//------------------------------// // The Power of a Wind God // Story: Cardfight Vanguard EQG: The Cardfighting Club // by MechaTomX //------------------------------// The battle between Ember and Soarin continued, no one expected that the latter had a legendary clan in his position, his Vanguard, a god of the wind that looked very powerful, made Ember not lower her guard. All the spectators were surprised. "What happened to Ember's rear guards?" Moondancer asked. “They were sent to the top of his deck,” Thorax replied. "It must have been Garuda's skill," Twilight Sparkle added to which Spike nodded, "Thats right." “Garuda skill,” Soarin said, “When I ride a Gale Force unit, units that are grade 2 or lower in your front row are sent to the top of your deck, at the end of my turn, you draw the same number of cards I send to your deck.” Ember frowned, now she only had her Vanguard on the field. “Now I attack with Hurricane Garuda,” Soarin said as he brought his Vanguard to a horizontal position. That made his teammates confused. "Hey? Didn't he call his rear guards?" Spearhead asked. "Noooo, that idiot," Spitfire said, "He didn't think it through." But Flash Sentry smiled, "No, on the contrary, Soarin is very smart." Ember was confused for a moment, she didn't know why he didn't call his rear guards, but she didn't have time to think about that because she had to decide to defend herself, "I know I don't have Triggers on the top of my deck, but if i do defend myself now, I'll be a bit exposed on my next turn." Soarin raised an eyebrow, he didn't know what Ember was planning, but he was surprised when he heard her next words. “No Guard.” "Then, Twin Drive," Soarin smiled. "First check," Soarin pulled out a card and smiled at it, "CRITICAL TRIGGER, SPEARING WOODPECKER." “Grrrrr,” Ember growled. “Second check,” Soarin smiled as he drew a copy of the previous card, “Alright, another Woodpecker.” “Double Critical?” Spike exclaimed, "It can't be." Ember wordlessly placed 3 normal units into her Damage Zone, she frowned as none of those units were Triggers. Ember: 4/6 Damage Soarin: 3/6 Damage “How do you like that?” Soarin asked as Ember drew 2 cards from her deck. “Don't be so arrogant, my turn,” Ember said as she drew a card and stood her Vanguard upright. "NOW, KNEEL BEFORE YOUR QUEEN, SHOOT THIS PLANET WITH THE FLAME OF POWER, RIDE," Ember placed a unit on her Vanguard, it was her best unit, "BLUE FLAME DRAGON LORD." (PWR13000/G3) Soarin showed no fear of her unit. “I'll wipe that smile off your face when you see the skill of….” Ember said but stopped when she saw Soarin's field. “You don't have rear guards,” Ember said in surprise. “That's right, I know your Dragon Lord's skill only works on attacking a rear guard, but now that effect has been nullified,” Soarin said. "Oh, I see," Spitfire said in surprise, "That's why he didn't put up any rear guards." "To weaken Ember's Vanguard skill," Spearhead added. "I told you Soarin knew what he was doing," Flash Sentry told them. "Oh no, this is bad, it's very bad," Twilight Sparkle said. "Ember, hold on," Spike said. "If I can't use my skill, then I'll hit you with all my might, Call," Ember said as she placed 2 copies of the same card in her front row, "SNIPER WYVERN." (PWR13000/G2)X2 Soarin frowned. “Counter Blast 2 so they can attack,” Ember placed 2 cards face down in her Damage Zone. "I'm not done yet, Call," Ember placed a unit in the back row, right behind her Vanguard, "BLUE FLAME SALAMANDER." (PWR8000/G1) "I only get one chance, but it's not something I can control," Ember thought, "But it's better than doing nothing." “I attack with my Dragon Lord supported by Salamander,” Ember placed her Vanguard horizontally and her unit in the back row. (PWR 21000) “No Guard,” Soarin said. "Then, Twin Drive, first check," Ember pulled a card from her deck, seeing it she smiled, "BERSERK HATCHLING, CRITICAL TRIGGER." “Hmff,” Soarin sighed with a serious look. “Second check,” Ember said as she was about to draw a card, making the spectators nervous. The Wonderbolt Academy club members were nervous, hoping that Ember wouldn't get another critical. While the Crystal Prep club members had their hopes up to the max. "Come on Ember, trust your deck," Spike said. "Come on, please," Ember pulled a card from her deck. Seeing her she was surprised, "It can't be." But afterwards, she smiled, "Another copy of Berserk Hatchling, a Double Critical, which means a total of 3 damage." “Nooo,” Soarin yelled. "She made it, she made it," Spike yelled with excitement. “She had little chance, and she still made it,” Moondancer said. "Spike's right, maybe having faith in your cards will help as well as calculating any odds," Twilight Sparkle added. At that moment, Soarin imagined himself as Hurricane Garuda who was about to be struck by the Dragon Lord's scepter. POW Crash Bam Garuda was hit 3 times by the Dragon Lord. “Gyahhh,” Soarin yelled as he lost his balance falling off his chair in the process. “Soarin,” Flash Sentry yelled, concerned for his friend. “Still… I'm not…. I am not defeated yet,” Soarin said as he recovered and sat back down. Ember noticed Soarin's look, "I know that look, he hasn't given up hope yet." “Damage Trigger, first check,” Soarin said placing a normal unit in his Damage Zone. Ember: 4/6 Damage Soarin: 4/6 Damage “Second check,” Soarin brought out another normal unit and placed it in his Damage Zone. Ember: 4/6 Damage Soarin: 5/6 Damage Soarin closed his eyes before taking out the last card. Spearhead trembled with fear. "It's over," Spitfire yelled. But Flash looked at Soarin with hope in his eyes. At that moment Soarin opened his eyes showing a look of strength, "FINAL CHECK." Soarin drew the last card and placed it in his Damage Zone. He smiled, "SOOTHING SONGBIRD, HEAL TRIGGER." "What?" Ember wondered. "What?" everyone in the Crystal Prep club wondered, including Twi and her friends. Even those on his own team were shocked, except Flash. “Good job Soarin.” "I can heal a damage." Ember: 4/6 Damage Soarin: 5/6 Damage Ember still processing what happened, decided to attack with her Wyverns, "I attack." But Soarin defended himself against each attack with the criticals he had pulled on the previous turn, "Guard." “I'm done… my turn,” Ember said. "Gems," Spike exclaimed, "She just has to survive and she'll be fine." “My turn, Stand and Draw,” Soarin drew a card from his deck and placed his Vanguard horizontally. “Call,” Soarin placed on the front row 2 copies of the same unit, which was an anthropomorphic albatross in a black suit and carrying a dagger, “ROGUE ALBATROSS.” (PWR10000/G2)X2 “Rogue Albatros skill,” Soarin said paying a Counter Blast for each albatross, that is 2, and charging 2 cards from his deck into his soul, “I pay 1 Counter Blast and Soul Charge 2.” "What are you planning?" Ember wondered. "My Albatross gain 5000 every time I Soul Charge and they can also gain an extra 5000 when I Soul Blast, and that's what I'll do, I activate Garuda's other skill." At that moment, Ember could imagine Garuda moving his wings at full force. “I Soul Blast 5, for every card I use in Soul Blast, you must return a card to your deck,” Soarin said and then smiled, “So even if you drew 5 new cards at the end of my turn, you will return 5 cards to your deck.” “It can't be possible,” Ember said, returning 5 cards that Soarin randomly chose. "And since I did Soul Blast, my Albatross will gain a boost." (PWR 20000) "And that's not all, Garuda earns 1000 for each card sent from your hand to your deck." (PWR 17000) Ember swallowed hard. “Oh no, Ember is in trouble,” Toola Roola said. “Yes, with that power boost, it will be difficult for her to defend herself,” said Coconut Cream. "Not to mention most of her defense was returned to her deck," Thorax added. "EMBER," Spike yelled. “I attack your Vanguard with Albatross,” Soarin brought his Albatross horizontally. "Intercept," Ember said as she placed her copies of Sniper Wyvern in the Guard Zone. (SHLD 10000) “I attack with Hurricane Garuda,” Soarin placed his Vanguard horizontally. “Perfect Guard,” Ember placed Platinum Drake in the Guard Zone. (SHLD 0) “She still had a perfect guard left?” Spearhead wondered. “Twin Drive, first check,” Soarin pulled a card from his deck but saw that it was a normal unit. "Come on Garuda, lend me the power of the wind so that you and I can achieve victory in this battle, second check," Soarin drew a card from his deck, he smiled, "Thank you Garuda." "That's a bad sign," Ember thought. Soarin smilingly showed the unit to Ember, but not before placing the Albatross that he attacked earlier, vertically, "RISING RAVEN, A STAND TRIGGER, I GIVE ALL THE EFFECTS TO ALBATROS." "Yeah," shouted Flash, "Come on Soarin, it's your last chance." “I attack with Albatross,” Soarin placed his unit horizontally. Ember who no longer had any useful guard in her hand had no choice, "Damage Trigger check." Ember placed a normal unit in her Damage Zone. Ember: 5/6 Damage Soarin: 5/6 Damage At that moment Soarin placed his last unit horizontally, "And lastly, I attacked with Albatross." "Grrr, Damage Trigger," Ember said, hiding her nerves, "Check." "If the attack is successful, Soarin will have won the battle," Spitfire said. “That's right, but, it's too early to celebrate, she might still have a Heal,” the sky blue girl said. But Flash just watched silently with a look of hope. Ember took out a card closing her eyes, opening them little by little, she managed to see a yellow border at the bottom of the unit, she opened her eyes completely, but the result was not what I expected. “Draw Trigger, sorry guys.” Ember said without showing an expression, at which point she placed the unit in her Damage Zone. Ember: 6/6 Damage Soarin: 5/6 Damage (Winner) “I…I lost,” Ember said looking at the ground. Many were shocked at how close the fight was, but Lemon Zest as narrator had to do her job. "Victory for Wonderbolt Academy, the winner is Soarin." Hearing that, everyone recovered from the shock and celebrated. “Well done Soarin,” said Spitfire and the sky blue girl at the same time. “We tied the score again,” Spearhead celebrated. “You did it Soarin,” Flash Sentry said smiling, “You should be proud of that victory.” “I admit you did well,” Soarin told Ember. Ember looked at Soarin, she was still hurt by her defeat, but smiled instantly, "Thanks, now I can see that it was the deck that chose you." “I only won because I got the right Triggers out, it was luck,” Soarin said. "NOTHING ABOUT THAT, DON'T TRY TO BE MODEST WITH ME," Ember yelled, scaring Soarin, "YOU ARE A GREAT CARDFIGHTER, NEVER DENY IT." Soarin nodded scared as Ember returned to her team. “Great, it's getting better,” Sugarcoat said with a wicked smile. “With their only strong player gone, the Cardfighting Club won't stand a chance,” Sour Sweet said with an evil smile. Hearing that, Twilight Sparkle giggled. "What is so funny?" asked Indigo Zap. Moondancer answered for her, "Its funny you think that Ember is the only strong player in the club." “Yeah, you haven't seen the others play,” Minuette said. “You're only judged on their looks,” Twinkleshine added. “For that, you will be in for a big surprise,” Lemon Hearts said. As Ember returned, she lowered her head again. But none of her teammates were mad at her, they couldn't blame her after the previous 2 wins she had given them. Ember came up, "I, I should have done better." "What are you talking about?" Toola Roola asked her. “You did it very well,” Thorax said. “Anything could have happened in that battle,” said Coconut Cream. Ember smiled, but her smile faded instantly, "Still, I feel like I could have given more, if only I…" Ember was interrupted when she felt 2 arms around her waist, she lowered her head and realized that feeling was Spike hugging her. "You did well Ember, I'm so grateful to have you on the team, and to have you in my life," Al Spike blushed when he said that last part. Ember blushed upon hearing Spike, "Thanks Spike." “But if you let me ask, what are you doing?!” She asked with her arms raised. "It's called a hug!" Spike replied, Ember raising an eyebrow. "Oh...um, I don't know if I like it, but...okay." She said still blushing patted him on the head as Spike hugged her tighter, Spike's friends silently chuckling at the sight. "Nice move Spike," Twilight Sparkle said. At that moment Lemon Zest marked one of the names on the board again. Crystal Prep. Spike Ember Thorax Toola Roola Coconut Cream Wonderbolt Academy. Flash Sentry Soarin Spitfire Fleetfoot Spearhead "Alright, who's the next cardfighter to fight Soarin?" I ask Lemon Zest to the Crystal Prep club. "Hmm, I guess I'm out, since im gonna be in the final fight," Spike said, then turned to Coconut Cream and Thorax, "Well, which of you two would like to fight a legendary clan?" At that moment, Coconut Cream took a step back and pushed Thorax away. "Hey," Thorax complained. "Thank you for offering Thorax," Spike thanked with a smile. “But, but I don't….” Thorax said but Spike cut him off. "Remember to watch out for your units," Spike reminded him, "He's going to be a tough opponent." Thorax gave up and simply decided to accept, "Well, sooner or later it would be my turn." "I will do my best," Thorax told Spike, "I will not let Ember's defeat be in vain." Spike smiled, "Then go get him." Still afraid, Thorax nodded and headed for the table. "About time a male from that school came to the battle," Spitfire said. "Did you saw the only 2 boys in the club, I think Ember is more of a male than both of them combined," the sky blue girl laughed making Spitfire laugh too. "SILENCE," Flash yelled at them, "A cardfighter is not judged by his appearance, always treat your opponent with respect, remember that." They nodded scared, they had hardly ever heard Flash Sentry raise his voice. “I am your next opponent,” Thorax told Soarin as he sat down at the table. “If you want your club to stand a chance, you'll have to get past me,” Soarin told him, smiling. “Its gonna be my pleasure,” Thorax told him with a smile as he show him his deck box, after that he was ready. “Excellent, then let the fifth battle between Crystal Prep and Wonderbolt Academy begin,” Lemon Zest announced. “From the Wonderbolt Academy, Soarin,” Lemon Zest announced as Soarin remained at the table. “And from Crystal Prep, Thorax,” Lemon Zest announced as Thorax sat down at the table and placed his deck there again. The battle was about to begin, but before that there was the sound of the gym door opening. “Ugh, I hope Its not too late,” the others heard a voice that the Crystal Prep students recognized. "Nurse Chrysalis?" Twilight asked, "What are you doing here?" The nurse sat on the bench next to Twi, “Isn't it obvious? What kind of mother would I be if I wasn't here to cheer for my son?" “Come on Thorax, you can beat him,” Chrysalis yelled as she held up two Megacolony clan flags. “Mom,” said Thorax with a blush of embarrassment. Soarin laughed. After that, the two shuffled their decks and drew 5 cards, but not before turning their Vanguard face down. “I will return 1 card,” Thorax said. “I will return 3 cards,” Soarin said. Then the 2 shuffled their decks and took out the cards. “Begin,” Lemon Zest told them. At that moment, they turned over the card they left on the table while the two of them shouted: STAND UP, VANGUARD. Thorax: 0/6 Damage Soarin: 0/6 Damage Thorax flipped his card over, "COCOON OF THE LOVE EATER." (PWR6000/G0) As Soarin flipped his, "SKY-BORN CHICKADEE." (PWR4000/G0) "I must win, I will keep fighting and protect the honor of our academy, and your honor, Flash," Soarin thought. “I have to work hard, for our club and for you Spike, you are my first friend and a person who changed my life, that's why I'll fight for our club,” thought Thorax. The 2 were more ready than ever, even if fear invaded Thorax, he would continue fighting. And with that, the battle began, the pride of the Cardfighters will be what guides them to the victory.