Path To Liberation, Harshness (Chap 29)

Synopsis: Despite Shiloh's victory, the couple sense something's up with Gwen. So Hou Ren finally steps up to the plate and face her. Meanwhile, Gwen wants to.....

Anime Opening: Knock On Your Gate

From the top of the Arena to the scenery of the Arena where two groups confront one another. The young king steps up as he holds out his deck. He was feeling calmly stern as he looks at his deck with own eyes.

Hou Ren: To think it's finally my turn to fight. Why did things become like this? So much for being liberated....

Gwen: Hou Ren....I don't want to fight. But if this is the only way then I will.

Hou Ren: By all means....

Gwen: Purge evil, purify the unclean, and protect the innocent. Bright the enemy with the suns. Luminize! Wisteria Heavenly Light!

Hou Ren: A deity dragon brigade descends through this battlefield. Come On. Expect the unexpected and strike back with full force. Luminize, Dradeity....Exspecta.

All: Buddy...Fight.

Both: Raise the flag.

Gwen: Katana World.

Hou Ren: Dragon World.

Gwen: Wait what?

Hou Ren: Did you honestly think I was gonna use my Dragon Ein Deck? I know you guys have planned strategies, so I decided to switch things up abit. And my hunch was correct.

Gwen & Ranma: (Thought while being surprised) He saw right through us. (Thought End)

Gwen: Regardless. I will win. Draw. Charge and Draw. Komaichi to the center.

Komaichi: (Summoned) To fight or not to fight.

Gwen: Equip, Kagura Emblem of Selfless Worship. Komaichi, attack the fighter.

Hou Ren's Life: 10 -> 8

Gwen: My turn is over.

Blaze: Make us Proud Bro.

Elijah: You got this.

Hou Ren: Draw. Charge & Draw. Equip.....

Hou Ren equips a new sword. A gold sword with green linings around them...

Hou Ren: Deity Dragon Sword, Garblade.....Exspecta.

Lost Ren: (Curiousity Piqued) That sword.....

Garga: That's right. It's the same sword I gave him earlier.

Hou Ren: Thanks Garga. I owe you one.

Garga: Don't mention it. But focus.

Hou Ren: Right. I call Garcat "Exspecta" to the right.

Garcat: (summoned) Oh yeah, It feels good to be me, cat.

Hou Ren: Gardog "Exspecta" to the left.

Gardog: (summoned) You howl, I answer dog.

Hou Ren: When summoned, Garcat lets me gain a gauge and draw. Gardog also increases my gauge by 1. I cast, Gar Oracle. (Draw 2 cards) Garcat. Attack Komaichi.

Garcat: (Summoned his saber) Right. (Attacks)

Komaichi is defeated.

Garcat: Double attack.

Gwen's Life: 9 -> 7

Gardog: My turn. (Summoned cannons from behind) 

Gwen: Cast. Art of Body Replacement.

Hou Ren then wields his sword and attacks with Garblade.

Gwen: Cast. Demon way, Kasumienran. (Gain 1 life)

Hou Ren: My turn is over.

Ranma: I'm surprised. I thought Hou Ren would call Garga immediately.

Daryl: Just wait and see, man. (Thought) I've been there (Thought)

Tasuku: (Thought) Interesting.....(Thought)

Gwen: Draw. Charge & Draw. Hou Ren. I want to confess something.

Hou Ren: What is it?

Gwen: I....have a crush on you. 

Hou Ren: What?

Draknights: WHAT?

Trickstar: No Way. You don't have a crush on him. 

Gwen: I do.....When you left that day....I miss you....Alot. I kept seeing you as hallucinations. Even in my dreams. I refuse to admit first but this whole time I had a crush on you.

Blaze: Woah Woah Woah. Hold Up. You? Having A crush On Him? You rejected him remember?

Gwen: I know that. I know what I did and.... I should have.... I didn't know what I did would turn you into who you are now. And Ranma told me about your bad circumstances. I want to help you.

Ranma nodded in response.

Hou Ren: It's too late. I already moved past my fears. I was immature back then. I realised that this whole time, I'm chasing an illusion.

Ranma: An Illusion?

Hou Ren: When I thought things would become better, it was all a lie. I thought people would like hear me out, notice my worth, but no. If I deserve to be forgotten, then I deserve to be forgotten.

Everyone felt shocked when he said that.

Garga, Ranma & Shiloh: (Worried) You don't mean that....

Hou Ren: I DO.....(clenched his left fist) I told you before. My actions always invite conflict. It doesn't matter what I do, it's always meaningless in the end.

Gwen: That's not.....You don't deserve to be forgotten. You derserve to be remembered. Remember when you saved that girl from the accident? You were more than just....you. You even....made my love stronger.

Shiloh: (Thought) That's my line. (Thought)

Hou Ren's Father: Gwen's right. What you did made me and your mother proud. I was wrong about you being so self centered. I'm proud of you, My son.

Hou Ren: (Sigh) Yeah...NO. Not. A. Chance. 

Everyone felt worried.

Hou Ren: Made your love stronger? I'm your son? Nah. It's all a lie. Like I'm so dumb to believe that.

Garga: Hou Ren?

Hou Ren: Ey. I don't want to hear you saying that you had a crush on me. You don't have a son. I know you're just trying to win me back. Newsflash but Your words....are nothing but POISON.

Everyone but the knights felt scared. Shiloh however felt worried.

Judah: Wait like Poison....the song?

All of the knights stared at Judah annoyingly.....

Judah: Okay jeez....Comedy relief you know.

Hou Ren: Judah..... But you know....My anger suddenly calmed down. So thanks....I guess?

Judah & Gwen: Okay.....

 Gwen: I don't have a choice.....Amaterasu, let's bring Hou Ren to the light together.

Amaterasu: Let's do it.

Both: Buddy Posses.

Gwen's Life: 8 -> 9

Amaterasu: I cast, electrodeity return. Komaichi and Micott to my hand and I call them to the right and left.

Both Monsters summoned respectfully.

Amaterasu: My ability activates. (Draw 2 cards and gain 2 gauge) Komaichi. Dealt with Garcat.

Hou Ren: I cast. Dragon Guard. (Brace himself) I take on the attack. 

All: What?

Hou Ren takes on the attack.

Hou Ren: (Smirked and chuckled) Now you done it. GARCAT.

Garcat: You dealt damage to Hou Ren. You'll pay for that. 1 damage to you. (Shoots lightning from his claws)

Gwen's Life: 9 -> 8

Gardog: And my ability activates. 2 gauge null & void. (Fires his cannon)

Gwen's gauge is out.

Gwen: My gauge.

Hou Ren: And with Garblade, Draw a card and two damage to you. 

Hou Ren's sword is charged with lightning and blasts the opponent.

Amaterasu: AHHHHHH.....

Gwen's Life: 8 -> 6

Ranma: What the How?

Daryl: It's how he beaten me and Eden.

Eden: When Hou Ren takes damage, he strikes back.

Hou Ren: If I have to take damage to preserve what I live for then so be it. I might as well convert my pain into strength.

Shiloh: Woah....Intense.

Amaterasu: Oh my gosh.....Micott. Attack Garcat.

Garcat is defeated.

Garcat: I failed....(Destroyed)

Hou Ren & Garga: Garcat!!!!

Micott proceeds to attack Gardog.

Hou Ren: I cast. Gar Heilen. Sorry Gardog.

Gardog: You better win. (Destroyed)

Hou Ren: I gain 4 life.

Amaterasu: My turn. (Attacks) 

Hou Ren's Life: 9 -> 5

Amaterasu: Double attack. 

Hou Ren's Life: 5 -> 1

Amaterasu: Cast. Electrodeity Festival. I get to attack again. 

Amaterasu jumps and finally finished Hou Ren off. Hou Ren was knocked down as his Life hit 0 and everyone's shocked. His eyes are completely shadowed.

Ranma: Gwen....did it....

Daryl: Incredible....

Eden: Wait....somethings up.....

At Eden's request, everyone's paying attention to Hou Ren's side. Hou Ren however got back up. His face is unfazed. His eyes are clouded with shade. His expression remains calm.

Hou Ren: (Paid 1 gauge & discard a hand card) I cast....Hou Ren & Shiloh's.....

Shiloh heard her name mentioned as she recognizes the card....

Both: Unwavering Love.....

All of the sudden, Feather's flew down and swirled around the young king intensively. His blue aura becomes brighter. He feels the power from those feathers. Like's he feeling blessed.

Hou Ren: My life points become 10.

Hou Ren's Life: 0 -> 10

All: WHAT?

Ranma: 10 LIFE?

The feathers slowly turn back into the card and softly lands on Hou Ren's fingertips.

Hou Ren: This Card(Holds the card to his chest) is a special gift. Naturally, it's the same card....(to Shiloh) that you gave me for my Birthday.

Shiloh: (Touched and blushed) Don't mention it. Happy Birthday Sweetie. 

Hou Ren: (nodded) Since my hand cards are three or less, I draw until I have 6 cards in my hand. (Does So)

Agent: Oooh. That's Love for you.

Judah: (In tears) It's beautiful man....

Micah: (In tears) I know....

Amaterasu released her possesion.

Gwen: Again...How can this be?

Amaterasu: Gwen....

Hou Ren: Draw, charge and draw. Equip.....GargaSabre "Exspecta". (Equips GargaSabre "Exspecta" on his left hand)

Ranma: Wait what?

Light: He equipped two Items. That's impossible.

Hou Ren: Nothing's impossible. I cast, Boost On. And I.....Buddycall.

Garga Transforms and Appeared on the right.

Garga: All Are Powerless Before My Blade.

Blaze: Finally, the real Garga enters.

Hou Ren: Garbird "Exspecta" to the left.

Garbird appears on the left with his new form.

Garbird: Finally, this bird get to fight.

Hou Ren: With Garbird's effect, I increase all of my cards power and defense by 5000. By Taking 1 damage, I also increase the critical of my cards by 1.

Eden: Wait....He also took damage...that means...

Hou Ren: 2 damage to you.

Hou Ren's sword blasts lightning towards Gwen.

Gwen's Life: 4 -> 2

Hou Ren place Garblade behind him and then draws a card and then noticed what he drew. He then smiled warmly.

Hou Ren: Interesting.....Hey Shiloh.....(Stabbed the floor with GargaSabre while decides to offer her left hand to Shiloh) Want to fight together?

Shiloh was feeling hesitant but in the end, she smiled.

Shiloh: I thought you never ask.

She gladly takes Hou Ren's hand and step onto stage. She then holds GargaSabre with her right hand. After equipping the swords, the two looked at each other and then looked at Gwen as they hold their swords in a prepared stance. In other words, they're fighting together.

Ranma: Woah....

Lost Ren: I suppose it's not even 1 on 1 to begin with.

Hou Ren: Ready? 

Shiloh: Yep.

Both: We cast....

Hou Ren: Wings

Shiloh: Of....

Both: Freedom.

Suddenly, the two of them awakened their Angelic Wings Behind them. They were magnificent and huge. Incredibly beautiful & radiant. Everyone was very shocked as thew two fly into the air as they flap their wings.

Kaizer: (Excited) WINGS?

Blaze: (Excited) NAH.

Hou Ren: Shall we?

Shiloh: Yep. 

Both Shiloh & Hou Ren Link attack as they flew around and carry their swords....

Gwen: Posses Amaterasu. (possesed)

Amaterasu: Ability activates. 20000 defense.

Shiloh: No Use. Our Power is at 24000 combined.

Amatertasu: WHAT? I forgot....Garbird's ability. Cast, Wisteria Sun Mirror.

Hou Ren & Shiloh's attack was blocked.

Shiloh: Garga. Garbird. Wanna go for it?

Garga: Of course. Anything for you, Shiloh. (Summoned his swords)

Garbird: And I'll follow up too. 

Garga launches his sword and Garbird enhances them with eye lasers.

Amaterasu: Cast. Sol Aurora. (Blocks the attack) Garga cannot stand.

Garga: What?

Hou Ren: You're delusional. My turn is over.

With that said, Amaterasu released her possesion. However, both of their wings glowed even brighter. Feathers are swirling around them like crazy.

Gwen: Wha....what's going on....

Shiloh: Wings of freedom. Requires two hand cards. It not only returns cards from the dropzone to the deck but also....It gaves us an Extra Turn.

All: WHAT?

Shiloh: Garga.

Garga: Right. (Attacks)

Gwen's Life: 9 -> 6

Garga: Double attack

Gwen's Life: 6 -> 3

Hou Ren: Garbird. Your next.

Gwen: Cast. Art of Body replacement.

Hou Ren: I'll deal with you myself. (Attacks)

Gwen's Life: 3 -> 1

Hou Ren: All yours.

Shiloh: Right. (Flies)

Gwen: (Thought) Even if I defend or posses, G-EVO..... (Thought)

Gwen then looked at Shiloh as she flies through the arena. With a sharp edge of her sword and a strong flap of her wings, she pierce through Gwen's chest like it's no tommorow. 

Gwen: Ahhhh...

Gwen's Flag is destroyed. The couple hold hands and help them up high excitedly. The Draknights cheered for them.

Hou Ren: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

Draknights: ALRIGHT.

Magician: They work so well together.

Elijah: I know.

The two of them looked at each other with cheerful smiles and sparkly eyes. They hugged each other afterwards as they close their wings. 

Hou Ren: You're so good.

Shiloh: So are you.....(blushed warmly) I kinda....

Hou Ren: (blushed warmly) Me too.

As they looked at each other eye to eye while embracing one another, the two of them share a beautiful kiss. It was so lovely as they do so with passion. Meanwhile, Gwen & Eden were absolutely crushed.

Eden: Wait....

Ranma: You guys....

Gwen: Are dating?

Light & Daryl: Uh Oh.....

Hou Ren & Shiloh then heard their response and stop themselves.....

Gwen: (Thought) So that's why..... (Thought)

Hou Ren: I'm sorry Gwen. But I'm taken already.

Shiloh: What he said. 

Gwen: I.....I see. (In Tears)

Eden starts to cry slowly too in sadness.

???: It's not over yet.

Everyone then looked at Ranma. He just transformed to his Vile Form. He is more like his old self in the Ace Buddyfighter Playoffs.

Vile Ranma: We still have a score to settle. Old friend.

Hou Ren then decided to turn serious again while gently letting Shiloh Go.

Hou Ren: Just like Old times.

Both Vile Ranma and Hou Ren face Eye to Eye to each other. Their Glares are bright and scary.

Anime Ending: Promise You.

Story End.