*Boom*
*Boom*
Time has slowed down. A mere tick of the clock takes a lifetime to pass. All around the arena, a silence hushes the expecting crowd. Now, my only disturbance is the continuation of life, marked by the adrenalin-enhanced beating of my own heart. One thing that is not affected by this deceleration is my mind. Probabilities, opportunities, fears, and hopes all race through the passages of my consciousness. Glancing upwards, I view my opponent. His brow is knitted with concentration, as is mine. He ponders the situation wordlessly, and I turn my attention to the field below. Arrayed, with meticulous precision, are my cards. In an instant, I’ve refreshed my mental picture of the battle unfolding before me. My opponent has taken all but one of his six prize cards. I have taken half of mine, still leaving three on the board. My active Kingdra ex delta has sustained 20 damage. His active, a Banette ex, has received 60. I hold in reserve a second, undamaged, Kingdra ex delta, along with a Blastoise delta and a Fearow delta. He only has a second Banette ex on his bench, with two damage counters on it.
This day, this match, is what many months of my life were spent training for, and I was ready. My game plan thoroughly imbedded into the foreground of my mind, my thoughts wandered backwards, towards previous experiences. Battles won, battles lost, some burned into my consciousness, others only a faded glimpse. I allowed myself to replay a few of them, since time was moving so slowly, a minute here or there wouldn’t matter. One match immediately drew my attention, my 3 turn win in the 2004-2005 United States National Championships. I remembered fondly my naivety; even then, I still had no idea how to play this game. My record of 2-6 that day reminded me of just how far I had improved.
I checked the field again, to see that my opponent was playing a Holon Mentor. I observed as he discarded an energy card and proceeded to sift through the thin stack that represented the rest of his deck. Even a cursory glance at his face revealed the disgust that emerged after not finding a single basic Pokemon in his deck. Passing his reshuffled deck to me, I cut it once, and handed it back. Returning his eyes to his hand, he resumed his contemplations. I looked to either side of the table, and saw the two judges ruling our match. In that moment, the gravity of the situation finally hit home. I was playing in the top 2 match of the US Nationals! A chill went down my spine as I realized that my fate was in my hands. The glory of victory was at arm’s length, but 1 misplay would concede the title to my opponent. Sure, second still awards the player many prizes, but who remembers the guy who fails at the end?
I reflected inward again, rolling back time as if it were a scroll, and brought forth a second match in which I had participated in. I could see it easily in my mind’s eye; Round 6, US State Championships, 2006-2007. My opponent and I had been deadlocked for the beginning of the game, but he had pulled ahead, and I had desperately fought to regain the lost ground. I had known, that if I succumbed to defeat that round, I wouldn’t have had a good enough record to make the top cut. A 1-3 prize hole is a tough thing to climb out of, but I reduced his lead to 1-1, and at that point his deck had begun to give out. He had tried to survive long enough to put some damage on me, but that sealed his fate, as a Dragon Curse to a damaged Latios ex delta knocked it out, handing me the win. That move had catapulted me to 4-2, with a decent shot at the top cut. Nervously, I had awaited the judge to reveal the standings, and soon enough, he had begun. The top 6 were announced, but I had known that I wouldn’t be among them; my only shot was seventh or eighth. Seventh revealed my good friend made it in, and then eighth has announced. My heart broke as my name was not called. I moved over to my friend and shook his hand, congratulating his success. He had given me a smile, which I returned, but inside, I couldn’t bring myself to be excited. To think! I had made a tremendous comeback from a record of 1-2 to make it 4-2, and I was shocked that I hadn’t been good enough.
*BrrrrrrrrriiipP!*
The rifling of cards brought me back to reality. My opponent shuffled his hand again, and used Shady Move on my active Kingdra ex delta. I shook my head; there was no way I was going to miss out again. Time was still moving along at the same torpid pace, but I could tell my opponent was running out of options. He knew what was at stake, and was trying to reach the same goal I was aspiring to. Even as I though that, he made his move. He unleashed a maximized Shadow Chant, inflicting my active Kingdra ex delta with 70 damage, after my Poke-Body Extra Smoke was applied. As he discarded the Holon Mentor he had played that turn, initiative passed to me.
I studied the field one last time, and moved to draw my card for the turn. My strategic mental cortex began churning out options like crazy. I had cultivated and nurtured it up until now with countless games and scenarios, and it was proving its worth today. Long hours of work were paying off, and I felt power in my position. Almost as if an invisible being had floored the accelerator in my brain, I was cruising at 100 mph, and almost instantly, I knew what I had to do. Removing an energy card from my Active Kingdra ex delta, I retreated it, and sent out my benched one. Laying a delta Rainbow energy card upon the active, I increased the energy count to 2. I then played a Holon Transceiver, grabbing a Holon Adventurer from my discard pile. I knew that I could pull off the win, but I needed 1 card to clinch it. I discarded a Pinsir delta with the Holon Adventurer, and drew 4 cards into my hand. Not top-decking the card I wanted, I resolved myself to getting what I wanted next turn. I moved a Crystal Shard from my hand to my active Kingdra ex delta, and used Energy Link. After taking a fighting energy card from my discard pile and attaching it to the Kingdra ex delta, the attack knocked out the Banette ex and allowed me to draw 2 of my remaining prizes. Nervously, I glanced around, and noticed that my watch indicated only a pair of minutes were left in the match. Time was on my side, but I needed at least one more turn before the game could end.
He only considered his position for a few moments before beginning his moves. He placed Holon Farmer next to his Banette ex, and discarded a TV Reporter to allow the play to continue. His discard pile spat out 3 Psychic energy cards, a Shuppet, a Banette ex, and a Safeguard Banette, and my opponent inserted them into his deck. After a few quick shuffles, I cut his deck. A Buffer Piece was also laid down next to his Banette ex, in preparation for my attack, and he Shady Moved to my active Kingdra ex delta. Suddenly, he revealed a Pokemon Reversal. His hand slithered across the table and grabbed a die. Shaking it slowly, he dropped it towards the table. Tumblling quickly, the die rolled along, and finally came up… Tails! I exhaled graciously, knowing that the game would have ended there. The match would have been finalized as well, as we were in a 1-1 game tie at this point. He sighed, and Shadow Chanted again. I placed 70 more damage on my Kingdra, and drew my card.
Still, I hadn’t seen the one card I needed. Looking down, I saw my Fearow delta sitting on my bench. I rolled my eyes, misplay. Had I used Delta Sign last turn, I would have been able to see if the card I wanted remained in my deck. I announced Delta Sign, and explored my deck. As I sifted through the stack, I became more and more worried, as I still couldn’t find the card I wanted. Horrified, I checked through it again, and I found it sticking behind another card. Grabbing the last Pinsir delta, I placed my deck, after some very thorough shuffles, in my opponent’s outstretched hand. He cut it, and that was when time was called.
“Active Player, finish your turn.”
“Alright” I said, and continued on.
Using a Windstorm from my hand, I got rid of the Buffer Piece on the opposing Banette ex. My next few plays would seal the deal. My heartbeat began to rise as I played my fourth Holon Transceiver, plucking the final Holon Adventurer from my deck. Shuffling well, I knew this was my last chance and victory. My title depended on a single top deck. I placed the Holon Adventurer next to my Kingdra ex delta, and discarded the Pinsir delta I had grabbed with Delta Sign. Slowly, I reached for my deck. The top card was a Holon Mentor. Next, were an inconsequential Fighting energy card and a Crystal Beach. One final card. Trembling, my hand brushed up against the lanyard I was wearing around my neck. The collection of pins jingled, and I looked down, my eyes flitting across them in an instant. A Team Rocket Returns Winner pin hung there, proudly displayed between Emerald, Unseen Forces, and Legend Maker prerelease pins. Pins representing City Championships from three consecutive seasons, 2004-2007, stuck to the other side of the loop. A State Championship pin also clung to the Lanyard, surrounded by two National Championship pins, one from 2004-2005, the other showing this season. Numerous League Badges rounded out the complement, a subtle reminder of how long and how much I’d been through to make it to this point in time. Almost as if the held a reserve of stamina, I felt revitalized. Courage flowed through my body, infusing every cell, nerve, and bone. My hand grew steady, and I reached for my deck.
*Boom*
*Boom*
I gingerly rested my hand on my deck, and slowly separated the uppermost card from its brethren.
*Boom*
My arm retracted slowly, and I once again felt nervous.
*Boom*
*Boom*
Sweat arced from my brow, and I steeled myself for the worst.
*Boom*
*Boom*
I Could Not Fail!!!
*Boom*
Time has slowed down. A mere tick of the clock takes a lifetime to pass. All around the arena a hush silences the expecting crowd. Now, my only disturbance is the continuation of life, marked by the adrenalin-enhanced beating of my heart.
*Boom*
I reveal the card for all to see.
Crystal Shard.
My opponent’s breath catches in his mouth, and he knows I have won. I attach it to my active Kingdra ex delta, attack with Protective Swirl for 80 damage, and extend my hand to the opponent. Beside the table, the judges clap and award me the victory. By now, I’m numb, and I only remember a blur of emotions. One thing I do recall with clarity, is glancing to the spectator stands and seeing my father on his feet, a smile on his face. And in that instant, I knew he was the reason I was there.
*Boom*
Time has slowed down. A mere tick of the clock takes a lifetime to pass. All around the arena, a silence hushes the expecting crowd. Now, my only disturbance is the continuation of life, marked by the adrenalin-enhanced beating of my own heart. One thing that is not affected by this deceleration is my mind. Probabilities, opportunities, fears, and hopes all race through the passages of my consciousness. Glancing upwards, I view my opponent. His brow is knitted with concentration, as is mine. He ponders the situation wordlessly, and I turn my attention to the field below. Arrayed, with meticulous precision, are my cards. In an instant, I’ve refreshed my mental picture of the battle unfolding before me. My opponent has taken all but one of his six prize cards. I have taken half of mine, still leaving three on the board. My active Kingdra ex delta has sustained 20 damage. His active, a Banette ex, has received 60. I hold in reserve a second, undamaged, Kingdra ex delta, along with a Blastoise delta and a Fearow delta. He only has a second Banette ex on his bench, with two damage counters on it.
This day, this match, is what many months of my life were spent training for, and I was ready. My game plan thoroughly imbedded into the foreground of my mind, my thoughts wandered backwards, towards previous experiences. Battles won, battles lost, some burned into my consciousness, others only a faded glimpse. I allowed myself to replay a few of them, since time was moving so slowly, a minute here or there wouldn’t matter. One match immediately drew my attention, my 3 turn win in the 2004-2005 United States National Championships. I remembered fondly my naivety; even then, I still had no idea how to play this game. My record of 2-6 that day reminded me of just how far I had improved.
I checked the field again, to see that my opponent was playing a Holon Mentor. I observed as he discarded an energy card and proceeded to sift through the thin stack that represented the rest of his deck. Even a cursory glance at his face revealed the disgust that emerged after not finding a single basic Pokemon in his deck. Passing his reshuffled deck to me, I cut it once, and handed it back. Returning his eyes to his hand, he resumed his contemplations. I looked to either side of the table, and saw the two judges ruling our match. In that moment, the gravity of the situation finally hit home. I was playing in the top 2 match of the US Nationals! A chill went down my spine as I realized that my fate was in my hands. The glory of victory was at arm’s length, but 1 misplay would concede the title to my opponent. Sure, second still awards the player many prizes, but who remembers the guy who fails at the end?
I reflected inward again, rolling back time as if it were a scroll, and brought forth a second match in which I had participated in. I could see it easily in my mind’s eye; Round 6, US State Championships, 2006-2007. My opponent and I had been deadlocked for the beginning of the game, but he had pulled ahead, and I had desperately fought to regain the lost ground. I had known, that if I succumbed to defeat that round, I wouldn’t have had a good enough record to make the top cut. A 1-3 prize hole is a tough thing to climb out of, but I reduced his lead to 1-1, and at that point his deck had begun to give out. He had tried to survive long enough to put some damage on me, but that sealed his fate, as a Dragon Curse to a damaged Latios ex delta knocked it out, handing me the win. That move had catapulted me to 4-2, with a decent shot at the top cut. Nervously, I had awaited the judge to reveal the standings, and soon enough, he had begun. The top 6 were announced, but I had known that I wouldn’t be among them; my only shot was seventh or eighth. Seventh revealed my good friend made it in, and then eighth has announced. My heart broke as my name was not called. I moved over to my friend and shook his hand, congratulating his success. He had given me a smile, which I returned, but inside, I couldn’t bring myself to be excited. To think! I had made a tremendous comeback from a record of 1-2 to make it 4-2, and I was shocked that I hadn’t been good enough.
*BrrrrrrrrriiipP!*
The rifling of cards brought me back to reality. My opponent shuffled his hand again, and used Shady Move on my active Kingdra ex delta. I shook my head; there was no way I was going to miss out again. Time was still moving along at the same torpid pace, but I could tell my opponent was running out of options. He knew what was at stake, and was trying to reach the same goal I was aspiring to. Even as I though that, he made his move. He unleashed a maximized Shadow Chant, inflicting my active Kingdra ex delta with 70 damage, after my Poke-Body Extra Smoke was applied. As he discarded the Holon Mentor he had played that turn, initiative passed to me.
I studied the field one last time, and moved to draw my card for the turn. My strategic mental cortex began churning out options like crazy. I had cultivated and nurtured it up until now with countless games and scenarios, and it was proving its worth today. Long hours of work were paying off, and I felt power in my position. Almost as if an invisible being had floored the accelerator in my brain, I was cruising at 100 mph, and almost instantly, I knew what I had to do. Removing an energy card from my Active Kingdra ex delta, I retreated it, and sent out my benched one. Laying a delta Rainbow energy card upon the active, I increased the energy count to 2. I then played a Holon Transceiver, grabbing a Holon Adventurer from my discard pile. I knew that I could pull off the win, but I needed 1 card to clinch it. I discarded a Pinsir delta with the Holon Adventurer, and drew 4 cards into my hand. Not top-decking the card I wanted, I resolved myself to getting what I wanted next turn. I moved a Crystal Shard from my hand to my active Kingdra ex delta, and used Energy Link. After taking a fighting energy card from my discard pile and attaching it to the Kingdra ex delta, the attack knocked out the Banette ex and allowed me to draw 2 of my remaining prizes. Nervously, I glanced around, and noticed that my watch indicated only a pair of minutes were left in the match. Time was on my side, but I needed at least one more turn before the game could end.
He only considered his position for a few moments before beginning his moves. He placed Holon Farmer next to his Banette ex, and discarded a TV Reporter to allow the play to continue. His discard pile spat out 3 Psychic energy cards, a Shuppet, a Banette ex, and a Safeguard Banette, and my opponent inserted them into his deck. After a few quick shuffles, I cut his deck. A Buffer Piece was also laid down next to his Banette ex, in preparation for my attack, and he Shady Moved to my active Kingdra ex delta. Suddenly, he revealed a Pokemon Reversal. His hand slithered across the table and grabbed a die. Shaking it slowly, he dropped it towards the table. Tumblling quickly, the die rolled along, and finally came up… Tails! I exhaled graciously, knowing that the game would have ended there. The match would have been finalized as well, as we were in a 1-1 game tie at this point. He sighed, and Shadow Chanted again. I placed 70 more damage on my Kingdra, and drew my card.
Still, I hadn’t seen the one card I needed. Looking down, I saw my Fearow delta sitting on my bench. I rolled my eyes, misplay. Had I used Delta Sign last turn, I would have been able to see if the card I wanted remained in my deck. I announced Delta Sign, and explored my deck. As I sifted through the stack, I became more and more worried, as I still couldn’t find the card I wanted. Horrified, I checked through it again, and I found it sticking behind another card. Grabbing the last Pinsir delta, I placed my deck, after some very thorough shuffles, in my opponent’s outstretched hand. He cut it, and that was when time was called.
“Active Player, finish your turn.”
“Alright” I said, and continued on.
Using a Windstorm from my hand, I got rid of the Buffer Piece on the opposing Banette ex. My next few plays would seal the deal. My heartbeat began to rise as I played my fourth Holon Transceiver, plucking the final Holon Adventurer from my deck. Shuffling well, I knew this was my last chance and victory. My title depended on a single top deck. I placed the Holon Adventurer next to my Kingdra ex delta, and discarded the Pinsir delta I had grabbed with Delta Sign. Slowly, I reached for my deck. The top card was a Holon Mentor. Next, were an inconsequential Fighting energy card and a Crystal Beach. One final card. Trembling, my hand brushed up against the lanyard I was wearing around my neck. The collection of pins jingled, and I looked down, my eyes flitting across them in an instant. A Team Rocket Returns Winner pin hung there, proudly displayed between Emerald, Unseen Forces, and Legend Maker prerelease pins. Pins representing City Championships from three consecutive seasons, 2004-2007, stuck to the other side of the loop. A State Championship pin also clung to the Lanyard, surrounded by two National Championship pins, one from 2004-2005, the other showing this season. Numerous League Badges rounded out the complement, a subtle reminder of how long and how much I’d been through to make it to this point in time. Almost as if the held a reserve of stamina, I felt revitalized. Courage flowed through my body, infusing every cell, nerve, and bone. My hand grew steady, and I reached for my deck.
*Boom*
*Boom*
I gingerly rested my hand on my deck, and slowly separated the uppermost card from its brethren.
*Boom*
My arm retracted slowly, and I once again felt nervous.
*Boom*
*Boom*
Sweat arced from my brow, and I steeled myself for the worst.
*Boom*
*Boom*
I Could Not Fail!!!
*Boom*
Time has slowed down. A mere tick of the clock takes a lifetime to pass. All around the arena a hush silences the expecting crowd. Now, my only disturbance is the continuation of life, marked by the adrenalin-enhanced beating of my heart.
*Boom*
I reveal the card for all to see.
Crystal Shard.
My opponent’s breath catches in his mouth, and he knows I have won. I attach it to my active Kingdra ex delta, attack with Protective Swirl for 80 damage, and extend my hand to the opponent. Beside the table, the judges clap and award me the victory. By now, I’m numb, and I only remember a blur of emotions. One thing I do recall with clarity, is glancing to the spectator stands and seeing my father on his feet, a smile on his face. And in that instant, I knew he was the reason I was there.