(NYC) Field: New York National Hall

[Cherry]

As much faith as Yukino had in them, she also knew to not deny Neu's prowess. Jellal revealed the fruits of his destiny, while two other champions fell. It was sort of surprising, considering she had no idea who the one playing Leopald was. Great Nature, admittedly, was not a clan that fell in the range of her knowledge. Something to ask Ezel about later. The units were getting locked away as they lost, which is what she feared. The battlefield quickly lost two of its five champions, and Satoshi looked as messed up as she was not too long ago. While notably happy someone could finally understand how she felt, she would need to help him through it in a minute.

These two champions failed, but failure is a part of life. That doesn't mean they would have to stop here.

"This isn't over!" The queen screamed, echoing throughout the stadium. Her lion better hurry up with that research. In the meantime, she began conjuring an idea to settle the masses. The idea of moral support aggravated her, yet, it was still a task that she could perform. Quickly whipping out a cell phone, Father Espoir was called. A short couple of words were exchanged involving utilizing the stage's mic, along with hijacking broadcasts.

If this was a fight that impacted the world, then the whole world is going to fight with the champions soon enough.

[Spectre Diamond]

Hikaru having watched everyone give out their support and views felt it was time for him to speak his views on the matter at hand with the world.

"You know what i'm sick of? All this champion BS, It's just a title. I don't know about you guys but i'm not going to stand and watch the world slowly crumble because we picked the wrong Champions. This is our world and if Cray is real to, we'll be dooming both worlds into oblivion" Letting out all of his frustrations and feelings that he kept bottling up inside even with the mysterious voice booming in his head. He knew they need to fight back some how.

[Beryl]

Satoshi silently thanked Alexander for believing everything he had gone through. This acceptance would hopefully lead to others' understanding of why these losses were as heavy as they were.

Alexander +2 AP

He then noticed Haruka was squatting before him, extending a hand. He wasn't saying anything, but this hand was all too familiar. It was the hand of someone who, if they could, say everything that could possibly help under the sun, but wasn't confident that he could say it right. The gesture was one he had seen the scarfed boy give before, and it was just endearing now as it was then. He took the hand and felt himself, instead of shaking it or using it as an opportunity to stand up, just holding it.

Holding it and staring at it, his eyes just as bloodshot as Seifer's had been. What did this even mean anymore? Haruka's rival was no more at this rate. It's not that he had given up hope in the other champions, but more that he had given up hope in himself. Restoring that, no matter if his best friends were here, would be easier said than done for sure.

He eyed Yukino, who was apparently prepping something with the Great Lion of the Espoirs after screaming out at Neu, just as he had at the construction site. She wasn't wrong; this wasn't over, but as to when it would end, he doubted anyone knew. Hopefully she would understand that even if she thought they were equal now, things were much, much different.

Especially since Ezel was still right there. Waiting to be summoned by Tsubasa, who Satoshi assumed was next in line. Or perhaps Cero. Either way, those two were in for a heck of a time if he had come so desparingly close, twice, to take another clan from Neu and stay unsealed.

[Jello]

Haruka wasted no time in returning a smile to the forlorm champion. He fought his hardest and that's what mattered to him. As he grabbed hold of his hand, the warmth raced from Haruka's body to his hand. A flame was burning again, the one he lost for days had suddenly began to burn in his veins again.

"Uhm... Good job. Satoshi, we're proud of you. Despite the loss, thank you for your service." Haruka awkwardly scratches his head.

"And thanks, as a friend." Haruka nods in confirmation and smiles. Another face was prevalent in the hall. A boy stood to the side of Satoshi, waving. Haruka stood up as well, and returned the wave with vigor.

"Hey there, uhm, we haven't met. I'm Haruka Nakahara. Call me what you like, I suppose." He extends his hand to him a well, more for a greeting shake tham anything.

"You?" He inquired.


Off to the side, Haruka made note of what Hikaru was saying. To be frank, Haruka agreed, but it wasn't his choice in the matter and didn't dare try and rectify the system of champions and such.

[AlwaysAwake]

Alexander simply sat there silently, eyeing the two in their intimate moment as he blinked for a few seconds out of uncertainty on what to do now. Eyes glancing between the two and the portals, his attention only being grabbed by one thing. A powerful scream, his eyes speedily turning to eye the young woman who gave it, watching as she rushed around getting to work on... Something, whatever it was he didn't know.

Alexander then heard a voice, the stranger speaking to him as he eyed the other young man over. Extending his hand as well for the shake, giving a small smile before speaking. "Ah me? I'm Alexander Reis, nice to meet you. But just like I said to Satoshi or Seifer it's not really the best moment for a meet n' greet huh?" The words holding a comedic tone to them, cracking a small joke to hopefully relieve some tension.

He would release Harukas hand, pausing as he scratched his cheek for a moment before speaking. "Say, do you know what she's up to?" Pointing to Yukino as she was going about her plans.

[Jello]

Haruka turns his head to see he's pointing at Yukino. He smiles, seeing her face until he realizes she's nearly furious and quickly turns around and motions for him to move his hand.

"Alexander, right? Erm, that question has an answer I'm afraid I couldn't give you. Not that I don't want to. But with her... Personality, I honestly wouldn't know." Haruka forces a light laugh, despite the fact he knows his Queen, Miss Yukino Espoir is going to cause some abnormally large event. She was good at creating a reaction when one was needed, no doubt her plan of action this time around.

"Just a word of advice, brace yourself." Haruka pats his shoulder, laughing for real this time.

"So... It looks like we're down to the last three champions. Despite taking out Neu once, she seems to be weilding more than just one clan. All four of the sealed ones it seems..." Haruka begins theorizing. There's something more to all of this, but nothing concrete. Just a gut feeling.

"You must've been sidelined like me, huh?"

[AlwaysAwake]

He moved his hand down as Haruka instructed, though he looked confused about the whole thing.

"So she's that kind of person, must be a rough ride with her sometimes huh?" Saying as he joined in Harukas hearty laugh, though calming down as the talk took a slightly different turn.

"Right, five were chosen by the girl in the dress on that screen. I mean that was a bit weird but Miss Edelweiss and the memory thing kind of gave it some credibility..." Musing away, his mind trying to come up with an answer to the dilemma though Haruka then gave him the answer before he arrived at it.

"Wait so... Neu Edelweiss is the person that sealed the clans? And the Champions are fighting her?" He asked, already knowing the answer, hastily speaking some more as to answer his last question.

"Oh and yeah, I've been sidelined. Nova Grappler wasn't one of the clans called, sadly. Though I guess the better fighters were in the clans the girl on the screen mentioned." He said, accepting his lack of strength even if it did annoy him to not be out there fighting the good fight.

[Jello]

"You... Could say that. She's much cuter when she's acting nice." He had to at least put in good words for his girlfriend. Giving her a bad rep wasn't what he intended in the first place, but she's definitely a feisty one. Loves to get fired up.

Like a certain someone...

As for the inquiry on Neu."That's right, Neu is the, er, enemy? I guess that's the best way of putting it." Haruka wasn't all too sure what that really entitled however. Neu had good intentions, despite doing it in probably the worst way ever.

"O-Oh, don't worry about that. I'm a Gold Paladin player myself, but I wasn't chosen either. There was no way I'd be able to take on the evolutions of Yukino or... That other guy? I can't remember his name." Haruka pockets his hand, keeping an eye on Yukino, as well as glancing over to Satoshi once in awhile.

Turning back to Alexander, he finishes his explanation to not being chosen.

"Well. These things happen. My connection to Gold Paladins is low to begin with. I just want him back."

[Cipher Izanagi]

Seifer continued to stand by the doors, half listening to the conversations being had behind him, the mention of being angry over the selection of the champions and how it wasn't fair or something along those lines. He somewhat agreed, and wondered why exactly he was chosen to begin with. However upon Yukino's screech he flinched covering one of his ears. He almost said something about it and yet stopped when he half heard what Haruka said. Sighing, he watched the others, crossing his arms across his chest, and keeping his eyes half shut. He really didn't have much to say at this time to anyone, but it was nice to see people trying to cheer up. At the mentions of Neu though... "She's also a friend... And the champion chosen for Gold Paladin is called Tsubasa. Who's him by the way?" he asked, finally walking over. "He's the one you lost right? Who is it if you don't mind me asking."

[Jello]

Another voice came off from the side. Another guy? Haruka needed to make new friends, but not this many this quickly.

"Hmm? Oh, Tsubasa. Interesting name." Haruka smiled and nodded to the guy, thanking him for reminding him of the name. Haruka sincerely felt bad for not remembering his name. Maybe he just never knew in the first place?

"Him?..." Haruka's smile faded all too quickly. The fire in his body started spreading like a wildfire.

"He.. He's my friend. Dragonic Overlord." Haruka felt the heat rise again. His memories of Overlord became more and more vivid by the second, remembering every battle they fought.

"And I want him back. I miss him, y'know." His head dropped. He couldn't show his face as he used to, feeling suddenly a bit empty. Warm, but with a void.

[Cipher Izanagi]

"Ah... I see... You used Kagero? And Overlord as well huh?" He sighed softly glancing down before shaking his head. "Sorry... I couldn't get our friend back." Seifer sighed again before shoving his hands into his pockets shutting his eyes halfway. He didn't really know a lot of people that shared the same clan he initially used, so it was nice he guessed to meet someone who actually used something like he did. Though this person had probably used in more in depth with the situations involving Hana, Neu and the other sealed clans. Actually Seifer didn't really know much about the past to well, even if it was explained to him. He just wasn't around for it, so he didn't experience it. "We'll have to just trust the other champions with them. I miss him to, but it won't do us much good to be down all the time... It's, not good for our health, ya'know? Besides, you want him to come back to us moping about?" he asked, trying to remain upbeat and cheerful as he could. At this point he wasn't sure why he continued to try really. Maybe it was just overall willpower?

[AlwaysAwake]

Simply nodded along, trying to empathise but that only went so far. He never lost his clan, always having been a user of Nova Grapplers. Though he did connect with never having formed a real connection with his cards. Maybe this was the reason for Azure not evolving?

"So, you both lost good friends then, huh." Speaking solemnly, tilting his head to the side while clasping his hand on the same sided cheek. Humming for a bit as he contemplated.

"Guess we're just going to be sitting here until it's over but... Are you sure that girl isn't doing anything Haruka? She seems to be buzzing all over the place. Should we help or...?" Asking, hating the idea of sitting still. That being plain for all to see from his fidgeting.

[Jello]

"I guess sitting here just sulking isn't really something he would want, hahaha.." Haruka breaks out into a slight laughter. He's trying to keep his head held high while the champions do their jobs on Cray.

As for Yukino....

"Oh, she's doing something... Yeah. She is definitely doing something. Quite frankly it doesn't matter whether or not we know. If she called who I think she called, Neu isn't even the worst of our worries anymore." Haruka scratched his nose and bit on his lip.

"Yeah.. I think right now all we can do is wait. I have faith in them. Cero... Well I don't like the guy all too much. But he's strong, for sure. Tsubasa looks true and with a purpose. And Jellal... Well we have some history. He's strong, for sure." Haruka sighs in relief, turning to the guy and Alexander.

"By the way, I'm Haruka. You must be?" Haruka introduces himself, awaiting for the unknown boy's name.

[Cipher Izanagi]

Cero... That name actually irritated Seifer as he'd kind of trashed on one of his other friend's Vanguard and the attitude he gave off just didn't seem... Right, for some reason. However, when Haruka actually introduced himself, asking for a name, he realized he'd been kind of rude and had yet to introduce himself. "Sorry about that... I'm Seifer Leo." he laughed sheepishly scratching the back of his head a bit before glancing off to the side. Yet again he'd forgotten to introduce himself to another stranger without being reminded to do so. "So... Jellal was it? He's the last Champion? ...Aqua Force right? I heard something about that mentioned and I do remember seeing Cero and Tsubasa use their decks before. I never got to meet Jellal though."

[Jello]

"Nice to meet you, er, Seifer was it?" He extends his hand once more to him, just as be had with Alexander and everyone before him. It was symbolic indeed.

"Jellal Kisaragi. He was originally a Shadow Paladin player, however Aqua Force was his true clan, originally sealed away. They were let out around the same time the other 4 were sealed away. Kind of a cruel exchange, huh?" Haruka stared up at the ceiling, then back to the portals. He wanted to say something, but the words weren't coming.

The heat was rising rapidly. Haruka was almost in a sweat at this point.

"Is it getting warm in here or is that just me?" Haruka makes small talk, awaiting the arrival of the lion, Mr. Espoir, or the champions of Cray to return. Whichever get here first.