//------------------------------// // Ride 68: Team Crusaders Once More // Story: Cardfight Vanguard Equestrian Saga VF Circuit // by VanguardLuard //------------------------------// “The Vanguard Fight Circuit.” said Apple Bloom as she looked at the invitation. “Thats right, Team Crusaders is invited to the circuit.” said Rarity “Amazing!” “What’s the Vanguard Fight Circuit?” asked Diamond Tiara “You haven’t heard of the Vanguard Fight Circuit. Don’t you watch the news?” asked Silver Spoon “Right, and i don’t read the newspaper.” “That is not something to brag about.” “The Vanguard Fight Circuit is going to be the biggest Vanguard tournament the world has ever seen.” said Rainbow Dash “And they send an invitation here. They must know that I fight here.” said Diamond Tiara “Sorry, but only members of team Crusaders are invited.” said Rainbow Dash ‘This event is then only chase to see that colt again.’ thought Apple Bloom “Rarity I would like to participate in the Vanguard Fight Circuit.” “I had a feeling you would say that Apple Bloom. However this competition is open to teams of only three.” said Rarity “So that mean I need two more members.” “We’ll the invitation say that at least one member of the team must be from team Crusaders. It doesn't matter who the other two members are. Who will you pick?” “This is though?” “I’m your best choice.” said Diamond Tiara “Ah- Sweetie Belle.” said Apple Bloom as Sweetie Belle came thru the door. “Why am I being ignored?” “I was wondering if you would participate in the Vanguard Fight Circuit together?” “I guess you say the invitation then. If you're going then the other players can be anyone right?” said Sweetie Belle “I want you on my team because we are friends and we went to the national tournament together.” “Alright, I’ll go.” “Alright. Then next is….” “Well it obviously going to be me.” said Diamond Tiara “The team wouldn’t be complete without Scootaloo.” “Ignored again! And why would you chose her over me?” “Well it might have something with she actually wins games.” said Silver Spoon “About that, I don’t know you can bring her along as well. Lately she has been hang out with team Handsome.” said Sweetie Belle “Now that you mentioned it. I’ll go have to look.” Apple Bloom went to the place she knew where team Handsome was. “It’s been awhile since I have been here.” Then she entered. She looked around. “I don’t see Scootaloo.” “Hey there, Apple Bloom.” said a voice Apple Bloom looked and saw Thunderlane. “Thunderlane. It’s been a while.” “So what brings you here? Are you looking for a cardfight?” “No, I’m here looking for Scootaloo, but it looks like she is not her.” “If you're looking for Scootaloo she’s right over there.” he said pointing to where Scootaloo was battling. “Alright, I won.” said Scootaloo “Scootaloo!” said a voice Scootaloo looked to who it is and say Apple Bloom. “Hey, Apple Bloom.” They found themselves a table. “It’s been awhile, are you doing well?” “Yeah I was wondering when we were going to see each other again.” “So what are with the bandanas?” she asked as she noticed them “Actually I joined Thunderlane’s team.” “Oh really, I thought you would never join because of Rumble.” Then Rumble came in. “Oh hello, Apple Bloom what are you doing here?” said Rumble not going after Scootaloo at all. “Wait you're not going after Scootaloo any more? I guess his crush is over.” Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo chuckled. ‘If she only knew why she is acting so normal.’ thought Scootaloo “So what brings you heard today? It’s rare you come here.” “It’s about this!” said Apple Bloom putting down the envelope on the table. “Isn’t that an invitation to the Vanguard Fight Circuit!” “What!?” said Thunderlane, Pipsqueak and Blosemforth “What is this thing all about anyway?” asked Rumble “The VF Circuit, is a tournament with top players from all around the world.” said Scootaloo “Only chosen players are being sent invitations.” said Thunderlane “Scootaloo, I want you to participate in the VF Circuit with me.” said Apple Bloom “Me, in the VF Circuit!” said Scootaloo “Scootaloo what about are deal!” said Rumble “Wait? What deal?” asked Apple Bloom “Well you see, I made a deal with Thunderlane. He said if I join his team then Rumble will stop bothering me. And so far Rumble is acting normal or at least not doing any lovey dovey stuff. Like getting me to marry him. And now I’m free from the torture.” said Scootaloo “But I want you to participate in VF Circuit with me.” “Can’t you find somepony else?” asked Rumble “It has to be Scootaloo. She’s my friend, also she believed in me when I started playing Vanguard, and who i participated with in the national tournament.” “Wow she is in a dilemma.” said Snips “The VF Circuit where the strongest fighters gather.” “Scootaloo are you going to break our deal?” asked Rumble ‘I don’t want Rumble after me like before. But I don’t want to let my friend down.’ thought Scootaloo “Very well then. Let’s fight, Apple Bloom. If you want Scootaloo that badly on your team then battle me and Rumble.” “No, if Apple Bloom’s going to cardfight it’s going to be me. I will decide what to do with my own fight. I won’t let you two fight for me.” said Scootaloo “But you're just going to lose on purpose and go to the VF Circuit.” said Rumble “You think I would do that. I want to keep the deal going. But I want to go to the VF Circuit. That’s why I’ll decide where I’ll go with my own fight. If Apple Bloom wins, I’ll go to the VF Circuit. If I win, I’ll stay with team Handsome.” “Then we will step back on this. Because I know she fights with everything she has.” said Thunderlane “Let’s settle this.” said Scootaloo “Let’s do this.” said Apple Bloom They went to a table to play. “Stand up, Vanguard!” “Grassland Breeze, Sagramore.” “Beast Deity, White Tiger.” Scootaloo turned into a White metal Tiger who stand up on two legs. “I’ll go first!” said Apple Bloom then she drawed her card. ‘I am still not used to this deck, but in order to participate in the VF Circuit with Scootaloo, I cannot lose this game.’ “I ride Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth. I end my turn.” ‘I can’t think of what is at stake here I have to play to the best of my abilities.’ “I ride Screaming’ and Dancing Announcer, Shout. I move White Tiger, and then I call two Almighty Reporter.” Two screen head robots appeared. “With a boost from Almighty Reporter, Beast Deity White Tiger attacks.” White Tiger ran up and slashed Gareth. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “I activate Almighty Reporter’s skill. When he boost an attack that hits my opponent's vanguard he returns to my hoof. It’s a pretty good skill. When you attack you call units to attack but this decreases the cards in your hoof. So you might not have enough cards to defend with next turn. This card can cover up that weakness. I can't stay the same as I was during the National Tournament. I have been training and strengthening my deck.” “Come on Scootaloo, you can do it.” cheered Rumble “Boosted by Almighty Reporter, Screaming’ and Dancing Announcer, Shout attacks.” “I don’t guard!” “Drive trigger check.” (no trigger) Shout hit Gareth with one of his tentacles. (no trigger) Then Scootaloo add Almighty Reporter from the field to her hoof. “Now it’s my turn, stand and draw! I ride Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains. I call Charging Chariot Knight and Charjgal.” Then an earth pony with a spear in a chariot pulled by wolves appeared and a wolf with a two sided lance in his mouth. “As usual, you’re good with Nova Grappler, but I’m not falling behind. Chariot Knight attack, I activate his skill when he attack if my hoof is smaller than my opponent he gains 3000 power.” Chariot Knight charged in and stabbed Shout with his spear. “Damage trigger check.” (critical trigger) “With support from Charjgal, Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains attacks.” “I don’t guard.” “Drive trigger check.” (no trigger) Beaumains ran up and slashed Shout. (no trigger) “That’s the end of my turn.” ‘I have even out the damage but what do I do next. What should I do after this. No I can’t worry now. I’m going to the VF Circuit with Scootaloo.’ “I ride Marvelous Hani.” She turned into a metal cactus. “I call Brutal Jack and two Almighty Reporter. Jack’s counterblast. Jack lose its restraint and attacks Beaumains.” 11000 to 10000 “I guard with Weapons Dealer, Gwydion.” 11000 to 15000 “Boosted by Almighty Reporter, Marvelous Hani attacks.” 13000 to 10000 “I guard with Elixir Sommelier.” 13000 to 20000 “Drive trigger check, stand trigger. I give 5000 power to White Tiger and stand Jack. With support from Almighty Reporter, White Tiger attacks.” Tiger ran up and slash her. “Damage trigger check, critical trigger all effects go to my vanguard.” “Because White Tiger hit I return Almighty Reporter to my hoof. And Jack attacks Charging Chariot Knight.” Jack fired a laser at Charging Chariot Knight. “I stand and draw!” ‘My new comrades lend me your power.’ “I ride Great Silver Wolf, Garmore. Counterblast! I call Sacred Guardian Beast, Nemean Lion. Then I call Battlefield Storm, Sagramore. Nemean Lion attacks.” 8000 to 7000 “I guard with Almighty Reporter.” 8000 to 12000 “Charjgal boost and soulblast. When Charjgal boost Garmore by soulblasting a card and Garmore gains 5000 power.” 21000 to 7000 “That's 21000 power. I don’t guard.” “Drive trigger check, first.(no trigger) Second, draw trigger! I add 5000 power to Battlefield Storm, Sagramore and draw.” Garmore ran up then jumped and slashed Hani. (no trigger) “Battlefield Storm, Sagramore attacks your vanguard. And also Counterblast to add 3000 power.” Sagramore jumped up and slashed Hami. (no trigger) “It looks like Apple Bloom has pushed Scootaloo to four damage.” said Snips “Scootaloo is not going to give up that easily.” said Rumble “My turn.” ‘What is this it feels like Apple Bloom is different’ “No it’s just my imagination. I should stay apart.” “That’s right, don't worry about being apart, just stay alert.” said Thunderlane “I ride Asura Kaiser. I move White Tiger back and call Tough Boy and Moai the Great.” Then an pegasus pony with two floating heads appeared. “I activate Jack’s counterblast. Jack attacks with support from Tough Boy.” 19000 to 10000 “I use Nemean Lion’s especial intercept.” Nemean Lion Move in front of Garmore. 19000 to 20000 “Boosted by Almighty Reporter, Asura Kaiser attacks.” 17000 to 10000 “I don’t guard!” “Drive trigger check, first.” (no trigger but a grade 3) “Alright.” said Thunderlane “With Asura Kaiser skill I stand Jack. Cesond check.” (no trigger but grade 3) “Another one.” said Snip, Snails, and Rumble “I stand Tough Boy.” Asura Kaiser slashed Garmore. (no trigger) “Now the damage is even.” said Snips “And Scootaloo can attack two more times.” said Thunderlane “Boosted by Tough Boy, Jack attacks.” 19000 to 10000 “I don’t guard!” Jack hit Garmore with a laser. (no trigger) “With a boost from White Tiger, Moai the Great attacks. When this card is boosted by a Nova Grappler unit it gains 2000 power.” “I guard with Gwydion and Haugan.” 17000 to 20000 “She was able to guard it.” said Rumble “It’s my turn I stand and draw. I call Beaumains, Gareth and Blessing Owl.” Then a white owl appeared. “Apple Bloom could have used thouse card to keep her damage ate four but she saved them for her attack this turn.” said Thunderlane “I activate Blessing Owl’s skill. When he is place on the rear-guard he can give 2000 power to a Gold Paladin. I give it to Sagramore.” ‘I have 25000 in shield with Jack’s intercept. It’s because of those grade three’s i drew last turn. They gave me more attacks but they are useless right now.’ “With a boost from Gareth, Beaumains attacks.” 18000 to 11000 ‘I should stop this attack and use all my remaining cards on the Vanguard's attack. As long as she dosen’t get a trigger, I will only take one damage this turn.’ “I guard with Red Card Dealer.” ‘This is it, this move will decide the game.’ “With a boost from Charjgal and soulblast.” ‘I’ll use all I have. As long as she dosen’t get a trigger.’ “I’m not going to let you miss out going to the Vanguard Fight Circuit. Go beyond the limits, Limit Break!” “Limit Break?” they all said with confusion. “A skill that can only activate when you have four or more damage. Garmore gain 5000 power when he attack my opponent's Vanguard.” “That’s 26000.” said Thunderlane “I can’t defend against it. I don’t guard!” ‘What’s a Limit Break. I’ve never heard of it before. But if she still dosen’t get a trigger I can still guard Sagramore attack.’ “Drive trigger check, first card. Second card, heal trigger i give 5000 power to Sagramore and recover one damage.” Garmore jumped up and slashed Asura Kaiser. (no trigger) “With a boost from Blessing Owl and Sagramore’s counterblast, Sagramore attacks.” Sagramore jumped up as well and slashed Asura Kaiser as well. (no trigger) “I lose, that Limit Break was amazing.” ‘I manage to win.’ “That was sneaky coming here with a new trick.” said Thunderlane “This is the first time I heard of Limit Break.” said Snails “It looks like I'm not the only one to get stronger scene the Nationals. I want Limit Break as well. I should have begging you to bring me to the VF Circuit thanks for picking me. Look Thunderlane….” said Scootaloo “You don’t want to be on the team any more I get it, you can go.” said Thunderlane “Let’s go Apple Bloom, the Vanguard Fight Circuit is waiting for use.” said Scootaloo “Alright, Scootaloo.” said Apple Bloom “I don’t what to interrupt but, Scootaloo didn't’t you break the deal with Thunderlane?” asked Snips Scootaloo thought for a few seconds then. “Thats right!” she shouted. Then she saw Rumble started to head towards her. “Come on Apple Bloom let's get out of here.” Both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom ran out of there with Rumble right behind them. They ran right through Ponyville. Then Scootaloo shouted. “LEAVE ME ALONE.”