Erica: And DONE!!

Erica wiped sweat off of her forehead, handing Ryu his new Deck. The two were in a park at a forest near Aibo, as they decided to move from the roof after the encounter with Davide, making the park a new meeting place.

Ryu: You're the best Erica.

Erica: Ah stop it! Anyway, where's Azure?

Blaze came out standing beside Ryu like usual.

Blaze: My guess, he's probably trying to get some of his dragons under control.

???: AHHH!!!

They heard a small explosion, with Azure and Adamantine flying backwards. The former got up pulling up his sleeve.

Azure: Mini form or giant form, you are not about to knock me around damn you!!

He charged back in with Adamantine looking at the other three watching.

Adamantine: -_- This will take some time.

Ryu: What is he dealing with a giant or something?!!

Adamantine: ...

3 MINUTES EARLIER

Azure was pacing back and forth seemingly aggravated by just doing that.

Azure: UGHHH I don't wanna do this.

He took out his deck, rather ready to draw a card.

Azure: But Erica's right. I've gotten stronger, and if I'm competing in the Gaen Cup, there's no way I can go in half baked.

He drew a card flipping it over, as it shone flying out of his hand. A monster came from a portal, as it was revealed to be a small red dragon with flames on his shoulders. He looked around frantically, before facing Azure.

???: Hmph, you again?

Azure: -_- Looks like you've still got that attitude Scorch.

Scorch: So, are you head to try and convince me to fight for you again? Cause if you are, you're waisting your time.

He crossed his arms turning his head away.

Azure: Yeah, now isn't really the time for that crap.

He walked forward stopping in front of the dragon.

Azure: I'm gonna be up against opponents so strong that my regular cards won't cut it. And you're just one of the monsters I'm looking for.

Scorch: Tough opponents? While that sounds enticing, why should the great Dragon King Scorch fight under some human?

Adamantine: Scorch, why be difficult?

Scorch: Because you're rolling over way too easily Adamantine!! The Dragon King's are the greatest dragons in Ancient World!! I refuse to be ordered around by a whelp who hasn't even hit adolescence!

Azure: Yeah well like it or not, you're gonna start today!

Scorch: Oh? Is that a challenge?

Azure: I'm not just gonna back down from you like before Scorch! Cause believe it or not, I've faced monsters that made me realize YOU and the others aren't nearly as hard to manage! I'll even take you on in giant form if you're not feeling up to it now!

Scorch: I don't need my massive form for you kid!!!

He opened his mouth, letting out of a fireball that hit the ground, sending Azure and Adamantine flying back.

BACK TO THE PRESENT

Azure threw Scorch over his shoulder, slamming the dragon onto the ground. Both had scuffs covering them, and they both seemed equally tired.

Scorch: Grrr, persistent little!!

Azure: Like I said, I'm gonna need that strength of yours to take on opponents that likely are better than the current me. Weather it takes the rest of the day, or through the entire night!! I WILL get you to fight alongside me!!

Scorch looked at the determination in Azure's eyes.

Scorch: 'What happened to that brat from before? His resolve was so weak I could tear it like paper. But now...'

The dragon seemed to smirk, before laughing. This confused Azure, while Adamantine smiled.

Adamantine: So, you finally see it now?

Scorch: Alright alright, you've shown that you've got guts!! If you continue to fight against opponents like you have with me, then I will fight for you anyway day!!

Azure: ... Sorry, but you still got things mixed up.

Scorch: Oh?

Azure: I don't just want you to fight my battles for me. I'd never hide behind my Dragon King's! I want to fight alongside you!!

Scorch smirked hearing this.

Scorch: Then I'm looking forward to our first battle together, my ally!

Azure smirked back, as soon other cards in his deck began to glow.

???: So, you finally started fighting like one of us have you? About time!

???2: Please!! A human fight alongside us Dragon Kings is pushing it!

???3: Now now, we can all agree that it's an improvement from before.

Azure's eyes slightly widened at this, the cards came out of his core deck case.

Azure: You three too?

???2: I'll admit, you've got some grit! Even if he was in mini form, you went head to head with Scorch!

???: The three of us will lend you our power as well. Don't you disappoint.

Scorch turned into a card as well, before all four entered Azure's deck.

Adamantine: You're on your way my Buddy.

Azure smirked, starting to walk away. Once getting back to the bench, he saw Ryu and Erica waiting.

Ryu: So, how'd dragon taming go?

Azure: Let's just say I can finally make use of the deck you gave me Erica.

Erica: Then let's give it a test drive!!

Ryu: DIBS!!

He dashed in front of Azure with his deck in hand.

Azure: Oh I've been waiting for a rematch with you!!

They activated their Buddy Skills, flying up.

Erica: -_- Stupid dibs.

A white fox with nine tails appeared beside Erica, with a wrapped bento in it's mouth.

???: Well might as well enjoy your work.

Erica: Yeah, I guess. Thanks Kirisuji.

She sat on the bench, placing the box on her lap, while Kirisuji leapt beside her.

Azure: Our Power will rip our opponents to shreds, and our Will will shatter even the heavens itself!! Fangs of the Kings: Luminize!!

He luminized his deck, with Adamantine flying behind him.

Ryu: Our New Flames will Burn Away even the Sun!! Luminize: Raging Hellfire!!

Blaze flew behind Ryu, as he luminized his deck as well.

Ryu&Azure: Raise the Flag!!

Ryu: Dragon World!!

Azure: Ancient World!!

Ryu: I'll take the first move. Charge and Draw!!

Ryu
Life: 10
Gauge: 3
Hand: 6

Ryu: Time to show everyone your form. I pay 1 Life and call to the Center: Blazing Dragon General Inferno!!

Ryu Life: 9

General Inferno in his new state arrived in front of Ryu.

General: Mark my words Azure, you will not be able to get to Ryu before getting through me!!

Blazing Dragon General Inferno
Size: 3
Power: 6000
Defense: 10000
Critical: 2
Life Link: 3

Ryu: You get through Inferno, that's 3 damage dealt to me since I'm using Life Link instead of Gauge. Now, I Cast: Empire of the Hellfire Emperor!!

Using 3 Gauge, he set the spell.

Ryu: Now General, attack Azure!!

The armored dragon rose his sword, before slashing down.

Azure Life: 8

End of Move

Ryu Life: 10

Azure: Alright, time to see what this new deck can do. Draw! Charge and Draw!!

Azure
Life: 8
Gauge: 3
Hand: 7

Azure: Gotta start off a little risky.

Adamantine: You sure you want to take that step so soon Azure?

Azure: I've gotta test the limits of this deck Adamantine. I'll take some pain for that to happen. Rise and Fall of Dragons!

Azure
Life: 6
Gauge: 7

Ryu: 'Azure's letting his life drop more than he usually would during his first turn.'

Azure: Now, with 1 Gauge, I call Dragon King Scorch to the Center!!

Paying 1 Gauge, Scorch appeared in his true and giant form, roaring.

Scorch: Let's make this interesting!!

Dragon King Scorch
Size: 3
Power: 7000
Defense: 7000
Critical: 3

Azure: Scorch can only be called when I have 7 life or less, but when he arrives, it's more than worth the wait! Now Scorch, attack Inferno!!

Ryu: What? Inferno has 10000 defense though.

Azure: You should know I've always got a method to any of my madness Ryu. When I attack with Scorch, I can pay a gauge to give him 3000 Power!

Scorch: FLAME OF RAGE!!!

A gauge was used, as Scorch was surrounded by a burning fire.

General: Argh!! I may fall, but know that our allies won't be as easy!!

The General was destroyed, as once he was, his spirit floated up.

Ryu Life: 7

Ryu: Spirit of Flame. Like before, it gives my Hellfire Dragons 2000 Defense. But this time, he's also got something for a little later.

Azure: That'll be annoying.

End of Move

Ryu Life: 8

Ryu: That new deck is interesting. If anything of his other monsters have abilities like that then it could be trouble.

Blaze: Then let's turn up the heat.

Ryu: You read my mind buddy. Draw!! Charge and Draw!!

Ryu
Life: 8
Gauge: 1
Hand: 5

Ryu: I Cast: Hellfire Charge Plus!!

From the top of his deck, four cards were added to Ryu's Gauge.

Ryu Gauge: 5

Ryu: Now, I Call Great Hellfire Dragon Sage to the Right!!

Sage appeared spinning his staff.

Ryu: And with 2 Gauge, all my cast are down to 1! Next up, Emperors Hell Blade Caliburn!!

He equipped the sword, before raising a card.

Ryu: Now, Hellfire Slash!!

Caliburn glowed in burning blue flames, as Ryu slashed down, slicing through Scorch.

Azure: What?!

Ryu: Hellfire Slash is Like Emperor's Slash. Now though, when a monster with 7000 defense or lower is destroyed, I can deal 1 Damage to the fighter.

Flames hit Azure as well, making him grunt.

Azure Life: 5

Ryu: Now, Burning Volcanic Dragon to the Right!!

He called Volcanic, ready to attack.

Sage: This won't be like the last time my boy!

Volcanic: We're much stronger than when we last faced!

Azure: Then show me!

Ryu: Alright Volcanic!! Attack Azure!!

The Dragon flew in, while Azure smirked, holding up a card.

Azure: Now with 2 Gauge, I Call!!

Ryu: What?!!

In front of Azure appeared a black and green Dragon, as with a single wing it blocked Volcanic from getting closer.

Azure: Dragon King Atlas!!

Dragon King Atlas
Size: 3
Power: 6000
Defense: 9000
Critical: 3

Blaze: Atlas, you're fighting as well?!

Atlas: It's been a while, Blaze.

Azure: By paying 2 Gauge, I can summon Atlas from my hand when I'm being attacked. Sadly since Volcanic has 8000 Defense, counterattack won't go off.

He held a card up in his hand smirking.

Azure: However, that doesn't mean I can't increase it.

Ryu: What card would make that happen?

Azure: King's Aura!!

Atlas was surrounded in a blue aura.

Azure: This raises one of my Monster's attack and defense by 4000!

Atlas: TITAN'S WING!!!

Energy came from Atlas, as he destroyed Volcanic.

Ryu Life: 7

Ryu: Man, I didn't know you had such amazing Dragons left Azure.

Azure: That's cause I didn't have the guts to do what I did a while ago.

Ryu: Doesn't matter! I'll attack with Caliburn!

Ryu ran forward, slicing through Atlas, destroying him.

Ryu: Double Attack!!

He flew towards Azure about to attack.

Azure: King's Shield Dragon!!

Azure used the Dragon in his hand to block Ryu's attack.

Ryu: Alright then, attack Sage!!

Sage fired a ball of flames at Azure, connecting.

Azure Life: 3

End of Move

Ryu Life: 8

Azure: I'm back up. Draw!! Charge and Draw!!

Azure
Life: 3
Gauge: 4
Hand: 2

Azure: Looks like I'm in kind of a jam.

Adamantine: We've been in worse ones.

Azure: I know. First up, I'm using King's Arcane Dragon's effect to get two Gauge. Next, I Cast King's Willpower!!

The 5 of Azure's fallen dragons had appeared, while Adamantine glowed.

Azure: Since there are 6 Dragon King's in the Drop Zone, I can draw 6 cards.

He drew the five, nodding. Erica bit a piece of shrimp tempura with a smile.

Erica: There's always a certain satisfaction I get from seeing my decks work at their best.

She held another shrimp in her hand raising it, as Kirisuji in his fox form tried to reach and eat it, succeeding after a few tries.

Azure: I Buddy Call to the Right!!

Using 3 Gauge, Adamantine flew into battle.

Azure Life: 4

Azure: Dragon King Adamantine!! But he's not gonna stay like this for long, cause I pay 2 Gauge to evolve him!!

Adamantine glowed in a golden light, before entering his evolved form.

Azure: Dragon King Adamantine: Desolation!! With his effect, I can discard a Card with Life Link to deal damage to you, and gain life equal to the number.

He discarded King's Sword Dragon, gaining 3 life.

Azure Life: 7

Adamantine: TYRANT BLASTER!!!

He fired a golden spiral at Ryu, hitting him head on.

Ryu Life: 5

Azure: Now, I use another cards effect. Dragon King Armament!!

A dragon with razor sharp talons and scales that seemed to be iron clad.

Armament: Well, looks like it's my time.

Azure: By discarding him from my hand, I can equip an Item free of charge. And I choose Arondight!!

He equipped the blade, as a glow encased it.

Ryu: 'That glow...'

Azure: Let's go Adamantine!!

Adamantine flew forward towards Ryu about to strike with his drill.

Ryu: I activate General Inferno's Effect!!

A blue shield of flames appeared in front of Ryu, stopping Adamantine.

Azure: What was that?!

Ryu: General Inferno's new effect!! When I'm attacked, I can remove his effect from the field and nullify an attack!

Adamantine: Well don't forget, I have double attack!!

Adamantine went to attack Ryu.

Ryu: I Cast!! Hellfire Guard!!

Another wall of flames guarded Ryu.

Ryu: Now, I can get 6 gauge if I add the critical of Caliburn and Adamantine.

Ryu Gauge: 7

Azure: Well then Arondight will cut you down!!

Azure flew towards Ryu, slashing him.

Ryu Life: 3

Azure: Double Attack!!

He slashed Ryu again.

Ryu: ARGH!!!

Ryu Life: 1

End of Move

Ryu Life: 2

Sage: You still have a chance my boy! On to victory!

Ryu: No doubt Sage.

Sage disappeared.

Ryu: Geez, if it weren't for this Set Spell I'd be in even deeper trouble.

Azure: 'What exactly does he mean by that?'

Blaze: You're gonna need one hell of a draw to not reveal much more.

Ryu: Yup. Good thing there are two chances.

Ryu smirked looking at Azure.

Ryu: Somehow this is even more intense than last time, and we were burning up then! DRAW!!!

He drew a card, smirking.

Ryu: No need for a charge here! I Cast: Scroll of Hellfire!!

Erica: With that he draw 3 new cards. I wonder if they'll help.

Ryu
Life: 2
Gauge: 7
Hand: 3

Ryu: With 3 Gauge, I Buddy Call Emperor of Hellfire Blaze Dragon to the Right!!

Blaze flew in with a roar.

Ryu Life: 4

Ryu: Say goodbye to a Life Point and a hand card!!

Blaze: BURNING BLAST!!!

Flames shot towards Azure, as the card in his hand and a Life Point was taken out.

Azure Life: 6

Ryu: And next I unleash Caliburn's true form!!!

Caliburn ignited, before transforming.

Ryu: Conquering Hell Sword: Caliburn Inferno!! And next, Dragonic Grimoire.

Azure: 2 Draw spells in a row?

Ryu drew 3 new cards, surprised at what he saw.

Ryu: Dragonic Charge!!

Ryu Gauge: 9

Ryu: Now, let's go Blaze!! Link attack Adamantine!!

Ryu and Blaze flew towards the Dragon, as while Ryu distracted him, Blaze snuck in for an attack, destroying Adamantine, who revived.

Ryu: DOUBLE ATTACK!!!

Blaze: WRATH OF HELLFIRE!!!!

Both Ryu and Blaze shot flames towards Adamantine, hitting him once again.

Azure: It was a good attempt Ryu, but I know you have Colossus Punisher in hand. That can only be used when I have 5 life or Less.

Ryu smirked hearing this.

Erica: Little do you know Azure.

Right as that was said, team Balle du Soleil came in, hearing the noise from a mile away.

Zanya: So it is those two battling.

Erica turned to them, with a smile crossing her face.

Erica: You made it just in time!

Zanya: G-GIRL!!

As per usual, his glasses cracked at the sight of an unexpected girl.

Ryu: Let's go, FINAL PHASE!!!

Azure: What?!!

Four gauge was consumed, as the entire area was enveloped in blue flames, as Ryu, Azure, and their buddies specifically seemed to be transported.

Ryu: I CAST!!!

Ryu held the card up, as the ground around he and Azure shook, before a blade rose out from it, melting the earth as it rose.

Tetsuya: No way!!

Drum: I-Is that what I think it is?!!

Ryu: IMPACT!!!!

Gao: Ryu's Colossus Punisher has finally evolved!!! I can't believe it!!

As the flaming weapon was fully revealed, it was shown to be a different kind than it had previously been.

Ryu: INCINERATING DRAGON FANG!!! COLOSSUS!!!!!

He flew down as the blade fell forward.

Ryu: PUNISHER!!!!!!

The blade closed in faster towards Azure, who was simply in awe.

Azure: Holy...

The scythe crashed into Azure, as once it did, the roar of a dragon was heard, as the ground seemed to rise from the flames beneath exploding out. Azure's flag was destroyed right after.

GAME OVER

Winner: Ryu Mikado!!

Ryu smiled wiping his nose.

Ryu: Ryu 2, Azure 1.

Kuguru: Th-That was just...

Baku: Unreal.

Azure looked up at Ryu from the ground.

Azure: Woah...

He smirked getting up.

Azure: Man, am I glad we're teammates.

Ryu and Blaze flew down, as he deactivated his Buddy Skill.

Ryu: You guys just couldn't help yourselves could you?

Gao: Hold on, SINCE WHEN WAS THAT A THING?!!!

Ryu: Since we got back from Mount Fuji.

Baku: An Impact that does 6 Damage for 4 Gauge?! I've never heard of a card like that before!

Ryu: Please, you're thinking away too small Baku.

He held the card in hand as it still burned in a blue flame.

Ryu: The new Colossus Punisher isn't that basic.

He put the card away, as he looked at Erica and Azure.

Ryu: I think we're ready for the Gaen Cup.

Azure: Yeah.

Erica: For sure!!

CHAPTER END!!