Sweetie Belle was playing a casual game with Apple Bloom , when a thought crossed her mind. Where's Spark? Rarity said he notified police officers right after seeing me unconscious, but...

"Hey Sweetie Belle! Don't blank out during a cardfight, okay!?" The other mare yelled, snapping her out of her trance. "Blaukluger attacks your Vanguard!"

"O-Okay..." Sweetie said. "No guard."

Spark Light was walking in a silver hallway. He had seen Sweetie Belle unconscious, and helped her. Which also served his purpose. Facing a door, he opened it.

Inside was a golden pegasus colt with a red mane, and a cream-colored earth pony mare with a semi-curly mane, wearing purple glasses. Both turned to look at him.

"Ah, you must be Spark Light." said the mare. "My name is Peppermint Twist, but you may just call me Twist. You must be here for... that, I assume?"

Wordlessly, Spark nodded. Twist turned to Rocket, who was grinning.

"So, what the hell did you want from me?"

"Information." Spark replied. "About your match with Midnight."

Rocket's grin faded a little. "Oh. Straight to the point, are we? I can just give you the information."

"Then do it-"

"But that would be too easy." Rocket said, smirking. "Beat me in a cardfight. Twist, assemble the playing field."

Twist nodded, and slammed a red button on the wall. Two tables popped up, and the walls moved back. Spark rolled his eyes.

"What? Being the former National Champion has its perks." Rocket said as both of them placed the Starting Vanguards on the tables' Vanguard Circles.

"Stand up..." they both started in unison, placing their hooves on their cards. Spark took the left side, while Rocket took the right side of the field.

"... the..."

"... VANGUARD!!!" both yelled, flipping over the cards and causing a bright flash of light.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CcjFhrPugVs

"Stand up the Vanguard!"

"Stand up Vanguard!"

"Lizard Soldier, Conroe!" A green Dragonman wearing a traditional armor appeared, brandishing an axe. (G0/5000)

"Enigman Flow!" A white alien with glowing green accents landed. (G0/5000)

"My turn, draw." Spark placed a card on the Vanguard circle, causing Conroe to be enveloped in a red light. "Ride, Embodiment of Armor, Bahr (G1/8000)! Conroe moves to the Circle behind him, and I end." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"Let's do this, I draw!" his opponent said, before enveloping Flow in a cyan aura. "Ride! Karenroid, Daisy the Vanguard (G1/8000)! I call another Daisy behind my Vanguard!"

(RC) (Daisy) (RC)

(RC) (Daisy) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 0

"Boosted by Daisy, my Vanguard attacks!" (POW: 16000)

"I don't guard." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"Checking my drive trigger!" Rocket revealed a card, which immediately glowed a bright red. "Draw trigger! All to the vanguard, and I draw a card!"

"Checking the damage." Spark put Wyvern Guard, Barri (G1/6000; Shield: 0) into his Damage Zone. "No trigger."

"Well, I end my turn." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"My turn. I draw." Spark flashed a smirk at Rocket, making the pegasus harden his gaze. "Ride the Vanguard! Prowling Dragon, Striken!"

A red and black dragon replaced the demonic knight, then fell asleep right after it gained a grip on the ground. (G2/10000)

"Are you serious?" Rocket said, smiling. "Didn't you say this unit was garbage a few years back?"

"I learned better." Spark retorted. "Also, I activate Conroe's skill! I retire Conroe, and I search my deck for a Grade One or less unit! I add Wyvern Guard, Barri to my hand. Now call! Dragon Knight, Nehalem (G2/10000)!"

(Nehalem) *(CD, Striken)* (RC)

(RC) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 5, Damage: 1 (flipped)/1 (total)

*(Card name)* = Restraint

"Nehalem attacks your Vanguard!" (POW: 10000)

"I don't guard. Damage check, no trigger." (Hand: 6, Damage: 0/1)

"I end my turn." Spark Light furrowed his brows in annoyance.

"My turn, Stand and draw!" Rocket sighed as he placed a card on the Vanguard Circle. "Obstruct evil with the blinding twin lights of justice! RIDE!!! TWIN ORDER!!!"

A red robot holding two laser swords flashed into existence, moving into an attacking position. (G2/10000)

"Now call! Another Twin Order to the Rear Guard!"

(TwinO) (TwinO) (RC)

(RC) (Daisy) (RC)

Hand: 5, Damage: 0 flipped/1 total

"With a boost from Daisy, my vanguard attacks!" (POW: 18000)

"No guard." (Hand: 5, Damage: 1 flipped/1 total)

"Checking my drive trigger." Rocket revealed a card that had a blue robot wielding a red and gold shield, making Spark's eyes widen. Rocket grinned. "Looks like the king is here. No trigger."

"Damage check." Spark revealed a card with a red pony wielding a staff riding a floating cloud. "Dragon Monk, Goku (G3/10000). No trigger." (Damage: 1/2)

"Now, Twin Order attacks your Vangua-"

"You activated Striken's skill. When I'm attacked by an unboosted unit, he gets an extra 5000 Power, nullifying your attack." Spark snorted. "How could you have forgotten that?"

"Dammit! Why did I forget that?! Turn end." Rocket said, annoyed.

"My turn. Stand and draw." Spark grabbed a card in his hoof, making it glow. "Crimson reaper of the apocalypse, reduce everything in this world to ashes! I RIDE THE VANGUARD! DRAGONIC OVERLORD!!!"

A red dragon appeared, wings blazing. It roared, clutching its giant saber made from the bone of its kin. (G3/11000)

"Activating Striken's skill! Since I rode another Kagerō unit on him, he gives that unit 5000 Power and an extra Critical until the end of this turn!" Overlord's yellow eyes suddenly glowed, and the dragon was enveloped in a dazzling crimson aura. (POW: 16000, Critical: 2)

"Tch..."

"Now, I call! Embodiment of Armor, Bahr (G1/8000)!"

(Nehalem) (DO) (RC)

(RC) (Bahr) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 1 flipped/2 total

"With a boost from Bahr, Dragonic Overlord attacks your Vanguard!" The red dragon charged a ball of fire in his mouth, wings blazing. (POW: 24000, CRIT: 2)

"Tch... NO GUARD!" (Hand: 6, Damage: 0 flipped/1 total)

"Checking my drive trigger." Spark revealed the top card of the deck, which immediately glowed a bright yellow. "Embodiment of Spear, Tahr! Critical to Overlord, Power to Nehalem! Second check..."

"Dammit... No more Critical Triggers..."

"... Dragon Dancer, Monica! Power to Nehalem, and I draw a card!"

"Damage trigger check!" Rocket winced as three cards flew to the Damage Zone, one of them being a silver and red robo-bird. (Damage: 0/4)

"Now, Nehalem attacks!" (POW: 20000)

"No guard. Damage trigger check!" Rocket revealed a copy of Justice Rose. "Heal trigger! Power to the Vanguard, and I heal one damage!" (Damage: 0/4, Twin Order's POW: 15000)

"Hmph. Turn end." (Hand: 6, Damage: 1 flipped/2 total)

"My turn. Stand and draw." Rocket said, surprisingly calm. Suddenly, a shriek pierced the air.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshhe'sgonnause HIM!" squealed Twist, sounding like a fangirl.

[BGM: Vanguard]

"Let's go!" Rocket suddenly yelled, catching the two's attention. "The King of Braves is here! With the right arm of destruction and the left arm of protection, the blazing embodiment of my soul destroys the evil plaguing the universe! BRAVE IN! STAND UP, SUPER DIMENSIONAL ROBO... DA DA DA, DA DA DA, DAIYUUSHA!!!"

Twin Order disappeared, and in a flash of a bright blue light, the Vanguard Circle itself appeared on the battlefield, facing the opponent. Suddenly, a gray fist came out and punched Overlord on the jaw, sending the red dragon reeling back. Spark could only glare as a giant blue robot appeared.

"Now, call! Cosmo Beak (G2/8000)!" A silver bird with red parts appeared, glowing. "I activate his Counterblast! I give 4000 Power to Daiyusha! COSMO SHOOT!!!"

The silver bird suddenly morphed into a set of blasters, which mounted themselves on Daiyusha's right hand right after his sword turned into an extra attachment to the shield. (POW: 10000 ==> 14000)

"Now call! Cosmo Roar (G1/6000)! Masked Police, Grander (G2/8000)! Karenroid, Daisy (G1/8000)! Then, I rest Cosmo Roar, giving 2000 Power to Daiyusha!" (POW: 14000 ==> 16000)

(TwinO) (SDR,Daiyusha) (MP, Grander)

(Cosmo Roar) (K, Daisy) (K, Daisy)

Hand: 2, Damage: 2 flipped/4 total

"Boosted by Daisy, Grander attacks Dragonic Overlord! Grander's skill, another boost of 2000 Power to Daiyusha! JUSTICE KICK!!!" The red hero jumped into the air in a flying kick position. (POW: 16000)

"I guard with Embodiment of Spear, Tahr!" A pony clad in yellow took the full force of the kick, making him dissipate into gold dust. (SLD: 11000 ==> 21000)

"Now, boosted by Daisy, Daiyusha attacks Overlord! At the beginning of my attack step, if this unit’s Power is 14000 or greater, this unit gets an extra Critical until end of that battle! HELL AND HEAVEN CYCLE, BRAVE SHOOTER WAVE!!!"

The blue robot glowed cyan, pointing the blaster upwards. Suddenly, an electromagnetic tornado surrounded Daiyusha, which was concentrated near the blaster's mouth. The storm was suddenly absorbed by the blaster, so Daiyusha pointed it at Overlord and fired. (POW: 26000, CRIT: 2)

"No guard." Spark gritted his teeth as Daiyusha's blaster fired a cyan ball of energy. (Hand: 5, Damage: 1 flipped/2 total)

"Twin Drive check. First, no trigger." Spark revealed a copy of Daiyusha. "Second check... Justice Cobalt! Critical to Daiyusha, and Power to Twin Order!"

"Checking the damage. First check... Dragonic Overlord (G3/11000), no trigger. Second... Prowling Dragon, Striken (G2/10000). Third..." Spark revealed the top card. Dragon Dancer, Monica! Power to Overlord, and I draw!" (Hand: 6)

"Dammit! I end my turn."

"Stand and draw." Spark said. "Rocket. Did you feel anything off when you fought Midnight?"

"What?" Rocket said, before snorting. "Is this the info you wanted? Seriously? I thought you were asking in code! You could've just asked. I thought you were talking about what site to play 'Banned from Eques-"

"Ohoho-kay, not that. I already established my point in coming here." Spark cut off, his face heating up a bit. "Answer the question. Did you feel anything off during your battle with Midnight?

"Well..." Rocket paused for thought. "... I... felt like I was actually stabbed when he attacked. No biggie, me and my team do training in the mountains... But... This was different. There's something wrong about that guy, no matter which way you look at it."

"Thank you." Spark said, face emotionless. It's just as I suspected... "Okay, let's end this now. FINAL TURN!!!"

Rocket's eyes widened. "What!?"

Spark grabbed a card in from the top of his deck, and raised it in the air, making it glow red. "Harbinger of destruction, sieze this world in your claws, and destroy everything standing in your way! STAND UP MY AVATAR!!!"

"Oh damn." Rocket said, right before a draconic shadow loomed over him and Daiyusha. A torrent of fire crashed into the robot, causing a massive explosion to take place. Rocket winced as two cards flew to his damage zone, effectively ending the game and causing the holograms to disappear.

"Thanks for the info." Spark said, before taking his cards and walking away, leaving an awestruck duo.

So he's still using it... Now that's over with, time to investigate a certain filly...

[BGM: Vanguard/End]

"Hey cuz! Sweets! Have ya heard!? There's gonna be a local tournament!" Babs yelled, galloping towards the two.

"Yeah? What about it?" questioned Sweetie Belle.

"The winners get to compete in the VF Championship Finals, that's what!" Babs yelled. Her friends' eyes widened.

"Oh mah gosh! We can compete again!" Apple Bloom squealed.

"Yeah! And we can get back at those three!" Babs added.

Sweetie Belle, as happy as she was, said; "We need to win the tournament first. And I'll make sure we do."

Babs and Apple bloom looked at each other with uncertainty, before shrugging.

"Sure, why not?"

"Yeah. Just don't overdo yerself."

Sweetie Belle nodded, but only a single thought entered her mind.

I have to get stronger.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BO5dGJlhuL8

Author's Notes:

(OOc: New writing style. Hope you can... Er... Tolerate the older chapters' style/format. Thanks, and point out any and and all mistakes! Enjoy, and have fun playing Vanguard!)

Sweetie Belle: Uh... This is a new segment, the Sneak Peek! Ugh... My head hurts... (*eyes glow)

AB: Yeah! And... Sweetie, what the... Hell!?

SB: (*laughs haughtily) I've finally got a method stronger. Finally. No one will call me weak anymore.

AB: What...!? No one called ya weak in the first place!

SB: No one TOLD me. I need to-, no, I HAVE to get stronger... Next time on Cardfight!! Vanguard - EA; Back to The Championships! Hehe... I can finally show all of you my po-(*eyes stop glowing)-?... What just... happened...?

AB: Sweetie Belle... What's happening to ya...