Cardfight!! Vanguard SC: Defenders of the Gate

Chapter 44: The End of a Generation [FINALE]

"Imagine it."
However, Yudai's attempt to pull Yui into his image was rejected. The red markings that were all over her body just glowed with menacing authority.
"I can't, Yudai." She spoke, sounding like herself for the first time. "The me who had an imagination, the one that had free will is not here. My body is just an avatar for the Void. It will only be seconds before it comes to claim its vessel." She sniffed, her now white locks obscuring her wet eyes.
"I'm not ending this without you," said Yudai with resolute.
"You don't have a choice."

Getting an inkling into the meaning of her words, Yudai looked up. The sky had parted into a perfect circle; a myriad of colours overtook the atmosphere as by the horde, creatures emerged from the fission. The Star-Vaders had arrived through the fully open Gate.
Yudai looked on with anger and shock. "We were too late."

"Yes, you were," Yui said, her voice now with a demonic undertone. "And now, the planet called Earth will belong to me. And with it, this dimension will crumble under the foot of my Avatar, the Link Joker!" She, or rather, it exclaimed exuberantly. Yudai clicked his tongue and watched the endless legion of Link Joker units deploy and begin flying off the island's coasts to the mainland. If they reached Japan and beyond, the world would surely be laid to waste.

"Do not be afraid." rang an eerily familiar voice deep within his subconscious. "For I am with you."

Steeling himself, Yudai rose higher, calling out to the horizons. "My friends, the time has come. Fulfil the destiny of the one who preceded me, and awaken the true power of the Clan Guardians! At my behest, you have been summoned! Perfect Ride!"

As the other Clan Guardians watched from the sidelines, a simultaneous phenomenon occurred. The Clan Crest appeared in each of their eyes and the influence of Link Joker was banished from them at once. With one voice, they, along with Izo and Rei, called out, "For the sake of the saviour, we carry out this destiny! Perfect Ride!"

At that moment, the Clan Guardians experienced something like nothing that had known before. Dragons, humans, demons, beasts and creatures of all sorts rose up. With those who could not fly being supported by aided by the winged creatures, the Clan Guardians, now in the bodies of their Avatars, headed for the Link Joker forces emerging from the Gate.

Yui looked up at Yudai with distaste. Or more accurately, bored disapproval. "You can rally as many heroes as you wish, but that only means they'll be the first to die." In return, Yudai spoke no ill words but only floated down to his sister's level. "What are you doing?" she demanded, her patience thinning by the second.

"Something I should have done years ago." Taking out his deck, he held it to her face with a smile. "Let's have a cardfight like you always wanted."

Void Yui seemed to be caught off guard by this. The glow of the red markings on her body deintensified and emotion struck her face for a second before things returned to back to the way they were. "Very well. And when I defeat you and take the Messiah's power for myself, that will ensure that nobody will be able to rise up against me ever again."

With their feet planted on the ground amongst the rubble, the stood on opposite sides of the still intact fight table in the middle of the arena.

"Yudai!"
Turning back, Yudai saw Roka and Kiniro hobbling towards him. He faced away from them slightly, trying to obscure his other eye.

But this did not go unnoticed.

Kiniro placed a hand on his shoulder, urging him to face to them. Yudai gritted his teeth, willing himself to stay as he was.
Roka stepped forward, gently taking his cheeks in her hands and turning his head towards them.
"No matter what you become, you're still just our friend, Yudai. Even if you don't feel like you're the same as before."
"Yeah, man. It'll take more than becoming half-god or something to make us turn out backs on you."
Kiniro proceeded to hold out Clockwork. Sensing his intentions, Roka smiled and placed her Avia card on over it.
Yudai's eyes were wide. His friends were ready to see him to death's door and we prepared to wait patiently for him to emerge. The was no doubt now. He owed it to them to protect the world. The world that they could continue to fight and grow together in.
And to welcome his sister into the wonderful world his friends inhabited.
He took his Stardrive Braver, Orionus and hovered it over his friends' aces.
And suddenly, Kiniro and Roka's cards were overtaken by a faint kaleidoscopic light. They both lifted them to their faces and marvelled at what they saw. They turned to each other, then to Yudai with a smile on each of their faces. Simultaneously, they both handed their card off to Yudai.
"Go ahead. We'll be with you in spirit."