Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 11
Blaze Burst
After a hard fought battle, Sade had just barely managed to defeat Nolan's younger little sister Sally. She was lucky that Sally was using a new deck instead of her Bermuda Triangles… otherwise Sade's chances of winning would have been extraordinarily slim honestly. In any case the moment the battle was over, Isaac's battle with Cloud began and much to everyone's surprise he wasn't using a Narukami deck but instead a Royal Paladin one. I'll just start from that point.
"Then let the last quarter-final match begin!" the judge for Isaac and Cloud's fight declared.
"Stand up my vanguard!" Cloud yelled.
"Stand up the vanguard!" Isaac yelled.
Now most of the time whenever an MF system was activated a holographic facsimile of some kind of fanciful battlefield would be displayed, but this time around there would be nothing that fancy. This time around these two powerful fighters would be clashing in the middle of the convention center while it's in its natural state.
"Blue Storm Cadet, Marios [Power: 5000]!" Cloud revealed.
"Composed Seeker, Lucius [Power: 5000]!" Isaac revealed.
"Compo… Royal Paladins? He's never been seen using this clan before." Cloud thought as he was among the many who were shocked to hear the identity of Isaac's starting vanguard.
"Oh this is unexpected. The famed card fighter Isaac Barrett is using something other than a Narukami deck.
"Just what will it mean for this fight?" Sara followed.
"Who knows, but in any case we'll be seeing how things develop as Cloud will be starting off." Dr. O announced.
"As always you're full of surprises Isaac, but then again it'll make beating you all the more enjoyable. I ride Crysta Elizabeth [Power: 7000]. Marios's skill: I move him directly behind my vanguard." Cloud informed.
Crysta Elizabeth is one of the more petit officers of the Aqua Force clan what with her pale violet hair, but what more than makes up for it is her dolphin like partner that she rides for the sake of improving her movement speed.
"Draw….. Ride Good Faith Seeker, Cynric [Power: 7000], and now I'll move Lucius to the back." Isaac said.
If you were to compare Cynric and Isaac's faces you'd find that they actually have a very strong similarity to one another. In fact as you imagine Isaac's face on Cynric's body… Isaac looks as though this silvery blue armor of the Royal Paladins fits him like a glove.
"Cynric attack Crysta with the support of Lucius [Total Power: 12000]!" Isaac declared.
"I'll allow that attack to hit." Cloud said as he readied himself mentally for Isaac's attack.
[Drive Check – Sanctuary of Light, Holy Edge Dragon – No Trigger]
"Holy Edge Dragon? I've never seen that Royal Paladin unit before…. Ha ha you really are full of surprises." Cloud said as his spirit as a fighter became even more stirred.
"This card has yet to be released, so I'd be surprised if you had seen it before." Isaac retorts.
"Isn't that a little unfair to have such a card in your deck?" Cloud asks.
"Official Vanguard tournament regulations compared to how they were years ago dictate that there is no rule preventing a competitor from using a card in a tournament before it was made available to the public as long as it was acquired through preapproved methods." Isaac explained.
"Easy there… I wasn't accusing you of anything. I was merely pointing something out." Cloud said.
"I know, but don't forget you still chose to take my attack." Isaac said as he tries to get Cloud to get down to business.
"I haven't forgotten." Cloud calmly replied.
[Damage Check – Emerald Shield, Paschal – No Trigger]
"My turn is done." Isaac informed.
Cloud – Isaac
5 – Hand – 6
0 – Soul – 0
1 – Damage – 0
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
Blue Storm Cadet, Marios / Blue Storm Battle Princess, Crysta Elizabeth – Good Faith Seeker, Cynric / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"I ride Blue Storm Soldier, Tempest Assault [Power: 10000]!" Cloud yelled.
Compared to the other humanoid shaped members of the Aqua Force clan, Tempest Assault is an Aquaroid that looks very human-like. In any case his stance indicates that he's undergone advanced fencing training in order to compliment his dual wielding style.
"I call Spyros to the rearguard, and now… Spyros attack the vanguard [Total Power: 9000]!" Cloud declared.
[Damage Check – Guardian Law Seeker, Shiron – No Trigger]
"Not enough to faze you huh?" Cloud asks as he places his hand on his vanguard.
"Didn't you really think it would?" Isaac said as he answered one question with another.
"No, but I still had to ask. With Marios's boost, Tempest Blader attack Cynric [Total Power: 15000]!" Cloud declared.
"No guard." Isaac said after quickly checking over his hand.
[Drive Check – Blue Storm Soldier, Assault Breaker – No Trigger]
Though there is no water for Tempest Blader to move across, he still moves as fast as he does at see here on land. Before Cynric could even draw his weapons for a defense, Tempest Blader had already made 2 large gashes in his armor before returning to the starting position.
[Damage Check – Cross Bow Seeker, Gildas – No Trigger]
"I end my turn." Cloud said.
Cloud – Isaac
5 – Hand – 6
1 – Soul – 0
1 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty / Blue Storm Marine General, Spyros – Empty / Empty
Blue Storm Cadet, Marios / Blue Storm Soldier, Tempest Assault – Good Faith Seeker, Cynric / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"With that attack Cloud has gained the lead in this fight. It's clear that the young master of the Aqua Force clan has become much stronger than the last time he fought Isaac." Sara announced.
"I agree, but the fight is still in its early infancy. There will be plenty of chances for Isaac to turn things around. He has done so several times against Cloud after all." Dr. O pointed out.
"Stand and draw….. Ride Natural Talent Seeker, Valrod [Power: 10000]." Isaac said without even bother to look at the card he drew.
Cynric has evolved into a knight wearing bright glowing blue armor, with a crystalline shield attached to his left arm, and a glowing spear filled with divine energy in his right.
"I call Gildas [Power: 9000] to the left and Cedric [Power: 9000] to the right!" Isaac yelled as he threw those cards on the rearguard circle.
"What is this Future Card Buddyfight?" I thought.
"Since I have 3 units with 'Seeker' in their name on the front row Lucius gives an extra +3000 power to Valrod when boosting, and I'll have Valrod attack Tempest Blader [Total Power: 18000]!" Isaac declared.
"Once again I won't guard." Cloud retorts.
[Drive Check – Flail Seeker, Hasbasado – No Trigger]
Relying upon the strength of whatever magical force that enchanted his armor, Valrod jumps high into the air and directs all of the divine power in his spear towards Tempest Assault in a leaping strike.
[Damage Check – Blue Storm Guardian Dragon, Icefall Dragon – No Trigger]
"Cedric, you're attacking next [Total Power: 12000]!" Isaac declared.
[Damage Check – Supersonic Sailor – Critical Trigger]
"All effects go to my rearguard Spyros." Cloud said as he pointed to the holographic representation of Spyros.
"Over to you." Isaac said as he had no choice but to end his turn.
Cloud – Isaac
5 – Hand – 5
1 – Soul – 1
3 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty / Blue Storm Marine General, Spyros – Full Bloom Seeker, Cedric / Empty
Blue Storm Cadet, Marios / Blue Storm Soldier, Tempest Assault – Natural Talent Seeker, Valrod / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Empty – Crossbow Seeker, Gildas / Empty
"With that lucky trigger pull, Isaac's turn came to an unexpected stop and now its Cloud's turn." Dr. O announced.
"Yes, and with the card that Cloud received in his last drive check… depending on his hand he has the perfect opportunity to gain a massive lead on this turn." Sara followed.
"Stand and draw. You should be honored Isaac Barrett." Cloud pointed out as the expression on his face indicates that he drew something really good.
"How so?" Isaac asks out of the sake of replying rather than curiosity itself.
"I brought this card out of the family's vault just to beat you…. Wash away all the vice in the world with power of a furious flood!" Cloud yelled.
It should have been impossible since we're indoors, but as Cloud spoke the chant for the card he is about to ride a powerful wind blew though out the entire convention center.
"Is Cloud so strong that he can bend the very wind to do his bidding?" I thought as I placed one hand on my deck and my other around Sade.
"This is the power of the Soryu tribe's faith in the wind? How interesting Cloud….. go on and show me how much power it has!" Isaac said as the intensity of this battle finally became strong enough for it to show on his face.
"Gladly….. ride Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom [Power: 11000]!" Cloud yelled.
"No way, I don't believe it…. it's….." I start to mumble.
"…. The most legendary card of the Aqua Force clan and Soryu tribe Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom. I feel honored to be in the presence of such a legendary card." Sara said as she by pure coincidence finished this sentence.
"I can't believe it…. I'm shaking, but this isn't fear….. it's excitement. The fighter in me wants to join in on this battle." Dalette thought as she tries to steady her hand.
"I callAssault Breaker [Power: 7000] and Gregorious [Power: 9000] to the rearguard." Cloud said as like Isaac he practically through these two cards on the guardian circle.
"Come on then, Cloud!" Isaac yelled.
In order to get Isaac to show this kind of emotion in a fight….. you truly have to be strongest of strong who's reached the limit of their potential. It just goes to show you that at this point in time, Cloud and Isaac were far beyond the reach of my meager abilities.
"Spyros, go and attack Valrod [Total Power: 16000]!" Cloud declared.
[Damage Check – Seeker, Light Blaze Dragon – No Trigger]
"Spyros isn't out of gas just yet because his skill allows me to re-stand him, and now Spyros attacks Gildas [Total Power: 9000]!" Cloud yelled.
"Margal guards [Total Shield: 5000]." Isaac countered.
"Go Gregorious and attack Valrod! His skill gives him a +3000 power bonus [Total Power: 12000]!" Cloud declared again.
[Damage Check – Seeker, Loving Healer – Heal Trigger]
"Get the heal trigger. Power to my vanguard, and I'll have Light Blaze Dragon go to the drop zone." Isaac decided.
"With the support of Marios, Maelstrom will attack Valrod… and now…." Cloud was saying.
"The wind….. it's picking up again. How is it possible when we're indoors?" I thought as I once more place one hand around Sade and another on my deck again.
"Wind that guides sails and storms that split the ocean, show them the power that goes beyond it! Maelstrom's Limit Break!" Cloud yelled as the wind finally settled after one last gust.
"Hang on big bro, how can he use a limit break when he is only at three damage?" Sade asks.
"Assault Breaker's ability allows him to use his limit break skills at any time as long as he can pay the cost. This card and clones of it for other clans were created in order to give Limit Break decks a better chance against legion ones." Dalette explained before I could even answer.
"Maelstrom gains +5000. Now go, Maelstrom [Total Power: 21000]!" Cloud explained.
[Drive Trigger – Battle Siren, Dorothea – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Blue Storm Solder, Missile Trooper – Critical Trigger]
"All of the trigger's power goes to Maelstrom [New Total: 26000 2 Crit]!" Cloud said.
The power of Maelstrom's roar was a gust of wind all in itself, but that was nothing compared to the shockwaves of his missile barrage he inflicted upon Valrod.
[Damage Check – Margal – Draw Trigger]
[Damage Check – Seeker, Loving Healer – Heal Trigger]
"Thanks to the power of the heal trigger, I get to recover another damage point." Isaac informed.
"Since Maelstrom's attack hit I get to draw and retire your Cedric, however my turn isn't over just yet. I activate the skill of Marios: I search the top 5 cards of my deck for….. this." Cloud said as he revealed the card he drew to Isaac and everyone else who was watching this fight.
"That's….." Dalette was saying when she was rendered speechless by Cloud's choice.
[Top Card – Blue Storm Supreme Dragon, Glory Maelstrom – No Trigger]
"There it is vanguard fans… the other legendary card of the Aqua Force clan. The first of many cards that have the ability to make perfect guards and later quintet walls completely useless." Dr. announced.
"And now I'll end my turn." Cloud informed.
Cloud – Isaac
7 – Hand – 5
2 – Soul – 1
3 – Damage – 4
2 – Counterblast – 0
Blue Storm Solder, Assault Breaker / Blue Storm Marine General, Spyros – Empty / Empty
Blue Storm Cadet, Marios / Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom – Natural Talent Seeker, Valrod / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Blue Storm Marine General, Gregorious – Crossbow Seeker, Gildas / Empty
"Descend from the heavens, dragon guided by destiny's light! Ride Sanctuary of Light, Holy Edge Dragon [Power: 11000]!" Cloud yelled.
"For him to add a non-Seeker grade 3 unit…. It has to be a break ride. I'll decide whether or not to be aggressive or defensive once I get through this next turn." Cloud thought.
"Call Cedric [Power: 9000] and two Hasbasados [Power: 7000]. Gildas attack Maelstrom [Total Power: 16000]!" Isaac Declared.
[Damage Check – Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom – No Trigger]
"Holy Edge Dragon attack [Total Power: 18000]!" Isaac declared.
"Paschal [Perfect Defense] nullifies." Cloud countered.
[Drive Check – Seeker, Bucephalus – Stand Trigger]
"Cedric gets prepared to attack again." Isaac said as he switched the aforementioned card to the standing position.
[Drive Check – Margal – Draw Trigger]
"Cedric gets even more power, and I draw." Isaac informed.
Compared to the lance forged by the heavens wielded by Sanctuary of Light, Planetal Dragon, Holy Edge Dragon's weapon of choice is a sword forged by the heavens, but despite all of the power such a weapon implies it still can't slice though Paschal's shield.
"Cedric go in for round two [Total Power: 19000]!" Isaac declared.
"I guard with Missile Trooper [Total Shield: 10000]." Cloud countered.
"Gildas attack [Total Power: 16000]!" Isaac declared.
[Damage Check – Blue Storm Fleet, Angler Soldier – Stand Trigger]
"I end my turn." Isaac said before moving his arms to a resting position.
Cloud – Isaac
4 – Hand – 5
2 – Soul – 2
5 – Damage – 4
2 – Counterblast – 0
Blue Storm Solder, Assault Breaker / Blue Storm Marine General, Spyros – Full Bloom Seeker, Cedric / Flail Seeker, Hasbasado
Blue Storm Cadet, Marios / Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom – Sanctuary of Light, Holy Edge Dragon / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Blue Storm Marine General, Gregorious – Crossbow Seeker, Gildas / Flail Seeker, Hasbasado
"Amazing…." I mumble to myself.
"Did you say something man?" Virgil asks.
"This battle is so intense….. I don't believe I could get up and miss a second of it even if the convention center was burning down around me. Isaac and Cloud are trading blows like they've been enemies for life instead of competitors for years." I tell Virgil as I start to realize that I haven't even blinked since the fight began.
"Yeah I already knew Cloud was way above my level, but I'll get stronger and pay him back for defeating me." Vigil declared.
"That's a good attitude to have, but the fight isn't over yet you two." Raphugio pointed out to Virgil and me.
"Final Turn!" Cloud declared.
"Show me what you've got." Isaac retorts.
"This is truly one of the greatest fights I've seen in all of my years as a commentator. I shudder at the thought of a fight more intense than this battle going on right now." Sara announced.
"As do I, but with the start of Cloud's turn this fight will be getting even more intense." Dr. O followed.
"Dragon spun into existence from the force of will and the forging of justice's true beliefs, evolve and fight for the dream in your strongest from! I crossride Blue Storm Supreme Dragon, Glory Maelstrom [Power: 11000]!"
"There it is, Maelstrom in his most powerful form. Since Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom is in the soul Glory Maelstrom gains a permanent +2000 power bonus." Dr. O announced.
"I retire Marios to replace him with Dorothea [Power: 6000]. Now Spyros will attack Holy Edge Dragon [Total Power: 16000]!" Cloud declared.
[Damage Check – Certain Kill Seeker, Mordon – Critical Trigger]
"All effects go to Holy Edge." Isaac informed.
"Spyros stands back up and attacks Gildas [Total Power: 9000]!" Cloud declared.
"It's going to be tough for Isaac to turn this around assuming he survives to his next turn." Dr. O pointed out.
"Gregorious attack Cedric [Total Power: 12000]!" Cloud declared.
"But like how I said earlier this fight isn't over yet." Sara followed.
"Glory Maelstrom attack Holy Edge Dragon! Now face the judgment of a kind but firm justice… Glory Maelstrom ultimate break: His power goes up by +5000 and you can't guard with grade 1 or higher units from your hand. Let's see Isaac if you can resist Glory Maelstrom's Divine Blowing [Total Power: 28000]!" Cloud declared as he showed off the ultimate skill of his deck.
"I have to hand it to you Cloud you've brought me closer to the brink of defeat than anyone else ever has, however it's still my destiny to win this fight. Guard [Total Shield: 20000]!" Isaac said as he placed Mordon and Bucephalus on the guardian circle.
"To think he could still…. no don't think like that Cloud. You still have your drive check." Cloud thought as he surprised that Isaac could still put up such a stalwart resistance.
[Drive Check – Supersonic Sailor – Critical Trigger]
"All effects to Glory Maelstrom [New Total: 33000 2 Crit]." Cloud said.
The expression that he had on his face was clear as day. Cloud wants to defeat Isaac right here right now, and using the card that represents the ideals of his family all at once, but the question now is will he get it?
[Drive Check – Emerald Shield, Paschal – No Trigger]
"I end my turn." Cloud said as he was disappointed that he failed in following through with his final turn.
Cloud – Isaac
5 – Hand – 3
3 – Soul – 2
5 – Damage – 5
4 – Counterblast – 0
Blue Storm Solder, Assault Breaker / Blue Storm Marine General, Spyros – Empty / Flail Seeker, Hasbasado
Battle Siren, Dorothea / Blue Storm Supreme Dragon, Glory Maelstrom – Sanctuary of Light, Holy Edge Dragon / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Blue Storm Marine General, Gregorious – Empty / Flail Seeker, Hasbasado
"Now let me show you a real final turn Cloud. Stand and draw…. Show them the fallacy of opposing destiny with your sword of mourning! Break ride Seeker, Light Saver Dragon [Power: 11000]!" Isaac yelled.
Light Saver is a cool blue dragon that was as tall as Maelstrom, but all fighters know that a unit's appearance alone has little to do with the value of its power. Speaking of power, Light Saver has been strengthened for at least this turn by having the Holy Edge Dragon present within his soul.
"Seek the mate! Guided by the light you blaze a trail to your destiny as one! Now stand together you dragons that bare the title of 'Saver'…. Legion [Legion Power: 20000]!"
"I do believe that this card must be the ace of Isaac's new Seeker deck Dr. O" Sara said to her colleague.
"I agree with your assessment. For those of you who aren't familiar with the ability of Light Saver Dragon; his skill allows Isaac to give three of his units a +5000 power bonus for the turn. Now the question is where will Isaac choose to apply all of that power?" Dr. announced to the crowd.
"I give the first +5000 power bonus to my vanguard, then the second power bonus to Light Saver's mate Light Blaze Dragon, and finally the last power bonus goes to Lucius. That is the power of Light Saver's Grieving Blaze Burst" Isaac declared.
"Eh? Why is he concentrating all of that power down the center line? I mean big bro; wouldn't it be better if he splits it among his other units? Isn't that the way the Royal Paladin clan plays after all?" Sade asks as she was clearly confused by Isaac's move and quite frankly so was I.
"I don't know Sade, but if I had to guess….." I started saying.
"It must be Holy Edge Dragon's Break ride skill." Nolan interrupts as she was still sitting next to me ever since Sally lost.
"I call two copies of High Spirit Seeker, Celyn [Power: 9000]. When called while my vanguard is in Legion, I give Light Saver +8000 power between both of their skills." Isaac explained.
"You truly do intent to finish me off by amassing a ludicrous amount of power down your center Isaac. You're wind isn't a simple gust, but rather a full blown torrent. Now let's see if it's enough to move me." Cloud thought as he took a defensive stance.
"The Celyn to my left will attack Spyros [Total Power: 16000]!" Isaac declared.
"Very well." Cloud said as he calmly placed Spyros in the drop zone.
"I see… he's going to whittle down Cloud's intercepts before he attacks with his vanguard." I thought.
"Now the Celyn to my right attacks Gregorious [Total Power: 16000]!" Isaac declared.
"Now go on and show me whatever skill your break ride has." Cloud thought.
"With the support of Lucius, I'll have Light Saver Dragon attack Glory Maelstrom [Total Power: 61000]!" Isaac declared.
"That's a truly amazing amount of attacking power Isaac! I highly doubt anyone else could generate as much power with a Royal Paladin deck." Cloud said.
In regards to Cloud's statement, I knew one fighter who could do just that and more with a Royal Paladin deck.
"But it still won't be enough to bust through Paschal's shield [Perfect Defense]." Cloud countered.
[Drive Check – Seeker, Light Saver Dragon – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Seeker, Light Blaze Dragon – No Trigger]
"I've heard about the impression you give other fighters when you battle them…. They talk about how despite blocking with a perfect shield, they still feel that you could break through because the power you have is simply that intense. Can you do it again Isaac? Because if you can't, then you won't be able to beat me." Cloud asks.
But Isaac doesn't even bother to answer Cloud's question at least not with words, but he will instead answer with an action in the form of one last almighty attack.
"Holy Edge Dragon's secondary break ride skill: Since I have four or more Royal Paladin units on my rearguard circle, I discard the two units I received from my drive check to re-stand Light Saver Dragon and his mate, but that isn't all my vanguard gets." Isaac said as he explained Holy Edge's surprisingly potent break ride skill.
"Ohhh what other powers could this mysterious Holy Edge Dragon possess?" Dr. O announced.
"My vanguard gets +1 critical, and I'll use all of that power for this one last legion attack [Total Power: 48000 2 Crit]!" Isaac declared.
[Drive Check – Guardian Law Seeker, Shiron – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Certain Kill Seeker, Modron – Critical Trigger]
"All to Light Saver Dragon [New Total: 53000 3 Crit]." Isaac informed.
The power of Glory Maelstrom's Divine Blowing is unable to even slow down the speed of Light Saver Dragon's blade before he lands a lethal blow.
[Damage Check – Blue Storm Supreme Dragon, Glory Maelstrom – No Trigger]
Final Results
Cloud – Isaac
3 – Hand – 3
3 – Soul – 3
6 – Damage – 5
4 – Counterblast – 5
Blue Storm Solder, Assault Breaker / Empty – High Spirit Seeker, Celyn / Flail Seeker, Hasbasado
Battle Siren, Dorothea / Blue Storm Supreme Dragon, Glory Maelstrom – Sanctuary of Light, Holy Edge Dragon / Composed Seeker, Lucius
Empty / Empty – High Spirit Seeker, Celyn / Flail Seeker, Hasbasado
"The fight is over, and the winner is Isaac Barrett. With this all of the semi-finalists have been decided." Dr. O announced.
"We have Nolan Elchart, Isaac Barrett, Kiba Nakashima, and his younger sister Sade. The pairings for the semi-final round will be randomized, and will be announced later.
Sara announced.
"That may have been one of the greatest fights that I've ever seen." I say aloud.
"I don't mean to belittle your abilities Kiba, but with Cloud being knocked out of the running your chances of making it into the finals are far greater." Dalette tells me as the subtext of her sentence indicates that she doesn't expect Sade to make it past the next round.
"Don't you think that's a little rude? I mean he's not the greatest fighter, but he's no weakling either." Virgil points out to Dalette as he comes to my defense.
"I wasn't belittling the ability he has, but rather I'm pointing out the fact that it may not be enough. Let me ask you Kiba, if you were to have faced either Cloud or Isaac instead of who you did do you think you could have won?" Dalette asks in a rather blunt manner.
"No…" I honestly answer
"Big bro….." Sade said as she was disheartened due to expecting me to say something more exciting and filled with energetic.
"I know I'm strong enough to beat Nolan, but against either Cloud or Isaac… I'd at best be able to put up the illusion of a challenging fight if nothing else." I honestly answer.
"Saying you're strong enough to beat me is a bold declaration. I recall winning most of the matches we've had." Nolan tells me as she takes my answer as a sort of letter of challenge.
"I don't deny that's true, but I've never had a serious reason to beat you before. I never threw a single one of our matches, however they almost always felt less like fights and more like an annoying chore you just had to get through as fast as possible." I tell Nolan as I turn to face her.
I didn't even realize that I was doing it at the time, however given the expression on her face it turns out she was surprised by the one I had on my own.
"His eyes….. he was completely serious about beating me… and he doesn't even realize he's doing it." Nolan thought.
"Nee-san, where's Jacob with my ice cream?" Sally asks.
"Huh? Oh right…. he shouldn't be much longer now. I mean how hard could it possibly be to buy ice cream at a major convention?" Nolan said as she tries to reassure her sister for yet another time.
Oh believe me when I say that she has no idea how hard it'll be for Jacob to do just that. Anyways, as I'm sure you could already realize, Sally didn't take her defeat very well and quite frankly she looked like she was about to cry. Doing her duty as an older sister, Nolan naturally consoled her and it's one of the few times I've ever seen her warm and tender side. In order to help the process, Nolan and her loyal butler/bodyguard go on an ice cream run. You all remember Jacob right? He's one of the only two guys I know who have waist length hair black in his case, and can successfully pull it off in a manly way.
"Sigh….. you'd think you'd be able to easily find some form of ice cream in the food court, but noooo you can't." Jacob thought as he wanders the various expo stalls hoping that one of them sells the delicious treat his lady's sister craves.
"Come into our stall! We have mint-condition cards dating back to the very beginning of vanguard, and for those of you who feel a little hot after walking around so long…. We also have a variety of ice cream for sale!" a female promoter for a stall yelled for all who was willing to listen.
"Wow that's highly convenient." Jacob mumbled to himself as he couldn't believe his luck.
When this promoter said that they were selling ice cream, I didn't mean like a few Choco Tacos….. I meant like that of portable Dairy Queen with blenders and all was attached to this stall at the hip. Thankfully Jacob doesn't have to wait very long in order to submit his order, and as he waited he saw that the person taking orders was a very old man.
"Okay…. and would you like anything for yourself." The stand clerk asked.
"No, I'm merely a delivery man in this case. How much will it cost?" Jacob answered as he reached for his wallet.
"Don't worry about the cost. You're a well known fighter in this country, so as long as you continue to be worthy of that reputation….. then it's good enough payment for me." the stand clerk said clearly proving his love for Vanguard.
"I'm honored by your sentiment, but I'm no one special. I'm not even the strongest fighter on my team." Jacob retorts as he accepts the old man's kind offer.
"But you could be if you were to fight your real self instead of the false image you let people see." the stand clerk points out.
Jacob was able to prevent even the slightest of expressions from showing on his face, however he couldn't deny himself the sitting of an emotional turmoil long since best forgotten that this nice old man unintentionally caused.
"Leave my children alone!" the voice of an older woman screamed within the confines of Jacob's mind.
"Brother nooo!" the voice of little girl screams within Jacob's mind.
"Where is she? Where is my sister? I know she existed!" the voice of a child Jacob yelled within the thoughts of his older self.
The details of his past aren't state secrets or anything, however it's still something that Jacob doesn't like to talk about even to this day.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean." Jacob said as forcibly shuts out the voices of the past in order to prevent them from causing him to stagnate in the presence.
"Son, I've been around for decades and I've seen several famous fighters come through my door before they were even close to winning championships. Believe me when I say that I know when someone is holding back." the store clerk explained.
"I still don't know what you mean." Jacob retorts.
"Fine continue to play ignorant, but in any case feel free to browse my other products and I'll let you know when your order is ready." The store clerk said.
The moment Jacob was out of the way of the old man and those who were waiting to see him, he immediately started scanning the rows of various cards that were hanging in the show case. It doesn't take Jacob very long to find a card that appealed to him, and he immediately walks up to it in order to make sure that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.
"I was right….. a Dauntless Drive Dragon SP with its original artwork in excellent condition, and the price is shockingly reasonable too. There goes my food budget for the week." Jacob thought as he stretches his arm out to grab the card.
However Jacob wasn't the only one who was interested in the card. A concept well proven when he realizes that someone else literally hand their hands on this card when he did. He turns his head to the left to find that the owner of that hand belongs to a young girl with stylish black hair, though does not look to be of Japanese descent, with deep green eyes, she has lightly tanned skin, and a petit frame. As for what she's wearing that happens to be grey slacks, a matching unzipped jacket, and a black T-shirt.
"Take your hand off of the card. I saw it first." This girl said.
"No. I wish to purchase this card too madam." Jacob said in defiance while still maintaining the formal way of speaking expected of a butler.
"Now don't fight. I have a perfect way for you two to settle this issue between yourselves if you're interested." The stand clerk said after he took this rare edition of Dauntless Drive Dragon out of Jacob and this girl's hand once he realized what was going on.
"What would that be?" this girl asks.
"I have a portable MF system in my stall as you can see over there, so why not settle things with a fight? I'll hold onto this for now and the winner will get the card for free." The stand clerk suggested.
"I'm down for it." this black haired girl said signaling her willingness for a fight.
"In that case you can just let this girl have it. I have other things to do today, so I can't waste time on unnecessary fights." Jacob said effectively stating his lack of interest in the clerk's offer.
"What are afraid of losing to a girl?" this black haired girl said clearly annoyed by Jacob's lethargic attitude.
"Man or woman, gender makes no difference to me for if I lose I lose, but I also have other responsibilities that prevent me from accepting every challenge directed towards me." Jacob said as he refers to his monotonous duty as an ice cream man for his lady.
"Oh speaking of which, your order will be ready in just a couple more minutes. A few of the people that were in line before you ordered quite a bit." The stand clerk said as he realized what responsibilities that Jacob was referring to.
"Are you serious? You're blowing off a fight for ice cream? I never thought that the famed fighter Jacob Edwards of Team Star Ocean would be such a weak willed coward." This black haired girl said as she was now angered instead of annoyed by Jacob's lethargic attitude.
"Don't you dare call me weak or a coward!" Jacob yelled as it was clear as day that he was infuriated by this girl's remark.
Let's just say he blames the events in his past on his lack of power, so as he grew up he made the vow that he's start from the beginning and never be powerless again.
"Oh what did I manage to strike a nerve?" this girl said as she doesn't seem to fully realize how angry Jacob is.
"If you want a fight then you've got one." Jacob declared as he took out a deck from his inner-jacket pocket.
Meanwhile after he directed the crowd to watch the fight between Cloud and Isaac on nearby monitors, MC Sonar almost immediately started assisting with the media coverage of the expo by touring through it with a small camera crew.
"Those of you, who are watching, don't forget that there are plenty of other exciting things going on at the Expo asides from the fight going on between Cloud and Isaac. Now let's go see if we can find one of those things." MC Sonar said as he stared straight into the camera.
As if on cue, a couple of random people at the expo started to run across the TV screens of America spotting that something interesting was about to go down.
"Are you sure it's true?" one expo fan asks the other.
"I'm telling you that my cousin saw him fight with some unknown girl." The other expo fan answered.
"It seems that we may have just found something interesting people. Come on, let's chase after these two and see where it leads." MC Sonar said as he runs after the two people that just passed him along with his small camera crew.
It was easy for MC Sonar to track down these two people down given the fact that there were several people gathered around a particular stall as if it were the only place to get fresh clean water in miles of desert
"Go on and zoom in. Who do you see at the center of this ocean of bodies?" MC Sonar asks his loyal camera man.
"Let's see…. I see some unknown girl, and… her opponent is… oh hello it's Jacob Edwards of Team Star Ocean." The loyal camera man said with a great deal of surprise in his voice.
"There you have it people we have a fight between an unknown and a top class fighter outside of the expo tournament. My camera crew and I will attempt to break through the crowd in order to cover this fight up close." MC Sonar said to all of those that were watching him.
As both this strange girl and Jacob took out their decks, they were already receiving praise for what they do believe that will be an exciting fight.
"It's been years since I last held this deck, but… I'll fight with my true self once more for the sake of your memory…. you who helped me build this deck." Jacob deeply thought as he placed down his starting vanguard.
"Oh… I just realized… I haven't introduced myself yet have I?" this black haired girl asks of Jacob.
"No you haven't, but I wasn't going to ask what it was either." Jacob answered.
"Well my name is Nicolette Kurosagi, but you can call me Nikki for short, and I'll make sure you never forget it!" Nikki declared as she also placed down her starting vanguard.
"I'll be acting as judge for this fight I guess. Well… are the two of you ready?" the stand clerk asked.
"Yes sir." Jacob answered.
"Yeah." Nikki answered.
"Then let this fight begin." The stand declared as he raised his arm to the sky and let it drop to the ground.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" both fighters yelled.
"Red Pulse Dracokid [Power: 4000]!" Nikki revealed.
"Perdition Dragon, Tinder Spear Dracokid [Power: 5000]!"
"Kagero….. not Crystal Reefs?" a shocked Nikki said.
"I recently received some advice about how I should fight with my true self, so I think I'll give it a shot at least for now." Jacob explained.
"Okay, but what does that have to do with you using a Kagero deck?" Nikki asked.
"I may have only been seen using Crystal Reefs before today, but make no mistake I've always been a Kagero player at heart. I simply just haven't used my true clan in years for my own reasons." Jacob declared as the fire red aura expected of a Kagero user is exuding form every pore in his body.
"This atmosphere… it's nowhere near as intense as what he can put off, but it's similar if not exactly like what Isaac puts off. Just what does that mean" Nikki thought.
"Finally…. Oh what's this…. Instead of using his normal Crystal Reef deck, Jacob Edwards is using a Kagero deck and a Perdition one to boot. It seems we have another match where a famous fighter isn't using a deck of his normal clan. Just what will be the result of this one?" MC Sonar said as he finally broke through the crowd of people surrounding Jacob and Nikki.
A battle between two users of the same clan would normally be called a mirror match, but I respectfully disagree with that assessment. A true mirror match is between fighters who are using the same deck or extremely similar ones. The result of this fight you ask….. well it is…
To Be Continued
Nikki: Ride, Dragonic Overlord! How do you like that facing one of the most legendary units of Vanguard?
Jacob: Ride, Dragonic Overlord!
Nikki: What?!
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "Perdition End.
Aqua Force
"Blue Storm" sub clan
Grade 1 Boost
Blue Storm Soldier, Assault Breaker
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[Cont](RC): Your vanguard's "Limit Break 4 is also active if the number of cards in your damage zone is 3 or less.
Royal Paladin
"Sanctuary of Light" sub clan
Grade 3 Twin Drive
Sanctuary of Light, Holy Edge Dragon
Power: 11000
[AUTO] Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage):When a «Royal Paladin» rides this unit, choose your vanguard, and until end of turn, that unit gets [Power]+10000 and "[AUTO](VC):[Counter Blast (1) & Choose 2 «Royal Paladin» cards from your hand, and discard them] At the end of the battle that this unit attacked your opponent's vanguard, if you have four or more "Royal Paladin" units on (RC), you may pay the cost. If you do, [Stand] this unit and give it +1 Critical. This ability cannot be used for the rest of that turn. (This ability cannot be used even if the cost is not paid.)".
[AUTO](VC):When this unit attacks, if the number of rear-guards you have is four or more, this unit gets [Power]+2000 until end of that battle.
[CONT](VC/RC): Lord (If you have a unit without a same clan as this unit, this unit cannot attack)