AN: Due to apparent confirmation through the name of a upcoming Trial Deck, at some point I will need to go back through the entire fic and adjust Ulith's name to now be Urith. That aside, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Japan; City Streets
Later that evening outside of Card Capital, Miwa had been standing outside and pondering over the day's events to himself. He couldn't help but feel worried for not just Emi who had suffered at Ulith's hands recently, but for Kai as well. The sole reason their world was now brought into the conflict it was in being the cause of his friend's entry into Ruko's own and the units he had once stepped into the darkness alongside as his own pulling all of the strings of the Selector System itself. Needless to say, it was no question at all as to why he was feeling anxious at this point as Misaki could tell.
"You're worried about Kai aren't you," she spoke.
"You could say that," he sighed "Then again, with what he got caught up with this time, I guess you've hit the nail on the head huh."
The clerk of Card Capital walked over and joined him by the edge of the pavement, sharing some sentiment with the answer she had been given.
"You mentioned he was thrown off a little when he fought Urith last night," she continued "Do you have any idea what that might be about?"
"Well, he won the fight just fine," Miwa answered "But there was something that Urith said that really got under his skin. Something about Miyako and how his path with Link Joker then... might not have been within his control as much as he once believed."
He was unwilling to say anymore, knowing that what Miyako had intially intended for Kai had the invasion of their world been a success was rather personal to him and how infuriated he was with the way she had treated Ruko and Ayumu during his previous confrontation with her on the day he had returned after the battle's conclusion. He resisted the urge to clench one fist from just thinking about it until he turned around to find the Selector herself standing at the top of the stairs that was leading to the home that Misaki had above Card Capital.
"Is something wrong Miwa?" she asked as she came down the steps to join them.
"Oh, Ruko," he replied as he waved to her "We were just talking about last night and what we've gotten ourselves into now."
"Is something the matter?" asked Misaki.
"Not really," she replied "I just... overheard you two talking about my mother, that's all. That aside, Yuki just sensed something nearby now and I was wondering if you two wanted to tag along."
"Sure," Miwa said as he smiled back warmly "If you want us to come along, that's fine with me, right Misaki?"
"I suppose," she spoke as Ruko brought out Yuki's card to get directions to the source from her.
The girl of black then turned around to face her Selector and noted the company of both Misaki and Miwa before closing her eyes to try and sense the earlier disturbance she felt earlier.
"I can sense the disturbance not too far from here," she said "Follow my directions and we should be there."
Ruko nodded and walked off with her two companions as they left the premises of Card Capital and wandered out into the city in search of whatever it was that had caught the LRIG's attention recently. Along the way, they had passed several places that had been familiar to both Miwa and Misaki including Foo Fighter's Headquarters and Miyaji Academy itself, leaving the two curious as to where Yuki was leading the three of them to.
"Come to think of it," he pondered "Where is Tama?"
"She's back at the shop," Ruko answered "Shin was curious about her, so I left her to chat with him."
"I just hope nothing weird happens," Misaki muttered "You know how eccentric he can be on occasion."
"I'm sure Tama will be fine," the Selector replied with a smile "She's come a long way since we started the Selector Battles together."
As the evening sky began set into the dark blue colour above their heads, they continued on their journey to the source of the disturbance that Yuki had sensed. Most of them had their suspicions that it could more likely than not be a cardfight that was going on between one of Mayu's forces and any unfortunate fighter who had the displeasure of being in theirs, but they knew they could not jump to that conclusion so suddenly. As they were travelling along however, Yuki who had been busy trying to concentrate in order to guide Ruko and the others suddenly opened her eyes in surprise.
"Behind you!" she exclaimed.
(Selector Infected Wixoss OST: Battle ~ Culmination)
Before any of the group had time to register the girl of black's sudden request, a purple coloured beam suddenly struck and wrapped around Misaki's right wrist as she cried out in surprise before being dragged a little ways.
"Misaki!" cried Miwa.
"W... What is this?!" she groaned as she struggled to try and remove the coil that she was bound with.
"It's useless."
Everyone suddenly glanced down the coil to find that it had led to Futase who had it attached to a bracelet she was wearing on her right wrist, similar to the one that Akira had when she roped cardfighters into fighting her in Singapore. This time, her cybernectic lens that was covering the left side of her face over her eye was fully visible to all as her long strand of hair that normally covered over it was completely to the side.
"Fumio-san?!" cried Ruko.
"Kominato Ruko, we meet again," she spoke, her voice holding an uninterested tone "Although, it would be correct if you referred to me as simply Futase."
"So you're the Selector Misaki fought once before?" Miwa asked.
"Indeed," Futase replied "I was unsuccessful the last time in my efforts to claim her units. But, I can assure you all that things will end differently this time. Very differently."
"Futase... what is with this rope?!" Misaki demanded.
"This is a Battle Anchor," she explained "Until you agree to cardfight me, you cannot escape the bind that is on your wrist."
Ruko and Miwa could only glance at one another in worry, knowing that they had been caught off guard in the midst of their search and now, Misaki was caught in a very difficult situation and they both knew that there was only one way out. As the Selector glanced down to Yuki out of curiosity, the LRIG shook her head in response to claim that this was not the disturbance she had sensed earlier.
"Go on without me," Misaki spoke "Head to whatever it is Yuki is sensing."
"But Misaki," said Ruko "We can't just leave you like this!"
"I'll be fine," the Genesis user replied "It's Futase I'm worried about."
Although Miwa was uncertain about what decision to make, after recalling what she had told him about the previous fight she had with her current opponent and how she claimed that Futase was seemingly unwilling to make the decisions she took, he soon fully understood about what this was all about and made a decision.
"Let's go Ruko," he said "Misaki can handle this."
"Are you sure?" she pondered.
"Definitely," he replied "If Misaki beat her once before, she can do it again. Let's have faith that it will be the case."
After reluctantly nodding in agreement, Ruko left both Misaki and Futase alone as she followed Yuki's directions once more as Miwa followed on behind her. The girl that was serving Mayu kept a close eye on the Selector with the eye that was behind her cybernetic lens before resuming her attention upon her opponent who remained serious towards her.
"If you would kindly follow me," she spoke before walking away from the street with the Genesis user walking with her to avoid being dragged along by the rope of the anchor.
Meanwhile further up the street, Ruko and Miwa continued to run in the direction of the disturbance before suddenly seeing a nearby purple glow from around an upcoming corner. Then as they got closer, they could see a small hint of purple fire from nearby as they both looked down to the card that was containing the girl of black before showing her what they were seeing.
"That's the source!" she called "It seems it was another cardfight I was sensing all along!"
"Then let's hurry!" Ruko replied as she and Miwa eventually ran over to the corner before coming into view of the edge of the battlefield.
Once they did, they saw that Kiyoi was around at the edge of the battlefield's fiery boundary and watching the fight that had been unfolding since it had first gone up recently.
"Kiyoi!" called Miwa as he caught the former blue LRIG's attention before he and Ruko stopped beside her "What's going on here?!"
"I think you can already tell," she spoke bluntly "Look."
(End Music)
Upon turning their attention to the fiery purple wall in front of them, they could see that Shingo was within the boundary and that he was fighting an opponent that was very familiar to three of the outsiders in this conflict. Her small chortle made it all too obvious as to who it was that his opponent was and the fact her Vanguard was Hanayo only confirmed it.
"A... Akira?!" gasped Ruko.
"Ah, Ruru," Akira scoffed "I had a feeling you'd show up again. Well, not that it matters."
"Shingo!" Miwa called as the person in question turned to him "What happened?!"
"Akira ambushed me on the way home!" Shingo replied "She's forced me into a fight to try and get Kai into her hands!"
"Kai..."
The blonde could only mutter his friend's name as he looked on towards Akira, just pondering the question of why she was so obsessed with paying him back for defeating her in the Selector Battles. As he watched on closely, Yuki glanced up towards Kiyoi for her own pegged curiosity in the progression of the fight that was playing out before her.
"How is Shingo doing?" she asked.
"Right now, it's the end of his turn," the former blue LRIG answered "He's succeeded in bringing Akira to 5 damage and he's managed to remain on 3. However... I can sense there's something different about the way Akira is playing unlike her fight with Mistusada."
Ruko could only ponder on that point alone, noting from what little she could see of Akira's damage zone that she was indeed still using Kagero units and that she had no rear-guards other than a strange looking dragon with bluish coloured armour behind Hanayo Three to bolster the offense that she had. The Selector in question scoffed to herself catching Shingo's attention.
"What's so funny?" he questioned, fiddling with his glasses as he did so.
"I find it ironic," she chortled "You think you have me all figured out from those fights I did in Singapore. Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not the weak Akira that lost to a stupid Dimensional Robo user who beat me on dumb luck! Now let me show you... what the new neo Aki-lovely is capable of!"
(Cardfight! Vanguard G NEXT Unreleased Soundtrack: Blaze)
Upon standing up her two units and drawing her next card, she immediately placed it into her hand before taking out another card from amongst them and holding it high into the air as a fiery aura glowed from off of it.
"Mistress of the four elements, arise in a tempest of hellish flames and incinerate this worthless ugly!" she declared before slamming the card on top of Hanayo Three's, causing the former on the battlefield to glow in a blinding orange flash.
The imaged Hanayo then re-emerged in a more elegant red dress with flower patterns present all over the red fabric whilst her socks turned into a dark teal colour and two portions of her hair had been braided up and dyed a dark blue colour. As a weapon, she wielded a fan with several flames searing off of it as she swung it in front of her as Akira announced the name of this brand new form.
"Hanayo Four... Snow, Moon, Wind and Fire!"
Hanayo Four, Snow, Moon, Wind and Fire/Grade 4/Twin Drive!/SLD: 0/POW: 13000/?/Human;LRIG/Dragon Empire
"This is..." Kiyoi murmured.
"A new Hanayo Four!" Ruko gasped.
Even Miwa couldn't help but express some surprise that a Grade 4 LRIG could simply exist this way in his world, now pondering on how much strength that Christopher and Mitsusada dealt with when they previously fought Akira. And now, he couldn't help but wonder by his companions' reactions if she had really gotten stronger since that time and if her vengeance driven goal of defeating Kai was what allowed her to achieve this.
Kai... he pondered Just what kind of enemies have you made in that other world?!
"It's a different Hanayo Four from the description Kai gave us," Shingo murmured "But that's to be expected from those Selector Battles, right?"
"Of course I expected he'd tell you about my deck in this world," Akira replied smugly "But it's too bad he didn't expect that I'd change a few things around and you're gonna get the worst of it. Hanayo Four's Soul Blast activates!"
Upon taking out two cards from the soul and moving them straight to the drop zone, she immediately picked up the top three cards of her deck and put them straight into her hand, surprising everyone else.
"Wha?! She can draw 3 cards for just a simple Soul Blast?!" Miwa exclaimed.
"There has to be more to it!" Shingo interjected "Just what kind of skill is that?!"
"Oh, you'll see the drawback in the battle phase, but I'll get to that in a bit," the Selector scoffed "First I call these four units!"
Immediately onto the empty spaces on her rear-guard, Berserk Dragon, Mahoraga, Calamity Tower Wyvern and an unfamiliar form of Hanayo appeared onto the battlefield and took up offensive stances in preparation for battle.
"Berserk Dragon's skill!" Akira announced as she turned over two cards in her damage zone as the cost "Get out of here Oboro Cart!"
The two heads of the Flame Dragon roared loudly before unleashing two consecutive fireballs that struck the wheel shaped ghost as it was incinerated in mere seconds. Shingo moved the card to his drop zone, not concerned with the result having expected this from the way the fight had been playing out from the beginning.
"Hanayo deals with offense and the Kagero clan's nature of retiring rear-guards compliments her perfectly," he spoke "But I'm experienced with this strategem before and I won't falter this time!"
"Keh, then let's see how you like this!" Akira cackled "Hanayo Four's skill! During the turn I drew cards with her skill, I must discard my entire hand!"
A roaring fiery aura raged around Hanayo Four as the Selector threw her remaining two cards into the drop zone, much to the confusion of those that were watching from outside of the barrier wall.
"She drew cards to rebuild her formation, only to throw out her hand?" Ruko breathed.
"In exchange," Akira continued before sneering deeply "If I discarded one or more cards, my Vanguard during this turn gets an extra drive check!"
As Miwa and Shingo could only gasp loudly, Berserk Dragon roared loudly as it took flight before setting its sights upon the only rear-guard the Selector's opponent had left. It roared loudly before unleashing two streams of fire that struck a dragon with scarves wrapped around its neck and two katanas held upon its wings. It screeched loudly before it vanished as a result from being retired from the battlefield.
"Royale Nova..." the Murakumo user muttered before resuming his attention to Akira But... this is still alright.
"Hanayo Four is next!" she declared "Attack Kagura Bloome!"
As the Stealth Dragon took up a defensive stance, Hanayo ingnited the fans she wielded before sending them hurling one after another towards her opponent. Shingo however was not planning to let such an attack get through.
"Perfect Guard!" he declared as a Warbeast appeared in a immediate puff of smoke before striking the flaming fans with daggers attached to chains "Stealth Beast, Leaves Mirage!"
Akira simply scoffed in response to the fact that her strongest attack had been blocked completely, instead choosing to focus on conducting her Triple Drive immediately. She turned over the first card as Seal Dragon, Rinocross, a Perfect Guard of her own now being added to her defensive lineup for the turn. Her second card was then revealed as Seal Dragon, Artpique.
"Draw Trigger," she spoke "I give power to Hanayo Two Remodeled. Third check." She then revealed the final card as Perdition Dancer, Agafia "Heal Trigger. Power to my rear-guard and recover one damage."
Immediately after the effects had been applied, the Hanayo Two that was on the rear-guard who had black thorns wrapping around her entire body opened up the palm of her right hand before shooting out a beam of flames towards Kagura Bloome who took the attack head on as the Covert Demonic Dragon was engulfed in a large explosion that rocked the battlefield as Stealth Dragon, Magatsu Breath entered Shingo's damage zone.
"Well, I was expecting a little more from one of Kai's lackeys, but it seems this is all you've got," Akira scoffed "Ah well, I'll deal with him soon enough. Turn end."
End of Turn 7
Shingo vs Akira
Hand - 4 : 4
Soul - 2 : 1
Damage - 4 : 4
Shingo's Formation:
EMPTY - Covert Demonic Dragon, Kagura Bloome - EMPTY
EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY
Akira's Formation:
Hanayo Two Remodeled, Roaring Flame - Hanayo Four, Snow, Moon, Wind and Fire - Berserk Dragon
Calamity Tower Wyvern - Dragonic Gaias - Demonic Dragon Mage, Mahoraga
"He managed to hang on, but if he doesn't finish Akira this turn..." Miwa murmured.
"She will get out Hanayo Five to give her rear-guards an extra Critical," Yuki concluded "Even so, something's different about the way Akira is playing."
(End Music)
Ruko couldn't help but blink in confusion to the girl of black's point, unsure of how differently Akira was playing from the last time she had fought Mitsusada. She knew the answer had to be in front of her, but she didn't know what that could be.
"Akira has definitely seemed more preserving of her resources and she hasn't retired many units with what little skills she's used," Kiyoi spoke "Even so, she's focused most of her attacks on Komoi's rear-guard and did not ride Hanayo at Grade 2."
As Shingo drew his next card to start his turn, he already had the situation laid out before him. Right now, Hanayo Five was waiting in the bind zone for the next turn to come around and he needed to get in as much offense as he could to win or at the very least leave her with no cards in her hand or her front row by the turn's end. He fiddled with his glasses as soon as he saw that he now had an opportunity to make that very much possible.
"You know Akira," he began "You've been talking all about your new power throughout this entire fight, but the only thing you've done is use very few skills to get rid of my rear-guards."
"Oh, defiance huh?" she scoffed "I see Urith wasn't wrong in your loyalty to Aichi-pon being unwavering. But, it's too bad you can't crack my defence at all. After all, you're dead the next turn anyway."
"We'll see about that!" he called as he raised a card into the air before placing it down on Kagura Bloome's card "Break Ride!"
(Cardfight! Vanguard G OST: Shinobu)
Kagura Bloome then disappeared in a sudden tornado that erupted onto the battlefield before it was sliced away by a four bladed shurikens that spun wildly around the edge, cutting away the wind as it did so. The dragon that had emerged caught the shuriken back into its left claw whilst several daggers hovered in the air alongside a closed scroll. It roared loudly as Shingo announced the name of this new unit.
"Covert Demonic Dragon, Magatsu Typhoon!"
Covert Demonic Dragon, Magatsu Typhoon/Grade 3/Twin Drive!/SLD: 0/POW: 11000 - 21000/Murakumo/Abyss Dragon/Dragon Empire
As Magatsu Typhoon powered up, two more suddenly appeared into the Murakumo user's back row in a instant through large puffs of black smoke, briefly suprising Ruko.
"Murakumo's speciality usually involves cloning their Vanguard or rear-guard with copies from the deck," Miwa explained, catching her attention "The downside is that they normally have to retreat during the end phase, but it's good for Shingo in this scenario."
"I see," she pondered "By retreating the clones, Akira won't be able to retire as many rear-guards."
"But, Komoi called them to the back row," Kiyoi murmured "Just what is he aiming for?"
"With Typhoon's skill," Shingo continued as he discarded a card from his hand "Superior Call a third Typhoon from the deck to the back row!"
As soon as the final Typhoon appeared onto the battlefield to join its clones in the back row, filling it up completely, the Murakumo user held his hand over the Vanguard Typhoon's card.
"Seek mate!"
As the central Typhoon unfurled its scroll, the runes encsribed upon it glowed a blinding bright purple as four cards then hovered out from the drop zone and landed on top of his deck. A file of light scrolled down through the pile until it reached the card he had in mind before pulling it out into his open right hand.
"Come to me, Magatsu Storm!" he declared before placing the card beside Typhoon's "Legion!"
The Legion Symbol appeared to all for a few brief seconds before a large explosion of black smoke erupted beside Magatsu Typhoon before the shadow of another Abyss Dragon began to emerge. Storm's appearance was almost identical to the Legion Leader's very own, even wielding the exact same shuriken with the exception that this one held four additional pink blades and that instead of multiple daggers and a scroll, this dragon only wielded a single dagger.
"Legion again, huh?" Akira yawned "I wonder if you even learned anything from Christopher Lo when he gambled everything on it."
"I'm not the same fighter who underestimated even the less famous fighters I went against and this next skill is proof of that!" Shingo called "Legion Skill! All of my Magatsu rear-guards gain 5000 power and can Boost even if they're not Grade 1!"
Suddenly, bright red auras appeared around the Magatsu Typhoon clones as they all powered up from the Vanguard Typhoon's skill as all three clones roared out loudly in triumph.
Covert Demonic Dragon, Magatsu Storm x3/POW: 11000 - 16000
"Then with my Limit Break!" he continued by turning over the last two face-up cards in his damage zone face-down "I superior call two more Magatsu Storms, this time to the front row!"
As a bright red Vanguard circle flashed in front of the Legioned pair, two more explosions of black smoke erupted on both sides of the team as two more Magatsu Storms appeared onto the empty circles to join the battle.
"He's managed to build an offensive formation with little from his hand and his Grade 3s can boost," Yuki murmured "This boy might have a chance of breaking Akira's defence after all."
"Go get her Shingo!" cheered Miwa.
"With a boost from Magatsu Tempest, my first Storm attacks Hanayo Four!" Shingo announced.
The first Magatsu Storm clone leaped high into the air upon recieving the large power boost from the Magatsu Typhoon clone that was directly behind it. It swung its shuriken out towards the imaged LRIG, spinning wildly until it had hit her head on before returning to its wielder.
"Damage check," Akira spoke before turning over the top card of her deck as Berserk Dragon "No trigger."
"Next, my Legion attack!" he declared.
As both the real Magatsu Storm and Magatsu Tempest recieved the power boost from the clone behind them, they threw their shurikens high into the air as they spun in opposite directions, creating a large twister that went swirling straight towards both the imaged Hanayo and the Selector that was commanding her in this cardfight.
"Perfect Guard!" she announced as Seal Dragon, Rinocross appeared in front of the LRIG and projected a barrier to keep the tornado at bay.
"Twin Drive!" Shingo called as he turned over the first card as Stealth Beast, Cat Tamer "Critical Trigger! Giving it all to my second Magatsu Storm clone!" He then turned over the second card as Fox Tamer, Izuna "The same effects will apply to my rear-guard!"
Cover Demonic Dragon, Magatsu Storm/POW: 10000 - 15000 - 20000/Critical: 1 - 2 - 3
As the twister died down, the second Magatsu Storm clone then trained its eyes upon the seemingly defenceless Hanayo Four and a rather bored looking Akira who merely fanned herself with the remaining two cards she was holding in her hand.
"His rear-guard has been powered up to 36000 with that large boost coming in," Ruko murmured "But Akira doesn't look worried at all."
"We don't know that for sure," Yuki replied "But there's only one way to find out now."
As the battlefield went silent for a brief instance, Shingo then rested the fourth Magatsu Typhoon's card before moving his fingers over to the second Storm clone's card in preparation for his all out attack.
"It looks like you won't get to unleash that power you've got from the bind zone after all," he mused as he briefly fiddled with his glasses.
"Oh?" Akira scoffed as she held up her remaining two cards "Then go ahead and try, ugly."
"As you wish!" he replied "Attack!"
Magatsu Storm then sent its shuriken spinning wildly through the air towards the imaged Hanayo Four who could only stare at the weapon as it came closer and closer towards her.
"Guard!" the Selector announced "Tahr! Agafia! Then intercept!"
The Embodiment of Spear, Perdition Dancer along with Berserk Dragon and the alternate Hanayo Two came to the defence of the Vanguard, creating a green coloured circle that deflected the attack and sent the shuriken spinning back to the clone who caught it effortlessly. Shortly afterwards, all of the clones vanished from the battlefield with large explosions of black smoke leaving no trace of them behind.
"Turn end," Shingo spoke "Magatsu Storm clones return to the bottom of the deck whilst the Typhoon clones return to my hand."
(End Music)
"He didn't make it through..." Miwa muttered "But at least he got rid of her hand and her front row rear-guards."
"In addition, by returning the clones to his deck and hand," Kiyoi interjected "He's given Akira no rear-guards to retire meaning her Demonic Dragon Mage, Mahoraga cannot power up. The power from his clones' ability to boost has greatly crippled her formation."
At first, the entire battlefield remained silent as everyone was waiting for Akira to begin her turn with the knowledge that she wouldn't be able to do much depending on the circumstances that she took. But then, much to their surprise, she started giggling before it suddnely erupted into sinister laughter, shocking Shingo.
"What's so funny?!" he exclaimed.
"Idiot...!" she chuckled "Did you really think you could get away with forcing me to drop my entire hand and intercepts?! I'm sorry to say, but you've just sealed your fate!"
"But, riding Hanayo Five from the bind zone forces you to skip your draw phase!" the Murakumo user replied "That means only your Vanguard can do any damage to me!"
But in response, he had only recieved more evil laughter from his opponent as she slowly began to contain herself before closing her eyes to take a deep breath and then reopen them with a crazed glare.
"FINAL TURN!"
(Cardfight! Vanguard G NEXT Unreleased Soundtrack: Dumjid's Wrath)
Everyone could only stare at Akira with both tense and shocked expressions, surprised that she had now chosen to call Final Turn when her options to attack Shingo this turn had been severely limited from fending through his attacks. They watched as she stood up all four of her units that were on the board before she then reached out into the bind zone and took out the card that had been resting in there since the beginning of the fight.
"Limit Override!" she declared as she slammed down the card on the Vanguard circle.
A torrent of fire erupted from beneath Hanayo Four and engulfed her, forcing Shingo and everyone else outside of the battlefield's barrier to shield their faces from the intense heat that was bellowing from within. Soon, the flames began to die down as they revealed Hanayo within her dress, the skirt consisting of long flower petals whilst she wielded a flaming thorn whip within her hands. Akira cackled with glee as she announced the name of the all too familiar and all too terrifying form that the Murakumo user was now about to deal with.
"The vengeful inferno... Hanayo Five!"
Hanayo Five/Grade 5/Triple Drive!/SLD: 0/POW: 15000/Dragon Empire/Human;LRIG/Dragon Empire
"Hanayo Five..." Ruko breathed.
"So this is a Grade 5 LRIG!" Shingo muttered "But with no cards in your hand, only a double trigger will allow one of your rear-guards to attack my Vanguard!"
His declaration was met once again with a giggle from Akira who was searching through the cards in her drop zone for two particular cards she had in mind, one of them being very recent.
"Tell me something," she chortled "Why did you think I chose to ride Berserk Dragon on my second turn instead of Hanayo Two Remodeled?"
The Murakumo user despite raising an eyebrow in confusion had a horrible feeling growing in his stomach as soon as she revealed the card in question to him and everyone else, she deepened her sneer.
"Time's up! I'll show you now!" she declared as she threw the cards she was holding back into the drop zone "With Hanayo Five's other skill, copy the ACT abilities of all Hanayo LRIGs with different names in the drop zone! First, Hanayo Two Remodeled's abilty! Counter Blast!"
After turning over three of the four face-up cards she had in the damage zone, Hanayo's eyes suddenly flashed a bright red colour as several cards in Shingo's hand began to glow the exact same colour as they suddenly began to turn completely blank.
"W... What's happening?!" he exclaimed.
"With this, you can no longer guard with any Grade 1 or lower cards for the rest of the turn against ANY of my attacks!" Akira cackled "Furthermore, I copy the skill of a Hanayo Four that was sent to the drop zone by my earlier Heal Trigger! Soul Blast to draw 3 cards!"
Upon performing the exact action, she immediately called two of them to the rear-guards, one being a copy of Hanayo One and the other being Seal Dragon, Rinocross. Both Kagero units glowed a bright red as they powered up from Hanayo Five's continuous skill.
Hanayo One/Critical: 1 - 2
Seal Dragon, Rinocross/Critical: 1 - 2
"What?!" gasped Miwa "She can shut down most defensive options and gain an extra drive check?! And her rear-guards gain a Critical?!"
"As compensation for this restriction however," Akira replied in a calm tone "Any Grade 3 cards you call from your hand to the Guardian Circle this turn will gain 5000 shield for your troubles. Not that it matters at this point."
Immediately, she threw away the last card that was in her hand to signal the start of the battle phase and that Hanayo Five was now going into battle this turn with four drive checks instead of the usual three.
"Now then, let's end this!" she declared in joy "Hanayo One!"
"Guard with Magatsu Gale!" Shingo cried as he slammed the card onto the Guardian Circle, the Abyss Dragon throwing several shurikens to force the rear-guard LRIG to retreat from her attack.
"It's useless!" Akira cackled as she rested Hanayo Five's card followed by Dragonic Gaias, the Tear Dragon now boosting the main LRIG's attack to 19000.
The Murakumo user could only look at his hand in worry, concerned about what he should do next and knowing that his opponent had one attack left to go with even if he could defend himself now. Whilst Kiyoi could only stare on with a stern expression, Miwa and Ruko could only pray that there was a chance their companion could survive the turn and hit Akira with everything he had on the following turn.
Right now, Hanayo Five's power is 19000 he pondered I have four damage to Akira's five and her next rear-guard's attack will already have a Critical. My Magatsu Typhoons will have 5000 shield if I guard with them, but if I use them and my other guard now, I'll be defenceless and have to rely on a Heal Trigger. In that case...
"No guard!"
"Oh, really now?" the Selector chortled "That really does take guts knowing what I can do now. Bye bye, Shin-go!"
"If she gets a Critical Trigger, he won't survive," Yuki murmured "It all comes down to this."
"Quadruple Drive," Akira spoke dryly as she turned over the first card as another Agafia "Heal Trigger. Power to Rinocross." Her second check then brought her Hanayo Three, Blazing Flame Dance, a Grade 3.
"It all comes down to the last two checks," Ruko murmured "Shingo..."
"Third check!" Akira declared as she slowly turned over the card and held it up to see what it was. Smirking, she then turned it around to reveal Demonic Dragon Mage, Rakshasha "Critical Trigger!"
Everyone save for Kiyoi and Yuki gasped in horror, realizing that this one trigger alone meant that Hanayo had enough power to end the game with the two damage that was needed.
"Final check," the Selector spoke before revealing it as Embodiment of Spear, Tahr which shone brightly "Drop dead."
Hanayo Five/Critical: 2 - 3
Hanayo Five then raised her whip above her head and began spinning it wildly as it caught ablaze before swinging it forward and sending a wave of flames that came towards and struck both Magatsu Storm and Magatsu Typhoon, igniting into a massive explosion that caught both units and Shingo in the blast as the latter screamed out in pain. As this happened, his final two points of damage came out as Royale Nova and Magatsu Storm, ending the fight right there.
"Oh no..." Ruko breathed.
As the units on the battlefield save for the imaged Hanayo Five disappeared from the battlefield, the card on the Vanguard Circle then began glowing in a bright red aura and everyone knew what that had meant. Akira then raised her fist into the air and slammed in down onto the glowing card.
"Judgement!" she declared.
Hanayo's eyes then flashed red as she screamed loudly before slamming down the tip of her whip onto the ground.
(End Music)
Suddenly, bright orange cracks appeared beneath the Murakumo user much to his sudden shock before a pillar of flames erupted from right beneath him, torching him alive and roaring right up into the night sky, painting an orange hue amonst the clouds.
"Stop it Akira!" cried Ruko.
"How about no," Akira scoffed, oblivious to the physical damage her punishment was dealing to Shingo.
Try as he could, Shingo could not endure through the intense heat of the flames and immediately passed out just before they disappeared, smoke pouring from his clothes as his cards spilled onto the pavement. As Ruko, Miwa and Kiyoi hurried over to him once the barrier had disappeared too, the Mark of Penalty became engraved on his right hand as his cards turned blank. Hanayo Five slumped over before disappearing from the battlefield.
"Well, that was easier than expected," Akira scoffed as she held the captured units in her hand before stuffing them into her hoodie's pocket "Not that it matters."
She then walked over to the unconscious Shingo whilst Miwa and Yuki glared towards her. The Selector merely ignored their expressions as she then glanced down at the fighter she had beaten.
"Where is Kai Toshiki hiding?" she asked dryly, awaiting for a response "I've got a score to settle with him and soon, it will be his turn to feel my wrath next."
When she got no response or even a word from him however, she moved the front of her right shoe to his head and was about to press it on top of it until...
"That's enough!"
(Selector Infected Wixoss OST: Nightmare ~ Reversing Wish)
She suddenly stopped in her movement before stepping back and glancing over towards Miwa who was not the least bit happy with her to say the least. He was trying to resist the urge to clench a fist as he glanced towards Akira.
"Why are you doing this?!" he demanded "And what does Kai have to do with you?!"
"And what if I am?" she scoffed before her gaze turned venomous, as did her tone "As for Kai.. he ruined everything for me. Everything was going fine in my initial run in the Selector Battles until he tainted my wish! I've tried numerous times to ruin everything for him... even commanding his own units as my own... and this time, I will crush him!"
She then clenched one of her fists tightly, her nails digging into the palm of her hand as she did so. She then eyed each of the group closely as she pondered on her next move, seeing that none of them had any intention on bringing Kai straight to her.
"So then, if you won't tell me where Kai is, I'll beat the ever-loving stuffing out you until he shows up," she muttered darkly "Who's next?"
Before Kiyoi could step forward to take up Akira's challenge, Miwa was the first to make a move however as he brought out his deck from his pocket and held it out before him.
"I'm the only one among us who can contact Kai directly!" he stated "If you beat me, then you have the right to have me call him here."
"Very well then," the Selector replied, regaining her composure "If Urith reminded me right... you're Miwa, right?"
He simply nodded as Ruko watched on in worry, concerned that there was a large possibility that he could not stand up to the sheer new power of Hanayo that Akira had dealt upon Shingo.
"Miwa, are you sure about this?" she asked "It might be difficult from what we've seen, but I can fight Akira."
"I'm not planning on letting her get to Kai," he replied "Besides, we all know what she did to him the last time they crossed paths."
"Miwa..."
"Let him."
The Selector then looked down to see that Kiyoi was helping Shingo up from the ground, glancing right at her. Although she didn't feel sure about letting one of Kai's closest friends fighting what should have otherwise been his own battle, she knew that Shingo was in bad shape and that he needed attending to at this point. Deciding to take the former blue LRIG's advice, she got underneath the other shoulder and began to leave the area leaving just Akira and Miwa on their own, face to face.
"I just hope Misaki is alright..." she pondered to herself.
...
Elsewhere, Misaki and Futase had finally found an open large square within the city to conduct their cardfight as the servant of Mayu deactivated the anchor to free her opponent's wrist. The clerk of Card Capital had something on her mind that she wished to speak to her opponent about before they could begin their cardfight and she was hoping that she would at least be willing to hear her view on the situation.
"Why is it you're following Schwarzschild Dragon's influence?" she asked "From our previous fight, you looked unwilling to do what you were set out to do."
Futase sighed under her breath and turned back to Misaki, having expected her to ask such a question. Her gaze was rather stern this time compared to the first time they had met each other.
"It makes no difference," she replied "Schwarzschild and its influences are just the means to an end for Anne and my only friend. That is all."
"Then are you even aware of what you're doing?!" Misaki demanded "About Mayu and Chaos Breaker's plans to destroy both of our worlds! Are you fine with that?!"
A long silence fell between the two as the Selector stepped away from her opponent until she was a reasonable distance away to start the fight between them. Then, she snapped her fingers and a wall of purple flames surrounded them to act as the barrier for outsiders to not interfere as the fight tables manifested shortly afterwards.
"Yes," she spoke as she laid down her starting Vanguard "I am fine with that sacrifice."
"Then I'll open your eyes," Misaki replied as she too set her starting Vanguard "Futase, here I come!"
"Stand Up, Vanguard!"
As they turned over the cards, two flashes of respective colours, green and black, emerged onto the battlefield as the units that were being summoned had their shadows materializing.
"Pray Angel!" the clerk called as the Genesis unit appeared from the silhouette.
"Star-vader... Robin Knight," Futase spoke with a lack of emotion laden in her tone.
A raccoon like figure appeared onto the battlefield, clad in white armour, wearing a visor over its eyes and having a black ring at the end of its black stained tail. It gazed emotionlessly towards Misaki and Pray Angel, leaving her curious about what she was now facing.
"It's not Micro-hole Dracokid," she pondered to herself "But..."
Her suspicions were indeed confirmed as a dark aura rose above Futase, revealing the omnionous presence of Schwarzschild Dragon above her, chuckling darkly to itself before vanishing as a card bound itself face down from the deck which shuffled itself before the Selector drew one card to begin the first turn.
"Ride," she spoke placing it down over Robin Knight's card "Demon Claw Star-vader, Lanthanum."
Robin Knight then leaped over to the back row as a humanoid like Star-vader with flames sprouting from its head and having a pair of large fiery claws for hands appeared in a black aura before taking up a defensive stance. Misaki then began her turn by drawing a card and placing it amongst the cards in her hand before taking out a different one from among them.
"Ride, Excorsim Regalia, Shiny Angel!" she called as Pray Angel moved to the back row for Shiny Angel to appear in her place "Attack!"
The Regalia Angel then absorbed energy into the talisman that was in the palm of her left hand before firing a beam that struck Lanthanum and knocked it off balance to deal the successful first blow. After it recovered, it then vanished in a black aura as a new silhouette began to appear in its place.
"Ride!" Futase called "Furious Claw Star-vader, Niobium!"
Another humanoid Cyberoid took the place of Lanthanum, taking up an offensive stance immediately. It had wild greyish white hair, horns sticking out from its visor and above the ears and a black ring hovered behind its back with red coloured patterns etched on it. Activating something on its right wrist, two purple claw like prongs materialized before it immediately leaped out and slashed Shiny Angel. She screamed loudly in pain as Misaki's first damage came out as Regalia of Fate, Norm, leaving the two combatants at one damage apiece with Futase's damage point being an unfamiliar Star-vader unit.
"She's being tentative thus far," the clerk pondered before drawing her next card "Is she holding back until she rides Anne?"
Thinking back to their first fight, Misaki could only ponder more about Anne's appearance then and what little Kai had learned about the green LRIG through Leon during his time in her world. With her also in the thrall of Schwarzschild Dragon, there was no telling what she could have been like before she had been corrupted by the enigmatic Cyber Dragon in its own twisted schemes. Schemes that Futase had previously been reluctant to have been involved with and now seemingly had no such fear compared to before. She then picked out the next card from her hand that she chose to put into play.
"Ride! Midday Regalia, Freyja!"
Shiny Angel left the battlefield in a bright flash of white light before it died down to reveal Freyja who had already activated her whips for battle, just as Battle Maiden, Mihikarihime joined her on the rear-guard. She then slammed down her whips on the defenceless Niobium who stumbled backwards before being struck by multiple bullets from Mihikarihime. The explosion caught the attention of two people from nearby as they came towards the barrier and they were indeed very familiar.
"Misakin!"
Misaki glanced through the barrier to see that her cardfight with Futase had caught the attention of Kai and Ratie who had now realized what exactly was going on.
"Kai Toshiki..." Futase pondered as she gazed at the Kagero user who in turn glanced back "I never thought we'd meet again under these circumstances."
"Why are you using Schwarzschild?" he questioned sternly "Aren't you concerned about what its doing to Anne?"
"That is of no concern," she replied as she turned back to face Misaki "I'm doing this only for my own sake. No one else."
"Kai, Ruko and Miwa might need you!" Misaki called "We were looking for something Yuki sensed until Futase forced me to challenge her!"
"Are you certain you can handle this?" the Kagero user asked.
After recieving a nod from the clerk, he looked down to Ratie who curiously gazed back up at him.
"Keep watch on this fight," he said "I'll return when I find Miwa and Ruko."
"Right!" the former Quatre Knight replied.
As soon as Kai had left shortly afterwards, Futase watched him disappear down the street before turning her attention back to the start of her next turn. After drawing her next card, she glanced at her opponent closely.
"I still wonder how you people can even trust him, after what he did to your world," she muttered "If he were like the people my former Selector encountered, I would have had endless hatred raging through my heart, a reminder of how much of the world can be a deception itself."
"Former Selector...?" Misaki breathed "But then... aren't you?!"
She was interrupted when she saw the Selector hold up a card into the air with streams of Reverse pouring down from it like smoke before it shone a bright dark colour in the night sky.
"Dragon of darkness, reborn from the dark fires of nothingness... revive now with your masters and revive the unyielding nightmare!" she called "Ride!"
As she placed down the card onto her Vanguard Circle, Niobium vanished into red embers as a dark red aura swirled violently around the battlefield until the shape of a familiar Cyber Dragon rose from within. With several sparks flying across the abyss, it dispersed to reveal Schwarzschild Dragon with new armaments and a strange modification to the middle of its chest panel. It chuckled darkly as Misaki could only glare towards it whilst Ratie could only stare in shock as Futase gave the name of this new appearance.
"Enigmatic Star-vader... Schwarzschild Instrumental Dragon!"
Enigmatic Star-vader, Schwarzschild Instrumental Dragon/Grade 3/Twin Drive!/SLD: 0/POW: 11000/Link Joker/Cyber Dragon/Star Gate
"This is...!" Misaki muttered.
"A new Schwarzschild?!" Ratie gasped.
"I call Lanthanum!" Futase continued as the familiar humanoid Cyberoid appeared into the back row "Skill activated! Schwarzschild locks two units in different rows!"
Schwarschild then manipulated its four arms in strange movements before two pairs black rings surrounded Pray Angel and Mihikarihime before they were ensnared and immediately imprisoned within them. Misaki could only grit her teeth as she had not expected Schwarzschild to enter the battlefield already, let alone begin locking her rear-guards before she even made it to Grade 3. As this was happening, Lanthanum powered up.
Demon Claw Star-vader, Lanthanum/POW: 7000 - 11000
"Call," she spoke as she placed a card by the name of Star-vader, Quark Shoebill "With the skill, move it to the soul and add 3000 power to Schwarzschild. If you believe that Locking your rear-guards was the only stratagem I have this time, you're sorely mistaken."
"What are you saying?!" demanded Ratie.
"Behold," the Selector spoke as she held out a card "This is the new power I have been bestowed with. One that will make you see reality for what it truely is! Call!"
(End Music)
In front of Lanthanum, a human like shadow began to manifest onto the battlefield before dispersing to reveal that the unit that was now called was Anne, only something was very different about her compared to the last time she was seen. Her armoured dress was relatively the same as it was previously, only the black ring behind her back had wild spikes sticking out of it and the tip of her new staff had a strange shape that resembled an eye of some kind.
Despairing Melody Star-vader, Anne/Grade 2/Intercept/SLD: 5000/POW: 9000/Link Joker/Human;LRIG/Star Gate
"Soul Blast!"
Upon Futase's command, Anne hoisted her staff upwards so that the eye like symbol at the tip of her staff was pointing towards one of the Locks that was on Misaki's side of the field before one of the rings suddenly broke apart in a red flash, releasing Pray Angel. Then, the ring began to make its way to her back before sparks flew from it onto the Regalia Angel.
"Why are you releasing your own Lock?!" gasped Misaki.
"First, match the Unlocked Pray Angel's power to your Vanguard's and Stand her," Futase continued "Now behold. One of the forbidden arts of the Planet Cray's history, generously donated to Schwarzschild by a benefactor. Now see it firsthand for yourself. Dominate!"
(Cardfight! Vanguard G NEXT OST: Dominate (Vocalless Version))
Suddenly, as Pray Angel's power rose to match Freyja's, she stood back up onto her feet and glared towards her comrade with blank and gleaming dark red eyes as the black ring remained her back. The Fertility Regailia who simply remained starled, could only step back a little as her companion primed her weapon and before Misaki could even question what was going on, Futase gave another command.
"Pray Angel attacks your Vanguard!" she declared as the card suddenly rested.
Pray Angel jumped up and came down to strike with her weapon as Freyja could only close her eyes and scream in pain from getting struck as Regalia of Far-sight, Clear Angel entered the damage zone.
"My own rear-guard attacked me?!" the clerk gasped.
"That is correct," Futase answered "This is the power Anne and Schwarzschild now possess. In exchange for freedom, your rear-guard will fight their true enemy and if you choose to guard any of their attacks, they will simply become Locked again."
"That's not fair!" Ratie exclaimed "She has to take damage from her own allies or have them Locked again?!"
The Selector simply chose to ignore the former Quatre Knight's complaint and call another Anne to the rear-guard as once again, she pointed her staff towards the only remaining rear-guard of Misaki's that was locked.
"Unlock!" she commanded as Mihikarihime was freed before the black ring possessed her too "Then Dominate!"
The Battle Maiden then growled aggressively with gleaming red eyes before firing away at Freyja, only for Lot Angel to take the brunt of the attack head on. As Misaki Soul Charged a card for guarding with that particular unit, Mihikarihime then became Locked again as the card on her table turned face down once more with red sparks flying off of it.
"This is.. Schwarzschild's new power...!" she gasped quietly.
"Lanthanum's skill!" Futase continued "Since the Dominated unit was Locked again, add 2000 power! I attack with Schwarzschild Intrumental Dragon!"
Schwarzschild roared loudly as sparks flew from the giant black ring behind its back to its jaw that opened up and began charging up a purple orb of energy that was being concentrated into this next attack.
"Cold Blast Regalia, Svalinn!" Misaki called as the unit appeared in front of Freyja along with Kukurihime, Lot Angel, a second Freyja, Eir and Pure Angel came to the defence "Quintet Wall!"
SLD: 35000
"Twin Drive!" the Selector announced as the first card was turned over as Star-vader, Pixie Powder "Heal Trigger! I give 5000 power to the left Anne and recover one damage!" She then turned over the second card as another copy of Schwarzschild with no further triggers to boost her offense.
Schwarzschild's attack then erupted into a devastating beam that struck all of the guardians and retired them in a single fatal sweep, but Freyja remained unharmed and the smoke soon cleared up.
"Anne attacks your Vanguard!" she continued as the left Anne continued with her attack.
"Guard!" Misaki called as Kukurihime appeared to take the brunt of the attack.
"My other Anne attacks!"
The second Anne with Lanthanum's large boost leaped into the air and gathered energy within the tip of her staff before firing a large fiery beam towards Freyja who could only scream in pain as Eir entered Misaki's damage zone.
"Heal Trigger!" she called "I recover one damage!"
Futase despite remaining in her harsh neutral expression couldn't help but be inwardly surprised that her opponent didn't suffer as badly as she did against the first round of her relentless attacks. But she had a mission of her own to fulfil and felt that sentimental value was meaningless on the battlefield, regardless of which side was offering it to whom.
"Turn end," she concluded.
(End Music)
End of Turn 5
Misaki vs Futase
Hand - 4 : 6
Soul - 1 : 0
Damage - 3 : 2
Misaki's Formation:
Battle Maiden, Mihikarihime (Locked) - Regalia of Fertility, Freyja - EMPTY
Regalia of Prayers, Pray Angel - EMPTY - EMTPY
Futase's Formation:
Despairing Melody Star-vader, Anne - Enigmatic Star-vader, Schwarzschild Instrumental Dragon - Despairing Melody Star-vader, Anne
Star-vader, Robin Knight - EMPTY - Demon Claw Star-vader, Lanthanum
"What power..." Misaki breathed "Locking rear-guards, then offering them freedom by forcing them to attack their own Vanguard..."
"Are you alright, Misakin?!" cried Ratie.
"I'm alright..." she panted in response as she looked over to Futase who kept her neutral expression "You keep saying that I need to see the world and its people for who they really are and that your 'Dominate' ability is a reflection of that. Would you mind telling us why and who exactly this former Selector of yours was that you mentioned earlier?"
Upon hearing the last portion of her question, the Selector could only frown, only being just able to hold back a tear from falling out of her eye before placing down her hand and facing Misaki and Ratie.
"You really are that desperate to know who I really am," she spoke "In that case... I will enlighten you!"
The cybernetic lens covering over her left eye suddenly emitted a blinding red glow, causing everything around the three people that were present to vanish all around them until there was nothing but white.
And there we go! In an effort to investigate a disturbance that Yuki sensed, Miwa, Ruko and Misaki head out into the night together only for the latter to be ambushed by Futase who forces her into a battle. Meanwhile, the former catch up with Kiyoi and discover that Shingo has also been forced into a cardfight, this time by Akira who's intent on tracking down Kai. After Shingo is defeated, Miwa stays to confront Akira whilst Misaki has been having troubles of her own. Not only has she got locks to contend with, but also her own rear-guards! As the fight progresses, Futase decides to show them who she truely is and where she came from. What will happen next? Will Misaki break through to Futase or has the fight been decided before it has even concluded? Find out next time on Stand Up, the LRIG! Please share your thoughts and criticisms and I'll see you next time! Until then!
Re-adapted Cards debuting this Chapter:
Hanayo Two Remodeled, Roaring Flame
Grade 2
Intercept
SLD: 5000
POW: 10000
Dragon Empire
Human;LRIG
Dragon Empire
[CONT](VC): Skip your ride phase.
[CONT](VC): During your turn, if you have a card with "Hanayo" in its card name in your soul, all of your units in the front row get [Power]+5000.
[ACT](VC): {COST|Counter Blast (3)} Until end of turn, your opponent cannot call Grade 1 or Grade 0 cards from hand to (GC) and all of their Grade 3 cards get [Shield]+5000.
Hanayo Four, Snow, Moon, Wind and Fire
Grade 4
Twin Drive!
POW: 13000
Dragon Empire
Human;LRIG
Dragon Empire
[CONT](Hand): If your Vanguard doesn't have Hanayo in its card name, you cannot ride this card.
[ACT](VC): {COST|Counter Blast (1) & Choose a card from your hand and discard it} Choose one of your rear-guards. Until end of turn, it gets [Critical]+1.
[ACT](VC): {COST|Counter Blast (1) & Choose a Gem or Ore card from your hand and discard it} Choose one of your opponent's rear-guards and retire it.
[ACT[(VC)[1/Turn]: COST [Soul Blast (2)] Draw 3 cards. Until end of turn, this unit gets "[AUTO](VC): At the start of the battle phase, discard your entire hand. If you discarded one or more cards, this unit gets [Drive]+1 until end of turn".
Story Original Cards debuting this Chapter:
Despairing Melody Star-vader, Anne
Grade 2
Intercept
SLD: 5000
POW: 9000
Link Joker
Human;LRIG
Star Gate
[AUTO](RC): When placed, if you have a Vanguard with "Schwarzschild" in its card name, {COST|Soul Blast (1)}, choose one of your opponent's Locked cards, unlock it, then Dominate that rear-guard. Its power becomes equal to their Vanguard, attacks it and gains the following effect "[AUTO](RC): At the end of the battle this unit attacked a Vanguard, if the attack did not hit, Lock this unit" until the end of the battle.
Card Erratas:
Hanayo Five can now only gain the [ACT] effects of Hanayo LRIGs in the drop zone with different names (she cannot gain two of the same abilties of two copies of a Hanayo card)
