Chapter 23: Count Dawn's Origin
At the Sky Home. Gao fell to his knees after he couldn't put his Dragon World deck into his case.
"It's just as Tasuku and Daisuke said it was." Count Dawn recalled about the discussion again.
"If that's the case. Then I fear that Gao maybe unable to use Dragon World decks anymore." Tasuku said as Daisuke thought of something.
"Oh no. You mean to say that Gao lost his confidence of using it?" Daisuke asked.
"Until it's resolved, I'm forced to suspend your Buddy Police status indefinitely!" Count Dawn declared as Gao became frustrated.
Go looked at the cards he dropped.
"This is totally crazy! I never felt better! Tasuku, Daisuke, and Count Dawn worried too much." Gao said as he refused to admit it. When he tried to pick up the flag card, he felt a shock. Gao growled for frustration.
"It's not crazy! Something's up with you and we better find out what!" Drum said.
"You used Dragon World when you fought Ikazuchi. The same fight, I'm sorry to say, which we lost our dear friend, Lord Tenbu. It's greatly effecting you." Count Dawn said as he recalled the time when Tenbu was taken by Yamigedo, "According to our Buddy Police position. This painful loss has you emotionally scarred and deeply despair. As the result, this explains that you subconsciously rejecting Dragon World. The heart is very complex. Even if you think you got over something, the wounds don't always heal as quickly or as completely as we tell you to believe. I know this is difficult for you to grasp, as especially for once so young."
"No! They're wrong! I'm fine! Let me prove it!" Gao demanded as Count Dawn banged his cane to the ground twice as it surprised them.
"This is no time to be tough. The first step to healing is an receptive, Gao. If you fail to do that, you can never move on! You know all to well of how long it can take to recover from such a painful loss." Count said as he picks up the cards, "Having being face with unfathomable tragedy in your Buddy live on before." Gao remembered that about his brother, Yota.
"Don't worry! I'll write more Sun Fighter stories! Anything for my little bro!" Yota said.
Gao realized as he thought of it. Count Dawn then placed the deck into the case.
"You do not need to rush things. Before you know it, you'll be wielding Dragon World even better than before." He handed it back to him.
"Thanks, Count." Gao thanked. Then afterwards, Gao and Drum used their Buddy Skill as they left the Sky Home. Count Dawn watches through the window.
"Exception is most difficult even for someone like me." He said as he pull out the photo of the family he met, "It's easy to give such advice to others. But should I be breaching? Consider that, after all this time, I am still unable to do it myself. I wonder what you would say if you were still here, my Buddy."
The next day, at Aibo Academy. It was lunchtime as Gao and his friends are on the roof.
"I wonder when you'll be able to start using Dragon World cards?" Kuguru wondered.
"Hard to say. Nothing I tried is been able to at all!" Drum said as he recalled the time.
At night, at the Dojo.
"I feel good abut this one." Drum said as they started training.
"Kay, I'm ready! Lay it on me!" Gao said as Drum used a fishing rod as it hook the flag card on it.
"I hope this works." He walks to Gao close enough to wave the card so that way, Gao can figure of taking it but when the card touched his nose, he felt shock as he fell on the ground, "Well at least we can roll out another one!"
"You're the Brainiac! Got any ideas?!" Drum asked Kuguru desperately.
"This is beyond my skill set." Kuguru said.
"Reversing damage received in a match calls for another Buddyfight." Baku said, "Don't be consumed by negative thinking. You just gotta relax and have fun out there. And I'm sure you'll get your mojo back and be able to use your Dragon World deck."
"That's all it'll take?!" Drum asked.
"Now who can we find you to Buddyfight with?" Baku asked while eating his lunch.
"Let me think. What good fighters do we know who aren't hang up on winning or losing?" Kuguru asked as they are trying to think who are they recommending for Gao to fight. Then Kuguru turned on her headlights as she thought of something, "I think I got it! I know someone who enjoys Buddyfights!"
At the cemetery, Kazane placed a bouquet of flowers on the gravestone.
"You're really proud of me, Dad. Any day now, I'm gonna make my 100th friend!" She said excitedly.
"Come on, Kazane. We better get going." Her mom said.
"Okay." Kazane stand up.
"So where should we go for lunch?" Her mom asked.
"I feel like Italian." Kazane recommended. They are leaving the cemetery as Count Dawn was there at the tree, carrying an umbrella to prevent him of seeing the sun.
"So how's things going at school?"
"It's great I really like it there." As they walked, Kazane received a phone call, "Oh! It will just take a second, Mom! Hey, Kuguru!" She takes the call, "Yeah, how've you been?" Kazane's mom noticed Count Dawn as she gave her friendly wave. He was surprised for an unexpected.
At the CASTLE...
"Thanks for coming down, Kazane!" Drum said.
"Yeah. No pressure. We're just saving Gao is all." Baku said.
"I'm glad I can help. Though I like to know what you're so worried about." Kazane wondered.
"How ill-mannered." Blade said.
Kuguru laughed nervously, "Well that would defeat the purpose." Gao groaned as he noticed Count Dawn's bat.
"What's that creepy thing?!"
"You okay, Gao?" Kuguru asked.
"Look at that. Something's hovering up there and watching us."
"Hundred Demons?" Drum assumed.
"One way to find out!"
"Let's do it!"
Buddy Skill On
The bat leaves as Gao and Drum are following it.
"Come back!" Gao yelled.
They followed it to an alley as they encountered someone.
"Just as I thought." Gao figured.
"Why you-. What is the meaning of this?!" Drum asked as they see Count Dawn.
"Explain yourself!"
"Yeah! Why are you sneaking around, spying on us, huh?!"
"I uh... it's really not what it looks like. I was merely insuring the safety of young Miss Kazane Fujimiya." Count Dawn explained.
"But why would you do that?! Is she in some kind of danger?" Gao asked.
"I owe you no explanations, Mr. Mikado. What's more, if you value your position, you must never ever reveal my existence to Kazane! Are we clear?" He asked for the condition as it surprised them. Count Dawn bang his cane to the ground, strongly, "I warn you, don't ever defy this order." He said as he walk to the sunlight as he turned to ashes.
"And here I thought things couldn't possibly get any worst for us!" Drum said. Gao thinks as they left the alley.
"It's not like you to skip out on a Buddyfight and stress out over on other people's problems!" Drum said.
"I know, but I'm curious. I've got to know what's going on with the Count!" Gao said as he remembered what Count told him.
"You know all to well of how long it can take to recover from such a painful loss."
"There must be some history between Count Dawn and Kazane! Daisuke's out since he's busy with Tasuku so I'm gonna find out what it is myself!" Gao said.
At the Buddy Police Tent.
"Yes, it does seem a little strange." Commander I agreed, "Now that you mention it, I believe today's the anniversary of Officer Fujimiya's death."
"Wait, Officer?" Drum asked.
"Yes, Daichi Fujimiya." Stella said, "He was Kazane's Father." It surprised Gao and Drum.
"What?!"
"Get out of town! Kazane's old man was with the Buddy Police?!" Drum asked.
Gao thought of something, "So Count Dawn was... I mean was he...?"
"That's right, Gao. Long time ago. Count Dawn was Officer Fujimiya's Buddy. The two of them were considered the best suited and most capable team on the entire force. But then... 4 years ago, on the day of the terrible disaster..."
At the Sky Home, Count Dawn continues looking at the photo as he remembered the time he tried to save his partner.
At the incident of the terrible disaster, Count Dawn is carrying his partner.
"Hang on, Daichi. We'll be back at Head Quarters. And then we can treat your wounds. I'll save you, no matter what!" Count Dawn said as he noticed the sun is rising, "No! Not now!" He tried to resist of turning into ashes. I just need a few more minutes! If I don't get out for soon, my buddy will..." But it was too late as he was beginning to fade in ashes.
"Count..." Daichi said as he can barely move, "You're the best buddy, a stubborn guy like who could ever ask you."
"Daichi. Be strong! Don't talk like that!" Count Dawn yelled.
"Tell my wife, I love her and that she made me the happiest man in the world. And..." He starting lose himself, "And tell Kazane, that..." He said for his final breath. Because of that Count Dawn screamed for sadness as he turned to ashes.
"Officer Fujimiya was lost before reliving his duties. And after that day, Count Dawn left, act of service." Commander I explained.
"And as you observed earlier, Count Dawn has secretly watched over the Fujimiya family ever since." Stella said.
"For some reason, he doesn't wish to meet young Kazane or let her know he exist."
"What a guy telling us to get over Tenbu when he hasn't been dealt with this?!" Drum asked, "And if he wants to protect Kazane, why doesn't he just meet her in persona?!" Gao started to think.
At the Sky Home...
"Count. I have a favor to ask you. Just this once, I was wondering if you be part of my deck?" Gao requested, "I need your help in my Buddyfight with Kazane!"
"So you know." Count Dawn figured, "I see what you're doing. I wasn't born yesterday, Mr. Mikado." He clenched his cane, "You're just like the rest! Why is everyone so determined to have me meet with Kazane?!"
"I can only tell you why I think you should! Until we... accept our past." Gao said as he looked at his deck, "We can never move on. Never healed."
"I'm sure you're just dying to meet her! You owe it to your buddy! And if you join Gao's deck, you can see her during the fight! What you tell her is up to you!" Drum said as Count Dawn looked at the photo.
At the shopping district, Kazane's mom is grocery shopping.
"I'm going to surprise Kazane with her favorite cob salad for dinner." She said as one of Count's bat came as it toss an invitation to her. She took it as she noticed the bat, "Dawny?"
At the Fighting Stage...
"In just a few short minutes, Gao Mikado and Kazane Fujimiya will be squaring off at a Buddyfight at the Aibo Academy Fighting Stage!" Paruko announced as Gao and his friends are outside.
"Here it is, bro!" Baku handed Gao an upgraded deck.
"Thanks, man!" Gao takes it, "Sorry for asking such a big favor." He apologized.
"Don't sweat it! I'm getting used to you asking for the impossible."
"Come on, you know it's the Deckbuilder's job to support the fighter." Kuguru said.
"Yeah, I guess." Baku admitted.
"Let's do this!" Gao said.
"Oh yeah!" Drum said as they went inside the Fighting Stage.
"Have fun you two and best of luck!" Kuguru wishes them.
"We better head to the Buddy Pit." Baku said as Kazane's mom came with the directions to the Fighting Stage.
"Hey, look!" Kuguru noticed.
"Look at what?" Baku asked.
"That lady over there. She looks exactly like Kazane!" She noticed the resemblance as Kazane's mom spotted them.
"Hi! How are you?" She greeted.
At the Fighting Stage...
"Will the Fighters, please Luminize!" Paruko requested.
"Emergency Launch! From the Eye of the Storm! Luminize! Beaming Sunshine Guardians!"
"A kaleidoscope of excitement! And adventure! Luminize! Kaleido Labyrinth!"
"You know what to do! Say it with me now! Buddyfight!"
"Time to Raise the Flag!"
"I fight for Hero World!"
"And I'm with Dungeon World!"
(G: 10/ Item: None/ G: 2: None/None/None)
(K: 10/ Item: None/ G: 2: None/None/None)
At the Buddy Pit, Kuguru and Baku decided to take Kazane's mom to join them.
"Hey! Kazane is always raving about the Buddy Pit. It is really neat!" She said excitedly.
"Yeah, bro. You'll have a bird's eye view of the match from inside this choice perch." Baku said.
"I never seen you in one of her fights before." Kuguru said.
"No, normally I don't come. But this time, Dawny... ah." She didn't want to tell them about Count Dawn, "I just felt it was time you know?" She laughed nervously.
Back at the fight...
"That's it, Gummy Slime! Attack the fighter!" Kazane said as Gummy Slime attacks Gao as he was inflicted with 2 damage.
End of Move
(G: 8/ Item: None/ G: 2: None/None/None)
(K: 10/ Item: None/ G: 3: None/Gummy/None)
"That's the way!" Kazane said excitedly.
"How unseemly!" Blade said.
At the Buddy Pit...
"Look how happy she is up there." Kazane's mom said as she laughed, "It warms my heart. Only Buddyfighting makes her smile like that. When I think of how she used to be, it's like a dream come true." Then Baku and Kuguru never realized that.
Back at the match...
"Gao calls out the Cyber Police Army with an imitating Triple Formation!" Paruko announced as Gao calls his monsters.
"Permission to assault, Chief?" The Cyber Police request.
"You bet! Attack him in the center!" Gao said.
"10-4!"
"I cast!" Kazane cast as the card became a bow and arrow as she aim her target at the monster, "Hidden Crossbow!" She shot it at the Cyber Police as he's destroyed. Gao was surprised, "That spell can destroy any monster with 3000 defense of less!"
"I gotta hand it to you, Kazane! You are strong!" Gao admit.
At the Buddy Pit...
"After her father passed, it was pretty tough going for awhile. She wouldn't eat and barely crack a smile at anything. There were days when she won't even come out of her room." She chuckled, "Listen to me going on, you kids don't wanna hear me rambling all about my crazy problems!" She laughed.
"Why she laughing, bro? I don't think it's very funny." Baku asked.
"Yeah, it's hard to know how they react." Kuguru said.
At the battle...
"Dungeons are swarming with dangerous traps! Draw! Charge and Draw! I pay 2 gauge and call a Size 3 monster to the center! Ready or not! Here comes Guardian Dragon of the Shrine, Lumiere!" She paid two gauge to call him out, "Check his ability! Activate Holy Blast!" She said as it surprised Gao. Lumiere began blasting to the center.
"Lumiere can take out one of his opponent's Size 1 or less monsters, both when he appears and also when he's destroyed!" Paruko announced as Lumiere destroyed Assault Leader.
"Perfect! Now keep going and attack the fighter!" Kazane said as Lumiere use his lightning attack on Gao, inflicting 2 damage, "And his Double Attack!" He inflicted another 2 damage.
End of Move
(G: 4/ Item: None/ G: 3: None/None/None)
(K: 10/ Item: None/ G: 1: None/Lumiere/None)
"Lumiere's Double Attack comes as a shocking surprise! Down to just 4 life points, Gao quickly finds himself on the ropes!" Paruko announced.
"Whenever you're in trouble is what a Hero arrives to save the day!" Gao said as he pulled the lever as his belt turned sideways, "Let's take things up a notch! Draw! Charge and Draw! I call Heroic Blader to the right and left areas!" He called them out, "Here I go!" He paid one gauge, "Time to turn up the heat! I pay one gauge and transform! Fiery... Inspector! Prominence Burst!"
"Look at that! How cool is he?!" Kazane complimented.
At the Buddy Pit...
"Then one day, everything just suddenly completely changed. I never seen anything like this. She received a letter from a certain someone." Kazane's mom said as she recalled the time.
At Kazane's bedroom, her mom gave her a letter as she read it.
'Whatever was in it, really hit home with her. When she finished reading it, she said the most surprising thing.'
"Mom. I know what to do now. I want to try and make a hundred friends!" Kazane swore to herself.
Back at the battle...
"Prominence Buster Knuckle!" He attacked Kazane as he inflicted 3 damage at her.
At the Buddy Pit...
"I'm curious. What exactly did the letter say?" Kuguru asked.
"I don't know. It was a letter addressed to Kazane from her father." Kazane's mom said.
Back at the battle. Kazane Buddycalled her Blade Raptor.
"Double Attack on the fighter!" Kazane said as Blade attacks.
"Raptor Blade!" Blade sends his attack as he inflicted 2 damage.
At the Buddy Pit...
"But how can that be? Who wrote the letter?" Baku asked.
"That's just the thing. It was sent by her Father's Buddy Monster. And now I hear he's an instructor with the Buddy Police." She said as it surprised Baku and Kuguru.
Your Move
"I activate Seventh Omni Earth Lord, Count Dawn's ability! I pay one life and revive him from the Drop Zone to the left!" He paid one life as Count Dawn is revived to the left.
"The Twilight Returner!" Count Dawn said.
"This is an unexpected surprise! I've seen Daisuke put Count Dawn into his deck for a fight for one time but now Gao is too?! Just what in the world is going on?!" Paruko announced as she was confused. Count Dawn looked at Kazane as she looked at him for an unexpected look on her face. He looked as he was crying a little as he remembered what he wrote in the letter.
"Dearest, Kazy,
Though I'm gone, I will always be with you in spirit. Please continuing living in a cheerful way you always have. My wish for you is in a happy life surrounded by a hundred friends. Keep smiling, my little girl."
Love you always,
Daddy"
"Hey mister! Are you one of the Omni Lords?" Kazane asked as it surprised Count Dawn.
"Why yes. I am." Count Dawn said.
"Oh wow! I get to fight against an Omni Lord?! Awesome!" She was excited. Then Gao smiled for a good moment for those two.
"Okay! Let's end this! I'm gonna pay one gauge and Buddycall my pal, Rescue Dragon, Justice Drum over to the right position!" Gao paid one gauge as he Buddycall and regained one life.
"Justice is served to crush all evil! Because I, the invincible Hero, Rescue Dragon, Justice Drum am here to save the day!"
"Now go attack Dragonblade, Wielding Sheila Vanna!" Gao said.
"Okay!" He began charging his drill, "Justice Break!" He struck at Sheila Vanna as he destroyed her, "And each time I destroy a monster, I get to have an extra attack! Break!" He destroyed Golem, "Not done yet! Break!" He destroyed Blade Raptor.
"Oh no! Not Blade!" Kazane said.
"Justice Ram Bunker!" He attacked Kazane as he inflicted 2 damage.
"Some info on Gao's Prominence Burst! It gains 1 critical when a Hero attribute monster beats an opponent's monsters. As it stand right now, his critical is at 5!" Paruko announced as Gao boosted his power, "Kazane might as well say her goodbyes now!"
"Is that even possible?!" She asked.
"Prominence Burst!" He sends his flame attack on Kazane as he inflicted 5 damage on her, "Okay, Boss! I'm leaving the rest to you!"
"Understood." Count Dawn agreed.
"Might be my antiphonal talking, but try and cut Gao some slack, huh?" Drum asked.
"I will! I'll start by giving him the victory! Dera Corom!" He raised his cane as the green water attack hits Kazane as she was inflicted with one damage thus ending the game. But what she felt wasn't pain.
"Huh? Is this some kind of attack? Oh, it feels so warm." Kazane said after feeling the attack.
(G: 1/ Item: Prominence Burst/ G: 1: Count Dawn/None/Drum)
(K: 0/ Item: None/ G: ?: None/None/None)
Game Over. Winner: Gao Mikado
"Yeah! Just a everyday Hero!" Gao said as the crowd cheered for Gao's victory.
"That was fun, huh?" Kazane asked as she and Gao came to the middle stage.
"It was a total blast! Thanks for doing this, Kazane!" Gao thanked.
"Hey! Mr. Omni Lord!" Kazane asked Count Dawn.
"What is it?" Count Dawn asked.
"Well I was... uh hoping that we can be friends!" She requested.
"Ah... friends with me?"
"Sure! Please say yes! If you do, I'll have exactly 100 friends! Come on! What do you say?"
It surprised Count Dawn as he began to cry, "Yes, of course. If you think me worthy, I would be very honored indeed, become your 100 friend."
"Alright! Thank you!" Kazane said as she jumped for joy.
"This is most admirable unladylike!" Blade said.
"Though I be the one who should be thanking you, my dear." Count Dawn said, "In all my sadness, I never thought this day would ever come." Gao smiled as he gave a thumb up.
Outside of the Fighting Stage.
"Kazane!" Kazane's mom came to her.
"Mom? I didn't know you were here." Kazane said, "Did you catch my fight?"
"I sure did! I really enjoyed it! I'm so proud of you, honey!"
"Buddyfight is as good as I said, right?! And the best part, is that you can make friends with just about anyone!"
"Sure seems that way. Do you think that maybe I can do?" Her mom recommended.
"Sure! I'll teach you everything I know! Come on, let's hurry home! Oh wait. Thanks, you guys!" She waved goodbye to her friends, "See you later! You too, Mr. Omni Lord!" Kazane's mom saw Count Dawn as she show him the invitation she got. He looked as he smiled.
"I was afraid for so long it's strange how things finally worked out." Count Dawn said, "My biggest fear of meeting her in person, was that one day she might get around to ask me exactly what happened to her father. And after working so hard to get it back, I didn't want to be the reason why she lost that beautiful smile once again. But she is much stronger than I thought. She has surpassed my expectation and every way has moved quite admirably. I am sure that her father would be very pleased. I don't need to be afraid any longer. I can finally accept the way the things are. It feels so strange, like the weight has been lifted for my heart. I know it's difficult, Gao. But you need to move on as well."
"You're right." Gao agreed as he looked at his deck.
At the Mikado Residence...
"Pretty emotional day, huh, kid?" Drum asked.
"Sure was. But I learn a lot too. I promised I'll be able to use the Dragon deck again!" Gao promised.
"I believe you!" Drum said as he placed the Dragon deck on the floor.
"If Kazane and Count Dawn can do it, so can I!" Gao said, "No matter how painful the past, you can always rise to overcome it!" He prepared himself to take the Dragon World deck again. He picked up and didn't get shock.
"You did it! You picked them up!" Drum said.
"You see? I'm all better now!"
"I never doubted you for a second!"
"Thanks for the support, pal! You rock!" Gao said but then the deck he hold starting to get him shocks as he dropped it.
"Are you okay?! But I thought..."
"Why? Why is this happening to me? What does this mean? Will I be able to use the Dragon World deck again?!" Gao asked himself.
Spotlight shown as Daisuke and Ryuusei came on stage.
"Welcome back to more Corner Time!"
"This chapter is finished! The next one will be Tasuku going against Suzaku Kenran and hopefully rescuing Sofia!"
"Yep, it is. So then give me a review of what you think and give me good Galactic ideas please! Til then bye for now!" They waved goodbye as the screen faded black.