//------------------------------// // Ride 14: The Fearsome Undead! // Story: Cardfight Vanguard Equestria Saga // by VanguardLuard //------------------------------// “I ride Dreadmaster. This is a lesson in pain from the Nubatama ninjas,” said a colt. “Hey, why are you talking like that? Final turn,” said another colt. “What? You're only supposed to say that when you're about to win the game.” “Really? But it sounds so cool.” Apple Bloom was just watching the colts play Vanguard when Scootaloo entered the shop. “Hey Apple Bloom, what are you doing?” asked Scootaloo. “Oh hey Scootaloo actually I was just thinking about what happened at the tournament the other day,” said Apple Bloom “Okay, now this is my the final turn,” said one of the colts. “You're not going defeat my shadow ninjas. This is the end of the line for you,” said the other. “That’s what Spike said to me,” said Sweetie Belle remembering what Spike said to her. “Oh darn it if only I have played a little better in that game then I would be the tournament champion right now,” said Scootaloo. “I had a good time. It didn’t matter to me whether I win or lose. But…” said Apple Bloom. “But it’s frustrating when you lose, isn’t it. But that’s the way vanguard works,” said Sweetie Belle “We’re just got to get better then.” “Well in that case why don’t we look for for a new challenge,” said Scootaloo “Sorry I can’t go, I have to stay and watch the shop,” said Sweetie Belle. “And I don’t know where any groups are,” said Apple Bloom. “Leave it to me Apple Bloom. I know of a group that is close to Sugar Cube Corner,” said Scootaloo. “Really? Will you take me there?” “Of course. You're going to love it, there are good ponies there and it’s the hangout for some of the strongest players in.” Scootaloo paused for a moment as she remembered something, then screamed. ‘If I go to that group I’m going to have to see him. But I told Apple Bloom I would take her.’ “Are you thinking about take one of your best friends to that group you should exercise restraint, if you don't want Apple Bloom to lose faith in you,” said a voice inside Scootaloo’s head. ‘Eggs and rice restaurant.’ “Don’t listen to her, the filly she’s lame. Just take Apple Bloom to the group. She’s counting on you,” said a different voice in her head. ‘What did she mean by ‘Eggs and rice restaurant.’ “I know I can always count on you Scootaloo,” said a voice like Apple Bloom’s inside her head. “Are you okay?” asked Apple Bloom. “We are going to go over to that group and challenge some stronger fighters. And if he shows up I’ll just run for my life. Well you know what they say, time waits for nopony. I’ll will lead the way. Come on, let’s get going,” said Scootaloo. “Sure.” “Oh, Sweetie Belle can I ask you something? You won’t know where I could find an eggs and rice restaurant would you? Actually don’t worry about it, we got to go Apple Bloom,” said Scootaloo pushing Apple Bloom out of the shop. ‘Does she mean exercise? But that doesn't-oh,’ thought Sweetie Belle. “Exercise restraint is impossible for somepony like her.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo started to walk down Ponyville. “So you said that this group was going to have some really strong players right?” asked Apple Bloom. “Oh you bet. There’s a team there that plays there that made it all the way to The National Championship,” said Scootaloo “Are you kidding me?” “Nope and I have a feeling they entered this year too. So we might have to play them soon. You see a lot of good teams enter with one team being the wild card which happens to be us. To fight to see how they will represent their town. And the winning team go to the nationals. There you go on to fight against the winners from other towns. The competition is so high only the strongest vanguard fighters will survive.” “That sound intense.” “Let’s battle our way to the national stage.” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were just outside Sugar Cube Corner. “Come on Apple Bloom it’s this way” Apple Bloom followed Scootaloo then she saw a large group of ponies. She got nerves and decided to stay close to Scootaloo. “Oh Scootaloo is that you? It’s about time you came back,” said a stallion. “Shhh.” Scootaloo did a quick look around. “Well it looks like the coast is clear. We should see about starting ourselves a match Apple Bloom. Is Thunderlane here?” “Of course he is. Hey caption Scootaloo’s looking for you.” From the end of the group three ponies started to walk over. “This is the team that made it to national’s last year. They call themselves Team Handsome. That’s the team we got to bet at the regionals.” “That’s team Handsome?” asked Apple Bloom “Hey Scoots you were trying to avoid us or something?” asked Thunderlane. “Of course not, I’ve just been busy,” said Scootaloo “Are my eyes playing tricks on me or did you bring a friend along?” he asked, noticing Apple Bloom. “Nice to meet you. I’m Apple Bloom. Scootaloo has been helping me become a better vanguard player,” said Apple Bloom “Is that so. Well I’m Thunderlane, this here is Blossomforth and you already know Pipsqueak,” “It’s nice to meet you.” “So have you decided to accept my offer and become the fourth member of Team Handsome?” “How many time do I have to say no before you get it Thunderlane? Me and Apple Bloom are on the wild card team. And we’re going to beat you at the next regional tournament,” proclaimed Scootaloo. “But your talent will be wasted fighting for a different team.” “Did he really offer you a spot on his team?” asked Apple Bloom. “Eeyup!" said Scootaloo “Then why aren’t you playing with them? They probably have a good chance of winning again.” “Why should I hide behind some of the players around when I can face them head on and beat them at their own game. Plus I want to be on a team you with you, you’re my friend after all.” “I can’t believe you would lie to your friends face like that or at least not tell her the whole truth,” said Blossomforth “We all know that’s not the only real reason.” said Pipsqueak “What do they mean??” asked Apple Bloom “SCOOTALOO!” yelled a colt racing towards her and tackling her. Then he started navel her. “I missed you so much.” “Oh are you her coltfriend?” asked Apple Bloom “I wasn't sure at first. But I always know she would come back one day. And confess her love for me,” said Rumble “Give it a rest Rumble, you're not my coltfriend and you never were,” said Scootaloo “Scootaloo!” “GET OFF!” “I’m just going to assume he is the reason why she doesn't want to join team Handsome.” “Yeah Scootaloo has a hard time dealing with Rumble.” Said Blossomforth “Eeyup!" said Pipsqueak “Teach that smart mouth kid a lesson about running away little bro,” said Thunderlane “Little bro,” said Apple Bloom. “That there is my little brother Rumble. Do you have siblings?” “Yeah, an older brother and sister.” “Then you should know what I’m talking about. An older sibling would do anything to make sure their younger sibling is happy.” “Sometimes yes and they make sure do your homework and stuff so they might get strict.” “I guess you're right on that too. But we’re look out for are little siblings.” “I said get off of me.” said Scootaloo “No way together forever Scootaloo.” said Rumble “It looks like you're not getting the message so let me be perfectly. I’m not in love with you and I never will be.” “What!” “That was harsh.” said Apple Bloom “Sorry I didn’t hear you.” said Rumble covering his ears with his hoofs. “Why is this happening to me?” Scootaloo asked herself. “Listen up.” “Not listening not listening.” “Rumble.” “Yes” he took his hoofs off his ear and wrapped them around Scootaloo. “You heard that just find.” Thunderlane, Blossomforth, and Pipsqueak chucked. “Why won’t you listen I’m not in love with you. Because i-i-i i'm in love with somepony else.” Thunderlane came up to Scootaloo with a series face on. “Did you mean all the thing you said to Rumble.” “Let me spell it out for you I will never ever ever love Rumble he could be my friend if he wasn’t love crazy about me.” “Who is it?” “A-a-a-a” shuddered Scootaloo look around. Thunderlane notice this and started to figured it out. “Oh I see. You fell in love with Apple Bloom didn’t you.” Apple Bloom, Blossomforth, Pipsqueak, and Thunderlane were all shocked. “Who would have thought.” “Have you lost your mind I-I-I’m in love with one of her cousins that I met when they came to town for the reunion.” Thunderlane walked up to Apple Bloom with an angry look on his face. “So she is in love with one of your cousins do you know witch one?” Apple Bloom figured out what Scootaloo was trying to do. “I don’t know, I have a lot of relatives all over Equestria it could be anyone one of them.” “Well then I guess I’ll challenge you to a cardfight instead for Scootaloo’s love.” “I don’t think thats how love works.” Apple Bloom and Thunderlane to a table and got there decks ready for the match. “You got to be really careful when you fight Thunderlane Apple Bloom. He is playing a Granblue deck which means he’ll be trying to….” said Scootaloo “You will not help out in this match you can cheer for Apple Bloom if you want but no helping.” said a stallion “I appreciate you wanting to help and everything. But I want to take this chance and fight alone. With regionals coming up I want to know that I can beat sompony at his level.” said Apple Bloom “Come on Apple Bloom don’t let me down.” whispered Scootaloo ‘I can belive I get to play somepony who went to nationals last year I beater try my best.’ “I’m not going to let anypony stand in my brothers happens. Here we go.” said Thunderlane “Stand Up Vanguard!” “Barcagl!” “Guiding Zombie!” Thunderlane turned into a purple zombie earth pony with a white mane and tail with a lantern in his right hoof. ‘So this is a unit from a Granblue deck looks like. Kinda creepy put nothing I can’t handle.’ thought Apple Bloom “Your first Apple Bloom.” said Thunderlane “I ride Wingal, using Barcgal’s skill I move him to the rear guard. Then I’ll activate his skill to call Flogal from my deck. Then I end my turn.” (RG) (Wingal) (RG) (Flogal) (Barcgal) (RG) “I ride Dandy Guy, Romario.” He turned into A purple zombie unicorn with ginger mane and tail with a rose in his mouth. “Next I use Guiding Zombie’s skill to move him to the rear guard.” “That’s the same ability I just used.” “Next I call Dancing Cutlass.” A pony size floating sword appeared. “Dancing Cutlass supports Guiding Zombie on an attack on Wingal.” He disappeared the repaired in front of her then swung and hit her with the lantern. “Checking damage trigger.”(no trigger) “Now Romario attacks your vanguard. Checking for drive trigger.” (no trigger) He shot lighting from his horn zapping her. “Damage trigger check. (Heal trigger) All right heal trigger activated that’s 5000 power to wingal and I recover one damage. I stand and draw, stand up my avatar ride Blaster Blade. I move Flogal up. Then I call Knight of Rose, Morgana and two copies of Little Sage Marron. With support from Marron I’ll have Flogal attack your vanguard.” Flogal jumped up and scratched him. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “I continue with Blaster Blade supported by Barcgal, drive check.”(no trigger) She swang her sword shoting blue flames out of it. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “Here comes Morgana supported by Marron.” 14000 to 8000 “I guard with Chappie the Ghostie” A ghost appeared and took the swing of Morgana’s sword. “I activate Chappie the Ghostie skill to take Captain Nightmist and put him in my drop zone.” 14000 to 18000 ‘Why would he want to throw away a grade two unit like that’ “Thats going to be the end of my turn.” ‘The scariest thing about playing against a Granblue deck is the drop zone.’ thought Scootaloo “I stand and draw, I ride Captain Nightmist.” he turned into an earth pony pirate with a sword in his right hoof. “I activate his skill on my turn when Captain Nightmist is in my vanguard cycle if there is another one in the drop zone then he gain 3000 power.” ‘So that why she did that last turn. He relay is a good player.’ “I stand and draw, enter the fray, kneel before your king I ride the King of Knight Alfred. I retire Flogal and call the Knight of Silence, Gallatin. Captain Nightmist is about feel the power of Gallatin supported by Marron.” He ran up and swung his sword at him. “Damage trigger check,(Critical trigger) trigger activated that 5000 power to Nightmist.” “In that case Alfred will show you the united power of the Royal Paladin’s attacking Captain Nightmist. Checking twin drive.” (both no triggers) Alfred charged and swung his sword at him. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “Lastly Morgana will attack your vanguard supported by Marron.” 14000 to 13000 “I guard with Ruin Shade.” A Black earth pony mare with a white mane and tail holding a sword in one hoof and a shield in the other. (Gallatin) (Alfred) (Morgana) 3 hoof (Marron) (Barcgal) (Marron) 3 damage (Zombie) (Nightmist) (Blueblood) 3 hoof (Cutlass) (Evil Shade) (RG) 4 damage “They abomination of flesh and metal you’ll come to know him as Monster Frank ride.” he turned into Frankenstein looking earth pony. “Guiding Zombie and Dancing Cutlass switch places. Using Captain Nightmist counterblast from the drop zone. By sending a grad one higher unit from my rear guard to the drop zone I can resurrect him. Pirates my die but they are not gone for long.” “You can activate their abilities from the drop zone.” “Theres no way Apple Bloom’s not going to win this one now that Thunderlane has set up his big finisher. The unstoppable pirates. His legion of undead units will keep coming back to haunt you until they finished the job for good.” said Scootaloo “Your Royal Paladin are no match for my Granblue. With the help of Evil Shade, Monster Frank attacks Alfred. I activated Evil Shade’s skill by moving the top two cards from my deck to the drop zone if so and he is boosting my vanguard it boosts for an extra 4000 power.” 20000 to 10000 “I don’t guard.” “Twin drive.”(both no trigger) He walked up to her and punched her. “Check for a damage trigger” (no trigger) “Captain Nightmist attacks with support from Guiding Zombie.” “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “Now I attack with Blueblood.” “I guard with Barron.” A unicorn shot at a unicorn with a staff and berred. ‘I have to attack and finish him of this turn.’ “Here I go, I stand and draw. I attack with Morgana supported by Marron. Morgana’s skill allows me to send one card in hoof to the drop zone by doing so she gains 4000 power.” She ran up and swung at him with her sword. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “I attack with Alfred.” 20000 to 10000 “I guard with Gust Jinn! By dropping one card from my hoof I nullify your attack.” “The attack fails but I still have the twin drive. I first card no, second card it looks like I got a critical trigger. I’m giving all effects to Gallatin. And he is going to attack Monster Frank with the support of Marron.” 23000 to 10000 “I guard with Cutlass and Ruin Shade. That used up the last of my hoof.” ‘Yes this attack is going though.’ “You honestly think I would let it end like this. I intercept with Nightmist.” 23000 to 25000 Gallatin ran up slashing away all three of the pirates and stopping before attacking Frank. “My defence to much for you.” “You just stop two of my most powerful attacks like they were nothing.” ‘I guess this is it.’ thought Scootaloo Apple Bloom was feeling down then see notice the battlefield and cheered up. “That will be the end of my turn.” “Wait you mean you're not giving up?” “Right, you lost Captain Nightmist and you don’t have any cards in hoof right now. So your attack will not be at full strength. Which give me the opportunity to defend and take control of this game.” ‘Apple Bloom it’s amazing you never back down from a challenge. But I’m pretty sure you're about to lose.’ thought Scootaloo “This fight was over the moment your last attack failed. I stand and draw, I call Jinn. I told you before pirates my die put they are never gone for long. Captain Nightmist counterblast resurrection.” “You're using that ability again.” “Blueblood attacks Alfred.” 10000 to 10000 “I guard with Morgana.” 10000 to 15000 He shot a blast from his horn but an earth pony mare with blond mane and tail with a sword got in front of it. “Two more attacks I can do this.” “And thats where youre wrong my Granblue deck can get more powerful by sacrificing into me drop zone. Monster Frank supported by Evil Shade attacks Alfred. Activating Evil Shade’s skill giving an extra 4000 power to Monster Frank.” 20000 to 10000 “I guard with Future Knight Llew, and Wingal.” 20000 to 25000 “Twin drive check first check (no trigger), second check critical trigger. Thats 5000 power to Monster Frank and plus one damage as well.” He punched throw her defense then walked to her and punched her. 25000 to 25000 ‘If I don’t draw two heal triggers here I lose the game.’ thought Apple Bloom reaching for her. (no trigger) “It looks like you beat me.” Thunderlane was excited about his victory. ‘I was crushed. So this is the level of a vanguard fighter that makes it to the nation tournament. I want to be as strong as him. No even stronger then him.’ “It looks like you’re as strong as ever Thunderlane.” said Scootaloo “If your cousin want Scootaloo back He will have to fight Rumble for her.” “It looks like the wild card team is nothing to worry about this year right.” said Blossemforth “Yeah nothing to worry about.” said Pipsqueak “Just wait and see we’ll beat you guys at the regionals.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were heading back to Card Capital. “Hey Scootaloo are you really in love with one of my cousins?” asked Apple Bloom “What no I just said in hopes the Rumble would leave me alone. But it didn’t work and I got you thrown in it.” “I knew you were lying.” “What how did you know.” “Will the only cousin you know is Babs and you didn’t see any of my other cousin’s when they were hear for the reunion. That I’m aware off. So I kind of figured out.” “You knew and you still helped me out. But why?” “Because your my friend Scootaloo. Plus I had a fun time fighting Thunderlane.” “Apple Bloom thanks.” “No problem.”