*UPDATE* HOLY CRAP! It has been far too long since I've made any updates to this fanfic! I do apologize if I've been lacking on this particular fic, but the whole time I was hellbent on making a High School DXD fanfic, which some people actually like. Plus the Coming in the Summer and further along the year I'm gonna try as best as I can to finish at least 4 or 5 more chapters and then move on to the High School DXD fanfic. That's all I gotta say for now, enjoy the 5th chapter, there's still more to come and I ain't giving up on this one.

Chapter 5: The First Showdown

"Stand Up, my Vanguard!" They both said in unison.

"Crimson Lion Cub, Kryph!" Aichi started

"Crimson Lion Cub, Kryph!" Kio began.

As both grade 0s were revealed on the field, Misaki, Shin, Izaki, and Morikawa were a bit surprised that both players not only have the same grade zero in the same clan, but kio is running the same style deck. Aichi too was also a bit astonished that he was playing the same clan. All engaged in conversations about this potential mirror style matchup.

"Talk about a surprise." Morikawa whispered.

"Yeah, no kidding. No telling what's gonna happen in this match." Isaki did the same.

Misaki tells shin, "That kid has the same card Aichi has, which means…"

"Yeah, Kio is going to use Blond Ezel very soon. At least I hope so." Shin finishes with a smile.

Kio actively overhears in both conversations, making him a tad curious. Wondering what did he do to make them all be surprised?

"Why is everyone whispering?" He thought to himself.

"Uhh, did I do something wrong. Was I not supposed to play the same grade 0 against someone? Did I make and illegal move?"

"Oh no, it's not that. It's just kinda surprising that you and I are playing the same unit."

"How so?"

"Well, you and I have the same skill to superio…well I think it's best that we'll see it later on. Mind if you go first?" Aichi tells Kio.

"Sure." Kio agrees.

"Since I'm going first to start, that means Aichi is going to be able to attack me next. I better stay sharp in this match." He said in his thoughts.

"Draw. I ride, the Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth! With Kryph's skill, if he's been ridden, I can move him behind to any rear guard space. He goes behind Gareth and I'll end my turn from here." He nodded as well as Aichi did afterwards.

Kio's Field

Hand: 5

Damage: 0

[ NONE - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - NONE]

[ NONE - Crimson Lion Cub, Kryph - NONE]

"I draw and I too will ride Gareth. Kryph moves to bottom right rear guard circle. I then call another copy of Gareth behind my vanguard. Boosted by his copy, Gareth attacks your vanguard for 16000!

"I don't guard." Kio calls.

"Checking the drive trigger. Draw trigger activated!" Weapons Dealer, Gwydion [Grade 0, 5000 power] "5000 power goes to my Vanguard and I draw one card from my deck."

"Checking for a damage trigger. AHA! Lucky me, I got a draw trigger." Weapons Dealer, Gwydion (Draw Trigger) "I get to draw one extra card." Kio said.

"I end my turn. Over to you." Aichi insisted.

Aichi's Field

Hand: 6

Damage:0

[ NONE - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - None]

[ NONE - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - Crimson Lion Cub, Kryph]

"OK, I draw." He remarked.

Kio draws his card from the deck for his next turn. He turns the card around to see the one unit he needs to activate Kryph's skill. He takes a little of his time to carefully, yet nervously think.

"Sweet! If I remember clearly, this is the card I need to use Kryph's skill that will give me the upper hand. I've studied the deck for a bit since the taxi ride home, I just hope I'm doing this right."

"I ride the Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains! I call a copy of Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth to the top right rearguard circle. With Kryph's skill, I put both him and Gareth into the soul to search inside my deck and to superior ride the unit with his golden light of hope…bring it on and stand up! I ride the Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel!"

Aichi facial expression was in both determination and amazement. The rest of his friends were also amazed Kio's superior ride. Knowing Aichi, they knew this fight was only the beginning.

"I knew it, he's got a blond ezel deck! This is gonna be a too good of a match!" Morikawa exclaimed like a little girl under his teeth.

"Well, what did you expect?" Izaki answered him. "Kio obviously had Kryph as his starting grade zero. The skill is was right there in front of his eyes and he knew at the right time to play it, especially when the skill is used early in the game."

"You're right, Izaki. I've got to wonder, with the same grade 0, can Aichi catch up to him?" Misaki said in her mind.

"I'm not done yet, I call another copy of Gareth behind Blond Ezel. Along with Knight of Passion, Bagdagemis on his left, and Silver Fang Witch behind him. When Silver Fang Witch, is placed on the rear guard circle, I can soul blast two cards into the drop zone and I get to draw one card on top of my deck. Gareth and Kryph go from the soul to the drop zone."

Kio draws one card from the top of his deck by Silver Fang Witch's skill. He draws grade 1 with a special attack.

I call Knight of Passion, Torre on Ezel's right! Torre will give the first blow. With his special attack, if Blond Ezel is the vanguard, he gets an additional 3000 power to his 7000 attack power.

"I don't guard" Aichi sternly answers. "Damage trigger check." (Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains)

"Boosted by Silver Fang Witch, Bagdagemis attacks. This is where it gets cool, cause Bagdagemis has the same attack skill as Torre. Another 3000 power! 17000 power combined!

"I guard with Flame of Victory!"

"Here comes the good part. Ezel's skill. He gets 1000 power added to his 11000 base for each gold paladin rearguard that is present. With a boost from Gareth, he attacks your vanguard for 20000 power!"

"I don't guard this time" Aichi shakes his head "Give me all you got." with his determined smile

"Checking the twin drive." (Sleygal Sword) "The second check." (Flame of Victory - Critical) "Got it! Critical Trigger! Everything will go to my vanguard, thereby you take two more damage."

"Checking for damage triggers." he says as he starts to take his two damage. (Elixir Sommelier - Heal Trigger) "I got a heal trigger. Since I have the most damage, I recover one card from the damage zone, the second damage check. (Elixir Sommelier - Heal Trigger) "Another heal trigger!

Kio's eyes widen in disbelief. "What? He managed double heal?"

"I recover another damage out of the zone." Aichi said.

"I guess I end my turn from here."

Kio's Field

Hand: 4

Damage:1

[ Knight of Passion Bagdagemis - Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel- Knight of Passion, Torre]

[ Silver Fang Witch - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - NONE]

"After all those attacks, even with Ezel ridden early, Kio managed to make Aichi deal one damage." Izaki said.

"Aichi got lucky there." Morikawa responded.

"I stand and draw." Aichi spoke as he drew his next card. As he drew, he smiled and spoke to Kio. "You may be one step ahead in this game, but not for long! I ride the Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains to activate Kryph's skill so that him and Gareth go into the soul, allowing me to search my deck."

Searching his deck, Aichi find his grade 3 to complete Kryph's skill. "Now get ready, Kio. His blazing heart of justice will seek this battle to bring forth victory! Ride! The Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel!

"Alright, Aichi! One of the best grade 3's go at it with each other! Head to head! This is gonna be intense !" Morikawa exclaimed as Isaki chuckled with a sweat drop.

"I call two copies Bagdagemis to the front rear guards, followed by Player of the Holy Axe, Nimue to the bottom center! I'll attack with the right Bagdagemis. If I have Ezel as my vanguard he gets an extra 3000 power bonus!"

"I don't guard" Kio declared. "Checking the damage trigger." (Twin Holy Beast, White Lion) Damage: 2

"Ezel attacks with a boost from Nimue. Giving Ezel 7000 more power. Also, Ezel gets 3000 more since three gold paladin rearguards on the field. For a 23000 total amount."

"I won't defend this one either."

"I check for the twin drive." (Flame of Victory - Critical) "Critical trigger! 5000 will go to Bagdagemis on the right and Ezel will get the plus one critical. The second check." (Halo Shield, Mark)

"Damage trigger check." Kio informs him checking the two cards. (Battlefield storm Sagramore and Sleygal Sword)

"I counterblast one card to activate Nimue's skill. If she has boosted a vanguard unit when the attack went through, I can pay the cost to to look at the top card of my deck" He says picking up the top card. "I call upon Flame of Victory! With a boost from him combined with Bagdagemis' skill, He attacks your vanguard for 17000!"

"My Flame of Victory will block that attack!" Kio shouted.

Aichi's Field

Hand: 4

Damage:1

[ Knight of Passion Bagdemagus - Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel, Gareth - Knight of Passion Bagdemagus]

[ Flame of Victory - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - None]

"I'll end my turn" said Aichi looking at Kio's field with a serious look. "Okay, he's down by four and I'm up by one. If all goes well in the next couple of turns, I might stay alive in this. But with four cards in his damage zone, he'll have enough to limit break for once, maybe even twice if he's lucky. I gotta stay on toes for this, especially with four cards in hand.

Before he stands up to draw, Kio's looks at his damage zone and his field as well. He knows he has enough to pay for Blond Ezel's limit. But the question is, when?

"I'm sitting at my four to his one. This isn't good! Crap! I knew I should've guarded on the first attack! I musn't be hesitant. I gotta give it my all. But, how?" Kio reflects as he blankly stares at his field.

"Ummm, is something wrong?" Aichi questions him.

"Huh? Oh. No. Everything's alright. I was just thinking that's all. I didn't know I would be getting the used to this ezel deck so quick yet, so well. But as long as I'm having fun that's all that matters."

"Okay." Aichi smiles, "Anyway it's your turn."

"Oh, right! I stand and draw." He says drawing his card.

"Okay. Think Kio, think. You're at four against his one. There's gotta be a way to pump up the pressure. Wait a sec, I have four cards in my damage zone. That's exactly enough to activate a limit break! And Ezel's limit break allows me to...that's it!"

"Alright, It's now or never! I pay the cost of two cards in my damage zone activate Ezel's critical skill. Let's go! Limit Breakdown!" He shouted with his arm and hand extending outwards.

"Limit Breakdown?" Aichi ponders.

"His limit-what-down?" Misaki also questions

"Limit Breakdown?" Izaki and Morikawa spoke in unison. "This kind must be over himself." Morikawa mummered.

"Yes, my limit breakdown! Pretty cool name, huh?"

Aichi chuckles at Kio's phrase. "If you say so."

"Ezel's skill is activated, when his limit break is in effect until the end of my turn. I look at the top card of my deck and call it to an open rearguard space. As you can see, there's only one left on the bottom left corner of my field." Kio tells Aichi.

Kio takes the card from the top of his deck and flips it over to find a card that is worthy enough to help him get an upper hand in this game.

"Just the card I need. I call Battlefield Storm Sagramore! Both Sagramore and Torre will switch places. It gets even better. As soon as I called Sagramore to the rearguard circle, Ezel's power is added by Sagramore original power. Thereby, doubling my vanguard's power from 10000 to an instant 20000! I also call Gareth to replace my Silver Fang, Witch. Attack! Sagramore with Torre's boost goes for your vanguard!"

Aichi accepts the attack and to place the top card from the deck to the damage zone. (Player of the Holy Axe, Nimue) Damage: 2

"Here I go! Ezel attacks your vanguard with a boost from Gareth for 28000! Let's not forget, he also gets 1000 power for each Gold Paladin unit on the rearguard circle. Giving him a whopping 33000 power!"

"My Halo Shield, Mark will nullify the attack!" Aichi exclaims dropping one card from his hand to put his perfect guard in effect.

"Dang it! What's it t gonna take to get to him down more?! But I still got one more shot! C'mon triggers, please give me something good!" Kio says in his mind. "Checking for the twin drive. The first check. (Silent Punisher - Critical trigger) Critical trigger all of the effects will go to Bagdemagus. The second trigger check. (Silent Punisher - Critical Trigger) "Another Critical Trigger! Same rules apply, all effects will go to Bagdemagus!"

"His last attack is gonna be big, can Aichi defend it with just two cards?" Morikawa said as Izaki nods his head.

"Let's go! My last attack! Bagdemagus! Strike your vanguard for 30000 power and +3 critical!" Kio shouted.

Aichi closed his eyes with his head down in front of his field. "No guard. Checking for damage triggers. (Incandecent Lion Blond Ezel, Battlefield Storm, Sagremore, Halo Shield Mark) Damage:5

"I end my turn." Kio panted.

Kio's Field

Hand: 6

Damage:4

[Knight of Passion Bagdagemis - Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel- Battlefield Storm, Sagramore]

[Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - Knight of Passion, Torre]

"Man, he went from 2 to 5 damage already from that one attack." Izaki said. "This is not looking too good."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Izaki" Shin thought as he looked at Aichi's damage zone.

"Aichi should've stopped Kio's attack in a heartbeat. With Sleygal Sword and Flame of Victory in your hand, plus the interceptions from the front, you would've blocked it with ease." Misaki thought as her photographic memory kicked inuntil she looked at his damage zone. "Unless…ooooooh. You needed to go to 5 so you can activate Ezel's limit break. That explains it. But he's got another shot at this."

"I stand and draw! Flame of Victory goes into the soul. I give Bagdemagus to the left giving him 3000 additional power! Counterblast! Activating my limit break to search the top card of my deck and place it on my last rearguard circle" He says looking at his top card. "This will do the trick. Call! Blond Ezel! Adding 10000 power to my vanguard!"

"Again! Paying two more damage for another limit break!"

"He's going two for two!" Morikawa shouted.

"Got him! I call Sagramore to take Flame of Victory's place! Increasing Ezel's power at an even 30000! I attack first with the right Bagdemagus!"

"No guard. Damage trigger check" (Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane) Damage: 5

"Here comes the big one. Boosted by Gareth, Ezel will take down your Vanguard for 38000 power, plus another 5000 for all of the Gold Paladins surrounding him, for 43000!"

"43000 against his 10000! How is Kio gonna stop this one?" Shouted Morikawa

"Morikawa's right. How am I gonna stop this one?" Kio thought looking at his hand. "I have no perfect shields, but I have a lot of shield power in my hand. Do I have play it smart to sacrifice my entire hand or be stupid. Hoping Aichi doesn't draw any criticals and pray for one measly heal trigger...Okay! Got it!"

"It's worth a gamble, but I'm willing to give it all to stop it! I call two copies of Silent Punisher, Elixir Sommelier, Sleygal Sword, and Weapons Dealer, Gwydion to the guardian circle. For a two trigger pass!"

"He's shielding for 50000!?" Izaki shouted.

"That's a big gamble but will it work?" Misaki thought.

"He gave up his almost entire hand to survive. He must really want to win this fight. Doesn't matter now, I got two shots at this. If I can get two triggers, or better yet, two critical triggers, then the game is over. I can't afford to lose this. Let's hope it's enough to bring him down" Aichi thought to himself. "I check for two drive triggers. The first check." (White Hare in the Moon's Shadow, Pellinore)

"Ugh, no trigger." Aichi gasped. "But I'm not giving up! Second check." (White Hare in the Moon's Shadow, Pellinore)

"Oh no, Aichi." thought Misaki. "You really needed that."

"Last chance." "With Bagdemagus will get the final blow with 15000 to you!"

"I intercept my left Bagdemagus and call nimue to the guardian circle!"

Everyone around the two players gasped in disbelief, including. The new kid stopped Aichi supposed final attack ending with no cards in hand. Kio did everything he could to protect his units and prevent himself to go to six damage. This match was had two trading blows left and right. With minimum cards in hand, and both players nearing in 5 damage, who know's what will happen next turn.

"I end my turn." Aichi declares.

Aichi's Field

Hand: 2

Damage:5

[ Knight of Passion Bagdemagus - Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel, Gareth - Knight of Passion Bagdemagus]

[Battlefield Storm, Sagramore - Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth - Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel]

"Stand and draw." Kio says overlooking at his field first then Aichi's. He also looked at Aichi's hand with just holding two cards. His chances of winning this match were higher than before. He starts talking to Aichi about this game.

"Hey, Aichi?"

"Yeah?"

"Y'know, I kinda wanna save it until the end of this fight, but I just want to say it was an honor facing you in a vanguard fight. Even if you are a VF Champion, it was still a blast to play with you. And I hope one day that I can become stronger at Vanguard in the brighter future. That's a guarantee, I'm willing to fulfill. I wanna thank you for that."

Aichi gasped a little to hear what Kio had to say to him. He understood his goal to be a better player at Vanguard, which made him happy to see a new player like Kio willing to confidence in himself to be stronger in the game.

"Absolutely. You're welcome." Aichi happily nodded.

"Also, there's one more thing I have to say to you. Just so you know."

"What's that?"

"Two words. Final Turn!"

"Final Turn?!"

"Final turn, he says." Misaki said.

"Did he just say what I think he just said?" Morikawa question Izaki.

"Yeah. He did. I think it may be the end. Look at Aichi's hand." Izaki pointed Morikawa to Aichi's weakened hand. "He's chances of winning this game are slim to none."

"Yeah, but there's still hope right? Right!?" Morikawa shakes Izaki.

"Limit Breakdown! Paying the cost to pick the top card." Kio picks up his card. " Not the card I wanted, but it'll have to do. Calling Halo Shield, mark to the top left. 6000 power to Ezel. Here I go! I attack Ezel with a Gareth's boost for 29000 power combined!"

"Guard! Gwydion, Flame of Victory and my two Bagdemagus' will block it for 35000"

"Now, Kio only needs two triggers and he's got this right in the bag!" Izaki said.

"Oh, can't watch this!" Morikawa covered his face. "Just tell me when this is over."

Kio's heart rapidly beats with tension and intimidation. The pressure is on. His only way of winning his match was to draw two triggers from the deck. He closed his eyes, prays to the gods, and took a deep breath to further calm himself. The twin drive must be done.

"Checking the twin drive." T-The first check. (Elixir sommelier - Heal) "I-I got a heal trigger. All of the power will go to Ezel and recovering one. The second check.

"He takes another deep breath for the second drive trigger check, thereby shutting his eyes to prevent himself to see the outcome. He takes his right hand on the deck to take one card. Flipping over the card, everyone was surprised to see what Kio on the second drive check. He could hear the gasps and exclamations from around him.

"No way!" Izaki called. "Morikawa!"

"What? Is it over?" Morikawa said with his eyes covered by his hands.

"See for yourself."

"Did that just happen?"

"Wow! Didn't see that coming." Shin said.

"This was really something." Misaki included herself as well.

"Huh?" Kio slowly moved his arm away from his eyes to see his card that he drew. In his eyesight, it was revealed to be Silent Punisher, a critical trigger.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"Yep! Critical trigger!" Aichi tells him as he reveals the top card of his deck was Halo Shield, Mark. Thereby ending the game with 6 damage on his field. Both spirits of the cray fade had won his first fight against Aichi Sendou, a national and VF Circuit champion.

"He did it. The new guy did it!" Morikawa said.

Claps can be heard by Shin. Obviously, impressed and glad to see a Vanguard matchup like this.

"That was a really great fight you two put out. One of the best I've seen with gold paladins against each other."

"Most definitely. That fight was incredible. You guys gave it your all." Said Misaki

Aich and Kio nodded at both Misaki and Shin. They understood their appreciation and gave both their thanks. Aichi cleared his field to put all his cards back in the deck until Kio walked around the table towards his side and tapped his shoulder. Kio extended his arm and hand outward in front him trying to allow him to shake his hand.

"Aichi?" Kio asked.

"Hm?" Mummerd Aichi.

"Friends?"

Aichi paused for a moment to think. He smiled, nodded and proceeded to shake his hand. Confirming their friendship anew.

"Let's play again someday. Sound good."

"Yeah, you bet." Aichi affirmed.

The automatic front doors begin to slide open from the front entrance of Card Capital. All of the gang were surprised to see Emi show up.

"Aichi, there you are."

"Oh, hey Emi. What are you doing here?"

"Mom told me to come get you. She says you have to come home."

"Why so soon already?"

"She said we have to clean the house for tonight and tomorrow morning for the new neighbors that just moved in nearby. I guess you've already met one of them." She pointed out as Kio chuckled.

"Nice seeing you again, Emi." He continued to laughed. "Say does anyone know what time it is?"

"Let's see. It's nine past six." Misaki checked her watch.

"OH NO!"

"What! What's wrong?!" Shouted Aichi

"I was supposed to meet back with my mom and dad back at the noodle shop at six! I must've lost track of the time while we were busy cardfighting and already I'm nine minutes late!"

"Now, just calm down. I'm sure they'll understand somehow." Aichi trying to settle him.

"Why don't you just call to let them know you're already late?" Izaki first thought.

"That's the problem, none of us have cell phones yet. My dad said we were suppose to get new stuff by tomorrow as soon as we were done unpacking our stuff for the house."

"Okay, look. I'm going home anyway, so how about this. I'll walk you back to your family at the noodle shop and we'll explain there.

"You'll do that? Oh, thanks Aichi."

"No problem. I'll try be back here at the shop as best as I can guys."

"Hey, no worries Aichi. Just go. You don't want to worry your mom too much." said Misaki

"Right. Bye, you guys."

"See ya later. Take care Kio." Izaki said

"Welcome to the neighborhood, Kio. See ya." Morikawa spoke.

"Thanks you guys." Kio waved as he, Aichi and Emi walked out the door.

"So, what did you think of the new kid." Shin asked Misaki.

"He's alright. But, he does have potential. I'm actually looking forward to seeing him cardfight more often here at the shop, especially for a foreigner like him. Miskai responded. "I wonder who he'll fight next."

*E-MAIL!*

Misaki, Shin, and the other's hear the email tone from the register's computer. Misaki walks over the counter to login. She check's her inbox to notice one new message. She reads the subject and the sender of the message.

"Shin, you better take a look at this."

"Huh, what's up Misaki?"

"Listen to this.."

Attention all Cardfighters and Card Shops,

Starting tomorrow morning, there will be a major change in regards of upcoming tournaments. Members and staff of the Cardfighting Committee of both Japan and the United States and representatives of the Tatsunagi Corporation will make a very special announcement scheduled live, simulcasted on both the morning news and on the official Vanguard website. This announcement will break the news in regards of an upcoming, brand new special three month tournament program starting in the beginning of June. Details will not be released further until the stream is aired, however we would advise all players and shop owners to spread the news about this important announcement. The livestream will feature some of the teams that have competed in this year's previous VF Circuit. Be sure to tune in to the official Vanguard website or watch the morning news at ten o'clock for updates and details.

Sincerely,

The Cardfighting Committee of Japan & United States

"Seriously?! New cardfighting tournaments?!" said Izaki

"I could see myself now Izaki. The great morikawa wins all three tournaments in the span of three months!"

"Who said you two are allowed behind this counter and who told you anyone can read our e-mail?"

"N-Nobody, in fact we were just heading out." Izaki stuttered.

"T-That's right and just so you know that we're doing a good deed, we're gonna spread the news all over just like the e-mail said we should. So bye!" Morikawa said last as both boys jetted out of the card shop before either one could get on Misaki's last nerve.

"Boys." Misaki sighed.