"Hmm...I wonder if it's still possible…" Ace muttered to himself.
"Talking to yourself again, Ace?" Jexi asked.
"Oh, hey Jexi." Ace said. "I'm just wondering to myself if it's still possible to summon so that I could separate Jalter from her card. Anyway, what's up?"
"A call from Tasuku...they've found Geargod." Jexi said.
"Where is he?" Ace asked.
"He's located somewhere near the Choate Ohtori Sand Dunes. But it hasn't moved at all since it was found." Jexi said.
"Let's get the others and check it out." Ace said.
"No...not everyone. With what's happened, Wisdom is likely already trying to take back Geargod as we speak. Same with Mime since we captured one of his soldiers. Therefore...I want you, Spade and Simon to find him." Jexi said.
"Alright. But why the three of us?" Ace asked.
"A small group makes it much easier to maneuver. But don't worry. Tasuku will be waiting for you too." Jexi said.
"Alright, I'll keep you and the others updated be sure to have Anna on surveillance." Ace said.
Later…
The three were then seen flying across the desert on their airboards as they saw Tasuku in the distance.
"There he is." Spade said as they landed and approached Tasuku.
"Hey Tasuku, has there been any change in Geargod?" Ace said.
"It hasn't moved and it hasn't been found yet." Tasuku said.
"Ace, we'll go look for Geargod in one direction and you go with Tasuku for another." Simon said.
"Alright, be careful you two." Ace said as they split off. "It's hard to believe there's a desert in Tokyo, has it always been here?"
"We're actually a few miles away from Tokyo. But it's still a massive sand dune." Tasuku said as they took off.
With Simon and Spade, they searched the sands on their own before they saw the massive Geargod lodged in the sand.
"There it is, but it looks like it's stuck in the sand." Simon said.
"Not stuck. From what Batzz told us, Geargod needs sufficient life energy in order to move around." Spade said.
"Should we try to attack it?" Simon asked.
"Spade Neptune...Simon Neptune…" Geargod said turning its head towards them as they got defensive. "What does it mean to be true buddies?"
"What do you mean? Where's CHAOS Gao?" Spade asked.
"It is no more. It was disassembled after our loss to the real Gao. I must know the answer. There is nothing in my data about it. I created CHAOS Gao from the real one's buddyfight data but we ended up losing therefore there was absolutely no reason to create him. Until I know the answer to this question, I cannot consider myself perfect." Geargod said.
"Well, being true buddies is basically forming a bond with your buddy and becoming friends. There's more to it than Buddyfight, you form a friendship with them and bond with them as you support each other." Simon said. "That's what it means to be perfect buddies."
"Insufficient data." Geargod said as the two sweatdropped.
"This guy is sorta thick headed, isn't he?" Spade said.
"Okay...we'll just start with the simplest forms. Why is buddyfight fun?" Simon asked.
"Buddyfight..is...fun?" Geargod said.
Meanwhile with Ace and Tasuku…
"Still no sign of Geargod…" Ace said.
"Wait...I see someone." Tasuku said as he saw a familiar man with green hair. "That's Grimoire!" He said.
"Wisdom's right hand man? What's he doing here?" Ace asked.
"I should be asking you that, annoying brat." A voice said as a claw tried to grab Ace as he dodged before he saw Tin in some sort of hovercraft.
"YOU!" Ace said.
"Yes...me. The genius known as Tin." he said.
"I saw what you did to Toma." Ace said as he had a hand near Excalibur.
"Ah...so you're the one who ruined my little project." Tin said. "Least I can cut off the problem so it won't happen again."
"Project?! You're nothing but a madman just like your boss! I'm not gonna let you get away with this!" Ace said.
"And you won't escape either Grimoire. We're challenging both of you to a buddyfight." Tasuku said.
"Very well. I see no issue." Grimoire said.
"Heroes of Legend, Darkness, and Myth, lend me your power so that I may walk down the path to peace. Lumenize! Holy Grail War!" Ace called out.
"My army of science has begun the march! All will come to respect my science and my craft! Luminize! Dark Science!" Tin said.
"Shine forth! Starry dragons rising to the heavens! Luminize, Shining Dragoneer!" Tasuku said.
"Gather forth, death plague demons that infect the world's potential. Proliferate your incurable curses! Luminize! World of Closed Potential!" Grimoire said.
"Raise the flag!" They said.
"Star Dragon World!" Tasuku said.
"Magic World." Grimoire said.
"Legend!" Ace said.
"Hero World!" Tin said.
"First move goes to Grimoire and Tin." Paruko said arriving.
"Charge and Draw. I cast! Nice one and draw two more cards. I equip Scholarly Tome of Death, Anetomy and to the right I call Death Plague Caster, Varicellur. With his ability, I choose a Plague card. Hmm...I'll choose Great Spell, Incubation Period. Then I'll call Death Plague Caster, Malariah to the center and Death Plague Caster, Rubellurs to the left. With Malariah's ability, I discard Plague cards from my hand and add two gauge. With Rubellurs ability, I add a card from my drop zone to Anetomy's soul. I cast! Great Spell, Incubation Period! I take the top two cards of my deck, and place any Plague cards from them into Anetomy's soul. I end my move." Grimoire said.
"Seems Grimoire specializes in cards with diseases…" Ace said.
"Now it's time to teach you what happens when you mess with my experiments. Charge and draw! I call Stranger Dilemma to the left and right. Then call Combatant, Nebatt to the center. Now...Nebatt attacks the fighter!" Tin said.
"Yes sir!" he said running at Ace. "Have a punch!" he said hitting Ace with a very weak punch.
10-9
End of Move.
"Alright. Let's do this Tasuku! Draw! Charge and Draw! I call King of Heroes, Gilgamesh to the center, King of Conquerors, Iskandar to the left, and son of the Sun God, Karna, to the right!" Ace said.
"Ah more of these so called Heroic Spirits." Tin said. "How great it will be to Chaosify them."
"Over my dead body!" Ace said. "Gilgamesh, Iskandar, Karna...CHARGE!" He called out as they all attacked Nebatt before charging at Tin.
"Oh no!" Tin said acting scared before they hit him.
10-7
"Ha! You fell for it. I cast! You've Finally Done It!" Tin said.
"What?" Ace asked.
"Allow me to explain, I can only cast this if I take damage from the opponent's card. I draw one card and if I have a hundred demons or darkhero on my field...I deal one point of damage to you." Tin said.
9-8
"Dammit…" Ace said.
"I was expecting your usual full on assaults...so I constructed this deck to make them a disadvantage for you!" Tin said.
"This isn't good…" Ace muttered.
"Don't worry Ace...we can still win! Now...I equip J Star Ring and buddycall Shining Dragoner, Jackknife to the right! And I crossnize him with Jackarms J Arsenal!" Tasuku said.
"Allright! Let's do this!" Jack said gaining an entire cannon array on his back. "Just say the word."
"I also call Rainbow Vision, Shadowscare to the left. Now...Jack...Attack Malariah!" Tasuku said.
"Haaa!" Jack said slashing through Malariah. "Now for penetrate damage!" he said firing.
10-8
"Ahh!" Rubellrs said before vanishing.
"When Jackknife attacks, he can destroy one other enemy monster." Tasuku said.
"How very interesting. However my plague cannot be cured...at least not by the skills of you two." Grimoire said.
"Shadowscare...attack the fighter!" Tasuku said.
8-6
"J Star rings effect. I can place one hand card in Jack's soul. Here I come!" Tasuku said slashing through Grimoire.
6-4
End of move.
"If Tin knows my strategy...the I'll have to mix it up a little." Ace said with a hidden smirk.
"Now. With Anetomy's effect, I can add a card to my hand and gain a life." Grimoire said. "Draw. Charge and Draw. And I also can add a card to its soul. I cast, Great Spell, Incubation Period and add two more cards to its soul. I call Death Plague Caster, Rubellrs to the left, and then...I'll buddycall to the center...Ashen Death Sorcery, Yersinieas. I invite you, bringer of black terror. Come and do my bidding."
Rising out of the dune was a massive sorcerer with long fingernails and a green cloak.
"Hehehe! Let me see you both writhe in pain and agony!" he said laughing.
"Now...Ashen Death Sorcery...Yersinieas...OVERKILL!" Grimoire said. "I pay 2 life and add the top six cards of my deck to my gauge. And now...for the finale that ends the two of you for good. With his ability...I can activate a Plague Spell in Yersinieas's soul. Now...I cast...Ultimate Great Spell, World Pandemic! Now both of your flags...shall close!"
"Yes! With no flag, these two will have no way of fighting! Its now our victory!" Tin said laughing.
"No...its...over?" Ace asked.
"No...its not. Shining Dragoner...Jackknife….OVERTURN!" Tasuku shouted. "By sending a card from Jack's soul into the dropzone...I can nullify a card you just activated! And I choose...World Pandemic!" Tasuku said as their flags quickly lit back up.
"Damn it. So close." Tin growled.
"Nicely done, Tasuku!" Ace said. "Now's our chance to turn things around."
"Uh...not if...I have...anything to say!" Tin said sweating (Truth be told, most of my cards are spells ready to counter Ace. I was expecting Grimoire to wrap things up for me with his spell. Now I'm screwed. Only one way out.) "Listen...I realize I may have acted harsh before...so...let's just let bygones be bygones. Look. I'll end my turn right now. That makes you happy right?" he asked sweating.
"Do you really think I'm that stupid to buy that crap? You hurt one of my comrades and treated him like a weapon, and now you'll have hell to pay!" Ace said as he activated Twilight God Mode.
(Cue- You Say Run- My Hero Academia)
"(Dear god, I'm screwed.)" Tin thought looking ready to cry.
"Alright. Draw! Charge and Draw! I cast! Fury of Odin!" Ace said.
"Crap! Normally Stranger Dilemmas thunder mine activate when a spell is cast...but that's not gonna matter when he destroys them!" Tin said as both vanished.
"Alright. All three of you once again...Charge!" Ace said as they attacked Tin.
7-4
"Do it once again!" Ace said.
4-1
"1 life...maybe I can still survive?" Tin thought.
"Final Phase!" Ace said. "I cast...Great Spell Finisher, Colossal Flame Sword Laevatein!" He said as a giant entity appeared holding a sword. "This is the end! Haaaaah!" He roared out as he and the entity moved in sync as it struck Tin down.
1-0
Game over, Tin! Winner: Ace Neptune!
"It's over Tin, you're going to prison." Ace said. "I'll leave the rest to you, Tasuku."
"Thanks. Now is the time!" Tasuku said as he worked in sync with Jack to destroy Yersinieas. "Now...with him gone...it's time for final phase!" Tasuku said with giant white cyber wings. "A sword of light...that rules the stars! Slay all evil that lies in your path and rise to uphold justice!" he said a gigantic sword even bigger than Ace's Impact arose. "Here goes! Shining...PUNISHER!" Tasuku shouted as the sword lunged into Grimoire.
2-0
Game over! Winner: Tasuku Ryuenji!
"We won." Tasuku asked.
"Tasuku...look!" Jack said as they saw Geargod fly through a portal before it closed.
"Seems I am the victor." Grimoire said as he vanished himself.
"What?" Ace asked. "Oh no...Spade! Simon!"
"Now's my chance to escape…!" Tin said trying to bolt before Jalter suddenly appeared from her card and stuck her lance to his neck.
"Going somewhere?" Jalter asked with an evil smirk.
"No mam." he said panicking.
"He's all yours Tasuku." Jalter said.
"Thank you, Jalter. I'll turn him over to Carlson when we return to buddy police HQ." Tasuku said.
With Ace…
"Spade? Simon?" Ace called out.
"Yeah?" Spade asked as he and Simon approached.
"Oh, thank goodness you two are alright." Ace said as all three of them hugged. "What happened to Geargod?"
"Wisdom...I think he was trying to take control of Geargod again." Simon said.
"I see. We should return to the ship and tell the others what happened." Ace said.
Later…
Back at the Galaxy King, Ace explained to the others what happened in the desert.
"And that's the gist of it." Ace said.
"Seems Wisdom is hurrying along to the final phase of his plans." Hope said.
"And with Tin arrested, Mime's the only one left." Anna said. "Well, at least you three are safe."
"Still...this doesn't change the fact...things are reaching their apex with Wisdom and Mime. I'm not sure I like where things are going." Jexi said.
"I understand what you're saying Jexi, but I know we'll stop them somehow. For now we should rest up a bit." Ace said.
"I'm afraid the time for rest isn't going to come anytime soon." A voice said as they saw Pen in the doorway looking wounded with Onyx by his side.
"Pen?! What happened?" Ace said as they rushed over.
"Hate...he went and attacked me, Onyx and Miasma." Pen said.
"What? How did this happen?" Leonora asked.
"I dug way too deep. Discovered secrets that I was better off not knowing." Pen said. "For starters...the retrievers that were sent that night...they were sent by our father...the King of the Dark Kingdom." Pen said.
"What?!" Ace asked in shock.
"Yes...I'm afraid it's entirely true. He was going to have them capture Jexi and deliver him to the Dark Kingdom." Pen said.
"But...what would he want with me?" Jexi asked.
"He wanted your power." Pen said.
"You mean his God Mode?" Ace asked.
"Not only that...he wanted everything that makes Jexi, Jexi." Pen said. "I'm not sure why but it relates to my father's curse ability."
"His curse...you know it right?" Hope asked.
"I'm sure you've already found out the kingdom has never had more than a single ruler in all its creation right?" Pen asked. "Well...this is because of his curse. It's called...Vampire. Understand? He's survived this long by sacrificing powerful people to his hunger!" Pen said.
"What? That's horrible!" Ace said.
"But why Jexi specifically?" David asked.
"While father's curse extends his life and regains youth, he is not immortal. But...he believes draining the youth and energy from a person with incredible power...he can live forever." Pen said.
"If that's his philosophy, he would've gone for one of us instead. But I don't understand why Jexi. He hasn't done anything to you guys." Leonora said.
"That doesn't matter to him. All he wants is power and more land to rule. He's convinced my brothers to fight for the throne. All except me and Miasma. As for Hate...he fell under the curse of one of my younger brothers and turned him on us. Me, Onyx and Miasma as well as my other sisters have gone into hiding right now on different worlds." Pen said.
"Oh my…" Ace said as holding a hand to his chest.
"This is bad. We gotta find the final two descendants, fast." Hope said.
"What are you...wait...you aren't talking about the marks of the founding kingdoms do you?" Pen asked.
"That's right. Jexi rounded up half of them, and...three more came to us." Sectonia said.
"I see...You are missing the Darkness Dragon World mark, right?" Pen asked. "I know who has it."
"You do? Well tell us already!" Aria said.
"Onyx...it's time you showed them." Pen said.
"Well...okay." She said showing her back to them as they saw the mark on it.
"No way…!" Marco said.
"She was a descendant the whole time and we didn't even notice." Yoko said.
"Admitting to this mark is not something one does easily." Onyx said.
"This mark...its rare and if certain people notice it, it can lead to things like hunts and attempted murdering." Pen said. "Due to past transgressions between kingdoms and the people they ruled."
"So that's why Tigre said his mark was a curse." Francisca said.
"Now all we're missing is the one who has the Mark of Dragon World. But that could be anybody." Hope said. "David, do you think either Kokoro or your old friend Ryuji could possibly be it?"
"It's impossible...because the current descendant of the Sky Kingdom is still alive." Pen said. "A male skyian born with two abnormalities...a pair of wings...and them having dragonic traits."
"Hey, didn't Paimon say something about that during our camping trip?" Mana asked.
"She did. She mentioned that tale about the Skyian with the Dragon Wings. But she didn't say the name of the guy. Or did she… ugh, what was it…?!" Hope said.
"Calm down, we just need think for a second." X said.
"She didn't mention a name and she said the heir was left to wander across different universes." Rainbow said as they others looked at her. "What? I listen."
"Hmm...This is one tough nut to crack." Mari said.
"I'll run a search on the different universes to see if there's someone who matches that description." Anna said.
"Good luck. The guy can be practically anywhere." Miu said.
"Doesn't hurt to try either way." Anna replied.
"Anyway...Pen. Onyx. Why don't you two stay with us on the ship in the meantime?" Ace asked.
"Very well…" Pen said as Onyx escorted him to a room. "Their search is going to be useless. You can't use technology to locate an ancient heir. But...I have a feeling their search won't matter. I feel the heir is making their way here as we speak." Pen said.
Meanwhile with Mime…
"Hmm. Alonz...Kurosube...Slav...Tigre...and now Tin." Mime said as he knocked over a chess piece for each one. "Seems things are becoming not like I expected. I'll have no choice but to accelerate my plans." He said standing. "The time is close...I'll have to face that hopeful idiot myself." He growled.
"Whatever you wish, we will…" a cultist said before Mime waved a hand and all of them vanished.
"I really hated those idiots." Mime said walking out.