Vanguard: Light Speed
Chapter 34
COPD OUT
In my last entry I watched a catfight between two charming ladies that would make harem manga protagonists proud, I talked about why said ladies feel the way they do, but all of that is nothing compared to the fact that I learned Nolan's little sis was in the hospital. I wanted to drop everything and go with Nolan as I actually like Sally like she were a second little sister, but I had my responsibilities to my team. After listening to my dad cuss me out for giving the wrong girl a tour of the city while I was stuck in traffic… I make it to the tournament hall with plenty of time to spare…. Two hours to be specific as Team Resurgence would be fighting first. By pure coincidence I happen to see my teammates sitting at a nearby table. If there was one thing I learned as a consolation….. it would be that my dad would bring Sade and cheer me on during the finals later that day…. or if we made it that far was what I thought. I wasn't expecting him to keep that promise, but still my hopes went up anyway.
"Hey Kiba, over here!" Virgil yelled as he waved his hand in the air due to being the first one to notice me.
"Sorry I'm late." I chuckled as I could feel myself being repeatedly stabbed by the daggers Dalette is starting at me with.
"As long as you're here." Dalette sighed as she decided to drop the issue before it becomes one, "You missed the announcement though."
"What announcement?" I curiously ask.
"It seems both semi-final matches will have a special rule." Dalette explained, "Team Resurgence's match is set to an elimination format. That means the winner of one fight keeps fighting starting a new game each time until he or she is defeated or defeats all members of the opposing team including alternates."
That was interesting news, and speaking of which I wanted to tell them about what happened to Sally but I decided against it. We all didn't need the distraction.
"The special rule for our match won't be announced until right before we fight." Raphugio said as he burned through a small army of hand wipes trying to clean car grease off his arms.
"You just get off work man?" I ask as Raphugio normally keeps himself clean whenever he enters an official tournament.
"Huh? Oh… no." Raphugio said when he finally registers my question after a few seconds, "Dropped by deck under my truck when I got here, and I bent over to pick it up I put my hands on the undercarriage to keep balance."
Normally if Raphugio were to say something like this I'd believe him, but to me it seemed like there was something on the back of his mind that was distracting him. I guess we all have our own problems in this one life we get. Dalette picks up on it as well (of which is to be expected of our fair leader), but we both choose not to say anything.
"So….. how was your date?" Dalette asked as she looked at me as though she wanted to literally stab me with daggers.
"It was eventful, but at the same time nothing really worth talking about." I answer as Virgil passes me a bottle of water.
"Oh really?" Dalette said inquisitively as she lifted up her phone to show me a picture on a random social media website.
"Pffffft." I mumble as I spit out the contents of my mouth due to the captions written above this particular picture.
The picture was just of Nolan fighting the disguised Sakura while I was standing amongst the crowd watching. The captions above that picture however were "Famed female fighter Nolan Elchart seen fighting with another woman over her childhood friend Kiba Nakashima". Oh… also no one gets wet because of my spit-take either.
"I thought you were just going to help your dad with work, of which I can accept… lying to me to go on a date is another matter entirely." Dalette said as if she caught me cheating on her with another woman.
Which I thought was weird back then since we weren't dating, and we were just friends so I don't get why she feels that way.
"The media is blowing things out of proportion again I swear!" I yell, "In short….. bumped into Nolan while giving girl a tour, girl was surprised I knew her, and in turn girl asked me to ask her if it was alright if they have a vanguard fight."
"I believe you." Dalette said before immediately calming down and putting away her phone.
However she was thinking…..
"Arghhh…. Sakura, you don't think I can't tell that's you under that wig. You're fighting style gave it away. I mean seriously you don't need to ask him to drum up an excuse…. If you want to talk to him just grow some balls and do it yourself." Dalette yelled within her own mind.
"So what should we do now?" Raphugio asks.
"Oh right." Dalette mumbled as if she suddenly recalled something important, "I forgot to mention that since the tournament directors are expecting heavy foot traffic….. they've arranged for some reserved seating for the remaining competitors and their guests. They're even taking effort to heavily enforce this fact, so that gives us the freedom to walk around before the first semi-final match starts."
"Still…. given the media hype cause of Team Red Star losing to these Resurgence guys…. there is bound to be an immense amount of foot traffic to just into the area where they set up the GIRS system." Virgil pointed out, "So how about we meet somewhere…. like say an hour before the match starts? That should give us plenty of time to force our way through the foot traffic together."
"I have no objections. I actually saw a few people I used to go to school with while we were waiting for Kiba here." Dalette revealed.
"Oh." Raphugio said as his curiosity was piqued, "You want to talk to a few old friends of yours?"
"No….. I want to avoid them if at all possible." Dalette answered as we could all tell she was recalling some unpleasant memories, "You might actually know them, but I'm not going to point it out."
Our first thought was that it was someone famous, but we all believed that there was no way that could be the case. Still… ohhhh the number of famous people I saw that day was ridiculous. That aside… after a few more minutes of polite conversation we all go our separate ways. Raphugio stayed where he was deciding to spend the time to tweak his decks, Virgil went to the food court since he hasn't had a chance to eat all day, asides from avoiding her apparent "old friends" I have no idea what Dalette was doing to kill time, and as for me…. I killed time looking around the miniature bazaar set up in the tournament hall.
"And how many copies would you like sir?" the stall clerk asked as I pointed to a card they had in their display case.
"Four please….. I'm going to need them for your matches today." I answer as I took my debit card out of my wallet.
"Oh…. you're on one of the competing teams? In that case….. my employer told me to give a discount to all regional competitors." The store clerk explained as she played with a few buttons on the cash register.
"You don't recognize me?" I ask.
I wasn't trying to be egotistical by saying that, but it's just that given the massive boost to my reputation I've been recognized all over town and I guess I expected that train to continue even now. It turned out that she's had so many people come by that unless it was someone blatantly famous…. the store clerk usually zones out their faces. With my shopping done I decided to go to the meeting area my friends I selected about 20 minutes early.
"We have to win this next match to make it to nationals, but I've done all I can so all I can do now is leave it to the gods of luck." I thought as I knew the chances of my team being able to beat Team Resurgence was only a molecule above 0.
I've explained before that the top two teams in each regional tournament get to go onto nationals, but asides from that there's a massive different in perks available. Things like getting more byes in the national prelims, you get put up in a better hotel, you even get access to a VIP competitors lounge, and a few other benefits that would take me a few lines of text to fully talk about. Anyways, as I'm walking I start to hear….
"You let her borrow what?!" a young girl quietly yelled.
What got my attention was that this girl clearly had a Russian accent, and the most noticeable Russians here were of course….
"I repeat….. you let her borrow what?!" Jasmine quietly yelled as I hid around the corner like a gossiping schoolgirl.
I was once again was amazed by the fact that Team Red Star can walk around in public without being hounded by fans, but what I didn't know at the time was that they learned how to blend into their surroundings without excessively disguising themselves like Sakura.
"You heard me, and I don't see what the problem is." Sebastian said as he was indifferent to whatever offense he made to his teammate, "If anything it'll make things more exciting."
"Pwhahahahaha…. Oh boss man… you are completely evil, but I totally approve." Micheal said as he burst out into laugher in response to whatever it was that made Jasmine angry.
"Those cards you let her borrow are extremely rare….she could try to sell them for a lot of money for crying out loud." Jasmine pointed out.
"Don't insult her honor…. she'd never do something like." Sebastian says with a great deal of force as he's clearly angered by his teammate's comment.
"Okay fine…. still she could study the card and use that information against you." Jasmine pointed out.
"Pwaha…. He he… I'm okay now." Micheal sighed, "Anyways…. if she wanted to study the card…. all she'd have to do is google it."
"No one asked you." Jasmine said as she pulled back her hand as if she was about to slap her teammate across the face.
At that moment I close my eyes, turn my head away, and perk up my ears in anticipation of the sound of a palm striking a facial cheek. In the end nothing actually happens and I open my eyes to see that some guy had grabbed Jasmine's arm mid-swing.
"Now now Jasmine….. you can't act on the pervert revenge mode trope until Micheal here tries something ecchi." a young man said in a trolling tone and with a heavy yet still easily understandable Chinese accent….. in Russian.
For the net few moments they continued to speak in Russian and at the time I didn't know the language, but for the next few lines you'll be reading the translation of that conversation here. As for the Russian speaking Chinese young man….. he had blatant Chinese facial features aside appeared to be in his early twenties, he had pale white yet clearly healthy looking skin, black hair tied into a short ponytail, brown eyes, and the expression on his face was like that of the main character's lovable goofball of a best friend. His outfit was just a simple dark purple shirt, black pants, and white tennis shoes.
"Let go of her, and just who are you anyway?" Michael asked as he acted concern for Jasmine, but secretly giving the man props for having the guts to actually touch his domineering teammate.
"I suggest you let-" Jasmine was saying before she was suddenly shocked into a state of silence, "Kahhh…"
At the time I might have not had any idea what they were saying because again they were speaking in Russian, but at that moment I could tell that Jasmine clearly knew whoever this was.
"I've been taught to be respectful of other cultures, but it's not apor…gahhh." Sebastian said as he had the same reaction as his teammates.
Sebastian and Jasmine quickly stand at attention like trained soldiers after they broke out into inaudible nonsense while Micheal was confused by this unexpected behavior.
"Instructor, we apologize for our rude behavior." Jasmine and Sebastian say in unison as they offer a bow of respect to this unnamed figure.
"Wait…. this is the guy? But he doesn't even look a year over-" Micheal was saying.
But Micheal was interrupted when his frightened teammates forced him to bow with vigor that was like the latter was trying to prevent the former from sending them all to their deaths.
"Please accept my apologies for my foolish friend." Jasmine pleaded.
"I'm honored to see instructor again, but I thought you'd be busy with your work for the embassy." Sebastian said as he made an attempt to regain his composure.
"My sister's cute children are on the team playing on the team fighting in the second semi-final rounds, so I took the time off to come support them as family should. Actually I've been here doing so since the regional tournament started, and I was surprised when I saw you two here." this guy explained, "How could I your teacher not want to take the chance to mess with his adorable students."
"I see…. well still even if you were here for your family… I offer my thanks to instructor for taking the time to see us." Jasmine said gratefully.
"Thank you adorable student number 2, but if you'll excuse my ex-chuuni of a sister will get mad if I keep reminiscing the whole time." the young man sighed.
When this young Chinese dude started to walk towards where I was hiding my first response was to stick my back to the corner, and the moment he started to walk pass me I couldn't help but stare at him. At that moment time started to slow down like that cliché bit when two rivals pass each other in a hallway, however I never actually considered this man as such a thing.
"You should keep your friends closer than your enemies." This young man whispers under his breath in English, "You never know when the former is truly the latter."
From an objective point of view one would think that this guy is just randomly mumbling, but even though his voice let alone gaze was directed straight ahead rather than being towards me….. it felt like he was saying that to me specifically. I have no reason to doubt my friends so I just take it as random mumbling, and once he was out of sight I head towards the meeting area my friends and I decided upon. It was a good thing too as despite our seats being RSVPD, it took as an hour for us to force our way through the zombie apocalypse level of foot traffic. Hell….. we only got to our seats just a few moments before they started doing announcements.
"Now I understand why there was far more foot traffic than even the tournament board expected there to be." Dalette whispers after looking around the room.
"What do you mean?" Virgil asks.
"Just look around and you'll understand." Dalette said as she sat down and directed part of her gaze to the fighting floor.
"Hey that's." Virgil was saying before going momentarily speechless, "Behind us are the Mexican reps for the world tournament Team Juarez."
I was surprised to see another world class team here, but given recent events it makes sense though I didn't realize it at that exact moment in time. I would soon enough though.
"Over there are China's and Canada's teams….. Hulao Gate and Rideau Falls." Raphugio pointed out, "Australia's Team Outback Koala too."
"Look…. even Team Rizal Basilica from the Philippines are here." I point out.
Remember how I said Dalette's gaze was partially drawn to somewhere other than the fighting floor? Well I look in that other direction and see three people in white school that a half-blooded Japanese like me should be able to recognize.
"Making their debut on the world stage my getting second place in last year's world tournament and students of the Vanguard-centric Fukuhara High's Vanguard clu-" I was saying.
"Team Suzugamori…. Though they go to Fukuhara High….. they aren't actually members of their Vanguard club." Dalette said as she interrupted me.
First of all the three members of Team Suzugamori named themselves as such in honor of their school's indirect founder Ren Suzugamori. Secondly, seeing that I was confused by her statement Dalette continues….
"Certainly they wanted to take advantage of Fukuhara's training courses, however ultimately they wanted to reach the world stage through their own power. In fact they defeated the team representing Fukuhara's Vanguard Club in the finals of the Japanese Nationals, but they still wore their school uniform through their nationals and the world tournament out of respect." Dalette explained.
"How do you know what?" I ask.
I didn't notice it, but while Dalette was staring at the members of Team Suzugamori….. their captain was staring back.
"It doesn't matter how I know, but now you see where there was so much traffic?" Dalette said, "There are others you all missed, but the ones you named as you all know were in the top 10 at last year's world tournament."
"Rather than see it through a video… these top-class teams wanted to see with their own eyes the strength that proved it capable of crushing Red Star." Raphugio deduced.
"Yes….. but for now we should just sit back and enjoy the show." Dalette retorts.
As we were speaking the two famous Masters of Ceremony behind this fight Sarah and Dr. O junior had finished with announcing the competing teams as well as repeating the explanation behind the special rule for this match. Now it was just a matter of both teams deciding who they wanted to send first. For Team Resurgence the easy choice was…
"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" Nikki and Will yelled as they were deciding the turn order with a classically simple method.
"Now now…. no need for that. Let the maid among you give some good service instead." Abygail said in an airheaded tone so strong that it could give the god-tier stoic of Persona 4 Yu Narukami a run for his money.
"You really need to stop saying such misleading things." Tsubasa said as she couldn't help but face palm herself in response to her captain's innocent innuendo.
"Hmm…. but all these really famous people came here for a show." Abygail retorts, "As the team captain it's my responsibility to give them this deepest desire of theirs."
"Okay…. that's all well and good…. and if you want to fight first that's fine….. just one thing." Tsubasa mumbles.
"What would that be?" Abygail asks.
"Do you have to do it in a maid's outfit?!" Abygail's three teammates yelled at the same time.
Yes…. Abygail was indeed wearing a maids uniform…. the stereotypical kind you'd see in anime all the time… in fact…. this particular outfit also happens to be her work uniform.
"How rude….. I came here straight from work and didn't have time to change." Abygail pouted, "Ah but don't worry I'll change after we win."
If Sebastian was here he'd probably get the ever classical nosebleed in response to this sight, but that aside Abygail easily overwhelms her first two opponents with her top-tier world class strength. In each fight she was using a different deck as if to show off. In the first fight she used the deck she beat Sebastian with, in the second fight she used an Alfred Exiv deck, and in the last fight….. well, read and find out.
Abygail – Rean
2 – Hand – 5
2 – Soul – 3
5 – Damage – 5
1 – Counterblast – 3
F(0) U(16) – G-Zone – F(4) U(12)
White Rainbow Liberator, Balan / Empty – Ideal Maiden, Thuria / Greenshot Elf
Liberator, Cheer Up Trumpeter / Steel Spear Liberator, Bleoberis – Ranunculus Flower Maiden, Ahsha
White Rainbow Liberator, Balan / Empty – Greenshot Elf / Greenshot Elf
"Abygail Ingrid, the lady maid who defeated the world's strongest Sebastian Glazkov has finally been pushed to the edge after easily defeating the first two members of the opposing team!" Sarah announced, "Could we see someone else take the title of "Strongest" in this lone regional tournament? Or does this lady still have tricks up her blouse."
"Regardless…. it won't be easy. Granted she was able to tear down a hand twice this size not too long ago, but that was with a deck built around repeated attacks. If Abygail is running the deck I believe she is…. she won't have that option here. I have to give her opponent props for pushing her this far." Dr. O explained.
"Pushing her this far my ass…. If I didn't get lucky and pull heal triggers the last few turns…. I'd have lost a long time ago. Shit this is so unfair." Rean thought, "But still….. I am no coward….. I will see this fight through the end."
Abygail's opponent however had entirely different thoughts on the matter given the fact that he was sweating bullets and was barely able to stand the pressure of Abygail fighting "casually", but that in itself was also impressive regardless.
"Release those entrapped by hopeless, enter the fray, shining king of all knights! Break ride Liberator, Monarch Sanctuary Alfred [Power: 11000]!"
"There it is Vanguard fans…. one of the legendary forms of the king of knights, but will his power be enough to become Abygail's light?" Sarah announced.
"Break ride skill: Superior call two of my avatars of golden light! Blaster Blade Liberator [Power: 9000]!" Abygail declared.
"Well….. I guess it's time that we start getting ready for our fight." I say aloud since the crowd is silently anticipating the moves of this airheaded dark horse.
"Yup." Dalette said as she and I get up from our seats at the same time.
Raphugio silently follows along with our train of thought, but Virgil seems confused by it since from his perspective it's still the start of Abygail's turn….. and there should be plenty of chances for Rean to survive. My best friend here was only thinking like that because there was one detail that he forgot to consider.
"He's out of heal triggers, and Abygail has the strength to make her own luck." Raphugio said calmly.
After that explanation Virgil followed us out without complaint, but I could still tell that he wanted to see the fight through to the end. Still…. there wasn't much Rean could do in the face of an 115k attack with 5 critical going down the center line without a perfect guard. Everyone's favorite announcer duo declared that there would be an hour intermission before our fight starts. My friends and I waited in silence as we couldn't help but have our confidence shaken by the sight of Abygail casually destroying an entire team solo. Still…. the hour soon passes leaving us no choice but to make do with what faith in ourselves we had left. A few minutes later the lights have been dimmed, my teammates as well as our opponents are sitting at their assigned areas, and now we're just waiting for everyone's favorite announcing duo.
"And….. we're back Vanguard fans to the second semi-final match of this regional tournament, but….. Oh my there doesn't seem to be anywhere near as many people here as the last one!" Dr. O announced once the spotlight started to shine over him and his colleague.
"I don't mean for this to sound like I'm speaking bad of our remaining two teams, but I can understand why. The people think that there's no way whoever wins this matchup will be able to defeat Team Resurgence." Sarah pointed out. That however is the wrong idea to have as several champions have been defeated by people who didn't stand a chance."
Compared to the packed tournament hall that existed an hour ago…. there appears to be barely enough people to fill up a third of the tournament hall.
"Can't say I blame them as I happen to agree with the tournament announcer's train of thought.
"Exactly, and that doesn't mean the fight you're about to see next won't be exciting either." Dr. O said before suddenly placing his hand over his mic.
The reason he did so was because Dr. O was receiving a message and didn't want his mic to accidentally pick it up.
"I've just received word that there are still a few famous teams watching this fight. Since they've done us an honor by coming here….. let's give them a little taste of the American spotlight." Sarah announced.
There was actually only five famous teams watching our fight. The first was Team Hulao Gate though they seemed to be more interested in our opponents for some reason, Team Suzugamori with this time their gaze being directed towards us, 2/3 members of Team Star Ocean are sitting in the far back corner somehow unnoticed by the crowd though I didn't notice them at the time, our infamous rivals of Team Strike Shadow, and finally sitting three rows down with a three seat buffer in all directions are the members of Team Red Star.
"So remind me again why we're here when we could be training for nationals?" Preston asked in a haughty manner, "I mean what's the point in watching a fight for second place?"
"If one team could do the impossible then that'll make others want to do it." Teresa said casually, but on the inside she strongly desired to give Will some payback.
"What do you mean?" Preston asked with a confused expression.
"We like the few other teams present are her because the emergence of Team Resurgence made us (and by that I mean the Vanguard community) think if one team could come out of nowhere with world class strength….. could another?" Isaac explained, "If either of these teams have such hidden strength they'll have no choice but to show it here."
"I guess that makes sense when you put it that way, but if we're going to see anything….. it'll probably come from the other team."
By "other team" Preston meant our opponents, but I can't blame him for having that train of thought. Since three out of the four of us fought in the Vanguard Expo's random selection tournament they're already familiar with what our strength was and what it could be now. Meanwhile the announcers…..
"But enough sidebar." Dr. O said aloud, "Let's get on with introducing our competitors here today.
"Ah yes of course…. ahem….. With three out of their four members making an excellent showing at the Vanguard Ezpo not too long ago….. we have Team Destiny Breaker!" Sarah yelled.
Since it was the semi-finals….. the spotlights being shined upon us were brighter than usual, but thankfully it wasn't to the point of blinding us. Still…. even though there wasn't that many people watching our fight…. we still got a decent applause.
"Their opponents….. are the trio with the most 2-0 victories next to team Resurgence… and partially wuxia titled group….. Team Sacred Runes!" Dr. O followed.
Team Sacred Runes consisted of a pair of Chinese twins of opposite genders standing upright, and there was a guy sitting down between hiding his face with a black hoodie with a purple shirt sticking out. There was one strange thing about that hooded guy…. Namely the fact that even though he seemed relaxed to the point of sleeping and was completely vunerable…. He gave my friends and I the feeling that there was absolutely no openings.
"So you all noticed it too?" Dalette said confirming my earlier statement, "Well you should also know…. that hooded guy is their ace."
"Say…. what do you know about our opponents boss lady?" I ask.
"I don't know much about their ace since he's only fought a few times, but from what I saw the twins are pretty strong. They have to be since they're responsible for their teams mostly 2-0 record. In fact I'd say their definitely make it past National's preliminary round provided they don't face any of the heavy hitters with their strength alone." Dalette answered.
"What about their clan choice?" Raphugio asks.
"The male twin constantly uses different Tachikaze decks in each rounds, so I can't tell you what to expect when he fights." Dalette said after momentarily pondering the issue, "As for the girl…. she uses Blade Master Kagero, but I can't offer any advice for her either since she's shown that she's capable of perfectly adjusting her fighting style according to her opponent."
"What about their supposed ace?" Virgil asked.
Dalette was interrupted before she could even speak when everyone's favorite MC duo made a particularly loud and very important announcement pertaining to this match.
"And now to announce the special rule for this match, but for that we ask you all turn to the big screen we've set up." Dr. O announced.
A simple video started to play the moment we turned to the screen that's been normally used to announce match pairings. First a faded blue and red light started to flash on the screen, then a recording of a police siren started to play, and finally in big blocky black text the words "COPD Out" appeared on screen.
"It is the Clan of Previous Deck Out rule….. or COPD Out for short." Dr. O explained.
"What this rule means is that for this fight…. the individual fighters who go up to the playing field are forbidden from using a deck from a clan they've already used throughout this regional tournament!" Sarah announced.
Dalette and the hooded guy from the other team were able to remain calm when they heard the news, but the rest of us (including the twins on the other team) were visibly shocked. Then as if sensing that we were about to object….
"Before our honorable competitors get the wrong idea….. this only applies to the individual fighters…. meaning whoever is selected to go up and represent their team can use their teammate's decks as long as it's of a different clan or if you have deck of a clan you have yet to use…. you can use that." Dr. O explained.
"Ha…" the hooded guy chuckled as if he understood some hidden secret about this rule.
"I see…. so that's their aim." Dalette mumbled as she too seemed to have understood something.
It wasn't just these two…. some of the stronger as well as the smarter fighters amongst the crowd watching us especially the few world class teams present also realized the hidden meaning of this rule.
"Ha ha…. how shameless for the land of freedom to do such a thing." the captain of Team Hulao Gate said.
"I wonder if this rule will force her to use the deck that we first met her with." the captain of Team Suzugamori silently chuckled.
"How clever…. Being forced to use a different clan will show the hidden strength of both team's unity through the mastery of each other's clans….. or the hidden strength of an individual member through a third party clan. It looks like even the tournament board of directors want to see if there are any teams with hidden strength like Team Resurgence by starting with this fight." Isaac amusingly thought, "Show me Destiny Breakers….. no….. show me Kiba Nakashima that you have the strength to honor your name after being forced into a different fate."
As if to show consideration due to the sheer unexpectedness of this special rule, our two favorite MCs and the judge leave my team as well as Team Sacred Runes some to discuss a game plan. Eventually it was decided that Dalette would use the backup deck she forgot during our tag-fight together, Virgil would borrow my Eradicator Legion deck if he goes up, and similarly I would borrow one of Dalette's Sky Paladin decks. I had expected Raphugio to do the same, but he said that he would use one of his alternate decks if it came down to it. That ended up concerning me because there's only one deck of one clan that he'd use outside of Dark Irregulars.
"Are you sure that you want to do that man?" I ask in a concerned tone of voice, "You know what that deck does to you."
"I know…. but don't worry I'll be fine." Raphugio said as he tried but failed to hide the unease in his tone of voice.
"The first fight of the second semi-final match shall be between Raphugio Gomez of Team Destiny Breaker and Chun Harumi of Team Sacred Runes!" the judge declared.
That little statement of the judge caught a few of us with our pants down as Raphugio's name was posted on the big screen before we even realize it.
"I might have saw him earlier, but no….. it can't be him…. he retired from Vanguard….. his sister must have just named one of her kids after him." Sebastian thought as he started sweating bullets the moment he heard the name of Team Sacred Runes' representative.
"Is my hair straight, my blouse buttoned up correctly, and is my makeup on right?" Jasmine mumbled as she was freaking out as badly as her leader.
In fact the way Jasmine was freaking out was almost like she was caught unprepared for a surprised military uniform inspection.
"Is this Chun guy really that amazing?" Micheal couldn't help but ask given the state of his two teammates.
"Jasmine, just this once you have my permission to smack him." Sebastian said as he suddenly shot his teammate an angry glare.
Insert a slap to the back of Micheal's neck here via Jasmine's hand. The four members of Team Strike Shadow who overheard what these Russian fighters were saying all had questions as to why they were acting tis way including the normally stoic Isaac, but they all decided to turn their attention to the floor below them and let this Chun Harumi's fighting answer those questions. Still their question was the same one I had when I saw Team Red Star earlier. Namely….. what kind of person do you have to be to put this kind of reaction in two of the strongest Vanguard fighters in the world.
"Darn…. I wanted to go first." I said aloud with an almost childlike disappointment in his voice.
"Be careful what you wish for." Dalette said as she jokingly pats me on the back.
Meanwhile in the fortress of doo…. I mean the stands, Sakura started to glare daggers at our leader.
"Since… you're…. technically his captain…. I'll let you get away this." Sakura quietly grumbled.
"Hmmm.. oh I see." Teresa mumbled as she realized through her powers as the team mom why Sakura was staring back and forth between Dalette and I.
"What do you see?" Sakura asks as she overhead her teammate's mumbling.
"Oh nothing nothing at all…. Still oh to be young and in love." Teresa said with a smile.
"Wha…. lo..lo… what?" Sakura mumbled as her face turned red out of embarrassment.
Meanwhile back in the Hall of Ju…. our team's side of the fighting floor.
"You said that you didn't know much about their third member, but what do you know boss lady?" Virgil curiously asked.
"Like I've said before he's only had to fight three times throughout this tournament, as for everything else…. each time he used Touken Ranbu. His fighting style was really strange…. his skill with that clan is definitely way higher than the last guy we fought with them… yet it seemed at the same time he was rusty with the deck like he hadn't touched it in months or even years….. also I got the feeling that in each of those three fights he was showing just the bare minimal strength needed to beat his opponents, so even I can't tell how strong he really is. Then again….. given his clan choice I'm not surprised." Dalette sighed as her face gained a worrisome expression.
"How does that matter?" I curiously ask.
"I've said it before that Touken Ranbu is perhaps the most difficult clan to use in the game… easy to learn yet hard to master, but the few who are able to master this clan….. well let's just say that it's rare when they lose to someone of the same skill level. In addition this clan's sheer flexibility makes it easy for a practitioner of this clan to hide their skill level, but all that is not why I'm concerned." Dalette answered.
"Again…. how does that matter?" I ask.
"Best case scenario: He's just a fighter who hasn't played in a while that decided to help out his friends. Worst case scenario: He's stopped playing Touken Ranbu because he's found another clan that he's mastered to an even greater degree and wanted to hide that fact. Since the special rule of this match prevents him from using a Touken Ranbu deck….. we'll have the answer soon enough." Dalette explained.
It was then that Virgil and I realized what Dalette was worried about. With the unique traits of Touken Ranbu allowing this Chun to hide his strength combined with the possibility of him possessing greater mastery with a different clan means (though I doubt it being anywhere near the level of fighters like Isaac, Sebastian, or Abygail) he could be capable of showing strength far greater than what Raphugio could bring to the stage at the time. Still we were worried but we weren't giving up as strength alone doesn't determine the victor in a Vanguard fight.
"You should take off your hood. It's disrespectful to your opponent." Raphugio declared in a serious tone that is unusual for him to have as his hooded opponent stepped onto the field.
"Oh don't worry I will…. I just had it on so no one would recognize me." Chun said with a heavy Chinese accent as by pure coincidence he almost perfectly emulated the nature of Abygail's airheaded nature.
"What are you someone famous?" Raphugio asked.
"In Vanguard… no, but you might recognize me depending on how much you follow worldly affairs." Chun said calmly as he took off his hood.
Spoiler alert… and if it wasn't already obvious enough….. this Chun was none other than the guy I saw talking to the members of Team Red Star not too long ago.
"IT IS HIM!" Jasmine and Sebastion internally scream in unison as their souls practically leave their bodies.
"Him?" I thought due to what's written in the aforementioned italic sentence.
After noticing the surprised expression on my face, I then spend a couple of minutes explaining to Dalette and Virgil my encounter with this guy.
"If he's capable of making the captain of Team Red Star react like that…. then there's no way this Chun Harumi is by any means a weak fighter." Dalette mumbled as she clicked her tongue, "Talk about bad luck for the first fight."
"I mean no disrespect to your teammates as I say this, but I'm surprised you took the time to help out a pair of teenagers." Raphugio pointed out, "I mean shouldn't you be frantically studying for exams or something."
"Huh….. so you don't know." Chin whispered under his own breath, "Just how old do you think I am?"
"Early 20s." Raphugio answered, "But since you bothered to ask... you must actually be much older or much younger than you look right?"
"Well you're half right about your first guess… I am in my "early something"….. to be specific I'm in my mi….. early 40s." Chun said as he casually drops that bomb.
Insert a mass "What?!" in various languages here, but in all seriousness I know from personal experience that people of Asian descent tend to look younger than they actually are. Hell… I once saw a Japanese lady in her early 60s that without make up looked like she was 20. I was of the people who had the "What?!" reaction because I've never seen a male of Asian descent look that young without makeup.
"Really…. I am indeed in my early 40s, but I'm still in the spring time of my youth thanks to the gods of time... or rather a god of time" Chun bragged in a haughty manner, "In fact it drives my ex-chuuni of a sis insane that I've never had to deal with wrinkles. Still you are right about how it's unusual how I'm on a team with twins. Truth is my sis's triplets wanted to enter as a team but the eldest girl fell sick. Twins you're seeing behind me are just two thirds of the set."
"Even if you're trying to help out family… it's not appropriate to join as a filler if you aren't going to take the game seriously." Raphugio pointed.
"Ha…. little boy…. I've experienced Vanguard at a level of seriousness you'd never believe." Chun laughed as a momentary sullen look appeared on his face, "But… I couldn't possibly resist my two adorable nieces and my cute little sister saying to me in a cutesy tone 'Please help me onii-chan.'"
"Sister and I never said that!" screamed the female twin.
"I know, but your mother did." Chun chuckled, "I also remember the countless times you're ex-chuuni mother used to threaten to burn me with her magical dark flames. In fact I think the video that did a side by side comparison of her and anime character from-"
Before Chun could even finish that sentence a boot comes flying out of one of the more crowded sections of the bleachers, smacking him across the face as he was searching for something on his phone, and knocking him to the ground.
"URUSAI ONII-CHAN! Don't you dare bring up that video or I'll hit you with my boot!" a middle-aged Chinese woman screamed.
"Ah my adorable Bao Bao… say that before you hurt your precious brother." Chun said in a teasing tone as he metaphorically brushes off the boot-shaped mark on his cheek.
It was at that moment that I thought that I'd never see the day when a GUY could out genki girl Abygail to the point where even the judge is too shocked by his Chun's childlike behavior to stop him, and let me follow up by saying he's not done trolling people yet. Ohhhh far from it, and he finds more than enough material to keep going when he spots a certain trio sitting in the stands. I'm sure you can guess which trio I'm referring to…. Spoiler Alert: Team Red Star of course.
"Oh and in case any of you are wondering why she said "onii-chan"... we're half Japanese on my mom's side." Chun laughed
"Say sis…" the male twin or rather triplet mumbled, "Why did we ask uncle Chun to help us?"
"I don't know any more." The female triplet whispered.
"Ah…. master here is also happy to see that his two favorite students came to watch him fight." Chun said as he happily waved his hand like an idiot to very specific members of the crowd.
Jasmine and Sebastian are familiar down to the very fiber of their beings the kind of person Chun is. They don't dare to answer his call unless they no longer choose to care about their public reputation.
"How rude to not acknowledge your master." Chun pouts like a school girl, "If you don't I'll call a friend in MSS and have him hack into your Twitter account to post that embarrassing picture when you were 7 of you wearing your mother's-"
MSS standing for Ministry of State Security while also being the Chinese equivalent of the CIA in case anyone was wondering
"Alright…. alright!" Sebastian screamed as he no longer deal with the thought of his reputation being nuked to hell, "This disciple greets his master."
Insert another "What?!" in multiple languages here please.
"There…. that wasn't so hard." Chun said happily before turning his attention back to Raphugio, "Ah…. I see you're confused. Since Sebastian and Jasmine's parents are high ranking government officials in the Kremlin…. as a means to suck up to their government… I was asked by mine to be their home tutor on foreign affairs, and even taught them how to play Vanguard at their insistence to boot."
"Who… who are you?" Raphugio asked before his brain stopped functioning due to the sheer troll-iness of his opponent.
"Ah yes… since I've had my fun… time for me to formally reintroduce myself." Chun mumbled.
Most of the child-like energy that Chun was giving off at that moment completely disappeared, and it was replaced by someone…. who was almost all business.
"My name is Chun Harumi. Formally the head of security for the Chinese Embassy in Russia and tutor to two of the world's strongest Vanguard fighters. After accepting the position for the sake of being able to spend more time with my family…. I now serve as the Chinese Ambassador to the United States."
Insert for the third… and hopefully last time "What?!" in multiple languages please.
"I've disrupted all these nice people with my nonsense long enough, so we should actually get to starting our fight don't you think?" Chun suggested.
It was here that these two finally inserted their deck into the GIRS system scanner, set down their starting Vanguards, and at last did their mulligan.
We're waiting on you Mr. Judge." Chun said.
"Ah yes… of course." the judge mumbled as he was still in a daze due to Chun's earlier antics, "Let the first fight of the second semi-final match begin!"
"Yes….. let's." Chun whispered.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" both fighters yelled.
"Brass-winged Gear Hawk [Power: 4000]!" Chun yelled.
"Fetter Creator, Van [Power: 5000]!" Raphugio yelled.
No one heard what Chun said before that ever famous line that signifies the start of a fight was spoken, howoever it was at that moment the tension in the room started to rise at a high rate. By the time anyone noticed the tension in the room was almost on the level of the tension that existed during Abygail and Sebastian's fight, however this tension is coming from Chun alone rather than a clash between strong fighters. There was also something very different about the air he gave off as well. The tension with Abygail and Sebastian and even Jacob and Isaac was more like I was being crushed with a thousand pound weight being spread across my body. Here in this fight….. it was like all my deepest fears and nightmares was exacerbated into its worst possible form and forcibly played in front of me like a horror movie. Back then I had no idea what this feeling could possibly be, but there was one person among us who did.
"This is….. killing intent." Dalette fearfully mumbled.
To Be Continued
Kiba: Who… who is this guy?
Chun: This is the Vanguard of someone who's touched death itself.
Virgil: What….. why is Raphugio so calm?
Kiba: Next time on Vanguard: Light Speed "COPD A Plea"
Raphugio: More…. More….. show me MORE!
A/N: As some of you may or may not have noticed, this Chun Harumi is none other the older version of my friend ShuzoKubo's main character of his VG story Chaos Reborn. While chatting a few days ago about plot plans and ideas for plot advancement and without revealing any spoilers for his story….. it had given me the perfect inspiration certain parts of future chapters of VGLS. In conclusion, Shuzo…. thank you for letting me borrow your MC….. and regular readers of VGLS…. I hope you enjoy this little cross-promotion bit.