Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 25
Eradicating Sunset
In my previous entry I had promised to stand before you and speak or write as the case may be of everything that had occurred before the incident with Virgil and his brother, and now I intend to see that promise made good.
"Are you going to make a move? Or are you just going to sit there?" Dalette asks as she happens to be facing Virgil in a card fight with Raphugio watching.
Everyday since Will had cut down Teresa, the four of us had spent our time training for the regional tournament coming up... tomorrow in fact at this point in time.
"Hmmm... I'll risk it and take the attack." Virgil said after he took a long minute to contemplate his options.
"First check... second check... I apply all of the effects to my Vanguard!" Dalette declared.
"Say Kiba, what are you doing?" Raphugio asks as Dalette and Virgil are already shuffling their decks for a second round.
We were training Oli's card shop, of whom the owner is currently out picking up a package. He had asked me to watch the store while he was gone, of which it wouldn't be the first time I had done that. That's why you can see me metaphorically speaking standing behind the counter as Raphugio stands across from me.
"Since we're officially going to be entering the regional tournament I started to feel a little nostalgic... Anyways, as payment for services rendered Oli said I could rebuild the deck I learned to play Vanguard on, of which is what you see before you now." I explain as I start to organize the 50 cards in front of me by grade.
"Really well..." Raphugio was saying when the first card he saw among this 50, "This isn't a Narukami deck... so wait... you learned how to play on this clan?"
"Yeah... even though I have more in common with the Narukami clan... my dad's clan. I actually learned how to play on my mom's clan since my workaholic father was too busy. Besides I'm not rebuilding this deck for only nostalgia's sake." I explain as I only have four more cards to find for this deck.
In that moment Dalette walks up to the two of us clearly interested in our conversation after having already defeating Virgil yet again.
"If not only for nostalgia's sake, then what are your other reasons for putting this deck together?" Dalette curiously asks as she's apparently also been paying attention to our conversation.
"Even though I'm not exactly a strong fighter... I still have more of a reputation none the less because of the Expo. For that reason alone the smart teams at the regional qualifier will do research whether a little or a lot into the way I play with my Narukami, and adjust their decks accordingly. This is... and.. done... oh ahem this is my answer to that possibility." I explain to Dalette as I happily re-complete the deck I learn how to play Vanguard on.
"Alright then... I mean there's nothing wrong with it after all. Unlike various card game anime it's perfectly normal for someone to have more than one for a fighter to have multiple decks... sometimes of even multiple clans." Dalette points out.
"It might be a sound idea in theory, but if you can't use that deck at least as half as well as you do with any of your Narukami ones... you may as well never have taken the time in the first place." Dalette points out.
It might have seemed a little cold, but Dalette was making a valid point here. There's no point in building a weapon one is incapable of using to its full potential after all.
"I know... that's why I intend to practice with it right until the tournament starts next week." I tell Dalette as I collect the cards of my re-made deck and put them in a deck box hanging on the wall behind me.
But before another word could be said we... and by we I mean all of the customers in the store have our attention drawn to its front door opening and Oli walking inside carrying a stack of boxes almost as tall as he is.
"Her let me get a few of those for you." I tell Oli as I run up to him and take half his stack of boxes.
"Phew... thanks for watching the store for me I really appreciate it. Say, were you able to find all of the cards for your old deck" Oli says gratefully as he wipes the sweat of his brow.
"Just about all of them... I hope you don't mid that I got a few fillers for now, but I have the rest I need at home." I explain.
"That's grat... say Virgil, could you please come here for a moment?!" Oli yelled as he scans all the people here for my zombie pirate using friend.
"What is it?" Virgil asks as he surprises Oli and I by walking up to us outside of our line of sight.
"Now these cards don't go on sale until the day before the regional tournament starts, but... I opened a few boxes early and was able to get you a play set for all o the new Ice Prison cards." Oli said as he happily pulled a bundle of tightly wrapped cards out of his pocket.
"You freaking rock man!" Virgil yelled as he excitedly hugged Oli, "And I see the main grade 3... they're all SP rarity... again you rock."
"Ha ha ha... I know I'm awesome, but anyways... thanks for helping me Kiba... go on and enjoy the rest of the day with your friends." Oli said as he gestures at Raphugio and Dalette using a head nod.
As soon as Raphugio, Dallete, Virgil, and I gathered together at an empty table a conversations concerning various Vanguard subjects broke out between us. The card art of new units that were circulating on the internet, discussions as to why certain cards seem OP or overpowered for those of you unaware of that acronym's meaning, and traditional complaints about how our clans are lacking much needed support in certain areas. Still... there is one more important issue that we must get out of the way before regionals start, and now seems like the time to do it.
"Right... I've already filled out the necessary information on the online entry form save for one subject." Dalette says suddenly as she places her cellphone between the four of us on the table.
There were various spaces on this website that needed to be filled in like names, contact information, deck recipes (which only tournament administrators are allowed to see), other miscellaneous information, but the one field that has been left blank is our team's name.
"We've been putting it off long enough I suppose." Virgil mumbled as straightens up in his seat.
"Right well... do any of you have any suggestions?" Dalette asks the three of us as she fakes a cough to get our attention.
"Hmm... I put forward the name Team Midnight Beavers." Raphugio said as he raises his hand and his head as if he just had a major epiphany.
Given the way Raphugio was smiling back then he was clearly proud of that name, but well umm... he he...
"No." was the collective response of the rest of us.
"Aww, but I like beavers." Raphugio says in a sullen tone as he barely resists his desire to protest the issue.
"Virgil, do you have any suggestions?" I curiously ask my best friend especially since I was still trying to come up with a name in that moment.
"Sorry, but I have nothing." Virgil said as if he were some little kid that was caught not cleaning their room like they ere told.
"Oh alright... What about you boss lady? I mean you simply must have an opinion on this after all." I curiously ask as I turn to face our stoic leader.
"Hmm... there was one name I thought of last night. What do you three think of naming ourselves Team Golden Sun." Dalette retorts as she seems a little too animated about the name.
"Umm... no." we three guys do declare.
"I see... do you mind if I ask why not?" Dalette asks as she hides her disappointment in face of our opinion.
"Well... I don't know about Kiba and Raphugio, but there are two reasons. The first being that while any of ours clans can fight in any weather, they don't exactly scream shining under the sun's light. Well technically the clan Kiba learned on would count, but I trust I made my point." Virgil quickly answered as he scratched the back of his head.
"Really... what's the other reason then?" Dalette curiously asks.
"We'd kind of be ripping off the video game franchise of the same name." I explain.
"Exactly." Virgil said as he nods in agreement.
Truthfully I was taking a shot in the dark as to whether or not that was Virgil's second reason, but I guess that I'm kind of glad that I did.
"Very well then... that name will be out, but what about you Kiba? You're the last one among us who hasn't said anything." Dalette asks.
I don't say anything right away to my team, but rather I spend a silent moment or two contemplating the issue.
"Well... suppose... that would work as a declaration of war to him." I mumble to myself as a potential name comes to my head.
"A declaration of war? To who exactly Kiba? Well come on and show us what you have." Raphugio said.
"If we're going to win the US National tournament I... one of us has to beat Isaac." I explain as I let my true desires slip through a little.
"What's your point?" Dalette asks as she becomes more interested in where this conversation is going.
"My point is that Isaac has a fervent belief in destiny that borders on being religious, so we should use a name that tosses destiny aside and says that victory will be determined by our skill alone." I explain as like Raphugio and Dalette... I start to feel good about the name I have in mind.
"Just what kind of name would that be?" Raphugio and Virgil asks as they were clearly interested too.
"I say that we show Isaac and his team how destiny will break in the face of our power and call ourselves Team Destiny Breaker." I say as loud and as charismatic as I was capable of.
"To breaks fate and the certainty of defeat... I approve." Dalette aid as she shows me the slightest sliver of a smile.
"I like it." Virgil and Raphugio say only with a far more noticeable smile on their faces compared to Dalette.
Here we can see Dalette at last fill in that empty spot on the online regional tournament entry form with the name "Destiny Breaker"... a name that would leave a legacy for years to come.
"It's done." Dalette said as she put her phone back in her pocket after pressing the submit button on her phone, "Though the issue of a team name is out of the way... we still aren't done here for the day."
"I don't think we've forgotten anything boss lady." I point out.
"No you didn't Kiba as this is something I thought of last minute." Dalette explained as she took her deck out of her pocket, "It's fine if you want to use that deck to give the team and yourself more options, but without fighting with that deck at least once... you won't know much you'll need to train to play at at least a passable level for the regional." Dalette explained.
"Alright then... I was hoping to get at least one fight in today." I smirk as I start shuffling my new deck.
Thus begins the newly named Team Destiny Breaker's week long intensive training regiment. We'd did things like 1v1 fights, 2v2 fights, 2v1 fights, fights with special rules, quizzes to ensure our knowledge of as many cards of as many clans as possible, and physical and mental training to help us to deal with the stress of having one match after the other.
"Generation Zone released!" I yell.
We weren't the only teams stepping up their training in the last week before the first regional tournaments start. The best teams all over the nation were busy preparing for their first battleground they must pass through on their way to ultimate victory.
"Stride Generation!" I yell.
There's Team Star Ocean and its leader my supposed female best friend, and according to several media outlets at the time... one of my potential romantic interests. Anyways... one such way they train is to have Jacob and Cloud lock horns while Nolan took note for future reference.
"Now go Vortex Dragonewt, attack the vanguard!" Jacob yelled.
"Damage check... well it seems you win another one Jacob." Cloud said as he started to gather up his deck, "I can't believe your this strong with Kagero. Nolan, did you know about this?"
"I mean we both know what Jacob told us about his past, but no I didn't know that he had a Kagero deck. Jacob, why didn't you tell either of us?" Nolan said as she turned to face Jacob.
"I stopped using Kagero because... the last time I saw my sister was her being carried off with one of my decks... so to me that clan holds too many painful memories." Noan's rather stoic butler said in a sullen tone of voice.
"Oh I'm sorry... but... why did you use it against that Nikki girl?" Nolan said as she stars to feel guilty for her earlier statement.
"The old man who ran that stall at the Expo... I don't know how or why, but... something about hat he said made me want to take a chance... and honestly... I'm glad I did. I mean... it's been a long time since I could enjoy a fight like that." Jacob said as the tiniest sliver of a smile begins to form on his face.
"Hmph... I used to think of myself as the ace of the team, but after fighting you... I think that's about to change. Either way I can't fall behind you so I had better step up my training, but this year... it looks like that you'll be our best chance of beating Isaac." Cloud pointed out as a smile starts to appear on his face as well.
"I agree... which is why I need to get back into fighting shape with this clan as soon as possible." Jacob nods as he starts at the copy of Dragonic Overlord in his deck.
"Hmmm... aren't you there already? I mean you were able to beat cloud with only a moderate level of difficulty." Nolan points out as she seems both confused and surprised by Jacob's statement.
"No... with my level of skill I should be able to do much better, and once I reach that level I desire... I plan to use something even more powerful than Dragonewt." Jacob declared.
Content with Jacob's answer Nolan decides to change the subject of discussion, but into one an ordinary person wouldn't expect.
"Moving on... so how did that 'girl' react to your little gift?" Nolan asks as a mischievous look appears on her face.
"She seemed to en... how do you know about that?" Jacob asks as his eyes twitch slightly in surprise.
"Tsk tsk Jacob, I have my sources." Nolan said as she starts to act like a normal teenage girl.
"She liked it, so I decided to get it for her to be nice. What's your point?" Jacob said as he starts to get a little defensive.
"Surrrrrrre it was only because you were being nice." Nolan said with a sarcastic tone.
Then there's how my ex and her Team Resurgence was preparing for the regional qualifiers. In fact she and the rest of her team are all reviewing a dozen bundles of files spread out through a single room.
"Are you sure this is all of them Aby? I thought there would be more given the number of people that enter the US national tournament every year." Abygail points out as she's already 3/4ths of the way done with the stack of files in front of them.
"Yeah this is all of them... every team that daddy said can, may, or will be a problem. I mean he took the time to get this for us, so we have to make sure to look through each file so it's the case.
"Hmmm... if you say so... I just wish Will would hurry back with the pizza... I'm starving over here." Tsubasa moans as she places a free hand on her rumbling stomach, "Hey Nikki, how far along are you?"
But Nikki didn't even register Tsubasa's words you see... in fact instead of going through her share of the files, Nikki spent most of her time twiddling her fingers around a necklace with a sapphire heart shaped pendant she was wearing. Once both Abygail and Tsubasa realized this fact; a devious smile appeared on their lips as they didn't even need to look attach other to concoct a nefarious scheme.
"I see you like that necklace he gave you?" Abygail asks in a sarcastic tone of voice.
"I mean it was really cute, and he was nice enough to by it for me after we bumped into eachother. What's your point?" Nikki asks as she easily picks up on Abygail's sarcasm though not the direction.
"It's just that if I were you I'd feel obligated to get him something in return. A nice watch for example... I mean it's a classic guy gift." Abygail points out without having dropped her sarcastic tone.
"Really you think? Well what kind of watch do you think he'd like? If I were to give it to him right now it couldn't be anything expensive though." Nikki mumbled as she starts twiddling her fingers.
"Well if you want to save up money, I could just buy something and give it to him. I mean though I live in a suburban house in a middle-class neighborhood my parents are rather wealthy.
"NO ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Nikki yelled as her cheeks temporarily turned into strawberry red color, "Sorry, it's just that I've seen guys fall for you after just talking to you once. I mean come on silver hair shining in the moonlight... who wouldn't like that?
"Yeah well... speak of the devil." Tsubasa says aloud as she seems to stare out of a nearby window.
"What do you mean?" Nikki asks with her curiosity piqued.
"It seems like a certain guy with long hair is here." Tsubasa explains in a mischievous tone of her own.
This news and this news alone causes Nikki to begin to freak out. She starts doing things like suddenly pacing around the room, sniffing her own body to check for bad smells, and looking over what clothes she brought with her.
"Oh my god I'm not ready... I mean how did he find out? I never told him where I lived let alone you Aby... oh god this outfit isn't cute, and I need to put on some makeup." Nikki mumbles so quickly that it was like a race car zoomed by.
"Just go to the door and say hello. I'm sure tht he'll have something to give you that we'll all enjoy." Tsubasa interjects.
Nikki just runs to the front door of whatever house she's in like her life depended on it.
"I'm so glad you came here to see me." Nikki said in the most girly tone her body was capable of.
"Well I'm here to see you, Abygail, and Tsu afterall... I mean I did draw the short straw when I came to getting food." Will interjects.
Once Nikki heard Will's voice, the rational pat of her mind regained control of her body and indeed confirmed for her that she was looking at the only other make with long hair she knew.
"You guys suck!" Nikki screams back into the house.
To which the laughter of a pair of young maidens can be heard in response, but enough about that. One wee... oh I'm not writing anything about Team Strike Shadow because I have no idea what they did during this time frame. In any case... one week later the regional tournament we of Team Destiny Breaker would enter had finally begun. I myself due to my own car being unavailable was given a ride to the Tarrant City convention center by my mom in her car.
"And here we are son." my mom said as she parked her car in the convention center parking lot.
"Thanks mom." I say gratefully as I unbuckle my seat belt and open the car door.
"Not yet." my mom said as she suddenly places her hand on my shoulder, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"I'm not doing that in public." I exclaim with a frown on my face.
"We're nestled between a row of cars so I doubt anyone is going to see, but if you're that adamant about it... I'll settle for a quick hug." my mom retorts.
Thus I gave my mother a quick hug hoping no one saw that. I mean I was only a teenage so of course I'd be embarrassed by things like this, but it seemed as though my mother still wasn't willing to let me go just yet.
"There's just one more thing... oh don't give me that look it won't take long." my mom said as she takes note of the immediate scowl that appears on my face.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Just two things. Your father told me that he'll try to come by to watch your fights, and I'll be here later with Sade after we're done with her dentist appointment." my mom explains with a smile on her face.
"Hmph... I'll believe it when I see it... about dad being here that is... I know you and Sade will here here." I say in disbelief.
"Now don't be so hard on your dad. You have no idea how often he feel guilty for being forced to miss the important events in your life." my mom says in a defensive tone.
"Not that I don't appreciate you teaching me how to play mom, but if that was the case dad would have taken the time to show my how to play Vanguard. Now what's the other thing?" I ask since generally anything to do with my father tends to put a sour taste in my mouth especially back then.
"Good luck." my mom says to me with a smile.
Unlike my dad however, anything to do with my mom tends to put a smile on my face. Getting back on topic; I wave goodbye to my mom as she goes off on her own errands and quickly meet up with my friends shortly thereafter. From there... you already know what happened so I'll just skip that part.
"Good luck Kiba, and you better be sure to avenge me!" Raphugio points out as he gives me a motivating thumbs up.
I then turn to face Dalette before walking to the fighting floor... perhaps due to expecting in some small way for her to say something.
"You know what you need to do." Dalette said as she seems to pick up on my earlier thought.
I personally wish Virgil could have been here to see the start of the fight and offer me a few words of wisdom, but no... I was on my own and he was probably somewhere over the rainbo... I mean downtown Tarrant City at this point.
"So you're Kiba Nakashima?" my opponent Raul asked.
"The one and only." I answer as we both lay down our starting vanguards.
"I just wanted to say I as a fighter you're nothing special. You only managed to beat Nolan and fight Isaac because of luck alone." Raul points out as he decides to be the one to start the classic pre-match smack talk.
"That's true, but luck is a part of any game just as much as skill is." I retort.
"Yeah I know... I also wanted to say that my team and I saw all the decks you used at the Expo, so there's nothing you can do with the Narukami clan that I won't be able to deal with. You may as well give up now." Raul declared.
"Ha ha ha." I laugh.
"What's so funny?" Raul asks as he's confused by my sudden change in behavior.
But instead of answering him I turn to my friends and yell to them "It looks like I was right after all!"
Make no mistake, though I laughed... it's not as though I was immune to the pressure flowing throughout the room. I refused to just let my team be kicked out of the tournament with a 0-2 loss; I intended to take this match seriously, win, and leave it up to who fought next.
"Now let's get things started." I declare as I grafted a serious expression of my own upon my face.
"I have every strategy you use with Narukami figured out, but do try to make things interesting for me." Raul said as he offered his early declaration of victory.
"Yeah well... who said I only have Narukami decks?" I retort as we both draw our starting hands.
"Wha..." Raul mumbled as he seemed caught off guard by what I said.
But enough little side things... it really was time to get things underway.
"Are the two of you ready?" the judge asks.
"Yeah." the two of us say.
"Then let the second match begin!" the judge yelled as he waved his arm downwards like we were racers waiting for the green light.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" we both yell.
Though obsolete when compared to the GIRS in detail and scale, a Motion Figure System is still used at tournaments both small and major... though in this case it's because the area I'm fighting in is too small for a GIRS.
"I know I haven't used you guys in a long time, so if you've lost respect for me I won't blame you. Still... I'm using you now, so if I've lost your respect... give me the chance to reclaim it." I whisper to the units in my deck as if they were standing before me right now.
In any case... the field around us is transformed into a large white circular dome the size of a baseball field... maybe a little bigger, with large white tiles embedded into the floor, and a green ring-like indentation carved into the wall about halfway between the floor and ceiling.
"Spark Kid Dragoon [Power: 4000]!" Raul says in a calm demeanor as he flipped his starting vanguard face up.
"So you're going to fight fire with fire? Or in this case lightning with lightning?" I ask especially since I found it amusing that my opponent was using my main clan.
"Yeah... I've studied how you use Narukami so I know what you expect, however I also happen to main the clan as well. Now then... it's your turn to reveal your starting Vanguard." Raul said as an arrogant smile formed on his lips, "Will it be Brawler, Eradictor, or your avatar card Abraxas?"
"Neither this time... now stand up, Solar Fang Wolf [Power: 5000]!" I yell.
My starting vanguard was a fully grown white wolf that had on just enough bright yellow armor to cover its joints as well as its major organs, with a symbol in the blatant shape of the sun printed onto the armor covering Solar Fang's head, its teeth are tightly clenched around a single dual-bladed dagger, and most importantly of course... in case it wasn't already obvious... Solar Fang Wolf is most certainly not a Narukami unit.
"Im-impossible... Gold Paladin? But you've never used that clan before!" Raul yelled as we was shocked just short of being speechless.
I didn't notice it at the time, but asides from his teammates... they weren't the only ones surprised by the clan my starting Vanguard is tied to. There were a few in the crowd who were surprised as well.
"You're crazy for using it now without any experience with it!" Raul pointed out as I had in one fell swoop made him toss whatever he originally had planned for this fight out of the window.
"If you'd done more than just superficial research like watching a few videos of me fighting, you'd know that I actually learned how to play Vanguard with Gold Paladins when I was 5." I smirk as I again enjoy the fact that I've tossed my opponent's plans out of the window.
"Damn... he's right... the big names like Star Ocean and Strike Shadow always do serious research into their oppoents. Still... he's not going to beat me." Raul thought as I had only slightly shook the confidence he had in his own power.
"Enough talking you two... Raul Gutierrez will be going first!" the judge yelled as he wished for the two of us to get back on track.
"I ride Tonfa Wielding Brawler, Aak [Power: 7000]. Next I'll move Spark Kid behind my vanguard through his skill." Raul said.
"Hey... that's a Gold Paladin unit isn't it?" one of the fans sitting in the crowd asks a friend sitting next to him.
"That definitely is one, but just what is he doing with it? I thought Kiba Nakashima only used Narukami... I bet the guy is full of himself thinking he can use any clan just because he came close to beating Isaac via a fluke." the friend of that fan points out.
"I don't deny that it happens to look that way, but I'll let the way I play do the talking for me." I thought as I happen to overhear what these two people in the crowd were saying, "I ride Holy Mage, Bryderi [Power: 6000]. I'll use my Solar Fang's skill to call him behind my vanguard."
My vanguard was a blond haired elf clad in a nearly all gold cloth-like attire save for the few sections of black on its chest, legs, and arms as well as giving off an overwhelming sense of superiority compared to those around him.
"I know he spent the last week practicing for sunrise to sunset with both of his new decks, but do you really think he'll be okay using a clan he hasn't seriously played with in years?" Raphugio asks as he couldn't help but be concerned for the well being of his teammates.
"I can already tell that his opponent isn't anything special, so if Kiba fails to defeat him... it just means that we were no where near ready for the regional tournament let alone nationals." Dalette explained as she took one deep breath and shrugged, "Of course if you don't like that... simply let Kiba play to win."
"I call Gorboduc [Power: 7000] to the rearguard, and I'll use skill." I declare.
[Revealed Card – Lofty Head Lion – No Trigger]
The slight shine that existed within Gorboduc's sword momentarily and ironically glowed as bright as the sun. Then a burst of energy from that blade shot forth and struck my hand like lightning to a rod... bringing with it a certain grade 3.
"I'll add Sunrise Ray Knight, Gurguit to my hand and discard the Lofty Lion I revealed... Now Gorboduc, use your blade to attack Aak [Total Power: 7000]!" I yell.
[Damage Check – Mighty Bolt Dragoon – No Trigger]
"Now with the support of Solar Fang Wolf, my vanguard will attack next [Total Power: 11000]." I declare as I rest my units with a confident grin plain on my face.
"I won't be guarding." my opponent responds as I could tell from the expression on his face that he wishes he could do the opposite.
"And the first drive check of the fight is..." I whisper to myself as I place my hand on the top of my deck.
[Drive Check – Holy Mage, Llull – No Trigger]
My perfect guard of a vanguard draws upon the mystical energies of the world and gathers it in the palm of his hand, however unlike when he's using his powers to defend... magical seals don't form... he simply throws it at Aak like how a pitcher would a baseball.
[Damage Check – Brawler, Green Gem Carbuncle – Heal Trigger]
"Since that damage check was a heal trigger, I'll use its power to send Mighty Bolt Dragoon to the drop zone.
"That will do for now." I said as I signal the end of my turn with a grin on my face.
The grin on my face absolutely wasn't something superficial... it's been years since I last touch a Gold Paladin deck let alone this one, so when I finally did today it felt as though I was reuniting with an old friend.
Kiba – Raul
5 – Hand – 5
0 – Soul – 0
0 – Damage – 1
0 – Counterblast – 0
F(0) U(8) – G-Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Dawning Knight, Gorboduc – Empty / Empty
Solar Fang Wolf / Holy Mage, Bryderi – Tonfa Wielding Brawler, Aak / Spark Kid Dragoon
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"I'll admit that this Kiba guy using Gold Paladins forces me to change my approach a little, but not enough to be a problem." Raul thought as he draws for the turn.
"I'm sorry if I threw a monkey wrench into your plans." I smirk.
"Don't worry you didn't... I ride Skyhowl Dragon [Power: 9000], and now I'll move Spark Kid to my soul in order to use his skill." Raul declared as he flipped the only card in his damage zone face down.
The young dressed for the desert lad as well as the orange dragon he was riding upon transforms completely into lightning... the element that represents the Narukami clan. That concentration of lightning transforms into five glowing orbs of light that float close to Raul.
"I'll take this one." Raul said as he touched the middle orb with his hand.
[Revealed Card – Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Dragon – No Trigger]
"If I know my Brawler decks... the next card this guy will play is either Rising Phoenix or Kohmei." I thought as I mentally go through my encyclopedic knowledge of the Narukami clan.
"I call Rising Phoenix [Power: 5000] behind my vanguard. Now I'll use his skill to send 2 cards from my soul to the drop-zone and draw a card." Raul explained.
I then noticed that a small grin appeared on Raul's face when he drew his next card through Rising Phoenix's skill. I've seen that look enough times even back then to know that my opponent must have drawn something particularly interesting.
"This might be a problem." I thought as I contemplate just what the card Raul drew was.
"I call Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster [Power: 9000]." Raul said.
Still... I wasn't alone in noticing the grin Raul had on his face... Dalette as well as as a few other significant people saw it as well.
"That's not good." Dalette mumbles.
"What do you mean boss lady? The opening few turns seem pretty standard." Raphugio points out.
"If he's using a G-Zone deck along with Big Bang... then there's only one possible card that could be his ace. If that's the case then the card this Raul guy drew was probably Mighty Bolt Dragoon." Dalette explained.
"Mighty Bol... wait... if that's the case... then Kiba will have a hard time if the next couple of turns aren't in his favor." Raphugio points out as he realizes Raul's strategy mid-sentence.
"Now go Skyhowl Dragon and attack Holy Mage, Bryderi [Total Power: 14000]!" Raul declared.
[Drive Check – Tonfa Wielding Brawler, Aak – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Speeder Hound – Draw Trigger]
"I'll apply the power to my vanguard and draw." I grin.
"Tch... Slash Buster, go and attack Goroduc [Total Power: 9000]!" Raul yelled as he was quite annoyed with what my damage check revealed.
Slash Buster ran across the training room floor like a wild beast on the savanna, and then crushed Gorboduc so grotesquely that I couldn't even begin to describe the horrid appearance of it all.
Kiba – Raul
6 – Hand – 6
0 – Soul – 0
1 – Damage – 1
0 – Counterblast – 1
F(0) U(8) – G-Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Empty – Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster / Empty
Solar Fang Wolf / Holy Mage, Bryderi – Brawler, Skyhowl Dragon / Rising Phoenix
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"Come on Kiba... hurry up and figure out what he's doing if you haven't already." Dalette thought as she rested her elbows on her knees and clenched her fingers together.
"Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Turbo isn't it?" I ask my opponent as my attention at the time was focused on drawing my next card rather than the person standing across from me.
"Wha... how did you know?" Raul retorts as his eyes go wide in shock
"It's kind of obvious really, but I will admit that I wasn't completely sure until I asked so thanks for that." I smirk as I grab one particular card in my hand, "I ride Law-Abiding Knight, Cloten [Power: 9000]!"
Unlike my previous two vanguards; Cloten is a heavily armored member of the Gold Paladins, with a long flowing dark blue cape, a shield located on his left arm, and his main weapons are a pair of sheathed swords currently attached to his back.
"I'll have my rearguard Cloten attack your vanguard first [Total Power: 9000]!" I yell.
"Hmmmm." Raul mumbled as he seemed unsure how to respond to my attack, "No guard!" he yelled having apparently finally coming to a conclusion.
This slightly darker shaded Cloten of mine jumped into the air of this United Sanctuary training room (though training stadium would more accurately describe the size), and brought down both of his blades in an X pattern.
[Damage Check – Brawler, Plasma Kick Dragon – Critical Trigger]
"I give all of the effects to my vanguard." Raul counters as he hides his relief at his little bit of good luck.
"Alrght... now with the support of Solar Fang Wolf, my vanguard Cloten will attack [Total Power: 14000]!" I yell.
"Your vanguard's attack won't be going through... Green Gem Carbuncle will guard [Total Shield: 10000]!" Raul declared as he continues to offer a steadfast resistance.
[Drive Check – Lofty Head Lion – No Trigger]
My vanguard Cloten runs across the training room floor with both of his swords already drawn. Skyhowl attempts to counter by crushing Cloten under his feet, however Cloten blocks one of his claws with one blade and strikes Skyhowl below the neck with the other... or at least that was the plan up until Green Gem Carbuncle took the blow with his tiny body.
"Go Raul! Show them why you're the ace of our team!" one of Raul's teammates yelled.
"Since there's nothing else I can do I end my turn." I declare.
Kiba – Raul
6 – Hand – 5
1 – Soul – 0
1 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 1
F(0) U(8) – G-Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Law-Abiding Knight, Cloten – Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster / Empty
Solar Fang Wolf / Law-Abiding Knight, Cloten – Brawler, Skyhowl Dragon / Rising Phoenix
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"With that we enter the mid game, but both of their opening moves have been particularly conservative." Dalette points out as she finally decides to let her arms rest on her legs.
"Then it's just a matter of how Kiba will follow up." Raphugio points out.
"Go and crush them with your thunderous fists! I ride Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Dragon [Power: 11000]!" Raul yelled.
"Big Bang Knuckle Dragon is still an impressive card... and even though it fights for the Narukami... I'm looking forward to having the chance of taking it down." I boast as a smile of pure exhilaration takes for upon my face.
"Don't worry I'll give you that chance, but don't come crying to me if you get broken in the process." Raul declared as he makes his own attempt at some counter banter.
"I call Aak [Power: 7000] to the rearguard, and I'll use him to boost and attack your vanguard with my Big Bang Slash Buster [Total Power: 18000]!" Raul declared.
"I guard with Flame of Victory [Total Shield: 10000]!" I counter.
The blue scaled lightning dragon once again attempts to cut down my vanguard with a sweep of his claws, however an unfortunate but necessary sacrificial use of the Flame of Victory's essence almost literally burns that plan of Raul's to cinders.
"Then go and show why you're the leader of the Brawlers... Big Bang Knuckle [Total Power: 16000]!" Raul yelled as he put the units in his center column into the rest position.
"I'll give him that chance then... no guard!" I yell.
Surprisingly when I tell my friends this story... they tell me that I should have guarded with something, but I decided against it as I wanted to save what I had in my hand.
[Drive Check – Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Buster – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Mighty Bolt Dragoon – No Trigger]
Dragons... no matter what form they're incarnated in... are beings of tremendous power. My vanguard Cloten was able to deflect most of the blow by locking his two blades together, but the amount of force behind Mighty Bolt Dragoon's punch was such that it threw him straight into the wall of this training room creating several cracks upon it.
[Damage Check – Sunrise Ray Knight, Gurguit – No Trigger]
"I end my turn." Raul said.
Kiba – Raul
5 – Hand – 6
1 – Soul – 1
2 – Damage – 2
0 – Counterblast – 1
F(0) U(8) – G-Zone – F(0) U(8)
Empty / Law-Abiding Knight, Cloten – Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster / Tonfa Wielding Brawler, Aak
Solar Fang Wolf / Law-Abiding Knight, Cloten – Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Dragon / Rising Phoenix
Empty / Empty – Empty / Empty
"If this guy really is going to play Turbo... then I had better really step up my offensive... good thing going second allows me to do just that." I thought as I draw for the turn.
"Pay attention Raphugio... because here they'll really start throwing the first punch." Dalette warned.
"Rays of light that signal the beginning, pierce through the dark clouds! I ride Sunrise Ray Knight, Gurguit [Power: 11000]!" I yell.
Compared to the previous times I've imagined myself possessing the body of my vanguard... despite the fact I consider Narukami my main clan... honestly none felt as form fitting as Gurguit. Maybe it was because Gurguit's a human, but I could really feel the weight of his golden armor upon my skin.
"Liberating the generation zone!" I yell as I discard the Lofty Head Lion in my hand in order to pay the cost of stride.
It was then I felt the same phenomenon that occur when all fighters perform stride. For those of you reading who don't know what that feels like... it's like having the essence of who you are drawn through a portal in time and space to what you consider your ideal future... and the enjoyment that follows.
"Stride generation! Fast Chase Golden Knight, Cambell [Power: 26000]!" I declare.
"Don't worry Raul, you can handle a single G-Unit!" one of Raul's teammates yell.
Sadly he'll fail to do just that becau... right sorry I'm getting ahead of myself again. In any case you'll see what exactly soon enough just how fights can abruptly end.
"Gurguit's stride skill: I check the top four cards of my deck." I declare as I pick up 4 cards from the top of my deck in a single motion.
Decks built around Gurguit might not be as aggressive as other Gold Paladin decks like Sakura's Prominence Glare, however he sill has his own strengths... as well as another form I'll show you when the time comes.
"I call Shield Shine Knight, Wallace [Power: 7000], and I'll give him an extra 2000 power for the turn." I explain to Raul as start to shuffle my deck.
"Wallace? I've never seen that Gold Paladin before." my shocked opponent points out.
"When Wallace is super called from the deck while I have a Gurguit vanguard, I get to counter charge 1." I explain as I place the card I revealed in my first drive check into my hand.
"It looks like Kiba has another trick up his sleeve." Dalette mumbled.
"Now I call Holy Mage, Llull [Power: 9000]. By paying a counterblast cost of 1 and sending one card from my soul into the drop zone: I can search the top 4 cards of my deck and superior call one." I explain.
My Gurguit deck has 5 new cards to make it even stronger, but I consider it a personal shame that you'll only get to see 4 of them today.
"When Llull is placed on the rearguard... if I have Gurguit on my vanguard circle, I can check the top four cards of my deck... and as I'm sure you can already guess... I superior call Solar Thieving Knight, Percy [Power: 5000]... he as well as Llull gain 2000 power." I explain.
"Another Gold Paladin I don't know." Raul mumbled.
"Wait really? It's not as though these cards just came out. These guys have been available to purchase for a while." I retort.
"Keep the conversations aside until after the fight are over." the judge interjects as he clearly didn't wish for us to get of topic.
"Right sorry... ahem... With the power of Solar Fang Wolf's boost, Cambell will attack your vanguard, and with Percy's skill I move him to the soul to draw and strengthen my attack [Total Power: 36000]!" I yell.
"I could defend, but I'll need to save my resources for the late game." Raul thought, "No guard!"
[Drive Check – Solar Thieving Knight, Percy – Critical Trigger]
"I give the critical to my vanguard and the power to Llull [New Total: 36000 2 Crit]!" I declare.
[Drive Check – Holy Mage, Bryderi – No Trigger]
[Drive Check – Flame of Victory – Critical Trigger]
"Once again I'll give the critical to my vanguard, but this time I'll give the power to Cloten [New Total: 36000 3 Crit]!" I yell.
Using the strength of his lion of a steed's hind legs, Cambell jumps high into the air and fires off three arrows of a pale blue light... one for each point of damage that he'll inflict as each arrow strikes true.
[Damage Check – Dragon Dancer, Anastasia – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Rising Phoenix – No Trigger]
[Damage Check – Brawler, Big Bang Slash Dragon – No Trigger]
"Cambell's skill: Superior callAfter-glow Liberator, Belinus [Power: 7000] with a 2000 power bonus, and now... the skill of Belinus allows me to give a 2000 power bonus to Llull and Cloten." I explain.
The form the power boost that Cloten gives to my other rearguards takes the form of him lending his two blades to Cloten and Llull... further increasing their already incredible attacking power.
"With the support of Belinus, Llull swings in to attack Big Bang Knuckle Dragon [Total Power: 27000]!" I declare.
"I won't be able to block both attacks... I have no choice but to rely on a heal trigger." Raul thought as he begrudgingly contemplates his options, "No guard!"
Using his own magical power, Llull had temporarily grafted Belinus's sword turning it into a hastily improvised naginata, of which he jabs right between Big Bang Knuckles eyes.
[Damage Check – Brawler, Skyhowl Dragon – No Trigger]
Final Results
Kiba – Raul
6 – Hand – 6
2 – Soul – 1
2 – Damage – 6
1 – Counterblast – 1
F(1) U(7) – G-Zone – F(0) U(8)
Shield Shine Knight, Wallace / Law-Abiding Knight, Cloten – Brawler, Big Bang Slash Buster / Tonfa Wielding Brawler, Aak
Solar Fang Wolf / Sunrise Ray Knight, Gurguit – Brawler, Big Bang Knuckle Dragon / Rising Phoenix
After-glow Liberator, Belinus / Holy Mage, Llull – Empty / Empty
"Winner: Kiba Nakashima of Team Destiny Breaker!" the judge declared.
"Well that was anti-climatic." Raphugio mumbled though he was happy at my victory.
"I agree but..." Dalette said as she takes a deep breath before continuing, "Sometimes that's how fights go. People often forget that there are other ways a game can end aside from a clash of aces."
"But it isn't exactly very entertaining when a fight ends without a real clash of aces." Raphugio points out.
"True, and I bet that while we're on the subject... I bet Kiba feels a little disappointed that he didn't get a chance to use this deck to its full potential." Dalette notes.
"A bit, but there's always the chance that I'll get to in my next fight." I point out in a happy tone as I rejoin my friends on our bench.
"Now if we just knew where Virgil is right now." Raphugio points.
All of a sudden and without warning a certain someone runs up to us from our shared blind spot and says "I'm... so... sorry... for being... so late!"
The three of us turn around and of course we see Virgil here... and sweating, and gasping for air but at least now he's here.
"I'm glad to see you man." I say to my friend as I pat him on the back.
It wasn't to the point where Virgil needed to put on a new shirt, however he was sweating just enough where I had to wipe my hand off of the side of my pants.
"What took you so long?" Dalette asks with an expression on her face that indicates she wishes to slap Virgil on the side of the head.
And by "Slap Virgil on the side of the head", I mean Dalette wanted to beat the daylights out of Virgil for making us all worry so much.
"I promise to explain later, but..." Virgil said as he practically collapses upon our shared bench, "I need... a second."
"Aina Straton and Virgil Hernandez, please come forward for the third match." the judge announces.
"Oh come on!" Virgil moaned as he reluctantly gets up from his seat.
I wished my friend Virgil luck, but... do you remember how I said earlier that there were certain personages of importance watching our fight? Team Resurgence started watching halfway through my fight, my old friend Nolan as well as the member of Team Star Ocean were watching too, and four fighters we'd have to overcome of Team Strike Shadow.
"Well that was a surprise. Tell me Sakura, what did you think of him using your clan?" Teresa asks as she's in the middle of enjoying a fine cup of tea.
"Tactically speaking he didn't do anything wrong, but the match was too short for me to be able to offer an opinion." Sakura asks in a calm disinterested expression.
But for certain feeling implicated reasons that should be rather obvious to all of you... Sakura actually took a great deal of pleasure in seeing me use the same clan as her. I'm certain this would have caused certain fans to rage if they connected that with the clans my parents used in their youth.
"Hmm.. his opponent wasn't very good... I could tell that just from the order of his attacks." Isaac pointed out as he was per-occupied with spray painting pieces of a model kit.
"If you... don't mind my asking... why are you doing that?" Sakura asks referring to the model Isaac's putting together.
"It helps me relax." Isaac answers.
"No I meant why are you doing that here." Sakura retorts.
"Look at the time everyone... our regional finals are about to begin, so we should get going." Preston said as he glances at the digital clock built into his cellphone.
The four of them walk through office hallways and large open spaces as they make their way towards wherever their fight is taking place. As soon as they got close... countless fans started to scream.
"There they are! Isaac, could you please sign me an autograph?!" one fan screams.
"OMG... Sakura and Teresa are so cute." said an excited fan girl.
"I know you didn't want to join a team, but go and beat them like you always do Sakura!" another fan yells.
Teresa and Sakura casually wave and their screaming fans as they've been trained to do, but as expected given their personalities... Preston and Isaac keep walking forward ignoring all of their fans.
"And they're here... strengthened by their newest member... the reigning champs of the US Vanguard National Tournament... Team Strike Shadow!" Sara yelled as she screamed into her microphone.
They walked into a large open space such that it makes where we of Team Destiny Breaker fought Blitz Break look insignificant in comparison. If you need any comparison, just imagine a crowd of roughly 40,000 people sitting in bleachers, a dugout for both teams, and a GIRS system between them.
"Aren't you excited Isaac? You might just get a chance to fight him if things go in our favor." Teresa says with a smile.
Isaac didn't even register the fact that Teresa was speaking to him as his eyes were focused on a particular member of the team sitting across from them.
"What are the odds that these two powerhouse teams decide to enter the same regional tournament this year? Ahem... this Regional Tournament Final Match between Team Strike Shadow and Team Star Ocean is about to begin." Dr. O announced.
At the announcement of the identities of their opponent, the rest of Team Strike Shadow joins Isaac in his little staring contest. They see Nolan talking to her little sister, they see Cloud casually sip a cup of something, and they see Jacob staring back at them... no not back at them but rather staring back at Isaac. Already from a distance these two can sense each others ability.
"Would Jacob Edwards and Isaac Barrett please step up to the fighting floor!" the judge for their fight orders.
To Be Continued
Kiba: Amazing... I never realized that these two were this strong.
Isaac: If you wish for me to keep my end of the deal, you had better win.
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "Imperial Heart"
Jacob: You'll tell me where my sister is even if I have to drag it out of you!
Gold Paladin
Grade 0
Solar Fang Wolf
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
[Auto]: Forerunner (When a unit of the same clan rides this unit, you may call this unit to (RC))
[Act](RC) Generation Break 1 (This ability is active if you have one or more face up G Units in total on your (VC) or G Zone):[Put this unit into your soul] If you have a vanguard with "Gurguit" in its card name you may pay the cost. If you do, look at up to four cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one card among them, call it to (RC), shuffle your deck, and that unit gets [Power]+2000 until end of turn.
Solar Thieving Knight, Percy
Power: 5000 Shield: 10000
[Auto](RC):[Put this unit into your soul] When your vanguard attacks, if you have a grade 3 or greater vanguard with "Gurguit" in its card name, you may pay the cost. If you do, draw a card, choose one of your vanguards and it gets [Power]+5000 until end of that battle.
Grade 1
Shield Shine Knight, Wallace
Power: 7000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC) Generation Break 1 (This ability is active if you have one or more face up G Units in total on your (VC) or G Zone): When this unit is placed on your (RC) from your deck, if you have a vanguard with "Gurguit" in its card name, Counter Charge (1).
Grade 2
Holy Mage, Llull
Power: 9000 Shield: 5000
[Auto](RC) Generation Break 1 (This ability is active if you have one or more face up G Units in total on your (VC) or G Zone): [Counterblast 1 & Soulblast 1] When this unit is placed on (RC), if you have a grade 3 or greater vanguard with "Gurguit" in its card name, you may pay the cost. If you do, look at up to four cards from the top of your deck , search for up to one card among them, call it to (RC), shuffle your deck, and that unit and this unit gets [Power]+2000 until end of turn.