Chapter 29: Master of Changes, Strawberry!
Now playing: Buddyfight Champions OP 2 - "Ignite" by Hoho620
/UFXwi-h3cSs
As the school bell rang, the students hurried to leave the classroom and packed their things.
"Finally, school is done!" Makoto stretched her arms.
"Hey, gorilla." A picky voice spoke behind her, causing her face to tighten.
"Oh, it is you, fatty Kenji." Makoto tried not to let her smile fall when she faced Kenji, struggling to curve her lips. "I heard that Kai and Kiyoshi are not coming to today's club because of the extra tutorial lesson."
"Same to that idiot, I don't know what he is up to," Kenji complained with his crossed arms.
"So…Morihito is not coming too?" Makoto asked.
Kenji sighed. "So today it's just the two of us."
"I see. He seems busy recently, hmm..."
Wait, 'just the two of us'? Makoto froze a bit.
"Never mind, I will just go home today." Kenji yawned.
"Wait…wait! How about we get to Castle together?" Makoto suggested.
"Well, I don't have anything to do anyways, sure."
Makoto and Kenji walked to the Castle card shop and saw the crowd gathering at the entrance.
"That's a lot of people," Kenji complained as he got pushed by the others.
"Of course. Students rush to the card shops once they are out of school. It is common to see places like these to be packed with people." Makoto explained. "Anyways, we are finally in the card shop! I can't wait to have a match!"
"Oh, right. You don't even have a deck yet, yeah?" Kenji asked.
"I do have one, it is just I haven't gotten a buddy rare. I opened five boxes of booster packs already…" Makoto sighed deeply.
Five boxes?! Kenji's eyebrows shifted as if the shock went through his body.
"You should quit gambling, gorilla." Kenji laughed.
"I won't give up until I get a buddy rare card!" Makoto grabbed his wallet tightly with air blowing out of her nostrils aggressively.
"This is hopeless." Kenji sighed.
"Anyway! Let's get in! I am going to buy the super booster box today!" Makoto rushed inside.
"She is nowhere to be seen now…" Kenji said in frustration.
"Flash Sales! Flash Sales! Buy two and get one free! The special offer only lasts for today!" A shop staff shouted with a megaphone.
"Flash Sales?" Kenji read the discount signs on the boxes that formed a pyramid.
All of a sudden, a figure flashed at Kenji.
"Kenji! They are offering a special discount today! Do you wanna get one card box too?" Makoto said excitedly.
"Uh, Makoto, you are fast…" Kenji sweated. "But I think I don't need it."
"Please…?" The watery eyes of Makoto gazed into Kenji and caused him to almost fall.
Kenji, I think this is also a good chance to strengthen our deck. Barnat communicated to Kenji in his deck.
Not you too, Barnat…
Kenji sighed in dismay. "Fine, just this time."
"Yes! We can share the gifted box too!" Makoto grinned and quickly grabbed the three boxes into her hands.
"Great to hear…" Kenji said frustratingly.
"That will be 10000 yen in total, thank you." Makoto quickly handed in the bills and ran towards Kenji.
"Great! Let's open them now!" Makoto grabbed the boxes and gave one to Kenji.
"Here, and also the 15 card packs that we split!"
"Uh, okay then." Kenji was slightly stunned by her instant actions.
She is already opening them…
Kenji saw Makoto opening each pack carefully and peeking at the last card, only seeing her in great disappointment over and over.
"Alright, I should get started too." He said while Barnat shifted out of his deck when he pulled the cards.
"Kenji, this can be useful. Let's keep it." Barnat sat beside Kenji in her chibi form.
"Really? I don't see anything special about it." Kenji read the card again.
"I got no luck…" Makoto lay on the bench and gazed at the ceiling in frustration. "No Buddy Rare this time either..."
She turned her head at Kenji. "Kenji, can you give me one pack? Please?"
"No, this is mine! We said so! You are too addicted to this!" Kenji freaked out as Makoto approached him.
Kenji pushed away Makoto with an annoyed face, then she bit her lips with her eyebrows down. The corners of her eyes began to turn wet.
"Why can't I have a buddy like you all do? Playing together, chatting, and all that fun..." She spoke the words blurry.
"I didn't get mine until getting to Golden Island though. It just takes time to finally meet one, from what I experienced," Kenji said.
"Right, I just have to be more patient." She looked aside.
Kenji sighed deeply. "Fine. I will allow you to take one. I have enough Danger World cards anyway."
"Thank you, Kenji! I promise I will return one to you in the future!" She took a card pack from Kenji's box with a big smile.
"It is not going to change anything, anyways…" Kenji said with his crossed arms without looking at Makoto, until shimmering got his attention.
No way.
He watched Makoto to see her fully concentrating on the cards she pulled from her deck, losing his words. The card pack shone bright and began emitting pink smoke and covering them.
"What is this thing?!" Shouted Kenji. "Makoto?"
He stepped forward after the pink mist vanished. Only to find her face hugging something fluffy. Then she turned to Kenji.
"What?!" Kenji watched Makoto speechlessly.
"Kenji, you need to see this!" She murmured inside the fur. But of course, all Kenji heard was "Murm, mhm, mmmmmh!"
"I can't hear you if you are like that, idiot."
Makoto grabbed the fluffy creature off her face and showed it to Kenji, causing him to stun.
"Look! It is so adorable!"
A soft, fuzzy white animal wiggled its pink tail and blinked at Kenji, its gleaming black eyes as gleaming as pearls.
"A dog?" Kenji was startled at what was in front of him.
"Dog? That's definitely a Tanuki! (Japanese Raccoon Dog)" Makoto shouted.
She seems so attached to that creature all of a sudden…Kenji frowned.
"Hmph. That's still a dog." He looked aside in dissatisfaction. The Tanuki rubbed its eyes with its pink little hands. Then walking towards Makoto and stuck around her. She picked her up gently.
"I wonder if you have a name." Makoto stared at the Tanuki. It turned its head left and right.
"I see, so you don't have any. Do you want me to pick one for you?" Makoto asked, and it nodded in a smile, wiggling its tail.
"Alright, let me think of one!" Makoto answered joyfully.
"White, pink, something to link with pink and white…rose, cherry. No, they are too deep red…" Makoto thought to herself.
Kenji sighed, "Come on, it is just a name. Just call her 'Pinky', or something, whatever."
"You don't get it! This is a very, very, very, important process to bond with a monster! I want it to be meaningful!"
Meanwhile, a green leaf fell from the tree nearby, slowly descending and landing on Tanuki's head.
"Leaves? Pink, white, with leaves…"
Makoto blinked her eyes in a glimpse.
"That's it! Pink and white attached with leaves on the top! A white strawberry, 'Strawberry'!" Makoto said excitedly. Strawberry squeaked in joy and mopped herself on Makoto.
"Oh, don't do that, it is so itchy!" Makoto laughed softly.
"Hmph, that's not any better than mine." Kenji rolled his eyes.
Abruptly, Strawberry shone and shrank into a card, landing on Makoto's hand gently. She gazed at the card in astonishment.
"This is…?!"
Master of Changes, Strawberry
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Size 1 Monster
Attributes: Imagineer
Power: 3000/ Crit: 1/ Defense: 3000
[Call Cost] [Put the top card of your deck into this card's soul]
- [Counter] ?
- …
[Soulguard]
In the meantime at Buddy Police headquarters, Tasuku watched the captured scenes in the alley and corners by the street cameras before they were destroyed, the replayed clips showed a black dragon emerging from the walls' shadows, the light flickered and it disappeared at the corner.
Near the huge computer screen, there was an evidence board that pinned all the information on the Black Dragon and Grey Dragon. One of the pinned papers linked to the Tokyo Buddyfight laboratory explosion incident. Tasuku wandered into the room and fixed his eyes on the evidence he collected.
The Black Dragon and Grey Dragon, there seemed to be some conflicts between those two, but they could be allies, as seen by the Grey Dragon taking the Black Dragon away in the portal. But what is the relationship between these two? What caused their conflict?
I feel like I am so close to the truth, but I feel like I am missing something…
In the meantime, as the gate opened, it distracted Tasuku and his thoughts. He faced the entrance to see the visitor.
Is school already over? I guess I didn't pay attention to time.
Tasuku took a small breath to vent out his frustration, trying to maintain a calm appearance.
"Commissioner Tasuku, I am sorry that I am late. I had a tutorial class today." Light apologised with a carefree laugh.
"It is fine, don't worry." Tasuku smiled, then switched back the focus to the screen.
Out of curiosity, Light scanned through the paperwork and research in the room, checking the walls of evidence and information on all the previous incidents. Something seemed to keep him interested, his eyes gazed at where the clues crossed over with a question mark.
"Commissioner Tasuku, is this the…"
"This is from the recent cases of the two highly dangerous illegal monsters." He answered while massaging his eyes to relax them.
"Do you mind if I take a look at it?" Light said excitedly.
"Go on." Tasuku nodded as he checked on the paperwork.
Light approached the huge screen, tapping and extending the view of the paused video out and inwards.
I need to prepare not just for the investigation but also for what's coming in the future. Tasuku thought to himself.
"Perhaps a little break is good for ideas and clues too." Light said cheerfully, handing Tasuku a cup of black coffee in both hands.
"Well, since I still need to prepare for tomorrow's exam, I can't stay for too long." Light placed the folder on the desk.
"I hope this helps!" He said as he walked out of the doors.
Tasuku took a little rest on his seat, still in his worries, he turned back on the recorded video, and his face changed as he came to his realisation of what he did not expect.
At that moment, the Black Dragon was looking directly at him, eyes fixed, as if watching the presence of those behind the lens.
Back at the mall, Makoto was analysing her deck, picking them one by one and reading them carefully. Kenji tapped his foot continuously with crossed arms.
"This is one…no, I will add one. Or not, maybe three…"
"Can't you hurry up gorilla? When you are done, I bet the sun is already set." Kenji said with an annoyed face.
"But all of them look very important to my deck. I can't decide to use which card." She explained. "I want to build a good deck."
"You are not going to know if it is good or not unless you have a match. Now we are just wasting time." Kenji rolled his eyes, stood from the bench and turned away. "I will just go grab some octopus balls out of the mall."
"Kenji, wait!" Makoto shouted, stopping Kenji from walking away.
"I think you are right." She said calmly after taking a deep breath. Kenji sighed.
"Fine, just this time." He said annoyingly. "You are going to treat me to some octopus balls after this."
"It's a deal." Makoto grinned triumphantly.
In the blink of an eye, they stepped onto the Buddyfight stage of the mall. Pillars of the field rose like an elevator, bringing the battle to the centre of attention.
"You better not feel bad after this," Kenji said indifferently.
"That's fine. Do your best!" Makoto's face was filled with excitement.
"Turn your imagination into reality and bloom into the distance. Luminize, Unlimited Fantasy!" Makoto shouted.
"Bow and unleash your roar before the beast that rules all, Luminize, Wild Danger!" Kenji declared.
"I fight for Dungeon World! Buddy monster, Strawberry!" A white fluffy creature appeared near her, rubbing its head.
"Danger world. Buddy, Barnat the bear." Kenji flipped his flag and buddy monster card. A mini form of Barnat stood proudly beside him.
"I liked the speech you just said, Kenji," Barnat said softly. Kenji turned slightly red.
"So, who is going to start first?" Kenji sidetracked himself from Barnat's comments.
"Well, since you accepted my offer to fight, I don't mind you going first," Makoto said proudly.
"Fine, although I would like to go second," Kenji said with a repulsive look.
"Okay, okay, I go first then? I have no problem at all." Makoto replied annoyingly, drawing her cards.
"Well, I will take that." She grinned.
Makoto's field
[Life: 10/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 7 (draw)]
Item: None
(No monsters on the field)
"I don't charge and draw this turn. Cast, Bonus Quest, 'Re:S'! I discard a monster in my hand and gain 2 life and two gauge. Since I dropped a size 3 monster, I can draw three cards!"
"What?! That card is cheating! Drawing 3 cards?!" Kenji exclaimed.
"This is called luck," Makoto laughed proudly. Kenji stared at her annoyingly.
Bonus Quest, 'Re:S"
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Thunder Empire, Draw, Charge, Recovery
[Cast Cost] [Drop a monster from your hand]
Put the top two cards of your deck into your gauge, you gain 2 life, and draw two cards. Then, if the card you dropped for this card's [Cast Cost] is size 2 or greater, draw a card, and if the card you dropped for this card's [Cast Cost] is size 1 or lower, put the top card of your deck into your gauge, and you gain 1 life. You may only cast "Bonus Quest "Re:S"" once per turn.
Makoto's field
[Life: 12/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 8]
Item: None
(No monsters on the field)
"Set, Imagination Doubled. All Imagineers on my field cannot be destroyed, returned to hand, or leave the field by effects! Then I Buddy call Strawberry to the centre!" Makoto said confidently.
Imagination Doubled
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Imagineer
- [Set] (This card remains on the field)
- You may only set one "Imagination Double!" on your field.
- The number of cards you can reveal in your cards' abilities are increased by 1.
- All on your field cannot be destroyed, returned to hand, or leave the field by your opponent's card effects.
Makoto's field
[Life: 13 (Buddy gift1)/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(C: Strawberry (1 soulguard))
Strawberry wiggled its head and ears and landed softly in the centre.
Awah…she is so adorable! Makoto gazed at Strawberry.
"Are you done looking? Is it my turn now?" Kenji asked with a frowny face. Makoto munched her mouth satisfyingly as she switched her gazes at him.
"Of course not! I am just getting started! I cast, Picture of Harmony. I look at the top three cards of my deck and put up to one among them into my hand. I put the rest of them back to the top of my deck in any order."
Picture of Harmony
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Imagineer, Charge, Recovery
- Choose and use one of the following two, you may only cast "Picture of Harmony" once per turn.
- Put the top two cards of your deck into your gauge. You gain 1 life for each on your field.
- Look at the top three cards of your deck, put up to one from among them into your hand, and put the rest on top of your deck in any order.
Makoto's field
[Life: 13/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(C: Strawberry (1 soulguard))
"Now, Strawberry, go and attack Kenji!"
Strawberry yelped lightly as she waved her tail, bouncing and running towards Kenji.
"Such a small creature probably won't do much damage—" Kenji said, but Makoto cut his line.
"I pay 1 gauge and activate Strawberry's ability - Shapeshifting. I reveal the top card of my deck." She smiled. "And if it is a monster…"
"What the…!"
Abruptly after her words, Strawberry grew larger exponentially and eventually looked like a giant. Kenji's chin completely fell off as he witnessed the change. Strawberry's talons slammed right onto him as soon as he figured it out.
Master of Changes, Strawberry
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Size 1 Monster
Attributes: Imagineer
Power: 3000/ Crit: 1/ Defense: 3000
[Call Cost] [Put the top card of your deck into this card's soul]
- [Counter] "Shapeshifting" Pay 1 gauge, then reveal the top card of your deck:
- If it is a monster, put it into this card's soul. It gets power and defense12000, its critical becomes 3. It gets [Triple Attack] and [Counterattack]. It cannot be [Rest] by your opponent's card effects.
- If it is an item, you may equip it by paying its [Equip Cost] or put it into your gauge.
- If it is a spell, nullify that attack. Then, put the revealed card into the drop zone.
- If it is an impact or impact monster, you may put it into your hand or into this card's soul.
You may only use this ability once per turn.
[Soulguard] [Move]
Makoto's field
[Life: 13/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(C: Strawberry (2 souls))
"Tsk…" Kenji munched his teeth as Strawberry returned to the centre with a yawn. A soft green gleam covered her after the revealed card fused into her chest.
"This is what you get when you underestimate Strawberry." Makoto laughed until she noticed Kenji's gauge.
"Wait, since when do you have 5 gauge?" She pointed.
"I cast Bold Retaliation when Strawberry landed the hit," Kenji smirked.
"Bold Retaliation? Oh no…"
Now if he has Barnat in his hand he is going to get a huge advantage! Makoto thought to herself.
Bold Retaliation
Worlds: Danger World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Battle Aura, Charge
You may only cast this card when you are dealt damage.
[Counter] Put cards from the top of your deck equal to that number of damage dealt to you into your gauge.
Kenji's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 5/ Hand: 5]
"You better prepare for what's next, charge and draw!" Kenji said.
"Buddy call to the right." He sneered. Barnat grinned as she heard his call.
"Armorknight Bear, Barnat the Ruler!" Both shouted.
Barnat transformed into her battle form - a beast with spiked shiny armour and a red cape attached. Her fists were equipped with gauntlets with sharp claws. The golden cracks appeared on the ground as Barnat landed.
Armorknight Bear, Barnat the Ruler
Worlds: Danger World
Type: Size 2 Monster
Attributes: Armorknight
Power: 6000/ Crit: 3/ Defense: 7000
[Call Cost] [Pay 2 gauge and put the top card into this card's soul]
-All the cards on your field cannot be returned by opponent's card effects.
-If you are equipped with an item, your opponent cannot call any monster to the center!
-[Counter] [Act] "Intimidation" During your opponent's attack phase, you may put any gauge into this card's soul and choose a card on your opponent's field, [Rest] that card. For this turn, it cannot [stand]! This ability can only be used once per turn.
[Double Attack] [Soulguard] [Counterattack] [Move] [Penetrate]
Kenji's field
[Life: 8 (buddy gift)/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 5]
Item: None
(C: Barnat (1 soul))
"Equip, Furious Axe of the Danger, King's Treasure!" He wielded the one-sided edge steel battle axe with a curved blade and a long handle. A red gem was attached to the centre where the blade and the staff connect.
"As I have Barnat on my field, all cards on your side get power-10000, defense-10000 and critical-1."
Furious Axe of the Danger, King's Treasure
Worlds: Danger World
Type: Item
Attributes: Armorknight, weapon
Power: 6000/ Crit: 2
-All the cards on your field cannot be destroyed and their abilities cannot be nullified by your opponent's card effects.
- "Aura of the King" If you have a card with "Barnat" in its name, all cards on your opponent's field get power-10000, defense-10000 and critical-1!
[Double Attack]
Makoto was shocked by Kenji's weapon.
A new item? This wasn't in his deck before! She thought.
"Then I call Armorknight Lizardman to the left. For this turn, all Armorknight on my field gets power10000 and critical1!"
Danger Master, Armorknight Lizardman
Worlds: Danger World
Type: Size 1 Monster
Attributes: Armorknight
Power: 3000/ Crit: 2/ Defense: 3000
-All on your field gets power3000.
-If you have a size 2 monster with the name "Barnat" in its name on your field, reduce this card's size by 1. For this turn, all on your field gets power10000 and critical1!
Kenji's field
[Life: 8/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 3]
Item: King's Treasure
(L: Lizardman) (R: Barnat (1 soul))
"Strawberry, move to the right!" Makoto said.
"Barnat, go attack Makoto!" Kenji shouted.
"Leave it to me." She said firmly and raised her fists at Strawberry.
"Pay 1 gauge and activate Strawberry's Shapeshifting!" She revealed her card to Kenji. "A spell card. Barnat's attack is nullified!"
"What?!" Kenji went jaw-dropping.
Simultaneously, Barnat was being bounced by an invisible force. She gazed at Strawberry in astonishment. Strawberry continued to wiggle her tail and rub her face.
"Unbelievable..."
Makoto's field
[Life: 13/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(R: Strawberry (2 souls))
Strawberry is too dangerous to be on the field. And she is Makoto's key card, how about…
"Armorknight Lizardman, go take down Strawberry."
"It is going to hurt a little. Don't mind me…" He murmured, the chainsaw rotated and chopped towards Strawberry's skin. The green glow covered her as she reappeared on the field.
Kenji followed and used his axe to hit Strawberry. Its soulguard activated and remained on the field afterwards.
Makoto's field
[Life: 13/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(R: Strawberry (0 soul))
"Strawberry, no!" Makoto shouted.
"Final hit!" Kenji yelled.
He landed his axe and penetrated the soft fur. Strawberry fell onto the ground and was broken into card pieces. Makoto stared at it with broad eyes.
Makoto's field
[Life: 13/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 6]
Item: None
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(R: Destroyed)
"Barnat, attack Makoto!" Kenji said.
"I won't go easy on you, girl." Barnat charged and punched Makoto.
"Cast! Deflection! Barnat's attack is being nullified!" Makoto shouted.
"Again?" Barnat took a step back. The barrier protected Makoto from the punch.
Deflection
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Defense
You may only cast this card if you are being attacked.
[Counter] Nullify the attack. Then, put cards from the top of your deck into your gauge equal to the number of items on your field.
"My turn ends." Kenji declared. Makoto began to focus on cards and the field quietly.
Didn't expect Kenji to defeat Strawberry in the first turn. This is going to be bad. If only I could draw or obtain Strawberry again…
No wait! That's it!
"Ah man. You and that idiot are just the same. What takes you so long to draw a card?"
"Can't you be quiet for a moment? Of course it takes time to decide what to do next if you were in my situation!" Makoto yelled at Kenji at full volume.
"Geez, that was loud. Ever thought of someone who waits for a whole day?" Kenji complained softly.
"Hmph, only because you are impatient as always, fatty Kenji. Now watch this. Draw, charge and draw! I pay 1 gauge and equip Sword of Vision, Fantasy's Blade!"
Makoto grasped the rainbow lights into a medium-sized silver sword with a colourful gem inscribed on the blade.
"Then I further equip Shield of Dreams, Fantasy's Guard!" When she said so, a round white gauntlet shield was attached to Makoto's left arm.
Sword of Vision, Fantasy's Blade
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Item
Attributes: Imagineer, Weapon
Power: 5000/ Crit: 2
[Equip Cost] [Pay 1 gauge]
- If you have this card equipped, you may equip a "Shield of Dreams, Fantasy's Guard"
- [Counter] [Act] During your turn, you may reveal the top three cards of your or your opponent's deck. If there is a monster among them, for this turn, all on your field get power10000 and critical1. If two or more, choose one among them and deal damage to your opponent according to its size! Then, put the revealed cards to the bottom of your or their deck. You may only use this ability once per turn.
[Penetrate]
Shield of Dreams, Fantasy's Guard
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Item
Attributes: Imagineer, Weapon, Shield
Power: 2000/ Crit: 1/ Defense: 5000
- If you have "Sword of Vision, Fantasy's Blade" equipped, all on your field cannot be destroyed, leave the field or be [Rest]. Their abilities cannot be nullified by your opponent's card effects, and damage dealt to you is reduced by 1.
Makoto's field
[Life: 13/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 4]
Item: Fantasy's Blade Fantasy's Guard
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(No monsters on the field)
"How can you equip two items at the same time?!" Kenji pointed at Makoto's weapons.
"That's the ability of Fantasy's Blade. It allows me to equip Fantasy's Guard along with Fantasy Blade." Makoto explained.
"That's not fair." Kenji frowned.
"Oh, don't forget that all on my field can now not be destroyed, leave the field or be [Rest]. And your attack now deals one damage less." Makoto said, which turned Kenji into a face of charcoal.
"I call Joyous Chick, Goldie to the left." Makoto held and turned over the card.
Joyous Chick, Goldie
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Size 0 Monster
Attributes: Imagineer
Power: 1000/ Crit: 1/ Defense: 1000
- [Act] Put a from your drop zone or your hand onto the top of your deck. If you do, you gain 2 life. You may only use this ability once per turn.
A yellow chick with a farmer hat and an insect-catching net waved its wings and leapt onto the field.
"I activate Goldie's ability. I can put an Imagineer from my drop zone on top of my deck, and I gain 2 life!"
Makoto's field
[Life: 15/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 3]
Item: Fantasy's Blade Fantasy's Guard
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(L: Goldie)
"Then I cast, Picture of Harmony! I look at the top three cards of my deck and put the top card into my hand!" Makoto drew one card and put the remaining two cards back on the deck.
"Wait, doesn't that mean she can…?" Kenji noticed.
"Return to the field, I call Strawberry to the right!" Makoto said excitedly.
After a flicker of pink gleams, Strawberry hopped into Makoto's hug and wiggled around.
"It's alright! I am here. So don't worry." Makoto pat Strawberry's head softly. Strawberry nodded and returned to the right of the field after a while.
Makoto's field
[Life: 15/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 2]
Item: Fantasy's Blade Fantasy's Guard
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(L: Goldie) (R: Strawberry (1 soul))
"Barnat, move to centre."
"Roger." Barnat teleported in front of Kenji with a magic circle.
"I attack Barnat with Fantasy's Blade and Fantasy's Guard together!" Makoto bounced off from her side.
"I activate the abilities of Fantasy's Blade. I can reveal the top three cards of your deck. And because of my set spell, I can reveal an extra card! If any of them is a monster, all cards on my field get power10000 and critical1!"
"Huh?!"
Four cards were drawn and flew in front of Makoto. Kenji was entirely confused at the scene.
"Let's see…looks like I got very lucky this time. All of them are monsters. But they are all size 1. In that case, I can only deal 1 damage."
Sword of Vision, Fantasy's Blade
- …
- [Counter] [Act] During your turn, you may reveal the top three cards of your or your opponent's deck. If there is a monster among them, for this turn, all on your field get power10000 and critical1. If two or more, choose one among them and deal damage to your opponent according to its size! Then, put the revealed cards to the bottom of your or their deck. You may only use this ability once per turn.
[Penetrate]
"Gah…she should have told her cards' abilities more clearly. What a jerk." Kenji after braced with his arms. "And the sword, that makes my axe completely useless."
Kenji's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 3]
Item: King's Treasure
(L: Lizardman) (C: Barnat (1 soul))
"Still have time to look around?"
In a flash, Makoto drew a slash of colourful lights at Barnat and Kenji. Kenji looked up in his clenched teeth and rapidly pulled the card from his hand.
"Cast, Violent Aura!"
A menacing power abruptly grew inside Barnat and bounced Makoto away from the field, causing her attack to go off.
Violent Aura
Worlds: Danger World
Type: Spell
Attributes: Armorknight, enhance
[Call Cost] [Pay 1 gauge]
-[Counter] Choose a monster on your field, for this turn, it gets [Counterattack] and [Penetrate]. It adds the power of your equipped item to the chosen monster's power and defense.
"Ah…I forgot about this spell. It adds the power of the item to the power and defense of any Armorknight monster on the field." Makoto sat on the ground and rubbed her head.
"I activate Barnat's ability - Intimidation. I put all my gauge into Barnat's soul! Now Barnat has 5 souls in total. And for this turn, Strawberry cannot stand after an attack." Kenji yelled. Makoto laughed lightly after hearing Kenji's words.
Armorknight Bear, Barnat the Ruler
- ...
- [Counter] [Act] "Intimidation" During your opponent's attack phase, you may put any gauge into this card's soul and choose a card on your opponent's field, [Rest] that card. For this turn, it cannot [stand]! This ability can only be used once per turn.
[Double Attack] [Soulguard] [Counterattack] [Move] [Penetrate]
Kenji's field
[Life: 7/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 2]
Item: King's Treasure
(L: Lizardman) (C: Barnat (5 souls))
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"I was going to say, actually. I didn't plan to let Strawberry attack." Makoto explained. "Only if we are on the next phase."
"Attacking in Final phase?" Kenji began to notice Makoto's intentions.
"So you guessed it, but not entirely. Final phase! Impact call! I transform Strawberry into an Impact Monster! Imagination Unleashed, Strawberry "Buddy Fusion"!"
"Impact Monster? Does that even exist?! What even is that?" Kenji widened his eyes in jaw-dropper.
Imagination Unleashed, Strawberry "Buddy Fusion"
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Size 1 Impact Monster
Attributes: Imagineer
Power: 5000/ Crit: 1/ Defense: 3000
[Call Cost] [Put this card on top of a monster with "Strawberry" in its name]
- If this card is in the soul of a monster or is on your field, this card and that monster cannot be destroyed other than your opponent's attacks. It cannot be [Rest] by your opponent's card effects.
- [Counter] "Buddy Fusion" When you are [Transform] into this card. It gets power and defense10000, critical3. If you have revealed two cards or more this turn, for this turn, this card's attacks cannot be nullified and its damage cannot be reduced!
[Double Attack] [Penetrate] [Soulguard]
[Impact Transform] [Pay 3 gauge]
Curved blazing lights surrounded Strawberry's neck and paws. A glowing pink mark formed and floated on its head.
"Already being surprised? You gonna be dumbfounded about what's next. I pay 3 gauge and impact transform."
"We will show you the powers of ours!"
Makoto's field
[Life: 15/ Gauge: 3/ Hand: 2]
Item: Strawberry "Buddy Fusion"
Set Spell: Imagination Doubled
(L: Goldie)
Strawberry transformed into pink lights and fused into Makoto's chest. Her head popped up with pink Tanuki ears, followed by a white tail with a pink tip. Her hands grew in brown fur and turned into light brown raccoon dog claws. Finally, a pink glowing paw mark appeared on her forehead. She then opened her eyes in confidence, which were now in the colours of the pink rose.
"We are now 15000 power, 13000 defense, and 4 criticals. With double attack and penetrate!" Makoto explained.
"They fused together?!" Kenji took a step back stunningly as he saw Makoto's new appearance.
"Indeed, now I doubt you don't stand a chance to win!" She shouted, hopping off the platform in an instant and ready to strike at Barnat.
What an incredible speed! Barnat's eyes and body tried to match with the transformed Makoto.
"Barnat, defend me!" Kenji commanded. "What's the matter?"
"I don't think I can block this…!" Barnat shouted.
Kenji raised his head to see Makoto's claws being as gigantic as a ship and overshadowed his terrified face.
"What the…!"
"Because I revealed more than two cards this turn, for this turn, our attack cannot be nullified and our damage cannot be reduced!"
"Ultra Stawberry Punch, Doubled!" Makoto yelled as she slammed the titanic claws at Barnat and Kenji.
"I am not forgetting you about this!" Kenji cried in fear as the talons landed on him.
Kenji's field
[Life: 0 (Double attack damage)/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 2]
Item: King's Treasure
(L: Lizardman) (C: Barnat (3 souls))
"Here, as we promised."
Makoto handed a box of steaming hot octopus dumplings to Kenji. Kenji took it without saying a word. He took a bite in impulsion and spit it back into the box because of the heat, blowing on the food repetitively after. His face showed slightly red.
"Are you unhappy because of our fight?" Makoto asked.
"I am not. Hmph." He promptly put an octopus ball in his mouth. Then going back to the same scenario.
"If that's not enough…"
She pulled a pack of Buddyfight cards to Kenji.
Kenji asked after receiving the pack. "Wait, why?"
"Well, technically, I owe you one pack. I am just returning it. No need to thank me." Makoto said proudly. Kenji thought about it for a while and turned to Makoto with a smirk.
"Hmph. I will open this pack and next time I will crush you into dush for sure. Watch out for that." Kenji said.
"Hah, I look forward to our next fight! Oh, yeah, I wonder if I can battle Morihito, Kai and Kiyoshi too!" Makoto exclaimed.
"Speaking of them…I wonder how that idiot has been," Kenji murmured, with Strawberry playing with Barnat behind him.
Meanwhile, in Dragon World, the golden sun shone over the plains, and the soft wind blew on the grass. A boy and a dragon were fighting with swords, causing rings and rings of pressure on the field.
Morihito swung Drago Blade at Xander, blocked by his great broadsword. Two swords clashed together, nevertheless, none of them was pushed by their force.
Morihito sweated as he tried his best to keep his posture. Falling back, he transformed Drago Blade in its lance form and charged at Xander again in a blue bolt. This time, causing Xander to step backwards.
"That's not bad, Mori. Now, how about this?" Xander smiled confidently.
Xander summoned a two-handed pommel, connected with two blades at the tips, slashing in the air and shielding himself. Abruptly, Morihito darted at where Xander would land his next slash, stunning his actions and ceasing his attack. Xander's weapon was thrown away afar as a result.
This is my chance! Morihito dashed forward and prepared his next attack right after.
In a glance, he noticed Xander's grin, leading to a prompt shock. When he wasn't focusing, Xander threw a punch at Morihito's grip, causing Drago Blade to let go of his hands. Morihito's eyes stopped glowing and he lost his balance, landing on the ground.
"Oh no!" He yelled.
Morihito saw Xander's punch right in front of his face, shutting his eyes and blocking with his arms.
"Let's stop here for now. I think that's enough for today." Xander took a deep breath to calm his heavy breath. Morihito opened his eyes again and pushed himself up.
"That was a good counterattack." Morihito sighed.
"No, that was a close one for me too. I could have lost without my weapons." Xander carried Drago Blade for him.
"I wasn't paying attention at the moment." Morihito laughed lightly.
"So do I, perhaps we are exhausted, let's take a break." Xander put his weapon away and turned at Morihito with excitement. "Anyway, what's for dinner? Ramen? Pork cutlets rice bowl with eggs? I can't wait!"
"All you think is about food…" Morihito spoke softly in a sweat. "I just can't focus on the other stuff right now."
Morihito turned at sunset. Xander approached him.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing, let's go, Xander." Morihito shook his head and walked away. Xander gazed at him in concern.
Xander put his thoughts into words softly. "It seems Uncle Takumi was right about this."
Morihito slowed his steps, turning back at Xander in a little stun, facing at Xander in the sunshine.
"About…what?" Morihito tried to hold his confusion with a grin.
Xander gazed into Morihito's eyes. "You looked stressed, that's it."
"Am I?" Morihito put on a wry smile.
"If you don't wanna talk about it, it is fine too. You don't need to force yourself." Xander grinned.
Morihito looked aside, hesitating about his next words. He sighed, sat down on the grass and watched the sun approaching down the mountains. Xander followed and sat beside him.
"Actually…I don't know either. I don't know why I feel like this." He faced down, grabbing his folded legs. "I want to feel less worried, but I can't get rid of the thoughts."
"It is alright. Just allow yourself to think of anything," Xander said calmly.
Xander lay back on the grass, resting his head and body, and so did Morihito. They watched clouds moving gradually in the sky, very slowly. The wind blew onto their faces. Morihito closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
The sounds of leaves. The air, and texture of the ground.
They all feel so calming and soft.
"What do you feel?" Asked Xander.
"It is comfortable."
"Glad you are feeling better." Xander showed a broad smile. "You wanna lay down a little longer?"
"Yeah."
They stayed silent, calmly listening to the surroundings. Eventually, the sun was completely set and the shadow coated over the land. Everything became even quieter.
The image of his parents flashed in his mind, but as they slowly faded, he felt increasingly more unsettling, until he heard Xander.
"Hey, Mori."
"What is it?" Morihito opened his frowned eyes gradually, still thinking of the imagery in his head. He turned at Xander, noticing he was still lying down beside him.
"Watch the sky." He said.
So they watched, countless soft gleams twinkled in the silent sky, filling up every corner and scattered around the darkness.
Morihito was speechless, completely forgetting the previous vision in his mind, observing the colourful glimmers and glints that drew on the sky.
Everything was quiet, even they could hear their breathing.
…
Gur—
That was until he got distracted by Xander's stomach growling.
"Morihito, I would like to stay here a little longer, but I am at my limit…"
Xander shrunk into his chibi form, so Morihito got up to check on him.
"Sorry Xander, I should have gotten up earlier…" Morihito apologised. "Let's head to Uncle Takumi's ramen shop for dinner today."
"Hurray!" Xander celebrated as he heard something about food. He opened up the portal to Earth as soon as he said so.
He must be very hungry. I made him wait for so long. Morihito thought.
"By the way, Mori…"
"…!"
He turned back to Morihito with a big warm smile, hugging him. Leaving Morihito completely in surprise.
"I found out this is how humans show care and compassion to others. So I always want to return you one, like you did last time."
"Ah, I…"
Morihito could feel himself shivering non-stop, he felt his face muggy with his vision blurry.
So warm.
So comfortable.
He embraced Xander entirely. His watery eyes began to fall in teardrops, landing on Xander's chestplate.
"I am just…afraid if anything bad happens… because of me. Just what if they get attacked because of me…"
"That's not gonna happen!" Xander replied firmly. "We are going to face this together. No matter what comes before us, we will overcome them. Remember, you are not facing it alone."
"We are buddies!" He grinned. Morihito grabbed Xander gently.
"Thank you, Xander."
Guuu—
Morihito widened his eyes in embarrassment.
"Looks like I am not the only one, haha!" Xander laughed. Morihito blushed in slight red.
"Then let's get there in no time." Morihito wiped away his tears with his hands, showing a soft smile.
The two went into the portal under the twilight of stars.
[To be continued…]
'Mini-Buddyfight Talk!'
"Hello Everyone! Nice to meet you all! I am your host Brave Fist, Red Dragon! And also Pirate Dragon, Wind Dragon and Frost Dragon!"
"For every chapter that ends, we will have a little talk about the strongest card of the chapter!" Pirate Dragon said passionately.
"Today's card is Master of Changes, Strawberry!" Wind Dragon spoke calmly with a smile.
Master of Changes, Strawberry
Worlds: Dungeon World
Type: Size 1 Monster
Attributes: Imagineer
Power: 3000/ Crit: 1/ Defense: 3000
[Call Cost] [Put the top card of your deck into this card's soul]
- [Counter] "Shapeshifting" Pay 1 gauge, then reveal the top card of your deck:
- If it is a monster, put it into this card's soul. It gets power and defense12000, its critical becomes 3. It gets [Triple Attack] and [Counterattack]. It cannot be [Rest] by your opponent's card effects.
- If it is an item, you may equip it by paying its [Equip Cost] or put it into your gauge.
- If it is a spell, nullify that attack. Then, put the revealed card into the drop zone.
- If it is an impact or impact monster, you may put it into your hand or into this card's soul.
You may only use this ability once per turn.
[Soulguard] [Move]
Frost Dragon spoke calmly. "Strawberry is a Dungeon World monster with 3000 power and defense, and critical 1." :l
Pirate said excitedly. "It also has 'soulguard' and 'move' ability!" =.=!
Wind smiled. "You can pay 1 gauge to activate its special ability - Shapeshifting. It reveals the top card of your deck. And depending on what you revealed, it gets different abilities." ]
Red grinned with his teeth shown. "If it is a monster, you can put the revealed card into Strawberry's soul. It gets power and defense12000, its critical becomes 3, with 'Triple Attack', 'Counterattack' and it cannot be [Rest] by your opponent's card effects!" :P
Other dragons were amazed. "Wow!" *A*
Red shouted with energy. "That's it! Thank you for watching and hope you can build a stronger deck!"
Others waved together. "Bye! Bye!"
[Thx for reading]
Ending 1 - Tomorrow
/tfRsyXIRQtY
~PREVIEW!~
"Dr Fujii called me to the Tokyo Laboratory. He said he needs to talk to me." Morihito concerned.
Morihito and Xander entered one of the research rooms in the hallway.
"Wow, Mori, there is a huge circle in the centre! But this feels familiar for me for some reason..." Xander said while he and Morihito were standing in front of a not-ignited portal.
"There is something that I must tell you, Morihito." Dr Fujii said, seemed in the face of sadness and guilt.
"My parents? What? What do you mean by they may not be on Earth?! Please explain this, Dr Fujii!"
"The next chapter, 'Uncovered Truth'."
"I am having a bad feeling about this…"
Hey, readers. I am here to tell you straightforwardly and aggressively that I am going to write and spend years writing this fiction, which will be a long journey. I will treat this fiction like my son. I want to write an epic Buddyfight fanfiction, which is even better than the original series! To accomplish that, I will need your help and ideas for cards, characters and the story. Everyone is welcome to the Discord server for this fiction! Get free spoilers and chat with the author, muahahaha! I appreciate your aid and support! :D
Join Discord: /78mVzYK7YB