At Rezo's castle there was a much different atmosphere now that Ichiro and Hanna were in charge of it . Instead of plotting any evil plans , the two were just sitting down and relaxing while the maids were serving them the way they wanted . Ichiro was sitting on Rezo's throne while Hanna was sitting on Rezo's bed .

" Ah , this is life ! " Ichiro said while eating a grape .

" You said it . " Hanna replied while watching a comedy channel on TV .

" Who gives a damn about what Rezo's doing on Earth ? He might as well stay there forever ! "

" Yeah , that way no-one would ever boss with us ever again . "

" And we could be the bosses instead ! "

" Hahaha , I love your style , Ichiro ! "

" You're not pretty bad yourself , Hanna . "

Then a maid entered the throne room and bowed in front of Ichiro . The boy got a bit angry because she was disturbing him and he tried to rush things up so that he could go back to his relaxing with Hanna . But little did he knew that the news the maid was bringing to him were about to change things in the castle .

" Ichiro-sama , I bring urgent news ! " the maid said .

" What is it ? Don't you see I'm busy ? " Ichiro spoke bored .

" But , sir , it's something really important ! "

" Bla bla bla , how urgent and important can it be ? "

Suddenly the doors opened and to Ichiro's and Hanna's shock , Shagrath appeared at the entrance . Both were so shocked that they fell from the throne and bed on the floor . What was that long haired demon in human form doing back at the castle ?

" Ichiro and Hanna , get up immediately ! We've got work to do ! " Shagrath ordered .

" W-wait a minute , what happened ? " Ichiro asked and got up . " Why did you return ? "

" Yeah , is something the matter with Lord Rezo ? " Hanna asked and got up as well .

" I'm gonna explain evreything , but first I need to get some stuff ready ! "

Shagrath began putting magic stuff back in Rezo's throne room and once all the objects were at their place he began painting magic circles with magic symbols inside them . Ichiro and Hanna looked at him and thought that something bad was going to happen . Ichiro thought that Rezo had been killed and Shagrath had to cast a spell which could protect them . Hanna on the other hand thought that Rezo had sent Shagrath with the purpose to destroy them both .

" So what's the reason of your return , Shagrath ? " Ichiro asked once again .

" Lord Rezo had sent me here to get the room ready for his arrival . We've managed to steal the Earth's most important resources and we've also managed to escape the wrath of Kokujo and the chosen duelists . And to make things even better , two of the chosen duelists had been killed ! "

At the sound of this great news , Ichiro and Hanna widened their eyes and made such big mouths that they could suck the whole castle with them . These were more than amazing news for them . The two laughed evily with Shagrath and then Ichiro spoke :

" Hahaha , at last ! If the chosen duelist team isn't completed , the prophecy will NEVER be fullfilled , which means that Lord Rezo will stay alive for how much he desires ! "

" This is it ! Our victory is at hand ! Hahahahaha ! " Hanna also laughed .

" Not quite , guys... " Shagrath spoke with a pessimistic tone in his voice . " Listen , I don't wanna seem skeptical , but I think that Kokujo and the remaining chosen duelists are still powerful enough to defeat us . This is why we must make sure that they never reach the castle ! And even if they reach it , if Tabitha and I have enough time to cast our spell , then we won't have to worry about them anymore ! But this requires time... "

" In other words , our victory isn't certain yet . " Hanna replied .

" Yet... " Shagrath added .

Meanwhile in the sky . The sphere in which Kokujo and the last three chosen duelists were stuck was flying straight towards Rezo's flying fortress . It seemed that Rad had planned this all along if they had to take extreme measures .

Our heroes were in deep grief . They couldn't just continue their journey without two of their friends . It was just too much for them . Tsugumi was crying on Subaru's shoulder while he and Edo were sharing grievened expressions . Kokujo , on the other hand , was just staring at the flying fortress with rageous eyes . Now he wanted all the more to destroy Rezo once and for all !

" Sora-chan , Rad-san , how could they actually die ? No , no , this must be some kind of nightmare ! Why them ? " Tsugumi sobbed and wiped off her tears .

" Calm down , my love , we all know that they wouldn't want to see you crying , now would they ? "

" Subaru's right , what they would want us to do is to avenge them and defeat Rezo once and for all ! " Edo said and wiped his tears as well .

Tsugumi then looked into Edo's eyes and Edo nodded to her . She then turned to Subaru and saw in his eyes the same fierce wish for revenge as in Edo's . The three then lifted their hands in the air and said 'For Rad and Sora !' . Kokujo stared at them with his uncaring expression on his face and then turned back at the flying fortress only to see that they were almost there . He got excited as he saw the metal bridge on which they had to jump in order to enter the flying fortress . Kokujo then spoke to his friends :

" Guys , we're almost there ! "

" Huh , really ? " Tsugumi asked and ran to the window . " Wow , what an amazing view ! "

Then a door of the fortress opened and Xanagazu appeared from the flying vehicle . She walked on the metal bridge and stared at the sphere in which her enemies were lying . Kokujo and the chosen duelists noticed her and got a little scared as she smiled at them .

" What's the matter ? Got SHOCKED by my presence ? " Xanagazu asked .

" Xanagazu ! It's been some time since we've met . " Kokujo said .

" Indeed , Black Death , and I was hoping that in this time you'd finally die already ! I've served Zakira and watched him being pathetically defeated by you and now when I'm serving Rezo , I'm seeing him desperately trying to kill you , but with no success . I wonder how much it takes for a human to defeat you . "

" Heh , no matter how much you try , I'll always come back ! " Kokujo answered grinning . " But , Xana , I also wondered something . I remember what you did while you were serving Zakira the last time and now I wonder how much will it take for you to betray Rezo as well ? "

" W-what are you saying ? " Xanagazu said sweating .

" I am saying that no matter what person you serve , Xanagazu , you'll never be loyal to anyone ! You're always playing a facade acting like a loyal servant , but deep down inside you there lies a venomous snake which is plotting to rule over its master ! "

" Sh-shut up , that's not true ! " Xanagazu yelled and then thought . " If Rezo heared what he just said , I'm doomed ! "

" I can see right through you , Xanagazu ! You're nothing but a vile little bitch which thinks that she could somehow overcome evreyone and make them dance on what she sings ! Hah , like someone would fall for your so called 'schemes'... Face it , Xana , your manipulation days are numbered ! "

That moment Xanagazu began to tremble . She made a few steps back scared of Kokujo's psychological game . He was toying her mind and desires , and it didn't feel good at all . The X lady then remembered who had the power between the two of them and spoke :

" You'll never get me ! Oh , Kokujo Kyoshiro , you've just chosen the wrong person to mess with ! "

The X on Xanagazu's helmet shined with a bright red light and four lazor guns came out of the flying fortress and all aimed at the sphere . The X lady then walked back in the flying fortress as the guns shouted 'IMMA FIRIN MAH LAZOR !' and fired powerful beams towards the sphere .

The chosen duelists were all scared and thought that this was their end , but Kokujo thought fast of a way to escape . He pushed his body against the sphere and a door opened allowing him to fall on the metal bridge . The chosen duelists ran fast and jumped out of the sphere just before the laser beams destroyed it . The lazor guns aimed once again for them , but this time they ran inside the flying fortress and none of them was hit .

The flying fortress looked like a real metallic labyrinth on the inside . It was really confusing for them and they didn't even know in which room was Rezo hiding .

Meanwhile at the control room . Rezo and Tabitha were watching the sky as the flying fortress was approaching the castle in space . Then Xanagazu appeared out of nowhere and bowed saying :

" Lord Rezo , I bring some bad news ! "

" What is it ? " Rezo asked and turned to her .

" Kokujo and the three chosen duelists had entered the flying fortress ! "

" What ? How could this be... wait , did you just say THREE chosen duelists ? "

" Yes , apparently the fire and nature chosen duelists were killed in an explosion while chasing our flying fortress . "

" If what you say is true , then the prophecy will NEVER be fulilled ! Hahahahaha ! With those two out of the way , I , Rezo , will finally manage to rule the Universe ! "

" Yes , but , Rezo , don't forget that the other three chosen duelists are still alive and together with Kokujo they're approaching you . " Tabitha interfeered . " Do you think that you can deal with them ? Even if the group isn't complete anymore , they're still very powerful and their rage and wish for vengeance will only grow their power . "

" You're wise , Tabitha . Indeed they will try to destroy me with their bare hands if possible . " Rezo said and then turned to Tabitha . " Go and pack up all the gold and oil and put them in a giant astral plane ! Then take the plane to the launch pad which is located under the control room ! If I descend with the elevator to the pad , then start up the engines and we'll get outta this place ! "

" Your escape plan is good , Rezo , but what makes you think that Kokujo and the chosen duelists won't catch up with you before you even reach the plane ? "

" Good idea , I'll have to think about that . In the meantime , you go and do what I told you to do ! "

Tabitha left and did exactly as Rezo told her . The Red Priest meanwhile was sitting down on his chair and planning with Xanagazu their move once Kokujo and the chosen duelists would find their way to the control room .

Lots of hours had passed since Kokujo and the chosen duelists had entered the flying fortress and were searching for Rezo . It seemed as if the flying fortress had been specially designed for people like them to get lost . They were all sticking together so that none of them could really get lost and be all alone in that place .

" Man , this is just too much for me ! " Subaru complained .

" Yeah , we've been walking for hours ! " Tsugumi added as well .

" Will you two please SHUT UP and CONCENTRATE ? How the heck do you want us to find Rezo with you two whining like old grannies ? " Kokujo spoke angrily .

" But...but... "

" NO BUTS , BOTH OF YOU ! "

While Kokujo was busy criticizing Subaru and Tsugumi , Edo was looking around and after a few minutes he had found a secret door . He slowly approached it and put his ear on it only to hear Rezo talking .

" This must be Rezo's hideout ! " Edo thought . " I've gotta call the others ! "

The brown haired boy then rushed back only to find his friends still arguing . This time he couldn't stand their childish behaviour and broke the 'party' yelling :

" WILL YOU GUYS GROW UP FOR A FEW SECONDS ? "

" What's wrong , Edo-kun ? " Subaru asked .

" I'm getting tired of seeing you fight like babies while I frigging find Rezo's hideout ! "

" You found Rezo's hideout ? " Kokujo exclaimed . " Where is it ? "

" Oh , yeah , Rezo's hideout... " Edo said and sweated . " I think it was...hm..."

" Don't tell me that you already forgot where it was ! " Subaru said .

" No , it's just...I think over that way ? " Edo asked and pointed .

Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi then ran past Edo with the speed of light towards the direction which the brown haired boy had pointed . Because of their high speed , Edo fell on the floor and got his butt hurt . He fast got up whining a bit and then followed his friends asking them to wait for him .

Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi ran through some grey metallica corridors for a few seconds and in the end reached a secret door made of gold on which was written 'control room' . Kokujo then put his right hand on his chin and said :

" Now why does this remind me of something which happened 90 years ago ? "

" Memories of your past haunting you again ? " Subaru asked .

" Nah , more like a funny random scene of Toto failing at killing me and making his secret control room a secret...Those were the days . "

" Hihi , I bet . " Tsugumi laughed .

" Well then , shall we go ? " Subaru asked .

" Get ready , guys , our destiny awaits us beyond this door ! " Kokujo said and opened the door .

Towards their surprise , the control room was only a room with silver walls , big windows , a chair , a giant computer and an elevator . Rezo was sitting near his chair calmly while staring at his guests .

" Rezo ! " Kokujo said and entered the room . " At last , after all this struggle we're face to face once again ! "

" Meh , I'm surprised that you've made it before the flying fortress reached my castle from space . " Rezo replied .

Subaru and Tsugumi also entered the room , but stood behind Kokujo . Because of their experience with Rezo , they knew better than to approach the Red Priest . The rage in Kokujo's red eyes was impressing . He wished badly to make Rezo pay for the deaths of the two chosen duelists and now was his chance . The long haired boy clunched his fists and without any warning he ran towards Rezo . Subaru and Tsugumi were a bit shocked of seeing that Kokujo was actually runing towards the Red Priest without a plan .

" This time you're mine , Rezo ! There's no possible way you can escape me now ! " Kokujo spoke with an over confidence in his voice .

" Kokujo-kun , wait ! It might be a trap ! " Subaru said and ran after Kokujo .

" Subaru , wait , it's too dangerous ! " Tsugumi said and ran after Subaru .

Kokujo was approaching Rezo second by second . That was it , he could finally get his payback for all the things which he and the chosen duelists had to suffer under Rezo's regime . But just as he was about to lay his hands on Rezo , a green barrier appeared out of nowhere and Kokujo ran into it , getting hurt .

Then Edo also appeared in the control room . Seeing the situation , he was happy to realize that he was right for once .

" Hah , I told you guys that this is the control room ! " Edo spoke victoriously . " Wait for me ! "

Edo ran towards the rest , but then another green barrier appeared and he also ran into it and got hurt . The brown haired boy fell with his back on the metallic floor and wiped off the blood falling from his mouth . Both Subaru and Tsugumi sweated while seeing the situation in which they were all in .

" Are you scared because we're trapped here ? " Subaru asked .

" Actually , I'm scared of how pathetic can both Kokujo-san and Edo-san be... " Tsugumi said and sweated even harder .

Edo then got up and ran to his friends . He hit the barrier with his fists shouting that he wanted to come in with them . Kokujo did the same to the other barrier , but he was shouting that he wanted to kick Rezo's butt with his bare fists .

" You know what , Tsugumi ? I think that you're more than right... " Subaru said and sweated even harder than before .

Rezo stood cross handed and laughed at the sight of Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi caught between those barrier . The Red Priest then walked in the room a bit and finally turned once again to them and said :

" Ah , how easy have you falled into my trap ! I can't believe that out of all my clever traps you've fallen for this simple and rather pathetic one ! "

" Grr , damn you to hell , Rezo ! " Kokujo shouted .

" Oh , but there's more ! " Rezo said and pointed towards Edo .

Evreyone turned their sights at Edo which started sweating . Then a strange dark figure appeared behind him and laughed . The brown haired boy turned his head and saw that it was Xanagazu .

" Xanagazu ! " Kokujo and the three chosen duelists shouted .

" SHOCK , it's actually me ! " Xanagazu said smiling .

" What do you want ? Haven't you had enough of annoying us for one day ? " Edo spoke rather frustrated .

" Oh , my dear chosen water duelist , the frustration is about to begin ! " Xanagazu replied and snapped her fingers .

A hole appeared in the ceiling above Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi . Out of it came a laser which began moving from left to right on the ceiling . Then three small flying black objects with really sharp silver spikes came out of the hole as well and finally the hole disappeared . The objects started chasing Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi while the laser was charging itself so that it could fire its deadly beam in a couple of seconds thus bringing the iminent death of our heroes .

Edo stared amazed at evreything which was going on and then turned to Xanagazu with a rageous expression on his face .

" Release my friends at once ! They are not your toys ! " Edo spoke with a menacing voice , something really rare from a nice guy like him .

" Oh , wanna save your precious friends ? No worries , there is one way for you to save them . " Xanagazu said and took out her glowing deck . " And this is for you to defeat me in a duel , for me and the flying fortress are the same ! I am the one controlling the barriers , laser , evreything and I'm also the one which is really piloting this ship towards Rezo's castle from space ! "

" I don't care what you are ! " Edo said and took out his glowing deck as well . " I will fight with you even if it's the last thing I do in order to save my friends ! "

" Heh , so be it ! "

Two metallic dueling tables appeared out of the floor in front of Edo and Xanagazu . The two duelists put their decks on the tables and in a few seconds raised their shields and drew their cards . The duel between Edo and Xanagazu had begun .

" I charge mana and end ! " Xanagazu said .

" I charge mana and summon Aqua Guard ! " Edo said .

" I charge mana and cast Faerie Life to gain one more mana ! "

" I charge mana and end ! "

" I charge mana and summon Bronze-Arm Tribe to get one more mana ! "

" I charge mana and cast Energy Stream and draw two more cards ! "

" Heh , I charge mana and summon Skysword , the Savage Vizier which will give me one more mnana and one more shield ! Let's see now , I have 7 mana while you have only 3 mana ! Hah , let's see what will you do now , Edo Kanda ! "

" You may have more mana , but I will have more cards in my hand ! " Edo said smiling . " I cast Cyber Brain and draw 3 cards ! "

" Heh , like that would matter . " Xanagazu laughed and drew her next card . " I summon Qurian and draw one card ! And now I also summon Genius Janit of the Hidden Blade ! "

" W-what ? "

" Genius Janit will send your Aqua Guard back to your hand ! Hah , now that's a SHOCK for you ! "

" Hm... I think you have a little too many creatures , Xana ! Time to clean them up ! " Edo said and showed a glowing card . " I summon Aqua Guard and then cast Crest of Mother which will send Aqua Guard to my mana zone and replace it with Aqua Surfer ! Ike , Aqua Surfer , send her Genius Janit back to her hand ! "

" Tsh , time to get down to serious buisness ! " Xanagazu said and the X on her helmet shined with a bright red colour as she drew her next card . " I summon Amaterasu , Founder of the Blue Wolves ! Amaterasu's effect will allow me to cast a spell with the cost of 4 or less from my deck and I cast Crest of Mother ! "

" Hey , that's copying ! " Edo complained .

" Live with it ! With Crest of Mother's effect I'll send my Skysword to my mana zone and replace it with Zen , Transcendent God ! "

A giant stone statue appeared behind Xanagazu and stared with an evil look towards Edo which got scared of its sight . He knew what was awaiting for him if Xanagazu drew a certain card .

" Z-Zen... " Edo murmed .

" Hehehe , if you think this was a SHOCK , wait till I show you what else I've prepared for you ! " Xanagazu said and laughed .

Edo then heared some screams behind him . The brown haired boy turned and saw his friends which were almost caught by the spiky objects , but once they ducked and didn't get hurt , the laser began to fire its beam and come towards them .

" Guys... " Edo said while staring at them .

" Your friends shall be killed before you even know it ! " Xanagazu said smiling .

" Shut up , that's not true ! " Edo said and returned to the duel . I will never allow that ! I cast Natural Snare ! Send Zen back to the mana zone , where he belongs ! "

" Heh , like that would help you . My turn ! I evolve Qurian into Hellrush Max , the Super-Electric ! " Xanagazu said and a giant blue creature with big white wings appeared behind her and roared . " Hellrush Max is a double breaker which has Break Bonus ! And I'll show you his special Break Bonus now ! Ike , Hellrush Max , double break his shields ! "

Edo took cover as the creature broke two of his shields . He took fast the cards to his hand only to see that none of them were shield triggers .

" And now Break Bonus ! For each shield Hellrush Max broke , I'll destroy one of my other creatures and replace it with the next creature from my deck ! I'll destroy Amaterasu and Bronze-Arm Tribe ! " Xanagazu said and her creatures blew and two of the cards from her deck were put in the battlezone . " Perfect ! I first summon Grave Deal , Shadow of Pure Flame and destroy your Aqua Surfer and then I also summon Aku , Ultimate God ! "

A statue like black creature with some blue crystals on its body appeared behind Xanagazu and roared towards Edo .

" Heh , you got rid of Zen , but now Aku is here . You really must have bad luck , Edo Kanda ! " Xanagazu spoke with lots of irony in her voice .

" If I'm gonna have to face we know who , at least I'll be prepared for it ! " Edo said and drawed his next card . " I summon Aqua Hulcus and draw a card ! Then I summon Aqua Super Emeral and replace one of my shields with a card from my hand ! "

" I think it's time to end this once and for all ! " Xanagazu said and showed a really shiny card . " I cast Earth Eternity Gate and bring Zen from my mana zone to the battlezone ! Godlink ! I unite Aku with Zen creating Aku Zen , the Ultimate Transcendent God ! "

Zen appeared once again and united with Aku , the two statue Gods becoming much more fearsome . That was it , Edo's fears became true . Now he had to face the fearsome Aku Zen combo of Xanagazu's .

" Ike , Aku Zen , break his final shields ! " Xanagazu ordered . " Also , Aku Zen will destroy Aqua Super Emeral ! "

Edo took cover as the giant Gods broke all of his shields . The brown haired boy fell on his back while the shield shards were floating in the air .

" It's no use , I can't possibly defeat that ! " Edo said . " I'm sorry , guys ! "

Xanagazu then made a really loud evil laugh . Technically she had defeated Edo , and he didn't even break any of her shields !

While Edo was lying on the floor awaiting his defeat , he heared Subaru's voice , not by his ears , but by his soul . Edo then opened his eyes and saw that evreything sorrounding him was dark . Then a strange figure made of light came to him and offered him its hand .

" Who... who are you ? " Edo asked .

" Who am I ? I'm your best friend , Edo-kun ! " the figure replied .

The strange light figure then took a more familiar shape and Edo finally managed to see that it was Subaru .

" Suby , is it really you ? " Edo said and gave him his hand .

" Not quite , it's my soul . " Subaru replied and helped Edo get up . " You see , I was knocked unconcious by one of those spiky things . "

" WHAT ? " Edo yelled shocked .

" This doesn't matter anymore , because the wound isn't fatal . What matters now is you ! You've lost your confidence once Xanagazu took out her most powerful creatures . "

" Yeah , they're just invincible ! I can't possibly find a way to actually... "

" Don't you say that , Edo-kun ! " Subaru almost shouted . " You don't have to give up now ! We're too close to victory to lose ! "

" But... "

" Never give up , Edo-kun ! I believe in you like you also believed in me back then ! I know that you really have the strength to get out of this situation ! "

" You really think so , Suby ? "

" Yes , I believe in you with all my heart ! " Subaru replied and he slowly began to disappear .

" Hey , Suby , don't go now ! " Edo said . " I'm too scared to actually do this ! "

" Look into your heart , Edo-kun ! You know that deep down inside I'm always there cheering you up and helping you ! "

Once Subaru's spirit disappeared , the darkness which sorrounded Edo also disappeared and he saw that he was back on his feet in front of his dueling table . The brown haired boy turned to his friends and saw Tsugumi and Kokujo sitting in a corner so that the spiky things wouldn't hit them and Subaru's body lying in another corner with a small scartch on its back which was bleeding . Most likely he hit his head in the barrier and that knocked him unconcious .

" Do you give up , chosen water duelist ? " Xanagazu asked .

" No , Xanagazu , I'll never give up ! If I must , I WILL FIGHT WITH YOU UNTIL THE END ! " Edo shouted and took the cards from his shields . " Shield trigger activate , I summon Aqua Surfer and send Grave Deal back to your hand ! And another shield trigger , I summon Cuty Heart and send Hellrush Max back to your hand ! "

" W-what ? Impossible ! Tsh , I untap Aku Zen and end ! "

" My turn , I summon Cuty Heart ! Send Aku Zen back to your hand ! "

" Tsh , I send Aku and Zen stays ! "

" Now I summon another Cuty Heart ! "

" WHAT THE ? " Xanagazu spoke shocked .

" Send Zen back to your hand as well ! " Edo said smiling . " Ike , Aqua Hulcus , Aqua Surfer and Cuty Heart , break her shields ! "

Xanagazu took cover as three of her shields got broken . The X lady then took those cards to her hand fast and spoke :

" Shield trigger activate , I cast Terror Pit and destroy a Cuty Heart ! My turn , I summon Skysword , the Savage Vizier to gain one more shield and mana and then I also summon Genius Janit and return Aqua Hulcus to your hand ! This should slow you down a bit ! "

Edo then smiled as his hand glew with a powerful blue glow . The brown haired boy drew his next card and then with lots of energy in his voice he spoke :

" My turn ! I summon Aqua Guard and then I evolve it into CRYSTAL ZWEILANCER ! "

A giant golden centaur with giant spears and wearing a big sharp knight hat appeared behind Edo and stared at Xanagazu which made a few steps back trembling .

" Meet the King of all Oceans , Crystal Zweilancer ! " Edo said smiling .

" Unbelivable ! " Xanagazu spoke amazed .

" This creature will mark your end once and for all ! Crystal Zweilancer , break her final shields now ! "

Crystal Zweilancer roared and then fired two powerful water beams which not only broke Xanagazu's shields , but also hurt the X lady badly . But Xanagazu wasn't done with him . She took the shield shards which united into cards fast and spoke :

" Shield trigger activate , I summon Grave Deal , Shadow of Pure Flame and destroy your Aqua Surfer ! Also , shield trigger , I summon Aqua Surfer and send your Cuty Heart back to your hand ! "

" You were a great opponent , Xanagazu , but your time is over ! " Edo said and put his hand on his last untapped card . " Cuty Heart , finish her off , TOTOMEDA ! "

The blue cyber virus with big and cute yellow eyes and pink heart inside its body spinned in the air and created a typhoon of bubbles which was casted on Xanagazu . The X lady flew in the air and hit the wall leaving a big hole . Then she fell on the ground really wounded .

While Edo was packing his cards , he saw that the barrier which was separating him from his friends had disappeared . The one which was separating them from Rezo was still there , but not for long .

" Grr , how can Xanagazu actually fail ? " Rezo spoke angrily .

" That's because we're always better than you ! " Kokujo replied . " Once this barrier is down as well , you can say good bye , Rezo ! "

Then Xanagazu suddenly got up and the X from her helmet shined once again with a powerful bright red colour . Evreyone got scared of seeing her alive . She then looked at Edo and said :

" You may have defeated me , Edo Kanda , but if I'm gonna die , then I'll also take one of your friends with me ! "

Then evreyone remembered that Xanagazu was one with the ship . With her last powers she made the laser from the ceiling activate once again and it aimed for Subaru , which was still unconcious . In a few seconds it fired its beam and there was no way it could be stopped . When evreyone thought that it was the end of Subaru , Edo ran and pushed his friend from the beam . That was when Subaru woke up and to his shock he saw how his friend was hit and burned by the laser's beam .

" Oh no , Edo-kun ! " Subaru shouted .

The laser then stopped and Xanagazu fell on the floor dead . Edo's body fell on Subaru's and the black haired boy saw that his friend was wounded badly and had some really nasty burns . Subaru fast put his friend on the ground gently and tried to wake him up .

" Edo-kun , are you ok ? Speak to me , Edo-kun ! "

" S-Suby..." Edo said and slowly opened his eyes .

" Oh , thank goodness you're alive ! "

" Suby , I fought with evreything I got , exactly like you wanted me to do . "

" You sure did , Edo-kun , you sure did . "

" But now my fight is over , Suby . My contribution to Rezo's defeat ends here . "

" Don't say that , Edo-kun ! Listen , you have to fight ! You have to fight like a real man ! "

" Hehehe , like a real man , huh ? Remember , Suby , back when we were at Rezo's castle in that war and you asked me what a real man would do if he was in your situation ? "

" Yes , but you're not in that situation , Edo-kun ! You're gonna make it , I promise ! " Subaru said and tears fell from his eyes on Edo's cheeks .

" Suby , please , don't shed a tear and don't cry ! For like you were always in my heart cheering me up and helping me , I will always be in yours doing the same thing ! You said that you believed in me , right ? "

" Right , Edo-kun , I believe in you with all my heart ! "

" Then , Suby , my dear friend , believe that I have finally found my peace... " Edo said and closed his eyes .

Subaru stared for a few moments at Edo which was now motionless . Then the black haired boy reached his head up and shouted with all his powers :

" EDO-KUUUUUUUN ! "

Subaru then cried at the body of his friend while Tsugumi also put her hands on her face and cried for their friend . Kokujo stood with a dark shadow covering his face and didn't even say a word .

" How touching... " Rezo spoke sarcastically . " Oh well , now that Xanagazu is dead , the ship can't be controlled by anyone anymore , so it's going to crush back into the planet . I'd love to stay more and play this melodrama with you guys , but I have to... "

" REZO ! " Kokujo shouted and ran to the barrier . " NOW YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR , YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD ! "

Kokujo began to hit the barrier with both fists and the hits were really powerful . Rezo was scared to see the barrier was losing more of its power with each hit Kokujo gave it .

" I'd better get outta here before something bad happens ! " Rezo said and ran to the elevator . " See you later , losers ! "

The elevator descended with Rezo to the launch pad where Tabitha was . The witch had evreything ready like Rezo asked her . She was now sitting in the astral plane ready to launch it into air . Rezo got out of the elevator fast and entered the plane .

" What just happened up there , Rezo ? " Tabitha asked .

" Both Xanagazu and the chosen water duelist died . And since Xanagazu was the one controlling the ship... "

" Uh oh , we'd better get outta here ! " Tabitha said and started the engines .

After mourning Edo for a couple of minutes , Subaru got up and walked to Tsugumi . The girl was still crying , but Subaru took her head in his hands and gently wiped off her tears saying :

" We must continue our journey ! Edo-kun would surely want us to finish what he had started . "

" Yes , but I just can't keep going on like this , Subaru ! All our friends had been killed by Rezo ! It's just too painful ! " Tsugumi said .

" No , Subaru's right , we must continue our journey ! We'll fight until the last one of us dies ! " Kokujo said . " Subaru , take Edo's body with you ! If we'll ever have time , we'll give him a much more honorable burial . "

" Yes , Kokujo-kun . " Subaru said and took his friend's body in his arms .

Then the last barrier had finally disappeared . Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi walked to the elvator and entered the machine which took them down to the launch pad . There they saw Tabitha's astral plane launching and Rezo was in it .

" Rezo ! " Kokujo shouted and ran out of the elevator .

" Hahahaha , see you in hell , Black Death ! " Rezo laughed and waved to Kokujo while the plane flew out of the flying fortress . " This is it , nothing can save them now ! They'll all crush on Earth with the flying fortress ! "

Kokujo , Subaru and Tsugumi stared at Tabitha's astral plane which was disappearing in the high clouds without being able to do anything . That was it , they were trapped inside that ship and there was no possible way they could stop Rezo or save themselves .