Intro: Thank you for your continuous support!
Disclaimer: I do not own Touken Ranbu and Cardfight! Vanguard and other material which came from the said Game/Anime, they are owned by its original creators. The making of this story and this story is made for the fans and the writer XD. Although the plot and some changes in the story are from me ^_^.
Chapter 57: A dreadful evening
"Oi! What do 'ya mean by breakin' or takin'?!" Mutsunokami asked in annoyance as they took out their swords, in front of them something started to sparkle in blue light like fireflies that is gathering in front of them forming in a horizontal line, after it was formed the three reached for the light in front of them respectively and the blue sparkling light scattered away showing their sword.
"Simple, I am going to break the three of you…" the voice slowly disappear "…and take him" as the owner of the voice finally showed up in front of Aichi and Mikazuki, thankfully Mikazuki was there and successfully deflects the attack coming to Aichi making the enemy jump backward in failure of his attack.
"Like this I just have to take you on, while the others do their job of breaking the other two…" The cloaked masked man showing himself again saying those words pointing a sword to Mikazuki "And then break you…"
"I would like to see you try." Mikazuki wasn't fazed one bit as it felt nothing to him.
As they prepare for battle "I will give support don't worry!" Aichi opens the pockets that he carries on his waist as it revealed a stack of talismans inside.
"Didn't think that you would bring those in the present…" The cloaked man groaned as he didn't think about it.
"I have to be ready about modern day things too…" Aichi answers back as it just added to the annoyance of the enemy.
Slowly one by one the enemies' moves forward to them "With this many enemies and only three of us I don't think we can get away safely." Nikkari slowly backing away not trying to initiate an attack as he looks at Aichi for instruction.
"I will call for backup! For now defend their attacks if you can defeat an enemy then the better until back up comes!" Aichi initiates the instruction to defend as they stopped moving backwards they geared up and ready to fight.
As Aichi initiates for defense of the current group Aichi threw talismans to the three as a form of barrier to protect them, thankfully the enemies didn't target the talisman and safely attached it to Nikkari and Mutsunokami "Please be careful as you try come closer!" Aichi shouts to Nikkari and Mutsunokami "Yes!" The two shouted.
"I won't let you call for backup!" Once again he lunged himself to the direction where Aichi is defenseless.
"Aichi-sama I think you should prioritize yourself more than us…" Mikazuki and the cloaked man touched swords as the two pushes forward putting their weight to the swords seeing who will last and will be pushed.
Hearing Mikazuki's words and understanding their situation that the enemy wants him, Aichi placed a protective barrier on him as the cloaked man clicks his tongue "Don't think that I won't be able to break that."
"Then I will just have to stop you!" Mikazuki retorted.
Aichi notices that Mikazuki seems to be on the losing side as the blade slowly pushes towards Mikazuki, Aichi readies a talisman and tries his best for it to stick to the cloaked masked man, but he was able to notice it as he lost his concentration losing his weight to the sword making Mikazuki able to flick the two clashing swords as he was able to be freed for it.
As Mikazuki waits for the next attack he didn't notice that he was already injured "Mikazuki, your arm!"
Aichi notifies him as he looked over to the arm Aichi was talking about and he did saw a minor injury "Not bad..." he can't help but comment on the skills of the enemy.
"I didn't think you would dare to do that…" The man grew agitated "With what you just did you just made me want to make you suffer aside from just using you!" The man lunged forward as he keep slashing towards Aichi direction, but unfortunately for him Mikazuki can deflect the attacks coming from him.
Somehow Aichi thanked the fact that only a few enemies comes to them, since with the masked cloaked man already targeting them Mikazuki will have a hard time to fend both parties although the number is still quite alarming he still wished that he brings his bow around too so that he can be able to support them.
With his talisman all he can do is support and not attack adding to the fact that he only has a few with him, since in the first place he didn't think that something like this would happen, somehow Aichi thinks of what the enemy wants with him to even attack the present just to get to him, is he really in so much pain? Aichi thought to himself that he was that desperate to show his whereabouts here, but of course he wouldn't that be ignorant to not think about that, he also needs to hide himself since he did try to scare away by standers.
"Aichi-sama can't concentrate on helping us if they continue on doing that…" Nikkari becomes worried as he and Mutsunokami continues to fend of the enemies.
"Nor even call for backup…" Mutsunokami added as he successfully defeated an enemy.
There were just too many enemies, the number are about five times their number, including Aichi from what they could observed.
Nikkari dodges and defeats an enemy fast as he can but sadly as he tries to dodge an attack there will always be another enemy waiting to attack him from behind or his side, if it wasn't just for Aichi's talismans he would have been wounded badly, thankfully the amount of blue enemies were not that many because they are much more powerful than the normal green colored ones.
But then although Nikkari was able to dodge an enemy, an enemy Tachi with blue hue swings with force to Nikkari dealing the last damage it broke the barrier from Aichi, seeing this it was chance for the enemies, although he successfully dodges the attacks from the enemy above, Nikkari lost his focus for a moment below him as an enemy Tantou wittingly moves stealthily from below, knowing that he has a good mobility they prevented it by striking at his advantage.
"Nikkari!" Aichi tries to throw a talisman but the cloaked man noticed it slicing the talisman that is heading towards Nikkari's direction.
He hisses from of the pain "We're fighting after all, so this much is normal." Nikkari took a medium injury, he was able to jump away but the enemies just keep coming towards him and preventing him to come close to them.
On the other hand Mutsunokami was able to deal with the enemies because of his gun he was able to dual wield and defend and defeat an enemy faster.
But he shouldn't be too over confident as the enemy are intelligent creature despite the other worldly look, and he did experience it first hand and learns his lesson as the enemy noticing that one by one nothing will happen if they continue until the enemy thought to charge forward in groups to try and break the barrier until finally because of the force of double attacks from the enemy finally catching him off guard the hands that is holding his gun was stricken twice by the enemy.
"This is bad." Despite the fact that they were already at a disadvantage Mutsunokami keeps his smile as he continues to fight without the hand that wields his gun, thankfully he minimized the number of enemies making him able to handle them and fend them off, he could only thank that if he ever calls his sword form the gun comes with it as it was able to help him minimize the enemies.
"Mutsunokami…" Aichi almost loses his will to fight but what is happening in front of him is making him wake up to the reality that in front of them in the present, the enemy wants to use him, he doesn't want to be the enemy, he wants to help them if possible stop this battle so that they could live normally, with that in mind Aichi decided to call on reinforcements.
Thinking himself that with all what he is thinking he could have possibly call in reinforcement, collecting himself he looks at Mikazuki that is keeping him safe, he knows that he can trust him to protect him, he switches to the Nikkari and Mutsunokami that is doing their best despite injured he wakes himself up "This is no time to be thinking such things!".
With a new goal in mind it resonates within him "I want a future that we can live normally and enjoy our days peacefully, and stop this!" as Aichi's bell radiates in blue hue he started communication through it with the ones in the citadel "Everyone please listen, I don't understand how did this just happened but we are fighting with the History Retrograding Force, we need backup, with the ability of the bell I know you all will find our location! We ne-"
~Citadel~
At the citadel at the time that Aichi called for reinforcements the bell rang loud because of all their bell simultaneously ringing, Aichi didn't try to conceal the communication to all the Touken Danshis as everyone can hear what the others are also hearing "Everyone please listen, I don't understand how did this just happened but we are fighting with the History Retrograding Force, we need backup, with the ability of the bell I know you all will find our location! We ne-"
Since it was already deep into the night everyone were all in their rooms waiting for Aichi and the others to come back, but instead of them coming back, this is what they waited for a message of attack in the present timeline. After hearing Aichi's message everyone hurried to the place where they all gather, the center.
Since they can hear the message, Mina who is passing time at the garden heard the news from the other toudans that is also passing the time by at the garden as she and Konnosuke heads to the same area since Konnosuke also has a bell with him he also heard the message since it was for everyone, including him.
As everyone finally gathered at the area, Konnosuke and Mina gave out instruction to help them and also to calm them down since the message was cut off, they could only think of the worse "We also don't know what happened, but one thing is for sure, if we don't go they will be in danger." Konnosuke started as everyone decided to listen and wait for further instruction "Present or past we can't let other people know of this so even if everyone wants to go, we could only go to a minimum."
"We already chose who are going! We need to minimize so I will call out three." Mina called everyone's attention as they wait for their names to be called "Yagen Toushirou!, Horikawa Kunihiro! And Tsurumaru Kuninaga since he is Aichi-kun's attendant!"
"I will be coming with you so that I can guide you three to the location faster, I know that area very well! I will wait for you three at the entrance!" Konnosuke said as he runs out of the area.
"Prepare yourself with your battle attire so that you are equipped to fight and let's pray that we will make it! I will stay here to make sure if ever enemies try to come here, hoping that they haven't found this location!" Mina dismissed everyone from the area as she too left.
The three called by Mina hurriedly left the area as the others decided to stay and look at one another in silence "What the hell is going on, why have they decided to come here?!" Kiyomitsu clenches his hands and teeth as he worries for Aichi.
"Maybe what he said before he retreated… he really meant it." Taroutachi spoke as he was with them at that battle at Osaka.
"That could be possible…" Kiyomitsu too wants to head too where they are and back him up but they can't cause a commotion.
"What do you mean by that Taroutachi…" Shokudaikiri asked.
Taroutachi and Kiyomitsu looks at each other as they somehow feel for the worse "We will tell you all at a different time, but for now I don't know if everyone here feels the same as me but, at least if ever they will attack here, let us protect the home they will be coming back to." Everyone agrees to him, but not so much as to the extent from the three, Izuminokami and Souza were somewhat worried but Ookurikara hasn't yet warmed up to them.
~Back to the park~
When Aichi's communication got cut off it was because the cloaked man used his hand instead of using his sword to reach Aichi, it caught the four of them off guard even though there was a barrier he was that determined to catch him, but it was also because of them getting caught off guard that he was able to slash through fast and broke the barrier he has, seeing as he was that desperate to either use him or seek revenge, but for all they know it could even be both.
As Aichi was about to get caught by the enemy, Aichi thought fast and is able to latch on a talisman onto the enemy's arm, as Mikazuki pushes Aichi out to his reach and he crouches down to not get caught, seeing this chance Aichi hurriedly activates the talisman as the man got struck by lightning.
The man quickly moves away on the spot as the other enemies' lungs out to them, seeing as he finally retreated Aichi saw this chance to get out a full scale talisman to support the toudans into finishing them off.
Aichi threw talisman as it affected an area where there are congested enemies as the talisman activated, the talismans that is above them threw down lightning that paralyzed the enemy.
"Ohhh!" Mutsunokami showed excitement at seeing this spectacle.
"I see so this is what they meant." Nikkari too says as he admires the scene.
Without them knowing Ren Suzugamori was actually watching everything as he finally realizes the meaning behind what the masked cloaked man told him, saying that he is special. Watching the spectacle in front of him battling it out alive or dead as he sees blood dripping from their body he can't help but wait for a moment where Aichi will also be stained in blood.
"Now!" A shout that woke Ren from this imagination, he watches as they struggle and to keep pushing. It was Aichi who shouted as Mikazuki, Mutsunokami and Nikkari sprints forward to the enemies in front of them as Mutsunokami and Nikkari are able to finally make their way to come closer to Aichi and Mikazuki's area, and when they finally did.
Finally the four of them were reunited, Aichi will be able to back them up and support them with this. As he placed another talisman to them, they continued off to fend of the enemy in front of them.
Nikkari and Mutsunokami notices an enemy coming towards Aichi "Double Sword Attack!"
"Take that!" Nikkari and "How's this?!" Mutsunokami said in unison.
"We can't keep being the ones who will be saved right?" Nikkari.
"We should be the one who saves!" Mutsunokami said as they defeated the enemy.
They were getting more fired up when they were reunited. They took this chance while the enemy are still paralyzed, although some are still able to move still they were able to defend themselves and attack Finally they were able to decrease the number to almost half the number.
Looking at things Aichi thought it might be easier to attack than to defend since if they just continue defending they will be cornered "Everyone since I was able to call for backup it's time to attack, if we don't attack we will just be waiting for our end, with us together I will be the one to defend for us!" Aichi decided to use his talismans for defense instead of attack.
"Roger!" As Mutsunokami moves forward to attack Nikkari back up and deflects attacks that will be aimed behind him, on the other hand Mikazuki never leaves Aichi's side as he continues to deflect attacks from either side to prevent any harm to come to Aichi, they could never know what that man could be thinking and it is best to stay by his side.
Seeing that things are getting disadvantageous for him but can successfully recover a little, he decided to aim for Nikkari this time first which Nikkari noticed but he was caught by surprise because of his speed, Aichi didn't notice the attack as Nikkari receives an injury from his arm because the enemy was able to penetrate inside, while on it he decided to do another and hits Mutsunokami's chest also successfully penetrating through.
"His sword was able to cut through!" Mutsunokami winces.
But alas there was a barrier from Aichi's talisman making the injury they received were shallow and didn't receive a deep cut "CURSE YOU!" and it seems it was getting him agitated.
Tattering his internal affairs clothes revealing his chest bare mostly his upper body as it caught Aichi by surprise by placing both his hands on his mouth "Alright...ya've done it now!" Mutsunokami was able to activate his awakening form disregarding his upper clothing.
Gaining a boost he was able to slice enemies faster and much stronger than before "All I need is to win, right?"
Finally they have beaten half of the enemies "I can't help better without my bow…" Aichi almost loses his confidence in winning as he noticed that they were already fatigued from the long battle as they keep getting more and more scratches from near misses from the enemy when the barrier gets destroyed and Aichi putting another again, panting and sweating from their battle, Aichi is almost out of talismans as he keeps support by either placing talismans to the enemy or placing barriers to them.
Nikkari is already fatigued and is not mobile enough to dodge an incoming strike coming from a blue hue Tachi from behind giving him a cut on his back "I'll cut you down like a stone lantern, shall I...!" Nikkari activates his awakening as it surprised Aichi once again as Nikkari discards his jacket.
Since the masked cloaked man can retreat and then attack again he can recover and attack once again as he charges again without warning to Mikazuki and Aichi, since Mikazuki is also fatigued he is having a hard time keeping up with his speed taking damage from the enemy making him laugh at the injury he gets from him.
Seeing that they are really at a disadvantage they notice a shadow who looked like he was flying in the sky as the person shouted "Zuryaaa!"
Knowing that voice and seeing him defeat an enemy "Yagen!" Aichi smiles.
An enemy comes behind Yagen "Sorry, but I can play dirty too!"
Finishing the enemy off "You're slow!"
"Horikawa! Tsurumaru!" Finally backup has arrived as they successfully decrease the number of the enemy as they come near them.
Seeing that their attention are on the incoming backup that came the enemy knows that this is a good opportunity to attack as he charges to Aichi's side but Mikazuki was able to see the attack and hides Aichi behind him, Mikazuki deflected the attack but what they didn't know is that an enemy was charging towards them from the front as it pierced Mikazuki shoulder "Mikazu… ki…"
Luck has befallen unto them as they didn't notice a two new enemy with orange hue enveloping them that pierced Mikazuki's shoulder.
"Mikazuki!" "Aichi-sama!" the world stopped for the five sword warriors.
Hearing their mournful and raging cries he knew immediately, he thought it was fine if he would only be the one who is injured he did not need to be injured as well, he was scared to even look behind him and as if time has slowed down for him, Mikazuki hears the ear piercing laugh of the enemy, slowly turning behind him not even realizing his own injury that was dealt by the new orange hue Tachi, he saw an orange hue behind him, from the looks of it, it was a Tantou enemy, with it, it successfully punctured Aichi's shoulder.
Blood stained Aichi clothes as Mikazuki's eyes grew large in anger he continues to stare at the unmoving Aichi who is shocked from both their injury "Ah-hah… I specifically ordered to aim at the lungs, but you moved him and it accidentally punctured the shoulder instead." The masked cloaked man taunted.
Staring at their master drenched in blood their world stops and their movement stops, their minds filled with sadness, shock and most of all seething anger not even noticing that they were being attack by the enemy, what made their blood range even more is his struggling voice "I… I'…m … so…r…ry…" they heard they beloved master apologized for his mistake of not noticing it.
Even with a barrier it successfully punctured through them, Aichi thought that "Ahhh… I'm still weak I can't even fortify a barrier…" he wants to shout at the pain that it hurts and agonizing but all he could do was do not to not make his beloved sword warriors to be more seethed in anger, although he cannot see it, somehow he can feel their bloodlust and decided to hide the pain.
Turning his head to the enemy Mikazuki stares at the man who just continued laughing in front of them, without a moment's notice Mikazuki swiftly kills off the Tantou that was puncturing Aichi's shoulder since it decided to not move away from his shoulder he successfully kills it, also adding to the fact that Nikkari and Mutsunokami were still close they swiftly pierces through the one piercing Mikazuki.
"HHAAAA!" The six toudans shouted as Yagen, Horikawa, and Tsurumaru became merciless in their attacks, Tsurumaru didn't think twice of slashing of the head of an enemy as they start to close in to where Aichi and Mikazuki where the same goes with Horikawa and Yagen as they team up targeting the heart of the enemy, their attacks hits with a critical as they unconsciously activates their awakening form in anger.
Making their way successfully to the enemy they left about a few enemies able to be counted, there are only about five of the enemies left, but they pay it no mind to it as their goal was to reach the enemy and try to even give a scratch to him.
Surprising the cloaked man at the defeat of the Tantou he realized his ignorance to be celebrating at that time, and it was his mistake as Nikkari and Mutsunokami slashes up and down the enemy's body and were able to defeat it. Without saying a word when they saw Aichi slumping down and crumpled in pain as he was freed from the puncturing sword, Nikkari was the first to slash its swords to the enemy followed by Mutsunokami's gun the enemy sliced it to half but didn't realize that Mikazuki was already following behind the gun shot forgetting that he too is already freed from the sword and doesn't even feel the pain from his anger.
Outro: Cliffhanger? Yep it is cliffhanger, if I continued it would span longer… I need to end it there…
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary, wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story nonetheless, and thank you for everyone's continuous support! Thank you for reading!