"The Prelims are over! And the second round is about to begin!" Ion said as Tasuku appeared.
"That's right. This round will be a battle of survival. Each buddyfighter will start with 1000 points. Each battle victory gains 100 but each loss loses 100. But these are the minimum. If two players agree, they can wager more than that. Of course it goes without saying that losing all points means they're out for good. You can participate in a maximum of 5 battles per day but only battle the same opponent once per day. If you want to challenge a specific player, simply use the official tournament website and click your opponents name. You can also randomly select one as well. This will last 2 months. The 8 tag teams and individuals with the most points will move onto the judgment round. Don't miss one second of this exciting stage. Hope to see you there." Tasuku said.
"Two months?!" Al said.
"Relax, dudette. It's to give everyone a fair chance." David said.
"Yeah. No sweat about it. Besides, this makes it more fun." Jexi said. "Let's see who made it. Masato and Flamberge, there's no surprise."
"Looks like Seiji and Amir made it in too." Zan said.
"What? DaDan made it?!" Rainbow said.
"This guy just won't quit will he?" Kagura said.
"Like a cockroach." Lacy said.
"Oh...look! There's Ranma...and he teamed up with that Arthur guy." Ochako said.
"Not surprised. With Mime gone, he had to find a new partner somehow." David said.
"So that is what Arthur meant by getting someone's attention." Shanoa said.
"Franny, if I'm basing this right… You might end up facing him in the finals. Be careful. This guy clearly knows his stuff." David said.
"I understand." Francisca said.
"Hmm." Zan said. "Let me...Oh...there." she said seeing Subaru up on there.
"Subaru?" Cross asked looking at the monitor.
"Guess he's still in this. That's a relief." Hope said.
"I should go and talk to him." Zan said.
"We understand, Zan." Francisca said.
"Let's see… Who else went through?" David asked looking at the monitor.
"Oh, there I am! I made it in!" Peni said high-fiving Sp/dr.
"Looks like you and Teepo made it in too, Elize." Gemini said.
"Thank goodness." Elize said.
"Like there was any doubt." Teepo said.
"Emo, Issei, you're both in luck. You guys made it too." Hope said.
"Heck yeah!" Emo said.
"Alright!" Issei added, high fiving his partner.
"Hey, uh...am I on there?" Moltar asked.
"Yep. You are." David said.
"Oh...but, if I was with Arthur when I qualified…" Moltar started.
"Oh my… Will you give it a rest already?" Mayumi asked.
"Moltar, you didn't know what was going on with Arthur when everything went down. You don't need to blame yourself for partnering with him. Besides, he's with Ranma, so you're okay." Hope said.
"I still can't believe it...that you went and partnered with one of the greatest thieves out there!" Jack said.
"I can't tell if you're angry or enthusiastic about this." David said.
"Both. Angry cause they wanna steal from me and enthusiastic cause they're the best of the best!" Jack said.
"Well, they want the Youseiken too. Looks like you guys have a little competition." Kaminari said.
"You know, you aren't helping." Jack said before a phone rang.
"You're subscribed to the Vile Ranma channel?" Hope asked.
"Ray's suggestion. We learn more about the enemy by linking to their channel." Jack said.
"I see. That's pretty smart of you." Jesmon said.
"Speaking of smart, Jesmon. You and Leopardmon made it in too." Gallantmon said.
"Not just them, but also Kabuki, Kokoro, Himeno, Marco, Yoko and Mana." Sachiko said.
"I can just imagine the matchups going on between us. It's a shame there are only eight slots in each format." David said. "By the way, you guys… How was your trip to Cho-Osaka?"
"It was very pleasant. We really needed it." Omnimon said.
"It reminds us of our home back in the Digital World. It was a great place for us to reminisce and take in everything we've been through up to this point." Alphamon said.
"It was a little weird sleeping in the hotels, though." Kentaurosmon said.
"Well, we're glad you all had a good time." Mark said as he walked into the room. "Sorry I'm late, I was tied up for a moment."
"Alright. Well, you didn't miss much, most of us are getting into round 2." Emo said.
"And we were about to see what Ranma was going to say on his channel." Hope said.
"Hello and welcome. For those who don't know me, my name is Arthur, Ranma's newest partner. On behalf of my friend, I bring exciting news! Since we battle as a pair, we've decided to do something fun. If we lose a battle be it tag or single player, we will surrender all our points. But if we beat you, you lose half your points. A fair trade, well...not to us but...you know...can't be on top all the time." Arthur said laughing before the video shut off.
"It kind of creeps me out how casual he's taking it." Jesmon said.
"It's like he's challenging us. Don't even wanna think about going against him or Ranma so early." Flamberge said.
"Neither would I. But knowing Yuga, he'd probably take the bait." Francisca said.
"Like father like son." Leviathan said.
"Yeah, they'd never back down from a challenge. But the thing is, if Yuga wants to beat Ranma, he's gotta win before Ranma changes decks." Hope said.
"That isn't too hard. If he uses Draninja when he fights Ranma, it's a fast win." Rainbow said.
"Well someone better tell Yuga before he finds Ranma." Scarlet said.
"Don't worry, Yuga's quick to pick up on strategy. He'll figure it out himself." Hope said.
"Yeah, Franny just needs to worry about Arthur. I fought that guy and he's got a lot of powerful cards. Plus Advent is gonna be a problem too." Noir said.
"Franny can work around it. I know she can!" Flamberge said.
"Very well. I'll go with him." Francisca said.
The next day…
"And here we are at Fort Card Shop where a battle is about to begin. On one side we have Yuga Mikado and Francisca vs Vile Ranma and Arthur." Ion said.
"It's a pleasure to battle against such a skilled player as yourself, miss Francisca." Arthur said with a bow.
"Um… Th-thanks, I guess." Francisca said. "Yuga, are you ready for this?"
"You bet." Yuga said as the stage soon materialized underneath them.
"Reveal the gateway to the lost dimension. Luminize! Dimension Gate!" Ranma said.
"Discarded being, lost against the evils of society! I feel no hate nor love! So I shall guide you! Luminize! Forgotten Band!" Arthur said.
"A Deity's Ninja Dragon Troopers at your beck and call! Luminize! Draninja!" 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.
"Is everybody ready? Then let's get started! Buddyfight!" Ion said.
"Raise the flag!" the four said.
"Dragon World!" Ranma said.
"Legend World!" Arthur said.
"Katana World!" Yuga said.
"Dungeon World!" Francisca said.
"Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said.
"Rebellion Knight, Rebellious!" Francisca said.
"Archangel Dragon, Urityss!" Arthur said.
"Now...we get first move. Draw. Charge and draw!" Ranma said. "I call Dimension Dragon, Ire to the left. Ire attacks Yuga!"
10-8
"Arthur, take the reins!" Ranma said.
"Very well. Draw! Charge and draw! I start by setting the spell Circle of Reflect. Then I call Angel Troop, Exousia to the center. Attack the fighter!" Arthur said.
10-8
"I end my turn." Arthur said.
"Looks like its all on us. Draw! Charge and draw!" Yuga said. "Buddycall Gargantua Dragon to the right and call Nincat to the left. Now I cast! Demon Way, Akeshigure! Then consecutive cast! Two of the same cards! Demon Way, Blood Sucking Bird! Discards Vile Ranma's gauge and life and increasing mine!" Yuga said.
"I see what Yuga's doing." Emo said. "Lost World needs two gauge cards to become active. He can't use it if there's no gauge."
"By putting the pressure on with Demon Way, Blood Sucking Bird, there will be no chance for Ranma to change worlds. Genius!" Indigo said.
"I cast! Dragotrap!" Ranma said.
8-6
"Okay, Nincat! Attack!" Yuga said.
"I cast! Green Dragon Shield!" Ranma said.
6-7
"Then I just end my turn." Yuga said.
"And that means I'm up! I draw! Charge and draw!" Francisca said. "I call Magical Beast Master, Kazane to the left, Retainer of the Demonic Dragon, Geodol to the right, and Fledgling Warrior, Ocker Glaser to the center. Now, Ocker Glaser, attack Exousia!"
10-9
"Now, Kazane attacks!" Francisca said.
"Hehehe. Advent!" Arthur said as light came from the center. "Buddycall! Archangel Dragon, Urityss!"
9-10
"That's the same trick he did to me." Noir said. "He used advent to call his buddy, and Urityss blocked with Soulguard."
"So Kazane's first attack was blocked. But it doesn't matter. If I have a Dungeon Enemy on the field, Kazane gets Double Attack. Kazane, Geodol, link attack!"
Both struck against Urityss before he revived with soulguard.
"Not bad...but I almost forgot...the fun part of my set spell." Arthur said. "Whenever I call a monster during the opponent's attack phase, Circle of Reflect activates. I get to draw a card and you get dealt with 2 effect damage points."
8-6
"No moves left. I end my turn." Francisca said.
"Good. Draw! Charge and draw! I pay one life and equip Dimension Kane Cornelia! With its ability, I increase my gauge by one." Ranma said. "Ire, destroy Nincat!" he said as Ire did so. "I end my turn."
"Hehehe. Draw! Charge and draw!" Arthur said. "Hmm. I cast! Angelic Charge! I pay one life and put the top four cards of my deck into my gauge!"
10-9
"Now, let's see...I guess I'll attack. Urityss! Attack Ocker Glasyer!" Arthur said as Urityss leapt towards Ocker Glasyer and destroyed it. "And fun fact! Urityss has Penetrate!"
6-3
"I end my turn." Arthur said.
"Okay, here goes! Draw! Charge and draw!" Yuga said. "Demon Way, Blood Sucking Bird! Now Garga, attack the fighter!"
"I cast! Flame Dragon Shield!" Ranma said blocking the attack.
"Double attack!" Yuga said.
"I activate Cornelia's ability! By discarding it, I reduce the damage to zero!" Ranma said.
"G-EVO! Gargantua Wind Demon Dragon!" Yuga said. "Now attack!"
"I cast! D-Alteration!" Ranma said.
"Garga's effect activates! Replicate! Final Phase!" Yuga said.
"Ha! No getting out this time. No Vanity Cells to block." Emo said.
"Yeah...Yuga's gonna win!" Alkal said.
"Deity Gargantua Punisher!" Yuga called.
"I cast! D-Suction!" Ranma said.
5-1
"What a clutch play! Ranma used D-Suction at the last second to increase his life by one." Tails said.
"GAH! Curse you, RNG!" Emo groaned.
"RNG?" Jexi asked.
"Luck." Akal responded. "It stands for "Random Number God"."
"Ah." Jexi said.
"Dang. My turn is over. Franny, you're up!" Yuga said.
"(This guy really knows his stuff. Should I equip an item so I can use… No, there's a time and place for everything, but not now.)" Francisca thought. "I draw! Charge and draw! First off, I cast Rolling Stone!" she said as Uritryss was destroyed. "Next, I call Wandering Knight, Roy!"
"Wait, Roy? He doesn't have enough critical to take him down."
"I don't think that's the plan." David said.
"Now, it's time for an All-Out Attack!" Francisca said.
9-1
"Jamblasted… So close." Francisca said.
"Clever. So you knew...you knew you had to get rid of Urityss." Arthur said.
"Of course I did. Advent, the setup on your first turn, it was all happening for a reason." Francisca said. "Noir told me about your impact. So...I came up with a counter. I destroy Urityss before you can use it."
"True, without him, I can't use it. I thought you were someone who thought she was above all others...but you aren't. So...as a reward…" Arthur said raising a hand to his face as his eyes opened wide. "It's time I played seriously!"
"That doesn't sound good." David said.
"You mean he wasn't serious before?!" Noir asked in shock.
"His eyes." Simon said.
"This doesn't look good." Hope said.
"I've already used up my attacks, so I'll end my turn." Francisca said.
"Wow, no sign of fear, even in the face of defeat. Looks like you taught her well, Dave." Jesse said.
"Maybe a little too well." David said.
"Ranma, I want to finish my fight first! I draw! Charge and draw! I need to get rid of Roy. I call Angel Troop, Lynkis to the left and right followed by calling Angel Troop, Virte to the center. With their effects, I increase my life." Arthur said.
1-3
"With that, I pay two life to activate this! Holy Wish! I destroy Geodol and Roy!" Arthur said as both monsters were destroyed.
"Go ahead and attack me. It doesn't matter if I lose now. I've already accomplished what I needed to do." Francisca said.
"Very well. My angels...attack her!" Arthur said.
3-0
Game over, Francisca! Winner: Arthur!
"Wow...now that was so amazingly fun." Arthur said. "You almost had me in a tight spot there."
"They both almost did." Ranma said. "It was clever of Yuga to try and keep my gauge down, but… it was all for nothing. Watch! I cast, D-Coating! I increase my gauge by 2! Now...cover the flag! Lost World!"
Like before, the black vortex appeared and sucked up Ranma's Dimension Gate deck. Ion and Tako Kichi had to shelter inside the UFO to avoid getting sucked in.
"Now, Come to me Lost deck!" Ranma said as the Sky cracked open and out came Ranma's lost deck. "The gate to a dimension of nothingless has opened. The Vile Demonic Dragon roars! Deck change! Lost Vanity Dimension!"
With Lost World finally in play, Destroyer came out of the shadows as he announced his arrival with a roar.
"Vile Demonic Dragon, Vanity Husk Destroyer!" Ranma said. "Draw, charge and Draw. I call Dimenson Dragon, Agonia to the right, and Buddycall Destroyer to the right using Agonia!"
1-2
"So that is Vanity husk Destroyer… how magnificent." Arthur clapped.
Destroyer wrecked havoc upon Yuga and his field before finishing with Vanity Zero Blazar.
Game over, Yuga! Winner: Vile Ranma!
"Hahaha! Lost World cannot be beaten!" Ranma said as he left with Arthur.
"He says that…. But he got lucky." Hope said.
"He's right. If he didn't have D-Suction, he would have lost there and then." Ray said.
"And without D-Coating, he wouldn't have the gauge to change to Lost World." Emma said.
"But I think Franny really helped us out, even if it costed half her points." David said.
"Yes, thanks to her, we now know what Arthur is capable of." Zan said approaching the group.
"Not only that, but we know that his Impact combo can be broken. Which means...he can be beaten." David said.
"Yes, also, I wasn't able to find Subaru, I apologize." Zan said.
"Don't worry about it. You should focus on getting points you need. That way when you team back up with Subaru, it makes a good difference." Hope said.
"But I was eliminated in the first half, remember?" Zan asked.
"Then how come your mug is on the site?" Jack asked.
"Simple. Subaru was pulling wins for the both of them." David said.
"Subaru pulled through for you, sis! You're still in the Playoffs!" Flamberge cheered.
"Truly? Subaru, when we do meet up, I expect you to tell me why you did what you did to Cross." Zan muttered to herself at the end.
"I'm gonna have to buddyfight like a maniac in order to make up for my blunder." Francisca said.
"It's only one loss and we have two months. You can make up for it in time." Hope said.
"If Francisca's gonna work hard, then we'd better not fall behind." Peni said. "Elize, Issei, Moltar, Emo, Royal Knights, let's do our best!"
"Roger!" Everyone said.