Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 5
Demons of a Race Track
The act of me defeating Virgil like it was said in old news paper articles was the first step in forming our illustrious team. It was a hard fought battle, but it's time to move forward in this tale of the future. The first important event of this chapter is or was depending on how you look at it Virgil's first meeting with our equally illustrious leader Dalette god rest her soul… anyways at the mechanic shop where Raphugio works. In fact several years ago at the same time I write this Virgil and I were on our way to said workplace.
"Look you've been driving around in circles for the past 20 minutes. Are you sure you've been here before?" Virgil asked me as he impatiently taps his finger on his seatbelt.
"First, we're not going in circles it's just that all of the houses look exactly alike. Second, yeah I have since I personally dropped off my ride there. Third, his workplace is right around the stoplight up ahead so shut up." I tell Virgil in an irritated tone of voice since I found his backseat driving very annoying.
When I said it was right around the corner I meant it quite literally. Seriously we could see it immediately after the first right turn after Virgil said that with its reasonably sized parking lot, and the only reason Virgil didn't notice it earlier was because it was hidden by a large advertisement sign. Anyways, once we had parked it didn't take the two of us that long to find Raphugio and Dalette since they were sitting in plain view outdoors on benches which Raphugio later explained was used for employee lunch breaks.
"That the girl you were referring to during our fight?" Virgil asked as we got out of my car.
"Yeah it is." I answer.
"Well I can see why you want to help this one since she is pretty hot. I mean…. Ouch what was that for?" Virgil asks me after I suddenly slap him on the back of the neck.
"I told you that's not why I want to help her, and the only reason I did that was because a slap to the back of the neck is a wake-up call instead of a humiliating slap across the face." I tell Virgil in a semi-annoyed tone of voice.
"I know I was just teasing you, so you actually didn't need to go that far." Virgil retorts.
"Stop saying stupid stuff like that and I won't take it so far." I retort with a mix of sarcasm and actual seriousness.
Just as Virgil and I were having our own bit of a back and forth conversation, so was Dalette and Raphugio. We actually only caught the last few words of it before they noticed we were here. Oh and strangely enough Dalette was wearing a disguise consisting of a blond wig and blue contact lenses for some reason.
"… taken care of all of the necessary forms, but we still need the signatures of whoever you decide the last two members to be before I can submit it." Raphugio explained to Dalette.
"Well we'll have….. oh I'm glad you two could join us. Is this the person who you thought would be a good candidate for the team?" Dalette asks me.
"Yeah this is my friend Virgil Hernandez. We've been friends since we were kids, so I know his strength in great detail." I answer.
"I can handle my own introductions ma…. Wait….. what did she mean by candidate?" Virgil suddenly asks me when Dalette's choice of words finally clicks in his mind.
"I simply asked him to bring me a potential candidate, but I'll make the final call with this. Your friend acted as a scout for the team and not as an actual member." Dalette answered as she put her deck on the table.
"From the way you talked about her during our fight it sounded like you were already a member." Virgil tells me.
"Yeah sorry about that, but I guess it was because I was so into our fight that I forgot about that detail." I explain to Virgil.
"I only came today because I thought I'd be fighting alongside my friend. Now that I see that isn't the case you can find someone else to be your lackey." Virgil tells Dalette as he gets up from his seat.
Virgil didn't notice it because he turned away from Dalette, but for just a moment she had a small smirk on her face like she already suspected that this might happen.
"If you don't want to join that's fine, but at least humor me since I challenged you to a fight. I hope you're honorable enough to accept a challenge." Dalette said like she already knew where to probe for Virgil's weak spots.
"Tch fine then." Virgil said as he took a seat in front of Dalette with deck in hand.
The truth is that Virgil's fight with Dalette has nothing to do with the point of this chapter, so I'll be skipping over it. For those of you who are still curious, suffice to say there was a severe kicking in the lower region inflicted upon Virgil. In other words he simply lost that badly.
"I don't believe it…. I used Fafnir with its maximum power output and could only do one point of damage." Virgil mumbled as he was still in shock at his defeat.
"What do you think?" Raphugio asks Dalette.
"His abilities are only significantly above the average intermediate player, but they're adequate enough for what I'm looking for." Dalette answered.
"Above the average intermediate player?" Virgil said as he was confused by Dalette's answer.
"To me there are 5 levels of skill starting with beginners, average, intermediate, advance, and ending at pro-level." Dalette explained.
"Well I'm sorry I couldn't meet the level you're looking for." I tell Dalette out of honesty and not arrogance.
"I never said you didn't." Dalette revealed.
"But you said you didn't have an opinion since we didn't finish our fight." I point out.
"No, I said I couldn't tell you my opinion since we didn't finish our fight, but I do actually have one." Dalette counter argued.
"Then what is it?" I curiously ask.
"I'd rate you somewhere between the highest tier of intermediate to a mid-level advanced fighter." Dalette answered.
"What do you consider yourself or Raphugio's skill to be?" Virgil asks out of curiosity.
"Though I've only fought him twice, I'd say midlevel advanced. As for myself, it would be between midlevel or high-level advanced." Dalette answered.
"What about groups like Team Star Ocean and Team Strike Shadow?" I decide to ask out of curiosity.
"High level advanced, low-level pro for the captain, and midlevel pro for the member of the Soryu tribe they have on their team. As for Strike Shadow they're all at the pro level from high, midlevel, and low-level starting from the captain down." Dalette answered.
At first I thought Dalette was being presumptuous with her assessments, but when Dalette said she didn't consider herself the highest tier by her standards I decided to believe her.
"I won't force either of you to do something you don't want to, but now that things have been said…. would either of you be interested in joining this little group I'm putting together." I answer.
"Yeah life wouldn't be fun if everything was easy." Virgil and I answer at the same time.
"Before you start with whatever you had planned for this meeting… do you mind if I ask another question first?" I ask Dalette.
"As long as it doesn't take too long." Dalette answered.
"Don't worry it won't. Could you please tell us what the team name is?" I ask.
"I actually haven't come up with one yet, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Getting back to business, my goal for this team is to change the way of Vanguard by winning the team division of the national competition, but there's a lot of preparation that has to be done in the mean time." Dalette tells us all.
"The first step to accomplishing that goal is to go to the Expo, hope we're picked for its random selection tournament, win it, and defeat Sakura Verde thereafter."
"That's….. a really big goal." Virgil said as he was off put by the audacity of Dalette's first of many goals for our as of yet unnamed team.
"Once of which I'll be leaving to the three of you." Dalette followed.
"Hang on a second, you won't be trying for a spot?" I ask.
"There are reasons why I can't enter, but I will be going so if I do happen to be picked I'll tell the officials to give the slot to someone else." Dalette explained.
"The expo is still a few weeks away. What will be doing until then?" Virgil asks.
"A series of intensive team building exercises in order to build a sense of trust between us that would normally take years otherwise. Perhaps once we built enough I'll even tell you my reasons why I'm doing this, but suffice to say we don't stand a chance without it." Dalette said as she placed what appeared to be her cell phone on the table.
"Oh she wants you to put your contact information in there so Dalette can call or text either of you should our current and future plans change." Raphugio explained as he took note of the confused expressions on the faces of Virgil and I.
"I'll call you two after the meeting, so this way you'll have my contact information." Dalette said after Virgil passed her back her cell phone.
"What do we do now?" Virgil asks.
"I was going to go over the details of the kind of intensive training I mentioned next, but I can see you two still have a lot of questions you want to ask. Go ahead and ask them now so we can get it out of the way." Dalette answered.
"I only have two questions if you don't mind." I said.
"I said I wanted to get this out of the way now, so ask whatever you want." Dalette said."
"Okay then. My first question is if my abilities met your standards when we first met… why not tell me so?" I ask.
"Because I wanted to see how strong your desire to join a team is. If you brought anybody not just Virgil I would have let you on the team, but if you didn't show up that would in turn show you're not interested in joining a team." Dalette answered.
"I guess that makes sense. My second question is why are you wearing a disguise now?" I ask Dalette.
"I don't understand what you mean." Dalette said clearly confused by my question.
"I mean if you're willing to wear a disguise in public now, why didn't you wear one when we first met?" I ask.
"Oh okay now I see what you mean. It's because on that day Sakura Verde would be at a PA event all day, so people would dismiss me merely as a coincidental look-a-like. Wait is that why you said I didn't remind you of anyone?" Dalette explained before asking me a question in turn.
In the short time I've known Dalette Grayson god rest her soul, this is one of the few times I've ever seen her embarrassed. She may have been able to say it with a straight face, but I could tell that it was only a quick lie.
"Hold a second… coincidental look-a-like?" Virgil asks before I could give a response.
"I suppose I should tell you now, so this way it doesn't cause a problem for the future." Dalette said as she reached for her wig.
"Wait that's a wi…. wi…. wi…. wi… wi…." Virgil was saying when he suddenly starting babbling the same thing over and over again like an idiot after Dalette took off her disguise.
"I have to wear some kind of convincing disguise almost every time I go out because I get harassed by her fans otherwise. Actually part of the reason I want to win nationals is so no one ever makes that mistake ever again." Dalette explained as I hold Virgil's jaw closed.
"I don't have any other questions. What about you Virgil?" I ask my friend after he regained what I believe to be his composure.
Virgil was still speechless by what he saw so he only responded to my question by shaking his head sideways. Once that was taken care of Dalette started to explain the details of the training regiment we'd be going under over the next couple of weeks until the expo starts, and let me start by saying now that it was just a hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies. At first it was simple stuff like jogging with weights. Then it came to practicing using each other's decks while having our already passable knowledge of how to play the other's clan restricted with some kind of special rule, to which the purpose was to improve our coordination in tag fights though Dalette wouldn't let any of us touch her deck. Next we practiced riding in close formation on our V-Wheels on difficult terrain, but thankfully I was exempt from it since Raphugio was still repairing mine after a near accident damaged it. Last but definitely least was the rock climbing which one would think would be simple like the jogging, but they would be wrong. Our harnesses were tied to each other in such a way that if we didn't move in perfect sync we'd all feel a lot of strain on our bodies. We'd all hit our limit by the day before the expo where we'd be discussing the results of our training including Dalette. Raphugio and I were fairly sore, but we could still keep moving normally. My friend Virgil however had an ice pack taped to both of his lower thighs. On the day of said training result discussion, I was already dressed and about to be out the door when my mother decided to get my attention about another matter.
"Aren't you forgetting something or technically someone Kiba?" I hear my mother ask me from the kitchen as I have one hand on the doorknob.
"Let's see… car keys, house keys, cell phone, main deck, and back up deck are all here. No I'm not forgetting anything." I tell my mom after quickly patting myself down.
"I think if you come to the kitchen you'll see what you're forgetting." My mother informed me.
"What is it mom? I'm in a bit of a hurry." I ask my mother the moment I walk into the kitchen.
"Now go on and tell him what he's forgotten." My mother said as she pushes Sade out from behind her.
I'm fairly certain I've already said it, but just in case Sade is an extraordinarily shy 8 year old little girl. She's shy to the point where I her "Big Bro" am the only person she can relax around.
"Umm bi… big bro." Sade was nervously saying.
"Now now you have to be more confident or you'll never be able to make your big bro remember what it is he's forgotten." My mother tells Sade so as to boost her confidence if only a little.
"What did I forget?" I ask now curious about what's going on.
"Big bro… the movie premier." Sade finally said.
"Oh…. ohhhh… ohhhhhhhhhh snap. That's right I promised to take you to the premier of Keeping a Fuzzy Bunny. Sorry Sade I know I promised, but I just can't flake out on my friends either." I tell my adopted little sister.
"But big bro you promised." Sade said.
"Wait… I wasn't done yet, but I will take you to the first showing right after my meeting, so don't cry." I tell Sade as I start to notice tears forming in her eye.
"But big bro they're giving away a stuffed animal version of the main character. If we wait that long there won't be any left." Sade pointed with though I don't think intentionally puppy dog eyes.
"That is a problem… isn't it. Okay… I think I know something that will make you happy. Do you remember that semi-expensive ice cream place I took you to that you liked so much?" I ask.
"Yeah…." Sade said curious about where I was trying to go with that statement.
"I was going to splurge my money on some packs, but how about I spend it on you there and the next showing of the movie right after my meeting instead? Also, I'll ask around and see if I can't get one of those stuffed animals off of someone. I can't promise the last thing, but I will definitely try." I suggest Sade.
"Really?" Sade asks as she starts to get a little excited.
"Well I won't if you don't want me to. Do you want me to?" I ask.
"Yeah I want you to." Sade said with a smile on her face.
"Well alright then. Grab your stuff and we'll be out the door as soon as you're ready." I tell Sade.
And it only takes Sade a few minutes to get dressed before we're out the door like I said. It only takes a few more minutes after that before we're driving down the freeway in my car. Well technically back then it belonged to my parent's I just occasionally paid for gas, but it's mine now so whatever. Sade was a shy girl around most people back then, but you'll find that she's like any other girl her age once you see through that shell. Getting back on topic, Sade tilted her head side to side out of happiness for the concept of ice cream. Why she was so into her little rhythm she didn't even notice nor did she ask about the fact we were close to Raphugio's job. In case anyone's confused that's where we decided we'd meet in advance.
"Ice cream ice cream ice cream." Sade continued to say in the little rhythmic tone I described earlier.
"We're here Sade." I say the moment I park the car.
Within seconds of me saying those words, Sade quickly resumed her normally shy persona. Another example of that was that moment I opened the car door for Sade she immediately started to hide behind me. Or maybe she also decided to hide behind me because it was rather warm that day. At any rate I didn't want to worry about Sade baking in the heat, so I immediately started scanning for my friends and thank fully I found them sitting in the shade. The idea the concept represents was certainly a nice change of pace from the training we've been doing.
"Could you please stop squeezing so tightly on my arm? I think I'm starting to lose a little blood flow in it." I ask Sade as we walk up to my friends.
Though it seems my friends didn't initially notice my presence when I asked that since they were caught in the middle of our own conversation.
"No never again. The only reason I'm wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt right now is because I have a huge sore spot on my left arm." Virgil said to Raphugio and Dalette.
"Just pop an aspirin and you'll be fine." Raphugio retorts.
"Already did before I came here." Virgil said.
"Then pop ano… ah it seems we all arrived several minutes early." Raphugio said when he notices my presence.
"I see you brought your sister with you." Virgil said.
"Sister…. Oh you have a sister?" Raphugio asked when he noticed Sade standing behind me.
"I was adopted by big bro's family 9 years ago when I was just a baby." Sade explained.
"Adopted? What happened to your real parents?" Raphugio curiously asks though he didn't know it was a subject he shouldn't cross at the time.
"They umm….. died in the disaster 10 years ago." Sade said.
The mood in the proverbial outdoor room took a turn for the worst when Sade said that. That disaster she referred to… she was talking about the massive earthquake that took place during the final match of the national tournament at Vermillion Stadium 10 years ago. The stadium was partially leveled, half of its 40,000 occupants were killed, the survivors injured in some way or another, and this disaster would have destroyed Vanguard in this country were it not for the efforts of the Verde corporation. One key part of this disaster was the reason I convinced myself that I couldn't use the card Virgil talked about in our earlier fight in public anymore.
"Look I'm really sorry I didn't mean to bring up any bad feelings. I mean I know a lot of people that lost something or someone that day especially me." Raphugio said.
"No it's okay… I don't remember anything about my real parents so I can't feel anything about them." Sade said as if to ease Raphugio's guilt.
What Sade said may have sounded cold, however and forgive the Vulcan logic truth to what she said. After all it's hard to feel anything about something you have no recollection of… not that Sade didn't care about who her real parents were either.
"Okay thanks… look when I say especially… I mean that because I lost my entire family that day." Raphugio explained not to ease Sade but instead to ease his own soul.
"I didn't really lose any family or friends, but I was one of the few people that got buried under the rubble trying to escape." I tell my friends.
Virgil and Sade already knew of this about me, but telling Raphugio and Dalette… it was harder than you think and a few days after we were rescued I started having those nightmares I talked about.
"So was I, but….. my mother didn't make it." Dalette said with such a straight face that it makes her seem uncaring, but I could tell it took her a lot of strength of will to maintain that face.
"Yeah…. I lost my older and Gil's younger brother. He was kind of the glue that kept me and him from going at each other's throats." Virgil said.
After a period of undeniable silence, the mood in the air started to take an even greater turn for the worst. Though he had absolutely no intention of doing so, Raphugio knew his bit of curiosity caused this and he also belied if fell upon him to fix this.
"There's no reason for you two to keep standing there. Virgil, could you scoot down a bit so they can sit down?" Raphugio asks.
"Huh? Oh yeah no problem." Virgil said as he quickly performed the requested task.
"Why did you bring your sister with you?" Raphugio curiously asks.
"I forgot that I promised her before we started this to take her to a movie that came out today. I was planning to take her to the first showing after our meeting, so I hope this doesn't take too long." I explain.
"It won't. It should at the most take an hour maybe 2, so you'll be able to watch whatever movie she wanted see and be back home before dinner." Dalette interjects.
"Wait didn't you say this was going to take at least….." Raphugio started saying.
"You're mistaken I didn't say that." Dalette said as she quickly interrupts Raphugio before he can finish his sentence.
"Alright… well Dalette asked that I start with…." Raphugio was saying as our long awaited team discussion finally got underway.
The team discussion consisted primarily over the next two hours of the results of our training, followed by what we'd do at the Expo asides from hoping for a slot in the random selection tournament, and continued into a chat about what we would do together once it was over. All the while Sade was fumbling through a Vanguard deck she brought with her, of which she was able to build without me finding out about it until today. It happened as I came back from using a convenient nearby restroom.
"What did I miss?" I ask as I stand next to the table my friends are using.
"We were just discussing… a vanguard deck?" Raphugio said out of confusion though I don't immediately notice it.
"What deck? And who's for the matter?" I curiously ask.
"Oh speaking of decks….. how much closer are you to finishing that deck you told me you were building a week ago?" Virgil curiously asks as well.
"I just need two more copies of the ace of the deck, and I'll finally have what I need to punch through her defensive strength." I answer.
"That's not what I mean….. just look." Raphugio firmly declared as he pointed to where Sade was sitting.
"Sade why didn't you tell me you were building a Vanguard deck? I would have helped you complete it and teach you how to play." I ask.
"I asked your dad to help me build this since he used to play Vanguard a lot before he went to college. As for learning how to play… I've read the rule book, but the terms are just too hard for me." Sade explained.
"Do you mind if I take a look at your deck? I'd like to offer an opinion if I can." Dalette asks of Sade.
"Alright big sis." Sade said as she passed Dalette her deck.
"Big sis?" Dalette and I say out of surprise simultaneously.
"Oh… um for some reason I feel as relaxed around you as I do with big bro, so I couldn't help myself. I'm sorry if that bothers you." Sade explained.
"No… if it makes you feel more comfortable it's fine. It was just a… nostalgic surprise." Dalette explained as well.
I could see the look on her face as Dalette looked through the deck Sade put together. I didn't really understand it at the time, but it was the look of an older sister happy to have the admiration of her younger sister.
"What do you think?" I curiously ask.
"It's well built for a beginner… in fact it's too well built for a beginner. I won't stop you if you want to use it, but I'd recommend you practice with an easier to use deck of the same clan with the same strategies in mind." Dalette explained.
"Do you mind if I take a look Sade?" I ask.
"No….. big bro. I'm not trying to be mean. I just want to show you at the tight time." Sade said.
"Tell you what… I think one of my co-workers uses a powerful but simple build of the same clan. I can ask if I can borrow it so Sade can go through a tutorial match with me as the instructor if no one objects." Raphugio suggests.
"Do you want to Sade? I know I promised to take you to the first showing after we were done here, but this may take a few minutes." I ask Sade.
"Okay big bro if you think it's a good idea." Sade answered clearly willing to go along with my mechanic of a friend's plan.
"Well if we're going to do it here we'd a two-person mat. I think I still have the one Oli asked me to get cleaned in my car." I tell the others as I start to turn towards my car.
"You don't need to man I have one in my work locker. Also…. He has to hire a professional service to do that?" Raphugio said just as I was about to take the first step towards my car.
"Well that's good then, and yeah he does. You may have been able to keep yours clean, but you'd be surprised how hard it is to get a coffee stain out of one of those things." I explain to Raphugio.
Once that was said I sat back down, and Raphugio returned from inside his work place with giant mat tube and borrowed Vanguard deck in hand. It only takes us a couple of minutes to wipe off a little dust. In the mean time Sade takes the time to look through the deck... occasionally asking Dalette what a term here or there means in the process.
"So do you think you'll be able to use this deck?" I ask.
"Yes big bro….. I'm not sure, but I think I understand how it works." Sade answered.
"Alright are you ready to begin?" Raphugio asks as he's already placed down his starting vanguard and has started to shuffle his deck.
"N…. I haven't place…. what was it called again?" Sade said as she realized she forgot a basic term midsentence.
"Starting vanguard." I answer.
"Oh sorry I'm being a bit too presumptuous today. I only skimmed through the deck when I borrowed it, so look for a grade 0 with the word 'Forerunner' in the effect description. If there isn't one in there, then just pick any one of the Battleraizers in the deck." Raphugio explained.
"Must be a Nova Grappler deck if he's mentioning that card." I thought.
"Alright got it….." Sade said as she placed a card face down on the vanguard circle.
"Now shuffle your deck and draw 5 cards from the top." I tell Sade.
Sade actually didn't understand how to properly shuffle a deck, so after a few minutes of failed attempts she asked Dalette to do it for her.
"Do you remember what to do next?" I ask.
"We…. Um start the match right?" Sade answers with a question.
"Not quite. Ideally you'll want to have 1 card of each grade in your hand before the start of each fight. If you don't you can return any number of cards in your hand back to your deck, reshuffle, and redraw the same amount. In my case I'm returning 3 cards." Raphugio explained as he starts shuffling his deck again.
"I would personally recommend returning these two, but I don't use this clan. Ultimately the choice is yours." Dalette pointed out.
"No… I'm fine with this hand." Sade said.
"Before I continue there are two ways I can explain what happens next. Would you like to hear the normal way? Or the more traditional way for new fighters?" Raphugio inquired.
"The more traditional way please." Sade answered.
"Alright then. Ahem… now close your eyes and imagine we're on the Planet Cray a world known to be similar to our own in a spirit or astral form. What do you see?" Raphugio asks.
"I see a field of colorful flowers, a castle in front of me, and a bunch of tall rocks behind me." Sade answered as she went along with Raphugio's request.
"Good. Now that you have a battlefield in mind we can start by flipping over our starting vanguards at the same time while saying their names. Are you ready? And do you know what to say at the start of a fight." Raphugio said as he continued his explanation.
"Yes to both questions." Sade answered.
"Stand up, Vanguard." Sade and Raphugio yelled.
"Amon's Follower, Fate Collector [Power: 5000]!" Raphugio yelled.
"Energyraizer [Power: 5000]." Sade revealed.
I don't know if it was the same things she saw, but when they revealed the names of their starting vanguards I decided to try and imagine the same battlefield she saw. The field was filled with red, orange and purple flowers. The castle had to under the control of the royal paladins given its blue and white exterior. The mountains had a huge rainbow over it. Sade's bulky purple robot was facing the mountain range while Raphugio's dark elf of a steward is facing the castle.
"Now that this step is out of the way, do you mind if I go first? This way it'll be easier for you to understand the game play." Raphugio inquired.
"Okay." Sade said.
"There are two unique powers available to us as spirits on this world. The first of which I'll demonstrate with Vlad Specula [Power: 6000], and Fate Collector moves to the back. This ability is called 'Ride' where we embody the form and the power of the unit on our vanguard circle." Raphugio explained as he purposely glances at me.
"But you can't just ride whatever you want right off the bat. You're restricted to riding only once per turn and only with a unit of an equal grade or higher than your vanguard. There are ways around that rule, but you don't need worry about them." I tell Sade knowing Raphugio wanted me to continue his explanation.
"Our second power is the ability to call units from our hand, to which I demonstrate with Yellow Bolt [Power: 7000]. Unlike the restrictions that come with riding, we can only call units of a grade equal to or less than our vanguard. Like riding there are ways around that, but you don't need to worry about those methods yet either. Do you understand?" Raphugio explained before asking Sade a question.
"More or less….. yeah." Sade answered.
"Good now I activate the skill of Yellow Bolt. By placing him in the rest position or turning him sideways I can add 1 card from the top of my deck into my soul, and the soul itself is the pile of cards under your vanguard." Raphugio explained.
[Soulcharge – Dimension Creeper – No Trigger]
"Since I can't attack on the first turn… I guess I'll end mine and see if you can use what I've showed you properly." Raphugio said.
"Okay I uh ride….. Tankraizer [Power: 7000], move Energyraizer behind him through the Forerunner skill, and I call… Cannonraizer [Power: 7000]." Sade said after pausing for only a moment.
"Since its second turn and your turn of the fight you can finally attack. Do you know how to declare one?" I ask Sade.
"Yes I rest Cannonraizer to attack Vlad Specula, and if I'm reading the card correctly he gains +3000 power for this battle [Total Power: 10000]." Sade declared.
Using its very bulky arms and legs, Cannonraizer digs itself into the ground hard before it fires off a couple of solid rounds from its shoulder mounted cannons, of which have the effect of somewhat cracking the relics that float around Vlad Specula.
"Since your attack was successful I now have to perform a damage check. It works by me picking up the top card of my deck, revealing it you, activating the required effect if it's a trigger, and then place it in my damage zone." Raphugio explained.
[Damage Check - Amon's Follower, Vlad Specula – No Trigger]
"This card isn't a trigger. You can tell as such because there's no symbol in the upper right corner of the card." Raphugio said as he placed the revealed card in the damage zone.
"Okay then I attack your… Vlad Specula with Tankraizer [Total Power: 12000]." Sade declared after rereading the name of Raphugio's vanguard.
"Alright, but I won't be guarding that either." Raphugio retorts.
[Drive Check – Phoenix Raizer Drill Wing – No Trigger]
Instead of a solid round barrage like Sade's other bulky purple robot, this proverbial Zaku Tank of a machine fires an intense laser volley from the 4 large guns attached to its sides. Once they hit, the magical relics floating around Vlad Specula are cracked even further.
[Damage Check – Hysteric Shirley – Draw Trigger]
"Ah this time it is a trigger. All triggers have 2 abilities one all types can use and one unique to each type of trigger. The first effect is the ability to give any of your units an additional +5000 power, and I'll apply it to my vanguard to demonstrate. As for the effect unique to this trigger… I draw once card and add it to my hand.
"Then I ummm… end my turn." Sade said after she checked her hand for a moment.
Sade – Raphugio
5 – Hand – 5
0 – Soul – 1
0 – Damage -2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Cannonraizer – Empty, Yellow Bolt
Energyraizer, Tankraizer – Amon's Follower Vlad Specula, Empty
Empty, Empty – Empty, Amon's Follower Fate Collector
"I demonstrate the power to ride once more with Decadent Succubus [Power: 9000]." Raphugio said.
With those words my friends purple themed vampire transforms into a purple succubus, with black/red horns, red eyes, and bright orange hair. Still hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn.
"Doreen the Thruster [Power: 6000] and Demon of Aspiration, Amon [Power: 8000] to the rearguard. Now I'll show you what it means to 'Embody the form and power' of your vanguard because Decadent Succubus's skill activates." Raphugio said in a somewhat epic fashion.
"What's Decadent Succubus's skill? I don't know what a lot of cards do." Sade asks out of curiosity.
"Don't worry about it Sade you're only just learning how to play. Basically when Raphugio calls a Dark Irregular rearguard while Decadent Succubus is the vanguard he can soulcharge a card." I explain.
[Soulcharge – Amon's Follower, Hell's Trick – Heal Trigger]
[Soulcharge – Amon's Follower, Vlad Specula – No Trigger]
"Losing three perfect guards will hurt Raphugio's defense a bit." Virgil quietly mumbles though I manage to overhear it.
"Like any soulcharging deck, you learn to work around it." I point out to Virgil.
"Now to demonstrate how your vanguard and rearguards are supposed to work together. Doreen's skill bumps up her power by +6000 for the turn since I soulcharged 2 cards, but it's going to go up even higher because I activate Yellow Bolt and Dimension Creeper's skills to soulcharge 3 cards." Raphugio explained.
[Soulcharge – King of Masks, Dantarian – No Trigger]
[Soulcharge – Amon's Follower, Hell's Trick – Heal Trigger]
[Soulcharge – Blitzritter – Critical Trigger]
"Doreen gains an additional +9000 power, and now Amon attacks Cannonraizer [Total Power: 16000]!" Raphugio declared.
"I guard with Raizer Girl, Kate [Total Shield: 10000]." Sade said as she placed the card on the guardian circle.
"It's good that you know how to guard properly. I activate the skill of Fate Collector. After he boosts a Dark Irregular unit while I have at least 6 cards in the soul, he goes to the soul as well and I get to draw a card. " Raphugio said.
"Yes I at least understand that the total shield has to be more than the attacking unit's power in order to guard against it." Sade said.
"Do you know how to tell a card's shield value?" Raphugio asks.
"By the number printed on the left side of the card." Sade answered.
"Good, so now to get the show back on the road by having Decadent Succubus attack your vanguard with the support of Doreen [Total Power: 30000]." Raphugio declared.
"I hope Sade at least understands that declaring an attack now would be a bad idea." I thought.
"I….. won't be guarding." Sade said.
"Thank goodness." I thought again.
[Drive Check – Blitzritter – Critical Trigger]
"Now the second type of trigger comes into play. I apply the power boost and the +1 critical to my vanguard. Before you do your damage checks, let me explain how critical triggers work. When a unit with the secondary effect of a critical trigger's attack hits, your opponent or in this case you takes an extra point of damage." Raphuigo explained.
"That means I do a damage check twice then?" Sade asks.
"In this case yes." Dalette answered.
[Damage Check – Marine Raizer High Torpedo – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Battleraizer – Stand Trigger]
"It's almost as if fate itself wants to help teach you how to play." Raphugio tells Sade as a simple smirk appears on his face.
"What do you mean?" Sade asks out of confusion.
"That was the third type of trigger in the game… a stand trigger. Its secondary effect allows you stand one of your rearguard units, but sadly that won't do you any good in a damage check. Well it might against Megacolony decks, but you don't need to worry about that." Raphugio answered.
"What's Megacolony?" Sade curiously asks again.
"They're a clan with an insect mafia motif. They focus on effects that prevent your rearguards from standing, and gain an advantage from doing so." I explained.
"That's unfair… oh the fight. I um give the vanguard the power boost, and I stand Cannonraizer." Sade said.
"Then I end my turn." Raphugio said.
Sade – Raphugio
4 – Hand – 5
0 – Soul – 7
2 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Cannonraizer – Empty, Yellow Bolt
Energyraizer, Tankraizer – Decadent Succubus, Doreen the Thruster
Empty, Empty – Demon of Aspiration Amon, Empty
"Stand and um… draw. I ride Marine Raizer High Torpedo [Power: 10000]." Sade declared.
From a deadly force on the high ground to a deadly force on the high seas, my adopted little sister's vanguard transforms from a tank to a transformable submarine. For the record I may have stated the obvious in that description, but what I meant was that it was like a Transformer's transforming submarine.
"I call Phoenix Raizer Flare Wing [Power: 9000] to um fill up that open spot on my front row." Sade informed.
"I'm impressed Sade's already learning to take risks. Most beginners in the same situation would have moved Cannonraizer to the back and call Flare Wing in front of him." I thought.
"Cannonraizer, please go and attack Demon of Aspiration, Amon [Total Power: 10000]." Sade declared.
"Sorry my friend, however I can't afford to defend you right now." Raphugio said like he was apologizing to the card as he placed it in the drop zone.
"Then High Torpedo will attack [Total Power: 15000]." Sade declared again.
[Drive Check – Raizer Girl, Kate – Heal Trigger]
Something that happened at the moment of that drive check caught my attention. I pointed that something to Dalette who was standing next to me as we observed the fight from Raphugio's side of the table while Virgil was watching from Sade's side.
"Now that's even more interesting." I mumble to myself.
"What is?" Dalette curiously asks.
"Look closer at the face Sade is making and you'll see what I mean." I point out to Dalette as I point to Sade.
If you imagine yourself looking through my eyes to see what I'm seeing you'll only see the shy face of a shy little girl, but if you take the time to peel away the layers you'll be able to see something more than that. You'll see the face of a fighter who is focused on nothing more than what is before him. Even if you don't end up being a skilled fighter… you learn to be able to tell such things once you play Vanguard for a while. I still can't believe the shy little girl I knew grew up to become a top tier professional fighter, but for the umpteenth time I'm getting ahead of myself.
"And there goes the last kind of trigger you'll have to worry about in standing fights the Heal Trigger, but unlike the other secondary trigger effects there is a condition you have to meet before you can use it." Raphugio explained.
"That condition is having equal to or greater damage then your opponent, but you meet the condition so don't worry." Dalette said as she continued Raphugio's explanation.
"As for the effect it allows you to heal one point of damage." Raphugio said.
"I remember now. That's when I take a card in my damage zone and place it in my drop zone. Then I'll heal….. I mean power Flare Wing and send Battleraizer from the damage zone to the drop zone." Sade said.
[Damage Check – Blade Wing Reijy – No Trigger]
"Don't forget you still have one more unit you can attack with." Raphugio pointed out.
"I haven't forgotten. Flare Wing attack [Total Power: 17000]." Sade declared.
"I'm sorry if I got your hopes up, but I'll have Blitzritter guard [Total Shield: 10000]." Raphugio said as he slid the card onto the guardian circle.
"Umm no don't feel bad I know the game comes with risks. Oh umm it's your turn." Sade nervously said.
"I really think you've gotten a grasp on the game, but…" Raphugio started saying.
Sade – Raphugio
4 – Hand – 4
1 – Soul – 7
1 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Cannonraizer – Empty, Yellow Bolt
Energyraizer, Marine Raizer High Torpedo – Decadent Succubus, Doreen the Thruster
Empty, Phoenix Raizer Flare Wing – Empty, Empty
"But what?" Sade asks.
"But now that you have I need playing a little more seriously. Ride King of Masks, Dantarian [Power: 11000]." Raphugio said.
"His atmosphere changed… it grew more intense. It's even stronger than from when I fought him. Could it be that I was wrong about how strong he was?" Dalette thought.
For the record again I'm not a mind reader….. they've just told me what they thought after the fact, so that's why I'm mentioning it here.
"Call…. a second Demon of Aspiration, Amon [Power: 8000] along with a second Dantarian [Power: 11000]." Raphugio informed.
The purple manly demon aside, the second Dantarian has a light gray armor and dark gray hair or at least that's how I imagined it to look since they weren't playing on an MF system.
"Oh no….. if he's getting serious I don't stand a chance." Sade thought.
"If you think you don't have a chance now then you don't, so just ignore it and fight." Dalette and I say simultaneously like we both knew what Sade was thinking in that moment.
"Big bro and big sis are right. I have to try or I'll never know if I could have one." Sade thought.
"Are you ready? Well it doesn't matter if you are because I activate Yellow Bolt's skill to soulcharge." Raphugio declared.
[Soul Charge – Dark Soul Conductor – No Trigger]
"Doreen grows stronger after absorbing a portion of the soulcharged unit's soul, and now the rearguard Dantarian attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 11000]!" Raphugio declared.
[Damage Check – Perfect Raizer – No Trigger]
"Now go Amon [Total Power: 11000]!" Raphugio yelled.
[Damage Check – Raizer Crew – Draw Trigger]
"Power to vanguard and draw." Sade said.
"Through the skill of my vanguard Dantarian I'll bump up his attacking power even further by soulcharging 1 card." Raphugio explained.
[Soulcharge – Devil Child – No Trigger]
"Doreen, strengthen Dantarian's attack against Sade's vanguard [Total Power: 21000]!" Raphugio declared as if he were having a conversation with the two cards.
"Perfect guard with Twin Blader [Perfect Defense]" Sade countered.
"Are you sure you want to use a perfect guard now?" Raphugio inquired.
"Yes….. I'm having what big bro calls….. what was it again big bro?" Sade asks me due to failing to recall a term.
"I think you mean gut feeling Sade." I answer.
"Yeah that. Thank you big bro." Sade said.
"Okay just checking." Raphugio retorts.
[Damage Check – Amon's Follower, Cruel Hand – Critical Trigger]
[Damage Check – Amon's Follower, Cruel Hand – Critical Trigger]
"Well what do you know? It looks like your instincts were spot on. I'll end my turn, so you should consider your next one your graduation exam my student." Raphugio said as he purposely decides to push Sade's currently very limited abilities to its limit.
"What should I do? I think… my guy's telling me that I'll lose if I don't end it now." Sade thought.
Sade – Raphugio
3 – Hand – 4
1 – Soul – 10
3 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Cannonraizer – Demon of Aspiration Amon, Yellow Bolt
Energyraizer, Marine Raizer High Torpedo – King of Masks Dantarian, Doreen the Thruster
Empty, Phoenix Raizer Flare Wing – King of Masks Dantarian, Empty
"Umm big bro, could you please come here for a minute?" Sade asks of me.
"What is it Sade?" I ask the moment I join her on her side of the battlefield.
"I know how you and your friends sometimes say these cool things before you play your most important cards. Could you please help me come up with something to say for this card?" Sade asks as she carefully shows me a copy of Phoenix Raizer Drill Wing.
"Let's see…. oh how about this…." I tell Sade before I start whispering something inaudible to all of you in Sade's ear.
"Are you sure big bro that it's not a bit much?" Sade asks.
"The choice to move forward is yours alone." I answer.
"Big bro's right and I shouldn't be thinking about how to survive. I should be thinking about how to win." Sade thought as she's finally found resolve nervous as it was.
"Are you alright Sade?" Raphugio asks with concern.
"I know only a few fighters have the courage to say this, I know I'm not one of them yet since I'm a beginner, but I just feel like I really have to say this." Sade said in a reluctant tone of voice.
"If it's something you feel you have to say then say it, and don't let anyone else stop you." Raphugio said to ease Sade's nerves.
"Then um… um….. fi…. Final Turn!" Sade finally managed to yell at the top of her lungs.
Like some of the people that were watching this fight, I wanted to do a spit take with some kind of drink when Sade said that. Though I probably would have done that on Virgil purely for comedy value. Regardless, I felt as though that this was one of the first moments I was every truly proud of Sade.
"Just take a deep breath and relax… Machine of flames and avatar of infinite rebirth be reborn onto this battlefield! I ride Phoenix Raizer Drill Wing [Power: 11000]!" Sade yelled.
Within seconds the battlefield's blue skies turned red with heat, then the pure air turned black with smoke, and finally with one more burst of explosive flames Sade's Grade 3 vanguard appeared. It looked as if Perfect Raizer was taken apart and then heavily upgraded considering the crackling red energy coming out of its wings may as well have been flames, and personally I think the glowing drills were just for show.
"I move Cannonraizer back and call a third Marine Raizer [Power: 10000], next I retire Energyraizer to replace him with Cat Butler [Power: 5000], and finally I call Shieldraizer [Power: 6000] behind Flare Wing." Sade said with a tone filled with absolute confidence.
"I think it wouldn't be wrong to say that here comes the big push. Can you handle it Raphugio?" I thought.
"There are definitely 4 cards in my drop zone…. Let's do this… seek mate!" Sade yelled.
The only 4 cards flew back into Sade's deck as if propelled by an invisible force, shuffled themselves, and then sent flying back out Phoenix Raiser Flare Wing.
"Drill Wing, share your power with your equal another machine of flaming rebirth. Legion [Legion Power: 20000]!" Sade yelled.
For the record I didn't tell her to say that part just the ride chant I came up with on the spot.
"Every time I see someone perform Legion it always makes me curious." Dalette whispers in my ear.
"Curious about what?" I whisper back.
"I can understand it happening on MF systems due to the holographic generators manipulating physics in some way, but I never got how a card could come flying in or out of the deck on a normal mat even when it happens to me." Dalette explained.
"No one really knows why that happens, but it makes things look cooler so let's just enjoy that fact." I retort.
"Hmph….. fair enough. Do you think your adopted sister can win this fight right now?" Dalette asks of me.
"Given what's it Raphugio's hand… it's possible, but I'll be decided by the order Sade attacks in." I answer.
"Marine Raizer attack Dantarian [Power: 17000]!" Sade declared.
[Damage Check – Dark Soul Conductor – No Trigger]
"Rearguard Flare Wing [Total Power: 18000]!" Sade declared again.
[Damage Check – Blade Wing Reijy – No Trigger]
"Drill wing….. Legion attack [Total Power: 28000]!" Sade yelled.
"Nullify with Vlad Specula [Perfect Defense]. I'll admit you've put me into a bad position, but you won't be able to beat me this turn." Raphugio pointed out.
"You're wrong. I activate Drill Wing's Legion skill, by paying a counterblast cost of two….. the units on my front row stand." Sade explained.
[Drive Check – Perfect Raizer – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Carvingraizer – No Trigger]
"You had me worried there for a second, but it looks like it was all for not." Raphugio said.
I know it seemed like Raphugio was being a bit mean to Sade, but he was trying to help her by Spartan training her so she can understand the reality of the game within this world.
"I activate the effect of Cat Butler by retiring him I can stand a grade 2 vanguard." Sade explained.
"You're forgetting that Drill Wing is a grade 3 vanguard not a grade 2, and Flare Wing." Raphugio pointed out.
"I know, but you're forgetting that as Drill Wing's mate he and Flare Wing are linked together as two vanguards in one as one single entity. If one stands so does the other." Sade retorts.
Raphugio actually already knew that, but he chose to feign ignorance for the sake of seeing just how far Sade's newfound resolve will go, and to test her knowledge of card effect rulings.
"High Torpedo will finish off Demon of Aspiration [Total Power: 10000]!" Sade declared.
"There goes his only intercept." Virgil mumbled.
"Drill Wing please do your best, and don't push yourself too hard [Total Power: 20000]!" Sade declared as a bit of her normal shy self slips through the cracks.
"Cruel Hand guards [Total Shield: 10000]." Raphugio countered.
"First check [Carvingraizer – No Trigger]. Second check [Battleraizer – Stand Trigger]. The power goes to my vanguard and I stand Shieldraizer." Sade said.
"Ha ha well isn't that interesting." Raphugio whisperers to himself as he knew that chances of defeat were high especially given the lack of heal triggers in his deck.
Flare Wing shot out a flaming whip that burned through Cruel Hand, and Drill Wing covered one of his drills in the green energy that it naturally exudes to land the finishing blow. It was an impressive victory Sade had taken part in, but it was hard to if it would have stayed that was should have Raphugio went full force right off the bat.
[Damage Check – Dimension Creeper – No Trigger]
Final Results
Sade – Raphugio
4 – Hand – 1
2 – Soul – 10
3 – Damage – 6
2 – Counterblast – 0
Cannonraizer, Marine Raizer High Torpedo – Empty, Yellow Bolt
Empty, Phoenix Raizer Drill Wing/Phoenix Raiser Flare Wing – King of Masks Dantarian, Doreen the Thruster
Shieldraizer, Phoenix Raizer Flare Wing – King of Masks Dantarian, Empty
"Congra…." I was about to say when I was suddenly cut off by an outside noise.
Allow me a moment to explain that noise. Do you recall when I said some people watching the fight were surprised by Sade's sudden declaration? Steadily both employees and customers alike of this mechanic's garage were drawn to the tutorial fight going on between Sade and Raphugio without any of us noticing, and they were enjoying the entertainment in brought them. Once the fight reached its conclusion, they all erupted into applause surprised by the fact a beginner could so do well. The noise generated by all the observers was enough to bring Sade out of her fighter's high and return her to her normal shy self, but she would still grow out of that shell eventually.
"What's going on big bro?" Sade asked as she doesn't understand why all of these people are applauding her.
"They're clapping for you Sade. They thought your fight was so amazing that they just had to shower you with affection. Don't you like the feeling?" I retort.
"Maybe a little. Is this what the best Vanguard fighters in the world feel every time they win a big match?" Sade asks again.
"I wouldn't know since I've never been on that stage, but I do want to know what that among many things feel like once I get myself." I tell Sade.
"I'm sure you will big bro." Sade said.
"Thanks. Now let's get out of here before people start asking for your autograph." I tell Sade.
"Alright those of you wearing my uniform, you've had your break so get back to work!" a loud booming tone man yelled.
Immediately all of the ordinary citizens scattered, and all of the employed picked up whatever power tools they dropped in order to watch this fight. The man himself was burly, muscular, was covered in a lot of grease, and speaks in a heavy Texan accent. He scanned the people that remained¸ and once his eyes locked onto Sade he started walking towards.
"Why is he coming over here big bro?" Sade asks as she hides behinds me due to this person scaring her somewhat badly.
"Relax kid I'm not going to hurt either of you. Raphugio… come here!" the muscular man said to me and then my friend after I instinctively take up a defensive posture.
"Yes boss?" Raphugio said as he answered his boss's summon within seconds of him asking.
"Boss?" I say blatantly surprised.
"Yeah this is Bob, my boss, the owner of this repair shop, and the deck that Sade borrowed." Raphugio explained.
"Oh umm here you go." Sade said before she gives Bob his deck back and quickly returns to hiding behind me.
"Ha ha little lady that sure was amazing. I didn't think a total beginner could fight so well and beat Raphugio here even though he was holding back. I was going to take out the Perfect Raizers and… where did they go?" Bob was saying when he suddenly starts checking the various pockets on his uniform.
"Do you mean this boss? I saw it fall out of your pocket when you were walking over here." Raphugio said as he passes his boss a card sleeve that looks to be stuffed with at least 4 cards.
"Thanks… as I was saying little lady I was going to replace the Perfect Raizers with these, but shoot I think you should have'em instead." Bob said as Sade decides to at least examine the potential gift.
"They're all copies of umm…. big bro how do you pronounce this word?" Sade asks of me.
"It's pronounced Mond Blaukluger." I slowly explain to Sade.
"Oh well I appreciate the copies of Mond Blaukluger, but I have nothing to give you in return." Sade points out to Bob.
"Seein you fight little lady was more than enough payment for me. Now I suggest you take good care of those card right here cause I sure aint taking no for an answer." Bob tells Sade.
"If he's willing to be this nice Sade, then say thank you to the nice man." I tell Sade.
"Okay um…. thank you good sir for the nice gift." Sade says a bit too formally.
With those 4 new cards safely put away along with Sade's original deck, we say good bye and were on our way to the closest movie theater for the film Sade wanted to see. She'll face even greater challenges then this in the future believe me, and I'll even show you an example of such in a moment. Before hand however, there's something equally important that I have to show you first. By coincidence we happen to pass by a Police Station, and inside is where the next to last part of this chapter awaits. The station chief was giving an assignment to who appeared to be a rookie cop fresh out of the academy.
"Listen up rookie; this is a straight forward prisoner transport. All you have to do is take this guy to county lockup, but he tried robbing a store my daughter hangs out at so take extra special care. If anything happens to him before his trial… it's on your head got it?" the station chief said in a firm tone.
"Yes sir." the young rookie said.
"I got a couple of other uniforms holding the guy waiting for you next to a patrol car. You can get the keys from them." The station chief said.
"I'm not objecting to your orders sir, but why not have the other two uniforms take care of it?" the rookie asks.
"Cause they've been working triple overtime for another case, and I've decided to give them the rest of the day off. Now get going rookie if you still want to keep your badge. Do this right and I'll put a commendation on your jacket." The station chief ordered.
This young rookie was walking down a narrow hallway towards the parking lot where all of the patrol cars for this station are kept. This person who appeared to be a rookie was indeed a rookie, and you'll see your proof in but a moment.
"Come here." A young man with a British accent said before pulling this rookie cop through a small doorway.
A small scuffle can be heard going on between the rookie and his attacker, but unfortunately it wasn't loud enough for any of the other officers here to hear and come to his aid. The rookie's attacker comes out wearing his uniform with his face hidden by the rookie's hat. The attacker continues to the parking lot undisturbed, and he finds two uniform officers holding a man in cuffs exactly as the station chief described.
"What I tell you… I said the captain was going to have a rookie take care of this for us." The first officer to the second
"I believed you…. I just didn't like the idea of having a rookie 4 months out of the academy take care of a prisoner transport. Wait rookie, what happened to Thomas? He was supposed to take care of it. Who are you for that matter?" the second cop asks.
"I'm Harold I just graduated from the academy a week ago. As for what happened to Thomas…. Let's just say he broke the rule about dating the captain's daughter." The impostor cop said deciding to drop his accent to sell his cover.
"Ah say no more. Here's the key and tell Thomas if you see him not to worry. He'll have chance at promotion in a few years." The first officer jokingly said as he tossed the impostor the keys.
"Thanks….. say would you mind sticking this guy in the back for me while I start the car?" the imposter cop ask.
"No problem, now get in there." the first officer said as he forced the thief into the back of the patrol car.
"Screw you!" the thief yelled as he struggled against the grip of the two officers.
These two veterans of the force were all to happy to put this scum with slick combed back brown hair in the back seat, and this scum was the very same one that held Dalette and I hostage not too long ago. It only takes a few minutes for this imposter to be driving out of the parking lot and down the road.
"So come on blue boy… where you taking me for dinner?" the thief said as he continued to berate the imposter officer.
"Shut up, and check the inside door handle. You'll find a key to your cuffs." The imposter officer said as resumed the use of his British accent.
"Oh shoot sorry Quinn I didn't recognize you." the thief said.
That's right Quinn the same man I mentioned in my prologue chapter talking to a mysterious entity.
"Wait….. you were supposed to bust me out the day I pulled that job not weeks later." The thief said in an angry tone.
"I was going to Flynn, but the master asked me last minute to take care of an escapee from one of his schools personally first." Quinn explained.
"Even if it was only some dumb brat….. should have taken a few days not a few weeks." Flynn retorts with clear anger as he holds the keys to his cuffs between his teeth.
"It did only take me a few days, but it took me longer than I thought to figure out how to bust you out without leaving a trace." .
"Finally those cuffs itch…. so badly. Where are we going now?" Flynn asks as freeing himself from the cuffs was enough to put him in a better mood.
"Condemned building a block ahead. I've prepared a cell phone, a vehicle, a change of clothes, your deck, and some petty cash. Once we torch this cop car we'll go our separate ways, and another agent will call you with instructions." Quinn explained.
"Sounds good to me." Flynn said as he massaged his wrists.
"The master also wanted me to ask you if your mission was a success. He couldn't tell from the news feeds and social media sites." Quinn said.
"I rekindled the bond between the two of them. The first step in the master's grand scheme has been complete, and so has the first step in the backup plan should by some chance the grand scheme fail. If it does he will chose someone to propagate the next generation, so the master can start again." Flynn said.
These two were talking about Dalette and I, and believe me I had no idea how deeply I and others like me were tied into the sick and twisted schemes of this "Master". I learned about their backup plan sometime later near the end game of their "Grand Scheme", but thankfully we managed to stop them in such a way where my friends, my future… well wife/mother of my children, and I never had to deal with it. As for the first step of the backup plan… let's just say they believed if one member of the right bloodline failed to meet their standards… they'd wait to see if the next generation of the same blood line met their standards. In other words they planned to use my potential future offspring and the potential future offspring of those like me as weapons of war. Now for the part about Sade's future I wanted to show you….. I can't give you all the details for a while, but what I do show will give you an idea of what will happen when the time comes.
"With only 3 more matches to go until we get to see who will take on Sakura Verde in a special exhibition match…. It's time we begin the semi-final rounds." Dr. O announced.
It's not the same Dr. O you're thinking of, but his genius grandson.
"The second semi-final match will begin just minutes after the first, so let's introduce the competitors for the first one shall we?"
Meanwhile I was doing some motivational speaking to a certain shy little girl for reasons that will be made obvious if they aren't already.
"I can't do this big bro I just can't." Sade tells me as she frantically paces back and forth.
"So you're just giving up? You the little girl who begged me to help her study videos of his past fights for two evenings in a row." I ask.
"I know I know what I did. Still, have you lost your mind big bro? As big sis said….. he's a world-class fighter." Sade said as she shows me just how much she's freaking out.
"Sade listen….. listen to me!" I say loudly to Sade as I grab her shoulders to hold her steady.
"What?" Sade asks.
"You were able to beat Raphugio who big sis said was nearly at pro level in your first fight because you took all of our advice, knew we all believed in you, and played normally. Remember that feeling when you beat him… that's what will give you a chance against this guy. You also said you wanted to surprise me with the deck my dad helped you build. Well despite temptation I still haven't seen it, so if you beat him we'll have the perfect stage to test its mettle when I beat Nolan." I tell Sade.
"Okay… okay….. okay….. I'll try big bro." Sade tells me as she regains some of her composure.
"The first semi-finalist….. the lucky newbie Sade Reher." Dr. O announced.
"Would Kiba Nakashima and Nolan Elchart please report to Hall B." said someone on a PA system.
"Good luck Sade." I tell my adoptive little sister as I gently push her towards the entrance of the fight floor.
"Good luck big bro. I know you can beat Nolan, and put her sister in her place." Sade said mostly with hope and a small amount of subtle anger.
I'll probably say this again when I get to showing what happened a few chapters later, but Nolan has a sister 7 months younger then Sade. They got off on a rocky foot, so suffice to say they get along as well as I do with her older sister.
"Her opponent, several time champ, and leader of Team Strike Shadow!" Dr. O announced.
No I'm not trying to troll anyone by writing that. They really fought each other all those years ago. If no one believes me, check the videos are still there last I checked.
To Be Continued
Kiba: At last the Expo begins.
Raphugio: It's been a while since we last fought each other.
Kiba: You may have more wins than me, but after today I'll even the score.
Raphugio: Go ahead. I want to see how much stronger you've gotten, and how well I fixed your ride.
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "Demons on an Actual Racetrack" Wait you're the girl I saw in the movie theater.