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 & a ton of nerd-gasms & word-censoring.
Dawn has arrived. The sky turned from dark to soft blue as dim morning rays pierces through the small cabin curtain & onto the space between the two bunk beds.
"Gao… Gao, wake up, bal!" The chibi dragon shook his sleeping Buddy.
"Why don't we let him sleep, Bal? He stayed up late fine-tuning his deck," said Tasuku.
"But he's going to miss the Growing Eden!" Bal bawled as he waves his little arms wildly.
Tasuku let out an awkward smile. He turned towards the boy still sleeping in his bed, snoring. His sheet & pillows were scattered all over the place, somewhat like his room recently.
"Gaooo~" The little dragon shook him again.
But all he did is make the boy mumble. "Mhmm~… Fine, fine, you win… My tummy…"
"Hehe… Just what on earth are you dreaming, Gao-kun?"
"Your fault… Baku…" Tasuku's eyes widened.
"I… see…" The boy lowered his head in shame.
Gao still believed in Baku Omori… It shouldn't come as a surprise. He & Kuguru Uki built & fine-tuned his deck in the past, after all… But now… just what has gotten into them?
First, Kuguru upheld the evidence that could possibly put their most persistent nemesis in jail & now, Baku have injured his only family.
Tasuku gripped his hands tight. Unlike Gao, he cannot forgive Baku & probably, Kuguru since according to Stella, she 'hired' him to be her assistant on the day he attacked.
"I'm sorry… Gao-kun…" he muttered silently to Gao's sleeping figure.
"GAO, WAKE UP! We already at the Festa, bal!"
"Wha… Fest… wait, the FESTA-AHHH!"
"G-Gao-kun!?"
Nico let out a whistle. "Woo-Ow!"
"So this is just one piece of the puzzle?" asked Tetsuya.
"Yep! And tomorrow, they're gonna port in more to this little island," said Asmodai.
"Port? As in 'teleport'?" Noboru asked.
"We've here, bal!" Everyone then turns.
"Hey, guess who's just in time for sight-seeing," said Asmodai before crouching down to the little dragon. "How's your Buddy, Bal?"
"Peachy…" moaned the Sun Fighter as he walks in with Tasuku. His hand's still rubbing on his forehead.
"What's up with him?" Noboru asked.
"G-Gao-kun bumped his head," Tasuku replied with an awkward smile.
"Really?" With widened eyes, Noboru turns towards Gao. "Is that all..?"
"What mean 'Is that all'!?" Gao burst out.
"Nothing else happens? Like a wet pair of pants?"
"Of course not! What do you I think I do in my sleep, Kitten Shirt!?"
"Dammit, Gao. It's a tiger!"
And soon, off the two go into 'Bickerland'. With an awkward smile, Tasuku took a step forward.
"Now, now, you two should…" His eyes soon drifted away to a certain someone. "Nicholas… Middleton," The boy muttered under his breath.
"Hmm. You called," Nico responded.
Tasuku's heart skipped a beat. He remembered what Gao told him last night. This guy… If he is Crestbearer… doesn't that means… he already knew that they're-
"So what's up?"
Tasuku immediately jolts back. "Er… I… It's nothing… sorry…"
"O… kay…" muttered Nico with a raised brow. He then turned towards his apprentice. "So… Tets, you want to go down now-"
Bing, Bong, Bang... The announcement chime sounded.
"Good morning, everybody~" a cheerful voice fills the air.
"Eh, Paruko?" uttered Gao as he & Noboru looked up.
"Feeling sleepy? Out of energy? Then, DJ Paruko Nanana here, has the thing for you!" said the speakers. "But first of all, for those who just woke up, welcome to the Growing Eden!"
The Sun Fighter smiled. "Huh, guess DJ Paruko's not that bad,"
"Gao! Don't you want to see the Growing Eden?" Bal then called.
"Oh, crap!"
"Well, enjoy the view, Gao," Noboru patted his shoulder. "We'll be down at the main event,"
"Betcha gonna say 'Woah', yo!" said Tetsuya.
"See ya at the hotel. You can't miss it," Asmodai soon followed.
"I heard some of the event areas are actually restaurants, wanna try them, Tets?" asked Nico.
"Try them? We're gonna ace them, right, A-Dawg?"
"Hell yeah!"
In just a few moments, the deck was nearly cleared. Everyone had left except for a few staff members & several sleepy participants. Gao, Bal & Tasuku walked towards the railings that overlook the scenery in front of the front deck.
"Wooww…." Gao uttered.
It's like two beautiful paintings, crafted on two separate hexagonal canvases & linked together perfectly on the ocean-colored wall. The nearest is mostly pink with oriental house scattered across the map. It reminded Gao of every spring in Japan ever. And linked on 'top' of the oriental piece is a huge hotel. surrounded by foliage of all colors, including pink sakura.
"So… have you decide where to go?" Tasuku asked.
"I don't know but I can't wait to try out every single challenge, right, Bal?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, bal!"
"Then, why don't we go together?" Jack then pops out. "According to the free map we got, the place is like Disneyland. You might get lost,"
"Jack! Are you okay, bal?"
"Asides from a few painful joints, I pretty much fine," said the green dragon. "You got to give credit to Magic World medicine… They're pretty good given you have an actual professional on them,"
Unable to contain his excitement, Gao slammed his fist into his hand. "So what are we waiting for!? Come on! Let's go, already!"
Tasuku let out a small giggle. "Okay, then. Gao-kun, lead the way,"
"Here are your Mapo Tofu & Ramen," said the humanoid [White Dragon] monster as she placed the bowls down on the wooden table.
"Thanks a lot," said Specter before leaning in. "Aw, man… this smell. Brings back memories," With his skeletal hand, he soon removed the mask on his face.
He then set it aside on the table & took out a pair of wooden chopstick from the small container on the table.
"Itadakimasu," said Specter before sinking the chopsticks in.
A big scoop of noodles; followed by a loud slurp. The taste of the thin noodles drenched in Tonkotsu soup floods into his mouth.
"Mmhm…" A grin appeared on his face as he gulps. "Hehe… still preferred Kachan's. Now, then…"
Setting the ramen & chopsticks aside, Specter grabbed a spoon & dig into the next dish.
Confident & excited, he scooped up a big bunch & swallows it all down. And as expected, he ended up coughing.
"Oi, Separate Whip! Water on Table 3!"
"Coming!" In a few moments, she arrived with a glass. "You okay, sir? Here's your water!"
While coughing slightly, Specter soon let out a small giggle.
"Ah… so this is what it means to live…"
"Gao! Gao! Look!" Bal points to the trunk of a sakura tree. "There's some glowy stuff on this tree,"
"On every tree, actually," said Jack. "You see, Bal. All of these sakura trees are biologically modified trees from Katana World,"
"Really, bal!?"
Jack nodded. "These trees are modified so they can grow in former [Skull Warrior] territory, after all,"
"So you've been to Katana World, Jack?" said Gao.
"Well, no. I got them from some documentaries that I've been watching recently," the dragon replied. "By the way, where's Tasuku?"
"Over here, Jack!" The dragon turned around. At a distance away stands his Buddy, waving his hand amidst a small crowd of people.
The three ran up to the former boy cop. "What's up, Tasuku-senpai?" Gao asked.
"There's a Buddyfight match up in the front. Seems like someone's already taken up a challenge,"
"Really!? Who is it?" The boy turns his head. Immediately, a mild sense of surprise caught him. "Hey, isn't that-"
"Kitten Shirt, bal!"
"Roar out, LANGUAGE FINGER!"
"GYAAAAHHH!"
GAME END. WINNER; BATTLE POET, TALKING!
"W-Well... er… That was… quick…" said the unimpressed Sun Fighter.
"Dammit! If my brain worked properly…" moaned Noboru, lying on the floor.
"Me, me, me! I'll be your next challenger!" a familiar voice soon prompted the blonde boy to raise his head.
Tiger boy's eyelids instantly flew opened. "What the- GAO!"
The Sun Fighter & his buddy turned. Simultaneously, they pulled out a Jojo-esque thumb up each. "Nice try, brah!"
"Nice try, bal!"
"Don't patronize me!" Noboru yelled. "And what on earth are you doing?"
"Lining up to be the next challenger. What else?" said Gao, with an innocent smile.
"You… DO read the map they gave to you, right?"
"Huh?" Gao reacted.
"You didn't read the- on second thought. Of course, you didn't!"
"Just what are you talking about, bal!?"
A mechanical hand soon touched Gao's shoulder. "Erm… sorry to intrude but… I only accept one challenger for one performance only,"
"Then, what of it, bal!?" The rude little dragon turned around.
"Well, you see. I only do this kind of interactive theater once per day,"
"Ehh!"
Gao & Bal turned back to the crowd… they find that there's only Tasuku & Jack… no crowd. Seeing that 'competition' had left, they soon realized… they goofed up.
"Well, that's embarrassing,"
"Noboru-kun, you're breaking him,"
"Tasuku-senpai… he's already broken,"
The two then turned towards the Sun Fighter sitting on the edge of the stone bench. It's apparent a heavy cloud of gloom is hovering above his head, judging from his… fetal position.
"I'm so sorry, Yota-nicchan… Nobody's gonna take the Sun Fighter seriously anymore…" muttered the gloomy Gao.
"As if they took it seriously in the first place-" Growl~ Noboru immediately hugged his stomach.
"Noboru-kun?" The blue-haired boy turned.
Grrowl~ "I-It's nothing! Dammit!" said the blushing blonde.
"Did you eat anything this morning?"
"Now, come to think about it, none of us had eaten anything this morning," added Jack.
"Pizza, bal~" groaned the wobbling little dragon.
"And it seems Bal's turning back into a pizza zombie. Are there any nearby restaurants, Tasuku?"
"Well, let's see…" The blue-haired boy then took out his map. "Where are we…"
Tasuku then traced his finger across the unfolded sheet. They started off from the harbor & passed by the fountain in the center... After that, he stops. His hands are starting to sweat. The road from the fountain had been split into multiple intertwining branches & the former boy cop had forgotten which corners they turned into until now.
"Er… Jack… I think I-"
"You lost, boys?" Tasuku soon lowered his map.
To his surprise, his eyes caught sight of two feminine figure standing in front of them. Both are in attractive kimonos & each held a dim sum case professionally in one hand.
"Would you like to come to our establishment?" the human lady walked forth & asked.
"Is it a restaurant…?" Noboru groaned.
And after a small giggle, she replied. "Yes. Yes, it is,"
"Urghh! Are we there yet?" Noboru then moaned.
"Just a few more meters, boy," said the lady as they walked down the bridge.
Amazed, Tasuku raised his head to the oriental surroundings. And it was then it hit him… Never once in his life, he stopped & truly took in the view. Normally, in his Buddy Police days, he would look at it, said it's beautiful & then, proceed with the mission.
"Do you like the view, Tasuku?" said the green dragon walking besides him.
"Yeah… guess that's one more reasons for Commander I to fire me from the job…"
"He probably got some pep talk from his new wife. From what I heard, she once worked in an orphanage,"
"Really? Commander I's wife?"
"Well, you are growing kid, after all," Jack added. "Need more childhood experience or else, you won't grow up right,"
Before long, the group arrived in front of what it seems to be an ancient Japanese castle. The walls are white & the roofs are black, just like in history. However, there is this huge sign that is hanging on top of the opened castle doors.
"Boys, I welcome you to Kumamoto-ten!" said the human lady. "Today we're having breakfast specials, meaning all the foods are hella cheap so… enjoy your stay,"
And with a gesture of goodbye, the two ladies went inside.
"Er… Thank you!" Tasuku shouts. He then turned to the other boys. "Now, then… why don't we-Huh!? Where-"
"Over here, Tasuku-senpai!" Gao's shout soon came from the restaurant.
Flustered, the former boy cop turned & quickly ran in… only to stop in front of a very short flight of stairs positioned near the entrance. He then looked around.
The interior is one huge hall. On the current floor, modern tables & chairs lined up across the sides & in the center, a slightly lower floor. It is filled with the traditional short-legged tables; pillows as seats & floor covered with tatami floorings.
Tasuku soon raised his gaze. Above he sees the wooden railings & paper doors on almost every corner of the upper walls.
"Wooaahh…" the whisper escaped his mouth.
"Tasuku!" Jack's voice soon called.
Tasuku then turned his gaze to one of the many tables on the 'modern' floor & to his left. Sure enough, there they are; munching down on the food like there's no tomorrow.
The boy hurried over to the table. "Gao-kun!? You're feeling better now?"
"Mwore when wever!" the Sun Fighter happily speaks with a mouth full.
"The food here is very cheap, Tasuku. Eat as much as you like. I'll handle the orders," The green dragon then hands the boy a plate.
"Aw… Thanks, Jack," The boy soon take his seat.
And as the blue-haired boy's about to grab the first dumpling, the sound of a loud gong echoed repeatedly into the air. The boys & almost everyone else turned to the ruckus.
Standing in front of the decorated paper door at the end of the room is a man in traditional Japanese garments. Besides him, a huge Japanese gong that is soon carried away by huge monsters.
"Fellow samurais!" he bellowed. "We now welcome our new mistress, the Dragon Lady!" The crowd soon applauded.
Confused, Gao turned to his friends with a mouth full. "Did he just caw us samoorwais?"
"Darn it, Gwao! Your mwouth's full!" The kitten shirt called out.
"Both of your mouths are full!" Jack yelled, causing the two boys to lowered their heads in shame.
"I-It's alright, Jack," said Tasuku before he turning to Gao. "You see, Gao-kun. There's an event going on here," The banchō then raised a brow. Tasuku smiled & took out his map. "Over here, Gao-kun," The boy points. "Here it said, there's going to be roleplaying event where we are all the last samurais of the centuries,"
Gao gulped. "So… we're going to pretend to be samurais?"
"The Dragon Lady has cometh!" the announcer shouted before retreating.
Almost immediately, the decorated paper door slides open & following an oriental music, several female figures in kimonos slowly walked out. Two of them were humans, carrying umbrellas while the other three are monsters.
The one in middle quickly attracted everyone's attention, having a more different & fancier kimono than the others.
The music soon stopped & the attendants, too, halted their steps. The umbrellas were lowered & the one dressed in the fancier garment soon walked forth elegantly.
"Welcome, samurais!" she shouted & the crowd quickly wooed & applauded.
However, the boys didn't join. They are too pre-occupied being shock from discovering a familiar face in the Dragon Lady's visage.
Gao's eyes were the widest. It comes to no surprise, however, since there's no mistaking an old friend.
"A-ARKAID!?"
"AGGAAINNN!" the Captain shouted.
Immediately, the soldiers saluted. Seeing his subordinates, the captain placed his palm on his head & groaned.
"For god's sake…" He angrily walked down the line. "Okay, you maggots, I'm going say this one last time," He then grabbed the toy rifle of the nearest soldier & moved to the front. "Look here… First, both hands on rifle butt; rifle on left shoulder& when I give the signal- And only when I give the signal! From left shoulder to right & only right hand on rifle butt, KAY?"
"Sir, yes, sir~" the soldiers moaned.
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
"SIR, YES, SIR~!" the soldiers moaned louder.
While shoving the rifle back, the captain almost explodes. Today is supposed to a great day… a perfect, well-planned day… He would do his job, have tea & show to his father that he can do things other than sitting & poetry. Everything's fine… well, not really… his new "recruits" have been giving him problems.
"For god's sake, COOPERATE WITH ME, YA NERDS!" screamed the captain as he effeminately took his fancy British handkerchief to wipe his sweat & hands.
Before long, a certain tan-skinned teen came rushing in. "Erm, you're… Louis Jeffrey… Baratian, right-"
"WHAT!?"
"Geez, man. Chill," said Touma as he backs off slightly. "Ahem. At any rate, the boss told me to tell you that it's almost time-"
"I KNOW!" Louis screamed again. "Preparations will soon be done as soon as these nerds do as I say,"
Touma frowned. "Er… You do know that there aren't real soldiers… right?"
"Yes, I know very well that everyone here is a lapper-"
"LARPer-"
"Don't correct me, vermin," Captain Louis soon walked forward, flinging his now sweat-drenched handkie at Touma.
"F***K!" The tan-skinned teen then flings it back onto the wet harbor floor behind him.
Louis clapped his hands for attention. "Okay, soldiers. One more time from the top before we go to war! Soldiers! SALUTE!"
Guns to the right shoulder! One, two! And a 'Sir yes sir' salute!
"URGHH!" Louis moans. "YES! That is the- ARGHHH!" The captain rushed towards the banana tree in the crowd.
"E-Erm… Did I did something wrong, yo?" Tetsuya stuttered.
"YOU!" Banana boy jolted. "HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TELL YOU- FROM LEFT TO RIGHT!" Louis soon hoisted banana boy up by the head bananas. "Tell me… where the F*** is your RIGHT!?"
CRrrunch!
Immediate silence… Everyone turned towards the brown-haired teen standing next to the banana boy. He's… eating… He's eating burger… right in front of the captain... who's already snapped.
"Ni…co…" Touma whimpered. His mouth's wide-opened.
"You… what are you doing?" Louis turned to the teen. Confused, Nico's gaze turned left, then right & he then takes another bite. "I MEAN YOU, MOTHERF***ER! JUST WHO ON EARTH ARE YOU!"
Nico instantly gulped & he salutes. "Nicholas Middleton from Old Boston of England, sir yes sir!"
"Nicholas Middleton… What is that in your hand?" asked the captain.
"A burger, sir! Complete with slices of tomato, cabbage, cheese & a pure beef patty!" the teen answered with sincerely soldier-like expression.
"Just why…? Why are on earth are you eating a burger right here; right now?"
"Burgers are best eaten warm… so I thought eating it now in front of your face is the best course of action,"
"Then, may I ask why? Why on earth would you eat a burger in front of me?"
Confused, Nico's brows sincerely furrowed. "Er, are you asking why everyone dislike control-obsessive freaks like you in general, sir?"
Again, immediate silence... Now, complete with a freaked out Tetsuya; a despairing & whitened Touma; & rows of participants dropping their jaws.
Soon, something seemed to click inside Nico's head. He immediately went back to his burger & ripped out a small chunck of bread from it. "Tch. Would you like half of it, sir?"
The captain, nearly brain-dead, took the two tiny pieces. "Half… you say?"
The captain then turned back to the brown-haired boy with the small ponytail, only to see him putting up a guilt smile.
"So this is your new Buddy, Gao-dono?"
"Yep!"
"Hello, bal," The little dragon waved his hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Balle Soliel-dono," The Dragon Lady bowed slightly. "My name is Arkaid; Fifth Omni Calvary Dragon, Sand Staff Arkaid,"
"Kay, kay, you don't need to so formal, Arkaid!" said the flustered banchō, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh, and why not? You & Drum-dono are the ones who defeated Yamigedo, after all,"
"Wait, so you're not Gao's former Buddy, bal?"
Upon hearing that, the female dragon let out a chuckle. "Ah, no, I am not but I am with Gao-dono & Drum-dono during those days of glory,"
"So Drum-dono is Gao's former Buddy? When can I meet him, bal!?" Bal's eyes began to sparkle.
Arkaid chuckled again. "Unfortunately, Drum-dono's undergoing leadership training back in Dragon World so he is unable to join us for this investigation,"
"What!? But I wanna met him, bal," The grumpy, little dragon soon waved his arms wildly.
"And here he goes again," said Noboru. "Can we get the waitress for another plate?"
"But our budget-"
"Worry not, I will treat Balle Soliel-dono," Arkaid then took out a small pouch & placed it in Gao's hand. "Gao-dono, here's some money. Why don't you outside & buy your Buddy some dumplings?"
Seeing the pouch, the Sun Fighter pushed it back. "Arkaid, this is so little. Why not you-"
"Don't worry. I won't be keeping it for long,"
"G-Gee, thanks, Arkaid!" Gao slowly retracts his arms. He then turned to his gloomy Buddy. "Come on, Bal. I'm going to buy you some takoyaki ,"
"Takoyaki!?" Bal jumped from his seat. "You mean Drum-dono-senpai's favorite food, bal!?"
"Yep!"
"Then, what are we waiting for, bal! Let's go, bal!"
Grabbing his Buddy's hand, Bal soon dragged Gao away from the table. It's as if Bal's a child dragging his mom or dad to some toy he wanted to have.
Tasuku let out a small chuckle. "Tasuku, are you okay?" Jack then asked.
"It's nothing, Jack… It's nothing…" muttered the blue-haired boy, in a melancholy tone.
As soon as her former comrade & his new Buddy left, Arkaid turned her gaze back to the table.
"Kodo Noboru-dono, is your arm fine as of late?" the dragon asked.
"Huh? Why would you ask?" Noboru replied with a raised brow. "You guys checked on my arm like two days ago, right?"
"Yes, Tenbu-dono & the other Omni Lord have examined your arm. However, the fact remains that nothing had been done with it & the attack you suffered two days ago had subsided naturally,"
"So Count Dawn & the others are still worried?" asked Tasuku, to which Arkaid nods to.
"S-so what!?" Noboru jumped from his seat. "I handled it before so that's means I can handle it again! Plus, it's not like you can help me for the time being,"
"Noboru-kun!" Tasuku muttered in shock.
"T-True… Tenbu-dono & the other Omni Lord still know nothing about the Crests. As their representative here, I must ask for your forgiveness," the Dragon Lady soon stood up & bowed.
"Woah, wait- heads up! People are going to see this!"
Arkaid quickly raised her head. "Oh, yes! How careless of me!" She soon sat down, blushing & clearing her throat as the two boys watched with an awkward smile.
Jack soon turned to Arkaid. "So how's the investigation going?" he asked.
"W-Well, for starters, Tenbu-dono & my fellow Fifth Omni Calvary Dragon comrades are currently infiltrating as monster staff monsters,"
"That I can see. So what are the other Omni Lords doing? I suppose Count Dawn's taking charge?" Jack asked further.
"Yes, exactly. And on the other hand, I have also received word that the Third & Fourth Omni Lord will also be participating in the Festa very soon,"
"Then, what about the possibility of one not attending?" asked Tasuku.
"If that's the case, the Buddy Police will help. They will track down any abnormal energy source & investigate it," The Dragon Lady explains. "And if there's need for reinforcements, we have the First & Ninth Omni Lord on standby,"
"I see. That's good to hear…"
"And oh, yes, there is also another thing! That seal on your arm,"
"Wait? This seal?" Noboru raised his 'sealed' arm.
Arkaid nodded. "You see… the seal & 'binding' method on your arm is part of an ancient technique used by a certain group of monster that once resides in Katana World,"
"Wait, so you guys searched Katana World?" uttered Noboru.
"Well, since Earth has no leads, Tenbu-dono & the other Omni Lord think it would be wise to search the historical archives of the other worlds, instead," the female dragon explained. "But at any rate, the Omni Lords also have something they wanted to relay to both of you,"
"Us?" asked Tasuku.
"Beware! The seal might not be just a seal," she said with furrowed brows.
"Wait, wha- What do mean!? Tasuku-senpai!" Noboru turned to the boy.
"I see… So Kagome Himiko did hide something from us," muttered Tasuku with a serious expression. "I've been wondering about that ever since Gao mentioned Nicholas Middleton being a Crestbearer,"
"What!?" Noboru then looked around before leaning forward. "Tetsuya's wacky teacher's a Sovereign?" he whispered.
"Huh? Aren't you there when Gao said it yesterday?" asked Jack.
"Well, you can thank Bal for eating my head!"
"I see… Nicholas Middleton… So have you determined whenever he's a Sovereign or Vassal?" she asked again.
Tasuku shook his head. "As I told you, Gao's the one who mentioned this to me. I've been near him before but I never detected anything,"
"I see… I will report these findings to Lord Tenbu & Count Dawn. Hope that we could find more Sovereigns during this week-"
"Guess who's back with takoyaki!" a voice called out.
It seems that Gao & Bal have returned. And with some takoyaki's in hand, no less.
"Woah! That was quick!?" Noboru exclaimed.
"Luckily, there's one just outside!" Gao sets the food down on the table.
"Takoyaki delicious, bal," Arkaid then gave the little dragon waving at her a smile.
"Arkaid!" A girl soon came over. "The 'Americans' had done their preparations,"
"I see. I shall be ready in a moment," The Dragon Lady stood up. "My apologies, it seems that I must re-attend to my fictional role,"
"Don't sweat it, Arkaid!" said Gao. "Give it all you've got!"
"Give it all you've got, bal!"
Arkaid chuckled. "As expected from Gao-dono. Now, if you would excuse me, I will be taking my leave now,"
Noon,
Soon after breakfast hours, the doors were closed. The lights dimmed. One by one, the waiter & waitresses cleaned each & every table before bringing in a set of items for each & every participant present.
The three boys looked down at theirs. Now, on their table are some samurai helmets & some sheathed toy katanas for each of them, along with several items of the color red. There are some scarves, armbands & even a small container of face paint. There's also a sheet of printed paper, detailing instructions.
Before long, Arkaid walked to the front of the stage. She turned & looked on at the crowd. Almost all of them are the restaurant's morning customers. She let out a brief smile & took one step forward as the spotlight shines on at her.
"O' great samurais!" The Dragon Lady speaks. "I have brought you grave news! My scouts have informed me that the hateful foreigners have set foot in this sanctuary that I have prepared for you! Please, use what I've prepared on the roof to escape-"
"WE WILL NOT ESCAPE!" A man in full armor soon stood out from the crowd, highlighted by a spotlight. "As samurais, we will fight to our last breath!" The man then took out a prop katana & walked to the front. "O' ever kind Dragon Lady, if you must flee, then flee by yourself! It would be an honor to die serving a master so kind & generous,"
"For the Dragon Lady!" a participant then shouts.
"For the Dragon Lady!"
"For the Dragon Lady!" Several more followed before the crowd began chanting in frenzy.
The actor & Arkaid soon looked onto the crowd, smiling at the enthusiasm displayed by everyone present, including Gao, Noboru & Bal.
The Dragon Lady lifted her arms & before long, everyone quieted down. "O' brave samurais, I am, too, honored to be the new master of all of you, who lost your way! Very well, then! I shall flee. Flee & exposed the foreigner's schemes to the emperor. I only pray that his Majesty would be convinced-"
BOOOMMM! Everyone turned to the main door.
Slowly, it opened. Smoke flowed in. And before long, soldiers dressed in blue uniforms came rushing out from the door, armed with prop muskets & sabers.
The fully armored samurai soon widened his eyes. "That uniform!" He let out a crooked smile & walked forward. "Finally… a chance to avenge my previous master!" He raised his sword. "Captain Jeffrey Baratian! Show yourself-"
BAAM! A gloved fist… A gloved fist came out of nowhere… and punched him in the face… And he then just collapses… with a Thud! …
"O-O-OKASHIRA!" The samurais shouted at the 'death' of their presumed commander.
"Sensei, we've aced it! We killed their boss, yo!"
"Oh damn, really!?"
The wall of soldier soon backed away, revealing an exhilarated Nico & Tetsuya in high-ranking officer's uniforms.
Nico's smile breaks upon seeing the 'dead' samurai in the floor. "Oh, this ain't their boss. It's just a massive weeaboo. That's the boss," Tetsuya's mentor lifts his head & points at the Dragon Lady.
"W-Wait! You're not Louis!?"
"Oh, that pathetic excuse of a captain & GM? Worry not, dear, I've dealt with him," the teen winks.
Instantly, a tan-skinned hand pops out of the crowd & grabs Nico by the head.
"He means he surprise-hammered him in the head with an out-of-nowhere-mallet," explained Lieutenant Touma, as he appeared out of the group. "At any rate… Nice to meet you, my name is Token Minority- don't ask why-, the negotiator of-"
"TRAAAITOOR!"
Immediately, two men then came & dragged Touma away.
"Wait! This is bullsh**! I'm your GM! NICCOOOO!" And Lieutenant Token was never heard from again. The End.
"Well, since that's out of the way, allow me to introduce myself. I am Commodore Nicotine F. Yermomma,"
"FOR GOD SAKE, PICK ANOTHER NAME!" cried a faraway Touma.
"HELLO~! NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN~?"
"What- Wait! G-GYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH… duh,"
"There. That's more like it!"
"Sensei, do you need a psychiatrist, yo?" a smiley Tetsuya then asked.
"Shut up, Tetsuya," Nico then turned back to the Dragon Lady. "Now then, Lady, you know what we've come for so give us the scroll of discriminating evidence!" said the over-dramatic commodore.
The Dragon Lady clenched her hands & proceeds to lift her head up to the wacky commodore. "Like I would hand the future of Japan to someone as vulgar as you, Commodore Nicotine," the Dragon Lady rebuked dauntlessly.
In response, the samurais cheered for their lady. Nicotine, on the other hand, lowered his head & began giggling.
"Er… Commodore, sir?" muttered Tetsuya.
The commodore soon raised his head, revealing a burst of malicious laughter. "AHAHAhaha… ah… That's more like it,"
"What!?"
"I mean it would be an incredibly boring afternoon if blood's not spilling, right, Dragon Lady?" Nico then raised his hand.
Immediately, a line of soldiers positioned in front of him. Muskets drawn & ready.
"ARKAID!" Gao shouted.
BANG! The sound of gun firing echoed in the air.
FORCED LUMINIZE DETECTED. INITIATING BUDDYFIGHT!
From the pocket of the samurais shot by the rifles, their Core Deck Cases flew out & Luminize'd on their own. Their owners got up, surprised.
"The Forced Match System!? It's been implemented!?" uttered a surprised Tasuku.
"W-What's going on!?" Gao uttered in surprise.
"The event had already started, you idiots! Come on! Let's get Arkaid to-" Head-shot! His Core Gadget soon pops out. "WHAT!? WHO!?"
"Gao-kun, duck down!"
"Waah!" A volley of pellets soon sprayed onto the wall above them.
"T-Tasuku-senpai!" Gao got up.
"Let's hurry! Arkaid's already moving," Gao then turned to the Dragon Lady.
With the help of a few escorts, the Dragon Lady is seen retreating back into the fancy door behind her. Two volunteer samurais stood in front of the door; toy katanas sheathed.
Some soldiers soon charged towards the two. One samurai shot; & another successfully slashed the one charging with the sword. Immediately, the Core Gadgets of the 'injured' ones were forcibly Luminize'd before their eyes.
One samurais soon caught sight of Tasuku & Gao. "Hurry! They're going upstairs!"
And sure enough, a few soldiers soon charged through the door.
Seeing this, the two boys quickly ran over. Their Buddies following close behind.
And just when they were about to reach the door, a girl soldier came charging. Tasuku reached for his katana but the girl was soon ambushed by a slash from another samurai girl.
"Go on ahead!" said the blonde samurai girl.
After a nod, the two soon went through the door & up the stairs hidden behind it.
"ARKAI-I mean, DRAGON LADY!" Gao shouted as they arrived on the upper floor.
The Lady turned to the two new faces. "Y-You two!?" Seeing an opening, she rushed to their side.
"Get the Dragon Lady to safety!" one of the samurais fighting then shouted. "Up to the roof! The stairs are just beyond this corridor! HURRY!"
"Alright! Come on, Gao-kun!" Gao nods.
The two ran down one the nearest. The sounds of numerous Buddyfight matches on-going below soon raged from the paper door they passed by.
Bal turned to the doors & back to the boys. "So, we're just going to run to the roof now, bal?"
"Yep, once we reached the roof! Then, we've completed our mission!"
Gao's answer made Tasuku clicked. All they have to do now is… just run… That's easy. A bit too easy… Could it be a poor design choice? Tasuku turned to the paper door. His eyes immediately flew opened.
"GET DOWN!" The boy immediately tackled the Lady to the ground.
Someone just crashed in through the doors on a flying banana! It's Tetsuya! And soon following close behind, Nico! And he had swiftly climbed his way up using several tables & chair stacked dangerously onto each other.
"Shouldn't an escape route be like a… backdoor?" said Nico as the Commodore.
The Dragon Lady & Tasuku soon got up. "Shouldn't a 'wise' commanding officer such as yourself know that backdoors are abysmally predictable?" said the blue-haired samurai.
Commodore Nicotine tilted his head. "Hm… you're right. But nevermind that," He took one step forward & drew his sword. "Now, then… shall we fight?"
Tasuku's gaze briefly turned away. "Gao-kun!"
"You've got it, Tasuku-senpai!" The boy quickly responded.
Tasuku smiled & immediately took off his red scarf & helmet, leaving him with only his armband & a small smudge of paint on his cheeks.
"Er… what are you doing?" Nico points at Tasuku's helmet. "Catch!"
The blue-haired boy threw the helmet. Instinctively, a surprised Nico catches it with his bare hands.
"Now, Jack!"
"Oh!" The two charged in with the scarf in between them.
Instantly, the two were caught off guard & was wrapped. Wasting no time, Tasuku then took out his toy katana & slashed the both of them simultaneously.
FORCED LUMINIZE DETECTED. INITIATING BUDDYFIGHT!
"What on earth!?"
"No fair, yo!"
The scarf soon fell. The commodore & his subordinate quickly turned around. Behind them now stood Tasuku Ryuenji & behind him, the Dragon Lady escaping with Gao & Bal.
Asmodai then appeared. "Well, aren't you two in a pickle?"
"A-Dawg! Why didn't you help us just now? Touma-san said you could, yo!" Tetsuya grumpily flailed his arms at his Buddy.
"Hey, if I'm out of your deck just now, the event would be over in a sec," said the pink-skinned demon. "Plus, isn't this more interesting?"
"He's right, y'know. THIS is more challenging," Nico followed. "And I get to fight the new Crestbearer. You're a Sovereign, right, Wonder Boy Cop?"
Tasuku's eyes briefly widen. "Tasuku, he-"
"I know, Jack," The boy soon took in a deep breathe. "Yes, I'm a Sovereign. I take it that you're a Sovereign, too?"
Nico put his finger on his lips. "Sorry, can't tell ya. But since this is the first time we have a Buddyfight match against each other, why don't we do it as 'normal' people?"
Tasuku smiled nervously. "Maybe... But first off, let's resolves something," the boy then points his finger above the two's heads.
Curious, Nico raised his head, only to find the number 10 above his head collapse to 5.
"Dude, our Lives, yo!" uttered the banana boy.
"It seems this is the event's special fight rule," muttered the blue-haired boy. "Although it's not explained first-hand, it appears that the person who gets forced into the match will have their Life reduced by a half. And since you two got slashed…"
"Clever. As expected from the former Wonder Boy Cop," Nico applauded before letting out an evil smile. "But, let's not forget, you're fighting against moi, Nicotine F. Yermomma! And his pathetic sidekick, Banana D. Innuendo,"
"Oh my Devil!"
"That's dirty, yo!" Asmodai & Tets reacted respectively.
"Yeeeaahhh~ I guess 'Too much' is still a thing," The commodore frowned in disgust. "But regardless of that, let's get started, shall we? Hope you already dug your own grave, samurai boy!"
"I will send in the lesser priestess tomorrow so until then-"
"Worry not, Mikasa-oba-sama. You've taught me enough for me to live independently," replied Kagome to her grandaunt. "And besides, I still have Zanya,"
The bespectacled boy, still dressed in his white uniform, soon bowed to the elder woman.
Mikasa smiled in response. "I see… Then, I suppose I'll be going now,"
"G-Give Oji-sama my regards. But please do give it-"
"Before the meeting? I know, dear," She then gives her grandniece a kiss on the forehead before getting into the helicopter.
Soon, the propellers started to turn. Mikasa turned her attention to her grandniece's new bodyguard. "Zanya-kun?"
The boy bowed again. "I'll perform my duty, Mikasa-sama,"
One last smile from the elder lady & the helicopter door slide & shuts.
Before long, the helicopter that sent them here is but a dot in the bright, blue sky.
Kagome turned to her newly appointed bodyguard. "Zanya, after we settled down our luggage, I would like you to join the other participants in the hall,"
"Don't you have a speech to make?" asked the bespectacled boy. "It would be best if I join you up on the stage,"
"Don't worry your little head. I am a Sovereign!" said Kagome. "I can handle more than what you can do," A bright smile soon appeared on her face.
The boy turned away & adjusted his glasses. "O-Okay, then… J-Just remember that we group up after that-"
"Oooo, Zanya-dono, are you blushin-"
BAM! A heavy kick to the chin! And there goes Byakuya blasting off again.
With a small slip of paper in his hand, Zanya walked down the hall. "Okay, Hall B… so it's here…" He stopped in front of a double door.
One of the two monster attendants stepped forward. "You're one of the participants?"
"Yes, the name is Zanya…" He then paused & let out a grateful smile. "Kisaragi. Zanya Kisaragi," said the boy.
Suspicious, the attendant turned to his partner, who had the tablet. He nods & the attendant turned back to the boy. "Okay… Mister Kisaragi, welcome,"
"Thank you," Zanya nods.
His two ninjas soon pop out from his deck. "Woah, wait! Zanya-dono! You didn't change your name, degozarunrun!?"
"Changing your surname is optional in the Shirushiboshi, Byakuya." The boy turned & replied. "Plus, isn't this we supposed to do?"
"N-NIN!" an alerted Tsukikage points before pulling out his scroll.
"Huh? Tsukikage?" He read the scroll. "Behind me?"
"Well, if it isn't Kisaragi," a familiar voice soon prompted the bespectacled boy to turn.
Instantly, his lens was tipped by a spear. "GHH!" Zanya jerked back. "Who-wait! You're-" His eyes widens by the surprise.
Standing before him is an old acquaintance; a silver-haired teen with a slightly tanned skin & a Dark Core Gadget in the shape of an actual spear.
"Rouga Aragami!" The bespectacled boy then spotted another familiar figure standing right besides Rouga. "You're…"
"Retsu Omori," the red-haired teen with the stern gaze replied. "I would like it if you refrain from using the name 'Gremlin' ever again,"
"I see... You two are cooperating," Zanya re-adjusted his glasses. "I suppose your aim is Kyoya Gaen?"
"Heh. At the very least, mine is-"
"Rouga!"
"Tch!" The silver-haired teen shifts a brief, narrowed gaze at his partner. "Sorry, Kisaragi. It appears we have to go now,"
And without any more words, the lone wolf & his red-haired comrade walked past Zanya. The bespectacled boy turned around, confused. They seem to be in a hurry… but why?
"Nin!" Zanya turned back to his Buddy. The writing on his scroll now translates into, "We should go inside for now,"
"I suppose so," said the dark blue-haired boy.
After a quick peek at the two, they finally entered the hall. The first thing that opened their eyes is the sheer amount & variety of people gathered before the stage.
Young children, grown adults… Western, Eastern, Middle Eastern… People who wear modern threads, those who wear cultural wears… You named it & the hall's probably got it.
A melody soon alerted Zanya to his phone. He took it out & soon, found the Stamp Tracker app already installed.
"Oh, is that the Stamp Tracker app everyone's been talking on the internet, degozarunrun?"
"And that is all for your briefing, ladies & gents!" Paruko's voice echoed from the stage's speakers. "But! Before we let you go, we would like a special guest to make her speech on stage. Please welcome the Enlightened Lady of the Shirushiboshi, O-Miko Kagome Himiko!"
Applause soon fills the air as the 'great priestess' walks up the stage. Her miko-styled regalia soon caught the silent awe of many, including Zanya.
"Woah… She… looks like an empress," Zanya muttered.
"Isn't she yoouurrr empress, Zanya-doNO!" said Byakuya before he's sent flying.
"If it isn't Zanya Kisaragi!" another familiar voice soon prompted the boy to turn.
"Genma! And I see some of the Seifukai members are here with you," About five formally dressed teens, including Doai, saluted in response.
"Heh, those silly guys. I've told them that don't need to wear their uniforms,"
"Say that to yourself," Zanya replied with an awkward smile.
"BOO THE WITCH!"
"THE WITCH MUST GO!"
Two surprisingly incredibly bold shouts then shifted everyone's attention. Some gasped; some shocked; some became livid.
With a frown & gritted teeth, Zanya moved forward. "Okay, who is it-"
And before he knew it, two Western-looking people rushed out of the crowd & rammed into him.
"GAH!"
"Zanya!" Genma shouts as the boy fell on the carpeted.
"W-What the earth…"
"Screw you, too, b*ner boy!" a westerner soon shouts before hightailing.
"Z-Zanya-dono!"
"Nin!" Byakuya & Tsukikage uttered.
"I see…" Zanya got up. "So they're the ones Mikasa-sama told me about…"
"F**K YOU! F**K YOUR BRAINWASHED *SS OFF!" A Japanese teenager soon earned the boy's attention.
"Get him out!" ordered Genma.
Before long, the teenager was gagged & dragged out the hall. Zanya turned his gaze back to the crowd reacting to the scene. Already some of the monster staffs are blocking the curious teen & children.
What should he do? Should he keep quiet? He already made quite a scene. Anymore could ruin-
"Fellow men!" Kagome's voice soon boomed from the speaker.
Everyone turned to the stage. The O-Miko is still standing by the podium with an anxious man by her side.
"Fellow men, I had acknowledged the situation! It seems some of you have viewed me as nothing more but a brainwasher; a false preacher… But please, heard me," said Kagome as the O-Miko. "First of all, I would like to announce that I have no attention of denying the view of me being a mind-manipulating witch. In fact, I encourage you all to debate civilly whenever or not the Shirushiboshi & their O-Miko are yet another establishment of greed,"
The face of the anxious man instantly whitened with fear.
"However, when you held your debate, involve the people from all nations, races, religions & worlds! Construct a logical & shared conclusion! For the true progress & betterment of the human nature cannot be accomplished as long as strife -caused by mere differentiating opinions- continues to breed violence & distance in everything from politics to even the smallest of issues,"
Kagome then clasped her hands together in some form of prayer.
"It is the departure of mankind from their strife-filled nature that we, the Shirushiboshi, will give our lives to achieve. And it is in front of that united diversity that I would be gladly be branded a witch! Humanity must unite!"
"Humans be united!" one girl shouts.
"No more strife!" a boy follows with a raised fist.
And before long, everyone follows & chants. "Humans be united! No more strife! Humans be united! No more strife!"
Smiling, Genma then approaches the bespectacled boy. "So is she why you join the Shirushiboshi?"
Zanya nodded. "Yes… She is my empress…"
The boy soon looked down at his gloved palm. The boy soon balled it into a tight fist; furrowing his brows in determination.
"Urgh!" Gao finally fell on his knees, exhausted.
"We're almost there- I mean, o great samurai, the escape route is just up ahead. Let us make haste!" said Arkaid as she points to the end of the large attic.
Gao slowly raised his head & soon, spotted a traditional looking table & some monster personnel standing by it, resisting the urge to laugh. Gao soon turned his eyes slightly to his left. To his surprise, he finds… a zipline… a modern zipline…
"Seriously…" He muttered.
"W-We… the more traditional zip-lines are more dangerous so…" Ashamed, she turned away. "Er…can we just go?" She squeaked.
"Y-yeah, just a second. I need to catch my breath,"
"Me too, bal,"
"But if we stay- Ahem, if we idle any longer, our pursers will reach us-"
BANG! Bang, bang… BANG, BANG, BA-BANG! A consecutive noise soon came from the floor beneath them.
The Dragon Lady's heart skipped a beat. She noticed that the banging's quickly are approaching the attic hatch & it's just a few steps behind them!
She quickly turned the boy samurai. "Gao- I mean, o great samurai, I think should we get going-"
"Oh! AHA! I finally got you now, you s*****b****es!"
BOOOMM! And before they knew it, the broken hatch door fell right in front of them… half-charred…
The boy & two dragons soon turned their paralyzed gaze towards the door. And as they expected, something did really explode there. The surroundings blackened by the color of coal, the mild smell of burnt wood is in the air… but what's weird is that there's confetti scattered across the charred floor.
"Finally! I've got the right one!" a figure then came up the opened hatch. "No more slime. No more fake tentacles. No more slime drenched in tentacles- oh wait,"
Gao & Bal became colorless; Arkaid's face became twitching & soon, even the zipline staff dropped their jaws at the role-player responsible for the property damage.
Nico, noticing the faces, soon look down at the floor. "Oh! This! Just a sec!" The teen soon took off his glove & began blowing into it.
Lewis then appeared. "Give me that!" He snatched the glove & inflated it in one go! It then explodes.
BOOM! And pink gas soon floods the hall-like attic & once it subsides, everything changed.
The staff's jaw immediately dropped even further. Who can blame them? Half of the room, which supposed to a Japanese-styled secret room was morphed into a modern party room, complete with a cleaned floor, modern fridge, TV, speakers & even a DJ station!
"Commodore Nicotine, sir, we've finished beating the living sh**- Oh, wait, what?"
"Very good, random unnamed soldier! Now, beat the living bejesus out of this puny-"
Slashed! And with that, Nico's Core Gadget pops out.
FORCED LUMINIZE DETECTED. INITIATING BUDDYFIGHT!
Brief… silence…
Nico raised one brow. "Okay… what just happened?"
"That's what I'm going to ask you about!?" screamed Gao, in frustrated confusion.
"Er… sir Nicotine F. Yermomma?" muttered the approaching soldier.
"Eerrghh…" Nico face-palmed. "J-Just get the Lady... and you will now address me my non-vulgar name, Commodore Marijuana C. Acidtrip… on second thought, nevermind…"
"Run!" Gao cried out.
"V-Very well!" The Dragon Lady sprinted off.
"W-Wait! Get back here!" The soldier gives chase shortly after.
Alarmed, Bal turned to his Buddy. "Gao!"
"Don't worry, Bal. Arkaid- I mean, the Lady… can protect herself," the boy & his dragon then returned to his opponent. "So where's Tasuku-senpai?"
"And Jack, bal!?"
And with a sweet smile, the teen answered. "Along with Tets… Dead!"
"Wait- What!?"
"In an RP kind of sense! Oh for god's sake," Nico immediately corrects the two. "Do you even play anything else besides Buddyfight?"
"Er… No?"
"Wo-ow, that is one sad life,"
"Hey!" The two responded.
Nico then grabbed his grimoire-shaped Core-Gadget. "If you wouldn't mind, I'll be going first. Charge & Draw!"
[[Nico] Life: 5; Gauge: 3; Hand: 5]
- [Right] [Center] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 10; Gauge: 2; Hand: 5]
- [Right] [Center] [Left]
Nico smirks. "I Buddy Call Phantom of Tales, Lewis [S1: P-2000, C-2, D-1000] to the right! And I cast Dramatic Event!"
A grandiose whirlwind soon enabled the yellow-eyed monster's entrance to his stage. "Hey, hey, free Life & gauge!" blabbered Lewis.
And to Gao & Bal's horror, Nico's gauge instantly bumped up to seven.
"Now, let us welcome her Majesty, the beautiful & wise White Queen of Dreamland [S2: P-1000, C-1, D-7000]!" And with a slight wave of the hand, Nico conjured up an explosion of petals in the center.
Before long, the falling white petals revealed a woman in a white Victorian-styled dress; complete with white skin, white hair, white flower surrounding her feet & a white masquerade mask.
"What do ask of me, my king?" The queen turns & asks.
"Two draws; fresh from the deck,"
The queen turns again. "Ah, it seems you have 6 gauge. Very well, then! I shall grant you the Queen's Charity!"
One finger flick & the cards were added to his hand.
"Noice!" said Nico. "Lewis!"
"Aye, aye, sir!" He disappeared.
"Wha- Where?"
"BOO!" The yellow eyes pops right into his vision.
"GYAAAA-blrrghh!" And before can finish screaming, the boy got hammered by a mist mallet.
MOVE END.
YOUR MOVE.
"A-As expected from Tetsuya's mentor. But I won't lose! Draw! Charge & Draw!"
[[Nico] Life: 6; Gauge: 6; Hand: 4]
- [Phantom of Tales, Lewis] [White Queen of Dreamland] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 8; Gauge: 3; Hand: 6]
- [Right] [Center] [Left]
"I call Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot [S1: P-5000, C-1, D-1000] to the left & Buddy Call Dragon of the Sun, Bal Dragon [S2: P-5000, C-2, D-3000] to right!"
The two dragons shortly assumed their positions.
"Bal, Gan-Baru!"
"Just point me my target!"
"I equip Sun Stone, Bal Flame [P-5000, C-2]," Flame soon coated his arm, forming a glove. "And done! Gao Formation, up & ready!"
"Not really!" shouted Nico. "You do know that thousands have done this before you right?"
"Bal! Attack the center!"
"No problem, bal!" The dragon leaped.
"I cast Phantasma Figment! One gauge plus & protection for the White Queen!" Nico flings the card forward. "And since I have Lewis, that's another gauge!"
The card then enlarges, becoming a glass wall. "Like that will stop me!" Bal slashed forward & to his surprise, he slashed the fighter.
"Black Dot! Link-attack with me!"
"Fine, then!"
Bal quickly retreats & soon, Gao & the black dragon came charging in.
"Now, I cast The Vaudeville Hook! I return White Queen back into my hand!" And before the hit could land, a large hooked cane appeared to take the queen away, causing the two to miss!
"Darn it!" uttered Gao.
"Ah yes. Before I forget, yet another gauge added,"
"Another one, bal!?"
"N-Nine… gauge…" muttered Gao as he stared at his opponent's gauge.
"Turn end?" Nico then asked.
"T-Turn end!" said the boy.
MOVE END.
YOUR MOVE.
"Draw!" The teen look at the card drawn. "Huh. Charge this & Draw!" He charged the card he drew.
[[Nico] Life: 4; Gauge: 10; Hand: 4]
- [Phantom of Tales, Lewis] [Center] [Left]
[[Gao] Life: 9; Gauge: 1; Hand: 3] [Sun Stone, Bal Flame]
- [Dragon of the Sun, Bal Dragon] [Center] [Black Spotted Dragon, Black Dot]
"Hmm… This should do. I [Set] Wandering in Dreamland!" The orb that is the spell appears in his hands.
He immediately threw it onto the ground, like it's some sort of projectile. Soon enough, grass & tiny flowers soon sprout from the wooden floor, shocking the dragons & Gao.
"What on earth…" The boy soon caught sight of Nico & Lewis bowing.
"Wandering in Dreamland's effect. Charge & Draw!" His eyes flew opened with a smile. "Perfect. Lewis' skill. And that makes it twelve!"
"TWELVE, BAL!?"
"Sir Hatted Dodo of Dreamland [S1: P-2000, C-1, D-1000] to the left! And sir March Hare of Dreamland [S1: P-4000, C-1, D-3000] to center!"
The formally dressed Dodo bird & rabbit soon took the stage, bowing down like gentlemen.
"Now then, now then, Gao-kun? Would you like to know what I've planned for these TWELVE gauges?" asked Nico.
"Gee, wonder what it is?" the boy replied teasingly.
Nico laughed out loud. "And here I thought you're an overly honest, kid. But nevermind. A little cheekiness is fine," He then picked up the final card in his hand. "This… I suppose you know what it is, right?"
"W-White Queen of Dreamland, bal?"
"Bravo! You are correct," Nico applauded. "But I am not going to use it!"
"What- why, bal?"
Gao lowered his head, thinking. It seems Nicholas doesn't have any more defensive cards in his hand… which means he have to end it now… 12 gauges… Twice the amount of… six…
"Bad End: Reality's Breakdown!" Gao uttered.
"THAT FLASHY IMPACT CARD!" Bal followed.
"BINGO, SIR! You've just won the prize of getting KO'ed this turn!" Nico spread his arms wide, unleashing minuscule fireworks.
"B-b-but… We still have 9 life, bal!"
"First cast deals 4 damage & the second one deals another 4; followed by a 2…. 10 damage…" Gao muttered, sweating. "Are you sure? You need to draw 2 copies of that card, y'know?"
"As an entertainer, twas my duty to do the impossible. But of course, even if I don't, I can still improvise," the teen winks before spinning & poses. "Boys & dragons! It is time… With March Hare's skill. I DRAW!"
As he pulled out the card, the pages soon burst out of his grimoire-shaped Core Gadget.
"Oh! Woopsies!" Nico stuck his tongue out. The pages soon popped into dove before flying away in a non-dramatic fashion.
"Did he not…"
"…Get it?" murmured Gao & Bal.
"Pfft… AHAHAHA… Talk about epic fail, bal- AHAHAHA…"
"Oh, man~" Nico then smiled. Noticing the smile, Gao felt a cold running down his spine.
"You… didn't get it… right?" Gao nervously asked the teen.
With two fingers, the teen soon reveals it. "I pay 2 gauge & [Set] The Hunting of Snark!"
Immediately, thick foliage began to cover everything behind the brown-haired teen.
Still nervous, Gao looked at his hand cards. Two Dragon Shields & one Dragonic Grimoire. If he just focus Sun Dragon Shield & Blue Dragon Shield on Lewis's attack, then victory will be ensured-
"Hatted Dodo's ability," It then exploded. The hazy feeling Gao harbored just now had been confirmed. "When this card is Tributed while I have 6 gauge, I can. Draw. One. Card… And since I have 3 or more [Phantasma] on the field, [Cell Core] activates!"
"WHA-BALL!?"
"So it IS coming!?"
"Since I'm generous, let me show you the card that beat Jackknife into pulp," Nico's right eye soon spewed out the purple flames Gao once saw before. "The show must go on! Behold! As I will now Tribute March Hare, White Queen alongside the [Cell Core], Hatted Dodo!"
And yet again, the scene repeats before the boy's eyes. After a shriek, the Dodo bird polymorphs into a magician's box; March Hare & the White Queen hopped into the box; & then, the lid falls. However, this time, ribbons soon tied the box into a lovely present box.
"The bringer of dreams, your first invites. Take away all hearts' pain & convert them to shiny stars! X-Cell Call!" He joined his hands. "I now present to you… Cait Sith of Dreamland [C1: P-5000, C-3, D-2000]!"
The box twirls & soon, it pops opened, revealing a cat girl in a cute assistant's costume. She slowly opened her eyes, revealing one red & one green.
"W-Woaah, bal…"
"Cait Sith's ability! When she enters the field & I have 6 gauge or more, I get to nullify the abilities of one card on the field & return it to your hand!" The teen then points a finger gun at Gao. "Bal Flame, if you please,"
The cat girl then crouched down. "Hey, boss, can I break his legs?"
"Have patience. You will have both of his legs during the Attack Phase,"
"Wait- What!?" the boy uttered.
And from under her skirt, the cat girl then pulled out a whip & flings it forward. Quick as lightning, it wraps around the flaming glove before a magical glow converts it back into a card.
"My Bal Flame!" uttered Gao.
"And with Hatted Dodo's ability, when Tributed with 6 gauges intact, I can draw another card!"
"Again!?" Bal called out.
"Now, then. Will it be… Will it NOT be? Let us see! DRAW!" Again, the pages burst out.
One peek at the card's name… and that is when the pages blacken & burst into purple flames. Nico smiled, the enlarging flame in his right eye had told the boy everything.
"Lewis, attack the fighter!"
"Aye, sir!" A line of mist rifles soon fired.
"Black Dot!" Gao shouted.
"You better win this- ARGH!" Destroyed.
"Cait Sith!"
"[Double Attack] Time-mu~!" She then pulls out two girlishly decorated machetes. "Now, then… GIVEMEYOURLEGS!" She charged in like a cartoon psychopath.
"Sun Dragon Shield! Blue Dragon Shield!"
The swords crash & instantly, break off. "ARGHH! MY MEME TIME!"
"Oh, Lewis!"
"Hail CIRCUS!" Lewis then blasted Gao with a bazooka.
"GAHH!"
"Final Phase!" Nico & Lewis then exclaimed.
"Ooohh man!" Gao uttered.
"I pay 6 gauge & Cast!" Six cards in his gauge soon melted away into purple flames & began gathering at the tip of his finger gun. "Bad End… Reality's… BREAKDOWN!"
He pulled the trigger! A torrent of purple energy soon washed Gao away as he screamed!
"GAO!" Bal cried out.
"D-Don't worry… It's just four damage… Not that much…"
"Are you sure?" Nico's echoing soon alarmed the boy.
Gao quickly lifts his head & to his & his Buddy's horror, the foliage behind Nicholas began to come to life.
Trees became walking treemen with horrifying faces; shrubs became creepy crawlers & everything flower around them began turning more purple & mystical-looking.
"Bad End's secondary wave damage deals 2 damage times each copy of Bad End in my drop zone," said Nico as he & the creatures of the forest started circling around the duo.
At the same, purple mist began to thicken around them.
"Wait, does that means?"
"Yep, THIS is my plan all along. Of course, with that amount of charging, some of them HAVE to be a card I desperately needed for a combo, right?" said Nico as he continues circling around with his pals.
"S-Sleepy, bal…" Bal murmured before collapsing.
"Bal-Ergh…" Gao fell on his knees, weak. "Why…?"
"And in actuality, I only need one copy. Also, your Bal Flame could throw my damage count off so… yeah!"
"W-Wait… I… thought you said-"
"Did I ever confirm that theory? Cuz' I only remembered confirmed the use of the card," He then stopped. "I have a total of 3 copies of Bad End: Reality's Breakdown in my drop zone… And thus, 6 damage. And sleep in eternity, samurai… your glorious days have ended,"
And with a snap of a finger, Gao finally blacks out.
GAME END.
WINNER. NICHOLAS MIDDLETON!
***p
Evening,
"Gao-kun… Gao-kun!"
"Er-Ergh… Huh…?" Slowly, the boy opened his eyes. "Tasuku-senpai? And Noboru?" He slowly lifts his body up; his hand rubbing his head. "Ergh… What happened? I remembered fighting Nico-san,"
"And getting OTK'ed," said the smiling tiger boy.
"Hey! Gao didn't get OTK'ed, bal!?"
"Might as well be since he lost after the 3rd overall turn. And let's not forget to mention that Nico-san started with halved Life!"
"Kitten Shirt, BAD!" the little dragon leaped forward with his mini-hammer. And before long, the two started brawling… Again!
After an awkward smile at the two, Gao looked around. All around them, he saw sakura trees & picnic mattresses lying next to each tree. The boy soon noticed a group not far from theirs. There are about six teenagers, both samurais & American soldiers & they are happily eating bentos under the falling sakura petals.
Tasuku smiled. "As you can see, the event is already over, Gao-kun,"
"Really!?" The boy jerked back to the former cop. "Then, what about the Lady-"
"Ah, Gao-dono!"
"Arkaid!" He got up. "So we've really won?" he ran towards the approaching monster.
Arkaid smiles. "Yes, yes, we've won. Although, it's only possible because dragons are more physically capable than humans," She then let out an awkward chuckle. "At any rate, it is time," She then reveals in her hands what it seems to be a small stamp.
"Gao-kun, your app!" said Tasuku.
And it was then it clicked. "Oh! My app!" He soon took out his phone & gave it to Arkaid, noticeably excited. "Sooo how many?"
Arkaid grins & began stamping on the screen on his phone. One. Two. Three. Gao's eyes soon flew open from happiness. Three stamps!? That's like one-fifth of the total.
The humanoid dragon chuckled & soon, proceeds to stamp two more, shocking the boy.
"Woah! Really!? This many!?"
"All samurais get five stamps each, after all,"
"Gee. T-Thanks, Arkaid. This is a lot…" Gao soon received his phone back.
Immediately, the boy looked at the screen. Five red rounds stamps digitally stamped into the Stamp Tracker app. It's kinda like a physical passport but being made digital.
"So, how much did the other side- Wait…" Sensing something odd, Gao then turned around. "Tasuku-senpai! Where's Nico-san & Tetsuya?"
"Oh, they've already left. Tetsuya told me they're going to get more-"
Stamps. Like most of the losing party of this event, Nico & Tetsuya had left to gather more stamps. However, before Tasuku can tell the banchō boy, a loud ringtone cut him short.
Everyone's attention soon turned towards Gao's hand. His phone's ringing & after a look, the boy immediately recognized it to be his mother's.
He quickly answered it. "Hello? Kachan?"
An almost exhilarated voice came from the speakers. "Gao-chan, you cannot believe what your sister got this afternoon!"
***p
Dusk,
As the night approaches, everyone soon went back to the grand hotel. A pity, thought Nicholas as he wonders down the oriental streets alongside his student & brother.
One by one, lanterns began to dot the darkened land of sakura trees. Some were hung above their heads, some were left drifting through the small waterways & some floated independently through the skies.
"Wooaahh, yo…" murmured Tets as Asmodai whistles.
"Daaammnn, aniki. Your bosses do put a lot of planning into this,"
"Heh, if you think this is the spectacle, wait till you see the pond!" said Touma before pulled his little 'brother' in. "So anything to say about your rude exit last night?"
"Er… I got some p*rn to buy?" Nico shrugged.
"You don't buy p*rn,"
"Yeah… Now come to think of it, that's your thing, right?"
"Stay on topic, Nico!" Touma then grumbled.
"Good day, sirs!"
A girlish scream soon burst out of Touma's mouth, causing the [Skull Warrior]-ish monster that had just appeared to scream, as well.
Immediately, Nico face-palmed & slammed his Core Gadget on his 'brother's' head.
And not surprisingly, he ended up biting his tongue. "GYAAAHHHH!"
"Okay, enough screaming, aniki!" The teen then turned towards the monster. "What do you want?"
"Uh, oh… Ahem… Erm, can I interest you to a super-secret challenge?"
In response, Tetsuya immediately zoomed in between the two. "You give five stamps?" he asked excitedly.
"Oh… more than five stamps," the monster twitches his brows.
Already interested, Tetsuya quickly turned back to his mentor with an irresistible puppy face.
Nico turns to the boy's Buddy. "So…?"
"Why not?" said the pink-skinned demon, smiling.
***p
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:
- Phantasma Figment
- The Vaudeville Hook
- White Queen of Dreamland
- Cait Sith of Dreamland
Also, should you have any comments, feel free to post it as a review or sent me a note. This also includes mentions of your increasing or decreasing interest in this series. Or y'know, do nothing.