1 weeks later...
Golden Oak Library...
It was a nice peaceful day in Ponyville, everypony was doing what they normally do. Though one pony was in a rush, as he rushed through the streets to get to his destination. He finally reached the front door of the building he was trying to get to the Golden Oak Library.
He knocked on the wooden door of the tree with his hoof exhausted from his trip. He waited and took sometime to catch his breath before speaking. "Twilight, I have your delivery of cupcakes from the Cakes here."
It took a few more seconds, but the door opened up and the lavender unicorn was their. She seemed stressed, but she was hiding it with a smile. "Oh, hi Aichi, thank you for delivering the cupcakes, you can put them over there", Twilight said pointing towards a table in the house.
"Okay" Aichi said going inside the house and putting the cupcakes on the table and then catching his breath.
"So, Aichi how it's going?" Twilight asked.
"Oh you know, having fun, adjusting to life here, delivering sweets to pony for money, you know the usual" the blue stallion said catching his breath at last.
"That's great, how about the other, are they doing fine?" Twilight asked cheerfully.
"Well, we're all doing great" answered Aichi, "Leon is still studying the books you gave use and making plan for any fight against Link Joker, which is natural for him. Kai is either reading that book he checked out from here or working on new strategy for his deck. And Ren is trying to sell more vanguard cards, he even gotten another box to sell."
"Whoa that really great then" Twilight said, happy about the news, "it's great to here that your all doing great, since I don't really see you guys outside your house at all except you and Ren."
"That's okay, Leon and Kai say they don't really have a reason to go outside" Aichi said, thinking about his friends.
Aichi prepared to leave slowly, taking his time to rest and observer the library again. He thought back to his first match in Equestria with Twilight, and how much fun he had with it, like every other cardfight he has had in his past. He then signed though, realizing that he hasn't had many cardfights since he arrived.
"Is something wrong Aichi?" Twilight asked, noticing the stallion depressing.
"Oh nothing" Aichi answered at first, but he then decided to tell Twilight in hope it would make him feel better, "well actually, I'm just kind sad at that I haven't had that many cardfights since I got here."
"Well, maybe it's because of your job, but I don't think it's that bad of a problem" said Twilight trying to be caring.
"Well it is kind of important to me at least" Aichi said, now saddened more by what Twilight said, "and it's not the job I still have plenty of free time after work to cardfight, but their hasn't been a lot of people to fight, except Kai."
"Well you can always come over here and fight me, after work" Twilight said, trying to solve The stallion problem, "I did enjoy myself we played and I still have my deck I made."
"Thanks you Twilight" said Aichi now cheered up, " but I do wish more ponies were interested in playing Vanguard. I know their are only a few young ponies buying packs from Ren, but I haven't seen anypony else cardfighting."
"I understand Aichi, you want more ponies to play, but give it sometime, I'm pretty sure eventually their will be a lot ponies playing Vanguard in the future" said Twilight calming Aichi nerve.
"I hope so Twilight, but if their was only a way to spark someponies interest in the game?" Aichi wondered.
"How about you guys have a expedition match" answered Twilight, only to get a confused look out of Aichi.
"What's a expedition match?" Asked Aichi.
"You know, a match between two people or teams, that demonstrate the game and how fun it can be" explain the unicorn.
"Oh, that's brilliant Twilight, why didn't I think of that" exclaimed Aichi, excited that he has found a solution, "but wait where will the expedition match take place?"
"Well, I know the stage is open in couple days and nopony has it booked yet" Twilight answered Aichi again, "I think that could work, for expedition match."
"Really, thank you Twilight" Aichi exclaimed, "I will have to tell the guys about this when I get done with work."
"No problem" said Twilight smiling back to the stallion, "beside you brought me cupcakes."
"Haha, I guess your right" said Aichi remembering why he came to the library, "wait, I'M STILL SUPPOSE TO BE WORKING RIGHT NOW!"
The stallion freaked out, concerned about his fate with Mr.Cake and his job. He then rushed out the door, but not before saying by to his Unicorn friend. "By Twilight, thank you for your help, tell Spike I said hi", and like that he was gone.
"Well I guess he is in a rush" comment Twilight.
A few seconds later a purple and green small walked down the stairs. The dragon was tried based on how he was acting with his yawns. "Hey, Twilight what did I miss, he are those the cupcakes you ordered?" Spike asked as he walked to the unicorn.
"Yes, Aichi just came and dropped them off for use" answered Twilight.
"What, I missed the alien" Spike said depressed.
"Spike it's not polite to call a pony a alien" said Twilight.
"I know, but I was just calling them what they are to use" Spike said.
"Spike" Twilight said facehoofing.
"What?" Spike asked, confused what he did wrong.
"Nothing, let's just get to work re-sorting the book" Twilight said, prepare to rearrange the books.
"But I thought we did that a couple of days ago?" Spike asked.
"Well, that's the thing it's been a few days the book could have messed up in that time" answered Twilight.
"But, but, ugh, never mind, let's just get to work" said Spike defeated.
"Good, we can start with the adventure books" said Twilight cheerfully, being to work as the dragon followed.
Ride 008:Showtime, Enter The Dark Witch
Later at Earths Vanguard house...
The four stallions were gathered in the living room of the house. Leon was sitting on the couch drinking tea that he had made, Kai was also sitting on couch waiting for something to happen, while Ren was standing near the table with a smile on his face. Aichi stood in front of them all telling them about Twilight idea for expedition match. "So what do you guys think of expedition match?"
"I think it's a great idea, it will be good advertising for the cards I'm selling" Ren said, thinking of what he could gain from it.
"A expedition match, this could endanger are mission here" stated Leon.
"Leon how could this endanger are mission?" Aichi asked worried.
"It could reveal to are enemy where we're at and where to find us" answered Leon, "and that's not something I would like to risk."
"Relax Leon" Ren said to Leon happily, "I highly doubt one expedition match could do that much harm to are mission, besides I think Aichi really wants it."
"Your missing the point Ren" Leon said signing, "the fate of are mission is on the line here."
"Leon don't worry about it, it's one match, in front of a small crowd of ponies, on a stage, like I said I highly doubt this will endanger are mission at all" said Ren getting serious.
Leon and Ren stared deep into each other eyes, both with serious looks in them. There wasn't a single sound throughout the room, with Kai not caring and Aichi looking worried. "Fine, you can have your expedition match, just try not too endanger the mission at all" Leon said in defeat sitting back down to enjoy his tea.
"Just don't worry about it Leon, it will be alright" said Ren, enjoying his victory.
"Thank you so much Leon" Aichi bowing down to Leon in respect.
"Just have fun" said Leon drinking his tea, with Aichi lifting his head back up.
"So how about you Kai, what do you think of expedition match?" Aichi asked Kai looking at him with a smile.
"I don't really care, as long I get to fight somepony I'm fine with it" answered Kai, in his uncaring voice.
"Then I guess we're all in agreement, in a couple of days we will have expedition match" said Ren with a lot of euthanasia.
A couple of days later in the streets of Ponyville...
The four stallions were walking through the streets of Ponyville to the stage to prepare for the expedition match they planned. With Aichi in the front with a smile on his face, with Ren also smiling, as Leon and Kai walking looking calm. "Finally, this is going to be so much fun" Aichi said with a big smile.
"It's sure going to be, especially since I have gotten two new playmates from my associate" Ren said looking at his saddle bag.
"Your sure getting a lot of Vanguard related things quickly Ren, I'm amazed that they can make this stuff this fast" said Aichi amazed.
"Me two, they sure are surprising race of ponies" said Ren.
"Quite the annoying race two" added in Kai, thinking back recently to when he went to go get a booster pack for his deck from the Sugar Cube Corner only to annoyed by a certain pink mare.
"Kai that's not very nice of you" pointed out Ren, "wake up on the wrong side of bed this morning?"
"Shut up Ren, not in the mood today" retorted Kai, trying to remain calm.
"Come on Kai, I'm just having some fun" replied Ren.
"Huh, let's just get to the stage already" said Kai, moving in front of the rest, impatiently.
"Kai" Aichi said worried about his friend.
"Don't worry Aichi you know how Kai is, this is normal for him" said Ren.
"Yeah, but today he seems a lot more anger then he usual is" said Aichi worried.
"Nah, he's fine" said Ren relaxed.
"I hope your right Ren" said Aichi.
"Aren't I always" said Ren.
"Well not really" replied Aichi.
"Well thanks" said Ren annoyed by the comment.
Aichi and Ren both laughed together for a few seconds before continue on their journey to the stage in Ponyville. The town over the last few days has gotten used to the stallions, though they still received strange looks from someponys, with one looking cross eyed at them. They finally reached the stage only to be surprised that it was full and somepony was accompanying the stage.
"Well looks like we might have to wait" commented Ren.
"Behold, the great and powerful Trixie has returned to Ponyville. Now be amazed as the great and powerful Trixie has master the highest forms of magic in Equestria" came from the pony on the stage.
The pony was light blue female unicorn with cyan mane and tail. She had purple eyes and wore a purple cape and wizard hat. The hate and cape was decorated with blue and yellow stars all around. She also and image of wand with yellow star with a trail of blue behind it on her rear. She was preforming all sorts magic tricks in front of the crowd.
"I guess we will have to wait awhile" said Aichi going over to the bench that were in front of the stage, with the other following.
As the group headed over to the bench they saw Twilight and Spike in the middle of the crowd, as well as Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack with her. They all seem bored with the show with Rainbow Dash and Applejack looking anger at the pony on the stage. Aichi and his then headed toward Twilight group, wondering what was happening.
"Hi Guys" said Aichi as he walked towards Twilight with his friends.
"Oh, hi Aichi" said Twilight noticing Aichi group, "how are you guys doing?"
"We're-" Aichi was cut off.
"We're doing great Twilight" said Ren in a good mood, "Today just been full of wonderful things."
"Well that's good" said Twilight.
"So, Twilight dear, mind telling us, who is on that stage?" Ren asked.
"Oh, that's just Trixie" Twilight answered Ren noticing he was starting to get angry.
"Oh, it was rude of her to take are place on this stage at this time" said Ren.
"She, not that bad of pony" said Twilight keep up the fake smile, so Ren doesn't get mad at Trixie, "she just doing a show I'm sure it will end soon."
"More like she is boasting about how supposedly "Great" she is" said Rainbow Dash cutting into the conversation.
"Well I don't see what's so wrong with boasting?" Aichi asked confused, "she actually reminds me of one of my friends back home."
"What's wrong it is that she can't back up her own words, and it's really annoying as well" answered Rainbow Dash, angry.
"Huh, she's that kind of pony, well guess we can't do much but wait" said Ren relaxed going over to an open spot on the beach and sitting down.
"Wait, weren't you just angry a moment ago" Twilight asked confused.
"Well, I can't be mad at something that can't change" Ren answered, "besides we can wait awhile, right guys?"
"Yep" Aichi answered in a positive attitude.
"I don't mind waiting" said Leon taking a sit.
"I don't care" Kai answered sitting down on the beach.
"See there is no problem Twilight" Ren said looking at Twilight, with Twilight looking confused.
"Great, maybe you guys can see what we mean" said Rainbow Dash sitting down.
"Be positive Rainbow" said Twilight regaining her composure.
30 minutes later...
The show continued with Trixie preforming small magic tricks that amused most of the crowd except Rainbow Dash and Applejack, who continued to yell at her to get off the stage. Aichi stared at amazement as he saw only kinds of cool tricks the unicorn would do, and only laughed lightly when his friends yelled at the mare. He felt he was safe and he did have to worry about anything.
Kai only sat there not saying a word, but he was getting annoyed by the voice and unicorn in general. 'First it was that pink mare talking to me about all kinds of stupid things when I went to get something to eat. Then it was Ren and his remarks, and now it's this unicorn' Kai thought. Kai then stood up and began to walk away from the stage.
"Kai, what are you doing?" Aichi asked concerned.
"I'm going to the house, come get me once the cardfights begin" Kai answered coldly, continuing to walk away.
"But Kai-" said Aichi worried.
"Don't worry about him Aichi, you know how he is" Ren said putting his hoof on Aichi shoulder.
"Yeah, your right Ren" Aichi said sitting back down.
"You know what Aichi, I don't blame the guy for leaving, this isn't that interesting" Rainbow Dash said to Aichi, trying to calm him.
"Yeah, I just don't want anything bad to happen, that's all" said Aichi.
'Finally I can get away from this dumb show' Kai thought as he was about to emerge from the crowd of ponies.
"You there, how dare you try to leave from the Great and Powerful Trixie show" the light blue unicorn yelled at Kai.
"Like that" said Aichi, now worried about what could happen.
Kai stopped walking and turned around to see who was yelling at him. He faced the unicorn with a cold stare. 'Great now what' thought Kai.
"Yes, you there, why are leaving the Great and Powerful Trixie performance?" Trixie asked enraged.
"Bored and not interested in what you're saying" Kai answered.
The crowd went silent, to were you could hear a card dropped. Kai stood firm, not showing any emotion, while Trixie was enraged by this stallion action. "How dare you insult the Great and Powerful Trixie" the unicorn said.
"You don't seem that great and powerful to me" said Kai, "what a joke."
"How dare you, I will let you know that the Great and Powerful Trixie is the best at anything" said Trixie.
"Anything you say?" Kai asked.
"Yes" the mare answered.
"Then how about you prove it right now" Kai said.
"With what?" Trixie asked.
"Beat me in a game of Vanguard" said Kai pulling his deck out.
The crowd was ah struck by the challenge and by the deck the stallion flashed. With a smirk of cockiness, the unicorn spoke. "I accept your challenge, I don't care what it is I will beat you."
"Fine, but you won't beat me" said Kai as he began to walk to the stage.
"Well this will be fun" said Ren getting relaxed and now interested in what was about to happen.
"What do you mean by fun?" Twilight asked.
"Kai is one of the best Cardfighter I know" answered Aichi, "he rarely lose."
"Well he can't be that good, can he?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"He was able to win against all of us" said Ren.
"Oh" was all the pegasus could say.
'Kai' Aichi thought.
Kai walked on stage ready and prepared to win at all costs. Amongst the crowd, all the ponies were discussing what was about to happen. "The Great and Powerful Trixie will give you one last chance to give up before she embarrass you" said Trixie.
"Three things, one, can we get a table? Second Ren" Kai began.
"Yes" answered Ren.
"Can you bring up those playmate's of your, I would to use them?" Kai asked as some rolled up a round table between Kai and Trixie.
"Sure" Ren walked onto the stage and spreaded out the playmates between the two, "here you go, try not to damage them."
"Thanks, I won't try to" said Kai as he placed one card face down on a red circle on his side. "Third, now Trixie, do you have a deck or do we have to get you one?"
"A deck, you mean this" Trixie said as she revealed her deck, "the Great and Powerful Trixie has been waiting this game out, so you will be the Great and Powerful Trixie first victim."
"Good, so you have a deck, so guess I don't need to teach you the rules then" said Kai interested now.
"Correct" Trixie answered.
"Good this will be fast then" Kai replied, "now let's begin."
"Let's" Trixie answered.
"Wait before you begin" yelled Ren who was still on the stage, as he walked infront of the two fighters.
"Ren" Kai said angered.
"Stallions and mares of all ages, prepare to witness one of the newest card games ever, Cardfight!! Vanguard" announced Ren, "now then let's all imagine."
The crowd was silent, with Ren laughing lightly embarrassed, but not showing it. "Let's just get the fight underway, okay" said Ren walking off stage.
"Okay with that out of the way, let's begin" said Kai.
"Right, you will lose" declared Trixie.
"Right" said Kai ready.
Both drew five cards as their hooves then put one hoof on the face down card on the Vanguard circle. "Stand Up!" they both said in sync as the raised the card into the air.
"The" Kai added in.
"Vanguard!" they finished together as the slammed the card face up on the Vanguard circle.
"Creeping Dark Goat" Trixie said as a black armor black goat appeared on Cray out of a purple circle on the ground. It looked evil with armor and giant horns. It had a orange eyes and orange piece sticking out of the armor like blades.
"Perdition Dragon, Petal Flare Dracokid" as Kai said that a small red dragon appeared on Cray out of red ring. It's under belly was black and it had blue eyes. Gold trimmed armor cover the tops of his wings, tail, and some of his head. It had a white scarf floating above the dragons neck.
"Wait, did Kai just add the word "The"?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah, that's sort of his thing" Aichi answered.
"Well that's dumb" Dash replied.
"Kind of" Aichi said in agreement.
"What I find more interesting is the deck that unicorn using" said Ren sitting down next to Aichi, "seem to be Shadow Paladin."
"Why does that matter?" Twilight asked.
"Let's just say, the Shadow Paladin clan is one I favor" Ren answered, "plus it will make this a hundred time more interesting now."
"Shadow Paladin, hmm, I might enjoy myself" said Kai with a smile.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Trixie asked.
"Oh, nothing" answered Kai, 'I will show you what happens, when you mess with Kagero clan.'
"Kai" said Aichi softly.
To Be Continued...
Next Time...
"Kai, not going to hold back is he?" Aichi asked.
"Doubt it" answered Ren.
"He's not letting her do much" said Rainbow Dash concerned.
"It's overwhelming" said Twilight.
Ride 009:Kai's Strength, The Power Of Perdition
Feature Card Of The Chapter
Creeping Dark Goat
Grade 0, 4000 Power, 5000 Shield, Boast
United Sanctuary, Shadow Paladin, High Beast
Card Effect(s)
[AUTO]:When another «Shadow Paladin» rides this unit, you may call this card to (RC).
[ACT](RC):[Counter Blast (1) & Put this unit into your soul] Look at up to five cards from the top of your deck, search for up to one grade 3 or greater «Shadow Paladin» from among them, reveal it to your opponent, put it into your hand, and shuffle your deck.