Survival Fight:


As you know each member of Team Samurai Dragon was attacked by a pair of cloaked figure, and each member was in turn saved by members Strike Shadow who were in turn in the area by chance. Each pair of savior and damsel in distress were about to go their separate ways, but all of a sudden they and countless other people had their attention grabbed by a loud ringing noise travelling through the air. What that ringing noise meant…. well you'll see in a bit. First…. In an undisclosed location Takuto and Ibuki are having a conversation of the utmost importance.

"You did well investigating the Strike Shadow Organization, as well as those people." Takuto stated.

"I have the location of their base… no that's not quite right…. given the financial capital behind Team Strike Shadow that we know about….. it's possible it isn't their HQ, but I can arrange for a team to be set in any time." Ibuki informed.

"What of their leadership or their core members? Have you learned anything about that?" Takuto inquired after thinking about Ibuki's earlier bit of information.

"I can tell you that the father of Kiba Nakashima is fairly high up, but how high I can't say just yet. I can also tell you that two sources of their revenue seems to come from the Verde and Elchart corporations respectively, but whether or not the namesakes in charge of them are involved is unknown." Ibuki quickly answered.

"And their leadership?" Takuto asks again.

"The identities of the metaphorical demon lord and his advisors remain unknown… as much as I loathe saying this…. we shouldn't waste any more resources on this for now… everyone I sent to find out has….. let's just say they were never heard from again." Ibuki answered as he loathes the fact that he may have sent good men and women to their deaths.

"I'll consider your observation, but what of the other group of mysterious people working in the shadows?" Takuto asks referring to the group of people that attacked Team Samurai Dragon earlier.

"I found a good deal of promising leads to their HQ, but….. it felt way too easy…. almost like they want us to find their base. If we send a team…. they're definitely going to be walking into a trap."

"Then the next item of the agenda….. are these two groups working together?" Takuto sighed.

"I can say for certain they aren't. Though they're both after the fragments of the seed…. their intentions with them are different. I've already found evidence of possible clashes between the groups…. Though only circumstantial at best." Ibuki sighs as well, but that was only because he was tired, "Another thing I can say for certain is that the Strike Shadow organization seems to have been around for a very long time….. longer than I've been alive in fact, but this other group seems to have popped up overnight."

"That's good... if they were working together….. there's a good chance we wouldn't be able to stop them. They're both moving fast….. though I can't blame the Strike Shadow organization for speeding up…. I'd react the same way if I discovered someone else was after my prize. Any ideas when the final stages of either of their plans are ready? Also have you gotten enough information from those teams they put you in charge of?" Takuto asked.

"Sorry, Teams New World and Dark World were extremely low on their food chain, they only knew how those barriers worked… as for Strike Shadow…. The few undercovers that managed to get in aren't high up enough on the food chain to know anything useful….. so basically we're in the dark on the intentions of both sides." Ibuki explained.

"I see... those barriers steal all seed fragments from a target should said target lose a fight, but it seems like that they have some kind of secondary purpose… if only we could figure out what." Takuto mumbled as he absolutely hates being in the dark.

"That's not all." Ibuki stated.

"What do you mean?" Takuto asked.

Ibuki handed Takuto what little findings he could gather on the barrier workings.


wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

In you and I there's a new land

Angels in flight

wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

A sanctuary, my sanctuary, yeah

Where fears and lies melt away

Music in time

wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

What's left of me, what's left of me now

I watch you

Fast asleep

All I fear means nothing

In you and I there's a new land

Angels in flight

wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

A sanctuary, my sanctuary, yeah

Where fears and lies melt away

Music in time

wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

What's left of me, what's left of me

snwod dna spu ynam os

My heart's a battleground

snoitome eurt deen I

wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

snoitome eurt deen I

You show me how to see

That nothing is whole

And nothing is broken

In you and I there's a new land

Angels in flight

wonk uoy naht niotceffa erom deen I

A sanctuary, my sanctuary, yeah

Where fears and lies melt away

Music in time

wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

What's left of me, what's left of me now

My fears, my lies

Melt away

Wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I


Takuto read Ibuki's report thoroughly, and a flabbergasted expression was written all over his face.

"You can't be serious!" Takuto exclaimed as he stood up from his seat out of shock.

"It appears so... a stride force absorption mechanism is triggered after a barrier type cardfight ends regardless of the results." Ibuki explained.

"That could mean either one of those fanatics might be working with them….. or if not…. someone who worked under them, but what are they trying to call here, and what are they getting out of it? Ibuki... we don't know who's behind this mess, and we have very little information on them. Please get as much intel on them as possible. Vanguard, Cray, and this world are in serious trouble." Takuto ordered.

Ibuki bowed in respect to Takuto, then left the room. His mind deep in thought with the secrecy of everything that's going on right now

"Takuto seems to be worried, I don't blame him... Kanzaki or Ryuzu Myojin... they don't seem like the masterminds behind this new incident. Then between Strike Shadow and this group waiting for the other to make the first move….. our hands are tied until our counter-attack is ready." Ibuki thought.

Meanwhile with the first stage of the Neo World Circuit still going on... every remaining team fought with everything they had, and showed skill worthy of a world-class fighter. In the end however…. Only a few teams were announced to be undefeated or with a near perfect record. Team Strike Shadow and Samurai Dragon were among those few.

"Doctor O here…. with Team Strike Shadow and Samurai Dragon the only two teams left in this arena for the first stage of the Neo World Circuit…. we… that is to say the tournament administrators have decided to toss a sudden-death match into the mix!" Doctor O informed.

"Death Match?" Everyone asked at the same time.

"One member from both teams are selected at random, they fight, and the winning team gets to go against the legendary Team S.I.T Genius." Doctor O explained, "Ah but though I say death-match… the losing team will not be kicked out of the tournament."

The members of Samurai Dragon were shocked... how did they get S.I.T Genius to act as the guests for this event? Anyway.. the two teams returned to the center stage shortly after their recent ordeal. The members of Strike Shadow have already discussed it amongst themselves, but the members of Team Samurai Dragon have yet to realize what happened to their own teammates.

"A random match-up to determine the winner, and the right to fight S.I.T Genius... if one of us were matched up against any other member of Strike Shadow we might be able to pull out a win, but against Isaac… and his current skill level it'll be an instant loss. Damn it… just how did that bastard get so much stronger in so little time." Tom thought as he couldn't help but have strong feelings of inadequacy right now.

Once the two teams found their way to the stadium, they saw a mini motion figure system in the center of the stage. Both thought it unusual given the importance of this tournament, but as long as they had a stage to fight on at all they weren't going to think about it too hard.

"With both teams here, it's time for the Death Match!" Doctor O exclaimed as he turned to face a monitor.

The monitor had screen shots of each member of Samurai Dragon on the right, and Strike Shadow on the left.

"Now... let's see who fights!" Doctor O exclaimed as the monitor started.

As the large view screen shuffled between pictures of members of both teams, each member of Team Samurai Dragon started to think about the individual skeletons in the closet of each member of Team Strike Shadow.

"What should I… do?" Megan sighed

Megan glanced at Teresa... guilt just for knowing Teresa was blind in one eye and lost the ability to use that power was just too much to take.

"Did losing the ability to use those eyes make Teresa weaker or stronger? And….. it's sad she only has 25/50 vision, but….. how come no one has noticed?" Megan thought as her eyes were focused on her deck.

Greg's eyes move to Preston... if he joined just to spy on Strike Shadow for Leon... what is the Soryu clan leader going to use that info for?

"Just what the heck is Team Strike Shadow doing that warrants Preston being sent in as a spy? And….. does Cloud know the reason he's there?"Greg thought as he glanced back and forth between Preston and the rest of his team.

Then Max looked at Sakura…... all he could think about was what he learned about Sakura's past that was near death, and he also couldn't help but wonder how Kiba Nakashima was involved.

"Just how could those shards have any medicinal properties? What does that Kiba guy have to do with any of this? Perhaps it has something to do with her interest in him?" Max thought as his attention was now focused on the field the representative from his team would be fighting on.

As for Tom... he couldn't help but feel sympathy for the kind of life Isaac had to grow up in.

"What did Isaac mean when he said he wanted to bring destiny itself into a physical form? And why would Isaac's sponsors lie to him about his parents? Wait… wouldn't imply that he was raised by the Strike Shadow organization? They haven't been around that long….. how is that possible?" Tom thought as his focus was still completely on Isaac.

Then Tom's thought slowly drifted towards Billy Johnson... why did he snap at Isaac like that? And what is he really working so hard to achieve? The members of Team Samurai Dragon all wondered how they'd react to the news of each other's recent encounters when the chance presented itself, but soon enough the shuffling animation came to a stop. The "VS" symbol now lay perfectly aligned with the picture of the two fighters selected to do battle right now.

"And there you have it…. this death match will be between Max Suzugamori vs Isaac Barrett!" Doctor O exclaimed.

"Megan and Tom fought Isaac... this'll be exciting." Max thought, "And man….. have I been looking forward to getting a crack at the guy."

Max and Isaac both went to the motion figure system, and set their fields up accordingly.

"Alright…. There's no way this guy hasn't gotten stronger, so….. I'll use that power right off the bat." Max thought as he activated his Psyqualia.

Max's eyes began glowing with that familiar power. Using it came with a vision of a metaphorical vast ocean of darkness... darkness so strong that Megan and Tom couldn't help but shiver in face of that power

"Max is that strong now?" Tom thought as he could feel himself being swallowed by Max's darkness.

"It's so intense... I can hardly stand it." Megan thought as sweat started to roll down the side of her cheek.

"So this is what you're capable of now?" Isaac asks as he was intrigued though unaffected in the least by the tension Max is creating.

"Hmph…. Does my strength impress you?" Max smirked, "Everyone wants to become something greater than they are. Anyways…. it doesn't seem like you're completely focused on the fight? Could it be that my newfound strength scares you?"

"Ha….. as if someone like him could beat Isaac. We lost the last time though… because we got too used to being on our high horse, but since then… we've spent every day going through training from hell under that person." Preston declared.

"I'd rather not think about that nightmarish period of training….. you remember the first day Preston? Isaac was the only one who didn't pass out from the strain." Sakura points out.

"We've certainly all improved a great deal, but-" Teresa was saying when a burst of murderous intent flashed through her eyes, "How dare he accuse Isaac of even the slightest bit of cowardice."

"My apologies… yet…. ..I'm actually disappointed in you. After all this time I had expected a far greater deal of tension in the room especially if you're using that….. I can see my belief was horribly misplaced." Isaac declared as Max still wasn't a worthy opponent in his eyes.

"Big words considering the fact that you've lost to Tom!" Max declared so as not to appear weak in front of Isaac.

But Max found himself in a unusual state of nervousness in response to Isaac's words even though he has yet to gauge his opponent's current strength.

"Still you are right about one thing…. in a stage as grand of this I shouldn't have my thoughts all over the place." Isaac retorts as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breathe.

After a few seconds Isaac opened his eyes, and when he did so all the more perceptive fighters watching this match swore they heard a lightning bolt in the distance. They all turned in random directions towards the sky to check, but no… it was still clear. Whether it was reality or a trick of the mind, there's no better comparison to Isaac's nature of attacking with overwhelming force in a single burst rather than lightning.

"What the hell?" Max thought as he begins to perceive the amount of tension Isaac is adding into the room.

"If Max's aura could be imagined as a sphere of darkness-" Megan was saying.

"Then Isaac's is like Vermillion….. discharging overwhelmingly destructive amounts of electricity." Tom follows.

Comparing Max's sphere of darkness to Isaac's bursts of electricity….. if one could imagine it in reality while watching from a distance….. then that one person could see that Isaac's intensity vastly outstrips Max's.

Teresa could definitely feel Isaac's lightning, and was filled with what could only be described as a sense of fulfillment.

"You finally have a chance to play on the grandest stage you've always dreamed of Isaac, so of course you'd at least be this excited even against an opponent whose beneath you." Teresa thought.

"What the hell is this? The match hasn't started and he's not even using that power… yet there's already that big a difference between us?" Max thought as his entire body was shaking.

"You shouldn't be surprised by this… right now I'm being a little serious, but the strongest World-Class teams here in this tournament like the World Champions Team Red Star….. could easily produce this level of tension fighting casually. We have to get much stronger than this as if either of our teams were to fight these people….. we wouldn't be a challenge at our current level." Isaac said in a unexpectedly pragmatic point of view.

"What the hell then? If the best teams here are really that much stronger then you…. then were we arrogant by saying we'd win for sure?" Tom thought.

Tom knew there would be fighters as old as they are, but double if not triple in skill compared to his team at the Neo World Circuit. Still…. he couldn't help but be off put by hearing that truth come out of the mouth of someone like Isaac.

"So there's that big of a difference between us still?" Max thought as his body continued to shake.

But it wasn't fear that Max was shaking with….. no it was another emotion entirely.

"Fine then….. even if I'm weaker…. I'll use that difference and crush you with everything I have." Max thought as he shakes with absolute excitement.

"Begin the match!" Doctor O exclaimed.

"Stand up, the vanguard!" Both fighters exclaimed.

As they flipped their starting vanguards up, Isaac and Max were taken to a castle in the United Sanctuary beautiful statues as far as the eye can see, and the walls, floor and ceiling were covered in silver or gold. Purple and Orange lights filled the area as the units revealed themselves.

"Fullbau Brave (5000)!" Max revealed.

Max transformed into the newly armored Fullbau, his teeth flashed, and looked ready for a fight.

"Lightning Rod Dracokid (5000)!" Isaac revealed.

Isaac transformed into the mini version of Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion once again.

"So.. this is your new Narukami deck.. interesting." Max mumbled to himself as he drew.

Max might have attempted to play coy, but the truth was he had no idea what Isaac's starting vanguard could do or what he should expect from what is clearly a new deck of Isaac's.

"Ride Dark Heart Trumpeter (7000), Fullbau moves." Max informed.

Fullbau jumped back as a girl in black and white clothing appeared. She has deep blue hair, and carries a dark trumpet.

"I end my turn." Max informed.


Max - Isaac

5 - hand - 5

0 - damage - 0

0 - soul - 0

0 - counterblast - 0

0 - bind - 0

0/8 - g zone - 0/8

Empty, empty - empty, empty

Fullbau Brave, Dark Heart Trumpeter - Lightning Rod Dracokid, empty

Empty, empty - empty, empty


"Draw, I ride Superior Amphere Dragon (7000), moving Lightning Rod!" Isaac informed.

Isaac's vanguard transformed into a yellow version of Dusty Plasma Dragon, but this unit has armor on its legs and chest. Lightning Rod appeared behind it.

"I call Crownholder Dragon (7000), and I attack Dark Heart Trumpeter!" Isaac declared.

"No guard, and I check (Pitch Black Sage Charon - no trigger)." Max revealed.

"Lightning Rod boosts, Amphere attacks Dark Heart (12000)!" Isaac declared.

"No guard." Max informed.

"Drive check (One Strike Two Hits Djinn - no trigger)." Isaac revealed.

Moving at lightning fast speed, Amphere strikes the trumpet angel with it's claws.

"Damage check (Unorthodox Shield Mac Lir - no trigger)." Max revealed.

"I end my turn." Isaac informed.


Max - Isaac

5 - hand - 5

2 - damage - 0

0 - soul - 0

0 - counterblast - 0

0 - bind - 0

0/8 - g zone - 0/8

Empty, empty - Crownholder Dragon, empty

Fullbau Brave, Dark Heart Trumpeter - Superior Amphere Dragon, Lightning Rod Dracokid

Empty, empty - empty, empty


"I draw, then ride Macha (9000)!" Max declared.

Max's vanguard evolved further.. this time into a mature woman in black armor. She wears a cape over her back, and carries a sheathed sword on her right hip.

"Call Dorint (9000) and Claudas (7000)!" Max added.

"This'll be interesting." Tom thought.

"Fullbau boosts, Macha attacks Amphere (14000)!" Max declared.

"I don't guard." Isaac informed.

"Drive check (Howl Owl - draw trigger) power to Dorint (14000), and I draw." Max revealed.

Macha unsheathed her blade, and struck Amphere across the chest-plate.

"Damage check (Demonic Dragon Berserker Chatura - no trigger)." Isaac revealed.

With support from Claudas, Dorint attacks (21000)!" Max declared.

"No guard... damage check (Suspicious Djinn - draw trigger) I draw 1 card." Isaac revealed.

"I end my turn." Max informed.


Max - Isaac

5 - hand - 6

2 - damage - 2

1 - soul - 0

0 - counterblast - 0

0 - bind - 0

0/8 - g zone - 0/8

Empty, empty - Crownholder Dragon, empty

Fullbau Brave, Dark Night Maiden Macha - Superior Amphere Dragon, Lightning Rod Dracokid

Arduous Battle Knight Claudas, Bloodstained Battle Knight Dorint - empty, empty


"I stand and draw." Isaac declared.

"So far the fight is even... who knew Max was training this hard after Nationals?" Megan thought.

"Ride Superior Circuit Dragon Zephyr (9000)!" Isaac declared.

Isaac's vanguard transformed into a newly armored black serpent, this version holds two short daggers.

"Crownholder moves back, then I call Chatura (8000) as well as Storm Bring Dragon (9000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

"That's an impressive front line he has, but to Isaac it's probably a light snack at best." Max thought.

"Storm Bring Dragon attacks Macha (9000)!" Isaac declared.

"Howl Owl will guard (5000)!" Max countered.

"With support from Crownholder, Chatura attacks Macha.. the skill adds 3000 power (18000)!" Isaac declared.

"No guard... damage check (Dark Heart Trumpeter - no trigger)." Max revealed.

"Chatura's counterblast... Howl Owl moves to the bind zone!" Isaac declared.

"Oh well." Max thought.

"With support from Dracokid, Zephyr attacks Macha (14000)!" Isaac declared.

"No guard." Max decided.

"Drive check (Storm Bring Dragon - no trigger)." Isaac revealed.

Isaac's serpent slithered up to Macha, and struck her with his daggers.

"Damage check (Flatbau - heal trigger).. I heal 1 point of damage." Max revealed.

"Your turn." Isaac informed.


Max - Isaac

4 - hand - 5

3 - damage - 2

1 - soul - 1

0 - counterblast - 1

1 - bind - 0

0/8 - g zone - 0/8

Empty, empty - Demonic Dragon Berserker Chatura, Crownholder Dragon

Fullbau Brave, Dark Night Maiden Macha - Superior Circuit Dragon Zephyr, Lightning Rod Dracokid

Arduous Battle Knight Claudas, Bloodstained Battle Knight Dorint - Storm Bring Dragon, empty


"I stand and draw." Max declared.

"Once they reach the realm of grade 3 units.. Isaac will let down the thunder….. no pun intended. Then again I'm not saying this out loud so what does it matter." Tom thought.

"It's clear the fight is even right now, but Isaac won't need much longer to take a tremendous lead." Teresa thought.

"Atone for the sins of the Black Dragon, and serve the light through darkness, ride Blaster Dark 'Diablo' (11000)!" Max exclaimed.

Macha's body radiated power, and she transformed into the new leader of Shadow Paladin. His revenger cape still hangs from his back, but the diablo armor shines like a black diamond.

"Call Mac Lir (8000)!" Max added.

"Max didn't call anything else out.. guess he wants to save the rest of his hand for defense." Tom thought.

"Mac Lir attacks Chatura (8000)!" Max declared.

"Mirai guards (5000)!" Isaac countered.

"With support from Fullbau, Blaster Dark attacks Zephyr (16000)!" Max declared.

"No guard." Isaac decided.

"Twin drive (Young Skull Witch Nemain - no trigger), second check (Leaping Knight Lingan Lumna - critical trigger) power to Dorint (14000), critical to Blaster Dark (2 critical)!" Max revealed.

Blaster Dark leapt into the air, and struck the armored serpent across the front of its body.

"Damage check (Suspicious Djinn - draw trigger) I add power to my vanguard (14000), and I draw, second check (Deity of Love Kama - heal trigger) power to my vanguard (19000), and I recover 1." Isaac revealed.

"With support from Claudas, Dorint attacks Storm Bring (21000)!" Max declared.

"No Guard." Isaac countered.

"What? Why not Zephyr?" Megan asked.

"It would be incredibly easy to guard Zephyr, cutting off a unit that can almost guarantee a stride is the better option here." Tom explained.

"I end my turn." Max informed.


Max - Isaac

5 - hand - 4

3 - damage - 3

2 - soul - 1

0 - counterblast - 0

1 - bind zone - 0

0/8 - g zone - 0/8

Empty, Unorthodox Shield Mac Lir - Demonic Dragon Berserker Chatura, Crownholder Dragon

Fullbau Brave, Blaster Dark "Diablo" - Superior Circuit Dragon Zephyr, Lightning Rod Dracokid

Arduous Battle Knight Claudas, Bloodstained Battle Knight Dorint - empty, empty


"Stand and draw!" Isaac declared

"Alright... about now, he'll ride Vermillion... too bad he won't win this time." Max thought.

"Return from the place beyond death, and strike hard my incarnation of lightning! I ride Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Returned" (11000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

"The Returned? I've never even heard of that Narukami unit." Megan said as her face was littered with obvious signs of shock.

Lightning crashed on Zephyr, and transformed it into the hero of Narukami... it's wings are at least twice the usual length, and the yellow of the armor has been replaced by various shades of red.

"I discard Amphere from my hand to pay the cost for stride, come forth Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Retribution" (26000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

Lightning pulsed around Vermillion's body, making it's armor more perturbed, the lance has become an Axe, and he now wears a helmet.

"Call Crownholder Dragon (7000) and One Strike Two Hits Djinn (11000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

"He can't use Djinn's skill... at least that's worth one point in my corner." Max thought.

"Activating The Retribution's skill... counterblast.. g persona blast.. add 5000 power (31000), and the ability to attack all units in the front row!" Isaac exclaimed.

"That's it? I was expecting more from a G unit." Megan mumbled.

"That's not all... if The Retribution's hits a rearguard, with a Vermillion Heart, you can bind a rearguard in the same column." Tom explained.

"That's... very Perdition like." Greg thought.

"The Retribution attacks, go.. Vermillion Apocalypse (36000)... Lightning Rod's skill I add 1000 power to Vermillion for every rearguard on my opponent's front row(39000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

"I protect Blaster Dark with Nemain (perfect guard)!" Max countered.

"Triple drive (Hateful Djinn - critical trigger) power to Chatura (13000), critical to Djinn (2 critical), second check (Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Returned" - no trigger), third check (Dragon Dancer Anastasia - no trigger)." Isaac revealed.

Vermillion swung his axe in a horizontal motion, creating a lightning strike that destroyed Mac Lir and Dorint.. Blaster Dark was safe thanks to a younger Nemain, but Claudas was burnt alive by the electrical surge Dorint took on.

"Crownholder's skill... add 2000 power to itself (9000) and Chatura (15000), repeat the effect..add 2000 power to itself (11000) and Chatura (17000). Crownholder's skill.. add 2000 power to itself (9000) and Djinn (13000) repeat the effect.. 2000 to itself (11000) and Djinn (15000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

"That's a lot of power." Tom mentally noted.

"He gave Djinn the critical effect, but Chatura has the most power... if I want to survive, I'll have to take Chatura's attack." Max thought.

"Crownholder boosts, Chatura attacks Blaster Dark.. add 3000 power (31000)!" Isaac declared.

"No guard.. damage check (Pitch Black Sage Charon - no trigger)." Max revealed.

"Counterblast.. bind Mac Lir... then Djinn attacks Blaster Dark (26000)." Isaac decided

"Flatbau and Lingan Lumna guards (20000)!" Max countered.

"I end my turn." Isaac informed.


Max - Isaac

1 - hand - 5

4 - damage - 3

2 - soul - 2

0 - counterblast - 3

3 - bind - 0

0/8 - g zone - 2/6

Empty, empty - Demonic Dragon Berserker Chatura, Crownholder Dragon

Fullbau Brave, Blaster Dark "Diablo" - Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Returned", Lightning Rod Dracokid

Empty, empty - One Hit Two Strikes Djinn, Crownholder Dragon


"I stand and draw!" Max declared.

"This isn't good... Max has no resources left the... he needs to deal 3 damage.. but Isaac has a perfect guard, and an intercept... what can he do?!" Megan thought.

"Liberating the generation zone!" Max exclaimed as he discarded Mordred from his hand.

"He drew Mordred Phantom... maybe there's hope after all." Tom thought, "But still….. that hope is at best a final desperate attack."

"Be drawn to the balance of light and darkness, stride generation... Dark Knight Grim Recruiter (26000)!" Max exclaimed.

Blaster Dark transformed through the power of time and space... into a red haired knight in black armor riding on a black armored horse.

"Call Dark Heart Trumpeter (7000)... soul blast, superior call Claudas (7000).. add 2000 power (9000). Fullbau Brave's counterblast.. send it to the soul, add Blaster Dark "Diablo" to my hand!" Max exclaimed.

"If Grim Recruiter hits, he can call out another Dark Heart, and Claudas as a result... good thinking." Tom thought.

"Charge into battle, Scythe Resonance (26000)!" Max declared.

"Dragon Dancer Anastasia will guard (perfect guard)!" Isaac countered.

"Triple drive (Leaping Knight Lingan Lumna - critical trigger) all effects to Dark Heart (12000, 2 critical), second check (Flatbau - Heal trigger) power to Dark Heart (17000), and I recover 1.. third check (Dark Night Maiden Macha - no trigger)." Max revealed.

Grim Recruiter charged at Vermillion, but a red haired girl in a dress that resembles a dragon blocked the attempt.

"Claudas boosts, Dark Heart attacks (26000)!" Max declared.

"No guard... damage check (One Hit Two Strikes Djinn - no trigger), second check (Deity of Love Kama - heal trigger).. I recover 1." Isaac informed.

"I end my turn." Max informed.


Max - Isaac

4 - hand - 3

3 -damage - 4

2 - soul - 2

0 - counterblast - 2

3 - bind zone - 0

1/7 - g zone - 2/6

Arduous Battle Knight Claudas, Dark Heart Trumpeter - Demonic Dragon Berserker Chatura, Crownholder Dragon

Empty, Blaster Dark "Diablo" - Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Returned", Lightning Rod Dracokid

Empty, empty - One Strike Two Hits Djinn, Crownholder Dragon


"You see what I mean by disappointment?" Isaac said as he drew for the turn.

"I still intend to see this fight to the end and grasp at even the slightest chance of victory, but unfortunately I do." Max answered.

"Final Turn!" Isaac declared.

"What!? But Max has 3 damage, there's no way!" Megan thought.

"Liberating the Generation Zone!" Isaac countered as he discarded The Returned from his hand.

"Break through the sealed cage with your shards of the emperor's spirit, and descend my embodiment of thunder... stride generation Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Resonance" (26000)!" Isaac exclaimed.

This Vermillion has 3 horns on its head, a longer wing span then "THE BLOOD", armor more red than yellow, and his sword is close in shape to a katana.

"Vermillion's stride skill… my front row rearguards gain a power of their own... The Resonance's skill.. counterblast.. soul blast, and g persona blast.. add 5000 power, 1 critical (31000, 2 critical), the ability to attack the front row… and you can't use sentinels against him... One Strike Two Hits Djinn's skill... soul blast.. now in addition to attacking the vanguard, I can attack another unit on your field." Isaac informed.

"Oh great... as if I didn't have enough problems." Max thought.

"Now go through the walls created even by the gods themselves my incarnation of lighting! Vermillion Piercing Bolt... Lightning Rod's skill.. add 2000 power, stride skill.. add 3000 power (40000, 2 critical)!" Isaac declared.

"No guard." Max informed.

"If Isaac doesn't get a critical trigger, can Max survive afterwards?" Tom thought.

"Triple drive (Storm Bring Dragon - no trigger), second check (Dragon Dancer Mirai - no trigger), third check (Crownholder Dragon - no trigger)." Isaac revealed.

Vermillion rained lightning from the heavens, and it struck both Dark Heart and Blaster Dark.

"Damage check (Bloodstained Battle Knight Dorint - no trigger), second check (Death Feather Eagle - critical trigger).. all effects to Blaster Dark (16000, 2 critical)." Max revealed.

"Crownholder's skill.. add 2000 power to itself (9000) and Chatura (10000).. repeat the effect.. add 2000 power (11000) and to Chatura (12000). The other one.. add 2000 power to itself (9000) and Djinn (13000).. repeat the effect.. add 2000 to itself (11000) and Djinn (15000)!" Isaac informed.

"Max has 25000 in defensive power... will he hold out?" Greg thought.

"Crownholder boosts, Djinn attacks Blaster Dark and Claudas (26000). The Returned stride skill activates…. When my rearguard units attack, ... they gain 3000 power for every one empty rearguard circle on your front row (32000)!" Isaac declared.

"Macha and Flatbau will guard (15000)!" Max countered.

"This is the end, with support from Crownholder, Chatura attacks (23000)... add 3000 power (26000)... stride skill, add 6000 power (32000)!" Isaac declared.

"Looks like I lose." Max informed as he revealed the top card to be Blaster Dark "Diablo".

"Team Strike Shadow moves on as the first team to advance to the special match and the final stage!" Doctor O announced.

Max cleaned his cards up, then walked to his teammates.

"Sorry guys... as soon as he used stride, it was a one sided slaughter." Max informed.

"And now they get to fight Team S.I.T Genius. No use being bitter, we're just going to have to train, for the next stage. If anything we should take this as a lesson to show how much harder we have to work just to stay in the tournament let alone win it." Tom said.

Tom and his team left the stage without saying a word, then they walked back to the cardshop to watch the match Isaac earned through the fight. Meanwhile, in an undiscovered location: we see Billy with his hood down talking to Herald 1. They're in a silver room with several monitors hanging off the walls, in the center of this room, an incubator illuminated by it's own green light the incubator, there's a white rectangular object floating, and a vanguard symbol covers this object's front and back. At the end of the room, there's a door with 24 differently colored markers

"In your test fight with Tom Toshiki, the conditions of the seed states that it splits in half, and passes to the winner." Herald 1 informed.

"I already knew that, so why are we here instead of where we usually put the seed fragments?" Billy asked.

"Simple. It's part of his end of the bargain he gave you ten years ago." Herald 1 informed.

Billy stepped forward to the incubator without another word.

"Now, place the seed fragment within our depend card!" Herald 1 ordered.

"History, and Destiny Intertwine! Time Vortex Barrier!" Billy exclaimed.

The barrier marked with the Gear Chronicle clan symbol wrapped itself around Billy, then a reddish-black mist flown out of Billy, and surged into the depend card. Billy took deep breaths as this process was apparently incredibly draining.

"You're doing something incredible, the world will never be the same." Herald 1 informed

"This is for you." Billy thought as he and Herald 1 left the room.


Megan: so, we lost the first stage

Max:eh, you can't win them all

Tom: wait, who's that?

?: I challenge you to a fight

Tom:Nest time:a New Challenger

Greg: no way, he's burning my field away!


Narukami (improved) Credit goes to Terminus Zwei for their creation.

G0

Lightning Rod Dracokid

Power: 5000

Shield: 10000

[Auto]:Forerunner

[Auto](rc) generation break 1 (This ability is active if you have one or more face up g units in total on your (vc) or G zone): When this unit boosts a Narukami (vc) or (rc), the boosted unit gets +1000 power for each unit on your opponent's front row until the end of that battle.

G2

Superior Circuit Dragon Zephyr

Power: 9000

Shield: 5000

[Auto](rc) generation break 1 (This ability is active if you have one or more face up g units in total on your (vc) or g zone): When this unit attacks, if you have a vanguard with Vermillion in its card name, this unit gets [power]+ 2000 and "Auto(rc)[1/Turn]: When this unit attacks a vanguard, if your opponent's front row (rc) are empty Countercharge (1)."

G3

Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Returned"

Power: 11000

Card Flavor: The dragon thought dead has come back to restore the empire's glory.

[Auto](vc) generation break 2 This ability is active if you have two or more face up g units in total on your (vc) or g zone: When this unit attacks, until the end of that battle, this unit gets [power]+3000 for every unit on your opponent's front row and if your opponent has 3 or more units on their front row, this unit gets [critical]+1.

[Auto](vc): During your turn, when your unit named Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Resonance" Stride, until end of turn all units on your front row (rc) get Auto(rc)[1/Turn]: When this unit attacks a Vanguard, until the end of that battle, this unit gets [Power]+3000 for every one of your opponent's empty front row (rc).

G4

Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Resonance"

Power: 15000+

Stride-Stride Step-[Choose one or more cards with the sum of their grades being 3 or greater from your hand, and discard them] Stride this card on your (VC) from face down.

[Act](vc)[1/Turn]:[counterblast 2, Soulblast 1, & choose a face down card named Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "The Resonance" from your g zone and turn it face up] If you have a heart card with Vermillion in its card name, until end of turn this unit gets +5000 power, [critical]+1, and [cont](vc): This unit battles every unit on your opponent's front row in one attack. If you have 2 or more face up units in your g zone this unit gets until end of turn [Auto](vc): When this unit attacks a vanguard your opponent cannot call Grade 1 or greater units to the (GC) from his or her hand.