The First Shop Tournament: Sign Up Day

It had been quite some time since the fight between Nova and Sera in Card Capital. There had been a lot of talk about something the manager was preparing. Today it was announced. The manager opened the shop like any other day, but this time, he added a sign on the front door. "Shop Tournament Sign Ups all day today!"

Outside, there was already a line of people, kids and above, awaiting for the change to sign up for the new and exciting tournament.

The blue haired girl was on her way back home from school, sighing lightly. She was avoiding teh card shop for a while since so many people were 'assaulting' her to a card fight or two. ~It wouldn't hurt if I went in now...would it?~ she thoguht as she turns the corner.

Her eyes widen at the mass amount of people lined up to get inside the shop. OF course, Sera had no idea what wa sgoing on. She hesitantly got in line, tilting her head in confusion.

Right in front of her, the blond haired boy grinned and said, "Hey there... You heard about the tournament too?" He chuckled lightly as he pointed out to the door which had actually gotten slightly closer since they began. "There's a rumor that the winner of the tournament gets to go to the Regionals here as Card Capital's representative. Even though its not confirmed, it led to a huge turnout."

"Eh?" Sera tils her head at the boy, not knowing about the tournament. "Umm...Actually, I only came here to buy a few more booster packs, really. I don't think I should join a tournament right now." She tries to chuckle it off, but she knows the boy is not going to let her go. "U-Umm...I still don't know your name."

"Name's Zach," he said as he turned again to see that the line was moving. "And the tournament's not today. We've got plenty of time to get ready. This is just the sign-ups. The real deal doesn't start for another week."

At that moment, a green haired boy walked out of the shop. His eyes were closed and a form was in his hand. Zach smiled lightly and said, "Looks like he already signed up. Lucky guy. He musta come pretty early."

"A-Ahh..." Sera let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't sure she would be prepared for a tournament, anyways. ~Although...I would really like to join, but I still need time to decide...~ She blinks as she watches Nova walk out of the shop with a form at hand. "I...I still don't know if I should join..."

"What better way to improve then to do a tournament, right?" Zach said as he smiled to her. They were already near the door as the manager yelled something out. "Everyone, it looks like the sign ups for the first days tournament are complete. However, there's such a big turnout that we're going to extend the tournament to a three day event! The second day sign ups are open, but going fast!" Zach smiled back to Sera with a wink and said, "See there, you've got even more tim eto get ready if ya wanna do it."

"Ahh...yeah..." She mutters. "But...I don't think I'll even maek it past the first round. After all, I ahven't been in many card fights...and I still don't know what clan to really use..." They soon arrived inside the cardshop. IT was incredibly crowded with people who want to sign up, people who are training for the tournament, and the regulars that come to play.

Sera walks up to the counter after managing to dodge out of people's way. "U-Umm...Could I please get the latest box set that you have?"

Zach had his form for the sign ups already in hand. He turned to see Sera was talking to the shop manager. He sighed lightly and said, "You'll never get anywhere if you don't take the chance..." His tone was so low that no one could hear him with the commotion around them.

The manager smiled and pointed to the front desk. "There's a girl in front handling the selling of cards today. People only talk to me about the tournament right now. Oh, what about you. Do you want to sign up as well?"

"Ahh...! I'm sorry." Sera apologizes as she blushes from her mistake. "U-Um...I'm still a bit unsure of this. I'm still so inexperienced...." She glances down at the counter. "P-plus, I dont know what kind of clan really suits me. I would like to see how others would work and not stick with Oracle Think Tanks forever..." She looks up at the manager for a moment. "W-what do you think is best?"

The manager smiled lightly as he handed her a sign-up form. "The best way to learn the world of Vanguard is to experience it with many fights. The only way to know what is best for you is to experience as much as you can, and tournaments bring out many different people and strategies. I think it would be good for you to participate."

~And here i was hoping to get out of doign it...~ She sighs mentally as she takes the form. "I guess you're right...Thank you." She smiles before she walks over to the girl the manager said was managing sales. She had black hair that went past her shoulders and wore a simple red t-shirt and shorts. "U-Um...could I buy the latest box set?"

"Sure." She says as the girl walks over to grab a yellow box from the shelves, putting it on the counter between them. "Twin Swords Awakening - 5th box. That wil lbe $70." Sera dug into her bag, pulling out some money before they both bowed to each other as she took the box and walks over to a (surprisingly) empty table. She opens up the box and pulls out a few booster packs before she starts opening them.

A male looked over at the girl opening the packs with a small grin. He walked over to her slowly as he sat down. "That form means you must be in the tournament, and you have new cards as well... Are you looking to improve your deck?" he seemed to have a slightly smug look to his face as he looked at the girl. "For a fighter, you are cute though... Maybe you could be my girlfriend."

"Huh?" She looks up to see a guy looking at her and sitting down. It took her a bit to comprehend on what he said befroe she blushes madly. "I-I'm sorry, but I...Well...Umm..." She was completely flustered as she was confused on what to do.

His hand moved upwards as he ran it through his hair, trying to make himself look as good as possible. "It's alright to be that way," he said with a small grin as if he was trying to lead her on more. "I have that effect on girls. After all, I am one of the strongest cardfighters here. So, why don't you let me see your deck? I might be able to... give you some pointers."

Sera blushes even more as she shakes her head in confusion. "W-Well.." She bilnks as she manages to calm herself down to ask something. "W-Wait...I thought Nova was the best here..."

"Idiot!" The girl from behind the counter apepars behind him, pulling at his cheek as she glares at him. "Are you giving her any trouble? I thought I told you to lay off on the girls! Flirt anymore and you'll probably drive them all out of the store!"

"I'm ten times better then that Nova guy," the boy said with a determined, fiery look to his eyes. The look was diminished as the girl at the counter began yelling at him. "Hey, Yuki! Why don't you mind your own business!" he yelled back. "Anyway, that guy would never offer you what I would, so why don't you show me your deck..."

"What wasthat?!" Yuki was instantly behind him in a split second, pulling at his cheek as she glares at him. "I'll kick you out of this store myself if I have to! I have a whole arsonal of weapons with YOUR name on them!"

Sera sweat drops as she sighs. "U-Umm..I don't mind a cardfight if you really want one that badly....But...I'll be using a deck I just made so I don't know if i'll be any good."

As the boy's cheeks were pinched he started to swat Yuki's hand away, then turned to Sera with a grin and said, "Oh, is that so? Very well, but don't expect the great Hirotama to hold back his power even against a newly made deck." He took his deck out from a pocket, placing it onto the field with a grin. "Now you can know what a truly unstoppable force is like! Hirotama's ultimate offense!"

Yuki sighs before shaking her head. "Why do I even bother...?" She mutters, walking back to the counter as Sera puts a card in front of her and her deck to teh side. "A-All irgh then..."

Hirotama grinned as his field was set. He drew his cards and prepared for his opponent. I should have everything I need with a hand like this, he thought to himself as he looked over at her. "Take all the time you need, but once I win, I'll be making you my girlfriend, got it?"

Sera drew her hand as well, sending a card back and redrawing. She looks up at Hirotama, blushing madly at his proposal. "B-But...! I...Umm...That is..." She gulps, looking at her field before blurting out. "I-I'm sorry, Tama-kun, but you're not my type!" She blushes as she hears Yuki bursting into laughter. "S-So...who goes first?"

Hirotama gave a small glare as he placed his hand on his card. "You can start. I don't like going first," he said as he flipped over his unit. "Stand Up, Mecha Trainer!" A robotic coach-like man appeared before them holding a clipboard.

"O-Ok..." Sera says. "S-Stand up, Shieldseed Spire!" Facing the Mecha Trainer, a small boy with green hair and a wooden shield stood. "Draw! I ride...umm...Bladeseed Squire!" An older boy in green adorned with more advanced armor and weapons appeared as the younger one moves to the lower right. "T-Turn end."

The boy grinned lightly as he drew his card. "I suppose I should show you a true ride... The Great Hirotama rides Wonder Boy!" A skinny yet fast football player with a green jersey appeared onto the field. The Mecha Trainer moved to the lower right as a result. "I'll also call out my Cyclone Blitz! Now I can show you why I hate to go first. It's because I love getting the first attack!" Wonder Boy attack!" he called out as the boy ran at the shielded youth in front of him. As he ran, Hirotama picked up the top card of his deck, it was a Devil Summoner card.

(I'm using the anime method of speeding up the fight so this goes quicker. Also, she does have the time to guard is she wants.)