Ryu seemed to be somewhat aggravated and sleep deprived, as dozens of wrappers were around him.

Ryu: Come on.

He opened another pack, before letting out a scream that echoed to the skies.

Ryu: ANOTHER MISS!!!

Blaze: I told you it's be a waist of time Ryu.

Ryu: HOW ELSE AM I GONNA COMPLETE THIS DECK BLAZE?!!! THE GAEN CUP IS LITERALLY TOMORROW!!!

Blaze: Ryu, I don't think any Hellfire Dragon as highly ranked as the final Hell Knight Dragon would allow them to be reduced to card form. Sad to say, but you'll just have to wait until AFTER. Or by some freak accident.

Ryu: Grrr, I told Erica I'd help her complete this deck, and I'm gonna keep that promise even if it takes me the next-

He heard banging on his door, looking up frantic side to side to side.

???: Ryu, get your butt to bed!!!

Hanako opened the door looking tired.

Hanako: It's the middle of the night, and you're yelling like a crazy person!!!!

Ryu: Ah crud, sorry Hana- Wait it's the middle of the night already?!!!

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu, now fully rested, walked to Aibo Academy.

Ryu: 'This is it. In this tournament, I might just be able to get some answers.'

Blaze: 'Ryu and I may just get the chance to battle against Keith.'

Blaze's eyes narrowed, as he thought back to the times they fought.

Blaze: 'I just can't shake this feeling. We've obviously yet to see the full depths of his power, but what exactly could he be hiding that puts me so on edge?'

???: So, ready for today leader?

Ryu glanced to his side, seeing Erica walking beside him.

Ryu: It's not very nice to sneak by people.

Erica: You know I don't even try to.

Kirisuji: Most of the time.

???: Looks like we're all ready to head into a fight.

The two saw Azure in a tree, as he hopped down, joining the two in their walk.

Ryu: Yup.

Azure: Just so you both know, I'm gonna be taking the first match.

Ryu: Dibs on second then.

Erica: What?! You're just calling it right off the bat?! What ever happened to ladies first?!

Ryu: Shouldn't we focus on quick victories then?

Erica: That still won't let me fight though!!

Ryu: Okay, how about this? If we end up fighting a Team that doesn't have a Darkness Dragon World user, you can fight.

Erica: Okay then, sounds like the odds are in my favor on that one!

TIME SKIP!!

Erica: -_- Yet somehow you always pull off the impossible.

Matchups:
Team Balle du Soleil vs Team Goddess
Team Chaotic vs Team Sengoku Academy
Team Rage vs Team Darkness Mastermind
Team Destiny vs Team Purgatory

Ryu: Can't say it wasn't fair!

Fang: Just did that to get it out of the way.

Ryu: Wait did you all hear that?

Shojo: Uh oh.

Azure: Wait, what are you talking about?

Ryu: I could've sworn I heard someone else in here.

Fang: ... Welp, longest that's gone, but if you'll excuse me. *Walks and closes door*

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Ryu: ...

Shojo: Don't try and question it, you'll make things worse. 'And for those reading, just think of this as a running gag in Fang's stories.'

Azure: Anyway look alive, Balle Du Soleil is starting. I wonder who they'll send out first.

When they looked, they saw that it was actually Zanya who was first.

Azure: ZANYA!!!!

Ryu: HAVE THEY GONE LOCCO?!!!!

Erica: Uhhh, what's the big deal? Zanya looks like a good enough fighter.

Ryu: EXCEPT THAT GUY CAN'T STOP BEING AFRAID OF GRILS TO SAVE HIS LIFE!!!! AND THIS IS A TEAM OF ALL GIRLS!!!!

Erica: O_O Seriously?

Just as Ryu expected, bells began to ring, with the sky home of a certain blonde flying over the building. Like many times in the past, Suzuha came flying down with a dignified laugh. While coming close to the ground, she looked at the room they were in, before winking, likely at Azure.

Blaze: -_- He's doomed.

ONE EMBARRASSING FIGHT LATER

Ryu was sitting down, facepalming at the entirety of Balle Du Soleil.

Ryu: -_- There is literally no way they could be any more oblivious.

Azure: Don't say things like that, you'll just speak them into existence. Anyway the next fighters are coming out.

Once again, Team Goddess was the first to reveal their fighter. To Azure's shock, Terumi Kuchinawa came into the stage.

Azure: Wait, what?!

Adamantine: The girl?!

Ryu: Hold on man, what's up?

Azure: Ryu, that's-

Before he could finish the sentence, Tetsuya and Asmodai came from the cockpit.

Ryu: Woah, Tetsuya's fighting.

Azure: *Gulp* Uh oh.

Ryu: Uh oh? What do you mean uh oh?!

Azure: Uhhhh, well you see-

Tetsuya: IT'S TETSUYA FROM THE PARK, REMEMBER ME?!!

Terumi simply turned her head away, not even wanting to acknowledge the boy.

Tetsuya: That's harsh!

Asmodai: Well I guess you're not her type.

Ryu: ... Okay when and how?

Azure: Okay I'm about to say, but DO NOT get wound up about it.

.....

Ryu: EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!!!!

Tetsuya&Terumi: Time to raise the flag!

Tetsuya: I fight for Magic World yo!

Terumi: And I'm with Legend World!!

Tetsuya
Life: 10
Gauge: 3
Hand: 6

Tetsuya: All I can say is that you've got it going on!!

Terumi: Huh?

Azure: Hm?!!

Tetsuya: Terumi, this one's for you!

Music began to play, as the Magic World Duo began to do their usual routine.

Tetsuya&Asmodai: When I'm dancing to my jam
Everybody knows who I am!
Just throw your hands in the air,
And wave em like a Special Rare!

Tetsuya: First I'm gonna call, and who could be better, Fallen Angel of Rage Beleth to the Center!!

He called the muscly Angel.

Beleth: Who can I hit first?! Yo! Yo! Yo yo-

Trio: YO!!

Terumi: MY HEAD HURTS!!

Tetsuya: Beleth my man, I'm counting on ya to make me look good, ya heard?!

Beleth: MACHO POWER!!

He threw his spear, damaging Terumi.

Terumi Life: 7

End of Move

Trio: We, are, Number One!!

While on the ground, Terumi began to glow in a familiar dark aura.

Terumi: ... How many times... do I have to tell you?

She flung her glasses into the air, as her Disaster Force activated.

Terumi: STOP IT WITH THAT STUPID SINGING!!!

Everyone was shocked by this, with both Ryu and Azure being alarmed.

Erica: Is that the dark power that makes cards real?!

Ryu: Blaze, if this starts to go too far, we've gotta be on standby to stop it.

Blaze: Right.

Terumi: I'll show you! You two try hards asked for it. I TOLD YOU TWO TO NEVER COME NEAR ME EVER AGAIN!!!!

Tetsuya: What can I say? The heart wants what the hearts wants y'know!

He winked with his usual goofy smile.

Azure: -_- I swear to God Tetsuya.

Terumi: Draw!! Charge and Draw!!

Terumi
Life: 7
Gauge: 3
Hand: 7

Terumi: I call Stheno to the Center, and Euryale to the right!! Get rid of these wannabes for good!

Stheno destroyed the fallen Angel, as Euryale get to attack Tetsuya, having gained Double Attack.

Tetsuya Life: 8

Euryale: One more time!!

Tetsuya: Represent!

Tetsuya Life: 6

Tetsuya: She's rocking it!

Ryu: Is it me or does Tets seem peppier than usual?

Tetsuya: Time to flip the script and Draw! Charge and Draw!!

Tetsuya
Life: 6
Gauge: 4
Hand: 6

Tetsuya: I call to the Center: Great Duke Astoroth!!

With 3 Gauge, the powerful Duke was called.

Terumi: No matter what you do, it's useless!! You could never defeat me!!

Asmodai began to whisper something to Tetsuya, however this was too low for anyone else to hear.

All aside from Terumi.

Terumi: HUH?!!! Why are you telling him such complete nonsense?!!

Tetsuya: My mama always told me that I should just be myself, so that's how I roll!! I Cast: Nice One!!

Paruko: Thanks to Astoroth's ability, Tetsuya can increase the number of cards in his hand at no cost!

Asmodai: I knew you had it in you.

Tetsuya: I call to the Left: Demon Realm Architect Gamigin!!

Ryu: Woah, it's not just him that's more up beat, Tetsuya looks like he's on a roll!

Erica: With that monster he can get a Set Spell onto the field. And if my hunch is right-

Tetsuya put a Solomon's Great Barrier onto the field, allowing himself to treat Size 2 monsters into Size 1's.

Tetsuya: Now I'm gonna call Sky Poet Amon!

Amon: Oh dear. To fight, or not to fight.

Astoroth: 2, 3, 4!

Monsters: Just throw your hands in the air
And wave em like a special rare!!

Tetsuya: We got you on the run, cause we're number one!!

Tetsuya destroyed 2 of the 3 Gorgon Sisters with Amon and Gamigin, while Astoroth attacked Terumi twice.

Terumi Life: 3

End of Move

Ryu: The little guy might actually pull it off.

Tetsuya&Asmodai: Yo! Yo! Yo!

Terumi: WHY ARE YOU BEING SO RIDICULOUS?!!

Tetsuya&Asmodai: Yo?

Tetsuya: You mean ridiculous in a good way right?

Terumi: How can you just go around singing and dancing without a care in the world?!! You need to learn to start taking things a little more seriously!!

Tetsuya: Nah, you got me all wrong! I just wanna make sure everyone who's watching us has a good time! And that's including you home slice.

A dark aura appeared around Terumi once again.

Terumi: Is Buddyfighting just some joke to you?! To me it's my life: My reason for living!!

Azure hearing that was slightly saddened.

Azure: '... That day, I couldn't reach her.'

In his mind, Azure saw a younger version of himself reaching out desperately. He was close to someone's hand, but end up only being able to touch their finger.

Azure: '... If I didn't let my fear make me hesitate.'

Rubble collapsed, as he was picked up by a fire fighter.

Azure: 'It's different now. I'm not helpless anymore. Inside me, I have power that might be able to save everyone. But before any of that...'

He clenched his fist. He looked up, and saw that Tetsuya's turn already come up, after his life was dropped to just 2 by an attack from Medusa and Golden Blade Chrysaor.

Terumi: I don't understand!! Why won't you just let me destroy you in peace you big jerk!!

She wiped away tears that threatened to fall. Almost as if an instinct kicked in, Azure ran out of the room.

Erica: Uhhhh, do you think we should stop him?

Ryu: You crazy? He'd probably get through both of us anyway.

Tetsuya: I know Buddyfighting can be hard, but you really shouldn't let it get you so upset that you start crying about it.

Terumi: EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!!! You have other things like dancing in your life!! If you take Buddyfight away from me, I have nothing left!! No Buddy, no name!!

Tetsuya: Come again?

Asmodai: I'm guessing that maybe Terumi isn't even her real name.

Terumi: Without Buddyfight, I'd be a nobody!! I wouldn't even have any friends, and I might not even be alive today!!

Tetsuya: ... Not as long as this guy's around!!

Terumi blushed hearing this.

Terumi: What?

Tetsuya: Ask Gao, I wanted to fight with you so bad that I asked him to switch places with me! Buddyfight's not just a game to me. It's the coolest, most primo game in the world, cause it brought us two together!! And hey, even if I wasn't around, you seem to mean a lot to Azure!!

Terumi: I-I-

Tetsuya: I Buddy Call to the Center: My main homeboy, Demon Lord Asmodai!!

Asmodai: BOOYAH!!!

Tetsuya Life: 3

Asmodai: Now you're talking!! YA'LL NEED SOME DEMON UP IN HERE!!!

Asmodai: This game's definitely a solid way to make friends. But if you don't give props to the ones that have your back, they won't stick around. Not even your Buddy. Am I right, or am I right? Right?!

Medusa: ... Take care of her for me.

Terumi: Wait, what are you doing?!!

With a discard, Asmodai did a Dangerous Backdrop to destroy Medusa.

Terumi: N-No!!

Tetsuya: Way to represent A-Dog!! Even though I plan on beating you, I still hope we can still chill later!!

Asmodai: I FEEL LIKE DANCING~!!! COME ON, HIT IT!!!!

Tetsuya began to sing and dance exciting the crowd, as footsteps could heard from a pathway. Azure came out panting, before looking up at Terumi.

Terumi: Y-You-

Azure: If you think I'm just gonna leave you alone because you said, THINK AGAIN!!!! LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU'RE STUCK WITH ME!!!!

Terumi began to tear up hearing this, before seeing Azure smile, bringing out his Impact Card.

Azure: I found something after all.

Tetsuya: See?! Told yah!

Asmodai: What do you say Terumi, let's show him how it's done!

Terumi: What?! No!!

Asmodai: SUPER HIGH SPEED DEMON SPIN!!!!

Asmodai began to spin the girl around at lightning speeds.

Paruko: Was that even an attack?

Tetsuya: That's what I'm talking about!! I Cast: Key of Solomon First Volume!! FINAL PHASE!!!

Using 3 Gauge, a black energy in the shape of a heart with a face floated over to Tetsuya.

Asmodai: RAISE THE ROOF!!!!

Erica: He's got this!!

Ryu: Finish it Tets!!!

Tetsuya: I know it's cheesy, but I'm gonna call the Power of Love! HERE!!!

Diabolical Love?: I beat for you!

This finished off the rest of Terumi's life points, with tiny black hearts saying yo appearing around her.

GAME OVER

Winner: Tetsuya Kurodake!!

Terumi: Oh no, now I'm going to lose everything. But I... I don't care! For the first time in forever, I'm having fun!!

Asmodai picked the girl up, along with Tetsuya.

Tetsuya&Asmodai: ALRIGHT!!!!

Terumi: Um?

Tetsuya: Okay, now you just gotta tell me your real name!!

Terumi: ...O_O... Hm?

Tetsuya: Don't leave me hanging! I wanna know everything there is to know about you! Come on, tell me!!

Terumi: So making friends is what the game is all about. This is what I've been missing.

She smiled brightly.

Terumi: It's so fun!!

Everyone cheered, as Azure let out a sigh of relief.

Azure: 'Welp, step one of letting her know she's safe, possibly completed. Next, following through.'

Kyoya was watching from above, as Sofia was beside him.

Kyoya: It seems my first instincts about Kuchinawa were right. She's not quite Disaster material after all. I want you to deal with her.

Sophia: Dah.

Azure saw this from above, as even though he didn't hear anything, an instinct within him told him just what might happen.

Azure: Crap!! I just had to take the long way!!

He began to run as fast as he could.

ELSEWHERE

Terumi and Medusa were in the women's bathroom, with a bottle in hand.

Terumi: Not asking to change my hair color huh? Being a ginger as I am isn't exactly as discreet of a joke as you think Cabala.

She shook the bottle, before looking at herself one last time.

Terumi: ... So long, Terumi Kuchinawa.

She put her hair into the sink, before pouring the bottle onto it, as the orange color faded. Once it was fully gone, a black a white color replaced it. After drying her hair, they walked out of the bathroom. While walking down the hall, they came across Sofia.

Sofia: It's a shame you weren't able to make the most of your chance.

???: Just as I thought, Kyoya was the one to arrange for me to join Team Goddess.

Sofia: I'm taking back your Dark Core and Buddy Monster.

Medusa: But wait, I'd like to say goodbye.

???: Do you mean it? I thought you only became my Buddy because these guys forced you to.

Medusa: After fighting together for so long we have become close. I guess ours is another friendship that Buddyfight's given you. I hope we will meet again one day.

???: ... Then do you think we could become real Buddies?

Sofia: No chance.

Sofia held up her Dark Core, reverting Medusa to just a card, as it returned to her.

Sofia: Now I'm going to take back your name, and all your memories too.

Sofia walked forward, terrifying the girl.

???: Wait, you can't!! I haven't told them anything yet!! My real name, or about my past!!!

Sofia kept moving forward, as the girl cowered.

???: 'Not again...'

Tears rolled down her face, as a single person came to mind.

???: 'Please save me... Azure!'

Before Sofia could get any closer, the two girls heard rapid footsteps. Sophia turned around, as her hand that held the Dark Core was grabbed.

???2: Let me get one thing straight Sakharov.

They both looked up, seeing Azure, with the angriest expression he had ever adorned.

Azure: I don't give a rats ass if you're a guy or a girl.

He tugged her arm hard, sending Sofia away from the girl.

Azure: Anyone who lays a finger on my sister is gonna regret that they tried!!

Adamantine flew in front of the girl, growling.

Adamantine: Send a card out. It'll be your funeral.

Sofia: You think you can stop me?

Azure: I don't know.

A blue aura shrouded Azure, as his eyes glowed.

Azure: How about you find out yourself?

Sofia activated Disaster Force, steady for a fight.

Azure: You can use whatever fancy power you want.

He stepped forward, as the silhouette of a monster was behind him.

Azure: I lost my sister once. I'll take any pain I need to stop that again.

His core deck case began to glow, before becoming it's sword form beside Azure.

Core Gadget: Future Force On!!

Azure then began to glow in a Golden light, as his hair grew. Sofia sweat dropped slightly, before turning around and walking away.

Azure: 'That's what I thought.'

He turned around, sighing as the Future Force deactivated.

Azure: Sorry. I was too late to save Medusa too...

Before he could say anything else, the girl hugged him crying. Although surprised, he smiled hugging back.

Azure: I missed you too... Aurora.

CHAPTER END!!