Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 9
Chaotic Dreams
Despite our hard efforts, the only ones among my friends to make it past the first round of the Expo's random selection tournament was myself and Sade. Speaking of whom, right after Sade's fight with Will one of the many pro level fighters you'll read about in this tale of truth.
In any case I'll be sure to pay you back for everything you've done to me!" Nolan declared.
Right… well I believe I've already said it, but just in case my "Old Friend" and I tend to consistently and constantly get into arguments with one another. Actually most of the time she's the one who starts the arguments, but I will admit that I've been at fault at times.
"I've never done anything bad to you. Just what is your problem lady?!" I yell.
Cue the first argument of the day….. I usually don't get into it with her because of whatever thing Nolan happens to say getting me mad, but because it's a reflex….. like how a train martial artist would instinctively block a punch. After words are thrown back and forth it usually ends with us in cardfight or detention, but sadly not usually in that order.
"For one thing 11 years ago you ruined my favorite pair of shoes!" Nolan pointed out.
"I was 6, you were 5, and for the last bloody time it was an accident!" I yell.
"Then there was the time you pushed me into a bunch of mud on my birthday a few months later, and ruined the dress I was wearing!" Nolan yelled
"You tripped on some loose tile….. I didn't do anything!" I yell.
For the record that wasn't true I really did push her because I was just an immature brat back then and she broke my favorite toy. Every time this came up I of course feigned ignorance, oh but once Nolan reads this I'm sure to get a few words from her.
"Yeah right!" Nolan yelled.
Just in case you're curious yes there are people staring, and some of said people are actually recording our little…. vocal altercation for the lack of a better choice of words. That and something that will happen soon enough ends up causing Nolan and I a problem in its own right, however….. I'll say it again I'm getting ahead of myself.
"Easy man this isn't the time or the place to get into it." Virgil said as he tries to break up our fight.
"Onee-chan, you're making a fool of yourself. Stop it." Sally said to her sister as she also tries to break up our fight.
"Fine….. you're right." Nolan said to her sister as she snaps out of her rage induced state of mind.
"Is it always like this?" Dalette quietly whispers to Virgil.
At first I think I can finally put this little incident behind me, but then my thoughts go in the opposite direction when Nolan walks past her sister and directly up to me.
"You better not lose until you face me. As of this moment I'm the only one allowed to beat you." Nolan declared as she firmly poked me on the chest in a challenging manner.
"Can this day get any weirder?" I thought.
"Come on Sally we're going home." Nolan said as she grabbed Sally by the hand.
"Awwww but I wanted to….. oh fine." Sally said as she decided to roll with her sister's proverbial punches.
"Big bro…. what's going on? I heard you yelling, and that made me worried." Sade asks as she rejoins our little group.
"It's just a… personal annoyance it's nothing you need to worry about. How was your fight Sade?" I curiously ask as I decide to change the subject.
"I still have so much to learn about this game. I only won because of luck plain and simple. That Will guy is way stronger than me. I don't mean to hurt your feelings big bro, but I think he could even be stronger that you." Sade answered.
"Ha ha well I think I'd like to fight this guy myself if I ever get the chance." I laugh as I take what Sade said in good humor.
"She's right actually… in fact Sade might have the potential to be as good at fight analysis as you. Will was holding back an avalanche in terms of strength. If he decided to let that avalanche loose….. even I'd have a great deal of trouble trying to beat him." Dalette pointed out.
"If you say so." Raphugio followed.
"In any case I'm pretty tired. Sade, do you mind if we go home now?" I ask as I simultaneously hold back the desire to yawn.
"No big bro I don't mind." Sade answered.
Since there were a lot of events still going on at the Expo, Sade and I didn't hit any traffic on our way back home. We may have left early, but we still got a few free souvenirs. Once we actually got home, Sade and I found that my mother cooked a sort of victory feast. That was because she watched both of our fights at home. My mother has no interest in playing Vanguard herself, but she'll knowledgeable about the various cards and she knows the rules of the game. In fact my talent in fight analysis came from my mother and was the reason behind how she met my father, of who was working late in the night and wouldn't be home until long after we fell asleep. Moving along, Sade and I ended up talking all night long with my mother about her fights until eventually we decided to turn in.
"Night Sade and night mom!" I yell as I enter my bedroom after taking a shower and changing into a pair of pajamas.
I felt all of my stress leave my body the moment my head came into contact with my pillow. Strangely enough the exhaustion of the day's events didn't actually hit me until that moment.
"Geez just what is her problem? Sigh…. and we actually used to get along too." I mumble to myself as I thought about with my earlier argument with Nolan before drifting off to sleep.
At that moment my dream… or rather my nightmare begins. At the start I didn't even realize it was a dream, and just thought it was another day in my life. It started with me walking down the street on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I decided to hang out at Cosmic Odyssey while Sade was at school.
"Hey Oli, what's up man?" I ask my friend with a smile the moment.
"Congratulations man… I can't believe you managed to beat Sakura Verde, and in Aichi Sendou style manner to boot." Oli said with a smile.
"Dude that fight was so hard core man. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time." one of the store regulars said.
From here on in the dream continued with a few casual fights, several words of congratulations, and eventually somehow it turns into an impromptu victory party with food ordered from almost every nearby place that delivers. Said victory party ended up lasting into the evening, so I had no choice but to go home.
"Alright I'll see you all tomorrow!" I yell as Cosmic Odyssey's automatic doors close behind me.
"This is the start man….. the start of your rise to the top!" Oli yelled.
"Arghhh what the... my head." I mumble as I clutch my head in pain.
All of a sudden I got a horrible migraine… it was so bad that I eventually lost consciousness in my own dream. I suppose that looking back objectively; one would expect that this would be where I wake up… they were only half right.
"Ouch… this is still the sidewalk outside of Cosmic Odyssey, so I couldn't have been out for that long. Time to….. What the hell?!" I yell as I was shocked by what I saw.
And what I saw was Tarrant City being steadily razed to the ground by an outside source. Then finally I started to hear the screams of the people, the sounds of exploding cars, and the sound of a city at war. Smoke that happened to be blocking my view of the sky cleared the moment I looked up at it. I saw black and white creatures both humanoid and monstrous flying through the sky.
"Please let the others still be okay." I thought as I run back inside Cosmic Odyssey.
I hoped that I'd find at least one person I know taking shelter inside the store, but didn't find a single living soul. In fact all I found was broken display cases, charred remnants of incredibly rare cards, huge sections of wall spread across parts of the floor like fertilizer to a lawn, and there was an even an improvised sky light but what put me over the edge was seeing the still burning remains of the apron Oli always wore at work.
"Is anyone still alive in here?!" I yell as I hope dearly that I actually didn't look hard enough.
"There's no other soul in here but us." An oddly familiar male voice said.
I turned to find someone standing next to the remains of a more intact fight table, but what bothered me was that I could have sword he wasn't there a second ago.
"Do you know what's going on here?" I ask.
"This is merely a vision of the future…. The first attempt at this failed, but there's no way it will now." this mysterious person cryptically answered.
"Vision? What the heck are you talking about man? This is reality, so we have to get out of here before one of those things find us!" I yell.
"There's no point in rushing the inevitable. Why don't we kill time with a card fight?" this mysterious person suggests as he turns around.
As this person turned around I hoped to have some kind of companion in this apocalyptic scenario, but I was shocked when I found that the person I was talking to was myself….. or at the very least a perfect doppelganger of me.
"Don't look so surprised you are looking at you after all, and yes I also know that there's a bunch of red marks on my face so pay it no mind." This apparent dream version of me said.
"Who….. who are you?" I ask.
"A psycho-physical manifestation of your subconscious thoughts given form in your dream… or nightmare as the case may be." my dream self answered.
"Wait….. this is a dream?" I ask again.
"Well of course. Did you really think that you could beat Sakura Verde at your current skill level?" my dream self answered.
"Okay fine….. but forget your challenge I'm just going to figure out how to wake up from this nightmare." I tell my dream self.
"I'm afraid you have no choice but to accept my challenge. After all, I wonder what would happen to your friends if your nightmares escaped into reality." My dream self informed.
This was a dream, so there's no way he could back up his threat right? I firmly believed that, however at the same time I believed he could back it up. Because of this….. I knew what I had to do.
"Fine I'll accept your challenge." I declare.
"Good, but let me say it now that this will be the card I beat you with." My dream self said as he took a card out of his deck box.
I could definitely tell that it was some kind of dragon with a glowing red scythe, but it's appearance was absolutely nothing compared to the malevolent aura the card emitted.
"Well, shall we get this over with?" my dream self asked as he took the rest of his deck out of his deck box.
"This is a world born from my dreams, so there's no way I'm going to lose to a figment of my own imagination. I won't allow you to hurt the people I care about!" I declare in a firm tone to the dream incarnation of myself.
"Don't you get it? I already said that I'm a manifestation of your suppressed self brought to life in your unconscious state. This is no longer your pleasurable dream, but instead the start of a horrid nightmare." my dream self declares.
"In other words, I won't be able to deal with the fear that I'm sensing from that deck of yours until we fight?" I ask.
"Correct, but with your current level of power you won't be able to deal with that fear even if we do fight." my dream self explained.
"Regardless let's get this over with then, but where will we fight? All of the tables and countertops have been smashed." I point out.
"Oh, that won't be a problem at all." My dream self said as he waved his free hand.
And as my dream self waved his free hand….. well back then I didn't really know how to describe it, but all of a sudden a see through solid red plate of light appeared in front of the both of us and on the top-center of this plate was a vanguard circle.
"Don't worry your deck won't fall right through… see." the dream me said as he placed down his starting vanguard and shuffled his deck.
"Alright then I'll just have to trust myself…. What the hell? Just what are you trying to pull?!" I yell as I noticed that my starting vanguard was different than the one I used a few moments ago.
I don't know how it was for other fighters back then, but I always kept the starting vanguard for all of my decks at the bottom of it while in my deck boxes. When I noticed my starting vanguard was different I looked through the rest of this deck and realized it was different as well.
"Even if you don't use that deck anymore… it still represents who you are as a vanguard fighter. That card is still your avatar, so what better card is there to use to either make yourself acknowledge your power or to resist valiantly as you're consumed by fear?" my dream self asks.
"Fine then…. I'll beat you with this deck if that's what it takes!" I yell as I place down my starting vanguard.
"Are you ready to begin?" my dream self asked.
"Depends… are you ready to lose?" I retort after performing my pre-fight mulligan.
I may have had a confident tone when I said that, but the truth is that I was scared out of my mind having to fight this guy…. or technically myself. I didn't even know what clan my dream self was going to use and it felt as though my life was at risk in this fight.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" the real me and the dream me yell at the same time.
When our fight began I wondered how our units would be projected assuming they could be projected off of a solid plate of light inside the ruined remains of a card shop, but I get my answer when we were completely surrounded by crimson red flames. Once said flames dissipated it was as if we were floating or standing as the case may be somewhere in the middle of a galaxy far far away.
"Kaiser Record Keeper [Power: 4000]!" I yell.
This is the first card of series that I mentioned I could no longer use in public because of something that happened 10 years before the event of this chapter. Imagine yourself staring at one of the few male dragon priests in the empire….. he wears the stereotypical crimson red robes of a scholar, and he holds in his arms a large book with the symbol of the Narukami clan on the cover.
"Star-vader, Dust Tail Unicorn [Power: 5000]!" my dream self yelled.
A unicorn is supposed to be a beautiful white creature with horns and all, but this thing that was standing before me was far from that. It was a creature that had its soul so corrupted that it spread into its physical form. It had a red jewel like horn, bright yellow eyes, and it was covered in some kind of silver armor. Even back then I could sense the power coming from it, and it was only a grade 0 unit too. Though I didn't realize it yet….. what bothered me the most was that I've never seen this clan before.
"Has the fear your feeling gotten worse? Well I can't blame you… the power of this clan Link Joker is so great that even its weakest warriors make veteran combatants fall into the depths of despair. If it'll make you feel any better you can go first." The manifestation of my dark side gloats.
"I'll make you regret that offer. Draw, ride Red Raid Dragoon [Power: 7000]. Since Kaiser Record Keeper is in the soul my vanguard gets a permanent +1000 power bonus, and I get to search the top 7 cards of my deck. Through this effect I add Red Storm Dragoon to my hand, and I end my turn." I explain to my dream self, though it was likely he already knew what it did.
"I ride Demon Claw Star-vader, Lanthanum [Power: 7000], then I move Dust tail unicorn behind him, and finally I call Neon [Power: 7000] to the rearguard." My dream self explained.
I can understand that it would be fairly easy to corrupt something that lacks higher cognitive function, but when I saw Lanthanum I couldn't believe a human could be turned into such a monster. This was of course before I realized that Lanthanum was a Cyberoid. Still….. this was where I started to acknowledge in my heart the fearsome power that this clan possessed.
"Mana Shot Star-vader, Neon attacks your vanguard and he gains +3000 power for doing so since I have a vanguard with Star-vader in its card name [Total Power: 10000]!" my dream self declared.
"It's just a 10k servant, so there's no reason to worry about taking an attack from it just yet." I thought.
[Damage Check – Hex Cannon Wyvern – No Trigger]
"With the support of Dust Tail Unicorn, Lanthanum attacks [Total Power: 12000]!" my dream self declared.
"I won't guard that." I said.
"Checking the drive trigger [Nightfall Star-vader, Darmstadtium – No Trigger]." My dream self revealed.
At first Lanthanum had normal… robot like hands I guess, but all of a sudden its hands are surrounded by the same corrupted crimson red energy that created this battlefield. That energy took the form of giant demonic sized claws which had no trouble getting past my vanguard's lance to strike it directly.
[Damage Check – Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon – No Trigger]
"I end my turn, but soon enough you'll see the unique power this clan has." My dream self said.
"It's just a standard opening formation, so why does it bother me so much? Shoot… just how will I fight a clan…. I've never seen before?" I thought as I had a sudden realization about Link Joker.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
6 – Hand – 5
1 – Soul – 0
2 – Damage – 0
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Empty – Mana Shot Star-vader Neon, Empty
Empty, Red Raid Dragoon – Demon Claw Star-vader Lanthanum, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
"What the hell are you trying to pull?!" I yell.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." my dream self said, but the evil look on his face says otherwise.
"Granted all fighters would jump at the chance to create their very own clan, however I never imagined anything like this Link Joker. How is it possible for me to be fighting a clan I've never seen or imagined before?" I ask as I wondered what the hell was going on.
"Well you're right about one thing… this clan is unlike anything you have imagined. In the right hands it can easily go beyond what's beyond the limits, but as for why you're fighting it in your dream… let's just say that Link Joker was the nudge given to me… your subconscious thoughts by an outside source." My dream self said.
"Outside source… wait you mean a real human… someone in reality?" I demand to know.
Instead of answering my question… my dream self just stood there silent with those red marks on the copy of my face. I knew that I had to fight even more seriously than before.
"Oh, I get it….. you're not going to tell me unless I win." I point out.
"I'm not going to tell you even if you do win. I'm not going to stand here all night while you sleep, so hurry up." My dream self retorts.
"I ride Red Storm Dragoon [Power: 9000], he gains +1000 power since Red Raid is in the soul, and since Record Keeper is in the soul as well I activate Red Storm's skill when rode." I explain.
Like Thunderstorm Dragoon, Red Storm Dragoon is a dragon riding knight of the empire only he's wearing lighter armor with a red/black color scheme instead of plain red and a lance that's a foot and a half smaller then Thunderstorm Dragoon's.
"I'm sooo scared." My dream self sarcastically retorts again.
"Red Storm's skill: your Neon's forced to retire!" I declare as I point my finger at Neon.
My Red Storm Dragoon decimates Neon by throwing his electrically charged lance at it like a bullet flying out of a rail gun.
"I call Red River Dragoon [Power: 8000] and Thunderstorm Dragoon [Power: 10000] to the rearguard. Now with Red River's support, Red Storm Dragoon attacks Lanthanum [Total Power: 18000]!" I declare.
"No guard." My dream self said.
[Drive Check – Yellow Gem Carbuncle – Critical Trigger]
"Critical to the vanguard and power to Thunderstorm [New Total: 18000 2 Crit]!" I yell.
My Red Storm Dragoon flies towards Lanthanum like a skilled surfer riding the waves, and with a quick hit-n-run style blow with his lance Red Storm lands a damming blow upon my dream self's vanguard.
[Damage Check – Barrier Star-vader Promethium – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Star-vader, Colony Maker – No Trigger]
"Thunderstorm Dragoon will attack the vanguard [Total Power: 15000]!" I declared.
"I'm afraid Spark Doll will guard that [Total Shield: 10000]." My dream self countered.
"Then I have no choice but to end my turn." I tell my dream self.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
5 – Hand – 5
2 – Soul – 0
2 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Thunderstorm Dragoon – Empty, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Red Storm Dragoon – Demon Claw Star-vader Lanthanum, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
"Stand and draw. Now ride Star-vader, Mobius Breath Dragon [Power: 9000] and I call Radon [Power: 9000] to the left. Then Palladium [Power: 7000] goes behind him." My dream self informed.
My dream self had a sly smirk on his face when he rode Mobius Breath Dragon. I guess even though my dark side was running wild in my dream….. he was still me, so that alone was enough to tell me that this card would show me a sample of Link Joker's unique trait.
"Mobius Breath attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 14000], and go ahead and say no guard. I know you want to because you know you have to in order to understand the strength of Link Joker." My dream self declared.
"Fine I'll give you what you want, and I won't guard." I retort.
"Check [Star-vader, Colony Maker – No Trigger]." My dream self revealed.
3 black rings appeared in front of Mobius Breath dragon with each ring being bigger the farther it was away from him, and then this white dragon fired a black beam of energy through these rings growing bigger with each ring it passes through until it finally hit by vanguard.
[Damage Check – Photon Bomber Wyvern – No Trigger]
"He's smirking again…. Then that means here it comes." I thought as I braced myself for anything.
"Since Mobius Breath dragon's attack hit, I target Thunderstorm Dragoon and lock it." my dream self said as he motioned his fingers like an imaginary gun firing a round.
A pair of intersecting black rings were constantly rotating as they flew past my vanguard and surrounded Thunderstorm Dragoon. Both dragon and dragon rider screamed out it pain, but all I could stand there in horror of what was going on before me.
"What the hell is this? Why is my Thunderstorm Dragoon facedown?!" I yell out of shock.
"This is the power of the Link Joker clan. Imagine a more powerful version of Megacolony's ability to paralyze your rearguards only with Link Joker your paralyzed units can't be replaced with a new one, they can't be stood with stand triggers, they can't boost, they can't attack, and they can't even use their own abilities. That is the power of Lock, of which lasts until the end of your next turn." My dream self explained.
"That's a pretty scary ability." I thought as I started to come up with as many counter-strategies as I could think of.
"It is indeed. Don't worry, I can't read your exact thoughts otherwise this wouldn't constitute a 'fair' fight, but I wouldn't be a physical manifestation of your subconscious if I couldn't at least sense your emotional state. Anyways Radon attacks and since I have a Star-vader vanguard he gains +3000 power [Power: 19000]!" my dream self declared.
[Damage Check – Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo – Heal Trigger]
"Lucky…. I apply the power to my vanguard and I'll send Hex Cannon Wyvern to the drop zone." I tell my dream self as I breathe a sigh of relief even though this fight was still far from over.
"Yes you are… otherwise you would have been a bit hard pressed to defend on my next turn." My dream self pointed out.
"So are you done? Or is there some other aspect of this lock you need to explain?" I ask as I try to put on a brave face.
"Yes I'm done." My dream self said.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
5 – Hand – 4
2 – Soul – 1
3 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty, Thunderstorm Dragoon (L) – Empty, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Red Storm Dragoon – Star-vader Mobius Breath Dragon, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Empty, Empty – Unrivaled Star-vader Radon, Prison Gate Star-vader Palladium
"Should I be conservative or aggressive in this situation? Shoot…. if only I knew more about this Link Joker clan I'd be able to make a better decision." I thought.
"Didn't I already say it? I'm not just going to stand here while you literally dream your way through this fight. Make your move already!" my dream self yelled out annoyance.
I can respect that a Vanguard fighter sometimes needs to take a moment or two in order to think about his or her next move, but it's a pet peeve of mine whenever a fighter takes a ridiculous amount of time to think about something as simple as whether or not to guard an attack. It seemed as though this dream incarnation of myself takes this aspect of annoyance to the extreme.
"Descend the first Eradicator Dragon! Ride Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon [Power: 11000]!" I yell as I just happened to have decided my next move right after my dream self demanded that I make one.
"Finally…." My dream self said with relief.
"You or I or…. Arghhh forget this I'm just going to say 'you'. You should know the value of patience in a fight. That helps prevent one from making impulsive decisions." I point out.
"Ha…. you are one to talk about patience. If I'm recalling things correctly your impatience is why your girlfriend left you." my dream self said purely to get on my nerves.
"Okay I'll give you that, but don't forget her mother is crazy!" I yell.
"Ha… I'll give you that one too, but hurry up and make your move." My dream self retorts.
"I call a copy of Red Storm Dragoon to the rearguard [Power: 9000], and Red Storm will attack your vanguard [Total Power: 9000]!" I declare.
"Radon intercepts [Total Shield: 5000]." My dream self countered.
"Then with Red River's boost, Vowing Sword attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 19000]!" I declare again.
"No guard." My dream self said.
[Drive Check – Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Red River Dragoon – No Trigger]
This giant thunder dragon of mine raised the sword that was given to him as proof of his dead above his head, and brought it down on Mobius Breath Dragon with the force of all storms that ever were.
[Damage Check – Star-vader, Jailer Tail – Draw Trigger]
"Power to Mobius Breath Dragon, and I draw." My dream self said.
"I end my turn, and if you haven't been screwing with me….. then that means my Thunderstorm Dragoon is unlocked right?" I ask my dream self.
"Yes that's correct." My dream self said with though I didn't realize it yet, but a tone that indicates he wants that to happen.
I felt happy, relieved, and filled with a renewed sense of hope when I saw my unit freed from the power of lock but soon I would learn how irrelevant that was compared to the power of Link Joker.
"Palladium's skill activates: When one of my opponent's units are unlocked at the end of their turn by moving him into the soul I re-lock your Thunderstorm Dragoon!" my dream self shockingly revealed.
"What?!" I yell out of shock.
When I saw Thunderstorm dragoon get locked again the hope I had before was destroyed, and the feeling of despair I started to have in my gut grew even stronger. The concept of despair is actually ironic given the main of my dream self's deck.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
6 – Hand – 5
3 – Soul – 2
3 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 1
Empty, Thunderstorm Dragoon (L) – Empty, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Eradicator Vowing Sword Dragon – Star-vader Mobius Breath Dragon, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Empty, Red Storm Dragoon – Empty, Empty
"Make the sun itself submit to your will, and show those who hope a world falling into ruin! Ride Nightfall Star-vader, Darmstadtium [Power: 11000]!"
From a white dragon my dream self's vanguard transforms into a white machine of death, with two black rings on its back, all the while a pair of rings is wrapped around the outer ring like a chain, he or it has black/red horns, and when he appeared Darmstadtium absorbed a nearby simulated sun and concentrated it into a sword. When I say that he wields the power of a sun in his fingertips… this should be proof that it is certainly no mere expression.
"This thing…. Whatever it is….. it definitely wields some serious power. I have to be ready for whenever he activates his skill." I thought.
"I think I'll be nice and give myself a piece of advice. Darmstadtium is a break ride unit, so unless I ride anything you have nothing….. ha ha or rather everything to fear from this unit including its attacks." My dream self for some reason decided to tell me.
"Why tell me any of this at all?" I ask.
"We have the habit of giving our opponent a fair shake in a fight, but my way is just…." My dream self was saying.
"More condescending and arrogant." I interrupt.
"Look who's calling the kettle black. I was just going to say interesting. In any case let's not waste any more time after all you have a fight to win in the morning. I call Star Vader, Colony Maker [Power: 9000]. Since you have a locked unit I can play Colony Maker's skill." My dream self explained.
"What does she do Mr. Subconscious thoughts?" I tell my dream self in a witty tone if only to ease my own nerves.
"Patience… With a counterblast of 1, I superior call Demon Claw Star-vader, Lanthanum [Power: 7000] from my deck to the rearguard circle behind her, but the fun isn't over yet." My dream self shockingly revealed.
"Exactly what is your idea of fun?" I curiously ask.
"It's more or less the same as yours. I call a second Colony Maker [Power: 9000] and through her skill I call Palladium [Power: 7000] to the rearguard." My dream self explained.
"Is this what lock can do? In a single turn he's just reinforced his field without sacrificing his hand." I thought as I figuratively see the small lead I had in this fight disappear in a puff of smoke.
"The Colony Maker on my left will attack first [Total Power: 16000]!" my dream self declared.
"Seiobo guards [Total Shield: 10000]!" I counter.
"In that case with Dust Tail's support, my vanguard attacks Vowing Sword [Total Power: 18000]!" my dream self declared.
[Drive Check – Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon – No Trigger]
"There it is… the card he said he'd beat me with." I thought as I wondered what Chaos Breaker Dragon did.
[Drive Check – Star-vader, Spark Doll – Critical Trigger]
"The vanguard gets the critical, and the power goes to the Colony Maker which has yet to attack [New Total: 18000 2 Crit]." My dream self said.
"Tch….. that's bad timing." I thought.
My opponent's vanguard may have not been that much bigger than an average human, but that literal sun blade of his sliced through Vowing Sword's as if it were toilet paper and left a huge gash on my dragon from the head down.
[Damage Check – Red Raid Dragoon – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo – Heal Trigger]
"Power to vanguard and I heal." I said as I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Don't get so relaxed just yet. After all this means that there's only one heal trigger left in your deck." My dream self pointed out.
"Arrogant prick….. doesn't he realize that I know this heal trigger is the equivalent of a double-edged sword to me?" I thought.
"Now my other Colony Maker attacks [Total Power: 21000]!" my dream self declared.
"Yellow Gem Carbuncle guards [Total Shield: 10000]!" I counter again.
"Bravo…. You've survived another turn against Link Joker." My dream self said as he gives me applause strictly just to annoy me.
"I've got to be more aggressive and seriously drain his hand right now!" I strongly thought.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
4 – Hand – 5
3 – Soul – 3
4 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 3
Empty, Thunderstorm Dragoon (L) – Star-vader Colony Maker, Prison Gate Star-vader Palladium
Red River Dragoon, Eradicator Vowing Sword Dragon – Nightfall Star-vader Darmstadtium, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Empty, Red Storm Dragoon – Star-vader Colony Maker, Demon Claw Star-vader Lanthanum
"The first eradicator dragon, be restored to your limits and then go beyond them! Break Ride Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon [Power: 11000]! Vowing Sword's break ride skill: I retire the Colony Maker in front of Palladium and Vowing Sword gets a +10000 power bonus." I explained.
"Looks like you're starting to get serious. Well alright then show me what you got." The dream incarnation of me said as he braces himself for whatever I'm going to do.
"Red River [Power: 8000] goes behind Red Storm, and my vanguard will attack [Total Power: 31000]!" I declare.
"I won't be guarding." The dream me said.
[Drive Check – Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld – No Trigger]
"Okay good…. this perfect guard will help a lot." I thought.
[Drive Check – Malevolent Djinn – Critical Trigger]
"Let's see how you like being hit with a critical at 3 damage, and the power goes to Red Storm Dragoon [New Total: 31000 2 Crit]!" I tell this physical manifestation of my subconscious.
"Oh I like it very much thank you." my dream self said if I was falling right into his trap, and quite frankly… I was.
[Damage Check – Barrier Star-vader, Promethium – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Star-vader, Mobius Breath Dragon – No Trigger]
"Hit him hard Red Storm [Total Power: 22000]!" I declare as I place Red Storm and Red River in the rest position.
"Spark Doll and Jailer Tail will guard [Total Shield: 15000]." My dream self calmly countered.
"Tch…. over to you." I said as I was highly disappointed in that moment.
"With Palladium's skill, Thunderstorm Dragoon is re-locked." My dream self declared.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
5 – Hand – 3
4 – Soul – 4
4 – Damage – 5
0 – Counterblast – 4
Empty, Thunderstorm Dragoon (L) – Empty, Empty
Red River Dragoon, Eradicator Vowing Sword Dragon – Nightfall Star-vader Darmstadtium, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Red River Dragoon, Red Storm Dragoon – Star-vader Colony Maker, Demon Claw Star-vader Lanthanum
"I hope you paid attention to my warning about Darmstadtium." My dream self said to me.
"So what if I did?" I retort.
"I brought it up because it's time to show you its power… White and red dragon, slice through the false hope you create with your cursed blade! Break Ride… Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon [Power: 11000]!" my dream self said in the most evil tone possible as loud as possible.
As I stared at the dragon known as the "Clown" of Link Joker before me, I was paralyzed with an absolute amount of fear. It smiled at me, but I was scared because of the overwhelming amount of power it emitted. If it wasn't for the fact that this was a dream… I'd probably need a change of pants.
"Darmstadtium's break ride skill: By discarding a grade 3 unit from my hand my vanguard gets a +10000 power bonus and I get to lock 3 of your units." My dream self explained much to my own disbelief.
"Just what the hell is with that kind of ability?" I unintentionally mumble aloud.
"This is an ability that will in time simply signal the end of everything. Now both Red Rivers and Red Storm Dragoon…. Lock!" My dream self said.
I could barely handle seeing one of my units scream out in pain as it was sealed away in a most unholy place, but seeing three of them… well it nearly broke my will to fight. Even today I could scarcely belief that was still able to hold onto my own sanity after witnessing such a thing.
"Lanthanum's skill: Whenever I lock an opponent's unit he gains +2000 power and since I locked three through my break ride skill that means he gets +6000 power for the turn. I call Radon [Power: 9000] and Chaos Beat Dragon [Power: 6000] to the rearguard." My dream self explained.
"That means the only cards he'll have in his hand at the end of his turn is whatever he drive checks… okay depending on what they are I might still have a chance." I thought as I cling to whatever strands of hope are available.
"Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon attack Vowing Sword [Total Power: 26000]!" my dream self declared as he extremely confident in his chances of victory.
"Perfect guard with Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld [Perfect Defense]." I counter as I place the card on the guardian circle with such force that if this were a normal table I'd probably break it.
"Then check [Star-vader, Jailer Tail – Draw Trigger]. Get draw trigger, the power goes to Colony Maker." My dream self said as he drew another card due to the draw trigger.
[Drive Check – Star-vader, Meteor Liger – Critical Trigger]
"All effects to Colony Maker." My dream incarnation said.
I must confess I was expecting Chaos Breaker Dragon to strike Vowing Sword directly with his scythe, so I was actually caught off guard when it instead launched a beam of energy from it. Guld was able to block that attack, but in this dream I could see it on his face that holding this attack off with his magical barrier caused him a great deal of pain.
"Colony Maker attacks with the support of Lanthanum [Total Power: 32000 2 Crit]!" my dream self declared.
"Yellow Gem, Malevolent Djinn, and Red Raid Dragoon guards [Total Shield: 25000]!" I counter.
"With Chaos Beat's boost, Radon attacks your vanguard [Total Power: 18000]!" my dream self declared.
[Damage Check – Red Raid Dragoon – No Trigger]
"I end my turn." My dream incarnation said.
"If I can draw a grade 3 and if he drew one from the draw trigger… then I still have a chance to win this fight, so as cliché as this sounds… I have to believe in the units in my deck like never before."
Kiba – Dream Kiba
0 – Hand – 3
4 – Soul – 5
5 – Damage – 5
0 – Counterblast – 4
Empty, Thunderstorm Dragoon (L) – Unrivaled Star-vader Radon, Star-vader Chaos Beat Dragon
Red River Dragoon (L), Eradicator Vowing Sword Dragon – Star-vader Chaos Breaker Dragon, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Red River Dragoon (L), Red Storm Dragoon (L) – Star-vader Colony Maker, Demon Claw Star-vader Lanthanum
"Stand and draw….. this card is… I can't believe it…." I said out of shock due to because of what I drew.
"Did you get something good?" my dream incarnation curiously asked.
"There's only one way to find out." I answer.
"In any case if you drew what I think you just drew….. then it shouldn't be so surprising for you to draw into that card right?" my dream self asked.
"Emerge from the shadows of the night and descend to the battlefield my incarnation of lighting! I break ride Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas [Power: 10000]! Since Red Storm Dragoon is in the soul my vanguard gets +1000 power." I declare.
The famous card fighters from the history books Aichi Sendou and Ren Suzugamori both had their own avatar cards with Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark respectively. That is what Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas was to me… my avatar. I still remember when I got him after so many years, though at this point in time of tail of the truth I actually didn't remember, but….. that's a story for another day.
"That's a pretty 'dark' ride chant for a Narukami unit. Still the dragon that represents the flow of time is an interesting choice none the less." My dream self pointed out.
"Oh don't give me that…. we both know that according to Abraxas's lore he used to be a member of the Murakumo clan before he was granted the title of Kaiser and transferred into the Narukami clan in order for him to learn how to control his newfound powers." I retort.
"Whatever you say Mr. Know-it-all." My dream self said in response.
"In any case I activate Vowing Sword's break ride skill! Power to Abraxas plus Radon is forced to retire, and now Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas… Limit Break!" I yell as I flip over 3 cards in my damage zone.
"Am I supposed to be scared?" my dream self asks.
"No you're supposed to lose. Abraxas gains +2000 power and now he attacks Lanthanum, Chaos Beat, and Chaos Breaker Dragon in a single strike! This is my vanguard's sky fire attack [Total Power: 23000]!" I yell.
To have the ability to stay calm despite having to face an overwhelming amount of power… that is a trait admirable of any card fighter, but when you see that face against you such is the case here with my dream incarnation… it makes you wonder if your power was worth anything at all.
"Come on….. don't let that third card be something he can block with." I thought as Abraxas was in the middle of bringing his sword down on Chaos Breaker Dragon.
I'll have to admit you put an admirable effort against Link Joker, but it's time I crush your hope. Nullify with Barrier Star-vader, Promethium [Perfect Defense]." My dream incarnation countered.
[Drive Check – Malevolent Djinn – Critical Trigger]
[Drive Check – Yellow Gem Carbuncle – Critical Trigger]
"Arghhhh….. I end my turn, and that means all of my rearguard units are unlocked." I said.
"I'll say it again you've put up an admirable fight against Link Joker." My dream self said.
"Calm down Kiba calm down…..you may have failed to beat him this turn, but now that my units are unlocked there's still a chance I can survive to try again." I thought.
"Now it's time for me to crush the false hope I've given you. Chaos Breaker Dragon, activate your Limit Break!" my dream self yelled as he pointed straight up at his vanguard.
"What the….. a limit break that activates at the end of my turn?" I said as I was surprised that such a skill exists.
"Yes that's exactly what it is. I soulblast 4 units with 'Star-vader' in their name, and I destroy all of your units that were freed from the void!" my dream self said.
At first it was a gentle rotation, but after a few moments passed Chaos Breaker Dragon was spinning his large scythe with the force of a tornado before he slices through all of my rearguards with it in a single fluid motion.
"But wait… that's not the best part of this skill. For each unit I retire….. Chaos Breaker Dragon allows me to draw a card. Since I retired 4 of your units that means I get to draw 4 cards, of which now….. it's my turn." My dream self explained.
Kiba – Dream Kiba
2 – Hand – 5
5 – Soul – 1
5 – Damage – 5
3 – Counterblast – 4
Empty, Empty – Empty, Empty
Empty, Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas – Star-vader Chaos Breaker Dragon, Star-vader Dust Tail Unicorn
Empty, Empty – Star-vader Colony Maker, Empty
"Stand and draw. I call to the rearguard Darmstadtium [Power: 11000] and two Neons [Power: 7000." My dream self informed.
"There's nothing else I can do….." I thought.
"Darmstadtium is coming at you [Total Power: 18000]!" my dream self declared.
"Yellow Gem guards [Total Shield: 10000]." I counter.
"In that case let's try Colony Maker on for size [Total Power: 16000]!" my dream self declared again.
"I refuse to go down like a dog. I guard [Total Shield: 10000]!" I counter again.
"That's because you won't be going down like a dog. You'll be going down like the ant you are. Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon…. Crush his hope once and for all with your final attack [Total Power: 16000]!" my dream self declared.
"I won't go down like an ant either. If I'm fated to lose this fight….. then I'll do so standing on my own two feet!" I declare as one last bout of resistance against Link Joker while Chaos Breaker raises his scythe above his head.
"Don't worry… even if the worst comes to past you won't remember a thing." My dream incarnation said in a tender tone purposely just to scare me.
I was scared, but not because of what may have been my imminent loss in this fight. I was scared because instead of Chaos Breaker bringing down his scythe on my vanguard he brought it down on me for some reason instead. I blacked out the moment that horrid scythe was within a centimeter of my head. Much to my own need for miraculous safety… my growing fear forced me out of this dream and back into reality.
"Arghhhhh!" I scream as quickly sit upright in my bed.
After I take a minute to catch my breath, I realize for certain that I'm wide awake in reality especially since my blanket is covered in my sweat. Once I calm down, I decided to look at the clock only for me to notice that it was 5 AM local time.
"I have to…. I have to rebuild it. I have to rebuild that deck." I mumble to myself referring to Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas.
Even though I didn't have to go to school….. and yes sadly I still had to go to school since the Expo started on a Wednesday. Getting back on topic, even though I didn't have to start getting ready for school for another hour I do so anyway. It was just a simple matter of getting rid of the smell of sweat with a shower and putting on my school uniform.
"Kiba, it's time to get up." My mother said as she knocks on my bedroom door.
Right….. well sometimes I either sleep through my alarm clock or reset it and go back to sleep, so as a result my mom checks on my every morning before school. In this sense she acts as a final line of defense to prevent tardiness at school.
"Are you awa… oh you're already up. Is there anything you want for…." my mother was saying as she notices me already wearing my uniform with my backpack over my shoulder.
"Sorry mom no time….. I have to get going right away." I said as I though not intentionally rudely interrupt my mother.
"Oh I wonder what he's so excited about?" my mother asks herself as she hears me open and close the front door to our house.
"He's probably thinking about his next fight at the Vanguard Expo. He knows if he wins he'll have to face Nolan in the next round. There is no way she'll lose to any average fighter." My dad said as due to overhearing what my mom said.
"I see you're up early as well, and your dressed for work. I thought you had the day off." my mother points out to my father.
"So did I, but it seems a mishap with a project I've been working on happened last night. They called me in to fix it… otherwise we'll be put 3 months behind schedule." My dad explained.
"Then have a good day at work." my mother said.
My dad quickly headed outside as well, and actually I saw him in the driveway as I was pulling out in my car. He even waved to me too, but given our relationship at the time I believed it was only just for show. Actually I saw my dad take out his cell phone before he was completely out of site.
"It seemed the nudge failed. My son's own fear ended up saving him instead of condemning him….. Yes I know I'll leave it to the others." My father emotionlessly said to whoever was on the other end of this call.
And there you have it my father was involved with what was going on behind the scenes before it hit the fan. The actual act of it hitting the fan won't happen for a while, but for now Sade has a fight to win.
To Be Continued
Kiba: It looks like another straight forward preview.
Dalette: What do you mean?
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "Witches VS Machines, The Alchemic Battle"
Sade: I won't let you take Big Bro from me.
Sally: At least you two get along. I hate it how Onee-chan and Onii-chan never see eye to eye unless someone makes them.
Narukami
Abraxas Ride Chain
Card List
Grade 0
Kaiser Record Keeper (Normal Unit)
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
[AUTO]: When a card named "Red Raid Dragoon" rides this unit, look at up to seven cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one card named "Red Storm Dragoon" or "Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas" from among them, reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand and shuffle your deck.
[AUTO]: When a "Narukami" not named "Red Raid Dragoon" rides this unit, you may call this card to (RC).
Grade 1
Red Raid Dragoon (Normal Unit)
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[CONT](VC): If you have a card named "Kaiser Record Keeper" in your soul, this unit gets [Power]+1000.
[AUTO]: When a grade 2 "Narukami" not named "Red Storm Dragoon" rides this unit, if you have a card named "Kaiser Record Keeper" in your soul, look at up to seven cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one card named "Red Storm Dragoon" from among them, ride it, and shuffle your deck.
Grade 2
Red Storm Dragoon (Normal Unit)
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[CONT](VC): If you have a card named "Red Raid Dragoon" in your soul, this unit gets [Power]+1000.
[AUTO]: When this unit rides a card named "Red Raid Dragoon", if you have a card named "Kaiser Record Keeper" in your soul, choose up to one of your opponent's rearguards on the front row, and retire it.
Grade 3
Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas (Normal Unit)
Power: 10000
[ACT](VC) Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage):[Counterblast (3)] Until end of turn this unit gets [Power]+2000 and "[CONT](VC): This unit battles every unit in your opponent's back left (RC), back right(RC), and (VC) in one attack.".
[CONT](VC): If you have a card named "Red Storm Dragoon" in your soul, this unit gets [Power]+1000.