"Now, Kalvados, attack!" Yoko called as Kalvados struck.
2-0
Game over, Daijiro! Winner: Yoko Tachibana!
"And Yoko and Mana, our members of SEALED who have made it to the championship of the Buddy Masters Cup, have secured another win!" Ion said.
Some time later…
"Come forth, Aoihime, and attack!" Leopardmon called as Aoihime attacked.
2-0
Game over, Daijiro! Winner: Leopardmon!
"And just like that, Leopardmon and Jesmon of the Royal Knights win the match, once again proving that a team is strong when united!" Ion said.
"Well done, Leopardmon!" Reflet said.
"Leopardmon may be a strategic genius, but this? I didn't think he'd be into something like this." Examon said.
"It just goes to show how popular buddyfight is." Noir said.
"But that guy who lost just now. I've got a bad feeling about him." Gemini said.
"Right, he and his partner seem really bitter about the losing streak from Yoko, Mana, Leopardmon and Jesmon. I don't think they're the types that take losses very well." David said.
"In other words, they're prime candidates for Ranma's group." Emo added.
"Or they could already be." Peni said.
"Wait...you've been fighting this guy?" Jack said looking at the picture.
"Yes, why?" Yoko asked.
"His name is Daijiro Kurayashiki. He's part of the Kurayashiki clan, a very wealthy family." Jack said.
"Of course YOU'D know that." CP said.
"That's not all. Apparently, he and Masato were on the same rugby team together. But a devastating loss caused a falling out that led to them going their separate ways." Jesmon said.
"Huh. Masato never told me about this guy." Flamberge said.
"Likely because he didn't want you to know." Hope said.
"Or maybe cause he didn't know Daijiro was competing." Ryuji said as a phone rang from Jack.
"A new video...from the Vile Ranma Channel." Jack said.
"Don't leave us in suspense. Play it." Leopardmon said.
"Hahaha! Welcome to my channel! Now...I would like to introduce someone who has been a good supporter of my cause for awhile now. Please welcome him." Ranma said as footage showed a man in red sitting in a throne. "Daijiro Kurayashiki!"
"Greetings, fellow buddyfighters. If you wish to gain maximum power, then definitely join us. I was so inspired by the raw power demonstrated by Vile Ranma and his buddy Destroyer that I wanted that power for myself and have gained even more power for my buddy! Don't use weak monsters! The one who has the strongest buddy wins! Join with Vile Ranma and he will make them stronger! Could you be the next ally to join us?" he said as the video ended.
"Sounds like this guy's got the mentality of 'have the absolute strongest while the weak get tossed aside', kinda thing." Gemini said.
"That's never a good mentality." ZS said.
"He's right. Strength isn't everything." David said.
"Yeah, I mean, look at Masato and the Linkdragon Order, they never fight alone." Flamberge siad. "Working together is what makes them strong."
"I have a feeling Daijiro is more connected to them than you might think." Zan said.
"You don't know the half of it." a voice said as they saw Masato standing there. "We need to talk, Berge."
"Okay." Flamberge nodded.
Later, outside…
"Truth is, those guys, the Linkdragon Order, they used to be Daijiro's monsters." Masato said.
"Oh… So, you really did know him." Flamberge said.
"Yes. We went to the same school and played on the same sports teams. He was good and always pushed me to be stronger. We had a blast. I liked that he thinks of me as his best pal. Then we joined a rugby team together. We weren't the best in the league but we played with honor and respect. We had so much fun, and then…"
"I know. After a big loss, you and Daijiro had a bit of a falling out." Flamberge said.
"That isn't the whole story." Masato said. "The reason why Daijiro argued with me that it was because of our team. He said they were too weak. He wanted to switch teams. He did but I didn't. After, we stopped being friends. Then I faced him in a buddyfight match. I won easy but...the cards that Daijiro threw away...was them."
"The Linkdragon order." Flamberge said seeing them training hard.
"Yeah." Masato said. "I was worried about them so I found them and asked them to join me. But...they can't forget their anger over him. So I have to challenge him and his new partner. He has to have a lost buddy, right? I wanna try fighting one."
"I get it, you wanna see Lost World's power for yourself. Truth be told, I'm a little curious about Daijiro's partner too. So wherever you go, I go. You always talk about the Link Spiral bein' the chain of bonds, well I feel like I'm part of that bond." Flamberge said.
"Thank you, Flamberge." Masato smiled.
"Don't mention it." Flamberge smirked back.
The next day….
"Welcome to another exciting match, ladies and gents! Today we have a match of Masato and Flamberge vs Daijiro and...uh...where's his...what the?" Ion said as a motorcycle could be heard as one burst through the ceiling and landed on the other platform. "Uh…"
"Wait...isn't that?" Rainbow asked.
"No way…" Hope said.
"Yeah...what's all the silence about? Say my name already?" said the figure.
"Mondo?!" Hope said.
"Wait, you mean the Ultimate Bike Gang Leader?" ZS said. "What's he doing here? And also, I may be a bit out of the loop, cause I'm pretty sure he's supposed to be dead!"
"Ahem… We were all revived by the same program." Kaito said.
"Yeah...and you...I'm gonna pummel you when this is all over, Ice boy!" Mondo shouted to David.
"Me? What did I do?" David asked.
"I was huntin' Normal way before you were! I was gonna be the one to do him in! You're gonna pay for beatin' me to it!" Mondo said.
"Mondo, you don't understand. Normal survived all that time because I spared him when I should've destroyed him. I was correcting a mistake." David said.
"Yeah, well I'm gonna correct you." Mondo said.
"Uh...sir...your name?" Ion said.
"Huh? Oh right. Mondo Owada. Ultimate Biker Gang Leader and recently a Buddyfighter who fought in Saitama." Mondo said.
"Oh, thanks." Ion said.
"I never thought this man would be your partner, Daijiro." Masato said.
"We met after he put my original partner in the hospital." Daijiro said.
"Hey, he came outta nowhere!" Mondo said.
"(So he didn't join Ranma's posse. That's a relief.)" Flamberge said. "Hope told me a lot about you, Mondo. Let's have a great match, okay?"
"Heh...that quick to fall huh? No worries. I'll send ya home really quick." Mondo said.
"Oh, it is SO on!" Flamberge 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.
"Weaklings prohibited! We need only the strongest, the absolute champion! Luminize! Strongest Emperor!" Daijiro said.
"We're raging hot and ready to take the world! Be ready to run and hide when we hit the town! Luminize! Crazy Diamonds Can't be Broken!" Mondo said.
"And…. Buddyfight!" Ion and Takokichi called.
"Raise the flag!" the four said.
"Ancient World!" Masato said.
"Dragon World!" Flamberge said.
"Ancient World!" Daijiro and Mondo said.
"Thunderaxe, Agito!" Masato said.
"Third Crimson Chieftain, Heedless Agni!" Flamberge said.
"Domilord, Zerberos!" Daijiro said.
"Fullblast Omni Lord, Burn Nova!" Mondo said.
"Daijiro and Mondo have the first move!" Ion called.
"I draw! I charge and draw! Witness my full power! I Buddycall Domilord, Zerberos to the center! Now, use it! Against All Odds!" Daijiro said.
"Oh...so he uses MAX Dragons." Akira said.
"MAX Dragons?" Izuku asked.
"In short, these are powerful monsters and an attribute surrounding just one in particular. Against All Odds means if its the only one out, it gains 2,000 power and defense as well as an extra critical. It also can't be returned to the hand or destroyed by card effects." Akira said.
"Now, I set this spell! Overcrest! Now abilities of all my cards cannot be nullified by my opponent's card effects. And there's an even better surprise waiting. But first...show your power! Zerberos!" Daijiro shouted.
10-7
"Now...I evolve Zerberos...into Tyralord, Zerberos Aog! Now for this turn and next, it gains 15,000 defense and as before, it cannot be destroyed or returned. It can't even be forced to rest." Daijiro said.
"Hey wait a second! That big guys Size 4! He can't be out!" Flamberge said.
"Actually, he can." Akira said. "With Overcrest's ability, that size four monster is allowed."
"Oh, so that's why they're called MAX Dragons." Hagakure said.
"Now that he's done yappin' I wanna have my go! Draw! Charge and draw! I call Dragon Kid, Giry to the left and then Dragon Kid, Ruse to the right! Then I pay one gauge and equip! Childhood Carapace, A Man's Tears! And I'm coming for a brawl!" Mondo said leaping at Flamberge and slugging her.
10-8
"Okay. That's all for me." Mondo said.
"Okay...my turn. Draw! Charge and draw! I call Investigator, Mazuru to the center and use his ability to equip Wildaxe! Then I call Harahara to the left." Masato said.
"Hmm? Masato, don't tell me you…" Daijiro said.
"I did. I added them to my team. Along with Jisen, Tategami, Kaina and Johaku." Masato said.
Daijiro then started laughing. "You always did have a soft spot for weaklings. And to think you actually came to fight with those weaklings." Daijiro said.
"They're not weaklings, they're my friends! I buddycall Agito to the right!" Masato said.
7-8
"Dragon Share!" they shouted.
"No...I cast! Lordbreak, Flame Gale!" Daijiro said forcing all cards on Masato's side to rest.
"What the heck?" Pinkie said.
"It's a spell that forces any card with critical less than the chosen card to rest." Akira said.
"Oh, is his turn over then? In that case, I take this chance to evolve Zerberos further into...Viclord, Zerberos Zeed!" Daijiro said.
Zerberos grew again into a bipedal form.
"Now he's a size 5 monster with even more strength." Yusuke said.
"Berge, you gotta focus on taking out Mondo." Masato said. "I'll handle Daijiro."
"Okay. Draw, charge and Draw!" Flamberge said. "I'm calling Tail Blazer Dragon to the left, and to the right, I call Prominence Dragon! I'm also equipping Sun Stone, Bal Flame!"
"And Flamberge sets up a great offensive formation straight out of the gate!" Ion said.
"Prominence, Tail Blazer, go attack Mondo!" Flamberge said.
10-6
"Their effects activate when they link attack. Tail Blazer Dragon lets me add a gauge, and Prominence Dragon can destroy an item! So I'm getting rid of that Childhood Carapace, A Man's Tears!" Flamberge said as Mondo's item was destroyed. "Now it's my turn. Here's a punch for ya!"
"I cast! Manliness Spirit Shield!" Mondo said blocking the attack.
"Dangit." Flamberge said.
"You did great. Getting rid of his item was a good call." Masato said.
"Oh you won't be thanking her for long." Mondo said. "Daijiro!"
"Now it's time you paid the price for challenging the strong! Zerberos! Attack Mazuru!" Daijiro said.
"I cast! Undying Linkdragon Order!" Masato said.
8-12
"Double attack! And Zerberos has Penetrate!" Daijiro said as Zerberos destroyed Mazuru.
12-8
"Triple attack!" Daijiro said.
8-4
"Now...the time has come! As my turn ends...I evolve Zerberos into….Emplord, Zerberos Lost!" Daijiro said. "This is the ultimate form of my buddy!"
"I think he's lost it." SE said. "His mind, that is, not the match."
'Now, his ability! He can destroy all cards on the field and you take damage for each one!" Daijiro said.
4-1
"As soon as this buddyfight is over, you should get rid of those weaklings. If you do and say I was right, I can put in a good word to Ranma and Arthur." Daijiro said.
"Oh, will you shut up already?!" Flamberge said speaking up.
"Flamberge?" Masato said.
"How dare you interrupt me! Know your place, weakling!" Daijiro said.
"No, you should stop talking! Masato would never join you, know why? Because with my bonds to Masato, he and I know who we are!" Flamberge said. "We're friends, connected by the Flaming Link Spiral chain of bonds!"
"Berge…" Masato smiled. "She's right, Daijiro. I will never join you. And this match is far from over!"
"Nah...I say it's over for the girl." Mondo said. "Cause I'm bringing it this turn! Draw! Charge and draw! Now...it's time to show you my buddy. I put the top three cards into the soul and pay 3 gauge to Buddycall Fullblast Omni Lord, Burn Nova to the center!" Mondo shouted.
6-7
"Now...I set this spell! No Matter Where, Dragons Rule Supreme! From this point on, we can no longer call monsters to the center! This is now become a match where we risk our lives." Mondo said.
"Come on!" Flamberge said. "I'm not afraid to risk my life!"
"Giry, attack the fighter!" Mondo said as the small dragon attacked.
8-6
"I play Bal Flame's ability! By sending it to the drop zone, the next attack you're making will be reduced by 2!" Flamberge said.
"Okay. Ruse, attack her." Mondo said as the small dragon attacked. "Now his effect. By removing him from the field, I give Burn Nova 1,000 power and defense!" Mondo said.
"But no critical? I've still got six life left." Flamerge said.
"You know, that arrogance will always come and bite ya. Burn Nova's got triple attack." Mondo said. "First one!"
6-4
"Second!" Mondo said.
4-2
"And the third one!" Mondo said.
2-0
Game over, Flamberge! Winner: Mondo Owada!
"Told ya...Crazy Diamonds can't be broken." Mondo said walking off.
"Okay...I call King Agito to the center!" Masato said. "Attack Zerberos Lost!" he said as King Agito attacked, which was useless but increased his life.
1-10
"Now...it's my turn! Zerberos! Attack him!" Daijiro said as Zerberos attacked and penetrated.
10-6
"Double attack!" Daijiro said.
6-2
"Triple attack!" Daijiro said.
"I cast! Undying Link Dragon Order!" Masato said.
"Quadruple attack!" Daijiro said.
2-0
Game over, Masato! Winner: Daijiro Kurayashiki!
"He won without losing a single point. That hasn't happened before, has it?" Scarlet asked.
"No, it hasn't. At least, not with him" Hope answered.
"You see, Masato. The reason why my last two opponents beat me and you couldn't was because of one big difference between you." Daijiro said. "Their monsters were simply stronger than yours."
"Really? That's all it's about?" Flamberge asked.
"To be honest, I was actually surprised that they were able to take out Zerberos so quickly. But they are the strategic types, so I suppose that was to be expected." Daijiro said. "However, now that I have my lost buddy...their strategies will no longer work."
"Hey...that's enough." Masato said as Daijiro walked off. "Next time...I'll win for sure...with my friends by my side."
"Me too. I wanna be by your side for that, Masato." Flamberge said.
"Flamberge has really changed, hasn't she?" Izuku asked.
"She has. She's learned to take losses and grow stronger. Now that we know what Daijiro and Mondo can do, she's ready for him, Masato included." Hope said.
"Let's just hope they can think of a way to handle the walking growth spurt." Emo said.
"Hmm… I have a feeling they will. Sooner than you might think." Leopardmon said.