"The first match is about to begin! So let the fighters luminize their decks!" Paruko said.

"Kanata...I've always wanted to have another serious buddyfight with you." Gao said.

"Same here, Gao. Buddyfights with you are always a total blast." Kanata said. "Kick of to the far reaches of space! Right now, our brilliance exceeds even the Milky Way Galaxy! Luminize! Dragon Sentinels!"

"Eclipsing the darkness with flames... and brightening the hearts of the mistreated! Luminize! The Mighty Sun Fighter!" Gao said.

"Destruction! Creation! Light! Darkness! All go hand in hand, Lumenize! Inferno and Paradiso!" Simon said.

"Gather before me, Heroes of Justice and Bravery! Strike down villanly like lighting, and shine the light of the moon on the darkness! Lumenize! Full Moon Thunder Formation!" Hope said.

"Buddy...FIGHT!" Paruko called.

"Raise the flag!"

"Star Dragon World!" Kanata said.

"Dragon World!" Gao said.

"Hero World!" Hope said.

"Divine Guardians!" Simon said.

"Simon and I take the first move. Charge and Draw! I cast, Visible Light! Increase gauge by three. Buddycall Heavenly Crystal Dragon, Aldo Athora to center!" Kanata sad.

10-11

"Take this!" Athora said lunging into Gao.

10-8

"Simon, you're up." Kanata said.

"I cast! Gate of Pardon -Forgiven-! I call Swoop Envoy, Angelus to the center, Justice Envoy, Angel Frill to the right, and Deity Age Envoy, Michaelis to the left." Simon said. "Because Angelus was called while Forgiven was in play, I gain one life."

12-13

"To arms Envoys of Paradiso!" Simon as they charged at Hope.

"Nice Try! I cast, I've seen through your moves!" Hope said. "Sorry Simon, but I'm not pulling any punches today!"

"Neither am I!" Simon said.

End of Move.

"Now it's our moves!" Gao said. "Draw! Charge and draw! I call Raid Officer, Delta to the left, and then I buddycall my buddy Batzz to the right!"

"Here's the power of a Demon Lord Dragon!" Batzz said entering.

"And I pay one life...and equip Dragoroyale!" Gao said. "Now...get in there Batzz!" he said as Batzz charged at Athora.

"Nice try...Heavenly Crystal Dragon...Aldo Athora...OVERTURN!" Kanata said. "Now...Athora cannot be destroyed this turn. And all your attacks are redirected to Athora!"

8-4

"It's because of you...that I learned how fun buddyfight can be. Which is why...I am definitely going to win this!" Kanata said.

"Save that until I get in the game! Draw, charge and draw! I equip Azure Crest, Hero Emblem! Now then…! I call "Sacrifice" Iron Moon Slash to the right! And I'm also gonna call to the left, The Scar!" Hope said. "Iron Moon Slash's ability! I discard Judgement, Hollow Strydarm, so that I can deal 1 point of damage!"

13-12

"Now I'll clear Angelus out of the center with my Emblem!" Hope said punching Angelus. "Simon's all yours, Scar!"

"I'll give you a nice one. Taste my Soul Slayer!" The Scar said slashing Simon.

"Cast! Heavens Shield!" Simon said.

12-13

"Darn. Couldn't get him. After The Scar attacks, I have to send him to the drop zone. My turn is done." Hope said.

"Man, Gao and Hope are losing real fast." Sachiko said.

"Yes, but if I know those two... They'll find a way to come back from this." David said.

"They always do, don't they?" A voice asked as the others turned around.

"No way! You're here?!" Rainbow said.

"What can I say? This tournament being set up...reminded me of old times." the voice said as out of the shadows stepped Ichigo.

"It's been a while hasn't it...Ichigo." Dan said.

"I can't believe it! You showed up!" Luffy said. "David, Ace, I'd like you guys to meet…"

"I know Ichigo. We were allies when I started out, remember?" David asked.

"Well well, if it isn't the infamous god of death and her friends." Another voice said as a young woman came in.

"Lugil!" Ace said.

"Who? Ace, is this someone you know?" Indigo asked.

"She's an innkeeper I met back on Al and the others world during my first adventure. It's good to see you." Ace said.

"Wow, old friends are popping up here! David, maybe some of yours will be here." Lemon said.

"Hero Alliance, it is good to see you all again." A voice said as Chief R and Nana entered.

"Chief R? Nana?!" Tails asked.

"Hello everyone, it's nice to see you all." Nana said as she bowed.

"Wow, I bet Guru didn't just have surprises for Gao, but us as well!" Indigo said

"Seems this game is just as exciting as he said." Another voice said as the group saw a blue haired man in robes.

"Jaou Kaira?" Sunset asked.

"In the flesh so to speak." He said.

"An old friend, Sunset?" Ace asked.

"Uh...you could say we're acquaintances. He's the Yo-kai World's current king." Sunset said.

"I see. Happy to make your acquaintance, your majesty." Ace said.

"I hope I'm not late to see Hope's match." Another voice said as a blond haired girl with an S symbol on her outfit flew in.

"Kara! You're here, too?!" David asked.

"She's not the only one, Davey!" Another voice said as in came a blonde haired girl with pigtails and clown makeup came in. "Hiya everyone, how you doing?"

"Harley, too?" Sectonia asked.

"Now this feels like an All Star Fight!" Pinkie said.

"You guys sure have a few interesting comrades." Spade said.

"Trust us...there have been a lot more than this." Jexi said.

"I agree." Another voice as a blonde haired girl in light armor came in. "Rose, everyone, it's nice to see you all again."

"Alisha." Rose said.

"It's good to see everyone here. How have you been, Jexi?" Another voice said as a gray haired boy in a school uniform entered along with several others.

"Yu?" Azura asked.

"Azura's here too. Not surprising." Yosuke said.

"You guys are doing well. I'm happy to see that." Jexi said.

"I as well. It has been a long time hasn't it?" Roy asked.

"Now this is a reunion of amazingness." Pinkie said.

"And I feel as the days go by...the reunion is just gonna get bigger." Jexi said. "But for now...it's back to the match."

"Here we go! I draw! Charge and Draw! I call Rizzling to the right and then I equip...my Winning Wings!" Kanata said. "Now...Athora attacks Gao!" Kanata said.

4-2

"Now...double attack!" Kanata said.

"I cast! Blue Dragon Shield!" Gao said blocking as Rizzling went for Delta instead.

"Your turn, Simon." Kanata said.

"Yep, I've been saving this card for a special occasion. I buddycall...Umbra Witch, Bayonetta!" Simon said as a young woman in an outfit from the witch hunts appeared.

"B-Bayonetta?! You're a Buddyfight monster?! Great to see you and all, but I'm shocked!" Hope said.

"Oh dear Hopey, I may look like her, but I'm just copy of her from the smash scroll my partner looked at." Bayonetta said as she pushed up her glasses. "Now, it's time to be naughty."

"Cmon!" Hope smirked.

(Cue-Moon River: Infinite Climax- Bayonetta 2)

"Go Bayonetta!" Simon said.

"With pleasure darling, get down!" She called out as she punched at Hope as a fist popped out of a portal next to her.

10-8

"One more!" Simon said. "And Michealis, Angel Frill, you're up next!"

"Ah!" Hope said as Bayonetta hit him again.

8-6

Angel Frill and Michealis then rushed at Hope.

"I cast! I've seen through your moves!" Hope said.

"Final Phase! Guardians? Executioners? Or worse?!" Simon said as Omne appeared and floated right behind him. "Through Omne, I deal two effect damage using Angel Frill!"

Omne Winked and through Angel Frills charge, prepared to do a drop kick.

"I've been waiting for this! I cast…. I've No Business With the Likes of you!" Hope said.

"Unbelievable! Hope casts a powerful Darkhero counterspell which destroys every monster currently present on the field." Paruko said.

All of Simon's monsters were destroyed, as well as hopes. Because of this, the impact damage didn't go through, and Omne vanished from sight.

"Whew…" David took a deep breath. "Hope survived."

"Of course he survived...he's Hope." Mukuro said.

"How does he do it? He always seems to hold on to victory even from the jaws of defeat. I don't get it… then again, none of us knew what to make of him when we first met him, right Jexi?" Yosuke said.

"Yeah...well...that's just how Hope is. I used to think he was some run of the mill over excited guy but now...I couldn't imagine a better friend by my side." Jexi said.

"Though, Simon has 13 life still. Hope's gonna have to pull a metaphorical rabbit out of his hat to pull this one off." Kokichi said.

"It's my turn! Draw! Charge and Draw!" Hope said. "I buddy call Over Turn Thunder Soldier, Dawn Wings Moon Bat to the right!" Hope said as Moon Bat did so. "I also activate Azure Crest, Hero Emblems ability! I search my deck for one Superhero, Superheroine or Darkhero and add it to my hand! I'll call to the left the card I added! My number one heroine, Uniform Warrior, Hakuran Frill!" Hope said as Hakuran appeared.

"To fight alongside you anytime, Hope… I wouldn't have it any other way." Hakuran said.

"Finally…. Overturn Thunder Soldier…. Dawn Wings Moon Bat….! OVERTURN! I pay two Gauge and discard one hand card, and because of that, Moon Bat Gains one Critical for Every superhero, Superheroine or Darkhero in my dropzone. Counting the ones I used for gauge, for effect damage and Iron Moon slash himself… that makes a total of 12 critical!" Hope said. "Moon Bat… attack Simon!"

"Can you take all of this?! A critical of 12… in one attack!" Moon Bat said drilling into Simon.

13-1

"You were an amazing opponent Simon. Hakuran… finish it!" Hope smiled.

"...Sorry, Guru. Looks like I couldn't live up to your expectations after all…" Simon said.

"This...is the final nail!" Hakuran said slashing Simon with her sword.

1-0

Game over, Simon! Winner: Hope the Victor!

"Now it's your turn to finish this, Gao." Hope said.

"Right! Draw! Charge and...Draw! And now...I set the spell...Dragomemoria!" Gao said.

"Dragomemoria?" Kanata asked.

"Its my new set spell. I can now reduce the size of certain size 2 monsters by one. And now...I call to the left...after a long time...Overturn Armordragon, Drum Bunker Dragon!" Gao said.

"Ha!" Drum said drawing his drill. "Allow me to introduce myself to you folks at home! My name is Drum! I'm Gao's former buddy! And currently the chief of the Drum Bunker Tribe!" Drum declared.

"He called out Drum! So awesome!" Hope said.

"I cast! Dragonic Charge Plus and increase my gauge by six!" Gao said.

"I activate Winning Wing's ability. I sent it to the drop zone and increase Athora's defense by 100000." Kanata said.

"Nice one, Kanata...but I won't lose that easy. Overturn Armordragon...Drum Bunker Dragon ...OVERTURN!" Gao shouted. "Now, when I do a link attack with drum, his critical increases by 2, and his attack power becomes infinite!"

"No use, Athora has soulguard!" Kanata said.

"When I battle against a monster...I nullify their abilities!" Drum said. "There isn't anything my drill won't break through!" Drum said as he and Gao destroyed Athora. "I also have penetrate! Drill Ram Bunker...DISCHARGE!"

11-6

"Dragoroyale!" Gao said.

6-4

"Wrap it up, Batzz!" Gao said.

"I'll land the finishers!" Batzz said attacking once.

4-1

"I cast! Mars Barrier!" Kanata said blocking the last attack. "This next turn...I'll avenge Simon and…"

"Final Phase!" Gao said as a familiar spear appeared in the air. "Turbulent Thunder Spear X Tempest Ulti-Buster!"

1-0

Game Over! Winner: Gao Mikado!

"I couldn't have done this...without my buddies." Gao said.

"You did great, Simon. I'm glad to have fought you first." Hope said.

"Uh huh." Simon said.

"And Simon...you might have lost...but this game isn't about winning or losing...it's just to have all sorts of fun." Hope said smiling with a big grin.

"Yeah, thanks Hope." Simon said before leaving.

Later outside the arena, the group saw Simon as he approached Guru on the walkway.

"Grandpa…" Simon said.

"Where is he?!" Guru yelled in frustration.

"Huh?" Simon said in confusion.

"I told that little punk to come here and not be late and he didn't even bother to show up! The gull of that guy!" Guru said.

"Who are you talking about, Grandpa?" Simon asked.

"Maybe you should call him yourself." Tanuki said.

"Dang right I am!" Guru said opening a portal. "Hey! Come out this moment or else…" Guru said before something flew out and knocked him over.

"Are you okay?!" Simon asked as he helped Guru up. "Huh?" he said seeing a small orange dragon with red hair and goggles. "Another dragon?"

"Wait...isn't that?" Jexi said.

"Bal? Is that you?" David asked.

"Huh?" The dragon said before looking at them. "Hey guys. Bal missed you, bal." He said.

"Bal!" Hope said. "You're here, I can't believe it!"

"I can't believe it." Bal said.

"Stop copying Hope." Gao said laughing.

"No, Hope should stop copying Bal." Bal said.

"Is he always like this?" Ace asked.

"Ace, meet Dragon of the Sun, Bal Dragon. He's another of Gao's buddies. He's also the deity of the sun." Jexi said.

"...!" Ace put a hand on his tattoo.

"No, that's not Corona." David said.

"I know it isn't…" Ace said.

"I can't believe this… Drum, Bal and Batzz all together!" Rainbow said.

"Wait...you are Gao's former buddy right?" Bal asked Drum.

"Yeah." Drum said.

"And you're Gao's current buddy, bal?" Bal asked Batzz.

"That's right." Batzz said.

"And this kid with the sun tattoo...likes the sun, bal?" Bal asked Ace.

"No, it's just a reminder of two of my comrades that I lost who were the sun and moon gods." Ace said.

Bal then smiled big as he grabbed Drum, Batzz and Ace. "Then all of us are best buddies, bal!" Bal said excitedly.

"I didn't see this coming." Ace said with a smile.

"Neither did I, this guy's lively and spunky. I like him!" Drum said.

"It's really nice to meet you, Bal." Ace said.

"C'mon back to the Galaxy King! We have some great spreads for you." Hope said.

"Is there pizza, bal?" Bal asked.

"All the pizza you can eat, kiddo!" Harley said.

"And it looks like we got four more guests coming. And is that…?" Kor asked. "Ines, Beryl, Gall, and Miss Tourmaline?"

"More best buddies, bal?" Bal asked.

"Don't you know it…" Hope smiled.

On the galaxy king….

"It's ready! Dig in!" Sanji said.

"Pizza, bal! Pizza, bal!" Bal said scarfing pizza after pizza.

"Pudding, pudding, pudding, pudding!" Drum said rifling through pudding cups. "OCTOPUS DUMPLINGS!"

"Pizza and octopus dumplings! Pizza and octopus dumplings!" Batzz said.

"Hehehe. Someone sure loves their pizza, octopus dumplings and pudding." Ace said before turning to some of Jexi and Hope's old allies. "I must say it's an honor to meet all of you."

"Likewise. I heard about you from Aelita. Nice to meet you in person." Ichigo said.

"To think, all of this started with a chance encounter with Riolu on the Realm of Exploration… ah, that takes me back." Aelita said.

"I take it that was your first journey?" Ace asked.

"Yeah. Flux sent us to that world during a misfire of a weapon he had. You know...I never really thought about it but if he never tried to do that...we never would have met." Dan said.

"Seems so. And also it's nice to meet other persona users besides Mari and Kagura." Ace said to the Investigation team.

"I was surprised when Kagura-Chan told me she and Mari could use personas. It's surprising even to you, Narukami-kun." Yukiko said.

"And it looks like Sectonia's got a new body now. It suits you, to be honest." Yu said.

"Thanks. It wasn't easy getting this one." Sectonia said.

"Looking back, I think we've all had our fair share of adventures. And all the people we've met and fought with, it was great to do that too. I'm really glad to have met you when I did, Jexi. I have come so far since that day." Hope said.

"Yeah...that was a huge change. And I hope you wish me luck tomorrow. I'm fighting tomorrow." Jexi said.

"Of course we will. And to be honest, if I hadn't started searching for Spade I wouldn't have met all of you guys. But...I'm glad I did, because I formed bonds with each of you, and I'm happy for that." Ace said.

"You know what's also special? How we met David. Sure, it was because I found out about him through the Akbadian ruins, but damn, what a guy you are, man. I loved traveling with you all the time, David." Hope said.

"I know. I was kinda surprised when I was inscribed on there. At the time, I didn't think of myself as much." David said.

"But as you continued journeying with everyone, you became stronger, and eventually, you found the strength to stand on your own two feet and fight for your ideals and those you care about." Lloyd said.

"I agree, because here you are now, fighting alongside all of us. Not just as a leader but also a friend and comrade." Ace said.

"It makes you wonder… what kinda stories are we gonna encounter next?" Hope asked.

"Guess we'll find out soon enough." Ace said.