Synopsis: Hou just encountered a horrible nightmare. Thus, it frightened him even more as one of its parts became real...
OP: Jo No Ka
It's the middle of the night, and Hou is sleeping on his bed. However, his forehead sweats as he's encountering a horrible nightmare. In his dream, Azi Dahaka emerges in his new form, Hou's Genesis Armor becomes shattered, many monsters are rampaging, and the worst part is that Shiloh is in danger and kidnapped by a dangerous group. Cries are being heard. Devastation is everywhere. Kyoya even becomes some sort of deity and fires a blast at him. This made Hou wake up in fear.
Hou: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! (Wakes Up)
Hou wakes up in fear while placing his hand on his chest harshly. He exhales and breathes in and out in fear. Having heard his yell, Garga comes out of his card.
Garga: Hou !!! Are you alright?
Hou: I'm... I'm fine... I just had a nightmare. Shiloh's there...and and she's in danger and and...
Garga: (Comforts him) Calm down. It's just a dream.
Hou: But it felt so real. (Looks down in desperation and facepalms) Not this again.
Suddenly, Hou's deck beside him glows gold. Catching their attention in shock. The next day, at the Buddy Card Office, Tasuku discusses something with Hou and Garga.
Tasuku: Hou, I did mention your identity to your friends, but bringing them into this mission is dangerous.
Hou: Sorry, Commissioner. Frankly, it's my fault for not responding to them, but then again, we're gonna need some help.
Tasuku: I suppose you have a point.
Hou: Speaking of which, Eden, Ranma & Prince Alec also decide to join too.
Tasuku: I see. Very well. And there's something else I need you to do. (Moves his hand) Let me just.
Suddenly, Tasuku accidentally knocks his cup of water off his table. This caught their reaction in surprise, and Hou reached out with his right hand.
Hou: I got it.
However, what shocks them is that the cup is now in some sort of bubble. And when it hit the ground, the cup didn't shatter.
All: Huh?
Garga: What did you do?
Hou: I don't know, I just--
Tasuku: Impressive.
Hou: Huh?
Tasuku: I suppose being the God of Resilience comes with its perks. (Flashback) Your god form shields you and your allies from being targeted. That said...(Flashback)
Garga: You shielded the cup from being shattered.
Hou Ren: I...I didn't know...You were saying?
After a while, Hou & Garga came out of the building. Daryl & the rest are waiting there, which catches Hou by surprise.
Daryl: Hou.
Hou: Why are you guys here?
Masato: The Commissioner wants to meet us, too. I didn't know you were here.
Hou: Well, I work here, no? Anyway, I have to go.
Gwen: Already?
Hou: Yeah. I heard Shiloh is sick. So I'm going to buy some things for her to recover. Aside from that, Alec, Eden, are you still--
Alec: Of course. Eden has done an amazing job. Even I couldn't do so.
Eden: Well, I do like to do this kind of thing as a hobby. And when Hou requested, I couldn't say no.
Alec: Besides, knowing Hou, he's not the type to joke about these things, right?
Hou: Thanks for your help. I'll send you both the payment later. Got to go. (leaves)
Eden: (Calling) No need. It's free of charge.
Alec: (Calling) What she said. We're friends after all.
Daryl: Uh...explain what you're talking about?
Alec: Top Secret.
Masato: Again?
Elec: Sorry, everyone, but it is what it is.
Masato: Secretive as always...
Daryl: Aside from that, even though they broke up, Hou still looks after her, huh?
Gwen: He's so sweet.
Later, at a hotel, Hou & Garga carry some supplies while walking through the hallway.
Hou: Okay, Shiloh caught a cold and a fever, so we got some flu capsules and medicine right here.
Garga: We also have this hot bowl of soup and (spots). Oh, here we are.
Hou knocks on a door, and Mary comes out.
Mary: Oh, Hou Ren, Garga, what are you doing here?
Hou: Hey, Mary, I came to see Shiloh. I heard she's sick.
Mary: Huh? What are you talking about? She's not sick. And she's not here.
Hou & Garga: (Surprised) What?
Mary: Also, I need your help. Shiloh hasn't come back in three days. My brothers and I kept texting her, but she didn't respond.
Hou: Huh? That's strange.
Garga: So strange. Did you track her phone?
Mary: I did, but for some reason, her phone cannot be tracked. I think someone must have stolen her phone. Please. Find her.
Garga: Don't worry, Mary. We'll get her back.
Hou: Yeah. Come On, Garga. (Runs away)
Garga: Right behind you.
On the streets...
Hou: How did Shiloh text me, yet she's not at the hotel? This made no...wait..
Hou suddenly remembers a part of his vision. The part where Shiloh is in danger...when he remembers so, he shrieks in pain while covering a part of his face. Garga is surprised.
Garga: Are you okay?
Hou: Not good. I know where she is. But we need some help.
Garga is confused. Later, outside an abandoned warehouse, Agent, Blaze, Hou & Garga just made it there.
Agent: So let me get this straight. You had a nightmare where Shiloh is in trouble and she's right inside that warehouse? This made no sense, man.
Hou: Honestly, I don't think that vision is true. I KNOW that my vision is true.
Garga: I don't know, my buddy. That warehouse looks abandoned.
Blaze: Yeah, and why am I here?
Hou Ren: You're the extra muscle. Let's go in.
When they enter inside, Agent holds an assault rifle while Blaze lights fire through his right arm. It's incredibly dark inside, no boxes or shelves at all, as they walk slowly.
Blaze: No kidding, it is abandoned.
Agent: Stick together, it's creepy, but we've got no choice.
Garga: Still, I don't know about this Hou.
Hou: Just stay quiet. Wait. Stop.
They stop halfway. And Hou pours some powder onto his left palm and blows through it. What they see are laser beams right in front of them.
Blaze: (Annoyed) Oh great, Laser Beams.
Agent: I got this. (Summons an EMP bomb and throws it) Click. (Presses a button on his left arm)
The bomb activates, and all of the laser beams are disabled.
Hou Ren: Nice.
Blaze: Man, I was hoping for some action.
They move forward and reach a room. Once they opened the door, they were shocked to see what was in there. There are pinpoints on pictures of the knights. Xs are being displayed across the images, as if the knights need to be murdered.
Garga: What foul things are these?
Hou Ren: It's us...but...Xs are displayed, it's as if we're about to be murdered.
Agent: Yeah, but...that doesn't mean that...
As they walk forward two steps, they are shocked to see what's in front of them. It's Shiloh, being tied up to an electric chair. She looks frightened, and her mouth is blocked with Tape.
Hou Ren: SHILOH !!!
All four rush forward, and suddenly, A cage comes from above and traps them.
Blaze: What THE!!! This again?
Agent: Shutstone...NO!!!
???: Oh, Yes!!!
Suddenly, a group of familiar faces arrives, laughing in evil. It's CCP.
Chris: Long time no see, Basement.
Hou: YOU AGAIN?
Garga: HOW? You're In Prison.
Chris: We were imprisoned. But now we escaped. Did you actually think that any prison can hold us down??? Man, Hou, you're as stupid as ever.
Alex: And what's even more stupid is that you thought your precious Shiloh was sick. Stupid Basement.
CCP laughs.
Agent: (Thought) Hou's Vision was right...(Thought) So you're the ones who have done all of this.
Sai: Ey, bro, no one asked you. But I'll tell you what happened. (Flashback) After we escaped, we hijacked a plane and threatened the pilot to fly us back to Malaysia.
Alex: The cops are catching us way too fast, but we managed to fly away. And, we heard the Gaen Cup is held, and we had a brilliant plan.
Jordan: (Flashback end) Yeah. We kidnapped your precious Shiloh, stole her phone, disabled it, reactivated it, and tricked you into coming here. Just as we planned.
Blaze: You guys really want us dead, huh? And how did you even guess her passcode? You sicko.
Hou: Agreed. Just Let Her Go. What exactly do you want from me?
Chris: Oh, Nothing Much. We just want you eliminated from the tournament, and we can see you suffer with the looks of despair on your face.
Sai: Ye Hou, you're nothing but a stupid basement that kidnaps kids and even locks us in. We're getting revenge, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Jordan: You're in a Shutstone cage, and you can't break out by using your powers. Lousy Basement.
Chris: And even if you transform, it's no use. Because we're going to press this button and kaboom your precious Shiloh. So, unless you do as we say, you will say goodbye to her.
Agent: Grr...(Notices something) Wait, where's Scott?
Alex: You mean that idiot you brainwashed? That dumb weirdo chose to stay in prison to serve his sentence. So we kicked him out. Lickety Split.
Hou is quite surprised. He then remembers the vision he had...
Hou: You don't say...Still, do you guys really have to go this far? I mean, it's me you want, so let her go.
Chris: Never. You locked us away for months. Betraying us on top of that. You deserve to cry.
Jordan: In fact, you both may have broken up, but looky here, you still care for her like you're still her lover.
Garga: If you knew this, then why would you kidnap her?
Chris: You stupid? We want you to suffer. As we see you cry to watch helplessly as Shiloh goes kaboom. And you know what? Enough of this. Time To Click.
Hou: NO!!!
Garga: You said that unless we do as you say, you will not?
Chris: And watching her die is doing what we say. That being said...
CCP watches in evil smiles while the knights watch in Despair. Chris is about to press the button on the remote. It's in slow motion but...
Hou: (Enraged) Dark Core, Activate Disaster Force.
The earth rumbles very hard, and everyone starts shaking. However, he is so enraged as Dark Power surrounds him once again, and his hair grows long. His eyes become blazing as he draws power from the core.
Hou: (Summons a card) GARBLADE ZENITH. (Equips)
Chris: What?
Hou uses his sword and slices the cage multiple times. The shutstone cage shatters into pieces eventually, and everyone is shocked.
Chris: GET THEM. (Clicks the button)
The chair is about to electrify Shiloh, but Hou once again uses his protection powers to shield Shiloh. This made everyone surprised, and Hou rushes forward and knocks Chris out with an elbow punch and destroys the wires connected using Garblade.
Chris: NO!
Agent: How did you do that?
Hou: Coincidence.
Blaze Ren shoots flames from his palms, and CCP blocks themselves from it. Agent knocks them down from behind. As Agent & Blaze hold them down, Hou disables his dark core, and he & Garga run to Shiloh's side and set her free.
Hou: (Checks on her) Are you okay? Are you hurt?
Shiloh: I'm fine. I'm just...tired....(Faints on his arm)
Garga: (Softly taps her back) Oh, You Poor Thing... She won't be alive for long. We need to go.
Hou: (Nods and hugs her) I'll save you...(To his brothers) We got her. Go.
Agent activates his EMP bomb again and disables the electricity. The entire environment went dark. Nobody can see a thing. Meanwhile, the knights escape with Hou carrying an exhausted Shiloh on his arms. Eventually, they made it out, but to their surprise, the enemy caught up to them.
Chris: Where do you think you're going?
Blaze: Rats...They got no powers, but they sure got speed.
Hou Ren: (Hands Shiloh to Garga) Go. Get her recovered.
Garga: What about you?
Hou Ren: I'll be fine. Just go.
Agent opens a portal via portal card, and He, Blaze, Garga, and an asleep Shiloh escape. The portal closes. Now Hou is on his own, with odds against him.
Alex: You should have escaped with them, Hou.
Jordan: GET HIM.
All 5 attacks. But Hou, with his demonic eyes flashing blue, used his arms and puppet them in a manipulative manner. All of a sudden, CCP is feeling something wrong with their bodies. It's painful, bones are cracking, and parts are moving on their own.
Chris: Wha....what's going....on?
Hou: Something...I should have done long ago. (Controls them even more)
CCP suffers and yells as their body is being manipulated in a painful way.
Hou: How dare you kidnap Shiloh? You Scumbags. (Force push them away)
CCP: Aargh!!!! (Knocked down)
Hou: And you didn't even feed her? Do you seriously...HAVE A (Electrifies them) LIFE?
CCP: (In Pain) AAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Hou: Why Must Those I know destroy what I hold dear? Why must those I know TURN A BLIND EYE TO MY EFFORTS? DID THEY THINK...I'M GOING....TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS??? (Electrifies them even more)
CCP: AHHHHHH.....HOU....STOP.....PLEASE....STOP!!!!
Hou: NEVER. YOU GUYS HAVE CROSSED THE LINE. NOW DIE. (Electifies them heavily)
CCP is electrified and screams even more in pain. Eventually, Hou feels exhausted and stops. Luckily, CCP survives because they are wearing armor. They are standing sure, but Hou awakens from his exhaustion with his eyes still glowing, electrified. He walks forward with lightning bolts surrounding him. While so, CCP are frightened.
Chris: F....Fire.
CCP shoots at him using their weapons frighteningly, but Hou uses his lightning speed to dodge the shots and dash forward. CCP charges forward in exhaustion, and Hou fights them hand-to-hand. One by one, 4 out of 5 are defeated, and the moment Hou finally fights Chris, they fight evenly. Eventually, Chris was hit in the gut, and Hou summons his saber and points it at him.
Hou: You're lucky I decided to spare you.
Before Hou can continue, Alex shoots his taser gun at him. Luckily, Hou shields himself using his Genesis Powers. Alex is shocked.
Hou: Oh wow. Deals off. (About to end him)
Chris: No No No Don't.
???: Hou STOP.
Hou heard this and stops. He turns to see Sensei & Trickstar are three feet away from him.
Sensei: Stop, Hou. You never kill.
Hou: The guy shot me, Sensei. I spared them, and this is how they repay.
Sensei: I know. I saw it. But still, you shouldn't.
Trickstar aims his rocket launcher at CCP. They feel frightened. Hou still enrages, but he soon calms down with his Lightning level diving down.
Hou: Fine. (Exhausts) Bring them to the Commissioner. Don't let them try anything.
Trickstar: Got it. (Apprehends CCP)
Hou: How's Shiloh right now?
Sensei: She's fine. She's being healed. Not to mention being fed.
Hou: I see...Go Help Trickstar. I'll join you guys later.
Sensei: Yes, Sir. (Salutes)
As Sensei & Trickstar take the injured yet angry CCP away, Hou exits the warehouse. As he walks, he thinks back about what he has done angrily.
Hou: I can't believe I had to do that...(clenches his fist) Just WHY? (Sighs and looks up)
At a park, in front of a giant pond, Hou holds his deck and his Buddy Police Badge in one hand. His expression is sad and angry. He feels so distraught as he looks at it. He's about to throw them. As he does, however, someone stops him by grabbing his hand. He was surprised to see that Tasuku was the one holding him.
Hou: What?
Tasuku: Don't, Hou.
Hou: Let me go, Commissioner.
Tasuku: I said no. Please, Hou Ren. Calm down.
Hou's despair turns to sadness as his tears show. He starts to cry.
Tasuku: It's okay. (Hugs him) Everything is going to be alright.
As Hou hugs back, His tears are showing as they drop from his face. After a while, Hou & Tasuku walk together in a park.
Hou: I've done something unforgivable. I'm a monster.
Tasuku: No, Hou. Although, yes, you kinda have a point. But it doesn't change the fact that you're still saving her. And thanks to you, we were able to stop them before they caused further trouble.
Hou: Yeah, but...
Tasuku: No Buts...I've decided to promote you.
Hou: Huh?
Tasuku: You were able to take initiative, and you placed Shiloh's safety above yourself. This shows how selfless you are.
Hou: I...
Tasuku: If it makes you feel better, I'm not going to drop your buddyfighter rights. However, you will receive a punishment as soon as our real case is over.
Hou: I...Okay.
Tasuku: Come. Let's go see someone.
Hou nods, and they made it to the Hotel Room Shiloh's in. Tasuku knocks on the door, and Elijah answers it.
Elijah: Hou. There you are. Are you alright?
Hou: Yeah. Is she okay?
Elijah: See for yourself. Come In.
They walk in and they're surprised to see that Shiloh's all healed up on her bed. Mary is also there.
Hou: Shiloh.
Shiloh: Hou.
Hou: Are you alright?
Shiloh: Yep. What happened to you earlier?
Hou: Long story. But it's all good in the end.
Tasuku: Have you fully recovered?
Shiloh: Of course. I'm good as new.
Hou: But how are you alive for like 3 days without food?
Shiloh: Well...I kinda use my feather powers to keep myself sustained. It has a healing boost after all.
Tasuku: I see...
Hou: But still, it was dangerous, after all, your powers, like mine, drains your life force bit by bit.
Shiloh: Well, what was I supposed to do? I was tied up without food. I certainly don't want to let myself die. And you're one to talk. I know you fought them. Your exhausted strength says otherwise. Why are you so stubborn?
Hou is surprised but then feels a bit glad.
Hou: I'm sorry...(In tears) I just...(Hugs her) Welcome Home.
Shiloh is surprised, but she hugs back with tears. Everyone smiles in response.
Shiloh: You're an idiot, you know that?
Hou: I know. An idiot who will always look out for you.
The two hug each other more warmly with smiles. Everyone else watches with smiles. Later, after a few minutes, Hou went to the LA Prison. He goes to visit Scott's cell with a guard.
Scott: Hou? What are you doing here?
The guard opens the door, much to his surprise.
Hou: I paid the fine. So it's true. You didn't escape.
Scott: Yeah...Hou, look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I have done.
Hou: It's fine. Let's go.
Scott and Hou Ren then walk out of the prison while discussing the remaining CCP members and the incident.
Scott: You're kidding. You did that?
Hou Ren: I had no choice. They crossed the line, deadly. They should count themselves lucky for not dying.
Scott: I suppose they deserve it.
Hou Ren: Hmmm. What do you want to do now?
Scott: I think for now I'll just lay low and hopefully find a job or something.
Hou Ren: I see...Okay...(slowly realizes) Actually, there is something you can do for me.
Scott: As In?
ED: B.O.F by Poppin Party.
Preview....
Hou Ren: At last, it has begun. The final round of the Gaen Cup. Next time, "Champion vs Champion". Join us for a Buddyfight.
Story End.