A little over a few days before the ABC Cup semi finals, preparation was key for everyone competing. Whether it be mentally, deck ready… or physically.
"Keep up, Flamberge!" Masato called as he and Flamberge were running through the woods outside Cho-Tokyo at night.
"I'm right behind you Masato!" Flamberge said keeping pace with the Ace of Sports. "But can you explain to me why you wanted me to come with you on a midnight jog?"
"The semifinals are in a couple days. As teammates, the two of us need to be in top shape for our match." Masato said.
"Can't argue with that logic…" Flambere said before they heard loud sirens.
"An evacuation alert?" Masato asked before the ground shook. Appearing was a giant Danger World monster. "An Illegal Monster!"
The monster was known as Axe Dragon, Dorcas. He was a frequent attacker around Cho-Tokyo.
"Don't worry Masato, I've got your back, just stay close." Flamberge said drawing her sword. Dorcas didn't seem to notice them yet, but then they noticed someone running up across from them. "Huh? Hey, isn't that…?"
"It is, it's Mamoru Seikai from Junior High. What's Elize's partner doing here?" Masato said.
"Mamoru? Where are you?" Elize shouted in the woods. "Where is he? I thought we were supposed to discuss strategy."
"Maybe he had something more...WHAAA!" Teepo shouted as Dorcas looked down on Elize and prepared to crush her. But just then, a large figure clad in white and orange knocked him back.
"Incredible! He saved us." Elize said.
Masato and Flamberge was watching as well.
"Holy cow… Masato, did Mamoru just…?" Flamberge asked at a loss for words as the large figure attacked dorcas. "He's a giant superhero!"
"That's Cosmoman...the monster who defends the city from illegal monsters." Masato said.
"And he's Mamoru? Wow…" Flamberge said as they watched Cosmoman fight Dorcas.
Unfortunately, Cosmoman can't be active on Earth for long periods of time, as his energy quickly depletes. When his Cosmo timer turns off, he ceases being able to function. Fight hard, Cosmoman!
With his Timer beeping, Cosmoman fought as hard as he could to stop Dorcas. Dorcas fought back by firing lasers from his mouth.
"Masato, look out!" Flamberge warned, but Masato got hit by the shockwaves and was knocked out. Flamberge would've been too, if not for…
"Negative Gate!" Elize shouted as a dark barrier formed over Dorcas. "Now!"
"Thanks, Elize!" Flamberge said running to Masato to get him to safety. Negative Gate wore off as Dorcas tried to attack them, but Cosmoman, noticing them as well and with little time he had left, shielded them all with his own body.
"Mamoru… you're protecting us…" Masato groaned as he fell unconscious.
A little later…
"Ugh…" Masato groaned coming too.
"You're awake!" Flamberge said.
"What happened?" Masato asked as Mamoru, Elize, Teepo and Flamberge were beside him.
"Dorcas knocked the wind out of you, but Elize, Teepo and I pitched in to help get you to safety." Flamberge said.
"You guys okay? You're not badly hurt, are you?" Teepo asked.
"Nope, we're fine. Thanks for having our backs, Elize." Flamberge said.
"You as well, Mamoru. You saved us all." Masato said to Mamoru.
"What? Oh no, I just happened to be passing by and found you all here. Lucky I jog here a lot, eh?" Mamoru asked nervously.
"Don't worry about Dorcas. Soon after he attacked, he went underground. Probably because Cosmoman had him on the ropes for a bit." Flamberge said.
"You. You're Cosmoman." Teepo said.
"Heh. So, you guys managed to figure it out, huh?" Mamoru asked.
"We sorta saw you transform and everything." Flamberge said.
"And I put it together from your Galaxy Defense Team deck." Elize said. "Though I didn't think it was on this scale."
"Are you trying to take down Dorcas with Cosmoman?" Flamberge asked. "Must be tough with his limited energy."
"Mamoru...you want to be a hero, don't you?" Elize asked.
"Yes...but...I'm not all that strong." Mamoru said.
"In that case...we'll just have to train you up into one." Masato said.
"You would do that?" Mamoru asked.
"Hey, you saved us. So the least we can do is help you out." Flamberge said. "Though I'm not really good at training others…."
"You just leave Mamoru's training to me. I have a solution to Cosmoman's problem that might work." Masato said.
The next morning on the Galaxy King…
"... and then Mamoru transformed into Cosmoman and started fighting Dorcas right before our eyes! It was amazing!" Flamberge told the others, recapping the events of last night.
"Galaxy Exalt, Cosmoman… that was the monster you and Elize saw Mamoru transform into, right?" Akira asked. "I know that card well. It's a Hero World card that uses the transform ability and part of the Galaxy Defense Team."
"It's a pretty powerful card to use." Ryuji said.
"Man, after seeing what we saw last night, I'm more excited to face you than ever, Elize." Flamberge said.
"Me too. I want to win this next match as a repayment for saving us back there." Elize said.
"Technically, you saved me and Masato, but don't expect me to go easy on you or Teepo." Flamberge said.
"Provided that DaDan prick doesn't turn last night's scuffle into another photoshopped disaster." David said.
"You don't need to worry about that. I've researched the footage from last night and placed an encryption on it. He won't be meddling with that anytime soon." Gallantmon said.
"Dadan's really focused on tarnishing our reputation. All because he thought we disbanded the Universal Villains and retired Flux. We didn't do any of that." Hope said.
"Yeah, that happened by itself. We weren't involved in anyway." Jexi said.
"Even though I haven't known him very long, I think Flux made the right choice to retire." Ace said.
"DaDan obviously doesn't think that way. Seriously, for such a big fan, you'd think he'd show his idol a little respect." David said. "Though, we're not exactly not any better."
"To be fair, he was often overshadowed by the more serious enemies we ended up facing." Scott said.
"And he wasn't that much of a villain to start with. Only time he came close to winning was CHS on our first trip and he failed spectacularly." Happy said.
"Really? I thought the closest was back in Mobius. They did almost conquer the entire world, after all." Shuichi said.
"Okay, two times." Happy said.
"To be fair though… a lot of us here owe it to Flux for bringing us together." Hope said. "He was the catalyst that started the chain of events to bring the Hero Alliance together. If it wasn't for him firing that first shot all the way back then… we all wouldn't be together."
"He's right. In his attempts to conquer the worlds, he ended up bringing together a force that could stop him." Aelita said.
"You guys made quite a name for yourselves over the years, I've actually been reading over the many adventures you all had." Ace said.
"Ah, so you've been studying our old log books, huh?" Odd said.
"I've heard stories as well." Ace said. "Fractured Dimensions, Deadpool, Furious Events, Medusa and Hades, Legendary Pokemon, Time Travel, all of it. Even that parallel DC Sector."
"Oh yeah. That was a big one." David said.
"Still thinking about that rival of yours?" Craniamon asked.
"Yeah. I still haven't heard hair or hide of her since I destroyed Lucien." David said. "And with Wonder Woman out of Universal Prison, who knows how she's doing right now."
"When you think about it, she did end up helping us defeat the Titans by bringing us Corona." Francisca said.
"Despite it being indirect." Al said.
"Wait...you're talking about that Cheetah girl, aren't you? You're obsessing over a villain?" Ryuji asked.
"It's not an obsession, it's more of a rivalry thing." Jexi said.
"Well, ever since the government officials were outed for being controlled puppets of Fair, the Universal Police has been much more active in their pursuit to capture all the escaped criminals." Makoto said entering.
"Anything on Cheetah?" Hope asked.
"No one matching Cheetah's description nor Wonder Woman's has been reported as of yet." Makoto said. "But both are still high class wanted criminals according to their standards."
"Makes sense, when you think about it." David said.
"Don't worry so much about it now. After all, knowing them, they wouldn't want to see you like that." Sectonia said.
"Yeah. You're right. I just need to focus on what I can do." David said.
"Yeah." Ace said. "To be honest, it was all of you who led me to become who I am now. Your past exploits inspired me to be a fellow protector for the people in the multiverse."
"I guess that's what Masato's doing with Mamoru. Helping him become a better hero. Live up to being Cosmoman." Hope said. "Honestly, I believe Mamoru can do it."
"Anyone has the potential to become a hero. That's something we've all seen countless times." Jexi said.
"Yeah. And soon we're gonna see what Mamoru's really made of as a Buddyfighter." Hope said.
And so it was that the day came for the first semifinal match.
"Here we go everyone! The battle between Masato and Flamberge vs Mamoru and Elize is now getting underway! Let's lumenize people!" Ion said.
"With burning flames and the passion to protect, I'll pave the way for justice and peace! Lumenize! Flames of Unification!" Flamberge said.
"The linked spiral is the chain of bonds! Luminize! Spiral Linkdragon Order!" Masato said.
"Scattered across the stars and mysterious wonders…" Elize started.
"These majestic mages will knock you off your feet!" Teepo said.
"Lumenize! Magic Union!" Elize and Teepo said.
"I will protect everyone's smiles with my burning soul of justice! Lumenize! Cosmo...Justice!" Mamoru said.
"Buddy…" Ion said.
"FIGHT!" the crowd cheered.
"Raise the flag!" the four said.
"Ancient World!" Masato said.
"Dragon World!" Flamberge said.
"Hero World!" Mamoru said.
"Magic World!" Elize said.
"Thunderaxe, Agito!" Masato said.
"Third Crimson Chieftain, Heedless Agni!" Flamberge said.
"Galaxy Exalt, Cosmoman!" Mamoru said.
"Dragowizard, Gorgas!" Elize said.
"Now you're about to see what it's like...when us and our buddies are serious." Mamoru said.
"Masato and Flamberge have the first move." Ion said.
"Draw! Charge and draw! Call Kaina to the center and Buddycall Agito to the left." Masato said. "Agito attacks the fighter."
10-7
"I end my turn." Masato said.
"Kay, now it's my go." Flamberge said. "Draw! Charge and Draw! I call Mera Blade Dragon to the center!"
Mera Blade appeared.
"If there isn't a monster in my opponent's center, Mera Blade's critical gets a bonus of 1! Now he'll attack Elize and Teepo!"
10-7
"3 damage each. Not a bad start. My turn's done." Flamberge said.
"Okay...it's our turn. Draw. Charge and Draw! Cast, Hyper Energy! Increase my gauge! Then call Cosmo Falcon 02 to the left. With its effect, I discard a Galaxy Defense Team card and check the top five cards of my deck. From them, I can add one Galaxy Defense Team and one Galaxy Exalt to my hand. And I call Cosmo Falcon 01 to the right. Now...it's time! Cosmoman...please lend me your strength. I pay 3 gauge….TRANSFORM!" Mamoru said as light surrounded him and Cosmoman before he stood there as Cosmoman himself.
"Unbelievable! In front of the thousands watching, Mamoru has transformed himself into Cosmoman!" Ion said.
"Tell me you're recording this." Yuga said.
"Masato, Flamberge, Elize, Teepo…" Cosmoman's voice spoke. "After seeing your hearts burn with heroics and passion, I have made a decision. I will no longer hide my identity. Now...to commence the attack. Cosmo Falcon 02 attacks Kaina!" he said.
11-9
"Now, Cosmo Falcon 01 attacks the fighter!" Mamoru said.
9-7
"Now...I attack!" Mamoru said chopping Masato.
7-1
"With Cosmoman's ability, I gain critical from the cards in his soul plus the critical from Cosmo Falcon 01's ability. And...I have double attack!" Mamoru said.
"I cast! Undying Linkdragon Order!" Masato said.
"I see. I end my turn." Mamoru said as a soul card left Cosmoman.
"Alright. Now it's my turn. I draw!" Elize said. "For my first move, I'll call Hunter of the Magical Forest, Liraje to left, Betrayal Expert, Aunus to the right, and Noble Magician, Suzuha to the center! First, Liraje attacks Mera Blade Dragon!"
Lirajae took out Flamberge's defense, leaving her open to attack.
"Now, Link Attack!" Elize said.
10-7
"I end my turn." Elize said. "Sorry I couldn't be much help, Mamoru."
"Don't worry. You were great." Mamoru said.
"Now it's back to our turn! Draw! Charge and draw! I call Tategami to the center!" Masato said.
"Hehehe. Here I am." Tategami said as Cosmoman lost a soul card.
"What?" Cosmoman asked.
"Surprised? When I'm called, I'm allowed to destroy a soul card from one of my opponent's cards." Tategami said.
"Now I call Harahara to the right." Masato said.
"My belly's full and I'm hankering for a fight! Let's do this!" Harahara said.
"Dragon Share!" they all said linking their abilities together.
Using Dragon Share, Cosmoman lost another soulcard.
"No!" Cosmoman realized.
"Cosmoman seems worried." Ruby said.
"It's because at the end of every turn, one soul card has to be discarded from his soul." Tails said.
"Once Cosmoman has no soul cards left, the transformation ends and Mamoru returns to normal." Hope said.
"Go and get em!" Jexi shouted.
"Now to attack! Tategami, link attack with Harahara!" Masato said.
"I cast! Cosmo Barrier!" Mamoru said.
8-7
"Now, Tategami, link attack with Agito!" Masato said.
7-6
"Now Agito with Harahara!" Masato said.
6-5
"And with that, I end my turn." Masato said.
"It's time to turn the heat up. Here I come Elize!" Flamberge said taking her draw and charge and draw step. "I call Burning Rapier Dragon to the right! And to the left I call Burstdash Dragon! I also equip Sun Fist, Balguard! I attack Suzuha with Balguard! I cast Dragonic Shoot, and destroy Liraje!" she said as Flamberge destroyed Suzuha. "Bustdash, Burning Rapier, attack Elize and Teepo! When Burning Rapier link attacks with another Sun Dragon, I can draw a card!"
7-4
"That's it for me!" Flamberge said.
"Okay...it's back to us!" Mamoru said as his monsters destroyed Tategami leaving him the change to attack himself.
10-7
7-4
"Now...Final Phase!" Cosmoman said. "Astium...Photon Wave!" he said firing at Masato.
"I cast! Linkdragon Order Links!" Masato said.
4-5
5-1
"How...clever. Guess...this is it for me." Mamoru said as he reverted back to normal. "Elize...all on you now."
"Right. I draw! Charge and Draw!" Elize said. "First, I'll buddycall Dragowizard, Gorgas!"
4-5
Elize's buddy appeared.
"We can call Gorgas by paying two gauge and putting two Wizards from the drop zone into his soul." Teepo said.
"So it has Soulguard. A clever play." David said. "It will be interesting to see how Flamberge gets out of this one."
"Now, Link Attack!" Elize said.
7-3
"And that's not all. Thanks to the Dragon Orb ability, when he rests, he can deal one damage for every card in his soul." Elize said.
3-1
"Almost there. My turn's over." Elize said.
"Heh. Flamberge...you can finish your fight first." Masato said.
"Thanks." Flamberge said. "Draw! Charge and Draw! Alright, think Berge. You've got Gorgas in the center and he's got two soul cards. Even with the attack you've got, you won't be able to break through enough to win. So what can you do? Wait… this is just like…"
"Uh, what's Flamberge doing?" Ruby asked.
"I think she's… thinking." Blake said.
"Because this setup reminds her of her fight with Masato. Even if she does an all out attack this turn, Gorgas will protect Elize and Teepo so she won't be able to defeat them this turn." Hope said.
"And with an item equipped, she's left exposed, meaning Elize will finish Flamberge on her next turn." Leopardmon added.
"Hoo boy, that is a tight spot she's in." Alkal said. "There's gotta be a way to get around Gorgas."
"There is. She just needs the right card. Something that will at least get past his Soulguard." Francisca said.
"Berge, show them your power as the Bringer of Flame!" Zan called.
"Okay, here we go. First up I'm casting The Skies in your hand! This lets me return all monsters on my field back to my hand!" Flamberge said as Burstdash and Burning Rapier returned to the hand. "Now this may seem like a weird move, but I've got someone in mind to help me break through Gorgas. Lemme introduce you! I Buddycall to the right, Third Crimson Chieftain, Heedless Agni!"
1-2
Agni jumped to the right and roared.
"Flamberge...you've figured it out." Masato said.
"You bet I did." Flamberge said. "Check this out! When I have an item with "Fist" in its name equipped, Agni gains two abilities on top of Double attack and Soulguard. Move… and Penetrate!"
"So that means… it doesn't matter if Gorgas is in the center!" Izuku realized.
"But Elize still has 5 life left." Hope said.
"Not a problem! I send Crimson Battler Cheering Squad, Good Luck from my hand to the drop zone! And by doing that, Agni gets another critical!" Flamberge said. "Agni, go attack Gorgas!"
Agni blasted through Gorgas, dealing Elize and Teepo Penetrate damage.
5-2
"Agni, do a Double attack!" Flamberge smirked.
"This will finish you!" Agni yelled hitting Gorgas again. "Penetrate!" he called blasting a shockwave through Gorgas to Elize and Teepo.
"She's not bad, huh Elize?" Teepo asked.
"Yep. Guess this is it for us." Elize said.
"Aw, man. We lost." Teepo said.
"We did. But at least we're glad to see how she managed to turn this around." Elize said as the shockwave hit.
2-0
Game over: Elize! Winner: Flamberge!
"Yeah, baby!" Flamberge said putting up a V for victory sign.
"For Share! Well done Flamberge!" Masato said. "Now...I'll finish this! I now call upon...King Agito!" Masato said as King Agito took the stage. "Attack!" Masato said as he struck Mamoru. "Now Double attack!"
"I cast! I've Seen Through Your Moves!" Mamoru said.
"Final Phase!" Masato said. "Thunder Dragon Tornado!" Masato said as King Agito charged with Masato.
"In the end...those two are their own forces of justice." Mamoru said as the attack landed.
Game over! Winner: Masato Rikuo!
"Incredible! Masato and Flamberge have won! They will advance to the finals!" Ion said.
"Which means Flamberge has a chance to face either Zan Partizanne or Fransica in the finals, chu!" Takokichi said.
"Franny, Zan!" Flamberge pointing to her sisters. "In the finals, it's one of you and me! Let's make it great!"
"You've got it, Berge." Francisca said.
"I look forward to it." Zan said.
Outside….
"Now let your sisters hear you with us, Flamberge!" Agito said. "Let's sing the orders anthem… all together!"
"We're the Linkdragon Order, we join forces cause we care! We fight for Masato and in his name to hear him 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!" they sang.
Francisca clapped in applause. "That was so great! It looked like you belonged there, Berge."
"Thanks, sis! What did you think of it, Zan?" Flamberge asked.
"Quite impressive, you and Masato make a great team, and maybe in future Buddyfights as well." Zan said.
"Yeah." Flamberge said turning to Elize and Teepo, who was with Masato. "Thank you for the match you guys. You're really skilled, Elize."
"Well she is skilled, she was ready for the WBC." Teepo said.
"But we couldn't get in because Copernicus rigged the drawing in Leonis' favor. After seeing how he's like in past Glenwood…" Elize started.
"C-calm down, Ellie." Teepo said.
"I know. It's just… I can't believe that the Pendragon nobility reduced itself to the state he made it in." Elize said.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, no one really liked the guy, not even his own kids." David said.
"Thank goodness he's gone for good." Maki said.
"All the same, that was a great match." Masato said. "You both were amazing."
"Thank you." Mamoru said before the ring in his hair suddenly beeped.
"Another Giant attack?" Zan asked.
"It's Dorcas again!" Flamberge said.
"Is there a reason why Dorcas attacks?" Ace asked.
"He just wants to destroy. I will handle this. Thanks to Masato's training… I can defeat Dorcas now!" Mamoru said transforming into Cosmoman.
With the support from the Hero Alliance, the Aces and Masato, Cosmoman fought Dorcas with great skill and finally defeated him.
"Thank you Masato, everyone." Mamoru said. "I want you to have these." he said handing them pendants of some kind.
"Thanks… but what are they?" Hope asked.
"Cosmoman merchandise, made it myself." Mamoru said.
"I dunno if I should be thankful or turn it down…" Mina said.
"Just take it." Jexi muttered.
"Now...I enter this world...as a new person." Mamoru said walking off.
"Fight on, Cosmoman. Fight on." Elize said.