Synopsis: It's Hou's birthday but before that his friends and family want to prepare a party for him. However, it would seem not everything is going smoothly...
At Gwen's Cafe, all of the friends except for Hou are hanging out while talking about the events of the playoffs. Smiles of joy are heard everywhere. Gwen serves some pizza for Masato's table.
Gwen: Enjoy yourselves.
Masato & Agito: Thank you.
Everyone enjoys some pizza while Daryl & Cross drink some tea.
Masato: Wooo. Look at us, making it once again.
Daryl: I know. All of us made it to the playoff's final. We all worked hard for this one as our buddies also evolved too.
Garga: Well Minus me but okay.
Masato: Cheer Up Garga. Gattling Mode is one of a kind too.
Gwen: {Curious} By the way, where's Hou?
Garga: He has some homework to do so he won't be joining us.
Gwen: Oh.
Garga: Also, there's something I want to tell you all about. Tell me, What day is it today?
Masato: {Confused} Um Tuesday? Why?
Garga: Well...I just found out that...apparently this Friday, it will be Hou Ren's Birthday.
All: (Excited) WHAT?
Gwen: Wait...(checks calendar & realizes) It is.
Masato: {Excited} No way, His Birthday is this Friday?
Agito: {Excited} Oooo...What are we waiting for? Let's plan a Birthday Party for him right now.
Garga: That's why I came here for. [This will be Hou's biggest birthday present yet. ]
OP: Silhouette.
Across a table, Garga picks up a pen and paper and they all pitch in and discuss about the party.
Garga: Alright. First things first. The Venue.
Gwen: Hmmm....I want to suggest my restaurant but maybe the school instead.
Masato: Good Idea.
Daryl: We can have it in his classroom.
Garga: Alright. (Writes it down) Next. We have the date planned, we just need the time itself.
Daryl: (Ponders) Hmmm...How about 4 o clock? Because the school kinda close at 7 pm.
Garga: Very well. (Writes it down) Now outcomes the hard part. The Invitations, Party Food & Decorations.
Gwen & Amaterasu: We can help with the Party Food.
Gwen: I'll cook all of Hou's favorite Meals.
Daryl: And I'll create the Invitations myself.
Cross: Since I can fly, I'm with Decorations. And perhaps the cooking too.
Masato: Then Agito & I will pass out the invitations.
Garga: Alright. I'll ask Hou's Mother to help out as well. And at the same time ask her to handle the permission to have a party at school.
Masato: {Excited} For Share. This is gonna be great. Not gonna lie, this is my first time helping out with parties.
Garga: Well We have three days before the main event. Until then, Let's give my buddy the Birthday Party of a lifetime.
All: Yeah.
Later At home, Hou's Mother contacted the school as she hung up her phone.
Hou's Mother: I contacted Hou Ren's teacher and she said you're allowed to have the party.
Garga: Excellent. Thank you Mrs Teng.
Hou's Mother: Ah...It's not everyday I get to see my son turning 13 years old. He sure has grown alot. Making friends. Buddyfighting. You name it.
Garcat: (Holds out a piece of paper) And we have planned some fun party games too.
Gardog: This is gonna be great.
Garbird: And I don't feel sleepy.
Garga: But of course, do not tell Hou about it. We don't want to spoil the surprise.
???: Don't tell me what?
Hou then suddenly comes downstairs. They all gasped & panic.
Garcat: Nothing Hou. Nothing at all.
Garga: Yes. Garcat's right. Nothing to say here.
Hou: {Skeptical} O...kay??? You guys are weird. Anyways, I finished my homework.
Hou's Mother: Nice one. Can you go outside and buy some groceries for me?
Hou: Sure what do you need?
Hou's Mother then hands him a very long list of items that need to be bought. He's quite surprised as the list kinda fell down to the floor before turning to awkward expression with his eyes balling up.
Hou: Okay Ma, no offense. You are needy sometimes.
Hou's Mother: Hey. I need food to cook for our meals you know.
Hou: {Chubby} (Crosses his arms) Hmph.
The next day at school. Hou's entire classroom is being decorated. All of the tables and chairs are being arranged. Cross, Amaterasu, Gwen & The Gar Trio are hanging up some decorations. There's even a "Happy Birthday Ace of Games" sign written over the White Board with stickers placed beside it. Daryl then suddenly holds out a bunch of invitations, leaving Masato & Agito surprised.
Masato: Woah. How many did you invite?
Agito: And how did you get these done quick?
Daryl: I have my ways. But to answer your question, it's for our classmates, Kanesada, Note, Mamoru, Light & even Commissioner Tasuku himself.
Masato: You wrote an invitation to Commissioner? I don't think he'll accept.
Daryl: Perhaps. But he & the Commissioner get along quite well if I say so myself. I watched their first fight after all.
Masato: Never mind that. I'm surprised that despite all of us are in different classes, Hou's class need to merge with ours for the time being. Anyways, if we're talking food, I even brought this barbeque cooker as well. (Shows it)
Daryl: What? Barbeque in the classroom?
Masato: Relax. I'm an expert. It won't set the classroom on fire or anything.
Daryl: Uh Huh...sure....Anyways, come on. These invitations won't deliver themselves. (Passes them)
Masato: (Takes them) Got it.
Masato & Agito proceed to deliver the invitations to Hou's Classmates. One by one they also deliver the invitations to Kanesada, Note, Mamoru and Light. Masato also ask Light to deliver one extra invitation to Tasuku. The Gar Trio also prepare their party games items and Cross, Gwen & Amaterasu continue holding up the decorations.
However elsewhere at Vile Ranma's base, Vile Ranma watches them through Destroyer's powers. He is feeling very displeased.
Vile Ranma: Tch. Typical. Always had others to do things for him. (sigh & becomes jealous while looking down) [He's always surrounded by Friends...Why not me? Why does he get all of the fun...]
???: He always had it easy for him.
Vile Ranma: (Looks Up & then left) Hmm? Oh it's you.
Da Dan: That Hou always gets the best of things. How is it that he's able to beat me even when I'm using the power of Lost World?
Vile Ranma: It's simple. You're pathetic and weak.
Da Dan: Ack...Aww come on, Sir. Don't be like that. If anything, if you want, I can go ahead and crash his party.
Vile Ranma: Are you out of your mind? I told you. No one hurts Hou but me. As much as I want him to suffer even more, I rather crush him with my own hands.
Da Dan: Aww man...Anyways sir, that video you requested? It's all done here.
Vile Ranma: Is that so? Show me.
After awhile...
Vile Ranma: Alright. Not bad. Not bad. You've done an excellent job.
Da Dan: Hehe. Anything for you, Sir.
Vile Ranma: Unfortunately I'm going to cut most of the scenes you were in.
Da Dan: (Defeated) Man....
Back to the school. Masato & Agito are feeling exhausted as they sit down on a chair.
Masato: Arghh....We've finished sending out the invitations.
Agito: It was exhausting...
Daryl: I thought you're the Ace of Sports. It shouldn't have taken a toll on your body.
Masato: Hey. Even the Ace of Sports has limits you know.
Later, Garga & Hou's Mother walk in. Hou's Mother is also carrying some groceries.
Garga: (Walks in) Ah there you all are. How are the preparations going?
Daryl: It's going well Garga. The decorations are being hung up as we speak.
Garga: Excellent. Gwen, we also have some food here as well. Cook us your best meals.
Gwen: Got it. But may I ask, where's Hou right now?
Hou's Mother: Don't worry. I'm having him on a mystery quest right now.
It would appear that the "mystery quest" Hou's Mother is talking about is Hou trying to solve a bunch of lousy riddles in a random park. He feels really awkward and puzzled as he looks at the riddle.
Hou: My Mum is weird...
Back at the school.
Masato: By the way, Mrs Teng. We never asked, but what kind of Cake does Hou like?
Hou's Mother: Ummm....I'm not sure...I forgot.
Daryl: Oh...In that case, Let's go with Strawberry.
Masato: No wait. It should be Chocolate. It's my favorite kind of flavor.
Daryl: (stands firm) No. It should be Strawberry. It's the most delicious fruit in all of the lands there is. It's taste is so exquisite it makes you feel like you're in heaven. The texture of the fruit is quite...
Masato: {Groans} Oh Save the Ancient History or whatever. Chocolate is better. Sure it can be unhealthy but it's square and rectangle layer means very straight and profound. And Hou is quite a straight guy.
Daryl & Masato: (Lightning stare) Grrr....
Garga: (Gets in between and push them back) Guys. Don't fight. Remember...
Both just pushed Garga down as he goes "Arrgh" and they yell "Stay Out of It".
Masato: Daryl. I'm not gonna lie, I had enough of your babbling and your smartness whatsoever. Always saying this and that like you're the smartest man alive.
Daryl: Well at least I am smart enough to not put a barbeque cooker inside of a classroom. That thing will set the Classroom on fire when you're not careful.
Masato: Oh yeah? You had no idea what barbeques are really like. I'll cook em good. Just like how I'm about to cook you right now.
Daryl: Try Me. Let's see how your cooking skills compare to my skill in Buddyfight.
As they argue, Gwen & everyone else nearby are watching in worry in awkwardness. Garga respond with "Oh Dear..." as he looks at Both Aces staring at each other in Anger, with flames running in the background. Agito then says "This is gonna end bad..." with an awkward tone. Later At the school's fighting stage.
Daryl: I'm guided by the celestial stars. Luminize. Galaxy Triangulum.
Masato: The linked spiral is the chain of bonds. Luminize. Spiral Linkdragon Order.
Both: Raise the flag.
Masato: Ancient World.
Daryl: Star Dragon World.
Masato: I have the first move. Draw. Charge & Draw. I buddycall Rumbling Thunderaxe, Agito to the right.
Agito appears.
Masato: Mazuru to the center. Harahara to the left. And I equip Wildaxe. Agito. Attack the fighter.
Agito deals 2 damage. 8 life left.
Masato: My turn is over.
Daryl: Just like always you had Dragon Share by your side. And you used the same tactic against Zerberos Aog that day. Too bad it failed to destroy him.
Masato: Maybe. Maybe not. But it won't fail to Demolish you.
Daryl: We'll see. Draw. Charge & Draw. I buddycall Skyseer Ardent Dragon, Cross Farnese Astrologia to the center.
Cross appears.
Daryl: I call Seerfight Dragon, Barry to the right. And I also equip Kals Alnasl. (Does So)
Garga: Incredible. Both players start out with a buddycall.
Gwen: They even equipped their items and summoned even more right off the bat.
Amaterasu: My My. They're all out on offense.
Daryl: Cross. Attack Mazuru.
Cross destroys Mazuru but it revives with soulguard. With Penetrate, Masato has 9 life left.
Daryl: Double attack.
Masato: Cast. Undying linkdragon Order. (Blocks the attack)
Daryl: Alnasl. (Shoots)
Mazuru is defeated. 11 life left.
Daryl: When Barry is on the right and if Galaxy Formation Right is complete, he now has a critical of 4.
Barry attacks. The attack hits, 7 life left.
Daryl: My turn is over. I'll finish you off next turn.
Masato: Not bad. But I guarantee there's not going to be a next turn for you.
Daryl: Oh yeah? In case you didn't notice, I have more hand cards than you. Unlike you, I didn't call out many monsters during my first turn.
Masato: Well My Undying Linkdragon Order earlier says not. I was able to increase my life points so that you won't use convertible tactics and cast your impact. Why don't you save your arrogance for later, Chocolate Face?
Daryl: Says you, Grass head. In fact, I just noticed that your hair is like the leaf of the strawberry itself.
Masato: Oh is that right? I guess that chocolate face of yours isn't going to do much for you when it's about to be slammed in the ground.
At the stands, everyone else feels annoyed.
Garga: Can they not?
Gwen: Even I find this unnecessary.
Masato: My turn. I cast. Divine Dragon Creation. (Draws 2 cards) Now I cast. Linkdragon Order's Links. (Increase resources) It's time. Rumbling Spiral Thunderaxe, Emperor Agito to the center.
Emperor Agito roars out loud as he appears.
Masato: Send all of my monsters on the field to the soul. And I add even more monsters to the soul.
Daryl: You used that same tactic to defeat Zerberos that day. But can it defeat Cross itself?
Masato: Try me then. Emperor Agito now has 30000 power & 4 critical. I'm taking you down, Buddy.
Daryl: We'll see.
Masato: Emperor Agito. Get rid of Cross Farnese Astrologia!!!
Agito then looks at Cross himself eye to eye with a stern look for 10 seconds, whereas the latter did the same. He then closes his eyes.
Agito: No. I won't.
Everyone's surprised.
Masato: What are you saying, man?
Agito: You heard me. I won't do it. This is pointless.
Cross: I agree. This has gone on for long enough.
Both: Huh?
Cross: Daryl. Masato. I get that you both have different views on flavors. But this childish behavior needs to stop.
Agito: Cross is right. I didn't stop before because I was hesitant deep down. But the moment I see Cross with my own two eyes, I had to intervene. Did you both seriously have to argue just to decide a flavor?
Both: But...
Cross: Listen to Agito. You both need to be mature about this. Might I add that that cake is for a special someone of ours. Remember?
Hearing this, the two Aces feel shocked and begin to look down in regret.
Masato: I....Cross is right...I forgot...That cake is for Hou Ren. It's his birthday cake on top of that.
Daryl: I can't believe I lost sight of that too. I was so wrapped up on my preference that I forgot about Hou himself. Sure I like what I want but is this what Hou would want?
Masato: True...What had I done? I'm terrible...
Daryl: So was I...Who would have thought that fighting over a flavor would cause this much drama? (sigh) Let's stop the fight.
Masato: Agreed.
Hearing this, everyone else smiles. Both flags are destroyed and thus a draw is concluded. They both made it to the center stage and stand before one another with a sad face.
Masato: I'm....sorry...
Daryl: Me too...Will you forgive me?
Masato: Of course. (Smiles) Friends forever?
Daryl: (Smiles) Always.
They both hug each other in forgiveness. Everyone else watch it in warm smiles.
Masato: Well...what kind of flavor would Hou want?
Gwen: Hmm...If I'm not mistaken, he likes chocolate and strawberry. 2 in 1.
The room suddenly went silent and everyone but Gwen went mini-eyed and annoyed. And then all of the sudden...
All: {Angry} YOU COULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT BEFORE???
Gwen: I forgot...sorry...
They all immediately return to the classroom and finish everything else. Hou's Mother & Cross quickly get all of the food ready. Gwen, Amaterasu & The Gar Trio immediately finish the last of the decorations. Masato, Agito & Daryl bake the cake together. While they mess up at first, it was eventually complete. Soon enough, the party is prepared.
The next day. The entire school hallway was really empty. Yet Hou alone walks in the hallway...
Hou: No School. Good. 20 Riddles. Bad. And those are not easy to solve for 3 days straight. But anyways, My mum told me to come here in my casual clothes. Why though?
Soon Hou made it to the classroom. He opens the door and notices all of the decorations, the food placed out on a very long table and even more items such as the cookier in shock.
Hou: What's All this?
Suddenly, party poppers just went off and shoot confetti. All of the sudden, everyone appears out of nowhere and surprise him.
All: SURPRISE!!!
Hou: AHH!!! {Excited} (Covers his mouth) What's all this? Is this...for me?
Garga: Of course it's for you, silly. Everyone, Say it with me...
All(minus Hou): Happy Birthday, Ace of Games.
Hou: My gosh...I can't believe I forgot about my Birthday...Thank you so much.
Masato: You're welcome man. By the way, I hope you don't mind that we bake you a Chocolate Strawberry Cake.
Gwen then shows the cake with 13 candles on it, lighten up.
Hou: My favorite. Thank you.
Tasuku: (Walks in) Hello Hou Ren.
Hou: Commissioner, you're here too?
Tasuku: I couldn't say no to coming to a birthday party. This is for you. (Pass a present)
Hou: (Takes the present) Thank you.
Daryl: And from me as well. (Hands a present)
Masato: And Me. (Hands a present)
Light: And Me. (Hands a present)
Kanesada: And Me. (Hands a present)
Everyone hands their present towards the Ace of Games. Hou is feeling happily surprised as there's many birthday presents for him as he carries them with bare hands.
Hou: Thanks everyone.
Hou's Mother: Well what are we waiting for? Let's eat.
There are chicken, fries, sushi, curry and many more. Everyone is staring in pure delight and goes off to enjoy their meals. Masato even cook some Meat Kebabs on his cooker at the moment. And the Linkdragon Order even prepare their specials while cooking too.
Masato: Meat Kebabs. Get your fresh Meat Kebabs Here.
Tategami: We got Lemon, Strawberry and many other flavors. So choose as much as you like. Free of charge.
Cross: Enjoy everyone.
After awhile, evening arrived and everyone's full. And then later Gar Trio does a magic show. They also all play musical chairs, guess the riddle and of course have buddyfights. After awhile...
Gwen: Oh yeah Hou. We have one last surprise for you.
Hou: What is it?
Gwen: Everyone. It's time.
They all went outside and Masato and the Linkdragon Order prepare the last surprise: Shooting Fireworks to the Sky. The fireworks lit up and boom the sky went kapao and blam. Everyone else went ooh...aah...let's just say it's a very enjoyable moment. Garga then pats his buddy's back.
Garga: Happy Birthday, My Buddy.
Hou: Thanks Garga. Best Birthday Ever.
The story ends with everyone enjoying the fireworks and Masato & Daryl look at each other while performing a fist-bump.
Preview...
Hou: Despite the action going on, I think all of us needs to take a break and a trip down memory lane. Next time, "Reminiscence". Join us for a buddyfight.
Story End.