Cardfight Vanguard: Setsuzoku Sensō
Chapter 5
Hell Week's Music II
Though it may be a ridiculous reason in hindsight, Umi had chosen to run after an academy upper-classmen due to the fact the latter stole what the former believed to be her rightful gift from the heavens in the form of a piece of fancy chocolate cake. Umi then follows the cake thief to a forest clearing where she finds a log cabin with a couple of the school's official fight tables right outside, and she even challenges the cake thief to a fight with the cake itself as a prize. The cake thief agrees, however Umi starts to regret her decision once her opponent introduces himself as Setsuzoku Academy 10th rank: 3rd year Aadyn Rodgers.
"I'm sorry….. what?" Umi said with a shocked expression as she wants to believe that she somehow misheard Aadyn.
"Again… I'm the Academy's 10th ranked fighter Aadyn Rodgers, and the reason you freshmen are going through hell." Aadyn said with a smug expression, "Got it memorized?"
"SO YOU'RE THE F***** REASON MY BODY AND MIND FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO F****** explode! IT WAS BECAUSE OF YOU JACKA**!" Umi screamed at the top of her lungs as she unknowingly let her true nature out.
"Wow…. that's….. certainly not what I expected to hear." Aadyn notes out of a strange feeling of admiration as he covered both of his ears.
Umi instantly turns red from embarrassment once she realizes her inappropriate use of the tongue.
"Um… no.. I mean… I know the physical exercise and the comprehensive lessons on various clans are something I'll need to deal with in the Vanguard world especially since I have yet to discover for myself what I want to do... dealing with both set at such an intense difficultly all at once is hard on a young lady such as myself." Umi said as she tries but fails to cover up her earlier slip of the tongue due to still feeling embarrassed.
"Ha…. don't worry about hiding whatever it was you were trying to hide." Aadyn lightly chuckled, "I want to fight the real self of all of my opponents whenever possible…. that includes you."
"I don't thing such a thing is appropriate considering the fact that you're my opponent." Umi said in a polite fashion as that also happened to be her honest opinion.
"Oh? I thought you wanted that cake? Well no matter…. I guess it'll be a perfect after-lunch dessert." Aadyn said purposefully in a taunting tone.
"Are you sure you really want to see that?" Umi asked as her cheeks twitch from the irritation caused by knowing her future opponent is egging her on, "My friend tells me that such a scene would forever destroy a man's view of women."
"Ha….. believe me you'll see a lot of weird things at this school that's straight out of a manga." Aadyn lightly chuckled, "And because of that I'm sure I can handle it."
"Alright well…. don't say that I didn't warn you." Umi sighed.
Umi takes a deep breath as if intending to prepare for a long-winded rant, however the scene changes without warning the moment she's about to exhale. To be specific it changes to a scene as if one were observing this very forest from the top of a large hill, then they see the trees vibrate as birds fly away and land critters dash across the forest floor as though they were being chased by something horrific. Then the scene changes back to the little forest clearing only with two differences. The first is that Aadyn's eyes now fit the "Blank White Eyes" trope in that his eyes at least for the moment look like two large white circles. The second is that no longer does Umi have the demeanor of a kind girl, but rather a roughhousing one with the tongue of a sailor.
"Wow… I…. I was certainly expecting a different personality, but….. ahem….. I didn't think it was possible to swear to the point where all the animals in the forest would run away as though chased by Godzilla." Aadyn said in an amazed tone as he couldn't help but applaud Umi's swearing prowess.
While at the same time Aadyn couldn't help but think that Umi was missing a nail-loaded baseball bat at her side.
"Dumbass… you're the one who was stupid enough to bring up that whole s***, so you get what you deserve." Umi retorts as she groans in an aggravated manner, "I don't even know why I f****** decided to tell you all of this s***."
"Ha ha…. even though I don't know how I got stuck with that title….. I'm pretty sure I mentioned I was the kind of charismatic senpai you can tell all of your problems. You'd be amazed at the number of people I have dirt…. I mean have helped because of this." Aadyn said as he busts out into laughter as though Umi's earlier swearing storm never happened, "In fact I'm so charismatic that I charismatically put Sekai on the ballot to be student council president without telling him."
"That's…..a dick move." Umi couldn't help but say.
"Really?" Aadyn asks with an obviously faked playfully confused expression, "Well then again I didn't think he'd win in the first place, but still that look of despair on his face was so enjoyable."
"You are one seriously twisted f***." Umi thought as she didn't dare have the courage to say this out loud to someone who vastly outranks her.
Although Aadyn continues to maintain this happy-go-lucky and carefree expression of his….. the tension in this forest clearing still rises by several notches before disappearing just as quickly as it appeared. It's almost as if Aadyn himself caused this phenomenon to make sure things don't get too out of hand.
"All that aside….. why not just talk like this normally? I mean wouldn't you want friends to be friends with the real you?" Aadyn asked.
"As if I f****** like putting up this nice girl next door bulls***. Just for some god damn reason…. it just spews out of my mouth whenever I talk to most of the people I meet." Umi yelled out of anger, "I don't even know why I'm telling you this either."
"Again….. charismatic senpai, but I get it…. you just have yet to find the protagonist that warms your tsundere heart….. much like our resident Kisakidere-tan… or at least what she wants people to think." Aadyn said as if it was a casual nonchalant issue.
"Hahh? What do you think that's you or something dumba**?" Umi retorts as she found herself angered by having her personality flaws rubbed in her face.
"Of course not." Aadyn said in a tone that indicates the very idea of such a thing is insulting to him, "I have someone I like, but she's so into the notion of practicality that every single attempt of mine to woo her goes over her head as though she were an ignorant shoujo manga protagonist."
"I am going to f***** kill you!" Umi thought as she looked at Aadyn as though he were a helicopter pilot in a Capcom game.
This notion of rejection wouldn't have even been worth Umi's consideration in her normal state of mind, but after being aggravated by having her flaws rubbed in her face albeit unintentionally.
"Shut up! Are we going to f****** fight? Or are we just going to chat like a couple of dumba** school girls?" Umi yelled.
"Right right….. almost forgot." Aadyn mumbled as he placed his hand on his face down starting Vanguard, "But since this is my territory as well as my cake you're trying to take….. I'll be going first."
"Fine….. the faster we start the sooner I can kick your ass from one end of this clearing to the other!" Umi yelled.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" both fighters yelled.
Imagine….. you blink and suddenly find yourself standing in the a massive music hall similar in appearance to the famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. You see crimson colored seats, red carpets flowing down each aisle, grand white supporting columns, and several different kinds of golden crown molding spread all over the entire hall. In the hall's centermost aisle as well as the stage you see a large concentration of light start to form.
"Aspiring Magician, Rick [Power: 5000]." Aadyn said calmly.
The glowing light on the stage condenses together in the form of a white haired crimson-eyed elf with a pale complexion, wearing a somewhat dirty baggy white shirt, dark gray pants, and he has a violin made from priceless materials hoisted over his left shoulder.
"Maiden of Physalis [Power: 5000]." Umi said in an aggressive manner.
"Oh… I see you changed your deck a bit from when you fought Kisaki." Aadyn pointed out with a sarcastic tone of surprise.
"Hmph… I might not be able to compare to you silver spooned a**holes yet, but even I can improve a little with 2 months of time and change my deck accordingly." Umi said as if clearly annoyed by the fact that Aadyn brought up the issue at all, "Hmm… Symphonius… damn yet another freaking clan I've never heard of."
"Back when the first Vanguard deck was released such things may not have been rare, but now there are clans almost as diverse as we humans." Aadyn retorts, "As for Symphonius specifically… they're in a nutshell a clan of bards."
"Clan….. of bards?" Umi mumbled as she wasn't sure what to make of Aadyn's description.
"Yeah bards….. you know the class in Dungeons and Dragons that use their instruments to play music with magic effects like healing." Aadyn explained, "Though not all members actually infuse magic as some use science….. and for others it just seems to be the result of the way their instruments are made."
"I see…. now quit it with the explanations and fight already!" Umi yelled.
"Right…. let's see… mini miny mo catch a tiger by its toe." Aadyn mumbled as his free hand hovered back and forth over the cards in his other hand.
"He's doing this on purpose….. he's totally doing this on purpose to annoy me." Umi thought as she was barely able to resist the urge to smack Aadyn upside the head.
"And I chose you Pika… I mean I ride Principal Clarinet, Nora [Power: 7000]!" Aadyn declared as he himself realized mid-sentence that he was getting too far off topic, "Sorry about that…. anyways.. I'll move Rick behind Nora and end my turn."
"You damn cake thief, are you going to take this fight seriously at all?" Umi asked as she's truly starting to get mad with Aadyn's nonchalant attitude.
"Nope." Aadyn bluntly answered, "And before you ask I fully intend to play to win even though I'm just playing around with this deck, however you're nowhere strong enough to get me to fight seriously. From what I've seen you're at best equal to an above average freshmen in the middle-school division, and at worst you're….. well it's better I don't say my opinion on that."
"Why you…." Umi mumbled out of anger as she's now seriously considering cracking a certain someone's family jewels.
"Did you expect me to inflate your ego or something?" Aadyn asked in a blunt manner.
It was also as if Aadyn thought there was absolutely nothing wrong with what he was saying at all.
"If you want to improve you'll have to know exactly where it is you stand as a fighter." Aadyn explained, "Too confident and you'll open yourself up for a humiliating defeat, and if you lack confidence then you'll easily be defeated in fights you could have won. Course….. if you believe I'm wrong and that you do have the strength to get me to fight seriously….. well all you have to do is show it."
Aadyn didn't say as such and he definitely didn't mean it that way, however to Umi's ears it sounded as though he considered her to be trash that he'd normally never bother with in a million years if he didn't happen to need some sort of inspiration. This point of view of Umi's ends up angering her to an extreme level, but somehow she doesn't let it show on her face.
"I'll crush you." Umi mumbled as her words were filled with hatred that stopped just short of having actual killing intent.
"Sorry… what was that?" Aadyn asked due to the low volume of Umi's mumling.
"I said I'll crush you completely, and make you regret calling me weak you bastard!" Umi yelled as she drew for the turn.
"Sorry….. what I said might have seemed cruel….. and I'll apologize later, but for the sake of seeing the kind of fighter you are… one that would get Sekai's attention…. I had to work you up so you'd come at me with everything you have." Aadyn thought as he actually started to look forward to this fight even though he still has no intention of fighting seriously.
"Ride… Maiden of Blossom Rain [Power: 6000]… Physalis to the back row… call Maiden of Acerolla [Power: 7000]." Umi declared.
"Hmm… oh she's really mad. Did I overdo it?" Aadyn thought due to the look in his opponent's eye.
"Acerolla attack [Power: 7000]!" Umi declared.
"I guard with Music Librarian, Lynn [Shield: 5000]." Aadyn said calmly.
"Then…. Maiden of Blossom Rain, whip the face of that pretty boy's vanguard to the point where his own mother doesn't recognize him [Total Power: 10000]!" Umi yelled.
"Aww you think I'm pretty? Stop you're making me blush." Aadyn says in a coy fashion just before immediately thinking, "Damn…. reflex response kicked in…. didn't actually mean to say that."
"No… Umi don't… you'll beat him fair and square." Umi thought as she barely resists the urge to chuck her phone (the one her parents gave her not the fancy school one) at Aadyn's face.
[Drive Check – Maiden of Damask Rose – No Trigger]
Maiden of Blossom Rain raises both of her arms towards Rick, and at that moment a single vine shoots out from both sleeves of her shirt like a snake jumping out towards some prey. Rick knows he can't dodge so for some strange reason he starts playing the violin, however miraculously enough the corresponding musical notes somehow changes the trajectory of Blossom Rain's attack from his face to his stomach. It still ends up hurting like hell though.
[Damage Check – Music Librarian, Lynn – Draw Trigger]
"Ah lucky me…. a draw to replace the draw." Aadyn thought, "All effects to my vanguard!"
"I activate the skill of my starting vanguard: By moving Physalis into the soul I can check the top 5 cards of my deck, select a grade 1 unit from among them, and call it at rest." Umi explained as she picked up the top 5 cards of her deck.
"Grade 1 unit is it? Maybe if she gets lucky enough I'll get to see the unit that had Sekai's attention." Aadyn thought as he mentally braced himself.
As Umi checks the top 5 cards of her deck she quickly flashes a smile as if to signify that she wanted to call, however that smile wasn't one of relief after finding something to call but a smile of fondness that momentarily breaks through her state of immense anger.
"I superior call Maiden of Waterpot [Power: 7000]!" Umi declared.
Calling a unit is certainly a normal action in the game of Vanguard, however Aadyn's eyes are momentarily filled with shock as they're suddenly drawn to Umi's back-left rearguard circle like moths to a flame. Aadyn also for some strange reason starts to vigorously rub his eyes like he was looking at a ghost.
"I can see why Sekai thought her copies of Maiden of Waterpot seemed weird seeing as how it looked like I actually saw a ghost, but it also could have been some kind of coincidence." Aadyn thought, "That means I'll also have to give her a chance to play one or two more copies to be sure."
"Stop daydreaming dumba** or you'll lose!" Umi declared.
"Huh? Oh sorry…. just a sudden sleepy spell, but please go ahead and make your move." Aadyn retorts.
"Good…. now I'll activate the skill of my Maiden of Acerolla since the attack of my "Maiden of" unit hit: I soul blast 1 for the cost, draw a card, and then I shuffle a normal "Maiden of" unit in my drop zone back into my deck."
"I admit that wasn't a bad opening hand especially since Acerolla's skill allows Umi to break even with the cards she spent from her hand, but even though it's not bad…. It's still not enough to defeat me."
Aadyn – Umi
5 – Hand – 6
0 – Soul – 1
1 – Damage – 0
0 – Counterblast – 0
F(0) U(16) – G-Zone – F(0) U(16)
Empty / Empty – Maiden of Acerolla / Empty
Aspiring Magician, Rick / Principal Clarinet, Nora – Maiden of Blossom Rain / Empty
Empty / Empty – Empty / Maiden of Waterpot
"I ride Aquatic Operetta, Adella [Power: 9000]." Aadyn declared.
The clarinet player known as Nora disappears in a flash of light leaving a nearly empty stage, but much like the stage in the Academy's auditorium a section of the stage opens up revealing a trap door where a small circular glass pool akin to a dunk tank rises from below. Then sitting on the solid section of that "dunk tank" is a mermaid with a light blue tail, dark green hair, dark blue eyes, and she has a large harp right next to her.
"Next up I'll call Golden Sound, Trumpet [Power: 9000]." Aadyn said, "Now Trumpet, attack Umi's Maiden of Acerolla [Total Power: 9000]!"
Trumpet takes a deep breath to play his trumpet, however if you take a moment to ignore the fact that this music hall is now a battlefield it turns out to be quite the beautiful sound. Since this is a real battle the sound of Trumpet's music seems to be concentrated together like water from a hose, and thus it actually sends Acerolla flying back several feet like a ragdoll through several rows of chairs creating a miniature river channel of sorts once they come into contact.
"Now with a boost from Rick, my vanguard Adella will attack [Total Power: 14000]!" Aadyn declared.
[Drive Check – Verdant Jazz, Oona – No Trigger]
Adella starts to play her massive harp and like Trumpet's music….. she produces a sound that anyone would enjoy during a time of peace, but as this is a battle her music somehow effects the water she's immersed in. A great portion of that water (for the lack of a better choice of words) just chooses to fly away from the pool as if pulled by gravity, and then that large collection of water starts to hover over Umi's vanguard.
"Waterboarding is still a messed up thing to do, but let's see how much water your vanguard can happen." Aadyn thought as he could see all of this going on through the power of his imagination.
Adella stops playing her harp once that mass of water is over Maiden of Blossom rain, and in response gravity kicks in thus having all that water fall on this flowery maiden. There is so much force such that the floor around Maiden of Blossom Rain cracks and dips into the ground as though someone did a super hero landing from a great height.
[Damage Check – Maiden of Polyantha Rose – No Trigger]
"Oh…. so that's the new ace G3 of Neo Nectar's "Maiden of" series?" Aadyn asked in a coy yet curious manner.
"I might have the money to buy the cards for the clan I want like you lucky top-ranking a**holes." Umi explained before her angered expression momentarily softens, "So instead I have to thank my parents, my best delinquent best friend, and whoever it was he pulled strings with for strengthening my deck."
"Ha ha….. as expected of a game meant to build bonds through battle…. I approve, and I also end my turn." Aadyn declared as he suddenly found himself caught in a fit of laughter, "You should tell your best friend to thank her…. the one who helped him to help you that is."
"Her? So does that mean that bastard cake thief know who it is?" Umi thought, "No….. whether it's a ploy or a coincidence… don't let it distract you."
Aadyn – Umi
5 – Hand – 6
1 – Soul – 1
1 – Damage – 1
0 – Counterblast – 0
F(0) U(16) – G-Zone – F(0) U(16)
Empty / Golden Sound, Trumpet – Empty / Empty
Aspiring Magician, Rick / Aquatic Operetta, Adella – Maiden of Blossom Rain / Empty
Empty / Empty – Empty / Maiden of Waterpot
"Stand and draw." Umi said, "I ride and call a copy of Maiden of Damask Rose [Power: 9000]!"
"Oh I see….. not a bad choice actually….. since it's still early in the game it is reasonable to suspect that I won't be willing to block two on-hit effects, but even if it hits….. against someone like me it will only allow you a chance to get a decent swing in." Aadyn thought.
Umi remains angered by the fact that Aadyn is looking down on her as a fighter, however it is due to that anger that at this moment Aadyn takes up a defensive posture. That being said, Aadyn only does so due to his experiences and training as a fighter being hardwired into him.
"F***….. I'm not an idiot… I already know I'm going to lose to this guy because of the massive difference in our skill level. Damn it… if only I could use my real clan…. I'd at least be able to put up a better fight, however I'll at least punch this prick enough times so he doesn't look down on me anymore." Umi thought as she placed a hand on her rearguard Maiden of Damask Rose not realizing how long she was stuck in the confines of her own mind.
"What's wrong?" Aadyn asked in a purposefully cocky manner as he takes not of the aforementioned pause, "If you've finally realized you can't beat me….. then just give up already, and save us both the time.
"I haven't given up you cocky dumba**. I'm just thinking of the best way to share that sad look on your face that you'll have when I beat." Umi retorts if for no reason other than to maintain her own self-confidence, "With a boost from Maiden of Waterpot, my rearguard Maiden of Damask Rose, I'll attack your vanguard Adella [Total Power: 16000]!"
"No guard of course." Aadyn said in a tone intentionally or not that indicates he didn't consider Umi's attack worth the effort to block.
Maiden of Damask Rose shoots vines out of the sleeves of her dress towards the music playing mermaid, however Adella is able to dodge this leafy plant based attack by flipping in the air as though she were a dolphin giving a show at Sea World. The moment Adella's gaze met the eyes of Maiden of Damask a sense of danger struck her as she noticed a few of her opponent's vines were driven into the ground, but before she could even react some of those very vines broke through the stage as well as her water tank causing several deep yet not lethal gashes on her tail.
[Damage Check – Grand Conductor Bach – No Trigger]
"Well what do you know?" Aadyn mumbled in a bemused expression as he couldn't help but shrug, "It seems as though fate wanted me to show you the ace of this deck as yours did mine."
"Yeah well fate or no fight…. I'm still going to mess you're a** up in this fight!" Umi cursed.
"Now now…. no need to be so rude. They say classical music can be of tremendous assistance with plant growth." Aadyn said as though he was trying to play the role of peacemaker between two arguing parties.
Even though he happens to be one of those two arguing parties.
"It should help in your case especially with the washboard che….. sorry sorry… I was about to say something stupid there." Aadyn said with a teasing grin.
"You bastard…. you did it on purpose didn't you? Damn it…. so what if I only have a washboard?! I'm still growing." Umi thought as she heavily cursed Aadyn in her mind, "I see…. ahem…. I activate the skill of Maiden of Damask Rose to search my deck for a copy of Maiden of Polyantha Rose and add her to my hand."
"Looks like my wish of getting a trigger on that damage check wasn't granted, and it's not a good idea for me to try and block this next attack either." Aadyn thought as he maintained his happy-go-lucky expression, "Still…. though you don't have the strength to make me do so…. I'm interested in this match enough to fight a little bit more seriously."
"Now I'll give my vanguard Maiden of Damask Rose a chance to whip you up good as well [Total Power: 9000]!" Umi declared.
[Drive Check – Maiden of Zephyranthes – Critical Trigger]
"I'll give all of the effects to my vanguard [Total Power: 14000 2 Crit]!" Umi declared "This way I can stick my boot further up you're a**!"
[Damage Check – Grand Conductor, Wolfgang – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Refreshing Melody, Flute – Heal Trigger]
"I'll send Bach to the drop zone in order to recover one damage point." Aadyn said.
Aadyn – Umi
5 – Hand – 7
1 – Soul – 2
3 – Damage – 1
0 – Counterblast – 1
F(0) U(16) – G-Zone – F(0) U(16)
Empty / Golden Sound, Trumpet – Empty / Empty
Aspiring Magician, Rick / Aquatic Operetta, Adella – Maiden of Damask Rose / Empty
Empty / Empty – Maiden of Damask Rose / Maiden of Waterpot
"Let's see….. what choice of words would work in this situation?" Aadyn mumbled as he all of a sudden seemed lost in thought about something.
"Just hurry up and make your damn move already!" Umi yelled as it was a miracle that another curse word didn't escape her mouth at that moment.
"Of course….. the customer is always right….. even in a musical performance." Aadyn retorts as he drew for the turn while remaining unaffected by Umi's sailor mouth.
"But what will he actually do though." Umi thought as she had no choice but to brace herself for the soon to be coming grade 3 assault from one of the academy's strongest.
"Let your melodies cleanse the heart of our allies and curse the souls of our enemies." Aadyn said in a surprisingly calm tone of voice, "I ride Grand Conductor, Bach [Power: 11000]."
The damaged water tank, the leaking H2O, as well as the music playing mermaid all disappear in a flash of light with corresponding mood music. The members of both clans look around the music hall to see where the newcomer is intending to enter from when they suddenly all notice that another trap door in an undamaged section of the stage begins to open up. Then emerging from that door via elevator is a tall Caucasian male with gray silver hair, a black formal jacket/pants, a golden conductor's want, and whether consciously or not he emits an aura that indicates he wouldn't be any less capable in battle then legends like Blaster Blade or Dragonic Overlord.
"I'm actually shaking?" Umi thought as she notices the vibrating cards in her hand, "Is it because of Aadyn's strength? Or how I imagine Bach to be? Or could it be both imposing on each other? Well no matter…. a little bit of fear isn't going to stop me from kicking this guy's ass!"
"Don't worry I won't be calling any other units." Aadyn said as he didn't want to make Umi more nervous than he just did, "But now let's see how well you handle the ones I do have. Golden Sound, Trumpet will start the first verse of this performance by attacking your vanguard [Total Power: 9000]!"
"I intercept with my rearguard Maiden of Damask Rose [Total Shield: 5000]!" Umi countered.
Trumpet's trumpet was able to play such a wondrous sound such that it momentarily distracted everyone from the fighting; however that very distraction will prove to be fatal as no one seems to notice the mass of energy gathering around the mouth of the musical instrument until the owner releases it as a high-density energy beam in the shape of a random musical note. The rearguard Maiden of Damask Rose was able to take the blow for her vanguard counterpart just in time, but the force behind the beam was so intense such that the rearguard Maiden was blown through several rows of seats as well as makes a partial "Snow Angel" in the hard tile floor.
"Then it's time for my twin drive as with a boost from Rick, my vanguard Bach will attack [Total Power: 16000]!" Aadyn declared as he placed his hand on the top of his deck.
[Drive Check – Maiden of Operetta, Adella – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Refreshing Melody, Flute – Heal Trigger]
"Lucky me…. another heal trigger." Aadyn thought as he placed the heal trigger in his damage zone into the drop zone, "A good thing too considering the specialties of this clan."
"Specialties of the clan?" Umi asked as Aadyn failed to realize that he was actually mumbling his thoughts aloud.
"Oh… so I was mumbling out loud again." Aadyn notes, "As for the clan's specialties…. I do believe I said that would be spoiling the surprise since it would be better to teach you how to fish rather than giving you one. Still….. power to my vanguard Bach and I get to heal another point of damage."
"Damn…. I was just one point of damage from forcing the f***** on the defensive, but instead those two freaking heal triggers have put him in an excellent position." Umi thought as she made no attempt to hide the annoyed expression on her face, "I know I'm nowhere near the level of these top 10 guys…. but even I can tell that much."
Bach begins to wave his conductor's baton around as though he was heavily focused upon commanding the performance of a grand orchestra, and beautiful music does indeed begin to play in response; but….. shockingly his comrades haven't even touched their instruments while there is also the sound of instruments clearly not on the stage filling the music hall. It doesn't take one long to realize that Bach has such control over his magic power or whatever force he wields such that he can use it to recreate the sounds of various instruments. Everyone else finds this music to be an enjoyable sound; however Umi's vanguard Maiden of Damask Rose is on one knee as she covers her ears. It's clear she's being forced to listen to some kind of supersonic frequency that's harmful to even her magically enhanced dryad body.
[Damage Check – Maiden of Gladiolus – No Trigger]
"And with that I bring the third verse of this musical performance to a close." Aadyn said as he purposely bows like a performer on stage just to annoy Umi, however at this moment she was too focused on the fight to notice.
"Can I do it? Can I bring out the power of my strengthened deck against an opponent like this?" Umi thought as she had a rare vulnerable moment even if it is within her own mind.
Aadyn – Umi
7 – Hand – 7
2 – Soul – 2
2 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 1
F(0) U(16) – G-Zone – F(0) U(16)
Empty / Golden Sound, Trumpet – Empty / Empty
Aspiring Magician, Rick / Grand Conductor, Bach – Maiden of Damask Rose / Empty
Empty / Empty – Empty / Maiden of Waterpot
"Stand and draw... I ride….." Umi yelled as for some strange reason the Vanguard she wishes to bring out suddenly stops just a centimeter or two above her vanguard circle.
The reason Umi stopped was because something Sekai of all people said to her and Kokuo just suddenly popped into her brain.
"I find that a ride chant is the representation of the will behind a fighter's desires. Why do you choose to fight the way you do? What is your state of mind in the current fight you're in? How do you feel about your current state? What is your goal that requires you to traverse the world of card fighters? A fighter's ride chant is supposed to answer all of these questions and more as you forge a bond against an opponent you're playing for the first time, and or strengthen the bond between you and a fighter you've clashed with a thousand times before." said Umi's mental recreation of Sekai's voice.
"A ride chant represents the will of a fighter huh?" Umi thought in a somewhat melancholy manner, "Then where is it that I want to direct what strength of will I do have?"
"All of the teasing aside…. if right now I was just your senpai Aadyn then I'd probably offer a few words of encouragement, but right now I'm your opponent the 10th ranked fighter Aadyn Rodgers so I won't do a thing." Aaydn thought as he already knew the reason by Umi's unexpected pause, "You'll have to overcome this unexpected challenge to your resolve on your own….. otherwise you may as well drop out from this school on your own."
"No…. even with the pressure from this bastard on me…. I still don't know what I kind of form I should give my will." Umi thought, "But… after seeing how serious Kokuo is about this… for now I'll at least direct my will towards overcoming the enemy in front of me!"
"Those are some spirited eyes you have, and I certainly like fighting someone with spirit before I crush that hope….." Aadyn said as he finds himself both amused and impressed by the resolved look Umi has, "But spirit alone doesn't decide everything in a fight otherwise those who are known as the strongest now wouldn't be known as the strongest at all."
"Spirit or no….. at my current level all I can do is fight the way I know and accept the results as they come you dumbass!" Umi yelled as she's back to her angry and foul-mouthed persona, "Talentless rose grown in barren lands, let the sword forged from your roots take us the next step forward! I ride Maiden of Polyantha Rose [Power: 11000]!"
"I see…. quite a clever representation of yourself isn't it Umi Kitagawa?" Aadyn asked with a smirk as once again Umi impresses him enough to make him fight just a tiny bit more seriously.
"It isn't any of your business idiot, but….. I do admire chicks like my girl Polyantha here." Umi retorts as a cocky grin appeared on her face, "According to her lore: Because of an incident in a forest deep in Zoo Nation's dryad territory she like many dryads were born lacking the talent to practice their mother's craft. In fact the most she could do was exhaust herself summoning small plants to trip up her opponents, but she didn't let that stop her when she found out her idiot best friend's plans so she had a few musketeers teach her how to use a sword."
Polyantha Rose, a long straight strawberry pink haired dryad was wearing a long-sleeved dress of simple design made from carefully sown/layered together dark green serrated leaves, with a dark pinkish white rose corset on both wrists, along with a matching hairpin, and Polyantha unlike other dryads who manipulate nearby plant life carries a rapier whose blade is made from an ancient rose thorn; however, the hilt is made from a rose stem grown by Polyantha herself.
"Whether it's the fighting skills of the people of the Planet Cray were they to actually exist or the effects of the card game based off of them….. it's perfectly normal if not expected to supplement what you lack with secondary skills…. Not that I'm trying to deny your efforts of course…. which I'm not." Aadyn said as a smug expression was practically carved into his face, "But against someone like me….. you'll have to bring every single thing you have to the playing field."
"Dumba**… I would have done that anyway even if there wasn't such a ludicrously f****** big gap between us." Umi retorts as she discards a grade 3 unit from her hand, "Liberating the generation zone and…. stride generation… Protector Lotus Maiden of Yggdrasil [Power: 26000]!"
"As I recall….. that's the unit she used against Sekai and Kisaki, but it didn't work against them as a fini….. oh I see." Aadyn thought seemingly having a sudden epiphany, "Unlike those last two fights…. Lotus Maiden's purpose is to act like a true vanguard and pave the way to whatever image of victory her wielder has…. should have realized that right away though."
"Maiden of Polyantha Rose's stride skill: I can pay a counter blast when I bring out a G-Unit with "Maiden of" in the name to check the top 5 cards of my deck, select 2 units that also have "Maiden of" in their name, and call them to my rearguard." Umi politely explained surprisingly enough considering her previous swearing as she picked up the top 5 cards of her deck, "I superior call Maiden of Lotus Flower [Power: 9000] and Maiden of Glowshine [Power: 9000]!"
Maiden of Lotus Flower emerges from a small ball of light like a seed that turns into a root and beyond, and that small ball of light itself emerged from the flower that holds her namesake. Maiden of Glowshine appears in this music hall turned battlefield through a similar method, however the only difference is that she emerges from a seemingly random flower bud fluttering in the breeze.
"Skill of Maiden of Lotus Flower: I superior call a copy of Maiden of Waterpot [Power: 7000], and I will be using the skill of the first Maiden of Waterpot I had played to draw and countercharge." Umi explained as she placed her hand over her damage zone.
"Here it comes….. the G-Unit's skill." Aadyn thought as he took a defensive stance, but once again it was due to habit induced by training rather than actually feeling threatened.
"Lotus Maiden's skill gives a +5000 power bonus to my front row and a skill, but I don't need to explain that since you already know what it does smarta**." Umi explained as she couldn't help but make a smart comment, "I'll attack first with Maiden of Lotus Flower [Power: 21000]!"
"Generation guard… Heavenly Melody, Flute, and with that I'm afraid you won't be able to superior call another Maiden of Waterpot behind your vanguard….. or at least you won't be able to do so that easily that is." Aadyn countered as he discarded a heal trigger from his hand.
"Tch…. whatever." Umi mumbled as she clicked her tongue out of annoyance due to having her tactical plan seen through, "Just go on and explain the effect of your god damn fancy G-Guardian already!"
"Naturally a performer should attempt to satisfy the request of the crowd, of which… Lute's skill: I select a unit with the perform ability, and then the unit I select is put in the performance state." Aadyn explained.
"Per….. performance state?" Umi asked as she's clearly unsure of what to make of what must be the key term of the Symphonius clan.
"During my turn…. it is my duty as the performer to arrange the orchestra, and during your turn it is your duty as a member of the crowd to enjoy the performance that follows….. or in gameplay terms…. it is a defensive state with abilities that match that can usually only be activated during my opponent's turn." Aadyn said in a purposefully done high-born pompous tone, "In Trumpet's case he gets the resist ability for the end of the turn, and Lute gets an additional +5000 shield for doing so [Total Shield: 20000]!"
Using her dryad magic….. Maiden of Lotus Flower has several beams of light shoot out from the smaller lotus flowers beside her at a speed akin to a machinegun emplacement. Flute continues to calmly play the instrument of her namesake despite the oncoming assault causing a series of musical notes made from some kind of magical energy to form around her in several layers. Most of these beams collide with the musical notes while the few remaining beams hit the wall of the stage behind them, of which causes the wall to collapse revealing several other props and musical instruments backstage.
"Then I'll have my vanguard attack you directly [Total Power: 31000]!" Umi declared.
[Drive Check – Maiden of Gladiolus – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Maiden of Lotus Flower – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Maiden of Daybreak – Stand Trigger]
"I give all of the effects to Maiden of Waterpot." Umi declared.
[Damage Check – Principal Trumpet, Zack – No Trigger]
"Since my vanguard's attack hit, I get to check the top 5 cards of my deck for a copy of card I have in play." Umi explained as she went through the described motions, "I superior call Maiden of Lotus Flower on top my other Lotus Flower, and then I use Lotus Flower's skill to superior call my 3rd Maiden of Waterpot in order to help me stick my proverbial boot up you're a**!"
"I see… using the draw power like that is a little risky, but she intends to use the two copies of Maiden of Waterpot during her next turn to maximize both her offense and defense during her next turn. It's a good approach considering that series has a lack of hard hitters, but against me such a strategy is…. irrelevant." Aadyn thought.
"My freshly grown Maiden of Lotus Flower will attack you next [Total Power: 21000]!" Umi declared.
"Generation guard….. Tempo Setter, Andante [Total Shield: 15000]." Aadyn countered as he sent a card from his soul into the drop zone, "Andante's skill forces your Maiden of Waterpot behind Glowshine to lose the boost ability until the end of your turn.
"Tch damn it, but it's not over yet!" Umi declared, "Glowshine will attack [Total Power: 14000]!"
"And now for the finale of this part of the performance… Grand Conductor, Bach's generation break skill!" Aadyn declared.
Umi rubs her eyes vigorously as she could have sworn she saw the three heal triggers in Aadyn's drop zone fly back into his deck as though he were actually about to perform legion, but she dismisses it as a figment of her imagination brought about from exhaustion induced by her sadistic gym teacher.
"With a soul blast cost of 1, and by placing the three heal triggers in my drop zone at the bottom of my deck." Aadyn said as he shuffled his deck while purposely going for a dramatic pause, "Return for an encore performance those mermaid idols can't hope to match….. superior generation guard Heavenly Melody, Flute [Total Shield: 15000]!"
Bach condenses his magic power together in the shape of a human as music continues to play, but then as Glowshine's attack approaches that concentration of magical energy shatters like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon; and, what comes out of that cocoon is none other than Lute who summons several musical notes in order to defend.
"You mean you can re-use face-up G-guardians?!" Umi exclaims from shock.
"Yes…. that along with the Symphonius unit's various defensive "Performance" abilities, and of course G-Unit's designed to take advantage of both allows me to maintain a strong defense and offense while quickly being able to switch between them." Aadyn explained as if his recent performance was no big deal at all, "That Ms. Kitagawa is the power of the Symphonius clan."
"I…. end my turn." Umi says reluctantly, "But… why?"
Aadyn – Umi
5 – Hand – 10
0 – Soul – 4
3 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 1
F(2) U(14) – G-Zone – F(0) U(15)
Empty / Golden Sound, Trumpet – Maiden of Lotus Flower / Maiden of Waterpot
Aspiring Magician, Rick / Grand Conductor, Bach – Maiden of Polyantha Rose / Empty
Empty / Empty – Maiden of Glowshine / Maiden of Waterpot
"Hmm… sorry I didn't catch that…. why what?" Aadyn asked as he draws for the turn.
"Even though you haven't seriously attacked yet…. even though you aren't using your real deck… even though your holding back….. even someone as weak and f****** talentless as a fighter can tell you're much stronger than me." Umi moaned, "I've heard how even though you're ranked 10th as a third year that you're only slightly weaker than Sekai….. so why only stay ranked 10th?"
"Ha…. that again?" Aadyn chuckled, "Sorry sorry…. I get that question a lot…. so I can't help but find it amusing sometimes, but to answer that question did you know there are about 3 main differing opinions regarding the school's ranking system?"
"Opinions?" Umi asks.
"Yes….. there are those who believe rank as though it were a title of nobility and occasionally victory are all that matters at this school, of which Kisaki is an example off though believe it or not she isn't of the few that believe winning is all that matters despite how she acts. Then there are those who see the ranking system as a means to become stronger fighters as that is also the system's purpose, and our #1 ranked fighter Sekai as well as your friend Kokuo would be an example of this type." Aadyn politely explained as he stood up all of his units.
"What about the third type?" Umi curiously asked.
"Then there are people like me who don't care about the ranking system at all, and only come this school for the sake of becoming stronger; however; if in the process we obtain a top rank then that's just a convenient bonus." Aadyn continued to explain, "In other words we don't care if we do or don't gain a high ranking beyond what's necessary to stay enrolled here."
"Then how are you ranked 10th?" Umi retorts.
"There's no complex story…. about halfway through my second year here the previous 10th ranker challenged me to a fight with both of us not realizing he accidentally set it as a ranking match, and I just happen to win that fight causing my rise to fame in the Vanguard world. As for why my rank didn't change after I became a 3rd year….. hehe… I may have overslept during finals and missed one of my exams." Aadyn said with an embarrassed expression, "Truthfully if I could unload this title on someone I would…. All the obligations that come with the rank are a pain in the ass."
"You're…. not going to try and unload it on me are you?" Umi couldn't help but ask.
"Oh god no…. for one thing even though I want to get rid of this title I'm not so desperate to throw away my pride by losing on purpose." Aadyn answered as he suddenly becomes highly flustered while waving his hands in denial, "Besides that would paint an even bigger target on your back then the one you already have."
"What target?" Umi asks.
"Oh it's nothing important." Aadyn said as he quickly recomposes himself, "Since you're so curious about my ability to attack I'll show it to you….. stride generation…. Legendary Conductor, Gershwin [Power: 26000]!"
Compared to Bach, this Gershwin is dressed in bright white and light blue colors while having the expression of being a bit of a goofball. Hell… for some strange reason he has three bubbles just floating around him like a butterfly.
"Bach's stride skill: Counter blast 1 and I get to add a heal trigger from my deck to my hand. Then Gershwin's ski…. what the?" Aadyn was saying when he suddenly finds himself distracted by an unexpected popup on the electronic fight table.
By popup… one is referring to the occasional browser that shows up when browsing the internet, clicking certain links, and even the kind of popups that might come up in the middle of a pc game. This particular popup looks like what one might see when one receives a phone call…. you know a name, followed by a number, and then a green and red circle to signify the option of whether or not to accept that call.
"Ma…. Maō-sama?" Umi mumbled as she couldn't help but read the name that appeared on the small screen.
"Shit….. I have to take this." Aadyn groans as he signifies a state of high annoyance.
Aaydn swipes the green touch screen button and then taps one of two additional icons that appear right afterwards, of which then causes his very expensive school phone to be safely objected from the fight table. This mechanical action ends up confusing Umi somewhat; however the level of confusion among other things is nowhere near what Aadyn has already done.
"Oh if someone calls you while you're fighting you can relay the call through the fight table's built in microphone and speaker, and if you need privacy for said call you can momentarily retrieve your phone." Aadyn explained.
All Aadyn says for the next two or three minutes are words of affirmation or confirmation such as "yes", "okay", "I see", "I understand", and a few others.
"Oh that commercial shoot was today…. sorry I completely forgot… Arghh… do I have to? I hate dealing with all of those media promotions." Aadyn said as though he were a little kid being forced to go to boring old grandma's house, "Besides I can't go right now I'm in the middle of a fight….. I mean you yourself said going through such things from start to finish is important for our development as fighters as well as students."
"Seriously….. even I could tell that excuse was filled with incredibly high levels of bulls***." Umi thought as her face starts to twitch in response to the surprise brought about the change in Aadyn's attitude.
Aadyn suddenly moves his phone away from his ear as far as his arm will stretch when all of a sudden the sound of someone yelling escapes from the mall expensive electronic device with an incredible amount of force. To put it in layman's term it is as though the anime cliché occurs where Aadyn's phone has turned into an industrial fan causing his hair and a portion of clothing to point in a set direction.
"UNLESS IT'S A RANKING MATCH I DON'T CARE, AND DON'T YOU DARE TRY LYING TO ME BECAUSE I CAN CHECK!" the man on the other side of this call screamed, "GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!"
With that the short phone call comes to an end.
"Who was that?" Umi askes as she was so surprised by that yelling such that she's been momentarily knocked out of her sailor-mouthed state of mind.
"The principal, and yes it isn't the first time I've made him that mad." Aadyn explained before suddenly looking at Umi in a guilty manner as though he were a kid caught by his mother with his hand in the cookie jar.
"You have to go?" Umi deduced.
"I'm really really sorry about this." Aadyn declared as he clapped his hands together in a pleading motion before starting to collect his deck.
"Just hand over the cake since that's what I came here for." Umi declared as she held out her hand in front of Aadyn.
"Why would I do that? I agreed to give you the cake if you beat me, and you haven't exactly done that." Aadyn explained, "You could only say this match is unfinished at best or that I resigned at worst."
"Why you?!" Umi grumbled as she pulls back her arm while considering whether or not to slug Aadyn.
"Easy there." Aadyn said as he once again waves his hands in a pleading motion, "I just happen to have the perfect consolation prize for you, and it will definitely be more useful than a momentary sugar rush."
"What exactly are you talking about?" Umi asks when she suddenly notices a small flash drive being tossed towards her, of which she then catches, "Okay….. now what the heck is this?
"A flash drive that you could say will be your magical plot device that'll help you rule your reincarnated life or in Chinese Wuxia stories… be your old grandpa that'll allow you to rule everything that exists under the heavens." Aadyn explained,
Umi then pulls back the arm that has the flash drive in it as she clearly indicates the intent to chuck it across this small forest as though it were a baseball.
"Wait no.. don't!" Aadyn yelled, "That flash drive contains all of the detailed and revised notes that I took during my freshmen year here. I figured studying it would help make up for your clear lack of talent.
Umi then once again pulls back her arm with the intent of slugging Aadyn, but then she suddenly stops once she seriously starts to consider how useful such information would be for her. She then takes a moment to look down at the tiny data storage device in her hands as she contemplates just how to comprehend all of the information that's supposed to be on it (assuming Aadyn isn't trying to pull one over on her).
"Thanks… I guess you dumb…. oh son of a b****!" Umi yelled as she looked up from the flash drive only to discover that Aadyn had disappeared like Batman after a short conversation before yelling at the top of her lungs, "I'll get you back by beating you and your real deck! Even if you graduated before me then I'll just become a pro fighter in order to have another chance at sticking my boot up your a**!"
Then the proverbial camera of the mind's eye changes scenes to show Aadyn hiding behind the front door inside his "log cabin" training space, and he only moves from that spot once he's sure that Umi has left area for fear of revealing his location. Then as you look inside his training space you realize that in actuality it looks like the inside of any other suburban home. It isone large open space separated into a kitchen, a gym with the latest exercise machines, a lounge with a big screen tv, two more of the school's fancy fight tables, a bathroom for both genders with a shower included, and the only thing this interior space lacked was a bedroom. Aadyn then dials a number on his cell phone as he takes a sandwich and a drink out of the fridge in the kitchen.
"Come on…. pick up…. I know you're free right now." Aadyn mumbled as he taps his fingers out of annoyance even though his phone only ringed once.
"Oh… um…. Aadyn…. bad timing to call." Sekai said nervously as he reveals himself to be the one on the other end of this line.
"Don't give me that bull old buddy…. I know you're not busy with any student council work or any of your responsibilities as a top 10 ranker." Aadyn said in a coy yet sarcastic tone.
"I'm… only… the student council president….because of….. your sense of humor." Sekai retorts, "But really…. this is… a bad time."
"Ha ha… sorry… I didn't think that prank was going to blow up the way it did." Aadyn lightly chuckled, "How is my timing bad tough?"
"Press… members… running towards me…. they are." Sekai quickly answered.
"Okay Jedi Master Yoda…. Sorry for bothering you and I'll just leave you to it." Aadyn said in a sarcastically worried tone, "And I see why you recommended her to come to our school….. I got a weird feeling after looking at that card too. You recommending that I fight Umi myself was a good idea after all."
"Get…. Me…. out." Sekai said this time in an urgent fashion rather than a nervous one.
"You'll be fiiiine. Just imagine that you're going through the fight with that Kokuo dude you had yesterday." Aadyn retorts as he immediately hangs up his phone.
But then Aadyn's face turns serious…. For the first time today in fact.
"Still….. what was with that Maiden of Waterpot? I've seen several copies of that card before in person, however with hers I could have sworn for a second that I was looking at not someone in a really good costume but the actual unit herself as though she stepped off the boat from Cray." Aadyn thought, "It can't be Umi's sense of imagination since I'm not getting the same feelings from her other units, so how can this be?"
Then on the other end of that phone line in the middle of the Academy's administrative buildings that wouldn't be out of place in any city's business district, the king of the Academy's metaphorical mountain Sekai Akira is surrounded by members of the press as though he were a large piece of meat before a pack of hungry wolves.
"Um… please…. one at a time…. too many people speaking, so I can't hear…. any of your questions." Sekai said as he nervously tried to and failed to placate the press hounds before him.
"As the participant of the first official Vanguard match of Setsuzoku Academy's semester, we just wanted to get your opinion on it if that is okay?" a male reporter asked as camera shutters continue to go off as though they were chirping birds.
"I'm sorry, but….. what fight?" Sekai retorts as if he were completely confused, "I've had more than one fight that day, so you'll have to be more specific."
"My colleague is referring to the match you had with High School Division 4th ranked freshman Kokuo Rettousei in the Academy's auditorium." a female reporter explained.
"Kokuo… Rettousei? Who's… that?" Sekai asked in a tone that indicated that this was the first time that he heard that name.
The camera shutters and flashes stop as if though the machines that made sensed the silence caused by awkward situation that Sekai's response had generated.
"Ahem…. he's the young man who used King of Future Knights, Alfred II as the ace of his deck." another reporter explained with the intention of breaking the awkwardness of the situation.
"Ohhh.. that guy." Sekai said as if embarrassed for forgetting something so trivial, "My opinion on that fight is still what I said during and after the match itself."
The sounds of camera shutters, camera flashes, and questions from several reporters recommence upon Sekai's answer. The whole situation was really know different than any other celebrity being bothered my members of the media save for one little detail.
"So…. that's what he thinks huh?" Kokuo mumbled as his face was flushed with anger.
By chance Kokuo was walking through the area after spending time in one of the Academy's training facilities when he came across Sekai being surrounded by the press. Wishing to avoid being drawn into the line of question of various reporters, Kokuo had chosen to hide right around the corner of one of the buildings with his back to the wall only to hear everything Sekai had just said about him.
"Damn it!" Kokuo quietly yelled as he slammed his clenched fist against the outer wall of the building he was hiding behind, "So in actuality despite what you said….. you think I'm so weak that I'm not worth remembering?!"
One of the reporters turns his head in the direction where Kokuo was hiding as if he heard the noise the latter generated when he slammed his fist, however he quickly turns his attention back dismissing the minor incident as a figment of his imagination.
"Damn it…. I feel as though I've been slapped across the face!" Kokuo thought, "I swear Sekai Akira…. I will get strong enough to make sure my name is one you'll never forget!"
Meanwhile sometime later, dark clouds and rain are covering the downtrodden neighborhood of a certain city that may or may not be in Japan. A man with a pompadour hairstyle dressed in a full black suit and tie holds up an umbrella with one hand and a brief case in the other as he dares to walk through these streets. This man with his Yakuza appearance scares off any would-be delinquents; however, quickly enough he stops in front of a storefront whose outer appearance for all purposes matches that of a dive bar.
"This should be the place." the man mumbled as he quickly took out a small business card out of his pocket, examined the contents, and put it away.
The man walks inside the apparent "Dive Bar" only to find that the inside looks like the bar of a rich man's version of a Gentlemen's club and not the heavy fan service version. Furthermore the patrons of this establishment are not a bunch of adult rough types with a potential criminal record, but rather there are teenagers of various types all facing each other in cardfights…. that's right…. they're playing Vanguard. The man in the suit walks up to the bartender and presumed manager of this establishment…. namely an old man wearing a black vest and a bowtie.
"Despite the aesthetics…. this establishment only serves non-alcoholic beverages sir." the old bartender said as he was preoccupied with polishing glassware.
"I'm not here to drink with the kiddies." the man in the suit pointed out.
For some reason this seemingly ordinary line catches the attention of the old bartender such that he puts the glass he's polishing to the side, and focuses all of his attention on the Yakuza looking man in a suit.
"Then what are you here for sir?" the old bartender asked as his eyes suddenly started to show an analyzing gaze.
"Some coke." the yakuza looking an answered.
If anyone heavily familiar with the spy genre of movies and books were present….. then they'd be able to recognize that these two are exchanging some form of signs and countersigns with one another.
"Through there then the door at the end of the hall." The old bartender said as he pointed to a door just left of the bar, "These old bones can't lift those heavy crates anymore, so go ahead through and help yourself to whatever you find."
"I'll do that." said the Yakuza looking man.
The Yakuza looking man leaves the old bartender to his job and walks through the aforementioned door, down the hall, through the second door at the end of the hall, and into a ludicrously dark room to the point where the Yakuza dressed man could only barely make out the silhouette of his hand even after his eyes had time to adjust.
"Alright….. carefully move one foot in front of the other….. wouldn't want to trip and land on something sharp." The Yakuza dressed man thought as he did indeed place one foot in front of the other.
The moment the man walked into the center of the dark room (or at least what he believed to be the center of the room) a single light from a lamp hanging off the ceiling suddenly shinned over him, however for some reason this light failed to shine throughout this space… rather it seemed entirely focused on this one man like a spotlight on a stage. Furthermore the already dark space within this room beyond the spotlight looked as though it became a thicker shade of darkness.
"You're not the usual one." said someone who was in the same room of this Yakuza looking man.
If one were listening in person, they'd notice that this unknown figure was using some kind of voice changer as he or she sounded like 2 or 3 people were speaking at the same time with a husky low tone of voice as the base. As for the Yakuza looking man, he was momentarily frightened by this unexpected presence but quickly calms down as he turns his head all over the place to find his new conversation partner.
"Point your head forward and look up." the unknown speaker said as it was annoyed by the opposite party flailing around like a headless chicken.
The Yakuza dressed man looked in the aforementioned direction and all he saw was the rough outline of someone who was definitely human, two shining crimson red eyes upon that same figure, and the fact that the figure was standing 15ft away from him. When one says "shining eyes" normally they're referring to eyes full of life, but in the current situation it can be taken literally…. as in two lightbulbs are on trapped behind a pair of crimson lenses.
"I'll say it again…. you're not the usual guy they send." The crimson eyed figure pointed out.
"That trai… excuse me….. my predecessor recently had his hands caught stealing from the boss's cookie jar, so right now he's living in a freezer until our boss decides what to do with him." The Yakuza dressed man said with blatantly obvious subtext.
"Then what's the job?" the crimson eyed figure said in an annoyed tone.
"Here's half of what would be triple your usual fee and a file of the job." The Yakuza dressed man said as he tossed the suitcase he had towards the crimson-eyed figure, "The rest will only come if you are interested in performing the service we're requesting."
The figure with crimson eyes catches the suitcase, opens it up, and looks inside. Were this room well lit, you'd see that there is a rather significant sum of unmarked non-sequential 100 US dollar bills and a picture of a Japanese style castle nesting upon an island in the center of a certain large lake.
"You want me to hit Setsuzoku Academy?" the figure with crimson eyes said in a suppressed yet somewhat shocked tone of voice, "Doing a job there during their Hell Week….. I'd get caught for sure and triple my usual fee wouldn't be enough even if their infamous Hell Week wasn't going on."
"Our mutual employer said there would be as much on the table as you'd need if triple wasn't enough to convince you, and if you read further you'd find the service our employer is requesting is not to be performed during the timeframe you mentioned. You'd have your opportunity when those 5 pieces of Vanguard history are on that school's campus."
"Five piec-" the figure with crimson eyes was saying when the words of the Yakuza dressed man finally clicked, "Oh… I see… that would certainly work, but our mutual employer normally doesn't ask for my assistance without certain circumstances being set in stone; especially stone dependent of the results of some Vanguard match. I trust you understand the meaning of my tone?"
"Our mutual employer told me to say that there is absolute confidence in Sekai Akira's ability to win the charity exhibition match, but right now all that matters is seeing if you're interested in performing this basic service for us." the yakuza dressed figure said in a cocky tone.
"A master of discreet entrances and exits such as I relish the chance of proving their skills to the world." the figure with crimson eyes said in an equally cocky tone as he continued to read the file that was in the briefcase, "Tell our employer I'll gladly perform this service for him, but I'll need some C4 and a helicopter pilot that won't ask questions."
"Rest assured our employer has made it clear that he'll provide any tools you might need for this request." The yakuza dressed man said as the demonic aura from his conversational counterpart started to get to him.
"Then I… a thief who fights for freedom will send their calling card." the crimson eyed figure declared.
"Ahhhh!" the Yakuza dressed man screamed as the lightbulb above him exploded as though it were a flashbang grenade
In fact the lightbulb exploded exactly like a flashbang grenade causing the man below to be momentarily blinded by the burst of light. Once the Yakuza dressed man could clearly see again he shockingly discovered that this shadowy space has been replaced with a perfectly well-lit storage room filled with a variety of objects from drinks to cases of Vanguard sets, but that in itself is not what's most shocking.
"What the hell….. the case is gone, and…. this room can't be measured right." the yakuza dressed man thought.
He was shocked for three reasons. The figure with crimson eyes was nowhere to be seen, the suitcase containing all of that glorious money was gone as well, and most importantly was the actual size of this storage room. Even though the room was dark the figure with crimson eyes was clearly only 15ft away from the Yakuza dressed man, but now with all the lights on….. It's clear that this storage room there is a very solid and real wall only 10ft away from the messenger of the "Mutual employer". Just how was such an illusion pulled off?
To Be Continued
Kokuo: So that's how you ended up here Umi? Still…. damn it….. Sekai Akira, I will pay you back for this humiliation!
Umi: It's truly not a big deal, and don't pop a f****** blood vessel you dumb***!
Aadyn: Now now…. it's not his fault, but now Umi….. wasn't our musical match such fun?
Umi: Ahem….. Next time onCardfight Vanguard: Setsuzoku Sensō "Hell Week's Flame Suppressing Wind!"
Kisaki: Ohh… you dare to challenge me? Then feel the might of the heavenly winds!
OC Card List
Neo Nectar
"Maiden of" Series
Grade 1
Maiden of Acerolla
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000 Race: Dryad
[AUTO](RC):[Soul Blast 1] When an attack hits a vanguard during the battle that your unit with "Maiden of" in its card name attacked, you may pay the cost. If you do, draw a card, choose a normal unit with "Maiden of" in its card name from your drop zone, return it to your deck and shuffle your deck.
A/N: This card was not created by me, but rather pulled from the Vanguard fanon wiki.
Grade 3
Maiden of Polyantha Rose
Power: 11000 Race: Dryad
[Auto](VC): Secret
[Auto](VC):[Counter Blast 1] When your G-unit with "Maiden of" in its card name stride, you may pay the cost. If you do, check the top 5 cards of your deck, select up to 2 units with "Maiden of" in their card name from among them, call them to (RC), and shuffle your deck.
Lore: Once of many dryad conceived in a region of the Zoo nation also controlled by dryads where the aptly named "Lost Nature" incident occurred when a guild of thieves stole a tree responsible for generating a great deal of nature/life energy in the region. This caused many dryads alive at the site at the time to lose much of their strength and those descended from those dryads to lack talent in magical arts, of which was made worse for Polyantha Rose especially since her talent came from her mother who was only capable enough in the dryad arts to water plants with a special "pot".
She grew up in the United Sanctuary where her mother was assigned to a part of the diplomatic staff in one of the Zoo Embassies there. Many know her sweet child, but the young prince of the United Sanctuary who was later nicknamed after his similarity in appearance to his great ancestor saw her true personality by chance saw her true nature. Due to being accepting of her true personality the young dryad and prince formed a bond of friendship that would last the rest of their lives though for some reason (that is not jealousy) she gets irritated when noble ladies of the United Sanctuary approach her about the prince.
Regardless…. years later when she learned of her friend's time travelling plans…. she quickly took up lessons on the rapier from the leader of the Musketeers and followed the impulsive king into the past both to protect her friend and hopefully stop the disaster that caused her tremendous lack of talent as a dryad.
Symphonius
A/N: The Symphonius is a classical musical orchestra themed clan created by RoxasXSora on the Vanguard fanon wiki. RoxasXSora, should you ever read this…. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I apologize if some or all of the aesthetic descriptions used failed to match the image of your clan that you had in mind. As always if you see a Symphonius card by beta reader forgot to list below in the chapter above please let me know, and I'll take care of it.
The clan's keyterm is Perform, of which works as followed: "Perform" allows units with this ability to use their effects during the opponent's turn. A "Perform" ability is activated when a unit enters the state of performance, which can be given by several cards. If a unit is in performance during the opponent's turn, the ability is activated.
The reminder text for the keyword is (Active if this unit is in performance during your opponent's turn). An ability is denoted as being a "Perform" ability with "preform-" appearing before the ability.
Grade 0
Aspiring Magician, Rick
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000 Race: Elf
[AUTO]:Forerunner (When a unit of the same clan rides this unit, you may call this unit to (RC))
[AUTO](RC) Generation Break 1 (Active if you have one or more face up G units in total on your (VC) or G zone):[Put this unit into your soul] At the start of your opponent's turn, you may pay the cost. if you do, choose one of your rear-guards with the perform ability, it enters performance until end of turn, and draw one card.
Musical Librarian, Lynn (Draw)
Power: 5000 Shield: 5000 Race: Sylph
Refreshing Melody, Flute (Heal)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000 Race: Human
Grade 1
Principal Clarinet, Nora
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000 Race: Human
[AUTO]:[Choose a grade 3 card from your hand, and reveal it] When this unit is placed on (RC) from hand, you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to one grade 3 card with "Bach" in its card name, reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand, shuffle your deck, choose a card from your hand, and discard it.
[CONT](Hand):While you are paying the cost for Stride, this card gets grade+2.
Verdant Jazz, Oona
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000 Race: Human
[AUTO](RC)[1/Turn] Generation Break 1When your vanguard is attacked, choose up to one of your units in performance, it leaves performance,and your vanguard gets (Power)+2000 until end of that battle.
Perform-[AUTO](RC)(Active if this unit is in performance during your opponent's turn):When this unit enters performance, if you have a Sylph vanguard, draw a card.
Grade 2
Aquatic Operetta, Adella
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000 Race: Mermaid
Perform-[CONT](RC)(Active if this unit is in performance during your opponent's turn ):This unit gets (Power)+3000 for each of your face up G Guardian.
[AUTO](RC):When your G Guardian is placed on (GC), choose up to one of your units, and it enters performance until end of turn.
Golden Sount, Trumpet
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000 Race: Human
[AUTO](RC) Generation Break 1 (This ability is active if you have one or more face up G units in total on your (VC) or G zone):[Counter Blast (1)] When this unit attacks a vanguard, if this unit is boosted, you may pay the cost. If you do, draw one card, and this unit gets "[AUTO](RC): At the start of your opponent's turn, this unit enters performance until end of turn. This ability is then lost."
Perform-[CONT](RC)(Active if this unit is in performance during your opponent's turn):This unit gets "[CONT]:(VC/RC/GC)Resist(This unit cannot be chosen by the effects of your opponent's cards)."
Principal Trumpet, Zack
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000 Race: Human
[AUTO](RC) Generation Break 1:[Counter Blast (1) & Soul Blast (1)] When this unit is placed on (RC), if you have a grade 3 or greater vanguard with "Bach" in its card name, you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to one card with "Heal" from your deck, reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand, shuffle your deck, and this unit gets (Power)+2000 until end of turn.
Perform-[AUTO](RC)(Active if this unit is in performance during your opponent's turn ):When this unit enters performance, choose up to one of your other units, and it enters performance until end of turn.
Grade 3
Grand Conductor, Bach
Power: 11000 Race: Human
[AUTO](VC) Generation Break 2 (Active if you have two or more face up G units in total on your (VC) or G zone):[Soul Blast (1) & choose 3 cards with "Heal" from your drop zone, and put them on the bottom of your deck in any order] When this unit is attacked by your opponent's vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose a face up G Guardian in your G zone, and call it to (GC).
[AUTO](VC):[Counter Blast (1)] During your turn, when your G unit [Stride], you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to one card with "Heal" from your deck, reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand, and shuffle your deck.
Grand Conductor, Wolfgang
Power: 11000 Race: Human
[CONT](VC) Generation Break 1:During your turn, this unit gets (Power)+3000 for each face up card in your G zone.
[AUTO]:[Soul Blast (1)] When this unit is placed on (VC),you may pay the cost. If you do, choose up to one card from your hand, call it to (RC), choose one of your units, and it gets (Power)+5000 until end of turn.
Grade 4
Heavenly Melody, Flute
Shield: 15000 Race: Human
[G guardian] (Usable when both fighters' vanguards are grade 3 or greater, and the number of face up G guardians in your G zone if three or less)-Opponent Turn's Guard Step-[Choose a card with "Heal" from your hand, and discard it] Call this card to your (GC) from face down.
[AUTO]:When this placed on (GC), choose up to one of your rear-guards with the perform ability, and it enters performance until end of turn. If you do, this unit gets (Shield)+5000 until end of that battle.
Tempo Setter, Andante
Shield: 15000 Race: Workeroid
[G guardian] (Usable when both fighters' vanguards are grade 3 or greater, and the number of face up G guardians in your G zone if three or less)-Opponent Turn's Guard Step-[Choose a card with "Heal" from your hand, and discard it] Call this card to your (GC) from face down.
[AUTO]:[Soul Blast (1)]When this unit is placed on (GC), you may pay the cost. If you do, choose up to one of your opponent's rear-guards, it loses boost boost until end of turn.
Legendary Conductor, Gershwin
Power: 15000+ Race: Human
[Stride] (Released when both players' vanguards are grade 3 or greater!)-Stride Step-[Choose one or more cards with the sum of their grades being 3 or greater from your hand, and discard them] Stride this card on your (VC) from face down.
[ACT](RC)[1/Turn] Generation Break 2:[Choose a face down card named "Legendary Conductor, Gershwin" from your G zone, and turn it face up] Your rear-guards enter performance until the end of your opponent's next turn, choose up to one of your rear-guards, and it gets "Perform-[CONT](RC)(Active if this unit is in performance during your opponent's turn ):Your vanguard gets (Power)+2000 until end of your opponent's next turn.