A video with the Aibo buddy stage was soon shown. Appearing in it was a girl with light purple hair in a small UFO. "Hello one and all. Aibo Academy's biggest event is now currently underway! That's right. The ABC Cup is about to be going down real soon. The second qualifiers have just finished up and we got our eight finalist duos. Remember, this is the event that shows who is the best Buddyfighter in our school and maybe the whole town. Recent duos who just finished is the Ace of Games Yuga Mikado and his partner Francisca, Subaru Hoshiyomi and his partner Zan Partizanne and of course Masato Rikuo and his partner Flamberge. We also got RanGa Channel's Ranma and his current partner Ochako Uraraka have just passed as well! The ABC Cup is shaping up to be a big one this year, and I, Iai Nanana, will be here to call all the action with my buddy, Martian UFO, Takokichi!" she said. "The question on everyone's mind now is which duo of Buddyfighters will become the best in the academy? To find out, stay tuned in for the ABC Cup's exciting action!"
"Wow, I forgot what it looked like during a Buddyfight Cup." Simon said in the Galaxy King as he held his Guardians, Executioners or Worse card.
"I'm More excited that all three Mage Sisters will be in action in the tournament. You gotta be excited for Franny being partnered up with Yuga, David." Hope said.
"Definitely. It was only because I wanted Francisca to face me and Tasuku so I can pass the mantle down to her, but I didn't expect it to become official." David said.
"So what led to you being Subaru's partner, Zan?" Connie asked.
"He's a mature buddy fighter and I am the eldest and most skilled in magic. It seemed like a beneficial partnership when we agreed to it." Zan said.
"What I couldn't believe was Masato picking Berge himself right after their match. Speaking of Berge, I hope she's feeling better after she burned herself out." Hope said. "She really was bummed losing to Masato before she was picked by him."
"He sees potential in her. Since she's the youngest of us, me and Franny watched as she growed over time when we were with Hyness, and she still is now. But I am proud to see she is coming along her own way." Zan said.
"Let's hope by teaming up with Masato, Flamberge can cool down that temper of hers a notch. We don't need another Bakugo or Natsu around here." Lucy said.
"Hey!" both of them said.
"Now that I think of it, Flamberge's main flaw has always been her temper. It has been ever since we met her at the Jambastion." Hope said.
"Can you blame her? It was right after you all fought me." Francisca said.
"Yes, she does tend to be very protective of Franny to the point she'll attack anyone who's upset her." Zan said.
"Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Mark said "That's what Yoda said back on Dagobah."
"Yeah. If Flamberge doesn't figure out how to quell her flames, she may burn everything around her, including herself." Ichiro said.
"I guess that's another reason Masato chose her as her partner." Hope said. "Speaking of Flamberge, anyone see her?"
"Oh, Masato thought it a good idea for Berge to shadow him, to see if she could learn a thing or two from him and the Linkdragon Order." Mahiru said.
"Yeah and don't worry about her fighting. I hid a camera on her." Tails said showing footage of multiple sports teams begging Masato to join their teams.
"Whoa. He really is that likable, isn't he?" Francisca asked.
"You bet. Name a sport, any sport, and he'll crush it without breaking a sweat." David said.
"Yeah. This is every sports club on Aibo. Baseball, Tennis, Soccer, Kendo, Jujitsu, Table Tennis...even a Tea Club wants him and that's not even a sport." Rainbow said.
"Okay...I'll join all of you!" Masato said over the camera as they cheered.
"He's so eager to link every team he has together." Hope said.
"Yeah...but he's never gonna have time to plan his deck if he joins all of them." Lacy said.
"Huh?" Tails said before seeing a guy with large orange hair and a jacket over his shoulders approach. "Wait...who is that?"
"Let's see. Oh boy. That's Banjoe Onizuka. He's from the junior high and one of the eight finalists. He's been suspended multiple times for causing fights." Vera said.
"This is bad…" Mahiru said.
With Flamberge and Masato…
Banjoe approached the duo as the club members were in his way. "You're in my way, beat it!" he threatened as the clubs dashed out of the way.
"(Who's this guy?)" Flamberge thought looking at him. She watched as him and Masato talked it out before Masato declined a fight. At that point, Banjoe went and grabbed a metal baseball bat.
"You're just a chicken!" he said taking a swing at him.
Flamberge then quickly blocked the bat with her sword as he growled.
"Look...if you fight us, we're just gonna get kicked out of the ABC Cup. And we recently just qualified. It would be a tragedy to just let all that work go to waste." Flamberge said.
"The girl's right, Brother." a voice said as a small black creature appeared by his side. "Besides, we can trounce them all when we get the ABC Cup started."
"Hmmm." Banjoe said picking up his jacket. "See you then. Look forward to crushing you." he said walking off.
"Oh, that was close. That guy would've punched me if I didn't think quick." Flamberge said.
"Well, he seemed like a nice chap." Emo said, rolling his eyes back on the King.
"That Banjoe guy seems like a jerk, but something about him feels different from his tough mantra." Mahiru said.
"Well, I heard he wants to be the Strongest Man in the World, and he aspires to that all the time, being in Buddyfights or street fights." Kokichi said.
"And that creature next to him is his Buddy, Topfist Vainglory, Brawlzeus." Mari said. "I know that kind of creature anywhere. He's part of the same group of monsters Zane uses...the Godpunks of Danger World. Sure he may look cute in his SD form but when he's transformed..." she said showing a transformed Brawlzeus.
"Oh… Man. He looks really strong." David said.
"Looks mean nothing in a buddyfight. All that matters is skill and how you play the cards." Sachiko said.
"Not surprised hearing that from you, Sachiko." David said.
"In any case, if the ABC Cup has opponents like him… than this is gonna be interesting to see." Hope said.
The day of the ABC Cup finally came as Aibo was buzzing with excitement.
(Cue- Tournament Bracket- Mario Power Tennis)
"It's here at last! The ABC Cup is about to Begin!" Ion commentated. "It's now time to introduce our 8 duos as they take the stage!"
A Spotlight shone on Aibo academy's stage as the 8 teams were introduced one by one.
"Our first duo is Masato Rikuo and Flamberge." Ion said. "Then comes Banjoe Onizuka and Asta."
"What? You're his partner?" Flamberge said. "Why?"
"He seemed okay when we met on the grounds." Asta said.
"Then we have Light Kurozou and Celestia Ludenberg." Ion said as the next duo rose up.
"Her? Of all people?" Titanica said.
"These rumours might just be true, but I heard she's one hell of a Buddyfighter." Hope said.
"How can you be so calm about this. Need I remind you she murdered Hifumi and Ishimaru for money?" Titanica said.
"Yeah I know that…" Hope said. "Sorry Alice. But everyone changes."
"Exactly. I bear no ill will towards her for those circumstances." David said.
"Indeed. She was as much a victim of Junko's rampage as any of the other Ultimates." Archer added.
"And next we have Mamoru Sekai and Elize Lutus." Ion said as a boy with a strange galactic like hairstyle rose up with Elize and Teepo.
"Now we go to the other half, chu." Takokichi said.
"Right. Here comes Yuga Mikado and Francisca followed by Ranma Kakogawa and Ochako Uraraka. Then comes Mel Yumegatari and Onyx Dark." Ion said as rising up with Onyx was a strange girl with very large hair. "And to finish up, we have Subaru Hoshiyomi and his partner Zan Partizanne."
"Here's the tournament bracket, chu!" Takocichi put in gain pressing some buttons for the official bracket.
Masato Rikuo and Flamberge vs Banjoe Onizuka and Asta
Light Kurozu and Celestia Ludenberg vs Mamoru Sekai and Elize Lutus
Yuga Mikado and Fransisca vs Ranma Kakogawa and Ochako Uraraka
Subaru Hoshiyomi and Zan Partizanne vs Mel Yumegatari and Onyx Dark
"What do you know...Berge's going first." Jexi said.
"Oh boy… the very first match and Masato and I are kicking things off? I'm a little nervous to be totally honest…" Flamberge said.
"Well I think it's my lucky day. I didn't think I'd get to crush you two this soon." Banjoe said. "How about… the winning team of this match gets to do whatever they want to the losers. And I mean whatever."
"Fine. I can agree with that." Masato said.
"This arrangement is interesting, Zan. Based on this, we won't be able to face Berge until the finals." Francisca said. "But if we beat Ochako and Onyx respectively, that means we'll have to face each other in the semifinals. Though in all honesty, I wouldn't want it any other way."
"Provided that Berge also beats either Celestia or Elize." Zan said. "Still, I have a feeling I'll be looking forward to our bout."
"I'll conquer this world with this fist! Strongest Luminize! Legend of Strongest Topfist!" Banjoe shouted.
"Alright! Here we go! Before I become the Magic Emperor, I'll start out with conquering the greatest dungeon! Luminize! Ultimate Dungeon!" Asta said.
"The linked spiral is the chain of bonds! Luminize! Spiral Linkdragon Order!" Masato said.
"With burning flames and the passion to protect, I'll pave the way for justice and peace! Lumenize! Flames of Unification!" Flamberge called.
"Buddy…" Ion said.
"FIGHT!" the crowd cheered.
"Raise the Flag!" they said.
"Danger World." Banjoe said.
"Dungeon World!" Asta said.
"Ancient World!" Masato said.
"Dragon World!" Flamberge said.
"Topfist Vainglory, Brawlzeus!" Banjoe said.
"Bladewing Raven!" Asta said.
"Thunderaxe, Agito!" Masato said.
"Third Crimson Chieftain, Heedless Agni!" Flamberge said.
"The first move goes to Banjoe and Asta!" Ion called.
"Strongest Draw! Strongest Charge and Strongest Draw!" Banjoe said. "I Strongest Call Crazed Warfficer, Gutsares to the center! And to the left, I strongest call Bash Sage, Bashermes. Now, Gutsares, attack Masato!"
Gutsares leaped over and struck Masato.
10-8
"Plunder!" Banjoe called.
10-11
"Hey, his life went up!" Issei said.
"It's the special ability that Godpunks have, Plunder." Hope said. "When a Godpunk card fills certain conditions, the player can steal everything from gauge cards to life points."
"Okay...now it's my turn! Haaaaa! Draw! Charge and...DRAW! I call Entangle Roper to the center, Gummy Slime to the right and Twin Tail Incubus to the left! Now...Roper is gonna attack Flamberge!" Asta said.
10-8
"And with that...I end my turn!" Asta said.
"Hmm. Not a bad start. But we can do better. I call Keen Ear, Jisen to the left. Heavystriker, Kaira to the center and then...Buddycall Agito to the right!" Masato said.
8-9
"And after equipping Wildaxe...here it comes!" Masato said.
"Dragon Share!" they all shouted.
"But that's not all. I also cast! Linkdragon Order's Repose! I gain two gauge and life equal to the number of size one monsters on my field." Masato said.
9-12
"Agito! Attack Gutsares!" Masato called.
"Leave it to me, Masato! My fighting spirits are at an all time high today!" Agito said pouncing.
"Cast! Invincible Knuckle!" Banjoe said stopping the attack.
12-11
11-12
"I have double attack!" Agito said.
"Cast again! Invincible Knuckle!" Banjoe said.
11-10
12-13
"Before you go any further Masato, can I make my move?" Flamberge asked.
"Wait until I'm done." Masato said before he and the Linkdragon Order made their move. By the time he finished...Banjoe stood there sobbing.
13-1
"Masato has systematically cut Banjoe down from 13 life points all the way to 1!" Ion commentated.
"Linkdragon Order, Link Dragon Order, yeah!" Masato, Kaira and Jisen cheered.
"Hm? What's up with him?" David asked looking at Banjoe.
"He's out of it. Getting cut down so much like that really puts a damper on your spirits." Akane said.
"That's sad. He always says he's the strongest, but to be taken down like that…" Frisk said.
"Nice play, Masato." Flamberge smiled. "But it's my turn now."
"Go ahead and try!" Asta shouted.
"Draw! Charge and Draw! I'll start off by calling Tail Blazer Dragon to the Right, and to left I'm gonna call Mera Driver Dragon!" Flamberge said. "I Equip Sun Fist, Jet Knuckle! Tail Blazer, Mera Driver, do a link attack on Roper!"
Both dragons attacked.
"Both Dragons have effects when Link Attacking! Tail Blazer lets me gain a gauge, and thanks to Mera Driver, they both gain the ability to Penetrate!"
"They do what?!" Asta asked.
"Go for it, guys!" Flamberge called as the two broke through Roper. "I Activate Jet knuckles ability! Whenever a Sun Dragon Link attacks, I gain more gauge! ANd by paying one of that gauge and sending Jet Knuckle to the drop zone, Mera Driver Dragons critical becomes 2!"
"Hahaha! Roper's effect activates! When it is the target of an attack, the penetrate ability gets nullified!" Asta said.
"That bites!" Flamberge said as Roper was destroyed. "That's it for my turn."
"Alright, it's back to us!" Asta said looking over to Banjoe. "Hey, don't cry yet Banjoe! It's not over for you, don't give up!"
"I got him, brother." Brawlzeus said. "The strongest man in the world… shouldn't be fit to act like a spoiled child!" he said slapping Banjoe on the back hard.
"You're right! Thanks." Banjoe said with tears. "Strongest Draw! Strongest Charge and Strongest Draw! Heh. I cast! Deep Qigong of the Hungry Wolf!"
1-9
"Then I plunder your gauge in order to equip! Skygod Jacket!" Banjoe said. "Next, I plunder your life, your gauge and Jisen in order to Buddycall to the right...Topfist Vainglory, Brawlzeus!" he said.
10-9
9-10
"Oh yeah!" Brawlzeus shouted taking to the field. "Topfist!"
"The strongest buddy with iron fists has arrived! Now I attack Kaira! And Penetrate!" Banjoe called punching Kaira down and breaking through to Masato.
9-7
"Bashermes, you're next!" Banjoe said.
"This is what a baseball feels like, Ace of Sports!" Bashermes said hitting Masato.
7-6
"Brawlzeus!" Banjoe said.
"This is what a Godpunk is like when they're serious!" Brawlzeus said hitting Masato said.
6-4
"And Plunder!" Banjoe said.
4-2
10-12
"Okay, that's gonna be all for me." Banjoe said.
"Alright! My turn! Draw! Charge and Draw! I pay a gauge and a life and equip!" Asta said. "Magic Sword, Etherstorm!" he said.
10-9
"I'm...never gonna give up! I'll...move right past ya!" Asta said striking Flamberge.
8-6
"Okay...That's gonna be it for me!" Asta said.
"What an epic buddyfight!" Ion said.
"Every time the fight goes back and forth, there's a major difference in Masato and Banjoe's life points, chu!" Takokichi said.
"You said it, Takokichi! And Asta seems to have Flamberge tied up!" Ion said.
"It's our turn now! Draw! Charge and…" Masato said hesitant a bit to draw his next card.
"Don't be nervous, Masato." Flamberge said. "I know… you can draw it. The card you need to win!"
"I'm not. Least not now! Draw! Yes! For Share! I take the Linkdragon's in my dropzone and Agito and pay two gauge...and call King Agito to the center!" Masato said as King Agito appeared. "But before I attack. Flamberge...you can take your turn."
"Thanks Masato." Flamberge said.
"How's Flamberge going to come back? Asta still has 9 life points." Xion said.
"I think she knows the exact way to do it." Hope said.
"Draw! Charge and Draw!" Flamberge said. "Okay. Asta… you're a great buddyfighter, but I think on this turn… I'm the one winning."
"Oh really? Well bring it on!" Asta said.
"I intend to." Flamberge said. "First up, I'm equipping this! Crimson Fist, Dragoplus!" a new gauntlet appeared on Flamberge's hand. "And you better believe this fist has got power, because for every monster my field… Dragoplus gains one critical!"
"Okay...I'm ready! Come at me!" Asta shouted.
You asked for it! Tail Blazer, Mera Driver, lets go!" Flamberge called as the monsters attacked together. "Tail Blazers effect! When he link attacks, I gain one gauge!"
"Haaaaa!" Asta shouted as he took the attacks head on.
9-2
"I'm still standing… it wasn't enough!" Asta said. "Come on! You can't be done!"
"I'm not! Get ready! Final Phase!" Flamberge called. "This is… my Impact!"
Rising up into the sky was a giant mechanical fist, the Gigantic Crusher. But then the Mage Sisters's beret symbol went onto the Knuckle's top as flames blasted over it, changing it to matching Flamberges scheme.
"This impact can only be cast if my opponent has 4 life or less, I have an item with "Fist" in its name equipped, and there are no monsters in our center areas! And it also gains effects depending if Sun Dragons or Crimson battlers link attacked! That'll come later, but for now, i have all this pent up fire in me… and I'm letting it all out! Impact! Burning… Gigantic...CRUSHER!" Flamberge called swinging her arm as the fist rocketed to asta and crashed into him.
2-0
Game over: Asta! Winner, Flamberge!
"Yeah, I did it!" Flamberge cheered.
"For share! Now it's my turn to make us advance! Let's go King Agito!" Masato said as he destroyed Brawlzeus with Wildaxe as Agito struck Banjoe twice.
12-4
"Hehehahahaha! So what if my partner lost. You don't have any gauge left. So...end your turn." Banjoe said.
"Final Phase!" Masato said with a smile.
"What?!" Banjoe gawked.
"What is he doing?" Terra asked.
"Could it be... Does he have that card?" Tails said as lightning surrounded Agito. "Yes, he does have it! Thunder Dragon Tornado!"
"But how's he able to cast an Impact? He needs a gauge for it." Hagakure said.
"Not for this card. If he's got King Agito on his field, he can play it without having to use gauge." Tails said.
King Agito roared as a tornado of lighting surged around him as Masato brandished two axes. The tornado then raged over the stage towards Banjoe.
"Impact! Thunder Dragon Tornado!" Masato shouted as King Agito dealt the finishing blow on Banjoe.
4-0
Game over! Winner: Masato Rikuo!
"And with that...the ones moving on will be...Masato and Flamberge!" Ion said.
"Yahoo, we won!" Flamberge cheered.
"Now Sing! Order's theme!" Agito shouted.
"We're the Linkdragon Order, we join forces cause we care! We fight for Masato and in his name a fearless say "For Share"! The Link's Spiral Chain of bonds leads us in our fight! You better not mess with us or we'll mess you up right!" the Linkdragon Order, Masato and Flamberge sang.
"Wow, that song is pretty fun to sing." Flamberge realized.
Later outside….
"Go ahead. Do whatever you want to us. We're not scared of you newbies." Banjoe said.
"Hmm…" Flamberge said. "Asta, I'm not gonna burn you or anything, but you up for a little challenge?"
"What? Hey I thought this was just between Masato and Banjoe! Not us!" Asta said.
"Banjoe said the winning pair gets to do whatever they want to the losing one." Flamberge said. "That includes me and you to an extent."
"I guess it's useless to run from you since we both live on the ship, right?" Asta asked.
"Pretty much." Flamberge said.
"Well...I'm still gonna run!" Asta said taking off.
"Hey, get back here!" Flamberge said chasing after him.
"As for you, Banjoe...I want you to take your passion for street fighting, and put it solely into Buddyfighting. That way you can be the strongest ever." Masato said.
"You want me, Banjoe Onizuka, to give up fighting? There's no way I can do that!" Banjoe said.
"Wrong. I believe in you, Banjoe. Just like how I believe in my partner." Masato said.
"Grrr. You are so annoying. Next time we'll settle this with our fists. Karate or boxing, I don't care. Just something." Banjoe said. "Heh. Smell ya later." he said walking off with a smile.
"Masato really is something else. Flamberge seems less quick to anger now, and he reached out to Banjoe. He really believes in teamwork." Hope said. "What a guy."
"Hope, has anyone ever told you that you're too supportive of someone?" Sakura asked.
"Many times. I guess I still have flaws of my own." Hope said.
"No shame in that." Ace said.
"There's no such thing as a perfect person. Flaws just show that you're a human being." Jexi said.
"The same can be said… for those of us who weren't originally human." Hope said as Flamberge continued to chase Asta with a smile on her face.