Ryu and his Dragons were flying towards the area where the Drum Bunker Clan. They finally arrived, with Ryu being confused to see Drum there once landing.

Ryu: Wait, Drum what are you doing here?

Drum looked back seeing Ryu there.

Drum: Hold on, Ryu?!

Ryu looked to see an older Armor Dragon.

Ryu: I'll guess you're the Leader.

???: Yes. I am Fang Slade Terrestrial the XIII.

Ryu: Uhhhh... Any chance there's something I can call you for short?

Drum Father: Hahaha!!! I didn't expect Blaze's Buddy to be this straight forward!! In that case, call me Drum Bunker Leader!

Ryu: Right. Has Blaze been around here in the last three days?

Drum Bunker Leader: Yes. He was in quite the state. Blaze has begun an evolution as you must know.

Ryu: Yeah. Do you know where he is?

Drum Bunker Leader: He's gone back to his own Kingdom.

General: The Hellfire Empire?

Ryu: Hey, wouldn't that make sense?

Meteor: Usually, but the fact is...

Ryu: ... I don't like the sound of this, so just tell me straight up.

Volcanic: Ryu, if Blaze is about to evolve, the accumulation of power is likely awakening something that laid dormant in the castle for years.

Ryu: Huh?

Drum: What does that mean?

General Inferno: There are more Hellfire Dragon's that slumber in the Hellfire Kingdom. Believe it or not, only I and Sage are the only one's of our kind.

Ryu: So you're telling me that we're gonna see a bunch more of Hell Ash, Meteor, and Volcanic?

Volcanic: -_- You kidding? There'll be WAY more than that.

Ryu: So I'll guess my deck is only made up of the best of the Hellfire Dragons?

Meteor: That, and the ones that would cooperate.

Ryu: Damn.

Drum Bunker Leader: Do you plan to go there?

Ryu: ... I don't have a choice in the matter. We'll find some way to get by.

Drum: Ryu that's crazy!! As you are now you'll get overwhelmed and pulverized by the guys in there!

Ryu: I know that better than anyone. Besides Drum, what are you doing here?

Drum: ... Ryu, you know how you handed Gao his first loss?

Ryu: I was there.

Drum: That made me realize, he's been getting better and better since we started being Buddy's. While I...

Ryu: So you want to get stronger?

Drum: That can he put aside, right now it looks like you need help too!

Drum Bunker Leader: Hm... Strength Eh?

Everyone looked at the old Dragon.

General: Fang Slade, what are you thinking about?

Drum Bunker Leader: If you truly want to help Blaze, then I'd highly suggest you gain your own strength to be prepared.

Ryu was a bit surprised hearing this.

Ryu: How could we do that?

Drum Bunker Leader: The best way for you to become even stronger is to be thrown into the lions den.

Ryu: And by lions den you mean?

Drum Bunker Leader: Instead of heading straight into the Kingdom, slowly advance in, day by day to increase your fighting capabilities. Meet all of the monsters one by one. Although dangerous, it will no doubt yield results.

Drum: FATHER!!!

Drum Bunker Leader: Like I'll be doing with you my son.

Drum: Wait what-?!

Immediately, Drum was kicked back, being sent though a portal.

Ryu: O_O Yeah I think we'll be good with flight.

Drum Bunker Leader: Nonsense, your Dragons can create portals there themselves.

Ryu: Wait you guys can do that?

Volcanic: Yup.

Meteor: Anytime we want.

General: I just haven't because Azi Dahaka influenced me many years ago.

Ryu: Okay then, I guess we start training.

Ryu looked at his Core Deck Case, before turning it into his Dragon's Gauntlet.

Ryu: Future Force.

Ryu glowed in the golden aura, as his hair grew longer. He grabbed Caliburn from the cards in the air, equipping the Blade.

Ryu: ... Something felt different about that one.

Drum Bunker Leader: Can't you tell? A change in your entire deck is occurring.

Ryu: That's what it is? I mean I did feel something in you guys change, but you're evolving too?

Volcanic: To be perfectly honest, I thought it was just my imagination.

Meteor: It seems that Blaze affected us all.

Ryu: Yeah. Here I thought it was only me.

General: Let's not waste anymore time then.

He brought up his sword, before slashing down.

Drum Bunker Leader: Be warned Ryu Mikado, time flies by faster in our world! 1 day in yours is 3 here! You may not physically age, but mentally you will!

Ryu: Right!

They walked through the portal, as it closed behind them. Once they were through, Ryu saw exactly what he expected.

Ryu: So, this is Dragon Emperor's Kingdom in person.

Meteor: Just wait until you see that actual palace and battle ground.

Ryu heard something in the distance, looking forward.

Ryu: ... I take back any thought I had about you guys not having much competition in the past.

Running towards them were dozens of Dragons, similar to the ones Ryu had.

Ryu: Man, that's a lot of Hellfire Dragons. And this is just on the outskirts?

Volcanic: You up to the challenge?

Ryu smirked, before bringing out Hell Ash and Sage as well.

Ryu: Let's do this.

They all ran in, ready to fight. Ryu immediately clashed with a Volcanic Hell Dragon, nearly pushed back, but standing his ground.

Ryu: Woah!! Now I understand what the monsters go through!!

With all his might, he pushed forward, moving the monsters back. He brought the blade back, before slashing the monster, as it fell. However soon after, another dragon attacked. He dodged back, with a few strands of hair being cut.

Ryu: CRAP!!! Okay, double or nothing!!

He drew a card, as another Caliburn formed in his hand.

Ryu: I hate doing this.

He jumped up, with a blast of flames from Sage knocking the dragon back. As Ryu fell, he did a cross slash across the chest of a dragon, before running forward and cutting the face of a dragon, and then landing another slash across it's back.

General: We cannot falter!! Master Blaze is awaiting all of us!!

Ryu: General's right!! We need to press on, and fight hard!!

Hellfire Dragons: RIGHT!!!!

They continued to fight, not letting up at all. With only a few hours of rest each time, 3 days had passed, with the group emerging victorious. Ryu panted hard, covered in dust, as the dragons seemed equally tired. However the fire in each of them seemed to only grow in intensity.

Ryu: Well, Leader Drum was right about one thing.

He looked up, clenching his fist.

Ryu: This works for training.

ELSEWHERE

Karma was walking around the shop Castle, seemingly less upbeat than usual.

Karma: *Sigh* Man, this is just the worse.

Talon walked beside her, just looking up at Karma.

Karma: 'Why am I even this down about it?! Ryu's probably fine! Sure, he might be gone for who knows how long, but it's still him!'

She stopped ruffling her hair.

Karma: Argh, that jerk could've at least said goodbye in person!!

Talon: '-_- There's no way my Buddy could be this oblivious to HERSELF.'

Karma: You know what? It's only been like 2 days, I'm sure he's doing just fine.

???: Having trouble Karma?

She immediately turned around, shocked to see Suzuha there.

Karma: Huh? Lady Suzuha?

Suzuha: Good afternoon!

Karma: Hold on, why are you at a place like Castle? A-And why are you... Dressed like a normal person?

Karma looked at the girl up and down, seeing she wore something much less flashy than the dress she usually wore.

Suzuha: Well, if you can keep a secret...

She seemed to slightly blush, looking up with her eyes closed.

Suzuha: I-I wanted to know how every other kid my age felt.

Karma: ... Care to mention what made you want to?

Suzuha: Well, after the victory party for your team, it made me realize that there are many simple things that make people happy that I've never actually experienced. So, I thought like this I could start to see for myself.

Karma hearing this way slightly surprised, before smiling.

Karma: Well it's a good thing we bumped into each other!

She went to Suzuha's side, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Karma: If you're looking for some new experiences, I always say it's better to share them with a friend or two!

Suzuha was slightly surprised by this.

Suzuha: You would do that?

Karma: Of course! Who better to help an esteemed princess of the Magic World than a down to the earth Danger World girl?!

She winked putting a finger up.

Karma: Trust me, this'll be good!

Talon: Plus, it couldn't hurt to try right?

Suzuha looked at the two, before smiling.

Suzuha: Alright then!

Karma: Great! Now, let's start with something we both know! Opening a Buddyfight Pack ourselves!

Unknown to the two girls, another was watching them from a distance. This was Sofia, as she was particularly interested in Karma.

Sofia: It looks like the master has overlooked a candidate.

She saw a slight glow around Karma, looking at a Dark Core Deck Case in her hand.

Sofia: She just might be...

TIME SKIP!!

DRAGON WORLD

Ryu was on a knee, panting hard with scuffs all over his body.

Ryu: Well, I'd say that rust from not training has been completely cleaned off.

General: Ryu, how are you doing?

Ryu: 18 days in, 6 waves of monsters... I think we're doing pretty well.

He stood up, with his hair flowing through the wind.

Meteor: Not just the rust. It looks like you've buffed up a little.

Ryu: Really?

He looked at himself, seeing it was true. Though he hadn't actually aged, his muscle mass and definition had grown from the constant combat.

Sage: Well boys, I think we know where to go from here after rest.

Hell Ash: Judging our current location.

They all looked up, seeing the front of the castle doors.

Hell Ash: I think it's obvious.

Ryu took out Blaze's card, seeing that the picture was completely unseeable, and the flame had started to burn with an intensity it never had before.

Ryu: Well that confirms it. Blaze is in there without a doubt.

He stood up, dusting himself off.

Ryu: We'll be back tomorrow.

General: Should be enough time for recovery.

And so they made camp there, resting up for an entire day. Once they were ready, they entered the palace. Ryu looked at Blaze's card, with the flame flickering to his left, indicating that the next room could likely be where Blaze was.

Ryu: Pointing there, and is burning up. Pretty accurate.

There was an impressive door in front of them, as the boy only had one sure fire way to open them.

Ryu: Sorry, not that sorry Blaze.

He stepped back, before running forward.

Getting off the ground.

And planting his shoes firmly into the doors, making them fly open.

Ryu: Good ole drop kicks. Always gets the job done.

Once they looked in, Ryu saw something that confirmed that the card had pointed in the right direction. A massive orb of fire was in the center of the room, as a light seemed to pulsate from it.

Ryu: Yeah, that's Blaze alright.

Inside, the form of a dragon was revealed. However it slightly differed from the original Blaze.

Ryu: He's almost ready to wake up.

He walked forward, and was about to touch the orb. However he felt something, immediately jumping back. A blast of fire was sent towards the place where he had previously been, alarming the group.

Volcanic: Who's there?!!

???: His Buddy or not, a human being allowed to enter the Hellfire Castle is something I will not stand for!!!

They all looked to see a large dragon with his mouth smoking. He was clad in black armor, and seemed to have wings of blue fire.

Ryu: What the? I've never seen that Hellfire Dragon before.

Sage: Could it be?

They all looked at Sage.

Sage: Hell Knight Dragon Infernity?!

Ryu: Sage, you know this guy?

Infernity: I am one of the 3 Elite Knight Dragons sworn to protect the ruler of the Hellfire Dragons!!

Ryu: What did you fire that blast at me for?!

Infernity: This is sacred ground!! Only the most powerful Hellfire Dragons are allowed here without permission!! Humans like you are not meant to be here, so leave at once!!

Ryu: Not a chance!! I may be human, but I sure won't leave after coming all this way for Blaze's evolution!!

Infernity: Don't make me laugh! It isn't as if you'd be any use to the master when you couldn't even defeat myself!!

Ryu drew Caliburn gritting his teeth.

Ryu: Wanna bet?!

Sage: Ryu my boy, this isn't a fight you can win!!

Ryu: Sage, come on!

Sage: Even if you've become far stronger than you were before, in the face of one of the Knight Dragons that have been asleep for years, that means nothing!!

Infernity: Listen to the dragon boy.

Infernity began to walk, reaching over to the orb. He touched it, before some of the fire turned into a smaller orb.

Infernity: If you touched this, no matter how powerful your bond with Lord Blaze is, you'd feel like you were burning in hot lava. Your will is far too weak to handle the new flames.

Ryu: What do you mean my will is weak?!

Infernity: If you had the resolve you needed, Lord Blaze would already be out and spreading his new wings! He responded to your want for new strength, but why had it taken you so long?!!

Ryu: ...

Infernity: You we're scared to not have your closest friend by your side, so you ceased to fight for some time! If you truly want to become stronger as well, why don't you see what Blaze has been going through for just a day? Maybe then, you have a chance to defeat me!!

The dragon put his hand up, before throwing the flames orb to Ryu.

Meteor: Get out of the way Ryu!!

Ryu: '... The resolve to become stronger...'

Ryu put Caliburn onto his back, before spreading his arms out, as the flames surrounded him.

Ryu: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

General: RYU!!!!

The fighter dropped onto the ground, as he indeed felt like very part of him was burning to a crisp.

Infernity: What do you say now? Do you still believe that you should be here if you can't endure your Buddy's pain?!

Ryu pounded his fist on the ground, still in pain.

Infernity: Hmph, I thought as much.

He brought up a hand, ready to retract the flames. However much to his shock, Ryu looked up, glaring with glowing red eyes.

Ryu: D-Don't... EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Infernity: Have you gone mad? This pain will surely drive you to insanity if you try to endure much longer.

Hell Ash: If you're asking that, then you clearly don't understand our boy at all.

Infernity looked at the 5 dragons before him, seeing them all resolute.

Volcanic: Ryu is way too stubborn to ever give in, even when it might damage him in the process. He'll keep going until either Blaze awakens, the fire's out, or he doesn't even feel it anymore.

Infernity: Preposterous. That flame can only be handled by experienced Dragons of our kind! Hell even some of you couldn't last more than a single day.

General: Oh we'll see Infernity.

They all sat down, watching Ryu, as he continued to endure the pain. Infernity looked at Ryu, before sitting down himself.

TIME SKIP!!

Infernity: Is this boy truly just a human?

A whole 2 days had passed, with the flames still around Ryu, as although he still felt like he would split in two, he still powered through the pain.

Infernity: Being able to survive advanced Hellfire isn't a task just anyone can do. Not surrendering for 2 straight days is nothing short of impossible for some.

Slowly, Ryu began to lift himself off the ground, and stand up on his feet. He winced, but still smirked looking at Infernity.

Ryu: Looks like you underestimated me... Ya overgrown lizard...

He reached to his back, grabbing Caliburn, holding it out to him.

Ryu: Alright then, you and me!!

Infernity: If you think you can fight me while those flames are still surrounding you, then that fire really did mess with your mind. Anyway, Blaze will awaken soon enough, so I should dispel that fire before-

HIT THE MUSIC!!

Ryu jumped up in front of Infernity, shocking the dragon for a moment. He swung down, but the attack was blocked by the blade of the Knight Dragon.

Ryu: Like I said, you underestimated me-!!!

Ryu felt a pulsation through his entire body, before the fire had grown to a ridiculous size.

Ryu: ARGHHHHH!!!!

Hell Ash: What in the world just happened?!!!

Infernity: You moron!!! You didn't let me finish talking!!! The final stage for Lord Blaze's evolution is nothing compared to the one beforehand!!! If you don't let me remove that fire you'll burn until even ashes don't remain!!

Volcanic: H-Hold on, are we supposed to be getting warmer as well?

Infernity: All the Hellfire Dragons that fight alongside him will be affected by this awakening!! Now hold still-

Ryu: NO!!!

Infernity was shocked, seeing Ryu still stood firm.

Ryu: I already missed out on plenty of Blaze's pain, so I'm not gonna back down from this!!

The flames began to glow brighter around Ryu, with the flames around Blaze responding.

Ryu: I'm sticking with Blaze as much as I can now!!! You won't pry these flames off me no matter what!!!

Infernity: '... I just never thought I'd see the day. A human who would go to lengths like this for their own Buddy Monster.'

He looked at Ryu, as Caliburn soon began to glow in his hand. This shocked everyone in the room.

Ryu: Caliburn?

Infernity: What is your name again human?

Ryu looked up to the hulking dragon.

Ryu: I-It's Ryu Mikado.

Infernity: It seems that Caliburn has also taken a liking to you. You are the one who shall unleash it's suppressed power.

Ryu: Caliburn's suppressed power?

Infernity: Visualize it. The true form of the weapon of the Emperor!!

Ryu took in a breath, before he seemed to be transported. Fire was all around him, before he found at the center was one that burned much brighter than the flame around.

Infernity: Call it forth!! Grasp that power with your own hand!!

Ryu gritted his teeth, before letting out a yell and grabbing the orb. With Caliburn began to glow, changing shape as he yelled.

Ryu: Th-This is Caliburn?

Soon enough from behind inside the flaming orb, a roar was heard. The other dragons in the room began to roar as well, as outside, the defeated dragons slowly raised, before roaring as well. The figure in the orb began to move, Ryu's Dragons were surrounded in blue flames, with their physical appearances slightly altering. Ryu looked at the orb, before smirking.

Ryu: Looks like you're awake.

The orb completely shattered, as our came Blaze, looking much more powerful than before.

Blaze: Phew.

He looked down at Ryu, before smirking.

Blaze: I'm always willing to go the distance for you Ryu, but next time you start doubting your own strength again: Don't.

Ryu grinned, as the flames around him disappeared as well.

Ryu: Ha, got it. So, how's the new body feeling?

Blaze clenched a fist.

Blaze: It'll take time getting used to being bipedal. Now I get how Adamantine feels in his true form.

Ryu: And you guys?

Volcanic: I'm feeling pretty good.

General: Like a new dragon.

Ryu: That's good to- SAGE?!!!

They all looked at Sage, seeing that he no longer looked like he should've died centuries ago.

Sage: Looks like the advanced flames restored some of my youth.

Meteor: SOME?!!!

Infernity then bowed before Ryu and Blaze.

Infernity: Lord Blaze, I'm humbled to finally before before you after so long.

Blaze: Infernity? You've been asleep for years now.

Infernity: Your own power awakening has caused me to emerge as well.

Blaze: Where are the other Knights?

Infernity: Forgive me my Lord, by I do not know.

Blaze: No matter, they'll come in time.

Infernity: Ryu Mikado. I completely misjudged you. You're just as capable as any other Dragon, even as a human. I pledge to fight for you with all my might.

Ryu: Hm. Well General, you looks like you've got competition.

General: A healthily one couldn't hurt.

Ryu: Alright then, I'm looking forward to working with you, Hell Knight Dragon Infernity.

All of the dragons began to turn into their cards forms, going into Ryu's deck. Caliburn followed, as Ryu deactivated the Future Force.

Ryu: Let's get out of here Blaze.

Blaze: With pleasure.

Blaze roared, as the two began to glow, before leaving Dragon World.

CHAPTER END!!

Fang: AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!! BLAZE'S EVOLUTION IS COMPLETE!!!

Before I end this chapter off, I want to give a huge shoutout to Kurai_Ankoku

This writer has been a giant help for me while I've been trying to come up with new cards in and indirectly the plot of this next arc of the story! They've even been nice enough to let me use a concept for their own Buddyfight Story -Go check that out, even though it's new it's captivating-

So, now with that... -_- The real hectic stuff can begin. But, that's for next chapter. So-

FANG OUT!!