Everyone was currently asleep as Siegfried was sitting on top of the ship before seeing Batzz in his monster form rampaging across the city.
"Better get the others. Everyone, we got a problem." Siegfried said through the comms. "Huh? Damn. Batzz's electricity is messing with the signal." He said before he sprouted dragon wings, horns and a tail as he flew towards Batzz.
"Siegfried? Sieg, you gotta stop going on top of the ship…" Eijiro said before seeing Batzz and Siegfried flying towards him. "Oh, hell…"
Eijiro then ran inside to see the others.
"Everyone, we got a problem! Batzz is rampaging in the city, and Siegfried just went off without telling us!" Eijiro said.
"He probably tried to tell us through our comms but it couldn't work because of the electricity Batzz is surging around him." Simon said.
"Shouldn't we be more worried about Batzz breaking something? And not to mention Sieg went to fight him or something. I'd hate to be the one getting billed for the damages…" Tsu said with her finger near her mouth and looking at Ace.
"Yeah, we need to hurry, come on!" Ace said as he grabbed his airboard.
"Yeah...Jexi...come on. We...wait...where is Jexi?" Hope asked.
"He went out for a night time walk after we all got back." Natsu said.
"I'm sure he'll notice Batzz soon, right now we should follow after Ace." X said.
Meanwhile….
"I still can't believe how close the finals are." Jexi said walking through the streets. "It'll be amazing." He said before seeing lightning in the air. "Seems something's going on." He said before seeing a dart fly by him as he turned around to see several men in black.
"Jexi the Hunter...we ask you come with us." One of them said.
"Hmm. Sorry boys...it'll take a lot more than that to beat me." Jexi smirked as he backed at them.
Back with the others…
"I think I see them, and it looks like Sieg is keeping up with Batzz." Ace said.
"Ace, you do know if Sieg breaks something, you're paying for it, right?" Hope said.
"Worry about that later, it's Batzz we should worry about if he breaks something!" Saki said.
"Look! I think the calm is passed." Dan said as Batzz soon stopped as he flew off.
"Where is he going?" Ace asked as Sieg flew towards the group as his draconic traits disappeared.
"He's likely gone back to Gao's house. Though he did cause one big power outage here." Ruby said.
"Yeah, is there anyway to get the city's power back on?" Axl asked.
"I'm sure it'll be fixed in the morning. Not everything can be solved by us, y'know." Kazuichi said.
"Solved by us? You know...it's strange. Jexi's normally one to jump right on situations like this. Question is...why didn't he show?" Starlight asked.
"There was probably something else going on where he was at." Marco said.
"Hold on…" Emiya said as he closed his eyes and concentrated on Jexi's location.
"I wouldn't want to interrupt his jog. There are times when he trains alone. We should respect what he's doing at the moment." Hope said.
"Except he wasn't training. He was only going out." Maka said. "I don't like this."
"Hey….guys." A familiar voice groaned as they saw Jexi slowly arriving with several darts in his body as he was bleeding. "What...are you...doing out?" He asked before coughing up blood as he fell to the ground.
"Jexi!" Ace said as he managed to catch him.
"He's in pretty bad shape. Take him to the med lab in the ship, now." Chopper said.
"I'm on it!" Ace said as he warped himself and Jexi back to the ship. "There...safe and…"
"Blah!" Jexi said coughing more blood.
"Don't move, you're bleeding pretty badly." Ace said as he began to remove the darts. "This may sting a bit. Sorry."
"Ace...seems I screwed up big time." Jexi groaned.
"Save your breath. Hope's Song...Elixir Vitae." Ace said as he began healing Jexi's wounds.
"Ace...save your energy." Jexi groaned. "The darts...have a powerful nerve tonic in them. Can't...really move."
"They must've been really strong to enable a state like this. Who attacked you?" Hope asked as the others arrived.
"No clue. Just several guys in black. They tried to take me. I kicked all their asses but by the time I finished...they managed to get a good number of these darts in me." Jexi groaned.
"This poison...it's like something I've never seen before." Chopper said. "I think I can treat it. But...with the amount in him, it'll take days before he's able to be up and about."
"Then who will represent Legend World now?" Al asked.
"Nothing to be done about it." Jexi said. "Ace...my invite...please take it."
"Jexi what're you saying?" Ace asked.
"I've seen your fights during our mock tournament awhile back. It was pretty good. But...you're one of the only few people who can represent Legend World." Jexi said.
"...Alright. You can count on me, I'll represent Legend World not just for me, but for you as well." Ace said as he clasped Jexi's hand. "And that's a promise." He said as the color representing Jexi's bond on his pendant glowed brighter as it became Gold.
The next day…
"And with last night's mysterious power surge, we still have no clue what was the cause of this." a reporter on TV said.
"They don't even know Batzz caused the power surge." Cana said.
"That's a good thing isn't it?" Ace asked. "Like if they found out, then he would be in trouble and Gao wouldn't have a buddy."
"Speaking of rampages...how bad you think Zane's gonna take the news of Jexi's leaving?" Dan asked.
"Hard to say." Roy said.
"Zane?" Luna asked.
"He's a titan who sort of acts like Jexi's rival. At least in his eyes." Ranma said.
"He's not gonna take it well, that's for sure." David said. "And he'll probably swear vengeance on the people that caused Jexi to drop out in the first place."
"Uh...speaking of rampages...look what's happening right now." Rainbow said showing footage on her phone of Batzz rampaging in mid daylight.
"Again…? Okay, someone's gonna have to go down there and calm him down." David said.
"Looks like someone is." Sunset said as a familiar Black Dragon ran into Batzz and knocked him off.
"That was Abygale!" Hope said.
"Gaito?" David asked.
"Gaito." Riku said.
"Excuse me?" Saki asked.
"Gaito Kurouzu, a user of Darkness Dragon World. He specializes in deck destruction." Riku said.
"Sounds like he's a difficult opponent." Spade said.
"I battled alongside him during the WBC. He's definitely strong." Riku said. "Still...seems he beat us to Batzz."
"Looks like it. If anything, Gaito is gonna be all over Batzz." Hope said.
"Still...seems like things are over quick and without us having to do a thing." Rainbow said before her phone rang. "Hell-"
"WHERE THE HELL IS HE?!" A voice shouted.
"That voice...that's Zane!" Hope said.
"Oh goooooood." Ace said as his face turned blue.
"How the hell did he get our numbers?" David asked.
"NEVERMIND THE HOW AND WHEN. TELL ME, WHO IS THE BASTARD WHO REPLACED MY RIVAL? WHO IS MY NEW ENEMY?!" Zane shouted.
"..." Ace stayed silent before he fainted.
"Uh...he's out right now...but I can take a message?" Rainbow asked.
"Okay. I just spoke with Gaito Kurouzu of the Darkness Dragon World. A tag match. Me and him against Batzz and whoever replaced Jexi. Tomorrow at Castle." Zane said.
"Uh… sure Zane." Rainbow said. "Sorry about Jexi getting replaced. He…." Rainbow said before the others covered her mouth.
"I already know what happened. I was beating on one of those guys. But I ended up comatosing him and forgot to ask questions. I think I almost killed him. Sometimes I forget how fragile mortals are." Zane said.
"Seriously, how is this guy not in jail?!" Usopp said in shock.
"Usopp, be nice! He's not a titan anymore, so he just needs adjusting." Erica said.
"You know he wasn't on the world we were right?" Lacy asked. "That makes him one of the few remaining ones."
"Oh…" Erica said.
"Look...just tell him about the match. Bye." Zane said before the phone went silent.
"Ace is not gonna like this when he wakes up…" Hope said.
"Alright Ace, time to wake up." Al said as she began repeatedly slapping Ace across the face. "This is for saving my life! This is for making love you! This is for not taking me to prom!"
"Easy, Al. No need to go Deadpool on him." Tapu Lele said.
"I'm up! I'm up!" Ace said. "I just had a nightmare where that titan Zane challenged me to a fight."
"Uh...that was not a nightmare." Rainbow said.
"So that means…" Ace trailed off.
"He wants to fight you in a tag battle tomorrow at Castle. Him and Gaito against you and Gao." Twilight said.
"Oh boy…. Guess I'd better get ready." Ace said as he stood up.
"You'll be great Ace. Jeanne, I'm sure you can help him out too." Hope said.
"Of course, I am his buddy and he is my master. I will do whatever it takes to help him, and for Jexi's sake too." Jeanne said.
The next day at Castle…
Both opponents stood on the fighting stage inside the shopping district as both parties had arrived.
"It's Tag Team time!" Paruko announced from way up high. "As always, I'm Paruko Nanana, here with all Buddyfight action! Today, our very own Aibo 6th graders Gao Mikado and Gaito Kurouzu will have their partners in the form of Newly started Buddyfighters Zane and Ace Neptune! Me and my buddy Martian UFO, Takosuke will be here for all the play by play!"
"Takuchu!" Takosuke chimed in.
"Sorry to have to drag you into this, man." Gao said.
"It's completely fine, I'm doing this for Jexi's sake, I'll be counting on you for this match too." Ace said as he put a hand on Gao's shoulder.
"I'm more than ready. You ready, Batzz?" Gao asked.
"These fools will pay for challenging me." Batzz said.
"Save that energy for when the fight begins Lord Batzz." Jeanne said.
"Rise up! Almighty dragon! Luminize! Demon Lord Dragon of Tempest!" Gao said.
"Heroes of legend, please guide me down the path to peace. Luminize! Heroic Spirits!" Ace said.
"Jet Black Dragon who rules over death! Now is the time to awaken! Luminize! Awakened Black Dragon!" Gaito said.
"Gods of all realms, we are no longer bound by the rules of man and only seek to fight! Luminize! Gods of Battle!" Zane shouted.
"Say it with me people! Buddy….!" Paruko started
"FIGHT!" The crowd joined her.
"Time to raise the flag!" all four called.
"Dragon World!" Gao announced.
"Darkness Dragon World!" Gaito called.
"Legend!" Ace called.
"Danger World!" Zane said.
"First move is ours!" Gao said. "I equip Arc Dragon Sword and summon Replenisher, Pentar to the center!"
"Come forth, World Serpent, Jormungand!" Ace said.
"Roaaaagh!" Jormungandr roared.
"That's a really big snake, Pen!" Pentar said being with the Snake of Ragnarok in the center.
"When I have a thunder empire item equipped when Pentar is called, I can draw a card. Pentar, attack the fighter!" Gao said.
"Leave it to me, Pen!" Pentar said scurrying over.
"Jormungandr, wipe them out!" Ace said.
Pentar and Jormungandr both attacked Gaito and Zane respectively.
10-8
10-6
End of Move.
"Calling a size three monster on his first turn? This Ace Neptune is a bit unorthodox." Abygale said.
"He shouldn't be underestimated though, Abygale." Gaito said.
"But it's our turn now. So no mercy." Zane said.
"Okay. I begin by calling Black Sleepless City, Dimmborgil to the right and Black Downpour, Zicron to the left. Then I equip Death Dragon Sickle, Gale Scythe!" Gaito said.
8-7
"Now...my go!" Zane said. "Here comes the reign of gods! I call Junk Sky, Gihihirhea to the right." Zane said.
"You gonna be messed up pretty bad, boy." She said smiling evilly.
"Then, call Strike Sky, Daipan to the left." Zane said.
"I'm in a bad mood today, kid." He said.
"When Daipan is called, the top card of your deck goes into your gauge while the top two of my deck go into mine. And since Gihihirea is out, i can draw a card. Now I equip, Sky Bad Jumper." Zane said as a red jacket appeared on him. "Yeah...I'm bad. And with this...all my Godpunk's get an increase of 4000 power and the Move ability."
6-5
"Never seen that before." Hope said.
"Gihihirhea and Daipan are a new breed of Danger World monsters just discovered. They're called Godpunks. Apparently their playstyle is plundering from the other opponent." Tails said.
"Oh yeah, the new Plunder ability! I've heard about that, it lets the player gain life from dealing damage or fulfilling certain conditions on a card." Koala said.
"It's not just life. Cards, gauge...he could essentially take everything Ace has." Tails said.
"That's not good for Ace, he needs to figure out how to beat that ability." Hope said.
"Now...Zicron attacks Pentar!" Gaito said as Pentar was destroyed. "And now Gao's deck loses two cards. Dimmborgil attacks Gao!"
10-8
"Haaa!" Gaito said rushing and slashing Gao.
8-5
"Hmm. Kid started off with a strong monster. But...I can still take it. Daipan, Gihihirhea! Link attack the snake!" Zane said as both monsters attacked the world serpent and defeated it. "Now I make my shot!" he said firing a punch at Ace as it hit on contact.
10-8
End of Move.
"I see. Alright then…. Draw, Charge and Draw! I buddy call Jeanne D' Arc to the center, Rusalka to the left, and I cast Fury of Odin!" Ace said as he casted the spell.
8-9
"Wow, with that, all of Zane's size 1 monsters are history!" Paruko said as a storm blasted through Zane's field.
"This is so not my day…!" Daipan called before vanishing.
"Ah...Nope...still here." Gihihirhea said.
"She's a size 2...so your spell won't work on her. And I move her to center!" Zane said.
"Jeanne! Go for it!" Ace said.
"Yes!" Jeanne said as she attacked and defeated Gihihirhea.
"Looks like it's me who got messed up..!" Gihihirhea said before disappearing.
"Rusalka, if you would?" Ace said.
"Waves be wild!" She called out as she launched a tidal wave at them.
"I cast...Invincible Knuckle!" Zane said.
"But...you have no godpunk." Tails said.
"Oh….crud." He said as the attack landed.
5-3
"Should've saved that card for later. I-I know I would've." Marco said.
"You're up Gao, go for it!" Ace said.
"Right. I call Delta to the left and All Rounder, Tetra to the right!" Gao said before jumping down.
"I move Dimmborgil to center." Gaito said.
"Tetra, attack Dimmborgil!" Gao said.
"Cast! Midnight Shadow!" Gaito called avoiding dimborgills destruction.
"Then Delta attacks and destroys Dimborgill! After he successfully destroys a monster, a gauge is added for Gao. And after that, Gao strikes!" Paruko said.
7-5
End of Move.
"It appears we've misjudged this boy." Abygale said. "He may be new, but he is quite a fighter."
"Yes...but hopefully...this next turn shall be the last." Zane said.
"I'm not fighting just for my sake, but for Jexi's as a representative of Legend World." Ace said.
"You'll be going down this next turn. Draw! Charge and Draw! Buddycall to the right...Awakened Black Death Dragon, Abygale!" Gaito said.
"Right." Abygale said jumping as he took the form of a large black dragon with his upper and lower halves separate even as he flew.
"He's as big as Fafnir." Siegfried said in shock.
"Wind of atonement!" Abygale said sending a whirlwind out as it destroyed Tetra and sent some of Gao's cards to the dropzone.
"Just like that, Gaito gets rid of Tetra! And his Deck Destruction is still in full play!" Paruko said.
"Now it's my turn! Draw! Charge and draw! I'm gonna have you begging for mercy. Buddycall, Crazed Warfficer, Gutsares to the left!" Zane said.
3-4
"Time...to bring on the pain!" Gutsares shouted.
"Now...Gutsares, destroy Rusalka!" Zane said as Gutsares went and attack and defeated Rusalka.
"What's best is, when he destroys a monster, I gain a life!" Zane said.
4-5
"Raaagh!" Rusalka cried out before her body turned into water and she dissolved into the ground.
"Now...here's my little punch! Haaaa!" Zane said slugging Jeanne. "This is only one attack...but it's all I can do this turn."
"Argh!" Jeanne grunted holding her side.
"Now it's my turn. Zicron, attack Gao!" Gaito said as Zicron went and attacked.
5-3
Gaito charged in with his scythe.
"I cast! Arc Dragon Shield!" Gao said blocking with a shield resembling Batzz. "Nullifies the attack and lets me draw a card."
"I'm not done yet. Abygale!" Gaito said as Abygale slashed at Gao.
3-1
End of move.
"Hang in there Gao!" Ace said. " Draw, Charge and Draw! Gawain to the left, and Beowulf to the right!" Ace said as Gawain and Beowulf appeared. "Beowulf, attack Gutsares!"
"Got it, this'll be fun." Beowulf said as he attacked and defeated Gutsares.
"Now all three of you, CHARGE!" Ace called out as they attacked Zane.
"Damn...my deck still needs work." Zane muttered as all attacked him.
5-0
Game over. Zane! Winner: Ace Neptune.
"Nice work, Ace!" Gao said. "I'll take it from here. I Buddycall to the right...Demon Lord Dragon, Batzz!"
"Finally!" Batzz said as he entered the battlefield as he roared.
"Now...Delta, attack Gaito!" Gao said as Delta did so.
6-5
"Here I come!" Gao said coming at Gaito.
"Cast! Black Dragon Shield!" Gaito said.
5-6
"Batzz...its all you!" Gao said.
"Rah!" Batzz said charging.
"Cast! Black Dragon Shield." Gaito said.
6-7
"Once again!" Batzz said charging.
"Cast! Midnight Shadow!" Gaito said evading.
"Enough!" Batzz said striking.
7-5
"Now...time for final phase." Gao said.
"Hrrraaaaaah!" Battz roared, spinning into a tornado of darkness, wind and lighting as out came the large trident. Gao caught it with just one hand as he assumed his dragon half form.
"Here it comes, people!" Hope said.
"Impact!" Gao called as the Lance was blasted to earth from outside the atmosphere. "Thunder Lance X Tempest Buster!"
The lance made a huge X shaped Crater in the earth with a large explosion as Gaito was shaved of all 5 of his life points.
5-0
Game Over! Winner: Gao Mikado!
"Wow...we did amazing." Gao said high-fiving Ace before feeling a cramp in his arm. "Still not used to that."
"He survived my power twice. What a stubborn kid." Batzz said.
"Hold on." Ace said as he healed Gao's arm. "Still, that was a great game. Are you alright Jeanne?"
"No need to worry master, any wound inflicted on us was immediately healed after the fight." Jeanne said as Gawain and Beowulf turned back into cards as they flew back to Ace.
Later…
"So the whole reason Batzz was causing those blackouts was because he had some built up energy?"
"Guess he must've discharged it and it caused the power to overload." Massimo said.
"All of this makes sense. I mean, he has been cooped up in there for who-knows-how-long." Mana said.
"Even though he's a Demon Lord Dragon, I can't help but feel bad for what happened to him." Ace said.
"Don't be. At least we shouldn't." Gaito said. "We only wanted to help so we could fight Gao and Batzz effectively. As one of the Darkness Dragon World representatives, it's our destiny to win."
"That reminds me, who's the other one?" Donald asked.
"It's me." Riku said holding an invite. "I just received it this morning."
"Nice, we may face each other in the tournament but who knows. By the way, how's Jexi?" Ace asked.
"He's resting right now, but we're doing all we can to keep him stable." Chopper said.
"Dammit!" Ace said as he punched a wall.
"Zane, you said you captured one of them. Anything?" Ichiro asked.
"All I know is this, those punks came from the Darkness Universe." Zane said.
"You guys don't think the three princes we saw in the Earth Kingdom are behind this do you?" Spade asked.
"We can't just go accusing people just because of the place they come from." Sora said.
"That's not what I'm saying at all. Right now, let's just stay vigilant just in case anymore MIB show up." Spade said.
"Yeah...right now I need to focus on crushing my newest rival in the Buddy Masters." Zane said walking off.
"Oh boy." Ace said.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do great. Do it for Jexi's sake, and your own." Hope said.
"I plan to, thanks Hope." Ace said. "I'll be heading to the battle simulator, see you guys later." He said walking off as well.
"Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do with that brother of ours. But I can say he has changed emotional wise a bit." Spade said. "I mean that in a good way, don't worry."
"We know. But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna give it my all in the Buddy masters. I'm not losing until I face Ace and David, no matter who my partner is. Don't lose too early, David." Hope smiled.
"Funny thing. I've been wanting to face you since the WBC. And we would've if it weren't for that bastard J Genesis." David said.
"J Genesis?" Cinnamon asked.
"He was this guy from America who was creating artificial monsters by sacrificing other monsters." Sunset said.
"Why would he do such a thing?" Nina asked.
"Supposedly, to create the ultimate monster. Not only that, but his deck was fully composed of Impact Monsters." Genis said.
"But one of his monsters gained a soul of its own and didn't want to be a weapon. Gemclone, Origin Breaker." Hope said. "But even with its power, me and Gao still beat down Genesis."
"Right now he is in prison for his crimes." Aqua said.
"Serves him right, he's the real monster if you ask me." Axl said.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." David said.
"Still...seems the only spots not filled are for Star Dragon World." Riku said.
"Seems that way. Hopefully it doesn't stay that way for long." Mana said.
"Hold it down there!" a voice shouted as a figure came down from above. This figure was a young boy in red with goggles on his head with a crashed machine behind him. "Hope the Victor...you've evaded me since the Earth Kingdom...but now I have you!" He said unaware he was on fire.
"Uh… do I know you?" Hope asked.
"Don't play coy with me. You're looking at an ace inventor for the Universal Police, Garrison the Gasket!" He said posing while still on fire. The wind gently blew
"Dude...you're on fire." Kagura sweatdropped.
"Yes...on fire with the flames of desire!" he said.
"The what now? No, she means you're literally on fire!" David said.
"Yes...on fire with...Smell something burning?" He asked before looking. "Ah! I'm on fire! Why didn't you guys tell me?" he said dropping and rolling.
"We were trying to, you moron!" David said.
"Okay… he's nuts." Hope said before clearing his throat. "Look, Garrison, I'm sorry, but I don't even know what you're talking about with all this Earth Kingdom stuff. I barely even know you, much less don't know what the hell you're on about. I don't remember doing anything to you."
"Huh. Oh, this isn't a revenge thing. This is actually the first time we met." Garrison said.
"Then why the heck were you saying that I've been avoiding you since the Earth kingdom? You need to explain some things or we'll be going in circles here." Hope said.
"Oh right. I've come to claim your spot!" He said showing a deck. "I am going to be Hero World's number 1!" He said.
"I'm number one, Pipsqueak!" Batzz roared in his full form
"Dra...dra…." He said before fainting.
"Is this guy for real?" Aya asked as Stoj poked him with a stick.
"He wants to claim Hope's spot like this? What a knucklehead." David said. "Don't accept, Hope. I doubt that he's worth it."
"Ugh...there you are." A voice said as a familiar officer approached. "You have a lot of nerve to...heroes?"
"Carlson?" Hope said.
"Who?" Saki asked.
"My name is Carlson. I'm an officer for the Universal Police." he said. "Now...think we could return to your ship so we can talk privately?"