Azure: Alright guys, looks like we're doing pretty good.

Gao: Come on man, pretty good doesn't cover it!

Zanya and Gao had both fought Kanahebi and Raremaro, the former who was an actual ninja, and the other who was thoroughly trounced by Gao, using the Magic World due to Drums new form, Magician Drum.

Ryu: Yeah, we've got a 2 person advantage, and Gao completely threw off the Raremaro's hate card strategy with Magic World!

Gao: Wait he was trying to do what?!!

Baku: AHH!! My stomach!!

Everyone looked at Baku about to fall. He was caught, before being laid on the nearby bench.

Baku: It's just that I haven't eaten all day! I backed a ton of club sandwiches, but when the blimp crashed in the woods they got all squished!

Asmodai: Don't tell me you're just hungry!

Ryu: WHAT A WASTE!!!

Drum: Kay that's it, it's my turn to get a little hangry!

Ryu stomach growled loudly, as everyone looked at him.

Ryu: ..-_-.. Dragon world doesn't exactly have the best food out there alright?

Gao: Well we can't got into battle on empty stomachs! Drum and I can go grab something!

Axia: But don't you wanna fight next?

Kazane: I'll take his place! Buddyfight is my food, plus I had a granola bar earlier. Please Blade, can I?

Blade: Fine, puppy dog eyes.

Kazane: Alright!

Ryu: Well let's see what you've got. Gao, I don't think it needs to be said I need about 10 orders of everything.

Karma: Eh, I'm kinda bored so I guess I'll tag along.

And so they left, as the next fighter for Sengoku was Shosetsu.

Shosetsu&Kazane: Time to Raise the Flag!!

Kazane: I fight for Dungeon World!!

Shosetsu: And I for Legend World.

Ryu: Oh cool, Kazane uses Dungeon World! I've gotta play against that world soon!

Azure: Moreover, Shosetsu has an Item for his Buddy.

Tetsuya: That's what the sword is?!

Adamantine: It never rust dents, or shatters.

Asmodai: And through countless battles, is somehow came to life.

Sword: I am the Immortal Sword: Durandal!!

The fight commenced, as Kazane attacked with Gumi Slime in her Center. It was revealed Shosetsu's knight attire was indeed accurate to his Deck, as he summoned 2 Knights, King Arthur, and Gawain, and equipping an Item. He attacked, dealing a full 7 damage on his first turn.

Ryu: Okay, that guy does not play.

Ryu looked at Shosetsu.

Ryu: I don't know what it is, but I DON'T like his vibe.

Kazane went again, destroying Shosetsu's Combo monsters, while also adding Thunder Spartus to her center for defense.

However with no mercy, on his next turn Shosetsu called 2 more monsters, and Buddy Called Durandal, preforming a Triple Link attack, ending the fight swiftly.

Azure: Kazane isn't weak in the slightest. For someone to beat her that easily, there's gotta be a world of difference.

Shosetsu looked down at Ryu, slightly glaring.

Ryu: What's his beef with me?

Zanya: I'll go next then.

Shosetsu: 'That day, Mikado was there as well. Both he and Rouga somehow have the ability to make the power of their cards reality. And it seems that he's become much more powerful. I must fight him myself to see if their powers are truly the same.'

TIME SKIP!!

Karma: -_- 14. Freaking. Buddyfights. Later.

Karma Gao Drum and Talon were walking through the halls, as the fighters held various bags in hand.

Drum: Thus stuff better be worth it.

As they walked, they had all seen Sofia walking down a hall.

Karma: Our vice student council president's here?

Gao: What's up with that? Sorry Drum.

Both of them put the bags in the arms of the dragon before running off.

Drum: HEY!!! A little help here?!

Talon: I literally have no hands in this form Drum.

They started to look around for the girl, splitting up for a moment.

Karma: How hard could it be to find someone with Snow White hair?!

???: NOOOO!!!

Karma: That was Kiri!!

She began to run to where she heard the scream, soon hearing Gao shouting for him as well. However once she got to an open door, an eerie silence filled the halls. Once she looked in finding Kiri and Talon unconscious, and Gao and Drum nowhere to be seen, with only Sofia, with long hair and a dark aura still in the room.

Karma: Where are my friends?!

Sofia: Good, you came.

Karma: Answer me! And why do you look like that?!!

Sofia held up a Dark Core Deck Case, shocking Karma, and slightly scaring her.

Sofia: Because of this.

Karma: A Dark Core...

Sofia: In all honesty, YOU are the one I've been looking for Karma.

Karma: M-Me?

Sofia: Ever since that first match I saw you play against Shido, I could sense it.

Karma: Sense what?

She slowly edged closer to the door, however it slammed behind her.

Karma: -_- Why can things like this never be easy?

Sofia: You have a high amount of what's needed to correctly wield the Dark Core. Spirit Potential.

Karma: W-What are you talking about?

Sofia: This power allows fighters to make practical miracles happen. They can draw the right card they need just at the right time. I'm sure you remember Ryu's match against Gao.

Karma's eyes widened hearing this.

Sofia: The Dark Core can amplify that power. And you're just the kind of person it should be used by.

Karma: No way!! I heard what that thing has done to Doai, I'm not touching it!!

Sofia: It won't do the same to you. You have a special quality that's required to resist it. Plus, are you really fine being 4th best?

Karma: Fourth best?

Sofia: They all know it. Ryu's the strongest after getting back, Azure's got the skills and power to match him sometimes, and even Gao who only got his Buddy a few months ago has been growing every game.

Karma: ...

Sofia: Take this, and I guarantee you. You'll be much stronger. How much is completely up to how you react. Who knows, your entire Deck may even change.

Karma as Sofia locked eyes, as she looked down at Talon.

Karma: ... Would I really be able to match them?

Sofia: Without question.

Karma slightly shook, as a smiling Ryu came to mind. She looked up, before grabbing the Dark Core. Karma's eyes widened as her pupils went slitted, as purple lightning surrounded her.

ELSEWHERE!!

Ryu: Okay where the hell are they?!

By request of the hungry group, the fighters were taking a break to wait for lunch to be bought. And the defeat of Zanya didn't help their situation either.

Azure: I don't like this one bit. Gao I can kinda see, but Karma being gone this long isn't exactly my first-

???: GUYS!!!

They looked into the air, thinking they saw a star.

However on closer inspection, it was revealed to be Gao and Drum, as Gao was riding on the platform that was being levitated by a small sun.

Azure: WOAH!!!

Ryu: OH MY GOD THAT IS SO COOL!!!!

Blaze: Your Buddy Skill is just fine.

Ryu: Yeah, but I'm not flying on a hover board!!

Blaze: You've got complete control of your limbs!

They landed, with everyone noticing an obvious problem.

Ryu: Okay one: Where's Karma? Two: WHERE'S THE FOOD?!!

???: I can answer that.

They turned around, seeing Karma with various bags around her, seemingly struggling to keep afloat with purple bat wings on her back.

Karma: Gonna need some help soon. Seriously!

Everyone got their own bags starting to eat.

Ryu: Man, I needed this!!

Blaze: Same here, this is my first meal in 30 days!

Azure: *Munch* So, which of us is going next?

Gao: I've got him!! With my new Buddy Skill I'm feeling great!!

Kuguru: What exactly took you two so long?

Karma: Meh, just a few complications, but everything's a-okay now.

Azure chewed on a Takoyaki, looking at Karma.

Azure: 'Is something different about her?'

In the Sengoku fighter section, Sofia had arrived as well, with Keith and Rouga looking at her, the former with a slight glare.

Keith: Listen Sofia, I don't care what else you do. It's obvious you weren't ordered to do this. Never. Interfere with my potential Buddyfight's.

Sofia: Your fun can be sidelined sometimes.

Keith: Another thing, what the hell were you thinking giving Shosetsu a Dark Core too?

Sofia: I know the Buddy Police still believe that Ryu Mikado hasn't returned yet. So, Ryuenji will be forced to come as well.

Keith: And that means?

Sofia: There will be 6 Buddyfighters with the power to make their cards reality and keep their sanity in the same place. The master believes that could cause something great.

Rouga: I think you're miscounting. There would only be 5. You, myself, and Keith with our Disaster Force, along with Ryuenji and Ryu with their Future Force.

Sofia looked outside.

Sofia: No, I'm counting correctly.

Keith: ...!!

Keith looked outside, as his eyes locked directly onto Karma.

Keith: Her?!

Rouga: That goody two shoes can wield the Dark Core like us?!

Gao went up to fight Shosetsu, as once Ryu got a look at him, she could immediately sense something different.

Ryu: ... I don't like this at all.

Karma: What up?

Ryu: The vibe he's giving off is completely different.

Gao went back to using Dragon World, however Drum took a different form and once again.

Karma: Cool, he's finally switching it up from standard Dragon World cards and going for the Thunder Knight archetype.

Shosetsu was up first, as he called Great Magician Merlin, adding 2 cards to his hand, and then attacking Gao. When Gao was up to attack, the Sun Fighter had much like usual started off with a Triple Offensive maneuver, however this time using Halberd Dragon, Thunder Knights Broad Sword Dragon, and Thunder Knight Blade Dragobreaker, while casting his first Set Spell in Thunder Formation.

Ryu: ... Is this pride I'm feeling?

Azure: You're not the only one that uses Set Spells.

Ryu: It's not just that genius. Gao's actually thinking 3 steps ahead.

Merlin was destroyed with a first two attacks, as only Broad Sword could attack Shosetsu, with Dragobreaker being blocked by a Holy Grail.

When it was Shosetsu's second turn, he set up his own Triple Offensive maneuver with King Arthur, Merlin, and now Durandal, while also adding 2 cards to his hands with Merlin's ability.

Azure: Now we'll see how Gao handles this.

Gao moved Halberd to the center, and thanks to the Set Spell he gained a Gauge, getting back to 1. Shosetsu attacked with Arthur to defeat Halberd, while the later dealt Penetrate Damage.

Blaze: ... Ryu, I think I'm feeling something off after all.

Ryu: So it's not just me.

Karma was confused, before looking up at Shosetsu. She eyed him up and down, before looking at his Core Gadget Scabbard. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, before she cracked a tiny smirk.

Karma: 'You're kidding right? I know Sofia didn't think some random fighter without any noticeable Spirit Potential could wield a Dark Core.'

Gao blocked the last attack with a Blue Dragon Shield, as his turn came up once again. Getting serious, he Buddy Called Drum in his new Thunder Knights form. Taking a tactical approach, he had Drum destroy Merlin, Broad Sword attack Shosetsu, but once again couldn't get the full attack of Dragobreaker in, due to Shosetsu reducing the damage with an Equipment Change in Divine Protection Prydwen, which reduced the damage to 1.

Asmodai: You're right Ryu. You noticed it before even I did, and that's saying something!

Azure: Now that it's pointed out, it looks like Shosetsu is about to lose it.

Shosetsu was surrounded in a Dark Aura, before Ryu recognized what he felt.

Ryu: What?!

Kuguru: What's wrong?

Ryu: Th-This just can't be, could it?

Ryu looked up into the Sengoku area, seeing Rouga, Keith, and now Sofia.

Ryu: 'Sofia Sakharov?'

Shosetsu began to murmur to himself, quiet enough so that lost wouldn't hear. He held his Core Gadget up into the sky, as for the first time Ryu caught a good look at it, with his suspicions being confirmed.

Ryu: That's a Dark Core!!

Azure: Huh?

Ryu: 'CRAP!!! Man from bad to worse!! There's no way I can explain how much bad news that thing is to any of them!!'

Ryu put a hand on his Core Gadget, and stood seemingly ready to leap into action at any given moment, as his heart began to beat hard. Shosetsu laughed as he drew a certain card.

Shosetsu: I call Galahad to the left, and I discard Holy Grail from my hand so that I can Equip the Item that was made for me!! I SUMMON THEE, SWORD OF THE KING EXCALIBUR!!!

Azure: Alright, crazy talk activated. Ryu, tell us what's going on here.

Ryu stayed silent, not taking his eyes off the fight, or his hands off his Core Gadget.

Azure: Adamantine, you've gotta have some clue right?

Adamantine: ... For once I'm not sure my partner.

Azure: *Sigh* Well anyway, he's not pulling that sword out.

Baku: What? Why wouldn't he?

Azure: I've only been against Legend World fighters a handful of times. You need the qualities of a King to wield that. I've only ever seen one that used it, and he failed pretty miserably, even though he had some decent skill.

Shosetsu tried to Equip the sword, but just as Azure said, he was rejected. The dark power Ryu sensed began to spike even more than before, while Genma soon realized something too.

Genma: Hold on Ryu, did you say Dark Core before?!

Azure: Genma, do you know what's going on here too?!

Shosetsu: Fine, I don't need your miserable power anyway! I have something better!

He held up his Dark Core, with Ryu's eyes widening.

Shosetsu: Feast your eyes on my Dark Core!!

Gao: What's a Dark Core?

Shosetsu had a mask appear on half on his face, alarming everyone.

Shosetsu: MORE DESTRUCTION THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!!!

Drum: Cause that won't give you nightmares!

Tetsuya: I know that mask from somewhere.

Shosetsu: Immortal Sword Durandal!!! Divine Protection Prydwen!!

He equipped the items, shocking everyone.

Ryu: Blaze, let's go!!

Ryu's Buddy Skill activated, as he kicked Shosetsu's arm, directing a Slash that was aimed at Paruko into the sky, as a cloud with split from it.

Shosetsu: MIKADO!!!

Azure: Th-That attack was definitely real!!

Karma: Ohhh crap.

Asmodai: Well that's not good. Ryu somehow knows that if the cards power actually become reality, then...

Asmodai held an image of Earth in his hands, as it exploded.

Asmodai: Well this!!

Tetsuya: No way, you're just joking, right A-Dog?!

Ryu: I don't know where you got that Dark- Well actually I'm pretty sure I can take a wild guess, but that's beside the point.

Ryu held up his Gauntlet, with a golden light surrounding him.

Ryu: Future Force Unleash!!!

Faster than he ever had done, Ryu activated the future force, as his hair elongated to confirm it.

Ryu: That Core is as good as broken.

He equipped Caliburn, before clashing blades with Shosetsu.

Kazane: Hold on, what happened to Ryu?!!

Genma: He's made his own cards real as well?!

Azure: Not the time for dumb questions, everyone just stay the hell out of his way!!

Azure looked up, gritting his teeth slightly.

Azure: 'Ugh, I hate feeling so useless!!'

Ryu grabbed Shosetsu shield, pushing it aside before landing a hard kick on his face.

Shosetsu: ARGH!!!!

???: Why don't you take your anger out on me?

Rouga came out looking at Shosetsu smugly.

Rouga: I am the one who didn't think you deserved that power in the first place. Show me what you've got swordsman!

Shosetsu then made a dash to Rouga.

Rouga: PHOENIX WALL!!!

He blocked an energy slash with a flaming shield.

Karma: 'So Rouga too. If he has that power, then I could only assume.'

Unknown to everyone, dark clouds began to shift in the sky. Keith watched from the railings, as a glowing from his pocket emerged. It was revealed to be his own Dark Core, as Sofia's glowed as well.

Keith: Kyoya was right, something's definitely happening.

Ryu: BUTT OUT ARAGAMI!!! I'LL DEAL WITH YOU AT ANOTHER POINT!!!

???: TIME TO RELEASE: THE FUTURE FORCE!!!!

Everyone was surprised to hear another voice. They all looked into the sky, seeing Tasuku and Jack flying in with Dragobrave activated. He struck Shosetsu shield, making him fly down.

Ryu: TASUKU?!!!

Shosetsu: YOU'RE INTERRUPTING!!!!

Shosetsu flew back up about to attack Tasuku, but was blocked by Ryu.

Tasuku: RYU?!!!

Blaze flew in, striking Shosetsu to the side.

Blaze: What are you two doing here?!

Jack: Are you nuts?! What were we supposed to do when we sensed the same energy from the day wolf attacked?!!

Tasuku: And no one told us you were back!!

Ryu: Argh, what even is today?!!

Tasuku: Just leave him to-

Ryu: Not in the mood at all Tasuku!!

Azure: Now Tasuku's in on this Chaos?!

A purple light was seen by Karma, as she looked into her bag, seeing her new Dark Core glowing.

Karma: 'The Dark Core?'

Ryu: Trust me man, I can handle him!!

Shosetsu flew towards Ryu again, but was only blocked once more.

Ryu: I'm not gonna let you rampage or hurt anyone today!!

He pulled out another card, before kicking Shosetsu into the air, flying up.

Ryu: EQUIP!!!

A brilliant blue light blinded everyone, as Ryu flew into the sky. While it still occurred, a shattering noise was heard by everyone. When the light cleared up, nothing was scene. However afterwards, Ryu flew down with a maskless Shosetsu.

Ryu: See? No Buddy Police needed.

Tasuku: R-Ryu?

Ryu: Hm?

Tasuku: What the heck did you just do?!

Ryu: Like I said, I handled him.

Tasuku: But that literally explains nothing!!

Karma: So... Did anyone see what he did?

Testuya: Nope.

Baku: Nah bro.

Azure: ...

Genma: Azure?

Azure: I-I wanna say I did... But it all happened so fast that I might've just imagined it.

Ryu stood over Shosetsu, as Takihara and Tasuku had come behind him.

Takihara: Shosetsu Kirisame, you'll be charged as a Criminal Fighter for using Buddy cards to destructive ends!!

Ryu: ...

Gao: Tasuku wait, hold on a sec!!

Tasuku: What is it Gao?

Gao: I was kinda hoping we'd get to finish our match first.

Tasuku: There's nothing I can do, the laws the law.

Shosetsu: He's right... I'm guilty. I got caught up in it all. Knowing it was possible to summon the power of cards into reality was too much for me. That knowledge made me go crazy.

His cards and his broken Dark Core fell from the sky in front of them. Ryu clenched his fist, turning to Tasuku and Takihara.

Ryu: Tasuku, I think we should let this one slide.

Tasuku more than any of the three were surprised to hear this.

Tasuku: Ryu, you know better than anyone what that power can do!

Ryu: I do.

He looked up into the sky, catching Sword of the King Excalibur in his hand.

Ryu: He wasn't in his right state of mind. The Dark Core has some kind of mind controlling effect to some people.

He began to pick up Shosetsu's cards, with a somber look.

Ryu: But you and I both know, that he isn't the first person that's succumb to power like that.

Tasuku saw the look in Ryu's eyes, knowing exactly what and who he spoke of.

Tasuku: ...

Ryu finished picking up Shosetsu's deck, walking in front of him.

Ryu: Without the Dark Core, Shosetsu is just an ordinary fighter. I doubt he even knows more than us.

He smiled placing the deck in his hands.

Ryu: If he ever does something like this again, I'll take full responsibility.

Tasuku: ... *Sigh* You're right.

Takihara: Tasuku, you too?

Tasuku: Can't we let him have one honest fight?

Takihara: ... Well if both you boys are so adamant, I guess it's alright. But, you better not make me regret this.

Ryu: You're the best!

Gao: Thanks Ryu!

Afterwards, the fight resumed.

Baku: Ryu, how did you do all of that?!

Ryu: Sorry, bad idea to share that info. I promise, it's better if you don't ask or know- Holy Woah did he just pull Excalibur out?

Everyone looked back at the fight, seeing it was true.

Kazane: What a 180!!

Gao even though his shield card was pierced though managed to survive the turn. He called Thunder Knights Iron Fist Dragon, before even with his 3 attacks, he could only reduce Shosetsu's life to 1.

Ryu: So people, who remembers what I said about Gao being 3 Steps ahead?

Zanya: Actually, that did confuse me.

Ryu: Gao's got Thunder Formation for a Final Phase. He recalls all monsters on the field and uses some Gauge, as checks the top 3 cards of his deck. If it's a Thunder Knights monster, he can summon it for an attack.

Azure: Wait, so he's basically relying on a luck of the draw?

Karma: It's not just luck Azure.

Everyone looked at Karma, aside from Ryu who just smirked.

Karma: Gao is GOING to pull a monster.

Azure: How could you be that positive?

Karma: We could bet if you'd like.

The cards were shown, as soon Drum was revealed from the cards.

Gao: That's what I'm talking about. I call to the Right: Thunder Knights Drum Bunker Dragon!!!

Gao used a Gauge and summoned Drum, much to everyone's shock.

Azure: O_O

Gao: So, you got this guy covered Drum?

Drum: You bet.

Drum fired up his drill as it spun rapidly flying into the air.

Drum: 'Everything will be different now. Our loss at the ABC Cup gave me the motivation to get top new skills to match my tough Buddy.' This is for Gao!!! CRASH: DRILL RAM BUNKER!!!!

He hit Shosetsu with the drill, finally knocking his life points to 0, destroying his flag.

Ryu: Oh yeah!!

Azure: Score for team Aibo!!

Keith watched with a smirk.

Keith: 'Man, am I actually hoping Rouga loses?'

Rouga: What's with the smirk? You better not think I'll lose to any of those jokers.

Keith jolted up slightly, slowly turning to Rouga with a nervous grin.

Keith: What? You don't think that I'd be that greedy do you?

Rouga: -_- Yes I do.

Keith: Okay, OW!!

Rouga flew out, as Ryu cracked his knuckles.

Ryu: Back off Gao, he's mine.

Gao: But Ryu... Ugh, you already know don't you?

Tasuku walked over to Ryu.

Tasuku: You sure you want to do this?

Ryu: Tasuku, just leave this to me. It's small... But I sense a little decency in him.

CHAPTER END!!