"From the very start of the ABC Cup, everyone's been buzzing about who might win." Rose said.
"That's cuz everyone's thinking one of the Aces are gonna win." Akane said.
"I know, right? The students at Aibo all think the finals are gonna come down to me and Masato vs Subaru and Zan. Talk about pressure." Flamberge said.
Francisca merely fell silent at the proclamation, focusing on her upcoming match with Ranma.
"Oh, uh… I really didn't mean anything towards you, Franny. Some people think Yuga will win too." Flamberge said.
"Flamberge, you do notice that Francisca and Zan are in the same half of the bracket, don't you?" Leopardmon asked. "It could easily be either of them."
"Yeah, I noticed. The Semis could come down to a match between the two of them." Flamberge said.
"I'm more worried about Ranma, do you think he'll be okay?" Ace said.
"I've kind of noticed it too." Francisca said. "Hey, Ochako. You're my opponent in the first round, right? Have you noticed anything strange about Ranma?"
"Well...ever since the tournament started, Ranma and I have been a bit of an afterthought." Ochako said. "Even though Ranma's been buddyfighting longer than Yuga has and he knows him inside out, it just feels like there's a sort of...emptiness growing inside him."
"A sense of envy, you mean?" David asked.
"Come to think of it...it's felt like it's been growing ever since Garga appeared in our world." Sheer said.
"I hope this isn't a sign of bad things to come." Ace said.
"It's not just that either. Have you guys noticed that whenever Ranma fights… there's no monster card at all in his buddy area?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah, I did notice that! He fights with the Crimson Battlers like Berge, but he don't have a Buddy in his corner, ain't that weird to anyone?" Gemini asked.
"How can that be?" Aluche asked.
"Because everyone on this world uses that strange buddy rare system. He hasn't gotten his true buddy yet." Ochako said.
"Ranma...could he...could he have been related to the vision I saw?" Sheer muttered to himself.
"Is something wrong, Sheer?" Xion asked.
"Hmm? Oh. It's nothing. Nothing to concern yourselves with." Sheer said.
"Hey, Akira." Ryuji noted. "Have Yusuke, Haru, Futaba and Makoto come back from their shift with Mona yet?"
"They're still monitoring for Jack. Still no sign." Akira said.
"Dammit, what's taking him?" Ryuji said.
"So you all have no clue where he is?" Ruenheid asked.
"None. Plan E is to escape and hide out on this world until he sends the arrival signal, telling us he's coming." Ann said.
"Though Jack was escaping using a Universal Police cruiser. There are only three possible outcomes: 1. He went and got himself arrested. 2. He escaped but got stranded somewhere or 3. He's dead, but that one isn't very likely with his luck." Akira said.
"Knowing him, it's probably outcome number 2." David said.
"I agree. Way you talk about this kid, it's like he's an expert thief." Noir piped in.
"He isn't just an expert thief. He's my brother." Hope said.
"Your brother?!" Peni asked with Sp/dr acting just as surprised.
"Yeah, I should've told you when we met Akira at castle." Hope said.
"We're part of a gang of thieves. You've probably heard of us on the news...we're the Phantom Thieves." Akira said.
"Can't say we have." Noir said.
"Yeah, both of our dimensions reside in the Hero Universe. Have you been there yet?" Peni asked.
"No...but it's on the list." Akira said.
"We've only hit Standard, Undead, Magic, Steam, Sky and just recently Shinto." Ryuji said. "We haven't figured out where to go next."
"The Shinto Universe. That brings up concerns with Master Sayuri. She mentioned that her sister rules one of the domains there." David said.
"Uh...yeah. We may have robbed her first." Ann said.
"Oh boy… This is going to be awkward when we eventually meet up with her." David said.
"Oh...that reminds me. David...you got life insurance right? Cause when we fought Shutendoji...he said he's gonna kill you for enslaving Kabuki." Ryuji said.
"It was nothing like that! I chose to be his subordinate!" Kabuki said.
"Yeah, I tried to tell him that but he wouldn't listen." Ryuji said.
"Oh great… We're in for it now…" David said.
"But we did make some good snags in that place. The Glacial Hair Comb, the Royal Silken Cloth, we even got the Tengu's fan." Ryuji said.
"Also...it was probably good we met up. We were actually going to look for you guys first." Akira said.
"Why?" Veruschka asked.
"Well, more specifically...her." Ann said pointing to Sunset. "See...we recently came across a scroll when robbing a Komainu guarded shrine. But…"
"The dang thing is sealed with a strong magic. We can't get it open." Ryuji said.
"So why me?" Sunset asked.
"Cause the scroll belongs to Enma's family. You're tight with the big guy. We figured you might...try and convince him to undo the seal?" Ryuji asked.
"That's flattering but Enma doesn't stay in one place too often nowadays. I have no clue where he is." Sunset said.
"See, King Enma decided to Split the Yokai world into three worlds. Past, Present and Future." Hope said.
"Not the point. Look, I can't help you...maybe. I would have to see the scroll first." Sunset said.
"Okay. You got it. Wait...where is the...crap. I forgot. Jack had it on him." Ryuji said. "Oh...but we do have a picture." he said showing the scroll on his phone.
"Yeah, that's definitely Enma's seal. And the characters above. I think I can make those out. Yo...You...Youseiken. Youseiken?!" Sunset said surprised.
"The Youseiken?! You mean the legendary swords of the youkai?!" Kabuki said.
"I thought they were a myth." Tetsu said.
"I'm a little lost, what are the Youseiken?" Hope said.
"Loosely translated, it means 'Demon Sword'." David said.
"He's not far off. Long ago, in the Shinto Universe, these swords existed of great power. Each one wielded by a powerful entity. Fudou Myouou, Suzaku, Genbu, Ashura and Byakko. But...there came a stranger who wanted to replicate the swords. By the time he was caught on by one of Enma's ancestors, he had already succeeded. So, Enma decided to hide away the replica blades in different universes so no one can use them again. I thought they were considered lost...till I saw Neu use one during the battle in Hyrule. The Fudou Raimeiken." Kabuki said.
"Yeah. Enma gave that to me after we slayed Rasen." Sunset said.
"So these swords…they could still be found." Peni sai.
"And that's exactly what I wanted to tell you guys and Neu about." Sunset said. "See, the thing is...He wants Neu and me...to find them."
"Find zem?" Rachel asked looking to Neu in concern.
"Yeah...that's what he said. For what reason, he didn't say. Maybe he's showing further trust in humans, or preparing for something. I don't know. But if he says to find them...then I guess we find them." Sunset said.
"I'm guessing he didn't give you a map." SE said.
"Maybe he did." Emo said looking to the photo of the scroll.
"Emo may be on to something. The scroll Jack has in his possession could possibly be the map to the Youseiken." Ichiro hypothesised.
"Maybe, but we won't know until Jack gets here." Mark said. "So, might as well relax. Waiting is really all we can do for now, unless some of us formed a search party to find him."
"And tangle with the Universal Government?" David asked.
"He's right. It's too risky." Leopardmon said.
"All we can do is hope Jack outran Carpaccio and shows up soon." Sakura said.
"C'mon guys, I know my brother, he'll be fine. We should focus more on the ABC Cup instead of him. Jack doesn't really like it when people worry about him too much." Hope said.
"He's right. It'll just unnerve everyone." Omnimon said.
"So back on the Subject of Yuga and Ranma, I bet they're getting ready for their match. Knowing them, they've just gotten new packs at Castle." Hope said.
"Hope...it's a little hard to change focus given all that info." Jexi said.
"Oh. Sorry." Hope said.
"Besides, we know how Jack is. He won't go down that easily. So, let's just do what we can on our end." David said.
"You sure about that, Master? With Shutendoji and Fubuki after you?" Kabuki asked.
"Actually, we haven't directly mentioned you guys to Fubuki, so you don't have to worry about her for now." Ann said.
"Yeah and no one knows what we really look like behind our outfits and masks, so it's all good." Ryuji said.
"So, relax. Everything's going to be alright." David said.
Omnimon looked on and smiled behind his helmet, reminding him of Nokia.
"Yeah...best we can do is move on until he shows." Akira said.
The next day…
"Okay boys and girls...we've just entered the next day of the ABC Cup. Today's match will be...Yuga Mikado and Francisca vs Ranma Kakogawa and Ochako Uraraka." Ion said.
"You ready for this, Yuga?" Francisca asked.
"You bet. I'm not ready to lose just yet." Yuga said.
"Okay. Let's go and do it. We're going to fight." Ochako said.
"We're...going to win." Ranma said. "He's going down. I'll pierce you with these Crimson Fists! Luminize! Crimson Explosion!"
"A Deity's Dragon Brigade descends! Luminize! Dradeity!" Yuga said.
"These girls are done playing for romance and being weak! They're going to show their spirit! Lumenize! Damsels no more!" Ochako said.
"Even the coldest blanket of snow...cannot smother the growth of a flower! A flower of serenity, a flower of peace! Lumenize, Cold Dungeon!" Francisca said.
"Buddy…." Ion and Takokichi started.
"FIGHT!" the crowd cheered.
"Raise the flag!" the four called.
"Dragon World!" Ranma said.
"Hero World!" Ochako said.
"Dragon World!" Yuga said.
"Dungeon World!" Francisca said.
"Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said.
"Revolution Knight, Rebellious!" Fransisca called.
"Racer Frill." Ochako said.
"Heh...let's get this on. We get first turn! I draw! Charge and draw! I pay 1 gauge and equip Crimson Fist, Dragoblaze! Here I come!" Ranma said hitting Yuga.
10-7
"Okay, my go. I draw! Charge and draw! I start off by casting White Cloth Rosen, Frill Rose." Ochako said. "Then I'll call to the center, Shiny Mobile Uniform Warrior, Jewelry Frill. Attack Francisca!" she said.
10-9
"Okay...I end my turn." Ochako said.
"That was a good one. I draw! Charge and draw! I pay one gauge and buddycall Gargantua Dragon to the right!" Yuga said.
7-8
"I call Gardog to the left." Yuga said.
"I play rough!" Gardog growled.
"Now Garga...attack the fighter!" Yuga said.
"I thought you might try that. I pay 2 life and cast! Dragotrap! This stops Garga from attacking." Ranma said.
10-8
"Then you attack, Gardog!" Yuga said.
"Here comes the top dog!" he shouted jumping at Ranma.
"I cast! Green Dragon Shield!" Ranma said.
8-9
"Without your buddy, you're no different than me. Could I even say you're possibly weaker than me?" Ranma taunted.
"Guess that's all I can do. You're up, Fransisca." Yuga said.
"Right then. I draw!" Francisca said. "And first off, I'll call to the center Province Baron, Shido. Next I'll call to the left Magical Beast Tamer, Kazane and on my right, Retainer of the Demonic Dragon, Geodol!"
"This is a great formation setup for Fransisca. She really takes after you, David." Ichiro said.
"You expected otherwise?" David asked.
"Ah, Geodol… It's good to see you again, old friend!" Einst said. "I hope my partner's disciple treats you very well."
"I'm sure she will, Einst." Jace said.
"Alright. Now, I'll have Shido attack the fighter!" Francisca said.
"Wait, what? Isn't that against the rules?" Ochako asked.
"Not quite. Shido can attack even if my opponent has a monster in their center. If it hits, I gain one life." Francisca said.
10-8
9-10
"How did that card go through like that?" Steven asked.
"The Shadow Dive ability. If a monster's got it, they can attack the fighter even if there's a monster in the center." Tails said.
"Next up, I'll have Kazane attack Jewelry Frill!" Francisca said.
"Ha!" Kazane shouted hitting Jewelry Frill, destroying her.
"When Jewelry Frill leaves the field during an attack phase, I can add a card to my gauge and regain a life." Ochako said.
8-9
"Well, here's another twist. If I have a Dungeon Enemy on the field, Kazane gets Double Attack." Francisca said. "Now, link attack with Geodol!"
Both monster struck Ochako as she cried out.
9-5
"I end my turn." Francisca said.
"Sweet, cause it's our turn now! I draw! Charge, and draw! I call Crimson Battler Extreme Blow Dragon to the right and Crimson Battler, Burn Guts Dragon to the left. Now, Burn Guts attacks Yuga." Ranma said.
9-7
"Followed by Extreme blow!" Ranma called.
7-3
"Now...I use my item!" Ranma said.
"I cast! Blue Dragon Shield!" Yuga said blocking.
"He had a shield? I had a so close victory!" Ranma said.
"What an amazing offensive barrage by Ranma! Surprisingly, he's got Yuga on the defensive!" Ion commetated.
"Whaddya mean surprisingly? I've been Buddyfighting a lot longer than Yuga, and I'm the one who introduced him to the game!" Ranma protested.
"Ranma, that's enough." Francisca said.
"Huh?" Ranma asked.
"Do you not see the way you are acting right now?" Francisca asked. "Shouldn't you be more proud of the progress he's making?"
"She's right, buddy." Yuga said. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be Buddyfighting. I'm having such a blast right now. And also… thanks to you, I've met Garga, Masato, Subaru, and all of those other guys. I've made more friends, and can enjoy awesome Buddyfights like this."
"I did all this?" Ranma asked. "Thanks...I guess."
"Okay. Let's get back on track! I draw! Charge and draw!" Ochako said. "I call Sister Frill to the left, Police Frill to the right and buddycall Racer Frill to center!" she said. "And when Police Frill enters when I have a Superheroine out, I can send one of your monsters back to your hand. And I pick Geodol." Ochako said. "And when Racer Frill enters when I have a Superheroine out, I get to draw a card. Now...let's go. Sister Frill, attack Shido!" Ochako said as Sister Frill destroyed him. "Now, Police Frill, attack the fighter!"
9-8
"Now that leaves Racer Frill! Attack the fighter!" Ochako shouted.
8-6
"And with that, I end my turn!" Ochako said.
"Francisca...I'm gonna let you finish your fight first." Yuga said.
"Thanks, Yuga. Now… It's my turn! I draw, charge and draw!" Francisca said. "First, I'll equip Brave Sword, Soma Sword! Then I'll buddycall Revolution Knight, Rebellious!"
6-7
"When Rebellious is called and I only have one item equipped, I can destroy a size one or less monster on the field!" Francisca said.
"But...they're all size one!" Ochako said.
"Meaning that I can destroy any one of them. And I think I'll take...Police Frill." Francisca said.
"Oh no!" Ochako said as Rebellious destroyed Police Frill.
"Time to go on the offensive!" Francisca said. "But before I do...I cast Rolling Stone and destroy Racer Frill!" Francisca said as Racer Frill was destroyed.
"Oh no!" Ochako said.
"Rebellious, Kazane, it's time for an All-Out Attack!" Francisca said as all three of them struck Ochako.
5-0
Game Over: Ochako! Winner: Fransisca!
"What an amazing use of Rolling Stone by Fransisca to cinch the win!" Ion said.
"She isn't David's student for nothing, chu!" Takokichi added.
"Totally Aces, Fransisca! Now I'm up!" Yuga said. "I equip Deity Dragon Sword, Garblade! Then i cast Dragon Trust! This gives Garga the ability to Penetrate!"
"Not so fast Yuga! I'm gonna lock you down!" Ranma said. "Burn Guts, Move to the center! Then I cast Dragon Trap again! Garga can't move again! I'll also cast this! Barbed Wire! You can't use your item now. And to add insult to injury, Dragon Spell, Hiding Bomber and destroy Gardog!" Ranma said. "My victory is assured!"
"You'd think." Yuga said donning his headphones. "I cast! Gargantua Switch Mode!" Yuga said.
"Gargantua Switch Mode?" Frisk asked.
"In short...this spell lets me activate G-EVO! So Garga...change! Sonic Mode!" Yuga said as Garga soon donned green armor as his swords merged into a single shield.
"Sonic Mode!" Garga announced.
"Thanks to G-EVO, Garga's able to restand! And since he changed into Sonic mode, i gain two life and draw two cards." Yuga said. "Now...it's time! Garga attacks Burn Guts!" Yuga said as Garga destroyed Burn Guts and dealt damage to Ranma.
7-5
"Oh no, I think I know what's coming next…" Ranma realized.
"Final Phase!" Yuga announced. "I cast!" he called summoning his signature sword impact. "Deity Gargantua Punisher!" he shouted as the sword came down towards Ranma.
"I did my best and still lost. You really are one of the greatest, pal." Ranma said as the impact landed.
5-0
Game over! Winner: Yuga Mikado!
"And that's how we roll!" Yuga said.
"You fought well, young one. You two as well, Francisca, Ranma." Garga acknowledged.
"Hey...I did, didn't I?" Ranma said.
"And with that, Yuga and Francisca will move on to the semifinals!" Ion said.
"Nice work, Franny." David said with a smile.
"A lot of pressure is on you, Zan. If you win your match, you'll have to face Franny in the semifinals." Kokoro said.
"But you have to get past Onyx first, and from what we saw at the Buddy Masters Cup, she won't be giving you an inch." Yoko said.
"They're right. When it comes to us...I'm going to make a new fairy tale that will turn you upside down!" Onyx said.
"But don't let that rattle you. Just stay calm, do what you do, and you can win this." Leia said.
"It doesn't matter if I win or not, so long as Franny and Berge are happy." Zan said.
"What're you talking about sis? We wanna see you have fun too." Flamberge said.
"She's right, Zan. No need to leave yourself out of this." Francisca said.
"Right, my apologies." Zan said. "If I do make it to you Franny… let us have a great match."
"I wouldn't want it any other way." Francisca said.
"By the way, Franny. Do you mind letting Geodol out for a bit? I think Einst wants to catch up with his former companion." David said.
"Certainly." Francisca said letting Geodol out.
"Geodol. It really is you, isn't it old friend?" Einst asked.
"Einst. Long time no see. I was beginning to wonder where you've gone after you left Azi Dahaka the way you did." Geodol said. "So, this boy is who you've resided yourself with? He really does have this air of a warrior. Perhaps it is fate that I ended up in his pupil's deck."
"Perhaps it is. Fate has a way of swaying many former Retainers of Azi Dahaka to their side, it seems." Einst nodded.
"It seems like you guys have a lot to talk about, so we'll spend the rest of the first round giving you two some time to catch up." David said.
"Very well. Thank you." Einst said as he and Geodol left.
"Ranma's heart doesn't feel as shadowed now." Ace said relieved.
"I noticed it too. I think reminding him of everything lightened him up a little." Francisca said.
"It would probably be best to keep an eye on him still just in case, can't be too careful." Ace said. "Though that's probably just me."
Though Ace and the others were sure Ranma's shadows were lifted, at least slightly, he still had doubt in his mind. He did not know why seeing Yuga so happy made him miserable, but the answer will come to him soon enough.