(NYC) Field: New York National Hall

[ryujiknight]

Shin'en Kuraidesu

[Cipher Izanagi]

Seifer Leo

[Helios]

Hazama von Einsburn

[Spectre Diamond]

Hikaru Nagisaki

[Hope]

Brackets posted.

[ryujiknight]

Announcer: And with that Shin'en WINS!!! After winming against Hana Espoir, and Kurai Tsukino , Shin'en Kuraidesu will be moving on to the third round!!!! *Shin'en smiles and waves nervously to the crowd* 

[Cipher Izanagi]

At the end of Seifer's grueling fight against the Dark Irregular player Makuto and his No-Life King Anchor, Seifer manages to take the match with Leopald as the vanguard, just barely winning.

[Cherry]

Yukino vs Haruka.

The lovers would cross in the first round, as destiny had no mercy for the two. Even so, Yukino looked forward to it - the first fight where despair no longer shackled her line a binding chain. Commemorating that with her boyfriend was a well-appreciated treat. Once again did Ezel and Duke face off in the battlegrounds of the holy nation. Heaven's Child: Vortimer proved that he was worth his blessed mantle, the black horse armor clad knight rallying troops with his ride chain. Those of the lion corps were not daunted, as the red lion heir's superior ride came into fruition. The queen made clear her solidified bond with Ezel. In addition to that, the grand return of the Sanctuary's Ace left the golden warriors in awe. Blaster Blade had entered the fray.

Both Ahmes and Yunos had come back in spirit forms by her hands.

Even so, Spectral Duke Dragon proved to be a harsh challenge, even breaking through Yukino's last defenses initially. However, a miracle heal answered the restoration of the vanguard's heart, keeping her in the game. Turning it to her win.

The second game, Ezel's Superior Ride had gone off once more, and Vortimer's Grade Two state appeared very late. However, Haruka's Viviane made sure to make up for it with getting at least one call. A double critical put Yukino far ahead, In the midst of battle, the harsh heat that she and Ezel suffered from burned within. It wasn't painful, however. More of adding to the adrenaline. She appeared on Cray along with the Gold Paladins, standing next her lion best friend. A heavy assault was unleashed from the black chain forces in counterattack, nearly bringing them down. And nearly enduring everything the lions could throw. Especially with War Horse bringing Duke to full 11000 power. In the end, however, Ezel's Limit Break resounded, calling Garmore.

Even so, Haruka Perfect Guarded Ezel. Even if one trigger meant his end in terms of being able to guard, he stayed vigilante, unbelieving of the end. Not out of spite, but of resolution.

The eyes Yukino fell in love with, and the eyes of those she wants to stand with her. Those drive her and Ezel into another Critical, ending the game.

Sweating, she was happy to have a well-earned, genuine victory for the first time in a long time. Still no answer on what her Vanguard is yet through this, but Haruka gave her an idea.

[Beryl]

The man who put Satoshi out of a chance at regionals a long time ago. Cero Kirguis, King Europe.

Despite the fear that Vermillion puts into the souls of Rearguards and Vanguards alike, the two games that the farmboy and the European professional played were surprisingly one-sided. That devil's luck once again resurged itself in favor of Satoshi and put Cero at a strong disadvantage. Even with a relatively closer game 2, all it took were 3 turns worth of swings from a fully-managed Sephirot's garden, keeping Vermillion off of Limit Break, to put King Europe out of commission.

Satoshi Kurosaki defeats Cero Kirguis, and moves on to round 2 of the World Circuit, the resolution of a Vanguard through companionship still pulling through.

[Azuki Frappé]

A short interlude happens as the speakers burst out announcing a short break however during this time, Christina Aguilera is invited to the stage to perform a half-time show. Leading up with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” George Benson’s “On Broadway,” Stevie Wonder’s “Living For the City,” and Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” before introducing rapper Nas who rapped a verse before the Queen Xtina re-enters the stage, introducing in "The Rockettes" onto the stage and ending elegantly with her tremor of Jay-Z featuring Alicia Key's "Empire State of Mind"

"Neww Yorkkkk, Concrete jungle where dreams are made of (Ighanna heard as concrete jungle wet dream tomatoes lel) theres nothing you can't do, now you're in New Yorkk, these streets will make you feel brand new the lights will inspire you, lets here it for New York, New York, New Yorkkkk!" Christina sang before exiting the stage with a huge applause. At the backstage Ighanna congratulated Christina for the amazing performance and then after a hug, Ighanna went off to her VIP seats to spectate the will-be-back-shortly tournament games.

[Grimm]

"...uh, and Noah wins the match!" The announcer said, clearly confused, the crowd was silent for a few moments, and then cheers could be heard. "But, what was that about Aqua Force saving Cray, and demanding justice...." The announcer muttered.

Noah walked out of the stadium holding his head in pain, his next match would be soon.

"Thanks Maelstrom..." Noah thought to himself. The game had been won by the dragon, but every time Noah rode Maelstrom, he went to cray for a few moments to find the colossal beast taking on Granblue's undead army. The trips to Cray took a lot out of Noah, but slowly the trips were becoming less painful. Noah was going to fulfill Maelstrom's request, no matter what the price.

[Kuro]

Haruki and Hazama gave it their all in their first ever fights of the World Circuit. Hazama's Pale Moon were so powerful that they brought Haruki to 5 damage without a problem, but the young man of justice fought back just as much. Justice prevailed, and Haruki was declared the victor as he moved on to the next round.

[NeoBuster]

"The fight is over! Your winner: Neo Isamu!" The announcer said.

The crowd roared in excitement as Neo won his first match of the New York Circuit. Neo then gave a handshake to his opponent Hikaru and then walked off the arena stage waving to the crowd.

Neo then looked at his deck with a smile. Happy he won his first match.

"One match down, many more to go. The road ahead is tough but I know I can do it" Neo said to himself

[OverDrive]

The cardfight between Tsubasa and Miyuki set the stage on fire, both fighters sent out their best units into battle both utilizing the superior call techniques of their respective clans. Miyuki's circus drew power and called it's allies from the soul while Tsubasa's paladins gave power to it's allies who were called from the deck.

In the end the 6th damage fell twice in Miyuki's damage zone.

The crowd cheered for Tsubasa's victory, as the announcer finalized the result,"The winner of this match is, Tsubasa Hayato!" he said. As the opponents exchanged their respect the fight tables disappeared and the results began to pile up at the circuit stage.

"..One match down, we're going far my paladins.." he thought, as he exited the arena.

[Cherry]

Yugure vs Neo.

You know, Yukino had never really got to know Neo personally. Still, this was a chance to show the revolutionary vanguard she discovered through fighting. It was a bit of a scary thought, as she has lost to Vermillion when she faced Cero. However, if it was anything everyone gave her back, it was Courage - Ahmes - to face anxiety. The two began with a casual exchange, looking toward fun more than the competition. Ezel, as always, answers his friend's call loyally with the Superior Ride going off. Their challenge to Narukami was answered by the blitzkrieg behemoth of the future: Armor Break Dragon. For a woman who proclaimed that Perfect Guards are the best possible Rides, she was beginning to question that logic once again. A steep cost of discarding three cards and counterblasting three. In exchange, the Gold Paladin frontlines quickly found themselves annihilated, even with Yunos, by a monstrous Limit Break. Ten thousand additional power and two Criticals, along with Photon Bomber's boost being another ten in itself. Everyone scrambled to find Mark.

The heat came back.

That goddamned, accursed heat that massively ramped itself up the eleven. It took all her might to make sure she could keep standing. Ezel was no better. Though, while trying to wait for it to simmer down, or to find some drive to get through it... Yukino asked about Neo's Vanguard.

A bit of an expected answer: his Vanguard to protect family and friends, to build bonds. Yet, he found himself obsessed only with his parents, losing any enjoyment before having those friends remind him of what this game is. This was something she could relate to. As the Chosen Sword in the past, the game was only a tool. The "fun" was succeeding, losing was an error of the person. Being unable to win made her a failure. However, finally, she found herself accepting failure. Long ago, it simply gave her the opportunity to make real friends, and to experience real joy. Now, the actual reason for these emotions was realized.

"Vanguard is life", she proclaimed. Loss is a part of life, victory is a part of life, the heated battles of a simple game were akin to that of a conversation. In one of the games, she stated that fighting Neo was similar to speaking with an old friend. That was evidence of the meaning.

Ezel responded, the Soul Sublimation reaching beyond a critical mass. It was the same for units of Cray as well. This "duel" of spirits between the clans was more like a "conversation". The souls of the lion, the wolf, the thunder dragon of the future, the incarnation of lightning... all of them spoke to one another. This was the path he was more than willing to follow, protect, and nurture. This life conveyed through fighters, units, and cards. His will of fire turned into strength, and a card that somehow found itself a place in the deck placed itself over the Incandescent Lion.

He evolved.

Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel. This new power began with a simple change in his mane, having it in a more dirtied color, but more refined and dignified. A golden outline shined from him. It seemed so minuscule to the eye... but the heat the pair felt was no longer killing them. It was more like an embrace. A triumphant roar resounded, shaking the battlefield, echoing through the planet.

"Golden warriors, follow me! The time for our reunion with other heroes is nigh! The days of suffering will be no more!!"

A power that was born on the edge of defeat, destroying the limit of a world. An Ultimate Break that empowered Gold Paladin, and Crossride power that empowered himself. Even with this miracle, they couldn't land the finishing blow that turn. Still, this wasn't over yet. No, that failure to win on a flashy turn was simply an expected part of this beautiful life they came to submit to. The next turn was Ezel's victory.

The next game started Yugure off with an unshakable advantage. Not only did the Superior Ride occur before Neo hit Grade 2, but then the Crossride came right afterward. Despite this, Neo's resolution didn't waver. Overwhelming odds did not deter him from trying to take down the transcended lion, dueling Ezel with Vermillion. It was a little close to Haruka, who refused to give in and Perfect Guarded one of Yukino's last attacks. Yes... these kind of people who didn't give up on life were exemplary. The kind of person Yugure wanted to be from the start, and took so long to take the first steps in becoming.

Vermillion's roar, resonating with Neo's determination, pierced through even the Crossride, taking the second game.

The final game was one in which Platina Ezel could not be found. Even so, the red lion heir gave his light to the masses, and the masses gave him light back. The last bout with Armor Break Dragon, Vermillion, and Thunder Break went on with such passion that it was reminiscent to the Swordsman of Light versus the Winds of Apocalypse. Armor Break's incredibly destructive Limit Break went off again, but not hitting. Blond Ezel, synchronized with Yugure, did everything in his power to take her to victory. First, a single Limit Break that called the wolf. Yet, she didn't stop. The mindblowing ferocity of power tore open her scar once again. However, she would not falter, enduring the pain to see this amazing clash of souls finished. Some officials tried to cut in, and Pharmacy Witch tried to rush in to nurse the wound. The queen refused interference.

This was a highlight of her entire life.

The final blow was dealt to Neo, resulting in 2-1 with the queen's favor. Gold Paladin and Narukami found a victor among themselves... for now. Hopefully, this answer was conveyed properly to the people watching, to Neo, to those on Cray...

"Thank you", Yukino expressed gratitude to Neo for congratulating her.

Neo +3 Affinity
Gold Paladin +30 Affinity