//------------------------------// // Ride 23: Faithful Encounter // Story: Cardfight Vanguard Equestria Saga // by VanguardLuard //------------------------------// Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were playing cardfight vanguard at Card Capital. “Man the party Pinkie throw for us for win the tournament, was awesome.” said Scootaloo “Yeah I have to say that was the best she ever thrown.” said Apple Bloom “Well we better get back to training the Nationals is only a week away.” “Yeah” agreed Apple Bloom then she remembered what Celestia told her. “Your welcome visit us at PSY anytime. You can even bring your friends if you want.” said past Celestia. “I think I know a place where we could train.” said Apple Bloom “Really you do, can you take us there?” Asked Scootaloo “Yeah.” “Yes it looks like team Crusaders is going on a training mission.” “I’m not coming with you. I could care less.” said Spike getting up and walking out of Card Capital. “Hey wait up.” said Rainbow Dash following Spike. “Oh you're not coming?” asked Apple Bloom But Spike did not answered “See you girls later.” said Rainbow Dash “What’s his problem?” asked Scootaloo “Maybe he just wants do his training by himself.” said Apple Bloom “You might be right.” Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle. “Sorry I can't come with you either.” said Sweetie Belle “What don’t you have any aspersions to become a better player.” said Scootaloo “I think you meant to say was aspirations.” said Apple Bloom “Yeah that’s it.” “I’m sorry, but I have to watch the store.” said Sweetie Belle in a sad tone “Sweetie Belle I think you should spend some time with your friends. It has been a long time since you last hanged out with them.” said Rarity “What about the store?” “Don’t worry about it I can watch it. To be honest it been kind of slow lately. With the Cardfight Vanguard National Tournament being the only big thing happening soon. I haven’t gotten many orders. Go have a good time with your friends.” “Thanks Rarity” Sweetie Belle said in an excited tone Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo left Card Capital. “So Apple Bloom where are we going Apple Bloom?” asked Sweetie Belle “Yeah, where are we going Apple Bloom?” asked Scootaloo “PSY” “PSY I never heared of that place.” said Sweetie Belle “I remember you talking about it at the tournament. But you never went into much detail about it or where it is. All I know about it that it has a motion figure system and it’s called PSY. What is PSY anyway?” said Scootaloo “Well PSY is just a place where the princess go when they want to get away from the public eye. They inchandteed this doors to lead to PSY. The doors will open for anyone as long as somepony is in there. If there isn’t anyone in there only a princess can open the doors.” said Apple Bloom “Thats awesome.” said Scootaloo “I don’t think we should disturb the princess. We could get into trouble.” said Sweetie Belle “You don’t have to worry. Celestia told me. I could come to PSY anytime and my friends to. so you don’t have to worry.” said Apple Bloom “That works for me. Lets go.” said Scootaloo running ahead of them. Then coming back saying. “I just remembered I do not know where PSY is at.” “I do have one question though. What if the door is locked?” asked Sweetie Belle “Then how about we go to Sugar Cube Corner for a snack.” said Apple Bloom “That also works for me.” said Scootaloo When they were close to PSY Apple Bloom got that same feeling she got when she first found PSY. They walked down the alleyway and was in front of the door. “So this is the entrance to PSY.” said Scootaloo “I would never have guessed that there was a door back here.” said Sweetie Belle They opened the door then went in. Then they notice an earth pony stallion with a brown coat and a blue mane and tail with a coin with two different sides showing for a cutie mark. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo walked up to him. “Hello sir do you mind if I ask you what are you doing here?” asked Apple Bloom The stallion turned his head and said “Standing.” “No I mean what are you doing here?” asked Apple Bloom “Oh, I’m waiting.” “What with this guy?” asked Scootaloo “I don’t know.” said Apple Bloom “Welcome to PSY.”said Celestia walked into the room. Followed by Luna and Cadence. “What is Apple Bloom doing here?” asked Luna “I invited her back here.” said Celestia “Sister we didn’t agree on this.” “I’m pleased to see that you both could make it. Apple Bloom.” When Celestia said Apple Bloom’s name she was surprised. “And Flip Side.” “You're kidding me this guy is Flip Side.” said Scootaloo “Thats right. In the last Vanguard National Championship his team won. Which is impressive seeing how it was there first time. He’s the leader of team Asteroid.” said Cadence ‘I’ve heard of him. But I his kind of an airhead. Not a big one like Pinkie is, But he is still an airhead.’ thought Scootaloo “The National Champion.” mumbled Apple Bloom “Let get down to business Flip Side. We invited you here for a fight.” said Luna “Just so you know I’m not going to go easy because your a princess. Ok.” said Flip Side in a different tone “Thats fine with us.” ‘He semis different now.’ thought Apple Bloom “So witch one of you three am I fighting?”asked Flip Side “Who would have thought we would be watching a match featuring the national champion.” said Scootaloo “Yeah” said Apple Bloom “I’ll be your opponent and we would like you to use this deck.” said Luna levitating the deck to him. “Sure thing.” said Flip Side tacking the deck and then looking throw it. “Really you gave me a deck with nothing but female units. What's it’s supposed to be boys against girls?” Then his eyes glowed purple and blue. Apple Bloom found her being transported somewhere. “Where am I?” asked Apple Bloom As soon as she said that three female merponies jumped up over her. And splashed her with water. She put a hoof up to stop the water from hitting her. Then found herself back in PSY. ‘What just happened to me.’ Flip Side held one card and said. “This is it the card that wins me the game.” “It looks like we got it right.” said Luna “Yes” agreed Celestia “I’m ready when you are.” said Flip Side “This way.” said Luna “You three are welcome to watch. I’m sure it’s going to be an interesting fight.” said Celestia “Yes.” said Scootaloo “Thank you.” said Apple Bloom “You and I are going to be using the same deck for this match.” said Luna “In other words, we'll be able to clearly see the difference between our abilities.” said Flip Side “I can’t wait for this battle to start.” said Scootaloo ‘So he’s the national champion.’ thought Apple Bloom then she noticed that Flip Side was looking at her. “You want to know what I like most about cardfights. No matter how badly I beat someone. They never actually get hurt.” said Flip Side “Let’s start.” said Luna The motion figure system turned on. “Stand up.” “The” only Flip Side “Vanguard! Sphere Magus” Two earth ponies with volet main and tail holding a staff with a sphere on the top appeared. “I’ll go first, draw. I ride Battle Sister, Chocolat, with Sphere Magus Skill I move her to a rear guard circle. That’s the end of my turn.” said Luna (RG) (Chocolat) (RG) (SM) (RG) (RG) ‘Flip Side, I wonder how he’ll fight.’ thought Apple Bloom “I ride Weather Girl Milk, Sphere Magus move to a rear guard circle. Then I call Battle Sister, Cocoa, with Cocoa’s skill I check the top card of my deck. I’ll leave it on top. Then I attack your vanguard with Milk. Check the drive trigger.” (no trigger) Milk lite up her horn and shot lighting out of it hitting Chocolat. “I check for a damage trigger.” (no trigger) “Now I attack with Cocoa.” She pulled out a dagger and throw it at Chocolat. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “That’s it for me.” (Cococa) (Milk) (RG) (RG) (SM) (RG) “I stand and draw. I ride Top Idol, Aqua.” Chocolat turned into an earth pony with a light blue main and tail with a toy dolphin that jumped into the water. “Then I call Blazer Idols and Milk.” A group of three female merponies appeared. “I activate Idols skill to give 2000 power to Aqua. I call one more Idols. I activating their skill to give 2000 power to my other Idols. Then Idols will attack your vanguard.” The three Idols jumped up and hit Milk with their tails. Then dived pack into the water. “I check the damage trigger.” (no trigger) “With Milk’s support Aqua attack your vanguard, drive trigger check.” (no trigger) She jumped up into the air shouted into the dolphin that fired a laser hitting milk. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “Lastly I attack you with my other Idols supported by Sphere Magus. Sphere skill for an extra 3000 power.” The three Idols swimmed the jumped hitting Milk with their tails. “Damage trigger check. (no trigger) “I end my turn by shuffling Sphere Magus back into my deck.” “Wow Luna already did three damage.” said Apple Bloom “As a pony who prefers to go second. It’s hard for me to admit. But seeing hug attacks like that macks the first turn a lot more appealing.” said Scootaloo “It’s all about advantage, and when playing first. You can call units that are a grade above your opponent. Making it possible for your units to hit without support.” said Sweetie Belle “So going fist allows you to attack sooner. But going second allows you to play your units more aggressively.” said Apple Bloom “Now lets see how the national champ responds.” said Scootaloo Flip Side chuckled. Then Apple Bloom gotta feeling. ‘It’s that feeling again.’ thought Apple Bloom “Hurry up and start you turn.” said Luna “Right, I stand and draw. I ride Maiden of Libra, I move Cocoa back, and call Lady Bomb. Libra with support from Sphere Magus will attack your Idols.” ‘Why isn’t he attack her vanguard.’ thought Apple Bloom “I use Sphere’s skill to add 3000 power to Libra. Check the drive trigger.” (no trigger) She lift up her scale and shot lighting from it distorting the Idols. “Now I activate her counterblast. When Libra makes a successful attack I can draw one card. Cocoa supports Lady Bomb and attacks your other Idols.” ‘His still attacking the rear guard.’ 15000 to 6000 “I guard with Bermuda Triangle Cadet Caravel.” A filly merpony with a blue tail and main with a little red at the ends appeared in front of the Idols. 15000 to 16000 “Sphere goes back to the deck.” “I see he was able to gain a card advantage by making her use up some of her hoof. Thats why he attack the rear guard.” said Scootaloo “Toughs grade ones in the front row where vulnerable. By recognizing that he was able to gain control of the battle.” said Sweetie Belle “Is this going to be level of play we can expect at the National Tournament. Because this is incredible.” said Apple Bloom “Luna has two cards in her hoof and Flip Side has six card. Thats a pretty big gap.” said Cadence “He made Luna us some of her cards, and increasing the size of his hoof with a counterblast all with deck he has never used.” said Celestia ‘I souldn’t take him lightly. He is a champion after all.’ thought Luna “I stand and draw. I ride Top Idol Flores.” Aqua turned into a merpony with blond main and a pink tail. “I move Blazier Idols back and call Cadet Caravel. I activate Caravel’s soulblast to draw a card.” “Look Luna’s hoof is increasing.” said Cadence “I’ll have Milk support Flores in an attack on Libra. Twin drive first check(no trigger), seconde check (no trigger).” Flores flicked her tail around and shoot bubbles at Libra. (no trigger) “I attack with Caravel, boosted by Blazer Idols.” 9000 to 9000 “I guard with Aqua.” Caravel swimed up and hit Aqua with her tail. “I end my turn.” “That fight has only began.” said Cadence “Draw, I ride Flores. Then I call another Flores.” Flip Side smiled and Apple Bloom notice. “I call Idols.” “Really a grade one. Thats nothing to be excited about.” said Scootaloo “You do realize you sound like Diamond Tiara right.” said Apple Bloom when Scootaloo heard that she faced hoofed. “Those Blazer Idols have the same skill as my Starlight Unicorn.” Then Apple Bloom remembered what he said earlier. “This is it the card that wins me the game.” said Flip Side earlier ‘That’s his trump card.’ “I’ll use Idols skill to give 2000 power to my vanguard Flores. My rear guard Flores will attack your vanguard.” She swims up and hit the other Flores with her tail. (no trigger) “I attack your vanguard with Flores boosted by Idols. Twin drive first(no trigger), second draw trigger. I add 5000 power to Lady Bomb and draw.” Flores jumped out of the water flicked her tail and shoot bubbles at the other Flores. “Damage trigger check, critical trigger giving all effects to my vanguard.” “I activate Flores’s soulblast. When an attack is successful I can pay the cost of two from the soul and return one Bermuda Triangle card back to my hoof. I think I’ll pick Blazer Idols.” “His hoof just keeps getting bigger.” said Scootaloo “I can’t believe he is this good with an untested deck.” said Sweetie Belle ‘How can he use it this well? I’m sure we’re all curious.’ thought Apple Bloom “Next Cocoa support Lady Bomb in one more attack at your vanguard.” 20000 to 15000 “I guard with Sphere Maguse.” 20000 to 25000 Lady Bomb throw small lady bug colored bomb at Flores but Sphere Maguse got in the way. “I end my turn.” “Thats four damage on both sides. Luna has to go for the win here.” said Cadence Celestia looked at Apple Bloom and say she was focused on the match. “I retire Cadet Caravel and call Flores. I also call Aqua and Chocolat.” when Chocolat appeared she slipped and fell into the water. Luna had a series face on. “You should see the look on your face. Unfortunately you won’t be able to win.” said Flip Side “You’ll have to prove it! Chocolat supports Aqua’s attack.” Chocolat horn spazed and she fell into the water again. 16000 to 10000 “I guard with Cadet Caravel.” 16000 to 20000 Cadet Caravel got in the way of Aqua’s beam. “Here comes my vanguard with support from Milk.” 16000 to 10000 “I guard with Oracle Guardian Nike and Sphere Magus.” 16000 th 30000 Twin drive first check( no trigger), second check. It’s a critical trigger my standing Flores get the 5000 attack power bones and plus one damage.” Flores shot bubbles then Nike and Sphere Magus got in the way. “I attack with Flores supported by Blazer Idols.” 21000 to 10000 “I guard with Lady Bomb, Dream Eater and Libra.” 21000 to 25000 “Wow he used three guard.” said Cadence “I end my turn.” said Luna “Drawing a critical trigger didn’t help her. He took no damage.” said Apple Bloom “See, just like I said. Now lets move to your plan B losing.” said Flip Side Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were shocked. “There it is.”said Flip Side as his eyes glowed. Apple Bloom found her being transported somewhere again. Then three female merponies jumped up over her. And splashed her with water. She put a hoof up to stop the water from hitting her. “What’s going on with me?” she mumbled “Final Turn!” Everypony there was shock on what he said “I call two Blazier Idols. I’ll use their skill to add 2000 power to my rear guard Flores. And I’ll use the skill of my other Idols to add 2000 power to the same Flores.” When he said Luna relieved what his plane was. “Oh, no” She said “It looks like you finally caught on.” Cadence and Celestia looked at each other and Celestia nodded. “With support from Cocoa, Lady Bomb attacks your vanguard.” 15000 to 10000 “I don’t guard.” Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were shock from what Luna said. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) ‘No heal trigger.’ Lady Bomb flew up and throw lady bug colored bombs at Flores. “Flores is boosted by Idols in this next attack on your vanguard.” 16000 to 10000 “I guard with Nike.” 16000 to 20000 “Twin drive first check(No trigger), and second (no trigger).” Flores jumped up and shoot bubbles at the other Flores but Nike got in front of it. “She protected her shelf there. But that still leaves the Flores rear guard he double boosted.” said Scootaloo “Finally I attack with my rear guard Flores supported by Idols.” 20000 to 10000 ‘If Luna intercepts with Aqua the shield well only be 5000. It all depends what she got in her hoof.’ thought Sweetie Belle “No guard.” Flores jumped out of the water and shoot the other Flores with bubbles. “Damage trigger check. (no trigger) I lose.” ‘Flip Side’s last attack was 20000. Even if Luna used Aqua and Cocoa. Her shield would’ve been only 20000. It would have gone through.’ thought Apple Bloom ‘He built a winning strategy around that card.’ thought Luna ‘A grade one that can grant a 2000 point bonus. Determined the outcome of this fight.’ thought Apple Bloom then she remembered what she had seen. ‘That feeling before. Did I know this would happen, imposable.’ Then she touched her hoof to her head feeling pain. ‘What’s wrong why does my head hurt so much.’ “Apple Bloom.” said Scootaloo “Are you ok?” asked Sweetie Belle “Yeah.” said Apple Bloom Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Flip Side were at the Canterlot door. “Your a disinte cardfighter Luna. To bad your not closer to my level.” said Flip Side “We appreciate you coming in for this match with us. Your really are….” said Celestia “More powerful than you expected.” said Flip Side finishing her sentence. “So what are you after?” “That will have to wait till after we see you perform at your next tournament.” “Is that so? Maybe when you make up your mind. We could sit down for a chat about power.” he said leveling PSY “He was starting to get on my nerves.” said Luna “Feeling a side he is the best player around.” said Celestia “She does have a point. I do have one question? Why did you invite Apple Bloom hear if we weren't going to test her?” asked Cadence “I thought it would be a good lesson.” said Celestia as they walked through the Ponyville door.