Ace was currently sitting in the lobby of the ship with a contemplated look on his face as he sighed.
"Penny for your thoughts, buddy?" Hope asked sitting down next to him. "What's going on?"
"Well it's just that it looks like most of the Dimensional Heroes don't seem to be getting along with some of my teammates, and it's a bit more difficult having to be leaders for them." Ace said. "And I've been training in the simulator to get a better handle on my powers so I can help you guys out more. Though I don't know if I'm even doing a good job as a leader and teammate and now Gao's currently a spirit."
"It's because you and your group keep trying too hard to be useful." Kabuki said appearing from the shadows.
"Gah! Kabuki, don't do that!" Hope said nearly scared to death. "But yeah, you may have a point. Ace, while we all appreciate how hard you and your team are trying, I think to a lot of the guys, it feels like you're trying a little too hard and get in the way sometimes. No offense or anything."
"None taken, most of it is technically true." Ace said.
"Well, I think the best way to solve your problem is… well… maybe cut back on trying to help so much. Don't push yourself too hard, and leave some fights to us. Believe me, back when I was starting out, I didn't know when to stop myself until my team and I went our separate ways for a bit." Hope said.
"Heck, Lord David even told me that he was like that at first, too. Though, he said that it was owed to anxiety about working alongside famous figures." Kabuki said.
"You make a point. Sorry about that. I'll try to cut back on pushing myself too hard to help you guys." Ace said.
"Thanks, Ace. Sometimes the best way to help the most, is to know when to hold back." Hope said.
"Yeah, I already promised myself I would change after Devil Ace was defeated. I intend not to break it." Ace said before looking to Kabuki. "Also, Lord David?"
"I know it's formal and he doesn't like to be addressed as such, but...that's the relationship people from my universe tend to have." Kabuki said.
"I'm only formal whenever we talk to powerful beings and such. Other than that I'm pretty casual with my friends." Ace said. "So what's our itinerary?"
"Ah!" They heard a voice scream as they looked outside to see Chihiro and Medusa fighting one another.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Ace yelled.
"For some reason, we can't control our bodies." Chihiro said.
"Can't control...wait a minute. Gao!" Ace said.
"Ace...up there." Hope said pointing to a skeletal figure. "Wait...is that...Gallows!"
"Who is he?" Ace asked.
"He's a monster from Darkness Dragon World. And if he's here…" Hope said.
"Tut tut. Seems heroes aren't as well mannered as they pass themselves off as." A voice said as a familiar Aibo student appeared.
"Shido." Hope said. "Ace, please allow me to introduce to you Magoroku Shido, Aibo's Student Body President, and one hell of a jerkass."
"So he's an asshole, got it." Ace said.
"To be put bluntly…" Kabuki said.
"Now...this fight might have been private. But fortunately...I have video." Shido said. "I'm sure many people would want to see two normal law abiders turn into heartless thugs." he said before laughing.
"That is enough. Stop this at once." Kabuki said.
"Don't bother, Kabuki. You know how he is. Always one to be the popular one." Hope said.
"You let Medusa and Chihiro go, or else you're in for a world of hurt." Ace said.
"I have no idea what you mean." Shido said sweating.
"Cut the act. I know Gallows is controlling them." Hope said.
"Emiya." Ace said as Emiya stood on top of a tree and had his bow ready.
"Ace, don't!" Hope said. "Shido maybe a jerk, but he's not worth putting an arrow into. Tell Emiya to stand down."
Ace signaled him as he withdrew his bow and disappeared. "You do know you have Gallows controlling one of the Gorgon Sisters right?"
"If you're just going to make threats and sling mud...we could settle things with a buddyfight." Shido said.
"Is that what you want? Fine, then. It's gonna be so satisfying to kick your butt again." Hope said.
"You harmed my friend….I'll be taking him down." Kabuki said.
"Fine. I was hoping for one of those other Buddy Masters fighters...but I could just as well demonstrate my power with just you." Shido said snickering.
"Kabuki...kick his ass." Ace said.
"It will be my pleasure." Kabuki said.
"Take it to the ships fighting stage. Our tournaments on hold until Jexi gets back anyway, and it'll be interesting to use it here." Hope said.
"Fine. But when I win, you'll take responsibility for their fight, further more, you and all of your teammates have to model the school uniforms I've designed." Shido said.
"I dont wanna wear anything this guy thought of! Kabuki, take him down!" Hiyoko said.
Later at the fighting stage…
"I thought we'd never get a chance to use this thing until Jexi got back from his mission, but when you've got a stage like this in the Galaxy King, why not?" Lemon asked. "And as a special bonus, that means I can get back on the commentary panel!"
"Now...Luminize time has begun." Kabuki said. "We come from the darkness, abandoned. All we know is how to kill. Luminize, Assassin's of Dusk."
"Be defeated by your own power! Luminize! Marionette Death!" Shido said.
"Here we go! Buddy…" Lemon started.
"FIGHT!" the groups cheered.
"Raise the flag!" they said.
"Darkness Dragon World!" Shido said.
"Katana World!" Kabuki said.
"Unfortunately since he is a guest, Shido has first move." Lemon said.
"Charge and Draw! And I'll call Bone Labor, Sahb Raj to the center!" Shido said calling a skeleton like woman with puppet controllers. "Now attack the fighter!" he said as she struck Kabuki.
10-9
End of Move.
"Not bad. But let's see you handle this! Draw! Charge and Draw!" Kabuki said. "I'll start things off by calling Lesser Fiend, Yama Oni to the right and Pale Yellow Fiend, Kid Hoshiguma to the left. Then I pay one life to equip Dark Arms, Steel Slicing Strings!"
9-8
"Wait, hold on… Wasn't that the same opening move she used on me back when Copernicus hired her?" David asked.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. No matter the side you're on. We all have our own strategies and ways of doing things after all." Akane said.
"Damn Straight." Kagura said as they fist bumped.
"Now...Kid Hoshiguma...attack Sahb Raj." Kabuki said.
"Uh uh...you activated her ability. If your monster attacks alone, I pay two gauge...and redirect your monster's attack to the other one you have on the field!" Shido said.
"No...way." Hoshiguma said as he struck Yama Oni instead.
"Damn that Shido… Always playing the mind games." Kabuki said. "Shame you didn't know of Hoshiguma's double attack!" she said as he struck Sahb Raj, destroying her.
"Now Shido is wipe open for a direct attack. This seems...almost too easy." David said.
"Take this!" Kabuki said striking Shido.
10-8
End of Move.
"Since I attacked, I place one card face down into Hoshiguma's soul and then put a card in my gauge." Kabuki said.
"Hehehe. I'm about to make you pay, you cheeky little brat. Draw! Charge and Draw! I equip...DEATH Pen, Schreiber. Now...recall Sahb Raj." he said drawing a circle as Sahb Raj returned to the field.
8-7
"Schreiber allows me to call one zero power monster with the Death attribute from the drop zone. I'll follow up by calling to the center, Bone Labor, Au Darkth. Then...I'll Buddycall to the right...Bone Master, Rebel Gallows!" Shido said.
"Shesheshe. Here I come!" Gallows said appearing on the right. "How's this for a stylish entrance?"
"What would Gallows know about style?" Hope said.
"Attack that oni, Sahb Raj!" Shido said as Sahb Raj did so.
"You're dense you know." Kabuki said as the attack did nothing.
"What?" Shido said.
"Don't you remember? All of your monsters have 0 power. You can't attack my monsters with them." Kabuki said.
"I guess Shido really is all ego and no brains…" David said sweatdropping.
"Fine...plan B. Gallows...take control of Hoshiguma...and attack the fighter!" Shido said.
"Hehehe." Gallows said controlling Hoshiguma as he struck Kabuki.
9-7
"And his other ability activates, by paying one gauge I can have him control Hoshiguma once again." Shido said.
"He must be really dense if he's wasting his gauges like that." Saki muttered.
"But all his monsters have 0 power...it's a manipulative yet smart way to deal damage to opponents." Twilight said.
7-5
"Now...I shall end my turn." Shido said.
"Time for a Comeback, Kabuki!" Natsu said.
"Beat this guy so I don't have to wear one of those uniforms!" Indigo said.
"Yeah, none of us want to look like a dictator!" Stoj added.
"Oh come on! I have style!" Shido said.
"The only thing you have, Shido, is a big head. One I am more than happy to deflate! Draw! Charge and Draw!" Kabuki said. "I cast! Hiding Oni! I send a soul from Hoshiguma into the drop zone and draw two more cards plus one for the gauge. But that isn't all. The card I just sent off...has Ambush!"
"Wait, it has what?!" Shido asked.
"Now...returning from the drop zone...I will call Demons Assassin, Ziogre to the left!" Kabuki said.
"That's a Dual Card! It looks like Hero World users can use this one, too." Hope said.
"Big whoop, it's only size 0 with one critical. That card cannot harm me!" Shido said.
"Oh I wasn't finished yet. I set the spell Oni Castle of Contraptions. Once per turn...I can banish a card from one of my monsters soul." Kabuki said.
"Wait what?" Shido said as another soul from Hoshiguma's soul vanished.
"So...now I show you another dual card. One we might be familiar with but at the same time is not the same. I call to the right...Ghoul Deity Demon Lord, Ibuki!" Kabuki said as Ibuki appeared.
"Seems we're over the size limit now." Hoshiguma said vanished.
"That's a dual card with Dungeon World." Rainbow said.
"When he enters the field, I can put a card from your gauge into the drop zone!" Kabuki said. "And you take damage for it."
"What?" Shido said.
8-7
"Now...we're set to take you out. I'll have Zinogre attack Sahb Raj!" Kabuki said.
"I cast! Devil Stigma!" Shido said destroying Sahb and increase his gauge.
7-8
"We're not letting you go that easy." Kabuki said as she used her item to slice through Au Darkth.
"Now you feel my pain!" Ibuki said striking Shido.
8-6
"This cannot be!" Shido said in panic. "No worries. Her turn is over...so all I have to do is use my item to bring them both back and…"
"Kid…" Gallows said pointing to the one gauge.
"What? No way!" Shido said.
"Looks like you're all out of options, Shido. Oh, and uh… you were wrong. Kabuki isn't quite done yet." Hope said.
"Actually, I was." Kabuki said.
"Were you hoping she had an Impact or something?" David said.
"I was hoping." Hope said.
"Uh...Okay. I pass this turn. Now...let me go?" Shido asked.
"No way in hell." Kabuki said. "Since you so generously passed on your turn...I think I'll go again. Ibuki!" she said.
6-5
"Now...we're all coming for you!" Kabuki said.
"Looks like this is it kid. We should have turned tail and ran." Gallows said.
"This was my chance at popularity!" Shido said as Kabuki struck him.
5-0
Game over! WInner: Kabuki!
"Let this be a lesson. An assassin always catches their mark." Kabuki said.
"That'll show him." Hope said.
"Yeah, but since Shido targeted us, I don't think Gaos Miracle life will go up anytime soon. Remember, only Acts by Batzz affect it." Mahiru said.
"This wasn't concerning Gao. He was manipulating our members." Hope said.
"Are you okay, Chihiro?" Kabuki asked as she ran to her.
"Yes. I think I'll be fine." Chihiro said.
"So, what were you doing over here anyway?" Hiyoko asked.
"I was just out on a stroll when that weird boy went and took control of me. It was horrible...making me fight." Chihiro said.
"I know how that feels, Chihiro. After escaping from our world, I ran into a man who saved me from death. When I was given a contract, guess who the hit was." Kabuki said.
"His son?" Chihiro asked.
"So, you've heard about that. That's right. As soon as I found out, I had changed allegiances, and I have not regretted it since." Kabuki said.
"Well...you weren't the only one to escape. I fell through a portal and landed in a modern version of Japan where I went on to become a Shrine Maiden." Chihiro said.
"I see. Good to hear that you were doing well all this time." Kabuki said.
"Yes...thank you." Chihiro said.
"What about you Medusa?" Nero asked.
"I was just enjoying a nice walk before one of those boy's marionette's took control of me and forced me to fight Chihiro." Medusa said.
"Yeah, that Shido is a real pain in the ass sometimes." Hope said.
"Hopefully we won't have to deal with him. Instead we can just focus on Wisdom and Mime. but… I get the feeling that we need to help Gao get stronger if we wanna beat those two and whatever minions they've got." Gemini said.
"That's a good idea. And maybe that old guy that told us about Miracle life can help us." Nana said.
"Old man?" Chihiro asked. "You mean that Guru with all the white hair?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's him… wait, Guru? A guy like that?" Gray asked.
"Well...when I started playing buddyfight, I looked up a lot of the rules and past fighters. He's actually a hall of famer buddyfighter." Chihiro said.
"Huh…. there may be more to him than we thought. Once we get Gao back to normal, lets see if we can talk to him." Hope said.
"I get that Shido's a pain in the butt, but why control Medusa and Chihiro anyway?" Al asked.
"Popularity boost. He was trying to lower ours so his could rise as the hero who stopped them." Hope said.
"That guy has one serious ego problem. That's all I'll say." Genis said.
"Yeah, he's lucky Medusa didn't have her blindfold on when she was being controlled." Mari said.
"Well, at least now we can move on from him. And now, we can focus on looking for that Guru." Hope said.