comatose girl's breathing mask, causing both Kiyoi and Kamui to gasp in shock and horror. A loud noise emitted from the machine beside the hospital bed, starting off in steady blips before increasing in speed at a steady pace.
"That girl is saved," Mayu spoke.
"Stop fooling around!" cried Kiyoi "If Remember doesn't put that back, Sakaguchi will...!"
"Yes... she was released from her eternal suffering, by her death," the mastermind interrupted "Congratulations, your wish was granted."
Kiyoi could only stare back through the window towards the hospital room, the sound of the machine beside Sakaguchi's bed and the sight of Remember's sneer in her body becoming engraved into her mind as the blips continued to grow louder and louder until they reached a single loud tone that echoed across the walls of the White Room. As she screamed loudly in agony, the realization that Sakaguchi was now dead being a iron-clad fact to accept, Kamui couldn't help but utter out a loud growl from under his breath, unable to think of anything to say about Remember's actions right now. He watched as Remember switched off the machine, ending the noise before exiting the room, leaving behind a dead Sakaguchi as its only inhabitant. He gritted his teeth, trying his best to not explode in anger at what he had just witnessed through the blue LRIG's memories that were being shown to him.
"Man... no wonder Kiyoi's wanted Amika to stay away from Remember!" he muttered to himself, recalling the 'warning' she had given him and the Selector when Amika had left Card Luck on the day they first met "She murdered her friend in cold blood!"
His thoughts were then interrupted as Piruluk, in a fit of rage, screamed loudly as she turned around and ran towards Mayu, attempting to throw a punch with her right fist in retaliation as to what she had just witnessed. The mastermind of the Selector Battles remained motionless as suddenly, from seemingly out of nowhere, a large point suddenly came down between the two and struck the floor hard enough to send the blue LRIG flying back and crashing into the nearest wall. Before Kiyoi could recover completely, the point, now revealed to be a razor sharp blade was immediately held up to her neck, preventing her from being able to move at all. She then looked up and silently gasped as to the new sight she was greeted with, upon seeing that the blade was part of a scythe, her eyes trailing up the pole to see its owner.
(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Crawling Chaos)
Chaos Breaker Dragon stood above Mayu from behind, gazing down at the new blue LRIG as of this moment, a glint in its eyes giving a very unnerving presence to those who would dare cross in its path or ambition. Kamui couldn't help but gasp in surprise at what he saw, having reconized this very unit from before.
"That's the unit Kai used...!" he exclaimed "But what is it doing here?!"
"Isn't it obvious?" Mayu spoke, her gentle demanor seemingly remaining as it was "She did it for her own sake."
"You lie...!" Piruluk shouted "I wanted to save Sakaguchi, not end her life!"
"No trickery. No cheating," the Clown spoke in a seemingly gentle tone, unnerving the blue LRIG "Remember simply fulfilled her quota of your wish as you had requested. And that exact quota as Mayu recalled was to end Sakaguchi's suffering."
"Who are you?!" she demanded.
"Oh yes, further introductions are in order," the mastermind interrupted "Kiyoi, I would like you to meet the 'Clown' or if you would rather... Chaos Breaker Dragon."
Kiyoi could only stare up at Chaos Breaker, not just in utter displeasure of being pinned to the wall by its scythe, but the fact that it seemed to be working with Mayu and all of the rules that she had set up in place for her world. The image and sound of Sakaguchi's death still fresh in her mind, brimming it to the point of pure anger, she turned her attention back towards the one that stood beneath the Cyber Dragon.
"Is this what you have been doing the whole time?!" she exclaimed "Then there's no way I'll...!"
Before she knew it however, Mayu had immediately appeared in front of her, holding her face from her right cheek as the cold steel from the scythe sent further discomfort across her.
"There is one more thing you should know," she spoke "Even with my rules and my enforcement, as you have now seen, there is really no punishment for LRIGs who tell the truth to their Selectors."
"What?!" gasped Kiyoi, as did Kamui.
"They hide the truth, so that they avoid the risk of not being able to escape from their card and back into the outside world," Mayu explained "They will use every trick in the book, acting devoted, encouraging them to battle, coerce you towards a wish."
"So then... Remember intended on killing Sakaguchi from the start?"
"That is indeed correct," Chaos Breaker spoke, its unnerving grin coming closer towards Kiyoi "Your exact quota fitted all too well with her intentions. A whim of fate as some beings may call it."
The blue LRIG hung her head down as multiple thoughts began running through her head, back to a time before she knew Sakaguchi or even Remember from her recollection.
Again... I placed my trust in someone... and look what happened!
"Your former compatriot is however, still responsible for what you now saw," Mayu continued in a seemingly soothing tone "And now without a care in the world, she now lives on in your body, whilst you accept your solitude and eternal darkness within a card."
"I don't mind being fooled...!" Kiyoi growled "But... Sakaguchi never did anything to incite Remember's actions now!"
"There is one way you can meet her again."
The blue LRIG stared up at Chaos Breaker Dragon once again, its tone having now been filled with a similar gentleness to that of Mayu's voice, only there was something different about that kind of tone.
"All you need to do is acquire a Selector's body and return to the real world," the Clown explained "Then perhaps, you could acquire that revenge I can see you now desire. But first..."
Before Kiyoi could question about what the Clown meant, the sound of footsteps brought everyone's, even Kamui's, attention over to the distance of the White Room, where Photon was walking across the endless expanse towards her, clutching something gently in his right hand. His expression seemed neutral as evidenced by his lips, furher unnerving the blue LRIG as she realized that she still couldn't move whilst her neck was pinned by Chaos Breaker Dragon's scythe. Mayu looked over to the Star-vaders' commander as she smiled gently in his presence.
"The preparations are complete," he spoke "Shall I begin?"
"But of course Photon," she replied "Your 'subject' is waiting here right for you."
The blue LRIG then tried to move her hand to underneath the blade of the scythe, hoping to knock it a little off balance so she could free herself, but a pair of black rings suddenly materialized around both of her wrists and legs, binding them both together as she felt her eyelids being forced up to the point where she couldn't even blink. Photon then opened his hand, revealing what appeared to be translucent pieces of a material she wasn't familiar with, but what greatly disturbed her was that they appeared to be shaped like eyes, the very front of her eyes to be exact.
"W... What are you doing?!" she exclaimed as Photon hovered the 'lenses' up with a small aura of Reverse before slowly pushing them forwards towards the LRIG's eyes.
Unable to stop the Cyberoid's actions or even move her head or close her eyes, Kiyoi could only scream loudly in pain as he began pushing the lenses right onto the very front of her eyes, blinding her as she did so. Kamui couldn't help but even look away at the somewhat gruesome sight, disgusted as evidenced by his disturbed expression that Kiyoi had to endure through this kind of torture after witnessing her friend die at the hands of the very LRIG she had put her trust in. When Kiyoi's screaming had finally ceased, she could close her eyes as she rapidly blinked to try and get her foresight working again, fearing that she had been somehow permanently blinded by the lenses that Photon had just implanted onto the front of her eyes.
When she eventually did, she felt her eyes were stinging a lot, indicating that it would take a long time for her to get used to having to live with her eyes now changed to the way they were now. Outwards, they still appeared to be the same to all who saw her, minus a trickle of blood that leaked from each of her eyelids, a presumed side effect of the sudden installation. She glared up at Mayu, wondering if other LRIGs had somehow gone through similar treatments from her two companions as she had just now.
"You will be granted the power of an LRIG, plus the one that Photon has given you through these lenses," she spoke "Use them to guide your girl to victory, then bring her here. I will always be waiting."
(End Music)
At this point, a window suddenly opened up as Kiyoi found herself being pulled up from the ground and sent flying through it into the dark dimension that lay outside. Before Kamui could relax however, he too found himself being swept up as he cried out aloud, flipping backwards through the air until he caught up to the blue LRIG as Mayu's voice echoed in the distance.
"As you are an LRIG, a new name may be required. Piruluk I believe will do nicely."
And with that, Piruluk clenched one fist as her thoughts now delved deeper into more anger and resentment that she still held towards Remember for her earlier actions.
I will never forgive her...! Ever!
Link Joker Fight Field
As the trail of memories ended, Kamui finally regained his sense of vision as he found himself back on the battlefield, still in shock from what Kiyoi had shown him over the past few minutes. He could now see the full picture between Kiyoi, Remember and Sakaguchi and how things had seemingly progressed to the point where the two of them now found themselves. The eerie silent atmosphere of the space still lingered as he looked to see that Tough Boy was now taking a defensive stance before seeing that the will-less Amika was still standing blankly at her side of the field whilst Piruluk's stern gaze was still trailed upon him.
"So you see now Katsuragi," she spoke "All this time, my 'Penetrating Eyes' was actually a power issued by these lenses whenever my Selector activates a Peeping Analyze card. Photon claims that it is a 'parting gift' for me not being able to see how Sakaguchi felt, before her demise at Remember's hands."
The Nova Grappler user didn't know what to say to her at this instance, still trying to comprehend all of the details that were shown to him through his brief trip across the LRIG's memories of that day.
"Ever since that day," Piruluk continued "I have used countless Selectors in my attempts to claim my revenge on Remember for what she did to Sakaguchi, who never did anything to incite that atrocity, each attempt ending with their worthless wishes crushed and broken. But right now, Amika has proven to be the one that I will use to obtain my 'new' wish. If I must play with Mayu's little game to reach Remember, any sacrifices that I make will contribute to that cause. I cannot heal Amika's mother when she becomes an Eternal Girl, therefore she will be another sacrifice to make this possible."
"Are you insane?!" Kamui exclaimed in shock "You don't care if you kill Amika's mom to get another shot at Remember?!"
"Someone such as yourself would not understand the hardship of one such as myself," the blue LRIG replied in her monotone "You fight carefreely in your little realm, having no experience in the cruel meanings of reality. You were a fool to think that you could change anything in this world or the hidden laws that envelop it."
The Nova Grappler user could only grit his teeth as he watched the 'third eye' on Kiyoi's forehead illuminate once again in a bright pink colour as Amika noiselessly and unconditionally began her next turn. Upon seeing what cards her Selector held in her hand through this power, the blue LRIG held up one hand above her as she gave her next command.
"Grow," she spoke.
The swirling dark red aura of Reverse enveloped her, changing the appearance of her garb slightly as two more crystal wings materialized behind her back. Two of Amika's cards then suddenly hovered from her hand over towards the blue LRIG as the one on her left revealed itself as Swift Advance.
"Superior Grow!" Kiyoi called as her appearance was altered once more, this time with a pair of red glasses materializing over her along with a golden star shaped brooch with a green jewel embedded in it at the very top of her dress, just below her neck. Her eyes flashed red for a brief instance as one of Kamui's cards floated high into the air before shattering and reforming in his Trash Pile to reveal that it was Beast Deity, Brainy Papio, much to his annoyance.
"She's going off it already?!" he moaned.
"Stay cool partner!" Tough Boy called, bringing the cardfighter's attention back to the battle.
Kiyoi however remained unfazed by what was happening as the next card beside her revealed itself to be a second copy of Swift Advance, indicating that she was about to perform a Superior Grow. Amika took out two cards from her LRIG deck, the first of which had itself covered in the overflowing aura of Reverse.
"By taking Code Piruluk ACRO from my LRIG Deck and stacking it beneath my form," the LRIG spoke "I can use my second Swift Advance to Grow into this form as a Level 4 LRIG."
"Seriously?!" exclaimed Kamui as he could only watch the dark aura swirling around Kiyoi before pouring straight into her body.
(Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack: Breaking the Limit)
"Oh pitch black darkness and cold desire of vengeance!" she called "Meld your conflicting powers onto thyself and descend upon this unfulfilled world! Superior Cross Grow!"
From the darkness, the blue LRIG emerged with her garb resembling mostly that seen in her Level 5 form, Code Piruluk ACRO, but with several differences as far as anyone could tell. The white colouring on the main dress remained as it was before whilst the rest of the garb retained a much darker shade of blue with colours of black and dark red splashed onto it. Several pointed metal plates dangled from the bottom edge of the garb like razor sharp knives as a black ring materialized behind her back, glowing in the ominous dark red aura of Reverse that now flowed through her. Her stained black eyes opened up once again as she opened her right hand, a staff similar to the one she wielded in her Level 5 form appearing, only the large orb was replaced by what appeared to be a smaller sized standard Lock.
"Right now, I am... Black Heart Avenger, Code Piruluk Яeverse!"
"No way...!" Kamui gasped "She's already at Level 4?!"
He didn't have time to remain in awe however as he looked ahead to see two Code Heart VACs appear on the left and right SIGNI spaces, staring off against their opponents in front of them. The one on Kiyoi's left fired a large blue projectile that struck another card out of Kamui's hand, this time being Beast Deity, Solar Falcon.
"PICK UP..." she continued as the Spell card revealed itself "I discard your entire hand, then both of us draw equal to the number discarded."
The Nova Grappler user groaned as he placed his remaining three cards into the Trash Pile before drawing the same amount from his deck whilst Amika emotionlessly threw away her remaining cards, immediately drawing the same amount as he did. Tidal Assault then appeared in the center SIGNI space as the aura of Reverse then began to spread across the Selector's side of the field.
"I thought you would have learned to stay out of my affair with Remember," Kiyoi spoke harshly as she hovered into the air "However, it appears telling you that isn't enough. Attack!"
Kamui could only look down to the cards he held, trying to make a decision on what to do next. He shook his head, affirming that he wasn't ready to take action against the blue LRIG just yet. Both Code Heart VACs made easy work of dispatching both Max Beat and Desert Gator who were banished after taking might hooks from their large fists. Tidal Assault then slashed down the front of Tough Boy, revealing Kamui's first Life Cloth as Yamatano Drake, much to his disappointment. He then looked up just in time to see Piruluk hovering high into the air and holding up her staff above her, charged by the energies of the black ring that was behind her back as she then immediately pointed it right in his direction.
Large chunks of ice then suddenly materialized and started crashing down towards the Nova Grappler user's side of the field as Tough Boy was knocked down and buried under a few whilst Kamui gasped in panic and resorted to leaping and ducking to avoid being struck by the more leeway of the projectiles. He quickly moved to the side to avoid being grazed by the final one as he ran back to his table to find Weapons Dealer, Govannon as his next Life Cloth.
"All right!" he called as he saw the Life Burst being triggered "I draw 1 card!"
Kiyoi seemed hardly fazed by this as she hovered back down to Amika's side of the field, knowing that she had done everything she could possibly do for the turn. She had no concern plastered anywhere within her expression, now that she had managed to secure a somewhat dominating lead in this battle.
End of Turn 2
Kamui vs Kiyoi
Hand - 4 : 3
Life Cloths - 5 : 5
Current LRIGs - Tough Boy : Black Heart Avenger, Code Piruluk Яeverse
SIGNI : EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY : Code Heart VAC - Tidal Assault - Code Heart VAC
Ener - 4 : 0
As Tough Boy dug itself free from the ice that it had been buried under, Kamui let out a brief sigh of relief as he drew his next two cards to begin his turn. Looking amongst them and back to his Ener Zone, he decided that Ener Charging would not be worth it at this point, especially given the overwhelming advantage that Piruluk now held over him.
"Let's go!" he called as he picked out a card from his LRIG deck "The great Kamui grows Beast Deity, Damned Leo!"
Tough Boy vanished in a flash of light as a black lion, covered in red and yellow armour appeared onto the battlefield, standing on its two hind legs as if it were human or some other human-like being. He then looked over the other cards that he held in his hand for the time being, trying to make a decision.
Right now, I can't overpower her two Code Heart VACs... he muttered in his thoughts If that's the case...!
In front of Damned Leo appeared Beast Deity, Hatred Chaos who immediately took to the offensive by charging towards Tidal Assault and knocking it out with a mighty punch to his face. As the Aqua Force unit disappeared, Piruluk remained unfazed as Damned Leo roared loudly before unleashing a ball of fire from its jaws that came hurtling towards her. She stayed motionless, even as the attack hit her square on as she observed the next Life Cloth through her eyes as Code Art KEY, causing Amika to unconditionally draw a card without making a sound.
"White Tiger's skill!" Kamui called "I Up Hatred Chaos and attack again!"
Hatred Chaos' eyes flashed for a brief instance as it ran across the battlefield and this time landed a mighty kick on the blue LRIG. Piruluk still remained unfazed as she smiled for a moment, just as the unit retreated back to Kamui's field.
"It's your move..." he huffed.
"Naturally," she replied as Code Art KEY materialized between her two Code Heart VACs before she pointed her staff towards it.
"Limit Break!" she declared as a black vanguard circle above her flashed "I Lock KEY!"
A pair of black rings surrounded Code Art KEY before trapping her inside of a black sphere with the same rings encircling it.
"With this, I can activate one of my three new powers."
"Three powers?!" Kamui muttered in surprise.
"Right now I will activate my first ability," she explained "I will Freeze Hatred Chaos and make it so you cannot summon more copies or move it to your Ener Zone during your next turn."
A large column of ice enveloped Hatred Chaos, trapping it inside as the card on Kamui's table was also covered in solid ice that he could not break in the fashion he was familiar with in their previous battle. He gritted his teeth as he looked over towards Amika who still remained emotionless towards him and the battle thus far.
"Hey Amika!" he called "Are you really fine with this?! Don't you care about what happens to your mom?!"
The Selector remained still, not responding to his question as evidenced by her blank eyes and expression. Before Kamui had time to speak any more, both Code Heart VACs had landed a punch each onto Damned Leo who roared out aloud in pain as it fell to its knees. The next two Life Cloths revealed themselves as Brainy Papio and God Eater, Ultimate Sword, much to his annoyance. As Piruluk hovered up into the air, she pointed her staff in his direction once again, this time summoning what appeared to be ice spears as she gazed harshly towards the Nova Grappler user who stared up at her.
"You keep speaking about worthless hope, when you have had no experience in what I and perhaps many have endured," she spoke in a harsher variant of her usual monotone "Someone like you, especially one who has a worthless crush as their wish, would never understand one's feelings of resentment."
And with that, the multiple spears of ice came rushing down towards Kamui and Damned Leo, the latter of which was able to use its firery breath to melt away some of the projectiles. Before the rest of them could strike however, a Servant SIGNI suddenly appeared in front of the two, shielding them from the rest of the barrage as they crashed into the green barrier it projected.
"T3..." Piruluk muttered So he has changed his deck slightly. But that still means nothing before me.
(End Music)
"Hey Kiyoi!"
The blue LRIG blinked as she looked to Kamui who had a fist clenched whilst keeping his head down.
"You were right about one thing..." he said "I didn't get that you were like some of the other LRIGs who were Selectors before because your attitude really got on my nerves. You reminded me too much of someone who used to act a lot like you."
"What are you insinuiating?" she muttered, unaware of the person she was being compared to.
"But I totally get why you're mad at Remember!" he continued "If she did the same thing to someone I cared about, I would be angry too! I agree we can't let her get away with this, but how is sacrificing Amika's mom going to change anything?!"
"I already told you," Piruluk replied harshly "Amika like everyone Selector who has wielded me is nothing more than a disposable pawn, as is her wish as well. Someone as obstinate as you has no right to question my actions or my reasons."
Kamui gritted his teeth as he glared towards the LRIG who had been pushing his buttons a little in the midst of their brief argument as he took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Would Sakaguchi really be happy if you got rid of Amika's mom just to get revenge?!" he called.
(Selector Infected Wixoss OST: Battle ~ Culmination (First Half))
Piruluk's eyes widened in response to his question, seeing a memory of Sakaguchi and her innocent smile flash before her eyes. She was feeling hurt that he would dare even mention Sakaguchi's name in regards to questioning her intentions of claiming her revenge on Remember for killing the latter as well as her lack of care of what happened to the people around her if it came to that.
"How dare you speak about her like that!" she yelled, keeping her angered gaze upon the Nova Grappler user who continued to stare off with her, the aura of Reverse flowing furiously thoughout her body.
"Here I come!" he declared as he drew his next two cards "The great Kamui grows Beast Deity, Ethics Buster!"
Damned Leo vanished in a veil of flames that covered over part of the space on Kamui's side of the field before Ethics Buster itself swung out both of its arms to extinguish the fire and reveal to all its splendor on the field of battle. It gazed over towards Piruluk, instantly recognizing the blue LRIG that was tainted by Reverse, which also stirred something within as evidenced by its low growl.
"So the Clown made a cheap shot on you too," it muttered "But... I haven't forgotten about the last time we've clashed."
"Another child's metal toy," Piruluk spoke in her monotone, still nerved from Kamui's earlier question even if it wasn't visible to all "If dooming you to this power is the method I need to remove you all from my path to Remember, then so be it."
"Kiyoi, I'll definitely beat the Reverse out of you and Amika!" Kamui called "I'll... definitely not let her mom die!"
Upon hearing the words that were just spoken, Piruluk had immediately regained her usual composure and began her previous laugh in what sounded like "Kishishi" which caught his attention.
"Foolish boy," she spoke "Even if your intention is noble, the outcome for Amika's mother has already been decided."
"What are you saying?!" he exclaimed.
"Even if you were to free Amika from Reverse," she spoke "This will officially count as her third loss. Then, what do you think will happen?"
Kamui's eyes widened in horror to the newfound information that he had just learned about, realizing what this could have meant for both Amika's wish and her mother's safety.
"Are you saying that no matter what happens...?!" Ethics Buster muttered.
"That's correct," the blue LRIG spoke "Regardless of what he does, her mother's fate, as part of the sacrifice to confront Remember once more... has been decided. The question that now remains is by whose hands and intentions does she perish by."
Kamui could only turn his gaze towards the reversed Amika, horrified by the circumstances he was now faced with. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was now left with a single choice, one that could very well determine his fate as well as everyone that was around him in this world. And not only were the options not in his favour, but it appeared that whatever decision he made would lead to almost the exact same result. If he won, Amika would have her wish tainted but if lost and Piruluk became an Eternal Girl to grant her wish, he would be trapped in the service of Link Joker once again, just as he was before. And her mother's fate in a very likely stance, regardless of whatever happened, was possibly all but sealed.
(End Music)
And there we go! Kamui eventually discovers Amika's reversed state as Piruluk reveals that she now maintains control over her with her newfound powers that are at her disposal. During the battle's opening turns, he soon discovers the reason behind the LRIG's revenge that she intends to take upon Remember for the death of her friend, Sakaguchi Ayumi who she intended to save with her wish. Realizing that Piruluk has no qualms with sacrificing Amika's mother as another step towards obtaining that revenge, he struggles to catch up with her and vows to save Amika's mother in any way he can, only to discover that the outcome of the battle, regardless of its victor could seal her fate. What choice will Kamui make, in spite of these dire circumstances? Find out next time on Stand Up, the LRIG!
Please share your thoughts and criticisms in the reviews and I'll see you next time! Until then!
Card of the Chapter:
Code Heart VAC
Level 4
Colour: Blue
Class: Machine Spirit : Electric Machine
Limiting Condition: Piruluk LRIGS only
Power: 12000
[Constant]: The Colorless cost to use your blue spells is reduced by 1.
[On-Play] Pay 1 Blue: Your opponent discards 1 card from their hand.
[Action] Pay 2 Blue: Add 1 spell in your trash to your hand.
[Life Burst]: Your opponent discards 1 card from their hand.
