(NYC) Field: New York National Hall

[OverDrive]

Tsubasa was determined to bring back the Royal Paladin clan, now that his memories were completely restored he knew that in order to completely develop as a person he had to settle things and become the Gold Paladin leader. He was certain that not many people were users of the gold paladin clan, but he knew that if anyone would stand in his way for the title it would be Yukino Espoir.

"..My Vanguard is now to give my strength to my comrades...I have to lend my strength to the missing clans so they can return...Neu....I don't want to to fight you with such stakes but...." he thought, as he began to enter the stadium.

"...I'm not fighting to save the clans only...if anything i'm fighting to help you, because you helped me develop and find my path...it's the least I can do..." he thought.

Upon entering the stadium a lot of familiar faces strike him, amidst the chaos. He sees Cero, Alexander, the guy who went to the coffee shop with Neu a while back, and finally Yukino.

"....I hope she's doing better now....but above all we have to settle this." he said, as he began to approach her.

"It's good to see you again Yukino.." he said, taking a seat as he spoke."...Sorry the re-union is not under better circumstances."

[Cherry]

Yukino saw her beloved approaching, and gave him a nodding greeting. As much as she loved him, she noticed Tsubasa enter the stadium, and that's the moment when she had to start focusing. Ezel was notably surprised to see the one they would combat for the representative seat was another who used him. From what Neo said, this other champion evolved as well, meaning a heavy mirror match of the lions. These two vanguards... they both wanted save the sealed heroes and help those they care for. These circumstances were cruel, as only one could go, and they would have to shoulder the other's dream.

No... they wouldn't have to, but they should. As comrades.

"I never got the chance to properly thank you", Yugure answered Tsubasa, folding her arms. "For dealing with two meetings of a moody me."

First when Yukino was on a bloodlust rampage for power, and then second when she was completely confused about Gold Paladin. Giving a sigh at the thought of these memories leading to now, she continued.

"I'd like to ask what you think is the meaning of Vanguard, before we start." Yukino's ideology of "Vanguard is Life" was reaching a sort of consensus with the answers people gave her.

[OverDrive]

Tsubasa was surprised that Yukino actually wanted to thank him for what he did, to him he thought that he did what any person would do in those situations, he never expected nor asked for any kind of gratitude.

"...Your welcome, though i'm sure anyone aside from me would have done the same." he said.

He knew that he had to try to enjoy the cardfight, but he also had to be serious about this match, if he wants to solidify his ideals and rescue the clans. However, Yukino surprised him by asking him a strange question, she wanted to know what he thought about the meaning of vanguard.

"...The meaning of Vanguard huh..." he said, as a smile began to form on his face. "...I think this game is a chance for a new life and future, it's a chance to support others and develop into a better person....it's a chance to make ammends....for me my vanguard is one of helping my comrades and giving my strength to them so that together we can achieve our goals...today I plan to do that for the sealed clans...in the end peace cannot be restored by hiding from the conflicts of the world." he said, as his look changed into determination.

[Jello]

What Haruka had seen was another guy show up, and as he did, him and Yukino immediately began chatting. At first it struck a tinge of jealousy in Haruka until he realized what they were talking about.

So he was the other champion of Gold Paladins?

Haruka, stops at the bottom step, before proceeding to walk back up and watch from a slight distance. Yukino seemed a little tense, probably due to the fact that she would seen be a entering a set of fights and if Haruka knew anything, she didn't exactly want to lose. He chewed his lips and leaned against the staircase railing, listening to the conversation.

It clicked.

That guy was at the construction site on that horrid day. Haruka nods, satisfied already. Despite not knowing the guy, not even speaking to him once, something in him seemed really pure. Something righteous. If Yukino somehow couldn't be the real champion of Gold Paladins, this might be the only other candidate. That was comforting at the very least.

Good luck, you two.

Haruka gives a small smile and nod to the two, whether or not they see. It was his little closure to them. With that, he can only watch from here on out.

[Cherry]

"Heh, 'anyone would have', huh? Well, I'm thanking you for it, because it was you", Yukino grinned, giving him gratitude. Her arms stayed folded, deck already prepared on the table. She listened to Tsubasa's Vanguard intensely, wanting to believe that his ideal fell under the beautiful consensus of life. Peace cannot be found in hiding conflicts, that was the most interesting thing the woman heard. If the civil war hadn't happened, Yunos' envy would have never been understood. The truth behind the rebelling Paladins would've never reached light. The alliance between the two could not have been formed without facing each other.

Yukino avoided conflict, and attempted to silence herself to avoid it forever. However, facing it now would result in peace of mind.

"Promise me something", the girl started. "Promise me that we'll all hold onto the Vanguard we've come to nurture and cherish no matter what happens."

[Cipher Izanagi]

It became readily apparently that Seifer was pretty low on the importance list as his existence wasn't noted by any of the people who came in a while after he did. It didn't bother him at all though. Part of him actually liked the idea of being the person to sit in the shadows on this one. However... Noting the conversation between the female who came in, and Tsubasa, and the fact that the female was ready for a fight prompted the brunette male to walk over to the side of the side, one hand in his pocket. He watched his other friend's fight against the rival Narukami player, and hoped it wouldn't end the same for Tsubasa. Actually speaking of, he wondered what happened to Neo after he left the stadium. Part of him started to worry, but now was to late. He was here and had to play whatever role was asked of him. Being the only Great Nature player that he knew of had it's perks, but as he clenched the deck in his pocket, he started to wonder: was he up for this? Really? These other players were more invested in unsealing the clans than he was. Sure, he wanted to help. Sure he wanted to get his original clan back. But he didn't have the same experiences as the others. Was he really worth of being here? Of bearing the title "Champion of Great Nature"?

[Hope]

The princess entered into the stadium as well. Her appearance had been delayed and held back by the large amounts of chaos cause by Neu. The crowds had remembered her from the announcement and had come to her with their troubles in hopes that she knew how to help them. Hana took her time with the fighters, giving them all the comfort they needed and the time with her that they desired despite having neither for herself. After, calming the crowds, she quickly rushed to the stadium having already been told by the Narukami representatives that the champion for their clan had been selected at that very area, and many of the important figures had already lay in wait within the arena.

Yukino and Tsuabaka, the two were about to begin their match. Hana took out her phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Gold Paladin..." Hana spoke into her device, "They're all just about set after this aren't they?"
"KOGA is working on another, yes." FUKI replied.
"I see, the best place to gather everyone is on this stage I guess."

She put away her phone and looked back at the two, observing the fight as it was about to begin.

[Helios]

Hazama enters the stadium knowing the semi-final match between Tsubasa and Yuniko was about to get under way.

This will be interseting, Tsubasa. Show me how much you have grown to love a clan that originally wasn't your own.

He then wonders if Neu will be here. Next, he starts to think about her. Now you are the person I am looking for. Hopefully, I will get my answers on this feared clan, and possibly see its power. May fate have our paths cross and maybe, I could aid you on your quest, whatever it is.

[Cherry]

Yukino and Ezel sported everything in their power, with their answer of vanguard being one of "Life". The queen accepted Neu's general idea to be righteous, but it was a sacrifice of the few for the many. Those few live, just as the many do. Every last one of them on Earth and Cray lived, and it is to that end that drove her. Despite their first match being in Yukino's favor, a Draw Trigger and two Criticals from Tsubasa did her in. The following game was a struggle with her usual Grade Three curse, not opening a Grade Two. Still, she didn't falter.

Even if she lost, she would pass on these feelings.

The miraculous Superior Call of Blaster Blade spirit conveyed the raw passion she felt after overcoming despair. Despite such, it could not reach.

Double Limit Breaks, Platina's Ultimate Break, it all resulted in her scar opening for the second time in a week. The searing pain was nothing compared to that of being unable to answer Neu herself. However, that upset was pushed back. Because she knew from the beginning that if she could trust no one else with Gold Paladin, it would be Tsubasa and Haruka. In the end, they didn't even make it to the third game. Yukino lost.

Failure to defeat Tsubasa, too, was a part of life.

Yet, the queen would not be done here. Tsubasa stated that he wanted her help, and she naturally agreed. Even if he was named the leader, she would do everything in her power to assure the nightmare ends. Platina Ezel, Blaster Blade, and Blaster Dark had materialized behind the girl, and she didn't even notice.

"A worthy choice of roar", Ezel stated. The Blasters agreed that if needed, Yugure's swords would be weld by him. Still, she wanted to be up there with them. Moral support wasn't going to satisfy her, and she would begin looking for a means to assist beyond encouraging words.

"I'm glad it was you", Yukino said.

[Beryl]

Having lost a very close game to F CHOPPER KOGA, it should've been the end. The champion should have been decided to be her. And yet...due to an age restriction, KOGA gave her confidence to the farmboy standing across from her, the one who still gave a close battle nonetheless. Satoshi Kurosaki was the one to represent Neo Nectar, just as he imagined it would turn out.

With this vote of confidence, as he walked to the stadium, Seph resonated with his soul once more. The two formed the link they had in the past, and as he stepped through the halls, they had settled on their name, after a long time of passing options back and forth.

Now in the center stadium with the rest of the champions, Irminsul took their place, saying nothing but staring hard forward at Hana the Vanguard with piercing green eyes.

[Kisaragi Zane]

"What even is this place?"

Jellal's sudden confusion on his face, in stepping foot into what is known as the World Circuit. He saw many fighters gathering and fighting their hardest out there. He looked around his surroundings to try and to get a grasp of everything: he felt the pressure of the atmosphere as he knew this was the place he was looking for: a gathering of cardfighting professionals, truly a place where he can test the limits of himself along side his rightful clan. His body was filled with adrenaline from watching players that he's seen and some that he did not meet.

"This must be the place I guess..." he said with determination matched with his cyan blue eyes. The feeling of being here reminded him of his first national tournament where he squared off against Cero in the semi-finals. Although he lost, he was determined to win and gave it everything he could. "I don't want to feel that again." he said softly to himself, rationalizing that all will be different since he's using his real clan now.

[Hope]

"Right Princess, I got the crybaby on his way there now." KOGA reported.
"Thanks."

Upon the defeat of Yukino, Hana turned away over the edge of the stage. It was as she thought, Yukino wouldn't be the one. She wasn't convinced then and sure isn't at all convinced now, Yukino isn't her sister. Platina Ezel's Ultimate Break rubbed more salt in the wound. A card that was all about giving power to all your comrades being used by someone who had forgotten and neglected someone of their own blood. Such confidence in using a card like that by such a person was sickening, the whole thing was just a messed up self-contradiction. At least Tsubasa was the one that won. Yukino had yet to actually attempt to fix anything yet charged in with a card of roaring friendship and comrades and- gross. gross. gross.

She had to put this on the back of her mind. Back to business.

With all the champions selected she extended her hands out to the space under the stage's screen. She closed her eyes and formed an image within her mind. Upon opening her eyes, they had activated the mode of stars in which one could see the skies of the Planet Cray by looking into them. Her power was and has always been a strong image, and with this she would be able to send others to the places on Cray and in this case, the place in which the clans are sealed. The rest would be up to them, that's why the War of Liberation was a necessity.

Five doors opened. Each one inviting a respective champion, and peeking into the events that would happen within the space. Each champion would be transported upon walking to their respective gate and they would be taken to The Place Where They Slumber in order to wake up the sealed warriors. She turned to the champions to say a few words.

"Alright minna, walk up there and good luck. Cray owes a great debt to you all and so does the world of Vanguard." Turning back to the gates, she closed her eyes and continued to keep them open.

[Cipher Izanagi]

At the end of the surprisingly well fought fights, Seifer smiled in congratulations at his friend for his victory over Yukino. However, before he could say much of anything, yet another pair of champions showed up and Hana began doing something. He wasn't sure what until the image of Cray and stars appeared. It was like a weird dream for him, especially when doors appeared. It took him a few seconds of calm breathing before he nodded, clutching the Great Nature deck he had. 'Wait for me Overlord... Kagero. I'm coming to get you back.' his thoughts echoed in his head as he glanced at the other champions before taking the step into the door that was apparently meant for him. He had no idea what really waited on the other side. Somewhere deep down he could feel the fear as he forced himself to move further into the door, but he pushed it down, realizing that more than just his clan was on the line. The clans of his friends, their companions, everyone's was on the line. He had to be strong, for them. Forcing himself the rest of the way through the door, as his body was trying to fight his instincts, Seifer waited to see what lies beyond the gate.

[Kisaragi Zane]

A sensation that feels very much akin to the rift that he would be summoned to in the past, appeared before him and others who apparently have been selected to help with the task of unsealing the clans. Jellal strengthened his body and sharpened his mind, bravely accepting anything that waited beyond the gate. He knew what he had to do: to help free those who were imprisoned, especially the Shadow Paladins that he owed for sticking by his side when he had nothing. It wasn't guilt that was driving him, unlike the last time. It was his sense of duty and responsibility, above all: his loyalty. Now that he had his Aqua Force returned to him, he had no choice but to step forth and finally set things right.

[Lance Korilum]

After being disappointed by Yukino yet again, Cero began to turn away.  This was the moment Hana opened the gates, which caused him to tun back around.  Cero was in awe for a moment at Hana's ability, however a moment was all it was.  After gathering himself, he entered into the gate, unaware of what lay ahead.  From the moment he entered, all Cero felt was cold, empty, nothingness...  It was strangely comforting for him.  He knew his goal, to unseal the clans.  The clan he was most interested in freeing was Royal Paladin, the deck that Yukino had defeated him with over and over.  Perhaps if she had them back, she would once again be a worthy rival to Cero's newfound power.  Despite this goal, the comfort from this nothingness almost made him want to stay there...  But he knew that his goal was first and foremost.