Synopsis: Before the Semi-Finals Begin, Tasuku sends Light to do a little task...Hou's third trial begins. Will he pass is the question?
OP: Silhouette
At Vile Ranma's Base, Ranma looks out at one of the windows with sheer determination. His expression slowly becomes fire. All of the sudden, his grips his fists as he remembers that his few allies are lost and gone. Da Dan being devoured by Destroyer. Daijirou and Seiji leaves honorably to go on their separate paths.
Vile Ranma: [Again....Why....Just Why....Just why am I always going to be alone....] JUST WHY????
His yells echoes through the entire room. Destroyer suddenly appear behind him.
Destroyer: Once, I had told you to discard any of your useless feelings. Remove anything that's holding you down and all of your dreams will come true.
Vile Ranma: Destroyer...{serious} so you're saying it's a mistake to recruit Daijirou and the rest...But by the looks of things you seem to have no issue previously...why is that?
Destroyer: I have my own reasons.
Vile Ranma: What kind of reasons? Tell Me.
Destroyer: Hmmm....
After awhile...
Vile Ranma: So you were using me this entire time. Why? I thought you and I are buddies. We don't treat each other as pawns.
Destroyer: Ranma...do you honestly believe what you said is true? You may have recruited allies...but really, you're just merely using them for your own benefits.
Vile Ranma: {Terrified} I...that's NOT...
Destroyer: true? Your allies received power but do you even treat them as actual friends or some sort? No. You did not accept any of their failures...You never give any concern for them whatsoever...
Vile Ranma: Take that back...
Destroyer: You're just like the same, foolish kid I found you before we become buddies. Constantly in denial. If anything, I would say you still care for your friend. That's why he continues to live rent-free in your head.
Vile Ranma: That's Not True. I removed Hou from my inner circle. He never cares about me!!! I want to crush him!!!
Destroyer: Don't Lie to Yourself Any Longer. If you're not going to be honest with yourself then I will make you!!!
Destroyer's eyes suddenly flash green and suddenly Ranma is struck by Destroyer's Lightning. The latter yells aloud as he's being affected. After a while, it stopped, but Ranma is like having smoke out of him. He then looks down as his eyes are blocked by shadow. Slowly, all of the sudden, he starts to laugh in evil. He slowly looks up and his eyes starts to glow purple and becomes really evil.
Vile Ranma: I will Crush everyone to bits!!! This world shall bow before me. And I will slice him to Ribbons. Just you wait, Ace of Games. Your time of demise shall soon be at Hand. (Laughs)
Vile Ranma's Hatred starts to create massive amounts of Minus Power, which Destroyer absorbs. Meanwhile, while hiding behind the doors, Light observes in worry. Back to the Buddy Police HQ, Tasuku & Light discuss about the recent event.
Tasuku: I see...So Ranma was somehow provoked and thus generated some Minus Power.
Jack: But then Destroyer amplifies his cold heart and generated even more Minus Power for him to Absorb.
Light: {Anxious} As if the Anger and Hate wasn't enough, Destroyer just keeps adding more power. We need to Use the Superweapon. NOW!!!
Tasuku: Absolutely Not.
Light: But!!!
Tasuku: I mean it. Might I also add that it is still completely unusable, Light? You need to think rationally before going in for the Act.
Jack: Even if we take action now, Would Destroyer's Powers still be neutralized?
Light: No But Still...
Tasuku: I can understand you're impatient. But a reckless behavior is not the right way to respond to things.
Light: But Hou's facing Destroyer right? You attempt to stop him back then but you failed. So isn't he reckless too?
Tasuku: True. But It's because he proved that he's worthy of taking on the challenge. In fact, Speaking of which, Light. I have an assignment for you.
Light feels surprised. 1 hour later, Light is at a park, waiting for someone. Someone approaches behind and calls out to him.
???: Light.
Hou & Garga stands forth as Light turns around. They all look at each other calmly as the winds goes by and moves their clothes.
Hou: You called me so...what's up?
Light holds up his deck and asks "Buddyfight? You and Me?". Hou is surprised before he becomes serious.
Hou: What's the catch?
Light: Nothing personal. Consider it as a training session before your match with Masato.
Hou: I see...I'm Game.
A stage activator is set and thus...you know how this goes...
Light: I'm not gonna go easy you. Be prepared. (Luminizes) The Dark Curse has Foretold our Victory. Luminize. Curse....Knights.
Hou: A deity of combat linking all words into one. Luminize. Dradeity...ACE.
Both: Raise the Flag.
Hou: Dragon World.
Light: Darkness Dragon World. I'll go first. Draw. Charge & Draw. Set Spell, Sentence of Curse.
Once Again, Light equips Geil's Armor and blue aura surrounds him. All of the sudden, the Cursed Puzzle returns and is placed in front of Hou's Flag, much to his calmness.
Light: I buddycall Black Dragon Knight Geil to the center.
Geil: (Appears) Light, fight to your heart's content.
Light: I equip Black Dragon Sword, Geilblade. (Does So and stabs the ground) With it's ability...
1 card under Hou's flag and the flag is being cursed.
Light: Cast. Curse Destruction. (Destroys Geil) Discarding the top 2 cards...
Geil is one of the two cards revealed, much to Light's Joy.
Light: 2 cards. 3 cards. 4 cards.
Hou's Flag is cursed even more...
Light: With Geil's Ability, (One more card is placed) 5 cards. Once Again, Geil to the center. And my turn is over.
Hou: The moment my flag has 15 cards, I'll lose. Masato may've lost to this technic but Not Me. My turn.
Light: Sentence of Curse's effect. 6 cards.
Hou: (Heads down) Of Course. (Heads Up And Sigh) Draw. Charge & Draw. I call Seele Gadra to the left.
Seele: (Appears) To follow the path of Righteous is to become true to yourself.
Hou: I equip Deity Dragon Sword, Garblade. (Does So) I buddycall to the right.
Garga: (Appears) All are powerless before my blade.
Hou: I cast. Gar-Advantage. (Pays 2 life and draw two) Now I cast, Call of the Almighty. Looking at the top 3 cards of my deck, 1 card to my hand and the rest I send to the top and bottom of my deck in any order. (To the top)
Light: He manipulated his deck...He's going to use Garga's ability...in that case, I cast. Scar Bind. (Glowing Eyes)
Suddenly Garga is on REST as he's affected by Red Energy.
Garga: I...Can't Move.
Hou: This Again? Seele, Attack Geil.
Seele: Alright. (Attacks)
Hou: When Seele attacks, One card from the dropzone goes to Garga's Soul. (Does So) I draw a card afterwards. (Checks) [Blade Mage Huh?]
Seele raises his sword and strikes at Geil.
Geil: I won't let you bring harm to Light's Victory. I am an immortal Knight. (Destroyed)
Light: Geil's ability. (Returns it to his hand) 7 cards.
Hou: But it won't stop me. (Attacks)
Hou deals damage, 7 life left.
Hou: Double attack.
Light: Cast. Curse Scar. I pay 1 life and nullify the attack. (Blocks) Since you have more than 5 cards under your flag, I draw a card and you must discard a card from your hand.
Hou does so, much to his dismay.
Hou: My turn is over.
Light: You weren't thinking of using Deity Gargantua Punisher are you?
Hou: Huh?
Light: After all, if Garblade's attack hit, you can use your impact and win the game. Sadly, it's not going to be that easy.
Hou: So it seems. It's your turn.
While the fight goes on, it is revealed that Light's chest has a hidden body cam behind his shirt. Tasuku observes the fight through it and remembers what he requests.
Tasuku(Past): Before the Semi Finals, I want you to fight Hou himself.
Light(Past): Why?
Tasuku(Past): I want to see for myself if he's worthy once again.
Light(Past): What? But didn't you...
Tasuku(Past): I know. But I can't always look out for him. Besides, with the current situation at hand, I need to test him once more. (Hands him a briefcase) Take this, use it to enhance your deck.
The moment the memory ends, Tasuku's face becomes stern. His hands are under his chin, in an observing stance.
Light: Geilblade's effect. (One more card is placed) 8 cards. I cast. A Curse Knight's Hex. The opponent must discard two cards from their hand. And I draw 2.
Hou discards, much to his dismay.
Light: Geil to the center.
Geil: (Appears) I arise once more. (Blue Aura) Begone, Garga.
Garga loses one soul card.
Light: Cast. Curse Destruction. (Destroys Geil and reveals Geil among the top 2 cards) 9 cards. 10 cards. 11 cards.
Hou's Flag is cursed even more. Geil returns to the hand. 12 cards.
Light: Revive, Geil!!!
Geil: I will revive as many times as necessary to bring forth Light's Victory.
Garga: Interesting. An Immortal Knight Indeed.
Geil: (Blue Aura) Begone from Sight.
Another soul card dropped.
Hou: [Three cards left...the moment my turn begins, 13 cards. And when I destroy Geil, 14. And after Light's turn ends, I will lose...]
Light: [So Hou...what are you going to do in a situation like this? You said this technic won't work on you, so prove it] I call Black Dragon Knight, Zevens the "Stygian" to the right.
Zevens: Give me Orders.
Light: With Zevens effect, I discard two cards from his soul. By doing so, Garga is destroyed Twice.
Garga: What?
Zeven's Eyes glow and it uses his sword and creates two slashes at Garga, eliminating him.
Garga: (Hit) Arrrgh...(Destroyed)
Hou: GARGA!!!
Light: I also gain 4 life. And with that. My turn is over. With Sentence of Curse's effect, 13 cards.
Hou: {Impressed} You really are strong I give you that. No wonder you are Gaito Kurouzu's son.
Light: Wha....Hey!!! Don't mention my Father right now.
Hou: Why Not? I mean you are strong in your own way. You don't have to feel offended when being compared.
Light: Yeah...But Still!!! I told you, I am not My Father, and even though I'm his son, I'm Me.
Hou: I never said you're not your father!!! (sigh) Light...I'm starting to think that you need to get over this pre-teen rebellion stuff...
Geil: {Awkward} I told him that too once...but it was no avail.
Light: {Angry} Enough about my personal life. It's Your Turn!!
Hou: Okay Okay Calm Down. [It's all or nothing...Come On Me.] Draw. Charge & Draw. Once Again, Garga to the right.
Garga: (Appears) Last Turn, Hou. Make it Count.
Hou: Once Again, I cast. Call of the Almighty. (Manipulates his deck further)
Light: Eh...that is some rare card.
Hou: Light, I'm willing to bet that Scar Bind is in your hand. But before you do such a thing, I set Combat Deity Hall.
Light: A Set Spell???
Combat Deity Hall is set and suddenly the stage suddenly turns into an Ancient Temple Arena. The walls are filled with some acronym of unknown language. The ruins are destroyed but hold special meaning to Garga.
Garga: Ah...this takes me back...Back when I was in Dragon World, I used to come here to meditate. What kind of Answers Do I seek? What sort of plan must I take? Let's Find Out.
Hou: Uh Garga...Focus? The thing about this set spell is that I cannot be forced to Rest.
Light: {Shocked} Say what? I can't Use Scar Bind???
Hou: Now I can fight without any problems. (Points at Him) Watch Me!!!
Light: Heh....Aren't you confident. Alright. (Open arms) Show Me Then.
Hou: Garga.
Garga: Understood. (Attacks)
Garga raises his sword and he and Geil began to duel. Both clash swords with one another with strength and speed. With Great Solemn in their movements, both parties duel like there is no tomorrow.
Garga: You may be immortal...but I am a Deity Of Combat. And You Shall bow before it's power. (Strikes Geil)
Light: Geil's Ability. 14 cards. Now I cast, Curse Formation. (Pays 1 gauge & 1 life) I move Zeven to the center. Since you have more than 5 cards under your flag, two more cards from the dropzone into his soul.
Hou stomps the ground once again, his twists his wrist wraps and his eyes become cat like.
Hou: D-GEVO Activate. (Draws) Change. Gargantua Dragon Cyclone Mode.
Garga: (G-EVOs) Gargantua Dragon...CYCLONE MODE!!!
Hou: There's something you should know. When you case Curse Scar & Scar Bind earlier, I drew Blade Mage with Seele's effect and discarded it afterwards.
A flashback is revealed, showing the previous moment.
Hou: Normally I want to use Blade Mage to just instant kill you but with the circumstances earlier. I cannot.
Flashback end.
Light: Not Surprising.
Hou: Therefore I need to use another tactic and once again when I cast Call of Almighty, Blade Mage was revealed. However, if I know you well, I knew you would do something to prevent it. Which is why I select Combat Deity Hall to My Hand, Blade Mage to my gauge and Cyclone Mode to My Deck.
Tasuku: {Impressed} Hmmm....He learns fast...
Hou: That being Said, Garga, you know what to do.
Garga: Got it. (Destroys Zeven Twice) Now I'm on the offense. (Attacks)
Garga defeats Zeven.
Garga: Double attack.
6 life left.
Garga: Triple attack.
Light: Cast. Curse Decline. Should you have 8 or more cards under your flag, all of your criticals are reduced by 2 and power by 8000. Now you can't use Seele Gardra or Garblade to attack me.
Hou: Light. I wasn't born yesterday. In case you forgot, Garga has evolved. Revert.
Garga reverts and attacks again. 5 life left.
Light: But you still don't have enough gauge.
Hou: No but I still have a chance. Seele Gardra.
Seele: Leave it to me. (Attacks)
Light: What? [Seele currently has a critical of 0. What is he doing?]
Hou: When Seele attacks, I draw a card. (Does So)
Hou realizes in small shock and smiles back at Light. Light becomes surprised.
Hou: It's a shame that I have to do this or else I'll lose. (Reveals his card) Gar-Heilen. (Destroys Garblade) I gain 4 gauge.
Light: It Can't Be!!!
Hou: Final Phase. Cast. Deity Gargantua Punisher.
Impact Sequence.
Hou: Impact...Deity!!! Gargantua!!! Punisher!!!!
Punisher Hits. Light Loses. The Stage Returns to Normal & Dissapears.
Hou: (Psyched) Alright.
Garga: Nice One!!!
They both then look at Light. He looks down for some reason. Hou then walks forward and lends a hand.
Hou: You okay?
Light: Huh? (Looks Up) Yeah Yeah I'm okay. (Checks his phone) Oh Look at the time, I got to go. (Runs Off) See ya.
Hou: Wait!! You...And he's gone...Garga?
Garga: Yes?
Hou: Why do I suddenly feel that this win is not really a win?
Garga: Really?
Light runs off to....somewhere far away. He stops and pants down on his knees. He feels very exhausted and down...
Light: [I lost...even though I cornered him with my very best...Is this...my Destiny?]
Tasuku, watching from Light's Body Cam, feels a little concern...
Tasuku: It went well didn't it Jack?
Jack: Indeed. Hou Ren has proven himself once again. But still...he must not know about the weapon.
Tasuku: I will pass it to Garga. For he has the experience most when handling Destroyer. And I will task him to entrust it to Hou without letting him know. Destroyer's goals must cease. One way or the other.
Jack: I have something to say though.
Tasuku: What is it?
Jack: If Hou loses to Masato Rikuo or even perhaps Daryl Hoshino defeats Vile Ranma, what should we do? Does this mean the superweapon can't be used?
Tasuku: I thought of that. I don't like saying it but Hou and Ranma must win against their opponents. Should they do so, then I will immediately pass the weapon to Garga.
Jack: I see...
Tasuku: (sigh) [Destiny Huh? Gaito...I know what you mean...]
ED: Hello By Za Bon.
Hou: The Semi Finals have arrived and I'm facing Masato Rikuo. Next time, "Hou Vs Masato". Join us for a Buddyfight.
Story End.