Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 8
Demons Seriously Start Racing
As you've just read my friend Virgil put up a valiant fight against Cloud, however he was ultimately overpowered due to the sheer difference in skill between them. That's to be expected as Dalette placed his skill at the professional level. Ahem… going back a bit, I spent a good deal of time after I ditched my friends trying to find someone or some organization to let me borrow their V-Wheel but so far I had no luck.
"So what do you think of my offer?" I ask a Company Rep in charge of promoting his corporations new model of V-Wheel.
"While seeing our new model in the Expo's random selection tournament would be a great promotional opportunity, however I'm afraid I'm going to have to refuse. From what you've told me you lack equivalent collateral, and the proper amount of experience." The Company Rep I happen to be talking to at the time explained.
"Oh okay…. well thank you for your time." I tell the company rep.
I knew I was already wound up enough as it were, so I decide to try and cool off by taking a seat at one of the nearby tables.
"Arghhh shoot what am I going to do now? I don't want to be disqualified because of a technicality." I mumble to myself as I try to force myself to sit still.
Freaking finally…. I've been looking all over the place for you." Raphugio yelled.
I looked to my right and there I find my friend Raphugio standing before me clearly out of breath.
"Where's the fire?" I ask.
"No fire. I talked to one of the Expo people and I bought us some time with a quick excuse." Raphugio explained.
"What was the excuse?" I curiously ask.
"I told the guy that I talked to that we did indeed bring our V-Wheels to the expo, however we lack a few safety implements because we drove them here in a pure transportation capacity and not to fight. They gave me an hour and some petty cash to get what we're missing, but we only have 40 minutes left since I spend 20 of it looking for you." Raphugio explained.
"That's an impressive excuse, but you've forgotten one little detail man." I point out to Raphugio as I come close to snapping.
"What else am I forgetting? I mean I only asked for enough petty cash to buy or at least rent a riding suit since I forgot to bring mine, so I know it can't be that." Raphugio retorts with a purposeful look of ignorance on his face.
"Okay…. in case you haven't forgotten especially since you're the one handling it, but my ride is still being fixed." I tell Raphugio as I emphasize the last couple of words with quiet anger.
"Relax man… this leads me to part 2 of how we're going to solve your problem. Just follow me and I'll show you." Raphugio explained.
"Follow you where?" I curiously ask.
"Not to where…" Raphugio was saying.
I spent the next 10 minutes following Raphugio back to his truck which had a small cargo trailer attached to it in silence, and it had to be silence because every time I tried to speak up Raphugio silenced me because he said I would ruin the mood.
"To what." Raphugio said as if to complete the sentence he said earlier after he stopped at the door of the cargo trailer attached to his truck.
"You made me walk in silence for 10 minutes just to give that cheesy one liner? This isn't a scene in a late night slapstick comedy show." I point out gently in my own special way.
"Oh just shut for a second… trust me you'll love me after I show you what's inside." Raphugio said as he pulled on a lever to open the door to his small cargo trailer.
If it was anatomically possible by jaw would have probably dropped to the cold floor out of shock in regards to what I saw inside Raphugio's trailer.
"Dude… I can't believe you brought my ride here…. that's awesome." I gratefully tell my friend due to in part feeling as giddy as a school girl.
Yup there it was inside… my old V-Wheel. At the time it was a simple but advanced machine that was built out of the skull of a dragon, with two aerodynamic wings covering the rear wheel, along with the exhaust valve, and though it contradicted the clan I used for accelerated fights it was painted bright red like the Narukami clan.
"Yeah I know I'm awesome." Raphugio said as he basks in the rays of light that is my gratitude.
"I swear I'm tempted to hug soooooo much right now man. Wait…. I thought you said that you had one more thing to do before the repairs were done?" I tell Raphugio as I continue to act as giddy as a school girl.
"Yeah that was just to have it undergo a test run, and I can't think of a better stage to have it on. You may not have been able to have an accelerated fight for a few months, but do you think you have what it takes to beat me?" Raphugio asks as he officially issues his letter of challenge.
"Oh I believe I have what it takes. Still….. what about my helmet, deck, and riding suit?" I ask.
Technology has improved a great deal since the early 21st century. For example the riding suits professional fighters wear are designed in such a way that they cushion the blow from falling of your V-Wheel at 40mph so well that you'll at best have a sprained ankle here or a strained wrist there.
"Your deck and riding suit are still in the storage compartment under the seat. As for your helmet it's in the tool box in the back of the trailer." Raphugio answered.
"It feels good to sit on this thing again after so long." I mumble to myself as I sit on my V-Wheel while I enter the security code to unlock the storage compartment under my seat.
I'll explain why my ride needed repairs in a bit, but sitting on my V-Wheel felt like seeing an old valued friend after so long. In that moment I wish it could have lasted forever, but soon enough Raphugio and I had to get ready and go to the assigned starting area in the parking lot for our fight.
"HellO vanguard fans… I'm Dr. O and the young woman sitting next to me is my colleague Sara Todd." Dr. O announced.
For the record this isn't the same Dr. O you know from the history books, but rather it is instead his young genius grandson. In fact he was actually around my age. As for his colleague Sara she's a Japanese woman in her early 30s at the time of this chapter, with long black hair, and her choice of outfits seems to consist of a series of pink suits. She's also Isaac's… no wait that's too big of a spoiler to give here.
"The expo's management board requested that we commentate on some of the fights going on here today. As for the next fight….. it's the third accelerated one going on for the Expo tournament." Sara followed.
"For those of you watching from home you should be seeing a topographical map of the Convention center. The areas marked in red indicate the assigned track for these fights." Dr. O explained.
The Tarrant City convention center is in the center of a large parking lot like that of a football or baseball stadium. Using several hundred cones and a combination of safety officials a large track has been set up around the convention center. This large improvised track is being used by the other 4 fighters already knee deep in their own accelerated fights.
"The third fight will be between two more Tarrant City locals. Let's introduce them…. The first is the only Other competitor in the tournament aside from Isaac that uses the Narukami clan. Give your hands up to Kiba Nakashima." Dr. O announced.
"The second Tarrant City local is Raphugio Gomez a master of the demonic Dark Irregular clan. We'll see soon enough if either of them will use their standing fight clans in this fight though."
Meanwhile at the entrance to this track…..
"I'll ask you one more time before the fight begins. Do you think you have what it takes to beat me?" Raphugio inquired.
"I'll say it again…. Yeah I'll be a bit rusty, but I have what it takes." I answer.
"Good now let's see if you can finally beat me." Raphugio retorts.
"Now let's get this shOw on the road and this race on its tracks." Dr. O announced.
"Fighters….. begin!" Sara declared.
"Accelerate, vanguard!" Raphugio and I yell at the same time.
Our battlefield didn't take any special shape… in remained the simple track around the convention center that it always was.
"Accel Knight, Reign [Power: 5000]!" I yelled.
"Speed Demon Tuner, Belphegor [Power: 5000]!" Raphugio declared.
Over the years Vanguard has inspired the creation of unique cartoon shows based off of the game in each nation of the world, but there's one fact in particular that they all have in common. It's that the fans of each series hate it when they skimp over a fight in an episode. Unfortunately that's what I have to do now, however I promise to restrict repeating this instance to only when it's absolutely necessary. It's time to give the other real people in my tale of the truth time in the spotlight. The first is the man who has been my greatest rival throughout the years…. Isaac Barrett as he fights his teammate Teresa Weaver.
Teresa – Isaac
3 – Hand – 6
2 – Soul – 3
5 – Damage – 3
2 – Counterblast – 1
Nursing Celestial Narelle, Wild Shot Celestial Raguel – Eradicator Thunder Boom Dragon, Dragon Dancer Stormy
First Aid Celestial Peniel, Prophecy Celestial Ramiel – Eradicator Electric Shaper Dragon, Dragon Dancer Stormy
Empty, Wild Shot Celestial Raguel – Empty, Empty
"You've improved quite a bit over the past month Teresa. I'm actually impressed." Isaac said though he was more focused on his hand instead of his opponent.
"Thank you, but we both know I'm still a long ways away from being strong enough to make you fight seriously." Teresa retorts.
"It's still your turn, so use the chance to prove me wrong." Isaac points out as he tries in his own way to motivate his teammate.
"This fight has only just started to reach its endgame, but it's already been one for the history books. Each time Isaac and Teresa's vanguards clashed I felt the power coming from them down to the depths of my soul." The commentator for this fight said.
"I know I haven't forgotten. Spin like the Earth in order to bring your allies back to life! I ride Spiral Celestial, Hellm [Power: 11000]!" Teresa declared.
"Allow me to explain Ramiel's break ride skill. Teresa's vanguard gets an additional +10000 power, she then adds a card from her damage zone into her hand, and finally replaces it with a card from the top of her deck face up." The commentator explained.
"He's right. I call Arabhaki [Power: 7000] after adding it to my hand through my break ride's effect. Now spin your healing power into a relentless vortex… Spiral Celestial Hellm's limit break! I counterblast 1, switch another copy of Hellm from my hand with Aniel from my damage zone, my vanguard gains +5000 power, and she also gets +1 critical." Teresa explained.
"With that skill Teresa can concentrate an immense amount of attacking power down her center line and get rid of clog from her hand." The commentator explained.
"That's also true, and to reinforce that truth I activate the skill again to strengthen my vanguard even further. With support from Peniel's boost, Hellm attacks Electric Shaper Dragon [Total Power: 36000 3 Crit]!" Teresa declared.
"I nullify that with Wyvern Guard, Guld [Perfect Defense]!" Isaac countered.
[Drive Check – Hot Shot Celestial, Samyaza – Critical Trigger]
"All effects go to the front left Raguel." Teresa informed.
[Drive Check – Emergency Celestial, Danielle – No Trigger]
"Now my medically enhanced Raguel attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 24000 2 Crit]!" Teresa declared.
[Damage Check – Old Dragon Mage – Draw Trigger]
"All effects to vanguard and I draw." Isaac informed.
[Damage Check – Red River Dragoon – No Trigger]
"Then my other Raguel attacks [Total Power: 19000]!" Raguel declared.
"I intercept with Thunder Boom Dragon [Total Shield: 5000]!" Isaac countered.
"Well…. I guess that's it for me." Teresa said knowing that her defeat was imminent.
"Giant fisted dragon, blow away everything before you! Break ride Armor Break Dragon [Power: 11000]." Isaac declared.
"Don't underestimate the power of Electric Shaper Dragon's break ride skill. In addition to the power bonus; whenever Isaac destroys a unit on his opponent's front row through the break ride's effect the unit behind it gets obliterated as well." the commentator explained.
"Call Dragon Dancer, Agatha [Power: 7000] and now armor Break Dragon's Limit Break! By discarding 3 cards the units on both our front rows are destroyed, but since mine is empty only you'll have to suffer this penalty. After the destruction is said and done my vanguard gets +10000 power and +2 critical." Isaac explained.
A powerful torrent of lightning and wind bursts forth from the ground breaks apart Teresa's front row units until there no more than particles of light.
"Electric Shaper's break ride skill activates and destroys Narelle and Arabhaki. I activate Agatha's skill: By emptying my soul I give my back right Stormy +12000 power. That's not all you have to worry about though because both my Stormy's gain another +12000 power through their own effects." Isaac explains.
"Amazing people by sacrificing his hand Isaac has generated a massive amount of attacking power despite having 2 open rearguard circles, but that's to be expected since this strategy has won him the team division of nationals time and time again." The commentator said out of amazement.
"I call another Thunder Boom Dragon [Total Power: 10000] to replace the one I intercepted with, and now Armor Break Dragon attacks [Total Power: 49000 3 Crit]!" Isaac declared.
"May as well…. Perfect defense with Aniel [Perfect Defense]." Teresa counters.
"Twin drive check [Armor Break Dragon – No Trigger]. Second check [Malevolent Djinn – Critical Drigger]. All effects go to Thunder Boom Dragon." Isaac informed.
Even though Armor Break Dragon had a tremendous amount of power behind his fist, Aniel through great willpower of her own is able to push off the attack.
"Thunder Boom Dragon, attack Hellm and end the battle [Total Power: 45000 2 Crit]!" Isaac declared.
[Damage Check – Thousand Ray Pegasus – No Trigger]
"The fight is over and the winner is regardless of any doubt….. Isaac Barrett!" the commentator declared.
"Well of course it was an exciting battle… Teresa and Isaac are the two strongest fighters in the country." One fan said.
"Hold on Sakura's pretty strong too. I think you should hold off on saying that until one of them faces each other in an official capacity." a friend of that fan pointed out.
"Well we'll get your answer when Isaac wins the whole thing. I mean regardless of how strong the others competitors are… there's just no way they can beat Isaac." the first fan pointed out.
Truthfully I don't know if anyone actually said those exact words back then, but that was more or less the thoughts of everyone who watched this fight. I thought that Isaac possessed a near omnipotent level of strength the first time we fought, but he's not the only valiant warrior doing battle here today. Now it's time for me to write about how Sade is doing at this moment in time. Her opponent was a fighter about a year younger than me with long black hair in the same style that the famous Ren Suzugamori used to have it in, but little do I know like how Cloud told Virgil… he too is a demon of the racetrack.
Sade – Will
5 – Hand – 5
`1 – Soul – 1
2 – Damage – 3
1 – Counterblast – 0
Polar Stern, Mars Blaukluger – Overcoming Revenger Rukea, Empty
Morgenrot, Jupiter Blaukluger – Darkness Revenger Rugos, Judgebau Revenger
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
"Okay….. I've made it through 2 of my turns with no screw ups…. I can do this." Sade thought as she attempts to take deep breaths to calm her nerves.
"For a beginner you're having a decent start." Will tells Sade to compliment her.
"Ehh… how could you tell?" Sade asks surprised that Will noticed her inexperience.
"Only a total beginner could look that nervous on this kind of stage. I think it might be bad luck that you got picked to fight in this tournament before you could get the basics down, but if you can work through it this will be a great learning experience." Will explained.
"This Will guy…. That's not the face of a fighter with a naturally carefree personality, but of a fighter who just doesn't care. He's not taking this fight seriously in fact he's holding back, however the problem is…. I can't tell by how much." Dalette thought.
"Okay I'll try." Sade said as she took Will's advice to heart.
"Good, but allow me to be the one to give you the first push. Ahem… atone for the sins of the old shadows with your own darkness! I ride Illusionary Revenger, Mordred Phantom [Power: 11000]!" Will declared.
"Just a little… but he's starting to get a little serious. Will you be able to handle it Sade?" Dalette thought.
"Mordred attack Jupiter Blaukluger [Total Power: 18000]!" Will declared.
"No guard." Sade decided.
"Should have blocked it Sade." Dalette thought as she slaps herself gently on the face.
[Drive Check – Illusionary Revenger, Mordred Phantom – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Transient Revenger, Masquerade – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Mond Blaukluger – No Trigger]
"I use Judgebau's skill and move him into the soul. This allows me to superior call Dark Bond Trumpeter [Power: 6000] and Shadow Lancer [Power: 7000]. Next up Dark Bond allows me to superior call another Judgebau Revenger [Power: 5000] from my deck, and finally through Shadow Lancer's skill I can add a copy of Mordred Phantom to my hand from my deck by discarding the copy of him in my hand." Will explained with a long winded speech.
"With that single maneuver Will was able to cycle out 4 non-trigger units from his deck, strengthen his formation by quite a bit, and all for a counterblast cost of 2….. but wait Vanguard fans there's still a bit more to explain. Whenever a unit that's grade 1 or less is placed on the rearguard while Rukea is on the field she gains +3000 or in this case +9000 power." the commentator explained.
"That's why you should have blocked. Still he doesn't appear to have Blaster Dark Revenger in his deck, so I guess it's okay." Dalette thought.
"I'll attack your vanguard with my supercharged Rukea [Total Power: 18000]!" Will declared.
"Regenbogen guards [Total Shield: 10000]!" Sade countered.
"Then I guess I end my turn.
If you thought I was going to write about what Sade had planned for her next turn… then you'd be wrong. I've given the other players in this story enough time in front of the proverbial camera, so it's time to get back to my fight with Raphugio.
Kiba – Raphugio
6 – Hand – 5
3 – Soul – 5
11 – Speed Counter – 8
3 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Accel Knight Lionel – Speed Demon Phoenix Ravel, Speed Demon Leviathan Serafall
Empty, Accel Knight Lancelot – Decadent Succubus, Empty
Empty, Empty – Empty, Speed Demon Tuner Belphegor
"You know this fight reminds me a bit of when we first met. Granted the effects of the units are different, but the layout is more or less the same." I point out.
"I remember too, but I recall kicking your ass 6 ways to Sunday." Raphugio retorts.
"That's only because I was grade stuck. Still man thanks for fixing my ride… so I'll pay you back by returning the favor." I declare.
"You don't owe me anything. If anything I still owe you some seeing as how your ride wouldn't have been wrecked if you didn't save my skin." Raphugio points out to me.
"Hmph…. It's just a piece of machinery man." I point out again.
"By using the skill of Accel Knight Reign to superior ride to Accel Knight, Lancelot…. Kiba has managed to gain the lead in speed counters and a slight lead in hand size." Dr. O announced.
"But the fight is still only in its middle-game, so it's still possible for Raphugio to gain an advantage." Sara followed.
"Stand and draw…. Oh this is perfect. Trinity headed demon king, blow away those ahead of you with your flames and take the lead in this race! I ride Speed Demon Chimera, Balam [Total Power: 11000]!" Raphugio yelled.
A torrent of dark energy bursts forth from Decadent Succubus and transforms her into a male chimera like creature with black scaly like skin, along with having the head of a bull, the head of a man, and the head of a ram as despite its monstrous size it easily moves fast enough to keep up with Raphugio.
"I call Doreen the Thruster [Power: 6000] behind Balam, and I activate the skill of my starting vanguard. By counter-blasting 1 card and moving Belphegor into the soul I can soul charge 1 card for every 3 of my speed counters… that makes two in this case." Raphugio explained.
[Soul Charge – Speed Demon Swordsman, Botis – Stand Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Speed Demon Destroyer, Bael – Critical Trigger]
"Since 3 cards were added to the soul Doreen gains +9000 power, and the activation conditions for Serafall and Ravel have been met." Raphugio explained.
"The effect that responds to those conditions being that once per turn during the main phase whenever a card with 'Speed Demon' in the card name is added to Raphugio's soul… our Dark Irregular user here can soulcharge 2 more cards and raise his total speed counters by 2 as well." Sara explained.
[Soulcharge – Speed Demon Chimera, Balam – No Trigger]
[Soulcharge – Speed Demon Defender, Sabnock – No Trigger]
"Once again I add +6000 power to Doreen the Thruster, and she'll strengthen Balam as he attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 32000]!" Raphugio declared.
"I'm not guarding." I inform.
[Drive Check – Speed Demon Striker, Berith – Critical Trigger]
"I'll add the critical to my vanguard and the power to Ravel [New Total: 32000 2 Crit]." Raphugio decided.
[Drive Check – Speed Demon Spider, Buer – No Trigger]
[Damage Check - Accel Knight, Capra – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Medicine Man of Accel Knight – Heal Trigger]
"Power to vanguard, and I heal one." I said.
"Then Ravel attacks Lionel [Total Power: 21000]!" Raphugio declared.
This blackened bird is soon quickly covered in equally black flames before she rams Lionel so hard that she causes his body to snap into two pieces.
"I end my turn." Raphugio said.
Kiba – Raphugio
6 – Hand – 6
3 – Soul – 11
12 – Speed Counter – 11
4 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 1
Empty, Empty – Speed Demon Phoenix Ravel, Speed Demon Leviathan Serafall
Empty, Accel Knight Lancelot – Speed Demon Chimera Balam, Doreen the Thruster
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
"In a single turn Raphugio managed to gain a slight lead in damage and close the lead in speed counters. Now can he create a massive difference on his next turn?" Sara announced.
"Oh my, it certainly is amazing. With this turn both players' speed counters will be maxed out at 12. If it wasn't for that limit I'm sure Raphugio would be able to easily rocket past that with the effects of his Speed Demons." Dr. O followed.
"I call Accel Knight Replacement, Praz [Power: 9000]. I counterblast 1 and accelblast 4….. this allows." I was saying.
"This effect allows Kiba to call a grade 1 or less Accel Knight from his deck to the rearguard circle behind Praz." Sara explained to the crowd as I simultaneously explain the effect to Raphugio.
"Through this skill I superior call Ilyanan [Power: 7000] from my deck, but I won't be using her skill. Next up I call Accel Knight, Turbo Booster [Power: 6000], and I'll have him support Lancelot's attack [Total Power: 21000]!" I yell.
[Drive Check – Accel Knight, Equiste – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Accel Knight Shield, Reon – No Trigger]
"Praz will attack Balam then [Total Power: 16000]!" I declare.
[Damage Check – Speed Demon Defender, Sabnock – No Trigger]
"I end my turn." I inform.
Kiba – Raphugio
7 – Hand – 6
3 – Soul – 11
8 – Speed Counter – 12
4 – Damage – 5
1 – Counterblast – 1
Accel Knight Ilyanan, Accel Knight Replacement Praz – Speed Demon Phoenix Ravel, Speed Demon Leviathan Serafall
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Speed Demon Chimera Balam, Doreen the Thruster
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
"I ride Speed Demon Chimera, Balam [Power: 11000]!" Raphugio yelled.
"Why did you choose to ride?" I ask.
"I'm not surprised that you asked seeing as how I've never once had to use Balam's effect to beat you in the past, but to answer your question this is a Dark Irregular deck….. so of course for no reason other than to increase the number of cards in my soul. I activate Balam's secondary skill: I soulblast a grade 0 unit and I get to soulcharge 2 cards." Raphugio explained.
[Soul Charge – Speed Demon Spider, Buer – No Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Speed Demon Cerberus, Naberius – No Trigger]
"Doreen gains +6000 power for the turn, and I activate the effect of my two rearguard units in order to soulcharge again." Raphugio said.
[Soul Charge – Speed Demon Pacifist, Sallos – Heal Trigger]
[Soul Charge – Speed Demon Pacifist, Sallos – Heal Trigger]
"Doreen gains another +6000 power, I call Naberius [Power: 9000], along with Buer [Power: 7000], and now I'll have Balam attack your vanguard [Total Power: 11000]!" Raphugio declared.
"I won't be guarding." I said.
[Drive Check – Speed Demon Leviathan, Serafall – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Speed Demon Centaur, Marax – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Accel Knight, Lancelot – No Trigger]
"Well then Kiba my friend you have improved even though you haven't been able to have a fight like this in a while." Raphugio pointed out.
"What do you mean?" I ask as I was surprised by my friend's choice of words.
"I activate Balam's Accel Break!" Raphugio yelled.
"There it is the first major play of the fight." Sara announced.
"FOr those of you unfamiliar with the term… an Accel Break is basically a Limit Break skill that heavily involves the manipulation of speed counters in some way or another." Dr. O followed.
"By paying a counterblast cost of 2, an Accelblast cost of 6, and discarding two cards in his hand…. Raphugio can re-stand Balam with a +5000 power bonus." Sara explained.
"Balam stands, and attacks again with Doreen's boost [Total Power: 34000]!" Raphugio declared.
"Reon nullifies the attack [Perfect Defense]." I counter.
[Drive Check – Speed Demon Chimera, Balam – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Speed Demon Destroyer, Bael – Critical Trigger]
"All effects go to Ravel, and Ravel attack [Total Power: 21000 2 Crit]!" Raphugio declared.
"I guard with Equiste and Rokit guards [Total Shield: 15000]!" I counter.
"Naberius attacks Praz [Total Power: 19000]!" Raphugio declared again.
"I guard with Rokit [Total Shield: 10000]." I counter again.
"I'm impressed you survived, but it looks like I'll have to end my turn." Raphugio said.
Kiba – Raphugio
2 – Hand – 6
3 – Soul – 15
9 – Speed Counter – 6
5 – Damage – 5
1 – Counterblast – 3
Accel Knight Ilyanan, Accel Knight Replacement Praz – Speed Demon Phoenix Ravel, Speed Demon Leviathan Serafall
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Speed Demon Chimera Balam, Doreen the Thruster
Empty, Empty – Speed Demon Cerberus Naberius, Speed Demon Spider Buer
"I may have survived, but I'm still in a pretty bad position." I retort.
"It wouldn't be the first time a fighter has managed to come back from a bad situation and win." Raphugio points out.
"True….. so let's test the waters with my luck." I tell Raphugio as I draw for the turn.
"Did you get anything good?" Raphugio curiously asked.
"We'll see. I call a second Lancelot [Power: 11000] to the rearguard circle and a second Tubro Booster [Power: 6000] as well." I tell Raphugio.
"Here comes the big push." Raphugio thought.
"Lancelot's accel break activates!" I yell.
"Here it is the accel break of one of the aces of the Turbo Paladin clan, Lancelot's accel break skill." Sara announced.
"Oh yes it is certainly amazing. Lancelot gains +1000 power for every speed counter Kiba has for the turn and since he has 10 speed counters Lancelot also gets a +1 critical for the turn, but as a drawback for using this effect Kiba's speed counters will be cut in half at the end of his turn." Dr. O explained.
"Now take Lancelot's Light Flash Requiem [Total Power: 31000 2 Crit]!" I yell.
"Berith along with Bael will guard and I'll intercept with Naberius [Total Shield: 25000]!" Raphugio said as he placed the cards on his V-Wheel's guardian circle.
"This is a pivotal moment in the fight vanguard fans. If Kiba is able to get a trigger in these next two drive checks… then he'll be able to seal the deal with a win." Sara announced.
"Unless of course Raphugio gets extraordinarily luck with his last two heal triggers Sara." Dr. O pointed out.
[Drive Check – Accel Knight, Garandin – No Trigger]
"Come on deck… don't let a few months of rust screw me over." I thought as I reached for the next card.
[Drive Check – Accel Knight, Mog – Draw Trigger]
"I'll give my vanguard the power bonus, draw a card, and that means my attack goes through [New Total: 36000 2 Crit]!" I declare.
My vanguard Lancelot is covered in a blinding bright yellow light just before he moves at a speed that can't constantly be perceived by human eyes. It's a literal flash step he's doing as he repeats the technique while cutting through all those that stand in his way with his long broad sword.
[Damage Check – Speed Demon Centaur, Marax – No Trigger]
Final Results
Kiba – Raphugio
3 – Hand – 4
3 – Soul – 15
10 – Speed Counter – 7
5 – Damage – 6
3 – Counterblast – 3
Accel Knight Ilyanan, Accel Knight Replacement Praz – Speed Demon Phoenix Ravel, Speed Demon Leviathan Serafall
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Speed Demon Chimera Balam, Doreen the Thruster
Accel Knight Turbo Booster, Accel Knight Lancelot – Empty, Speed Demon Spider Buer
As is custom with the defeated party in all accelerated fights….. their V-Wheel is automatically forced to a stop, and that's exactly what happened to Raphugio. Raphugio and I had a typical after battle discussion, but we quickly changed back into our street clothes and went back inside the expo. As I said in my previous entry I went looking for my friend Virgil while I asked Raphugio to check up on Sade.
"….. and that's pretty much what happened in our fight." I tell Virgil as I finish recounting my fight with Raphugio to him as we get near where Sade was fighting.
"Wow that was fairly close, but why didn't he guard with an extra 5k shield?" Virgil inquired.
"According to Raphugio he would have if he could, but he had two grade 3 units in his hand." I answer.
"Ouch… talk about bad luck, but hey… at least one of us managed to make it past the first round." Virgil pointed out to me.
"I might be able to make it to the semi-finals, but anything beyond that will take a miracle." I said.
"What do you mean?" Virgil inquired.
"There's no way Nolan won't make it to the semi-finals, and out of the last 30 fights with her I can remember…. I think I only beat her maybe four or five times and that was only because she was grade stuck." I explain.
"This game is actually fairly luck based." Virgil retorts.
"I know but skill is still a factor, and regardless of Dalette's estimations Nolan outstrips mine in that regard." I point out again.
"Whatever you say man." Virgil said.
"Hey look there's Dalette." I said as the color of her wig sticks out like a sore thumb.
"Hmmm oh it took you long enough to get here. Raphugio already told me who won, and before you ask he's observing the fight from Will…. Sade's opponent's side of the field." Dalette said as she heard me point her out in the crowd.
"What turn is it?" I ask.
"It's Sade's turn, and given the relentless assault Will launched last turn….. she has to finish the fight now if she wants to win. Stil…." Dalette answered.
"Still what?" Virgil asks.
"Will is going to win if Sade doesn't beat him now, but… I'm not sure if Will actually wants to win the fight." Dalette explained.
Sade – Will
0 – Hand – 5
`2 – Soul – 4
5 – Damage – 4
1 – Counterblast – 4
Polar Stern, Mars Blaukluger – Empty, Empty
Morgenrot, Mond Blaukluger – Halberd Revenger Peredur, Judgebau Revenger
Tough Boy, Jupiter Blaukluger– Nullity Revenger Masquerade, Sharp Point Revenger Shadow Lancer
"I want to be able to fight as well as big bro and his friends can, but I know I'm a total beginner so I know that'll take the longest time. Still that's what I want… so what should I do?" Sade thought.
"Whatever it is…. just win. There's no point in worrying about what will happen if you fail before you actually fail, but don't take that to mean I'll let you win. I have reasons why I can't lose too." Will said like he knew what Sade was thinking, but then again so did I.
"Come on don't let his mind games get to you Sade, and just play how you want!" I yell.
Though Sade didn't turn around, I could tell that the simple act of hearing my voice gave her confidence to see the fight through. From this point on it became a matter of seeing what will actually happen.
"Stand and draw. Break ride Galaxy Blaukluger [Power: 11000]! Mond Blaukluger's break ride skill gives my vanguard +10000 power. Galaxy will use that power to attack your vanguard [Total Power: 26000]!" Sade declared.
"Hold on wouldn't it be smarter to attack with Galaxy last given Mond's break ride skill?" Virgil pointed out.
"It would be. This is an example of Sade's inexperience showing, but either way Galaxy standing will guarantee Sade the win so Will has no choice but to block the attack." Dalette pointed out.
"Air Raid Dragon and Grim Revenger guards [Total Shield: 20000]." Will countered.
[Drive Check – Grosse Baer – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Starker Wind – Stand Trigger]
"I apply the power to my vanguard [New Total: 31000]!" Sade decided.
[Damage Check – Transient Revenger, Masquerade – No Trigger]
"Galaxy Blaukluger's Limit Break: When a unit with Blau in its card name hits the opponent's vanguard…. I discard 2 cards in order to stand all units in my center column. This is Galaxy Blaukluger's Grand Starlight! Now Mars attack [Total Power: 16000]!" Sade declared again.
"Tsubasa's going to be mad, but it looks like this girl's got me." Will thought.
[Damage Check – Revenger of Darkness, Mac Lir – No Trigger]
"With this the last fight of the first round is over people! The 8 fighters moving onto the next round are Nolan Elchart, Sally Elchart, Gilberto Rivera, Cloud Soryu, Kevin Thomas, Isaac Barrett, Kiba Nakashima, and finally this little lady here!" the commentator for this fight said.
"Sally's in this? Well isn't that a surprise?" I mumble to myself as I found Nolan's sister's entry somewhat amusing.
"Her name was said right before yours. I can't believe you're not noticing until now." Virgil said out of surprise.
"I probably did, but the thought of being disqualified because of a technicality pushed it aside." I retort.
"I'm hurt that onii-chan forgot about me." a familiar female voice said.
Raphugio, Dalette, Virgil, and I turned around only to find Nolan and her 8 year old little sister Sally who was the one who said that standing a few feet away from us. The resemblance between Sally and Nolan is rather uncanny. If they were the same age the only way I'd be able to tell them apart is because of Sally's pigtails. As for the older sister herself, though Nolan hid it rather well….. she was still clearly mad at me for ditching her at school earlier today or a couple of chapters ago depending on your preference.
"You know you have a lot of nerve to be here right now." Nolan said as she hid her angry tone with a pleasant smile.
"I'd say I have every right to be here seeing as how I'm trying to be supportive of my little sister." I say to Nolan in a sarcastic tone as try to avoid getting into an argument with her here.
"I'm glad to see you care onii-chan." Sally said to me with a smile.
"I wasn't talking about you Sally." I point out.
Right… allow me to explain. Sally is actually a bit of hard core anime/manga fan and that's why she uses the words "Onii-chan" when referring to me. As for why she actually calls me that… well it's because like Sade she looks up to me like an older brother. She's actually been trying to push me and Nolan together for years before today, but I either didn't notice or didn't take her efforts seriously.
"In any case I'll be sure to pay you back for everything you've done to me!" Nolan declared.
With such a declaration I'll bring the latest chapter in my tale of the truth to a close, however it won't be so simple. This last line may imply that an epic confrontation with Nolan will occur in the next chapter, but you would be wrong. Make no mistake it will happen soon enough, however the next chapter will be of a darker nature. You'll just have to wait and find out.
To Be Continued
Kiba: Just what the heck is your problem with me?
Nolan: You're ridiculous level of ignorance for one thing.
?: Ah young love it is certainly interesting.
Kiba: Who are you to say something like… wait how come I'm the only one that can see and hear you?
?: In a dream your perceptions of reality is limited only by your imagination.
Kiba: What?
?: You'll see soon enough. White and red dragon, slice through the false hope you create with your cursed blade! Ride Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon!
Author Note: To the fans of this story who are planning to go to the LA Anime Expo in July…. I have a message for you. I will be going to the Anime Expo with two friends in order to enter the Team League Invasion regional qualifier tournament. My two teammates will be the real life people that inspired the characters Raphugio Gomez and Virgil Hernandez. For those of you lucky enough to go you will get to see a real life Team Destiny Breaker in action.
Turbo Paladin
Accel Knight "Sub Clan"
Card List
Grade 2
Accel Knight Replacement, Praz (Normal unit)
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[Auto]:[Counterblast (2) & Accelblast (4)] When this unit is placed on (VC) or (RC), if you have a "Turbo Paladin" vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to one grade 1 or less card with "Accel Knight" in its card name, call it to (RC) in the same column as this unit, and shuffle your deck.
Grade 3
Accel Knight, Lancelot (Normal Unit)
Power: 11000
[Act](VC) Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage):[Counterblast (2) cards with "Accel Knight" in its card name] Until end of turn, this unit gets [Power]+1000 for every one of your speed counters. If you have 10 or more speed counters when you pay the cost, this unit gets +1 critical until end of turn. At the end of the turn this effect was activated your speed counters are decreased by half. This effect can only be used once per turn.
[Act](VC):[Counterblast (2) cards with "Accel Knight" in its card name] Search your deck for up to one card with "Accel Knight" in its card name, call it to (RC), and shuffle your deck.
AN: You know where to go to find the effects for the rest of them.
Dark Irregular
Speed Demon "Sub Clan"
Card List
Grade 0
Speed Demon Tuner, Belphegor (Normal Unit)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
[Auto]: Forerunner (When a unit of the same clan rides this unit, you may call this unit to (RC))
[Act](RC):[Counterblast (1) & put this unit into your soul] You may soul charge up to 1 card for every 3 of your speed counters.
Speed Demon Swordsman, Botis (Stand Trigger)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Speed Demon Destroyer, Bael (Critical Trigger)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Speed Demon Striker, Berith (Critical Trigger)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Speed Demon Pacifist, Sallos (Heal Trigger)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
Grade 1
Speed Demon Spider, Buer (Normal Unit)
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC): When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with "Speed Demon" in its card name, this unit gets [Power]+3000 until the end of that battle.
Speed Demon Leviathan, Serafall (Normal Unit)
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC): When you soulcharge a card with "Speed Demon" in its card name, you may soulcharge 1, and increase your speed counters by 1. This effect can only be activated once per turn during your main phase.
Speed Demon Defender, Sabnock (Normal Unit)
Power: 6000 Shield: 0
[Cont]: Sentinel (You may have only up to four cards with "[Cont]: Sentinel" in a deck.)
[Auto]:[Counterblast (1)] When this is placed on (GC) from your hand, if you have a "Dark Irregular" Vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, reveal the five cards from the top of your deck, call all "Dark Irregular" from among them to (GC) as [Rest], and put the rest into the drop zone.
Grade 2
Speed Demon Cerberus, Naberius (Normal Unit)
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC): When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with "Speed Demon" in its card name, this unit gets [Power]+3000 until the end of that battle.
Speed Demon Leviathan, Serafall (Normal Unit)
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC): When you soulcharge a card with "Speed Demon" in its card name, you may soulcharge 1, and increase your speed counters by 1. This effect can only be activated once per turn during your main phase.
Grade 3
Speed Demon Centaur, Marax (Normal Unit)
Power: 11000
[Auto] Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage): When a "Dark Irregular" rides this unit, choose one of your "Dark Irregular" (RC) units, that unit gets "[Auto](RC): At the close step of a battle when this unit attacks a vanguard, select up to 1 "Dark Irregular" unit in your drop zone for every 3 of your speed counters, and place those units into your soul." until end of turn, and choose your vanguard, and that unit gets [Power]+10000 until end of turn.
[Auto](VC): When this unit attacks, if the number of "Dark Irregular" units in your soul is 6 or more, this unit gets [Power]+2000 until the end of that battle.
[Cont](VC/RC) Lord (If you have a unit without a same clan as this unit, this unit cannot attack)
Speed Demon Chimera, Balam (Normal Unit)
Power: 11000
[Auto](VC) Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage):[Counterblast (2) cards with "Speed Demon in its name, Accelblast (6), and discard 2 cards from your hand] At the end of a battle that this unit attacked a vanguard, if you have 15 or more cards in your soul, you may pay the cost. If you do, [Stand] this unit and this unit gets +5000 power until the end of the turn. This ability can only be activated once per turn.
[ACT](VC):[Soulblast (1)-grade 0 card] Soul Charge (2). This ability cannot be used for the rest of that turn.