"Are you sure about this?" David said over the phone outside. "No, no. I-I totally understand. I just didn't expect it to be so sudden. Okay. I'll see what I can do. See ya." He said as he hung up before going back inside.
"Who was it?" Raine asked.
"That was Tasuku. He's got a spot for Star Dragon World. But unfortunately, due to Buddy Police duties, he's unable to compete. So he asked me to find someone that can fill in for him."
"Oh, is that all?" Kokichi said. "Then worry no longer David. I have found just the player in mind!"
Kokichi led the heroes to the monitors where he put up a picture of a cyan and white haired boy in a soccer jersey besides a small four legged dragon with a crystal horn.
"Who's this guy?" Akane asked.
"Kanata Ozora. Expert Soccer player, top of his class in 6th grade, and is a fighter for Star Dragon world. The little one beside him is his buddy, Quintessence Crystal Dragon, Athora." Keebo said.
"Oh, so he uses a Prism Dragon deck." Yoko said.
"Ahem." Carlson said clearing his throat. "You know...I remember you guys as much more polite."
"Oh, sorry Carlson. We were kinda sidetracked by Tasuku's request." Hope said.
"So...who is that kid?" Lacy asked.
"His name is Garrison. He's an inventor for our development department. He's also Tracer's little brother." Carlson said.
"Tracer, a big brother? I wouldn't see that in a million years, but I guess even delinquent Traffic Cop's gotta have relatives." Kazuichi said.
"Actually...he was promoted. He was an officer for a short time." Carlson said.
"Wait...was?" Hope asked.
"A week...after the breakout of that accursed prison...Tracer was killed in the line of duty." Carlson said.
"Damn… I'm sorry to hear that." David said.
"Wait...Tracer was an Enhanced. So that means…" Hope asked.
"Don't worry. The power has already found a new host. A young boy named...Haruto Akagi." Carlson said showing a photo.
"Hey, he has Yang's golden hair and red eyes." Al said.
"Which means he's got my skills too." Yang said.
"And with Tracer's power, the ability to summon a persona." Carlson said.
"So was Garrison after me for another reason other than to take my spot?" Hope said. "Not that I'm prying or anything, but losing a brother is really hard for anyone."
"Garrison may act a bit...strange. But he is a talented inventor. But after Tracer's death, his work hit a standstill and it was failure after failure. In order to relieve stress, he took up Buddyfighting. When he heard of the Masters, he fought fighter after fighter but...he got beat out by you. So he took a leave of absence and went to beat you. In a way...I think this is more...him wanting to be a hero like Tracer and you." Carlson said.
"Aww, that's adorable." Tamamo said.
"Okay… I've decided." Hope said. "I'm gonna buddyfight Garrison with my spot in the Masters on the line."
"Actually...I had something else in mind. I don't want you risking your position after working so hard for it. I do believe a buddyfight might calm him down...but not with you." Carlson said.
"Then who?" Ace asked.
"I think I have just the solution…" Hope said looking at Yoko.
"Me? Are you sure about this?" Yoko asked.
"You're perfect, Yoko. And it's a win win if we get Kanata involved. If you fight alongside him, you're sure to get that second spot for Star Dragon World." Hope said.
"Hmm. It might work. You could even claim to be the wall between him and Hope." Carlson said.
"Yoko, this may be our only chance to get you in." Rainbow said.
"No hard feelings if it all goes well." Mana said.
Yoko nods to Mana. "You got it. I'll do it."
"Perfect! Now all we need is to get Kanata on board." Hope said.
"That… may be the hard part." Kokichi said.
"Why's that?" Lacy asked.
"What Kokichi is getting at is that Kanata is more than just a skilled buddyfighter. He's never taken a single point of damage in any of his matches." Keebo said. "They call him the no-damage fighter."
"And, since he was so good, he stopped playing because there wasn't anyone who wanted to challenge him." Gemini said. "Gonna be hard to convince him to do a tag team match."
"Yeah, that's gonna be tough. Wait, I got it! There is one thing Kanata won't say no to…. Soccer!" Hope said.
What Hope was getting at was a Shot Block challenge, which Gao happily volunteered to be the goalie. If he was successful in blocking one of Kanata's shots, he would team up with Yoko to face Tasuku and Garrison in a buddyfight. Gao was able to do so, which soon resulted in said match happening.
"Wherever there's a buddyfight, you'll find me, Paruko Nanana!" Paruko said.
"And Chibi Panda not far behind!" Chibi Panda said inside Takosuke with Paruko.
"Well, will ya look at that. Rainbow's nickname actually stuck with him." Applejack said.
"Only because Batzz called him that when Chibi decided to be his pupil." Gao said.
"So then shouldn't I get all the credit because I came up with the nickname first?" Rainbow asked.
"Today, we have an exciting tag team match here in Aibo! The Buddy police boy wonder Tasuku Ryuenji is teaming up with Universal Police inventor, Garrison! And their opponents, the No Damage fighter Kanata Ozora and SEALED Member, Yoko Tachibana!" Paruko announced.
"I'll have to give David my thanks after this match. But I want to see what you can do with Star Dragon World first, Yoko." Tasuku said.
"And I need to hurdle over you before I can get to Hope!" Garrison said.
"Well, you all dragged me into this. But that doesn't mean we won't be giving it our best shot. Right, Yoko?" Kanata asked.
"That's right. We'll give it all we've got!" Yoko said.
"Then let's get this started." Kanata said. "Finishing kick from the azure field, Long Shot! Luminize! Dragon's Fielder!"
"Shine forth! Future dragons clad in stars! Luminize, Cross Dragoner!" Tasuku said.
"Countless stars that wander the heavens, unite and rain down your majestic embrace! Lumenize, Prismic Future!" Yoko said.
"A mechanical army, all young and so ready to save the world! Luminize, Azure Army!" Garrison said.
"Buddy….FIGHT!" Paruko and Chibi panda announced along with the crowd.
"Let's raise the flag!" All four said.
"Star Dragon World!" Kanata and Yoko said.
"Star Dragon World!" Tasuku said.
"Hero World!" Garrison said.
"The first move belongs to me and Yoko." Kanata said. "Charge and Draw! I'll start our turns by equipping to myself, Crystal Spikes!"
A pair of crystal cleats formed around Kanata's original shoes.
"An item with no power and critical? I'd hate to underestimate that..." Hope said.
"To the center, I call Blue Crystal Dragon, Kalvados!" Kanata said as a blue crystal dragon appeared. "Attack Tasuku!" he said.
10-8
"Your turn, Yoko!" Kanata said.
"Right! First off, I'll call Glass Crystal Dragon, Wishkeht to the center, Red Crystal Dragon, Malbeck to the left, and White Crystal Dragon, Vioneir to the right." Yoko said as the three appear.
"Impressive. Although Wishkiet has no critical, Yoko called him to the center because he has Soulguard and Counterattack, and set up Malbeck and Vioner as her main attackers." Abygale commented.
"Not just that, but if I have a size 3 monster in the center, Vioneir grants me one life." Yoko said.
10-11
"Now I'll equip Lapis Lazuli Greaves." Yoko said as sparkling blue greaves appear on Yoko's legs.
"Not only do they ensure that her Prism Dragon's effects won't be negated, but any monsters Garrison will send in lose 1000 power and defense the moment they enter the field. She's clearly thought this through." Mana said.
"Malbeck, attack Garrison!" Yoko called.
"As you wish!" Malbeck said striking.
10-8
End of Move.
"Prism Dragons...incredible. But I'm more futuristic then that. Draw! Charge and draw! I call "South Wind Sanshiki Thin Cloud" Lisa Nanami to the right." Garrison said as a girl with green hair and mech armor appeared.
"All support systems go." She said.
"Then call "Hot Wind Nanashiki Flame Sky" Kagari Ooba to the left." He said as a girl with red hair and mech armor appeared.
"Burning hot!" She said.
"Then I equip, Feather Rifle, Vetter." He said as a weapon appeared in his hand.
"Whoa, I've never seen those girls before. Are they a new type of Superheroine?" Hope asked as Hakuran appeared.
"I wish. They're a new attribute...Mech Sky Squad." She said.
"So, what do they do?" Gao asked.
"They have an ability called Weapon Link. They can link with weapons in the drop zone." Hakuran said.
"Sounds powerful. Would've loved to face him, but I'm liking his playstyle so far." Hope said.
"My turn. I call Rainbow Vision, Shadowscare to the left. Then I Buddycall to the right...Star Dragoner, Jackknife!" Tasuku said.
8-9
Jack then jumped to right as he became a large green dragon with futuristic wings and armor.
"With Jack's ability, i can check the top three cards in my deck and if any of them are a Dragonarms, I can Crossnize it with Jack without summoning it first. I place Dragonarms, Elgar Cannon into Jack's soul. Crossnize!" Tasuku sas as two floating cannons appeared on either side of Jack.
"Whoa! What is that?" Litty asked.
"Crossnize, it's an ability that combines Neodragons with Dragonarms." Sora said.
"However, this is the problem. Kalvados has 8000 defense because Kanata has Crystal Spikes equipped. It gives all Prism Dragons on his field an extra 2000 defense." Himeno said.
"Not only that, but Kalvados' effect can't be nullified, same goes for any Prism Dragon he has in the center." Francisca said.
"In that case, i'll eqip Twin Star, Jack and Fang!" Tasuku said summoning his blasters.
9-8
"Shadowscare and I will do a link attack on Kalvados!" Tasuku said as the two destroyed Kalvados.
"I won't be destroyed!" Kavados said as he revived with Soulguard.
"I activate Crystal Spikes ability!" Kanata said as he started dribbling his soccer ball like core gadget. "If a Prism Dragon was attacked and there is one in my center after the end of a battle… I can deal one damage to my opponent!"
Kanata launched his core gadget to Tasuku with a powerful shot.
8-7
"Jack!" Tasuku said as he struck Kalvados, destroying it.
"Now it's my turn. Kagari, attack Malbeck!" Garrison said as she fired a laser at Malbeck destroying it. "Now my go." he said prepping his rifle and aiming at Vionier before firing, destroying it. "Now...I destroy my weapon and send it into Lisa's soul." He said as it vanished. "Weapon Link!"
"So this is weapon link! What happens now?" Gao asked.
"Weapon Link can only be used if a Mech Sky Squad card has zero cards in its soul." Hakuran said.
"And when Vettir is added to monster, I can destroy a card on the field. And I destroy Wishkert!" he said.
"There's just...one thing." Yoko said.
"What's that?!" Garrison asked.
"Wishkert has Soulguard." Yoko said as Wishkert was destroyed, only to reappear.
"You'll have to try harder than that." Wishkert said.
"Unfortunately...I have to end my turn." Garrison said.
End of move.
"Now it's back to Yoko and Kanata. But Yoko's in a jam, because Lisa's ability prevents all Mech Sky Squad members, including herself, from being destroyed by card effects." Hakuran said.
"First up though, its my turn." Kanata said taking his draw phase. "I'm gonna show you that the rumors about me are true. I buddy call Quintessence Crystal Dragon, Athora to the center!"
10-11
"Leave it to me, Kanata!" Athora said assuming his true form. He was a brilliant and beautiful four legged dragon with a rainbow of crystals all over his body and had beautiful prismatic wings as he stood there. "I exist in order to protect Kanata!"
"He's not kidding, he's got a two card soul, and double attack. And thanks to Crystal Spikes, his defense is now 9000!" Tails said.
"He also can't be damaged or destroyed by effects. He's one tough dragon." Gajeel said.
"Here goes… Draw! Charge and Draw!" Yoko said looking at her card. "(Alright! This could work perfectly!)"
"I know that look. Yoko's got herself a game changer." David said.
"First, I'll cast Delete Jewel! I can only play this card if I have a size 3 Prism Dragon in my center. By paying one gauge and one life, I can do one of two things. Either destroy a card on my opponent's field, or send all of one of my opponent's monster's souls into the drop zone." Yoko said.
11-10
"She can't destroy any of Garrison's monsters because Lisa's out, so that means she's getting rid of Lisa's soul card." Hope said.
"Crap." Garrison said as Lisa lost her soul card.
"Next, I'll call White Crystal Dragon, Rizzling and Red Crystal Dragon, Almarone!" Yoko said as the two dragons appeared.
"I move Kagari to the center to protect me." Garrison said moving her.
"Slow down there. I didn't get to their effects yet. They both activate if I have a size 3 Prism Dragon in my center. Rizzling lets me draw a card, while Almarone lets me add 1 gauge." Yoko said. "Wishkert may not have any critical, but he can still attack monsters, which he'll demonstrate with Kagari."
"Witness the end of your fairy tale!" Wishkert said blasting a powerful beam attack at Kagari.
"This is too hot even for me…!" Kagari said before being destroyed.
"Almarone, I'll leave Lisa to you." Yoko said.
"Roger!" Almarone said. "Take this!""
"I cast! Flugel Shield!" Garrison said as a shield appeared and blocked the attack.
"Not bad. But you're still open to one more attack. Rizzling, he's all yours." Yoko said.
"At once." Rizzling said charging in.
8-7
"How did Garrison lose a life?" Hope asked.
"Rizzling did not have enough attack power to destroy Lisa. So, Yoko spread her attack so that she would at least get a hit on him." David said.
"Plus Lisa was never in the center." Gray said.
"Ah, i see. Yoko's very methodical." Hope said.
"It's back to me!" Kanata said. "I'm gonna call Red Crystal Dragon, Almarone myself, but i'll double the trouble for Tasuku by calling one to the right, AND Left!"
Two more copies of Almarone appeared on Kanata's field.
"Both Almarones will attack Tasuku!" Kanata called as both attacked one after the other.
7-5
"There's no doubt about it, they're both skilled." Tasuku said. "The real fight is just beginning, Kanata! Show me all you've got and let's keep it going!"
At that moment, Kanata felt a pulse in his chest.
"This feeling… it's the same as when i faced Gao before." Kanata said. "The feeling that I want to give it my all and have fun, I've never felt like this before when playing. But… if it can be this fun, there's no way I can stay away from it!"
"Looks like he's finally starting to get it." Hope smiled.
"Athora, attack Tasuku!" Kanata called.
"I've been waiting for the day you'd say that, Kanata!" Athora said taking flight. "Here I go! Crystal Horn!"
"Cast! Earth Barrier!" Tasuku said protecting himself.
"Don't relax yet! I have Double Attack!" Athora said rebounding.
"I did expect that! Proto Barrier!" Tasuku said blocking the second attack.
End of move.
"You know...you're going after only monsters is your downfall!" Garrison said. "And I'm gonna show you why! Draw! Charge and Draw! Now...I buddy call to the right, "White Storm Zeroshiki Pale Sky" Fubuki Mayuzumi" he said as appearing there was a white haired woman in golden and blue mech armor.
7-8
"All enemies...shall fall before my power." She said.
"Now I equip, Feather Blade Mat-I." he said. "Then I cast Two-Man Cell and draw a card."
"Hes increasing his hand…" Hope said.
"Now...Fubuki, Lisa! Link attack! Defeat Wishkert!" he said as both monsters charged and defeated Wishkert. "Now I move for the attack!" he said running at Yoko.
"I don't think that's going to happen." Yoko said.
"A counter spell?" Garrison wondered.
"Close. Spinal Crystal Dragon, Spirytas' effect." Yoko said. "If I'm being attacked, I can call him to my center and you'll have to attack him instead."
"Not only that, but Spirytas has counterattack. Sucks to be him right now." David said.
"Damn it." He said before being attacked.
8-6
"Oh, yeah!" Marco said.
"Spyritas is a real game changer, no matter who you are." Hope said.
"One more thing. If he's called from my hand during my opponent's turn, they take 2 damage from that too." Yoko said.
6-4
"Grr. Your dragon's gotta go! I discard my weapon into Fubuki's soul! Weapon Link!" Garrison said. "When Mat-1 is used to weapon link, my monster gets 3000 power, 1 critical and the penetrate ability."
"Now Fubuki can easily take out Spyritas." Rainbow said. "Not to mention she's got double attack."
"I held off on attacking again in order to use weapon link." Garrison said. "Plus when she gains soul, I gain a life."
4-5
"Now attack!" He said as Fubuki charged.
"Cast...Brush Upper!" Yoko said. "This allows Spyritas to survive one attack. And since I have 6 or more life, I can add a card to my gauge."
"After all of that, he still couldn't land a hit on her." David said. "But still, thanks to that added life, she's gonna have to come up with a different way to whittle him down."
"Hmm…" Hope said.
"Now it's my turn to have a go!" Tasuku said. "I cast the spell, Star Jack Repair! With this, I not only gain one extra gauge, but Jack can also crossnize with a Dragonarms in the drop zone! I choose to have him crossnize with the second Elgar Cannon I sent there with Jack's ability!"
Jack gained a second Elgar Cannon as well as 5 critical and enough power to destroy Athora.
"Shadowscare, link attack with me on Athora!" Tasuku called as the two destroyed him.
"Athora revives with Soulguard!" Kanata said.
"I'm not going down that easy!" Athora said as he reappeared.
"And since Athora did not go down, Kanata can take a shot at Tasuku with Crystal Spikes." Ichiro said.
6-5
"In that case, I'll use my second attack on an Almarone!" Tasuku said. "Jack, attack Athora!"
"Right!" Jack said blasting Athora away, but he revived with Soulguard.
"I will protect Kanata to the very end." Athora declared.
"I cast! Soul Generator!" Tasuku said.
"That allows Jack to have an extra attack! This might do it!" Mickey said.
"Not a chance! I cast, Radiant Shell! I nullify the attack and deal a damage point." Kanata said.
5-4
"And now, it's time for Final Phase!" Kanata said.
"What?! But it's still my partners turn!" Garrison said.
"I give my dragon power to Kanata! Assist!" Athora said flying behind Kanata as crystals surrounded him, Crystal Spikes becoming more surrounded on Kanata's legs and a mark on his left cheek.
"I can only cast this Impact during my opponent's turn. I cast!" he said as the field turned into a gigantic soccer field.
"He's right! This impact can only be used during the opposing fighters turn, if Kanata did not take damage, if the opponent has 4 life or less and there's a prism dragon in the center area. If all these conditions are filled...Kantata can deal out 4 damage!" Tails said.
"Cristiano….Crystal….Shoot!" Kanata said kicking a ball into the air as it grew bigger before he launched at Tasuku.
"No...I can't be done. I can't…." Garrison said before Yoko's dragons went at him.
"It's over." she said.
"I don't have enough gauge left...I'm...finished." Garrison said as he and Tasuku were both attacked at once.
Game over! Winners: Kanata Ozora and Yoko Tachibana!
"Whoa… That was incredible!" Francisca said.
"Besides the cost for Yoko's spell, neither of them took a single point of damage." David said.
"Well...you two were incredible." Tasuku said. "Definitely right to represent Star Dragon World."
"I agree with that. Those plays were phenomenal." David said.
"Seems I wasn't right for the position after all. I'm not ready at all." Garrison said getting up. "Thank you for the battle." he said bowing before leaving.
"He's weird, he's determined… but he's also very respectable." Hope said. "He has a promising future ahead of him, Carlson."
"I knew that since the day he joined the force." Carlson said. "He and I will be in Cho-Tokyo for awhile so we hope to see you have a clean fight."
"Of course. As a representative of Hero World, I won't let him down." Hope said.
Later that evening…
"So the final positions of the upcoming buddy masters have been announced. Dai Kaido for Ancient World, Shosetsu Kirisame for Legend Word and Kanata Ozora and Yoko Tachibana for Star Dragon World." the reporter said. "Now all the worlds are represented from here and beyond."
"Wow...everything's all set up. Now that all the worlds have been filled, the invitation challenges have expired now." Riku said.
"I'm a little nervous about who among us will face each other in the final." David said. "It's gonna be crazy from start to finish."
"Definitely, but at least it'll be fun." Ace said. "When does the tournament start?"
"In three days." Riku said.
"Good, that'll give us some time at least." Ace said.
"Yeah...let's all give it our all...and aim for Buddy World Number 1!" Hope said.
"Yeah, and for Jexi's sake too." Ace said.