"Okay...we need a plan to make him stay." Hope said.
"And how do you propose that's going to happen?" Nagi asked.
"We give him something to look forward to." Sunset said pointing to Ace.
"Huh? Me?" Ace asked.
"You and Gaito have a match against Dai and Zane soon. If you give it your all, maybe that will convince him to stay." Sunset said.
"Speaking of Zane, he won against Riku, but lost to me and Mana, so he's hoping to drive in a win in this one." David said.
"And given he lost to Ace last time...he is definitely gonna give his all to crush him." Lacy said.
"Ace, you and Jeanne gotta give it everything you have, or else Batzz won't be convinced to fight." Hope said.
"I know. I won't let anyone down, especially Jexi." Ace said.
"Well...you better show it." Hope said.
It was later at the arena as the fighters entered the fighting stage.
"The time has come once again, people. A battle in B block between Dai Kaido and Zane vs Gaito Kurouzu and Ace Neptune!" Paruko said.
"Zane." Ace said.
"I'm gonna crush you like a nut." Zane said crushing a walnut in his hand.
"At least he gave us a proper visualization about it." Tapu Bulu said.
"You can go ahead and try, but just so you know, I will not go down without a fight!" Ace said. "Jexi is counting on me and I won't let him down!"
"Okay, boys. It's time to luminize your decks!" Paruko said.
"I will decide your destiny! Luminize! Decimating Black Dragon!" Gaito said.
"Heroes of legend, please guide me down the path to peace. Lumenize! Heroic Spirits!" Ace called out.
"Break the waves, invincible dragon! We are the chiefs of the ocean! Luminize, Dragon Emperor of the Colossal Ocean!" Dai said.
"Gods of all realms, we are no longer bound by the rules of man and only seek to fight! Luminize! Gods of Battle!" Zane shouted.
"Here we go! Buddy…" Paruko started.
"FIGHT!" the crowd cheered.
"Raise the flag!" the four said.
"Ancient World!" Dai said.
"Danger World!" Zane said.
"Darkness Dragon World!" Gaito said.
"Legend!" Ace said.
"We have the first move!" Gaito said. "Charge and Draw! I call Black Crest Dragon, Zillowzest to the right! And with his effect, I can add a set card to my hand. Then, call Blackcrest Earlbow to the center! Zillowzest attacks the fighter, Dai."
10-9
"Final Phase!" Gaito said.
"What is he doing?!" Spade called out in shock.
"I pay three life and activate…." Gaito said.
10-7
Then, above Gaito and Ace came three lit chandeliers as they lowered above them. "Death Count Requiem!" Gaito called out.
"What is that card supposed to do?" Al asked.
"These are the flames of Dai and Zane's fate." Gaito said.
"Now we have no choice but to win." Abygale said.
"...Charge and Draw! Draw! Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur, to the center, Beowulf to the left, and Loki to the right." Ace said as a blond haired armored figure, Beowulf, and a winged blue skinned demon appeared in the designated spots.
"Is that...Saber?" Emiya asked.
"It is and yet...it isn't." Cu Chulainn added.
"Wait, who?' Hope asked. "I think you've got the wrong guy, thats Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur. He's a Legend World Monster."
"Oh, our apologies. That monster reminded us of Arturia who is of the Saber class, he may pass as her brother." Emiya said.
"Wait… her?" Hope asked.
"Arturia Pendragon, the real King Arthur." Cu Chulainn said.
"I'm so confused right now…" Akane said.
"Wait, I may know of something like that." Sonia said. "There are stories of a world in the Past Universe about people with powers of past greats. But these are just stories."
"No, they are very much real." Medusa said.
"That's right… if those stories aren't real… how are we seeing you guys right now?" Erica asked.
"I think we're losing focus on the match here." Shun said.
"Right. We'll talk later." Emiya said.
"King Arthur, Beowulf, Loki, charge!" Ace called out as all three of them attacked Zane.
"Crap!" Zane said taking the attacks.
10-6
"What? Can he do that?" Hope asked.
"A link attack is considered one attack...so I guess so." Lacy said.
"To bad for ya...If you were trying to off me in one turn….you should have done better!" Zane shouted as anger welled within him.
"I wasn't trying to. I knew you wouldn't fall from an attack like that." Ace said calmly.
"Whatever the case, it's our turn!" Dai smirked. "Draw! Charge and Draw! I'm Gonna equip Stout Wrists Headgear!"
Dai gained a cap on his head. "Not bad, eh? Makes me more like a chief, if i do say so myself. I use its ability to send the top two cards of my deck to the drop zone. Both have the Dragon Chief Emperor Attribute, which increases the critical of Stout Wrists Headgear to 2! Next, i cast Amish Dragons, which increases my items critical again if the top 3 cards of my deck sent to the drop zone are all Dragon Chief Emperor attribute. Now is the time. I buddycall to the center...the chief of the ocean...Martial Arts Chief, Duel Jaeger!" he shouted as appearing in the center was a gigantic dragon wielding a large anchor that towered over the arena.
"Whoa, mama! And i thought Satsuki was big! That guy is Dai's buddy?!" Flamberge asked.
"Yep, thats Duel Jaeger. And don't let his size fool you, he's super strong." Hope said. "When Gao, Tasuku, David and I fought him and Enma, it was hard to beat them both, as you can agree, right David?"
"Don't remind me." David said. "I was completely unprepared for Enma's second state."
"And you bringing up moments like that just rubs salt in the wound, Hope." Toma said.
"Sorry." Hope said.
"Now...attack Earlbow!" Dai said as Jaeger destroyed Earlbow with his anchor.
"Since I had Death Count Requiem set, I gain two gauge and 1 life." Gaito said.
7-8
"Then fear my fist!" Dai said punching at Gaito.
"Cast, Midnight Shadow." Gaito said dodging.
"My turn then. Draw, Charge and draw. I call Bonesplitter, Shearzelus to the right and then pay with Ace's gauge to call Insane Goddess, Gozuiris to the left." Zane said. "Then, I pay with my own gauge and 1 life to equip...Sky Bad Jumper!"
"Same item, new monsters. And is it just me or do these two look more creepy?" Hope said.
"Is that even allowed to use your opponents gauge to summon a monster?" Al asked.
"It is. Gozuiris can only be called by paying from the opponent's gauge. The Godpunks have other ways of Plundering than doing damage." Hope said.
"Now...let's rip em apart. With Sky Bad Jumper...all of my monsters have 4000 plus power. Gozuiris...attack Arthur." Zane said.
"Hehehe. I'll rip you to pieces!" Gozuiris said attacking.
"Cast! Holy Grail!" Ace said as the spell protected Arthur.
"Heh. If that's the case...Shearzelus...behead the king!" Zane shouted.
"I'll split ya!" Shearzelus said.
"I cast! Heroic Spirit on King Arthur!" Ace called.
"Ha! Nice try but that's not nearly enough to avoid this!" Zane said as Arthur was defeated. "Now...Time for a little damage of my own!" Zane said leaping at Ace. "Fear my fist!" he said slugging Ace.
10-8
"And I end my turn." Zane said.
After the turn ended, Gaito drew a card only to toss it at a chandelier as its candles went out.
"One down." Gaito said.
"Hey, did one of those Chandeliers just go out?" Rainbow asked.
"Now...you are closer to death, the both of you." Gaito said. "We will not fall. Now, Draw! Charge and Draw! I equip...Sickle of Slaughter, Gale Haken!" he said equipping a new scythe. "Then...buddycall to the center...Annihilation Black Death Dragon, Abygale!" he said Abygale appeared with not purple and gold colors on his body as he flew.
8-9
"Now take this!" Abygale said destroying Jaeger before he revived.
"When Abygale enters, he can destroy any monster." Gaito said. "Now I go!" he said slicing apart Jaeger before he revived. "Zillowzest, Abygale...link attack!"
"I activate Duel Jaeger's ability and nullify the attack by boosting his defense." Dai said.
"That's all I can do. Ace...your turn." Gaito said.
"Alright!" Ace said. "Draw! Charge and Draw! I buddy call...Jeanne D' Arc to the center. And I pay 2 gauge to cast this. Hundred Demons Sorcery, Nemesis Thunder!" He said as lightning rained down and destroyed Sky Bad Jumper.
"Damn it." Zane thought. "I was gonna move my monsters to center to save on gauge...but now...looks like I got no choice but to change plans."
"Jeanne attack Zane's monster. Beowulf, Loki, advance!" Ace said as all three attacked.
"Cast! Invincible Knuckle!" Zane said countering. "When I have a godpunk on the field, I can nullify the attack, deal a damage point to you and gain 1 for me." he said countering Beowulf and Loki while Jeanne destroyed Shearzelus.
8-7
5-6
"Jeanne, attack Zane." Ace said.
"Not so fast...cast! Invincible Knuckle!" Zane said countering once more.
7-6
6-7
"This time, he knew exactly when to use Invincible Knuckle!" Tails asid.
"I'll admit...when we first battled I was still learning the game and the card rules. Now that I've gotten more experience...I'm a real pro." Zane said.
"Even though you already lost three times?" Jesse asked.
"Hey, shut up!" Zane said.
"Don't taunt him, Jesse. He's desperate for a win at this point." Ramona said.
"And it's because of the losses we dealt him that he's starting to get the hang of the strategy portion of this game." David said.
"Ace used all his attacks so now it's back to Dai and Zane." Paruko said.
"Here we go! I use my items ability once more and gain another critical. Now...Jaeger...destroy Abygale!" Dai said as Jaeger struck.
"When Abygale is destroyed...he can take a monster with him." Gaito said.
"I'm taking you with me!" Abygale said.
"Not so fast. You all are in for a treat as I evolve my buddy even further! Now, come forth! Searing Surging Chief, Duel Jaeger Dynamite!" Dai shouted as Jaeger emerged now in different clothing and now a searing rage red color.
"Jaeger's gone and gained a new form of power." Sunset said.
"This looks bad." Ace said.
"Now...attack Gaito with your rage!" Dai said as Jaeger struck Gaito.
9-7
"And he's got three more attacks to unleash!" Dai said.
"A Quadruple attack?!" Sunny said.
"Hahaha! Its a festival! A rage festival!" Dai said as Jaeger dealt the damage.
7-1
"Now here I come!" Dai said coming at Gaito.
"Gaito!" Ace shouted.
"Cast! Black Dragon Shield!" Gaito said blocking.
1-2
"Whew… That was close. I thought you were a goner there." Ace said.
"I don't plan to go just yet. You just gotta keep your head on. Cause he's about to come at you." Gaito said.
"Now...Draw! Charge and Draw! Now I buddycall to the center! Crazed Warfficer, Gutsares!" Zane said.
7-8
"Now! Cast the spell Haphazard Wheel!" Zane said.
"Haphazard wheel?" Tails asked.
"By paying one gauge and sacrificing a monster on my field, I can destroy two of your monsters so...I'm ditching Gozuiris." Zane said.
"Aw come on!" she said before vanishing.
"And destroying Beowulf and Loki!" Zane said. "Still leaves me with Jeanne...but I got no problem. Gutsares! Take her down!"
"Cast! Power of Mythology!" Ace said.
"You son of a….Fine. I end my turn." Zane said as another chandelier went out.
"Ace...you're doing well...we just need to survive one more turn...and our victory is ours." Gaito said.
"Alright, I'll try and buy us more time. Gawain, to the left, and Rusalka to the right. And Jeanne...I ask that you use your Noble Phantasm." Ace said.
"I understand." Jeanne said as she pulled out her sword and kneeled onto the ground as she held onto the blade with both hands. "May this sacred light protect and heal my allies and judge my foes. Luminosite Eternelle!" She called out as she raised her sword and a flash of light occurred and she disappeared but not before destroying Gutsares.
"He got rid of his own monster and cleared his center? No...there's gotta be more to it than that." Zane thought.
"You watch what you think of calling Jeanne a monster." Ace said.
"Jeanne's barrier technique. But that only works on dragons. Wait..is he trying to bluff Zane out?" Wendy thought.
"Gawain, Rusalka." Ace said as the two attacked.
8-5
"Ace...we will achieve our destiny together. Abygale to center!" Gaito said calling back his buddy as he destroyed Jaeger. "We will not fall here!" Gaito said slicing through Jaeger.
9-6
"And Dai just suffered from Jaeger's lifelink!" Paruko said as an all out attack was launched on Dai from Gaito and his monsters.
6-2
End of move.
"Hahaha! Not a bad move...but I'm not done just yet. I cast...Rise and Fall of Dragons!" Dai said.
2-1
"My victory is guaranteed! I call Duel Jaeger once more...and evolve him! I call...Stoutwrist Unmatched Chief...Duel Jaeger Revolted!" Dai said as Jaeger appeared much larger than he already was as he towered over the building itself.
"Huge! WAY HUGE!" Flamberge said.
"Oh, Hamburgers!" Stoj added.
"Duel Jaeger Revolted, attack Abygale!" Dai said as Jaeger destroyed Abygale as he was taken down with him, but revived with an 8 card soul. "Now...attack the fighter!"
"Cast! Black Dragon Shield!" Gaito said.
2-3
"Ha!" Dai said attack Gaito himself.
3-1
"Grr...draw. Charge and draw. You only left me to one gauge. But...I don't need to worry. I'll just have to let Dai win. So I end my turn." Zane said.
"Sorry...but neither of you are getting another turn. Because this match is over." Gaito said as the final chandelier went out.
"What?!" Zane asked.
"Time's up!" Ace said.
"Three turns have passed since my impact was set. Your lives have burned out." Gaito said as Abygale appeared behind Gaito, merging with him into an armor. Gaito then swung his scythe as both Dai and Zane's flags were destroyed. "We win."
Game Over! Winners, Gaito Kurouzu and Ace Neptune!
"What the… what happened?!" Zane asked.
"Let me make it clear. Death Count Requiem...from the moment its set...if I haven't fallen and three of my opponents turns have passed...they automatically lose no matter how much life is left." Gaito said.
"What an incredible card! It's almost like the grim reaper was knocking at the door." Maka said.
"But… he hasn't mastered it yet." Batzz said.
Without warning, Gaito suddenly cried in pain as he was enveloped in a sphere of pulsing darkness.
"Gaito!" Hope said.
"As I thought. Just like with me and the kid, Abygales power is surging into him. He can't handle it all." Batzz said.
"Gaito, hold on!" Ace said as he ran over.
"No Ace, stay right there!" Dai called. "I think there's a reason Gaito used that card! He wanted to convince Batzz to stay in the tournament. If he doesn't rein in this power on his own, he won't be able to face Gao!"
"Ah yes. I forgot. But what should I do?" Ace asked.
"Don't worry! Gaito will be okay!" Dai said. "Just cheer for him to survive! You are his partner, arent you?!"
"Yes." Ace said. "~You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek life beyond the shore just out of reach... yet the waters ever change…"
Azura then joined in. "~Flowing like time the path is…"
"~Yours to climb, embrace the dark, you call a home, gaze upon an empty white throne a legacy of life a familiar disguise, sing with me a song, of conquest and fate, the black pillar cracks beneath its weight, night breaks through, hard as stone, lost in thoughts all alone. You are the ocean's gray waves~." The two sang.
Gaito then broke free of the sphere as Abygale caught him.
"Gaito!" Abygale said.
"Abygale…" Gaito groaned.
"Seems...you went against destiny." Abygale said.
"Yes! Yes! He's okay! Its a festival! A revival festival!" Dai cheered.
"Thank goodness." Ace said to himself putting a hand to his chest. "Thanks for the assist, Azura." He said looking up to the stands.
"Hey you." Zane said.
"Come on. Not this." Ace said.
"Look...I'm a warrior of pride. I can admit when I have lost. I wanted to fight Jexi here but...I ended up fighting someone who may not be as powerful but was still able to get me excited." Zane said.
"Heh. Glad I could help." Ace said holding out a fist.
"Yeah." Zane said bumping his fist against Ace's. "Till next time...so long."
"Until we meet again, I promise you and Jexi will face off with each other." Ace said as a platinum color appeared on his pendant before he ran over to Gaito. "Gaito…"
"I know...that was a bad move. Abygale warned me not to use the impact but...I wanted to keep Gao and Batzz in the tournament." he said.
"I know, thank goodness me and Azura managed to stop the power surge in time to help you." Ace said.
"So that's what that singing was…" Gaito said.
"Yes. It helps purify those affected by a curse or if they lose control of their powers." Ace said as he helped Gaito up. "Are you alright as well, Lord Abygale."
"I'm fine. But Gaito is who I care most about." Abygale said.
"I'm okay. In fact...I feel like...I can handle the power of that impact now." Gaito said.
"Alright. Can you walk?" Ace said.
"I think so." Gaito said.
"Yoko. You better get ready." Hope said. "The match to decide the best of A Block is coming up. And you and Gao are going up against Sakate and Alonz. Do me a favor, Yoko… kick his butt for me."
"It'll be my pleasure." Yoko said.
