Co-Written with Azure King and Azure Queen

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Chapter 2: Ride, Holy Disaster Dragon

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

Both the nameless boy and Kourin flipped their face down cards. Both of them revealed to be young girls with bright red hair tied into twin buns hidden beneath a light blue hat. Her attire consisting of a white short sleeved shirt, elbow long gloves, and shorts were of the same color. Petite, feathered wings sprouted from her back as a trumpet and red cover book were in either of her hand. Both shouted out the name of their units.

As the images faced up, the glass diorama between them glowed to life. Rather than the empty space it was before, it was now a light gray, rocky landscape with bright, green foliage laid out in patches near the edge of the area. Above the terrain was a clear, but sky with transparent images of the cosmos on the Horizon.

"Stardust Trumpeter!"

"Stardust Trumpeter!"

Stardust Trumpeter-Grade 0/Power: 5000/ Shield: 10000

"I see, so you chose Royal Paladin." The blonde female mused. "Since this is your first time playing, do you mind if I go first to show you how it's done?"

"I'm fine with that." The boy nodded.

"Very well, then, I draw."

Nameless Boy-Kourin

5-Hand-6

0-Soul-1

0-Damage-0

Empty/Empty-Empty/Empty

Empty/Stardust Trumpeter-Stardust Trumpeter/Empty

Empty/Empty-Empty/Empty

Kourin drew the top card of her deck and placed it into her hand. "I'll be explaining the rules as we go. At the start of your turn, you draw one card from your deck. And after that, you select one card that is one grade higher than the one currently in the vanguard circle, that's the red one…" She pointed it out to him. "…and you place the selected card on top of it. Like this: I ride Little Sage, Marron!"

She placed the card over Stardust Trumpeter. In a flash of light, the petite, feminine figure was replaced by a taller one. The one who stood now was a young male with short blonde hair and red framed glasses, dressed in a set of blue robes and a hat. In his hands was a dark blue tome. However, the face and body of Marron changed after entering the field. The body became feminine with visible curves and the face now resembled Kourin's.

Little Sage, Marron-Grade 1/Power: 8000/Shield: 5000

"After you ride, you can call forth more units that are the same grade as or lower than that of your vanguard. Allow me to demonstrate, I call Starlight Unicorn!" The placed another card into the circle behind Marron. Another pillar of light formed before revealing a white unicorn with a rainbow mane and horn.

Starlight Unicorn-Grade 1/Power: 7000/Shield: 5000

"After you call your rearguards, the next step would be the attack step. However, since this is the first turn, I cannot attack. So I will end my turn." Kourin explained as she let the boy carry on.

"Thank you. I draw." The boy drew his own card.

Nameless Boy-Kourin

6-Hand-4

0-Soul-1

0-Damage-0

Empty/Empty-Empty/Empty

Empty/Stardust Trumpeter-Little Sage, Marron/Empty

Empty/Empty-Empty/Empty

"A Grade 1 is next so…" He took the card to the far left and placed it on top of Stardust Trumpeter. "I ride Young Pegasus Knight." The winged girl was soon replaced by a young male clad in golden armor, riding atop of a white stallion with wings. The face of the male on top of the stallion changed to resemble the nameless boy's. "Next, I call one Little Sage Marron." He placed the car to the circle right of the Vanguard. "And now…I attack….How does that work exactly?" He asked.

"When you attack, you turn the attacking card to the side. Cards in the front row are able to attack while cards in the back row act as support. You commence your attack by turning the card to its side." Kourin explained.

"Okay." The boy nodded and placed his hand on the Marron card before turning it sideways. "I attack your Vanguard with Marron."

The blonde mage opened his tome and extended his hand as a magic circle appeared. From the circle shot out a bright light aimed at Kourin.

"When an attack occurs, you are able to defend against it, or let it proceed. If you want to block it, just select the cards in your hand that have a number on the left side of the image and place it in the middle of the mat, or the Guardian Circle. The attack is blocked if the shield used is greater than the attacking power. Let me demonstrate. I guard with Bringer of Good Luck, Epona!"

Just before the blast struck Kourin, a young girl wearing blue armor riding on top of a giant golden beetle intercepted the attack, taking the hit instead. Upon impact, the girl dispersed into blue particles.

"So…do you have a grasp of things so far?" Takuto asked the boy.

The nameless teen nodded. "So far yes." He turned his attention back to the fight. "Now with Young Pegasus Knight I attack your Vanguard."

"But first, let me explain what happens when you attack with your vanguard." Kourin interjected before he could commence his move. "When you attack with your vanguard, you turn over the top card of your deck, a step known as the drive trigger. And if that card has a symbol that's colored yellow, red, blue, or green, then it's a trigger. The basic effect is that triggers as 5000 power to the attacking power of any unit you choose, while the different color indicates different abilities. For example, the color yellow indicates a critical trigger, meaning that your attacking unit can cause one more damage in addition to their attack. Blue indicates a stand trigger; with it, you are able to stand one rested unit and attack again if the unit you chose to stand is in the front row. This cannot be used for the vanguard. Red indicates Draw Triggers. With them, you are able to draw an extra card. Finally, there are the green heal triggers. If an attack is successful, the damaged player turns over the top card of the deck in accordance to how many damages they have received from a single attack and places it into the damage zone." She gestured to the rectangle area on the left edge of the board. "If the number of damage you have is greater than your opponent's you are able to heal one damage point. The fighter loses if they possess six damage."

"I see…so the main objective is to maintain a strong offensive while maintaining a sturdy defense." The boy realized.

"In layman terms, yes. Now, continue."

"R-right. With Young Pegasus Knight, I attack your Marron." He turned the card to the side.

Kourin looked at her hand then onto the field. "No guard."

"Now, Drive trigger check!" He turned the top card of his deck over.

Weapons Dealer, Govannon-Grade 0/Power: 5000/Shield: 5000-Draw Trigger.

"Draw Trigger. I add the 5000 power to my Young Pegasus Knight and I draw."

In the arena, Young Pegasus Knight flew in with his sword raised. He swung down and slashed the opposing Marron across the chest.

Kourin turned over the top card of her deck. "Damage Check."

Knight of Silence, Galatin-Grade 2/Power: 10000/ Shield: 5000

She moved the card over to the damage zone.

"I end my turn." Shiro said.

"Then it's my move. Stand and Draw."

Nameless Boy-Kourin

5-Hand-5

1-Soul-1

0-Damage-1

Empty/Empty-Empty/Empty

Empty/Young Pegasus Knight-Little Sage, Marron/Empty

Empty/Little Sage, Marron-Empty/Empty

"I ride, Knight of Harp, Tristan." Kourin laid another card on top of her vanguard.

Knight of Harp, Tristan-Grade 2/Power: 9000/ Shield: 5000

In a pillar of blue light, the blonde sage transformed into a taller figure clad in gray armor with gold trimmings and a blue cape. His dark silver hair was in a neat bowl-cut, and his golden eyes were fierce. In his hands was a gleaming sword.

"Now I call Flogal and Wingal to the rearguard!" Kourin shouted as she felt proud to fight against this kid.

Flogal-Grade 0/Power: 5000/Shield: 10000-Stand Trigger

Wingal-Grade 1/Power: 6000/ Shield: 5000

"I attack with Tristan! The female version of Tristan charges with a smirk.

"No need for a guard!" The boy spoke.

"Drive check…Critical Trigger…" The older female struck at the Pegasus riding teen with added ferocity

The boy winces as he actually felt pain from the attack. "Checking for a damage trigger…nothing." He said showing Marron to the damage zone. "Second check...nothing." He placed Gallatine next to his previous card. Even though he had taken another damage point, the boy couldn't help but smile. He didn't know why…but feelings of excitement and enjoyment were coursing through him as the battle went on.

Kourin looks at the animal of the Royal Paladin's and nod, "I attack with Wingal supported by Flogal for a total of 11000!"

Power: 6000+5000=11000

"Arg, guard with Elaine!" The boy pleads as beautiful woman with green hair and fairy wings appeared causing the dogs of the Paladins to stop from hurting her.

Shield: 7000+10000=17000

Kourin gave him a small smile as she notice his way of playing was very adaptive and strong… "Your turn…"

Nameless Boy-Kourin

4-Hand-4

1-Soul-1

2-Damage-1

Empty/Empty-Wingal/Flogal

Empty/Young Pegasus Knight- Knight of Harp, Tristan /Empty

Empty/Little Sage, Marron-Empty/Empty

The boy nodded as he took his next card. He studied the image and text on the card, debating if he should use it next or not. "…Blaster…Blade…"

However, shock overwhelmed him as various images suddenly flooded his line of sight. When he came to, instead of the confined space within the shop, he was standing in an expanse, rocky field.

"Th-this…this looks just like…" He recognized this place. It was the same area displayed in the machine. The ground from Cray. He was unsure if it was his mind playing tricks on him…this feeling…his body…was trembling from excitement and…satisfaction?

Before he could process what these meant, another figure materialized beside him. It was the humanoid figure from the card he held earlier: Blaster Blade.

"But…how is this…?" His question hung as it went unanswered. The swordsman said nothing. But he smiled and nodded at the nameless boy.

Before the anonymous teen would respond, his vision was blinded by rushing images once more. When he came to, he had returned to inside of the store. "Wh-what…?"

"Is something wrong?" Kourin asked from the other side. The boy looked at her and shook his head. However, off to the sides, Takuto's lips curled upward in a genuine smile.

The boy looked back to the card in his hand. Without noticing himself, he let out a small grin. He suddenly raised it above his head slowly… "Fight by my side and defeat all that dares to go against the side of justice, Rise up, BLASTER BLADE!" The boy sees the arena was covered in blue light as man wearing white armor with glowing blue runes all over it stood up holding a heavy white sword and smiles. Soon the boy's dark hair cover the left side of Blaster Blade as his facial features were next to appear. As his new form appeared, the boy felt satisfaction and invigoration well up from within him. Things were getting interesting.

Blaster Blade-Grade 2/Power: 9000/Shield: 5000

"Blaster Blade?" Kourin whispers as the boy flipped two cards in his damage zone.

"Counter-Blast! By doing this I can retire one of your rearguards! Exit, Wingal!" The no name teen shouts as Blaster Blade stabs the ground with his blade allowing pale blue lightning to attack the dog. Its body dismissed in blue particles. "I call Wingal to Blaster's side and also Knight of Harp, Tristan in the front but Marron moves back to be his booster!"

"Wow!" Rekka spoke in awe at the boy's strategy and his confidence. "Suiko isn't he amazing?"

"Indeed, I never have seen Kourin also smiling this much either. It's like he has this aura that makes others rise to the challenge…" The blue haired female said as the no named boy started to attack!

"Alright let's do this! With the support of Marron, Tristan is going to attack Tristan with 16000!" The sage closes his eyes as Tristan fencing sword glowing blue powered up with magical energy. He jumps high into the air as the man suddenly saw the same green haired woman protecting his own vanguard. He redirects the attack to the side and falls to the ground to prevent hurting the young lass.

Power: 9000+7000=16000

"Sorry but Elaine guards against that!" Kourin smirked. The boy just grinned in response.

Shield: 9000+10000=19000

"Boosted by Wingal, and due to his skill, when he boosts Blaster Blade, he gets additional 4000. Now Blaster Blade is going at your Vanguard at 19000!"

Power: 9000+6000+4000=19000

Kourin looks at her hand as she thought hard about this…she needs cards for the last part of the game… "No guard!"

"Drive check!" The boy shows his card which was Future Knight, Llew! "I got a Critical! All effects to my avatar! Blaster Slash Attack!" The Knight nods as he charges the fellow knight before slashing him across the chest!

Power: 19000+5000=24000 Critical: 2

Kourin looks at the cards as she only got a stand and critical triggers, "Damn, I could have used these on my next turn."

"I end my turn." The boy said as Kourin drew her next card…

Nameless Boy-Kourin

3-Hand-3

2-Soul-2

2-Damage-3

Empty/Empty-Wingal/Flogal

Wingal/Blaster Blade- Knight of Harp, Tristan /Empty

Little Sage, Marron/ Knight of Harp, Tristan -Empty/Empty

Kourin smiles as she started her turn, "I ride Crimson Butterfly, Brigitte!" A knight with red dazzling butterfly wings fly to the arena as Blaster Blade prepared to guard.

Crimson Butterfly, Brigitte-Grade 3/Power: 10000

"I call another Knight of Sword, Tristan and lastly two Marron's to the rearguard to support them! Wingal and Flogal will attack Blaster Blade! Then also Tristan with Marron's help!"

Power: 16000

"No guard!"

The Knight braced himself as Tristan stabs the blade in the chest of Blaster Blade and the bite of Wingal on his shoulder! The kid grabs his chest feeling the pain as well before Kourin started to attack again! "Brigitte is coming next! And when a Grade 3 Vanguard attacks it can perform a twin drive!"

"Twin drive…?" The dark haired teen spoke in slight fright. Now the opponent had twice the chance of pulling a trigger. He held his breath before sighing in relief as he saw Kourin pull a card to show no triggers. "Ah…"

"Well, thankfully twin drives allow another chance to pull another card! And look…" Kourin smiles as she drew Epona! "Critical and power to my vanguard!"

Power: 22000 Critical: 2

"…No.." The nameless teen gasped knowing that the last made him go at four damage and this critical was going to finish it…"no…no…no…NO!" He didn't know what stirred up such feelings of despair…but he felt that it was ….wrong for him to lose like this. The others looked at him from the sides.

"Hey…doesn't it look like that he's….scared to lose?" Rekka whispered. Suiko and Takuto remained silent. But the wondered why the boy would be feeling this way.

The boy continued to panic as he felt the impending loss. Suddenly the young man eyes saw a quiet silver sandy beach. He wondered what had happened again…but then he heard something behind him. He turned around and saw…The Royal Paladins looking at him. Some he had already witnessed and others he didn't. At the front of the group, Blaster Blade gave him a kind smile, "Please…trust us my young friend…"

"Huh?"

The vision fades away, bringing him back to his fight against Kourin. The boy looks at his damage zone to see…the sixth damage to be a Heal trigger…he smiled as Kourin smiled at his luck, "In Vanguard there is no certain victory or defeat…" She then attacked with Wingal boosted by Flogal.

Power: 12000

But the boy used Llew to defend against it. Finally, it was his turn.

"Stand and Draw…"

Nameless Boy-Kourin

3-Hand-2

2-Soul-3

5-Damage-3

Empty/Empty-Wingal/Flogal

Wingal/Blaster Blade- Crimson Butterfly, Brigitte / Little Sage, Marron

Little Sage, Marron/ Knight of Harp, Tristan - Knight of Harp, Tristan / Little Sage, Marron

The unidentified teen drew his next card. "…This is…" His eyes light up with hope as he raised the card, feeling it will help him… "For a light to shine bright on to this dragon it becomes the spear tip for enemy's disasters, riding towards the battle field, I ride Holy Disaster Dragon!" Blaster Blade yells as power course through his veins and a flash of lightning hit the field. In the sky was a beautiful, yet dangerous dragon with blue and gold armor with lightning dancing around him! "…Please lend me your strength!"

Holy Disaster Dragon-Grade 3/Power: 10000

The nameless teen smiled as he turned the cards in the center column horizontally, "With Wingal's support my Dragon is going to finish this!"

"I guard with Epona and Knight of Silence, Gallatin! Tristan intercepts!"

Shield: 10000+10000+5000+5000=30000

Shiro smiles as he knows the shield's amount, "…Well, someone's scared…"

"Better to be safe than sorry." Kourin simply said as the boy nodded.

"Twin Drive Check…Critical Trigger and…YES! Another critical!" Kourin smirked, knowing that if she can intercept with one of her other units; he would have to use the effects on his other rearguards. And by doing that, she'd be able to block the next attack with the 10000 shield in her hand and stay safe. "All power and effects will go to my Dragon!"

Power: 10000+6000+5000+5000=26000 Critical: 3

"Huh?" The three girls looked on in confusion. But the boy in the tablet only smiled knowingly.

"Why would I do this you ask? It may be true that most would give the effects to others, but my dragon is going to power up! I discard one Royal Paladin card from my hand to the drop zone and give him another boost!" The boy announced as the monster the monster roars charging at the crimson knight!

Power: 26000+5000=31000 Critical: 3

"She's done…even if she pulls a heal trigger it would only have to be on the sixth damage since she made the young man take to five already meaning the effects wouldn't work…Not to mention he still has another attack to go and she may not be able to handle it…"

Kourin grits her teeth as she checks all three damage…

Wingal-Grade 1/Power: 6000/Shield: 5000

Little Sage, Marron-Grade 1/Power: 7000/Shield: 5000

Crimson Butterfly Brigitte-Grade 3/Power:10000

"No triggers…"

"…I…won?" The nameless teen could only stare at his cards in shock. He….had actually won?

"Congratulations!" Takuto smiled on the screen. Both teens turned to face the tablet. "You did well in your first fight, against Kourin no less."

"Indeed. That was an impressive move back there. A bit risky, but impressive." The blonde gave a small smile.

"Th-thank you." The boy gave a short bow in gratitude. His mind was still preoccupied by what had happened. He…wasn't sure what to feel. But that fight….that fight was…fun. He was actually smiling.

"I see you enjoyed your fight." Takuto noticed the boy's smile.

"Mm." He nodded. But then he remembered what they talked about before. "…I'm sorry, but I still do not remember anything."

"I see…well, this is troubling. We can't just leave you alone like this…." The white haired boy pressed a finger to his chin in thought. After a moment, his eyes brightened in realization.

"I know. For now…why don't you remain with the girls?"

This sudden proclamation caused the four living beings present to freeze in shock. Him…stay with them? Was…was this okay?"

"Well, given the current circumstances, it wouldn't just do to leave you alone….And you still don't remember your name, is that correct?"

The boy nodded.

"Hmm…Well then, how about I give you a name? It would be best to do so for now until you recall your identity."

The stranger looked in confusion while the girls looked in understanding. None of them recalled their past's ether. It was Takuto who found the four of them and gave them their names. He was the one who gave them these lives. It would be doing a favor to the boy.

"I..I accept."

"Very well. How does the name…Shiro sound?"

"Shiro…?"

"It means white in Japanese. In a way, the name is like you. Your past is blank like the color white. And empty slate…just waiting to be filled with life and color from all the things that will happen by your choices... What do you say…?" The young boy looked at the stranger expectantly. Kourin, Suiko, and Rekka looked on as well. They were curious for the boy's answer. But given the situation, there was no doubt what the result will be.

The teen…didn't know what to say. In the span of hours…he went from having nothing to having a name and a family…? This…this was all surreal. But nevertheless, he accepted the offer.

"…I accept."

"Great. Your name will be Shiro Tatsunagi from now on. Welcome to the family, Shiro."

"Thank you…for everything Takuto-san." Shiro nodded.

"You're welcome. Although, given that you don't have much background information, you may need an occupation to fill up your records."

"Occupation…records…?"

"Yes. It will be troublesome if police encounter you, and you have no past or background to pull from. This will make them suspicious and…I rather not get too into the details."

The boy didn't know why….but his body shuddered from the grim expression Takuto gave him and what he was just told. So he nodded.

"Good. Then as of this moment…you are the official bodyguard of Ultra-Rare. Girls, please treat him kindly." The girls responded by nodding. In a way, the job as their bodyguard worked. This way, they could keep an eye on him.

"Ultra…Rare…?"

"Yes. It is the idol group that Kourin, Suiko, and Rekka are a part of."

"Idol…group…?" His brow furrowed in confusion while the others just stared at him blankly. Suiko nearly dropped the tablet in her shock.

….They had a lot of work to do with this one.

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Meanwhile, while the newly named Shiro was inducted to the Tatsunagi family, other fighters across the city were having their own activities.

Time had passed since the conversation between Shiro and the others, and the sun was now descending onto the horizon.

A young male was seated on a bed of his bedroom. He was young, around 16 or 17 years old. But he was a tall, handsome individual with a pale complexion. His black hair framed his face while his bangs were parted to the side. His piercing red eyes were locked onto the wall opposite of him, rather, a single object resting on the desk opposite of him. He was clad in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants as he spoke into his cell phone.

"Yeah I'm fine. My parents' friends are good folks. I'll stay here for the year before returning. Thanks again for telling me I should travel a bit to get...her out of my mind…"

"…"

"No actually I'm thinking of playing Vanguard again...it's like someone is waiting for to play with them...

"…"

"Yeah saw you later man. Tell Charla's folks I'm fine too..." The boy smiled before hanging up. He took the phone away from his ear, his smile falling into a solemn frown. With a sigh, he continued to stare at the framed photo across from him.

It was a picture perfect moment of him and a beautiful woman with short, black hair and freckles. Both of them were holding onto a single Vanguard card and faced the camera.

"…I'm sorry…Charla…"

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Meanwhile, in the courtyard of a nearby school, a young woman was approaching the gates on her way home. If words were to describe her, it would be: Cool beauty. She strode on with confidence. Her medium-length, dark indigo hair was tied up into a ponytail, with several bangs covering her forehead and strand bangs covering her cheeks. Her school uniform consisted of an open black blazer and buttoned shirt that revealed her well-endowed bust size, a skirt that fell above her knees, and black socks. But as she walked, her lips were curled upwards in a mischievous grin as her fellow students, but male and female, passed by her. Her amber eyes moved left and right, liking what she saw. "Hehehe…time to play…"

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Much later in the dead of night, a single individual was present within the same school. She was still clad in her school uniform, but had a blanket draped over her shoulders. Her black hair was hidden beneath the blanket, but fell freely down to her hips with her bangs parted in the middle, framing her face. In her hands was a steaming mug of hot chocolate. She took a sip of the steaming liquid, letting the sweetness and warmth envelop her sense of taste. Her amber eyes stared through the window of the clubroom she was in. Her attention was focused on the full moon's shine. As she watched, she wondered if there were other people who were watching this marvelous sight as well. Her eyes shimmered for less than a second as she wondered…what adventures will be waiting for her soon…?

To Be Continued…

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Next Time:

Shiro vs Nero…The Assault of the Battle Sisters!