Happy Birthday, Buddyfight Champions! 24/3
2nd Anniversary
I started my project on 24th March 2020
Time passed quickly and it is now two years old : D
It has been 2 years since I started this project! Hopefully, I can complete the first season as fast as possible, cheers. :D
~Hoho620
Author's notes:
Since I did a reboot on making the English characters' names (humans) into Japanese. There might be errors. Laugh at them if you find one! Please don't be shy to tell me. :)
Chapter 17: Symbol of Hopeless, Excrucia
Now playing: Buddyfight Champions OP 1 - "Champions" by Hoho (The link always don't work for some reasons, please check my YouTube channel Hoho gaming and music)
/VFz-WORkKFQ
The gang handcuffed Morihito and his friends and brought them to a cave with moss and webs. All the traces of mankind disappeared once they entered after they spread the mysterious smoke around. They came to a round-shaped door in stone texture. By tapping a key card on the wall, it opened. There were twelve guarding the entrance with firearms abreast and a few controlling the panel. They walked through a long underground tunnel. Two of the guards led the gang to access the second gate.
"Where are you taking us to?!"
Kai didn't stop crying out since they got captured, hoping someone would hear their voices. A member twisted Kai's right arm slightly and he screeched in pain. Morihito and his friends felt guilty every time he screamed.
"Gahhh...argh!"
"Don't think you can do something wild here."
...I can't do anything in this state. Drago didn't respond for a long time. This is just weird. Morihito thought nervously.
This place could be soundproofed. The sound of the closing door didn't spread. Kiyoshi analysed.
We must find a way to get out of here. Now, Morihito and Kai's buddies are curbed. We lost the main forces of our team. Krieger sighed.
Morihito, Kai and Krieger looked at each other for a while, but not Kiyoshi.
He still doesn't look back to us, does he?
Morihito frowned and sighed.
It didn't take a while for the second gate to be unlocked. A gigantic region with a variety of facilities came into their vision, a majority of them are automatically functioning. Kiyoshi took heed to a colossal tower lying in the centre, whining with engine noises. The members were hinted to take Morihito and friends to various rooms. Abruptly, a member whispered into the guards' ears. They appeared to be astounded and confounded at first, but accepted it anyway.
"We have new orders. Send the red and green-haired ones to cells. You two, bring the arrogant kid to the observation room."
"Kiyoshi, we still believe in you!" Kai shouted out loud.
"Can't you be quiet for a second?"
"..."
"Very well."
They covered his mouth and took them away. Morihito was left alone in the lobby.
Why am I separated from them? They are trapping Kai and Kreiger somewhere, probably Kiyoshi too. But where am I heading to? Why me?
Morihito was alarmed by all of these. His heart hopped like crazy. He breathed swiftly and munched his teeth. The guards pushed him forward and he almost went headlong.
"Follow me."
"Okay..."
They took him to an outdoor-square elevator. After a member pressed a button and pulled the gate, the structure started to sink rapidly like a roller coaster and finally decelerated when hitting lower floors.
It stopped moving down, I guess I am at the bottom.
"We arrived."
They left the lift and walked through a white-coloured hallway with bright lights. A grey gate awaits Morihito. The guards stopped nearby and performed several verifications.
This gate seemed to be more protected than the others? Even the entrance is less restricted. This could be an important chamber.
Morihito was told to enter the room. The door closed right after he entered. He watched his back and noticed all the members bringing him to the place were gone. The door behind him was completely locked. Morihito gasped. He knocked on it vigorously and no one responded.
Oh god...what now? What should I do?
Morihito turned around and saw an enormous screen in the middle operating numerous cameras in the base. Below them, a mysterious man sat on a high technology chair that kept him flowing. He looked at the screens and grinned.
Someone's there...?!
"I never thought we would be meeting here. But that doesn't matter."
The atmosphere was already terrifying. What can make him even more anxious?
He recognized this voice.
The man spun his seat unhurriedly and faced Morihito.
"Is that right?"
"Amari Morihito."
Morihito had wide eyes on him. His hands and body trembled like stunned by lightning.
"...you're...!"
"It has been a while. Dr Amari must be doing well, huh?"
He put his hand under his chin and smiled.
"No...!"
His volume was almost as soft as whispering. Morihito stared at the screen speechlessly. The dim light revealed the face of the man. Morihito tried to calm himself, even though he already clenched both fists and lips.
"You're the one behind all of this..?!"
The man kept his silence while Morihito said so. But pulling a wicked smile.
"Why? Why are you doing all of these? A brilliant scientist along with Dr Kevin...I can't believe this."
Morihito yelled, and couldn't hide his expression anymore. All his fear burnt with flames in his chest.
"Oh...?"
"Don't try to ignore my question, Dr Kitagawa!" He shouted.
Dr Kitagawa stared at Morihito and lost his smile.
"Does that really matter?"
"What...?"
"All those inventions, research and experiments were meaningless after all."
"'Meaningless'? My father treated you as a great colleague! All these years you worked with him, don't you remember?"
"Of course. Who would forget the greatest scientist, greatest contribution, and honour of the century? But the question is...does he deserve it?"
"...Are you out of your mind?!"
"If he doesn't have a research team supporting him, will he ever be succeeded? But he is the one who shines on the stage, ignoring all those behind him."
"He's never what you're saying, and he will never do what you have done, Kitagawa Masumi. You should be ashamed of what you did! If he saw you, he would be extremely disappointed."
"Who cares about him anyway? Words aside, I guess you have already forgotten your place."
Morihito heard a low growl behind him. He could feel the presence trying to lay its claws on his neck. His whole body froze, sweat streaming down his face.
What is behind me?! No, it is behind me all the time?! Morihito spun his head slightly.
"It seems he already likes you. Look at how excited when he meets a visitor!"
It touched Morihito's shoulder and grabbed his neck lightly. At that moment, Morihito's pocket shined and a card shrunk into a dragon. The creature saw Xander and faded into darkness, but it appeared near Dr Masumi again. Xander gazed at him with bloodlust.
"It missed...how unfortunate." Masumi said emotionlessly.
"Xander? You can't battle just yet!"
"It hurts more to see you getting injured."
Xander coughed and held his wounds. He stabbed his broadsword on the ground.
Damn it, the thing they used to hit me previously...
Masumi munched his lips, lowering his eyebrows. His left hand scratched the armrest.
"Tsk, this is less fun than I thought. Whatever."
Masumi clapped twice and the ground began shuddering intensively. Morihito almost lost his balance.
Something is coming out from the ground?! Morihito noticed.
Several platforms were raised and the lights glowed. They stirred and incorporated with each other. Morihito and Xander were open-mouthed.
Masumi unlocked his flowing chair and jumped onto it without a second thought.
"Hey, Morihito...doesn't this look like a buddyfight stage?"
"Buddyfight stage?!"
Morihito took a quick look around.
With three platforms on each side and one in the middle. This exactly matches what is in the buddyfight.
Masumi threw a Buddyfight VR case on the floor. It started analyzing the area and clothed the platforms with virtual reality. Two VR boards and life counters are displayed separately near Morihito and Masumi.
"I guess you already know what this is for."
"You want to have a buddyfight?" Morihito asked.
"Good answer! But this one is slightly "different". A friendly reminder, if you step out of the stage, you will immediately receive a high voltage electric shock after touching the floor!"
The corners of his eyes were crinkled. Morihito broke out in a cold sweat and swallowed. Xander stood up despite his wounds.
"Xander, stop, please. I am not letting you fight."
"I am still standing, that means I can protect you."
"How are you supposed to fight when you are injured?!" Morihito roared at him.
"I don't see a reason to run away from this battle."
"That's not even the problem! Why don't you care about yourself just a little more?!"
He shouted at Xander loudly. But Xander smiled instead.
"Morihito, if we don't defeat him, we both won't survive, and we can't save Kai, Kiyoshi and Krieger either."
After hearing what Xander said, Morihito closed his mouth for the moment. He stared at Xander, then looked away, hesitating what to do next.
Masumi trapped me on the stage and forced me to accept the fight...will I die if I hit the ground? Xander is injured, Kai, Kiyoshi and Krieger will probably be locked and trapped in cells. Is there a way to run away from this unreasonable fight and all this nonsense? Think, think, think...!
Morihito sighed and glanced at the entrance. Then he stared at the ground floor from the edge.
No, I can't think of any at this moment. Will I just die if I fall from the stage? C'mon Morihito, this place is all sealed and possibly those guards are just waiting outside, stopping you from running once you escape. What can you do about this? Do I even have a choice?
"Morihito?" Xander noticed Morihito was afraid.
"Enough discussion?" Dr Kitagawa asked impatiently.
Morihito clenched his fists. Xander patted his shoulder and distracted him. Morihito gazed back at Xander.
"Hey Morihito, we can do it."
"Xander, do you believe we can win against Masumi? What if I..."
Xander held Morihito's stressing fists and Morihito relaxed a little.
"Of course I do. We will do this together."
"Thank you, Xander."
Morihito took a deep breath and stared back at Masumi.
There is a risk. But if I don't fight him, there is no way out for now. And it may even trigger him for crazier actions.
"Masumi, we accept the buddyfight."
Masumi smirked.
"That's more like it."
Kai and Krieger followed the guards. They removed their handcuffs and locked them into the cell, shut the door abruptly and left.
"Hey! What will happen to us here?! Can you hear me? Don't leave!"
The guards ignored him, leaving Kai shouting in the room alone with Krieger. He stroked on the cell door and tried to open it forcibly. The beats got hard with every hit.
"Kai, calm down..."
Kai did not answer him until Krieger grabbed his right arm and eventually stopped crashing the door. Kai was furious about it. His hands turned red.
"Argh! Don't hold my arms! I want to kill those bastards!"
"They left already. Only two of us are here."
"What do you mean? We were left alone?"
Kai looked around the bars and found himself and Krieger being the only prisoners, while no guards were nearby. He smashed on the walls and sighed.
"Damn it...are we being locked up forever?"
They sat down at the corners and stared at each other.
"I don't know what to do now. Everything feels so wrong. Blast is injured. Morihito and Kiyoshi are taken somewhere. It is like we are losing hope."
"This is unlike you. The last time we fought in a buddyfight, you were able to use everything to defeat me, even though you only have 1 life point left." Krieger said.
"That was just by luck. Now it's a different situation." Kai explained.
Kai remembered that Kiyoshi promised them to be safe before the trip began.
"Kiyoshi...is he fine?"
"Actually, before Kiyoshi was gone, he told me something."
Kai was extremely astounded by Krieger's words.
"What?! When? We did not talk until we were here."
Krieger smiled.
"He is such a genius. I am surprised how he knew I understood sign language. When I was younger, I learnt it at a disabled training centre while my friend was there."
The most incredible part is he also noticed that I do not know sign language in Japanese and did in English. So the guards won't understand!
I wondered how he noticed.
Krieger made signs with his hand. Kai was confused about it.
"Uh...what does this mean?"
Krieger showed some signs, with a small stop and did another.
"The first means 'Control' and the second is 'Room'."
"Control Room?"
"Indeed. I believe it is where he is headed to. And he has something to do with it."
"So, in fact, Kiyoshi is still with us!"
Kai looked incredibly delighted. His eyes sparkled like gems.
"Yep. That's the key for us to escape. We have to believe in Kiyoshi."
Krieger pointed at the exit.
"This place is all powered by electricity, including the gate door, cameras and lights. If Kiyoshi successfully shut down the power source, we might be able to get out."
"But, if the power is gone. Everything will go dark and we will still be trapped." Kai imagined the scenario.
"I have a plan for this."
They whispered in each other's ears.
"That sounds like a good idea!" Kai smirked.
"We must win this fight no matter what." Morihito said firmly.
"Leave this to me." Xander said.
"Warriors, show the light to the world! Luminize! Dragon Guardians of Justice! Buddy monster, Ancient Force Protector Dragon, Xander."
"Light and justice? What an ironic name. I wonder, are you able to see the light tomorrow?"
Doctor Kitagawa luminized his deck as he said so.
"We will show him, Excrucia."
"Dragon World!"
"Darkness Dragon World!"
Morihito and doctor Kitagawa said in sync.
I have a bad feeling about this battle. No, we can definitely take down that big jerk! Xander thought.
Morihito [Life: 10/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 6]
Masumi [Life: 10/Gauge: 2/ Hand: 6]
Morihito drew a card with his locked hands. He revealed the card on the VR board and shouted its name.
"Come to me, Drago Blade!"
The Light and Hope, Drago Blade
Worlds: Dragon World
Type: Item
Attributes: Power of origin, weapon
Power: 6000 / Crit: 2
[Release Condition!] [No release condition]
-This card on the field cannot be destroyed or returned to hand and its abilities cannot be nullified.
[Counter] [Act] "Ultimate Force, Infinite Drago Slash" When there is no monster on the opponent's centre. You may drop a hand card. If you do, [Stand] this card.
[Counter] [Act] "Full Power Slash!" Choose a monster on your opponent's field. Then, you may pay 2 gauge. For this turn, the chosen monster cannot activate [Soulguard]. You may only use this ability once per turn.
[Double Attack] [Equipment Change]
Morihito's field
[Life: 10/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 6]
Item: Drago Blade
(No monsters on the field)
Seeing Drago Blade fight along with him once again. Morihito felt his chest much lighter. He threw the blade in the air and let it break the belt of the handcuff. He grabbed the grip of the blade and picked it from the ground. Cyan lightning charged through his body. The chain stopping him from battling was finally unlocked.
"I call Brave Fist, Red Dragon to the left."
Brave Fist, Red Dragon
Worlds: Dragon World
Type: Size 1 monster
Attributes: Red dragon, Force Dragon
Power: 6000 / Crit: 3 / Defense: 2000
[Call Cost] [Pay 1 guage]
-You may only call one Brave Fist, Red Dragon on your field.
-[Counter] [Act] Choose another Force Dragon on your field, for this turn when it attacks, you draw one card.
-When another Ancient Warrior or a Force Dragon enters your field, for this turn, it gets [Penetrate]
[Penetrate]
A dragon full of energy landed. He clenched his fists and bumped into each other.
Morihito's field
[Life: 10/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(L: Red Dragon)
"Red Dragon, attack the opponent!"
Red dragon ignited the paws and let the flames cover his hands. He dashed towards Masumi and punched with great strength.
"Take that!"
Masumi's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
(No monsters on the field)
Masumi blocked Red Dragon's burning fists with crossed arms, but his wicked face was behind.
"Well, well, I think you are finished."
He put a card from his hand to the gauge zone and drew another card.
"Let us begin."
Masumi's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 7]
Item: None
(No monsters on the field)
Masumi placed three cards on the field swiftly and various monsters descended. They stared at Morihito like predators. One of the dragons, in the centre position, spread its purple sparkling wings and glowing eyes, it howled and left scratches around.
They're definitely not friendly...
Denial Dragon Of the Cosmos
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Size 1 monster
Attribute: Black Dragon, Neodragon
Power: 10000/ Crit: 2/ Defense: 4000
[Call Cost] [Pay 1 gauge and put the top card of your deck into its soul]
- For each face-up card at the bottom of your deck, this card gets defense1000
- For each Dragonarms on your field and in the soul of your cards, this card gets power1000
[Soulguard]
The Assister Dragon, Neo Inverse
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Size 1 monster
Attribute: Black Dragon, Neodragon
Power: 6000/ Crit:1/ Defense: 6000
[Call Cost] [Pay 1 gauge]
- When this card enters the field, place a card from your hand into the soul of a monster on your field.
- When this card attacks, put a card from your drop zone face up to the bottom of your deck.
- When this card is destroyed, place a card face-up from your deck into the soul of a Black Dragon on your field.
[Move]
Dragonarms, Husk
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Size 0 monster
Attribute: Dragonarms, Dark
Power: 1000/ Crit:1/ Def: 1000
- When this card is placed from your deck face up, put the top card of your deck into your gauge, you get 1 life.
- When this card is in the soul of a Black Dragon, that card gets defense 4000 and [Counterattack].
- When this card is sent to the drop zone, your opponent has to place a card from their field to the bottom of their deck.
[Crossnize]
Masumi put a hand card to Denial Dragon Of the Cosmos's soul.
"When Neo Inverse enters the field, I can put one of my hand cards into the soul of a monster. Now, I pay 2 life and equip, Amulet of Desires."
A gem appeared on Masumi's chest and its chains extended to form a chain around his neck.
Amulet of Desires
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Item
Attribute: Death, Star
Power: 0/ Crit: 0
[Equip Cost] [Pay 2 life]
- [Act] You may discard a hand card, if you do, place a card from your drop zone to the bottom of your deck face up. You may only activate this ability once per turn.
- "Darkest Star" Search in your deck for a card face up and place it into your hand. If you do, your opponent gains 1 life.
- When a monster on your field is destroyed, choose a Black Dragon on your field, for this turn, it gets power4000 and defense4000
Masumi's field
[Life: 5/ Gauge: 1/ Hand: 2]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: Husk) (C: Denial Dragon) (R: Neo Inverse)
"Husk, crossnize with Denial Dragon."
The black armoured robot monster deformed itself into separated parts and fused into the purple dragon in the centre. The black steel covered the scales on its body, the violet shines through the cracks. It sharpened the claws, adding dark shaped feathers on the wings.
"Two monsters combined?!" Morihito noticed.
Masumi's field
[Life: 5/ Gauge: 1/ Hand: 2]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: None) (C: Denial Dragon) (R: Neo Inverse)
"That's the ability of "crossnize". It allows Dragonarms monsters to fuse to make the host stronger." Xander explained.
"I see."
"Neo Inverse, attack the opponent."
Masumi put a card from the drop zone facing upwards to the bottom of his deck.
"Target locked. Destroy." The humanoid dragon was equipped with a high-tech mask and spoke in a cold tune, charging a light beam in its futuristic gauntlet and blasting on Morihito.
Masumi's field
[Life: 5/ Gauge: 1/ Hand: 2]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: None) (C: Denial Dragon) (R: Neo Inverse)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1)
Morihito's field
[Life: 9/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(L: Red Dragon)
Morihito took the damage from the beast. He was unprepared for what was waiting for him. In a flash, a shot from nowhere hit Morihito and he fell to the ground. Xander completely freaked out and cried Morihito's name in terror, as if he was busting his throat. Fortunately, Morihito was still breathing and he pushed himself up after.
"What did you do to him!"
Xander shouted at Masumi with full rage in his eyes and picked up his broadsword. Masumi giggled and showed no sign of empathy.
"What was that?! Where did that come from?!" Morihito looked around and stood up.
"Let me remind you when you lose a life, you will receive an electric shock according to your damage. If you lose all your life points...well, you have no chance of surviving it anyways."
Masumi couldn't hide the pleasure and excitement on his face when explaining the tortures. While Morihito understood that Masumi standing in front of him was no longer the one he knew.
He's trying to kill me... he planned to lure me to a fight? What made him become such a lunatic?!
"Morihito, we have to get out of here as fast as possible!"
Xander grabbed Morihito's hands and ran to the edge of the stage.
"Xander, wait-"
"You are leaving? Oh, don't be so impatient. The feast has just started. You are not going to miss it huh?"
Masumi grinned.
"Of course. You're the prey on my table."
Abruptly, the walls rose from the sides and formed in a box shape. Xander was alarmed about the sudden appearance of the barriers. He slashed towards the walls, kicked them several times and tried to break them through. But no scars were shown on them.
"What are these...so tough!" Xander chewed his jaw tightly.
As I thought, he already planned it all. He definitely won't let us go for now.
Xander punched the walls brutally. But they did not collapse. He sighed and yelled as if his throat was burning.
"Damn it! Gahh!"
"Xander, that's okay. We will be alright." Morihito tried to comfort Xander.
"Then what else can we do? That madman wants to hurt you! You just let him do whatever he wants?"
Xander shouted at Morihito in worry.
"We have to survive this. Survive so we can deactivate the system, as well as the stage and the walls trapping us. Even though it will be a difficult process."
"Morihito, I was foolish enough to put you in danger. I can't let you continue this unnecessary fight!"
"I was also the one who agreed to a buddyfight. We promised to defeat him no matter what, right? Win this, and escape together."
Xander looked at Morihito doubtfully. Morihito put a smile on his face.
"Heh. Weren't you the one who cheered me up? Since when have roles changed?"
Xander kept silent.
"It is gonna be fine. Trust me." Morihito said calmly.
Xander tried his best to read Morihito's thoughts.
It wasn't a forced smile. Did you come up with something, Morihito?
A voice disturbed their conversation.
"Shall we continue?"
"Sure thing."
Morihito spoke in confidence and was ready to embrace Masumi's attacks with his arms. Masumi was irritated and disgusted by his attitude.
"What...?"
He is excited? Did the shock burn away this moron's mind? Whatever, he can't stand for long.
"Denial Dragon, tear him off, deeply."
The monster growled, pounced vigorously between the walls and slashed at Morihito rapidly, crashing him towards the walls. Without another second of breathing, an electric shock went through him. Morihito cried and endured the pain reluctantly. After a moment, he stood up again bravely along with his blade. Masumi jeered at the weak-looking Morihito.
"How was that?! Who's the one laughing now?"
"Hmph...hack! It burns-"
This seriously hurts twice as hard as the last one. But I think I can almost find the device. The shot comes from the ceiling. It is somewhere hard to see with eyes. Doing so is very risky. I don't have many chances left. I must do this fast.
Morihito's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(L: Red Dragon)
Wait! If Xander can see in the dark. He may spot it quickly. But how can I tell him without letting Masumi notice us?
"What's wrong? Has your turn already ended?"
I really want to rip off that freak's mouth... Xander bit his lips.
Morihito's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 3 (charge)/ Hand: 6 (draw)]
Item: Drago Blade
(L: Red Dragon)
"I call Magic Archer, Wind Dragon to the right!"
Magic Archer, Wind Dragon
Worlds: Dragon World, Magic World
Type: Size 1 monster
Attributes: Green dragon, Force Dragon
Power: 4000 / Crit: 1 / Defense: 1000
[Call Cost] [Pay 1 guage]
-When a card on your opponent's field is destroyed, you gain 1 life.
-When this card attacks with another Force Dragon, for this fight, this card gets power 5000 and critical 1.
[Double Attack]
Morihito's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(L: Red Dragon) (R: Wind Dragon)
"Red, link attack with Wind dragon on Denial Dragon!"
"Here we come!" Red Dragon ignited his fists.
"Shoot!"
"When Red Dragon and Wind Dragon attack, Wind Dragon gets 5000 power and 1 more critical!"
"And Wind Dragon also gets the "penetrate" effect as he enters the field!"
The crimson dragon and green hooded dragon seem combined together and created a heated flow of wind pressure.
(Power = 600040005000 = 15000)
Tsk. There is only 9000 defense on that card. Masumi frowned.
"I cast, Noble Sacrifice."
In a flash, Denial Dragon's black armour broke into pieces and bounced Red Dragon and Wind Dragon off.
Masumi's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 1/ Hand: 3]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: None) (C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Neo Inverse)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1)
"Oops. Looks like you missed the target!"
Masumi said it thrillingly.
Soulguard...! Morihito noticed.
"Did he just destroy his monster?!" Xander glanced.
Red Dragon and Wind Dragon couldn't believe their eyes. Their attack did nothing to their enemy.
Wind Dragon stared. "My attack didn't work...?"
"What a brilliant attack! However, when Husk goes off, you will have to put one of your dragon friends to the bottom of your deck!" Masumi mocked.
"Bottom of the deck, which means leaving the field..." Wind Dragon thought.
"What...?" Morihito didn't know how to react this suddenly.
I need to put Red Dragon or Wind Dragon at the bottom of my deck. But who should I choose...
"Morihito. Please take me."
"Wind, what are you talking about?!"
"With Red's penetrate effect when entering the field, there is still a hope to give damage directly to the fighter."
"Morihito, I am the weaker one, Wind doesn't deserve that, right? Wind has a double attack!"
Morihito switched his head towards the two of them distressingly.
"Red Dragon, for this fight, if you want to make Xander and Morihito live, you must make this decision."
"Morihito, please!" He begged.
"Let's do not waste more time, Morihito. I am always ready."
Red Dragon stared at Wind Dragon and roared miserably.
"No shut up! You big idiot! If Morihito does a link attack with you, we still have a chance to destroy that monster!"
Indeed. Red Dragon is right, if I activate Drago's Full Power Slash and destroy Denial Dragon, then I can use Infinite slash to take down Masumi.
"Red, Wind dragon, I have decided." Morihito said.
Wind Dragon munched his lips and nodded a little.
"I understand."
Morihito, you're boss Xander's most trusted human, you have to win even though I can't help you much, okay? Red Dragon though and smiled softly.
"Farewell, Red dragon."
Wind Dragon took off his hood and gazed at the card pieces of Red Dragon blown into the air.
Morihito's field
[Life: 8 (Wind Dragon's ability)/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(R: Wind Dragon)
"Are you gonna cry over your dragon friends too?" Masumi chuckled.
"My attack hasn't ended yet. I pay 2 gauge and activate Drago Blade's ability, for this turn, Denial Dragon cannot use its soulguard ability!"
The Light and Hope, Drago Blade
- ...
- [Counter] [Act] "Full Power Slash!" Choose a monster on your opponent's field. Then, you may pay 2 gauge. For this turn, the chosen monster cannot activate [Soulguard]. You may only use this ability once per turn.
Morihito stared and fixed his sight on the Denial Dragon.
"Wind Dragon, are you still able to fight?" Morihito asked.
"Indeed, you may order me anytime."
They nodded. Wind Dragon charged its arrow and Morihito slashed towards the Denial Dragon with blue lightning and flames.
(Power = 60004000 = 10000)
"Your shell is off, now you should fall!" Morihito yelled at Masumi.
"Oh really? I pay 1 gauge and cast, Fallen Grace, Dark Core."
Fallen Grace, Dark Core
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Spell
Attribute: Star, Death
[Counter]
[Cast Cost] Pay 1 gauge
- When this card is in your deck face up or put into your hand, put a Dragonarms from your drop zone into your hand. Then, you may choose a monster on your field. For this turn, it gets defense6000 and [Counterattack].
- During your turn, if you have a card with "Excrucia" in its name on your field, draw 3 cards.
The bottom card at Masumi's deck shined in purple lights.
"I put Husk into my hand, and Denial Dragon gets 6000 defense."
(Denial Dragon's defense = 4000 (base) 4000 (Amulet of Desires' effects) 6000= 14000)
The card is not even in his hand, is that what the face-up cards do?! Morihito thought.
Masumi's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 4 (Husk)]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: None) (C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Neo Inverse)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1)
"But that will only make it 10000 defense." Morihito said.
"How rude am I! didn't I tell you about my item's effects?"
Amulet of Desires
-...
-...
- When a monster on your field is destroyed, choose a Black Dragon on your field, for this turn, it gets power4000 and defense4000
Masumi taunted Morihito, which stunned him. He shouted at Masumi exasperatingly.
"You didn't even declare yourself about the effect!"
"Oh? Did the rules even say so?"
This is unforgivable! Unforgivable! That jerk! Xander stomped around hard.
"Morihito, I..."
A weak voice made Morihito turn his head back, and he was startled. Wind Dragon fell in front of his widened eyes.
"Oops. I almost forgot about his counterattack." Masumi smirked.
"I'm sorry..."
"...!"
Morihito's field
[Life: 8/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(None)
"'Please take me'? 'I am always ready'? 'You may order me anytime'? In the end, they are just ironic jokes!"
"Shut up."
"Um?"
Morihito raised his head and said in a cold tone with glaring eyes.
"Oh, my. That's a terrifying stare! But, you can't even get revenge for him in this state!"
"At least I can destroy one of your monsters." Morihito said.
Without a thought, he pierced through Neo Inverse and slashed him in half. It screamed with a technical error mask.
The Assister Dragon, Neo Inverse
-...
-...
- When this card is destroyed, place a card face-up from your deck into the soul of a Black Dragon on your field.
Masumi sighed lightly. "So Neo Inverse is destroyed? How wasted. I thought I could use the spell for longer."
"...Do you only use your monsters for your goals? Can't you see they get hurt when we are fighting?"
"What? Don't tell me you are pitying them?" Masumi giggled.
Morihito glanced furiously.
"Do you even have empathy?"
"'Empathy'? They are just cards, lifeless monsters. Besides, are we all doing the same? Using the monsters to gain victory?"
"They also feel pain, they feel sad and joy, just like we do. They have feelings...and I don't see that in you."
Masumi chortled uncontrollably. The laughing made Morihito tremble and nauseated.
"This is the biggest joke I ever heard! I wonder if you would say the same after this turn?"
Masumi's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 1(charge)/ Hand: 5(draw)]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(C: Denial Dragon (2 soulguard))
(Face-up cards in the deck: 0)
Masumi sighed.
"This is going to be a long process (for the card to return to my hand). How annoying."
"I cast, Devil Stigma. I destroy the Denial Dragon."
The blade crushed the Dragon's head and it recovered with a soulguard.
Masumi's field
[Life: 8/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 4]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard))
(Face-up cards in the deck: 0)
The Fallen Grace, Dark Core is now in the drop zone.
"I activate the amulet of desires' ability and discard one hand card."
Masumi's field
[Life: 8/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 3]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard))
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1 (Fallen Grace, Dark Core))
Masumi revealed one of his hand cards, Dragonarms, Husk to Morihito. Then he put it to the bottom of his deck as a face-up card. Morihito was perplexed by this scene.
"Huh?!"
"When Husk is placed as a face-up card, I gain one gauge and one life. Buddy call, Excrucia to the right position."
Dark Star Of Hopelessness, Excrucia
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Size 2 Monster
Attribute: Black Dragon, Neodragon
Power: 7500/ Crit: 2/ Defence: 6000
[Call Cost] Pay 1 gauge and reveal a hand card to your opponent and place it face up at the bottom of your deck.
- "Inverse Refill" You may pay 1 life. Search your deck for a card face up and place it into your hand. If you do, this card gets power5000, defense5000 and critical2! You may only use this once per turn.
- This card's soul cannot be dropped by card effects.
[Move] [Double Attack] [Soulguard]
Masumi's field
[Life: 10 (buddy giftHusk)/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 1]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1 (Fallen Grace, Dark Core))
Here he is! Morihito and Xander stared at Excrucia together.
A monster with magenta glowing eyes in shadow revealed itself under dim light. A humanoid dragon with sharp claws and high-tech protection in blood-red lights, gazing at Morihito and Xander.
His stare, is chilling my veins and bones... Morihito thought.
"Excrucia's ability, "Inverse Refill". It allows me to put a face-up card into my hand."
The card was covered in blood aura and energy.
Masumi's field
[Life: 9/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 2 (Fallen Grace)]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1 (Husk))
That spell returned to his hand?!
"I cast! Fallen Grace, Dark Core and I draw three cards!"
Fallen Grace, Dark Core
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Spell
Attribute: Star, Death
[Counter]
[Cast Cost] Pay 1 gauge
- When this card is in your deck face up or put into your hand, put a Dragonarms from your drop zone into your hand. Then, you may choose a monster on your field. For this turn, it gets defense6000 and [Counterattack].
- During your turn, if you have a card with "Excrucia" in its name on your field, draw 3 cards.
Masumi's field
[Life: 9/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 4]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1 (Husk))
"Let us enjoy the main course of the feast. I call Dragonarms Of Self-Destruct to the left."
Dragonarms Of Self-Destruct
World: Star Dragon World
Type: Size 1 monster
Attribute: Dragonarms
Power: 4000/ Crit:1/ Def: 4000
- Put this card in your hand into the soul of a monster on your field and that card gets power3000.
- If this card is in the soul of a card with "Excrucia" in its name, that card gains defense4000 and critical2!
- When this card is placed into the drop zone, place it face up to the bottom of the deck instead. Then, you may choose to destroy a monster on your opponent's field or drop 2 of your opponent's hand cards.
[Crossnize]
"Set, Fortify The Dark Thought."
Fortify The Dark Thought
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Spell
Attribute: Enhance
[Set]
- You may only [Set] one "Fortify The Dark Thought" on your field.
- At the beginning of your turn, you may place the top card of your deck face up and send it to the bottom of your deck.
- When your life is 0, return all Dragonarms from the drop zone face up to the bottom of your deck. Your life becomes 1. You may only use this ability once per turn.
Masumi's field
[Life: 9/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 2]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: Self-Destruct) (C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia)
(Face-up cards in the deck: 1 (Husk))
Masumi snapped his finger.
"Amulet of Desires allows the owner to place a face-up card into their hand."
Then he placed Husk into his hand again.
His deck allowed him to recycle whatever cards he wanted. Crazy... Morihito broke a cold sweat.
Amulet of Desires
- ...
- "Darkest Star" Search in your deck for a card face up and place it into your hand. If you do, your opponent gains 1 life.
- ...
Morihito's field
[Life: 9 ( Darkest Star)/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(None)
Ugh...I hate this awful feeling in my chest. It is like I ate a rat into my throat and ran through my stomach.
"Your life has healed. Do you know what it means?" Masumi asked curiously even he already knew the answer.
I have a feeling that this is going to be a long suffering.
The system activates whenever you lose a life.
If that's the case, and I can't avoid it...
It will eventually hit more than 10 life points, and I am going to take the shocks which hurt more.
Will I just die before that?
"I crossnize Dragonarms Of Self-Destruct with Excrucia." Masumi ordered.
The dragonarms separated themselves to become a part of the humanoid dragon. The claws combined with the gloves and the others formed into a dark helmet and spaulders.
"I call Dragonarms, Husk to the left and crossnize with Excrucia."
Dragonarms, Husk
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Size 0 monster
Attribute: Dragonarms, Dark
Power: 1000/ Crit:1/ Def: 1000
- When this card is placed from your deck face up, put the top card of your deck into your gauge, you get 1 life.
- When this card is in the soul of a Black Dragon, that card gets defense 4000 and [Counterattack].
- When this card is sent to the drop zone, your opponent has to place a card from their field to the bottom of their deck.
[Crossnize]
Masumi's field
[Life: 9/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 2]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: None) (C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia (2 soulguard))
(Face-up cards in the deck: 0)
The black steel armour covered Excrucia's chest and made him a darkened blade on his claws. The dazzling red circuit flew inside him like blood.
"I pay 1 life and call Retainer of the Demonic Dragon, Bazolii to the left."
Masumi's field
[Life: 8/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 1]
Item: Amulet of Desire
(L: Bazolii) (C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia (2 soulguard))
(Face-up cards in the deck: 0)
"Denial Dragon, take him down."
Here it comes!
It scratched and gashed into Morihito's flesh. Morihito grasped the claws and got rid of them. Then the shock burnt his skin. He yelled, fell to the ground and wheezed endlessly. Xander hugged him in panic.
God damn it...there is more than one device...at least now I know where they are.
Morihito's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 5]
Item: Drago Blade
(None)
In a wink, Excrucia placed his dark blade close to Morihito's chin. Fortunately, Morihito reacted and cast a shield. The green barrier bounced off Excrucia and he growled unpleasantly.
"True Green Force Dragon Shield!"
True Green Force Dragon Shield
Worlds: Dragon World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Green Dragon, Ancient Warrior, defense, recovery
-You may only cast this card when you have 1 or more Green Dragon in your drop zone.
[Counter] Nullify the attack, you gain 2 life. If you have a Ancient Warrior on your field, you gain 2 more life!
Morihito's field
[Life: 9/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 4]
Item: Drago Blade
(Monsters: None)
"Tsk...Bazolii, destroy him!" Masumi shouted delightfully.
Bazolii expanded the umbrella-like blade.
"When I have a size 1 or less monster in my drop zone, Bazolii it gets 3000 power, defense and 2 critical."
"Not enough...not enough...need more souls."
The monster murmured. Then it cracked into Morihito's bones and slashed him towards the wall. After the bang, the emitter charged and stunned his chest. Morihito vomited in the air.
Morihito's field
[Life: 5/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 4]
Item: Drago Blade
(Monsters: None)
"NOO!"
Xander yelled with the voice breaking his throat.
My lungs...! As if my inner organs are injured. This is bad...
Now it is confirmed that they only come from two directions, and they are both from the ceiling!
"Hack...Ugh!"
Morihito held his wounds.
I can't move my body, but...
Xander can.
"Xander! Now! The ceiling! Hurry!"
He shouted with a stabbed chest.
"The "ceiling"?! That is...!"
Are those what they used to shoot Morihito?! I can see them! Xander thought.
They planned to destroy the device? Masumi noticed.
Xander screeched at Masumi.
"You freaking son of a devil! Take this, bastard!"
Xander cracked the floor with his foot and wielded the broadsword at his back, then he threw it towards the roof. The shattered gears fell with the stones.
"Yes! Xander, we did-"
Morihito said it triumphantly. However, when he looked back at Xander, he couldn't believe his eyes - he was laying on the ground, in front of him.
"I have to admit, there is a little genius in your mind. No prisoners had ever tried to oppose me...and you're the one who makes me use everything."
"Xander!"
"I told you, I just want to make this out peacefully. And you forced me..."
No, no. Please don't tell me...
Why will things go like this?!
Everything was fine!
Masumi's laugh ran out of control as he pulled out more electricity blasters, covering every single corner of the room.
"Excrucia, send him away!"
Excrucia stabbed his blade inside Morihito and took it back. It felt like bleeding.
No, this isn't over yet!
The blasters aimed at Xander. Morihito stared at him with welled up eyes. Using his last breath to call out his name.
"Xander...!"
"How about despair?"
I won't let you hurt him!
Morihito dashed towards Xander. His body was pushed back by immense pressure, thrown away in the air and crashed to the ground.
My head is blurry...did I save him?
He saw Xander lay down on the ground. After, he stared at his helpless hands.
He is not injured. That's great.
I'm sorry, Xander.
Oh...I can't talk anymore.
Kiyoshi and the guards are on their way to the special room.
What a long corridor. If my calculations are correct, I have already walked for at least 2 kilometres since the entrance.
How did they build such a huge base?! What are they plotting us for?
Kiyoshi gazed further and found out the difference between the gates.
The gates! There are pillars between each gate. And it is possible to hide half of my body. If I can make use of illusions...
The guards were having a conversation about their leader.
This is my chance.
"Have you heard that? Our leader has a special guest to meet and he doesn't even answer our reports now!"
"Chill, pal. Doesn't that mean we can have a break from all those issues? Oh yeah, do you remember that little girl we met earlier? She looked so pretty..."
"What?! Are you sick or something...? When did your mind get so..."
"So...?"
"Umm, bro. Where did the punk go?"
"Huh? He is right near us."
"Look clearly with your dumb head!"
"He was standing there a second ago!"
"What?! How did he do that?!"
"I mean he just vanished in the air!"
Kiyoshi hid behind the pillar and heard what they said.
They are being tricked easily. No wonder why they got persuaded to serve their leader.
"Report to the commander! We have to do this quickly!"
"Idiot! He won't listen to us! Besides, if he found out we have lost him, I think we will..."
The other guard covered his mouth.
"But we can't just do nothing!"
The other guy hit him. Fists to fists.
"Did you just hit me?!"
"Shut up! Are you going to take the responsibility?"
While two guards were beating each other. Kiyoshi escaped from them rapidly.
Now, I will have to head to the control room and shut down the power.
He dashed away with careful observations around himself.
The good thing is the base's structure is simple.
He stuck to the walls or pipes whenever the guards were near.
I have to be quick. They can call for assistance at any time and I will be in trouble.
While Kiyoshi was escaping, he turned on his phone to see the captured base map.
Should be this way.
Abruptly, an echo penetrated his ears and he was alerted as if someone was near him.
The guards?! I have to hide!
He turned back and found out there was no one. But he wasn't relieved.
They could have found me. Or, do they have the same idea as mine?!
Kiyoshi stayed behind the tubes for a few minutes and continuously checked who was around. He was unaware of the resonance of the gem in his pocket.
Strange, it is like I have met a ghost.
Kiyoshi searched around the areas but found nothing. So he resumed his journey.
The gas I inhaled when I entered here, is it the cause of my hallucinations?
No, if that's the case, I should have effects much earlier.
"Come to me...young, I need your help. Please."
The voice repeated in Kiyoshi's ears. It pricked every sense of his skin.
It happens again! It is the same voice?!
Why does he need my help? No, it can be a trap.
This is bad, I did not expect they have such high technology.
Miscalculations will lead me to demise. And looks like that's it for me.
Kiyoshi decided to run as fast as possible.
This is the only solution for now.
The rock from his pocket fell off while he was rushing in the corridor. It shined like a diamond. He picked it up rapidly before anyone noticed.
The gem? Last time it created an illusion barrier. Now it shines in various colours. What does this mean?
All of a sudden, Kiyoshi came up with another theory and it put him in a cold sweat.
If that old lady who gave me this rock is the director of the incident, were I being tricked this whole time?!
"No, she is not."
She is not? Wait, this isn't even my voice?!
"Young, look at your hands."
The gem gleamed accordingly to the volume of the mysterious voice.
What the...?!
"Can you please also look at your back?"
Kiyoshi turned his head gently and discovered a gate with the tag of "Researchers Only". Inside, a tiny monster swam in a colossus tube. This made him jaw-dropped.
Is this...their lab? What is that moving shadow in the water?!
Chapter 17.5: Lake
Where am I?
Rain? No, it's impossible to rain here...this is a sealed place.
But how come it is raining?
I remember when I was little, I looked outside the windows and waited for my parents back home. It was a rainy day. The thunder cracks and sparkles in the black sky. The raindrops hit the windows, and they get very wet and become cloudy. I saw people shuttle back and front. I stared through the windows until the streets got quieter. So I "drew" on the windows, silly me.
"Drip, drip, drip..."
I don't know if I already got used to the sounds or whatever, it was strangely silent.
I waited a very long time until the rains finally stopped, or in fact, it didn't?
It seems they still haven't come back. I don't know when they will. No one is at home. There was only me.
Now I can only sleep with the rainstorm.
"Chopin - Raindrop Prelude (Op. 28 No. 15)".
It fits incredibly well.
I don't know why this piece came to my mind. But listening to classical music always puts me to sleep, especially when I can't sleep. It makes me clear all my worries.
Steady raindrops on the window synced with the notes continually.
Repeat, repeat and repeat.
My eyes are getting tired.
So I decided to close my eyes.
I see a lake of silence...but water drops wrecked it.
I can hear my name in the darkness restfully. Is someone whispering into my ears?
How annoying. I just want to take a rest.
The voice is getting clamorous and continually, I guess I can't sleep tonight either. Not a single night.
"Morihito..."
What? Stop talking! Ugh! Can't you just let me nap for a moment?!
I asked the voice in my head impatiently. I am truly done with such an irritating person.
Then I decided to see who that troublemaker was.
"Morihito."
The word pierced through his ears as if it was burning his senses and thus screaming.
"AHH!" Morihito screamed. He blinked, his body shrank together and mopped on the floor and coughed breathlessly. After calming down, he found himself in a completely colourless infinite space with a shallow lake. The water reflected his face.
What the?! Wasn't I in my room? My clothes are wet-
A figure walked close to him and revealed his face. Morihito fell and the water splashed everywhere.
"Eeeekkk! What the heck?! "
"You good?" Drago asked.
Oh, it is Drago. Oh um, what should I say to him, heh?
He smiled embarrassingly and stared around.
"I thought it was something. And it is you. So...you have anything to say to me?" Morihito said.
"Oh, about that. Do you like this lake?" Drago said to him.
Morihito briefly looked around and nodded.
"It is quite good. What's the matter?"
"This is a place I like to stay when I am troubled. I am glad you like it. The pleasantness of the water's surface calms people's minds."
The water, hm?
"Plop."
The ripples formed on the lake.
Ripple? But there is no rain. I am not moving either. Morihito thought.
The ripples expanded like rings and Morihito began to study them.
There is no water falling from anywhere, not a single form of life either. But how...
He tried to touch the water on the lake. He was astonished by it.
"It's so warm." Morihito put on a smile.
He stared at the water which formed more ripples.
There are more. They start increasing in number. Interesting.
I decided to tap on them, and have fun.
They splash and make even more circles.
But there are splashes far away too.
I am sure I didn't touch those in the water.
Where did they come from? Hm...
"Drago, thanks for bringing me her-"
He noticed no one was around him.
"Drago? Oh, never mind."
Why would the water be warm instead of cold?
He looked closer and noticed the falling droplets reflected in the deep. But he couldn't reach them no matter how his hands searched in the water.
Warm water droplets...I can't reach them.
Abruptly, he had a serious headache along with tinnitus, it seems someone was weeping. They echoed through his ears. It paralysed everything inside of him.
Crying? But who's? Wait...
If I am here then what was I doing all this time?
Morihito began to think of something before he came to the lake. Then he broke into a cold sweat and the air seemed to be pricking his skin.
Is something happening out here?
Did something happen to me as well?
Where are the others?
Xander, Kai, Blast, Kiyoshi...
What am I even doing here?! I have to get out of here...but I know nothing.
Come on...I have to, I need to remember things around me, I must save them!
Morihito used his arms to cover his trembling body.
I want to remember! I just want to know what is going on! Why wouldn't I just remember something else?!
So please, wake up, wake up, Amari Morihito! Come back to your senses!
Where is Drago?!
"Drago?! Drago, where are you? Don't you want to hear something about this lake? I have something interesting to tell you! So would you come out?"
Morihito shouted Drago's name faster and louder.
"Ha! You're missing this one! There is no second chance!"
Sharper and more eager.
"You hear me? It is a time-limited offer. Special, outstanding, spectacular!"
More stressful and fearful.
"Can't you just come out? Where are you?!"
Sorrowful and hateful.
"Why won't you just come out? Are you avoiding me? Why are you avoiding me?! Why?!"
You're not even here, right?
He kneeled on the floor and saw an inverted image of him in the water. He took a deep breath. Somehow, he started giggling, then he laughed as loud as he could, and deliberately slowed down and relaxed his chest.
What an ironic drama...
"Morihito?"
Drago called out to him and found out that Morihito was kneeling. He patted Morihito's shoulders.
Why didn't you come on time?
"..."
Don't touch me.
He placed his hands away. Morihito was shocked by this reaction.
Huh? His hands shrank swiftly. Does that mean...?
"Do you need some space?" Drago spoke softly.
"Yea...h."
Morihito answered him quiveringly. He cleaned his face with the water splashes and dried them with his arms. He turned his face towards Drago. The droplets fell along his chin.
"Why are you so late...?"
He stared at Drago and voiced weakly. His eyes were almost wrapped up.
"I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness."
His voice was calm enough to make a person forget any sadness.
"No...you did nothing wrong." Morihito answered.
"You have anything to say to me?"
"Well...uh."
He thought of what he said in his mind earlier and hesitated to talk about his thoughts.
"It's fine. Take your time."
Morihito sat taciturnly with his straight folded legs. Time passed, and he broke his silence.
"May I know what is occurring outside here?"
"Kai and Kiyoshi are trying to escape from the guards. Kiyoshi is walking towards the control room of the base."
"I see. How about Xander?" Morihito asked.
Warm droplets fell from the sky. The ripples formed on the lake like stars.
"It is raining..."
"Indeed. The ripples on the lake are truly beautiful."
"Drago, where is the rain coming from?"
He pointed at the sky and the ceiling.
"Ceiling"...?!
I see. I was...
He saw a flash of a scene of how he received electric shocks, rolled like a ball on the ground and stood up again.
I was injured during the fight with Masumi. And it seems I have a blackout.
Is Xander fine?
"They are waiting for you."
Morihito took a sigh of relief. All his anxious expressions are alleviated.
"That will be fine."
"Do you want to hear what happened to yourself?" Drago asked.
"I think I briefly understand the situation. Drago, when can I leave this place?"
It will be great if I can meet up with Xander as fast as possible.
Unlike the previous conversation, Drago didn't respond to him instantly. This made Morihito doubtful if he asked something he shouldn't.
"Sorry I didn't mean to upset you. "
Oh no. Is what I asked a sensitive question to him?
"You can't."
Drago answered Morihito firmly. The atmosphere froze like captured images.
Excuse me?
"What do you mean by...I can't?"
Why? What am I missing?! What else can I do if I can't get back to reality? Is it because I...
"Even if you insist, I can't send you away now."
So it is a problem of time? Do I have to be patient?
"Why not now?"
Is the time from here the same as the one outside?
"Once you're out of the lake, you will be wounded. I can't keep you safe there for long."
Wounded. I was ignoring this whole time, the fact that I am...
I am probably dying, with several serious injuries, and that's how I ended up seeing Drago.
Is it hopeless for me to survive?
"But, there is a way that you can leave the lake safely."
Morihito was dumbfounded and slightly irritated.
"Wh-what? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Because I didn't ask him? Haha.
"Please do what I say. I will be beside you."
"Oh...okay."
Morihito said it nervously.
"Close your eyes."
So I did.
"So, what is the next step? Have I done it well so far? Drago?"
No one responded.
What the hell?
No, no...no. Not this again.
I don't like this. I hate this feeling.
"A way to escape"...please don't tell me I am dead.
I can't hear anything like I am deaf. It's all muted.
What is going on outside?
I tried to open my eyes. It was all black, nothing but void.
I screamed as hard as I could, but I couldn't hear my voice.
So I closed them immediately. It was scary enough to make my heart burst. I can feel the heartbeats running over me. I can feel my trembling and cold body.
I comfort myself that what I saw wasn't real.
I decided to shut my eyes tightly so I won't see more horrible things happening around me.
Let's hope this works.
No horrible things! Damn it!
Oh god, I am still thinking of what I just saw.
C'mon Morihito, this isn't scary.
Drago is on your side, he is your strength.
Xander is waiting for you. You still own him bowls of ramen!
Your friends are escaping. Kai, Blast, Kiyoshi...
Your parents are hoping for a reunion. They can still be outside.
I miss them.
I love them, and I wish I can love them even more.
Even I don't remember or remember.
I don't care what happened in my past, okay?!
A drop of water fell silently on the lake.
"Wake up, Morihito."
Thank you, Drago.
Xander stared at the harsh lights, expanded itself and kneeled on the ground soullessly in front of Morihito's body. His eyes lost the gleam and his tears fell apart unconsciously.
"Morihito..."
"I guess this is a farewell. But I did have a lot of fun, don't get me wrong! I wish I could toy with you a bit longer." Masumi laughed depravedly and fired the blasters.
Suddenly, Morihito stepped to the front with Drago Blade. The light bent away on the sides and the power flew inside of him and covered his blade. Thousands of light blue lightning filled the atmosphere with enormous pressure.
"Sorry, Xander, I am late!"
"What?! How come you're still alive?!" Masumi asked in shock.
"Morihito...?!" Xander looked up with stunned astonishment.
If the world is pitch black, I will be the thread of light. Because that thread of light is enough to shine through the dark.
[To be continued...]
'Mini-Buddyfight Talk!'
"Hello. I am Pirate Dragon, and he is Frost Dragon!"
He wept silently.
"Red, Wind Dragon, they couldn't come here today." (TAT)
[Tags: "Funeral ceremony"]
"Ahwahhh..." (TwT)
"Pirate, please calm down. They're just in the drop zone." (-_-)! Frost Dragon said.
"Pirate, we are on a show now!" He whispered.
"Oh no! How do we do an opening like Red does? Ah yes! Introduction!"
"I am your host, Pirate Dragon!"
Pirate Dragon whispered in Frost's ears.
"C'mon Frost, introduce something about yourself!"
Frost Dragon: I am so cold. (-_-)!
"Oh...okay. Anyways! Today we will have a little talk about the strongest card of this chapter! Today's card is Dark Star Of Hopelessness, Excrucia!"
Dark Star Of Hopelessness, Excrucia
World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World
Type: Size 2 Monster
Attribute: Black Dragon, Neodragon
Power: 7500/ Crit: 2/ Defence: 6000
[Call Cost] Pay 1 gauge and reveal a hand card to your opponent and place it face up at the bottom of your deck.
- "Inverse Refill" You may pay 1 life. Search your deck for a card face up and place it into your hand. If you do, this card gets power5000, defense5000 and critical2! You may only use this once per turn.
- This card's soul cannot be dropped by card effects.
[Move] [Double Attack] [Soulguard]
"Dark Star Of Hopelessness, Excrucia" is a monster card. The call cost is 1 gauge and you have to reveal a hand card to your opponent and place it face up at the bottom of your deck. This card's soul cannot be dropped by card effects. :l
"Frost, don't just read by words!" Pirate whispered in Frost's ears.
"But that's what the text says!" And he did the same.
"Unlike the normal cards in the deck, the "face-up card" can trigger the fighter with great abilities! Excrucia has 7500 power, 6000 defense, 2 critical and double attack." Pirate said with passion.
"For the "Inverse Refill" ability, you can use it once per turn. You can pay 1 life and put a card that is face-up into your hand. And Excrucia will get 5000 power, defense and 2 critical." Frost Dragon said.
Pirate Dragon patted Frost Dragon's shoulder and whispered.
"Yeah, that's how you do it. Good job!"
"That's it! Hope you enjoy today's show! Bye-bye!"
[Thx for reading]
Ending 1 - Tomorrow
/tfRsyXIRQtY (Youtube link broken)
~PREVIEW!~
(No preview available because the evil writer decided to keep you waiting :)
Hey, readers. I am here to tell you straightforwardly and aggressively, that I am going to write and spend years writing this fiction, which will be a long journey. I will treat this fiction like my son. I want to write an epic Buddyfight fanfiction, which is even better than the original series! To accomplish that, I will need your help and ideas for cards, characters and the story. Everyone is welcomed to the discord server of this fiction! Get free spoilers and chat with the author, muahahaha! I appreciate your aid and support! :D
Join /78mVzYK7YB (The discord link is broken too. If it doesn't work for you, type the code after "/")
