It had been 3 days since that Cardfight in Dragon Booster.
The Sparkle family was quietly eating dinner until Velvet broke the silence by speaking to her children, "And how was your day."
"Well, nothing interesting, since I always did my homework in my spare time," Twilight replied.
"Nothing happened, it was just a normal day," Spike replied, drawing Twilight Sparkle's attention.
"Spike, haven't you considered joining a school club?" Twilight asked her, "That way you wouldn't always be bored, you'd have something to do."
"I'll consider it Twi, but at the moment there isn't a school club that catches my eye," Spike replied.
The conversation continued normal until all the members of the family turned to watch TV because they heard something that caught their attention.
It was the news channel that was broadcasting, precisely, the sports section, there were the reporters, Dazzle Feather and Skye Silver.
“And now for the new section, Cardfight Vanguard,” said Dazzle.
“Card…fight Vanguard???” Skye asked.
“Yes, it's a card game that's become very popular lately,” Dazzle replied.
"And why is it in the sports section?"
"That's because now Canterlot has started to be chosen as the site for the National Vanguard Championship."
Hearing that, Twilight looked at Spike with a smile and he couldn't be more excited.
"Spike, isn't that the card game you and Thorax play?" Velvet asked to which Spike nodded.
Back to the news.
Dazzle started to explain about the national championship which Skye was already getting the hang of.
“Wow, it's amazing how far these kinds of games can go,” Skye said in surprise.
"And not only that, but we also managed to find a prodigy in Canterlot," Dazzle said as she showed a photo of 5 members, Spike recognized them, the Doom Rider team.
"Garble," Twi and Spike said at the same time.
"This is Team Doom Rider, who are the current national champions, precisely, one of their members was seen at a local store."
"You mean one of those card shops?"
Dazzle nodded, "In any case, there are some players, they sent us this recording where one of their members lost his temper."
They gave Play to the video and there was the scene where Garble took Flash's card.
“And now, this belongs to me,” Garble said taking Flash Heart Dragon.
"WHAT?" Flash said, "Hey, neither agreed to bet cards."
“Well, too bad for you, I like this card, and you lost, so now it's mine,” Garble replied.
"You're a..." Flash said but then Spike quickly grabbed Garble´s deck that he had left on the table when he took Flash Heart Dragon.
"Spike, it's you, you're on TV," said Night Light excitedly.
"Hehe," Spike laughed nervously.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Garble asked as he tried to take his deck from Spike but was stopped by Ember.
Spike started to check Garble's deck and saw something that caught his attention, "I knew it."
“Uh-oh,” Garble thought.
"Look at this," he showed Garble's cards to the others, "He's a cheater, half of his cards are Triggers."
The others saw the deck and it was true, they said it had about 12 criticals, 8 stands and 10 heals.
"So, you cheated," Flash told Garble.
“Hey, I don't think that's cheating,” Garble replied with a bored look.
"GRRR OF COURSE," Ember replied angrily, "The rules only allow you to have 16 Triggers, and you can only have 4 Heal Triggers."
“With a lot of triggers, he was able to secure an easier win,” added Microchips.
"So he cheated?" Skye asked to which Dazzle nodded.
“I thought you were a national champion, and as far as I know, winners don't cheat,” Flash said.
“This isn't a tournament, so I can do whatever I want,” Garble replied.
"Even so, that wasn't a fair match, where is your honor?" asked Flash.
“Hehe, Honor?” Garble said, "Honor my ass, the only thing of Vanguard i want is the victory."
“Now, if you'll excuse me, the Great Garble has other business,” Garble said as he left the shop with the Flash Heart Dragon card.
"That boy is very cruel," Velvet said annoyed by Garble's attitude.
“Great Garble? You are not the Great Garble, you are the Pathetic Garble, not only that, you are just a coward who has to depend on his traps to play this game, you say you are strong but you are a weakling, and you know it is true, you should not be called Cardfighter, you're just a big asshole who doesn't know how to play,” Spike said.
Garble started to turn red with anger, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU CALL ME?"
"Wow, that boy really speaks with his heart, who is he?" Skye asked.
"According to what my informant told me, that boy's name is Spike, who is also a great Cardfighter," Dazzle replied.
The entire Sparkle family was shocked to hear that and then they continued with the video.
"We'll have a Vanguard duel, you and me, of course I won't cheat this time, I'll rebuild my deck, if you win I'll give you Flash Heart Dragon back."
"And if I lose?" Spike asked.
“I'll keep your Crystal Scale and his Flash Heart Dragon, but it won't be just that, since the two of them made me angry I'll put another condition,” Garble said.
Spike looked at him carefully still scared.
"If I beat you, in addition to keeping the cards," Garble paused and continued, "I'm going to break your arms."
"WHAAAT?" Spike yelled in fright.
Hearing the threat, Velvet approached Spike and hugged him as if she were some animal protecting her cub, "Spike, I'm sorry you must have been very scared, did he hurt you?"
Spike shook his head, "Don´t worry mom, im fine."
“He should be in a prision or somewhere,” Night Light said furiously at Garble.
“It seems that boy agreed to fight him, just to retrieve his friend's card,” Skye said.
“And risking broken bones,” added Dazzle and then continued the video where they played a short version of the fight.
"GET UP, MY AVATAR, RIDE," Spike set his Vanguard, "CRYSTAL SCALE." (PWR10000/G2)
"Very good Spike, that's your best card," Twilight said.
"Twi, were you there too?" Velvet asked
"Yeah, but it came after Garble forced Spike to have the Cardfight," Twilight replied, ashamed of herself for not being able to take care of Spike.
"Twi, don't worry, it's not your fault, it's mine, I was the one who was reckless in challenging him, and I'm really sorry I worried you," Spike told her.
"Oh Spike," Twi said as she hugged Spike.
Night Light and Velvet smiled seeing such a cute scene.
“I don't know the rules, but that Spike kid sure knows how to play,” Skye said as they replayed the video.
“ATTACK CRYSTAL SCALE,” Spike yelled.
“I GUARD,” Garble yelled as he set up a card for defense.
“I WILL NOT GIVE UP, AND I WILL NOT LET PEOPLE LIKE YOU CORRUPT THIS GAME, DRIVE TRIGGER CHECK,” Spike yelled as he pulled a card from his deck.
Spike smiled, "CRITICAL TRIGGER."
“NOOOOOOOOOO,” Garble yelled.
Spike:5 (Winner)
Garble:6
Then the video cut off and moved on to another part.
"Somebody owes Spike a card, that's what they agreed on," Ember said.
“GRRR, YOU THINK I'M GIVING IT BACK, ALL YOU WILL GET IS YOUR BROKEN BONES,” Garble yelled as he climbed onto the table and proceeded to attack Spike.
“AHHH,” Spike yelled as he covered himself to reduce the impact of the punch, but the punch never landed.
Spike opened his eyes and saw Flash stopping Garble's hand.
“Attacking the winner, that's how the Great Garble reacts to defeat, wow, that's good for your image,” Flash said.
“Anyway, no one saw me, I'm still a hero to the clumsy Cardfighters who idolize me,” Garble said.
“I don't think so,” Flash answered.
"What?" Garble asked.
The video ended at that moment.
“Wow, I guess that's not good for his career,” Skyes said.
“You are correct Skyes, but at least there are Cardfighters like that Spike boy,” Dazzle answered, “Which I am sure will keep the harmony in this game.”
"What is certain, is that Team Doom Rider found a threat and it is that little boy with green hair, this was the sports section, in a very interesting and rare episode, tune in tomorrow at the same time."
"Little boy? I'm 14 years old,” Spike pouted.
Velvet giggled and hugged Spike, “But for me you will always be my baby."
"Mom," Spike said embarrassed, but couldn't help but smile.
"Spike, you realize what this means," Night Light said excitedly.
"That I need to pass puberty?" Spike tried to guess.
Night Light laughed, "You always thought you were weak for a long time, but you defeated a national champion, i think that's the opposite of weakness."
Spike smiled.
“And you risked your own safety for a boy you didn't even know, who is very handsome by the way,” said Twi without thinking, to which she blushed.
“Yes, you fought not for yourself, but for the sake of your friends, which is why we are so proud of you,” Velvet said.
“And I'm sure Shining is too,” added Night Light.
Spike for the first time in his life, he felt special, he felt powerful, "Thank you Shining."
Meanwhile in an unknown place.
Garble was in a room in front of him were the other 4 members of Team Doom Rider.
“Hey, it's not that big of a deal,” Garble spoke up.
"It wasn´t a big deal? asked a girl with purple-pink skin and purple hair with blue lines, "You stained our team name."
"I wasn't stained him, Starlight," Garble exclaimed, "rather, I was defending him."
"You're a big asshole," a boy with lilac skin and slicked-back red hair yelled at him, "You got caught cheating."
“Heath is right brother, you weren't a Cardfighter, you weren't a Doom Rider, you were a cheater,” added a girl with orange skin and purple hair.
"Come on Smolder, I didn't mean to hurt anyone," Garble wanted to apologize, but it didn't work.
"You were going to break the arm of that boy who just happens to look my age, how come you weren't going to hurt anyone?" Smolder asked.
"He insulted the team's name, he insulted our honor, i had to do something," Garble replied.
“Do you think we are so foolish?” said a girl with pink skin and spiky yellow hair, she was the leader of the team, "We watched the video, he didn't insult our name, he insulted you, and he told you the truth, you were just too immature to accept it."
"But Scales..." Garble spoke, but was interrupted.
“You will address me as captain,” the girl told him sternly.
"Ye..Yes captain."
"So what will Garble's fate be?" asked Starlight Glimmer.
“Due to the events above, I have made the decision to demote you, you will now be on the second team,” Scales said.
"What? You can't do this to me,” Garble claimed.
“Brother, it could have been much worse, you could have been expelled,” Smolder told him.
"Your sister is right, you should be thankful," Scales added, "Garble, you lied, threatened, stole, cheated and lost, you deserve to be demoted."
"Grrr," Garble was furious.
At that moment the door opened and a 14-year-old boy with gray skin and black hair combed in a very cool way came out.
"What are you doing here?" Garble asked.
“I got promoted to the first team,” the boy replied until Scales spoke up.
"Rumble will be the one to take your place."
"IS SERIOUSLY? WHY WOULD A CHILD TAKE MY PLACE? Garble asked angrily.
“Maybe it's because he does play with honor and is almost undefeated,” Scales responded.
“My abilities are unique, that's the way it is, Gar Gar,” Rumble told him as Garble backed away.
“It's an honor to be a part of the team,” said Rumble.
Scales smiled.
"But now, what are we going to do with that Spike boy?" Smolder asked.
"We'll have to start our move, i wanted to wait, but thanks to Garble we have to start now, we will change this game forever," Scales said as he showed off some strange-looking gloves, "Now everyone will know what a real Cardfight is like."
The members of Team Doom Rider smirked evilly.
Meanwhile in a military school.
Flash Sentry was walking through the corridors, he was going directly to his school club, but then he heard a voice.
"Flash."
Flash turned around and saw a boy with blue skin and blue-black hair, Flash smiled, "Soarin, how are you?"
“Wonderful,” Soarin replied as the two of them bumped fists.
"That must be good news, I haven't seen you smile like that since Pie Day."
Soarin laughed, "Hehehe, yes, but it's not because of that, we already have a teacher and coach for our Vanguard club."
"Seriously that its so cool," Flash replied.
“It's his first day, but I guarantee you'll like him,” Soarin said.
“Okay, I'd like to meet you,” Flash walked into the clubroom and his jaw dropped when he walked in.
"IT CAN'T BE," Flash yelled excitedly.
“Long time no see Flash, I can see you've improved,” said a white-skinned, blue-haired boy who Flash recognized.
"Shining Armor."
Meanwhile in another school.
A white-skinned woman with bright aurora-like hair was speaking to a group of girls, "This year I've decided to add a new challenge to the Friendship Games."
“A new challenge, how exciting,” a girl with pink skin and poofy hair said excitedly.
“Amazing, a new challenge, I won't lose,” said a girl with light blue skin and rainbow hair.
“Remember this is teamwork,” said a girl with orange skin, yellow hair, and wearing a cowboy hat.
"I'm curious, what will that new challenge be?" said a beautiful girl with white skin and purple hair.
“Will it be scary? I wouldn't want to participate in something scary,” said a girl with yellow skin and pink hair.
“I don't think it's scary hehe,” said a girl with orange skin and red and yellow hair.
The woman replied, "Cardfight Vanguard."
“Cardfight Vanguard?” the girls asked at the same time.
Spike and Twilight were on their way to school, upon arrival they found Thorax who greeted them happily.
"Hi Spike, Hi Twi," Thorax greeted them.
"Hi Thorax," the two greeted him back.
"You are not going to believe this, since we appeared on TV, everyone is talking about us, especially you Spike."
"Hehehe, I think it's an exaggeration Thorax, I highly doubt that…." Spike said as they entered but was interrupted by many voices.
"There's Spike."
"Come on lets go."
"Spike."
"Uhh, what's going on here?" Spike was overwhelmed to see so many students closing in on him.
The students began to ask him many questions.
“Is it true that you defeated a world champion?”
"Can we see your cards?"
"Is it true that they are magical and that you are possessed by the spirit of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh which helps you play?"
Spike tried to answer as best he could.
“He wasn't a world champion, he was one of the national champions,” Spike agreed, explaining.
"Yeah sure," Spike pulled some cards out of his Deck and showed them.
"No, that's from another card game, Thorax I need help."
Thorax nodded, "Stand back, let him breathe, he has a class to go to."
“Ughh, I'm finally free of all that,” Twilight thought as she reached her classroom.
But then her friends came.
"Did you see that Twi, we were on TV."
"Yes, I know, my brother is being chased by the other students," Twi said with a rather sarcastic tone, "And all this for a game of cards."
"Like Spike says, it's more than that," Moondancer said, "Maybe we should try it, it might be fun."
Twilight thought about it and a smile suddenly formed on her face, "Not a bad idea."
Thorax walked Spike to his classroom, but on the way they bumped into someone.
"Hey, watch where you're going, you idiots," Ember said, "Oh, Spike, Thorax, I'm sorry, I didn't think it was you."
"Ember, it's nice to see you here," Spike said, "How have you been here, the first days are really hard?"
Ember replied, "So-so, there are a lot of snobs in this school, and I feel like this uniform is suffocating me, but other than that, I think I can handle it."
After that talk, Spike headed to his class while Thorax and Ember went to the same class.
Upon entering, Spike realized that his classmates were staring at him.
So this is what a celebrity feels like, Spike thought, then flustered, I don't know if I can get used to it.
"Spike."
Spike turned to see who was calling him and saw his 2 classmates, Toola Roola and Coconut Cream.
"Oh hey girls."
“Spike, we saw you on TV, you were amazing playing,” said Toola Roola.
“That guy was really evil, but you put him in his place,” added Coconut Cream.
"Hehe, I just did what anyone would have done," Spike replied humbly.
“Still, it was really fun to see you even though we didn't understand the rules,” said Toola Roola.
“And that's why we want to ask you a little favor,” Coconut Cream asked.
"Umm, sure, what do you need help with?" Spike asked them.
And suddenly, from their backpacks the 2 took out pre-built Decks.
“Trial Decks, girls, are you?” Spike asked.
“Yes, we want to learn to play,” said Toola Roola.
"Could you teach us Spike?" asked Coconut Cream.
"Of course girls, I assure you that you won't regret buying those Decks," Spike told them excitedly.
Cardfight Vanguard, a game where you must fight alongside your units on Planet Cray.
A fight against your opponent where there can only be one winner, where there is no room for ties.
And although that is the premise, this game can cause great things, it all depends on the Cardfighter and his skill.
What challenges will await Spike in the future, that is something you will soon see, together with Crystal Scale and the Narukami clan, he will always go forward alongside his friends to protect this game.