A little while before the finals began, Flamberge was in her room checking over her deck as she made final adjustments.
"And… done." Flamberge nodded putting it away. "Whew… I've never been so nervous about anything before. Guess this match with Franny's got me all outta sorts."
Suddenly Flamberge's door slid open and in came Fransisca.
"Hey, Berge. Can I talk to you for a moment?" Francisca asked.
"Sure Fran. What is it? You nervous too?" Flamberge replied.
"A little. It's just crazy. To think that I would come this far." Francisca said. "First I had to face Zan, and now you."
"Yeah, it's a little weird for me too. I didn't think I would ever beat Asta or Elize, but here I am. And as much as I'm fired up to fight you, I've got butterflies in my stomach." Flamberge said.
Francisca laughed at this. "You always were the energetic type. Though, quite frankly, that's what I grew to like about you. You always had this energy that I don't know where you got it from."
"And you've always been so cold to say whatever's on your mind at anytime." Flamberge snickered. "But that's something I like about you too."
"And you know, what happened at the Jambastation made me think… I'm still glad that we stuck by each other all this time." Francisca said.
"Me too. And I'm sure Zan thinks the exact same way." Flamberge said.
"She does. And honestly, I can't imagine the three of us any differently." Francisca said.
"Neither can I." Flamberge grinned. "No matter what happens today, lets give this match all we got and have fun doing it."
"You got it, Berge. Don't go easy on me, okay?" Francisca asked.
"No I won't, Franny. This final match is gonna be a…" Flamberge smiled before Rarity barreled in.
"Complete disaster!" the fashionista screamed flailing her arms.
"Rarity? What's wrong, did you lose an earring again?" Flamberge asked.
"Not this time, it's that ruffian Dadan! You two simply must come and see what he's doing!" Rarity insisted.
"I somehow have a bad feeling about this." Francisca said.
Rarity guided Francisca and Flamberge to the main lounge of the Galaxy King to find Rainbow Dash in shock as she was watching one of the RanGa channels live streams, but Dadan had somehow took over the entire stream. "Hey there, DaDan fans! So Yuga Mikado of RanGa channel made it into the finals. So today, I'm showing a special video of his and the other heroes most epic fails!" he said showing photos of past battles. "And with my new filters...I can make them look really pathetic." he said as the faces were done to make them look weird and crying.
"Why that little one eyed jerk! He's making us look bad!" Flamberge said.
"Want me to hurt him?" Saki asked.
"We don't even...wait...that looks like Aibo Academy in the background." Jexi said.
"So he must be broadcasting nearby it." Onyx said. "Now that I think of it, I remember seeing an old supply shed in the woods near the academy. That has to be where he's hiding."
"David, it's time we taught this guy another lesson, don't you think?" Hope asked.
"Hope, raiding him is exactly what he wants us to do." David said.
"He's right. We charge in there, it's just going to give him more material to use against us." Sunset said.
"Well, we gotta do something!" Alkal said. "We can't just let this... this… JERK walk all over us!" he yelled.
"Whoa Akal! Take it easy or you'll fry your circuits!" Natsu said.
"Dude, if Natsu tells you to calm down, you probably need to calm down." ZS added.
"Right... sorry." Alkal said sheepishly. "I just don't like people talking bad about my friends."
"Well what are we supposed to do? We can't just let Dadan keep trolling us like this." Hagakure said.
"Now next up we...huh...hey who are…" DaDan said before the feed was fuzzed for a bit before a familiar figure appeared.
"People of the world...I am Joker. A member of the Phantom Thieves. We've just stolen your airwaves. You won't be hearing from this joke anymore." he said before smashing the computer console.
"Whew…. Thank you, Joker." Hope sighed.
"No wonder he's the original leader of the Phantom Thieves. He knows exactly what to do, and how to do it." Leopardmon said.
"Original leader? Oh right! He was the one leading the operations before Jack found them, wasn't he?" Sachiko asked.
"It was more a group effort but Joker was made leader." Morgana said. "We stole numerous people's hearts before we lost our world."
"It's still a tragic thing to hear. I can't imagine how that feels." Omnimon said.
"Yeah...it's still a hard thing on some of us but since then we've come to see our little group of thieves as the only family we need." Ryuji said.
"You guys too huh?" Hope asked.
"Wait, you guys have that one big happy family mentality too?" Ryuji asked.
"Well, yeah. I mean, for how long we've been together, we really do see each other like family. I was apart of Jexi's before starting my own team." Hope said. "In fact, pretty much all of us have that family thing going on."
"It is nice to see that it isn't just us who think that way." Yusuke said.
"So what got you thinking that way anyway?" Asuna asked.
"Believe it or not...it was Jack who got us thinking like that." Ann said.
"My brother? Really?" Hope asked.
"The guy might seem like he has a one track mind when it comes to stealing, but he's actually got a soft side to him too." Makoto said.
"Wow… I had no idea. Come to think of it, there were times where he defend me too." Hope said. "And now he's somewhere in the Demon Universe on his own… I hope wherever he is, hes okay."
"Yeah, me too. I just hope he stays clear of that orphanage place." Morgana said.
"Orphanage?" Gemini asked. "An Orphanage don't sound too bad."
"You don't know do you? I heard about it during a stop. It's a place within Beelzebub's territory, the Demon Lord of Gluttony. In truth, it's not an orphanage. It's a farm." Morgana said.
"Dear god…" David muttered in horror.
"Disgusting, doing that to innocent children." Ace said.
"Come to think of it, Lucifer did tell me about a place like that when he was still around." Hope said. "That place helps the children inside become smart and able to run around and play but…. The demons…"
"There isn't much meat on a human child, but the body isn't what they like feasting on. It's the brain." Morgana said.
"Their brains?!" Mineta gawked.
"They're zombies! … no offense, ZS." Pinkie said.
"None taken." ZS said, as he held a paper bag in his shaking hands.
"Honestly, we don't know what they really are. All we know is that they're creatures that harvest the children. Beelzebub lets this slide cause he gets a portion of their crop in return for letting it run." Morgana said.
"Gruesome…" Flamberge said.
"Let's hope Jack will be okay if he's anywhere around there." Hope said.
"Please, the guy is like a cockroach, he can survive anywhere." Ryuji said.
"He's right. So, Franny, Berge, try not to let that unnerve you during your match, okay?" David asked.
"Please. I'll be so focused on fighting Fran that I won't even have to think about a Human Brain farm!" Flamberge said confidently.
"You know, saying something enough times gets your mind set on it." Robin said.
"Good point. Shutting up now." Flamberge said.
"Don't worry about us. We've got this." Francisca said.
Later at the Aibo fighting stage…
(Cue- Star Tournament Finals- Mario Power Tennis)
"Hello and welcome! We've finally reached the finals of the ABC Cup! But who will come out on top and who will leave the other in the dust. Will it be Masato Rikuo and Flamberge...or will it be Yuga Mikado and Francisca? The moment has come! The final battle is about to begin!" Ion 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.
"A Deity's Dragon Brigade descends! Luminize! Dradeity!" Yuga 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.
"Here we go and...BUDDYFIGHT!" Ion said.
"Raise the flag!" the four said.
"Ancient World!" Masato said.
"Dragon World!" Flamberge said.
"Dragon World!" Yuga said.
"Dungeon World!" Francisca said.
"Thunderaxe, Agito!" Masato said.
"Third Crimson Chieftain, Heedless Agni!" Flamberge said.
"Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said.
"Rebellion Knight, Rebellious!" Francisca said.
"Masato and Flamberge have the first move!" Ion said.
"Okay. Draw! Charge and draw! I cast! Dragon Emperor Legend! I increase my gauge, life and hand cards by one." Masato said.
10-11
"Next I equip Wildaxe. For Share! I call Kaina to the center and the left! Then, I Buddycall Agito to the right!" Masato said.
11-12
"Dragon Share!" they all shouted.
"Now...Agito...attack Yuga!" Masato said.
10-6
"That's it for my turn. Flamberge!" Masato said.
"Kay, my go! Draw, Charge and Draw!" Flamberge said. "I'm calling Mera Blade Dragon to the center!"
"I'm all fired up, Mera!" the dragon announced.
"When mera blade dragon attacks and there isn't a monster in the center, his critical becomes 3! Okay Mera blade, attack Franny!" Flamberge called.
10-7
"That's all for me!" Flamberge said.
"Okay, let's get it on." Yuga said. "Draw! Charge and draw! I equip Garblade. Then I call Grom Gardra to the left. Then...Buddycall to the right Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said.
6-7
"Now, Garga, attack Kaina in the center. Now here's a fun fact, when a Dragod monster on my field attacks, Gardra can destroy a monster and deal damage to the opponent equal to its size." Yuga said. "We're going for Agito!"
12-11
"Did you forget Agito has soulguard? I cast! Undying Linkdragon Order! Now the attack is nullified and I gain four life." Masato said.
11-15
"Yeah but Garga has double attack. Attack Kaina again!" Yuga said as his monsters destroyed both Kaina and Agito at the same time.
15-14
"Now...it's time for G-EVO! Gargantua Dragon, Sonic Mode! Now...I gain two life and draw two cards." Yuga said.
7-9
"Now attack Garga!" Yuga said as Garga went for Masato while Grom's ability destroyed the remaining Kaina.
14-13
13-11
"Grom, attack!" Yuga said as Grom struck with Yuga following after.
11-5
"Okay, Franny. You got this!" Yuga said.
"Right. It's my turn. I draw!" Francisca said. "First, I'll call Deity Dragon Envoy, Muriel to the center, Iron Golem, Nasr to the right, and Magic Beast Tamer, Kazane to the left! Now, Muriel attacks Mera! And here's a fun fact, when Muriel destroys a monster, I gain a life."
7-8
"Furthermore, if I have three or less cards in my drop zone, Muriel gets Double Attack! Now, All-Out Attack!" Francisca said.
10-5
"And here's another Double Attack from Kazane, since I have a Dungeon Enemy on the field." Francisca said.
"Nope! I cast Blue Dragon Shield!" Flamberge said blocking the attack.
"In that case, I end my turn." Francisca said.
"What amazing turns here and there but it looks like they've come to their end." Ion said.
"Draw! Charge and draw!" Masato said. "Oh this one is worth the life points. I cast! Divine Dragon Creation!"
5-3
"I call Tategami to the center! This is where the real fight begins! Spiral Thunderaxe, King Agito to the center!" Masato said as King Agito appeared.
"Garga, move to the center!" Yuga said.
"Now, I'm gonna deal with that pest that's been stealing my life!" Masato said tossing his axe and destroyed Grom Gardra. "Now, King Agito, attack, Gargantua Dragon!" he said as he destroyed Garga. "Now attack the fighter!"
"Not so fast! I cast! Deity Blue Dragon Shield!" Yuga said.
"Heh...not good enough. Activate Erudite Dragon Emperor, Philosophia's ability. By discarding this card, I can make King Agito stand again. Now attack Yuga!" Masato said.
9-4
"Final Phase!" Masato declared. "Thunder Dragon Tornado!" he said as he and King Agito attacked Yuga.
4-0
"Heh...Impacts are powerful...but not invincible. I cast! Dragod Crystal!" Yuga said.
0-1
"Dragod Crystal. If Yuga's life were to drop to Zero, he can cast that spell as a countermeasure and revive with one life." Tails said.
"Kind of like an Auto-Life spell." Ace said.
"Flamberge, you're gonna have to go now. I can't do anything else now." Masato said.
"Alright, here goes!" Flamberge said doing her draw phase. "If Masato's pulling out all the stops, then so will I! I equip Crimson Fist, Dragoplus, and then… Buddycall Third Crimson Chieftain, Heedless Agni to the right!"
Agni leaped to the right as his fist was set ablaze.
"The true battle...begins now!" Agni declared.
"When I have a fist item equipped, Agni gains access to move and penetrate! And since I've got Dragoplus, i now have 3 critical because of its effect!" Flamberge said. "Get ready, Franny, cause here I come! Agni, attack Muriel!"
Agni blasted through Muriel and dealt damage to Fransisca thanks to penetrate.
8-6
"Agni's not done yet, he's got double attack!" Flamberge said.
"Take this!" Agni said punching Francisca
6-4
"Now it's my turn!" Flamberge said leaping into the air. "I've got you, Sis!"
"I don't think so. I cast! Divine Protection of Shalsana!" Francisca said.
4-5
"Nuts! My turn's over." Flamberge said.
"Franny, go ahead and finish what you started with her." Yuga said.
"Right. I draw, charge and draw!" Francisca said. "First I'll call to the center, Retainer of the Demonic Dragon, Geodol!"
"Geodol? That's not gonna help against Agni." Flamberge said.
"Maybe not, but maybe this will. I cast Trap Room!" Francisca said.
"Hah! My Dragoplus can't be destroyed by card effects, Franny!" Flamberge said.
"True, but it doesn't have to. Trap Room destroys a card based on the monster I have out. Since Geodol is a Demon Lord, I can destroy your monster." Francisca said.
Agni's soul was destroyed thanks to Trap Room.
"Better brace for an attack… Agni, I need you to move to the center!" Flamberge said.
"As you wish!" Agni said jumping to the center position.
"Got you right where I want you. I cast Rolling Stone!" Francisca said.
"Oh, dang!" Flamberge said as Agni was destroyed. "I played right into your trap Sis…. guess this is my loss. But hey, I had fun. So just throw everything at me! I can take it!"
"If you insist, Berge." Francisca said with a bow. "Now, it's time for an All-Out Attack!"
5-0
Game over, Flamberge! Winner: Francisca!
"Nice one, Franny! Now, let's see if I can pull off a miracle! Draw, charge and draw! I call Garcat to the left. With its ability, I draw a card. Heh. I call Gargantua Dragon to the right! Now I link attack with Garcat!" he said as they destroyed one of King Agito's soul cards. "Garga, go next!" Yuga said as Garga attacked King Agito twice, destroying two souls. "G-EVO activate! Blast Mode! Now attack again!" Yuga said as Garga attacked two more times, destroying two more souls.
"Heh...I was worried for a moment but this is where it ends." Masato said.
"I cast! Combat Deity's Pulsation!" Yuga said. "Basically, I send the top four cards of my deck to the drop zone. And if one's a Dragon, I can call it." he said as he drew each of his four cards one after the other before getting to the last one and smirked. "I call Gargantua Dragon to the left! Now...attack!" Yuga said as Garga attacked twice more, finally destroying King Agito. "Haaa!" Yuga shouted striking Masato.
5-1
"I cast! Deity...Gargantua...PUNISHER!" Yuga shouted as the impact landed.
1-0
Game over! Winner: Yuga Mikado!
"I don't believe it! The winners...of the ABC Cup are...Yuga and Francisca! The best buddyfighters in this whole school!" Ion said.
"What a match, that was awesome!" Rainbow said.
"Yeah. It's a shame Ranma missed the whole thing." Luffy said.
"You don't think he missed out because of… his heart, do you?" Sora asked.
"I'm sure he's fine. He's probably out sick or something." Natsu said.
A small award ceremony was soon held outside as Yuga and Francisca were awarded the trophies for winning before going to Cafe Mikono for a small pizza victory party in their honor.
"Congrats on winning franny. I was very lucky to have such an awesome game against you." Flamberge said.
"Thanks, Berge. I honestly didn't think I was going to pull it off." Francisca said.
"Nonsense, you've got the makings of a fine strategist, maybe even better than your mentor. You just need to trust that instinct of yours a bit more." Yuga said.
"I'd listen to him, Franny. I mean, teaming with Masato, I've been able to dial down my fiery spirit just a bit. Now I'm pretty focused in any fight." Flamberge said. "So focused I've actually started to think for the first time in a long while."
"Okay, that's a scary thing." Francisca said as they shared a laugh.
"The ABC Cup was a success. Makes you wonder what the next buddyfight tournament will be." Akira said.
"Yeah. Also thanks for the you-know-what." Hope said.
"Don't mention it." Akira said.
"So where was Ranma recording when DaDan took over?" Hope asked.
"What do you mean? Ranma never showed up to the shoot." Akira said. "Come to think of it, no one's seen him since the battle with Yuga and Subaru."
"Were you able to find anything out when you tailed him?" Zan asked.
"Actually...he did talk with someone but I don't know who it was. They were wearing a hood." Akira said.
"Mysterious stranger?" Sonia asked.
"Hard to say. I actually stopped tailing them after that. Because...that guy he spoke with...I can't explain it but...something about him feels all sorts of wrong." Akira said.
They then heard the door open as Ranma stood there with the figure by his side.
"Is that the figure you saw, Akira?" Zan asked.
"Yeah, that's him." Akira said.
"Hey, Ranma! Where've you been man?" Yuga asked.
"Yes, come join us. Your friend is welcome too. Look, see the trophies he and Francisca won?" Miko asked.
"So this is it?" Ranma asked picking up Yuga's. "It's pretty small." he said intentionally dropping it to the floor. "Oops."
"Uh oh!" Stoj said as she quickly caught it.
"Though I guess it makes sense for the lame ABC Cup." Ranma said taking the trophy from her and shoving it into Yuga's arms. "I'm gonna go. Can't afford to be caught in a dump like this."
"Huh? Ranma, what's going on?" Hope asked.
"Yeah, you're being kinda rude, dude. And strange." Ryuji said.
"I assure you, Ranma has never been better." The hooded figure said. "He's simply come to realize the truth. That you all are not his friends."
"Who are you?" Francisca asked.
"Now now...it's rude to be so direct. I am Ranma's new friend." he said happily.
"New friend? What kinda friend doesn't show his face to his buddy?" Yuga asked.
"Ranma has seen my face. And he knows my name. It's nothing any of you need to concern yourselves with. Now...please leave us be. Ranma has a big day ahead of him. See...he's moving and transferring schools." he said.
"What?!" Yuga asked.
"Told ya that would shock him." Ranma smirked. "Cmon, lets go."
"Hmmm. Quite right. We've spent enough time with this lot of...misfits haven't we?" he said.
As Ranma and the mysterious hooded stranger left the cafe, everyone was wondering just what happened with Ranma, and who was that mysterious man.
"What the heck was that all about?" David asked.
"Could this...no doubt. This is related to the vision." Sheer muttered. "That darkness...there wasn't just the two of them. There were three."
"Three? So someone else is calling the shots behind the scenes?" Francisca asked.
"Not quite. The third source I sensed...it was similar to that of a monster." Sheer said.
"Geez, what a fiasco that turned out to be. Ranma really looked like he was losing it." Gallantmon said.
"Something's definitely wrong with him. Ranma wasn't himself. its like he transformed into a darker version of himself." Izuku said.