SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 44 out, this is Chapter 45 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

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 45: Awakening of the Twin Blades

"You're a fool." Ren mocked, both opponents stared down each other. "It doesn't matter that you made it here, you're just going to lose."

"The win or loss isn't decided yet." Aichi fired back.

"It's impossible to beat me." Ren bragged. "You know it, don't you? As long as I have the power of Psyqualia, everything foes my way. This power is everything. And for he who possesses it, everything is allowed. I told you before, the powerless fall into despair and those with power get all the glory."

"I don't accept that way of thinking." Aichi snapped.

"What?" Ren frowned.

"Stand up Vanguard!"

"Aichi, you can see it, too, couldn't you?" Ren taunted. "My road to victory. You, too, will be brought to your knees as everything goes my way. Did you recall a little bit? The power of Psyqualia. I ride Blaster Javelin. Fullbau's skill. Turn end."

"Draw." Aichi took his turn. "I ride Marron. Wingal Brave moves. Gancelot's skill. Call. I attack Blaster Javelin."

"No guard." Ren declared.

"Drive trigger check." Aichi drew a card. "Wingal Brave boosts. Knight of Friendship, Kay attacks."

"I guard with Abyss Freezer." Ren blocked the attack. "And now it's my turn, isn't it? Swallow up everything in darkness, my avatar. I ride Blaster Dark. Call. Skull Witch, Nemain. Counterblast. Call. Demon World Castle, DonnerSchlag, attack Knight of Friendship, Kay."

"Knight of Friendship, Kay can power up if the Vanguard is Blaster Blade." Miwa mused. "So he's going to annihilate any chance of that."

"I attack Marron with Blader Dark." Ren continued his attack.

"No guard." Aichi declared.

"Check the drive trigger." Ren drew a card. "And now, I think I'll let you taste it again." in Blaster Dark's form, he moved right in front of Aichi who was in Marron's form. "The power that you turned your back on. So, imagine it. Blaster Dark mowing you down with his sword."

"This is..." Aichi found himself transported to Planet Cray with Blaster Dark standing in front of him, sword drawn as he slashed downwards. "Damage check." he breathed.

"Is this is what happens?" Ren grinned. "Gururubau boosts. I attack with Skull Witch, Nemain."

"No guard." Aichi declared.

"It appears that my Psyqualia is getting stronger." Ren chuckled. "And for that purpose..."

"His imagination has gotten stronger, too." Aichi realized.

"You've never felt so humiliated and powerless, have you?" Ren mocked. "This power is really wonderful. Don't you agree? This is Psyqualia, the power that you rejected."

"I didn't reject Psyqualia." Aichi corrected. "But the power is too strong. If I used it now, I will get addicted to its strength. Like I was before, and like you now, Ren. That's why, I'm..."

"That's..." Izaki gasped when Aichi raised a card.

"Stand up, my avatar!" Aichi slammed Blaster Blade down. "I ride Blaster Blade! So I won't become what I was. I refuse to use Psyqualia. Instead, I'm gonna fight with everything I've got. Counterblast. DonnerSchlag exits the field. Call. Marron, please. Drive check. Critical trigger." in Blaster Blade's form, he leapt to attack Blaster Dark. "I add +5000 to the power of Bedivere. And I give the extra critical to Blast Blade."

"Stupid." Ren, in Blaster Dark's form, chided, both warriors clashing blades. "Do you really think you can win when I'm using Psyqualia?"

"You trampled on Kai's feelings when he tried desperately to save you, as your friend." Aichi growled. "Kai's feelings didn't reach you."

"What?" Ren echoed.

"Hooked on almighty power, you think it's okay to do anything." Aichi spat. "I don't wanna become like that. You're making a mistake." he parried off Blaster Dark and struck. "With a boost from Wingal Brave, Bedivere attacks. Bedivere's skill increases is power by +3000."

"Heal trigger." Ren remarked, a heal trigger landing in his damage zone. "I heal 1 point of damage. You thought you've dealt me 3 damage this turn, didn't you? But I foresaw this development from the beginning. Still, now I understand, it's not Psyqualia you're rejecting, it's me. Cursed dragon, come out and muster your dark power. I ride Phantom Blaster Dragon."

"When Blaster Dark is in the Soul, Phantom Blaster Dragon..." Miwa started.

"Gets +1000 power." Aichi hissed.

"Call." Ren summoned Darkside Trumpeter.

"Here it comes..." Miwa warned.

"Yeah..." Izaki swallowed.

"That Damned... whatever thing." Morikawa stated.

"It's Damned Charging Lance." Renji supplied.

"DCL, yo." Eiji deathpanned.

"Here I go, Aichi." Ren declared. "Phantom Blaster Dragon's skill, Damned Charging Lance. Nemain, Gururubau, Darkside Trumpeter. Sacrifice yourselves to the cursed dragon. As long as I have this power, I can do what I want with you. Then, I put a Phantom Blaster Dragon here, too. And now, I'm going to move. I attack with my Vanguard, Phantom Blaster Dragon."

"I guard with Alabaster Owl and Starcall Trumpeter." Aichi fended. "I also intercept with Bedivere. "20000 total shield and Blaster Blade's 9000, it;s possible to guard against him."

"Check the drive trigger." Ren drew two cards. "Second check. I got a critical trigger. I give all the effects to my rear-guard Phantom Blaster Dragon."

"Even the rear-guard Phantom Blaster Dragon has a 2 critical..." Miwa muttered.

"Phantom Blaster Dragon." Ren ordered the attack.

"No guard." Aichi declared.

"Picture it." Ren taunted. "Can't move, can you?" he mocked, transporting both of them to Planet Cray and having Phantom Blaster Dragon hold Aichi in its grasp. "What do you think, Aichi? Frustrating, didn't it? You want to get stronger, don't you? There's only one way to do that."

"No!" Aichi broke free of his activating Psyqualia.

"Why?" Ren was puzzled. "If you use it, you could be strong again. Aichi, don't you want revenge for last night? You remember, don't you? I trampled him, made him look stupid and pathetic. He could do nothing but surrender. I'm talking about that loser, Kai."

"Don't you talk about Kai that way!" Aichi snapped.

"How passionate." Ren tsked. "Burning anger is good, but it's pointless. Right now, you have no power. No matter how much you crave revenge, you can't gain it."

"Damage recoil?" Ami breathed in horror, seeing Aichi hit by the damage rebound he took from Phantom Blaster Dragon. Has Suzumgamori Ren's Psyqualia advanced this much?

"Damage check." Aichi drew two cards. "Second check."

"Turn end." Ren declared.

"Stand and draw." Aichi took his turn. "See the king in his younger days as he blazes a trail with his knights. I ride Alfred Early! Next, the King of Knights' sworn ally stands at his side. I superior call Blaster Blade. Exit the field, Phantom Blaster Dragon."

"Silly." Ren chided. "You'll never beat me with weak units like that. I'm sure Kai feels bitter, too. His friend won't avenge him, or even try to get stronger. But I guess there's nothing for it, huh? In the end, both you and Kai are insects. You're powerless against me. Being crushed by me is inevitable."

"I..." Aichi hissed, finally activating his Psyqualia in response. "I'm not going to take any more from you. Light isn't the only thing standing beside him." Aichi played Blaster Dark, "Darkness also stands with the King of Knights. Stand, my avatar. I call Blaster Dark.""

"Say what?" Miwa gaped.

"Shadow Paladin!" Kai muttered.

"And in the end, he had no choice, huh?" Ami mused, igniting Harmonia's Cosmo in response.

"Blaster Dark..." Ren noted.

"With a boost from Wingal Brave, Blade Blade attacks." Aichi continued his attack.

"Guard." Ren fended. "Death Feather Eagle."

"With a boost from Marron, Alfred Early..." Aichi had Alfred Early attack Phantom Blaster Dragon. "Twin drive. First check. Second check. Draw trigger. I give the power to Blaster Dark. Long time no see, Blaster Dark." he rested two fingers on the Shadow Paladin. "It's your attack at last. Let's use our power to make Ren feel helplessness and despair. Please picture it." this time, it was Aichi who transported them both to Planet Cray. "I had forgotten how this felt. Power is coursing through my body. Please have a taste. It's your favorite despair and the abyss of powerlessness." he thrust Blaster Dark's sword straight at Ren.

"There you go, Aichi." Ren chuckled. "You've become what you hated the most. So, you finally used Psyqualia, huh? But you're still going to lose this fight. That's why Psyqualia tells me."

"Have you ever fought against another person who possesses Psyqualia?" Aichi questioned. "This is a fight without precedent. Neither one of us knows what's going to happen. You may be the one who'll feel despair and humiliation."

"Interesting..." Ren mused.

That's far enough! Harmonia's voice echoed in both Cardfighters' minds.

She actually curtailed both Aichi's and Ren's Psyqualia? Kai was stunned when he witnessed Harmonia's Cosmo flame keeping both Cardfighters' Psyqualia auras in check.

The both of you, have you forgotten your original roles? Harmonia reminded. Don't lose your true selves.

"The real..." Aichi muttered. Releasing his Psyqualia.

"If you aren't the real Aichi, then who is?" Ren mocked. "Hungry for power, seeking to be stronger than anyone. That is certainly the true Aichi that is lurking within you. Yes, the same as me." his Psyqualia aura magnified.

"The true me..." Aichi mumbled.

"Final Turn." Ren declared, drawing the card he wanted. "It seems that what Psyqualia showed me was absolutely correct." "Crying out in despair in the chaos that is silence. The power of shadowy darkness, obscuring the vision, all mine. I crossride, Phantom Blaster Overlord. Remember, Aichi, what happened last night. If you're not going to use Psyqualia, I'll just have to make you realize 'The powerless fall into despair and those with power get all the glory.' Phantom Blaster Overlord's skill adds +2000 power. As long as there is a Phantom Blaster Dragon in the Soul, this power will last forever. Call. With a boost from Grim Reaper, Phantom Blaster Overlord Persona Blast."

"28000 power." Aichi gasped.

"And a 2 critical." Miwa added.

"How can he defend against this attack?" Izaki panicked.

"Looks like it's all over for Aichi this turn." Morikawa sighed.

"I'm gonna guard." Aichi declared. "Lien. Kay. Llew. Margal."

"You don't want power?" Ren taunted. "Then, you're powerless to stop me. Realize your own stupidity. First check. I got a heal trigger. I add +5000 to the power of Phantom Blaster Overlord and heal 1 damage. Check, I got a draw trigger."

"Incredible." Izaki gawked as Phantom Blaster Overlord's power increased.

"Is that even possible?" Morikawa gaped.

"35000 against 38000?" Miwa exclaimed.

"I don't believe it." Aichi was shocked.

"It's over." Ren grinned. "It's like I said." he added, Phantom Blaster Overlord mowing through Aichi's defense units. "The powerless fall into despair and those with power get all the glory. In that one instant, Psyqualia truly showed me my moment of victory."

"Is this the end of the line?" Aichi wondered. Harmonia's aura... he looked at the rainbow-colored aureole caressing him gently. "But it's not over yet." he got back to his feet. "Damage trigger check."

"5 damage!" Morikawa gasped when Aichi pulled no triggers.

"And just one more card..." Izaki gaped.

"Is this the end?" Miwa wondered.

"What?" Ren breathed when Aichi drew a heal trigger.

"Heal trigger." Aichi pulled the heal trigger. "I add +5000 to the power of Alfred Early and heal 1 damage."

"Turn end." Ren voiced.

"I can still fight." Aichi stated. "But which of my selves is going to fight? This is..." he drew the card Harmonia had given him the previous night. "I see. The real me... Light and shadow become one. And then true power is born. I ride Majesty Lord Blaster! Blaster Dark, attack Fatalita. With a boost from Wingal Brave, Blast Blade attacks Phantom Blaster Overlord."

"No guard." Ren declared. "I don't like this. Light and shadow... using both knights..."

"They're both me." Aichi admitted. "Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark are both my avatars. The me who thirsted for power and the me who hated the thought, both of them are me. With a boost from Marron, Majesty Lord Blaster attacks. Majesty Lord Blaster's skill; Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark go to the Soul. Majesty Lord Blaster receives +10000 power. On top of that, Majesty Lord Blaster's skill. Thanks to the power of Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark in the Soul, Majesty Lord Blaster receives +2000 power and an extra critical."

"How...?" Ren questioned. "Royal Paladins and Shadow Paladins are supposed to oppose each other. Yet both sides are giving him power?"

"This is the power of Majesty Lord Blaster." Aichi replied. "This card told me that though both sides are usually in opposition, true strength lies in recognizing that fact. The me that's addicted to Psyqualia is a nasty guy that looks down on people, but that's not Psyqualia's fault. That kind of person was inside me. I tried to reject that part of myself. But even that is the real me, so I'm done rejecting you, Ren. It must be the same for you, Ren. There are two Rens. Just as I've accepted my two selves, I accept you too, Ren. Because I think that's what true strength is."

"Stop it!" Ren snapped. "Shut your mouth. No more! Guard. I don't need your acceptance. Go ahead and reject me. I don't accept anyone, either."

"Twin drive." Aichi drew two cards. "Second check. Picture it." he smiled. "Two fighters recognizing each other as comrades, helping each other, understanding each other. Critical trigger. I give all the effects to Majesty Lord Blaster."

"Comrades..." Ren breathed, Harmonia's image appearing behind Majesty Lord Blaster, Blaster Blade and Blader Dark, her translucent orb that was now resting on top of a thin metal staff invoking the memories he had buried. Turning back, he saw Majesty Lord Blaster raise his transparent blade, and backed by Harmonia's Cosmo, purified him of Psyqualia's corrupting influence. "I lost." he conceded defeat.

On Planet Cray...

"Completely defeated..." Blaster Dark was on the ground, beaten.

"That's enough, the two of you." Harmonia appeared before the two warring clans.

"Harmonia-sama..." Blaster Blade gasped.

"Harmonia-sama..." the Royal Paladins chorused as one. "She's returned to us!"

"I'm back, everyone." Harmonia smiled at the two Paladins.

"Welcome back, Harmonia-sama." as one, both Royal Paladins and Shadow Paladins knelt before their Goddess.

"That was an awesome fight." Renji released the breath he was holding.

"AF, yo." Eiji agreed.

"He actually won." Izaki stammered.

"That was really something." Miwa admitted.

"Goes to show why he's my number one pupil." Morikawa bragged.

"You're leaving already?" Kai asked, as Ami turned her heel to exit.

"Yes," Ami nodded. "I'm returning to Cray, only for a little while. I think... it's probably time to retrieve Guardian Number Four, yes?" she grinned.

SailorStar9: Well, this fic is finally complete; read and review.