SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 35 out, this is Chapter 36 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairing: Kai/Ami, hints of Aichi/Kourin in Link Joker Arc

Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and Cardfight! Vanguard belong to Takeuchi-sensei and Akira Itō-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the pairing and the fic idea.

Chapter 36: The Battle Begins! Tournament Finals

"As expected, everyone looks formidable." Shin gawked at the gathered teams at the opening ceremony of the National Championship finals.

"That's the Hiroshima Team, Wonder Boys." Kamui recognized one of the teams participating. "The Osaka Team Wonder Angel. The Kumamoto Team, Southern Winds, is here too."

"I've seen all these teams before in the Monthly Vanguard." Shin noted.

"In other words, all these teams are all so strong, they appear in the magazine." Misaki summarized.

"Misaki, are you scared?" Shin blinked, seeing his niece tighten her fist.

"What are you talking about?" Misaki defended. "This is just trembling from excitement."

"Me too." Kamui shivered. "I'm trampling in excitement."

Cue everyone else's sighs.

"Hi, Q4." Mitsusada greeted the team.

"Team Caesar." Aichi blinked.

"Young lions, who have been selected from all over the country." MC Mya announced on stage. "Young hawks who are flapping their wings, you are the true Vanguards."

"Thank you for your patience, everyone." Rekka cut in.

"The Vanguard Championship," Kourin added.

"Tournament Finals," Suiko continued.

"Has begun." the pop-star group chorused.

"At last." Emi beamed from the stands.

"Kourin!" Morikawa cheered.

"Gathered here today are the 16 strongest teams from across the country." MC Mya took over. "So, let's start with a big round of applause for these young lions and young hawks. You're all great. The tension is rising..."

"And now, we'll explain the progression of the matches." Rekka cut him off.

"Unlike the preliminary rounds, the finals use a knockout competition." Kourin explained.

"So today, there'll be the first round, second round, all the way to to 14, the semi-final." Suiko took over. And the last two teams left..."

"Will be able to challenge each other." Rekka added.

"Here, tomorrow at the final battle." Kourin finished.

"And the winning team will gain what everyone wants." MC Mya declared. "What everyone desires. What everyone longs for. That Vanguard team will earn the title of 'the country's strongest'. Everyone, do you want to see the number one national Vanguard team? Next up, is the pledge for fair play. The person to give it is the leader of the team that won last time and who will participate this time as well, Team Foo Fighter AL4's Suzumgamori Ren."

"Everyone who is going to fight in the finals," Ren took the microphone. "Congratulations on getting this far, even though your chances of winning is zero. The members of my team, AL4, are incomparably strong. But than anything, I have a special power that only the chosen possess. That power subdues and humiliates everyone. Nothing pleases me more than seeing that. Victory belongs to me and AL4, no matter how hard everyone tries. But please entertain me with your pointless struggles. This has been Suzumgamori Ren's pledge for fair play." tossing the mike back to MC Mya, he strolled off the stage.

"Aichi sure got called out." Morikawa noted.

"No, I'm pretty sure we're all included in that." Izaki corrected.

"Man, that guy's a first-class arrogant jerk." Miwa agreed.

"What does 'arrogant' mean?" Emi asked.

"A person who thinks 'I'm the lord of Heaven and Earth.'" Miwa explained. "Someone's who's incredibly self-important."

"What was that about 'heaven and earth'?" Morikawa inquired.

"Never mind, not important." Miwa deathpanned. "But you need to study more."

"Now that everyone's all fired up, let's announce the pairings for the first match." clearing his throat, MC Mya declared and let the roulette spin.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.