A/N: The last two chapter before I start with regular update next Sunday. Thanks for everyone who supported this and I would really like to read comment and reviews for this fanfic to improve it.
Chapter 4: Яeleased Inferno
Ken-Daisuke
5-hand-7
0/1-damage-0/0
0-drop-0
1-soul-0
empty, Tarayev—Bahr, Terrycloth
empty, empty- empty, empty
Ken chose a card from his hand. "I call Perdition Dragon Knight, Nazel (9000) to right. His skill let him gains 5000 power until end of turn if he's called when you have no rearguards in the same column (9000+5000=14000), and I call Perdition Dragon, Whirlwind Dragon (9000) to the left." Ken turned Nazel sideways. "Now, I attack your vanguard with Nazel (14000 to 8000)," he declared.
Daisuke carefully looked through his hand and called Seal Dragon, Shirting to the guardian circle." Your attack is stopped (14000 to 18000)," he said.
"My avatar, go! Burn through his vanguard (9000 to 8000)," Ken shouted while resting his vanguard.
"I'll let that through," said Daisuke, confident that Ken would not check a trigger.
"Drive check, nothing there," said Ken, revealing another Tarayev.
"Damage check, Embodiment of Spear, Tahr, a critical trigger, power to my vanguard (8000+5000=13000)," Daisuke said with a grin.
"I attack your vanguard with Whirlwind boosted by Tinder Spear (9000+5000=14000). Whirlwind's skill let him gains +3000 power when he attacks as long as I have a Perdition vanguard (17000 to 13000)," declared Ken.
"I'll let it through," said Daisuke who then put a Seal Dragon, Jacquard in the damage zone.
"Turn End."
Ken-Daisuke
4-hand-6
0/1-damage-0/2
0-drop-1
1-soul-0
Tinder Spear Dracokid, Whirlwind Dragon-empty, empty
empty, Tarayev—Bahr, Terrycloth
empty, Nazel - empty, empty
Daisuke's turn: "I stand and draw, and then I ride Majin Soldat (11000). Its skill prevent him from attacking," said Daisuke.
"What?" One of the spectators asked. "Why would he…?"
"Unless," Daisuke added, "I retire an opponent rearguard during the main phase." He gave a slight smirk in the direction of the one who had made the comment. "He has an 11k power and gains 5k when boosted by a Kagero, so I figure I could add him to the deck even though he's not part of the sub-clan."
"It's a very annoying card indeed, especially with Seal Dragons. They can retire units for pretty low costs," added Ken. Then, he turned his attention back to his opponent. "You always know how to use your deck specialty well, Daisuke. I can't thank my luck enough that I got a stand trigger in our last fight. Otherwise I would have been the one who lost, for sure."
"Without that lucky stand trigger, I doubted that I could defeat you," Daisuke countered. "After that match, I began thinking of fighting you again. You are skillful enough to use your deck well, and that makes me think of you as my rival. A confident smile spread across Daisuke's face. "But let me warn you, I've never once lost any of my rematches before, so you better be prepared.
"I call to the left Corduroy (9000). Corduroy skill activates: I counterblast a Seal dragon, to retire your Tinder Spear Dracokid. In return, you may look at the top four cards of your deck, search them for up to one grade 2, and call it," said Daisuke.
Ken grabbed the cards and his eyes flicked over them for a moment, before he grabbed one. "I choose to call Menace Laser Dragon (9000) behind Nazel, and I activated Menace Laser's skill: I counterblast one card to retire your Corduroy that is in the same column. A dracokid for a dragon, thanks for the card, Daisuke," said Ken, smiling, before shuffling his deck.
"It bad enough my Corduroy is retired, but this turn if you intercept with Nazel, you can move your Menace Laser to front next turn to replace it. It's like me giving you a free intercept," he said with a grimace. "But don't thank me just yet, I got more for you," replied Daisuke, grimace quickly reversing itself. "I call Flame Star Seal Dragon Knight (9000) to the right, and I counterblast one. You can't intercept for the rest of the turn," said Daisuke, his smile growing wider. "Call, Seal Dragon, Flannel (7000) to the right."
'This is bad,' thought Ken, surprised to see Daisuke's Flame Star. 'I don't have enough cards to guard, my hand is mostly grade 3 and I can't intercept.'
"I attack your vanguard with Flame Star (9000 to 9000)," declared Daisuke.
"I don't guard," said Ken, hoping for a trigger.
"Damage check… A stand trigger! My vanguard gets the power (9000+5000=14000), while I stand Nazel," said Ken as he released a relieved sigh.
Undaunted, Daisuke continued. "Now I attack your vanguard with my own, with a boost from Terrycloth (11000+5000=16000). My vanguard also gains 5000 from its own skill (16000+5000=21000)," declared Daisuke (21000 to 14000)."
"21k, with only a grade 2 and no triggers!" said Byakuro shocked. He was unexpectedly impressed by Daisuke and Ken's knowledge and skill in the game. "I got a lot to learn about this game." A wicked grin settled on his face. 'Finally,' he thought, something that really makes my life worth it.' A faint dark red aura clocked him, invisible to anyone who wasn't looking at him. 'I'm REALLY eager to fight now.'
Byakuro wasn't the only one; all of the spectators were murmuring their agreement at the power play. "What power!" Someone said, "Is this what it's like to play at a pro's level?"
"I don't guard," said Ken.
"Drive trigger check, Seal Dragon, Blockade, nothing there," said Ken, adding the card to his hand.
"Damage check… Yes, a draw trigger! Power to whirlwind, and I draw," said Ken delighted. "I needed that extra draw."
Daisuke reached out to Flannel, before realizing the power difference and withdrawing. "Flannel can't attack your whirlwind, and there's no point in attacking Nazel because you will replace him or Menace Laser next turn anyways, so I end my turn," said Daisuke.
Ken-Daisuke
5-hand-4
1/3-damage-2/2
1-drop-2
1-soul-1
empty, Whirlwind Dragon-Flannel, empty
empty, Tarayev—Majin Soldat, Terrycloth
Menace Laser Dragon, Nazel -Flame Star, empty
Ken's turn: "I stand and draw. I ride, Perdition Dragon, Pain Laser Dragon (11000)! I retire Menace Laser and call Perdition Battler Mareiko (7000) in its place. And, I also call Perdition Battler, Mareisei (7000) behind Whirlwind."
Ken rested the units. "I attack your Flame Star with Nazel boosted by Mareiko, (16000 to 9000)."
"I don't guard," said Daisuke, and he placed his Flame Star into the drop zone.
"My vanguard attacks your vanguard (11000 to 11000)... Drive check, first check, Elham. Second check, critical trigger! Power goes to whirlwind (9000+5000=14000) and my vanguard gains a crit!" said Ken joyfully.
Daisuke scowled slightly. "Damage, first check, Flame Star. Second check, Rinocross. No triggers."
"Whirlwind attack with a boost from Mareisei. Whirlwind also gets 3000 from its skill (24000 to 11000)," said Ken.
" I don't guard," said Daisuke who put his Seal Dragon Spirit, Malkibel to his damage zone. 'I got five damage now so it'll be do or die next turn,' thought Daisuke.
"Turn End."
Ken-Daisuke
5-hand-4
1/3-damage-2/5
2-drop-3
2-soul-1
Mareisei, Whirlwind Dragon-Flannel, empty
empty, Pain Laser Dragon—Majin Soldat, Terrycloth
Mareiko, Menace Laser Dragon-empty, empty
Daisuke's turn: "Stand and Draw. I'll end it this turn. Come, break the seal and unleashed your true power, I ride Hellfire Seal Dragon, Blockade Inferno (11000)!"
Byakuro's eyes widened as the card hit the vanguard circle, and time stopped as a burning, primal fear suddenly gripped his soul. A vision filled his mind, and he saw the terrifying volcanic dragon, white-hot flames licking at its body, and an overpowering heat rolling off. The part that scared Byakuro the most, though, were the small units with red ring on their backs near the ground at the dragon's feet, being crushed by the dozens underneath its sharp, curved claws. The rest fell from a single burst of red fire, before the dragon roared its victory to the sky, shaking the earth. Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed in Byakuro's head, louder than anything he had ever heard before and dripping with hatred and rage. "PREPARE TO BE TURNED TO ASHES, PUNY INVADERS!"
Just as his headache reached a critical level and Byakuro thought he would start groaning out loud, he saw an image of Imaginary Plane Dragon arrive, which seemed to stop the voice was in Byakuro's head.
"What was that?" asked a terrified Byakuro, trembling with fear. His dragonic ally looked back at him, no emotion on its face as it explained.
"That's a unit from Cray. Part of its spirit is contained in that card, it seems… He appears to have chosen that human, Daisuke, as his Vanguard."
At Byakuro's questioning glance, the Link Joker commander continued. "The units of Cray are well aware of the card game that represents their connection to Earth. The most powerful of the units are able to use that connection for themselves, and bond with one of the cardfighters of this planet. The humans who are bonded with these units through their cards are called Vanguards, and while some are consciously aware of their connection to Cray, most have no idea why they're so drawn to using certain cards."
Byakuro thought for a moment, processing. "So am I your vanguard?"
PID snorted. "Link Joker is above such plebian affiliations. I have no personal bond with you. All I've done is hack into the connection and find the person best suited to carry out our goals. Our agent, not our Vanguard. You and I have nothing in common."
Byakuro nodded, an emotion almost akin to disappointment filling him.
PID's expression turned thoughtful as he returned to the matter at hand. "Blockade is strong indeed; he's among the top threats who defeated many of Link Joker's units during the last invasion. He is worthy of becoming reversed but Nebula Lord has yet to win a single battle against him."
"So… It recognized me as your agent and was planning to burn me?" asked Byakuro who calmed down a little. The thought of being burned to a crisp still scared him senseless, but it was easier to remain calm when he knew what was happening.
PID nodded as an answer. "A veteran that fought us before in the first war could easily recognize our power and presence. It seems that Cray is aware that we will begin a second invasion and is planning to stop us. They are more competent than I thought…" PID's voice took on a tone to match its evil demeanor. "It will be fun watching them despair." The voice almost sent chills down Byakuro's spine. Almost.
"Byakuro, you are the key factor in winning the war. Your reversing of Earth's fighters will weaken their forces, and overwhelm their Vanguards with the void, letting us have an easier victory," said PID. "This time, void won't be denied." A hint of pride entered his voice with the last line.
Byakuro, naturally, didn't care about what PID was saying. All he wanted to do was cardfight and watch cardfights. Speaking of watching cardfights…
"PID, Could you leave? I'm watching a good fight right now, and I want to see who'll win," replied Byakuro.
PID seemed to twitch irritably, and opened his mouth with an unsatisfied growl to rebut the puny human, but Byakuro raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. The dragon subsided, and the vision began to blur as he released the human's mind from the connection. Byakuro was necessary to carry out their plans, so it would be best to remain on his good side, no matter how insignificant he felt the boy was.
But even though Imaginary Plane Dragon would never admit it out loud, it was also out of respect. To be faced with a power beyond comprehension, and to face it back without so much as a flinch, as if such cosmic power was BENEATH him… The Link Joker commander shuddered slightly at the thought of what kind of person it took to see the world that way.
From Byakuro's point of view, time started to turn once more, and Byakuro saw Daisuke call a Chain-attack Sutherland (8000) to replace Flame Star on the left, and a Majin Soldat (11000) to the right front, while moving Flannel to the back.
"I activate, Terrycloth skill, I counterblast one and send him to the soul to activate the same skill as Corduroy. Mareisei is forced to retire," said Daisuke.
Ken did what he did earlier with Corduroy but didn't find a grade two. It didn't bother him, though, as he knew what Daisuke was going to do.
"Now, Limit Break!" declared Daisuke. Byakuro could see an intricate orange vanguard circle appear above Daisuke for a moment, rotating slowly.
"I counterblast two seal dragons to retire all of your grade 2 rearguards. And, my Blockade gains 10000 power (11000+10000=21000)! Sutherland gains a total of 9000 power from Terrycloth and Blockade retiring your rearguards (8000+9000=17000) as well!" Daisuke exclaimed, while Ken put his Whirlwind and Menace Laser in the drop zone.
"This is not looking good," muttered Ken, counting up the number of guards in his hand.
"I attack your Pain Laser with Sutherland (17000 to 11000)," declared Daisuke.
"I guard with Perdition Dragon Knight, Tuvar (17000 to 21000)!" said Ken as he put the card on the guardian circle.
"My Blockade attacks your Pain Laser. Go, Inferno Devastation!" Daisuke shouted, holding a hand out above his vanguard.
"No guard," said Ken nervously. While it was true that he was only at three damage, Daisuke was known for his luck on the drive check, and Ken really didn't want to be at five damage right now.
"Drive trigger check. First check… Critical trigger. Power to my Majin Soldat (11000+5000=16000), and critical to my vanguard. Second check, Seal Dragon, Rinocross," said Daisuke, adding the cards to his hand.
Ken exhaled, a combination of relief and frustration, and placed two cards in his damage zone. Neither one was a trigger.
"I attack with Majin Soldat boosted by Flannel. Majin's skill increases his power by 5000 (28000 to 11000)," said Daisuke.
"I perfect guard with Rampart Dragon," said Ken, discarding a Pain Laser from his hand.
"Turn End."
Ken-Daisuke
3-hand-4
1/5-damage-5/5
6-drop-3
2-soul-3
empty, empty –Majin Soldat, Flannel
empty, Pain Laser Dragon—Blockade Inferno, empty
Mareiko, empty –Sutherland, empty
Ken's turn: "My turn, I stand and draw. I call a Perdition Dragon Knight, Elham in front of Mareiko and my avatar, Tarayev to the right! Now, Pain Laser Dragon, Seek mate!"
Ken return four cards from his drop zone to the deck and searched for a Menace Laser Dragon. He placed his deck back down after shuffling, and held the Menace Laser above his head. "Dragons of Perdition! Stand in an impenetrable line against your foes, and drown them in the flames of Purgatory! Legion!" He threw the card down, and it joined with his vanguard.
Ken pointed to Daisuke's rearguards. "Pain Laser's legion skill, I retire all of your units in your right column. Tarayev's skill let him gain 5k for each opponent rearguard retired in the same column as him as long as my vanguard in Legion." Daisuke's lips tightened to a thin line as he moved Majin Soldat and Flannel to the drop zone.
"Elham's skill let me retire an opponent rearguard in the same column as him! I retire Sutherland. Then my Mareiko's skill lets me unflip one damage by soul blasting one card when an opponent rearguard in the same column as him is retired," continued Ken.
'This… He destroyed all his rearguards for almost no cost!' thought Byakuro, with amazement. 'These two… they're on another level above me… I HAVE to get better!' As it stood, Byakuro felt entirely insignificant compared to those two.
"I attack with Elham boosted by Mareiko (16000) to your vanguard," Ken declared.
"Guard with Tahr," said Daisuke.
"I do a Legion attack using my vanguards (20000 to 11000). I soul blast 1 to increase it attack by 3000 (23000 to 11000)," said Ken.
"I perfect guard with Rinocross," said Daisuke while discarding a Seal Dragon, Artpique. Daisuke looked at his hand and grimaced. He knew that he couldn't guard the next attack.
"Drive triggers check, first check, nothing there, second check, also nothing," said Ken.
"Now, go, My Avatar! Tarayev, burn through his vanguard!" declared Ken as he rested the unit.
Daisuke slowly revealed the damage check and put his Weather Cloth into the damage zone. "No trigger…"
Ken-Daisuke
4-hand-1
1/5-damage-5/6
2-drop-6
0-soul-3
empty, Tarayev– empty, empty
empty, Pain Laser+Menace Laser—Blockade Inferno, empty
Mareiko, Elham– empty, empty
"I lost to same person and unit again…" He said dejectedly, but he immediately brightened up. "You are the first one to beat me in a rematch, congrats!" he said, raising his hand as a sign of handshake towards Ken.
Ken grabbed Daisuke's hand. "It's an honor to play you, Daisuke." His face cracked into a wide, joking grin. "Maybe I can kick your butt again in match three!"
Daisuke scoffed. "I'll die before I ever lose to the same deck three times in a row."
Ken nodded. "Sure, whatever you say!" He turned and parted the crowd, preparing to leave the shop.
"What, you're leaving already?" asked Byakuro.
"Yeah, Daisuke will help you with your deck, I'm leaving home early because there is a math test tomorrow and I don't want my grades to worsen," replied Ken.
"We have a math test tomorrow!" cried Byakuro, shocked. "How come I didn't know?!"
"Eh…You were sleeping at math class before end of school. But it doesn't matter, like you need or even want to prepare," Ken answered with a shrug.
"You're right but you could still inform me first, I'd hate to be woken by the teacher with detention for sleeping on the day of a test," Byakuro grumbled.
Ken chuckled. "Ok, I'll make sure to take your notes and do all of your stuff for you, your majesty," he joked. "I'll even tell you when we have tests!"
Byakuro slighted a bit at the provocation, but he knew it was all in fun. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ken."
End