Just hours before the match between the teams of Gaito and Ace vs Kanata and Mana was about to get underway to decide who would face Gao and Yoko, David looked to the sky in thought.

"Thinking about what Alonz did?" Ace asked.

"Yeah. I can't get it out of my head. I mean, I know he didn't take his loss against Yoko very well, but...it kind of made me think." David said. "There are people on the dark side that would rather die than face the consequences of and atone for their actions. I can't help but question...is there really no hope for some of them after all…?"

"There's always a way for some of them, they just need help from us. Whether they want it or not. Like Cheetah, I believe there is a chance you can save her." Ace said.

"A very small one. Even after I revealed the breakout, I still don't know if I made any progress with her." David said.

"If we ever run into her again, I'm sure you'll notice something." Ace said.

"He's right. Something will be bound to happen eventually, and you'll be able to see the results for yourself." Marco said.

"You believe this, too?" David said.

"Agito is the kind of person who believes that everyone is his friend, whether they know it or not. It's what he would've wanted you to do." Marco said.

"Hmm. I guess you have a point there." David said.

"Yeah, you don't have to give up, David." a familiar voice said.

"Yeah tha…" David said as they looked up to see Jexi near them.

"Huh? Something up?" Jexi asked.

"Jexi!" Ace said pulling him into a bro hug. "When did you wake up?"

"About five minutes ago. No big problem." Jexi said.

"How are you feeling?" Ace asked.

"I'm fine." Jexi said. "Although...there are some things I would like to talk to you and David about. Probably best if Hope heard this too."

"Uh oh." Ace said.

"Calm down, its nothing bad." Jexi said.

"Oh, Whew." Hope said.

"So what's up?" Ace asked.

"Before we get to that...how are the masters going for you guys?" Jexi asked.

"Not so good. I beat Zane, but I still lost like two or three matches." David said.

"I did pretty well, I defeated Zane as well, and things have been good so far despite Gaito using a risky move." Ace said.

"And Hope had to forfeit after Noboru got injured against Sakate and Alonz. Don't worry, Yoko took care of Alonz. In fact, she and Gao are already in the finals." David said.

"Wow. That's awesome. A lot of credibility for your group there, man." Jexi said. "Same with you Ace."

"Yep. And Ace is going to face Mana to see who will face Gao and Yoko in the finals." David said.

"Yeah, the important thing is we'll have fun. Besides that, what did you want to tell us, Jexi?" Ace said.

"Well...while I was out...I had this dream. I saw a lot of different worlds being taken over by those guys in black and leading them was this weird guy I never saw before." Jexi said.

"What did he look like?" Ace asked.

"Afraid I don't really remember much. But past that...I saw ten figures with different auras. Not sure if they were color fighters or not...but they seemed important. Then...I saw White." Jexi said.

"*Gasp*" Ace said.

"Wait...White? As in Color God of the Standard Universe White?" Hope asked.

"That's the one." Jexi said.

"If you saw him in your dream, then there's no doubt something big is about to go down, and it has to do with those men in black." Ace said.

"Yeah. As for those figures, from what White told me...they're descendants of ten kingdoms from other universes." Jexi said.

"Whoa…" Ace said. "Ten kingdoms huh?"

"It's the Hobbyists all over again, only on a much grander scale." David said.

"But from what White told me...those people aren't bad. In fact...she's asked me for a favor while I was there. She wants me to gather them." Jexi said.

"Gather them? For what?" David asked.

"To prevent the events of that dream from actually happening." Jexi said.

"But how can we find them?" Ace asked.

"Not we...just me. She wants me to do it alone. As for finding them...that part's already easy. Identification's already on this." Jexi said pointing to a poster with all the buddyfight world flags on it.

"But why would she want you to do this alone? And why tell us all this?" Ace asked.

"Because you guys are like family to me. And because I want to ask a favor from all of you." Jexi said.

"Anything." Ace said.

"I don't plan on leaving until after the masters are over. But...when that time comes...I want you guys to lead my group and yours as a united force." Jexi said.

"But…" Ace trailed off as he teared up a bit.

"I won't be gone for too long. And if I end up making you guys wait too long, you can always give me a punch anywhere." Jexi said smiling.

"Heh. That kind of line is so like you, Jexi." David said. "Leave it to us. We'll keep things in check while you're gone."

"And we'll keep that punch idea in mind. And one more thing, what were the colors of the ten figures' auras?" Ace asked.

"Ace, White tasked Jexi with finding them alone. I don't think it's something we need to worry about." David said.

"I know, I just wish you didn't have to do it alone, Jexi." Ace said as he held his pendant tightly.

"Hey, cheer up. You guys know how I am...I always come back in the end." Jexi said.

"*Sniff* Yeah…" Ace said. "Just please...come back safe and sound. And in the meantime while you're gone we'll handle whatever those men in black throw at us."

"I agree. We got this, Jexi. And I couldn't ask for anyone but you to do this. I'm happy you see us as your family." Hope said.

"As for your upcoming match Ace...doesn't matter if you win or lose...just give your all." Jexi said.

"Yeah." Ace said. "Also, could you do me a favor? When you travel across the Multiverse, could you check Devaloka for me and my brothers?"

"Sure. The way things are...I might be going to almost every universe." Jexi said.

"Thank you." Ace said. "I won't disappoint."

It wasn't until later that the next match was soon set to begin as the competitors gathered on stage.

"Here we go folks! Our final B block match is about to begin. Our fighters...Kanata Ozora and Mana Kawai vs Gaito Kurouzu and Ace Neptune!" Paruko said.

"The time has finally come. I will win and face Gao." Gaito said. "But before that...I need to defeat him, the no damage fighter."

"Easier said than done, mate. But knowing Ace, I won't expect him to hold anything back." Mana said.'

"It wont even matter what you do in this match." Gaito said. "Because, after three turns, no damage or not, your fate and Kanata's is sealed with Death Count Requiem."

"Gaito…" Ace said.

"Well, guess we'll just have to do something about that, won't we?" Mana asked. "Cast aloft into the depths, a glitter of light shines and revitalizes their will! Hear their mighty howl! Lumenize! Blazing Warriors!"

"Finishing kick from the azure field, Long Shot! Luminize! Dragon's Fielder!" Kanata called.

"I will decide your destiny! Luminize! Decimating Black Dragon!" Gaito said.

"Oh warriors of legend, please guide me down the path to peace. Luminize! Heroic Spirits!" Ace said.

"Let's do this! Buddy...FIGHT!" Paruko called.

"Raise the flag!" the four shouted.

"Star Dragon World!" Kanata called.

"Dragon World!" Mana said.

"Darkness Dragon World!" Gaito said.

"Legend!" Ace said.

"Okay. Gaito and Ace have the first move." Paruko said.

"Charge and Draw. I'll call Zillowzest to the center. And he attacks Kanata!" Gaito said.

"Cast! Mars Barrier!" Kanata said blocking.

"Final Phase." Gaito said.

10-7

Three chandeliers then lowered above him and Ace as they hung there.

"Death Count Requiem!" Gaito shouted.

"Charge and Draw. World Snake, Jormungandr." Ace said.

"ROAAAAAAAGGHH!" Jormungandr roared out as he appeared.

"Immediately, Ace goes big by calling Jormungandr with his ridiculous 4 critical!" Paruko announced.

(Cue- Assault- Final Fantasy X HD Remaster)

"Now, attack!" Ace said.

"I cast! Green Dragon Shield!" Mana said, negating the attack.

10-11

"Oh, what a save!" Paruko said. "And with that, Ace's turn has come to a close. Now its Katana and Mana's turn."

"Let's do this, love! Draw! Charge and Draw!" Mana said. "I'll start things off by calling Dragon Knight, Tadakatsu to the center, Mitsuhide to the left, and Socrates to the right!"

"Three powerful Dragon Knights right off the bat. Mana is not making things easy."

"Now, Mitsuhide, attack Jormungandr!" Mana said. "Oh, and there's one thing you should know… When Mitsuhide attacks a size 3 monster, that monster is destroyed."

"I fight...in the name of my lord!" Mitsuhide shouted slaying Jormungandr.

"Socrates, you're up!" Mana said.

"This should be a fine excrecion." Socrates said going at Ace.

10-8

"Tadakatsu! Go and attack the fighter!" Mana said.

"I cast! Holy Grail!" Ace shouted.

"Well, that's all from me. You're up, Kanata." Mana said.

"I buddycall! Quintessence Crystal Dragon, Athora to the center!" Kanata said. "Then I cast Enhancement! Then I call Rizzling to the left and then Schartreuze to the right. Athora...attack Zillowzest."

"Crystal Horn!" Athora said destroying the black dragon.

"Double attack! Attack the fighter!" Kanata said as Athora charged into Gaito.

7-5

"Schartreuze!" Kanata said.

"I cast...Black Dragon Shield!" Gaito said blocking.

5-6

"Follow him Rizzling." Kanata said as Rizzling struck.

6-5

"I end my turn." Kanata said.

"And one." Gaito said as a chandelier went out.

"Draw. Charge and Draw. Sword of the King, Excalibur." Ace said as a sword appeared in his right hand. "Beowulf to the left, Gawain to the right, and I Buddycall Jeanne D Arc to the center." He said as they appeared. "Alright, go everyone!" He added as the three attacked and destroyed Mana's monsters. "One more!" He continued as they attacked Mana.

"Ah!" Mana shouted.

11-5

"Nice going Ace. Now it's my turn. Cast! Abyss Symphony! I call two Rezett's to the left and right...then Earlbow to the center! Then Equip...Sickle of Slaughter, Gale Haken! This card can attack even if there's a monster in the center. So I attack Schartreze!"

"Cast! Brush Upper!" Kanata said blocking. "And after battle...damage to the fighter."

5-4

"Rezett on the right...attack the monster!" Gaito said as Rezett destroyed Schartreze. After he slays a monster, I gain a life."

4-5

"Now...both of you...link attack Rizzling!" Gaito said as they did so.

5-6

"My turn is over." Gaito said.

"Gaito's impact is going to automatically defeat us if we dawdle. We need to beat them soon!" Mana said. "Which is going to be difficult on my end, since Soulguard makes Jeanne a pain in the arse to destroy."

"If Jeanne is that big of a problem, then try to take her out in one go." Kanata said. "You got a monster that can do that?"

"As a matter of fact, I think I do. I just hope it all plays out. Draw! Charge and Draw!" Mana said.

"Seems like Mana has some sort of plan in the making. Wonder how things will turn out." Paruko said.

"I call Dragon Knight, Tomoe to the center, Musashi to the right, and Naotora to the left." Mana said. "Since I have a Dragon Knight in my drop zone, Tomoe lets me draw a card. And I activate Naotora's effect. I can send monsters from my field to my gauge, and I can send just as many souls on one of my opponent's monsters to the drop zone!"

"What a play! Because Jeanne has a three card soul, Mana can put three dragon knights into her gauge, and then Jeanne is wide open!" Paruko said.

"But if she sends all of them away...won't Mana be defenseless? She'll have nothing to attack with." Lucy said.

"Not really. Tomoe lets her draw a card because she has a Dragon Knight in her drop zone, so if it's the right one, she can turn things around." David said.

"I hope you're right." Jexi said. "I'm actually excited to see how it turns out."

"I send all of my monsters to my gauge to completely drain Jeanne of her souls, and then I'll use that gauge to call Dragon Knight, Spartax!" Mana said.

"Oh my God! What a move!" Paruko called. "Jeanne has been completely drained of her soul, and now with a surprise turnaround… Mana has called a monster with Soulguard herself… and he happens to have Penetrate as well!"

"No hard feelings, Ace. But I have a reason to win this. Now, Spartax, strike down Jeanne!" Mana said.

"Feel….my….spear!" Spartax shouted.

"I...failed." Jeanne said before vanishing.

"And what's more...Spartax has Penetrate!" Mana said.

9-6

"Now...it's my turn. I call Rizzling to the left! And equip, Crystal Spikes!" Kanata said. "Athora, attack Earlbow!" he said as Earlbow was destroyed.

6-7

"Athora...double attack!" Kanata said.

7-5

"Rizzling...attack one of the Rezett's." Kanata said as Rizzing did so. "Your move."

"And that's two." Gaito said as another chandelier went out.

"I hope Kanata has something that can counter that impact…. Cause after the third turn, its all over." Hope said.

"Ace...I realize you feel panicked. But...we can't afford to cave in yet!" Gaito said.

"I'm sorry Gaito but…" Ace said before he withdrew his deck. "I forfeit." He said before reaching for his deck before a hand grabbed his hand. This hand belonged to Jexi. "Jexi!"

"So what if things start getting tough, you're just going to forfeit? I thought you said you would give this your all." Jexi said.

"But…" Ace trailed.

"Don't but me! So what if you lost your buddy, so what if you're backed in a corner...stand back up and fight like a real warrior! A real man! A true hero!" Jexi shouted.

"He's right, Ace. I mean, look back at my matches. Do you think I dropped when things didn't go my way? Hell no! Even if I didn't turn things around, I went down fighting. And as a warrior, I couldn't ask for more." David said.

"...You're right. I've already come this far. There's no way I'm turning back now!" Ace said as he activated Twilight God Mode.

"Then show it! Like I said...it doesn't matter if you win or lose. Just give it your all!" Jexi shouted.

"Go for it, Ace! This is your moment, and give it your all!" Hope said.

"It's destiny to compete here in your friend's honor. And you decide if your Destiny is achievable. So… draw your card!" Gaito said.

"Right! Draw! Charge and Draw! Rusalka to the center!" Ace said as Rusalka appeared. "Everyone, charge!" He said as they attacked Spartax.

"And with a full on assault, they whittle through Spartax's Soulguard and overtake him!" Paruko called.

"One more!" Ace said as they attacked again.

"I cast! White Dragon Shield!" Mana said.

5-3

"Wow...Ace is hard core! This is simply incredible!" Paruko said.

"Glad you're still here." Gaito said.

"I'm not competing in this just to win, I'm doing this for Jexi's sake, and I won't let him or the others down!" Ace declared. "Go for it Gaito!"

"Right! I buddycall! Annihilation Black Death Dragon, Abygale to the center!" Gaito said as Abygale appeared and destroyed Rizzling. "Link attack Athora!" he said as they destroyed him only for him to revive.

6-7

"Activate Crystal Spikes!" Kanata said striking Gaito.

7-6

"I end...my turn." Gaito said.

"Looks like things are getting serious. It all comes down to this turn." Mana said.

"Yeah...let's do it together!" Kanata said.

"With pleasure! Draw! Charge and Draw!" Mana said. "(I might actually have to use this in the end, but I'll give Ace credit. No one has ever pushed me this far.) I equip Dragon Life Spear, Royal Lance! Then I buddycall Dragon Knight Alexander to the right, and Dragon Knight Masamune to the right!"

3-4

"Whoa! Looks like Mana's done enough on the sidelines and is ready to strike herself!" Paruko said.

"Alexander, attack Rusalka!" Mana said.

"Gorgeous Breaker!" Alexander said striking her as she melted.

"Masamune, with me!" Mana said.

"Of course." Masamune said.

6-3

"She's chipping away at him, but it's no good if he just turns it around on her again." Marco said.

"(Sorry, David. I know how much you hate these cards, but I'll have to use this.)" Mana said. "I'm pulling out all the stops! Final Phase!"

"She's casting an impact!" Hope said.

"It's gotta be Dragon Cavalry Arts, Ultimate Smash!" Noboru said.

"You know it! I can only activate this kind of impact with this formation. By paying 4 gauge, I can destroy all of my opponent's monsters and items and deal him 3 damage." Mana said. "Let's go, everyone! No holding back!"

"Dragon Cavalry Arts! Ultimate Smash!" all of them shouted.

3-0

Game over, Ace! Winner: Mana Kawai!

"Ace!" Gaito shouted. "You won't be smiling after this turn is over."

"Don't worry, Mana. We got this! I call another Rizzling. Now he attacks Abygale!" Kanata said as he did so only for Abygale to destroy Rizzling as Athora attacked Gaito.

6-4

"End my turn." Kanata said.

"Ace...you may have lost...but with this...we will fight Gao and Yoko." Gaito said as the last chandelier went out.

"Here it comes!" Hope said as Abygale and Gaito fused and charged at Mana and Kanata.

"Its over! Vanish into Darkness!" Gaito said striking at Kanata first…

"Sorry...but I'll be facing Gao! Cast! Asterism Effect!" Kanata said blocking the attack. "Now...I can't lose until the start of your next turn."

"I can still do this. I once again Call Abygale! Now link attack on Athora!" he said as they all struck Athora.

"Crystal Spikes!" Kanata said striking Gaito.

4-3

"Now...Final Phase!" Kanata said.

"Ace...looks like I failed." Gaito said as a soccer arena appeared as Kanata kicked up the ball.

"Cristiano...Crystal...Shoot!" Kanata said as he struck Gaito.

3-0

Game Over! Winner: Kanata Ozora!

"I don't believe it! What a counter by Kanata! A card that doesn't let him lose the game, even with Death Count Requiem! And now the finals are set! Its Gao and Yoko, vs Kanata and Mana!" Paruko said.

"Hey, Ace. I wanna say...thank you for the awesome match." Mana said extending a hand.

"..." Ace stayed silent as he shook Mana's hand before running off.

"I better go after him." Jexi said running after Ace.

"Hey, wait for me!" Hope called. "David, c'mon!" he said before running after Jexi.

It didn't take long before Jexi caught up with Ace who was outside. "Ace...what's wrong?"

"...I let you all down. I let everyone down…" Ace said.

"Let us down? What are you talking about?" Jexi asked.

"You gave it your best, and you blew the house down. You were completely awesome, Ace! Don't say you let all of us down, because we had your back the whole dang way." Hope said.

"Not only that, but you pushed your opponent into using an Impact card. I know I have a huge dislike for those cards, but...anyone who can push their opponents to making a move like that is definitely worth giving credit to." David said.

"Thank you. But was it true you guys consider me a hero?" Ace asked.

"Of course I consider you a hero. You've fought to save people, to save worlds...sounds like a hero to me." Jexi said.

"I guess you're right, despite killing people like Evange or Gargos, it helped save a lot of people." Ace said.

"My hands aren't any cleaner, man. They've killed more than you can possibly imagine." David said.

"That doesn't change anything between all of us, you just had no choice but you along with Jexi and Hope helped save worlds and people way before I met you guys." Ace said.

"As for the game...you gave it your all and didn't back down. I couldn't be more proud." Jexi said.

"*Giggle* Thanks Jexi. We'll always be together, all of us, right?" Ace asked.

"Abso-damn-lutley!" Hope said. "Now, let's see about that final match. And Jexi… I know it's gonna be a little hard to say this after they're finished, but… good luck on your journey."

"Yeah, we'll miss you but...I know you'll be back soon." Ace said as he took hold of Jexi, Hope, and David's hands as he put them on top of each other along with his own.

"You know, I think this is a great time to actually do this…" Hope said rustling in his bag as he took out four sake cups and a bottle of Apple Cider as all three stared. "What? I'm not 21 yet. But I still wanna make it official."

"Of course." Ace said as he took a cup.

"Jexi, would you like some?" Hope asked pouring in all four.

"I'm good. I think I'm gonna head back. After all..tomorrow's a big day." Jexi said.

"Yeah, it is. But… we will exchange cups. Someday." Hope said.