The next day…
"Any luck tracking Ranma down?" Mark asked Tails as the fox looked at a computer screen displaying the city.
"No luck so far. I can't see him or that guy he was with." Tails said.
"And I just called Aibo Academy. Looks like he was telling the truth. Ranma did transfer out." Elementa said.
"Yeah, but where to?" Eddy said. "I know a lie when I see one, and that "different school" thing's sounded a lot like one."
"It just doesn't make sense. Why would he suddenly do something like that?" Francisca asked.
"Not sure. But we have had no luck in finding him. We even checked the kid's house. The moving story turned out to be true too. We found moving boxes and some things set out at the corner." Jet said.
"But...we did take something that...might help." Miles said taking out some familiar equipment.
"Ranma's video equipment." Sci-Twi said.
"We saw Yuga earlier. He thinks we might reach out to him if we use the RanGa Channel to send a special video." Jet said.
"How can we be certain that Ranma will watch it?" Double D asked.
"Because he and Yuga were the ones that made the channel in the first place." Omnimon said.
"Right. And he will surely keep track of everything that's going on there, even videos posted." David said.
"We can't forget about that new "friend" of his." Mark pointed out. "That guy had the same "corruption" vibe that Sidious and Xehanort had. I'm pretty sure he'll just tell him to not trust the video."
"Mark, has anyone ever told you that you get a little too superstitious sometimes?" David asked.
"But he does have a point. I've been thinking about that guy too." Francisca said. "Just...why is he clinging so much to Ranma? What does he want? What's he after?"
"She's right. There are too many mysteries surrounding the guy. We don't even know who the heck he is. But...since he likely grouped to Ranma through buddyfight, he's probably one himself. Maybe we can force him into a fight, that could free Ranma. Uh...unless you guys think that's a bad idea." Ochako said.
"Either way...we don't have a lot of options." Tetsu said. "A video might be the only chance we have to see Ranma."
"We'll set it up outside of the cafe. And Yuga can talk through it." Anna said.
"Let's not waste time. Let's get going." Sonic said.
Outside the cafe, the equipment was set up as the cameras focused on Yuga.
"And we're live." Miu said.
"Hey, Ranma. It's me, Yuga. I don't know where you are or what's going on with you man, but me and everyone else is worried about you. So if you catch this video, it would be cool if you contacted me or the Hero Alliance guys. Like, right away. Please man." Yuga said.
"And we're clear." Miu said.
The day continued on until night before a phone rang.
"Huh?" Ochako said checking her phone. "It's...from Ranma!"
"What does it say?" Lacy asked.
"He wants to meet us and Yuga by the riverbank. The place where they shot that jetboard video." Ochako said.
"I know where that is. Let's go." Rainbow said.
The group and Yuga soon arrived by the riverbank.
"Ranma!" Yuga shouted.
"Where are you?" Garga demanded.
"I'm over here." a voice said as they turned to see Ranma and the figure on the steps.
"What's gotten into you? Everyone's worried about ya, you know!" Eddy said.
"Why should I care about any of them? People can feel whatever they like, I don't care." Ranma said.
"Something's not right. It doesn't feel like Ranma anymore. It feels like someone completely different!" Francisca said.
"It feels that way because he's been freed. But it's not like any of you can understand his emotions." the figure said.
"What are you talking about? It's envy, right? A lot of us have felt that!" David said.
"No...not envy. Something completely different." Ranma said. "It means...I no longer have to pretend to be friends with Yuga anymore."
"What are you…" Yuga said.
"Hey, Yuga. Let's have a tag match. You and one of them, against me and my friend." Ranma said.
"You and your puppetmaster, you mean…" Emo said under his breath. "(Okay, that's it.) I think the guy's onto something, Yuga. If words won't work, guess it's time for action. You and me?"
"Heh. You got it, man." Yuga said.
"Good." Ranma said putting a strange device on the ground as a holographic stage was created.
"Whoa! What is this?" Pinkie asked.
"A portable stage generator. It's for buddyfighting outside of the permanent stages." Akira said.
"Not bad, Ranma." Emo said. "Guess that friend of yours is an expert or something?"
"Not really an expert. I just have a fondness for games and magic." the figure said. "Now...shall we begin?"
"A Deity's Dragon Brigade descends! Luminize! Dradeity!" Yuga said.
"Inner suffering is my fuel, the darkness is my weapon. Luminize! Shadow Shade!" Emo followed up.
"Reveal the gateway to the lost dimension. Luminize! Dimension Gate!" Ranma said.
"The show has just begun! Now begins a show that will reveal a new tale of tragedy! Lumenize! Demise Play: The Prologue!" the figure said.
"Raise the Flag!" the four said.
"Dragon World!" Yuga said.
"Magic World!" Emo said.
"Dragon World!" Ranma said.
"I'm just using a Generic Flag." the figure said.
"Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said.
"Meet my buddy, Silhouette Joe, Illusionist of Shadowform!" Emo said as Joe appeared.
"It's been awhile since I've been anyone's buddy. Ready when you are, Emo, was it?" Joe asked.
"Right on the money. Let's kick Mr. Mystery's ass and save Yuga's pal!" Emo responded.
"Actor Knights, the Fool." the figure said.
"As for my buddy, you'll meet him soon enough." Ranma said.
"Since we challenged you...you both get first move." the figure said.
"Okay. Draw! Charge and draw!" Yuga said. "I equip Garblade! And attack!"
10-8
"Now...that's it for me. Emo, you're up!" Yuga said.
"Right!" Emo said. "Draw, charge and Draw! First, I'll place the monster Silhouette Max on the left. And...he'll attack the opponent!"
10-9
"That ends my turn." Emo said.
"Then it's my turn. Draw! Charge and draw! I call Dimension Dragon, Agonia to the right. I cast! D Suction. I send Agonia to the dropzone and gain 1 life and I also draw more cards. With Agonia's effect, I discard one Dimension Dragon from my hand and draw four cards from my deck. Add two of them to my hand and the rest go in the gauge. Then I call Dimension Dragon Ire to the right. Ire, go attack Yuga!" Ranma said.
10-8
8-9
"And with Ire's effect, I check the top three cards of my deck and add one to my hand." Ranma said. "Your show, friend."
"Hehehe. I feel so giddy. Draw! Charge and Draw! I start by calling Actor Knights, Hanged Man to the center. Then call Actor Knights, Emperor to the right and then Buddycall Actor Knights, the Fool to the left." the figure said.
9-10
"Now, let's start the show. Emperor, put that mutt out of his misery." the figure said as the Emperor destroyed Max.
"Just one hit." Lilliana said.
"Now, the Fool, attack the fighter!" the figure said.
10-8
"Now Hanged Man...attack the fighter!" the figure said.
8-7
"The first act… is over." the hooded man said.
"What's with the guy in the hood? He seems overly happy and thinking this is a play or something." Flamberge said.
"I dunno… something doesn't add up with him." Starlight said.
"Not bad, Shakespeare." Emo said. "Guess you have a flair for the dramatic, huh?"
"Indeed. Let's just say it sort of...runs in the family." he said.
"Family?" Hope wondered. "I wonder…"
"What is it, Hope?" Aqua asked.
"Everything that guys doing right now, its giving us clues." Hope said. "He..is acting like...No...it...it couldn't be." Hope said.
"Ah...so you've finally put things together Hope? Well...no reason to keep this hood on anymore." he said removing the hood him wearing half of a tragedy mask with the other half showing his shadowy face with a large grin. "Remember me now, Hope?"
"Mime." Hope said.
"How can this be? You should be dead! I saw Hope destroy you!" Ace said.
"Not destroy...a fate far worse than death. Remember what I told you...my father created me as a gateway to the Lost Universe. I intended to drag you in with me...but you escaped, leaving me all alone in that place. Or so I thought. Turns out, that place is far from empty. In short...it's a place that makes men into monsters!" Mime said laughing. "It took me months before I could figure out how to travel between the two. But now I'm back. But enough about me...let's continue the match!"
"Oh, we're gonna continue alright." Yuga said. "Draw! Charge and draw! I call Garcat to the left and then Buddycall Gargantua Dragon to the right."
8-9
"Now, Garcat, attack Ire!" Yuga said.
"I cast! Dragonic Forcefield!" Ranma said. "Now monsters on my left and right cannot be destroyed."
"Then Garga, attack the fighter!" Yuga said.
9-7
"I have double attack!" Garga said.
"I cast! D Alteration!" Ranma said. "Your attack is nullified. Also, if my opponent has attacked 3 times or more, their turn ends."
"Alright, time to stop wading in." Emo said. "I call Silhouette Leroy to my left and Silhouette Olivar to my right! I cast The Shade, which will allow me to charge one card to my gauge, draw a card, and put that card into one of my monsters! I'll place it into...Leroy! Now, take down those tarot monsters!" he called as the Emperor and the Fool were destroyed.
"For his first time, Emo's doing pretty good." Ichiro said.
"Yeah, but Mime hasn't taken any damage at all yet." Hope said.
"I was really hoping we didn't have to deal with him again." Ace said.
"I'm sorry Ace. Guess some shadows of my past don't go away easily." Hope said. "Shadows like Harlequin, and Mime… they're hard to dispel."
"Shadows of the past, huh?" David asked looking at his hand.
"Dave, you okay?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking about a few things." David said.
"Now...before we continue...let me tell you a story. Long ago, there was an earth shattering battle. When the deities created the various worlds and universes, there was an unknown universe with an unknown world within it. The denizens of that world craved nothing but destruction and carnage. They brought destruction to countless worlds. Until…" Mime began.
"The deities formed an alliance to battle them." Garga said.
"So, you've finally remembered have you, Deity of Combat?" Mime asked.
"Of course. I am the Deity of Combat. I was there. It was with Deity Gargantua Punisher and the powers of the other deities that we sealed away that universe from everywhere." Garga said. "We had hoped forever."
"Not Quite." Mime said. "See, the people of that universe devolved and changed from normal beings into malevolent monsters. And the world where it all began...it only goes by one name. Lost World."
"I knew it." Mari said. "A world was involved in this."
"Yes...you see...I did not come back alone. I brought back some nifty cards and a buddy for Ranma." Mime said.
"No way…" Yuga said.
"Show them, Ranma. It's time...to show them all our true power!" Mime said.
"You got it… pal." Ranma smiled. Black lighting surged around him as he let out a yell.
"Gh… This… This energy…!" David said.
"Yuga, I think now would be a good time for G-EVO!" Emo said in a panic.
"Oh he can't. You forget, it's still our turn." Mime said.
"Now I'll show you both my new power. The Ranma you all once knew is gone!" Ranma said as a dark whirlwind enveloped him before he stood there in sinister black and scarlet red clothing as his orange hair spiked up. "I'm reborn!"
"Oh...quite sharp. Now...to explain...by using two gauge…" Mime said.
"Cover the Flag!" Ranma and Mime shouted as their flags changed to one baring sinister looking skulls. "Lost World!"
"So thats it's flag… Lost World." Hope said.
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Ranma said. "Come to us! Our Lost Decks!"
The decks of both Ranma and Mime flew into a dark hole before black cards came flying out and into their hands.
"Change the deck!" the two said.
"The gate to a dimension of nothingless has opened. The Vile Demonic Dragon roars! Deck change! Lost Vanity Dimension!" Ranma said.
"Our delightful comedy has become a horror show! My friends crave blood! Deck Change! True Show: The First Act!" Mime said.
"Their decks changed halfway through the fight?!" Rainbow asked in shock.
"Now...I've kept you waiting long enough." Ranma said as rising behind him and Mime was a gigantic black dragon with a sinister appearance.
"Meet Ranma's new buddy. Vile Demonic Dragon, Vanity Husk Destroyer!" Mime said.
"Such a terrifying beast…." Sakura said.
"Whelp." Emo said before turning to Yuga and shaking his hand. "It was nice knowing ya, buddy."
"Please, this is still a Buddyfight." Yuga said.
"So...we meet again, Deity of Combat." Destroyer said.
"Huh? Do I know you?" Garga asked.
"Maybe this will help." Destroyer said putting his wings together as they make a skull.
"Ah! I remember you. You...you lead that charge long ago." Garga said.
"You mean he's the LEADER?!" Emo said. "Yuga, I'm sorry, but Ranma is messed up in the head big-time if THAT..." he said, pointing to Destroyer, "...is his buddy!"
"You don't know that for sure. Maybe the Ranma I know is still in there… and I'm willing to fight for that truth!" Yuga said. "You gotta understand what it means to fight for something like that Emo, you just gotta!"
"Now...let's get started back up. I draw! Charge and draw!" Ranma said. "Meet the monsters of Lost World! I call Regedit Delusion to the left!"
"That card...just checking its stats...it doesn't have a size!" Tails said.
"That's right. The monsters of Lost World have absolutely no size at all. Meaning we don't have to worry about the limit." Mime said.
"So its a size altering flag like The Chaos… only Lost World affects the monsters." Toma said.
"I call to the center, Agoniagill Dlhyvalam." Ranma said. "The monsters of Lost World are completely lost to your sense of reason. Now Ire, go attack Yuga!"
9-7
"Delusion, hit em hard!" Ranma said.
7-5
"With his ability, I get to draw a card. Now, triple attack!" Ranma said.
5-3
"I cast! Deity Green Dragon Shield!" Yuga said blocking the last attack.
3-6
"I still have Agoniagill!" Ranma said.
"I cast! Deity Green Dragon Shield!" Yuga said.
6-9
"My turn is over. Mime...it's your turn." Ranma said.
"Oh. Let's see. Draw! Charge and Draw! Now...let's have a little reunion fun. I call to the left, Ker Phobmand and then to the right, Olektius Origenes." Mime said.
"(This is gonna suck. Oh well, might as well go down like a badass.)" Emo thought as he took a deep breath. "BRING IT ON!"
"Whoa… is Emo really rising to the challenge?" Hope asked.
"Cap, I don't think you've seen him like this, right?" Yang asked.
"Never. Not since…" CP said before his face fell. "*ahem* Anyway...go Emo!"
"Now...Phobmand, attack Leroy!" Mime said as the monster crushed it. "Now his ability. When a Lost Vader destroys a monster, he can destroy a card on your field and deal 1 damage."
"Not good…" Hope said.
"Say goodbye to Olivar!" Mime said.
"Not so fast, you fake mime!" Emo said. "I cast Malicious Selector! With this spell, I can give Olivar enough power and defense to not only fight, but win against your monster with a Counterattack!" he said as Phobmand was destroyed. "Then the spell goes into Olivar's soul!"
"Wow...impressive. However...it was a waste. I activate Origenes's effect! By dropping a hand card and choosing a card on your field...I can return that card to your hand." Mime said.
"Huh." Emo said as Olivar was returned. "Well, you can't blame a guy for trying."
"But Emo had the right idea. Origenes can't take Emo out with the critical he has. Emo's safe for another turn." Hope said.
"No he isn't. Have you forgotten...I still have the Hanged Man." Mime said.
"Oh, crap…" Hope said.
"Now...Origenes….with your Triple Attack...attack the fighter!" Mime said.
7-1
"Now...the final nail in the coffin. Hanged Man!" Mime said.
"Ah, crapbas-" Emo said as the attack connected.
1-0
Game over, Emo! Winner: Mime.
"Hmm. I would take you as my prize but for what I have planned, it wouldn't work with you." Mime said.
"You're gonna pay for taking out Emo! It's my turn!" Yuga said drawing, then charging and drawing. "I call Grom Gardra to the left! Garga, attack Agoniagill!" Yuga said as both Agoniagill and Ire were eliminated.
7-4
"Thanks. When Agoniagill is destroyed, I gain three life." Ranma said.
4-7
"Double attack!" Garga said as Grom destroyed Delusion.
"I cast! Dimension Absorb! I nullify the attack and deal steal two life and add it to mine." Ranma said.
9-7
7-9
"Garga! G-EVO! Blast Mode!" Yuga said.
"Heh. I pay two life. Dragotrap!" Ranma said.
9-7
"I cast! Gargantua Switch Mode! Sonic Mode!" Yuga said.
7-9
"Garga, attack the fighter!" Yuga said.
7-5
"Grom!" Yuga said.
5-3
As Yuga charged, he was countered twice with Blue Dragon Shield. "Time to wake up Yuga. You aren't the best anymore. Use that impact of yours!" Ranma said.
"You asked for it! Final Phase!" Yuga said casting his impact.
"Heh. Mr. Ishihara was right. Impacts do make someone predictable. I cast! Vanity Cells!" Ranma said as the impact hit but no damage was dealt.
"No way! He stopped Yuga's impact!" Rainbow said.
"When I cast Vanity Cells, I can't take any damage from Impact Cards this turn." Ranma said.
"But that means…" Moltar said with dawning fear. "Yuga is…"
"...Wide open." Scarlet finished.
"I end my turn." Yuga said. "(I just have to hold out for Ranma's next turn. If I do that, I can turn this around for sure.)"
"He has been weakened. Now Ranma, finish him." Mime said.
"Yes. Draw. Charge and draw! Now...you will learn how to suffer with weakness! I equip! Lostless Buster! Now...I Buddycall...Vile Demonic Dragon, Vanity Husk Destroyer!" Ranma said as Destroyer took the field.
3-4
"Now...I cast! Dimension Razor and destroy two of my opponents cards!" Ranma said as Grom was destroyed but Garga remains due to soulguard. "Now with Lostless Buster's ability, you must discard a card from your hand!" Ranma said firing.
"I cast! Deity Green Dragon Shield!" Yuga said, but after he was surprised to see his life hadn't increased. "What?"
"When I am on this field, you cannot gain life." Destroyer said.
"Lostless Buster also has double attack!" Ranma said dropping one of Garga's souls. "Vanity Husk Destroyer, show Yuga and those heroes your power."
"Dimension Door Origin! I can destroy a card of my choosing. And I pick you, Gargantua Dragon! You know why!" Destroyer said attacking Garga. "Now for the real attack!" he said before destroying Garga.
"And Destroyer has double attack!" Ranma said. "Attack Yuga!"
7-4
"You've lost everything Yuga. Hey, I just have a great idea! I'm talking about my impact! My new one. You'll be my test subject for it! Final Phase! I cast! Vanity Zero Blazer! A card that deals 10 damage at once! Finish him, Destroyer!"
Destroyer then rose into the air as he started firing on Yuga with great force.
4-0
Game over, Yuga! Winner: Ranma Kakogawa!
"Man… That was brutal." David said.
"Yuga, you okay?" Emo said as the boy nodded.
"My...that was simply exhilarating." Mime said.
"Now you know how it feels to taste the sting of defeat, the knowing of a humiliating loss." Ranma said.
"Uh...actually, that was my first official battle, so I-" Emo started before getting cut off.
"He wasn't talking to you." David said.
"He's right. Yuga is the only one I cared about. The rest of you are nothing but side characters." Ranma said. "This is my way of saying goodbye. Oh...before we leave, you should know...the day we picked those packs...Destroyer was in the one you didn't pick."
"At least he's not a puppet on strings to his own feelings." Emo said plainly.
"This is farewell." Ranma said as he and Mime departed as Yuga collapsed to the ground.
"Yuga!" Francisca called out.
"Get him to the Galaxy King! He might need medical attention." David said.
"I'll get the supplies ready! Mikan, you're with me!" Chopper said.
"Y-Yes!" Mikan nodded.
"Ranma… What's happened to you?" Francisca asked.
"We will get him back, Franny. For now let us return to the ship." Zan said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"So this is what you envisioned, Sheer." Hope said. "But I never imagined it would be this bad."
"Hey, that whole destruction part hasn't happened yet." Mark said. "Maybe we can still get Ranma back another way."
"He's right. True Destroyer has appeared, but the world has yet to face destruction." Sheer said.
"And… You guys know how we are when it comes to changing fate." David said.
"So it would seem. However… We have a lot of work to do." Leopardmon said.
"He's right. If I remember Mime from last time we were here, he's not alone." David said.
"Who knows what kind of subordinates he has now. But they can't be Slav, Kurosube, Alonz, Tin or Tigre. Tigre's with us, Kurosube's behind bars with Tin, and Alonz and Slav are still in the Lost Universe." Hope said.
"That part isn't true." a voice said as Tigre approached them from the shadows. "They were there before us. Those monsters Mime called. I don't know how to explain it but...those two were Slav and Alonz."
"Oh my god… And with the effects of the Lost Universe, their appearances will probably be more horrifying." David said.
"He did say that place makes men into monsters. I guess he meant it literally." Jexi said. "Still...seeing them like that...I hope none of us end up there."
"Ditto on that." David said.