Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 6
Demons on an Actual Racetrack
I've mentioned that I've been having one of two nightmares every few days ever since I was 7 years old after I was buried alive for 2½ days in the disaster 10 years ago. In the first nightmare which eventually came true I was fighting a Vermillion that was corrupted by the firm belief in his ideals, but it's time I tell you a little bit about the second nightmare because I'll soon encounter something related to it. My eyes were shot open startled by some unknown factor, and I find myself standing or floating in darkness while wearing one of the outfits I had on the day of the of nightmare. It was strange… I could tell I was in darkness yet I could still clearly see myself.
"What the…. where am I?" I say in this dream world.
Those were the words I said every time I had that nightmare though with the occasional variation from time to time, but each time I said those words it felt like I wasn't in control of my own body. This nightmare was like a film I was watching through my own eyes; however I never realize the fact until after I was awakened from it.
"Hello?! Is anybody here?!" I yell hoping to find someone or something living in this literal dark world.
I'm temporarily stunned by a bright light every time I say that, so when my eyes clear up I see light focused upon a single spot in the distance like a spotlight focused upon a play's leading actor, but there was no one there yet…
"Who are you?" I ask as fear starts to get to me though I'm never sure if I actually sensed anyone within the nightmare…. at least not yet.
Then my eyes are blinded again, but by a golden light with this particular instance of the nightmare. Yes the lights are sometimes of a different color, but I'll explain more about that in a moment. I'm not sure if this is the best way to describe it, but I saw a collection of golden energy shaped like the silhouette of a young woman.
"What are you doing here?" I ask the woman in the nightmare as if I know her.
The golden silhouette of this as of yet unknown woman to me started to walk away from me, and the only detail I could make out asides from her….. assets was that she had shoulder length hair. Naturally I chase after the young woman, but I can't seem to catch up as the harder I run the farther away she gets.
"No…. don't go away!" I yell as I become ever more fearful in this nightmare.
Remember how I said I'm sometimes blinded by a light of a different color each time I have this nightmare? Well I've only dreamt about 3 lights and with each light comes the silhouette of a different woman, of whom before I realized who they were I had different levels of familiarity with. The first a petit maiden who's light was white with a blue tinge who I felt like I knew the most, the second I've already described, and the third was an intense yet weak orange light which I felt the least familiar with. The weakness of the last light should have been enough of a warning about the fate of its owner. At any rate I'd continue to chase one of the lights or the golden one in this case until….. an evil terrifying presence stopped me in my tracks.
"Apathy is death." an almost demonic presence said.
The voice didn't sound like a woman or a man, but merely of an inhumane demon allowing me to understand his thoughts. It scared me to its core because….. I'm not even sure how to describe this in writing, but it had no presence and oppressive presence at the same time. That was something that should have been impossible; however reality means nothing in a world birthed by sleep. Ahem… no Kingdom Hearts reference intended.
"You only have your cowardice and indecisiveness to blame as the cause for her inevitable fate." The demonic presence said.
I would blink one more time and find my deck in either of my hands. I started running after the unknown woman again and I would gain ground, but at the last minute I'd see her suddenly surrounded by intersecting black rings with a red hue and then she's no more. Those black rings… like a certain fighter I'd fall under its power and bring chaos to the world, but my reasons for accepting that power as well as the type of chaos I'd cause was different than that of the certain fighter. Even though it's still a part of me despite the propagator being gone, I still feel the weight of the sins I committed while under the influence of that power.
"Cliché as it is I'll choose fight for our fate, so come down and face me yourself!" I yell.
I'd yell out of anger for this entity taking the unknown woman away from me and out of hatred for myself for failing to protect her. My dark surroundings would undergo a massive change after I challenged this malicious force. They would change into the same arena of darkness built upon the barren landscape that you saw my other nightmare, across from me is the same silhouette from my other nightmare as well, and standing to the side watching the fight that was about to begin was the friends I know and as of this moment in time the friends I have yet to meet.
"Stand up the Vanguard!" my opponent declared.
Right there at that moment is where I always wake up still feeling the sting of my failure to protect that woman. I also knew that other nightmare would happen next because they've always been in repetition ever since I've started having them. The reason I bring this up now…. to you who wish to know the truth is due to when this particular instance of the nightmare occurs.
"Wake up big bro….. all the cars are starting to move again." Sade said as she pulls on my arm to wake me up.
I find myself back in reality and back in my own car with a long line of vehicles in front of me finally starting to move, and covered in a bit of sweat.
"Huh….. oh finally. Alright what time is… okay good I won't be able to get you ice cream before the movie, but we should make in there a couple of minutes before the next showing." I tell Sade as I put some pressure on the gas pedal.
It's normal for people to day dream. It's even not unheard of for someone to have a nightmare within a daydream, but the reason my nightmare was so important was that it was the first time I ever had one while it was still wide awake. Let me explain I remember stopping because of the traffic, blinking, and then I started having the nightmare. I dismissed as the result of sitting outside in this warm weather earlier, but it was actually because of my unfortunate blood ties to those black rings.
"Hi. Welcome to AMC theaters. What movie would you like to see?" the ticket clerk asks of me.
Once the traffic from earlier cleared up, Sade and I arrived at the closest movie theater within a few minutes. When we got there we saw a lot of people waiting in line outside for the movie Sade wanted to see.
"I'd like to get 1 adult and 1 child ticket for the soonest showing of 'Keeping a Fuzzy Bunny' please." I answer.
"Isn't that cute. Your little sister right there talked you into taking her didn't she?" the ticket clerk asked.
"Ha ha pretty much, but we're not related by blood." I tell the ticket clerk as a light chuckle escapes from my mouth.
"You two are lucky. The two of you managed to snag the last two tickets until the next showing, so that'll be 18 dollars and 50 cents." the ticket clerk informed.
"Umm….. big bro could you please ask about that?" Sade whispers to me referring to the promotional plushy.
"I highly doubt it given how late it is, but there was supposed to be some kind of plushy being given away in order to promote the movie. Does there happen to be any left?" I ask hoping I don't end up disappointing Sade.
"Oh shoot sorry. A lady about your age dressed for cold weather rather then this warm weather got the last one we had a few minutes ago." The ticket clerk informed.
"Well sorry about that Sade, but hey there's still the ice cream to look forward to." I tell Sade.
"I know now come on big bro or we won't be able to find a good seat." Sade tells me as she almost immediately starts trying to drag me by the arm.
I never really paid attention to the media coverage of this film when Sade asked me to take her to see it over a month ago, so I was surprised to find the theater packed with people. For movies like this if they hook a kid they get at least two or more tickets worth of profits. "I think…. we've made it just in time for the start of the movie. Sade, do you see a couple of open seats anywhere?" I ask as I also search for open seats.
"Up there big bro right in the middle of the whole theater there are three open seats." Sade pointed out.
Thankfully I got some popcorn and a drink because I thought metaphorically speaking that it was going to be a long movie. It was actually only about an hour and 30 minutes long not counting the previews and infomercials.
"Excuse me…. there we can finally relax so you can enjoy the show." I tell Sade with a smile.
"Big bro, is there any popcorn left?" Sade asks.
"Excuse me I'm cutting through." A nearby female movie fan said.
"Yeah…. oh shoot I must have spilt some of it as we were cutting through the crowd. I guess I should go get some more." I said all of a sudden as I noticed the small bag of popcorn I got was half empty.
"No big bro the movie's about to start. I don't want you to miss a second." Sade said as she at least tries to pull me back down.
"Fine seeing as how I can only resist your puppy dog eyes only half the time, but… it's not like popcorn can just rain down from the sky." I jokingly tell Sade.
And suddenly popcorn just magically rained down from the sky. Well actually it was more like rained over my head; so that statement wasn't just to be ironic it was to be literal.
"Oh I'm so sorry I accidently slipped on one of the chair legs." The female spiller of the popcorn says to me in a guilty tone of voice.
"Not bad, but a bit too much salt and… is that nacho cheese flavoring powder?" I tell the spiller of the popcorn while trying very hard to keep a smile on my face.
I still haven't quite recovered from the emotional stress my earlier nightmare caused me so I almost snapped in front of this girl, but I knew better plus Sade was here so I swallowed my emotions. As for the girl that spilled the popcorn on me she was wearing a dark pair of sunglasses, a dark gray hat that seems to be completely covering her hair, a bit of a puffy red sweater, and bright blue pants. In fact the only physical feature I could make out was the fact that she was as light skinned as I was.
"Are you alright?" the popcorn spiller asked.
"It was just popcorn so relax." I retort.
"Here let me help you with that." the popcorn spiller said as she reached for the popcorn that in my hair.
I tried to dismiss her offers of assistance, but ultimately relented since she wouldn't.
"Are you sure you're okay?" the popcorn spiller asked again.
"I'm fine….. look let's just enjoy the movie." I retort again.
Personally I don't care for most 3D animated movies, but it was at least interesting enough where I wasn't bored and Sade seemed to be really enthralled with it… so was the other young lady sitting next to me. Actually about 3 quarters of the way through at the sad point of the movie most of kids here started crying along with a few older ones as well. What happened was the main character took a serious fall from a cliff and may have died on impact.
"There there Sade, don't cry it's only a movie. Besides if his past actions prove anything there's no way he'll croak that easily, so just keep watching." I tell Sade as she cries into my shoulder.
"But…. sniff…. Sniff….. are you sure big bro?" Sade asks of me as she cries into my shoulder.
"Yes I'm sure I'd never tell you a fib." I whisper to Sade.
"Are you really sure?" the popcorn spiller asks me.
"Yes I'm sure. Now I don't mind Sade doing it… but why are you crying into my shoulder?" I tell the popcorn spilling girl in an annoyed tone of voice as she cries into my older shoulder.
I wasn't sure if I was more surprised than annoyed by the fact this girl was doing this, but I was definitely feeling both emotions rather strongly.
"What are you not man enough to console to crying ladies at once?" this popcorn spilling girl said blatantly insulting my masculinity.
And it came very close to working too, but it wasn't worth making a scene in a crowded movie theater.
"Do whatever you want." I tell the popcorn spilling girl as I turn away from her admitting defeat.
After about 20 or so more minutes they finally had the "Happy Ending" scene of the movie, so I finally thought I could leave but I was sooooo wrong. Sade and the girl who spilled popcorn on me ended up discussing the movie in great detail. I was less surprised by the fact a girl my age was watching this movie, and more that Sade was going into extensive detail discussing it.
"I know right. Oh what about when the main character met that girl bunny? I thought his reaction was pretty cute." the popcorn spilling girl points out to Sade.
"Yes and what happened afterwards was hilarious as well." Sade retorts.
Deciding that I've had enough, but still unwilling to make a scene I also decide to try a fairly blatant attempt at bribery.
"Well that's all well and good Sade, but do you still want some ice cream?" I ask.
"I do big bro, but I still wish we could have gotten here soon enough to get that stuffed animal they were giving away just for today." Sade answers me.
"Stuffed animal? Oh you mean this thing?" the popcorn spilling girl said as she reached into her sweater pocket.
She pulled out a moment later a brown rabbit animal, with white tipped ears, and a red jewel on its forehead making it a near perfect double of the movie's main character.
"Yeah wow where did you get one?" Sade asks as her eyes light up like fireworks.
"You can have it. I liked the movie so much that I ended up watching it several times in a row. I've got a few more, so it's not a big deal." The popcorn spilling girl explained as she gently threw the stuffed animal to Sade.
"Oh wow thank you so much I really appreciate it." Sade said as happy as I've seen her for a while.
"Now that you've gotten what you originally wanted Sade, do you still want to get ice cream?" I ask.
I asked mostly out of my brotherly/sisterly love of Sade, and just a tiny bit out of the desire to save some money. I'm not particularly cheap or anything, but the large milkshakes at the place I was talking to Sade about cost 12 bucks and they're the cheaper things on the menu.
"No big bro. I want to go home so I can place him with the rest of my collection." Sade happily said.
"Well alright then." I said.
"Thank you again." Sade said to the girl that gave her the stuffed animal.
"You haven't changed at all." The popcorn spilling girl whispered.
This time I know that she said this because I actually heard her say it, but didn't think much of it since I believed it to be impossible that we knew each other before hand. The truth was that I actually knew that woman before today, however I'll tell you who she is a bit later. Once I get home Sade goes to her room to play with her toys. After cooling off for a few minutes I lay out the three standing fight decks I own while listening to videos of past famous fights. The first deck is the one I can't or as they case will be won't use in public yet, the second is the deck I've been using for the past year or so, and the last was the one I prepared specifically just to beat Nolan Elchart if you remember who she is.
"Now is there any way I can improve either of these decks?" I thought.
I may not be able to use the first deck in public yet, but I still make changes to it as necessary so as to compete with the current meta.
"Now… ahhh…. Oh it's just you dad." I yell due not noticing him until he touched my shoulder.
As for the reason I didn't notice him until he touched my shoulder… it was because I was wearing a headset so as not to disturb my mother or Sade.
"What are you doing home so early?" I ask since unless on a special occasion my father doesn't come until late at night.
"Early? Wait… do you even realize what time it is?" my father asks as his eyes only lightly flare up with surprise.
"Yeah it's only… it's….. 2 AM in the morning." I say with shock on my face as I look at the clock on my laptop.
"I can see that you were so focused on editing your decks again, but you really should be getting to sleep if you wish to be wide awake for the expo tomorrow." My father pointed out.
"Yawn… I know." I tell my father as my exhaustion finally starts to hit as I collect my decks.
"One more thing since the company I work for is one of the sponsors for this year's expo so I was given an extra ticket, but I've decided to give it to you instead." My father explains as he holds out a ticket to me.
"But I already have one." I retort.
"I know which is why I'm giving it to you so you can take Sade with you. With her starting to get into Vanguard going will be a good experience for her, and give the two of you another chance to bond." My father explained.
"That's all well and good, but I don't think it would be right for me to toss this in with whatever Sade wanted to do tomorrow." I point out.
"That's not a problem. I phoned ahead and told your mother who in turn told Sade, of who was ecstatic about going. I actually asked my mother to tell you, but she told me she didn't want to since you had a 'Do not disturb' aura around you." my father explained.
That actually explained why Sade was so excited earlier.
"Then I have no problems with taking Sade with me tomorrow. Oh by the way thank you for helping her build a deck without me noticing. I would have helped if either of you asked." I point out.
"I would have wanted to use your connections to the local trade-scene, but Sade as I'm sure she's already told you wanted it all to be a surprise. How did she perform with her first fight?" my father curiously asks.
"Surprisingly well for a beginner seeing as how she won, but she didn't use her real deck if that was your next question. If you'll excuse me dad I'm going to go to sleep now. Wouldn't want to get detention tomorrow for that same reason." I tell my father as I start walking towards my room.
That's right even though the Vanguard Expo was a major event second only to the national tournaments in popularity; I still had to go to school on the first day. I don't know about Dalette and Raphugio, but Virgil and I should still be able to make it there in time for the actual selection process for the Expo's random selection tournament provided we don't hit traffic. For me a high school student who lived near the site of the Expo, if you saw your classmates shaking with anticipation they likely had a ticket to go. I was no exception to that excitement of course.
"Come on hurry up and ring." I thought as my left leg shakes with excitement while I haphazardly listen to the teacher's math lecture.
"Now if you use this variation of the quadratic equation to solve for X you can fine the solution through a much simpler method then just foiling, but like the clearly many Vanguard fighters among you sometimes you'll have to change tactics on the fly." The teacher jokingly explained.
This match class was actually my last class for the day, but still the class myself only somewhat included found the teacher's joke amusing.
"Settle down everyone. If a problem with an obtuse…. Alright no running, and for those of you representing the school at the expo today officially or unofficially do your best to honor what we represent." The teacher said as his students started to quickly file out of the classroom.
Allow me to explain, though a variety of students had purchased tickets to the Expo weeks to months in advance, our school's Vanguard club since it was founded represents Clancy Academy in an official capacity at the Expo by giving a few lessons to beginner and average level fighters. There are other Vanguard clubs that do the same thing of course, but ours seems to be the most popular. Actually the president of the club has tried to get me and a certain white haired blue tinged woman who at the time I didn't get along with to join, but we've always refused due to our personal obligations. It wasn't our skill that the president wanted, but what he called "Our burning rivalry" in order to inspire other members. I actually laughed when he said that because I believed that Nolan and I had a "Burning hatred" rather than a "Burning rivalry" with one another though I do get along perfectly with her younger sister, but man was I surprised when I found out that wasn't what Nolan thought. Like many things though…. that is a story for another time. Getting back on topic, I was about to be out the door when a certain female I just talked about decided to get my attention.
"Kiba!" Nolan yelled to get my attention.
"Why can't you just leave me alone today?" I thought as I begrudgingly turn around.
While wearing uniforms at our school is required, female students aren't restricted to just the female uniform they're allowed to wear the male one as well. Given her blatant tomboy personality, naturally she chose to wear the male uniform of course. She looked rather charming in it, but don't tell her I ever said that or she'll lord it over me like no one's business.
"Look can we just please not get into it today? I'm in a bit of a rush?" I ask in a tone that's a mixture of annoyance and desperation.
Unfortunately during our high school years Nolan and I had the reputation of though we disagreed with it strongly arguing like a married couple. In fact until our relationship started to improve anyone who mentioned it in our presence would get a dirty look. So when Nolan chose to get my attention in such a matter most students would immediately leave the area so as to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
"Sorry for yelling, but you won't give me the time of day unless I act like that." Nolan said.
"That's because you're normally so rude to me to the point where I only give you the time of day if I have to." I retort.
"Why you…. no forget it you didn't come here to argue Nolan." Nolan mumbled to herself not realizing she said her thoughts aloud.
"What did you need me fore then?" I ask.
"I was only wondering if you were going to the Vanguard Expo this year. Are you?" Nolan asks.
"Yes I am." I bluntly answer.
"Then I was wondering while you were there….. if you… if you son of a….. How dare you leave before I finish my sentence!" Nolan yelled as I hear her while running down the hallway as fast as I can.
In the moment Nolan turned away from me mid-sentence, I saw an opening to escape thinking no matter what she would say it would end up with us arguing again. I had absolutely no idea that due to my main character level of ignorance that she was actually going to ask me out on a date. At any rate I quickly stop by home to pick up Sade without even bothering to change out of my uniform given the fact that I was in such a rush. I didn't change not because I couldn't take the few minutes to do so, but rather because the uniforms are made out of material designed to keep the body cool under hot weather. That's actually why they're so freaking expensive. Anyways any Tarrant City local knows not to take the freeway to the expo should they have tickets due to all of the out-of-towners backing up traffic for miles. They instead take a series of back roads, though don't get me wrong it's still time consuming but it does cut about 45 minutes to an hour off the trip compared to taking most of the freeway routes. Once we park and get in line to enter the convention center, Sade points out something interesting at the head of it.
"What's that big bro?" Sade said as she again pointed at the head of the line.
"I think… some kind of camera, but I can't tell from here. Guess we'll find out if I'm right or not once we get to the front.
Approximately 30 minutes later….
"Excuse me, but what's the camera for?" I ask the ticket clerk as I pass him my ticket.
"It's for the random selection tournament. When it comes time to announce who got selected as well as the pairings, we'd like to show pictures of all the competitors throughout the convention center and on the TV station covering the Expo. Speaking of which, would you like to try your luck with the selection process?" the ticket clerk asked.
"Yes if that's not too much trouble." I answer.
"Then please type your name into this keyboard, and once your done stand in the marked area for the camera." The ticket clerk explained.
The whole process of getting the proverbial raffle ticket for the random selection tournament only took a couple of minutes, so decided to try for one two simply for the novelty of it. In that regards her shy nature aside I can understand her reaction for being picked. At any rate once we walked inside, I found the stalls that were set up were simply amazing. Officially this was a Vanguard focused event, but it's more or less an unofficial Comic-con. An example would be the various people in costumes and I apparently wasn't the only person from my school who showed up in uniform, but enough about that.
"Now this is bit of a problem." I mumble as I look over a map of the expo that the ticket clerk gave Sade and I.
"What do you mean big bro?" Sade asks.
"The plan was to meet the others at the food court, but if I'm reading this map right the Expo has three…. Oh hold on a second I'm getting a phone call." I was explaining to Sade when all of a sudden I felt my pants pocket start to vibrate.
"Go ahead big bro and take your time." Sade said in an understanding tone.
"Who is it? Wait….. Virgil is that you?... Where were we supposed to meet?... I know it was supposed to be at the food court, but there are three of them here so I'm going to need more than that….. Yeah we just came through the convention center's west entrance. What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?" I ask Virgil as I look at the ceiling while talking to him on my phone.
"Umm what are you looking at big bro?" Sade asks.
"Oh for the love of…. other left you idiot!" Virgil yelled loud enough for me to hear through this crowd.
It seems among the three food courts at the expo, everyone decided to gather coincidently at the one next to the entrance I came through with Sade. By looking up to my left I saw Raphugio, Virgil, and Dalette looking over at us from a second floor guard railing.
"I'll be there in few minutes." I tell Virgil through my phone.
Like I said it only takes us a few minutes to climb to the second floor, and like the first time I brought Sade with me to meet them they were once more knee deep into their own conversation.
"….. finish it yet?" Dalette said apparently asking Raphugio some kind of question when their conversation finally came within earshot.
"Just in the nick of time, and don't worry the riding suit and the deck are still in the V-Wheel's storage compartment." Raphugio answered.
"What are you guys talking about?" I ask as I take as Sade and I take a seat between Dalette and Virgil respectively.
"Here wasn't sure when you'd be here, but I decided to get the two of you something to drink given how hot it was outside." Virgil said as he passed Sade and I a couple of soft drinks
"Oh Dalette was just wondering if we were ready should having to use our rides come up for the random selection tournament." Raphugio explained.
"Speaking of which have you finished repairing mine yet?" I ask Raphugio.
"Not quite. There's just one more detail that needs to be taken care of, but depending on how today goes I may have to wait until after the Expo before I can look into it." Raphugio answered.
"What do you all mean by ride big bro?" Sade curiously asks.
"Oh for accelerated fights, but it's nothing you need to worry about right now though we will explain it to you if it does come up." I answer.
"Could one of you please pass me your copy of the Expo map?" Dalette asks.
Virgil was the one who decided to grant Dalette's request, and it seemed like she wanted us to have our attention focused on a spot in the center of the Expo where there appeared to have been a large stage viewable from nearly all directions set up.
"My guess is that within the next two or three hours they'll announce the people who got picked for the random selection tournament along with the match pairings here on this stage. As long as you don't embarrass yourselves, you're free to do what you want until then." Dalette explained.
"Well in that case time to do a little shopping." Virgil said as he got up from his seat.
"Where are you going?" I curiously ask.
"To the section selling Granblue cards. I heard through the grapevine that there might be a stand selling a particular card I'm looking for." Virgil explained before he walked away.
"And I'm going to check out the stands selling the next generation V-Wheels and V-Wheel components." Raphugio explained before he walked away as well.
"Well then Sade, is there anywhere you want to look first? I know taking you along was last minute, but I still thought I should ask." I ask Sade.
"Um actually big sis I was wondering if you'd be willing to show me around the expo." Sade answered as she turned towards Dalette.
"I don't really mind. In fact I could use the company, but….. why?" Dalette asks as this time she was more caught off guard then surprised by Sade's request.
"Big bro has already done a lot for me recently, so I wanted to give him the chance to relax today without having to worry about me for once." Sade explained.
"Well I really appreciate it Sade. I promise to definitely treat you to some ice cream next chance I get. Still you have to promise me that you'll do whatever Dalette tells you no matter what, and of course don't talk to strangers." I tell Sade as I greatly appreciate what she was trying to do for me."
"I know big bro geez." Sade said in an ever rarely seen annoyed tone.
And so we all go our separate ways within the confines of this convention hall all for the same purpose. That purpose being to become stronger in our own special way. As I continue to walk around the Expo I see a few more students from my school along with a few of the usual guys at Cosmic Odyssey, though I only end up giving some kind of greeting to less than half of them. Eventually I stop to take a look at one of the mini-card shop stands that piqued my interest.
"Wow…. There are cards here that I never thought that I'd see in person." I mumble out of amazement due to feeling very much so like a kid in a candy store.
Those cards were carefully protected in plastic cases placed next to one another in no particular order.
"It can't be I've spent 3 years trying to track down a copy of this card." I thought as my attention was drawn to the center of this particular display case.
I actually don't remember what the card was anymore, but I still reached for it so as to confirm whether or not my eyes weren't playing a trick on me. When I finally did so I noticed that someone else's hand reached for it at the same time, I turned to see who that hand belonged to only to be surprised even further by who I saw.
"Look I saw this card first…. Ahhh you're that popcorn spilling lady." I say in shock as I realized the identity of the other person who wanted this particular card.
She may have on a different combination of clothing, but their arrangement as well as the demeanor she gave off made me sure that I was dealing with the same girl.
No I did…. wait hey I have a proper name!" the popcorn spilling girl said clearly annoyed be the title I gave her.
"Well you never told me what it was so tough." I tell the popcorn spilling girl.
"Well I still saw that card first, so right back at you dude." The popcorn spilling girl retorts as I get into a Nolan-style and yes I'm actually using that as a term argument with her.
"Thank you for your patronage. Please come back again." The stall manager said as this popcorn spilling girl and I heard the caching of the cash register.
"Wha…. Whaaaa…. Whaaaaat." This popcorn girl and I say at the same time as we realize someone else absconded with the card we both wanted.
"Great, and I really wanted that card too." We both say at the same time.
Realizing that I shouldn't let a material possession no matter how rare make me act that way, I knew that the next thing I had to do was apologize to this young woman. At any rate as I turn to see who bought the card we both wanted all I saw was that he wore a somewhat large white coat with a black silhouette of a dragon printed on the back. If you're familiar with that person then you'll know what his signature outfit was at the time. An outfit that could only belong to Isaac Barrett.
"I'm sorry for what I said I know it's ridiculous to argue over a card. That aside, what Clan do you use out of curiosity? No collector gets emotional that way over a card." I ask the popcorn spilling girl.
"Much like a lady's name, it's rude to ask what clan she uses without telling her your own first." The popcorn spilling girl retorts in a sly manner.
"Alright I get the point. I use the Narukami clan particularly an Eradicator build to be specific. What clan do you use?" I ask again.
"Gold Paladin, and the ace of my current deck is Liberator, Holy Shine Dragon." The popcorn spilling girl honestly answered.
"Ha from…. Infinite Rebirth I think. Personally I think it's one of the most underrated Liberator limit break cards in the game. Now then could you please tell me your name so I can stop calling you popcorn spilling girl?" I respectfully ask the popcorn spilling girl.
"My name is… hold on….. It's almost time already? I'll meet you there then Abygail." The popcorn spilling girl said as she started speaking into her phone all of a sudden.
I immediately flinched when she said the name Abygail in such a way there were it could have only had the "I" replaced with a "Y". That's the name of my silver haired Ex-girlfriend who was using me the whole time, but not in the way you think. Back then I dismissed it as coincidence, but there was no denying the feelings of worry the mere mention of that name caused me.
"Look I'm sorry, but I have to go." the popcorn spilling girl said.
"Goodbye then and I'll ask your name another time I guess!" I yell as the popcorn spilling girl starts to run off in the direction I was facing.
"Goodbye to you as well, and maybe I'll even tell you Kiba." The popcorn spilling girl said.
"Wait….. I never told you my name!" I yell, but I was too late the popcorn spilling girl was out of sight and earshot.
As I continue to slowly walk through the stalls I thought rather vigorously about how that woman could have learned my name when I know for a fact that I never told her, and after a few more minutes my mind arrived at 2 possibilities. The first is that Sade told her my name in their discussion after the movie while I wasn't paying attention and the other is that I let it slipped without realizing it during the movie, but both would later be proven incredibly wrong. A few minutes after the popcorn spilling girl left this is what unfolded shortly thereafter. That popcorn spilling girl walked into for the lack of better words a two-roomed dressing room. One was for actually changing, and the other for greeting guests.
"Finally I can remove this horribly itchy outfit." The popcorn spilling girl said.
In that moment she dropped the normal yet kind and energetic tone of voice, and switched over to one with a level of seriousness only. Then it became off with the hat, gone with the glasses, and on with the TV revealing the shoulder length orange haired girl that hid underneath them. Though I wouldn't find out for quite a while, that's right this girl is none other than the famed fighter Sakura Verde.
"Sigh….. so far they haven't covered any of the interesting events going on asides from the Expo Tourney." Sakura mumbled to herself as she used a brush to get rid of her hat hair.
"Pardon me my lady, but if you're thirsty I've prepared a cup of tea. In addition I've received word about the identities of the competitors for the Expo's random selection tournament. I have the list with me now if you wish to view it." Abygail said as she knocked on the door to the actual dressing room of this dressing room.
"It's unlocked, so you can come in." Sakura said.
"Is there anything else you need me to do before I go home for the day?" Abygail inquired.
It may be in bad taste to say this early, but actually Abygail was only working for Sakura personally so as to see if she was involved in what's to come. In any just like how I mentioned it the last time, Sakura is reviewing the identities of the competitors on a tablet device.
"Random draw…. Yeah right. That may have been the case for everyone else, but you let these two in just to increase ratings didn't you father?" Sakura thought as her eyes were particularly drawn to two of the 16 names on this list.
A few more thoughts and mumblings pass through her head up until she stared at the photo of a dusty young boy being pulled from rubble. That young boy was me, but even though I said that the young girl in that photo was Sakura… I only said so because that's what she told me when I was made aware of the photo's existence, but the truth behind this photo like many things would be a mystery to me until the endgame.
"I've prepared the outfit you're supposed to wear for the promotional tournament's opening ceremonies. It is currently resting against one of the lounge chairs in the next room. Also before I go I must ask a favor of you not as an employee, but as a friend." Abygail informed.
"How important is this favor?" Sakura curiously asks.
"Important enough that if you refuse to grant me this favor I'll quit." Abygail answered.
"Then go ahead and ask." Sakura retorts.
"A few friends of mine and I intend to enter the team division of the national tournament this year. In order for us to adequately prepare I request that my shifts be restricted to only when you absolutely need me." Abygail explained.
"Permission granted then. I'm sure my father can make other arrangements on my behalf." Sakura answered.
"If I may also say that I wonder why my lady must where such disguises in order to truly be herself. You are enjoyable company when you are." Abygail pointed out.
"It's the result of the penalty of fame. Most people now see only the famous fighter Sakura Verde and not the young lady Sakura Verde. Most of my supposed famous friends only claim as such to boost their image after all." Sakura explained.
"If that is your choice then I won't object." Abygail said.
"Could you please leave me so I can change? I already know I don't have much time until things go down." Sakura orders more than requests of Abygail.
"Very well. I'll see you on my next shift to discuss the specifics of my time off." Abygail said before leaving the room.
Completely ignorant to the conversation that has just happened between Sakura and my Ex-girlfriend; I continue to wander through the various stalls until an announcement is made over the Convention Center's PA system for those who were able to gather at the center stage Dalette pointed out earlier.
"Now where are they?" I mumble to myself as I look through the growing crowd of people for my friends.
"Big bro, we're over here!" Sade yelled as she apparently finds me instead of me finding her.
I find my friends all gathered together, and I also Sade holding a plastic bag.
"What did you buy Sade?" I ask.
"Oh I didn't buy it big bro. Big sis was nice enough to buy it for me, and don't worry I already thanked her." Sade happily said.
"How much did whatever you buy for Sade cost you? I want to reimburse you for your troubles." I ask Dalette as I reach for my wallet.
"There's no need. It was an extraordinarily cheap but hard to find card Sade needed for her deck. She happened to point it out as I was purchasing something from the same stand, so I decided to toss it in the proverbial shopping cart." Dalette said as she raised her hand to stop me.
"I see then thank you again." I tell Dalette.
I was also curious about what Dalette purchased from the same stand, but when I got the strong distinction from her that asking wouldn't be good for my health I decided against it. Suddenly our eyes were drawn to the center of center stage by the sound of smoke machines on high output at work. Once the smoke cleared the modern day solo version of Team Ultra-rare Teresa Weaver appeared in its place. She was wearing a kind of blue-colored frilly Japanese idol themed outfit even though she wasn't actually Japanese that would only normally be found in anime.
"How are you Vanguard fans?!" Teresa yelled into a microphone.
"Fine!" the collective of people here yelled.
"That's good. I'd like to say I'm sorry to my fans that missed the Expo's opening performance and only arrived just now, but don't worry I'll be having another short concert later into the evening." Teresa announced.
"Yeah!" the collective of fans here yelled.
"Now it's time for what you've all been waiting for. It's time for the Expo's yearly random selection tournament where as the name implied 16 fighters are normally selected from all of the people here!" Teresa yelled.
"Normally?" Teresa's collective of fans here yelled.
"Yes normally because in order to keep all my loyal fans here happy until my evening concert, the Expo administrators have decided to let me enter the tournament as the first official competitor, so there are only 15 slots available this year. If any of my fans get to face me please don't hold back on my account." Teresa explained.
"We could never hurt you!" Teresa's collective of fans yelled.
What am I in an anime?" both I and several people here thought.
"I'll leave the explanation of the rules to a true fighting professional, so vanguard fans give your hands up to the several time winners of the US National tournament single division and V-Wheel test pilot Sakura Verde!" Teresa yelled.
Sakura herself appeared out of another burst of smoke wearing her orange/black riding suit, with her helmet clipped to one side of her waist, and what I assumed to be her standing fight deck clipped to the other side.
"Thank you Teresa. Now for the rest of you quite down and listen up!" Sakura yelled in a firm tone of voice.
Sakura's tone of voice unlike Teresa's which energizes people had the intended effect of silencing them in this particular case.
"There is nothing wrong with enjoying a fight, but like you all I expect you to fight to win. The special prize my father referred to in recent commercials is that should the person lucky enough to face me actually defeat me, he'll grant that person any wish so long as it is within his power." Sakura announced in a firm serious tone.
I'm going to say this now that the thought of most of the men and women here was that if by some miracle they defeated Sakura…. They'd make her go on a date with them. My friend Virgil was sadly among that group of people.
"The expo tournament shall have all official vanguard tournament rules strictly enforced. Anyone caught cheating in this tournament shall be disqualified immediately. This event will like the Expo will last for 5 days with my opponent being decided on the 4th, and my fight with that person on the 5th day. All matches shall be held at various sites at various times throughout the Expo. Should a selected competitor only have a day pass, they'll immediately be granted a weekly one." Sakura announced.
"This pressure… I know I'm not even fighting her yet, but this must be what it's like to fight at the top." I thought as my left hand starts to shake.
"I shall now announce the identity of the remaining 15 competitors, their opponents, where they will be fighting, and when. Starting with our first official competitor Teresa Weaver….. her opponent will be none other than her team captain Isaac Barrett, and their fight will begin on this very stage as soon as I'm done here!" Sakura yelled.
One by one she announced various names up until there were only two slots left. Sade much to her shock was selected as a competitor against a fighter I never heard of. Virgil got selected as well, but his opponent was against a heavy hitter. There were 5 heavy hitters in this tournament starting with Nolan's little sister Sally, Nolan herself, Team Star Ocean's ace/wielder of the Aqua Force clan Cloud Soryu, Teresa Weaver, and last Isaac Barrett. Every serious fighter here already knew or soon discovered that the intensity Isaac gives off far surpasses Sakura. This made me thing regardless of if he actually won this tournament….. did Sakura even stand a chance against him?
"I can't believe I got selected big bro….. what should I do?" Sade asks of me as once more starts to freak out.
"Just keep the same train of thought you did against Raphugio, ignore the people watching you, and you'll be fine." I tell Sade.
"Okay big bro I'll believe you because I know you will never tell me a lie." Sade said as she's apparently regained her composure.
"Yeah I got paired against a heavy hitter and I'm perfectly fine." Virgil calmly said though I was actually the only one to notice that her legs were shaking rather vigorously.
"I just wish she'd hurry up and announce the last, so I'd know if I get to fight today." I tell my friends.
The last match like the first will begin right after I'm done here. The fighters and two Tarrant City locals: Raphugio Gomez versus Kiba Maka…. Sorry if you heard that…. Kiba Nakashima." Sakura yelled as she much to my personal embarrassment failed to say my last name correctly on national television.
"It looks like we'll get to fight each other again after a while, and on a serious stage to boot. We're very lucky you know." I tell Raphugio.
"I know, and I'm looking forward to the challenge as well." Raphugio retorts.
"The format of the fight: Accelerated standard rule set! That makes the third one for the first round." Sakura yelled.
"Hold on… what?! My V-Wheel still isn't fixed?!" I yell due to being as shocked as Sade when she got picked.
To Be Continued
Virgil: No fancy "Next chapter preview" bit this time?
Raphugio: Not today because next time is a straight forward brawl.
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "The Demon Race Begins!"