"Guys, is it my imagination, or has the RanGa channel been dropping in subscribers lately?" Rainbow asked as they joined Yuga, Garga, Masato and Agito on a trip to Cafe Mikono.

"It should be obvious. Ever since Ranma's little tirade back at the ABC Cup, things haven't been the same." Francisca said.

"Yeah, and the fact that these three totally suck at making videos." Ryuji said referring to the Gartrio.

"Everyone's a critic…" Gardog sighed.

"*sigh*" David sighed.

"Something wrong, Master?" Francisca asked.

"Huh? Oh nothing. I've been checking on the Royal Knights' progress in Cho-Osaka. They seem to be doing really well." David said. "But with everyone else in the group scattered across Japan to get a shot the championship, it's just us here. I feel so lonely, Franny…"

"Hey, you're not alone. You've got us. We're your friends." Hope said.

"Yeah, you're never really alone with us here." Jexi said.

"That's right. Besides, you know the thing about bonds: distance can't strain them easily." Mark added.

"As long as you keep them close to your heart, you'll always find a way back to each other." Ace said.

"And I mean, come on. Least you know how to make friends. You aren't some petty person who spends all their time hating on others." Jexi said.

"You mean like DaDan?" David asked.

"Yeah. He's petty, a jerk and...standing in front of the cafe?" Sunset said seeing said person standing there.

"What's Sharkteeth doing here?" Stoj asked.

"Hmm? Oh...Yuga and his hero pals! Please forgive me!" DaDan cried.

"Yeah, right." Hope said. "You've been nothing but trouble since the first day we got here, why should we forgive you?"

"Please! I've changed my ways! I've done a lot of awful things to you guys! So please! I even made something for you." he said showing his computer as it showed the members of the groups looking awesome thanks to some editing.

"Okay, I'll admit, this is pretty good…" Rainbow said.

"Hmm…" David said, a little suspicious at his aim.

"I dunno." Yuga said. "Well...guess it's worth a try." he said.

"Hehehe! Glad to hear! I swear neither of you will regret this." DaDan said.

"They'd better not." Alkal growled. "Or I'll finish what's left of you after they're done with you."

It didn't take long before the group departed leaving DaDan behind.

"Aw...those guys are so trusting and nice….what a bunch of saps!" DaDan said chuckling as a card flew out of his clothes becoming a small dragon. "Hey, Dragon Bloodeyes. What are you…"

"What have I said about using that? That is my sacred name! You do not use it. As the leader of the Dragonblood sect, I must battle the evil organization, fighting darkness with darkness. You refer to me as Bloody Eyes." he said.

"Hehehe. Yeah, that stuffs not real." DaDan said to the screen. "All that evil organization stuff is bogus, as in its all in his head. Still, my plan to get at Yuga has already passed Phase 1." he chuckled evilly.

Unaware to him, Simon was in purgatorio as he listened to everything DaDan said before he followed after the others.

Later...

"No one else bought that kid's crap, right?" ZS said.

"Not even for a second." David said.

"Only ones who trust him are Yuga and the others. But it was good thinking of you to find out DaDan was plotting something sinister in Purgatorio, Simon." Hope said.

"Wait...so you all knew?" Simon asked.

"A leopard can't change its spots in a day. The moment DaDan made that video, we figured something was fishy." Jexi said.

"Leopardmon would deck us if he heard that one." David said.

"Really? Huh, I'll have to test that later." Emo said.

"Trust me. I'd rather not." David said.

"Well at least we know DaDan's planning to do something about Yuga, saying he already passed "Phase One"." Simon said.

"Wait...Yuga's alone at Castle right now. So...Of course. He's trying to sabotage him." Akira said.

"In that case, we better head down there and catch him in the act." David said.

"Let's hurry to Castle, Double Time!" Simon said as he ran and shifted into his inner tiger and dashed to Castle.

"Hey, Simon wait up!" Hope said as the others ran after him. "What's with him today?!"

"He felt bad about Seiji being turned to the dark side on his watch, so he's trying to make up for it by snuffing him out here." Ace said.

"And snuff him out he did. Guy's got the nose of a bloodhound." David said.

"Hey, there he is!" Donald called as DaDan was with Yuga just as Yuga was showing him a new card. Gargantua Dragon: Cyclone Mode. However, DaDan smirked as he pulled out his board and grabbed the deck before flying off with it.

"He's got the deck!" Ann said.

"He's not getting away from me!" David said going after him.

"That's it! I'm gonna tear that little punk a new one! Wait for me, David!" Alkal yelled, following the Godslayer in pursuit.

DaDan soon made it to a bridge. "Heh. Perfect. A nice spot to…"

"Talk to yourself?" David asked standing near him.

"Gah! How the? What the?" DaDan said.

"Going somewhere?" Simon asked standing on the other side of him.

"Yes he is. He's going on a one way trip to PAIN!" Alkal said, slamming his fists together.

"What is the meaning behind all of this?" David asked.

"Heh. The truth is I'm actually a pretty good buddyfighter and Im competing in the playoffs. But I gotta make sure to get rid of tough opponents like Yuga and Ishihara. So I was gonna chuck Yuga's deck into the river and then move to you, Ishihara." DaDan said.

"Zone Speed: The World!" David said as time stopped. He then moved to snatch the deck from DaDan's hand before going back to his position. "Time has begun to resume."

"What the… hey! That's no fair!" DaDan said.

"THAT wasn't fair? I think you should take a look in the mirror, because that's what a scumbag looks like." David said. "Since you're itching to edge me out, I'll oblige you. I'll take you on right now."

"Nah. I got a better idea. I'm scheduled to fight you in the individuals bracket tomorrow. We'll settle this there." Dadan said.

"I'll be looking forward to it. Too bad my group is scattered across Japan, because they won't see me wipe that smirk off your face." David said.

"You may be a good Buddyfighter, but you haven't seen what I can do yet. I'm about to show you what the Dragonblood Sect is all about." Dadan laughed.

And so, the next day…

"Here we are people. This time in the individuals brackets of the playoffs where we will see a match between David Ishihara and Dan Yamada!" Ion said.

"Hey! What's with that?" Dadan said. "I'm registered under DaDan!"

"It's sorta standard…" Ion said.

"I detest my birth name and don't wanna hear any mention of it!" DaDan said.

"Ugh, okay. Noted." Ion said.

"Yamada, you have no idea what you're asking for. My deck and I have been itching to teach you a lesson in humility." David said.

"Don't you dare use my name! Dragonblood Sect! Appear with a big da-dan! Luminize! Bloody Nightmare!" DaDan said.

"In the darkest lands from the depths of the abyss, a ray of light cuts through the darkness and shines on a new future! Lumenize, Shining Will!" David said.

"And...Buddyfight!" Ion said.

"Raise the flag!" the two said.

"Dragon World!" DaDan said.

"Magic World!" David said.

"Bloody Eyes!" DaDan said.

"Black Demon Swordsman, Jace Aldis!" David said.

"First move goes to DaDan!" Ion said.

"Heh. Draw! Charge and draw! I equip! The Pleading Gloves!" DaDan said.

10-9

"Sorry my friend, but your life must be used under the laws of darkness." Bloody Eyes said.

"Next I'll call Shadow Serve to the left and the Buddycall Bloody Eyes to the right." DaDan said.

9-10

"Dragonblood Eyes! Unleash your power!" DaDan said.

"Do not use my full name allowed!" Bloody Eyes said as he attacked David.

10-8

"Seems my turn has ended. Aw well." DaDan said.

"In that case, it's my turn. I draw! Charge and Draw!" David said. "Now then, what say I bring back some old favorites? Messenger of Sunlight, Sol to the right, Messenger of Moonlight, Luna to the left, and to the center, Magician of Glass, Will Glasshart!"

"Aw, yeah! The ace combo is back together again!" Sol said.

"Our master's friends are fighting hard as well, we can't get too rusty." Luna said.

"Well said. But first, Luna!" Will said.

"Alrighty! By having David send one Wizard to his drop zone, I can send a monster back to his hand!" Luna said. "Sorry, Bloody Eyes. You'll just have to wait in line."

"Oh no! Without Bloody eyes, my combos cooked!" Dadan realized as Bloody Eyes returned to the hand. "Fine! Shadow Serve, move to the center!"

"That won't be a problem. Girls?" David asked.

"Right!" Sol and Luna said as the both attacked Shadow Serve.

"Now, Will. Attack!" David said.

"On it!" Will said as he struck DaDan.

10-8

"And when Will Glasshart deals damage to an opponent, I can pay one gauge draw a card. That ends my turn." David said.

"(Great, as long as he's got Luna, I can't use Bloody eyes. Guess i gotta get rid of her first.)" Dadan thought. "Hehehe. Draw! Charge and draw! I recall Bloody Eyes to the right and call Shadow Serve to the left. Hehehe. Now, I'll just clear things out. Bloody Eyes! Take out Will!"

"Of course!" Bloody Eyes said firing at Will.

"Now double attack. Hit that Messenger of Sunlight, Sol!" Dadan said as he fired at Sol, destroying her too. "Now Shadow Serve, attack the fighter!"

8-7

"Hehehe! Here I come!" DaDan said jumping towards David.

"I cast! Solomon's Shield!" David said.

"Darn it!" DaDan said. "But it doesn't matter. Without Sol, Luna can't return any of my monsters back to my hand! What are ya gonna do now, ice boy?"

"He's right Master. Without Sol, I can't help at all." Luna said.

"Don't worry. A true strategist would use any situation to their advantage. Now, here I come! Draw! Charge and Draw!" David said. "First I'll cast Magical Goodbye so that Luna can take a little break." he said as Luna went back to his hand. "Next, I'll call to the center, Dragowizard, Tempest Wing!"

"Like that thing is supposed to scare me!" DaDan said.

"Oh, it should. His ability at least. By sending a Wizard from my hand to the drop zone, I can send a monster on your field to your gauge." David said.

"What?! But that means….!" Dadan realized.

"Heh...yeah...Bloody Eyes's effect won't be happening at all this game!" David said as Bloody Eyes was sent into the gauge.

"Gah!" DaDan said in shock.

"Yeah, David! Now knock some respect into that one eyed jerk!" Flamberge said.

"Yeah David!" Alkal cheered. "Kick his smug ass!"

"Oh, I plan to. First, I'll call Battlewizard, The Ace and Great Warlock, Zessica!" David said. " Now, All-Out Attack!"

"Gah! Wait...can't we talk this over?" DaDan begged.

"You've had your chance to talk!" Tempest Wing said.

"Gah!" DaDan said being slugged.

8-6

"There's more punishment where that came from! Double attack!" Tempest Wing said.

6-4

"Don't forget us!" Zessica said as she and The Ace struck.

4-2

"Couldn't finish it this turn. But I can wait until next turn. Without Bloody Eyes, there's no way he's getting out of this." David said.

"I uh...I'll move Shadow Serve to the center and call it a turn. Heh. Least this will shield me." DaDan said.

"He thinks he can stop David's line up with one dragon?" Hope said.

"Has he already forgotten Tempest Wing's ability?" Ryuji said.

"Oh, crud!" DaDan realized.

"Somehow, I don't think David needs it for this one." Mark said.

"That's right. Without Bloody Eyes, DaDan has run out of moves. He's toast."

"Guys, I'm just gonna draw and let all of you put him out of his misery." David said.

"Gah! Please wait!" DaDan begged as Tempest Wing destroyed Shadow Serve before the three gave a flurry of punches against DaDan before sending him flying and crashing to the ground.

2-0

Game over, Dan Yamada! Winner: David Ishihara!

"Maybe that'll knock some sense into him." Hope said.

"(Phew… Yep. We still got it.)" David thought. "What a waste. If only he put all of that aggression into perfecting his Buddyfight skills. He actually might be able to beat me."

"Yeah, but once Bloody Eyes was out, he just couldn't recover." SE said.

"If he really wants to be respected, the first thing he should do is work on that attitude of his. If he keeps up this little crusade of his, only the worst possible fate will await him." David said.

"Hey guys, check it out!" Rainbow said holding up her phone. "Garcat posted David beating DaDan to a pulp in a Buddyfight, and look how many Subscribers the channel's getting!"

"Guess everybody wanted to see DaDan get his just desserts." Francisca said.

"Speaking of just desserts… Franny, can… Can I talk to you for one second?" David asked.

"Uh… Sure." Francisca said as she and David pulled away from the group. "So, what's this about, Master?"

"I… wanted to give you this." David said handing Francisca a card.

"But… Master, that's an Impact card. I thought you disliked those cards." Francisca said.

"You're right, I do. But with Mime on the loose again, there's no telling what he's going to pull. And seeing as though you're Yuga's partner, chances are you'll end up facing off against Mime at one point or another." David said. "I'm hoping you guys in my group would save those Impacts as a sort of Last Resort. But...since this is Mime we're talking about...something's telling me that when the time comes to put the hammer down on him once and for all, you're going to need it."

"I… I understand." Francisca said.

"Also, take this." David said giving her a snowflake necklace.

"Your necklace? But why?" Francisca asked.

"Whenever I worked on a dangerous case involving demons, this necklace always repels their influence. In case Mime tries anything with you, this necklace should protect you from him." David said.

"But what about you?" Francisca asked.

"Don't worry. I can hold my own. Besides, I doubt Mime would have any use for someone like me." David said.

Meanwhile in a different part of Japan, in Mie, Mime chuckled as he stood over a defeated Ochako.

"So it wasn't just the Brave Adventurers who split up, the Dimensional Heroes did so as well." Mime said. "Actually. I think you might be perfect." he said taking out a blank card. "Congratulations...you'll be part of something much bigger." he said as the card glowed as Ochako vanished inside it. "The Priestess has been acquired. 21 remain."