(GS3) Field: Cardfight Training Area

[Cherry]

"I don't recall getting one. Then again, I wasn't home for a year. ... Unbound by chains of weakness, huh?" Yugure informed him of the reason why she never heard of it. The concept of breaking away from weakness sounded fine in itself, yet, somehow, she expected Cero to turn it into more than that. Garmore would probably be proud of him for making up somewhere the king felt he had purpose in. In fact, he was.

"So a training facility", the woman deduced.

[Lance Korilum]

"Yes, a training facility equipped with only the latest technology to maximize every cardfight experience!  Every program was written by yours truly!  Now, my question is, if you weren't here because of the invitation, why are you here?"  Doubting Yukino would go anywhere without a reason, especially now that she was holding herself so differently from one year ago, Cero wasn't exactly sure why she was here.  Had it been by accident or had she been searching for something?

[Cherry]

Yugure sweat nervously at the thought of every training program being written by this lunatic. Sure, she respected him, but he wasn't the most sane of leaders. Being insane herself, she could judge fairly. There was probably a vocal exercise program... best not to ask.

"I was wandering about, actually. However, now that I found you, I can ask for your assistance with an upcoming threat."

This would be vital. Having the king and everyone in these practice grounds could be a massive plus to the growing army.

[Lance Korilum]

"An upcoming threat?"  Cero was intrigued.  A threat meant a possible challenge, and if it was large enough that Yukino, someone almost as proud as the King himself, had to ask for help, it mean the challenge was a worthy one.  "Tell me more about this 'threat,' and what it means.

[Cherry]

"I am unable to give all details at the present time. However, I can tell you that invaders will be coming for Earth and Cray. With the power to seal others away and manipulate the heart, it is a battle in which we cannot triumph in easily. These beings are otherworldly - more advanced than us and have removed pity from their vocabulary."

As to keep with her promise to Seifer, Yugure mentioned the power to twist the soul and seal. There was still the need to tell those she told before, but she'd like to keep people in the dark as little as possible with what restrictions she has.

"I need your help, and the students of this facility can assist as well."

[Lance Korilum]

Otherwordly beings with the power to seal other beings away...  This was uncannily familiar.  It sounded just like what Neu had used against him one year ago.  "Link Joker...?"  Cero accidentally said the name of the clan aloud without realizing, remembering the adrenaline, the excitement, the rush...  He grinned.  Was it back?  Would he have the chance to fight the same clan from back then yet again?  "Don't worry, you'll be able to put your trust in me and the members of my facility."

[Cherry]

"Remember, we're in this to survive first, win second. Thank you for cooperating."

Any confidence in victory would be hollow, and it certainly never came to her once. So trying to live to see a weak point more than anything is their best bet, and the one she put faith in. Things were coming together swimmingly for preparations. Giving a smirk, still expressing gratitude, having an old rival would be a major boost.

[Lance Korilum]

 "I won't make any promises regarding that," Cero replied.  At least he was being honest.  He cared more for testing his might and overcoming odds that his rival believed almost impossible to overcome than simply surviving.  "While you're here, Yugure, I, Cero Kirguis, challenge you to a cardfight!"  He pointed his finger at Yukino, then without even waiting for a response galloped off into the building, waiting by an elevator for his rival to catch up with her response.

[Cherry]

Yugure silently accepted. The woman wasn't interested in a casual fight, rather, this was to settle the urge to get back at Cero for last year. Still not questioning the horse, she entered the building, and headed directly for the elevator. The high level technology was noted as useful tools for the future. This spectacle of a facility was quite impressive. Reaching a destination, Yugure walked out into a vast, empty room. Well, almost empty. There were tables far away from one another, and Cero on the other side.

The fight started between the King and Queen, and Cero Kirguis' got to show off revolutionary technology. Units were extremely real and life-like, beyond what was thought possible for holograms. Wishing to see more, the queen proceeded. A year ago, vile terrorists threatened the Sanctuary, leading into a civil war. When Yukino Espoir lost spirit, those same villains fell in her hands. She was wrong to have been using them.

But she disagreed. Yugure and the swordsman of darkness met this way. And now, here they were, all this time later.

Revengers.

Shadow Paladin had a new job - assassination, and even more as a special task group entirely. The traitors were not executed, and they were free of the diabolical Phantom Blaster Dragon. Returning to duty, the black heroes charged forward in a battle against Narukami. Garmore of Gold Paladin was a bit saddened to see Cero still not using him again, after a whole year. Yet, it was expected and accepted. Eradicator was proof of the king's forward momentum through life. Garmore cannot expect him to keep himself down just for a selfish desire.

Yunos told the wolf to stop crying.

Yugure got a significant lead in the first few turns, yet, Narukami retaliated with new, simpler variations of retire. Albeit, cruel. The opponent chose their own retire or it was a direct front row retire. However, just as for Spectral Duke and Chromejailer, allies allowed themselves to be wounded by their own comrades for the sake of honor - for the sake of victory. Even so, they didn't expect Dragonic Descendant. A royal thunder dragon that commanded the new forces, having as much of the Dragon Emperor's trust as Dragonic Overlord did. The Sword of the Apocalypse began tearing through the Revengers.

In the heat of battle, a charismatic horseman grinned.

Mordred Phantom, the one put in charge of the dark faction, helped the black knights measure up to the might of a supreme lineage. As he was played, Yugure gave him doubtful gazes. "To think we would be here..." As if never expecting to work with such a being.

"Do you trust me?" He asked.

"... No." She responded.

"... Good, your honesty is a blessing."

Mordred +10 Affinity

With twin heal triggers keeping Cero in the game, it came down to one of them getting lucky. Unfortunately, it wasn't him. Descendant struck, but his Limit Break never came true. Mordred, who had kept Break Riding, allowed someone else to take the stage in the last moments. A rampaging abyss dragon who embodied wrath... Raging Form Dragon descended. A contest with the blitzkrieg lightning that shared the blood of legend, a clash occurred. Giving everything, Yugure was granted a Double Critical Trigger to end the game in her favor.

He thanked his Vanguard for allowing him to serve once again.

Blaster Dark Revenger, the second-in-command, gave Yugure a pat on the back as the holographic system shut off automatically, having them all disappear from the room.

[Lance Korilum]

Eradicators...  The deck that Cero had taken up to replace Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion.  However, the deck never worked anywhere near as well as Vermillion had.  Cero was unable to take the lead at any point in the fight, constantly a step behind Yugure's Revengers.  He'd never seen her use Shadow Paladins before, though it wasn't too much of a surprise she was able to do extremely well with them due to her experience with both of the other Paladin clans.  Despite wiping out Yugure's rear-guards repeatedly, she was able to recover each time like it was nothing, leaving Cero's tactics borderline useless. 

He was barely able to break through her defenses until he brought out his ace unit.  Despite having had it for almost a year, he had never been forced to actually Ride it before.  With the power of Dragonic Descendant, he was able to break through and almost managed to finish the game, but was one trigger shy of it.  Unable to guard the next onslaught of attacks, Cero was left defeated to a double critical with only a single heal left in the deck...  While already at 5 damage.  Salt was rubbed in the wound with that one.

Although he was frustrated, he was also rather glad.  His old rival was back to her full strength, perhaps even more than before.  As he turned away to the elevator, Cero said, "It's good to have you back, rival."  The elevator doors closed and Cero returned to his quarters.

Yugure +3AP

[Cherry]

Yugure had returned to the Training Facility. While everyone else at Hana's school had gone on a camping trip, she decided it would be best to fulfill objectives for preparations. Battle-ready servants of the Espoir residence were deployed to Umano to get ready for a turf invasion. Others, mostly intelligence experts, came with her to Cero's property. This was a hasty action, considering they hadn't even gotten permission from the King. Even so, the soldier was willing to bet on his cooperation. The manor was not a worthy base of operations. It was either this in which already homed warriors in training, or Umano Slums. Having superior technology, these grounds would prove far more sufficient.

"I need to see Cero Kirguis again", the woman stated to those outside.

[Lance Korilum]

  One of the guards looked at this odd woman, rather confused.  Never before had someone personally asked to see the King, it had always been him that came to greet guests.  Confused by this drastic turn of events and completely unsure of what to do, the guard contacted Cero directly asking what to do.  This got the guard fired for being an idiot for asking what to do instead of the logical thing, ask Cero if he wants to meet with this person.  Sighing, Cero got up and descended to meet the person who came to see him.  Yugure. 

"I take it you're here for something related to the coming invasion," Cero said from atop his horse.  The thought of asking where she got staff for her mansion briefly crossed his mind, but he decided to put it off for now.

[Cherry]

The small squad took note of the guard running off, crying. Sounds like he got laid off, but he wasn't reliable if he made an error by just standing at the door. Several people amongst the group questioned the horse and how it defied gravity. The queen simply told them to be quiet for a moment. "We need a base of operations. Sporting your large territory and super advanced technology, I would like to request using this place as an HQ. Of course, we'll make sure to not interfere with the lessons."

If you're going to gather up an army, you need headquarters. You also need an overall chain of command that would come later once key players return from their trip.

Though Yugure gazed toward Cero with respect, her eyes spoke her pleads. A desperate need to get started.

[Lance Korilum]

She wanted to use his building as a base of operations?  The request came as a bit of a surprise.  Though, considering the mansion might not be the best base, it made sense since there was a distinct lack of time.  "Alright, you can use one of the empty floors near the top, but as soon is this is over, you'll be asked to move out of it."  Cero turned to the building and rode to the elevator.  He pressed the button that would send them to the right floor, the lowest of the empty floors.

[Cherry]

"Thank you, we'll be gone when the time comes", Yugure bowed, expressing gratitude humbly. The woman turned to the others, who were getting a lecture from one of the scientists trying to explain the horse. After telling him to shut up and focus on the matter at hand, the intelligence divisions began moving in with equipment. The main machines were nothing compared to the facility's technology, however, there were several adapters carried in. They planned to combine machinery to further their technological warfare.

Arms folded, Yugure watched to be sure all were getting in. Only following after seeing the team had it handled.

Walking inside, she spoke: "My apologies for making this sudden and taking up space. But thank you again."