Path To Liberation, Rogue Slayer Alone (Chap 38)

Synopsis: Lost Ren goes on a training journey before entering the Gaen Cup. Halfway through training, however, an unexpected visitor arrives.

In the previous story, Kyoya Gaen sent out invitations while announcing the Gaen Cup's return. Hou Ren is among the few who got invited and fought Daryl & Masato 1v2. He singlehandedly defeats them both and agrees to train them.

Anime Opening: Black & White

At a convenience store, Lost Ren buys a few things. When the doors open and he walks outside with his things, he feels a familiar presence around him.

Lost Ren: You don't have to hide.

A teenage boy wearing a dark green Japanese short-sleeved kimono, black jeans, and black shoes comes in behind him. His expression is stern.

Lost Ren: You better have a logical explanation.

Sensei: What's it to you? You're more of a stubborn guy.

Lost Ren: Says you. What do you want from me?

Sensei: I just want to wish you luck before your training journey.

Lost Ren: Then why the sneak up?

Sensei: Cause knowing you, you would not accept my blessing. So I watch from afar.

Lost Ren: (Smiles) Fair enough.

Later, the two walk on a sidewalk while talking. Lost Ren is also carrying a bag of supplies.

Sensei: You know, if you're going to investigate Kyoya's true motives while fighting, you're gonna have a tough time.

Lost Ren: What does that mean?

Sensei: I'm just saying. The rules are still unknown. Kyoya so far has done nothing wrong. How do you even know Davide works alongside him?

Lost Ren: Which is exactly why I'm doing this, whether the odds are against me or not. I'll demolish my opponents, no matter who they may be.

Sensei: (Feels awkward) That's not what I meant...

They reach a bus stop and a bus is already there. Lost Ren steps inside and waves goodbye to his brother before the doors close. Sensei waves back and the bus leaves.

Sensei: Have a safe journey.

The Bus rides on the road. It rides past mountains and lakesides and so much more. The blue sky shines and the blue waters sparkle. Lost Ren is staring through the window with boredom. After a few minutes, the bus stops. Lost Ren steps out of it and the bus leaves.

What's before Lost Ren are huge mountains with beautiful waterfalls. Step by step, he walks through the mountains on rocks and logs as bridges. Eventually, he reaches a waterfall. The sound was so soothing and it's incredibly beautiful.

Lost Ren: Time to get started.

He sets down his supplies. First, he builds a tent by pegging down the poles and adjusting the sheets. He chops some trees and prepares a campfire site. He gathers some water and sand in buckets. He goes to the rivers and pokes some fish with sticks.

Lost Ren: (Rubs forehead) Gotta give props to Hou Ren since he attended camp once.

When he finishes setting it down, he goes to the waterfalls and meditates under it. His eyes are shut and he remains calm as he meditates.

Lost Ren: (Thought) That time.....

He remembers a flashback.

Lost Ren: He was able to unleash something new. Even though it's artificially created, he overpowered Ranma's forces with ease. I can feel his hatred and anguish. So much emotion.

He later remembers another memory.

Lost Ren: Then there's Shiloh. Able to defeat two powerful opponents despite having little experience. I can see her compassion but....

The flashback ends.

Lost Ren: (Thought) Comparing my skills to them, I'm willing to bet they can surpass me. I need to become stronger.

While Lost Ren ponders in meditation, an unknown figure is watching him from above. His grin is quite menacing despite his face being covered in shade.

Soon later, it's nighttime. Lost Ren gathers around the campfire. He drinks a hot bowl of soup with fish on sticks around the fire. Little did he know that someone was approaching him in a sneaky manner. Immediately, the lost knight summons a shadow dagger and throws it at the unknown figure. The latter feels scared.

Lost Ren: Show yourself.

???: Well well, you're able to detect my presence.

Lost Ren: (gets up) Who are you?

???: (Bows) Magoroku Shido. I'm the world's greatest buddyfighter there is. Show some respect to your elders.

Lost Ren: World's greatest buddyfighter? Never heard of you. And respect my elders? I respect myself alone.

Shido: (Angry) Why you.....How dare you mock your superior.

Lost Ren: Superior? You're literally acting like a child. Also, sneaking around like a rat? That's low.

Shido: (Even more bratty) Grrrrrr...You think you're so powerful? I challenge you to a buddyfight.

By the waterfalls, both players stand on a stone-made stage. The moon shines bright, aligning with the stars in the sky.

Lost Ren: Blanket all light and shatter improper rights. Dark Luminize, March Of The ONI.

Shido: To defeat all fools who cross me! Dark Luminize! Black Cloud of Endless Doom!

Both: Raise the flag. Darkness Dragon World.

Shido: I'll let you go first if you want.

Lost Ren: If I must.....Draw. Charge & Draw. Equip. (Equips Gar-Lost Haken) Gar-Lost Haken. LostCat "ONI" to the center.

Lostcat: (Appears) Time for a bloodbath.

Lost Ren adds his Impact to his hand.

Lost Ren: Lost Cat. Attack the fighter.

Shido's Life: 10 -> 8

Lost Ren: Final Phase. (Pays 2 life) Impact. Dead End Ringer.

Once again, the death clock appears behind him.

Lost Ren: This clock represents the end of time and things.

Shido: I couldn't care less about your little death clock. I'll make you regret insulting me. Draw. Charge & Draw. I cast. Accel End.

Shido discards 5 cards from his deck and gains 1 gauge.

Shido: I call death ruler, cremation to the left. And death ruler, Iron Maiden to the center.

Both monsters are summoned.

Shido: And I buddycall, Death Ruler, Gallows REB to the right.

Gallows: (Appears) Geh sheh sheh. It's been a while.

Shido: With Gallows's ability, all of my cards gain 15000 power, critical + 1 and double attack. Now, death rulers. Attack the fighter.

All of the death rulers attack and with shadow dive, they deal severe damage and fly past Lostcat.

Lost Ren's Life: 8 -> 5 -> 3 -> 1

Shido: Hahahaha. You see that? That's how strong I am. With Gallows's effect, I gain 6 life and draw 3 cards. With Maiden's effect, I gain 1 gauge.

Lost Ren: I couldn't care less.

Shido: Heh?

Lost Ren: I cast. Devil Stigma. (Destroys Lostcat)

Lost Ren's Life: 1 -> 2

Lost Ren: With Lostcat's effect, One into Ringer's Soul. And with Ringer's effect, one more.

Shido: Says you. You need 10 more cards to win. And you only have 2 life points. My victory is assured. Gallows Finish him off.

Gallows: (Attacks) Geh sheh sheh. It's light out for you.

Lost Ren: I cast. Demise, Fang Of Lost. (Pays 1 life)

Lost Ren uses his scythe and blocks Gallows. Gallows grabs hold of the scythe but Lost Ren's aura shines and he becomes too strong for Gallows.

Shido: What?

Lost Ren: When you have more than 5 cards in your dropzone, I gain 13000 defense. And if Ringer has a soul, another 10000 defense.

Shido: Grrr.....Cremation. Maiden. Do a link attack & Silence him already.

Both monsters attack.

Lost Ren: I cast, Demise, ONI's Shadow.

The monsters are about to hit him but Lost Ren becomes a form of a shadow and moves to Shido's side. He appears behind him and slices him.

Shido: Ahhhh.....

Shido's Life: 15 -> 11

Shido: How did you?

Lost Ren: I can nullify the attack and deal damage equal to the attacking card's critical. And I also place one into Ringer's Soul.

Shido: You little...My turn is over. (Thought) I can survive his turn. I have 11 life points. Even if he sends Gargantua ONI, it still won't be enough to win.

Lost Ren: I'll ask one thing. Why are you here?

Shido: Why should I tell you?

Lost Ren: Oh I don't know. Like no one but me has a reason to travel all the way to the mountains.

Shido: Maybe I'm here to camp as well?

Lost Ren: By stalking me like a creep? Where are your camping supplies? And why....are you sweating?

Shido: I...

Lost Ren: So I ask again. Why are you here?

The moment the word "here" is said aloud, it echoes through Shido's ears and Shido stares in fear.

Shido: (Back to senses) Okay. I was sent to check on your progress.

Lost Ren: Why? So that you can expose my secrets?

Shido: What? No. I may be a spy but I'm not the kind of guy to expose them.

Lost Ren: Then let me guess. Kyoya sent you, didn't it?

Shido felt shocked.

Lost Ren: Hmph. You know for someone who's a lapdog. You really suck at making a poker face.

Shido: (Being a brat) Would you shut up already?

Lost Ren: I'll shut up. But on one condition.

Shido: Now what?

Lost Ren: What does Kyoya want from him? Why the Gaen Cup? What are his true intentions? And is Davide working alongside you?

Shido: Well if you must know, defeat me first. I'll answer all of your stupid questions at the end.

Lost Ren's eyes become as sharp as an eagle.

Lost Ren: Ringer's skill. 

The Death Clock is now at 4 o'clock.

Lost Ren: Draw. Charge & Draw. I buddycall Garga to the right.

Garga appears.

Lost Ren: I call LostBird "ONI" to the left.

LostBird: (Appears) Here I go.

Lost Ren: When LostBird enters play, all of my card's soul increases by 1, including Ringer. For each card in Ringer's soul, increase power by 2000. I have 5, so 10000.

Shido: Yeah Yeah. You need 7 more you know.

Lost Ren: Did I ask you? No, I did not. And before you say anything, you sure are a child when you're a grown-up.

Shido: What? Grrr.....

Lost Ren: I cast, Mark Of Destruction. I destroy Lostbird.

Lostbird is eliminated but revives with soulguard.

Lost Ren: I can destroy one of the opponent's cards. But I rather not. So I am sending two cards to your dropzone and one to Ringer. With Ringer's effect, one more.

Shido: That's it?

Lost Ren: With LostBird destroyed, I move all of the opponent's soul into the dropzone. And one card into Ringer. 

Shido: (Thought anxiously) That's 8.....No Problem.

Lost Ren: Garga. G-EVO now. Change to Gargantua ONI.

Garga changes to Gargantua ONI.

Lost Ren: When placed, 10 cards to your dropzone. With G-EVO, your cards can't use any of their abilities.

Shido: So what? I already know what you're planning. Come On Then.

Lost Ren: You asked for it. Garga. Attack the fighter.

ONI attacks.

Lost Ren: Gallows, Cremation, and Iron Maiden to Ringer's soul. Also, Shadow Dive.

ONI stabs his scythe to the waters and 3 dark portals appear under Shido's monsters. As planned, Shido's monsters are sent to Ringer's soul. Shido laughs hysterically.

Shido: Hahahaha. You fell for it. You sure are an idiot when you only have 11 cards in Ringer's soul. I cast. Black Dragon Shield.

Oni's attack was blocked.

Shido: And yet again, I don't have 20 cards in my dropzone. You lose.

Lost Ren: Did I?

Lost Ren attacks with Haken as he stabs the ground and multiple dark spikes arise from the ground and stabs Shido.

Shido: Why Me????

Shido's Life: 12 -> 9

Shido: Phew. I survived.

Lost Ren: You fell for it.

Shido: Heh?

Lost Ren: When Haken successfully hit its target...One more card into Ringer's soul.

The Death clock gains 1 more card and it finally moves to 12 o'clock. Shido feels surprised and cries like a baby and wails his arms.

Shido: WHAT? I forgot. I'm doomed!!!!!!!

Lost Ren: Indeed. My turn is over. That makes 12 cards.

The Death Clock gongs and Shido feels scared.

Lost Ren: The countdown has stopped. And Midnight arrives. Your death awaits you and your fate.....has been sealed.

The Death Clock destroys itself and everything is surrounded by black mists of fog. Shido feels scared.

Shido: Daddy Save Me.....

Lost Ren (ONI form) appears by flying through the fog and....

Lost Ren: (Slices Shido) FALL FROM GRACE WILL YOU!?

Shido: AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Shido's flag is destroyed and the fog disappears after a brief flash. The night sky still shines at the campfire, the two fighters confront each other while standing and seeing eye to eye.

Shido: No Fair. I should have WON. You should be ashamed for mocking your elders.

Lost Ren: Says the one who lost to me. How embarrassing.

Shido: Shut Up. I'm not even using my real deck. Loser. Nenenene.

Lost Ren kicks Shido in his face. Shido felt hurt and shocked as it's incredibly painful.

Lost Ren: Stupid Crybaby. Stop being such a sore loser.

Shido feels incredibly scared and Lost Ren grabs him by the head and kicks him in the side. He speaks in an intimidating and scary voice.

Lost Ren: If I know you any better, I know you won't share information. I only want to win the fight and see the look on your face of defeat.

Even more intimidating and Shido feels even more scared as he speaks. Lost Ren's eyes are so menacing and sharp just like his counterpart.

Lost Ren: In fact, I want you to tell your boss that no matter what he does, it won't work. No matter what, I won't stop and slaughter those who try who ruin my desires. I mean it.

Lost Ren ruthlessly lets a frightened Shido go.

Lost Ren: Now (points in his direction) GET.

Shido feels even more scared and pees in his pants. Eventually, he flees away while crying. Lost Ren looks and lets out a sigh.

Lost Ren: (Thought) Not gonna lie, I was only lucky to win because if devil stigma isn't in my hand, I wouldn't be able to cast Fang of Lost and ONI's shadow afterward.

Lost Ren clenches his right fist very hard and his eyes become even more sharp.

Lost Ren: (Thought) I must become stronger....Or else I won't.....I must surpass myself no matter what it takes.

The moment those words are echoed through his brain and soul, his deck inside his pocket suddenly glows bright dark purple. This catches his attention in surprise.

Lost Ren: What is.....

Anime Ending: Gonna Be Right.

Hou Ren: Finally it's time for the Gaen Cup. But wait? Looks like I have a special guest. Who could it be? Next time, "Together Once Again". Join us for a Buddyfight.

Story End.