Path To Liberation, Checkmate Unfold (Chap 41)

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, Masato & Daijirou face off. Daijirou shows off his new power by summoning his evolved buddy and new item. But it's still no match for Masato and his Dragon Share. All's well in the end.

Anime Opening: Black & White

In a flashback, it shows Seiji's chess days with Daryl. The two were playing chess and Daryl won by a 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 3 times with Daryl having 2 wins and 1 loss. Feeling incredibly jealous, he eventually calms down and becomes friends with Daryl once again. And then another flashback reveals Seiji's training days with Guru.

Past Guru: What's troubling you, son?

Past Seiji: It's nothing. I'm sure losing confidence that's all.

Past Guru: Confidence?

Past Seiji: It's just well, I don't know how to catch up with Daryl. He's like better than me in everything. Studies, Chess, even Buddyfight.

Past Guru: Well is that right.....Well, My Boy, You don't have to compare ya know that?

Past Seiji: Compare?

Past Guru: Sure, Daryl may be better than you, but did you ever think about you being better than yourself?

Past Seiji: Myself?

Past Guru: Hear me out, My first bit of advice to you is to stop comparing yourself with those around you. Instead, focus on what's your weaknesses and better yourself alright?

Past Seiji: Guru....

With all three flashbacks end, 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 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 promised 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: Luminous Knight, Argento Lance.

Argento Lance is being summoned. His form is similar to Nero Lance but in his original white colors. His armor linings are more detailed and he also equips a shield.

Argento: Yes Master Seiji. I will do your bidding as always.

Daryl: Argento Lance?

Cross: I see, that's his original form.

Seiji: Evolved original form.

Daryl: Not gonna lie, Masato told me everything. I'm aware you're also one of Guru's students. I'm not gonna go easy on you.

Seiji: I was hoping you say that. Equip....Lordmaster Cane. (Equips his new item) Giallo Mace to the center.

Giallo Mace: (Appears) Yes, Master Seiji.

Seiji: Cast. Suppression Advantage. (Gain 3 gauge) And I set "On Ten of Thousands of Boards".

Cross: A set spell?

Seiji: Argento Lance's ability activates. (Pay 1 gauge)

Argento Lance: Oppress, Activate. I oppress the opponent's left area.

Argento moves to Daryl's left and oppresses it. The left turn infected.

Daryl: This brings back memories.

Seiji: Indeed. Giallo Mace's ability activates.

Giallo Mace: Oppress Activate.

Now Giallo Mace oppresses Daryl's right.

Daryl: Tch...

Seiji: Board's ability. Argento Lance, move to the center.

Argento Lance moves, and Daryl's surprised.

Seiji: During my turn, I can move any monster on an oppressed area to the opponent's center. Oppressing it. Argento Lance. Attack the fighter.

Argento: For my master, begone from sight. (Pierce 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: Again?

Seiji: My turn is over.

Argento: (Stabs the ground) Subjugate. Subjugate.

All of a sudden, Daryl is hit again 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.

Takokichi: And to make matters worse, his center and left are oppressed.

Daryl: So that's how strong you've gotten. I expect nothing less from you.

Seiji: Perhaps. I know Cross has evolved. Not on my watch. Try activating your Galaxy formation if you can.

Daryl: Is that so? Draw. Charge and Draw. (Thought) I don't usually do this but...(Thought) I buddycall GodCross Astrologia to the left.

Cross: (Appears) Behold my evolved brilliance.

Seiji: So there you are...

Ion: Wow, Daryl buddycalls Cross, not to the center, but to the left.

Takokichi: Intresting, chu.

Daryl: I cast, Proclaim: Steer the Stars. (Increase resources) I equip Lumun Deus. (Equips Item)

Ion: Oh and there's Dary's Item.

Seiji: I hate to burst your bubble but as long as Lordmaster Cane is here, my cards cannot be returned to the hand nor destroyed. And Argento lance has soulguard.

Daryl: Even still. (Shoots his bow)

Argento Lance revives with Soulguard.

Daryl: Cross. Attack Argento Lance.

Cross: Leave it to me. (Attacks)

Seiji: Cast. Queenside Castling.

A castle piece appears before Argento Lance and blocks the attack. And Seiji gains 4 life.

Ion: Why 4?

Seiji: For each oppressed area, I gain 2 life.

Cross: But I have a Double attack. (Attacks)

Seiji: Cast. Declaration Check (Blocks the attack) I won't let you destroy Argento Lance.

Cross: Triple attack.

Seiji: Cast. Seiji Kido Defense.

Argento Lance remains on the field.

Daryl: Well played. But my item has Quadruple Attack. (Shoots his bow)

Seiji: Even still. Cast. Declaration Check. (Blocks the attack)

Daryl shoots his bow again.

Seiji: Cast. Proto Barrier. (Blocks the attack)

Daryl: Try defending my last one. (Shoots his bow)

Seiji: (Thought) This is bad, I'm out of defense spells...(Thought)

Argento Lance is defeated...

Argento: Master !!! I pray that you will be successful, Master !!! (Destroyed)

Seiji: Argento Lance !!!

Ion: Oh Snap, Seiji's buddy Argento Lance is defeated. Unfortunately, even with the center revived, Daryl's out of attacks.

Daryl: I cast, Notify: Missing Mission. Govern Star Dragon, Ordinary to the center.

Ordinary: (Appears) The Stars have called me.

Daryl: Ordinary. Attack Seiji.

Ordinary: Roger that. (Attacks)

Seiji's Life: 17 -> 15

Daryl: I'm not done. I cast. Notify: Shift Attacks. (Pays 1 life) I move Cross to the center and Ordinary to the left.

Both Monsters are moved. Seiji feels shocked.

Seiji: What are you doing?

Ion: Say what? Cross and Ordinary swapped places. Wait...if Cross is in the center and a monster is on the left and right each...

Takokichi: And with an Item equipped...

Daryl: Shien bright. Diamond of the Sky. Galaxy Dragod Formation, Activate.

All of Daryl's cards glow, albeit Giallo Mace too.

Seiji: Wha...You...Giallo Mace count as well?

Daryl: That's right. There's more, with Shift Attacks, since Cross is here, all of my cards stand up. Okay, Guys. Attack.

Daryl shoots his bow and Ordinary and Cross attack.

Seiji: (Hit) Ahhh!!!

Seiji's Life: 15 -> 12 -> 9 -> 6

Seiji: Thank gosh. I survived. Your Impact deals 4 damage. I win.

Daryl: Final Phase. Ordinary's ability. (Pays 1 gauge)

Once again, all of Daryl's cards stand back up.

Seiji & Ion: What ???

Daryl: During my final phase, if Ordinary is on the left, I can stand all of my cards back up and once again attack even during Final phase.

Seiji: That means...

Cross: It's over for you. (Attacks)

Seiji's Life: 6 -> 3

Daryl: Farewell, Seiji. (Shoots his bow)

Seiji: (Hit) AHHHH!!!!

Seiji's Flag is destroyed.

Ion: Game End, The Winner, Daryl !!!

Takokichi: Viva.

The Crowd Cheered.

Ion: Unreal, Daryl was absolutely cornered when he couldn't use his Galaxy Formation. But Suddenly out of nowhere, Dayrl just turned the tables and won by just ONE turn!!! Incredible!!!

Takokichi: As a result, Daryl has 160 points. Seiji has 90.

Seiji: Insane...(smirks) He's good. Too good for me. Well played...Old friend.

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: Yeah...Maybe I should have Argento oppressed your right and Giallo Mace oppresed your left instead. 

Daryl: Then that way I couldn't activate Ordinary's ability for my Final phase.

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 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...

Seiji: Come to think of it, do you have any competitions coming up except for this?

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...eventually, my plan will change the world before we all know it...

He then have a look at Hou Ren's matches earlier.

Kyoya: Especially you...I hope soon...you will provide me with the entertainment I deserve...

Anime Ending: 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.