Ryu: 9997... 9998...

Ryu was holding a massive bolder over his head doing lunges. The veins in his arms were fully visible and steam was coming off of him.

Dracian: Incredible.

Ryu: 9999...!!!

His eyes were like his Beast Spirit Form as he looked up. He lunged one last time before shouting.

Ryu: 10000!!!!

He immediately dropped the boulder and sat down heavily panting.

Dracian: Ryu are you sure your human?

Ryu: What's that supposed to mean?

Dracian: Oh just the fact you literally broke what should count as IMPOSSIBLE. HOW CAN YOU EVEN DO THAT?!

Ryu: Eh, I guess that Beast Spirit Form stuff helps out.

He dropped from the form with more steam coming off of him. Be took out a bottle of water and gulped down most of it.

Ryu: Ahhh. Well, one month down, Battle Bladers will happen in another 2. If I keep going like this, I might have a chance at controlling the dark power too.

He clenched his fist with determination filling his eyes. He the heard a weak whimper.

Ryu: Huh?

Dracian: You heard that too right.

???: Help...

They both heard a very weak bark as Ryu followed the sound. He went into the forest dear the desert and found a small white and black puppy there.

Dracian: Hey Ryu, isn't that-

Ryu: A Siberian Husky? But where did the voice come from?

The puppy later on the ground looking tired and smaller than the average dog.

Husky Puppy: Help me...

Ryu: Wait, he talk just like Hokuto. Hey little guy, are you alright.

Husky: No...

Ryu took a look at the dog before turning it onto its back. He saw no injuries on it and touched each of its paws without it whimpering any extra.

Ryu: Whew. Okay. It just seems to be malnourished, no injuries.

Dracian: So what are you... You're going to take it in aren't you?

Ryu had already started pouring water into a tiny bowl. On the side he took some unfrozen meat he planned to use another time and chopped it into bite size pieces.

Ryu alright little guy, eat up.

He placed the puppy down as it slowly walked towards the water. After slight hesitation it licked the water and soon enough started to drink it fast. Ryu was released by this and patted his back.

Ryu: Easy now. Don't choke.

It followed his advice and slowed down before going over to the meat. It ate it at a moderate pace before looking at Ryu and seemingly smiling.

Husky: *Bark* Thank you!

It around him happily as Ryu smiled and picked up the pup.

Ryu: Well seeing as I guess I'm gonna be taking care of you, you'll need a name. What do you think about Kuro?

The puppy looked at Ryu before shaking its head no.

Ryu: Ok maybe naming you after the color black was pretty weak. How about, Gin?

Seemingly liking that name much better the pup licked Ryu's face.

Gin: I really like that!

Ryu: Hahaha! Gin it is then.

He then started starching behind Gin's ears making his tail wag.

Dracian: Well looks like there's someone else joining us.

Ryu: Seems so. My name is Ryu.

Gin: Thank you for saving me Ryu!

Ryu: Don't mention it.

Ryu put down Gin as the pup noticed the launcher and Bey holder on his waist.

Gin: Are you a Blader?

Ryu: Yeah, that's exactly what I am Gin.

Gin: Then shouldn't you be where other Bladers are?

Ryu: Well, I'm out training for a tournament. One where it'll decide the best Blader in the Country!

Gin: That sounds really cool.

Ryu: Yeah! 'It's crazy that I'm actually talking to a dog right now.'

Dracian: And crazier that it's talking back.

Ryu but anyway, I've gotta get back to work. You might wanna stay a good distance away.

Gin nodded as Ryu got to the boulder and put it right onto his back activating his Beast Spirit Form.

Ryu: 1, 2, 3.

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu: 5000!!

Ryu rolled the boulder off of his back and sat down on the ground.

Ryu: Ok, I think that's all for today... Phew...

Gin looked into Ryu's bag and brought him a towel.

Ryu: Thanks Gin.

Gin: Your welcome.

Gin layer down next to Ryu as he whipped his face off with the steam still coming off of him in waves. Gin looked up and seemed confused.

Gin: Umm, Ryu, do you know this person?

Ryu: Huh? Person?

???: So this is where you have been.

Ryu steaming Ryu looked up to see a masked woman with black hair.

Ryu: And who are you supposed to be?

Woman: For now, you can call me Shadow. I've been watching you for a while now, Ryu Kaizen.

This got Ryu's attention.

Ryu: How do you know my name?

Shadow: Like I said, I've been watching you for a while. I know more than you think, and I've seen what you can do. Frankly, if you don't overcome that one weakness of yours, you will never be able to control the Dark Power.

Ryu's eyes widened when he heard the mention of the Dark Power.

Ryu: Ok you have about 5 seconds to tell me what you know.

Shadow: Why use words, when we can battle?

She held up a Bey that surprised Ryu.

Shadow: This is Wicked Azrael.

Ryu: Woah, I've never seen a model like that before. It must be some new Bey.

Shadow: Battle me. I'll show you what you need to be able to destroy your weakness and gain the strength necessary to wield the Dark Power as your own.

Ryu looked at her before standing up.

Ryu: Gin, you might wanna get a safe distance way.

Gin: Alright!

Gin ran off about 15 feet away before the two attached their Beys to their launchers. Shadow took an odd stance with her feat not adjacent to the stadium at all.

Ryu: 'What could she be planning?'

Both: 3! 2! 1!

Before she launched, she adjusted her stance by jumping catching Ryu off guard.

Both: LET IT RIP!!

When they launched their Beys Ryu was amazed to see the speed of Azrael.

Ryu: 'She changed her launch style mid way to increase the power. I hate to admit it, but that's genius.'

Shadow: Go now Azrael!

Azrael made it's way over to Dracian as the Fusion wheels clashed. Dracian was being pushed back far.

Ryu: What?! Dracian can't even put up a fight!

Dracian: Grrr!

Ryu looked closer to see what could've going on and noticed a slight burst of attacks.

Ryu: Is this being done by a barrage attack?

Things slowed down for him as he saw Azrael's fusion wheel.

Ryu: Now it makes sense. A 6 Bladed barrage attack. No wonder Dracian is getting overpowered right now. And that's an RSF performance tip. It's perfect for barrage attacks as well.

Shadow: I see you can analyze a Bey just battling it. It's impressive to say the least.

Ryu: Tch. Don't get so cocky. Azrael isn't the only one who can use barrage attacks! Dracian!

Ryu switched Dracian into Full Attack Mode as Dracian pushed back against the attacks.

Shadow: There we go. Now you're doing it right!

The Bey's clashed causing shockwaves to go through the air. Gin was staying very low to the ground as to not get blown away because of his tiny stature.

Gin: Woah! I've never seen a battle that was this intense before!

Shadow: Your power is impressive yes, but you still don't have anywhere near enough!

Azrael's Fusion Wheel turned pitch black as Dracian was blown away. It spun creating a wind fierce enough to blow Ryu back with Dracian.

Ryu: WOAH!!

Gin at this point dug his claws into the ground as to not move back further.

Ryu: What's going on?!

Shadow: This is the power you must attain soon! Azrael: Dark Maelstrom!

The storm grew even stronger as Ryu was barely able to keep his eyes open.

Dracian: Ryu, this may be the most powerful opponent we've faced yet!

Ryu: I know! Spin Dracian!!

Ryu's eyes went slitted as his aura returned. Dracian glowed as well as she tried rushing in. But even though they had entered the Beast Spirit Form, they weren't able to get any closer to Azrael. Soon after Dracian was picked up by the wind and was sent into the sky.

Ryu: Fine then! OK SPECIAL MOVE: DARKNESS SHINING BUSTER!!

A light shine from the sky as Dracian came flying down in a gold and red aura with several times the force as its Dragon Spirit also came down.

Shadow: You still don't even realize it do you? WICKED AZRAEL!!

A light came from Azrael as a massive man with 4 Black Wings.

Ryu: WHAT'S THAT?!!

The Great Fallen Bey blocked Dracian's attack. The Beys clashed with a gust of wind revealing that the beys clashed and Dracian wasn't even on the ground with Azrael holding it up.

Ryu: No way!!

Gin: That couldn't have just happened!

Shadow's expression couldn't be told from the mask but it was apparent that she had on a look of superiority.

Ryu: Th-That was my most powerful Special Move, and she countered it like nothing!

Shadow: Now do you see the difference between us two? Your biggest problem, is that your afraid!

Ryu: Afraid?

Shadow: You think that if you try using the Dark Power, you'll end up as twisted as Azure has become. The Dark Power that Dracian possesses is a part of her, you mustn't forsake that part.

Ryu let those words sink in as he went deep into thought.

Ryu: 'A-Am I really afraid? Back when I beat Hyoma, I realized that losing wasn't bad and I was back in top form. But clearly this ran way deeper then I thought.

Shadow: You mustn't resist it.

Ryu looked back up surprised.

Shadow: Let the Dark Power freely envelop you. Resisting it will only fuel its desire to take you. You've said that you wished to become the Number One Blader? Well this is a step you must take!

Ryu looked at his hands then Dracian before clenching his fist.

Ryu: 'If I want to defeat them, then I'll have to truly master Dracian.'

Dracian: Ryu-

He closed his eyes and unclenched his fist as the gold in his aura was replaced by black.

Dracian: Ryu if you don't want to you don't-

Ryu: 'I'm sorry Dracian.'

Dracian: Come again?

Ryu: 'I've been pulling you away from the power you could've had. The strength that could've helped us.'

His aura flared up as he reopened his eyes.

Ryu: 'From now on I won't run away.'

Dracian: Ryu... I'm sorry too. I should've tried to reason with you more. The Dark Power will not control us.

Ryu: HRAAAAAAGH!!!

Ryu shouted out with his aura shooting high up into the sky. Dracian glowed black and roared along Ryu sending her back.

Shadow: Good. That's the way. It seems you finally can use it.

Ryu looked back to Shadow.

Ryu: GET READY BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA SEE OUR FULL POWER!!

Dracian circled around at great speeds causing Dracian to glow red and purple.

Ryu: HIT THEM HARD DRACIAN!!

Dracian raced towards Azrael and hit it with a powerful upper attack. That didn't end though as it continued hitting it in the air. The beys went back down as Dracian still continued its assault.

Shadow: 'What a relentless attack. This is more than I ever could have expected from you both.'

After a crash into the ground, it was revealed that Dracian was still spinning and Azrael had stopped. Ryu grabbed Dracian as sparks came off of his gloves.

Shadow: Well, you win Ryu. This is the reason I came here.

Ryu: I feel different. More, chaotic than usual.

Dracian: So it wasn't just you?

Shadow: The Dark Power tends to change someone's mindset. Though you got off lucky. You've seen how both Ryuga and Azure turned out.

Ryu: Just who are you shadow.

Shadow: Let's just say that I have just as much of a grudge against Doji as you. We'll meet again.

She picked up Wicked Azrael and turned around. When she did she flashed to a familiar person to Ryu. She then went back to normal and leaped away.

Ryu: 'Just who are you Shadow?'

Gin came running to Ryu with his fur both slightly dirty, and fluffed unbelievably.

Gin: That was great Ryu! I didn't think you'd have such amazing power!

Ryu looked down as Gin and suppressed the urge to laugh.

Ryu: Looks like I'll have to give you a bath Gin.

Gin: IT'S NOT THAT FUNNY!

Ryu: PFFT!

Ryu barely stopped himself and patted Gin.

Ryu: By the way Gin, do you have any idea we're you came from?

Gin: Well, the last place I remember being was a place called, Koma?

Ryu's eyes widened hearing this.

Ryu: 'Wait a damn minute, he couldn't possibly be..... Nah that'd be too convenient.' Well let's get you cleaned up little buddy.

ELSEWHERE!!

Hokuto: ACHEW!! *Sniff* Who in the world is talking about me?

CHAPTER END!!