Keith: Man, I expected him to crush the two of them, but this was a completely different outcome.

Rouga: That's what happens when you make Ryu angry. Normally he's friendly to the point it's annoying, but push him to anger and he won't hesitate to stomp on you.

Terumi: Maybe he is a good fit for Disaster Force.

Sophia: Without any trouble he utilized that Hell Dragon Knight. They never stood a chance, even when it was 2 against 1.

Gremlin: That's how he's always been.

Keith: Anyway, it looks like you two know each other on a personal level.

Gremlin: That doesn't matter.

With Ryu, he rushed, looking around wanting to find either Tasuku or Gao.

Ryu: Come on, there literally aren't that many options!!

He ran through another path, before seeing Tasuku and Kyoya battling.

Ryu: I made it!!

He was shocked when seeing what was going. Tasuku was kneeling slightly battered, with Jack in his Aggressor Form, while Kyoya used a flag that he was completely unfamiliar with.

Ryu: W-What is that?! Is that even a Flag at all?!

Tasuku: Ryu!

Kyoya: Ah, I'm delighted you could make it to our little battle. However I think you're a little late.

Kyoya Life: 13

Tasuku Life: 7

Ryu: 13 Life?! But Jackknife Aggressor is out!

Jackknife: It isn't nearly enough for this monster!

Kyoya: Now, let's go with this. To the right, I call Drum Bunker Dragon, and to the Left, with two Gauge I call Axe Dragon Dorcas.

He called 2 size 2 dragons, much to Ryu's shock.

Ryu: This makes no sense! Even if he has some kind of card that increases the size cap to 4, those monsters are from two different worlds!!

Kyoya: You need to open your mind my friend. This Dragon Ein Flag of mine is full of surprises. Now, Drum, attack Tasuku.

The dragon flew in with a Drill Ram Bunker, hitting Tasuku, and sending him back.

Tasuku: AHHH!!!

Tasuku Life: 4

Kyoya: You too Dorcas.

Tasuku: NO!!! I Cast: White Dragon Shield!!

The Damage was reduced by 2, however 1 still slipped through.

Tasuku Life: 3

End of Move

Kyoya: Come now, surely you can do better.

Tasuku: Of course I can!! Draw!! Charge and Draw!!

Tasuku
Life: 2
Hand: 3
Gauge: 2

Tasuku: I Cast: Dragonic Charge!!

He increased his Gauge by 2, holding up another card.

Tasuku: Now, Dragonic Destroy!!

A giant hand came up, taking Axe Dragon Dorcas.

Tasuku: Finally, Dragonic Grimoire!

He drew 3 new cards, shocked.

Tasuku: 'It's real. But, if I play this card then...'

He seemed to shake, looking at the card, and then remembering someone.

Jack: Tasuku, you're hesitating on something.

Tasuku: I-I drew the card.

Jack seemed shocked hearing this, while Kyoya simply looked at him.

Ryu: What card?

Tasuku: I-If I use this card... Then everything will change forever... I can't lose you too!

Jack: Tasuku, don't hesitate!

Tasuku was shocked hearing this.

Jack: This fighter is one we can't beat without sacrificing something! If it has to be my freedom, than so be it! I'll back you up all I can like that!

Tasuku's seemed to cry slightly hearing that.

Tasuku: Jack... I'm sorry.

He held a card into the air.

Tasuku: I PAY 2 GAUGE AND DESTROY JACK TO EQUIP!!!

Jack was Destroyed, as a new monster seemed to take the field.

Tasuku: By Combing the power of Dragons, and the power of Humans, a Golden Era is created!! A human and a Dragon Unite!!

Tasuku rode on the back of a giant and gold version of Jack.

Tasuku: Behold Jackknife Gold Ritter!!

Ryu's eyes widened seeing this.

Ryu: It actually exist?

Blaze: Jackknife Gold Ritter. It's an Item. Jack willingly became the weapon of Tasuku.

Tasuku seemed to attempt to keep his composure.

Tasuku: I'm in control now!! NOW I ATTACK!!

Tasuku flew in, slashing at Kyoya.

Kyoya Life: 8

End of Move

Kyoya: Very impressive Tasuku. It takes courage to do what you did to your Buddy, even when it's what he wanted. Draw. Charge and Draw!

Kyoya:
Life: 8
Hand: 3
Gauge: 3

Kyoya: Now, I'll let you see the TRUE form of my Buddy. I pay 3 Gauge and Sacrifice Drum Bunker Dragon to Buddy Call!!

Paying 3 gauge, Drum Bunker Dragon to glow in burning flames, with they connected to 3 portals in the air, which caused a storm. Ryu did his best to not get blown back, but soon found himself off his feet.

Ryu: CRAP!!

Blaze: RYU!!

Blaze's eyes glowed bright.

Ryu Core Gadget: Buddy Skill On!!

He floated up, barely avoiding a collision with a wall.

Ryu: Close one! Thanks Blaze!!

Shojo: Looks like that boys Buddy is the false ruler.

Ryu: False Ruler?

A bloody red dragon with three heads and a size eclipsing most other monsters entered the field.

Kyoya: Demon Demise Dragon: AZI DAHAKA!!!!

Ryu: THAT'S Azi Dahaka?!!

Blaze: I've never met him in person. I didn't even think he existed.

Azi Dahaka: My name is Azi Dahaka! Long have I waited for this moment!! Those who know the truth have summoned me here! None can stand before me, and none will come after me! Fear me! Dread me!!

The dragon looked down at Ryu, slightly scaring the boy.

Azi Dahaka: I see. You are the one the Shadow Deity decided to hide in.

Ryu: What?

Tasuku: Th-That things stats are way beyond other Darkness Dragon World Monsters!!

Ryu: 10000 Power and Defense Each!! And 3 Critical!!

Kyoya: End this!!

Azi Dahaka: ERASURE OF HISTORY!!!!

Beams went all over the area, as Ryu and Blaze had to dodge, with Tasuku being hit full on by the attack.

Tasuku: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Ryu: TASUKU!!!

Blaze: WATCH OUT RYU!!!

Getting distracted, Ryu and Blaze where both hit by stray lasers, as Tasuku's flag was destroyed, along with some of the area. The the smoke cleared, Ryu and Blaze were against a wall, while Tasuku was out cold on the floor.

Ryu: Argh... Did anyone get the number of the truck?

Kyoya: The same as its size. 4.

Azi Dahaka: You are a threat. It's best to deal with you immediately.

The dragon floated up, before reaching for Ryu and Blaze. However much to his and Kyoya's shock, a purple aura surrounded Ryu.

Shojo: Yeah, I think not.

Azi Dahaka: So, you've regained enough strength to speak to others.

Shojo: I've got more strength than that. See what happens if you dare.

Kyoya: Perhaps we touch upon you at a later date.

Ryu: 'Argh... He caught me off guard... What are you on about?

Shojo: Okay, this isn't the best situation. The most I could give is a convincing bluff. So either you remember that you've been in worse pain, or we're both through.

Ryu: Argh, yeah, twist my arm why don't you?

Both Ryu and Blaze stood up. Soon enough, Sophia appeared, floating Tasuku up with a card.

Ryu: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!!!

Kyoya: Oh, you shouldn't worry about that.

Sophia walked through a portal, taking Tasuku and disappearing. At this Ryu's eyes glowed a blood red. Blaze entered his true form, roaring, while Ryu's Future Force activated, as the golden glow seemed to be accompanied by a fierce crimson one.

Ryu: BRING HIM BACK!!!!

Kyoya: You're more than welcome to try and take him.

Ryu equipped Caliburn Inferno, flying up to Kyoya. He was intercepted by Azi Dahaka, who dodged the slash, but was then hit by Blaze's Wrath of Hellfire.

Kyoya: Sorry, but it looks like after that last attack you two aren't running at the capacity you need to overcome Azi Dahaka.

Ryu: Damn you...

A card in Ryu's core gadget glowed, while his rage seemed to bubble up even more. Elsewhere, Gao and Drum were surrounded monsters, which included Tsukikage, who was being controlled by Elf Kabala. Drum took a kunai stab meant for Gao.

Gao: Drum!!

Drum: You we're gonna join Zanya to be in the Buddy Police!!

At the mention of his Buddy's name, Tsukikage held his head in pain.

Tsukikage: Z-Zanya...!

Ryu: What the hell gives you the right to take someone against their will...!!

The image of a familiar young boy appeared in Ryu's mind. The glow around him increased, with the brightness of the card doing so as well. With Gao, in a last ditch effort for their escape, the Nanomachine Ninja blew himself up. Gao barely kept an unconscious Kiri in his grasp, horrified.

Gao: TSUKIKAGE!!

Drum: Get out of here, go now!!

A card in Gao's deck glowed as well.

Ryu: GIVE HIM BACK!!!!

Gao: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

OUTSIDE

Takihara was flying around in the air seemingly searching for something. When he neared the mountain, he witnessed a large explosion from two sides. On one, was saw Roaring Slash Gargantua Punisher her, and on the other, he saw a curved blade even more massive, with burning blue flames shooting from it.

Takihara: W-What is that?!

When the blades disappeared, most of the mountain was opened up. Ryu was unconscious, with burning blue flames surrounding him, while Gao used his jacket to cover Kiri.

Takihara: Gao!!

Gao turned to the officer, we tears welling up in his eyes.

Gao: T-They need your help!

The flames seemed to retract back to Ryu, confusing Takihara.

Takihara: T-Those flames...

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu was laying down with his eyes closed, with no one around. A moment later his eyes twitched, with them slowly widening. Once fully open, he saw Shojo over him.

Shojo: -_- Nice job stupid. You knocked yourself out.

Ryu: GAH!!!

He shot up grabbing her by the shoulders.

Ryu: YOU!! EXPLAIN NOW!!!

Shojo: Yeah, I kinda expected that.

She sat down to his level, taking in a breath.

Shojo: Well for starters, like Azi Dahaka said, I'm a Shadow Deity. My appearance my say otherwise, but I hail from Darkness Dragon World.

Ryu was shocked by this.

Ryu: W-Wait, so that day when that portal was created-

Shojo: Yes. That portal was created by the power of three Disaster Force users and three Future Force users being in the same place. It linked to Darkness Dragon World, and I came out with a monster.

Ryu: What do you mean by Shadow Deity though?

Shojo: As in an Overlord among monsters. I'm the Shadow Deity of Darkness Dragon World. And...

She held her hand out, with particular flames that Ryu recognized forming in her palm.

Shojo: I wasn't lying when I said I was closely related to your Hellfire Dragons.

Ryu: That's...

Shojo: A long time ago, with an event that I'm gonna entirely save for another time, lead me to bring up the Hellfire Dragons.

Ryu: Th-This is to much...

Shojo: I could tell. Anyway, it looks like we're a better match than we thought. Someone capable of wielding the true power of these dragons. Your Colossus Punisher's change is proof.

Ryu: What change in Colossus Punisher?

Shojo: Oh, so you don't remember. Well you should wake up soon, so you'll see for yourself.

Ryu: -_-

Without even saying another word, Ryu began to wake back up in the real world. He found himself in his bed, slowly sitting up.

???: Looks like you're finally up.

Ryu looked around, before seeing Azure at his door.

Ryu: Azure?

Azure: You'll been out of it the whole day. It's 5 now.

Ryu: Where is everyone?

Azure: Off to get Tsukikage back.

Hearing this, Ryu immediately got up and out of his bed.

Ryu: Crap, I can't believe I'm missing this!!

He noticed the bandages around him.

Azure: Yeah you might wanna slow down. I'm shocked you're even able to get up with the wounds you've got.

Ryu: Huh?

Azure: Dude, you look like you got hit by Blaze or something.

Ryu: Nope, debatably worse!

He pulled on his clothes stretching.

Ryu: I don't have time for this!! Tasuku has gone missing and-

Azure: Just calm down dude!

Ryu stopped looking over at a slightly annoyed Azure.

Azure: Sorry for doing this when you just woke up, but I came here for a reason. You've been pretty damn secretive about this power. Now that I have it too, and presumably Gao, I'm not just gonna let things happen.

Ryu: ...

Azure: You're literally the toughest guy I know. This may be a harsh topic for you, but I need to know how this could affect me too.

Ryu: ... It's...

Ryu took in a breath, before sitting back down.

Ryu: Tasuku and I... We weren't the only kids to unlock the Future Force before you and Gao.

Azure: Huh?

Ryu: There was one more.

Ryu looked up with a sad expression.

Ryu: ... His name was Alex. I met him and Tasuku at a summer camp years ago. It's actually how I got into Buddyfight.

He reached to his dresser, opening a door and pulling out an old and battered pack.

Ryu: This is the wrapper for the first pack I got. And it's the same one that I got Blaze in. Why I'm worried about you, Gao, and even Karma is... Sometimes power can overwhelm people.

Azure: Y-You mean?

Ryu: It's just been insane lately. Doai, Shosetsu, even Kiri. It might've been the Dark Core, but it's somewhat the same principle. The Future Force may not make you malicious or control you, but it can still change who you are.

Blaze came out of card form, standing beside Ryu.

Blaze: Alex was always a sweet boy. He joined the Buddy Police alongside Tasuku. At some point after their first job, and Ryu being surrounded by criminal fighters, they all created their own Impact Cards, along with the Future Force.

Ryu: Alex always was the nicest of us. Always helped people out, didn't like conflict, just an all around softy. Even after the disaster...

He looked up.

Ryu: Our abilities to use the Future Force sorta originate then. For Tasuku, he wants to become an adult as fast as he can. I want to surpass the strongest version of myself, so I don't ever have to rely on a miracle to save my life. Alex wanted to get to a level where he could save anyone he tried to.

Azure: So, when you say was...

Ryu: *Sigh* It was a bit more than 2 years ago now. Alex changed. At first it was gradual, but I noticed he was more abrasive. Less of the kind and heroic kind of guy he was, and more rash and arrogant. I didn't realize it until it was too late to pull him back. We had a big Buddyfight when he went to far against a criminal fighter, and after an incident he was just... Gone.

Azure: Incident?

Ryu: He used his impact, and a bridge was destroyed. No one ever found him. I'm worried about the three of you because I don't want the same thing to happen. I would never forgive myself if the same thing that happened to Alex happened to you all of I could change it.

Adamantine came out in card form.

Adamantine: It all makes much more sense now. You were hoping we'd never actually learn how to use it.

Ryu: Hoping, yeah, but I already knew that it would happen eventually.

Azure: *Sigh* Great, now I feel like a jerk for making you say that.

Ryu: Don't, I needed to.

Azure: Well I guess that's another thing we have in common.

Azure hearing himself say this covered his mouth.

Ryu: Okay, your turn to explain.

Azure: *Sigh* During that same disaster, I also lost my family. My mom, my dad, and my sister.

Ryu's eyes slightly widened at this.

Ryu: Sorry for your loss man.

Azure: But... Recently something came up.

Ryu: Huh?

Azure: I don't know how, but I'm 100% sure on this. My sister... she survived somehow.

Ryu: Do you know where she is?

Azure: Not exactly, but I don't like who she's gotten involved with.

He clenched his fist, with a determined look.

Azure: I'm gonna whack some sense into her, and if she's not doing this of her own free will, I'll make the ones keeping her wish they were never born.

Ryu: Alright then.

He got up.

Ryu: First order of business, anything ELSE I missed while I was out.

Azure: Yeah.

He held up a black envelop addressed to Ryu.

Azure: A tournament. This one you won't wanna miss.

Ryu opened the letter, seeing that it was from none other than Kyoya.

Ryu: The Gaen Cup? Only kids?

Azure: Something fishy is going on.

Ryu: Well, we need to be a team of 3.

Azure: I think this is a no brainer.

???: Maybe not.

They looked to the door, seeing Karma.

Ryu: Wait, Karma, you heard everything I said right?

Karma: And what Azure said.

Azure: So, you're in on this right?

Karma: ... Sorry, but Keith got to me first.

Ryu: WHAT?!!!

Azure: Karma, have you lost it?!! If you heard us, then you know exactly what group he's apart of!! Most people who use Dark Cores are bad news!!

Karma: It doesn't matter. I lost against him in a Buddyfight, and I said I wouldn't go back on my word. And besides...

She looked at Ryu.

Karma: These terms may not have been what I expected, but I still want to go against YOU Ryu.

Ryu was shocked hearing this.

Ryu: M-Me?

Karma: Being on a team with you two has been the most fun I've ever had, but I don't just wanna play with the best. I wanna WIN against the best.

Ryu: Still, those guys are nothing but bad news!!

Karma: Ryu, I'm always thinking of those things. So... I didn't leave anything up to chance.

Azure: What?

Talon came out, looking at the two.

Talon: Come now boys, you didn't really think we'd join them without having an ace in the hole, did you?

CHAPTER END!!