The teams were in their meeting rooms as Ryu was being bandaged by Karma.

Ryu: Argh, can you take it easy on the arm Karma? Believe it or not that explosion was painful.

Karma: Well then let the pain be a reminder of how stupid that was.

Erica: It might've been stupid, but you'd be lying if you'd say that it wasn't more impressive.

Karma: Well duh.

Azure: Looks like all of our hard work payed off.

Erica: You knew?

Azure: -_- To say I knew was an understatement. I was practically a test dummy to Ryu.

Ryu: A good one at that. It took the entire time we had at the Beylin Temple all the way up to when we came here for me to master that Special Move.

Erica: It makes sense. You combined what I can only imagine as Pegasus' Storm Bringer, Leon's Lion Gale Force Wall, and your Darkness Shinning Buster into one Special Move. A deadly combination.

Karma finished wrapping Ryu's arms.

Karma: Done.

Ryu: Thanks Karma.

Karma: No problem, but you could've at least let me and Erica in on the secret.

Ryu: Haha, sorry but that was between me and Azure.

Karma: Well it doesn't matter now, you creamed Kyoya and now it's time for me to follow up!

Erica: Break a leg out there. Not actually but you know what I mean.

WITH WILD FANG!!

Kyoya: Argh, this sucks!!

Team Wild Fang were in their room as Kyoya was bandaged up.

Ryuga: You, lost, and that's all. Be grateful your Bey isn't in worse condition than you or the stadium.

He looked out seeing the stadium being repaired.

Demure: The amount of power put into that move was devastating.

Nile: It's unreal is what it is. If Horuseus had taken that I would've been way worse off.

Kyoya looked at Leon in his hand.

Kyoya: That's what makes it worse for me. Ryu definitely held back on that attack.

Nile: Did I hear that right?!

Ryuga: He's right. Even if I didn't battle I could tell that he used enough power to only defeat Leon. If he truly wanted to Leon's damage would be visible. Demure!

Demure: AH!! Yes?!

Ryuga: You'll be facing Karma as an opponent. I'm gonna be perfectly honest, it'd take a miracle for you to beat her.

Nile: Way to be blunt!

Demure: Y-Yeah...

Ryuga: BUT, let's force one to happen.

Demure: Huh? But how?

Nile: I think I know what you're getting at.

TIME SKIP!!

The stadium had finished as the bladers had come out. Only a slightly different.

Karma: -_- Can someone explain to me WHY there's an extra head out here?

Nile was beside Demure.

DJ: N-N-NILE?!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!!

Nile: We formally request a team battle!!

He pointed at Karma.

Nile: What do you say Karma? Are you interested in changing things up?!

Karma remembered the last time she had participated in a double battle.

Karma: -_- You know-

Erica: We accept.

Karma looked beside her jumping seeing Erica.

Karma: ERICA?!!

Ryu: The hell?!!

Azure: When did she get down there?!

Karma: What the- This isn't your decision to make! If anything it should be left up to Ryu, he's the leader!!

Ryu: O_O Since when?

Azure: Dude we all agreed on this.

Ryu: I didn't!

Erica: Come on Karma, if there isn't anything special about Demure, then we can team up on Nile and make this basically a 2 on 1.

Karma: Ughh, you just want to battle don't you?

Erica already had her hand on her launcher.

Erica: ... I cannot deny this.

Up in the office Kasumi facepalmed seeing what had just happened.

Kasumi: That girl just can't control herself in times like these.

Ryo: Well it has made things more interesting.

Hikaru: Uh, should you really say that director?

Karma: *Sigh* Fine, I'm fine with it.

Karma could hear her own heartbeat for a second.

Karma: 'All we have to do is win quickly and everything should be fine.'

The crowd cheered as they all got ready to battle.

All: 3!!! 2!!! 1!!! LET IT RIP!!!

They launched their Bey's into the stadium as when Fenrir and Horuseus clashed an explosion occurred.

Karma: Alright, we're getting somewhere fast!!

Fenrir looked to have entered attack mode clashing with Horuseus. Surprisingly the defensive type didn't seem to be completely overwhelmed.

Nile: You're pretty good for the substitute!!

Karma: What's that supposed to mean?!!

Nile: Kinda obvious! You were the one who lost the battle for the normal spot in Japan's All Star Team! Which means you're the sub!

Karma: You're just asking for it now pal!! Chaos Flame!!

Fenrir lit on fire and attacked Horuseus. Demure seemed to eye it breaking down the parts as it spun.

Erica: Hey pal, you forget I'm in this battle too?!!

Lucifer had dashed towards Scorpio knocking it back into the stadium walls.

Demure: OH NO, SCORPIO!!!

Erica: Oh that's just disappointing. You never battled because there wasn't anything that stood out about you. I guess I worried for nothing!

Lucifer smashed into Scorpio again as Demure looked closer.

Demure: If I get caught in a barrage attack from Lucifer there's no way I'll survive. What I should be going for is-

Scorpio dashed away.

Erica: Get back here!!

Horuseus was evading most of Fenrir's attacks with the ones that did connect being destructive.

Nile: Do I really need to repeat it?! You won't be able to beat me if you haven't even won a battle for yourself!

Karma: Shut up shut up shut up!!

Demure: Nile!!

Scorpio came over to the other Beys knocking Horuseus into the air.

Nile: Nice or Demure!! Vulcan Cannon!!

Horuseus sent out what seemed to be light blast hitting Fenrir and Lucifer.

Karma: What the-

Erica: Hell?!!

Azure: What's this?!

Ryu looked close trying to discern what was happening.

Ryu: Damn, it's hard to tell from this distance, but I think Horuseus is-

Madoka: It's bouncing air off of it's fusion wheel like bullets!!

Gingka: How do that work?!!

Madoka: It's because of it's unique shape!

Ryu: And due to Scorpio knocking it up into the air even more was fired off. Karma and Erica won't be able to get out of that attack easily. If they had something like the CS or MCS performance tip that maybe but they're not skilled enough.

Azure: Would you be?

Ryu: Not sure. I wouldn't chance it though.

Erica: Lucifer, Barrage Mode!!

Lucifer's fusion wheel shifted at the other three blades revealed as it managed to wriggle out of the onslaught of air bullets powering through.

Erica: Go now!!

It went to Horuseus attempting to attack it.

Nile: Nice try! Horuseus!!

Horuseus' Fusion Wheel glowed yellow as Lucifer was pushed back.

Azure: That's caused by centrifugal force! Not good!

Nile: Vulcan Horuseus posses the faces of both attack, and defense! Just as the King Horus posses an eye of the sun and moon!

Karma: I have had just about enough of you! Fenrir!!

Fenrir having been freed from the continuous air blast had gone in attack Horuseus at a low angle. This allowed it to keep attacking but seemingly not doing much damage with the strikes.

Ryu: Karma what are you doing out there? Play to your strengths!

Azure: Those taunts must be getting to her pretty badly. But I've never seen her this aggressive towards them.

Fenrir and Lucifer kept trying to attack but with a mix of Demure telling Nile when to dodge and Horuseus' air blast the two weren't getting anywhere.

Karma: So this was your plan all along! By letting us see that Demure's blading strength wasn't what stood out about him you lured us into a double battle! And it's completely my fault!!

Erica: No Karma, I wanted to battle to and-

Nile: And that proves my point! Ryu's the leader and the powerhouse, Azure's the best defender, even Erica has her relentless attacks! You're just there!

Ryuga in the stands smirked.

Ryuga: And with that, it looks like we've won the second battle.

Karma: 'Is that it? Are we going to lose because of me? Am I just not enough?'

???: No you aren't.

The voice in Karma's head returned as she looked around in fear.

Dark Karma: You're just too weak on your own. Just cut loose and show everyone your true power!!

She held her head in pain as a Dark Aura formed around her.

Karma: S-Stop it, please!

Nile: Demure, I need you to by me a little time!

Demure: Right, Scorpio!!

Scorpio had dashed in holding both Bey's at bay due to the relentless attacks. While that happened Nile began to charge his special move.

Dark Karma: Now show everyone what you can really do!!

Karma: AHHHH!!!!!

The black flames exploded from Karma as Erica looked beside her.

Erica: Crap!!

Azure: It's those flames again!!

Karma opened her eyes as they glowed yellow almost bloodshot.

Karma: I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR TAUNTING!!! JUST DIE!!!!

Fenrir exploded in the flames as well blowing Scorpio away while knocking Demure back.

Demure: AHHH!!!

Nile: Demure!!!

Fenrir howled and collided with Horuseus causing an explosion.

Ryuga: What is this?!!!

Kyoya: It's just like in Japan!!

DJ: WHAT IS THIS?!!! JUST WHEN THINGS SEEMED LOST FENRIR HAS GAINED A NEW RUSH OF POWER AS IT TEARS THROUGH HORUSEUS AND SCORPIO!!!!

Ryu: What the hell is this?

Lucifer had gone in stopping Fenrir's assault.

Erica: Karma you need to get a hold of yourself!!

Karma: Save it!!

Erica flinched seeing the dark look Karma had.

Karma: STAY OUT OF MY WAY!!!

Fenrir blasted Lucifer away with the flames beginning to burn Erica as well.

Erica: AH!!!!

Karma: ANYTHING AND ANYONE IN MY PATH SHOULD JUST TURN TO ASH!!!

Fenrir's spirit had appeared in the stadium but it was replaced by a dark and evil silhouette. Another explosion occurred as the wolf went into the air causing destruction. Ryu looked at how Karma was battling and remembered the conversation they had.

Ryu: Oh no...

Dracian: Ryu, we both know what this is.

Ryuga and Azure looked realizing what was happening as well.

Ryuga: So that's what's happening.

Kyoya: Do you know what this is?

Azure: Ryu, this is the Dark Power isn't it?

He said nothing as he jumped over the stands. In the office Hikaru began to have a panic attack as Ryo had to shield her and Kasumi as the windows shattered. Karma had began to laugh amused by the chaos. That was until she heard a voice call out her name.

Ryu: KARMA!!!!

She looked back seeing Ryu walking towards the stadium.

Gingka: WHAT ARE YOU DOING RYU?!!!

Masamune: IF YOU GET TOO CLOSE YOU'LL BE BURNT!!!

He didn't listen as he kept walking forward placing his hands on Karma's shoulders looking into her eyes. She squirmed angrily but ended up looking back into Ryu's eyes.

Ryu: Remember who you are. Regain control of yourself. Don't run from that darkness. You won't be facing it alone.

Karma's eyes widened. The flames hit Ryu as he didn't seem to move even from the extreme heat. After another moment he let go walking back.

Karma: 'N-Not alone?'

Dark Karma: Don't listen to him! Rage more, more! There's nothing you can do to escape this!!

The redhead began to sink into a void starting to not hear the voices of her friends call out. That was until a particular voice emerged.

Fenrir: K-Karma...

Karma had looked back seeing the dark Fenrir in the air. While this happened Nile had gotten back up charging his Special Move again.

Karma: 'Fenrir?'

Yu: KARMA, YOU'VE GOTTA GET A GRIP!!!

She looked into the stands seeing Yu.

Yu: THIS ISN'T THE REAL YOU!!! MY SISTER ALWAYS FIGHTS WITH HER WHOLE HEART AND SOUL!!! SURE YOU CAN BE A PAIN, BUT THAT'S THE REAL YOU!!!!

Erica: He's right, you've got to realize that whatever this flame is can't control you!!!

Karma: 'I'm... Not alone...'

Dark Karma: This darkness isn't something mere friends can overcome. It will always be there.

Karma: 'Yeah, you are right... Darkness can't be avoided. But, where darkness goes, THERE'S ALWAYS A LIGHT!!!'

A white light shine from Karma as she began to rise up from the dark.

Karma: AND YOU AREN'T THE BOSS OF ME!!!!

She grabbed her dark self by the throat before the black flames around her began to change and become blue. Seeing this Ryu smirked.

Ryu: She learned fast.

Azure: Hey, she has a luxury that we didn't. Someone experienced enough to help.

Fenrir had regained his true form but his red glow became blue.

Nile: The light is fully charged!! SPECIAL MOVE: MYSTIC ZONE!!!!

A pillar of yellow tags appeared from Horuseus as Karma looked as it.

Karma: HERE WE GO PARTNER!!!!

Fenrir leapt into the air howling.

Karma: SPECIAL MOVE!!! FENRIR: LUNAR FLAME BURST!!!!

Fenrir surrounded in a blue flame came crashing down into the pillar creating one final explosion shaking the entire stadium.

DJ: WITH THOSE SPECIAL MOVES THE STADIUM HAS BEEN TOTALED YET AGAIN!!! DID THAT DECIDE THE BATTLE?!!!

When the smoke cleared it was revealed that no beys were left spinning.

DJ: NO BEYS HAVE BEEN LEFT!!! IT'S A DRAW!!!!

Benkei in the crowd yelled.

Benkei: ALL THAT FOR A TIE?!!!!

Karma sheepishly put her hand behind her head while sticking her tongue out.

Karma: Looks like that move was too much for me to use in one go.

Demure: @_@ I think I'm seeing stars.

Nile: Argh, that hurt.

Ryu: Huh, well looks like she took a different path from us.

Azure: Instead of evolving she gained a new strength.

Erica: *Sigh* Well at least you're back to normal Karma.

She went into the stadium grabbing Fenrir practically playing hot potato with him due to the heat of the Bey.

Karma: Yeah.

Nile: Karma.

She looked seeing Nile walking down.

Nile: Sorry for taking those taunts so far.

Karma: Apology accepted Nile. You honestly helped me in the end.

Nile: Uh, I really doubt that I helped.

They shook hands as they went back to their separate teams.

Ryu: You know Karma, you could've told us that it was the Dark Power.

Karma: Sorry. I just didn't want you to feel like it was your fault.

Ryu: Well it kinda was, there's no avoiding that. Like we might've with this mess.

They looked seeing the destruction the match brought.

Azure: Yeah, two expert Dark Power users could've given you advice.

Karma had another feeling in her chest but not one of dark urges.

Karma: Ah to heck with it? Ryu?

Ryu: What'a u-

He found that kiss had been planted on his lips by the redhead.

Erica: Well it's about damn time.

Azure: Finally.

She blushed hard from doing this.

Karma: Will you... Be my boyfriend?

Ryu smiled brightly his face while his cheeks turned red.

Ryu: ^_^ Absolutely.

Karma smiled before hugging him as Ryu held her close.

CHAPTER END!!