(GS3) Field: Rijuku Park

[Cherry]

"I learned that I was not worthy", the queen answered Satoshi rationally. "So Yunos appeared before me, and explained how we shared the same goal. To properly wield the Sword of Courage. But to do that... we needed power, we need power, we have to earn the blade", telling her two friends the reasoning behind this madness. An arm stretched out, and the image of Blaster Dark aiming his sword at Satoshi flashed. It represented the finger that was pointed at the farm boy.

"If you want to stand in my way, I'll fight you first", deciding on putting off fighting Haruka for the time... she was in no rush to deny a challenge if he wouldn't move otherwise. More experience - more power. It was a law that controlled the gears of her blackening heart.

[Jello]

Haruka stood, still bathed in the sweat from an earlier battle with Satoshi. Just in an attempt to show off his new ace, he was no longer able to fight at the moment. However Haruka was also worried that Satoshi would not be able to fight Yukino at their fullest. He feared that Satoshi might hold back.
 
"Satoshi... are you sure this is okay? Are you really going to fight her?" Haruka asked, still panting a little. "I can probably hold her off for now..." Haruka was clenching his teeth, still weak.

He looked at Yukino. The ice-cold gaze. Darkness was completely hazing over her. "Satoshi... we have to help her. Or defeat her. Whichever comes first." He laughed a little, coughing still.

[Beryl]

Seph appeared out at Satoshi's side. "Satoshi...you know what her father said..."

He shook his head. "I know. That isn't going to keep me from doing this." This wasn't trying to save her. This was getting information and learning of the darkness that lay within the queen's heart. He wanted an answer, not a solution.

He walked up to Yukino and stared her dead in the eyes. "I don't know why you made this choice. But if you're trying to say I'm in your way, after everything that's happened...I'm not going to stand for it." He clenched his fist.

"Words ain't my specialty, anyway."

[Cherry]

"Words ain't my specialty" was quite something that came out of Satoshi's mouth, as he never shut up during the fight. Even so, Yukino remained unfazed. Yunos' stronghold over her heart was beyond measure, even if he didn't appear until the bitter end in the game. Even if it ended in her defeat due to Javelin's absence... the constant preaching set off the queen. A roar of sorrow; everything that occurred was entirely her own fault. Bermuda Triangle's disappearance, Shadow Paladin's victory, Hana's grief, their own despair. It all boiled down to the fact that Hikari lost to Jellal, unable to change his mind. His resolution spread to Yukino like a virus - in the form of Blaster Dark, transforming her into Yami. The Sword of Darkness that stood before them.

Satoshi gave up on trying, and she didn't care. The only thing she wanted was power now. A bladed gaze directed itself to Haruka, he was next.

[Jello]

He felt the glare come over him. With a flick of his wrist, he slicks his hair back coated with sweat. "Eh, I'm pretty gross today. Sure I can't have a rain check?" He turns his direction back towards Yukino. Haruka's smiled faded a bit, just enough to get back into the fighting zone. "Guess not."

Haruka pulls his out his deck, walking up to her. Normally this would be the fight that ends it. But he knows that this won't end or solve anything. If nothing Satoshi said even broke her barrier a little, what was Haruka going to do? No flame on this Earth or Cray's surface was hot enough to set that resolve ablaze.

"Well, here goes nothing, Yukino. Show me whatcha' got!" he chanted. He was fired up. Despite the danger's of losing this fight, he had to put on a front. This girl was hurt and didn't want to fail again. Haruka wasn't about to give her a scowl and call it a day. He wanted to make this fight last, for her sake, not his own.

[Beryl]

There was a saying that went well with what just happened. Satoshi had won the game but lost the war. He was done. He couldn't do it. He was throwing in the towel.

Mr. Espoir had been right. There was no making sense of what had been done to Yukino. He should've stayed and reasoned with Hana. But he couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't go to that house again.

He had lost his friend.

Yukino had lashed out, saying he hadn't experienced this kind of pain and loss...well, now he had. And there was nothing he could do to stop it. All the sensibilities, the maturity, the reason...everything Seph helped him with vanished this time. He couldn't take it.

Instead of staying to watch, Satoshi ran away, tears running down his face. The Triad of Hope had just been ruptured.

As of this point in time, Satoshi Kurosaki and Yukino Espoir have the affinity between them sealed.

[Hope]

Hana ran, panting heavily as she reached her destination, her sister was now within her sight.

The scene that now lay before her involved her other two friends, but it didn't look like they were having that same fun time that they usually would. Suddenly, Geodude turned and ran off.

"What's going on?" Hana silently asked.
"It seems that the Chosen Sword is wielding a different blade," Alfred told her.
"It can't be..." She looked in disbelief. It looks like Haruka was up to fight Yukino next.
"But wait, if you guys are with me then?..."
"Shadow Paladin." Blaster Blade sneered as Yukino stood Fullbau and rode Blaster Javelin.

A sadness came over her heart once more, but at this point, such things were nothing that she couldn't overcome, at least, as long as she had comrades by her side. She still mourns, no doubt, but she wasn't carrying the emotions by herself, not anymore.

[Azuki Frappé]

Ighanna arrives at the park after a three day break to her hometown, London. During her trip she was foretold a future by Queen Elizabeth, a future where a "pure white knight" dyes itself in ebony black, darker than a starless night sky. When that time comes, all the ambassadors of cray must unite with each other to rebel against the phenomena known as "The Rift" and purify the knight in order to release the clans held hostage.

After listening to the story, Ighanna returned back in confusion, however she felt as if she understood what was going on. Hana, Satoshi, Yukinee, possibly Miyuki, they must have all known about the story, with the cards they were talking to serving as the ambassador of Cray. With this in mind Ighanna travels around searching for Hana until she arrives at the Park.

The scene which she arrives into wasn't pleasant, she saw a few familiar faces, Hana, her sister Yukino, and Satoshi whom she fought a while ago. However they all looked depressed, crying with tears falling from Satoshi. Ighanna thought the phenomena is beginning to take shape and quickly approaches Hana in order to exchange information about what was going on. Queen Elizabeth's words echoed in her head, "when the time comes, open the letter", she believed that it was time to unlock her prized treasure, her Majesty's mysterious letter and the prince's locked deckbox, perhaps it could guide her and allowed her to become of use to the Ambassadors of Cray.

[Cherry]

Mirror, Mirror

The struggle was real, dealing with Haruka's goofy jests to brighten the mood. It still couldn't reach her heart, a heart locked away, reserved only for Yunos. No one was allowed to save her, no one but him. Not noticing this possessive nature of the swordsman, the queen carried on. Yet... the tinge of isolation was reaching her in this fight with her friend. Shadow Paladin was more than prepared to deal with Overlord. It being a simple matter, boasting with Machas and Charons. But they didn't expect the Apocalypse to evolve, transforming into The End. The sight of this majestic, ferocious dragon triggered horrible, horrible memories of last night.

Phantom Blaster Overlord - another crossride tore the holy army to shreds. Bermuda Triangle leapt into the fray, unlucky knights and the mermaids all being devoured by the rift. If not given that, they were granted with a gory death from the black dragon.

Stop... the girl pleaded, the tears of Hana flooding in mind. Please, stop!

Yukino's scar opened back up, years after healing. Gritting her teeth through the searing pain that came with the burning of an open wound, the queen carried on. A heated battle against 13000 power, which she couldn't win against. just another hopeless battle. Why... why couldn't she make it? Why couldn't she reach? Failing regionals, unable to make it to nationals, not conquering Card Capital's opening contest, unable to stay ahead of Hana, unable to prevent catastrophe after catastrophe on Cray... Why couldn't she do anything right?!

Tears welling up, Blaster Dark hugged her from behind. His warmth kept her going, even when he fell in battle. The two who shared the same dream - an insatiable lust for power that could properly wield Blaster Blade. To finally save people, to finally right everything she did wrong - everything she messed up. What was wrong with what she did, what was "immoral" about it?! Even if she defected to the rival Paladin clan, Yukino's aim wasn't to hurt people! Even playing the deck like Royal Paladin... not giving in to use Phantom Blaster Dragon's massacring skill for a second, it still felt wrong... Like she was still doing wrong - still messing up.

It wasn't fair...

The Shadow Paladins were unable to reach, but they didn't yield. The Overlord didn't defeat them, rather, their own deck did. Yami believed it wasn't over, but she was out of cards in the deck. That was an automatic loss. Haruka was stubborn, not giving up on her, but how was that supposed to make her feel better?! Satoshi and Haruka, her two best friends, yearned to save her... save her from what?

What was wrong with her?

Blood dripped on Dark Dictator's card, and also Yunos' once she picked it up. No... he wasn't wrong, he hadn't done anything wrong to her. Yunos didn't betray her, he didn't yell at her, he didn't expect perfection. The judgmental eyes of Shadow Paladin stabbed into the girl like a flurry of swords, but his didn't. Those green eyes of envy... held warmth and sympathy. He was always pulling them out, one by one, mending the broken mess of a queen. Blaster Dark even surprised himself with how he cared so much. His Chosen Sword... Yami... Yukino Espoir.

Yunos was there for her, the Royals had been there for her, everyone was always there.

So why... why did she feel loneliness choking her...

Yukino stood, sobbing on the table, tears and blood falling. They had to obtain power, but... she finally realized she didn't want to be alone...

[Jello]

The fight ended, and Haruka was not the least bit satisfied. Not that he expected to be anyways. This fight was only meant to keep the flow of the bond from snapping or disappearing. He played the fight off mostly as cool as he could. However found himself so out of steam from that fight that he was near passing out. Wielding "The End" was as much of a battle as the fight in front of him. Every single time Haruka yelled "Crossride!", he felt nothing but his nerves on fire. Everything from his head to his toes felt completely ablaze. And yet, he didn't scream. He never even flinched. He was the one to wield the powerful Dragonic Overlord, the true King of the Dragon Empire. And so he did so, as flawlessly as he could. The strength, however, wasn't enough to force the Shadow Paladins away, but only force a retreat.

Deckout.

Haruka knelt to the ground after the fight, coughing, sputtering. The sweat poured from his pours and his skin turned a light shade of red around his cheeks and wrists. "Hot..." Haruka whispered, trying to cool himself off by flapping his shirt. The makeshift fan wasn't working as he only heated up instead of cooling off. He picked himself up, still shaky from the fight and collected his deck. The second his hand hit The End-

"My Vanguard! We've done it! On Cray, another fight against the Shadow Paladin's has been won! Soon enough we can drive them completely back into the Sanctuary!" Haruka smiled at this, panting still. "Nice. Keep working hard, okay?" Haruka was bearing the burden of his units. The heat of Bahr, Nehalem, Burning Horn, and the Overlord himself. This was something Haruka would do if it meant saving Cray.

He placed the deck in his pocket, walked five feet into the grass, before collapsing. "I'll just rest here... for a little."

Haruka finds himself wanting to sleep, but unable too. Instead, he lays on his back, barely conscious, staring at Yukino, and what seems to Hana appearing from his peripherals.

[Hope]

After the fight had ended she ran towards her sister, to aid her, to keep her from going any further.

To see her in such a state was illogical in her mind, how she wanted to get stronger through leaving the Royal Paladin completely for the rivals which they lost to. Instead of getting stronger, it looks like she just took many steps back, and kept walking back. Eventually she would reach the point of no return. The Royal Paladins made their presence known to Hana, telling her that she wasn't alone in helping her sister return. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small handkerchief, it had a fish printed on it. She gently placed it on the table. in front of her sister.

A trial had been held on Cray regarding the traitors, the paladins which made a pact with the rift, led by the dragon from hell. The Princess' decision regarding this case caused controversy among the alliances. It may have been her childish naivety, her own emotions, still keeping her from thinking, but it was none of those. Alfred seconded her decision, Blaster Blade was hesitant at first, but he had no reason to doubt his majesty's judgment.

"Here, nee-san. Stand proud." Hana stood tall after placing the handkerchief on the table.
"Wipe your face... you're very beautiful, no need to hide it like that... keep your chin up." Hana let out a little smile. Of course, the words were from deep within her heart, but at the same time, some of it was actually what she heard Alfred and Blaster Blade saying to their other knights. So it sounded like she was talking to her sister one moment then a fellow knight the next.

"I want to see you fight again, full of pride, and more importantly, joy."

[Cherry]

The tearful queen turned to the princess, offering a lending hand instead of a lecture. "No!" Screaming, she smacked Hana's hand away, stepping back. Then, the burning grew worse, forcing Yami to cringe and wince, crying out in pain. Hana was the very last person she wanted to see - the one who had taken most of the suffering because of her shortcomings! Unable to take the princess' compliments, tearing still flowing, she only felt worse. How could Isabella say that, after the horrible sacrifice Bermuda Triangle had to make from her big sister's mistake...?

Please, stop... I don't... deserve kindness...

Yukino trembled, hugging herself, squeezing - gripping at her arms. She couldn't face anyone, but she wanted someone... this conflict led to an irrational fear. Scared for her life, she stood in place, crying.

Yunos kept quiet, especially after the trial on Cray.

[Jello]

Haruka watched these events unfold.

Yukino, slapping her sister. It was only her hand, but it was also so much more than that. Haruka wanted to get up and hit her so damn hard. But he wasn't about to get up anytime soon. In fact, he was mostly losing consciousness around this time. He struggled to breath, but kept mostly quiet. This wasn't his battle anymore.

"Good luck, Hana... and good luck to you too, Alfred." Haruka sent his parting words not to the air, but to Overlord. As a message to the Royal Paladins. It probably wouldn't reach them anytime soon, or maybe at all, but this was all he could hope for.

"Your message shall be sent, as envoy of the Dragon Empire." He smiled, shutting his eyes. From this point on, Haruka was nothing but a bystander. Listening. Understanding. But he was in no way able to help anyone anytime in his current state.

[Hope]

Her initial attempt rejected, she reached for the deck inside her bag and placed it on the table. The sacrifice which her clan underwent were done so with the purpose to create a better future for Cray. She placed a deck onto the table. Right, she is isn't going to be able to do this alone. The holy order lifted their weapons, fangs, dreams, and hearts. It was time for them to aid the princess in their mission to retrieve the Chosen Sword.

"Don't throw my friend's sacrifices like that. We made the sacrifice for you and the Royal Paladins, believing that you guys would be able to move forward and form a bright future. How you are now makes it all seem like a waste... If you keep going, in fear that you've failed instead of taking the second chance to try again... then what? I know you feel like you've lost to everything and have failed everyone, I've felt that too. But how much of a bigger failure are you if you not only fail everyone, but also fail yourself... wasting the effort of the friends whom placed themselves on the line for your sake?" She placed her hand upon her deck.

"I want to show you an image of courage, an image of determination, and the power to overcome hardships Yukinee!"

[Cherry]

How could a living failure stop failing?!

What was wrong with her?! Only yearning to make everything right, why did everyone have to tell her she's wrong?! Another terrified cry, she couldn't stop shaking, and Yunos stopped responding. The Chosen Sword that fell into isolation was nothing more than a lost sheep at this moment. Yukino had long since failed herself, but the sacrifices everyone made... They'd be in vain because of this fear - this distress. Yami - Hikari - Yukino wasn't able to bare with that or any of her shortcomings as it was.

Why would they put the future on the one who brought about disaster...

Still frightened, after a couple of minutes in silence, the defrosted queen came back to the table. Shadow Paladin was placed down. Defeating the one who surpassed her would be proof of enough strength to draw out the true nature of the Sword of Courage. But... this promised image gave her some hope. Maybe, finally, she'd have some peace of mind.

"We need to talk", Blaster Blade approached the darkness of resolution.

"I know", Blaster Dark responded to the light of courage.