Synopsis: Seiji wants to face Daryl and show him the result of his training. The Genius Chess Prodigy versus the Ace Of Study. Which side will win?
In the previous story, Hou explains why he kept Guru's passing a secret. Masato & Daijirou face off. But Daijirou is still no match for Masato and his Dragon Share. All's well that ends well.
OP: Black & White
In a flashback, it shows Seiji's days playing chess with Daryl. The two were playing chess, and Daryl won by checkmate.
Daryl: And I believe... this is checkmate.
Seiji felt devastated as he lost.....
Another Flashback reveals Seiji joining Vile Ranma's side and acquiring Nero Lance as his buddy.
Vile Ranma: His Name is Lostknight, Nero Lance. Also known as "Zero Knight".
Seiji: Nero Lance...
Seiji and Daryl faced each other three times, with Daryl winning twice and losing once. Feeling incredibly jealous, he eventually confesses and becomes friends with Daryl once again. And then another flashback reveals Seiji's training days with Guru.
Past Guru: Seiji, if I know you well, even when you made peace with your friend, you still feel inferior to Daryl's abilities, am I right?
Seiji: Ah?
Past Guru: Well, my boy. You don't need to feel insecure or compare yourself to him. Instead, my advice is to compare yourself...with yourself.
Seiji: Huh?
With all three flashbacks ending, it switches back to the present. Seiji and Daryl are about to face off at a different stage.
Seiji: Fancy seeing you here.
Daryl: Indeed. It's been a while.
Ion: Welcome, folks, to another round of the GAEN prelims. We have the Ace of Study, Daryl Hoshino, versus the Genius Chess Prodigy, Seiji Kido.
Seiji: Now...let the games begin. And you shall be forever...Checkmate. Luminize, Chessknight Control.
Daryl: Guided by the celestial stars. My Constellations shall grant me my victory. Luminize, Godful Galaxy Triangulum.
Ion & Takokichi: Buddy...Fight.
Both: Raise the Flag.
Daryl: Star Dragon World.
Seiji: Star Dragon World.
Ion: The first move goes to Seiji.
Seiji: Draw. Charge & Draw. I pay 1 gauge and Buddycall to the right.
Seiji summons his new buddy.
Seiji: Shades of Grey, Argento Lance.
Argento Lance is being summoned. His form is similar to Nero Lance but with black and white colors. His armor linings are more detailed, and he also equips a shield.
Argento Lance: Yes, Master Seiji. I shall do your bidding and execute the enemy.
Daryl: Argento Lance?
Cross: It must be his original form.
Seiji: Evolved original form.
Daryl: Sorry?
Seiji: After I was trained by Guru, I went on a side quest to train with my buddy. I'll explain more details later. Because I'm calling Giallo Mace to the center.
Giallo: (appears) Yes, Master Seiji.
Seiji: And I equip Lordmaster Cane. (Pays 1 gauge, 1 life, Equips, Set) Set On Tens of Thousands of Boards.
Ion: Oh My. 3 new cards from Seiji.
Cross: That's new. Seiji never uses a set spell.
Daryl: I wonder how much his training has gone up to.
Seiji: Remember those times when I failed to block your Galaxy Formation? Well, watch this. Argento Lance's ability activates. (Pays 1 gauge)
Argento Lance: Oppress, Activate. I oppress the opponent's left area.
Argento moves to Daryl's left and oppresses it. The left is infected, much to Daryl's smile but also dismay.
Daryl: This brings back memories.
Seiji: But I'm not done yet. I activate my set spell's effect.
Argento Lance moves to Daryl's center. Much to Daryl & Cross's surprise.
Seiji: During my turn, I can move any monster on an oppressed area to the opponent's center. Oppressing it. Cast. Knowledge Wave. (Ability) With the top 3 cards of my deck, 1 to my hand and 2 to my gauge. And I gain 2 life. Giallo Mace. Do your thing.
Giallo: Oppress, Activates. (Oppress Daryl's right)
The double oppression made Daryl & Cross shocked.
Ion: What the!!! Now both Daryl's center and right are blocked!!!
Seiji: Argento Lance. Attack the fighter.
Argento: For my master, begone from sight. (Pierces Daryl)
Daryl: Ah!!!
Daryl's Life: 10 -> 8
Seiji: Lordmaster Cane's ability. I rest it, and Argento Lance stands. When Argento is in an oppressed area, I draw a card and deal 1 damage to the opponent.
Daryl's Life: 8 -> 7
Daryl: Tch. Again?
Seiji: My turn is over. And now...
Argento: (Stabs the ground) Subjugate. Subjugate.
A white circle appears underneath the Ace of Study, and all of a sudden, Daryl is hit from the ground.
Cross: Daryl !!!
Daryl's Life: 7 -> 5
Seiji's Life: 11 -> 13
Seiji: At the end of my turn, Argento deals 2 damage, and I gain 2 life.
Ion: Unbelievable, Seiji dealt 5 damage in one turn.
Tako: And he now has 14 life, and Daryl's center and right are blocked.
Seiji: The many times I failed to block your Galaxy Formation. Well, it won't fail this time. And with Lordmaster Cane, you use Cellosciation to return my buddy to my hand.
Cross: Interesting. So this is his new power.
Daryl: That's Seiji for you. But then again, I'm not going down that easily. Draw. Charge & Draw. Equip. Deityseer Bow, Lumen Deus. (Equips) Cast. Proclaim: Steer the Stars. (Ability)
Ion: Daryl just increased his hand and gauge.
Daryl: Since it came to this, but I buddycall Godcross Astrologia to the left.
Cross: (Appears) Behold my evolved brilliance.
Ion: This is a surprise. Daryl Buddycalls Cross not to the center but to the left instead.
Seiji: I hate to break it to you, but right now, you don't have enough gauge. Meaning you can't also cast Galaxy Formation Territory.
Daryl: Who says I need that spell? I have other ways to win. Cross. Link attack with me. (Shoots Bow)
Cross: Acknowledged. (Attacks)
Seiji: Cast. Neodragon Protector.
Argento Lance survives thanks to the spell, thanks to two giant dragonarms, much to their dismay.
Ion: Seiji just prevented Argento's Destruction. And with Neodragon Protector, it also receives...
Argento: Counterattack!!! (shoots lightning)
Ion: But Cross revives with soulguard.
Cross: One more time. Link Double attack.
The attack hits, but Argento Lance revives with soulguard.
Ion: Now Argento is the one revived with soulguard. And with Neodraon Protector, it still gets to counterattack.
Cross is lightning-struck once again, but still revives.
Cross: Oh, No.
Seiji: You do know that the next time Cross attacks, he will still be destroyed, right?
Daryl: So what? Cross, Link attack again.
Cross: Are you sure?
Daryl: Just trust me on this.
Cross: Alright.
Cross attacks, and Daryl shoots his bow.
Seiji: Cast. Declaration Check. (Blocks) Like I said. Counterattack on Cross.
Argento Lance attempts to counterattack by striking lightning.
Daryl: (Thought) Now. (Thought) I cast, Notify: Last Attempt.
A gold-yellow aura just surrounds the Astrodragon, and it blocks the counterattack with ease??? Seiji is shocked.
Seiji: What?
Daryl: If I had attacked 3 or more times, Cross cannot be destroyed at all. And since I have less than 6 life points, Cross stands, and his attacks cannot be countered.
Seiji: What???
Ion: He can't be destroyed by attacks??? And he gets to stand, and his attacks cannot be blocked???
Tako: Amazing Chu!!!
Daryl: This spell is also made specifically for Cross during his desperate times. It normally requires 2 gauge & 1 life, but with Cross, it's not necessary. Cross. Attack, Argento Lance.
Cross: (Attacks) Here and now, Victory...(claw strikes) is ours!!!
Argento Lance is hit by the attack.
Argento: Master!!! I have faith in you!!! (Destroyed)
Seiji: (shocked) Argento Lance!!!
Ion: Unbelievable. Cross destroyed Argento Lance, and the oppressed center has returned to normal.
Daryl: Now it's personal. (Shoots Seiji)
Seiji: (Being hit) Ergh!!
Seiji's Life: 14 -> 12
Daryl: My turn isn't over yet. Cast. Edict: Return to Mission. I return Cross to my hand.
Cross returns to Daryl's hand, which confuses Seiji.
Seiji: What are you trying to do?
Daryl: Simple. Now that my center is open, I can select up to 3 Astrodragon monsters and call them at no cost.
Seiji: (realizes) Then that means...
Daryl: Once again, Cross to the center. And Fret to the left.
Cross is resummoned, and Fret joins in.
Fret: The stars have finally called me.
Ion: Unbelievable!!! Daryl resummoned his cards, thereby increasing the number of attacks.
Tako: There's no stopping him at all, Chu!!!
Seiji: With Cross, Bart Pile, Lumun Deus...then that means...
Daryl: Correct. Shine forth. Diamond of the sky. Galaxy Dragod Formation Activate!!!
All of Daryl's cards glow, albeit Giallo Mace too, much to Seiji's shock.
Ion: Whoa!!! In just one single turn, Daryl reactivated his Galaxy Dragod Formation.
Seiji: Wha...You...Giallo Mace counts as well?
Daryl: That's right. And thanks to Last Attempt, Cross's attacks still cannot be nullified. Alright, everyone, attack Seiji !!!
Cross attacks three times, which hit.
Seiji's Life: 12 -> 3
Fret: (attacks) I'm not taking this lying down.
Seiji: Cast. Queenside Castling. (Blocks) I won't let you win.
Daryl: Cast. Notify: Victory Equation. (Pays 2 gauge & 1 life) I stand all of my cards on the field!!!
Seiji: Huh???
Cross and Fret stand once more with yellow energy surrounding them!!! Seiji steps back in fear.
Daryl: Sayonara, Seiji. You truly are a worthy opponent. (Rests Cross and Fret)
Cross and Fret attack one by one for one last time. Seiji looks at the attacks in despair as he thought to himself, "Even if I defend against one, Lumun Deus will...". All of a sudden, the attacks hit, and the Chess Champion yells aloud in pain, and his flag is down.
Ion: Game End. Winner. Daryl Hoshino!!!
Daryl: It's all in the mind.
The crowd cheers loudly.
Ion: I can't believe it. Seiji one-upped his blocking tactics, but then Daryl turned the tables by pulling the rug under him.
Tako: And to make matters sublime, he defeated Seiji in just one turn, chu.
Ion: As a result, Seiji gains 80 points, while Daryl gains 170 points. Making them a total of 480 points and 570 points.
Daryl: Seems like progress to me.
Cross: Indeed.
Meanwhile, Seiji looks at them while sitting with a defeated smile. He thinks to himself, "You're amazing as always...".
The evening arrives, and Daryl, Cross, and Seiji decide to talk at a park.
Seiji: I still can't believe it. Even with Guru's help, I still couldn't beat you...
Daryl: Don't worry about it. I admit you've grown stronger, too.
Cross: You had us absolutely cornered earlier. Impressive.
Seiji: Yes...I have a question. I know Masato declined his invitation. From what I heard, Guru sent you one as well. What happened to yours?
Daryl: Uh...
Apparently, back then, Daryl was too focused on studying that he didn't notice his invitation in the mail. Even when he got it, he thought it was spam as he didn't look at it.
Daryl: Uh Oh...
Cross & Seiji: (Awkward) That's why???
Cross: Oh, Daryl, I know you're into studying, but still...I could have used my fortune-telling if you had told me about it somehow.
Daryl: (Ashamed) Sorry...
Seiji: Doesn't matter, what's done is done. You haven't changed one bit, I see.
Daryl: Yeah...Speaking of which, how did you get Argento Lance to evolve?
Seiji: Well...it's all thanks to the advice Guru gave me. The truth is, even after I made peace with you, I can't help but still feel inferior to you. Guru noticed that and told me to "Compare myself with myself".
Daryl: Interesting?
Seiji: I couldn't figure it out at first, even after training camp ended, but when I realized that I needed to better myself FOR myself, that is when Nero Lance heard my wish and wants to help me out. And thus, he's able to evolve, and here we are.
Daryl: I see.
Cross: You came a long way. I see.
Daryl: You know. I didn't tell you this, but Hou gave me some training too.
Seiji: Is it?
Daryl: His teaching methods are kinda strict. Heck, he even fought me and Masato Two on One and won. But it's thanks to him that I was able to "unblock" myself from your playstyle.
Seiji: Hou is quite a leader, considering he leads the Draknights and us during Training. And he has fought several strong opponents, so there. I wouldn't recommend that you underestimate him.
Daryl: Yes.
Seiji: Aside from that, do you have any other competitions coming up?
Daryl: I don't...why?
Seiji: If you want, we can go to my place. Why don't we play some chess? Just like old times.
Daryl: Sure. You might defeat me this time.
Seiji: We'll see.
They all walk home with the Sunset shining above them. Meanwhile, elsewhere, at the Gaen Tower, Kyoya is observing all of the other matches earlier through his phone in his office. He is impressed.
Kyoya: Excellent...give me more....more of this kind of fight...Soon, I will make the world into my image.
ED: Gonna Be Right.
Hou Ren: With Shiloh in Malaysia right now, I thought, why not spend some time with her? A date. I just hope there's no third wheeling...Next time..."Mix Up". Join us for a Buddyfight.
Story End.