Path To Liberation, Mysteries Revealed (Chap 35)

Synopsis: Wanna know how Hou Ren planned Path To Liberation & acquired new gifts? Well, you're in luck as the latter takes a trip down memory lane.Anime Opening: Black & White6 months & 6 weeks ago, the moon was full as it shines above the night sky. A tired & exhausted 15-year-old boy just came home from school. He tossed his school bag aside and lays on his bed. His forehead was shadowed as he remembers past memories.Gwen: You planned the kidnapping. You Liar.Masato: You're an attention seeker.Natalie: You don't trust us at all.Daryl: You're A Joke.Once the flashback ends, Hou Ren's expression remains the same as he then remembers even more memories.Hou Ren's Mother: When are you going to behave huh?Hou Ren's Dad: Idiot. Where is my son?Ms Shafi: You garbage student.Ms Pauline: Apologize right now or you are suspended for LIFE.Yet Another memory was shown. This time it's the people disliking the Draknight's antics and heroics at the city.Citizen #1: FREAKS.Citizen #2: SHOWOFFS.Citizen #3: LET THE BUDDY POLICE DO THE WORK.The Draknights constantly got discriminated. Food & trash was thrown at them one after another. The Draknights couldn't take it anymore while Hou Ren still believe that they can change their hearts and view of them.Trickstar: I can't take it anymore.Blaze: I swear, I want to burn them to ash.Hou Ren: Absolutely Not. Killing is the last thing we do.Garga: Agreed, but at this rate, they will keep going like this.Hou Ren: I know, but I still believe that they can change. We just have to keep trying.Kaizer: You know what I'm done. Hou, we tried to do it your way but it's not working. I officially leave the Draknights.Hou Ren: What?Magician: I agree. You created us so that you won't feel alone and so much more. End up what happened? We got stomped on instead. You got stomped on.Hou Ren: But....Lost Ren: Save it. We're not your servants and you're just a clown that's putting on a lousy show for them. You're blind to see the reality in front of you.Garga: Agreed. Hou Ren, you're too naïve. You need to stop pleasing people on top of that.Hou Ren: I....Garga: Until you realize your mistake, we will not side with you in future events.Hou Ren: What. Gar....Garga turned around and leave his buddy. The remaining Draknights follow him and went on their separate ways, leaving Hou Ren absolutely dumbfounded. The memory ends and Hou Ren was still lying down on his bed before sitting back up sadly.Hou Ren: What Am I going to do.... (sigh) Times up. I need to head to shower.As Hou Ren walk to his bathroom, a card accidentally drops out of his pocket. Hou Ren notice it and pick it up. It's the Dragon EIN flag and he felt surprised.Hou Ren: This card....Once again, another memory was shown. A day before the current moment, he was waiting at a bus stop on a rainy day while carrying a bag of groceries. The rain & him are similar as they fall down. A man stands beside him.???: Hello, Hou Ren.Hou Ren: What..... You're.....Kyoya Gaen.Kyoya: Nice to meet you.Hou Ren: What do you want from me? I'm willing to try kung fu.Kyoya: Calm down. I want to lend you a helping hand.Hou Ren: What do you mean?Kyoya: I would like you....to have this. (Shows the Dragon EIN flag)Hou Ren: That flag.....But....Kyoya: Yes. But now, you shall be the new owner of this flag.Hou Ren: But why?Kyoya: I've been watching you and I'm impressed with your achievements. But I also felt sorry when you suffer at the hands of those who look down on you.Hou Ren: I....Kyoya: Don't you realize you're putting on a show for them? You made a lot of strides. But people see you as an eyesore regardless.Hou Ren: I.....Kyoya: And I don't mean to say this but.... all this time, the people around you are just poisoning you. They don't care about how you feel. You're like a slave to them, born to just be used and crushed again and again.Hou Ren: That's not true....Kyoya: Deep down, you know I'm right. But with this, you can change everything. Break free from those who hold you back. Consider this as an opportunity.Hou Ren reluctantly take the flag and he look at it with curiosity. Hou Ren then look up again and notice Kyoya is gone. He felt surprised. The moment the memory ends in sync with his current expression, his eyes became sharper than ever.Immediately, all the cards he owned are spilled onto his bed. Bit by bit, he starts building a new deck. He even went to a store next day and bought a whole box. Eventually, his deck is complete. But something feels missing as he looks at a picture. He then phone calls someone.Hou Ren: It's me. We need to talk.Outside the Buddy Card Office, Hou Ren is seen waiting for someone. A familiar voice caught up to him.???: Hou Ren.Hou Ren turns around and Garga is the one who stands before him. The two are looking at each other eye to eye sternly. The winds were gushing and breezing as leaves are flying past them.Hou Ren: I'm sorry. It's all my fault.Garga: Convince me otherwise.Hou Ren: This whole time, I've been wasting my efforts. I just keep pleasing people when I should be just doing it for my own sake. And worse, I'm such a blind idiot.Garga: What does that mean?Hou Ren clench his right fist while hating himself badly.Hou Ren: I shouldn't have become a people pleaser. And I shouldn't have become so.....stupid. People don't just hate us, they're jealous of us. So jealous that they become so judgmental & corrupted. I couldn't even change their minds. I'm just nothing but a failure.Hearing this, Garga felt a bit surprised.Garga: You....Hou Ren: You're right. Lost Ren's right. I'm too naïve. Too naïve to see the reality in front of me. Hate me all you want but I still want to make things right. I'm sorry that I made you upset. I'm sorry I pushed you away. I'm...Garga was abit stunned but then he came forward and hugged his buddy. Now Hou Ren's the one being stunned.Garga: I wasn't upset with at all, Hou Ren. I was just sad that you lost your way. I had always been by your side all along. And I always knew....my buddy would always get back up no matter what.Hou Ren: (hugged back while crying) I know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.Garga: It's okay. We're buddies till the end.Suddenly Garga starts to glow. His crystal sparks bright leaving both of them surprised and let go.Hou Ren: Garga? What's going on?Garga: I don't know.....but I can feel power surging through me....could this mean?Hou Ren: You're evolving?While Hou Ren stares in shock, little did they know is that Light Kurouzu is watching them from afar inside the building. The next day at school, Ms Shafi was talking to one of the teachers in the staff office.Shafi: Oh I can't stand that Hou Ren nowadays, always on his IPAD and playing games and say that he's doing "homework". He's such a liar.Teacher #2: Seriously?Shafi: Yeah. Does he even pay attention at all? And what good will he do in future? He's such a failure and I will definitely confiscate his IPAD the moment he uses it in my class.Teacher #2: You could get in trouble you know.Shafi: Who cares. Besides, it's just the two of us in the room. No one would know.However, outside the staff room, Hou Ren & Garga was secretly recording her using their phones. They felt absolutely displeased as they shook their heads.Hou Ren: Unbelievable....Garga: And I thought Teachers are supposed to guide students. Not insulting them and treat them unfairly.Hou Ren: Yeah. If she is my phone, I will put her on silent mode.This same action is repeated for 5 weeks. Recording secretly nonstop. Along the way, Hou Ren had to endure more of his parent's peer pressure & nagging. Not to mention some cold stares. When school ended one day, they had a talk at the BP's rooftop. Hou Ren was looking at the evening sunset while Garga stood behind him.Hou Ren: My friend.....I have decided to leave Malaysia.Garga: Really? But Why?Hou Ren: The answer is obvious.....the odds are against me.Garga: But what good would leaving Malaysia do?Hou Ren: Simple. Like I said, people are so judgmental nowadays. Unable to see the bright picture. We're nothing but a menace to society.Garga: Hou Ren.....Hou Ren: And because I was too idiotic back then, I was like.....so bound by chains. Believing things would change but it's all a ruse. I kept getting crushed. Or rather, WE kept getting crushed. I need to set us free.Garga: I see...Hou Ren: If everything we do.....If everything I do...is just offending people, creating more conflict. If we're never meant to be understood...Garga: But still, You need to face them instead of running away.Hou Ren: For what? Nothing's gonna change even if I do something. For God's sake, I must move on.Garga: Move on?Hou Ren: There's a saying by an old master of ours. "You must let go of what's holding you back". And what's holding me back are those who poisoned me.Garga: Hou Ren...Hou Ren: Have you noticed from the beginning of this? Before Lost Ren, before everyone, all this time, it's just been me. No matter what happens here, if this is the only way to end this chaos. If abandoning them gives us freedom. If my brothers are in it or not.....(Turned around) It's me & you...against the entire world.Garga felt surprised to see how much his Buddy has become. Little did they know is that Tasuku & Jack were secretly watching them from afar while feeling worried & stern.The two left the office with Tasuku, Jack & Light were secretly watching them. Worried about what's they're doing. When night time arrived, the two entered their secret base & all the Draknights are there looking stern.Hou Ren: (sigh) I owe you all an apology. You guys are right. Things are not working out at all.Lost Ren: Elaborate please.Hou Ren: (sigh) I'm an idiot okay. Like do people appreciate us at all nowadays? NO. Do people like understand us as equals? NO. Change their mind for what? Epic fail.Lost Ren: So you noticed.Hou Ren: And I deeply regret pleasing them like circus animals. We need to set ourselves free. But before that I need to say I'm sorry. I'm deeply sorry for using all of you as tools. I'm deeply sorry for pushing you all away. And I'm sorry for being such an idiot.The Draknights stare for a bit and Sensei Ren steps up to him.Sensei: Who says anything about pushing us away? We were by your side the whole time.Hou Ren: What? I still....Sensei: Hou Ren, the real reason we left you is because you need to realize that not everything can be changed easily. Not to mention, we can't always baby you. You need to like start being independent.Agent: Sensei's right. And you need to realize that you can't always please people or force them to change their mind.Kaizer: Aside from that, You're not an idiot. You're not stupid. You're just....well too hopeful and too naïve, no offense.Garga: And too pure of heart to believe that things could change.Hou Ren: Okay, I get your point. Are you guys going to accept my apology or not?Trickstar: Well.... seeing that you learnt your lesson....I forgive you.Kaizer: Same here.Every single Draknight agreed. Lost Ren felt reluctant but he nodded as well.Hou Ren: Thanks guys.....Lost Ren: Just don't do it again. Come. I know you didn't invite us for just an apology.Hou Ren: Okay. What do you guys know about (reveals his new flag) this?Lost Ren: (Shocked) IMPOSSIBLE!!!Blaze: How did you....Garga: Long story...After a brief transition.Draknights: You're Going To Do WHAT?Hou Ren: Can you please calm down?Blaze: But isn't that.....running away?Garga: I told him that too.....Hou Ren: What good would it do if we just stay? Nothing's gonna change unless we leave.Trickstar: Then....what's the Dragon EIN flag for?Hou Ren: (place it back to his deck) Before I leave, I want to have One Last Buddyfight. I want to deal with a rat. Or rather....a vixen.Lost Ren: Let me guess.....Ms Shafi.Garga: Correct.Hou Ren: I have two goals. One, expose her. Two, if it works, open everyone's eyes. But I'm sure the second option would not even work even if I succeed. Either way, I'm delivering the "Coup-de gras".Everyone stare at their leader in curiosity.Hou Ren: Let me say it...THE THING I ADMIRE, EVERYTHING I FOUGHT FOR DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE. IT'S OVER. IT'S ENDS NOW.Garga: Woah. Calm down Hou Ren. Regardless, you all have two options. You can come with us into our new life, or you can stay here and look after the citizens in secret. We won't force you either way.Everyone thought about it for a while. Lost Ren walks forward to him and tap his shoulder.Lost Ren: I'm coming with you.Hou Ren: Lost Ren?Lost Ren: You both can't honestly survive on your own. Where are you going to go on top of that?Rockstar: Agreed. Also, what for to stay when our place is destroyed. It will be endless hate if we stay. We need to purge it or else.Everyone else nodded in agreement which made Hou Ren smiled.Hou Ren: Join my hand. All of you.Hou Ren place his right hand in the middle and everyone stack their hands on top of it and each other. The Gar Trio even joined.Hou Ren: Tomorrow, let's make our final stand. We do it as a family. And I promise you this...I will set us free no matter what. For Glory. For Freedom. For Victory.All: YEAH.Suddenly, Everyone Glowed and felt surprised.Sensei: What's Going On?All of the sudden, tons of new cards appeared before them. They let go their hands and grab the cards slowly.Trickstar: Did we just....Garga: Create new cards?Everyone stares at their new powers in shock. Soon after, The Day of Liberation arrived. Immediately, everyone prepares their gadgets. Their faces become serious as they stand righteously with their equipment.Trickstar: I'm gonna miss this place NGL.Hou Ren: We all will.Suddenly, everything went pitch black except for the young leader. Hou Ren draws his sword and swings it in very well in slow motion.Hou Ren: (Thought) The moment has finally arrived. I can't bear to live in this poisoned life. Time....for the coup de(creates a slash) gras(Thought)The moment the slash was created, it struck and knock down a frightened Ms Shafi at the stage.Ms Shafi: But.... how...How did you.....Hou Ren stood before her while feeling hateful as he wields his sword. The moment his eyes are filled with lightning, he draws his sword. Everyone else at the stands were filled with fear. Hou Ren struck his opponent down with the latter yell in pain. It was entirely dark later on.???: And that's the story.It arrives at the present day. At a park, Daryl, Masato, Gwen, Alec, Eden were astonished. It was revealed that Hou Ren was telling them a story in front of them.Daryl: Woah.....Masato: For share.....Hou Ren: After that, we left the country and start a new life. I met a few new friends and of course there's the sanctuary crisis.Alec: I must say....That was intense.Gwen: But why are you telling us all of this?Hou Ren: Let's just say, an acquaintance of mine mentioned Kyoya's Name. And then it reminded me of this tale. (shrugs) Plus, Daryl & Masato wouldn't stop bugging me earlier.Masato: Oh yeah that...Ms Pauline: (arrived)Well...now that I heard the story, I'm deeply sorry you had to go through all of that.Hou Ren: Ms? What are you doing here?Pauline: I just happen to be in the neighborhood. Anyways, you certainly opened my eyes. And I must admit, you accomplished a lot on what we could not.Gwen: Yeah, you're the first student to surpass a teacher.Alec: You even traveled to California without using vehicle transportation.Eden: And the fact that you use different worlds all at once? I'm impressed, Hou Ren.Hou Ren: I suppose.Alec: Well, Hou Ren, you certainly became more than my rival. And you know, if any future events occur, don't hesitate to ask for help.Eden: Same here.Everyone else nodded.Hou Ren: Thanks guys. Aight I gotta head back home. It's getting late.Masato: See you man.The Moment He Left, everyone stares in warm smiles.Daryl: It's good to have him back.Masato: For share.Eden: (Thought) He can do anything when he put his mind to it. (Thought)Alec: (Thought) After all, he's our greatest rival & friend. (Thought)The story ends with Hou Ren walking into the sunset.Anime Ending: Gonna be right.Story End.