Synopsis: There's still 4 days left before the final match. Garga out of nowhere wants to spend time with Hou? That's a first.
OP: Silhouette.
The day starts out as usual. Hou gets up in the morning. Brushes his teeth. Dons his clothes. And eats his breakfast. While Hou's enjoying his meal, Garga then comes in.
Garga: Good Morning.
Hou: Morning.
Garga: So have you decided what to do today?
Hou: Not really...I'm still thinking what I want to do for the time being...
Garga: Hmm...While you're at it, I want to give you this.
Garga then hands him the same card he received from Tasuku. The Anti Lost Weapon Card. But much to Hou's confusion, he has no idea what it is.
Hou: (Takes it) What's this?
Garga: Put this in your deck.
Hou: Why?
Garga: Uh...(dings) Oh!!! Consider it as a good luck charm, it will bring extraordinary luck as you fight.
Hou: Okay...I guess.
Suddenly, Hou's Phone rings, to which he picks up.
Hou: Hello?
???: Did I call at a bad time?
Hou: (Realizes & smiles) Commissioner.
Tasuku, sitting at his office, talks to him.
Tasuku: Hello Hou Ren. I have a little surprise for you.
Hou: {Surprised} Again? New Cards?
Tasuku: Nope. Even better.
Much to Hou & Garga's shock, what is before them is a new state of the art, VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING FACILITY. There are many monitors and consoles everywhere. Every console includes a special headset. The two are really bewildered.
Tasuku: I can see you both are surprised. This is our brand new State of the Art, Virtual Reality Training Facility.
Hou: Woah...What's the budget around this?
Garga: {Confused} Budget?
Hou: It means Money.
Tasuku: Roughly around 20 million. These are made with advanced technologies. They are not cheap as they came all the way from China.
Hou: CHINA? {Breaks the Fourth Wall & sings a jingle} Made in China. (Snaps back) Like....For Real...
Tasuku: Yes indeed. Sadly, right now, it is not properly tested yet, which is why we invited you both in.
Jack: Considering that the two of you are fighting Ranma Soon, we would like to prep you for the battle using this advanced technology. Will you help us out?
Hou: {Excited} Sign Me Up. I always wanted to try VR.
Garga: (smiles) This will be a good experience for me too, so I'm in. [Looks like we found our method of spending time after all.]
Tasuku then gives instructions on how to use the machine. First, Hou places down his deck on the console, which the machine scans it. Second, the two puts on their headsets and what they see is a virtual environment that look like space itself. There, they selected the game mode that want to use and outcomes an AI opponent that's based on the selected mode. Thus, they fight. Much to Tasuku & Jack's Amusement, the way they move is really funny. Hou wins and loses sometimes but other than that they are enjoying themselves. A few hours later, they are tired as they let go of the headset.
Hou: Phew, I'm beat...
Garga: Yes, who knew fighting in virtual reality would be so tiring.
Tasuku: Great Job, both of you. Although, earlier you used too much of your power back there, that the machine nearly cannot handle it.
Jack: But nonetheless, we were able to obtain useful results, and thus we'll be able to apply modifications for future use.
Hou: So right now it's Beta test but then soon it will be made open source?
Tasuku: Yes. I'm surprised you know what Open Source and Beta is. Aside from that, I want to ask. Have you found some sort of strategy to beat him?
Hou: Uh...
Jack: You were to engrossed in the fights, weren't you?
Hou: {embarrassed} Yes...
Tasuku: Not to worry. There are still 3 days left. My advice: Always keep a Cool Head & Adapt to the impossible.
Hou: O...kay?
Garga: [Interesting...]
Meanwhile, at Ranma's Base, Vile Ranma sat on his chair while imagining something. In his mind, he sees himself smiling and guiding a clueless and amnesiac Hou in the rules of Buddyfight. The mindless latter is enjoying cards.
Vile Ranma: A deck is composed with 50 cards. Each card has it's own specialty.
Hou: Cool. Thanks...Um...
Vile Ranma: Vile Ranma. I'm your friend.
Imagination ends.
Vile Ranma: Funny...I wanted to slaughter him so bad and become the champion of Malaysia. But with the reward of Hou being in blank state as well? A wonderful Do-Over so to speak.
Destroyer: (Appears) Yes...with me by your side, anything is possible.
Vile Ranma: So true....Destroyer....I thank you.
Destroyer: Why is that?
Vile Ranma: Simply put, thank you for being my Buddy over the months. And thank you for making me realize my inner self. Even though I'm being used, I'm still glad I have you by my side.
Destroyer: Ranma...So even after I enact your inner demons, you retain some kindness...Very Interesting...
A few minutes later, Hou & Garga are on the streets. While walking, Hou wonders why Garga asks him why he suddenly thought about today's activity during breakfast.
Hou: Garga. I never ask. Why did you asked me about what I want to do today during breakfast?
Garga: {Panics} Uh...Is it wrong to do so?
Hou: I mean...well it's not...It's just well...out of the BLEGGHH...
Out of nowhere, a flier just come in and splat Hou's face. Hou gets it off.
Garga: Are you okay?
Hou: (gets it off) I'm fine...But what's this? (Reads the flier) Buddy Fest. Where you can enjoys tons of different buddyfight events. You get to meet tons of different monsters and special guests and you get to buy all new....PR CARDS????
Garga: (snatches & reads flier) PR Cards??? As in...Promo Cards???
Hou: Those are not cheap to get.
Garga: No kidding. (reads flier) Feel free to check out the event at Gamer's Hideout, Sunway Pyramid. Event lasts until 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. 3 days only huh?
Hou: Balanced. Balanced. Check it out?
Garga: Why not.
Hou & Garga made it to the event. And it was packed like at an evening market. People are everywhere, taking pictures, playing games, and even meeting tons of special guests. The store is filled with tons of Decorations. They are really surprised.
Hou: This is Packed.
Garga: Yes...It's as if we're in a traffic Jam.
Hou: Don't you mean, Human Jam?
They both laughed. Suddenly, a voice call out to them. It was Masato & the rest as they just walked in.
Masato: Hey Hou, Garga, you made it.
Hou: Masato. What are you guys doing here?
Masato: To check out the event duh.
Both: (Playful) It's So Packed. What? Stop Copying Me. Stop. Jinx.
Agito: Hahaha. You both are mind readers.
Hou: Nah. We're just lucky. Anyways, Gwen, I thought you have work?
Gwen: Nah, today's my day off. And then Masato told me about the event and poof here I am.
Hou: Well since we're all here, why not we check it out?
All: Yeah.
???: Look, it's the Ace of Game, Study & Sports.
All three: Huh?
A bunch of kids suddenly rush in like wild animals and starts to surround them. All of the sudden, all three Aces are being surrounded by a bunch of fans. The fans cheer and cheer while the three are struggling to move because they are stuck.
Hou: Woah hey chill guys.
Masato: Yeah what he said.
Daryl: Calm down.
Kid #1: We want you to fight us.
Kid #2: Me First.
Kid #3: No, Me!!!
Meanwhile, the buddies, Gwen & Amaterasu are watching them with laughs.
Garga: Ha ha ha.
Gwen: They're famous, I give them that.
Amaterasu: They are the three Aces so what's not to love?
Hou: {Excited} Okay Okay. You guys want to fight? Calm down first. I'll take you all on.
Masato: Hey, Don't forget about me.
Daryl: And Me.
Kids: YAY!!!
Soon Enough, all of the kids are facing the three Aces in matches. And by matches, not by actual fights, but more of the fights on flat tables. Gwen also joins too and Everyone is having a good time. Garga, who's not fighting, show some of the kids some magic tricks. The Linkdragon Order are performing some songs and Cross is giving the kids some fortune telling. The event is all smiles all over the place. Hou then decides to stop for a while.
Hou: Okay kids, I'm going to go buy some packs okay?
Kids: Awww....
Kid #4: We want to play some more.
Hou: Don't worry. I'll be right back okay. (To Masato & Daryl) Can you guys look after them?
Masato: Go ahead. We'll keep em busy.
Daryl: Take your time.
Hou then goes ahead and buys three new packs and comes back with it.
Hou: I'm back Kids. Now before we go into the next fight, who wants to join me opening the packs?
Kids: Yay!!!!
Hou opens the packs one by one and much to their smiles, they are PR cards.
Hou: WOW. PR Cards. It's My Lucky Day.
Kid #5: You're so lucky. How do you even posses such great luck? You always play so well in your fights.
Hou: Well...I guess all I did was to believe in myself. Trust me, if you keep believing yourself and move forward, I'm sure you can become strong. Stronger than me perhaps.
Kid #5: You think so.
Hou: (Pats the kid) I know so. Now, let's get back to fights.
When Hou puts away his new cards, All of the sudden, he notices some paint on his fingers.
Hou: Wait what?
Hou then double checks his new cards. The cards somehow have it's paint written off???? Excuse me?
Hou: What the....These cards...THEY'RE FAKE.
Everyone's shocked.
Garga: What did you say?
Hou: I got scammed. These cards, they have their paint coming right off. Look. (Shows his fingers)
Garga: What???
Masato: How can this Be?
Daryl: This store sells legit cards. I've seen it for myself once.
Hou: I don't know but where's the Manager? Someone!!!
One Employee was called to the scene as he comes running in with shock.
Employee: Is everything okay?
Hou: No. You're store sells fake cards. (Shows his new cards)
Employee: What? How can this be? The cards were shipped yesterday!!!
Manager: What's going on?
Employee: Manager. The cards this young man bought...They're fake. Look.
Manager: (Sees the new cards in shock) What? {Snobby Karen} How dare you accuse us of selling fake cards.
Hou: Wh...No I mean...
Manager: Enough. I see what's going on. You're A Scammer. Pretending to fake paint your fingers.
Hou & Garga: WHAT?
Employee: Sir. I think...
Manager: (Stops Employee) Zip It. I'll have you fired if you say another word. (Exaggerates) I'll have you know that THIS. VERY. STORE. NEVER SELLS A SINGLE FAKE CARD. You are a scammer, Mr Teng Hou Ren. GET OUT AT THIS STORE BEFORE I CALL THE COPS ON YOU.
Hou: But...I...Uh...
Manager: I MEAN IT. GET OUT.
Everyone's shocked. But Garga becomes Angry.
Garga: You...Dare...INSULT MY BUDDY. (Raises His Sword In Anger) HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE MY BUDDY OF SUCH NONESENCE...DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE SAID BACK THERE?
Masato: (Steps Up) YEAH. HOU NEVER SCAMS ANYONE AT STORES AT ALL. WHERE'S THE PROOF THAT HE DOES?
Daryl: (Steps Up) YOU CALL YOURSELF A MANAGER WITHOUT EVEN CONSIDERING THE RIGHT COURSE OF ACTION? WHAT IS WRONG OF YOU?
All of the Buddies and everyone else are worried and frightened. The kids are slowly crying.
Hou: Guys...you're scaring the kids...
Garga: No Hou. That man Accused you of lying.
Masato: He must pay. He's not getting away with it.
Manager: {Offended & Snobby} You three dare defend this scammer??? You three are way dumber to be expected. And this means you three are scammers too.
Daryl: Oh yeah? If we were so dumb, then perhaps you can show us the Security Footage from (Points the Camera) that Security Camera right there.
Everyone notices that as well. The Camera is pointed at the counter The Manager suddenly become so frightened.
Employee: Great Idea, Mr Hoshino.
Manager: I...Uh...Uh...
Masato: {Shady} Something...wrong?
Manager: Uh...We don't need to see that Do We? [No No No....Why did we put that camera there in the first place....My reputation...]
Hou: Mr Employee. Can you show us the footage?
Employee: Of Course.
Manager: (Stops him) What are you doing? Do you want to get fired?
Employee: No. But Sorry Boss, I'm doing what is right.
Manager: {Angry} You little....
Immediately, Everyone but the manager gathers at the security room and have look a the cameras. Thus, none of the footage show Hou did any scamming whatsoever. Everyone smiles in relief.
Garga: (Sigh in relief) I told you Hou wouldn't do such a thing.
Employee: I know.
Masato: That Lousy Manager had to snobby about it.
Daryl: Correction. Karen.
Hou: Thank you so much, Daryl. But what on earth would cause the cards to like...go fake and stuff?
Employee: I don't know. I'm so sorry about it. I'll call the Buddy Police & I'll give you a refund and new PR packs.
Hou: Thank you.
Thus, the Buddy Police arrived. The Officers one by one search the products one by one. Bit By Bit, the fake products were confiscated. The kids are slowly being escorted out. Tasuku then talks with Hou & his friends about it.
Tasuku: Hou, I'm very sorry that this happened to you. It really disgusts me that the person responsible for the shipping would do such a thing.
Hou: It's Okay. But wait, wouldn't other people who brought the fake PR Cards would be in trouble too.
Tasuku: Yes...I'm worried about it as well. We'll have to issue a sudden notice to let those who bought the fake PR Cards to dispose of them.
Employee: Well to be honest sir. A bunch of Customers also had the same complain a few days ago. I want to solve it but I was pinned against my will by the Manager. I'm very sorry.
Suddenly, the Manager is being arrested as he's being carried out by the police.
Manager: I WAS FRAMED. YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS. YOU LOUSY SCAMMER.
Garga: Still In Denial...
Daryl: Why is he getting arrested, though?
Jack: While we were investigating the premises, apparently we also found out that he was in charge of asking the shippers to make & deliver counterfeit cards.
Tasuku: We scanned through his laptops, documents, everything.
Hou facepalms and everyone else follows.
Tasuku: Anyhow, I'm afraid we have to trace back where the shipments came from and arrest the ones who had done it.
Hou: Okay. Thanks, Commissioner.
While Walking on the Streets...
Hou: That was...Deja Vu.
Garga: What do you mean?
Hou: (Closes his eyes) Simply Put...Masato.
Masato: What?
Hou: {Smug} Didn't you do something similar the first time we met?
Masato: AH?
Masato remembers the day where he met him and Ranma for the first time. That day, Masato accuses Hou & Ranma of doing such villainous Videos on paltube without any solid proof. When snapped back, He felt ashamed.
Masato: Don't remind me that...
Hou: Still, I had a blast today. I get to try VR, even witnessing a Crime Scene.
Daryl: (Interrupts) Wait wait, wait. VR? Wdym VR?
Hou: Oh, that? I went to Commissioner Tasuku's Office today, and he wants me to test out his new Virtual Reality Training System.
All: {Shocked} WOAH.
Hou: Well, right now it's Beta Phase, so right now it needs maintenance. Soon it will be made to public.
Masato: That's So Lucky!!! Why didn't you say that earlier?
Garga: Well, you never asked.
All laughs. Hou then makes his point, and everyone stares at him curiously.
Daryl: By the way, I've noticed your change of Attitude lately.
Hou: Is it?
Daryl: Back then, you were usually a happy guy. But nowadays, I've noticed you've become serious.
Hou: What does that mean?
Masato: Well, if I may...remember that day when you & Eden fought against each other? And the day Daryl & Vile Ranma themselves fought? You were like a completely different person.
Gwen: I've even noticed you've been calm lately. Is something wrong?
Hou: Well...you can say I'm feeling concerned back then. I was kinda worried about Eden's behavior and the vision of Vanity End Destroyer ending Daryl's life. That's why I stepped in.
Garga: Interesting. You have fear inside of you.
Hou: Is that a bad thing?
Garga: Not at all. This is understandable. But look on the bright side, despite everything, you still helped people, like me.
Daryl: I won't deny that you're a strange man. But you still did good things. You're how to say...Unconventional.
Gwen: You always reach out your hand to those in need, even when they don't need it. You never cease to give up, do you?
Hou: {Blushes with smiles} I was only doing what is right...{Serious} Although, there's one man that I still need to reach out.
Garga: Don't worry. You've done it many times, and you'll do so again at our Last Match.
Cross: We're with you all the way, Ace of Games. You can do it.
Hou: Yeah...
Hou looks at the evening sun with bright confidence, alongside everyone else.
Hou: Yes, I can.
As the evening sun shines bright, the sky becomes bright golden. The sun is like a cooked egg, and the sky is like actual gold itself. Slowly, everything fades black. 3 days later....the day of the match arrives. Fireworks pops out. The sky becomes bright blue. Everyone begins to cheer as they gather at the Colosseum. And I mean...Everyone. Hou's friends, family, acquaintances. Tasuku appears on screen.
Tasuku: Countless Journeys has been made. Two fighters stand, at the very pinnacle of Buddyfighting itself. Ready to settle the score. Thus, I declare the final match is....OPEN.
The crowd cheers even more.
Tasuku: Let's Welcome our two finalists. We have..
Vile Ranma walks in with confidence.
Tasuku: The man of great mysteries. He possesses great strength that no other can match. What will he show us today? Welcome. VILE RANMA.
Crowd cheers aloud.
Tasuku: His opponent is a young man who started buddyfighting a few months ago. He held his head up high. Reaching out to even the impossible heights. The Ace of Games himself. TENG HOU REN.
The Crowd cheers even more, and the two finally face each other face-to-face.
Vile Ranma: You may have beaten me once. But today's the day, I reclaim my victory and settle the score. I will pummel you once and for all, Teng Hou Ren. WATCH ME
But Hou remains silent and unfazed.
Vile Ranma: Aren't you gonna say anything?
Hou: (Forehead shadowed) Let's just get this over with.
Vile Ranma: Huh?
Tasuku: Ion & Takokichi, I leave the rest to you.
The screen vanishes and Ion & Takokichi appear.
Ion: YAY. Whenever there's a buddyfight, you can find us, Ion & Takokichi. Finally, the big moment is here before our very eyes. Will it be Vile Ranma taking home the dub or Hou Ren instead?
Vile Ranma: Reveal the Gateway to the Lost Dimension. Luminize. Dimension Gate.
Hou: A deity of combat, linking all words into one. Come On. Luminize. Dradeity...ACE.
Ion & Tako: Buddy........................FIGHT.
Story End.