Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 24
The Forrest of the Deceased
Rest assured that there will be quite a bit of backtracking later, but right now save for Virgil my friends and I have met together inside the convention center as we await our first match of the regional qualifier tournament.
"Just what are we going to do?" Raphugio asks.
"This might be a problem since the first round is in an ARMU format." Dalette notes.
"I'm sorry boss lady, but 'ARMU'?" I ask as back then I had no idea what that term meant.
"It stands for At Random Match Ups, and that basically means instead of choosing the fight order... a member of each opposing team in a match are selected at random to fight one another." Dalette explained.
"Than that means we'll lose a fight by default if Virgil's name is called and he's not here." I note to myself.
"Essentially yeah, but since this is our first time don't worry about not knowing for now. Anyways, he's more likely to answer for you Kiba so could you please call him and see why he's not here yet?" Raphugio asks in an understanding tone of voice.
"I'm already dialing his number." I tell Raphugio as I already had my cellphone out before he even finished dialing.
Virgil's room isn't that different from mine save for the fact that it's vastly more messy. Still like me he he has books on his shelves, charges plugged into available outlets, and clothes messily tossed into his closet.
"What is it Kiba?" Virgil answers as he picks up his phone still laying half asleep in his own bed.
"Dude, where the hell are you? You're supposed to be with us at the convention center right now!" I point out as I yell into my phone.
"What are you talking about? We're not supposed to meet until... arghhhhhhhh!" Virgil suddenly screams after looking at the clock on his phone and finding that is says 8:00AM.
"I take it you realized what time it was?" I ask in a nonchalant manner.
"Yes! Oh god my alarm clock didn't go off. Look, give me a few minutes to get dressed and I'll haul ass over." Virgil said as I could hear the sound of drawers being opened through my phone.
"Alright I'll see you then." I say before putting my phone back in my pocket.
"What was his excuse?" Dalette asks.
"A simple one... he slept through his alarm clock." I say as I chuckle slightly.
"Our first match is at 9AM... so if he leaves in the next few minutes... he should get here around the time the second fight starts." Raphugio said as he contemplates his summations on the issue out loud.
"Look since we have an hour guys, so do you mind if I wander the convention center for a bit?" I ask as I stretch my arms a little.
"What for?" Raphugio asks.
"There's no where near as many as there were during the expo, but I saw a few interesting stalls being set up." I explain.
"Fine... but make sure you're in Hall A by 9AM." Dalette declared as she seems to begrudgingly let me do what I want.
"Thank you boss lady." I say happy tone.
And thus begins my adventure browsing the limited number of stalls here at the convention center. I got a few "looks" because of recent events, but the worst of it was people talking about me in the background. It was about 15 minutes in my little adventure when I had a fated encounter of the non-romantic variety.
"Not as much interesting stuff as I thought there would be here. Guess I'll check what's down this next hallway, and then head back to meet the others." I thought.
You see these "Halls" are around the size of the average High School basketball gymnasium with 2 floors. The first floor is the fighting floor where Vanguard fighters clash using an MF system, and the second floor is an observation deck filled with bleachers for fans to sit on. Anyways, since the regional tournament doesn't warrant the use of the entire convention center... a few of the Halls are host to mini-bazaar of goods. It is in these mini-bazaars that I've been spending the last few minutes.
"Hmm... lucky me, I've been trying to find a play set of these guys for a while." I thought as I search through the commons for sale for one of the stalls.
"Excuse me, but I'd like to buy this." another guy and I say to the guy managing the register of this stall.
"Oh go ahea..." I was saying when I suddenly stop after turning to see what the other guy looked like.
The man had white hair, red eyes, a Vanguard deck wrapped around his upper arm, a dark green snow coat, and I trust that at this point after a few words in that most of you have already realized who this is.
"You're Seba...hrmmhh." I was about to scream when this guy without warning covered my hand with his mouth.
"Shhhh just relax and don't say anything. It's taken me a great deal of effort to hide my presence without having to put on some ridiculous disguise. I'll let go of your mouth now, but you better not scream." Sebastian whispered as he glanced around for anyone that might of recognized him due to my outburst.
"How... why... when?" I mumble as for obvious reasons my mouth refuses to cooperate with my brain.
I mean what person would be able to think straight if they just casually bump into another celebrity like I just did? Nolan doesn't count since we've known each other for a long time.
"Will your promise not to say anything if I let go of your mouth?" the world champion asks as he continues to look over both his shoulders, "I can't exactly be seen right now."
Since he had his hand over my mouth I couldn't say anything, but I signaled my compliance with his request by making a thumbs up gesture with my right hand.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me." Sebastian said as he turned his attention to person managing the register, "Put whatever it was this person wanted on my card as well."
The person managing didn't seem to care or not realize that the captain of the strongest Vanguard team in the world, but he just non nonchalantly swiped his credit card all the same.
"Consider it an apology for my rude behavior Kiba Nakashima" Sebastian explained as he just went on his way.
"How do you know... where did he go?" I say as by the time I realize what was going on I've already lost him in the crowd.
Meanwhile at Virgil's place, my best friend the man himself is running down the hallway from his bedroom after getting dressed like a man on fire to the closest source of water.
"I can't believe my alarm clock didn't go off!" Virgil screams as he frantically grabs his keys off the keyholder.
"In wasn't a coincidence that it didn't go off." Gilberto says calmly.
In Virgil's hurried desire to be on his way he had completely missed his brother sitting at the kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee, so it's only understandable for Virgil to be surprised when he said something.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were busy managing your law firm." Virgil asks in an abrasive tone of voice as he turns to face his brother.
Though no where near as shaky as the relationship between my dad and I, Virgil doesn't exactly get along with his brother either. In any case, when he turned to face his brother he found a two-person regulation Vanguard mat. It's the kind you'd see in places that can't afford MF systems.
"What do you mean it wasn't an accident?" Virgil asks as he finds what he presumes to be his brother's deck already placed in its proper position on the mat.
"I sneaked into your room last night while you were asleep, and I knew you'd wake up right around now." Gilberto explained.
"What the hell Gilberto? You knew I needed to meet my friends by 8AM!" Virgil exclaimed as he resisted the desire to slap his brother silly.
"Don't bother trying to leave now. All of the major freeways that lead to the convention center are backed up for miles. It'll take you at least 3 hours to get to the convention center if you leave now." Gilberto reveals as he seems to dodge his brother's question.
When his brother said that, the look on Virgil's face had gone from wanting to slap his brother silly to wanting to kill his brother where he sat at this very moment.
"You said that you wanted to make Corrina's dream come true this year. Humor me little brother, and let's see if you have what takes to make our sister's dream come true." Gilberto said as he was effectively challenging his brother to a match.
"Just why the hell would I fight you now?!" Virgil yelled.
"Because I can arrange for transportation to ensure you get there right on time. I'll still make the arrangements even if you lose, and if you win I'll give you something that will make you even stronger. Of course if you're adamant about getting there on your own, then I'll leave you to it." Gilberto explained.
"Manipulative bastard." Virgil mumbled under his breathe as he reluctantly took out his deck.
First there's the shuffling of their own decks, then the shuffling of the others, here the brothers draw their initial 5 cards, both return only 2 cards, and now this bout of sibling rivalry is about to begin. Believe me when I say it's nothing compared to the one you'll see down the road.
"Why are you doing this?" Virgil asks as he's looking through his deck after realizing that he forgot to place down his starting vanguard.
"Like I said I'm doing this to see if you have the ability to make our sister's dream a reality." Gilberto answered as his brother looked at him with disbelief, "Sigh... I couldn't be there for Corrina all those years ago, so this is my way of being for her now."
"Isn't there so many better ways you could have done that?" Virgil retorts.
"Perhaps... since you're the one being challenged, I'll let you decide whether or not to go first." Gilberto informed.
"Fine then." Virgil said.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" Virgil and his brother yelled.
Though there is no MF system here, imagine your standing in a forest on the planet Cray; but not the kind you'd expect to hide the elven kingdom so to speak. It was more like a swamp land willed with dreary gray trees, again moats, vines that could hide snakes, and given the number of bones all over this place... this forest reeks of death.
"Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro [Power: 5000]!" Virgil revealed.
This baby dragon with his life cut short appears once more on Cray with nearly all of his skin rotted away save for a few patches, his left wing that once allowed him to fly through the sky replaced with a cannon, and a flag with skull on cross bones tied to its spine like a cape.
"Timepiece Dracokid [Power: 4000]!" Gilberto revealed.
"What the... but that's a Gear Chronicle card. I've never seen you use this deck before... in fact where did you get it? There are like only a few players in the world with that clan." Virgil asks out of shock due to the appearance of a steam-punk version of a winged creature.
"There's a lot you don't know about me little brother, however for the sake of rectifying your confusion... In Vanguard there are cards that choose their wielders in a spiritual sense, but did you know that Gear Chronicle is the only clan that chooses the people uses it." Gilberto explained.
"And you're one of the chosen wielders of that clan...That's a bunch of crap. They're just hard to find." Virgil retorts in disbelief.
"Say what you will, but do you want to go first or second?" Gilberto retorts out.
"Oh I'm going to go first... Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura [Power: 7000]!" Virgil yells.
"I see you've changed up your deck." Gilberto notes.
"Yeah... in preparation of this year's regional tournament, I modified my deck with a few new Ice Prison units." Virgil retorts.
"I move Dracokid Necro behind my vanguard, and... I'll end my turn." Virgil concludes.
Virgil – Gilberto
5 – Hand – 5
0 – Soul – 0
0 – Damage – 0
0 – Counterblast – 0
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro / Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura – Timepiece Dracokid / Empty
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"I ride Steam Breath Dragon [Power: 7000], and I'll move Timepiece Dracokid behind my vanguard." Gilberto said.
"Here it comes... it's been a while since my brother and I last fought each other, but I have no idea what to expect of him out of a Gear Chronicle deck. If I want to win I have to play cautiously." Virgil thought.
"Steam Breath Dragon will attack Matsura [Total Power: 11000]!" Gilberto declared.
[Drive Check – Steam Breath Dragon – No Trigger]
"I'll guard with Chappie [Total Shield: 10000]!" Virgil counters.
This three of four story sized dragon is truly an overwhelming sight to behold up close, however that only serves to amplify the dramatic effect created when it blasted Matsura with it bluish gray stream of steam. Or at least that was the intent, but unfortunately for Gilberto the adorable little ghost takes the attack.
"Chappie's skill allows me to send any Granblue unit from my deck to the drop zone." Virgil said calmly explaining the effect of the card he played as he searched through his deck.
[Milled Card – Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir Ridill – No Trigger]
"That's definitely a card I haven't seen before." Gilberto notes.
"Like I said Gilberto, I've added a few new cards to my deck." Virgil retorts.
"Then I'll end my turn little brother." Gilberto informed with his expression still unchanging.
Virgil – Gilberto
4 – Hand – 6
0 – Soul – 0
0 – Damage – 0
0 – Counterblast – 0
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro / Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura – Steam Breath Dragon / Timepiece Dracokid
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"I ride Fencing Ice Prison, Picard [Power: 9000]!" Virgil declared.
"Now that it's your turn to attack little brother... go on and show me what you got." Gilberto said provoking his brother as he changes his posture to a more defensive stance.
"I call Ice Prison Magic Knight, Vanclein Hrotti [Power: 9000] to the rearguard." Virgil said as placed down this incarnation of Vanclein on the rearguard with a great deal of force.
This incarnation of Vanclein is wearing a dark green scaly set of light armor instead of the usual pirate fair save for a puffy hat with a feather in it, the area around it's left elbow join is covered in rotten skin, the area around the right elbow joint as withered away to nothing, and in his right hand he holds a dark blue sword with a golden edge.
"I'm trying to sleep hijos, so please keep it down!" Ms Hernandez yelled from down the hall in her bedroom.
"Sorry mom!" the Hernandez brothers replies.
"Ahem... with the support of Dracokid Necro, my Picard attacks Steam Breath Dragon [Total Power: 14000]!" Virgil declared as loud as he reasonably could without disturbing his mother.
"Steam Battler, Dadasig [Total Shield: 10000] will guard against that attack." Gilberto counters.
"That will only be enough if I don't get a trigger on this drive check." Virgil points out to his brother as he placed his hand on the top of his deck.
[Drive Check – Slave Master of Ice Prison, Elfrith – Critical Trigger]
"I'm going to give all of the effects to my vanguard, and it looks like that my attack will hit you after all [Total Power 19000 2 Crit]." Virgil pointed out as he resisted his desire to rub his good luck in his brother's face.
Picard is still a master fencer even in death or un-death as the case may be. Anyways, with his already considerable skill enhanced by the power of the trigger; a single jab straight across the face of Steam Breath Dragon's giant body is enough to send him back several feet.
[Damage Check – Vainglory-dream Gear Cat – Stand Trigger]
[Damage Check – Heart Thump Worker – Critical Trigger]
"I give all of the effects to my vanguard Steam Breath Dragon." Gilberto said as he calmly placed the two triggers in the damage zone.
"How do you like that?" Virgil said as he was happy that his first attack of the fight was such a resounding success.
"So you've inflicted two points of damage? What of it? Such a thing is common even in professional fights, and have you forgotten that I'm the one who taught you and Corrina how to play.
"I'll attack your vanguard with Vanclein Hrotti." Virgil said as he clicked his tongue out of anger.
"Hmm, but you're attack won't do anything." Gilberto points out as he had expected his brother to end his turn.
"To your vanguard perhaps, but it'll certainly do something for me. Vanclein Hrotti's skill allows me to send the top three cards of my deck to the drop zone when he attacks, and gain +3000 power for my trouble [Total Power: 12000]!" Virgil declared.
Like how Picard did earlier, this form of Vanclein attempts to jab his blade across Steam Breath Dragon's face but due to the lack of power it fails to get the ginormous dragon to budge even an inch.
[Milled Card – Elder Ice Prison Necromancer – No Trigger]
[Milled Card – Necro-Surgeon of Ice Prison – Heal Trigger]
[Milled Card – Blackjack Ice Prison, Card Dealer – No Trigger]
"Since there's nothing else I can do I'll end my turn." Virgil says as he takes a moment to catch his breath.
Virgil – Gilberto
4 – Hand – 5
1 – Soul – 0
0 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 0
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Ice Prison Magic Knight, Vanclein Hrotti – Empty / Empty
Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro / Fencing Ice Prison, Picard – Steam Breath Dragon / Timepiece Dracokid
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"If you want to teach me a lesson that's fine, but couldn't you have done so in a way that didn't affect my friends?" Virgil asks, his face still full of anger directed towards his brother.
"I could have probably done something along those lines quite easily, however you know me and my flare for the dramatic." Gilberto retorts.
"Yeah I know." Virgil said as he recalls an earlier incident in his life that embodied this trait of his brother.
"Getting back to business... I ride Smokegear Dragon [Power: 10000], and I'll call Steam Knight, Xang [Power: 9000] to the rearguard." Gilberto informed.
"So far there's only one card in that clan that he can use that embodies its traits. If he isn't using it now, then he probably doesn't have it in his hand." Virgil thought as he mentally prepared himself for his brother's coming turn.
"I call Relic Master Dragon[Power: 9000] in order to fill up my front row." Gilberto said.
"Of course he plays it... me and my big mouth." Virgil thought as he mentally face-palms himself.
"Now open up the gate and return Vanclein Hrotti to the point where all time begins." Gilberto declared as he turned 2 cards in his damage zone face down.
All the gears on Relic Master Dragon's body started to churn vigorously and all of the lights started to shine even brighter as this mighty beast tore open the fabric of space and time. Then that tear drags Vanclein within like a powerful vacuum would a stubborn dust-mite.
"Relic Master Dragon, show Picard a strength that no amount of swordsmanship could ever hope to surpass and attack [Total Power: 9000]!" Gilberto said.
[Damage Check – Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir – No Trigger]
"With the support of my own Dracokid, Smokegear dragon attacks [Total Power: 14000]!" Gilberto declared.
"I guard with Ice Prison Death Guard, Mors... and now quintet wall!" Virgil countered as he flipped over a card in his damage zone.
[Top Card – Blackjack Ice Prison, Card Dealer – 5000 Shield]
[Top Card – Slave Master of Ice Prison, Elfrith – 10000 Shield]
[Top Card – Ice Prison Count, Roland – 5000 Shield]
[Top Card – Ice Prison Summoner, Vanclein – 5000 Shield]
[Top Card – Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura – 5000 Shield]
[Total Shield: 30000]
"Clearly wishing to maximize his options for when he performs legion no doubt. No matter... it's not as if it's anything I haven't seen before." Gilberto thought as he placed his hand on the top of his deck for the drive check.
[Drive Check – Heart Thump Worker – Critical Trigger]
"I give all of the effects to Steam Knight, Xang." Gilberto said as he taped Xang with the critical trigger.
Smokegear Dragon is by no means slow given his immense size, but even that coupled with his physical strength simply isn't enough for him to force his way through all of those mostly un-dead bodies in his way.
"Let's see if you have better luck Xang [Total Power: 14000 Crit 2]!" Gilberto declared.
[Damage Check – Ice Prison Bell Carrier, Gan Ning – Draw Trigger]
[Damage Check – Ice Prison Summoner, Vanclein – No Trigger]
"Personally I wished that came a turn earlier, but having the ability to draw a cards is a nice consolation prize." Virgil points out to his brother.
"As I said before luck alone makes no difference, but since there's nothing else I can do I'll end my turn." Gilberto pointed out as he still feels indifferent about his brother's circumstances.
Virgil – Gilberto
4 – Hand – 4
1 – Soul – 1
3 – Damage – 2
1 – Counterblast – 2
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Empty – Relic Master Dragon / Empty
Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro / Fencing Ice Prison, Picard – Steam Breath Dragon / Timepiece Dracokid
Empty / Empty – Steam Knight, Xang / Empty
"Ancient tear dragon, rise again from hell with your greed as cold as ice and skin as black as death. I ride Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir [Power: 11000]." Virgil declared as he was empowered by the simple act of playing his ace.
"It's a shame that you can't perform legion just yet." Gilberto points out.
"I don't need it just yet either. Since you returned Vanclein to the past, I'll bring one of his old forms into the future as payback. I call Ice Prison Summoner, Vanclein [Power: 9000]." Virgil retorts.
"Ah yes... this Vanclein gives you the chance bring the dead back to the world of the living for a single turn... much like the Dia de los Muertos." Gilberto notes.
For those among you who don't speak Spanish, Gilberto was talking about the Day of the Dead... a Mexican holiday.
"I'll use Vanclein's skill to superior call Card Dealer [Power: 7000] from my drop zone." Virgil informed.
"This may be a redundant question, but I take it has an effect when recalled from the drop zone?" Gilberto curiously asks.
"Yeah, by sending one card from my soul to the drop zone I can draw another card from the top of my deck. Now I'll call Fencing Ice Prison, Picard [Power: 9000]. Picard will attack your vanguard first [Total Power: 12000]." Virgil declared.
"I intercept with Relic Master Dragon [Total Shield: 5000]." Gilberto countered.
"Then I'll have Vanclein attack next [Total Power: 16000]!" Virgil declared.
"I guard with Heart Thump Worker [Total Shield: 10000]." Gilberto counters again.
"Then I'll attack with my vanguard Fafnir to finish up my turn [Total Power: 16000]." Virgil said as like many true fighters... he wasn't willing to go down with out a fight.
[Drive Check – Elder Ice Prison Necromancer – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Necro-Surgeon of Ice Prison – Heal Trigger]
"Not that it matters I give the power to my vanguard and recover one damage point." Virgil said as he clearly wasn't expecting the trigger given his reaction.
[Damage Check – Steam Knight, Shu Sin – Draw Trigger]
"I end my turn causing Card Dealer to be forced back to the drop zone." Virgil concludes.
Virgil – Gilberto
5 – Hand – 4
1 – Soul – 1
2 – Damage – 3
1 – Counterblast – 2
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Ice Prison Summoner, Vanclein – Empty / Empty
Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro / Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir – Steam Breath Dragon / Timepiece Dracokid
Empty / Fencing Ice Prison, Picard – Steam Knight, Xang / Empty
"I'll admit that despite the circumstances in which I'm forcing you to undertake, I'm actually enjoying this fight a little." Gilberto said as he drew for the turn.
"Yeah well I'm not exactly in the mood for your pleasantries." Virgil retorts.
"Fair enough little brother. I ride Nixie Number Dragon [Power: 11000]." Gilbero says with a smug expression on his face.
"No fancy ride chant?" Virgil asks as he was honestly expecting one, even from someone as serious as his brother.
In any case the dragon himself is wrapped in yellow armor to the point where one could question if he's even organic in nature, he has a purple cape wrapped around his neck ironic to his clan's nation, and he has several important gears as well other important
"I don't really care for such things, and even if I did this isn't the ace of the deck. Ahem... liberating the generation zone." Gilberto retorts.
"Now just what G-Unit will he be going for?" Virgil thought as he braces himself for the coming attack.
"Stride Generation... Interdimensional Dragon, Mystery-Flare Dragon [Power: 26000]. Call Steam Fighter, Mesh-he [Power: 7000] and Steam Fighter, Amber [Power: 9000]." Gilberto said.
"This might be slightly problematic." Virgil thought as he wasn't expecting that exact combination of cards.
"I'll attack Fafnir with my Mystery-Flare Dragon [Total Power: 30000]!" Gilberto declared.
"It's a bit of a risk, but I won't be guarding." Virgil said after contemplating the issue for a moment.
[Drive Check – Steam Battler, Dadasig – Critical Trigger]
[Drive Check – Steam Maiden, Jusil – Draw Trigger]
[Drive Check – Steam Battler, Dadasig – Critical Trigger]
"10000 power goes to Xang, the remaining 5000 will go to Amber, and obviously I'll be giving my vanguard the double critical bonus [New Total: 30000 3 Crit]." Gilbero said.
"Oh... this is so going to hurt." Virgil thought as he realizes with horrid shock that it may have been a better move to block his brother's attack after all.
[Damage Check – Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Fencing Ice Prison, Picard – No Trigger]
"With the support of the unit behind him, Amber will attack your vanguard [Total Power: 21000]! Now before you decide whether or not to guard; I'll use Amber's skill to force Picard back to the bottom of your deck and Mesh-he's skill to turn a face down card in my damage zone face up." Gilberto informed.
"I'll nullify with Elder Ice Prison Necromancer [Perfect Shield]!" Virgil counters.
"Xang will attack next [Total Power: 14000]." Gilberto declared.
"I guard with Necro-Surgeon [Total Shield: 10000]." Virgil countered again.
Virgil – Gilberto
2 – Hand – 5
1 – Soul – 1
5 – Damage – 3
1 – Counterblast – 2
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(1) U(7)
Empty / Ice Prison Summoner, Vanclein – Steam Fighter, Amber / Steam Fighter, Mesh-he
Ice Prison, Dracokid Necro / Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir – Nixie Number Dragon / Timepiece Dracokid
Empty / Empty – Steam Knight, Xang / Empty
"Shoot... I need to end this now or I'm-" Virgil was thinking.
"Or you're going to lose on my next turn." Gilberto said as he interrupts his brother's train of thought by easily predicting what he was thinking.
"Stop reading my mind." Virgil says out of annoyance.
"You're simply easy to read little brother, but it doesn't make my observation any less true." Gilberto retorts.
"I know I added it to my deck, but I was hoping I'd get to premier the card at the regional tournament." Virgil thought as he placed his hand on the top of his deck, "This is..."
"Did you draw something good?" Gilberto asks.
"I wouldn't be making this face if it didn't have the power to turn things around for me." Virgil said as a confident grin appears on his face.
"Then go ahead and show me what it is." Gilberto points out.
"Gladly... Ancient tear dragon, take the hilt of your greatest treasure and allow your un-dead form to evolve! I cross ride Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir Ridill [Power: 11000]!" Virgil announced as loud as he could without disturbing his mother.
"Fafnir Ridill? I see... it's effect must have something to do with the copy Virgil sent to his drop zone at the start of the match. No matter... I have more than enough defense to handle whatever he has to throw at me." Gilberto thought.
"Since regular old Fafnir is in my soul, his evolved form gains +2000 power... and now seek mate!" Virgil declared.
Once again that ever familiar yet still physics defying motion occurs. Four cards are sent from Virgil's drop zone back into his deck, and one card comes out.
"Let the dragon's greatest treasures come together and unleash their true power, Legion!" Virgil declared as he was going to bet the farm with this next move, "Now let me show you the power of my evolved ace!"
"Go ahead." Gilberto said as he takes a defensive stance.
"I'll move Dracokid Necro to the soul and superior call Card Dealer [Power: 7000] from my drop zone, and I'll be using his skill to draw a card. Now I call Vanclein Hrotti [Power: 9000] and another Matsura [Power: 7000]." Virgil said as he placed the grade 1 units in his left and right columns.
And thus here begins my friend's counterattack.
"The older form of Vanclein will attack your vanguard first [Total Power: 16000]!" Virgil declared.
[Damage Check – Chrono Jet Dragon – No Trigger]
"Now Fafnir, attack together with your soul bound partner [Total Power: 22000]!" Virgil declared.
"I'll nullify that with Steam Maiden, Arlim [Perfect Defense]." Gilberto counters.
[Drive Check – Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir Ridill – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Ice Prison's Zombie Siren Quartet – Stand Trigger]
"I give all of the effects to Matsura." Virgil said.
"Matsura? Why not just use the stand trigger to give the Ice Prison Summoner, Vanclein in front of him another chance to attack?" Gilberto thought as he has yet to realize the strategy his brother is going for.
"Fafnir Ridill's skill: By moving a unit with 'Fafnir' in its card name from my drop zone to his soul, my Vanguard can stand back up." Virgil excitedly explained as he discarded 2 cards from his hand and turned two cards in his damage zone face down.
"A simple self-standing Vanguard is nothing special." Gilberto points out.
"That would be true if this were an ordinary self standing vanguard." Virgil retorts.
"Oh... what's so different about it then?" Gilberto asks due to having his curiosity piqued.
"I can also superior call another Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura [Power: 7000] from my drop zone, and Matsura's skill allows me to superior cal Fafnir [Power: 11000]." Gilberto points out as he catches his breath, "In other words that means with this move I get 2 more attacks!"
"I can see how that card might have the ability to turn things around? But can it turn things around?" Gilberto retorts.
"Let's find out... with the support of the Matsura I just played, Fafnir Ridill will attack your vanguard once more [Total Power: 29000]!" Virgil declared with his hand outstretched.
"No matter how I choose to guard, if my brother gets a critical trigger he wins... and he knows in response I'll have no choice but to accept his attack. Well played little brother." Gilberto thought as he was impressed by his brother's strategic ingenuity.
"Now are you going to take my attack or not?" Virgil asks.
"No... I won't." Gilberto answers.
"Then the final drive check..." Virgil said as like my fight against Nolan he knew that this would likely be the last drive check he'd be able to perform in the fight.
[Drive Check – Ice Prison Count, Roland – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Rough Seas Banshee – Critical Trigger]
"I'll give the power to Vanclein Hrotti and the critical to Fafnir Ridill [New Power: 29000 2 Crit]!" Virgil declared.
Fafnir's greatest reasures... his two blades resonate as they're in his own hand and that of his legion mate. Together with a perfectly synchronized set of slashes they cut through Nixie Number Dragon's time powered armor.
[Damage Check – Summit Crest Gear Wolf – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Chrono Jet Dragon – No Trigger]
Final Results
Virgil – Gilberto
3 – Hand – 3
1 – Soul – 1
5 – Damage – 6
3 – Counterblast – 2
F(0) U(0) – G Zone – F(1) U(7)
Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura / Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir – Steam Fighter, Amber / Steam Fighter, Mesh-he
Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura / Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir Ridill/Ice Prison Magic Knight, Fafnir – Nixie Number Dragon / Timepiece Dracokid
Black Jack Ice Prison, Card Dealer / Ice Prison Magic Knight, Vanclein – Steam Knight, Xang / Empty
"So now will you tell me why you're doing this?" Virgil asks as he's already starting to put away his deck.
"I already answered that question twice." Gilberto retorts.
"Oh for the love of..." Virgil thought as he resists the desire to face palm himself, but than soon enough he knows what to say next, "Don't dodge the question."
"Because of that camping trip I couldn't be there for you, for mother, or for... our sister. I blame myself for our sister's death. If I just went with you to that match... I would have been able to save our sister. Doing this... like I said... is my way of being here for her now." Gilberto explains as given the slightest of tears beginning to form on his face... he's been resisting the urge to start crying.
Virgil's brother is almost as stoic and as reserved as my dad, so who could blame him for being rendered speechless by this aspect of human behavior?
"Sigh... did mom tell you what the last thing that Corrina said to me was?" Virgil asks as he started to feel guilty about how he treated his brother throughout the course of this fight.
"She... she said that she knew that she wasn't going to make it, and... my own sister... she blamed me for killing her. She blamed me for taking her away from 'the boy I really liked'. I mean do you have any idea how that feels?" Virgil said as he too was barely able to resist bursting out into tears.
"No... now then let's get to seeing you to the convention center as fast as possible." Gilberto said as he forces himself to return to his normal expressions.
"How... how do you intend to do that?" Virgil asks as he does the same.
"Oh... it should be outside right about now." Gilberto said as he examines the digital watch on his cellphone.
Virgil wanted to make a few more inquires of his brother, but instead he just followed him when Gilberto started making his way towards the front door.
"That is your ride little brother." Gilberto said as he outstretches his hand towards the street like it was some grand gesture.
Gilberto was pointing his hand towards a small 4-man helicopter with its pilot already at the joystick resting on the back of a flatbed truck.
"How the hell did you arrange this?" Virgil asks.
"One of my clients is behind on their payments, but being the nice-guy I am... I offered to wipe the slate clean in exchange that he loan me his helicopter today. It should take you about 30 minutes to get there and another 30 minutes waiting in the line to get inside... by then your friends should be in the middle of their second match... assuming they stretch out their fights." Gilberto explained.
"Yeah well that's all well and good, but isn't it highly illegal for a helicopter to take off from the back of a flatbed in the middle of a suburban neighborhood?"Virgil asks as he scratches the back of his head for no reason other than it was a little itchy.
"Oh the fine would be quite severe, but it's only a 1/4th of what my client of what my client owes me. There's a car that will take you the rest of the way from the landing pad." Gilberto explained.
"You're not going to go... wait never mind I forgot you have a fear of heights. Anyways... that about that thing you said you'd give me when I win?" Virgil asks as he recalls the start of this whole debacle.
"In an envelope on the pilot's person, and for the record I would have had him give it to you even if you lost." Gilberto explained as he's preoccupied.
"Alright see you later brother." Virgil said as he climbs on top of the flatbed and into the helicopter.
The moment Virgil buckles his seat-belt, the helicopter's multiple rotor blades whirl to life with such force that anything small like Virgil's deck would be spread across his front yard.
"Here's what your brother wanted me to give you! It was a lot of effort for him to track down a play set of these cards, but I think you won't complain. Don't worry... I'll get you to your friends in plenty of time!" the helicopter pilot yells so Virgil can here him over the rotating rotors.
Gilberto simply stands in the driveway and watches his brother off, but it isn't until the helicopter becomes no more than background noise that anything else happens. Particularly the source of our respective ire is about to meet.
"Ah I see I'm right on time." my dad said as he closed the door to his car.
"Mr. Nakashima, thank you for letting borrow one of your decks... and your actually here three minutes early." Gilberto says to my dad as he checks the time on his cellphone again.
"It was a matter of convenience for the both of us. My job prevents me from teaching my son the things I wanted to and he'll never knowingly accept my help." my dad said as he takes back his deck with one hand and shakes Gilberto's hand with the other.
"Yes well I couldn't use my own deck... not after... anyways, is that why you agreed to help? An alliance of convenience if you will?" Gilberto asks.
"I suppose... helping your brother... however indirect allows me to help my son grow without him knowing." my dad says with a slight chuckle as he starts thinking about work issues, "I just wish... I didn't have to involve him with my job."
"I'm sorry, but what was that?" Gilberto interjects.
"It's nothing. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to work." my father said before politely excusing himself.
Enough about all of this sappy family drama... it's time to write out something more dramatic in the action sense at least. Our first match of the regional tournament had already begun and Raphugio was fighting first... but honestly it wasn't looking good.
"What are you doing?" I ask when I realize that Dalette had stopped paying attention to the fight.
"I'm checking out the rest of the match pairings for our competition." Dalette answered as she was busy with scrolling up and down a page on her phone.
"See any interesting ones?" I ask out of curiosity.
"Just one... the mysterious Team Resurgence... whose leader I can't seem to find any useful information on, and some guys having the balls to call themselves Team Red Star after the world champs... hmph... wonder what the real deal will think of that when they find out." Dalette answered as she found the guts of these pretenders somewhat amusing.
"Yeah I mean... no... I mean there's no rule against it, but... there's just no way that it's them." I whisper to myself as I recall my earlier encounter with Sebastian.
"Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon attack Psychic of Storm, Rigil!" Raphugio's opponent declared.
"Winner, Team Blitz Brake!" the judge declared.
"Sorry guys... just a god forsaken bad hand." Raphugio says in a guilty tone of voice as he takes a seat between Dalette and I.
"The next match will be between Kiba Nakashima and Raul Guiteriez." the judge announced.
"Are you going to use your new deck?" Dalette asks out of curiosity as she's still focused on checking out our competition.
"No... I'd like to hold off on it at least until the quarter finals." I quickly answer.
As for how this match goes...
To Be Continued
Dalette: Sorry, but no fancy chapter preview this time.
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "Eradicating Sunset"!
Granblue
Ice-Prison Subclan
Grade 1
Ice Prison Samurai, Matsura
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000.
[Auto](RC):[Soulblast 1] When this unit is called from the drop zone to (RC), you may pay the cost. If you do, search your drop zone for up to one Grade 2 or higher unit with "Ice Prison" in its card name, and call it to (RC).
Black Jack Ice Prison, Card Dealer
Power: 700 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC):[Soulblast 1] When this unit is called from the drop zone to (RC), if you have a Vanguard with "Ice Prison" in its card name, you may pay the cost. If you do, draw a card.
Ice Prison Death Guard, Mors
Power: 6000 Shield: 5000
Quintet Wall
Ice Prison Count, Roland
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC): When your other "Granblue" is placed on (RC) from your drop zone, if you have a vanguard with "Ice Prison" in its card name, this unit gets [Power]+3000.
Grade 2
Ice Prison Magic Knight, Vanclein Hrotti
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC): When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with "Fafnir" in its card name, this unit gets [Power]+2000 until the end of that battle.
[Auto](RC):[Put up to three cards from the top of your deck into the drop zone] When this unit attacks, if you have a "Granblue" vanguard with "Ice Prison" in its card name, you may pay the cost. If you do, this unit gets [Power]+1000 sent to the drop zone through this effect until the end of that battle.
Lore: When Vanclein was alive long before the the first Aquaroid as rolled out, he was one of the few in the Aqua Force Clan that could use magic. When he was brought back from the dead he could only use a fraction of his true ability.
When Fafnir decided to reclaim the two legendary swords forged by the Aqua Force clan, he gave Hrotti to Vanclein out of the necessity of their relationship. The moment his hand came into contact with the blade, his undead form evolved allowing him to use both the power within Hrotti and his true magical ability once more.
Grade 3
Ice Prison Necro-Dragon, Fafnir Ridill
Power: 11000
[Act](VC): Legion 20000 "Ice Prison Magic Knight, Vanclein Hrotti" (If your opponent's vanguard is grade three 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, discard 2 cards from your hand, and choose a card with "Fafnir" in its card name from your drop zone and put it into your soul] At the end of the battle that this unit attacked a vanguard, if this unit is in Legion, you may pay the cost. If you do, stand this unit and choose up to one unit with "Ice Prison" in its card name and call it to (RC).
[Cont](VC): If you have a card named "Ice Prison Neco-Dragon, Fafnir" in your soul, this unit gets [Power]+2000.
Lore: With the appearance of the mysterious Gear Chronicle and the Stride phenomenon that in order for Granblue to maintain its combat strength... and by proxy his personal wealth that he must in turn increase his own strength.
It is for that reason he and Vanclein set out find his greatest treasure... the legendary twin blades forged by the Aqua Force at the dawn of its existence... Ridill and Hrotti... none of their modern blades even remotely compares to their power. He only brought Vanclein because he had a hand in their creation.
Once Fafnir took Ridill in his un-dead claws, the power that lay untapped for centuries forced his rotten body to evolve. Now he has a more humanoid form like that of the legendary Overlord and Kaisers of the Dragon Empire.
Fafnir quickly realized that since his soul was bound to Vanclein, this revived former member of the Aqua Force would be unable to channel his new-found power properly, leaving them worse off than when they started. It for this reason he gave Vanclein the blade Hrotti allowing the undead human to evolve as well.
With their new found power they created a technique based off Stride, of which allowed them to temporarily allowed them channel the souls of alternate realities into their own realm.