Chapter 19
Blue Flame Rebound
I'll be quick and to the point with the first few opening lines this entry. After making some quick yet painstaking preparations along with acquiring a play set of two unique cards I had fought Isaac Barrett in the Vanguard Expo's random selection tournament. For a split second I thought I was going to beat him too, but instead he crushed me with an overwhelming power that no one myself included saw coming. A power… that he called Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Rebound".
"The match is over. The winner is Isaac Barrett!" Sakura announced seeing as how she was playing the role of judge for this fight.
I honestly was expecting to be booed off the stage as I collected my deck, but what I got instead was something entirely different.
"Wow that was such an amazing fight!" said one pleased member of the crowd.
"I know to think the both of them had to rely on a heal trigger to survive." A friend of that pleased fan pointed out.
I'm a man so I accepted my loss against Isaac gratefully, but who could blame me for being shocked when the crowd was applauding the fight in its entirety. That's right not just Isaac… but I got some credit too.
"You know my cousin always said an MF system couldn't possibly make a match so realistic that it would cause an earthquake." A member of the crowd said to one of his friends.
"The truth is I own a play set of the Abraxas ride chain too, and I think I'll start using him again. This fight proves that what happened 10 years ago was just a horribly timed coincidence." The friend of that one crowd member said.
"What the hell are you idiots talking about? We were lucky that nothing happened. You all should be mad at that kid who risked all of our lives for his own selfish purposes." An angered member of the crowd said.
"Dude relax I'd say this is enough to prove what happed a decade ago was a coincidence." A friend of that angry fan pointed out.
"Yeah man don't be like that it was an exciting fight after all." A second friend of that angry fan said.
"You know what screw you guys…. I'm not going to stick around while you worship a card clearly responsible for so many deaths like it's a hero." The angry fan said as well walked off in a puff of rage.
Yes well…. the enjoyment and the rage of the crowd aside…. After I quickly rejoined my friends after collecting my deck while Sakura was giving him the whole congratulations speech.
"That was an impressive performance." Dalette said in her usual calm demeanor, but I could tell that she was trying to console me.
"Look man you have nothing to be ashamed of. I bet if Corrina was still here she'd still kiss you on the side of the cheek and congratulate you. I mean she practically worshipped you when we were young." Virgil said unlike Dalette taking a more emotional approach to consoling me, but I think that was only because bringing up his sister emotionally scathing for him.
"I'm sorry, but….. Corrina?" Dalette asks with a clear confused look on her face.
"Oh that's right I forgot you haven't known all of us for that long. Corrina is…. or was Virgil and Gilberto his older brother's younger sister. She umm… well…" Raphugio was trying to, but he simply wasn't sure how to state the obvious.
"'I see….. I lost my mom there too, so I'm sorry I should be more sensitive to these kinds of things." Dalette said when the point Raphugio was trying to make finally dons on her.
"You were so cool big bro. I can't wait to tell my friends at school since I know they'll be amazed." Sade said as I thought her heartfelt praise.
Instead of just instantly replying to my little sister's words, I got on my knees so I could look at her at eye level while gently patting her on the head much to Sade's enjoyment.
"I'm sure they will be. I just wish the final match could have been me against my cute little sister." I tell Sade.
"Thank you big bro." Sade said with a smile.
After putting the weird and for some reason slightly dirty looks I got from my friends after I gave Sade what was for the record a completely innocent compliment, we had all turned our attention towards the fighting stage right before the moment Isaac dropped that massive bombshell.
"If you manage to defeat me the Expo sponsors will grant you any wish that's both within reason and within their power. Tell me, have you decided what you want to wish for? Or are you still thinking about it?" Sakura asks.
"I know what I want to wish for when I beat you." Isaac declared.
"Oh… and what's that?" Sakura retorts… though she can't help but respect Isaac's confidence.
"What I want is you Sakura Verde." Isaac announced.
"Well um…. I appreciate the sentiment, but umm…. I already have someone I like." Sakura said as her normally calm and collected ice queen style personality was blown away by the sheer unexpectedness of Isaac's statement.
"Whaaaaaaaaat?!" was more or less the reaction of all of the people watching this unfold…. myself included.
"I'm sorry I must have had water in my ears…. Did Isaac just say what I think he did?" Virgil asks as he picks at his ears like one would his nose out of shock.
"No…. you heard him correctly, I heard him correctly, and I think everyone else here did to." Raphugio said shortly thereafter.
"Strange…. I have this sudden urge to beat Isaac up on the side of his head." Dalette said as for some reason she had a slightly homicidal look on her face.
"I know right…. I've never met Sakura and yet I feel oddly jealous." I said as for some reason a slightly homicidal look appears on my face too.
"Are you two alright?" Virgil asks as he was a little disturbed by the looks we had on our faces.
"We're fine." Dalette and I answered at the same time.
"Oh my, did you hear what Sakura just said my good old colleague of mine?" Sara asks.
"I know….. Sakura has always refused to answer about what if any romantic aspects of her personal life in previous press interviews." Dr. O followed.
"It seems the sheer unexpectedness of Isaac's statement caught her off guard so much that she actually let a bit of her true feelings slip through…. Still I can't help but wonder who the lucky dog is." Sara pointed out.
"I just hope Sakura's hardcore fans don't cause too many problems for this poor lad should his name ever be revealed." Dr. O pointed out.
"What are they all…. Ohhh I see." Isaac thought as he realizes the double meaning of his earlier statement.
Look….when it came to being ignorant to the feelings of women… Isaac was nowhere near as bad as I was, however he was at least capable of understanding how what he says can be horribly misconstrued. You'll see exactly what I mean in the next few seconds.
"I didn't even mean it remotely like that." Isaac explained.
"Oh ahem…. Then what did you want?" Sakura asks after taking a few seconds to regain her composure.
"Make no mistake Sakura Verde I still want you…. Or rather I want your skills as a Vanguard fighter on Team Strike Shadow. I know from past experience that you've always refused offers to join a team, so I knew that the only way I'd be able to convince you is by winning the Expo's random selection tournament and beating you in a fight tomorrow." Isaac said as he explained his intentions.
Cue another crowd wide "Whaaaaaat?!" here.
"Wow this was certainly an unexpected revelation." Dr. O announces.
"I agree and at the risk of sounding like I believe that Sakura will lose to Isaac her joining the team may potentially make this year's national tournament an even more difficult challenge in addition to strengthening Team Strike Shadow's already considerable power." Sara followed.
"Until tomorrow time vanguard fans…. This is your favorite hosts Dr. O and Sara signing off." Dr. O said effectively concluding the rest of the day's announcements.
And as these two commentators signed off everyone went their separate ways. Virgil, Dalette, and Raphugio went home. I finally managed to get on the freeway to go home just as Isaac reconvened with the rest of Team Strike Shadow inside of Teresa's dressing room.
"Teresa, are you in?" Isaac asks as he knocks on the dressing room door.
"Yeah, and Preston is here too believe it or not. Oh, and the door's unlocked so you can go ahead and open it." Teresa answered.
As Isaac walked into Teresa's dressing room this time he found one of his teammates wearing a rather sexy white/silver dress for her last performance of the day, and his other teammate was on the couch shivering with a blanket over his shoulder sipping a cup of tea.
"You look like crap." Isaac says rather bluntly to Preston.
"Shut up…" Preston said just narrowly holding back a sneeze.
"Just take care of yourself, I can't have members of my team falling ill especially since the first regional qualifiers will be starting soon." Isaac pointed out as strict or emotionless as he may seem he actually does care about his teammates.
"Yes boss." Preston said as though he'd never admit it, but he does have begrudging respect for Isaac.
"I mean really it won't do us any good if you're throwing up in the middle of a fight, so promise me that you'll go straight to bed as soon you get home." Teresa said in a motherly tone of voice.
"Of course if that's what you think is best." Preston retorts as because… oh who am I kidding he had a huge crush on Teresa back then.
Out of concern for his own health, Isaac takes a seat on the couch as far away as possible from Preston before taking out and examining the deck he just used against me in greater detail. In fact he starts building a new deck around Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Rebound".
"That's right…. Where did you get that card?" Preston asks.
'Hahahaha…" Isaac quietly chuckles.
"What's wrong?" Teresa asks as Isaac laughing is far rarer than Isaac smiling.
It was actually so rare that Isaac up to this point in my tale has never been seen laughing in public. Why the only people to have seen him laugh that are close to his are Teresa and Nikki, but like many things that's a story for another day.
"It's just that I believe his year's national tournament will be the most interesting one of them all." Isaac explained as he's gone from a laugh to a smile.
"What makes you say that?" Preston asks after failing in to hold a sneeze.
"On one hand there's a fighter who possesses such immense hidden strength that I'd have to draw upon my belief in destiny to a degree I've never even attempted in order to win. On the other hand there's a fighter who threw off my interpretation of destiny even if he had a little help." Isaac said still maintaining his smile.
Now then about 1 hour later I had arrived back at home, but after saying a quick hello to my mother I went straight to my room and was just about to start changing into a pair of PJs when all of a sudden my cell phone started to buzz.
"Who is it?" I ask as I place my cell on speaker.
"It's me Quinn, I just wanted to know whether or not you were still going to go to the little get together we were throwing in the auditorium." Quinn explained.
That's right Quinn the president of our school's vanguard club before I realized how much of an evil douche he was called me.
"I don't know man…. I'm not really in the mood for a party right now." I explain.
"Really? Because I mean Nolan's here right now in here right now waiting for you. She said something about you two going together as friends." Quinn said as his voice takes a confused tone.
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but although I thought she was joking I thought she said I'd have to win if I wanted to go to this little not-formal party together. Still….. when I found out she was waiting for me I started to feel kind of guilty.
"Alright…. You guys started to put this together for me and Nolan regardless of who would win our fight….. so it would be rude if the both of us didn't show up." I sigh as I start looking through my closet for something to wear.
"Thank goodness… oh and instead of anything casual… could you please wear your uniform instead?" Quinn politely asks.
"It's no problem, but….. why? Did something happen?" I ask.
"Nothing serious and it would take me too long to explain exactly why over the phone, however a few members from the school's other clubs got involved and somehow what was supposed to be a simple viewing party got turned into an impromptu informal school dance, and because of that the ASB is making us wear our uniforms." Quinn explained.
"Alright just let me change, and….. I'll be there in about 30 minutes." I tell Quinn as I pull one of my spare uniforms out of the closet.
I was so used to being able to put that thing on quickly and correctly that it only took me 5 minutes to get dressed and be out the door, but instead of the front door it was my bedroom door because shockingly enough my dad was standing in my way.
"I saw your fight." My dad said deciding to be the one to start today's awkward conversation between the two of us.
"I suppose you're going to say that I 'Shamed our family by losing' or maybe 'it was highly irresponsible for you to risk so many lives for the sake of your own emotions." I tell my father as I purposefully make a complete smartass remark.
"Don't be ridiculous. The fact that you pushed Isaac that far was something that was both miraculous and unexpected. Also…. Is it really so wrong for me to want to praise my son?" my father retorts.
"Considering the fact that you've missed several of my birthdays for work and almost never compliment me without having some sort of agenda…. It's at least a little suspicious at the very least." I point out to my father.
"Did you know that in the short time between your fight with Isaac and you standing before me now several videos of other Abraxas users have started popping up on various social media sites?" my father curiously asks, but I knew that he knew what my answer to the question would be.
"I haven't exactly had time to go browsing the web father." I answer.
"Well there are these videos. Some are in support of the cause you started, and others….. are more of the lynch mob variety." My dad explained.
"So you're basically telling me to watch out for lynch mobs?" I ask.
"Yes, but that's not why I stopped you. In fact I'm only home right now because I forgot a flash drive I needed for work." My dad retorts.
"Then don't let me get in your way." I tell my father as I try to get past him, however he doesn't intend to let me leave just yet.
"It was never announced publicly so very few people know about them, however given the sheer popularity Abraxas had 10 years ago there was effort put into making successor cards." My father starts to explain.
"Successor cards?" I ask due to having no idea as to what point he was trying to make.
"Yes like how there was Blaster Blade, Blaster Blade Spirit, Blaster Blade Liberator, Blaster Blade Seeker, and so on. You're Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas 'The Spirit' was the first of them. At any rate due to your fight with Isaac going viral, there's talk among those who were behind the successor units of bringing them back." My dad explained, but I could tell that he was still beating around the bush.
"Get to the point dad." I say because my dad was starting to test my already limited patience with him.
"Through my connections at work I got a play set of the second successor unit. I was going to give it to you after the match 10 years ago as a gift, but given what happened you of all people should be able to understand why I didn't." my dad explained as he held out 4 cards to me.
"Blah blah blah of Unity….. this is surprising." I mumble after temporarily taking those cards out of my dad's hands for the sake of examining them in greater detail.
"I've kept those cards for all these years, and I've decided to give them to you now after watching your fight. If you're not willing to accept them as a gift from a father to his son….. then accept them as a business partner's investment into an ideal." My dad explained as surprisingly I could tell he really wanted me to take these cards with no strings attached… for once.
"Thanks….. dad…. Still an Eradicator style clone of Alfred was a bit surprising." I say as I put those cards in one of the two deck boxes I decided to bring with me.
"I overheard on your speaker, so please don't let me stop you." My father said as he finally lets me past him.
The moment my dad hears the front door close he takes his cellphone out of his pocket, dials a number, and places it next to his ear as he waits for a certain someone to pick it up.
"Oh thanks for calling me back. I'd like to double my order of wings." Quinn said as he answered.
That's right Quinn….. again before I realized he was an evil douche of the highest degree and pedigree.
"You can't get to a more private place?" my father asks.
"Yeah that's right. I'm kind of totally responsible for a last minute party." Quinn answered.
"Did you cancel the backup plan?" my father asks again.
"What's that? You can't make your famous poison fruit punch? Oh don't worry we already have several others bringing drinks." Quinn answered.
"Excuse me president, but what should we do with this extra table?" a male student asks in the background on Quinn's side of the phone call.
"Just put it in the back. We have more than enough tables for now. So where were we on that order?" Quinn said.
"You don't need to worry. That's all I really wanted to ask." my dad answered.
"Still….. you have to have balls to ask that I spike your own son's punch in case by some miracle he did manage to beat Isaac. This way Isaac could in turn take his place in the exhibition match. After all who would question a match between the champion of the US nationals singles division and the captain of the championship team of the team division." Quinn points out as he apparently managed to get a moment by himself from wherever he is.
"I would have preferred not to, but it was the master's orders." My father retorts.
"Yeah yeah, but remember if you and your two friends don't do what you're told….. you'll have more to worry about than just some light food poisoning." Quinn said in a threatening manner implying that he's higher up on this 'master's' hierarchy despite the age difference between him and my father.
And thus I had arrived at this little impromptu party that Quinn had unintentionally brought into this world. Among the 10-13% of the student body that was actually here…. I was silently heckled by some and praised by others, but overall it was an enjoyable affair. A few members of the school's various music clubs were acting as a band, I got a chance to eat food I'd never be able to afford at that age, a few students were dancing whether though whether by themselves or with someone else is another matter, and several fighters including people who weren't members of the school's Vanguard club wanted to test their luck against Dragonic Kaiser Abraxas "The Spirit" but I refused as after what happened earlier didn't exactly put me in the mood to fight another day. Anyways speaking of dancing I was only at this little event for a couple of hours maybe 3 when it started to wine down. To be blunt it was time for the slow dancing and I didn't exactly have the courage to ask someone to dance, so instead I was just one of the Wallflowers standing next to the tables filled with food whilst attempting to console myself with what I was hoping was a meat dish with a name that you shouldn't even bother asking me to pronounce.
"Guess I'll just use the bathroom and then go home for the night." I mumble to myself after checking my phone for any messages.
"Aww well that's no fun. I thought you promised to go with me." Nolan says to me in a playful tone of voice.
"I thought that was only if I managed to beat Isaac." I return as I turn to face Nolan.
"I told you that I said that as a joke, but that doesn't mean we can't hang out together while we're here." Nolan points out.
"Okay… what do you want to do then?" I ask as I decide to humor Nolan a little.
"Well I don't know…. Shouldn't you the big manly guy be the one to figure that out?" Nolan points out as she holds her left hand out towards me with her palm facing down.
Now as I said earlier Isaac was nowhere near as bad as I was when it came to the feelings of women, but even I wasn't so ignorant that I didn't realize that Nolan was effectively asking me to dance with her. Of course I was still ignorant to the point where I didn't realize why she wanted me to dance with her, but hey I was young and foolish.
"Oh I see… Madam Elchart, as an impromptu party as this is would you do me the honor of gracing me with your time through a dance or two?" I ask as I take her left hand with my right and offer her a respectful bow.
"Do you even know how to dance? Of course given my status it's expected of me, but you…. Well I kind of doubt it." Nolan said as she was trying, but failing to get on my nerves by teasing me.
Although Nolan enjoyed the act I put on for her I didn't put on the act for her. The truth is that I actually saw Jacob watching us from a distance as is his duty, and I derived much pleasure from him fuming like a steam engine in response to watching us dance. He just really didn't like me back then. We danced to a variety of music using a variety of dances such as the waltz, the tango, or other European style of formal dancing.
"I have to say I didn't think you'd be this good at the waltz." Nolan says out of amazement as I spin her around in place.
"You know that I know how to do at least basic steps like this well. As you recall my father forced me to learn, of which was absolute hell by the way in order to help him impress investors for your company's various projects." I explain.
"Yes I know it was so you could show the daughters of said rich people close to your age a good time, so your father could use that to get on their good side. I just said that as a joke, and I know because I would give you hell for it." Nolan said as I pull her close to my body and wrap my arm around her waist.
"Why was that by the way?" I curiously ask.
"I guess it was because I'd prefer it if you only dance your dances with me." Nolan politely answered.
"Ha ha if you just want to dance at the various formal parties we've been forced to attend together… then all you'd have to do is just ask." I tell Nolan as I chuckle slightly.
"I know, but it's just that every time I seem to try and have a serious discussion with you we always seem to end up bickering one way or another." Nolan retorts.
"Ha…. then I guess that's something that's both of our faults, but let's not forget the fact you also give me hell for whenever I have to dance with these random women." I chuckle.
"Sorry about that… really I am. Say… pretend for a moment that our relationship is still the same, but instead of being your dad's boss's daughter I was just the child of one of the investor's your father's trying to win over." Nolan said as she stares at me with a serious look in her eyes after I dip her close to my waist.
"Alright… I apologize for your father forcing you to do this with me the child of a suburban class family, but at least allow me to make it up to you by making this evening enjoyable." I tell Nolan as I thought she was pitching me the premise of some kind of role play.
"Oh no, I wasn't talking about playing some kind of game." Nolan points out.
"Alright…. then what did you mean?" I curiously ask.
"It was just the first part of a hypothetical question, so now here comes the second part. Now say that in order to impress my dad your father asked you to dance with me. Would you consider me an annoying nuisance like all of those other women your dad forced you to dance with for work? Or would you think something else entirely?" Nolan asks as she stares into my eyes after I pull her close once more.
"I'd like to think I'd have a lot more fun with someone I've known for a long time then someone I've just met. Basically if it was you I'd try harder because I know you have higher standards." I tell Nolan as I unintentionally give her a warm smile.
"Ohhh why did you have to say something so cool? Great… I guess that means I'll have to try a little harder now to match that enthusiasm." Nolan whispers as she refuses to look at me in the eyes while her cheeks start to turn red.
To further prove the depths of my ignorance I thought that Nolan was joking when she first said that. I truly did not realize the romantic implications of those words in that she meant "It's because I love you, and it hurts when I see you having fun with someone else." Still putting my ignorance aside once more….. the two of us actually had a pretty good time. I may be tooting my horn, but I believed that I even impressed these rich snobby brats. In any case the party ended, I went home, and in turn I went to bed for the night. Thank god the fact that the last day of the Expo was on a weekend, so this way I could finally sleep in for once.
"Arghhh!" I yell as I was rocked awake by another nightmare.
My mother being the first one awake asked if I was alright, but I soon reassured her that I was fine. I simply took my medication that I had on the nightstand next to my bed because you see I suffer from PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to this day as a result of what happened 10 years ago up to this point in the story. I still have flashbacks and nightmares, but stopped having constant anxiety attacks 5 years ago. I can still have them however as 1 year ago a minor tremor hit the city while I was at school, and I just got under the desk as is policy and balled up into the fetal position. I guess although the flashbacks and nightmares I've mention thus far imply the condition, I've simply never mentioned the trials that came with dealing with this condition because they aren't relevant to the story.
"Are you sure you're okay?" my mother asks again.
It doesn't take me more than a minute to reassure my mother again, and I suppose I should have expected a nightmare given yesterday's events but again that's not very important right now. The day quickly goes by and the time for me to leave for the convention center in order to watch the Exhibition Match between two of the greatest Vanguard fighters of my time fast approaches. Because of that fact alone there was massively increased security around the convention center in order to prevent people from sneaking in. The result was a long wait in traffic just to try and get inside the convention center's parking lot. I had gotten finally gotten inside the convention center with Sade and the rest of my friends about an hour before the fight was to actually start, but I wanted to be alone for this time so I decided to leave Sade with my friends in order to explore the Expo stands one final time.
"Congratulations man." said a random man I passed.
"Wow I didn't think someone like you had it in you." said another random man I passed.
"Awww given the little lover's quarrel you had not too long ago…. I did believe you'd make a cute couple." This time a random woman pointed out.
"Just what the hell is going on?" I mumble to myself as I continue to browse between the various stalls.
It wasn't just the words of these three people that rendered me into a state of confusion. The moment I had separated from my friends and Sade I was constantly receiving similar such words from a variety of people adding onto my already considerable confusion. Thus why I said no more than a few lines ago "Just what the hell is going on?"
"Man why are all of these people giving me these weird looks?" I mumble to myself.
"Ohh… I think you know exactly why…. Mr. Nakashima." a familiar woman said.
At this moment I had actually ended up at the very same stall where Nikki and Jacob ended up fighting not too long ago, but that's not even remotely important right now. That familiar woman was none other than Sakura Verde wearing one of her overly glorified and likely highly uncomfortable disguises. Now all though I'll be using her name to indicate when she's speaking keep in mind that for a while from this point on I had no idea who this woman was. I still haven't even learned her name back then.
"Ah it's you again." I say as I found the disguised Sakura's presence a nice change of pace.
"Don't give me that….. I can't believe you did that in front of so many people." Sakura said as she was apparently mad at me for some strange reason.
"I said don't give me that. You have a lot of nerve….;… especially after you made that promise." Sakura says to me though I didn't hear the last 6 words of her sentence.
"Look I'm sorry if I did something to make you mad, but could you please explain to me just what the hell is going on around here? I've been getting these weird compliments ever since I got here about being in a relationship when I'm pretty sure I'm single." I honestly say as my confusion starts to turn into extreme annoyance.
"You really have no idea what I'm talking about do you?" Sakura asks as she finally starts to suspect that my ignorance isn't just for show.
"If I did I wouldn't be asking you with this stupid look on my face." I point out as I actually physically point to my face.
"Alright one second….." Sakura said as she starts fumbling around with her phone.
As soon as Sakura found whatever it was she was looking for on her phone she nestled up against me up to the point where I could actually feel certain things touching my arm.
"Alright now to just press play." Sakura said as she touched the center of her phone.
Sakura was showing me a YouTube video that had apparently went viral with several million hits ever since it was uploaded just less than a day ago. The fact that there were so many hits after such a short time was a little shocking to me, but that would be nothing compared to the shock I felt when I actually saw the contents of the video.
"Hey that's from the party at my school last night." I say within me taking in the first few seconds of the video's contents.
The video wasn't of the party as a whole, but rather from start to finish it was focused upon my little dance number with Nolan. A "Certain somebody" had edited out the music and replaced it with something vastly more romantic even by a teenager's standards.
"I like to think I'd have more fun if it was you." the me in this video said.
"I guess I'll have to try a little harder to match that enthusiasm." The Nolan in this video said in a warm and loving tone.
"What the hell? I didn't say that….. someone must have spliced the audio together." I say.
Now it would be easy for an amateur video editor to splice the audio together in order to make it sound like a coherent sentence, but it would take a true master to splice together audio from two different parts of the same video together and change the tone of the end result to where it would sound like it have romantic implications. A master video editor had done just that to the discussion between Nolan and me.
"What the hell is this? It sounded exactly like that we're a couple flirting with each other….. and that explains why I got all of those comments." I mumble as I start to come out of my angered induced high.
"So this video is a fake then? Phew….. that's a relief." Sakura thought.
"You owe me one." a voice said right before the video ended.
"Wait a second…. that voice." I mumble as I recognize the voice of the person speaking at the end of the video.
Immediately I scroll down on Sakura's phone in order to find out the username of the person who uploaded this video, and there I saw the name "NNIUQ". I recognized the account name because it was a certain someone's real name spelled backwards.
"OH QUINN YOU SON OF A B****! I'm going to ******** you little ***** piece of *****. This is not funny you ************! I swear I'm going to ******* kill you." I yell.
I actually said far more than this all those years ago….. far far more, and I used words far above the typical swear words used by those of my age at the time. In fact due to my sheer rage I used terms so highly racist in nature that I simply can't write them out here in good conscience. I was simply that mad, but I'm also glad that people were just staring instead of recording what I said.
"Wow….. just wow." Sakura said as she stood in awe of the depths of the inappropriate words I had used.
"Ahem….. I'm sorry you had to hear that." I tell Sakura as I force myself to calm down.
"It's alright….. I'd probably be as mad as you if someone I knew did that to me." Sakura said.
"Thank you." I retort as Sakura checks the time using the clock on her phone.
"Oh shoot I have to go…. I'm sorry we'll talk later Kiba." Sakura said before she ran out of sight.
Given yesterday's events I would have been surprised if there was someone inside the convention center who didn't know my name, but the way Sakura said it…. it had an air of intimacy about it that seemed strange to me. In any case I looked at my own cell phone and realized that the much awaited showdown between Sakura and Isaac would be starting in 30 minutes. Due to the sheer number of people who were questioning me about that video it took me 25 minutes instead of 5 minutes to get to where the fight would be taking place, but thankfully my friends told me they'd save a seat for me before I went off on my own in this concrete jungle…. and I'm happy that they are people of their word.
"Rough time?" Virgil asks since he's known me long enough to know when I've just calmed down from an angry state of mind.
"You all knew about the video didn't you?" I ask.
"I see you found out too." Another familiar feminine voice said from behind me as my friends nod in a confirming manner to my question.
And of freaking course the owner of that other familiar voice happened to have been Nolan, and of course everyone around us started taking pictures.
"Yes." I quickly answer.
"Then you know tha-" Nolan was saying as she took the seat next to me.
"Yes." I interrupt.
"Ah then just so you know I sent Jacob to find him and kick his ass for me." Nolan informed.
"Good….. and I can't believe I'm saying this about Jacob, but I wish him the best of luck." I tell Nolan as again he and didn't like each other very much back then.
"Ah oh and It's not like I'm sitting next to you because I want to. It's just that the three of us couldn't find any other open seats." Nolan explained.
"This time it's not because she's being tsundere onii-chan… we really had trouble finding seats." Sally said, but for some reason she was nowhere to be seen.
At first I was initially confused when Nolan said 3, but then my confusion was quickly rectified when I leaned forward slightly and saw Sally and Cloud sitting in the two open seats next to her.
"Good evening." Cloud said as he waved a hello towards us, but I could see that his eyes were completely focused on the fighting floor.
Sakura and Isaac were again two of the strongest fighters in the country at the time, so naturally all of the truly strong fighters would be watching the coming bout with far greater seriousness than the others. This includes world class teams from other countries, but that's a matter for another day.
"Hello onii-chan." Sally said showing off her youthful otaku ways as usual.
"Wow I told you there's no way these two wouldn't be sitting next to each other for this fight Sally even if they weren't going to watch it here." a female vanguard fan behind us said to one of her friends.
"I know the lightning bruiser and the snow princess combination. Why they make such a cute couple that the whole dynamic reminds me of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine." Sally said like a typical fan girl.
"We are not a couple…. we just happened to have known each other for a long time! That video is a fake edited by someone we know!" Nolan and I yell at the same time.
"With all due respect you'd probably be more convincing if you two didn't look like that you were holding hands." Cloud said as he physically pointed at his hands whilst not even looking up from the fighting floor.
I don't know how it happed (though it was actually that Sally moved our hands without us noticing), but when I realized that my hand just happened to be on top of Nolan's we both pulled ours away and refused to look each other in the eye as our faces turned a blushed color. Further fuel to the shipping wars aside, it just goes to show how embarrassing the situation was for the two of us.
"Finally." I mumble as the lights around me start to dim.
In fact all of the lights that cover this miniaturized arena started to dimmer down a bit, but we weren't covered in partial darkness for long as a few seconds later a spotlight started to cover the commentator booth where Dr. O and Sara were seated, but it was really just a table covered with a white cloth and two microphones.
"Good evening Vanguard fans! You're favorite Vanguard experts Dr. O and I are here to commentate on what may be one of the most exciting fights in the history of Vanguard in this country." Sara announced.
Before Dr. O could even begin his part in the opening ceremonies of this fight, a video containing clips of Isaac and Sakura's most exciting fights started to play on the various monitors in the convention center as well as the TVs of those watching at home.
"Sakura Verde the champion of the single's division of the US National tournament for several years in a row and daughter of the Expo's primary sponsor will be facing Isaac Barrett the captain of Team Strike Shadow the group that has won the team division of the US national tournament several years in a row." Dr. O announced.
"On one hand Sakura has a few more years of experience at fighting in national tournaments than Isaac, however on the other hand Isaac has trounced so many fighters that some have begun to call him omnipotent." Sara followed.
"Their fans have always debated on which of the two of them are stronger, and have wished for a fight to settle that debate for years. Tonight their fans will finally have their wish granted." Dr. O pointed out.
"In just a few minutes the fans will finally have their answer, but that's not the only issue up for debate tonight. There's still the matter of what Isaac wants if he's able to defeat Sakura." Sara explained.
"I haven't forgotten. Either Sakura will win and continue to enjoy the freedom she's worked so hard to protect or Isaac will win and in fell swoop strengthen Team Strike Shadow's might considerably." Dr. O retorts.
"But we won't waste your time any longer Vanguard fans, so please turn your attention to the fighting floor as the lights are about to come back on." Sara announced.
The lights turn on and the eyes of the nation as well as the eyes of those of us here are instantly drawn to the fighting floor where one of the records of these two undefeated titans are about to be broken. Isaac is wearing his usual garb, but surprisingly enough Sakura has a new outfit on.
"I have no intention of surrendering my freedom Isaac Barrett!" Sakura boldly declared as she points at Isaac with her right arm.
"And I only intend to take a small part of your freedom Sakura Verde." Isaac retorts as he and Sakura pull out their decks.
Sakura's new outfit consist of a dark pink wrap-around shirt with white stripes, a new pair of argyle jeans, with a pair of white loafers, and a pair of tight circular golden ear rings.
"Are the two of you ready?" the judge for this fight asks right after both players place their starting vanguards as well as draw their starting hands.
"Yes." Sakura and Isaac answer simultaneously.
"Then let the exhibition match begin!" the judge declared.
"Stand up, vanguard!" Sakura yelled.
"Stand up the vanguard!" Isaac yelled.
I expected this exhibition match to take place on one of the grandest locations of Planet Cray. The royal palace of the United Sanctuary or the most beautiful gardens of the Zoo nation, but no there was none of that here. This battle was going to take place here on the planet Earth inside the convention center (of which makes sense given the large amount of space between the fighting floor and the improvised bleachers) instead of a simulation of Cray. The only thing that changes about the Convention Center is that it goes through a slight discoloration effect as if to represent that we were all both on and not on Earth.
"Coronagal Liberator [Power: 5000]!" Sakura revealed.
As if to contrast the ice queen mask Sakura must wear in public she soon transforms into a small wolf-like pup with fur the color of blue fire, a white underbelly, wearing dulled golden armor meant strictly to protect his vitals, and clamped tightly in his jaw is an icy blue blade made out of some kind of metallic or crystal-like material.
"Kaiser Armor Master [Power: 5000]!" Isaac revealed.
"What the….. I've never seen that unit before." Sakura thought as she was in such control of herself that only her eyes twitched in response to this surprise.
In this moment Isaac a man that perfectly represents the concept of a "Lightning Bruiser" begins his own transformation process as well. He transforms into a lizard like humanoid about 2 feet taller than the average human, with red scales, a yellow tipped tail, clothed in a dirty working man's cloth, along with a working man's apron, and in his right hand a worn smith's hammer that's likely seen many a legendary blade.
"I've never heard of this Kaiser Armor Master. Have you Kiba? I mean you do use a Kaiser yourself." Raphugio asks as a more blatant surprised look appears on his face.
"When one is granted the title of Kaiser in the empire it means that you almost literally embody the very spirit of the empire, but there's more to it than that. A record keeper records the actions of that Kaiser, an armor master makes the gear that shields from harm, and a weapon smith makes gear that allows the Kaiser to make better use of his powers. To be made one of these things to a Kaiser in the empire is proof that you the best in your field, and like the Kaiser himself the names of such people are recorded in the history of the empire." I tell Raphugio as I try to explain to him the lore of the Dragon Empire as simply as possible.
"And you're point being?" Raphugio retorts.
"I knew the other roles exited, but I had no idea actual cards were made for them." I tell Raphugio as I decide to get to the point.
Actually I could have probably summarized that a lot better back then, but that's really important right now.
"I've checked around and no one has ever heard of Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion 'The Rebound', so that means it's also likely Isaac has several more unknown cards in his deck." Dalette points out.
I shutter the thought back then, but it's really time for the action to begin.
"This is as you call it your 'Freedom' on the line, so you can go ahead and make the first move." Isaac said.
"That's unusual Isaac never offers to give up the chance to go first if he can help it." Sara announced.
"Sara, it's probably because Isaac wants to be a little cautious given Sakura's reputation." Dr. O pointed out.
"I hope you don't regret that decision because I ride Sword Formation Liberator, Igraine [Power: 6000]." Sakura informed.
The adorable blue wolf transforms into Vanguard's proud reincarnation of King Arthur's mother, with a diamond and gold tiara, bright orange brown hair, heavy golden plate armor, yellow eyes, a blue battle-skirt, and in her left hand is a sword that shines as brightly as the sun and the moon.
"I move Coronagal Liberator behind my vanguard, and I'll end my turn." Sakura said.
"Even if I don't regret it I'll still have to take responsibility for it. Ride, Dusty Ampere Dragon [Power: 7000]" Isaac retorts.
Here Isaac's dragon blacksmith transforms into a bright yellow 4 legged dragon as big as a large horse, feathery wings with black horizontal stripes, bright sky blue eyes, long elf-like ears, and dark yellow/black spikes running from across his forehead down to the tip of his tail.
"Now I'll call Arc Light Dragon [Power: 7000] to the rearguard." Isaac declared.
"A Cosmo Dragon? That's a surprise….. Virgil mumbled.
"Not really I mean there are Abyss Dragon's in both the Empire and the Sanctuary, but… in this case there were a few hinted at in the lore of other units to be in the Empire." I point out.
"I activate Arc Light Dragon's skill, by discarding a grade 3 Narukami unit from my hand I can search my deck for a copy of Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion, reveal it to my opponent, and add it to my hand." Isaac said shuffling his deck after going through the pre-described motions.
"Here it comes Vanguard fans….. the first attack of the fight!" Sara yelled.
Much like how the crowd roared in excitement wen Isaac and Sakura revealed their starting vanguards, they did so again but with even greater volume. This level of crowd involvement just goes to show the depths of their popularity, and their involvement is likely to deepen as the fight develops.
"With the support of Kaiser Armor Master, Dusty Ampere dragon will attack Igraine [Total Power: 12000]!" Isaac declared.
"I won't be guarding." Sakura retorts.
[Drive Check – Malevolent Djinn – Critical Trigger]
"Critical trigger get… I'll give the critical to my vanguard and the power to my rearguard Arc Light Dragon [Total Power: 12000 2 Crit]!" Isaac said as he taps both cards using the aforementioned critical trigger.
Other dragons of a similar body type to Dusty Ampere Dragon would have likely brought forth fire, water, wind, or whatever source of power they have an affinity with on top of Igraine's pretty little head. Dusty Ampere Dragon, however instead charges directly at Igraine knocking her down and bites into her armor causing a little blood to trickle forth. Igraine would have likely been bitten in two if it wasn't for careful positioning of her shiny sword.
[Damage Check – Steel Edge Liberator, Aruira – Critical Trigger]
"All of the effects go to my vanguard Igraine." Sakura declared.
[Damage Check – Liberator, Lucky Charmy – Draw Trigger]
"My vanguard gets all of the effects, and I'll draw a card." Sakura said relieved slightly when she realized that she wouldn't have to worry about another attack.
"Ouch though luck for Issac….. he won't be able to attack with Arc Light Dragon." Dr. O announced.
"But its good luck for Sakura as though I'm certain she would have blocked it….. I'm certain she wouldn't want to have 3 damage right out of the gate." Sara follows.
"Then I'll end my turn." Isaac said seeing as how there was nothing else he could do right now.
Isaac – Sakura
5 – Hand – 6
0 – Soul – 0
0 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
Empty / Arc Light Dragon – Empty / Empty
Kaiser Armor Master / Dusty Ampere Dragon – Sword Formation Liberator, Igraine / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"Are you enjoying it?" Isaac strangely asks as Sakura draws for her turn.
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean?" Sakura asks in response as she doesn't understand the reason for Isaac's line of questioning.
"Playing with a new deck for the first time is always brings up an enjoyable sense of unease. I'm feeling that with this deck, so I was just wondering if you were with yours." Isaac said explaining the reason for his earlier question as he points at his deck with one finger.
"How do you know that?" Sakura asks calmly asks, but Dalette could apparently tell that she rattled a little.
"Even if your father's corporation wasn't one of the financial conglomerates funding my team, we still have plenty of capital invested in information gathering. This is still a place of action right now though, so don't let me keep you any longer." Isaac explained.
"I ride Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale [Power: 9000]!" Sakura yelled.
As knowledgeable as I was about the various cards in the game back then this variation of Aglovale was a mystery to me, however I owe thanks to the whistling noise Raphugio made right afterwards as it started the process to help rectify my confusion.
"You recognize the card she's using Raphugio?" I curiously ask the moment he was done whistling.
"You don't?" Raphugio asks as if surprised by my ignorance on this particular subject.
"I wouldn't be asking you if I did man." I retort since I really wanted to know more about this card.
"It's the upgraded version of Liberator of Oath, Aglovale, of which you'll likely see soon enough. Anyways Destiny Aglovale has two effects. The first is that if you have a 'Bluish Flame' vanguard it gains +2000 power when attacking. The second is by paying a soul blast cost of 1 when you superior call the unit from the deck, Sakura in this case can check the top 5 cards of her deck for a 'Bluish Flame' unit and add it to her hand." Raphugio explained as he digs into a small tub of fries.
Seriously how does the guy stay skinny with all of the junk food he eats? Anyways, once again the crowd roared with anticipation since it would be Sakura's turn to attack in this fight.
"I call May Rain Liberator, Bruno [Power: 7000] and Liberator of Oath, Aglovale [Power: 9000] to the left." Sakura said revealing the two cards to Isaac before placing them on the fight table.
"Looks like you'll get to see the effects of the other Aglovale sooner than I thought, but I hope I don't need to explain to you the effects of Bruno." Raphugio said slightly surprised as even he wasn't expecting to see the other Aglovale so soon.
"Oath Aglovale's skill allows me to check the top 3 cards of my deck, and….. I superior call a second Bruno [Power: 7000]!" Sakura explained.
"Amazing vanguard fans… with only 2 cards Sakura has filled up three spots on her rearguard, and her first Bruno gains +3000 power through his skill." Sara announced.
"Not only that, but her back row assuming Isaac doesn't have something in his deck to destroy it allows her to take full advantage of the Blue Flame Liberator's ability to superior call without having to sacrifice field space." Dr. O pointed out.
"Destiny Aglovale, with the support of Coronagal Liberator will attack Dusty Ampere Dragon [Total Power: 14000]!" Sakura declared.
[Drive Check – Sword Formation Liberator, Igraine – No Trigger]
Destiny Aglovale concentrates his strength into his left hand forming a blue flame-like ball of mana, and then he throws that ball of blue flame directly at Dusty Ampere Dragon causing to explode on contact with the mana generated heat scarring Ampere's feathery wings.
[Damage Check – Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion – No Trigger]
"Now go Oath Aglovale attack Dusty Ampere Dragon as well [Total Power: 19000]!" Sakura declared.
Now unlike his evolved form, Oath Aglovale ignites a mana blade of blue flames before striking Dusty Ampere Dragon with a jumping downwards slash.
[Damage Check – Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle – Critical Trigger]
"My turn is done for now." Sakura informed.
Isaac – Sakura
5 – Hand – 5
0 – Soul – 1
2 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 1
Empty / Arc Light Dragon – Empty / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Kaiser Armor Master / Dusty Ampere Dragon – Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Empty – Liberator of Oaths, Aglovale / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
"Big bro, I'm feeling a little weird." Sade whispers to me.
"Are you alright? You're not feeling light headed are you?" I ask as my responsibilities as an older brother override my desire to watch this fight.
"No it's nothing like that… it's like a massive weight is being placed on every point on my body making it a little hard to breathe." Sade explained.
If Sade just said that she had trouble breathing then I would have been highly concerned, but I wasn't since I recognized and have felt the sensation she's describing before.
"Don't worry Sade you'll be fine. Just take a deep breathe, drink your water, and you'll be fine. You see what your feeling is the immense pressure that comes with seeing two powerful fighters clash in person." I explain with a smile on your face.
But the simple fact that Sade could sense the pressure of this fight despite her youthful inexperience when it comes to Vanguard makes her potential as a fighter very clear.
"I ride Military Brawler, Lisei [Power: 9000]." Isaac declared.
With this coming round Isaac's vanguard transforms into a two-legged human being, with a dark orange long coat, bright orange hair tied into a pony tail, dark orange pants, with black dragon scale shaped armor covering his arms along with his legs, and his weapon of choice is a purple metallic 3 part pole.
"I move Arc Light Dragon to the back, and I'll call Zephyr [Power: 9000] to the front." Isaac said as he slid the former of the two cards mentioned to the back row.
"Sakura has matched Isaac blow for blow to make up for his first attack." Sara announced.
"But will Isaac gain the lead again here? Or will Sakura hold him here with a strong stalwart resistance? We'll find out with this round of attacks." Dr. O announced shortly thereafter.
"Zephyr will attack first [Total Power: 16000]!" Isaac declared.
"Asus will guard [Total Shield: 10000]!" Sakura counters.
"Then Lisei will go in next [Total Power: 14000]!" Isaac declares.
"No guard." Sakura said.
[Drive Check – Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – No Trigger]
When Aglovale and Lisei finally met on the battlefield they matched each other blow for blow for several minutes. Each swing of Lisei's 3 part pole would clash with each shot of a ball of blue flames, but at last Lisei is finally able to damage Destiny Aglovale by using the reach of his weapon to force one of his fireballs to explode too early.
[Damage Check – Physical Force Liberator, Zorron – No Trigger]
"She's pretty good to keep her damage down to only one this turn." I mumble to myself.
"It's not impressive… if anything it's a very typical move that's been blown out of proportion by Sakura's reputation." Dalette said as she instantly if not downright in a mean fashion belittles Sakura's efforts.
"I end my turn." Isaac declared.
Isaac – Sakura
5 – Hand – 4
1 – Soul – 1
2 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 1
Arc Light Dragon / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Empty / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Kaiser Armor Master / Military Brawler, Lisei – Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Empty – Liberator of Oaths, Aglovale / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
"Come on finish your Sakura hurry up and finish your turn. I want to see if he'll play 'The Rebound' again." I thought as I really wanted to know the effects of the card that defeated me.
"She should be feeling it right about now..." Cloud mumbled.
"What do you mean?" I ask due to overhearing his mumblings.
"The fear you and I both felt the first time we fought Isaac." Cloud explained.
"Just what is this….. why is my hand shaking? Why… do I feel like I'm fighting for my life against Isaac? It's just a normal game, so that should be impossible." Sakura thought as she's having trouble simply placing her hand on her deck.
"She seems to be coping with it better than others, but that's a good thing. The feeling that comes with facing someone so strong that it makes you feel such fear that you forget you're playing a game. When you put that fear decide and let the desire to overcome it fester…. It'll give you the kind of high that the strongest of fighters always seek." Cloud explained.
"Stand and draw. Freed from solitary upon your golden wings, I ride Solitary Liberator, Gancelot [Power: 11000]!" Sakura yelled.
A column of light descended from the heavens and consumed the Liberator of Destiny turning him… transforming him into something else entirely. He was transformed into a half elf riding a white flying horse, clad in golden armor with blue stripes, and or she as Sakura's face replaces Gancelot's wields a small one-handed sword with a golden stripe running down the center.
"I call Liberator, Lawfull Trumpeter [Power: 9000] to fill in the last open spot on my rearguard." Sakura informed.
"Forgive me for sounding like a grade 3 addict, but….. We have arrived at the realm of Grade 3s vanguard fans!" Sara yelled.
"Yes…. well though he only has to points of damage… just how will Isaac contend with a full formation and a twin drive check?" Dr. O announced deciding to play off of his colleague's energy.
"He's not phased at all….. that should answer your question." Teresa thought.
"Lawful Trumpeter will attack first [Total Power: 16000]!" Sakura declared.
[Damage Check – Old Dragon Mage – Draw Trigger]
"I give the power to my vanguard, and draw." Isaac informed.
"Oh with that damage check and extra card in Isaac's hand, it'll be even harder for Sakura to make a more meaningful push this turn." Dr. O announced.
"Then Gancelot will attack next [Total Power: 18000]!" Sakura declared.
"Arc Light Dragon guards [Total Shield: 5000]!" Isaac counters.
[Drive Check – Liberator of Royalty, Phallon – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Shine Formation Liberator, Eldol – No Trigger]
As long as Lisei's 3 part pole is….. it's simply not long enough to keep Gancelot from flying in close, but thankfully and sadly Arc Light Dragon sacrifices himself for his vanguard causing his bright scales to lose their shine just before they turn into particles of light.
"Then go Aglovale, attack the vanguard [Total Power: 16000]!" Sakura yelled.
[Damage Check – Dusty Plasma Dragon – No Trigger]
"Tch… I end my turn." Sakura said as she felt she should have done better then that this turn.
Isaac – Sakura
5 – Hand – 5
1 – Soul – 2
4 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 1
Arc Light Dragon / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Kaiser Armor Master / Military Brawler, Lisei – Solitary Liberator, Gancelot / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Empty – Liberator of Oaths, Aglovale / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
"Stand and draw… Now then….why do you use the Gold Paladin clan?" Isaac suddenly asks.
"Excuse me?" Sakura asks in response with a confused look.
"I know you heard me. I ask because I don't buy the reason listed in Vanguard Monthly." Isaac explained.
Meanwhile in Isaac's side of the peanut gallery aka Teresa's dressing room…
"Hang on… is he seriously giving her a job interview in the middle of a fight? Preston points out.
"You should know very well by now that Isaac doesn't do things like this conventionally." Teresa retorts.
"It's still a freaking interview….. in the middle of a fight." Teresa interjects.
Now enough of the peanut gallery.
"I like how drawing upon the strength of their bonds can either hurt you or help you. In this regard I believe the ebbs and flows of real life." Sakura explained.
"I appreciate your honesty, but now then… Pulled along by the wheels of fate, you prepare those who stand on the precipice of their destiny! I ride Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion [Power: 11000]!" Isaac yelled.
"The ride chant is different… why?" I thought.
A fighter might change the ride chant they use for the same card as their ideals as a fighter evolve, but there was no way such an act could possibly have happened to someone like Isaac back then. If only…. if only I just paid more attention to the chant he used… the clue to his intentions was right there after all…. in both his ride chant and the card art.
"I call a second Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr [Power: 9000] to rearguard!" Isaac declared.
"It won't matter even if you use your vanguard's limit break skill Isaac. I can easily replace any front row units I lose to you." Sakura thought as she braced herself for the coming storm.
"Now I'll have the Zephyr I just summoned attack Lawful Trumpeter [Total Power: 9000]!" Isaac yelled.
"What the…. he's not using Vermillion Thunderbolt?" Sakura thought as like me she missed what strange about this particular Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion.
"Are you going to guard or not? You have until my attack connects to decide." Isaac said just to get Sakura back to the reality of the situation.
"Don't worry….. because I decide right now to intercept with Aglovale [Total Shield: 5000]!" Sakura counters.
"With the support of Kaiser Armor Master, my Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion attacks your vanguard, and he gains +2000 power for doing so [Total Power: 18000]!" Isaac declared.
"What the hell? When did Vermillion gain such a skill?" I thought.
But it really should have been that obvious back then what this card really was. I mean really if the other two clues Isaac gave didn't make it obvious, the fact that it gained +2000 power for attacking the vanguard should have. Truly when looking back I am alarmed by the depths of my ignorance.
"I see, so the skill can only be something along that lines." Dalette thought as she was one of the few people watching this fight that realized what was going on.
"Sword Formation Liberator, Igraine guards! Now 5 comrades come together and defend your vanguard from harm…. Quintet Wall!" Sakura declared.
This Igraine drew her shining sword and pointed it high up at the sky. There in the sky the 5 of the seals that appear on the back of Vanguard cards appear here, and out of them come 5 units.
[Top Card – Solitary Liberator, Gancelot – 0 Shield]
[Top Card – Solitary Liberator, Gancelot – 0 Shield]
[Top Card – Naapgal Liberator – 10000 Shield]
[Top Card – Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter – 5000 Shield]
[Top Card – Liberator of Ambition, Asus – 10000 Shield]
[Total Shield: 25000]
"And with that Vanguard fans….. even if Isaac were to check two triggers his attack will not be going through." Sara announced.
[Drive Check – Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo – Heal Trigger]
"I'll give the power to my Zephyr that has yet to attack, and I'll get to heal one point of damage." Isaac informed.
[Drive Check – Dusty Plasma Dragon – No Trigger]
Even if this is a strange Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion, it still seems to behave exactly like the original. First it pulls its weapon back behind its body, then he stretches it forward in one fell swoop, and finally a small bolt of lightning shoots out attracted to Gancelot's sword as if it was a lightning rod. That attack however doesn't make it that far as it travels from body to body among the 5 standing in its way causing Sakura's vanguard to feel something akin to static cling when this electrical charge finally reaches him.
"Now go my other rearguard Zephyr…. go and attack the vanguard [Total Power: 21000]!" Isaac declared.
[Damage Check – Liberator of Oath, Aglovale – No Trigger]
"I end my turn." Isaac informed.
Isaac – Sakura
6 – Hand – 4
2 – Soul – 2
3 – Damage – 4
0 – Counterblast – 2
Arc Light Dragon / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Kaiser Armor Master / Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion – Solitary Liberator, Gancelot / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Empty / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
"Damn it….. fighting him is like trying to punch through an iron wall. I might have to play that card just to gain the edge.
"Amazing… I didn't think a fight between two people like this could be so exciting. To think they're so evenly matched." Sade said as she was apparently enjoying herself a great deal.
"You're wrong Sade… to the untrained eye the fight may look even, but Isaac by playing defense has had control the entire time. In fact….. Sakura's starting to get a little desperate too." Dalette explained.
"This has been a pretty exciting fight so far. Wouldn't you agree Dr. O?" Sara asks of her colleague.
"Oh I agree 100%, but something tells me we'll be entering the starting phase of this fight's endgame come the start of Sakura's next turn." Dr. O retorts.
"Are you saying that you believe Sakura will be the one to put an end to Isaac's several years long winning streak Dr. O?" Sara asks.
"No that's not what I'm saying. I just think it's time for both fighters to put the strategies they've come up with for this fight into action. I just happen to think Sakura will put hers in first." Dr. O explained.
"Ah I see, but I think that's enough commentary from us for now so let's let the two of them go at it." Sara suggests.
"Where is your will to fight?" Isaac asks the moment Sakura draws for the turn.
"What ar-" Sakura was trying to say.
"You say you have no intention of surrendering your freedom, but I sense no resolve behind your attacks. People here claim to see you match me move for move, however I may as well be playing a hologram using your likeness and battle style. I'll ask again….. where is your will to fight?" Isaac declared.
"Did he seriously just accuse Sakura of not taking this fight seriously?" I thought as I like many others here don't see this sudden outburst coming.
"I'm fighting you seriously right here on a grand stage. Isn't that proof enough of my seriousness?" Sakura retorts as she felt a little insulted by Isaac's statement.
"No it's proof that you're no more than a machine running through the motions. Even if I do want you on my team, there's no point in me beating you if you have no will to fight. Have you lost that spark to keep going? There is a difference between fighting for others and fighting because others tell you to!" Isaac yelled.
"What is he talking about big bro? Do you have any idea either big sis?" Sade asks as the point Isaac's trying to make is passing right over her head.
Try as she might to deny it…. I could swear that Dalette secretly enjoyed it when Sade called her that.
"Isaac wants to know for certain whether or not whether Sakura is fighting for herself when it comes to Vanguard or if she's fighting because it's expected of her as the heiress to the Verde Corporation and as a national champion." Dalette explained.
"What is your reason to fight Isaac? Is it say for surpassing the 'teacher' you mentioned?" Sakura asks not out of curiosity, but because she knew she had to.
"The specifics are none of your concern nor will I blame you should you choose not to tell me your reason to fight, but suffice to say it's not for the sake surpassing my teacher. If I happen to do so in the process however, well…. that'll just be gravy." Isaac answered as he had no intention of telling Sakura what she wanted to hear just like how he doesn't expect Sakura to tell him what he wants to hear.
"There is a reason why I fight with this clan that to me represents the ups and downs of life. There are two… no three fighters counting you that I consider to be much stronger than myself. My goal is to surpass the first of these three, but surpassing you and the second using your words will 'just be gravy.'" Sakura explained.
Meanwhile once again in Teresa's dressing room…..
"Hang on why is she like revealing her deepest secrets like that? Preston asks as he doesn't understand why Sakura is revealing her reasons to fight so easily.
"I wouldn't go as far as claiming that they're her deepest secrets, but you should know Isaac well enough by now Preston. Even if he is a destiny nut fully ignorant to the feelings of woman close to him….. Isaac is still a great leader capable of getting to the heart of any manner with strength of will alone." Teresa retorts as she doesn't see how this development is surprising given Isaac's past actions.
And now enough from the peanut gallery.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this myself, but I lost sight of my goal when the person I wished to surpass seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth causing my growth to stagnate. I was like a child lost in the forest at night unable to see the path I must take to surpass that person." Sakura explained.
"Hmmh…" Isaac smirked as he resists the urge to give off a light chuckle.
That smile… that sudden change in facial expression….. the face Isaac had on in that moment was of a man who just heard something he already knew being told to him right out of the gift horse's mouth.
"In that regards we're alike. I mean we both have someone we want to surpass, we both don't know as if this moment the true depths of that person's strength, and as a result neither of us have been able to improve as fast as we'd like." Isaac said trying to give off an air of comradely to Isaac.
"What's your point?" Sakura asks.
"I know I require a strength that surpasses understanding to in turn surpass my teacher, but how were you to feel if I were to tell you I know where that one person is right now?" Isaac suggests.
"What the hell…. I took great pains to hide myself…. there's no way anyone should know yet." Dalette mumbled as Isaac's latest statement seemed to have scared her.
Soon enough Dalette was back to normal, and I'm sure the judge for this fight wishes the same but sadly this is one of those moments in a fight where the talking must be dealt with whether you like it or not.
"There's no way he knows…. There's no way anyone could have found big sister if I couldn't, but I have to know if I'm disregarding his words out of fear or if I'm disregarding them because they're a lie." Sakura thought as the expression on her face went through a complete reformation.
Isaac could tell Sakura lacked will because her eyes despite how well she tried to hide it had the look of someone who didn't want to be here, but now after hearing Isaac's statement her eyes grew wide locking onto Isaac like a hunter on his prey. Through Isaac's eyes it was as if he could see embers behind Sakura suddenly transform into roaring blue flames.
"There's the will I wanted to see. Cloud, Nolan Elchart, Rodolfo Anaya, Daniel Mic, Vincente Rosario, Kiba Nakashima, and even his little sister Sade… they all showed me the true extend of their will to fight even if no one else knew who they were, so now it's time you show me yours." Isaac thought as he braced himself for an attack by the real Sakura Verde and not the pretender that took her form for the start of the fight.
"Flame who's color represents bonds, flare up and share with me that strength! Break ride Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare [Power: 11000]!" Sakura yelled.
"Amazing….. it's just one legendary grade 3 after the other with this year's expo." Dr. O announced.
"Gancelot's break ride skill Breaking Shining Wing gives Sakura's vanguard +10000 power…. and it appears she's giving the three +5000 power bonuses to her back row units." Sara followed commentating on Sakura's next few moves as they happened.
"Seek mate!" Sakura yelled.
I'm going to say it one more time, but is no one questioning how 4 cards fly back into a player's deck anymore? At any rate after Sakura's deck is done shuffling itself a single card flies out and into her hand as always.
"Inferno of bonds, seep forth towards those who posses your embers and gather them together as one! Together, purge the darkness with the light of your flames! Legion [Legion Power: 20000]!" Sakura yelled.
"I should have expected that the moment I saw Destiny Algovale, but at least I know that when the time comes….. you'll at least make things interesting for me." Dalette thought.
"Lawful Trumpeter's skill: When I perform legion I can check the top 3 cards of my deck….. superior call a second Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale [Power: 9000]." Sakura explained.
"And if I'm recalling things correctly Destiny Aglovale when superior called allows Sakura to check the top 5 cards of her deck for a Bluish Flame unit and it to her hand." Dr. O announced.
"I add a copy of Prominence Glare to my hand, my back row rearguards gain +3000 power through their skills, and now Prominence Glare's skill….. I sacrifice Lawful Trumpeter to the blue flames and I'll look through the top four cards of my deck to superior call Zorron [Power: 7000]!" Sakura yelled.
"An endless linking of bonds for the sake of strength…. come on Sakura Verde keep showing me what I want to see." Isaac thought.
"Zorron goes to my soul through his skill so I can superior call Liberator of Royalty, Phallon [Power: 9000]. Next up by back row gains +6000 power though their skills, and finally Prominence Glare's legion skill activates!" Sakura declared.
"Here it comes… as much I hate it….. I don't want Sakura to win this fight yet." I mumble aloud.
"Don't worry she won't." Dalette retorts.
"When the flames of bonds across time meet, they evolve to create an explosive force! Explosion Blue! Prominence Glare gains +1 critical, and when he attacks you're unable to guard with any grade 1 or higher unit from your hand." Sakura smirked.
"I know I've said it many times, but simply amazing vanguard fans. It just one turn through the belief Sakura has in her deck….. she's managed to raise a total of +52000 power in a single turn." Sara announced.
"Now go, Prominence Glare…. Legion attack [Total Power: 49000 2 Crit]!" Sakura declared.
"I'll take the strength of your will in its entirety… no guard!" Isaac informed.
[Drive Check – Naapgal Liberator – Heal Trigger]
"I recover 1 damage point, and I'll give all of the power to my rearguard Phallon." Sakura said.
[Drive Check – Liberator, Lawful Trumpeter – No Trigger]
Both Aglovale and this evolved Percival took to the skies and went as high as they could go inside the convention center, but at the moment they each reached the height limit they placed their hands within centimeters of each others. There in that moment they linked the power of their blue flames together to form a ball of fire the size of a cliché cartoon snowball avalanche gag. These two linked their wills and threw that ball of fire, of which started to consume Vermillion within seconds.
[Damage Check – Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Arc Light Dragon – No Trigger]
"Sakura Verde has just pushed Isaac Barrett to 5 damage!" Sara announced.
"All though Isaac may have 6 cards in his hand as well as two cards to intercept with….. Sakura still has two units hitting for respectably high numbers so he'll need at least 55000 shield to survive... unless he's willing to try his luck with heal triggers." Dr. O pointed out.
"Does that mean Sakura is going to win big bro?" Sade asks.
"No….. look at Isaac's face and you'll see what I mean." I point out.
"Phallon attack Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion [Total Power: 38000]!" Sakura declared.
"That isn't the face of someone who knows they've be had….. that's the face of someone who knows that they still have a way out." I point out to Sade.
"Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld will nullify that attack [Perfect Defense]!" Isaac countered as he discarded the Dusty Plasma Dragon he got from his last drive check to pay the cost.
Thanks to the combination of Bruno's boost and the power from the trigger….. Phallon was running across the convention center floor with superhuman strength and speed even by the planet Cray's standards. Phallon goes for a jumping downwards strike with his sword, but it is blocked at the last second by one of Guld's magic shields of which in turn creates a shockwave that everyone watching this fight up close felt.
"That wind is ridiculously strong." I thought as I have one hand wrapped tightly around Sade and the other tightly gripped on the seat.
No MF system is capable of producing a hologram so real that it's capable of creating mass destruction, but the shockwave we all felt was still pretty intense. I'm pretty sure that if I was wearing a new had…. I'd soon need a new one.
"Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale will attack with the support of my other Bruno [Total Power: 32000]!" Sakura declared.
"Seiobo, Lisei, and Yellow Gem Carbuncle will guard [Total Shield: 25000]!" Isaac yelled.
Normally it would take Aglovale a second or two to create a fireball of blue flame, but thanks to the enhanced strength he has for this attack he's able to fire off three instantly without even batting an eyelash. Those three fireballs however are intercepted by three loyal servants of the empire at the cost of their lives.
"Damn it I had so much attacking power, and I couldn't inflict more than 2 points of damage." Sakura thought as she used a facial gesture to signal the end of her turn.
Isaac – Sakura
1 – Hand – 6
2 – Soul – 3
5 – Damage – 3
0 – Counterblast – 3
Arc Light Dragon / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Liberator of Royalty, Phallon / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Kaiser Armor Master / Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion – Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
"Wow this is totally awesome! Did you see that dad? Sakura had so much power, and Isaac blocked every attack." An excited kid says to his father.
"I know son, but I wish I could enjoy this fight like you are." The boy's father said while trembling.
This father was trembling because had to have had some ability as a cardfighter. You see inexperienced or really young fighters are you incapable of sensing the intensity generated from a clash between two strong fighters past any flashy sound or special effects.
"Once again Isaac has weathered a powerful series of attacks launched by an equally strong fighter." Dr. O announced.
"He's been in similar such situations before, but let my colleague and I give all of you Vanguard fans the summary anyway." Sara pointed out.
"Isaac only has 1 card in his hand and is one unit short of a full formation." Dr. O said.
"While Sakura has 2 intercepts on her front row, she can also afford to take 2 points of damage, and finally she has 6 cards in her hand…. a very respectable number to guard with." Sara explained.
"What are they talking about?" Sade asks of me as well as this rag-tag group of misfits I call my friends.
"Basically they're saying that this will likely be Isaac's last turn, and that he has a massive hurdle to overcome if he wants…. no it's better given his demeanor to say a massive hurdle to overcome in order for him to win." Raphugio explained.
"Come on and show me….. let me see the true power of the card you used to defeat me Isaac Barrett. This way I know what to do, so I can defeat you the next time we fight." I thought as I lock my fingers together.
Isaac wasn't disturbed by even the slightest amount given his current situation, but that's to be expected since he's the kind of man with a will that only the gods could possibly break. In fact he has face that says "Nothing has changed."
"Though your attack has failed defeat me, I'm satisfied to say that you have the strength of will I expect of members of the Strike Shadow organization. You are as I hoped a worthy member of the team." Isaac said not so much complimenting Sakura's performance, but showing that he was very pleased with it.
"You act as if I'm already a member, but I clearly have the advantage." Sakura retorts.
"Don't worry you will be soon enough." Isaac said with a confident smirk as he drew his next card.
Isaac hadn't even added the card he drew to his hand yet so he could see what it is, but the intensity in this concentrated area skyrocketed. It was a familiar intensity….. a familiar pressure….. it could have only been one thing.
"This pressure…. he drew it." I thought.
"Final turn!" Isaac declared.
"The leader of Team Strike Shadow Isaac Barrett has just declared his intention to end this fight against Sakura right here right now!" Sara yelled.
"But can he back it up?" Dr. O followed.
"With the chains of destiny as your guide, emerge from the world of your altered fate and descend my embodiment of thunder! I break ride Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion 'The Rebound' [Power: 11000]!" Isaac yelled.
Once again a blinding light and a powerful wind release their fury upon those watching this fight up close, but thankfully no one is harmed in the process. Once again this alternate world Vermillion still retains the color scheme of the original, with armor closer to the Paladin clans in design yet still maintains that heavy empire flare, and finally his choice of weapon is a rarely seen double-bladed sword.
"Did he say break ride? How could there be another Narukami unit I don't know?" I thought as once again I was shocked by what I saw going on before me.
"The Rebound gains +10000 power and a skill you'll see soon enough. Now… seek the mate!" Isaac yelled.
Once again in a classical physics defying motion four cards go into Isaac's deck, and once card flies back out into his hand. That's right…. I've hopefully finally decided to stop questioning how this happens.
"Link your fate from the alternate reality with the dragon that lost his through death! Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion 'The Blood'! Legion [Legion Power: 22000]!" Isaac declared.
The evolved Vermillions of both timelines give off a powerful earth-shattering roar together. It was so strong that if the two units were in this room for real... I don't think I'd be here to write the fact.
"The Blood gains +2000 power, and The Rebound gains +1 critical." Isaac said as he explained the effects of the two units on his vanguard circle.
"How could I have not heard about a Vermillion break ride? Granted Team Strike Shadow is sponsored by multiple corporations, but it's still nothing compared to the capital my father has access to." I thought as she was still contemplating what happened.
"Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion 'The Blood'…. Ultimate Break! The Blood gains +5000 power, The Rebound gets another +1 critical, and I still have the ability to attack your front row all at once!" Isaac yelled.
"That means not counting the boost, The Rebound will be attacking for 39000 power and 3 critical." Sara announced.
"With Kaiser Armor Master's boost…. The Blood and The Rebound…. legion attack [Total Power: 44000 3 Crit]!" Isaac declared.
"Eldol will stop that [Perfect Defense]!" Sakura countered.
[Drive Check – Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Rebound" – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – No Trigger]
"Now taste destiny's judgment! Vermillion Catastrophe!" Isaac yelled.
Unlike when he used The Blood against me, in this case against Sakura…. The Blood swings his blade horizontally and out comes a lightning bolt in the shape of a crescent wave. He was likely able to do this due to some sort of resonation effect with his other self. Eldol through great effort and multiple magic shields was able to protect Sakura's vanguard from harm, but unfortunately Sakura's front row units weren't as lucky.
"It looks like you won't be beating me this turn after all." Sakura pointed.
"Say that after you've survived the turn. Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion's break ride skill: Since my vanguard's attack hit two of your front row units I can draw 2 cards from my deck. Next the skills of my left Zephyr, right Zephyr, and Kaiser Armor Master kick off." Isaac explained.
The three cards in Isaac's damage zone that he flipped over to pay the cost for The Blood's skill begin to glow as if they're electrically charged, and then when he snaps his fingers those three cards flip themselves back face up.
"Save for Kaiser Armor Master which has a soulblast cost of 1, they all have the exact same skill, and that is once per turn when my vanguard's attack hits a unit on my opponent's front row I can turn a facedown card in my damage zone back up." Isaac explained.
"That means with Isaac's current formation…. as long as his opponent keeps tossing out rearguards on the front row he can keep using The Blood's ultimate break indefinitely." I mumble aloud.
"One vanguard attack isn't enough to beat me." Sakura thought.
"Together you cast a storm that transcends time and reality! I activate The Rebound's legion skill!" Isaac yells.
The moment Isaac made that declaration a lightning bolt somehow appeared simultaneously striking both The Blood and The Rebound….. somehow making them even stronger.
"At the close step of the battle that this unit attacks if my opponent's front row is empty….. by paying the cost… The Blood and The Rebound stand back up with a +5000 power bonus." Isaac explained as he discarded 2 cards from his hand and flipped two cards in his damage zone face down.
At this moment the ridiculously long lighting strike from a few minutes ago finally ends, and it unexpectedly leaves The Blood and The Rebound covered in a cloak of bright red lighting.
"Once more….. The Rebound…. legion attack [Total Power: 44000 3 Crit]!" Isaac declared.
"Damn it damn it damn it…. if only I had just one more." Sakura thought clearly referring to a perfect guard.
"What's wrong? If you can block then play your cards. If you can't then say so, but don't waste my time with idle thoughts." Isaac said.
"No guard." Sakura reluctantly declared.
"The final twin drive check." Isaac says.
[Drive Check – Rising Phoenix – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle – Critical Trigger]
"Get… critical trigger. I give all of the effects to Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion 'The Rebound' [New Total: 49000 4 Crit]!" Isaac yells.
"That's…. a lot of power." I mumble.
The Blood and The Rebound put their blades together pointing them directly at Prominence Glare and Aglovale….. then after charging for a few seconds their blades release a large lightning bolt with an ungodly amount of power towards their enemies. In response Aglovale and Prominence Glare launch a last ditched blast of flames, and both elemental attacks collide in the center between them akin to two kamehameha attacks from Dragon Ball Z a really really old anime.
"Taste wrath of destiny's evolved judgment! Vermillion Dual Catastrophe!" Isaac yelled.
Despite this Gold Paladin combination's best effort, The Rebound and The Blood's combined power split their blue flames down the middle like a twig striking them almost instantly thereafter. The following explosive force was so strong that it blows off the top 3 cards of Sakura's deck leaving her to pick up the 4th and 5th one if nessecary.
[Damage Check – May Rain Liberator, Bruno – No Trigger]
[Damage Check - Liberator of Oath, Aglovale – No Trigger]
"It's not over… I refuse to be defeated in such a ridiculous manner." Sakura thought as she placed her hand on the top of her deck.
[Damage Check – Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare – No Trigger]
Final Results
Isaac – Sakura
5 – Hand – 4
2 – Soul – 3
5 – Damage – 6
2 – Counterblast – 3
Arc Light Dragon / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Empty / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Kaiser Armor Master / Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Rebound"/Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Blood" – Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare/Liberator of Destiny, Aglovale / Coronagal Liberator
Empty / Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr – Empty / May Rain Liberator, Bruno
"Winner: Isaac Barrett!" the judge declared.
"And now Sakura Verde….. you're mine." Isaac declared right after.
Enough uses of variations of the world "Declare" for now. Do you all remember how I said there would be those not of this country taking great interest in this fight? Well before I close off this entry it's time that I reveal three such individuals who watched this fight from a small lounge located in the coldest parts of Russia. That lounge belongs to none other than Team Red Star the winners of at this point in the story last year's World Vanguard Tournament.
"It seems that this year's world tournament will be very interesting." Michael points out.
"That's only if the rest of those cowards from Team Strike Shadow will actually enter this year. What do you think Sebastian?" Jasmine retorts.
"I was going to refuse it, but… after watching this fight I've changed my mind." Sebastian answered.
"Changed your mind…. You mean about that?" Michael asks due to apparently knowing about what Sebastian was talking.
"Yes comrade, tell Alexander Verde we will be accepting his offer after all." Sebastian answered.
To Be Continued
Kiba: So what do we do now?
Raphugio: Grocery shopping man. I have to buy twice as much now.
Sade: Can I come with you big bro?
Raphugio: Say Kiba, isn't that…..
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "A Dark Idol"
Teresa: I'm sorry, but I saw this first so I'll be taking it.
Narukami
Card List
Grade 0
Kaiser Armor Master.
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
[AUTO]: Forerunner (When a unit of the same clan rides this unit, you may call this unit to (RC))
[AUTO](RC): If your vanguard is in Legion, this unit gets "[AUTO](RC):[Soulblast 1] When your vanguard's attack hits a unit on your opponent's front row during a battle that this unit boosted, you may pay the cost. If you do, choose a card from your damage zone, and turn it face up. This skill can only be used once per turn."
Grade 1
Dusty Ampere Dragon
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[AUTO](RC): When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with "Vermillion" in its card name, this unit gets [Power]+3000 until the end of that battle.
Arc Light Dragon
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[AUTO]:[Choose a grade 3 "Narukami" from your hand, and discard it] When this unit is placed on (RC), if you have a "Narukami" vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, search your deck for up to one card named "Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion", reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand, and shuffle your deck.
Grade 2
Demonic Circuit Dragon, Zephyr
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[AUTO](RC): If your vanguard is in Legion, this unit gets "[AUTO](RC): When your vanguard hits a unit on your opponent's front row, if you have a "Narukami" vanguard, choose a card from your damage zone, and turn it face up. This skill can only be used once per turn"
Grade 3
Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion (Break ride)
[AUTO] Limit Break 4 (This ability is active if you have four or more damage):When a «Narukami» rides this unit, choose your vanguard, and until the end of turn that unit gets [Power]+10000 and "[Auto](VC): When this unit's attack hits a unit on your opponent's front row, draw a card"
[AUTO](VC):When this unit attacks your opponent's vanguard 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)
Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Rebound"
Power: 11000
[ACT](VC): Legion 22000 "Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion 'The Blood'" (If your opponent's vanguard is grade 3 or greater, this unit may return four cards from your drop zone into your deck once, search your deck for the specified card, and Legion)
[AUTO](VC): [Counterblast 2 & Choose 2 "Narukami" from your hand, and discard them] At the end of the battle that this unit attacked a vanguard, if your opponent's front left (RC) and front right (RC) is empty, and if this unit is in Legion you may pay the cost. If you do, [Stand] all of your vanguards, and this unit gets [Power]+5000 until end of turn. This ability cannon be used for the rest of that turn.
[AUTO](VC): When a unit on your vanguard circle uses an "[ACT]" skill, this unit gets [Critical]+1 until end of turn.