Ryu walked to the waiting room of Team Purgatory, somewhat worried about what he would hear.

Ryu: ...

Blaze walked beside him, equally concerned.

Blaze: 'This is the first time in a very long time I've seen him this concerned. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just as worried though.'

Ryu: Blaze?

Blaze: Yes?

Ryu: You... You don't think things would really end up like before so you?

Blaze: Tasuku isn't that foolish. He wouldn't allow himself to lose himself in his own power... So out of the two evils, it's the lesser, yet greater one.

Ryu didn't seem satisfied with the answer, annoyed with himself.

Ryu: I don't know why I asked.

As they went closer, they heard the sound of chains, and then the shouts of Gao and Drum. Right after, Ryu pulled out his Core Gadget.

MINUTES BEFOREHAND

Gao was banging on the doors of Team Purgatory.

Gao: Tasuku, open up!!

The door opened, revealing Sophia.

Sophia: What can I do for you? You are aware that this is not your teams waiting room.

Drum: Drop the act Ice Queen. We have business with Tasuku and Jack.

Sophia drew a card from her deck, activating Disaster Force.

Sophia: Gleipnir.

Chains shot out from the card, binding drum in the air.

Drum: Ahh!! Let me go!

Gao: Stop it!!

Sophia: Disaster Force has the ability to make the power of the into cards reality.

He held up the case.

Sophia: You're tempted by it, aren't you?

Gao: You won't brainwash me like you did all the others.

Sophia: Oh really?

Before another word could be spoken, the back of Caliburn was pressed against Sophia's neck. A fireball was shot at the chains, breaking them and freeing Drum. This was revealed to be caused by Blaze, with Ryu in Future Force, looking at Sophia with narrowed eyes.

Ryu: I'd suggest you back away from my family, or else next time it's not gonna be the dull part.

Gao: Guys!

Sophia: Do it then. Do you really have the courage?

Ryu: I know exactly what your plan is now. Aurora told us everything.

Ryu gritted his teeth.

Ryu: Get over here Tasuku. I'm gonna give you one chance to explain yourself.

Tasuku walked out, grabbing Ryu's hand and lowered his sword.

Gao: Come on Tasuku, you can't stay with these guys.

Tasuku: Actually Gao, you're the one who should leave.

Gao: Huh?

Tasuku: Understand that I'm not being manipulated by anyone here. I chose Disaster. I joined of my own free will.

Gao: What?! Th-That can't be true!

Tasuku: It is.

Ryu: Listen to yourself!! After losing one measly fight against Kyoya you think you have to change sides?! How could you?! And Jack, how could you possibly be okay with this?!

A card in Tasuku's deck glowed, but no voice was heard.

Tasuku: Ryu, you have to understand. Even YOU wouldn't have been able to win that fight. Kyoya is nothing short of the strongest Buddyfighter I've ever seen.

Ryu: You're still avoiding the point!! I don't understand why you're still in such a hurry to grow up when the chance of us being able to do something isn't zero!!

Ryu grabbed Tasuku by the armor piece.

Ryu: AND LETTING MONSTERS FROM DARKNESS DRAGON WORLD INVADE THE EARTH IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN'T FORGIVE!!!!

Gao: W-What? Invade the Earth?!

Tasuku: ... I'm sorry, but this is the only way. The world can't keep going as it is now.

Ryu listened to everything Tasuku said, as even though the boy seemed serious, he felt like he meant something else entirely.

Ryu: ...

Gao: Do you really think that this is the only way?! Just what will you do with that Dark Core Deck Case anyway?!

Sophia: He'll use it to increase our numbers. That's enough talking for now.

Ryu let go of Tasuku, turning around.

Ryu: Gao, let's go.

Gao: ... Yeah.

The pair and their buddies began to walk away.

Sophia: I'm sorry, but I can't allow either of you to go with the memory of this conversation.

Having not deactivated Future Force for a reason, Ryu held up Caliburn.

Ryu: Try me.

Once saying that, Ryu heard a loud heartbeat.

Ryu: 'Was that me?'

???: Dragonic Shoot!!

Sophia: Nice try, Breathen Gard!

Sophia blocked a fireball, as the one who shot it was none other than Kiri.

Gao: Woah, Kiri?!

Tasuku: Is that the Disaster Force?

Ryu: No, there's no Dark Core. How'd you do that man?

Kiri: I can't really explain it. Even though I have up the Dark Core, I can still make the power of the cards real.

Ryu: Well then, the odds aren't in your favor anymore.

Ryu held Caliburn out, resolute.

Ryu: You think you can stop us now?

Sophia: ...

Tasuku: Let them go Sophia. This isn't the place for a battle.

Ryu: The next round is though. And I promise Tasuku, I'll whack some sense into you if it's the last thing I ever do.

Tasuku: ... You won't beat me, so I doubt you'll manage that.

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu: -_- I don't remember asking anyone to try and protect me from the shadows.

Kiri explained to Ryu and Gao why exactly Team Destiny had formed.

Kiri: I guess I can understand how you feel about it.

Ryu: Aside from that, I'm glad you're back to normal. Gao, I've got a favor to ask you.

Gao: ... I think I already know what it is.

Ryu: Well?

Gao: Yeah, I'll leave Tasuku to you, and then focus on meeting you in the finals.

Ryu smirked hearing this.

Ryu: If you manage to lose, I'll never let you hear the end of it.

Gao: Right back at you!

Drum: Don't underestimate us Ryu!

Blaze: Hoho, are you forgetting how your other two battles against Keith went? How do you plan to overcome Distortion and Resurrection?

Gao: I... Didn't, think about that yet.

Ryu: ... Welp, it's fair enough, because I have NO CLUE how to deal with Genocide Punisher at the moment.

Kiri: While I'm not sure if it'll help directly, maybe this could be of some use.

Kiri handed Ryu a card, confusing him.

However when he flipped it over, a mix of many emotions filled him.

At the forefront was rage.

Ryu: OH SON OF A-

TIME SKIP!!

Erica: AHHHHHHHH!!!!

Erica was upstairs in the Mikado residence, nearly pulling her hair out trying to arrange Ryu's deck.

Erica: Damnit, no matter how I look at things, Genocide Punisher is unavoidable!!!! The downside about the Hellfire Dragons is that even though they've got power, THERE'S NO CARDS THAT CAN REDUCE AN OPPONENTS GAUGE!!!!

Kirisuji looked at her, slightly concerned with her mental state.

Kirisuji: Maybe the key to this isn't AVOIDING it, but more how to make it so it doesn't matter.

Erica: *Sigh* That MIGHT be a solution, but I have to go over how exactly that could be a possibility.

Erica looked around at all of Ryu's monsters.

Erica: Hm... Well then, let's try you new Hell Knight.

Erica picked up the card, looking at it's abilities.

Erica: Okay...

While looking at the card, her eyes widened.

Erica: Hold on...

She quickly grabbed Blaze's card, looking at it's effect. Once realizing it, she smiled.

Erica: THIS COULD WORK!!!

She began to put cards together rapidly, before running downstairs.

Erica: RYU, I DID IT!!!

As she walked in, she witnessed Drum's destroy the dragon, while the Drill Ram Bunker was on the ground in pieces.

Erica: O_O What did I miss?

Ryu: Uhhhh, a lot sorta.

Kirisuji: I could've given you the lowdown, but I didn't really want to distract you.

Gao: Draw! Charge and-

Drum: Wait a sec.

Gao: What is it?

Drum: I need your help with something. Father told me that when you believe nothing can change it makes you get old really fast. He also said that no one has ever seen the true power of my Drill. I need to figure out what he means to fix this! I'm kinda lost here... I have no idea what he's talking about!

Gao: Well, maybe there's more than one answer.

Drum: Huh?

Gao: Look, if nobody's seen it, it's possible that the drill still isn't completed yet!

Drum was silent, before having a realization.

Drum: That's it! I've figured it out!!

Drum went to the broken parts.

Drum: All this time, I've been trying to learn how to use it. Doing my best to be WORTHY of it.

Gao: Care to share?

Drum: I was so wrong! I wasn't supposed to change myself at all! I was supposed to change the weapon to suit me! So much more possibilities have been opened up! Gao, if I can figure out a way to rebuild it, then it's possible we could even break through that wall called Fafnir!!

Gao hearing this smirked, before running over to Drum.

Gao: Well then you can't have all the fun! We can do it together! You don't mind if we take a little intermission do you dad?

Takashi: Well, don't take too long.

Erica: Speaking of build, here you go!

Erica held out Ryu's Core Deck Case.

Ryu: Sweet! We'll have to run a few simulations after this!

Gao and Drum began to reconstruct the Drill Ram Bunker.

Gao: To get through Keith and Fafnir, we're gonna need a whole lot of power!

Drum: Double than what we're thinking of I bet, but I know we can figure something out!

Gao: For sure! I don't want our journey to end at just the Semi Finals! We need to get our payback at the ABC Cup!

The pair began to glow gold, which didn't go unnoticed by Ryu.

Ryu: 'Is that the Future Force's light?'

Drum put another part into a red core of the drill, as it seemed and burned.

Drum: Kay, show me what you're made of! Show me the form you take when you're customized for me!!

A spiral of flame shot into the air, with a card being revealed, and being put on the top of Gao's deck. When he reached, he felt the intense he, shocked. He drew the card, seeing something amazing.

Gao: No way...

Drum: Use that card to help me Evolve!!

Gao: Way ahead of you man!! I pay 3 Gauge and Evolve!!!

Gao threw the card to Drum, as he began to glow, with the new drill gauntlet on his hand momentarily disappearing as well.

Gao: I knew you had it in you!! Let's see your true form!!

Drum grew to greater sizes, with his wings looking more like an actual dragons, along with a second Drill Gauntlet appearing on his other arm.

Gao: Talk about a change!!

Azure: Not bad for an Armor Dragon!

Drum: I feel incredible!!

Drum looked at his fist, pleased.

Drum: This form, is also one of my possibilities!! DRUM BUNKER DRAGON, DUAL WIELD IS ON THE SCENE!!!!

Drum Bunker Dragon "Dual Wield"
Size: 3
Power: 12000
Defense: 7000
Critical: 4
Soul guard, Penetrate

Gao: I call Boomerang Dragon to the right, and then I activate Dragonic Grimoire!!

Dropping the rest of his hand cards, Gao began to draw 3 others. The last card he drew shocked him.

Gao: This card is new too, but let's give it a shot!! I Pay 1 Gauge and Cast!!

Gao threw a card at Drum, with a crimson red aura surrounding him.

Gao: Duel Wield Strike!! When my opponent has 2 or more life points than I do, this card gives 3000 Power and let's Drum Bunker Dragon Duel Wield do a second attack!!

Ryu: That's definitely not a card I've heard of!

Gao: Attack the Center Drum!!

Drum: Spinning Double Assault!! DRILL RAM, SPIRAL STRIKE!!!!

Drum charged in, attacking his father, as he now had grown past even his size. The elder in response put up a flaming shield, but saw it was no use.

Leader Drum: I've never been this proud. Not since he first breathed fire!!!

The monster was destroyed, a beam of red light his Takashi.

Drum: Don't forget Penetrate!!

Takashi Life: 3

Drum: Time to end it!! DOUBLE ATTACK!!!

Drum struck Takashi, with the Life Points of the man dropping to zero, and his Dragon World Flag dispersing.

Gao: Yeah. Dad taught me everything I know.

Ryu: LIES, YOU STUDIED ALL MY FIGHTS GAO!!!

Takashi: Today's training, is over.

Leader Dum: You did well fighting for your Buddy.

Drum: Thank you father! I made this thing my own, and the lesson I learned from it will make us unstoppable.

Leader Drum: Maybe.

Gao: Look out Keith!

TIME SKIP!!

The next day, it was time for the Semi Finale matches.

Azure: So, who in the world is going out there for those guys first?

Ryu: Which ones?

Erica: Which should we worry about?

Azure: To be honest, there are only two real options for Team Chaotic. It'll either be Karma, or that mystery fighter we still know nothing about.

Erica: -_- Do you think Zanya is gonna freak out if he plays Karma?

Ryu: Without a doubt, so the only one that'd be a sensible option right now is...

It fully dawned on the team, with Ryu's soul threatening to leave his body.

Ryu: -_- We REALLY, need to hope that it's not Karma going out there.

Azure: Yeah, we already know Tetsuya's track record with good Danger World fighters...

Paruko: First off, from Team Balle Du Soleil is Zanya Kisaragi, who's looking to redeem himself from that poor display against Team Goddess.

Zanya: 'Winning this battle is essential. Even Tetsuya has to know that against these next fighters, he'll be practical dog food.

Paruko: Coming in for Team Chaotic is a new competitor!! There haven't been any records of him participating in previous tournaments, but if his appearance matches his skills, than Zanya's got his work cut out for him!

The final fighter for Team Chaotic came onto the stage.

Paruko: Introducing Klaus!!

Zanya: Just Klaus? No last name to share?

Klaus: Doesn't really matter does it? We're here for one thing, and that's to Buddy Fight.

Zanya: You're not wrong.

They both took out their core gadgets, with most noticing that Klaus' deck case wasn't a Dark Core.

Azure: Hold on, Aurora, isn't this guy in Disaster?

Aurora: No. I've never seen him before.

Zanya: Secret and Silent, but you still hear the sound of my might sword! Luminize! Kisaragi Ninja Arts: Type Two!!

Klaus: Unleash the power of the Elements! Crush all that stand in my way!! Wrathful Nature Dragons: Luminize!!

He Luminized his Deck, as it was revealed that his Core Gadget was a jet black gauntlet that went up to his shoulder.

Ryu: A right arm gauntlet? That's real original.

Azure: Am I sensing a little hostility there leader?

Ryu: HMPH!!

Zanya: I fight for Katana World!!

Klaus: Dragon World.

The Buddy of Klaus was nowhere to be found, confusing everyone.

Klaus: You can take the first move.

Zanya: Fine then! Draw! Charge and Draw!

Zanya
Life: 10
Gauge: 3
Hand: 6

Zanya: 'With the cards in my hand right now, the smartest move would be this.' I pay one gauge and call to the Center, Phantom Ninja, Kashinkoji!!

He summoned the elderly ninja onto the field.

Zanya: Now with his Ability, I can see what cards you have in hand!

Kashinkoji: Phantom Ninja-

Klaus: Not so fast. I Cast, Nature Guardian's Bind!!

One Gauge was used, as Kashinkoji was surrounded in a green aura, before roots rose up from the ground, binding him.

Zanya: What the?!

Paruko: What is that spell?! I've never seen it in my entire career as a Buddyfighter!!

Ryu: Blaze, you got any info?

Blaze: N-No.

Erica: Hold on, there are Dragon World Monsters YOU don't even know?!

Blaze: I'm even more shocked than you Erica. I've scoured many parts of Dragon World, but this is new.

Klaus: With a single Gauge, if my opponents Size 2 or less monsters activates an Ability outside of the Battle Phase, I can completely negate their effects, and then stop them from attacking this turn. So unless you've got another move, end your turn.

Zanya: 'Argh, I wasted a gauge and now I'm completely in the dark about his other cards.' Fine then, Final Phase!!

With one Gauge, Zanya threw a card in the air.

Zanya: I Set: Super Lethal Formation!!

Zanya looked through the cards in his deck, before placing a scroll inside a magic circle.

End of Move

Klaus: Lethal Formation huh? Gotta say, I'm not impressed. Draw. Charge and Draw.

Klaus
Life: 10
Gauge: 2
Hand: 6

Klaus: I call to the right, Freezing Nature Dragon Arctic!!

Klaus threw out a card, as a large dragon that looked like it made a blizzard feel warm appeared.

Freezing Nature Dragon Arctic
Size: 2
Power: 7000
Defense: 7000
Critical: 2

Arctic: BRRR!! Are you humans ready to cool down?!

Paruko: What is that chilly monster?! And why does it feel like it's winter all of a sudden?!

Blaze: That confirms it. I've never seen that Dragon before.

Klaus: Next, I call Burning Nature Dragon Flare to the left!

A dragon completely opposite to Arctic appeared, as he was almost entirely shrouded in flames, with crimson red scales covering him.

Burning Nature Dragon, Flare
Size: 1
Power: 4000
Defense: 4000
Critical: 2

Flare: Time to feast on some burnt ninjas!!

Klaus: Using his Ability, by paying 1 Gauge I can destroy all monsters with less than 5000 Power.

Zanya: What?!

Arctic: Time to freeze over! Blizzard Breaker!!

The dragon flapped it's wings, sending a cold blast of air at Kashinkoji, freezing the ninja completely, and then destroying him.

Klaus: Now Flare's Ability. For every monster destroyed, you take a damage point, I gain a gauge.

Flare: FLAMING CHARGE!!!

Two fireballs came off of the dragon, as one went to Klaus' gauge, while the other one went to Zanya, exploding.

Zanya: AHHHHH!!

Zanya Life: 9

Akatsuki: Z!!

Kuguru: What's wrong Zanya?!

Zanya: Th-That was actually hot!

Klaus: Now you'll see what real Buddyfighting is.

Klaus grabbed another card from his hand, using the remainder of his gauge.

Klaus: With 2 monsters on my field, 2 gauge, and 2 cards off the top of my Deck, I can Equip!

He punched the ground, as it cracked, while stones rose into the air.

Klaus: Blade of the Warrior...

The stones began to stop and float, before going back to the ground, forming around something. Klaus brought his hand back up, with a new weapon forming.

Klaus: Skofnung.

Blade of the Warrior, Skofnung
Power: 10000
Critical: 3

Ryu: WHAT IS THAT THING?!!

Azure: R-Ryu...

Ryu was confused, before seeing a glowing card in Azure's Core Gadget. That's when he also recognized a glow in his, as they both pulled out Caliburn and Arondight.

Ryu: Is that sword the same as ours?

Elsewhere, Karma's Durandal glowed.

Karma: Who is this guy? And more importantly, does Kyoya know something?

Klaus: Let me tell you something Kisaragi.

Zanya: Huh?

Klaus: You're so predictable it makes me sick. I can bet my deck that you set Comet as your impact!

Zanya: 'Th-There's no way!'

Gao: He knows!!

Klaus: Just cause I'm a Dragon World player, and you thought there wasn't anything in my deck to deal with it. Dragonic Charge.

Klaus Gauge: 2

Klaus: Well let me tell you, your tactics are no match for a force of Nature. Skofnung's Ability!

Two gauge was consumed, with the magma blade breaking apart, going to Super Lethal Formation.

Klaus: Berserk Blast will Destroy that spell and any soul within it, while causing damage equal to the cards

The shards of the blade stabbed into the spell, destroying it entirely.

Zanya: No!!

The shards then flew to Zanya, slicing him rapidly.

Zanya Life: 7

Zanya: H-How?

Klaus: Because we're doing two different things. To me, Buddyfight isn't just a game, it's a battle. Flare, burn him!

Flare: Yes sir!

Flames came off of Flare, hitting Zanya head on.

Zanya: GAAAAH!!!

Zanya Life: 5

Klaus: And cause I've got a good feeling that you've got an Art of Body Replacement in hand, I'll finish this with a Link Attack with Arctic.

Zanya's heart sank hearing this, as both fighter and dragon raced forward.

Zanya: 'Th-This just can't be real...'

Arctic: ICICLE HAIL!!!

Sharp icicles hit Zanya, as this time his sleeve was slightly torn. Klaus dashed in front of, before slashing Zanya.

Zanya: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

His flag then disappeared.

GAME OVER

Winner: Klaus!!

The crowd was stunned into silence, as Klaus looked at Zanya, who was on the ground, terrified.

Klaus: Weakling.

He turned around, walking away.

Paruko: I-I'm sorry folks... but I'm still pretty shocked at this result. Klaus has easily defeated Zanya Kisaragi in one turn. He didn't even use his Buddy.

Aurora: Oh my God...

Erica: That's... Just nuts.

Ryu: That guy...

Ryu clenched his fist tightly.

Ryu: Something tells me we won't get along.

CHAPTER END!!