//------------------------------// // The Gold Knight of Harmony // Story: Cardfight Vanguard EQG: The Cardfighting Club // by MechaTomX //------------------------------// Soarin had returned to the gym, he didn't seem to be hurt. "Uff, I'm sorry about that, I don't know what happened to me," Soarin told his team, "But don't worry about me, I've calmed down and I'm fine." But Spearhead couldn't believe it, "Fine? Fine?, Dude, you jump through a window, how come you don't have a single scratch?" "Hehe, this isn't the first time this has happened to us," Soarin said and then pointed at Flash Sentry, "You should have seen the tantrum Flash throw at a shop tournament." “That wasn't a tantrum,” Flash Sentry replied with a pout, “My opponent was using Japanese cards which is against the rules.” Soarin and Spearhead laughed at that. By this time, Lemon Zest had already updated the board with the names of the members of both clubs. Crystal Prep. Spike Ember Thorax Toola Roola Coconut Cream Wonderbolt Academy. Flash Sentry Soarin Spitfire Fleetfoot Spearhead “It means I'm next,” the light blue girl said as she advanced to the table. "Good luck, remember Thorax's strategy," Flash reminded her. "Oh please," the girl sneered, "They're just bugs, which I'm going to squash." Thorax was with the club and the other spectators, he received praise from his teammates. "That was great, Thorax," Spike told him, "5 Criticals in one attack." "I never would have guessed," Ember added. “I must admit you scared us,” Toola Roola said. “You were at 5 damage while Soarin was at 1,” Coconut Cream added, “I thought I gave up hope when I saw that.” “But you managed to pull off a miracle,” Moondancer told him. "I'm proud of you Thorax," Chrysalis told him, then she hugged him, "Even though I don't understand anything about the game, you seem to be very good at it." Thorax smiled hearing that, clearly Vanguard had done him a lot of good and he would continue to work hard to win this duel between clubs. "The last battle was somewhat exciting," Lemon Zest announced, "But we must continue, from Wonderbolt Academy, Fleetfoot." “Victory shall be mine,” said the light blue girl whose name was Fleetfoot. "And from Crystal Prep, Thorax." “I have to stand firm, I will defend our club,” Thorax said determinedly. “You must be so confident to have defeated Soarin,” Fleetfoot told him. "Well, I was just lucky," Thorax replied, placing his hand on the back of his neck, "Anything could have happened." “Well your luck has run out,” Fleetfoot told him as she began shuffling her deck, “10 minutes, I'll only need 10 minutes to crush you.” Thorax gulped, clearly startled. Seeing him scared, Fleetfoot smiled, "Hehe, it would be a piece of cake." 10 minutes later. Thorax: 5/6 Damage (Winner) Fleetfoot: 6/6 Damage “Hold on….. What the….” Said Fleetfoot who was in shock, "He is very strong." At that moment Fleetfoot fell to her knees. "And the victory belongs to Thorax," Lemon Zest announced excitedly, "They should call the Guinness World Records, for the fastest battle." "Oh no," Soarin placed his hand on his forehead, "I told her not to use the same deck that Spitfire uses." “Yeah, I guess she couldn't have surprised him,” Flash Sentry added. At that moment Fleetfoot returned to his team keeping her look of surprise. "He's very strong," she told them before lying down. “Damn, if this wasn't a cardfight, I'd have beaten that boy up for being so violent with a lady by now,” Spearhead said, looking at Fleetfoot. "You know what this means?" asked Soarin. Flash didn't reply but nodded with a determined look, to which Soarin smiled. "That was so fast," Thorax listened to the praise from his teammates, he couldn't believe he was just one win away from his club being approved. “Ahhh, this is bad, this is very bad,” Sour Sweet said. “If they get one more win, we won't have a choice, we'll have to approve the club,” added Indigo Zap. "Don't worry," Sugarcoat told them, who didn't seem to be upset, "The last member is the strongest, I investigated him, they won't even be able to give him a single scratch." "Okay Thorax, you just need one more win," Spike told him. “And so the club will be official,” Ember added. "Just remember to be careful, Flash is very strong," Spike reminded him. "Yes, I remember his last battle in the shop, if he hadn't been cheated I'm sure he would have swept away Garble, but that won't stop me from doing my best," Thorax replied as he approached the table. By this time, Lemon Zest had updated the board, with only one Wonderbolt Academy student remaining. Crystal Prep. Spike Ember Thorax Toola Roola Coconut Cream Wonderbolt Academy. Flash Sentry Soarin Spitfire Fleetfoot Spearhead "It was an exciting fight, but now Wonderbolt Academy is on the line, they only have one member left, but, it's their captain Flash Sentry," Lemon Zest announced as Flash headed to the table. "It's time," Flash Sentry said. “And defending Crystal Prep, there is Thorax, if he manages to win this battle, the winner will be Crystal Prep's Cardfighting Club,” Lemon Zest announced as Thorax returned to the table. "This battle can not only decide a victory or survival, but the pride of the cardfighters marked in their very being," Spike said to which Lemon Zest and the other girls from the student council looked at him with a deadpan look. "Sorry, I have a bad habit of narrating when I'm nervous," Spike said. By this time, Thorax and Flash had already reached the table. “Thorax, you were amazing, let me tell you that you managed to surprise me and my team, it will be an honor to fight with you,” Flash Sentry told him. "The honor is mine, Flash," Thorax replied, "Don't hold back, because I have no intention of losing." Flash smiled, "Don't worry, I won't." “Alright cardfighters, shuffle your decks,” Lemon Zest told them. Thorax and Flash proceeded to do so, when they were done they drew 5 cards from their respective decks. “I will return 1 card,” Thorax said placing a card in his deck and drawing a new one. “I'll return 2,” Flash Sentry said placing 2 cards in his deck and drawing another 2. Next, they placed a card face down in the Vanguard Circle. “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. STAND UP, THE VANGUARD. Thorax: 0/6 Damage Flash Sentry: 0/6 Damage Thorax flipped his card over, "COCOON OF THE LOVE EATER." (PWR6000/G0) As Flash flipped his, "FLASH HEART DRACOKID." (PWR5000/G0) “The?” Ember asked, "Did he said "The"?" "Well, from what Flash told me, he's been training with my brother, Shining Armor, and he always adds a "The"," Spike replied. "So that's why you said it too, isn't right Spike?" Ember asked smiling. Spike smiled, "That's right." "My older brother is someone who always knows how to bring out the best in a person, I'm sure if Flash trained with him, Thorax would have a hard time," added Twilight Sparkle. "Exactly," Spike replied, "But that will make this battle more epic." “Since it's Wonderbolt Academy's last chance, Flash Sentry decides who goes first and second,” said Lemon Zest. “I'll go first if you don't mind,” Flash said as he drew a card from his deck. Thorax nodded and waited for his move. Flash discarded a card from his hand to search his deck for another. "Dracokid's skill, I can discard a card and search my deck for a Gold Paladin whose grade is higher," Flash said as he drew a card from his deck. "And that allows me to Superior Ride," Flash said as he placed the card he took from his deck on top of Dracokid, "FLASH HEART WYVERN." (PWR8000/G1) “My turn is over,” Flash Sentry said. “Flash´s deck guarantees that he will never draw a bad hand,” Soarin said. "And it keep more secrets?" Spearhead asked. “Yes, but it is not yet time to reveal them,” Soarin replied. “COME ON THORAX, DON'T LET THAT GUY SCARE YOU, EVEN IF HE HAD HAIR LIKE A HOOLIGAN, YOU'RE VERY STRONG,” Nurse Chrysalis encouraged. "Umm, Miss Chrysalis, I don't think his hairstyle has anything to do with it," Spike told her. “Mom,” Thorax said sheepishly as he covered his face with his hand. "Really ticks me off, after all the lectures my mom gave me about my hairstyle," Flash thought, "Maybe it's time for a change." "Sorry about that," Thorax apologized as he drew a card from his deck. "No, that's fine, your mother is right on one point," Flash Sentry replied. "In the part of your hooligan look or in which I am very strong?" Thorax asked. "Umm, I guess she's a bit right about both, but more so about your strength," Flash clarified, "That's why I won't underestimate you in this battle, doing so would be instant defeat." Thorax smiled, "Then I'll make you look surprised, Ride." Thorax's card was an anthropomorphic species of fly which had a black trench coat, wore a fancy hat and carried a gun, "SPY FLY." (PWR7000/G1) “And you know, my Cocoon's skill allows me to move it into a rear-guard circle,” Thorax moved the Cocoon to the back of his field, now right behind Spy Fly. "Then, I Call," Thorax placed another card on the left front row, "DARK ANT SOLDIER." (PWR8000/G1) “Interesting,” Flash Sentry thought. “I attack your Vanguard with Spy Fly boosted by my Cocoon,” Thorax placed the respective units horizontally. (PWR 13000) “I won't protect myself from that,” Flash Sentry told him. "Then I'll check the Drive Trigger," said Thorax, he took out a card and seeing it, he didn't know how to feel, "I guess it can still work, Holy Butterfly, Heal Trigger." Flash raised an eyebrow. "That's right, I can't heal myself, but I can still power up my Dark Ant Soldier." (PWR 18000) “That's right, he can still take advantage of a Trigger,” Flash Sentry said as he placed a card in his Damage Zone, it was a normal unit. Thorax: 0/6 Damage Flash Sentry: 1/6 Damage And then Thorax attacked with his Ant Soldier to which Flash decided to accept the attack again. Thorax: 0/6 Damage Flash Sentry: 2/6 Damage “My turn is over,” Thorax said. "So far so good," Spike said a little nervously. “Yes, Thorax started off with a good lead offensively, but it's too soon to let his guard down,” Ember added. “VERY GOOD THORAX, YOU ARE MY CHAMPION,” Chrysalis encouraged, yelling so loudly that those sitting near her had to cover their ears. "Will Flash be alright?" asked Fleetfoot. “Relax, it's only his second turn,” Soarin replied confidently. “My turn, Draw,” Flash said as he drew a card from his deck. "I discard a card from my hand, so I can Superior Ride," Flash placed on top of Flash Heart Wyvern, another card that showed a grown version of him, "FLASH HEART DRAKE." (PWR10000/G2) "Call," Flash placed another of his units on the left front row, "SENTRY KNIGHT." (PWR9000/G2) “Now I attack your Vanguard with Flash Heart Drake,” Flash Sentry brought his Vanguard horizontally. “No Guard, I guess,” Thorax said. "Drive Trigger check," Flash pulled a card from his deck, he smirked at it, "Got it, Springer The Powerful Jakhowl, Critical Trigger." “Great,” Thorax sighed. "The power goes to my Sentry Knight." (PWR 19000) “Damage Trigger, Double check,” Thorax put 2 cards into his Damage Zone, unfortunately neither was a Trigger. Thorax: 2/6 Damage Flash Sentry: 2/6 Damage "My Flash Heart Drake skill allows me to pay a counter-blast to Superior Call a grade 2 unit whose power is lower, but I can only do this when an attack hits," Flash Sentry said as he searched his deck for a card. Thorax frowned, but he had no choice, if he had defended, Flash would have a rear guard with a Critical which would force Thorax to discard a lot of cards from his hand. "Superior Call," Flash placed a unit on his empty front row, "SENTRY KNIGHT." (PWR9000/G2) "I attack with my Sentry Knight." “I Guard with Thief Firefly,” Thorax placed his Draw Trigger in the Guard Zone. (SHLD 5000) “Then I attack with my Sentry Knight with more power,” Flash said, placing the unit horizontally. “Damage Trigger check,” Thorax said as he placed another unit in his Damage Zone. Thorax: 3/6 Damage Flash Sentry: 2/6 Damage “This guy is really tough,” Thorax thought. "So far they're doing fine, I guess," Soarin said. "You can do it, Thorax," Spike said cheering for his best friend. "My turn, Stand and Draw, Ride," Thorax placed his units vertically and drew a card from his deck, at which point he placed his grade 2 unit, "CHANGELING KNIGHT." (PWR10000/G2) “Now fall into my web,” Thorax told him. Flash wanted to frown, but instead, for some strange reason, maybe it was the hype of the battle, he smiled. “Your Knight won't be able to stand in the next turn,” Thorax told him, gesturing to their respective unit. After that, Thorax moved his Dark Ant Soldier to the back row, "My soldier moves back." “Now I Call,” Thorax placed 2 copies of the same unit on the front row, “SWORDSPIDER .” (PWR10000/G2)X2 "Oh no," Flash Sentry said startedled. “AND I'M NOT FINISHED YET,” Thorax said excitedly as he placed a unit in the missing back row, thus filling his field, "DARK ANT SOLDIER." (PWR8000/G1) Flash Sentry eyed Thorax's field warily, he was clearly going all out and wouldn't let himself be defeated. "This is for you my friends, Spike, Ember, Toola Roola, Coconut Cream, Mom and…." Thorax thought but stopped when he saw Twilight and her friends, he realized that one of them was staring at him with a blush in her tender gaze. “Moondancer?” Thorax wondered at the same time that he had blushed. "Are you OK?" asked Flash Sentry. "Ahhh," Thorax tried to hide his face, "I'm fine, nothing suspicious, hehe." "Now what's wrong with him?" Ember asked. "Is he paralyzed?" Toola Roola asked. "No, I think something crossed his mind," Coconut Cream replied. “I am fine, and I will be better because it will be time to launch my attacks,” Thorax said. "Very well, then, bring it on," Flash said with spirit. “SWORDSPIDERS, GO FOR HIM,” Thorax yelled as he and Flash imagined themselves on Planet Cray. Flash imagined how the Spiders supported by the Ant Soldiers stabbed him mercilessly. “GYAHHHHH.” Flash Sentry yelled. "OK, NOW MY CHANGELING KNIGHT." Flash was on his knees when he felt himself being rammed by the Knight. “UGHHHH.” Coming back to the reality. "Drive Trigger check," Thorax pulled out a card and although it wasn't a Trigger, he smiled anyway, "Changeling King, I've been waiting for you." Flash frowned knowing that unit would get him into trouble on Thorax's next turn, but he didn't have much time to think because he had to put his cards in the Damage Zone. Thorax: 3/6 Damage Flash Sentry: 5/6 Damage "Gahhh, why didn't he defend himself?" asked Fleetfoot. "I don't know," Soarin replied, "But Flash isn't one to make mistakes, he surely has a plan." “It's at 5 damage, if that plan fails, then it's over,” Spearhead added. “WOOO, THIS IS HOW YOU ATTACK THORAX, NO MERCY,” Chrysalis yelled excitedly. "This is a good sign," Spike said, "Now Thorax just needs to wait for his next turn and the game will be his." "That's right," Twilight Sparkle said, then she yelled, "BE VERY CAREFUL, FLASH." "Hey, what side are you on?" Moondancer asked with a frown. "Sorry," Twilight apologized, "It was a reflex." “Thanks Twi, I needed that,” Flash Sentry thought as he drew a card from his deck and stood his units vertically. “Time to show the true power of the Gold Paladdin clan,” Flash said excitedly as he discarded a card from his hand. “SHINE YOUR LIGHT OF VICTORY, SUPERIOR RIDE,” shouted Flash as he placed a card on top of Drake, his best unit, “FLASH HEART DRAGON.” (PWR12000/G3) At that moment Thorax imagined himself on the Planet Cray he was facing Flash Heart Dragon, and that dragon imposed an aura of power and intimacy, a sense of danger ran through Thorax's mind. Coming back to the reality. “I hope you're ready, because Flash Heart Dragon is,” Flash Sentry told him with a smile. Thorax looked at his hand and was relieved that he had Changeling King. "Next turn, I'll win," Thorax thought, "I just have to resist their attacks and we'll be victorious." A battle between both kingdoms has begun.