//------------------------------// // Ride 27: Wonderbolts // Story: Cardfight Vanguard Equestria Saga // by VanguardLuard //------------------------------// “Let's take a moment to explain how the elimination matches workout.” said Celestia “For the Vanguard.” said Luna “National Championship.” said Cadence The crowed cheered. “Here we are.” said Rarity “In preparation for next week's finals. We will have to eliminate half of our competitors. So we’ll be dividing the 32 teams into eight blocks.” said Pinkie Pie “Each block will be made up of four team. All teams in a block will fight round-robin style. With the top two team moving on to compete in the finals next week.” said Luna “But how do we decide which two teams are moving on?” asked Cadence “Let’s say the outcome looked like this.” as Celestia said that a image appeared on the screen. “As you can see that team A has done the best with three wins and no losses. Team B has two wins and one loss. In this case it’s easy to tell which two teams are going on to the finals.” “But Celestia couldn’t two or more teams wind up with the same score.” said Luna “If that happened, then the judges will look at the individual game stats to reach their decision.” “So that’s how it will be decided.” said Cadence “This is a competition, that only the strongest will survive. Do your best to win all your matches. So you can move on to the next round.” said Luna “Because there is no other way to get to the finals.” “Right.” “Goodluck everypony. Play hard and have fun.” said Celestia, Luna and Cadence The crowed cheered once more. ‘If we need to win all are matches to make it past the preliminaries. Then that’s what we’ll do failure isn’t an option. Scootaloo is counting on us.’ thought Apple Bloom. “Is it ok with you if I go first? I want to win no matter what it take, and I know I can win.” “Well in that case you're up first.” said Rarity “I with her, I’m going second. I missed out on regionals it’s about time I get a chance to fight.” said Sweetie Belle “Sounds good, Sweetie Belle.” said Apple Bloom “Are you ready to find out what block your in. Our computer is in the process in selecting are first four teams. Here’s block A.” said Pinkie Pie as the names of the teams came up. “Well it looks like team Crusaders, is first on the list. That must be good luck.” said Rarity “Oh no.”said Sweetie Belle looking at what other teams were in block A as well. “Team Asteroid.” said Apple Bloom “This is bad. Team Asteroid is going to be tough. They're the defending champions.” said Rarity “Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and I met there leader the day we went over to PSY.” said Sweetie Belle Apple Bloom remembered their trip to PSY. “Yeah, Flip Side you got to see the way he plays.” “I guess I will. We are going to have to work hard if we’re going to be in the top two in are block. But why did last years winning team have to be in our block.” said Rarity In the stands. Scootaloo was watching and trying to not be notice. “The team is in A block against, oh no.” said Scootaloo “There you are.” said Snips “We’ve been looking for you.” said Snails Scootaloo was shocked at who it was and quickly put on some glasses. “I think you got the wrong pony.” said Scootaloo trying to disguise her voice. “Nice try Scootaloo but you can’t fool us.” said Snails “Even if you were trying to play it cool. There is no way we would mistake are hot-headed friend.” said Snips ‘Hot-headed.’ thought Scootaloo “That’s Scootaloo.” said Snails “Like we be fooled by a discase. You know Scootaloo you don’t seem like yourself.” said Snips “What do you mean?” asked Scootaloo “Isn’t oveste you want to go back to the team.” “You wanted to play in the national tournament more the anypony. And now you don’t get the chance.” said Snails “Yeah, I did want to play. But now I’m here. I’m not impressed.” said Scootaloo “I know this your dream for awhile now.” “Now suck up your pride, rejoin the team and win.” said Snips “You guys are wasting your breath trying to convince me. There is no way I’m going back.” said Scootaloo “But Scootaloo.” said Snips and Snails “I know you guys wanted to cheer me on. But now you just have to cheer for Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. Support them for me please.” said Scootaloo running away again crying. “Don’t do this Scootaloo.” said Snips “What’s gotten into her today?” asked Snails Back in the stadium. “Ok, teams now you know what block you're in please head for your deseary area.” said Pinkie Pie In the stands. “Oh it looks like A block is going to be playing right here.” said Rainbow Dash “That’s lucky.” said Diamond Tiara “Yeah because moving sits would be hard.” said Silver Spoon sarcastically. In the stadium. “Once all the teams arrive in the correct locations. We’ll be starting the first matches of the national vanguard tournament.” said Pinkie Pie “Our message to all the cardfighters who have gathered here from around the nation.” said Celestia “Try your hardest and show us some heated battles.” said Luna “And good luck everypony.” said Cadence “Let play some vanguard.” said Celestia, Luna, and Cadence The crowed cheered and the teams went to there blocks. “Team Golden Lancer is in another block.” said Apple Bloom “Thats wierd, I don’t see him anywhere. You think since there playing Flip Side would be somewhere around here.” said Sweetie Belle “Yeah.” “It’s been along time? Hasn’t Spike?” said a clan Pegasus with a yellow mane and tail. “Lightning Dust.” said Spike “Who’s this guy Lightning Dust?” asked a blue unicorn with a gray mane and tail. “A friend of your?” asked beige unicorn with a red mane and tail with yellow highlights. “Just an old acquaintance.” said Lightning Dust “I think I’ve seen her in a magavie. Those are Flip Sides teammates.” said Rarity “I didn’t expect to meet you hear. I thought you were avoiding us.” “Why hasn’t Flip Side shown his face yet?” asked Spike “He’s not playing in the preliminary rounds. He doesn't like wasting his time. You should remember that at least.” “Should I, the past isn’t something I tend to dwell on.” “Then Spike knows Flip Side and her as well.” said Apple Bloom “My past is none of your business.” “Sorry.” “So he’ll be playing in the final rounds?” “I couldn’t tell you. I guess you have to make it that far to find out.” said Lightning Dash “This year Flip Side was able to qualify three separate teams to the nationals. And I doubt you can get past anyone of them.” said the blue unicorn “It’ll be two of Flip Side’s teams in the final match.” said the beige unicorn “He’s on….” said Apple Bloom “Three teams.” finished Sweetie Belle “It’s like he is masing an army of cardfighters.” said Rarity “Our teams are in the same block so it looks like will be fighting soon. See you on the field.” said Lightning Dash “Spike.” said Apple Bloom “You heard me the past isn’t something I like to discuss.” said Spike “Wait.” “Just let him be.” said Sweetie Belle “But Sweetie Belle.” “Everypony has something they rather not talk about.” “Attention please, our teams are in place and now it’s time for the first round of the national tournament. Let’s take a look at the pairings for block A. It looks like it’s team Crusaders vs the Wonderbolts.” said Pinkie Pie “Thats us.” said Sweetie Belle “I’m just happy we don’t have to face Flip Side’s team right away.” said Rarity “Yeah” said Apple Bloom “Apple Bloom.” “Yes.” “I’m sure one day we’ll understand more about Spike and Flip Side. But right now let concentrate on the fights ahead. If we’re going to get past the preliminary round. You still want to go first Apple Bloom?” “Yeah.” Sometime later both teams were in their dugouts. “Vanguard national championship, first match block A first fight. Will the fighters please step out on to the field. Apple Bloom vs Spitfire.” said the Judge as they walked out into the field. “I haven’t seen you before. So perhaps this is your first time playing at the national tournament?” said Spitfire “Yes.” said Apple Bloom “I see. I like the look about you your calm and confident, you're motivated.” “Thank you.” “However, motivation alone will not get you to the next round of the national tournament.” “Cardfighters to your consoles.” said the Judge “Oh, this set up is a bet different than the one at regionals. I hope I’m in the right spot. It looks like isn’t her first time at the national tournament. This is our first challenge.” said Apple Bloom ‘But I won’t lose. My friends are all counting on me.’ “Good luck.” said Scootaloo Then a table spun around Apple Bloom then stopped in front of her. They put their cards on there own table. “Alright, begin the match.” said the Judge “Stand up, Vanguard!” A light glowed underneath them Changing them into the units just like in the regions. “Barcgal.” “Dragon Egg.” Spitfire was changed into a baby dragon that was half in it egg and half not. “The first match has begun. I Pinkie Pie and joining me in me is my guess commentary Fluttershy.” said Pinkie Pie “It’s a pleasure to be here. And thank you Pinkie for letting me comment with you.” said Fluttershy “No problem. I block A match has just started with team Crusaders vs the Wonderbolts.” “You mean the crusaders are here?” “Yes.” “Is it wrong for me to cheer for them?” “You can you just have to do it in you head. We can not show special treatment to teams unless they deserve it.” “Oh.” My turn, I draw and ride Sonic Noa.” Spitfire turn into a mechanical raptor. “Now I activate Dragon Egg’s skill moving him to rear guard. That ends my turn.” (RG) (Sonic) (RG) (RG) (Dragon Egg) (RG) “Here I go, I ride Wingal. Moving Barcgal back, then I call the Little Sage Marron. I’ll attack Sonic Noa with Wingal boosted by Barcgal. Drive tigger Check (no trigger).” Apple Bloom jumped up and slashed Spitfire with her claws. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “I attack with Marron.” He shot lightning from his horn hitting Spitfire. (no trigger) “It looks like Apple Bloom’s just went in and dealt two to her opponent.” said Pinkie Pie “It’s a good start. But at the national tournament. She souldn’t let her guard down.” said Fluttershy “Your right.” “It’s my turn, I ride Ravenous Dragon, Megarex.” Spitfire turned into an armored trex with blades and spikes on the armor and holding blades in both claws. “Now I call Cannon Fire Dragon, Cannon Gear.” A mechanical dinosaur with two cannons his back appeared. “Cannon Gear’s skill is activated. When he comes into play I’m force to retire one of my rear guard.” “What.” said Apple Bloom “Dragon Egg you're being sacrificed.” Cannon Gear ate Dragon Egg. “You distorted one of your own units.” “It’s unfortunate but it’s. But it was the only way to get Cannon Gear on to the battlefield. He’s a powerful soldier. Well worth losing others to keep. But I won’t let my Dragon Eggs sacrifice is not in vain. I activate his skill counterblast. Dragon Egg returns to my hoof. Now I can use this unit for defending or call it to the battlefield again. This way I can call my most powerful units without suffering their negative effects. Behold the power of the Tachikaze clan.” In the stands. “Whoa.” said Diamond Tiara “You see that the Tachikaze has so much power it’s cravey.” said Silver Spoon “Why are you acting so happy about it?” “Come to think of it, you use a Tachikaze deck.” said Rainbow Dash In the stadium. “I call the Wing Dragon, Skptero and Pack Dragon, Tinyrex.” said Spitfire “Here it comes.” said Apple Bloom “I attack Wingal with Cannon Gear.” 11000 to 6000 “I don’t guard.” He fired his two cannons at Apple Bloom. “Damage trigger check.” (no trigger) “I attack with Megarex.” 10000 to 6000 “No guard.” “Drive trigger check.” (no trigger) She ran up and slashed Apple Bloom with her blades. (no trigger) “With support from Tinyrex, I’ll have Skyptero attack.” 11000 to 6000 “No guard” In the stands. “What, you mean all of her attack were able to get thru. Whats Apple Bloom doing down there?” said Diamond Tiara “I doubt she declaring no guard just for fun. Apple Bloom must be up to something. In the stadium. Skptero flew in and shot Apple Bloom with his guns. (no trigger) “That attack ends my turn.” said Spitfire ‘In the stands. “What could Apple Bloom be thinking?” asked Pinkie Pie “Well, let’s watch closely.” said Fluttershy In the stadium. ‘I didn’t guard those attacks. Cause I need the damage.’ thought Apple Bloom “For this move. Stand up my avatar, I ride Blaster Blade. I activate his skill. Counterblast, Cannon Gear retire.” She stabbed the ground with her sword sending lightning to Cannon Gear. “I see, all those attacks you let throw. Helped you belled up damage for this moment.” said Spitfire “I took the damage and used it for the counterblast. So I could take out the powerful unit. But thats not all. Marron move to the back row. Now I call the Knight of Truth, Gordon and the Knight of Rose, Morgana. In the dugout. “Morgana only has 6000 power.” said Rarity “And there is no unit to boost it.” said Sweetie Belle “She dosn’t have enough power to to attack Megarex.” said Spike In the stands. “Attack her rear guard unit and slow her down.” said Scootaloo In the stadium. “I’ll have Morgana attack Skptero.” said Apple Bloom. Morgana jumped up and slashed Skptero with her sword. “I activate Skptero’s skill. Counterblast, then Skptero returns to my hoof. I don’t let my soldiers fall.” said Spitfire “With a boost from Barcgal, Blaster Blade attacks Megarex. Drive trigger check.” (no trigger) Apple Bloom jumped up and slashed Spitfire on the way down. (no trigger) “With Marron’s support Gordon attacks.” 16000 to 10000 “I won’t allow it. I guard with Dragon Egg.” 16000 to 20000 Gordon jumped then Dragon egg got slashed by Gordon’s sword. “I end my turn.” “I only dealt one damage. But at least I got rid of Cannon Gear.’ In the stands. “I guess for Apple Bloom she did ok.” said Diamond Tiara “What Apple Bloom’s doing well down there.” said Silver Spoon And this is where the real game begins. All the pressure of the national tournament is weighing on Apple Bloom’s head.” said Rainbow Dash “In the first few turns we are seeing both players taking a coches approach. Nether willing to over camet. going forward from here. The units they send out could have a hug in backed on the battle. Any products what will happen next Fluttershy?” said Pinkie Pie “I just hope it’s exciting.” said Fluttershy “Is that all you have to say?” “Yes, there’s nothing better than having fun watching the game.” “Oh, that’s right. That’s absolutely right.” Back in the stadium. “Well I’ll give you this you did take down that Cannon Gear. But it’s still to early to feel at ease. Let’s see how you deal with the strongest unit in my deck. Thundering mechanical dinosaur trapel her underfoot. I ride Tyrant Deathrex.” said Spitfire “Tyrant Deathrex.” said Apple Bloom ‘That’s a very powerful unit. But no matter how strong her units are. I’m not about to lose. For Scootaloo’s sake, for the sake of all my teammates. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win this battle.’