This is a non-profit fanfiction of Buddyfight. Buddyfight is the product of Bushiroad. Plz support the official release.
Also, warning for potential references, OCs, potential spoilers from the canon series & an IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE at the end of this chapter.
With a heart pounding with panic & legs already sore, Gao Mikado finally stopped at a corner of the streets. On the opposite side of zebra line is Aibo Park & above the hill behind it is his school.
Gao immediately stared out into the park before him. Aside from a few students, there's really nothing of interest; not a single individual he knew was there.
"What the…" The boy muttered in response.
Right on cue, the lights then turned green. Slowly & unsurely, Gao walked forward.
One… Two… And it was after that third step, a ripple appeared in his vision & everything revealed itself.
"What!? What on earth is this!?" Gao shouted.
The scenery in front of him had completely changed. There was a huge chasm in the middle of the supposed "normal" park & high above it, a tiny floating isle.
The boy was beyond stunned & what snapped him out afterwards was the nonchalant voice of a businessman besides him. The man's eyes have a glittering blue glow & his expression is not of shock but a small bliss; upon hearing the voice of his wife on the phone.
Gao gazed at the man with widened eyes are he continued walking onwards without a hint of realization of what's happening around him. It's as if he's hypnotized!
"I [Set] Wandering in Dreamland!" a voice suddenly announced.
Immediately, green vines & colorful greenery burst out from the supposedly empty chasm. Gao instinctively turned. He spotted two humans on the largest vine. It's Touma! And the guy besides him is that street magician he encountered before!
"Dammit, Nico! At least a warning!" shouted the young adult who's holding on for dear life.
"I did, didn't I?" said the teen.
"Touma-san!" Gao's voice then alerted the two.
"Gao-kun!?" uttered Touma. "You can see us?"
"Where's Baku!?" the boy shouted.
"Wha- W-Well, er… Up there?" Touma hesitantly pointed up to the floating isle.
"Is Bal there?" Gao shouted again.
"Bal!? W-Well…"
"He's up there, alright," said Nico. "As your friend's little prisoner, that is,"
In response, shock shrunk Gao's irises & Touma quickly turned towards Nico, dumbfounded by his blunt honesty.
"O-Oi, what are you-"
"Relax, aniki. He probably already knew,"
"Baku… really…" Gao then shook his head before looking back up at his two elders. "I need to get up there! Please!"
Nico let out a wicked smile. "H-Hey, you sure…?" asked Touma, with worried eyes.
"Nah. He'll be fine," The teen then turned towards the match before them.
[[Talos A] Life: 10; Gauge: 1; Hand: 5]
- [Left] [Valkyrie, Skuld the Lamenter of the Future] [Right]
[[Touma] Life: 10; Gauge: 3; Hand: 4] - [Brave Sword, Guild Creed]
- [Left] [Center] [Right]
[[Talos B] Life: 8; Gauge: 3; Hand: 5]
- [Left] [King of Forest, Zlatorog] [Right]
[[Nico] Life: 5; Gauge: 3; Hand: 6]
- [Wandering in Dreamland]
- [Left] [Center] [Right]
"Wandering in Dreamland's effect!" announced Nico. "Charge & Draw! I then Buddy Call Phantom of Tales, Lewis [S1: P-2000, C-2, D-1000] to the right!"
"Buddy Gift!" uttered Lewis as he burst out from a giant bud.
"And I cast Dramatic Event & Lewis's ability activates!" Four gauge were quickly added. "March Hare of Dreamland [S1: P-4000, C-1, D-3000] to the center! Hatted Dodo of Dreamland [S1: P-2000, C-1, D-1000] to the left!"
The two monsters then burst out their respectively buds. The anthromorphic bunny with the oversized pocket watch came out first & soon afterwards, the dodo bird in formal wear & monocle follows.
"March Hare's ability!" Nico drew a card from his book-shaped Core Gadget. "And Hatted Dodo's ability… When I have 2 or more other [Phantasma]… his [Cell Core] activates!"
"What!?"
"Nico, you-"
And as everyone turned their shocked expressions at the teen magician, Hatted Dodo let out a frightened shriek.
Nico bowed like a performer. "Ladies & gentlemen, witness & behold!" he exclaimed. "I will now Tribute three [Phantasma] Monsters; Lewis, March Hare & [Cell Core], Hatted Dodo!"
Right on cue, smoke erupted right under the Dodo's feet & after it cleared, a large cubic box had replaced it. Lewis & March Hare immediately dived into it before the box's lid dropped.
"The spirit of fun, the killer of sorrow," Nico chanted as he leaped in front of the box. "Now come out to the stage & direct this show!" His hands then clapped & clasped together as purple flame spew out from his right eye. "X-Cell Call! I now present to you… Monsieur Parade of Dreamland [C1: P-5000, C-2, D-2000]!"
At the near end of the chant, the box explodes & leaping out of pink smoke is a living rabbit plush with buttons for eyes & a formal gentleman's wear.
"Gao-kun, you ready down there?" said Nico.
"Huh?"
"When Monsieur Parade of Dreamland is called, I can draw one card!" said the teen before drawing. "Then, when I have 6 or more gauge, I can search my deck for one [Story] Spell & add it to my hand! Now, let it rip, Parade! Life of the Festive!"
An oddly-colored elephant then poofed out of the ground & as the living doll landed on its saddle, a teapot-tipped wand magically appeared in its hand. The monster swung it gently.
Immediately, a make-shift elevator soon burst out from under Gao's feet.
"Woaahh…" uttered Gao at a fancy white table pushed him upwards.
Furniture, oversized present boxes, & colorful plants in pots alike came spewing out from the ground & further pushed the boy into the air. It's like a geyser of Wonderland's junk!
However, such spectacle does not escape the eyes of the two Talos & before long, Skuld quickly flew in to intercept.
"Cast!" said Nico & with a poof, Skuld become a piñata version of herself. "Adieu,"
With a dart-thrower's hand, the teen magician then flung the recently casted spell into the piñata, causing it to burst into a rain of candies & confetti.
Time had passed since Baku demolished Tetsuya in their previous match. Now, the boy's just sitting on the concrete floor, browsing through the cards in his new deck while sinking into a deep thought.
His mind no longer paid any more attention to his surroundings, including the constant wails of the little dragon he kept imprisoned or the pricking sensation that had warned him of a nearby Sovereign just now.
"BAKU!" a scream soon broke his trance.
"So… he's here…" Steeling his resolve, Baku then stood up & turned.
Immediately, the make-shift elevator came into view, rising up towards the sky like a rocket. It was then its passenger took his leave.
"GAO!" shouted the little dragon.
"Bal!" The Mighty Sun Fighter then landed. "Baku!"
"Took you long enough… Gao Mikado…"
Baku took a step forward. "Now, that you're here, we can now discuss our terms,"
"Terms? What terms?" Gao shouted, agitated by confusion. "Where are Tetsuya & the others?"
Baku gave no reply. Instead, he motioned his hand. Bal's cage responded & immediately propelled forward, causing chibified dragon to scream.
"BAAALLLL!"
"Bal!" Gao rushed in.
Mid-charge, the cage suddenly turned to dust, tossing the chibi dragon forward. His Buddy luckily caught him in his arms.
"GAO!" the chibi-dragon burst into tears.
"I'm glad you're okay. Where are the others?"
"Over here!" said Baku.
And as the two turned back to him, space distorted behind Baku. Soon, the cover faded, revealing three additional Greek pillars; each with a very battered up hostage chained to it.
"TESTSUYA! ASMODAI!"
"Jack!" Gao & Bal shouted in horror.
"WHY, BAKU!? WHY THIS!?" Gao added.
"I'll never forgive you-bal!" The little dragon jumped out of his Buddy's arms. "Y-You've… hurt everybody & zapped Jack over & over again…" he muttered. "Fight me, Spanner! I'll beat you in a Buddyfight-bal!"
"Bal!?" Gao reacted with shock.
In response, Baku let out a sinister smile. "Very well, I accept you challenge! However, YOU will be fighting me, Gao Mikado!" exclaimed the boy as he pulled out his Core Gadget. "And should I win, you'll have to promise to never participate in the Festa- even if you got your hands on an invitation!"
"WHAT- But why?"
"Should you win, I will tell you everything. In addition to the hostage's freedom, of course," Baku replied. "Now, brace yourself! Or is the Sun Fighter chickening out?"
Gao flinched & clenched his teeth. "Fine, then! If that's what it means to snap you back to your old self… I'll fight you! And definitely win!"
"Anyone who challenges the gods will be thoroughly obliterated! Luminize, Bibliotheca!"
"Rise, sun! Burn, Sun! Luminize! Scorching Sun Dragon!"
RAISE THE FLAG!
"Legend World!"
"Dragon World!"
[[Baku] Life: 10; Gauge: 2; Hand: 6]
- [Left] [Center] [Right]
[[Gao] Life: 10; Gauge: 2; Hand: 6]
- [Left] [Center] [Right]
"I'll be going first! Charge & Draw!" announced Baku. "I pay 1 gauge & call First Tribulation, Gold Lion of Nemea [S2: P-4000, C-2, D-3000] to the right!"
Immediately, the golden furred lion leaped out of the usual monster summoning glyph & let out a deafening roar. However, Gao just gritted his teeth, already predicted how this turn would go.
"And with its ability, I add one [Olympus] monster into my hand!" And after a card flew out of Baku's floating shield Core Gadget, Baku smiled again. "And by discarding the Dionysus from my hand, I can Buddy Call Messenger of the Gods, Hermes [S1: P-4000, C-1, D-1000] from the drop zone!"
The ground before him then rippled & soon, out came the god, who partnered up with Baku. With its appearance, the brown-haired boy's Life is increased to 11 with the Buddy Gift. A card from his deck was also added to his deck since he discarded Dionysus.
"That monster-bal!"
"I knew it," murmured Gao.
"With Gold Lion of Nemea on the field, Hermes's [Cell Core] activates," said a smiling Baku. "I now Tribute Lion of Nemea; the Goddess of Harvest, Demeter in my hand alongside Hermes!"
And just like his fight with Tasuku, the two monsters on the field & the named card in his hand soon became the comet of light that forming the golden portal above his head.
"O great patron goddess of Athens. Lend us your wisdom & guide us to victory! X-Cell Call!" The portal soon erupts into a brief blinding light. "I beckon thee, Goddess of Wisdom, Athena [C2: P-4000, C-3, D-4000]!"
And as the light fades, she descended, once again, in her Valkyrie-esque Greek battle armor. Immediately, the goddess held out her shield & readies her spear, just like a Spartan warrior in a phalanx formation.
"Athena…" Gao murmured before his eyes soon turned to the Crest on Baku's cheek. "Baku, are you doing this because you're a Sovereign?"
"I'm not…" the boy muttered with a lowered head. "With the X-Cell Gift, I gain 1 Life & Demeter's ability now activates! When either discarded or Tributed, I can draw one card as long as I have four cards in hand after she is Tributed! DRAW!" The boy drew his card, unleashing a small gust.
"Then, why!? You & Kuguru've been alongside me the longest…" said Gao in slight distress. "Aren't we friends?"
"I am not Kiri!" The boy retorted, shocking the Sun Fighter. "I cast Achilles Heel. This card increases Athena's [Lifelink] by 1 but in turn, she gets [Soulguard] & 2 cards in her soul," The casted spell & the top card of his deck soon entered the goddess's shield, causing an energy field to expand from it. "Now, attack the fighter!"
"Prepare yourself!" said Athena before charging with a precise thrust to the heart.
"GAH!"
MOVE END.
YOUR MOVE.
[[Baku] Life: 12; Gauge: 3; Hand: 4]
- [Left] [Goddess of Wisdom, Athena] [Right]
[[Gao] Life: 7; Gauge: 2; Hand: 6]
- [Left] [Center] [Right]
"Baku..." He then clenched his teeth in frustration. "Draw! Charge & Draw!" said Gao. "I call Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot [S1: P-5000, C-1, D-1000] to the left!"
"This better go well," said the black, humanoid dragon in white armor as he appeared.
"I then pay 1 gauge & Buddy Call Dragon of the Sun, Bal Dragon [S2: P-5000, C-2, D-3000] to the right!"
"Bal! Ganbaru!" said little Bal before transforming into his more adult & armored form.
"I pay 1 more gauge & equip-"
"Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle," Gao's eyes then widened. "What's wrong? Did you forgot that I'm the one who built your deck," said Baku.
Gao gritted his teeth. "I equip Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle [P-4000, C-2]!" he shouted. "Bal, attack Athena!"
"Bal Slash!" The orange dragon unsheathed the sword in his stomach & leap forward.
"Berserk Gard!"
And right on cue, Athena skillfully parried with a skill bash & pierced him through the chest! It literally took her no effort to do it.
"BAL!"
"Bal!" Gao then gritted his teeth. "Black Dot!"
"Crack Buster!"
"Bal Knuckle!"
Black Dot's sword & Gao's item simultaneously clashed with Athena's shield, scraping away the cards in her soul & the energy field they creates. The boy's turn soon ends with no damage dealt.
"Darn it!" the boy muttered.
MOVE END.
YOUR MOVE.
"Heh, it's over, it seems," Baku grinned. "Draw! Charge & Draw!"
[[Baku] Life: 12; Gauge: 4; Hand: 4]
- [Right] [Goddess of Wisdom, Athena] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 8; Gauge: 1; Hand: 4] - [Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle]
- [Right] [Center] [Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot]
"I activate Athena's ability!" He announced. "By discarding one card & paying 1 gauge, I can make you discard one card from your hand!"
Baku aimed his finger gun & fired. The second card from Gao's left was shot down, causing the boy's eyes to widened with surprise!
"No! My Impact Monster!"
"And since I discard my second Demeter, thus, I can draw 1 card," explained Baku. "And I activate God of Forge, Hephaestus's ability from the drop zone. By return this card & my first Demeter back to the bottom of my deck, Athena gains [Penetrate]!"
"Say what!?" Gao uttered.
"Athena, attack the fighter!"
And once again, the goddess rushed in like lighting. "HAH!"
"GAAH!" Gao reacted as he fell backwards.
MOVE END.
"What's wrong, Gao? Already down?" mocked Baku.
YOUR MOVE.
"Just you wait…" Gao got up. "This turn, I'll finish this! And then, you'll talk!"
"Really? With my Life is at twelve?"
"Shut up!" shouted the agitated Sun Fighter. "I draw! And charge & draw!"
[[Baku] Life: 12; Gauge: 4; Hand: 4]
- [Right] [Goddess of Wisdom, Athena] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 5; Gauge: 3; Hand: 4] - [Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle]
- [Right] [Center] [Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot]
His eyes then widened. "Yes! I call Bal Dragon [S2: P-5000, C-2, D-3000] again to the right! And attack the fighter!"
"BAL!" Raising his sword, he dragon leaped into air. "Penetrate attack-bal!"
"I cast Frenzy of Lyssa!" And with a skillful parry from Athena, the attack was once again repelled.
"No fair-bal!"
"And once Frenzy of Lyssa successfully blocked the attack, one card in your gauge will go into the drop zone!" Gao gritted his teeth, in response.
"Fine, then! Black Dot!"
"Crack Buster!" The black dragon charged forward.
"No guard," said Baku as Athena lowered her shield.
The dragon swung his blade & soon, the sword cut through her waist, destroying her. Baku's Life then pummeled down to 8 due to increased [Lifelink] but in light of the situation, his expression still held a grin.
"I cast Wrath of Olympus!" said Baku. "Four minus one. That means three cards will be added to my gauge & since the damage he took is from a [Lifelink], I can draw a new card!"
"BAKUUU!" Gao leaped forward. "Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle!"
With wide-opened eyes, Baku then took the punch to the cheek.
MOVE END.
"There! Your eyes opened now?" called Gao.
YOUR MOVE.
"My eyes…?" The armored boy got up. "You're the one who should stop being in denial, Gao Mikado!"
"Me!?" said a shocked Gao.
"My turn… DRAW!" Baku's eyes then narrowed.
[[Baku] Life: 6; Gauge: 7; Hand: 3]
- [Right] [Center] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 5; Gauge: 2; Hand: 3] - [Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle]
- [Dragon of the Sun, Bal Dragon] [Center] [Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot]
"I pay 1 gauge & cast Symbel Gard!" Two cards were drawn. "I then pay 1 more gauge & call to the right Gold Lion of Nemea [S2: P-4000, C-2, D-3000]! & with its ability, I can add one Goddess of Harvest, Demeter to my hand,"
"Don't tell me!" uttered Gao.
"That combo-bal!?"
"I discard Demeter & call Hermes [S1: P-4000, C-1, D-1000] from the drop zone to center!" From the same ripple on the floor, the messenger of the gods appeared once again! "Demeter's effect, I get to redraw!"
The boy took then one look at his card & his eyes immediately widened. Finally, he had obtained everything.
"Prepare to meet your fate! I now Tribute the Gold Lion of Nemea; and the Dionysus & Hephaestus in my hand alongside Hermes!"
In response to his call, the four cards immediately lined up in front of him. They transformed into puddles & later, shot up into the air.
"He who rules the seas! He who all that swims & sails answers to! I pray to thee, the mighty God whose anger would flood thousands of cities! X-CELL CALL!" The four geysers soon twist into a braid & into a huge orb of water. "Surface now & bring about judgment! God of the Seas, Poseidon [C3: P-10000, C-3, D-7000]!"
Soon, the geysers were completely absorbed into the colossal water balloon. Wasting no time, it shrinks, raising the inner alarms.
"Oh no-"
"GAO!"
And sure enough, it burst out into a huge explosion, large enough to wash away the opposition & produce a brief rain that experienced down below.
"Full Strash Formation!" shouted Touma as he finished off the last Talos.
GAME END. WINNER, TOUMA AKIYAMI! NICHOLAS MIDDLETION!
"Well, this is… bad," said Nico, looking up to the sky with a hand blocking the rain.
"No kidding. Who would've known that Crestbearer could summon something this powerful?" replied Touma. "What do think, Nico? He's a Sovereign or Vassal?"
"Hm… I would say Sovereign but the 'stench' he emits just screamed Vassal," said the teen. "At any rate, this is bad,"
"Well, duh, Gao-kun can't beat him alone-"
"I mean my clothes. They're wet & I have no spare,"
"Just magic-dry them, you imbecile,"
"D-Darn it," moaned Gao as he tried to get up. "Bal?"
"Over here-bal," The boy turned around, only to find his Buddy with his back behind a pillar.
"Bal! Black Dot!"
"I'm okay-bal," moaned the orange dragon as he & Black Dot soon got up.
"Mortal, you've yearn for the power to crush this measly foe?" said a mighty voice echoed the air.
Gao & his dragons immediately turned their attention towards Baku, who's now bowing down to the god before him. Sitting on a navy-blue throne levitated by corals is an elderly but muscular man in sea-themed armor. His eyes are emitting energy, just like the god who created the Great Spell, Thunder of Zeus.
"Yes, Lord Poseidon," said Baku.
"Very well, then. I shall lend you my power," replied the monster. "However, like Athena, you will suffer the consequences of my defeat,"
Water soon materialized from his palm & soon, it became the god's signature trident. With one hand, he spun it before effortlessly swinging it down, conjuring waterfalls to pour down at the two dragons.
"GWAH!" reacted Bal as he is weighted down by the downpour.
"Bal!" responded Gao.
"Poseidon's ability. When he is called onto the field, the Defenses of all Monsters on the field are reduced by 5000!"
"5000!?"
"Also, I will now activate Dionysus & Hephaestus's effects in order! I gain one more gauge & by returning Hephaestus & Demeter back to my deck, I can give Poseidon [Penetrate]!"
"Darn it!" Gao then peeked at Black Dot with 0 Defense.
"Also, I cast Dogma of Ares! For this turn, Bal & Black Dot gets [Lifelink 2]!"
"Lifelink!?" Gao responded with added horror.
"I drew this card during my last turn," muttered Baku. "And with this, your fate is sealed! When Poseidon attacks, all of your monsters will be destroyed! You can [Move] Black Dot, who's immune to card effect, but Poseidon have [Penetrate] so you cannot afford to [Move]!"
The named dragon glared furiously in response. "Don't worry, Black Dot. I'll definitely survive this turn!" said Gao.
"No, you won't! Poseidon, attack the fighter!" Baku ordered.
"Behold, mortal! Wrath of the Seas!" The god then stood & swung his trident, conjuring up a huge wave forward.
The boy gritted his teeth. "I'm sorry, Bal! Green Dragon Shield!" He blocked the attack & regained 1 Life!
"No problem-BALL!" The dragon pulled out a thumbs up before being swept away & destroyed.
"[Double Attack]!" Baku shouted before a geyser burst from below of his feet.
"GWAAAHHH!"
"Danna!" Black Dot shouted in response.
MOVE END.
[[Baku] Life: 7; Gauge: 4; Hand: 1]
- [Right] [God of the Seas, Poseidon] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 1; Gauge: 2; Hand: 2] - [Sun Fist, Bal Knuckle]
- [Right] [Center] [Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot]
Wet & tired, the Sun Fighter lied on the soaked ground, with half of his consciousness gone. Baku stared down at the Sun Fighter with a pursed lip.
He had to do it… There's no other way. If he is honest about it… it won't end well for the both of them…
MOVE END. said the system as Baku took in a deep breath.
"This fight is over," said Baku. "It's your loss, Gao Mikado,"
"I won't… give up…" The Sun Fighter struggled to get up. "Not until I win… Not until you tell me… everything,"
"Even if I told you my reasons… so what?" Baku frowned. "Would anything be enough to justify what I've done here!?" He then pointed his palm at the chained hostages behind him. "Face it, Gao. Even if you win… our friendship ends here!"
The battered boy stood up. "S-So… does that mean… you're still my friend just now?" Baku's eyes widened. "So… you really DO have a reason, right?"
"Are you blind & deaf!?" shouted the armored boy. "Plus, I doubt you'll smirk like that after I kicked you out of the Festa!"
"Maybe you're right… Maybe, I'm blind & deaf… After all, the few days I cope with Yota-nicchan's death is by pretending to the Might Sun Fighter, after all…" muttered Gao. "But I'll believe you till the very end… You're not Doctor Gara or Kyoya so… Like the Mighty Sun Fighter, I'll believe in my best bud! Draw!"
The boy then gritted his teeth. It's a Sun Dragon Shield…
"I won't give up! Charge & Draw!" He charged the Dragon Shield & betting all his hope, he draws!
He let a near-silent gasp. It's yet another Sun Dragon Shield…
Baku lowered his head. "It's decided, then," muttered Poseidon.
"Gao…" murmured Bal sadly from within his Core Gadget.
"NO! I won't give up!" shouted Gao. "I won't give you up, Baku!"
Such honest soul… It is a pity that the crown was misplaced…
"Wha- Who's there?" The boy asked, frantically looking around.
O' he who was chosen but was robbed of the title… For this one time only, I shall aid you…
Almost immediately, a sharp pain intruded his head & chest! "Ggh! URWAAAHHHH! GAAAAAHH!" screamed Gao as he wriggled in a pain so immense his saliva & tears began to leak out!
"G-Gao!? What's wrong-bal?" uttered Bal's voice.
"This presence… Impossible!" uttered Baku with shock. "Gao, you-"
A loud gasp soon escaped his mouth as he stared up into the air & breathe heavily. The boy soon got up, wiping the liquid on his face. His expression held a new confidence.
"I cast Dragonic Grimoire!" He destroyed his hand & drew 3 more. "There it is! I call another Black Dot [S1: P-5000, C-1, D-1000] to the right!" His hand then held out one more card vertically. "I then call Core Catalyst, Bal the Torch [S1: P-2000, C-1, D-1000] to the center!"
Chibi Bal then appeared, carrying something in his hands. "Eh? I'm chibi-bal? And what is this giant torch-bal!?" the dragon noted the un-lit & oversized torch in his hands.
"Don't tell me…"
"When I'm equipped with an item with the "Dragon" in its attribute, Bal's [Cell Core] activates!"
Right on cue, the torch lit, surprising little Bal.
A reddish aura soon wrapped itself around the Sun Fighter. "ERG-WAAAHHHH! I'll now Tribute my two Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dots & the [Cell Core], Core Catalyst, Bal the Torch!"
"I don't know what's going on but let's go-bal!" said the little dragon before leaping into the air.
The two Black Dots followed & soon, the three of them dematerialize into three flaming comets that shoot into the sky.
"By the name of the true dragon king, I beckon thee! O' Mother of Suns, come forth & give birth to another glorious nova!" The three comets merged forming a miniscule sun. "X-CELL CALL! May your name be revived here & now; Dragonic Legend, Sun Maker Dragon!"
A loud roar echoed from the colossal ball or fire. Soon, it began to uncoil, revealing it to be a red & yellow serpentine dragon with a mane similar to a male lion's. Its body is loosely wrapped what it seems to be a yellow dwarf star quintillion times smaller than the real deal & in his right hand, the torch Bal just held onto.
"So that's why she needs you… You & Noboru…" Baku murmured in shock. "Gao, you're-"
"X-Cell Gift! I gain 1 Life!" Gao exclaimed. "And Sun Maker Dragon's ability! When it is called, I gain one gauge! Also, when my Life is 5 or less, I get to add Bal Dragon "Bal Burst Smasher!" from my deck to my hand!"
"Say what!?" Baku shouted in disbelief.
"Sun Maker Dragon! Link-attack with me!" The boy immediately charged in.
"Arrogant mortal!" Poseidon growled & responded with a swing.
Veils of water were conjured up like geysers & the diagonal spray soon sent Gao flying backwards to pillar behind him. The sea god then quickly raised his head, only to be met with a fiery breath that seemingly colored the sky white.
"POWER OF MYTHOLOGY!" Baku desperately casted.
In response, Poseidon unleashed his might. First, returning his throne back into sea water before expanding it. In a manner of seconds, the volume became excessively large & soon, it overwhelmed the white flame Sun Maker spewed from her jaws. It's as if the flames were swallowed up by a geyser thrice the size of a megalodon's mouth.
And once again, a brief rain befell the floating island & the world below, along with a thick mist. Agitated, Poseidon swept it away with his control over moisture.
"FINAL PHASE!" Gao's voice shouted.
In response, Baku gritted his teeth & shut his eyes. "Dammit all…"
"Impact CALL! I pay 3 gauge & change Sun Maker Dragon… into Bal Burst Smasher!"
The sound of a metal mechanism soon rung the boy's ears, followed by the sound of motor that signaled his defeat.
Baku then opened his eyes. "Come on! BRING IT!"
The rocket-boosted hammer soon spun in circles. "Bal… Burst… SMASHER!" And with a shout, the armorless dragon swung the giant hammerhead down!
"FILITHY DRAGON!" shouted Poseidon before the hammer crashed into the ground.
GAME END. WINNER, GAO MIKADO!
The illusion was broken. Before long, everyone can see the floating island falling down the orange-hued sky & reacted in a panic frenzy, running away.
However, amidst the panicking crowd, a certain red-haired teenager is running towards it.
"Baku…" he muttered.
"Baku… BAKU!"
His eyes soon open. "G-Gao!?"
In front of him is Gao barely holding on to his hand while hanging onto Bal, who has anchored himself into the platform with his sword.
"L-Let go!"
"NEVER!" Gao shouted. "You haven't told me anything yet!"
"Gao…. You…" He pursed his lips. "Please, save-"
My, my, rebelling already?
Suddenly, Baku's face was smudged with horror. And in a flash, a skeleton claw grabbed his body & pulled him away.
"Waargh!"
"BAKU!"
The claw then slammed the boy once into the concrete floor & immediately retreats back. What caught Gao's eyes afterwards is a woman in a black gown standing firmly on the falling platform.
Her skin is pale grey; her arms are completely skeletal & when she opened her eyes, it is revealed that her sclerae are black & irises are red.
The skeletal arm of the claw soon retreated under her dress & is now currently, holding Baku up beside her face.
"Naughty, naughty boy. If it were up to me, you'll already been dead," said the monstrous woman as she stroked her finger on the boy's chin.
"Let Baku go!" shouted Gao.
"Foolish mortal, you are just asking for death, aren't you?" said the lady, as a dark green mist began to conjure up in her hand.
The ground then shook & soon, gravity returned, causing Bal & Gao to fall flat on the floor.
"W-What is going on-bal?"
"BAKUUUU!" a foreign voice shouted.
"That voice…!?" Baku muttered.
Before long, a familiar figure flew up & landed in between the boys. A cape of purple symbols can be seen flowing out of his pauldron-shaped Core Gadget as the figure maliciously stared at his cousin's captive.
"Let Baku go, you disgusting-looking Monster!" he said.
"Retsu…" murmured Baku.
The woman with skeletal arms chuckled. "As expected from humans, such arrogance,"
"DEATH TALICA!" shouted Retsu before a roar is heard underneath the isle.
Immediately, the empty portion of the platform is vaporized by an instant beam of light. And later, from the hole it blasts through, Retsu's Buddy reared his dragonic head. Its claws sunk into the edges of the platform to anchor his upper body as its lower body held onto the entire platform.
"I will only repeat once. Let. Baku. Go,"
"Hmph!" The monster frowned & swings her hand. A darky misty portal soon opened up behind her.
"DON'T LET HER ESCAPE!" Responding to Retsu's orders, Death Talica quickly swing its hand down.
"Specter!" said the woman.
And in a flash, the attack was repelled.
"What the-" Retsu uttered.
Beside the pale-skinned monster now stood a new face- a fully cloaked figure with a skull mask & an oversized skeletal arm.
Retsu gritted his teeth, furious. "How dare you…"
"Mighty… Sun Fighter…" murmured the masked figure, looking towards a surprised Gao.
"Your orders, Specter… Kill!"
In response, the cloaked figure flinched & soon after a brief idle, he took one step forward.
"STOP!" Baku yelled. "I'll go! I'll go with you, isn't that what you want, Keres!?"
"That's Lady Keres to you, mortal," She then suddenly paused briefly before letting out a smile. "Pity, I can't punish you myself. But whatever…" She released the boy, much to the surprise of his cousin.
"Baku!" Gao & Bal rushed forward.
"Don't come any closer!" Baku shouted, stopping the two. "Don't… come any closer…" he added with a defeated murmur.
"Why… WHY!?" Gao shouted angrily.
Baku kept quiet, only pursing his lip & lowering his head. The next thing Retsu & Gao saw is that the brown-haired boy's retreating back into the portal, causing them to gasp & quickly sprinted forward.
"JUST WHAT DO THINK YOU'RE DOING, BAKUUU!?"
"WAIT! BAKU! DON'T GO!" The two shouted respectively.
"Till we meet again, mortal!" said Keres before a green mist burst out of the ground.
With zero hesitation, the two charged through it. However, it is too late as the moment they ran out the mist, the portal is no longer fit for a human to be dragged back through. Retsu's legs surrendered but Gao's obviously didn't.
"BAKUUU!" shouted the boy as he charged in like a chariot.
Sadly, his efforts are for naught. He brushed past the mist left by the closed rift in space & crashed into the ground. And to make things worse, the last glimpses he saw as the portal finally closes is not that of his friend… but the mysterious Specter's skull mask staring back at him.
"DAMMIT!" Cursing himself, the Sun Fighter slammed his fist on the ground. "Baku…"
"G-Gao…" The orange dragon muttered before something caught his interest. "Hey, a letter-bal!"
Gao looked up & soon, an envelope floated down into his hands…
"An F-Festa invitation!?" The boy uttered.
He stared at it. It was then a memory of a conversation with Baku came to mind.
"W-What if the Sun Fighter is forced to something… like backstabbing a friend?"
Gao gritted his teeth & shut his eyes to frustration in his heart. Baku's already there… at the side of whatever villain that had made him do this. With clenched teeth, he turned his head up to the sky, with a new goal in mind.
"I promise… I'll get you back…"
Dusk,
Yet again, Kagome Himiko had turned his sights away from the scene before her. It is her third time this day.
"Kagome-sama, what's wrong?" muttered Fuyuki, sitting next to her.
The O-Miko shook her head. "It's nothing,"
Those were lies. From a young age, she had observed over a thousand men & women alike taking part in the trail that would test their qualifications to be a member of their sacred order.
Hundreds of men she saw gravely injured… Thousands of women she saw broke down into tears… But even so, she had observed them dutifully as the O-Miko of the Shirushiboshi.
However, today's trail… or should I say the person taking the trail today is different.
Out in the estate's courtyard, there laid two battered up bodies of the nanomachine ninjas, Tsukikage & Byakuya. In front of them is Zanya… shirtless, full of bruises & limping from hours of fatigue.
"Is that all you've got?" Byakko taunts, sitting on top of a boulder. "Your trail is simple. Take either one of these two bells from me & you win,"
With two fingers, he dangled the boy's objective before him. Two tiny bells tied to the end of two thin strings each.
"Why don't you give up?" added Byakko. "The Shirushiboshi is a risky place to be. Even with a membership, it is not guaranteed for life. The elders can easily banish you on a whim & after that, you'll be off wandering the streets with probably the entire world looking down at you for a number of reasons,"
Zanya said nothing. Instead, he slowly walked forward, readying the shinai in his hands. One of his eyes is swollen but both of them are still burning.
"You have guts," said Byakko, smiling. "But not enough!"
In a blink of an eye, the boulder shattered in pieces & Byakko is nowhere to be seen. Zanya immediately reacted with an eye widened & his body in a stance! It's coming!
Is it from behind him this time? Or is it the front? Or his sides? Either way the pain & trauma had made him flustered upon seeing the monster vanishing from his sights.
"Up here!" a voice then caused Zanya to raise his head.
And in an eyeblink, a fist pummeled down into his face, causing his body to fall onto the grass.
"ZANYA!?" Kagome leaped from her seat.
"Kagome-sama, please compose yourself!" said Fuyuki.
"But Zanya, he-"
"The trail is over!" exclaimed Mikasa, standing behind Kagome.
With a sad frown, Byakko stared down at Zanya's pummeled face on the ground.
"You are both brave & loyal, Zanya-kun," he muttered. "But without the ability to defend yourself, you will only cause Kago-chan more problems,"
"Thanks for the heads up, then," a familiar voice alerted the humanoid monster.
Byakko quickly turned around & to his shock; behind him stood Zanya & a miniscule Tsukikage, sitting on his shoulder.
"What the-" He turned back, only to see the body under his feet burst out into a small puff of smoke, revealing a wooden log. "You sneaky bastard," he said with an awkward smile.
"I won't let anyone harm or use Kagome," muttered Zanya while panting. "For that very reason, I'll one day take her out of this stupid group with me!"
Byakko then turned around & let out another smile. It's as if he found a comrade at arms.
"ZANYAAA!" The girl soon shouts, running towards the boy.
"Kagome…" Smiling, the boy limped forward, only to soon fainted…
And fall into her arms.
"Hang in there, Noboru,"
"No… Get… out…" muttered the boy, who's unconscious & sweating.
One by one, the streetlights soon flickered on. The old knight's worry grows.
"Come on, Rocinate, hurry up!" he addressed his steed.
Almost an hour had passed since the old knight rode from the Mikado residence & and before that, a ruckus had occurred.
His partner had been struck with an excruciating headache, followed by some red mist leaking out from his 'bandaged' arm.
"K-Kitten Shirt…?" muttered Hanako a few moments ago.
"Don't worry. I'll get him to a hospital," El Quixote then appeared & took Noboru out.
However, a problem soon appeared- He didn't know where to go next…
The hospital is obviously not the answer to his Buddy's current symptoms, especially with his arm acting up.
He could rush to the Shirushiboshi's estate… but doubt & suspicion soon steered him away. The old knight had spotted a few lies in the O-Miko's words when she spoke to the boys during their last meeting & he is not willing to trust the girl just yet.
And that leaves him with just one trustworthy option…
"Let's hope Count Dawn have answer to this…" muttered the knight as his steed zoomed through the streets.
That night…
As Mr. & Mrs. Omori happily chats away in their room, Retsu gritted his teeth & went downstairs.
They were oblivious to their son's real situation but who could've blamed them. This morning, Kuguru Uki had come by with a message that Baku would be staying & helping her with the Festa. The girl even gifted him with an invitation, saying it's from Baku.
Obviously, Retsu Omori is not one bit ecstatic about it… but the fact it's from Baku eventually made him open the envelop. Inside contains the said invitation in the form of a fancy black card & in addition… a letter.
Retsu eventually read it & was horrified.
Kyoya's going to have Baku killed this evening at Aibo Park.
Andit is those words that made him contemplate during the night. Baku had been abducted… No! It is more accurate to say he's been threatened to something- He willingly went with those creatures, after all.
But then… what would validate the truth of this letter he received? Sure, he believed it but… He knew Kyoya Gaen & upon minutes of thinking, Retsu had ruled out the possibility of his former boss doing something this reckless. And that would mean one thing…
"Kuguru Uki…"
He then reached for his phone. The first thought is to call Kyoya to obtain some information on said girl but then… something steered him away.
"Baku…" muttered the teen with a sad face.
Should he re-affiliate with him again?
And before he can come up with a 'Yes', his fingers had already finished tapping on the phone.
He soon muttered into his phone. "Rouga Aragami… …I have proposal for you,"
The end.
Plz do note the following fanmade cards/ OC's can be searched in the Buddyfight Fanon Wiki. Should any of these are not the Wikia, I humbly ask for your patience:
- Hatted Dodo of Dreamland
- Monsieur Parade of Dreamland
- Achilles Heel
- Frenzy of Lyssa
- Wrath of Olympus
- Dogma of Ares
- Goddess of Harvest, Demeter
- God of Forge, Hephaestus
- God of the Seas, Poseidon
- Core Catalyst, Bal the Torch
- Dragonic Legend, Sun Maker Dragon
Also, should you have any comments, feel free to post it as a review or sent me a note. This also includes overall review on how Act 1 is for you as a reader. And yes, this is an 'Act 1'!