Path To Liberation, Confrontment (Chap 28)

Synopsis: At last, the young king and his greatests adversaries met face to face. Feeling so disgusted as he remembers his hateful experience with them. Gwen & Ranma wants to save him but...

Anime Opening: Knock On Your Gate.

At the arena, everyone was staring at the young king with worry. Agent & Lost however remain calm and stern instead. Eden & Daryl are being held care by Light & Gwen. Hou Ren remains calmly hateful.

Gwen: Hou Ren....

Hou Ren's Father: Son....

Hou Ren: Don't you "son" me. I'm not your son or your friend. Traitors.

They felt hurt when he said that out loud.

Ranma: I...We came to take you back.

Hou Ren: (Closed his eyes and become menacing) What is with people nowadays? You say something but it's utterly meaningless. 

They all felt even more worried while Lost Ren & Agent walked and stood beside their brother.

Hou Ren: I don't understand. What part of "Please Don't Come & Find Me" do you not understand? Why is it that I can't live my life and be free? (Enraged with his eyes wide) Haven't I suffered ENOUGH?

Ranma: We're not trying to fight.

Light: We just wanna talk.

Hou Ren: LIAR.

Agent: After everything between us.....

Lost Ren: There's nothing to talk about.

Hou Ren: Yeah. Whatever thing we said are execuses isn't it?

All of them felt even more worried and hurt.

Hou Ren: Do you have any idea how much I have to endure every single day? No matter what I do, I got judged badly. They always invite conflict. My actions.....They are like a joke huh? 

Agent: Were people grateful when he saved them from our enemies? No. Instead of a thank you, he was accused of setting it all up. So Ungrateful.

Lost Ren: Were people even there for him when he got mistreated? Nope. Even when there are several witnesses, no one stop the mistreatment. Useless.

Hou Ren: And here people thought I was going to lose to that unfair vixen. But guess what I won. For the first time, I felt so free and happy. But you all choose to interfere. WHY? Is my soul is being owned? Answer Me.

Hou Ren's Father: No. We're not trying to take away your life.

Light: He's right. They just want to make things right with you.

Hou Ren: (Shook his head in dissaproval) I really should have erase your memories when I had the chance.

Everyone felt even more hurt.

Hou Ren: Moreover.....Ranma, Comisioner, Light. I don't understand, why did you chose to team up with them. This doesn't concern you.

Tasuku: I know Hou Ren. But you're like a son to me. I was really concern of what you're going through and I don't want you to bear the pain all by yourself.

Ranma: Yeah man. I don't want you to be like my past self too. 

Light: We came to save you. 

Hou Ren: I only have 6 words: I don't want to be saved. I want you out.

Eden & Gwen become even more worried.

Eden: (Thought) He really has changed. (Thought)

Gwen: (Thought) And we're the ones to blame.... (Thought)

Hou Ren then heard a knock from one the entrances to the arena.

Hou Ren: Come In. Doors Open.

The remaining knights, including Garga & Shiloh & Bros entered the arena.

Shiloh: Hou Ren, you should have let us know when you're finished with your match.

Blaze: Yeah. We were wating for like 2 hours dude.

Sensei: I was literally meditating. But you guys had to disturb me.

Hou Ren: Sorry Shiloh. But....(Points at Tasuku at the rest) Maybe these idiots can answer why? 

The knights turn their attention.

Trickstar: (Dissapproved) Not You Guys Again.

Garga: (Disapproved) You just had to step in Don't you all?

Shiloh: So they're the ones you guys talked about?

Kaizer: That's right, Shiloh. They're the ones who held me hostage. They just don't know how to read the signs. I swear, that's blind.

Ranma: Ahhhhh That's It. (Point at his former rival) Fight Me right Now, Hou Ren. I dare you.

Everyone's surprised.

Hou Ren: Why?

Ranma: I have a score to settle with you ever since our match from the playoffs. Besides, I want to speak my heart out. If I win, you have to accept what we said and come back with us no matter what.

Hou Ren: And what if you lose?

Ranma: Then you can do whatever you want. And we won't come back to this place.

Hou Ren: Fine. You asked for it.

Gwen: Wait. Ranma. Let me fight first. I'm the one should be facing him. It's because of me he's become like this.

Ranma: Gwen....Fight hard. 

Gwen nodded.

Hou Ren: Wow....Some Deal You Got. Guess I have to take out two birds with one stone.

Shiloh: Two can play in that game. Hou Ren, let me fight her. Please.

Again, Hou Ren was surprised.

Garga: Are you sure? I know you got your first win, ((break the 4th wall)twice actually) but still.

Shiloh: I know. But I want to see for myself if she even is worthy of facing you. Give Me A Chance. 

Hou Ren & Garga felt reluctant but they nodded in response.

Hou Ren: Don't hold back. 

Shiloh: I won't let you down.

Hou Ren then moved back and let Shiloh to step forward. Gwen however felt curious and surprised.

Gwen: Wait I thought you.....

Hou Ren: If you want to fight me, Defeat Shiloh first. 

Shiloh: You intercepted so I might as well do the same thing.

Gwen: I.....Very well.

A buddyfight stage arose from the sacred pool of water. Both Fighters stepped on. Shiloh then transformed into her true form, which consists of the outfit she used against Natalie.

Gwen: No Prison?

Shiloh: Why do we even need it? (Holds Up her deck) Once Upon A Time, The Maiden Blossoms Bright. Luminize, Folktale Wonderland.

Gwen: Purge Evil. Purify The Unclean. Luminze....Wisteria Heavenly Light.

All: Buddy....Fight.

Both: Raise the Flag.

Shiloh: Dungeon World.

Gwen: Katana World.

Hou Ren: Gwen will go first.

Gwen: Draw. Charge & Draw. Equip. Kagura Emblem Of Self Sacrifice. (Equips her emblem) Posses. Radiant Electrodeity, Ameno Wakahiko. (Possesed)

Ameno: Here goes. (Summons his bow and attack)

Shiloh's Life: 10 -> 8

Ameno: My turn is over. (Return to hand cards)

Shiloh: Draw. Charge and Draw. Equip. Folktale's Blade, Slayer Biblio. (Pays 1 gauge & 1 life)

Shiloh equips a new sword and the wind blows through her jacket as she holds it in a brave manner.

Blaze: (Stoked) Woah.

Sensei: She's One Of Us.

Shiloh: Buddycall. (Gains 1 life)

Emma appears on the right.

Emma: What's this. An Encore Performance? You couldn't get enough of me can you?

Shiloh: Jordan to the center. (Jordan is summoned) I gain 1 gauge & 1 life. Alice to the left. (Alice is summoned) And I set Happiness Wonderland.

Both cards are summoned respectively.

Shiloh: I cast, Folktale's Lovely Companions. Look at the top 5 cards of my deck. I place as many monsters among them to my card's soul. Two for Wonderland and Two For Biblio. I also add the remaining one to my hand.

Shiloh does so as followed.

Lost Ren: Impressive. She increased her hand cards and soul. And with Happiness Wonderland, her hand increases even more.

Shiloh: You know Gwen. I heard alot about you from Hou Ren. I'm aware you used to be his previous crush before rejecting him.

Gwen: Yeah and?

Shiloh: He also told me about a few people accusing him instead of thanking him even after he saved them. Not to mention that few people looked down on him. Were you one of them?

Gwen: Yeah.....I am. I want to make amends with him.

Shiloh: I wonder if that's true. Of course rejecting him I understand, but for everything else. I really felt sorry for him.....(Brave) He suffered enough. I won't let you lay a finger on him.

Shiloh's Brothers and the remaining knights felt a little surprised after hearing this. Hou Ren was also feeling the same way.

Hou Ren: (Smiled Warmly) Way to go.

Shiloh: Jordan, attack the fighter.

Gwen's Life: 9 -> 8

Shiloh: Alice.

Gwen's Life: 8 -> 6

Shiloh: Ability activates. Jordan's goes to Biblio's soul. (Does so) Alice stands back up. 

Gwen: Very well. Buddy Posses. Amaterasu.

Amaterasu appears in full form & posses Gwen.

Amaterasu: Ability activates. (Draw 2 cards & gain 2 life) Defense + 10000.

Hou Ren: But, Happiness Wonderland is still active. For each card in the soul, Shiloh's cards are enhanced by 5000.

Shiloh: And then I cast, Folktale's Bewitchery: Reduction Curse. I reduce your defense by 9000.

Amaterasu: 9000?

Agent: In other words, Amaterasu has 11000 defense. 

Shiloh: Alice.

Alice: Yep. (Attacks)

Gwen's Life: 8 -> 6

Emma: My turn. (Attacks) 

Gwen's Life: 6 -> 2

Amaterasu: I thought Emma has a critical of 2.

Shiloh: When Wonderland has more than 3 soul cards, all folktales gain 2 critical.

Emma: And I have double attack. 

Amaterasu: I cast, Freed Flower Of Yosen. Your turn is force to end.

Shiloh: What?

Emma's attack was blocked.

Shiloh: Darn. My turn is over.

Elijah: Aww, so close. 

Sensei: It's okay. She can do this.

Amaterasu release her possesion.

Gwen: No matter what you say, I will make things right no matter what. Draw. Charge & Draw. Posses, Susanoo. (Possesed)

Susanoo: Komaichi to the left. And Micott to the right.

Both monsters summoned respectfully.

Susanoo: Double Cast. Ceremonial, Blessful Guidance. (Gained Resources) Ability activates. (Pays 1 life) Komaichi. Defeat Emma.

Komaichi: Acknowledged. (Attacks)

Emma lost a soul card.

Susanoo: Micott. 

Micott: Right. (Attacks)

Shiloh: Slayer Biblio's effect. (Pays 1 life) I swap Emma with Jordan by calling him from it's soul. (Gain 1 gauge & 1 life)

Emma is swapped as Jordan enters the field.

Shiloh: 1 damage to the opponent.

Gwen's Life: 5 -> 4

Susanoo: My turn. (Shoots Lightning) 1 damage to you.

Shiloh's Life: 9 -> 8 -> 6

Susanoo: Double attack.

Shiloh's Life: 6 -> 5 -> 3

Agent: This is bad. If the next attack lands, Shiloh will lose.

Susanoo: This will end you.

Shiloh's Life: 3 -> 2

Shiloh: I cast. Deadly Serious Teuffel. (Blocks the attack and Destroy Jordan) I gain 2 life.

Shiloh's Life: 2 -> 4

Susanoo: I cast. Electrodeity Festival. I get to attack again.

Shiloh: I wouldn't be so sure. I cast, Hou Ren & Shiloh: The Yin & Yang. I nullify your spell.

The card was activated. But all of the sudden, Shiloh cast some sort of pink yin & yang spell and made the card useless.....

Susanoo: WHAT?

Everyone was surprised while Hou Ren was looking with pride with his arms crossed. In a flashback, he remembers the moment they receive new cards. One of the cards was Yin & Yang. The flashback ends.

Hou Ren: And there's more. Yin & Yang also deals 2 damage when Feather's Biblio has 3 cards in the soul. 

Garga: And Shiloh gains 2 life.

Gwen's Life: 4 -> 2

Shiloh's Life: 4 -> 6

Susanoo: No.....My turn is over.....(Release possesion)

Gwen: No.....(Thought) Wait....Why is...(Thought)

Shiloh: Draw. Charge & Draw. Emma to the right again. Dismissing Jordan.

Emma: (Summoned) Here I am.

Shiloh: White Snow Princess, Christa to the center. All of my cards gain 4000 power. I cast, Folktale's Bewitchery: Hands down. The opponent must discard two cards from their hand. 

Gwen is forced to discard two more cards.

Gwen: Amaterasu. Now.

Amaterasu: Right. (Posses Gwen) Ability activates.

Shiloh: It doesn't matter. Christa. Alice. Attack Micott one at a time.

Both: Right. (Attacks)

Amaterasu: Double Cast. Ceremonial, Wisteria Sun Mirror.

Gwen's Life: 4 -> 8

Alice: Ability activates. 

Christa went to Biblio's soul. And Alice attacks again.

Amaterasu: I cast. Art of Body Replacement.

Shiloh: Emma.

Emma attacks twice but Amaterasu defended twice.

Shiloh: My turn.

Amaterasu: I cast. Ceremonial, Fire Mirror. (Blocks the attack) Thank gosh it's over.

Shiloh: I cast, Shiloh's Feathers Of Truth. (Pays 1 gauge & 1 life)

All of the sudden, tons of angellic feathers flew down and weave around Shiloh's cards. Not just that, Gwen's cards are returned too. Everyone's surprised.

Amaterasu: Why did my cards vanish?

Shiloh: All monsters on both player's field cannot stay even by card effects. Thus they're returned to the hand. 

Hou Ren: And Shiloh gets to pick up to three monsters from her dropzone and call them at no cost.

Shiloh: Emma. Jordan. Christa. REVIVE.

All three monsters revived.

Blaze: (Excited) She gets to attack again?

Magician: (Excited) She's gonna win.

Shiloh: This is for Hou Ren...All of you, Finish her off. 

All: Gladly.

All Monsters attack.....

Amaterasu: Even if I defend, She's going to attack even more...

Amaterasy was defeated with the final blow landed.....

Amaterasu: AHHHHHH.....

Gwen's Flag is destroyed.

Draknights (minus Lost Ren): (Cheering) YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Elijah: NICE ONE, SHILOH.

Lost Ren: (To Hou Ren while feeling impressed) You taught her well.

Hou Ren & Garga felt very approved with smiles on their face. They gave Shiloh a thumbs up and Shiloh responded back witht the same. However, it's seems not everyone is in smiles as their enemies felt in shock.....

Daryl: Gwen.....Lost.....

Ranma: How much... (looked at Hou Ren) did he taught her?

Hou Ren: Consider it a sneak preview of what's coming your way. And Shiloh, that was the best fight I have ever seen.

Shiloh: Thanks Hou Ren. Although I was only lucky to win. I only drew the card through chance.

Hou Ren: Godcape is not in your hand?

Shiloh: No. And I can't believe I'm saying this but...I think you should fight her. 

Hou Ren: Why?

Shiloh: Cuz I sense something's up. I couldn't figure out what and maybe you have a chance.

Hou Ren then looked at Gwen as Gwen feels defeated and looked down to the ground. He then looks sternly.

Hou Ren: Good Point. Alright. Leave this to me. 

Shiloh: (Nodded and Realized) Oh wait, I want to give you this.

Shiloh took out a card from her deck and gave it to Hou Ren. Seeing it, he felt curious.

Hou Ren: What's this?

Shiloh: I know it's wrong to create a card but...(suddenly hugged him) Happy Birthday Hou Ren.

Hou Ren felt very surprised when Shiloh remembered his birthday. Suddenly, the knights even Lost Ren shoots party poppers. 

Draknights(Minus Lost Ren) & Shiloh & Bros: SURPRISE!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOU REN. (Blew Party Blowers)

Hou Ren: (Happily surprised while having his hands over his mouth) Nah....You didn't.....This is all for me?

Hou Ren's father: Wait what (checks his phone and realized) Oh my.....It really is.

Daryl: What?

Ranma: Uh oh.....

Hou Ren: How did you know? I didn't tell you my birthday is today.

Shiloh: Your brothers told me about it and I wanted give you a birthday present.

Elijah: We even baked you a birthday cake. Choclate strawberry.

Hou Ren: My favourite.

Garga: And I've prepared new swords for you.

Hou Ren: For Real?

Garga Hands The Sword Cards to Hou Ren as he receives it.

Trickstar: And a birthday party was prepared back at the Mansion. It's not my style but hey you're the man so..... (thumbs up)

Flashback Reveals the knights Preparing Hou Ren's Birthday Party back at the Mansion.

Hou Ren: (So Touched) So that's what the errands are about.....Thank you so much. (Hugged Shiloh back in warmth) but....the party to wait first. 

Hou Ren then let's go of Shiloh gently. Shiloh nodded in response. He walks infront of Gwen. 

Gwen: Wait....I thought I.....

Hou Ren: You wanted to face me no? I'm giving you a chance. But your playtime.....is over.

COTD

Micah: It's time for....

Judah: Micah and Judah's....

Both: Card of the day.

Micah: Today....We're gonna introduce "Shiloh's Feathers Of Truth"

Judah: It's a spell card named after her.

Micah: It cost 1 gauge & 1 life and it has two abilites. You can nullify the attack and force end the opponent's turn if they attacked three times.

Judah: Or, during your attack phase, you can return all monsters from both player's field to their hand. And revive up to three monsters from the dropzone at no cost.

Micah: So what do you think guys?

Judah: Think you can open up one of these?

Both: You never know until you try.

Anime Ending: Promise You.

Story End.