Intro: Please advise that this story has bloodshed so you have been warned. Not that gory tho but still for those who aren't prepared.
Disclaimer: I do not own Touken Ranbu and Cardfight! Vanguard and other material which came from the said Game/Anime, they are owned by its original creators. The making of this story and this story is made for the fans and the writer XD. Although the plot and some changes in the story are from me ^_^.
Chapter 82: The battle at Toba
While scouting the last location where they are at right now, from a distance Aichi noticed a familiar figure although thinking maybe tiredness has gotten to him he tries to pin point who could it be upon realizing who "Eh?" he muttered thinking it was a trick but he could understand without a doubt who the silhouette is "Ren… San…?" his jaws gaped at the confusion, in front of them is an enemy he didn't think of coming to the past, Ren Suzugamori.
"Are you sure Aichi-sama?" Kasen, who cannot believe of what he was hearing looked straight to the direction that Aichi is facing trying to make out of the silhouette at the far back, upon inspection Kasen's expression turns dark but the question is "How?"
"Aren't we the only ones who can travel in time?" Hakata asks denying the possibility.
"I hope this is just some form of ruse or our eyes playing at us." Hachisuka said truly bothered by this discovery.
"With that Mysterious Masked individual as our enemy I doubt that anything could be impossible even on their end." Taroutachi pointed out.
"It could be possible that what we can do is something that they could also do." Tonbokiri added.
"If it is indeed him, then it's best we be careful at this battle." Kogitsunemaru directed since because of this it seems that this knowledge has clouded their judgment at the confusion in front of them, especially Aichi at this part since he is the most surprised.
As if noticing their presence the said silhouette tilted his head slowly shifting it to where they are located surprising the team "I've been feeling like I am being stared at." At that point it was confirmed by the voice and face that it was indeed Ren Suzugamori.
"Has our location been found?" Tonbokiri readies his Yari in case of an attack from behind making the others prepare as well.
Examining the body language of Ren in front of them the team become wary of their surroundings and are unable to move first, because the one who will make the first move will start the attack and will most likely show their location.
Still looking at the direction they are at they cannot make a judgment of what to do next, was he looking directly at them or was he just playfully looking at this way knowing how eccentric of a person he is they are having a difficulty understanding their situation. And when they think of letting down their guard Ren smiles.
At that instant Aichi knew he knows where they are as if instinct kept them safe Aichi hastily pulled up a talisman behind them to form a barrier where a bolting Uchigatana's attack was deflected by the barrier surprising everyone, letting out a howl the enemy Uchigatana reveals their location to the other enemies.
"This has turned out in a way we did not expect." Taroutachi calls out Aichi's attention for him to pull away the barrier as he waves his sword to attack the enemy to finish it off.
"A very inelegant way of attacking but… At least fall in battle with elegance!" out of nowhere Kasen swings his sword to his side to deflect an attack where an enemy Tantou behind it shows up as Hachisuka comes in for the kill "I'll cut you down!" as Kasen also finishes off the enemy in front of him.
"It seems our location has been revealed captain." Hachisuka spoke waiting for orders.
"Wait." Aichi calls out their attention "Look around."
The toudans as instructed looked around the area surprising them that none of the enemies in front have attacked them yet.
"Is this some kind of welcome attack?" Hakata said.
"It seems to be more like a surprise attack." Tonbokiri corrected.
"In a sense it can be called both." Hachisuka added.
"I have this feeling that we are being invited forward." Taroutachi spoke that shattered the comical atmosphere and brings them back to reality. What mostly made them snap back is how Ren is now slowly walking towards them.
"What do you call this again? Sortie? Battle field? Front lines?" he remarks on their purpose on coming too though they are confused of his ditzy way of asking, was it a façade or is this real? One thing is for sure though just his presence overwhelms them because of the negative area surrounding him.
"Why are you here?" Is Aichi's question that stopped Ren from moving forward.
Giving out a small chuckle "An amusing question." Ren was right, he could have asked how he was able to come here or something else and instead he headed straight to the point "I just wanted to see what so great about being a Saniwa."
"Is it because they are able possess supernatural ability that surpasses logic." He pulls out black talisman in front of him and playfully swirling it around using his hands alerting Aichi and the six toudans "Be able to travel to the past…" The black talismans writing lit up showing that is has fire elements imbued "… and so on and so fort." he raises both his hands as if as if saying to look around "Enough that 'he' acknowledges your strength as a Saniwa." The black talismans that was imbued with fire element burst out flame that reaches them faster than they expected.
"Don't move away or I won't be able to protect you all!" Aichi commanded waving his hands upfront as the talismans that were behind them move to their front shielding them from the attack. Because of the amount of power that the black talisman are emitting the talismans little by little are starting to tear up. If it receives anymore then they would receive the attack. At that moment Aichi understood that Ren as a Saniwa could be strong since he is not sure if he is given the power or if it is his own.
Trying to compose himself he inspects the area "Everyone! Disperse and defeat the enemy retrograde army, leave Ren to me and do not approach, be careful and don't let your guard down. Wait for my signal…" he muttered the last words enough for the six toudans to hear his words. "Go!"
Upon signal Aichi angled the barriers position so the attack would go up while the toudans scattered slicing enemies on their path, when they have successfully fled he too moved out of the way with poor Konnosuke hanging on his shoulders for dear life, the raging flames continued on even defeating its fellow Retrograde Armies. 'As expected.' he thought that Ren won't even think of them as allies was correct.
In a hasty comeback Aichi is already aiming his bow at Ren's direction, imbued with a wind talisman he rapidly fired one and then another one with water properties towards Ren, but of course Ren was able to also use a barrier of his own surprising Aichi but Aichi has a trick up his sleeves the water attribute arrow he fired was arrow rain, meaning upon impact from the barrier that Ren made it separates and curved around the barrier like a homing arrows with the intent of hitting its target.
Taken aback by this attack all Ren could do was dodge and uses a new barrier to save himself from the impact "So you have tricks up your sleeves…" but before he could compose himself an attack was already lunging at him, pushing him back kneeling for support from the heavy impact of the attack making Ren groan.
"Ren-san you shouldn't be here!" Aichi shouted. Taking an arrow from behind him he places it onto the bow slowly pulling its strings while waiting for his answer.
He smiles "Why can't I be here?" flicking his hands 5 talismans formed into a circle lighting up showing fire attributes it blasts another flame with Aichi being its target.
"That's because this is not something to diminutive!" Aichi releases the arrows piercing through the fire forming steam, the arrow was imbued with talisman with water attributes easily piercing through Ren's attack destroying the talisman that made it in the process.
"Ren-san please go back to the present, this has nothing to do with you." Aichi lowers his weapon trying to talk Ren out of it and persuade him to go back. Although he knew it would be impossible but it won't hurt to try, besides Ren does answer him, maybe he could get something out of their conversation.
"What about you? Aren't you also the same?" Ren places a hand on his side while continuing to speak "I mean you being here with that kind of ability? Aren't you already a walking irregularity?"
Aichi was shaken up by the question while Ren continued "Didn't you think that with you being here will get them in trouble? With that kind of ability it may alarm something powerful and you maybe not be able to do anything about it." Ren stopped as he saw Aichi's eyes widen he was reminded of the time when he was pushed by the Temporal Pressure.
Ren is amused seeing Aichi in disarray "If it were only the Touken Danshis I can very well see that they can handle everything on their own. With you here is practically like you are calling out to powerful enemy to attack your party." Still pushing him he continues on "You could endanger them you know. You shouldn't be here."
Aichi's shoulder with the injury felt heavy all of a sudden "I…" Aichi tried to speak, but it wasn't because he can't but he chose not to, his powers does indeed attracts the enemy more because they think he is useful for their plans. Also there is the Kebiishi that are still mysterious and according to Kon they seem to be powerful and dealing with them could be a problem. They are still unknown to them. Ren smiles while watching Aichi being eaten by despair.
"Aichi-sama!" A voice shouted calling out Aichi's attention which it did work.
Finding the owner of the voice it turned out to be Kogitsunemaru "Aichi-sama! I know this is impudent for me to say this but please stop listening to him!" an Uchigatana appears from his side but he was successfully able to parry it and slashes the enemy on its stomach.
"That is right Aichi-sama! Please believe in yourself more!" Taroutachi using his Ootachi was being pushed back by 3 Tantou that is blocking its attack, tightening his grip putting his foot behind he pushes them with force, after the enemies were sent flying he swinging again to the other side to defeat them.
"Surely Aichi-sama you aren't going to be beaten by them right?! Don't worry we have your back!" Hakata helps Taroutachi from behind cutting down an enemy Tantou who is targeting the defenseless Taroutachi.
Lowering down his head Ren see Aichi being broken slowly with words from him, Ren knew that the corruption is still consuming him and hoping that with this it will fully corrupt him, finally his goal and the masked man's goal will be complete "See, even you have nothing to do here." Ren chuckled.
"Aichi-sama!" Kasen calls out his name jumping away from an attack "I trust that you wouldn't put us in danger, that's why please do not falter!"
Piercing an enemy that Kasen was in a surprise for, Tonbokiri thrust his Yari piercing the enemy with Kasen dealing the final blow "Aichi-sama! I am sure that even if we are to be pitted with a powerful enemy, we know that you will lead us to victory!" Tonbokiri said.
"Aichi-sama! The battles are far from over, at the least see it through to the end and then decide!" pushing forward Hachisuka slashes toward an incoming enemy.
Konnosuke puts a paw on the still lowered head of Aichi's cheek "Aichi …"
Aichi smiles "Finally…" Ren lowers down his guard seeing this smile from his position he knew they didn't get through to him and he is now corrupted.
But that is what he misunderstood, Aichi lifts up his head and indeed he was smiling but they were not from corruption, with eyes full of determination as if Ren's words didn't affect him even once "That's right! I choose this path! And I understand how heavy it is." raising up his bow he swiftly took an arrow and shot it towards where Ren is "…but there is something I am sure of, that they have my back and I as their master will protect them and together we will get stronger!"
The toudans smiled seeing their master was alright with Konnosuke wagging his tail also, but Ren who has now an annoyed expression on his face was caught off guard was grazed at his legs by the attack ripping his pants and winces from the pain when he dodged Aichi's attack.
As if answering from his resolve his arm glowed showing a red talisman that appeared from where the injury is, slowly the talisman peeled off of his shoulder and floated to his side, when it stopped it shone so bright blinding everyone then surprising them as it breaks into two pieces, a sparkling mist came out from the tear and went to his injury glowing white, upon enveloping his injury a black mist flew out and disappeared with the light gone his shoulder miraculously healed as if there was no injury. "I feel somewhat lighter." Aichi spoke.
Seeing the talisman fall beside Aichi's feet Konnosuke went down to fetch the talisman and gave it to Aichi to take it back then jumping back to his shoulder. The light gave Aichi an idea and attacked Ren using his talisman. A 3 paper talisman floated with wind attribute and attacked the still recovering Ren.
The wind pushes back Ren and because he was still recovering he wasn't able to retaliate, with the wind still pushing him Ren thinking it was his chance for an attack pulls out a talisman, while searching for Aichi's location he saw a lone talisman beside him, confused, the talisman lit up and shone bright, blinding him once again, it was a talisman with light attributes that he got from the red talisman that was stuck to him, while still blinded a humanoid formed talisman Shikigami that lined up into a chain bound Ren.
Aichi was used to fighting already, something that Ren doesn't have, his experience in battle and the training he had. Aichi was faster for Ren to retaliate to, he was one step ahead of him and this made him more agitated. "This is what you could think of? Binding me?" Ren said annoyance clearly in his voice but what would Aichi do. Binding him was the only option since he doesn't know how to fight him without hurting the other party.
While still controlling the shikigami that is binding Ren, Aichi inspects the area for the toudans, although they don't look like they are having trouble and the enemies are decreasing in numbers but somehow the chilling feeling from before will not subside thinking that there is more to this he examines the area once again.
Upon inspection of the area Aichi saw that Tonbokiri is supporting Kasen with his long reach he pierces through enemies while Kasen balances it out with the closer reach. Next are Taroutachi and Hakata, with Taroutachi's low mobility Hakata balances it out with his. And next is Kogitsunemaru and Hachisuka one with longer reach for a longer range and Hachisuka to back him up. So far Aichi thinks they are going to be able to end this but of course they can't let down their guard, he understands that that is not only what Ren is planning, besides the masked man still hasn't shown up. For sure he has something to do with this.
For now the only thing he could do was watch out for Ren and keep a look out to the toudans "Don't worry Aichi, I'll help you locate any ambush!" Konnosuke said. Aichi can feel a little better with someone helping him. But something isn't right though why isn't Ren fighting back.
Without notice Aichi's head throbs the feeling from PsyQualia was the same but different, in an instant an image was shown to him.
- Aichi almost slumps to the ground exhausted "Aichi-sama!" Kogitsunemaru called out his name who noticed him losing balance. The other toudans hearing worry from his voice became worried as they turn to see him almost kneeling.
Sensing the worry from the toudans "Focus on your battles, don't get distracted!" he said adding "Trust me!" he assures Kogitsunemaru and the others that he will be fine smiling to them and patting Konnosuke's head.
Because of this he wasn't able to notice that Ren was already freed and a black talisman was already floating in near him, he tries to escape by jumping away, but behind him lies in wait the masked man with his blade pointing at Aichi.
Konnosuke jumps to the side trying to pull him with his weight while still holding onto him "Aichi!" Konnosuke calls out in panic, hearing this the six turned to check Aichi, seeing that he was about to be struck by the sword the frantic sword warriors run in haste.
With psyqualia weakening him his thought process cannot follow up with his body, at a blink of an eye Aichi was struck behind by the blade of the mask man, shocking Ren by the blood that spilled out and how Aichi was pierced through, clearly looking at where he struck him it was not fatal but if not attended could potentially lead to his death.
With all of the toudans in disarray they weren't able to fend off the attack that Ren had prepared beforehand, the attack wasn't just for Aichi it was for them also, one was heading towards Kogitsunemaru and Kasen although they were able to dodge it still heavily grazed their shoulders.
Still in disarray he felt sharp pain from his stomach, there he found a blood stained sword coming out from his stomach his clothes now dyed in red from his own blood, as if not worried of himself he checks out for everyone if they are safe only to see that one by one they are being overpowered by the enemy.
In despair losing all hope because of him being injured and being a burden to the toudans, Aichi closes his eyes and loses his consciousness. -
As the images finished flowing to him, seeing exactly everything he knew what step to do next, although feeling a little tired from the toll of PsyQualia, or if it is indeed it, and from the shock of seeing the events that happened he has to act fast, but to lure out the other enemy from behind "Sorry, Ren-san!" he apologizes as he attached a talisman with lightning properties to the end of Shikigami chain he is holding. Activating it flowing through the chain electrocuting Ren with him shouting because of the pain of electrocution that is enough to paralyze him, but of course it was not deadly because Saniwa's and guardians alike with divinity have much more tougher muscles or body so he knows it won't endanger Ren.
When Ren slump down he prepares 2 bows in ready with talisman, having one with water and the other his newly learned properties, ice, turning his back towards the place where he thinks the masked man came from via the image, he fired first the bow with water in an elevated angle upon hitting a certain distance its separates as water gushes out like flash flood dampening the surroundings, carefully checking he notices a movement, immediately he calculates and reads it then he fires the other arrow freezing the area that it touched.
"Aichi over there!" Konnosuke points out as he detects a presence.
Of course to not cause damage Aichi hesitates to use something like fire so all he could do was keep it to a minimum, firing out normal arrows while tracking the masked man down his back becomes a blind spot, he was too focused on trying to make the enemy show themselves, an enemy Tantou notices its chance and tries to attack, but with the help of Tonbokiri thrusting forward to catch it, Hakata got a boost and was able to do a final strike "This is the best opportunity to invest." And now supporting Aichi's back.
Almost out of normal arrows at his disposal Aichi worries that if he uses too much power that it will be noticed by the Kebiishi or he might be affected by the temporal pressure so he refrains from using his powers too much but if this keeps on "Aichi-sama no more enemies could be found." Kogitsunemaru reported while looking at their surroundings, slowly they move towards where Aichi is located to provide support.
"Good work!" Aichi commended, finally the enemy Retrograde army are wiped out and now they can focus on Ren and the masked man. With finding out the masked man was there for an ambush the chilling feeling was now gone but of course they shouldn't still lower their guard down.
"Tsk." A click of the tongue could be heard in the distant "Is that all you can do?" the voice shouted.
"Aichi!" Konnosuke shouted, that shout indicates to dodges an attack but from where? Looking behind he noticed Ren is raising his hands, above him black talismans imbued with fire fires at them, trying to dodge the attack all of them scattered. Thankfully Ren was still weak from the electrocution and couldn't do a follow up, but with this a repeat of the attack from his image happened, when Aichi's back was turned the masked man finally showed themselves running towards them.
Unfortunately for him though Kasen and Hachisuka were still near enough for them to phase themselves to go back near Aichi, with that both of them deflected the attack and it was enough for the others to come back and protect Aichi. Hakata jumps toward the still pushing through to Kasen and Hachisuka's blocking but he was that alert to kick Hakata away thankfully Hakata was able to deflect it by crossing his arms to prepare for the impact, the masked man continued to run forward after.
Truth be told Aichi had cold sweat flowing right now, thinking that he might be struck at any moment. He thought to himself that they need to hurry back as he is almost losing balance, that image took a large toll on him mentally and physically.
"Aichi-sama leave this battle to us." Kogitsunemaru slashes towards the masked man but he was able to parry the attack and run away from him. Waiting for him was Tonbokiri aiming for his mask but the masked man turned to his side quickly but behind him Kasen is waiting to strike, the masked man receives the attack with his sword but pushes it towards Tonbokiri with Kasen almost attacking him thankfully Hachisuka was there and he was able to stop Kasen.
The masked man continues forward with Taroutachi waiting for him, swinging his Ootachi, Taroutachi thinking he can push him back but instead he was left astonished as the masked man while running places all the momentum on body through his hands upon impact swung upwards to push Taroutachi back losing his balance in the process, then continues on to move forward.
Aichi who still tries his best to join in despite fatigue readies his bow only for all of them to see that he was aiming for Ren. He helps Ren up which of course he did not accept and with haste the two of them fled leaving a word "We'll give you this win."
Finally the battle has ended and they could all go back to rest.
Outro: Of course I wouldn't kill him off. The dashes are the clue that it was showing up the image so that it won't confuse people. Also I am not good with talk no jutsu but I tried my best.
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary, wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story nonetheless, and thank you for everyone's continuous support! Thank you for reading!