"Hard to believe but...the finals start tomorrow." Jexi said.

"You all are gonna do great out there." Ace said.

"Not gonna lie, I'm a bit nervous." Peni said.

"Same here." Moltar said. "Any last-minute advice, Hope, David?"

"Well, just go and do it. Don''t think of anything except the one in front of you. When David and I fought, we were locked on each other like never before." Hope said.

"Almost had it too. Just one point away." David said. "But don't get too overconfident. It tends to lead to careless moves." he said looking at his deck. "(Sol, Luna… This time I intend to go all the way, for your sakes.)"

"Hey...we're getting a message." Tails said as Arthur appeared on the screen.

"Hello. So nice to see you before tomorrow." he said.

"What do you want? Because I know you aren't contacting us just for pleasantries." Ace said.

"So suspicious. But...I will cut right to it. I would like to make a wager...for that." Arthur said pointing to the scroll.

"Do you know what this is?" Sunset asked holding it up.

"I do very well. Sealed within that scroll lies the locations of where four of the Youseiken replicas have been hidden away. As for the fifth one...he has it, I know for certain." Arthur said pointing to Neu. "But you can't unlock the seal."

"So you do know about the seal." Noir said.

"Yes. I always do a fair amount of research on objects before I make my steal." Arthur said.

"And you know people who can break it." Noir said.

"That is also correct." Arthur said.

"Then how about this? If we beat ya, you gotta surrender all you know about exorcising the scroll." Noir said.

"Okay, but if either me or Amir win the tag team part of the finals, you surrender the scroll no questions asked." Arthur said.

"High stakes." Hope said.

"But this could be our only chance to find a way to unseal this thing. We gotta take the wager." Flamberge said. "What do you guys think?"

"He may be a thief, but if he's telling the truth, we don't have any other choice, do we?" Francisca asked.

"If we want to find the remaining Youseiken, then we must do it." Zan said.

"Very well. We accept your terms." David said.

"Excellent." Arthur said. "Glad we could reach an agreement. Although, keep in mind I do not plan to lose."

"Neither do we." Flamberge said.

"Well...till tomorrow. Tata." Arthur said as the video cut out.

"It's rare for one to meet such nice bad guys these days." CP said.

"But these are REALLY high stakes we agreed to. It means we can't lose no matter what, or we risk losing our one advantage over whoever else is searching for those blades." Sakura said.

"She's right. We cannot lose this map." Jack said. "So here's what you all do...win or die!"

"Uh...don't forget to try your best." Emma said.

"Thanks, Emma." Flamberge said before going to her sisters. "Did he really have to say win or die?" She whispered.

"It's all or nothing either way, so it seemed appropriate." Francisca said.

"A little overboard since it's just a card game." Zan said.

"That's just my brother being himself. It's his way of saying good luck." Hope said.

"Well it's strange alright…" Flamberge said.

"Indeed." Zan said. "You two may be brothers but you're practically polar opposites."

"Tell me about it." Hope said.

"You know I'm still here." Jack responded. "And you didn't nearly risk being torn apart by a giant komainu to get that scroll or evade the police."

"Yeah, that was you." Kagura said.

"Point is, we risked a lot for these treasures and we do not plan to lose them easily." Futaba said.

"We know. And Berge, Zan and I aren't planning on losing." Francisca said.

And so the next day came, as did the finals.

"It's finally here! The long awaited finals of the Ace Buddyfighter Playoffs to determine the best tag team and individual fighters in Japan!" Ion said.

"Yes. And now as the individual battles happen in a separate arena, here we will witness the tag matches. Our matchups here are:" Tasuku said.

Yuga and Francisca vs Eden and Michael

Rei and Tokoyami vs Ranma and Arthur

Masato and Flamberge vs Daijiro and Mondo

Subaru and Zan vs Seiji and Amir

"As for the individuals...they'll play like this." Ion said.

David vs Ochako

Jexi vs Peni

Moltar vs Heart

Elize vs Kabuki

"Whoa, Zan… we're going against our rivals." Flamberge said. "Guess this decides it all, huh?"

"Indeed it does. This is also my chance to help Subaru save his best friend." Zan said.

"Same here. Daijiro isn't getting away this time." Flamberge said.

"Oh boy… I'm up against David right off the bat?" Ochako asked.

"Well, you're better off than Peni." David said.

"Going against Jexi this early? I'm nervous as you right now, Uraraka." Peni said. "I'll try my best, but against Jexi, I don't know what will happen. Well...I had a good run."

"I'll say." Scarlet said.

"You nervous about fighting Heart, Moltar? I gotta warn you, he's a beast with his Rescue Dragons." Hope said.

"Yep." Moltar said. "But win or lose, I'm gonna give him a fight to remember!"zcccc

"I bet Elize and Kabuki are going to do the same thing." Leia said. "You two are gonna give it your all, I'm sure of it."

"That's right!" Elize said.

"Win or lose, give it everything we've got!" Teepo said.

"That reminds me. Kabuki, I wanted to give you something." David said holding out a mask. "I-I know you don't like this mask as much now with everything that's happened, but I had Angie fix it up for you. It's so that if we do face off, I'll see you at your best."

"You really want me to wear my mask during when we fight?" Kabuki asked.

"Of course I do. We never got to finish our match back when you were still wearing it, after all. I want you to come at me at your best." David said.

"I see…" Kabuki said. "I will think about wearing it. If we do face off… I believe you'll see me wear it."

"I'll look forward to it." David said.

"Now...as the individuals start in the other arena, we will start the tag battles here with Yuga and Francisca vs Eden and Michael." Tasuku said.

"We're going to have a lot of fun." Yuga said.

"I will correct that twisted way of thinking." Eden said. "Step forth. Keepers of regulation and protectors of the promised land. Luminize. Elysium Order!"

"I shall bring light to my land! And evil will cower before us! Luminize! Angel Force!" Michael said.

"The Deity of Combat that links all worlds together And Descends Now! Luminize! Ace 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.

"And...Buddyfight!" Ion said.

"Raise the flag!" they said.

"Legend World!" Eden and Michael said.

"Dragon World!" Yuga said.

"Dungeon World!" Francisca said.

"Archangel Dragon, Gavriel!" Eden said.

"Archangel Dragon, Raphael!" Michael said.

"Deity Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said.

"Rebellion Knight, Rebellious!" Francisca said.

"Eden and Michael have first move!" Ion said.

"Draw! Charge and draw! Equip! Angel Wings!" Eden said.

"So Eden and Michael also use Emperyal Corps and Archangel dragons, just like Arthur does." Hope said.

"I then call Caldeen to the center!" Eden said. "Attack the fighter!"

10-8

"I end my turn." Eden said as Caldeen returned to Eden's hand.

"I draw! I charge and draw! I equip! Divine Cane, Massfortune! I then call Angel Troop, Rivan to the center. Attack the fighter!" Michael said.

10-8

"I also end my turn." Michael said. "But not before my items effect. I can return one Empyreal Corps monster from the field to my hand and put the top card of my deck into the gauge."

"This will be a great experience for Fransisca. Fighting Michael and watching Eden fight will help her prepare for Arthur, as he also uses the Emperyal Corps and Angel Dragons." Pantherlily said.

"Yeah, I agree with that. But Fran's gotta watch out for that Advent trick." Noir said. "It lets them call their monsters during their turn, even while attacking. Far as I know, there's no real way to get a good counter on it."

"If anyone can figure out how to smash down that Advent strategy, it's Franny." Flamberge said.

"Okay, it's my go! Draw! Charge and draw! I equip! Deity Dragon Greatsword, Gar Buster! Then I buddycall to the right...Deity Gargantua Dragon!" Yuga said as Garga appeared on the right in a brighter looking armor with blue holy flames surrounding it. "Now...it's about time for the real fun to start. Attack the fighter!"

10-7

"Now! Deity G-EVO activate! Gargantua Wind Demon Dragon!" Yuga said.

"I am here! The Deity of Ninja! Nin!" Garga said.

"He changed into Gargauntua Wind Demon Dragon?! But Yuga doesn't have the Katana World flag raised!" Aria said.

"Don't need it. When Deity Gargantua Dragon is my buddy, I can use any version of him from any world and with any flag." Yuga said.

"So cool!" Chopper said.

"So this is Garga's true power." Ichiro said.

"Enough! Advent! Call Zeliel! Reduce Garga's power and defense by 3,000 and his critical by 1!" Eden said.

"Garga, attack Zeliel then Eden." Yuga said as Garga destroyed him before moving to Eden.

7-6

"Here I go!" Yuga said.

"I cast! Highest Authority!" Eden said. "I take one damage and nullify the attack and add an Empyreal Corp monster to my hand. Zeliel, Advent!"

6-5

5-6

"Garga! Replicate then attack!" Yuga said as Garga slayed Zeliel.

"Advent! Buddycall Archangel Dragon, Gavriel to the center!" Eden said.

6-7

"Now here we go! Garga, revert!" Yuga said as Garga reverted.

"Now, attack Gavriel!" Yuga said as Garga struck.

7-4

"Activate Final Phase!" Eden said. 'Judgment! Gain 4 life, destroy all monsters and fighter takes 4 damage!"

4-8

9-5

"Now! Judgment! Holy Rain!" Eden said.

"Here it comes!" Noir said.

"Got it covered!" Yuga said. "Cast! Gar-heilan!"

5-4

"And with that...my turn is over." Yuga said happily. "Your go, Franny!"

"Alright. Here goes. I draw! Charge and Draw!" Francisca said. "The first thing I'm gonna do is call Magical Beast Master, Kazane to the left, Retainer of the Demonic Dragon, Geodol to the right, and Battle Hyena, Dolz to the center!"

"Advent! Buddycall Archangel Dragon Raphael to center!" Michael said.

10-11

"So, it's gonna be like that, huh? Kazane, Dolz, link attack!" Francisca said.

"I cast! Cleansing Judgment! Raphael gains 5,000 defense!" Michael said.

"Guess my turn's done." Francisca said.

"My god, what a battle." Hope said.

"Yeah, I thought Yuga croaked big time on Eden's last move there." Ryuji said.

"I do not believe in mercy for anyone. I will fight to the bitter end!" Michael said.

Not relenting even though Yuga countered Eden's impact, Eden used Gavriel to cut Yuga down.

"I will now finish this. With 7,000 power and triple attack...you are mine!" Michael said.

"You fell for it." Francisca said.

"Huh?" Michael said.

"I cast! Rolling Stone!" Francisca said destroying Dolz and Raphael.

"Dammit. She made me waste my attack." Michael said. "I have no choice. I end my turn!"

"Time to turn this around. I draw! Charge and draw! I equip Magic Sword, Etherstorm!" Francisca said. "Now for an All-Out Attack!"

"Wait...I've heard of that card. Etherstorm gets double attack whenever a link attack occurs." Michael said.

11-5

"Let's go, Kazane!" Francisca said.

5-1

"If not for that last Advent, I would've finished it right there." Francisca said.

"Hmm. You don't have too." Michael said lifting his hand to his deck. "I surrender."

"Surrender? You are certain of this?" Francisca asked.

"Yes. All of my matches I relied on my buddy. And given I have no cards to recall him on hand, it is very unlikely that I will call him out in time." Michael said. "It is clear...I still have a lot to learn about this game."

"Wow… You are a lot more modest than your namesake." Francisca said.

"Thank you. While I may not look it, I know when there is a battle I cannot conquer." Michael said.

"I thank you for the match." Francisca said with a bow. "Yuga, it's all on you now."

"All right! Draw! Charge and draw! I equip! Combat Deity Dragonfang Sword, Gargasabre!" Yuga said.

"Advent! Caldeen!" Eden said. "Send Garga away!"

"No way! Activate Gargasabre's effect! G-EVO! Blast Mode!" Yuga said changing Garga to Blast Mode as Garga slayed Caldeen before charging Eden.

7-3

"Gavriel, Advent!" Eden said as Garga took out the soul inside Gavriel.

"Garga, revert!" Yuga said as Garga charged.

"I cast! Sacred Holy Grail! Take 2 damage and end the attack." Eden said.

3-1

1-2

"Final Phase!" Eden shouted.

"Hehe. Now this is fun!" Yuga said. "Cast! Gar-hailan!" he said protecting against Gavriel's judgment.

"I don't believe it… he managed to block Judgement not once but twice." Eden said as Yuga ended his turn. She then smiled. "This is getting in my way, it seems." she said taking her mask off. "It's my turn!"

"Whoa, Eden took her mask off!" Ryuji said.

"She's always been that sort of person to try and encourage justice and order by any means. But somehow Yuga got through to her." Ichiro said.

"Hehehe." Yuga laughed as he braved Eden's next attacks. "My turn again. Now...all or nothing! Calling Deity Gargantua Dragon! Now...Deity G-EVO! Cyclone Mode!" Yuga said as Garga attacked. "Now revert!" he said finishing off Eden.

Game over, Eden! Winner: Yuga Mikado!

"And with that, the holy duo is history! Moving on is Yuga Mikado and Francisca!" Ion said.

"Alright! Go, Franny!" Flamberge cheered.

"Well done, Fransisca." Zan nodded.

"And happening at the same time...moving on in individuals after the first match is...David Ishihara defeating Ochako Uraraka!" Ion said.

"Phew… I really thought I had you there, David. But I couldn't really get past Tempest Wing in the end. Great match." Ochako said.

"You too. You really had me on my feet there." David said.

"The next matches we will see coming up are the team of Rei Urameishi and Fumikage Tokoyami going against Vile Ranma and Arthur! Also in the individuals division, Peni Parker will face off against Jexi in what are sure to be some classic matches!" Ion said.

"So, I'm next." Tokoyami said. "Arthur...I shall see to his defeat."