As Payic left the small cafe, Ayato sighed and packed up his cards, and took another sip of his coffee.
"...I highly doubt dad's plan will work but... let's see if we can get that Ryuzu clone on our side."

(Opening here)

In the mansion Ryuzaki lived in, Maverick was at the couch, watching a movie. He was chewing on some nachos, there being a soft crunching sound while the movie was playing.
"Hey Maverick, you seen Payic?" Ryuzaki asked as he walked towards the couch. Maverick swallowed his food and drank some of his orange Lucozade.
"She said she was going out to get a bite and some booster packs to help complete my Domination deck." He replied.
"...why doesn't she but singles like a normal person?!" Ryuzaki sweatdropped. He ruffled his white hair as Maverick shrugged, his eyes fixed on the movie.
"Beats me. Maybe she gets off gambling for cards." He replied, taking another nacho and eating it.
"...gambling for car... You know what. I'll go find her." Ryuzaki said, his face starting to become pink. "...I need to tell her something."
"Your gonna ask her out for real, huh." Maverick grinned as he finally turned to Ryuzaki, who seemed to be lost in thought. On his mind ever since they were kidnapped by Max, was his accidental to confession of love to Payic. Out of a fear of dying, he blurted it out as he thought it would be the end of them all. Ryuzaki proceeded to sit down next to Maverick, as he swiped his white bangs to the side and brought a loud sigh.
"Life's a bitch." Maverick said. There was no response, and the movie kept playing. Silence gathered within the room. Ryuzaki reached into the bowl of nachos and ate some, as the two boys filled the silent rooms with the crunching of nachos, grinding against their teeth while cheese oozed around their mouth. Maverick's eating style was clean, while Ryuzaki's was messy, getting a thin layer of melted cheese on his hands.
"Damn." He said as the movie continued to play. He wiped his hands, as the dreaded silence filled the room again.
"You ever thought of training?" Maverick said as the tension continued. Silence, once again, filled the room.
"My body?"
"Yes." He replied simply as Maverick continued to eat.
"...no, never." Ryuzaki said simply. "Lifting weights and doing reps ain't my thing dude."
"Fair enough." Maverick replied. Silence filled the room again. The clear sound of Maverick's crunching against the T.V which was playing the movie was filling the void left from the lack of conversation. Ryuzaki was deep in thought. The door clicked as Payic went inside the living room. However, her air brought something weird.
"...Payic!" Ryuzaki cheered as he stood up. Payic didn't respond. She walked up to him and asked,
"Are you strong?"
"Physically?" Ryuzaki asked as the two were face to face. She was about the same height as him, with Ryuzaki a couple centimetres taller.
"...no. As in, cardfighting." She replied in a dull tone.
"You should know my strengths and stuff, ya know?" Ryuzaki scratched the back of his head. "I mean, we're teammates..."
"It's a simple question. Answer it." She replied.
"...then yes, I am strong." Ryuzaki replied.
"Fight me, now." Payic pulled out her deck.
"This is a bit sudden..." Ryuzaki mumbled as Maverick stood up and paused the movie, raising his eyebrows.
"You okay, Payic?" He asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. I'm itching for a fight, that's all." She replied to him, her dull tone staying.
"Alright then. We can start."

The two set up their decks on the kitchen table.
"Stand up Vanguard!"
"Chrono Dran!" Ryuzaki shouted.
"Goddess of Origin, Nakisawame!" Payic replied. "I'll start. Stand and draw. I ride Gelgja and move Naki. End."

Payic:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
XOO

Ryuzaki:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw, I ride Transit Dragon and move Dran back. I call a Blade Dog to rear-guard! Boosted by Dran, Dog! (5000 > 10000)"
"No guard. (Stake Fetter, Thviti) All to vanguard. (7000 > 12000)"
"Vanguard! (7000)"
"No guard."
"I'll need just one trigger... (Chronotherapy Hamster) ...heal trigger, all to vanguard! (7000 > 12000)"
"...lucky... Damage. (Battle Maiden, Kukurihime) Another wasted critical."
"I end."

Payic:
Hand: 5
Damage: 2
OXO
XOO

Ryuzaki:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
XXO
XOO

"Stand and draw! I ride, Senri! I call, Senri! Revelation! Top of deck. Call, Kukurihime. Boosted by Naki, Kukuri! (4000 > 9000)"
"No guard. (Pulsar, Cruising Dragon)"
"Senri! (9000)"
"No guard, again. (Pulsar Tamer, Manish)" Ryuzaki grit his teeth as he looked at his hand.
"Vanguard! (9000)"
"Only if I were on a 10k base..." He groaned. "No guard."
"I see. Drive check. (Prime Beauty, Amaruda)"
"Thats weird... normally comments like that would make her smile and get a chuckle from her. What happened to her?" Ryuzaki thought as he looked at Payic. "Damage check. (Pulsar Tamer, Manish) You're kidding me!"
"End."
"Again, no laugh... Something's up."

Payic:
Hand: 4
Damage: 2
XXX
XOO

Ryuzaki:
Hand: 5
Damage: 3
XXO
XOO

"Stand and draw! I ride, Cruising Dragon and call Manish to rear-guard! Boosted by Dran, Dog! (5000 > 10000)"
"No guard. (Prime Beauty, Amaruda)"
"Now, Manish! (9000)"
"Senri intercepts... (9000 > 14000)"
"Vanguard! (9000)"
"No guard." Payic replied sharply. Ryuzaki noticed this.
"Are you alright...?" He asked her.
"I am completely fine." She replied simply, her face being bland and dull, just like how she arrived home.
"...no you aren't.." Ryuzaki said. He narrowed his eyes. "What happened to you?"
"I became stronger." Her quick, snappy tone cut through the tense feeling between them as they rushed each other. "Isn't that good?"
"...yea... it is." Ryuzaki clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Drive check. (Chronotherapy Hamster) Heal trigger, again. This time I can heal." "I'm not buying that. Something happened... I just need to ease her into telling me."
"Damage check. (Goddess of Favourable Winds, Ninnil)" Payic flipped the card over, as a small smirk was on her face for a split second.
"I end."

Payic:
Hand: 4
Damage: 4
XXO
XOO

Ryuzaki:
Hand: 5
Damage: 2
XXX
XOO

"Stand and draw." Payic put a card up to her chin and giggled as the card covered her mouth. "I ride, Prime Beauty, Amaruda. Revelation. To soul. (Battle Maiden, Kukurihime) Then, call Kotonoha. Revelation. To soul. (Shackle Fetter, Gelgja) Kotonoha gets 2k. Boosted by Naki, Kukurihime. (4000 > 9000)"
"No guard. (Chronospin Serpent) Damn it!" Ryuzaki screamed. No reaction. "Okay, freaky..."
"Vanguard. (11000)" Payic turned the card sideways.
"No guard..." Ryuzaki replied, looking at his hand.
"Twin drive. (Battle Maiden, Kukurihime, Battle Maiden, Kotonoha) Critical. Critical to vanguard, power to Kotonoha. (11000/1★ > 2★) (11000 > 16000)" Even though she pulled a critical trigger, Payic had little to no reaction.
"...damn it..." Ryuzaki grit his teeth tightly. "Damage check. (Chronospin Serpent, Heart Thump Worker) Critical! All to vanguard! (9000 > 14000/1★ > 2★)"
"Kotonoha. (16000)"
"Transit guard! (14000 > 19000)"
"Turn end." Payic smirked. Ryuzaki felt something off with her expressions. It wasn't... understandable. It was hard to grasp her emotions.

Payic:
Hand: 4
Damage: 4
XXX
XOO

Ryuzaki:
Hand: 4
Damage: 5
XXX
XOO

"My turn! Stand and draw! Lead this dead land into it's perfect future! Ride! Chronojet Dragon G! Now, Transcend! Metapulsar, Avenir Phoenix! Stride skill! I time Leap Chrono Dran! Superior call from deck, Transit Dragon! Skill of Dran, into soul and call Chronojet G! Him and Slash Dog switch places. Boosted by Transit, Manish! Skill of Manish, she gets 8000 power! (9000 > 17000 > 24000)"
"No guard. (Dreaming Dragon) Stand trigger, everything to vanguard. (11000 > 16000)"
"Manish skill, bind her face up. Skill of Transit, into soul and draw. Avenir Phoenix now attacks! (26000) Then, his skill!  Counterblast and G Persona Blast! Call, Thruster Bison and Cruising Dragon! Cruising gets 2k and a skill! (9000 > 11000)"
"Perfect guard. Kibitsuhime's Revelation. To soul. (Goddess of Ephemeral, Awanami)"
"Triple drive! (Chronotherapy Hamster, Steam Tamer, Arka, Pulsar, Replenish Coatl) Heal trigger. Healing a damage and power to Cruising! (11000 > 16000) Boosted by Slash, Jet! (11000 > 16000)"
"Intercept! (16000 > 21000)"
"Boosted by Bison, Cruising! Skill, counterblast and check top three. Putting Transit into my hand! (16000 > 20000)"
"Kukurihime, guard." Payic replied. (16000 > 26000)
"Damn... Jet G into my hand, and I end."

Payic:
Hand: 1
Damage: 5
XXO
XOO

Ryuzaki:
Hand: 9
Damage: 4
OXX
XOX

"My turn. Stand and draw. Generation Zone, release. Goddess of Investigation, Ishtar. Stride skill. Counterblast and soulcharge 2 (Dreaming Dragon, Goddess of Ephemeral, Awanami) A revelation card was charged. Draw a card and two units get 4000 power. (4000 > 8000) (5000 > 9000)" Payic looked at her hand and sighed. "Ishtar's Revelation. To soul. (Goddess of Sound Sleep, Tahro) Rest Kukurihime. Call, Senri. Revelation. To soul, (Prime Beauty, Amaruda) And I rest herself. Call, Gelgja. Revelation. To top of deck. Skill of Gelgja in soul, to bottom of the deck and stand Senri. Add 3000 power. (9000 > 12000) Gelgja again to stand Kukurihime. Add 3000. (8000 > 11000) Boosted by Nakisawame, Kukurihime attacks! (11000 > 20000)"
"Guard with Heart Thump... (11000 > 21000)"
"Boosted by Gelgja, Senri! (12000 > 19000)"
"Generation Guard! Interdimensional Dragon, Heteroround Dragon! Skill, Soulblast and return Senri to deck! Shuffle and call top card of your deck to rear-guard!" Ryuzaki smirked.
"Shuffle.. and call. Kotonoha. Revelation. To soul. (Dreaming Dragon) Kotonoha gains power. (9000 > 11000) However, I have to rest her. Ishtar swings. (26000)"
"Arka, Perfect Guard!"
"Triple drive. (Battle Maiden, Senri) Ishtar skill. Soulblast 3, and G Persona Blast. (Goddess of Ephemeral, Awanami, Goddess of Ephemeral, Awanami, Goddess of Sound Sleep, Tahro) I give Kukurihime 3000 and stand. (11000 > 14000) Awanami's and Tahro's skills. Soulcharge 4 and Tahro goes to bottom and stands Naki. (Goddess of Ephemeral, Awanami, Goddess of Adherence, Kibitsuhime, Goddess of Sound Sleep, Tahro, Shackle Fetter, Gelgja) Second check. (Witch of Big Pots, Laurier) Heal trigger. Everything to Kotonoha. (11000 > 16000) Heal. Last check. (Deathly Beauty, Amaruda "Яeverse") Ishtar's skill. Soulblast three and G Persona Blast. (Goddess of Sound Sleep, Tahro, Dreaming Dragon, Dreaming Dragon) Stand Kotonoha! (16000 > 19000) And then, Tahro's skill. When blasted, stand Gelgja."
"Wait... Я-Яeverse?" Ryuzaki shook as he looked at the card.
"Yes... what about it?" She asked innocently, a mocking smile sewn on her face. Ryuzaki stood up and his mouth was agape.
"...who did this...?" He asked in surprised, a tense look on his face. "This is why she's been acting up..." Payic looked at Ryuzaki and swiftly packed up her cards.
"I don't need to tell you." Payic replied as she then put her deckbox into her bag.
"Wait, what did you do that for?!" Ryuzaki shouted. He couldn't understand what was going on. The shock of seeing a mysterious Яeverse card threw his mind into madness, as he thought about the rumours surrounding this power. "Payic..."
"What?"
"Who did this to you?" He asked, his eyes wide.
"Again, I don't need to tell you." She replied coldly. Payic turned around and sighed. With her heels clicking against the kitchen tiles, she started to walk away.
"You can't be serious right..." Ryuzaki grit his teeth and muttered coldly to himself, as he ran towards Payic and grabbed her wrist. "Hey, don't leave now..." Payic sharply forced her wrist out of Ryuzaki's tight grip.
"Don't touch me you freak." She said sharply. Ryuzaki narrowed his eyes.
"I'm the freak? You're... Яeversed... Somehow. And you're not even telling me who did it!" Ryuzaki shouted back, worried for his crush.
"It's none of your business, now leave me alone!" She shouted back at him, as Maverick overheard. He kept quiet, but continued to listen.
"Grr..." Ryuzaki grit his teeth. "Why'd you scoop then?"
"I don't feel like playing anymore."
"Bullshit!" Ryuzaki shouted back, a mixed feeling of anger and sadness resonating in his slightly shaky voice. "You only packed up when I asked about that card!"
"So?" She turned around to him. "Piss off. I have better things to do."
"..." Ryuzaki grit his teeth. "This isn't her. This isn't who I love... this isn't the same girl I met that day..."

As Ryuzaki walked around town, he found a girl picking up papers from the ground. "I'm such a klutz at times..." She spoke out loud. He didn't want to bother, until a small vanguard card caught the corner of his eye. He walked towards the black haired girl, whose long, straight hair was tied up.
"Hey, do you need help?" He asked. She turned around and said,
"No, no, I'm fine, honestly."
"You sure?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Yea... I'm fine." She continued to pick up the papers. Ryuzaki knelt down and picked up the card.
"Mythic Beast, Fenrir?"
"Wah!" The girl exclaimed as she turned dark red and took back the card.
"Eh?"
"..." She bit her bottom lip as her face became red. "It's not what it looks like..."
"It's a vanguard card... you play vanguard? And you're embarrassed by it?" Ryuzaki asked.
"No... Its just... I really like the art." She admitted. "Wait, why am I telling a stranger this?!" She shouted at him.
"I'm not any stranger, I'm Ryuzaki Mikazuchi. Ryuzu Myoujin's clone." He said proudly, a glimmer in his eyes.
"Wait, Ryuzu Myoujin? Like that guy who was a vanguard legend? You're his clone?" She laughed, giggling at him. "Nice joke. I'm Payic Ikuo."
"Payic is a pretty name."
"Sounds like a boy's name though." She replied with a small chuckle. "When a teacher calls out my name, they expect a boy to reply, not a girl. I personally don't really like it..."
"I think it's unique." Ryuzaki smiled.

"Earth to Ryuzu..." Maverick spoke to his frozen friend. Ryuzaki snapped out of it. He looked around, and Payic was gone. "You okay?" He asked. Ryuzaki put his hands on Maverick's shoulders, and gripped tightly at the material of his vest.
"...Maverick, we gotta do some research... and save Payic."
"I heard of the Яeverse shit. Imma kill the fucker and rape their dead ass body for doing that to our friend." He slammed his hands together.
"Yeah... we'll make them suffer." Ryuzaki tried his best to smirk. It was weak, but all he wanted right now was to bring back his friend- his crush.