27It seems today that the search for Max Suzugamori has ended. The mentioned person himself is standing in front of the cardshop that Tom, Megan and Greg frequent every day. Max sighed as he looked over his deck. Sure, taking out Blaster Axe may hurt his defenses in the short run, but it's the better choice to run that unit instead.
Max sighed as he stepped into the cardshop. Kyle currently working at the cashier space. The man smiled as Max turned to greet him.
"Welcome to The Fire Plates, my name's Kyle." Kyle introduced.
"Kyle, I'll remember that. Is there a guy named Tom Toshiki that frequents this shop?" Max asked.
"Are you kidding? The team representing the shop at regionals was lead by the guy!" Kyle happily exclaimed.
Max was surprised by this slightly, but then began thinking of something.
"I see, and did he happen to register a fourth member to his team?" Max asked curiously.
"Yeah, some guy named Max Suzugamori. Apparently, Tom and Max are friends, and he's trying to help Max find special cards that were stolen from him."
"Oh, and would they happen to look something similar to this card but on all fours?" Max asked as he took out a copy of Phantom Blaster Dragon from his deck.
"Y-yeah, but how do you have that Shadow Paladin?" Kyle asked
"Simple, I'm Max Suzugamori." Max revealed.
That shocked Kyle to an extent, but he was happy that Max was no longer missing.
"Oh.. I see, well, enjoy yourself here." Kyle insisted.
Max sighed for a third time then went to take a seat at a table. Max then took out his deck once more, looking to see what other cards he could move around, but ultimately, no luck. His deck is fixed around his missing Gust Blaster Dragon, and he has no plans to change it.
Sometime later; Tom, Megan and Greg entered the shop, having once again failed to find Max anywhere. Tom turned to Kyle, just about to say something like this, but Kyle cut him off.
"Kyle, what are you?" Tom started to ask.
"Max is already here." Kyle said.
"What?" Tom asked, surprised.
"Yeah, in fact, he's sitting right there." Kyle said as he pointed to Max sitting at the table Tom Megan and Greg always sat at.
The three fighters looked to see Max was definitely sitting where Kyle said he was. When he heard this, Max stood up and turned to see Tom, a small smile appeared on his face.
"Well, it's been a while, how have you been?" Max asked Tom.
"It's good to see you." Tom said.
The three fighters walked over, and sat with Max at the table. Then, began conversing with each other.
"Where have you been Max, I've looked everywhere for you. Zack's been worried for you as well." Tom demanded.
Max looked away from him then spoke up: "I've been trying to track the guy that stole my prized cards from me. So far, no luck." Max said, with a slight lie as he is getting some support from Strike Shadow, but they don't need to know that.
"Wait, who's Zack?" Greg asked.
"My little brother, obviously. He's a fan of Strike Shadow's Isaac Barrett, and uses Narukami just like the guy." Tom answered.
"Huh, that's interesting." Greg mumbled.
Max sighed as he looked through his deck once more, he felt Phantom Blaster Dragon's anger over the theft of Gust Blaster Dragon. Max felt anger over this theft, but at that moment: he felt the pull of Psyqualia coming from Megan. Interesting: it's time for a test.
"You, Megan, right?" Max asked.
"Yeah, why?" Megan asked.
"I'm curious why Tom would chose to come to a shop like this. I challenge you to a cardfight." Max said.
Greg and Tom shared a glance with each other, but Megan lead Max to the lower level where the fight table was. Tom and Greg took to the rails on the first floor: Tom behind the rails behind Max, Greg, the same but with Megan.
"If she really does have Psyqualia, it'll definitely activate here." Max thought as he activated his Psyqualia.
For some reason, Megan felt her head hurting once more, but quickly shook it off as she and Max set their fields up.
"You ready?" Max asked.
"Yeah." Megan answered.
"Very well, let's begin." Max stated.
"Stand up!"
"The!"
"Vanguard!"
Once the declaration was made, both fighters flipped their first vanguards. On Cray, the two of them are transported to a dark arena within the United Sanctuary.
"Glyme (6000)!" Megan revealed.
"Fullbau (6000)!" Max revealed.
Both fighters transformed into dogs, but as Megan's vanguard was blue with some armor, Max's vanguard was black or purple with dark armor, and a visor over it's eyes.
"Draw, I ride Blaster Javelin (8000)!" Max declared.
Max's vanguard transformed into a black armored Knight holding a single javelin in a two handed grip.
"Fullbau's skill, draw a card. That ends my turn." Max informed.
Megan - Max
5 - hand - 6
0 - damage - 0
0 - soul - 1
0 - counterblast - 0
Empty, empty - empty, empty
Empty, Glyme - Blaster Javelin, empty
Empty, empty - empty, empty
"Draw, ride Knight Squire Allen (8000)!" Megan declared.
Megan's vanguard transformed into a young knight with white armor, he carries a broadsword that looks like it's made of energy.
"Draw one card with Glyme's skill, and call Little Sage Marron (8000)!" Megan added.
"Ah. So, that's her game." Max thought.
"Knight Squire Allen attacks the vanguard (8000)!" Megan declared.
"I don't guard." Max decided
[Drive check: Funelgal - no trigger]
Allen came up close, then unleashed a powerful slash attack on Javelin.
[Damage check: Nightmare Painter - no trigger]
"Marron attacks (8000)!" Megan declared.
[Damage check: Darkness Maiden Macha - no trigger]
"Macha? What happened to Blaster Axe?" Tom thought.
"I end my turn." Megan informed.
Megan - Max
6 - hand - 6
0 - damage - 2
1 - soul - 1
0 - counterblast - 0
Empty, Little Sage Marron - empty, empty
Empty, Knight Squire Allen - Blaster Javelin, empty
Empty, empty - empty, empty
"I draw, now fall into the depths of darkness, I ride Blaster Dark (10000)!" Max declared.
Blaster Javelin is swallowed by a dark cloud, the cloud swirled until a new knight appeared, resembling Blaster Blade, but with black armor instead of white.
"Greediness Shadow: Marron retires!" Max declared.
"No, she needed that!" Greg thought as Megan sent the mentioned card to the drop zone.
"I discard a card from my hand, so Blaster Dark gets twin drive." Max explained.
"Twin drive on a grade 2!?" Megan thought in shock.
"I call Darkness Maiden Macha (10000), counterblast, and call Charon (8000). Macha's skill let's me draw a card, and give her 5000 power (15000), Charon's skill: soul blast to countercharge, add 3000 power (11000)." Max declared.
"He refunded his skill just like that, and powered up his units as well. That's impressive." Tom thought.
"I call Blaster Rapier (9000), Blaster Dagger (8000), and Blaster Javelin (8000). Using Javelin's skill: I draw one card, and add 3000 power (11000)." Max informed.
"Even though he drew 2 cards, he sacrificed most of his hand for that field, I have the advantage going into my next turn." Megan thought.
"With support from Javelin, Blaster Dark attacks Allen (21000)!" Max declared.
"No guard." Megan decided.
[Drive check: Dark Shield Mac Lir - draw trigger]
"Power to Rapier (19000), and I draw." Max informed
[Drive check: Death Feather Eagle - critical trigger]
"Power to Macha (25000), critical to Blaster Dark (2 critical)." Max informed.
Blaster Dark turned into shadows, then struck Allen from behind in two different spots.
[Damage check: Sword of Hope Richard - no trigger]
[Damage check: Knight Squire Allen - no trigger]
"With support from Blaster Dagger, Blaster Rapier attacks your vanguard, her skill grants her another 5000 power (32000)!" Max declared
[Damage check: Alfred Early - no trigger]
"With support from Charon, Macha attacks your vanguard (36000)!" Max declared
[Damage check: Funelgal - no trigger]
"Four damage in just 1 turn, that's crazy!" Greg thought.
Greg definitely has a worried expression on his face for his cousin's current predicament.
"I end my turn." Max informed.
Megan - Max
6 - hand - 5
4 - damage - 2
1 - soul - 1
0 - counterblast - 2
Empty, empty - Blaster Rapier, Blaster Dagger
Empty, Knight Squire Allen - Blaster Dark, Blaster Javelin
Empty, empty - Darkness Maiden Macha, Black Sage Charon
"I stand and draw." Megan declared
"What does Max have planned for this fight? His Gust Blaster Dragon is missing from his deck after all." Tom thought.
"Stand up, my avatar, and ride: Blaster Blade (10000)!" Megan declared.
Megan's vanguard burst from light, and became a knight that looks similar to Blaster Dark, but with white armor instead of black.
"Using his skill, Burst Buster: get Rapier out of there!" Megan declared.
"Very well." Max said.
"I call Little Sage Marron (8000) and Funelgal (10000)!" Megan added.
"Funelgal, huh?" Max thought.
"With Marron's skill: I counterblast, draw 1 card, and add 3000 power (11000)!" Megan informed.
"That's similar to Javelin's skill." Max thought.
"I call Pongal (8000): Soul Charge with his skill." Megan declared.
[Soul Charge: Knight Squire Allen - no trigger]
"I call High Dog Breeder Akane (10000), counterblast: call another Pongal (8000), and soul charge!" Megan declared again.
[Soul Charge: Funelgal - no trigger]
"Oh, so that's why she let all three attacks through." Tom thought.
"With support from Pongal, Blaster Blade attacks Blaster Dark (18000)!" Megan declared.
"No guard." Max decided.
[Drive check: Yggdrasil Maiden Elaine - heal trigger]
"Power to Akane (20000), and I recover 1 damage." Megan informed.
Blaster Blade moved at great speed despite his sword's length, then slashed Blaster Dark across his chest.
[Damage check: Darkness Maiden Macha - no trigger]
"With support from Marron, Funelgal attacks your vanguard, soul charge for another 5000, power (26000)!" Megan declared.
[Soul charge: Little Sage Marron - no trigger]
[Damage check: Dark Shield Mac Lir - draw trigger]
"Power to Blaster Dark (20000), and I draw." Max informed.
"With support from Pongal, Akane attacks your vanguard, add 3000 power with her skill (31000)!" Megan declared.
"Death Feather Eagle guards (15000)!" Max countered.
"I end my turn." Megan informed.
Megan - Max
4 - hand - 5
3 - damage - 4
4 - soul - 1
3 - counterblast - 2
Pongal, High Dog Breeder Akane - empty, Blaster Dagger
Pongal, Blaster Blade - Blaster Dark, Blaster Javelin
Little Sage Marron, Funelgal - Darkness Maiden Macha, Black Sage Charon
"Stand and draw." Max stated.
"Okay, Megan can take two attacks safely, she's got this." Greg thought.
"Rise from the depths of darkness, I ride The Dark Dictator (13000)!" Max declared.
Thunder struck the arena as Blaster Dark faded from existence. The sound of metal slapping against concrete can be heard echoing throughout the arena. A knight that looks like Alfred in black armor appeared before the current array of Knights, and they all bowed before him.
"Imaginary Gift: Force, apply it to the vanguard (31000)." Max declared.
"The Dark Dictator gets 2000 power for each unit in the rearguard." Tom stated.
"Using his counterblast, call Rapier, and Funelgal leaves the field, Rapier gets 5000 power (14000)." Max informed.
"Dictator has 33000 power unboosted, but Megan's deck is stronger with that unit." Greg thought.
"With support from Javelin, The Dark Dictator attacks Blaster Blade (41000)!" Max declared.
"I don't guard." Megan decided.
[Drive check: Abyss Healer - heal trigger]
"Power to Rapier (24000), and I recover 1 damage." Max informed
[Drive check: Blaster Dagger - no trigger]
The Dark Dictator moved too fast for Blaster Blade to track, and said dark king struck Blaster Blade in the back
[Damage check: High Dog Breeder Akane - no trigger]
"With support from Dagger, Rapier attacks, her skill adds 5000 power (37000)!" Max declared.
"Richard and Elaine guard (30000)!" Megan countered.
"Even if the attack didn't hit, the Pongal behind Blaster Blade leaves the field with Dagger's skill." Max informed.
"Megan lost 2 units, that makes things difficult for her." Tom thought.
"With support from Charon, Macha attacks your vanguard." Max decided.
[Damage check: Flash Shield Iseult - draw trigger]
"Power to my vanguard (20000), and I draw." Megan informed
"That ends my turn." Max informed.
Megan - Max
3 - hand - 6
5 - damage - 3
4 - soul - 3
3 - counterblast - 2
Pongal, High Dog Breeder Akane - Blaster Rapier, empty
Empty, Blaster Blade - The Dark Dictator, Blaster Javelin
Little Sage Marron, empty - Darkness Maiden Macha, Black Sage Charon
"I stand and draw!" Megan declared.
"Megan will be hard pressed to end the game here considering the score." Tom thought.
"Oh Holy Dragan, bless this battlefield with your radiant light, ride Soul Saver Dragon (13000)!" Megan declared.
Blaster Blade raised his sword, and with that, he vanished in brilliant light, from this light a blue scaled bipedal Dragan with white wings appeared.
"Imaginary Gift: Force, apply the gift to my vanguard (23000), then I call Blaster Blade (10000) and Marron (8000) to rearguard!" Megan declared.
"With just 1 card left in hand, you better be careful, Megan." Tom thought.
"Soul Saver Dragon's skill: Holy Charging Roar: all units on my field get 15000 power each!" Megan declared.
Megan's vanguard roared as a blessed light touched each unit (Marron/Pongal: 23000, Akane/Blaster Blade: 25000, Soul Saver Dragon: 38000).
"Now Max will be hard pressed to guard these attacks!" Greg thought.
"With support from Marron, Soul Saver Dragon attacks The Dark Dictator (61000)!" Megan declared.
"Mac Lir will guard that (perfect guard)!" Max countered.
[Drive check: Yggdrasil Maiden Elaine - heal trigger]
"Power to Blaster Blade (35000), and I recover 1 damage." Megan informed.
[Drive check: Flogal - critical trigger]
"All effects to Akane (35000, 2 critical)!" Megan added.
Soul Saver Dragan launched a lightning attack at the Dark Dictator, but it was blocked by a knight with a huge barrier on each arm.
"With support from Pongal, Akane attacks your vanguard, add 3000 power with her skill (61000, 2 critical)!" Megan declared.
[Damage check: Dark Shield Mac Lir - draw trigger]
"Power to The Dark Dictator (23000), and I draw." Max informed
[Damage check: Death Feather Eagle- critical trigger]
"All effects to the Dark Dictator (33000, 2 critical)!" Max informed
"With support from Marron, Blaster Blade attacks The Dark Dictator (58000)!" Megan declared.
"Abyss Healer and Darkside Trumpeter guard (35000)!" Max countered.
"I end my turn." Megan informed.
Megan - Max
3 - hand - 3
4 - damage - 5
0 - soul - 3
2 - counterblast - 2
Pongal, High Dog Breeder Akane - Blaster Rapier, empty
Little Sage Marron, Soul Saver Dragon - The Dark Dictator, Blaster Javelin
Little Sage Marron, Blaster Blade - Darkness Maiden Macha, Black Sage Charon
"I stand and draw." Max stated.
"I used my deck's best move, but it wasn't enough to win here!?" Megan thought.
"Now, fall Deep into the depths of darkness, I ride Phantom Blaster Dragon (13000)!" Max declared.
A black vortex absorbed the Dark Dictator, and from that vortex, a black dragon holding a big lance appeared. This dragon has green veins over it's body.
"Imaginary Gift: Force apply it to the vanguard (33000), and then call Blaster Dagger (8000)." Max decided.
"Thanks to that heal trigger, I still have a chance." Megan thought.
"Not that one." A voice rang.
"Huh?" Megan thought.
"Not that one, that's not the dangerous one." The same voice rang out.
Megan gripped her head in pain, Max took notice of this, and then saw the light of Psyqualia in Megan's eye.
"She does have it, interesting. However, I have enough damage and enough units for this, very well. I hear the win condition thanks to this field." Max thought.
"Phantom Blaster Dragon's skill: Macha, Javelin and Rapier, the cursed dragon has asked for your lives, Damned Charging Lance!" Max exclaimed
Phantom Blaster Dragon raised it's lance, then struck down the three specified units. Black mist formed from the places those destroyed units stood
"Now choose 3 of your units, and retire them!" Max declared.
"The two Marron units and Pongal." Megan said.
The black mist covered the specified units, then all that darkness went into Phantom Blaster Dragon.
"With this, Phantom Blaster Dragon gets 15000 power and 1 critical (48000, 2 critical)." Max informed.
"I still have 2 intercept units to block this attack with." Megan thought.
"I call two copies of Blaster Dark (10000)." Max declared.
"Two of them!?" Megan thought.
"Using the counterblast of each Blaster Dark, Akane and Blaster Blade leave the field." Max informed.
"Max has gotten really good at using that build even without Gust Blaster Dragon in it." Tom thought.
"That's not all." Max stated.
"Huh?" Megan asked.
A faint light sprung up infront of Phantom Blaster Dragon, and materialized into The Dark Dictator.
"With no units on your field, Phantom Blaster Dragon's skill allows me to deal you one more point of damage." Max informed.
The Dark Dictator raised his sword, then black thunder burst from it, electrifying Soul Saver Dragon. The Dark Dictator then dissipated in a burst of light.
[Damage check: Soul Saver Dragon - no trigger]
"Now Fly, Phantom Blaster Dragon (48000, 2 critical)!" Max declared.
"If Megan uses her entire hand to guard that, she'll lose." Tom thought.
"I don't guard." Megan informed.
[Drive check: Death Feather Eagle - critical trigger]
Drive check: Darkside Trumpeter - critical trigger]
"The power to each Blaster Dark (20000), the critical effects to my vanguard (4 critical)." Max informed.
Phantom Blaster Dragon took to the skies, and stabbed Soul Saver Dragon four times in the abdomen.
[Damage check: King of Knights Alfred - no trigger]
With that, Soul Saver Dragon faded from existence, Phantom Blaster Dragon roared in victory. The two fighters then began cleaning up their cards.
"What was that voice? And, the way Max fought, it was the same as when Allen fought Tom in the finals." Megan thought.
"So, Tom decided to stay as a regular here because of the potential in both you and your cousin, Greg. That's intriguing." Max said.
"Huh?" Megan asked.
"Your deck hit the peak of it's current power in that cardfight. If you want to get stronger, you need to overhaul your deck." with that said, Max went back to the main floor of the shop.
"Overhaul it?" Megan thought.
Max smirked as he looked through his deck, Gust Blaster Dragon may be gone for now, but he will get it back.
Tom: looks like our team is finally full.
Max: fine, I'll join.
Tom: like you had any choice.
Greg: next time: sibling fight.
Zack: hey Tom, fight me, now!