Ichika has gotten himself in quite the predicament. As he sat at the roof of his school, he couldn't stop thinking about all that has happened.

'I can't believe all of this.' Ichika thought. 'Peggrin has that strange eyepatch that I'm guessing allows him to read my mind. That must have been how he knew what was in my hand. On top of that, he some how took Chifuyu's soul. If I'm going to get her back, I've got to duel in his tournament.'

"Ichika..." Ichika snapped out of his thoughts as he turned to see Houki there.

"Hey, Houki." Ichika said as Houki sat next to him.

"You holding up okay about your sister?" Houki asked. "It's weird. She's in the hospital, but the doctors cant' really find anything wrong with her."

"I doubt they can help her." Ichika said. "The only way I'm going to be able to help her is if I enter and compete in Peggrin's tournament."

"I wish there was something I can do, but I didn't get an invite to this tournament." Houki said.

"That's too bad. You actually should be going more than me." Ichika said. "I remember when we were kids, you helped me out with my dueling. Remember?"

"Yeah. How could I forget?" Houki said. "We've been friends for so many years. We both signed up for kendo when we were younger and you stood up for me from some rotten boys. We soon discovered we both love dueling a lot. I found your skills pitiful."

"Yeah. I owe a lot to you, Houki." Ichika said with Houki blushing. "You were really my first friend and I'll never forget any of it." Houki was feeling flattered with Ichika talking like that. "Rin came around not that long after. Then, Cecilia, Charlotte, and Laura came around." Houki was enjoying it until he brought that up. "You know, all five of you are great friends."

"Thanks." Houki said. "Anyway, what's going on with this tournament? Do you know how you're even getting to this tournament?"

"Yeah. A set of instructions came in the mail." Ichika said. "In fact, I bet the others want to know as well." Ichika made his way back to class. Houki hated seeing Ichika distressed. She might give him a hard time, but she does wish she could do something to help him.

...

The Classroom

Ichika met up with the rest of his friends. He was keeping them in the loop. A set of instructions came in the mail for Ichika and he was sharing it with the others.

"The name of Peggrin's tournament is Duel Island." Ichika said.

"You're going all the way to an island?" Rin asked.

"Yeah. There's a boat that is set to leave for there tonight." Ichika said.

"Are you really going? This Peggrin sounds dangerous." Cecilia said as she was concerned for his safety.

"I've got to." Ichika said. "It's the only way I'll be able to help Chifuyu. I'm not exactly sure what Peggrin has done to her, but the answer is on that island. Competing, and maybe even winning, is the only thing I can do to save her."

"He's right." Laura said. "Miss Orimura is need of a rescue operation. We must act at once."

"I wish you girls could come with me, but only those who were invited to compete are allowed on the island." Ichika said.

"What about these cards?" Cecilia said as she held a blank one and a star one. "What are these for?"

"I'm not sure. The instructions just say that I'm going to have to hold on to those until I reach the finals." Ichika said. "Either way, I need to go and possibly win this tournament."

"Not only will you win to save your sister, but these instructions say you'll be considered a champion duelist." Rin said. "You'll be considered an idol in the country."

"Thanks, Rin, but that doesn't matter to me at the moment." Ichika said as he stood up. "I better get going. I've only got a few hours before that boat leaves." Ichika walked out of the classroom, but all five of them felt really bad for him.

"Oh, how I wish there was something we can do to help him." Cecilia said.

"Me too, but we're not duelists." Charlotte said.

"Maybe there's nothing you girls can do, but there might be something I can." Houki said as she walked out of there. The four of them were wondering what Houki was planning exactly. 'They're right. Ichika shouldn't be handling this alone. I'll do whatever I can to help him save Chifuyu.' She thought as she took out her own deck and thought of all that she can do. 'I'll use the power of my own deck to help Ichika.'

...

The Dock

Duelists have gathered for the boat that's departing for Duel Island. There was a lot more than Ichika was expecting.

"Duelists, show your two star chips and you can get on this boat. We depart in ten minutes." Security said as they all got on one-by-one.

"What are you doing here?"

"You're not suppose to be here."

"What's the big deal? I'm not allowed to see them off?"

"You're not fooling us. You were trying to sneak on board, you novice duelist." Ichika heard some sort of commotion going on. He took a look and saw Houki was caught by security. "Only those with star chips are allowed on."

"Hold on!" Ichika called as he hurried to help. "It's okay. She's with me."

"Only those with star chips are allowed on board." Security said.

"But she does." Ichika said. None of them understood until Ichika gave one of his own to her. "See?"

"But competitors are suppose to have two?"

"I don't remember hearing that." Ichika said.

"Ichika..." Houki said as she was a little touched that he would do. Security wasn't sure what to do about this. As all this was going on, the girls decided that they're going. The four of them snuck around some crates and tried to get on.

"I'm not too sure about this." Cecilia said.

"You want to leave Houki alone with Ichika on an island?" Rin asked.

"Of course not." Cecilia said.

"Besides, we should all go to help Ichika." Charlotte said.

"Over here." Laura said as she was able to get a large enough crate open. "We can hide in here." The four of them snuck inside the crate and were in the clear. It took some time, but security actually allowed Houki on and they made her a competitor. Now both Houki and Ichika are in. With that cleared, the boat left and was on the way to the island.

"Thanks back there, Ichika." Houki said. "Still, you had to get rid of one of your stars in order to help me."

"It's no problem." Ichika said. "Still, it will be a problem if these other duelists find out we have only one star while they have two. This glove looks like it fits more."

"Maybe be quiet about it then, Ichika." Houki said with some annoyance to Ichika's density. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder how that brain of yours really works."

"Ichika? You're Ichika Orimura?" Both of them turned around and were met with another competitor. He had black spikey hair and wore a black jacket that went to his elbows with black pants and a white shirt. "Are you really the guy that beat Conner Knight?"

"I am. Who are you?" Ichika asked.

"The name's Hector. I must say, you're not quite what I expected. Still, appearances shouldn't really matter. What matters is your skills with a deck. Especially since you just gave up a star for your friend here."

"Hey! You were eavesdropping!" Houki said with irritation.

"Take my advice, pal. Ditch the girl and lookout only for yourself because everyone around here is an enemy." Hector said as he started walking. "That's assuming you beating Conner wasn't just dumb luck."

"What a creep." Houki said.

"Just ignore him. Let's go check out the boat." Ichika said. The two of them went inside the boat and had a look around. They saw fellow duelists trading cards and getting themselves ready for the competition. "That's nice to see. Even though we're about to enter a big tournament, everyone is still trading and helping each other improve game."

"That's sportsmanship for you." Houki said.

"That's true. It goes to show you who you might be able to trust." Both of them turn around and met a boy with bowl-cut black hair and large glasses. He also wore a green buttoned jacket and jeans.

"Wait. You're William Alba. We saw your duel when Peggrin invited you to the tournament." Ichika said.

"It was a fluke that he won." They saw one more enter the room. He had brown hair with a red skully over it. He wore a red shirt with flames and had beige pants.

"You were his opponent: Flint Blester." Houki said.

"I'm pleased that you know my name already since I'm the one that's going to win." Flint said.

"It didn't look that way when I beat you." William said. "You're Ichika Orimura, aren't you? You're the guy that beat Conner Knight and your older sister is Chifuyu."

"That's right." Ichika said.

"Well, at least there's a little competition. Everyone else looks like losers to me." Flint said. He laughed like he already won as he walked out of there.

"Pay him no mind. He's just full of hot air." William said.

"I'll say. You shouldn't already assume you're going to win like that." Houki said. "Anyway, let's have a look around, Ichika."

"Sure. We'll see you later, William." Ichika said as the two of them left. As for Flint, he walked around the boat, but he did hear something going on.

"Oh man. This guy is good. I don't see how anyone can beat him."

"That was just a preview, losers." Hector appeared to have drawn some attention as he just showed a small taste of skill. "This tournament is going to be boring if that's all these guys got."

"What's going on over here?" Flint asked.

"This guy is good. He's got some wicked cards."

"Stop flattering me, even if it's true." Hector said.

"Ha. That's only because you haven't faced me. How about I give you a small simple of what I've got?" Flint said as he was full of confidence.

"Sure." Hector said as he thought he could take him.

...

Ichika and Houki

The two of them just stared at the night sky. With a big tournament coming and so much on the line, there's some difficulty sleeping.

"Houki, do you really think we're ready for this?" Ichika asked.

"Ichika, we can't think like that. We both want to save Chifuyu. If we're going to do that, we can't go in this without doubt." Houki said. She was serious, but she also enjoyed that it was just the two of them under a starry sky on a boat.

"Oh! I just remembered, I got something for you." Ichika said. He pulled out a metal box that held his deck and he pulled out a card. "Here. I want you to have this card." Houki was surprised to see that as she took it.

"Fortune Swordsman. Why are you giving this to me?" Houki asked.

"I just saw it and I thought you might like to have it." Ichika said. "Now, it will feel like a little part of myself is in your deck." Houki simply loved that idea.

"Ichika." Ichika turned around and was met with William again.

"Hi, William." Ichika said. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could see some of your cards." William said. "Conner is not an easy duelist to beat. I would very much like to see the very cards that did that."

"Sure. There's nothing wrong with looking." Ichika said.

"Ichika, I don't think that's a good idea." Houki said.

"It will be fine." Ichika said as he handed the box over. William had a look at Ichika's cards.

"Very nice. Very nice. This is the actual deck that defeated Conner. Who knows who else they could beat." William said as he closed the box. "Oh well. We'll never know." Ichika didn't get what he meant by that until William did the unthinkable. He tossed the cards right over the boat.

"My deck!" Ichika called.

"Now no one can beat me!" William claimed. The box hit the water and was going to sink.

"My cards! Chifuyu built that deck for me!" Ichika said as he saw his deck fall into the water and there wasn't much he could do.

"I'll get it!" Houki said as she jumped right off.

"Houki!" Ichika called. Houki hit the water and swam for the box. Ichika jumped in after her. Houki swam down and was able to grab the box. Ichika grabbed her and pulled her up and got above water. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I managed to get your deck." Houki said. "How are we going to get back on the boat?"

"I don't know." Ichika said. It seemed like they were going to be lost at sea, but a ladder came down.

"Ichika! Houki! Grab the ladder!" They both looked up and saw the rest of the girls on the boat.

"Am I ever glad to see you girls!" Ichika said. Houki and Ichika grabbed the ladder and they both were pulled to safety.

...

Hector

"Later, loser. I need to get some rest before the tournament." Hector said as he walked out of there. Flint couldn't believe it. They had a few practice rounds and Hector won every single one. He humiliated Flint.

"That little... I'm going to pay him back for this!" Flint declared.

...

Ichika and the Girls

Thanks to Rin and the others, Houki and Ichika were pulled back up on the boat. Thanks to Houki, Ichika still has his deck.

"I'm so glad both of you are safe." Cecilia said. "I can't believe you both jumped into that freezing water just for some cards."

"A duelist's deck is their life." Houki said. "Besides, those cards are sentimental to Ichika. Without them, Ichika can't compete in the tournament either. Ichika, you can still use them, right?"

"Yeah." Ichika said. "It was touch and go there for a moment, but it looks like you got to my deck just in time. Thanks a lot, Houki. Thanks to the rest of you for pulling us out of there. What are the four of you doing here?"

"We wanted to help, you big dummy." Rin said.

"We are you're backup." Laura said.

"We all want to save Chifuyu and we'll do everything we can to help you to make sure that you do." Charlotte said. Ichika felt real grateful to have friends who would go this far for him. They didn't get much sleep that night as the sun began to rise. "There it is!" Charlotte said as she pointed ahead and they could see the island.

"That's where we're going." Rin said.

"Who knows what might be on that island." Cecilia said.

"We must not show fear. Fear is a weakness." Laura said.

"Ichika, let's both do our best and save Chifuyu." Houki said.

"Yeah." Ichika said. "Now that you're all here with me, I don't see how I can fail." Ichika is full of confidence knowing his friends are with him. It's going to be a hard tournament, but the spirit in his charm knows who to strike at first.

'William Alba, you'll be the first to fall.' The spirit thought as he's looking for payback for what that roach just tried to do.