Synopsis: Invitations arrived for a few fighters. What could it all mean? Is it war? Is it a treasure hunt? Or is it...A Tournament!!!
The buddyfight news is being displayed live on Televisions everywhere. Ion and Takokichi appear on screen.
Ion: Hello Folks, Ion & Tako here guiding here through the world of Buddyfight. Today, we're proud to announce the GAEN Cup is back. What do I mean, you ask? Here to answer with me is (reveals) Mr Kyoya Gaen himself.
Kyoya: Thank you, Ms Ion. Hello Everyone. The Gaen Cup is a tournament where powerful fighters are gathered. I have selected the best of the best, and only one will earn the right to face me.
Ion: But how does one earn the right to face you? Will the rules be the same as the one Gao competed in?
Kyoya: Sadly, no. I love to explain the new rules, but that's only available on the day of the tournament itself. You can say I don't want to spoil the fun.
Ion: Uh... right. Well, you all heard what he said. Until then, stay tuned as the Tournament starts next Saturday in Malaysia, Sunway Pyramid. We hope to see you then.
Anime Opening: Black & White.
On a beautiful morning in his room, Hou is watching videos on his laptop. He later hears a voice calling his name. He goes downstairs to see what's going on. He reaches the living room where his father is waiting.
Hou: Yes, Dad?
Hou's Father: This letter came in for you. (Hands the letter)
Hou takes the letter and has a look at it. He opens it and finds an invitation.
Hou: (Reads the invite) To Master Teng Hou, you are eligible to participate in the GAEN Cup. Please bring the invitation for registration at the location enclosed, exactly 9am, Saturday. Looks like I'm invited.
Hou's Father: I'm not surprised. You are talented in the game. If anything, you won a lot of tournaments.
Hou: Hmmm...
Hou remembers the time Kyoya gave him the Dragon Ein Flag, the time Ms Shafi mentioned his name, and the time Davide stalked him and his friends. He becomes stern.
Hou: Dad, I want to participate in this tournament.
Hou's Father: Ah?
Hou: I know. Let's just say I want to test myself once again. Please?
Hou's Father: I see...(smiles) Alright, seeing that your studies have also gotten better, you may enter.
Hou: Really? Yes!!! Thanks, Dad, you're the best.
Hearing this, the father's surprise turns into a warm smile, and he thinks to himself, "It's his thing. And I can't take it away." . Later that afternoon, Hou & Garga are walking in a park. They chit-chat as they talk.
Hou: I wonder who else got invited.
Garga: Beats me.
Hou: Actually, the knights got invited too, but...
In a flashback, the knights discuss something with Hou & Garga in his room. Hou is quite surprised for some reason.
Hou: You're not going to compete?
Sensei: I think our power can be too overwhelming for the participants.
Blaze: Besides, now would be a good time for us to step aside and let others take the spotlight.
Hou: Oh... Okay, I guess it's just me & Garga then.
Lost Ren: (walks in) And me as well.
Garga: Sorry?
Lost Ren: I don't trust that Kyoya Gaen. I'm with your instinct, he must have sent Davide to stalk you.
Hou: Keep going...
Lost Ren: Just think. Kyoya gave you the Dragon EIN flag. He sent Ms Shafi to do his bidding the other day. Davide is also the same, but as far as I know, they would have done it sooner. Why choose now?
Hou: It could be because of my powers.
Lost Ren: (Interupts) No. It's because of your current skill level. But it's only a hunch, which is why I'm competing to find out.
Garga: Interesting.
Lost Ren: You may say I'm protecting you. But I'm also interested in facing you on equal grounds. (smiles) I'm not going down easily.
Hou: I see. May the best man win.
Lost Ren shakes hands with his counterpart. The flashback ends.
Hou: And that's all we know.
They later stop in surprise to see that their friends are in front of them, sitting at a picnic table.
Hou: (walks in) What are you guys talking about?
Hearing Hou's voice, they turn their attention to him.
Daryl: Oh, Hou. There you are. We were just talking about you?
Hou: Wha? Why?
Masato: It's about this Gaen Cup. We're entering. Look.
Daryl, Masato, Gwen, and Natalie reveal their invitations. Following suit, Hou smiles and reveals his invitation too.
Hou: Figured you guys would get invited too. But Natalie and Gwen, too?
Gwen: I suppose I'm lucky.
Natalie: Same here.
Garga: But wait? If it's regarding the Gaen Cup, why bring Hou in?
Masato: Well, it's like this. The Gaen Cup starts in a week, and so far, we don't know about the rules.
Daryl: Neither the other participants, but we don't want to sit there and do nothing. And that's when you come in.
Gwen: If possible, can you and Garga train us? Please?
Hearing this, the two buddies are surprised.
Garga: Why Us?
Natalie: You're basically World Class. Like you guys won a few tournaments and that.
Daryl: You both defeated Ms Shafi and other major opponents in the past. If anything, you even trained Shiloh 6 months ago.
Masato: And you're still on timeout. What do you say? Can you train us?
Hou ponders as he goes, "hmmm," while standing there.
Hou: Well, since you guys insist...
Hou grabs a stage activator and makes changes to a few settings. Everyone stares in confusion and then he sets the machine down and activates it. The pads appear and it splits into 3 instead of 2. Hou steps on one.
Hou: I suggest you step on as well.
Masato: Wait!!! What's going on?
Daryl: What are you doing?
Hou: Do you want your answer or not? If you do, then step on.
Everyone is really confused, but Daryl and Masato nod in agreement and step on. The pads move them back, and the stage is slowly being formed. And thus, a 2 v 1 stage is activated. Gwen & Natalie are surprised.
Gwen: He's going to take them both at once?
Natalie: What is Hou doing?
Daryl: Masato. I don't know what Hou is thinking, but I think we should play along to find out.
Masato: I'm with you on that. Let's take him down either way. (luminize) The linked spiral is a chain of bonds. Luminize, Ultimate Spiral Linkdragon Order.
Daryl: I'm guided by the celestial stars. My Constellations shall grant me my promised victory. Luminize, Godful Galaxy Triangulum.
Hou: A deity's dragon brigade expects the unexpected. Luminize. Dradeity...Exspecta!!
All three Aces: Raise the flag.
Daryl: Star Dragon World.
Masato: Ancient World.
Hou: Dragon World. Just a reminder, I have the first move. And then Masato. And Daryl. That being said, (Draws, charge and draws) I'm not holding back. Equip!!! (Equips) Garblade & Gargasabre Exspecta. And now, Buddycall.
Garga: (Appears) All are powerless before my blade. (To Hou) Why are you fighting them? I don't get it.
Hou: (Calmly) Just trust me on this. Gardog Exspecta to the left.
Gardog: (Appears) You howl. Leave it to me, dog.
Hou: Successive Cast. Gargantua Linkage. Gar-Oracle. I increase my hand and my life points.
Daryl: Not only does he gather resources, but he summons his forces at full strength.
Masato: He is going first, so it made sense that he would defend.
Hou: Garga. Attack Masato first.
Garga: As you wish. (Attacks)
Masato's Life: 10 → 7
Hou: My turn is over. Now answer me this. Why are we fighting right now?
Masato: Well...you sort of activated the stage and...
Hou: Wrong Answer. It's your turn now.
Masato: (surprised) Eh? Jeez, when did this guy become Mr Bossy? Draw. Charge & Draw. I cast. Give it your all. (Ability) Agito to my hand. And now I cast, Linkdragon Order Links. (Ability) Mazuru to the center. And I buddycall Agito to the right.
Agito: (Appears) I don't know why you suddenly want a two-on-one fight, Hou. But for Masato & Daryl's sake, I won't lose.
Masato: Equip. Order's Axe, Wildaxe. (Equips) And now Agito's ability. Harahara to the left.
Harahara: (Appears) I'm here for a full-on calorie attack. Here I go. Here I go.
Hou: Not so fast. Exspecta Tactic: Grand Down. (Takes 2 damage & pays 2 gauge)
All of a sudden, Harahara, Agito, Mazuru, and even Masato are suddenly affected by a curse as they slowly kneel down. Everyone else's shocked.
Masato: Erghh...What?
Hou: You weren't planning on using Agito and Harahara's Dragon Share, right? That way, you can increase your attacks and life points big time. But with this spell, your cards cannot attack.
(Note: That spell requires an Exspecta card on the field and can only be cast once per turn.)
Daryl: Whoa...he saw right through him.
Hou: I'm not done. Now that I took damage, Gardog's ability activates.
Gardog glows and two of Daryl's gauge is destroyed.
Daryl: (Surprised) My Gauge!!!
Hou: It's called "hitting two birds with one stone". I'm not letting you call Cross easily. (Stabs Garblade and electrifies Daryl)
Daryl: Ahhhh!!!!
Daryl's Life: 10 → 8
Hou's Life: 12 → 14
Gwen: Daryl got struck, too!!!
Masato: Ergh... In that case, I cast Descend of the God of Bonds. (Ability) (powers up) I pay 2 gauge & 1 life, and I can summon one card with Spiral Dragod Share from my deck at no cost.
Hou: (surprised) You mean?
Masato: You guessed it. Deity of Enthusiasm and Bonds, GodAgito to the center!!!
GodAgito descends after a flash of orange thunderclap and roars. And yes, this means there are two Agitos on the field.
GodAgito: Incredible power flows within me.
Gwen: It's only the first turn, and he summoned GodAgito???
Masato: I gotta thank you, Hou. Because if you hadn't stopped my attacks, I wouldn't be able to activate my spell's other skill. If I had attacked three or more times this turn, GodAgito can't attack.
Hou: Then I'll make him cannot attack. Dragotrap. (Pays 2 gauge & 1 life)
GodAgito is affected too, as he can't move here and there, much to his dismay.
GodAgito & Masato: You've got to be kidding me!!!
Hou: Like I said, I'm not holding back. Garga, G-EVO now. Change to Dual Mode Go.
Garga: (G-EVO) Dual...MODE!!!
Hou: With Dual mode's effect, I draw 2 cards. Now are you done?
Masato: Erghh... My turn is over.
Gwen: Goodness. Hou stopped Masato without even trying.
Natalie: But why did Hou G-EVO halfway? I don't get it.
Garga looks at his buddy sternly.
Daryl: Alright. Despite my unforeseen circumstances, I will still triumph. Draw. Charge & Draw. I call Seer Dragon Veil to the right.
Veil: (Appears) I shall guide the stars.
Daryl: Veil's effect allows all Astrodragons' gauge cost to be reduced by 2. Of course, you know who it's gonna be. (Reveals Cross)
Hou reacts sternly.
Daryl: I pay 1 gauge and buddycall to the center. Deity of Knowledge and Hope, Godcross Astrologia.
Cross: (Appears) Am I a Dragod or an Astrodragon? No. I am Godcross Astrologia.
Daryl: Next, I call Fret to the left.
Fret: (Appears) Here I am.
Daryl: (Increase resources) Cast. Proclaim, Steer the Stars. (Ability) Equip...(equips) Deityseer Bow, Lumun Deus.
Gwen: With a monster in all of the spots and an item equipped...
Daryl: Indeed. Galaxy Dragod Formation. Activate!!!
All of Daryl's cards glow bright and create a diamond by connecting to each other.
Hou: I figured as much.
Daryl: Huh?
Hou: Cast. Loud Voice. I discard my entire hand.
Hearing this, everyone's shocked. All of a sudden, Daryl's forces are now affected by a bunch of soundwaves coming from Hou's side.
Daryl: Wh...What?
Hou: For every card discarded, the opponent loses 1 critical and 3000 power. 5 were discarded. So, 15000 power and 5 critical reduced.
Natalie: No Way!!!
Gwen: So that's why Hou G-EVO earlier. The last draw must have been prepared to meet this moment.
Garga: (surprised) My Buddy...Did you already plan this from the start?
Hou: (closes his eyes) Guilty as charged. I can't let myself fall to so many attacks. Even if I do have 12 life points.
Daryl: Grr...Cross, attack Gardog instead.
Cross: As you wish. (Attacks)
Cross defeats Gardog.
Gardog: Curses. (Destroyed)
Daryl: My turn is over...
Masato: (In despair) I can't believe it. He stopped us without lifting a finger.
Daryl: Even in 2 against 1, he held his ground. How much has he grown?
Agito: 2 years ago, he was a newbie. Now look at him. He really is world-class.
Cross: But alongside that...he also changed himself. Seems to me he matured alongside his cards.
Masato: Never mind that. He has no cards in his hand. We can finish him next turn.
Hou: (coldly) Are you sure about that?
Masato: (confused) Huh?
Hou: Looks can be deceiving. And besides, I'll ask again. Why are we fighting right now?
Masato: Eh? This again?
Hou: Do you have an answer or not?
Masato: (struggling) Well, we...
Hou: (close his eyes) I thought as much. You're not really prepared, are you?
Masato: (worried) What? What are you saying?
Hou: I'm saying.....you need to wake up. Draw. Charge & Draw. I cast again, Gargantua Linkage. (Increase resources) I call Garcat Exspecta to the left.
Garcat: (Appears) Dummy cat rules.
Hou: And I set Combat Deity Hall. Now nothing can stop me. Garga. Garcat. Defeat GodAgito for me.
Both: Right.
Both cards link attack and destroy one soul card.
Garga: Penetrate!!!
Masato's Life: 8 → 5
Garga: Double attack.
GodAgito loses another soul, and Masato receives 3 more damage.
Hou: And now revert, Garga.
Garga: (reverts) One more time. (Attacks)
Masato: I cast. Undying Linkdragon Order. (Blocks)
Garga: Double attack.
Garga's Last Attack destroys GodAgito once and for all.
GodAgito: I'm sorry...Masato. (Destroyed)
Masato: NO!!!!
Now Hou attacks with his two swords, much to his surprise, before getting sliced apart.
Hou: G-EVO Once More. Change. Gargantua Dvalin!!!
Garga: (G-EVO) The winds are ever changing than ever. I am Gargantua Dvalin.
Hou: (Ability) With its effect, I use Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Garcat goes to the drop and outcomes the two replicates.
Hou: Garga. Do me a solid. Triple link attack with the clones on Cross.
Daryl: Wait, what?
Garga: Understood.
The three cards triple link attack.
Daryl: Cast. Mars Barrier.
Hou: Dvalin's effect.
The replicates return to his hand, and Daryl loses 2 life and 2 hand cards, much to his dismay.
Hou: And I'm not even close to finishing. I activate Gargasabre's ability. G-EVO Once more. Change. Oblivian's Arrival, Gargantua ONI!!!
Daryl & Masato are shocked.
Garga: (G-EVO) I am darkness. I am despair. I am Gargantua ONI!!!
Hou: Bring Daryl down to pieces.
Daryl: Wha?
Garga: As you wish. (Attacks)
Both Daryl and Cross watch defensively until they turn in shock because Garga moves past Cross.
Daryl: I forgot. ONI has shadow dive!!!
Garga: And that's not all.
Garga's scythe glows, and four portals appear below, and down go all of Daryl's cards as they yell aloud.
Daryl: CROSS!!!
Garga then strikes Daryl with his scythe!!!
Daryl: AHHHH!!!!
Daryl's Life: 5 → 2
Hou: Garga. Revert.
Garga reverts for a second time, much to their surprise and fear.
Gwen: I get it now. The reason why Hou switched directly to Daryl is that he was keeping everything in check. He wanted to reduce their assets so that he can finish them off right at this very moment.
Natalie: Incredible!!!
Hou: Destroy them both.
Garga: As you wish.
Garga launches a bunch of swords simultaneously at the two as they watch in shock. Soon enough, both attacks hit, and both fighters yell and lose their flags.
Hou: Game Over. The winner is me. (pulls a Gao) Thank you very much.
Natalie: This is...really exhilarating.
Gwen: Yeah. I agree too.
Garga: (Thought, Astonished) My Buddy has grown...
Soon enough, sunset arrives, and Daryl & Masato are shocked to see what happened.
Daryl: I can't believe you were able to take on 2 of us at once.
Masato: You are crazy sometimes...but anyways...why do you keep asking that same question earlier? And well, can you train us?
Hou: That's what I did, isn't it? I fought you and trained you. Consider it as a wake-up call.
Hearing this, Daryl remembers when Hou said, "You're not prepared, are you?" earlier in shock.
Daryl: So that's why...
Hou: You both are strong, but you need to step it up. Earlier, the way you fought was as if you were not prepared. If this is how you are, I guarantee you both will lose quickly in the Gaen Cup.
Everyone's surprised.
Garga: My buddy...
Hou: If anything, if I said "Why don't we fight now? "earlier, you guys would have demolished me because you know my tactics. Which is why I didn't and decided to play as someone else so that you won't detect my moves.
Masato: Oh...You could have said "I'm not going easy on you both" earlier, but okay...
Hou: Doesn't matter. I know I was harsh, but I'm sure Kyoya has invited several strong opponents. Even better than me, perhaps. That's why it's better for you guys to prepare while you still can. You got it?
Everyone is a bit surprised.
Hou: (Turns around) The real training starts in the morning, the day after tomorrow. See you then. (Walks away)
Garga follows him and walks away. Everyone stares in surprise.
Masato: (Awkward Smile) He sure is something...
Daryl: But he's right. We need to better ourselves.
Gwen: Yeah...He really is an odd one.
While walking, the two talk....
Hou: Was I too far earlier?
Garga: What do you mean?
Hou: I was cold. I was strict. And...
Garga: Don't worry.
Hou: Huh?
Garga: I won't deny this, but before I became the deity of combat, I also had a mentor who was as strict as you. Looking at it now, maybe this is one of the reasons why we are destined to be buddies.
Hou: Maybe. Although I had a lucky hand earlier. That's why I was able to survive before my final turn. (Looks at the evening sky) I must become stronger, too. I can't always rely on luck.
Garga: Hmm...I know something else is bothering you. Kyoya is on your mind, isn't it?
Hou: Yeah. If what Lost Ren said earlier is true. And if my friends are entering...I need to protect them.
Garga: May I ask why?
Hou: It's simple. I'm also a Buddy Police Member. It's my duty to protect and serve. At the same time, I don't want to lose my friends again. If anything, I still don't trust them, but I still consider them family.
Garga: You really are an odd one. But I will support you to my fullest. I will always be with you, Partner.
Hou: I owe you one...Partner.
The two buddies smile at each other until suddenly Hou's deck glows. This catches their attention in surprise and stops walking.
Garga: What's that light?
Anime Ending: Gonna Be Right.
Lost Ren: Before the Gaen Cup, I must also become stronger. But it looks like we have a mole around. Next time, "Rogue Slayer Alone". Join us for a Buddyfight.
Story End.