Erica: You sure you wanna go into the battle like this Ryu? Although it's still strong, your new Deck isn't fully complete.

Ryu: Erica, it's okay. I wanna see how well I can preform without every necessary piece in play at the moment. Plus, my Dragons want to join the fun too.

He cracked his knuckles smirking.

Ryu: And I'll never lose to someone who thinks that a Deck is meant to use a Fighter.

Erica: O_O Wait, that's what that Gremlin guy thinks? You've made plays that outdo mine by a long shot.

Ryu: My point exactly.

Azure: I already got my problem off my chest. Give him hell pal.

Ryu: Always the plan. Let's go Blaze.

Blaze: Been a while since we've seen Retsu.

They went up to the stage, as everyone cheered once seeing him.

Paruko: And there he is!!! A fighter who needs absolutely no introduction!!! If you're looking for the best fighter amount young players, than look no further than the Leader of Team Rage!! Give it up for Ryu Mikado people!!

Ryu: Man, people have really been hyping me up lately.

Blaze: Ryu, being humble is good, but you underestimate yourself too much sometimes.

Paruko: Now for Team Darkness Mastermind, we have another completely unknown fighter! All we know is the name he wants to go by, Gremlin!!

Gremlin rose to face Ryu, as the two glared at each other.

Ryu: Alright Erica, time to put your new deck to use. The Dragons Inferno will Scorch the entire Planet!! Luminize: Ultimate Hell Blaze!!!

Gremlin: An Infinite Darkness will smother your heart and soul with the Blackest of Doom!! Now, Dark Luminize: Absolute Darkness World!!

Paruko: BUDDY~!!!!

All: FIGHT!!!!

Ryu&Gremlin: Time to Raise the Flag!

Ryu: I'm with Dragon World!

Gremlin: I fight for Darkness Dragon World.

Ryu: Charge and Draw.

Ryu
Life: 10
Gauge: 3
Hand: 6

Ryu: First, I pay two gauge and call to the Center!

A giant red dragon with blue wings and two shield appeared on the field, roaring.

Ryu: Hellfire Guard Dragon!!

Hellfire Guard Dragon
Size: 3
Power: 4000
Defense: 8000
Critical: 2
Life Link: 2

Gao: That's new.

Baku: Yeah, I've never seen Ryu use that kind of Hellfire Dragon before.

In team Chaotic's room, both Karma and Keith were surprised.

Keith: Did he have in his deck before?

Karma: My guess... No.

Gremlin: What's this?

Ryu: There we're a bunch of new Hellfire Dragons wanting to join up after a little venture of mine. Hellfire Guard Dragon is one of the best.

Guard Dragon: Will you fight with the same ferocity you did that day?

Ryu: That was the plan.

Guard Dragon: Very well.

He slammed his fist together, with an echo going through the entire arena.

Ryu: Now I Cast: Empire of the Hellfire Emperor!!

Using 3 Gauge, the Set Spell rose from the ground.

Ryu: Now Guard Dragon, attack Gremlin!!

The monster breathed in, before firing a stream of flames at Gremlin.

Gremlin Life: 8

End of Move

Ryu Life: 11

Ryu: Come on, try and get through this defense.

Gremlin: My turn. Draw! Charge and Draw!!

Gremlin
Life: 8
Gauge: 3
Hand: 7

Gremlin: I call Black Knight Goldred to the Center, and I call to the left, Shooter of Magic Bullets, Gaspard!

He summoned two humanoid monsters, with Ryu noticing this.

Goldred: I'll get him!

Gaspard: Don't find yourself in my way.

Ryu: I see. So there ARE humanoid monsters in Darkness Dragon World.

Shojo: You thought I was making this stuff up?

Ryu: -_- Let me focus.

Gremlin: And then I call to the Right, Death Dragon Deathgaze Dragon!!

With one Gauge, the Black Dragon was called.

Ryu: So he's got the same species as Davide's Buddy huh? Well that doesn't really matter to me. Especially with such a predictable play style.

Gremlin: I Cast: Accel End! Discarding 5 cards from my deck, to gain 1 Gauge!

He discarded 5 cards, as one was added to his gauge.

Gremlin: And while I'm at it, I'll use another Accel End!!

Gremlin Gauge: 4

Ryu: 'So if I had to bet, a monster of his will be able to use those fallen cards.'

Gremlin: Now, Deathgaze and Goldred, do a Link attack on that Dragon!!

Both monsters went in, with their sights on Hellfire Guard Dragon. After using one of his shields to block Goldred's sword, he used the other to block Deathgaze's claw, but wasn't able to block the tail.

Gremlin: Prepare yourself, because along with Deathgaze Dragon's Spectral Strike, Goldred has Penetrate.

Guard Dragon: Do you truly think I'll be used by someone to harm my comrade? THINK AGAIN!!

The shield bearing dragon roared, as the monsters on Gremlin's field glowed, before he was destroyed.

Ryu Life: 9

Gremlin: What?! Why did you only take Life Link damage?!

Ryu: That's Hellfire Guard Dragon's effect. He's as stubborn as they come you see. When he's destroyed, the card effects of the attacking monsters are nullified until the end of the turn!

Baku: That's a serious game changer! That ability completely ignores damaging effects!

Gao: Ryu's new deck is shaping up to be seriously strong!!

Erica: I knew it. Gremlin has no creativity.

Ryu: Sure, Deck Builders can read the game a whole lot better than regular fighters, but most of you can't improvise NEARLY as much as fighters.

Ryu seemed to have nothing but confidence.

Ryu: You don't have enough experience to go against me, even with this incomplete deck.

Gremlin: Incomplete deck you say?

Ryu: It doesn't matter. It's more than enough for your team.

Gremlin: Tch. Gaspard, attack the fighter!

The gunner fired a bullet at Ryu, who wasn't affected in the slightest.

Ryu Life: 8

End of Move

Ryu Life: 9

Ryu: My turn! Draw!

Ryu drew a card from his Core Gadget, looking at his options.

Ryu: Looks like I can't make full use of some of these.

Erica: I told you Ryu. Without that final Dragon, the balance of your deck may work against you.

Azure: We can still make it work. For now, charge that spell.

Ryu: Right. Charge and Draw!!

Ryu
Life: 9
Gauge: 1
Hand: 6

Ryu: Let's do this! First off, Hellfire Charge Plus!!

From the top of his deck, four cards were added to his gauge.

Ryu Gauge: 5

Ryu: Next, I pay 1 Gauge and call Hell Knight Dragon Infernity to the Left!

With two Gauge, the mighty knight dragon appeared on the field.

Infernity: It's time to show these Darkness Dragon World Monsters who they're messing with!

Ryu: You already know!! With 1 Gauge, I call Hell Knight Dragon Berserker to the Right!!

Ryu summoned Berserker as well, with his two dragons looking at each other.

Berserker: Infernity, still had stiff as always on the battle field.

Infernity: And you still as careless.

They both slightly glared, before letting out large laughs.

Berserker&Infernity: Good to see you comrade!!

Ryu: Now that you both have that out of your system, I equip Emperor's Hell Blade, Caliburn!!

Ryu equipped Caliburn, jumping in.

Ryu: Come at you now!! And not like we needed it, but Berserker's effect to lower your monsters attack and defense is just the icing on the cake.

Ryu leapt in, slicing Goldred apart in the center. However surprising everyone, no Penetrate damage was done.

Paruko: Hold up, what's going on? Caliburn should've pierced through to deliver penetrate damage to Gremlin.

Ryu: Yeah this form of Caliburn has it's effects negated when TWO Hell Knight Dragons are on the field. There's something to get by that, but I don't have it at the moment. There have gotta be SOME limitations to my Dragons, or else it wouldn't be any fun.

Gremlin: You've basically left yourself wide open!

Ryu: In your eyes. Infernity, attack Gremlin.

Infernity flew forward, slashing at Gremlin.

Gremlin: I Cast: Black Dragon Shield!!

A black shield appeared to block the attack.

Gremlin Life: 7

Ryu: Berserker, you're next!!

Gremlin: I Cast: Black Dragon Shield!!

The attack was blocked by a black shield.

Gremlin Life: 8

Ryu: I thought so! I Cast!!

Ryu threw a card into the air.

Ryu: When my monsters attack is Nullified or Reduced, I gain gauge equal to my opponents. It's called Hellfire Offensive.

Ryu Gauge: 4

End of Move

Ryu Life: 10

Erica: He's got no cards in hand. This is good for you Ryu.

Ryu: I know but... Why do I feel like I'm getting into a really bad situation.

Gremlin: Your Deck Builder is a Disgrace!! Allowing a fighter to go into battle with a deck that's incomplete is an offense that I can't abide!!

Ryu: Watch your mouth Retsu!! I've got one of the best Deck Builders a fighter could ever ask for! It was my decision and mine alone to use this deck in a fight!!

Gremlin: OH PLEASE!!

A dark aura appeared around Gremlin, with Ryu noticing.

Ryu: 'Is this the Disaster Force?'

Gremlin: The whole performance of regular fighters is nothing more than a feeble amusement!! Deck Builders are the ones who pull the strings and are the only true Buddy Fighters!

Karma: Tch, that idiot. He's letting Disaster Force activate. No doubt that Spirit Potential is about to do it's stuff.

Ryu: What happened to you man?

Gremlin: I draw!! Charge and Draw!!

Gremlin
Life: 8
Gauge: 5
Hand: 1

Gremlin: I Cast: Buddy Help!! With 3 Gauge, I can draw 2 cards! Next, I use Devil Stigma to destroy Goldred!

The blade of a scythe went into the monster.

Gremlin: This allows me to Gain two Gauge and 1 Life.

Gremlin
Life: 9
Gauge: 4

Gremlin: You especially have driven me to the edge Ryu!! I've offered to make you the perfect deck for your Hellfire Dragons, but you refused for me no reason!

Ryu: Retsu...

Gremlin: Right now, there is only one among you who truly understands me...

A card in Gremlin's hand glowed in a dark aura, as he grinned.

Gremlin: But even so, you will all bare witness to my greatness!! A World consumed in Darkness will be turned inside out. Observe as I give rise to a New Order!!

Purple lighting surrounded Gremlin.

Gremlin: I Buddy Call to the Center: THE MOST TERRIFYING MONSTER EVER TO HAVE DRAWN BREATH!!!!

A sphere of purple energy appeared in the center, blinding everyone.

Gremlin: BLACK DRAGON OF DEMISE, DEATH TALLICA!!!!

A large and indeed terrifying dragon appeared in the center, with a small version of planet earth being grabbed by it's lower half.

Gremlin Life: 10

Gremlin: Behold the manifestation of the black dragon that will single handedly end the world as you know it! With his remarkable ability Mind Quake, all of the Deep Attributes in the drop zone become part of it's Soul!!

The cards rose up before shining.

Paruko: What's going on? I have a bad feeling about it!

Gremlin: By returning 3 cards from it's Soul to my Deck, my opponents attacks are nullified and Death Tallica can't be forced from the field, even by another cards ability! And Death Tallica's Soul contains 24 cards in total!!

Small versions of Death Tallica appeared around the original.

Gremlin: So basically unless you find some impossible way of defeating Death Tallica NINE TIMES, my center position can't be opened!

With Team Chaotic, Karma's eyes widened.

Karma: Holy shit... Is that guy for real?

Keith: Oh yeah. Even I would have a tough time beating a monster like that, even with Fafnir.

Ryu looked at Death Tallica, smirking.

Ryu: This'll be fun. Infernity, I'll need you to move to the Center.

Infernity: Right.

Infernity disappeared, before reappearing in the Center.

Gremlin: Then attack the Center Death Tallica. Hurricane Turmoil!!!

The mouth of Death Tallica's chest glowed, as a yellow laser beam shot out, hitting Infernity and destroying him. He then revived with Soul Guard.

Infernity: Ugh, that guy hit's about as hard as you'd think he does.

Gremlin: Now for Double Attack!!

Infernity: ... Well that's wasn't expected.

Another beam was was fired at Infernity, as he blocked it to the best of his ability, looking back at Ryu.

Infernity: Do me a favor Ryu. When you're taking that giant down, MAKE IT HURT.

That's was the last thing he said before being destroyed.

Ryu: Will do Infernity.

Ryu Life: 8

End of Move

Ryu Life: 9

Ryu: My turn. Draw! Charge and Draw!!

Ryu
Life: 9
Gauge: 5
Hand: 2

Ryu: With 2 Gauge I Cast: Hellfire Slash!!

Ryu swung Caliburn down, as it went straight to Death Tallica. However before it could hit the main body, one of the mini Tallica's blocked the attack.

Ryu: 8 more to go. I Cast: Scroll of Hellfire!!

Three new cards were added to his hand.

Ryu: I Buddy Call to the Left!!

Blaze flew in, roaring.

Ryu: Emperor of Hellfire Blaze Dragon!!

Blaze: It's about time I'm in!!

Ryu: Blaze's Ability activates! Say goodbye to another soul!!

Blaze: Burning Blast!!!

He swung his hand, with blue flames going towards Tallica, and destroying another shield.

Blaze: 7 more now.

Ryu: I'll attack with Caliburn!!

Ryu leaped in, slashing, with a shield blocking him.

Ryu: Something I'm betting you didn't calculate is that Caliburn is still able to piece through since the attack was Nullified!!

Gremlin's eyes widened, as a red beam hit him.

Gremlin Life: 9

Ryu: Get ready for double attack!!

Another mini dragon blocked Ryu, as once again Gremlin was hit by a laser.

Gremlin Life: 8

Gremlin: How?! I thought my center would be impervious!!

Ryu: That's why I never let you build a deck for me! You're still so fixed on a single way to win that you never looked to see it could be someone's downfall! Blaze, show him the light!!

Blaze flew in, taking out another shield with his tail.

Blaze: Wrath of Hellfire!!

He immediately took out another, as Gremlin felt the scorching heat.

Blaze: Now Berserker!!

Berserker: RIGHT!!!

Berserker flew in, slashing a shield once again.

End of Move

Ryu Life: 11

Gremlin: You took out 7 of Death Tallica's lives in just a single turn?!

Ryu: Now do you see what I mean? As long as you're so narrow minded, and don't have anyone you can trust whole heartedly, you can never beat me! Erica's the only person I'd need to make my Decks for me.

Erica smiled, scratching the back of her head.

Erica: Ahhh, you're gonna make me blush!

Gremlin: Do you really expect me to believe that something like that makes a difference?!!

Ryu: You'll see when I win this fight!

Gremlin: Draw!! Charge and Draw!!

Gremlin
Life: 8
Gauge: 2
Hand: 1

Gremlin: 'I have a Black Dragon Shield in my hand now. If I attack Berserker, then on my next turn with Spirit Potential, I'll have a higher chance of getting the cards I need.' Death Tallica, attack Berserker!! Hurricane Turmoil!!

A laser was fired at Berserker, destroying him.

Gremlin: Now attack Ryu!!

Another beam was shot at Ryu, hitting him head on.

Ryu Life: 9

End of Move

Ryu Life: 10

Ryu: Retsu, you need to understand that being in Disaster isn't the way!

Gremlin: What could you possibly know?!

Ryu: My turn!! Draw! Charge and Draw!!

Ryu
Life: 10
Gauge: 1
Hand: 4

Ryu: We used to be friends! You're waisting your talent over there!! I Cast: Hellfire Charge!!

Ryu Gauge: 5

Ryu rushed in, attacking Death Tallica. Another Soul got in the way however, as once again Gremlin was damaged.

Gremlin Life: 7

Paruko: THAT WAS THE LAST OF DEATH TALLICA'S SOULS!!! IS THAT IT?!!

Ryu: Don't you see you're just being used?!! It's not too late to make the right choice!!

Ryu jumped up once again, slicing through Death Tallica. Gremlin's eyes widened, as Ryu fell.

Ryu: PENETRATE!!!

He slashed down, hitting the Deck Builder.

Gremlin Life: 4

Gremlin: No, you're lying!!

Ryu: Blaze, attack Gremlin!!

Blaze: WRATH OF HELLFIRE!!!

The fire dragon of Blaze soared towards Gremlin, hitting once again.

Gremlin Life: 1

Blaze: DOUBLE ATTACK!!!

Gremlin: I CAST: BLACK DRAGON SHIELD!!!!

Blaze's attack was blocked, as Gremlin took a few breaths to compose himself.

Ryu: It's time for the Final Phase!!!

Gremlin: No, not that!

Blue flames covered the entire arena, almost all of the spectators were confused, while Ryu and Gremlin were transported.

Ryu: I CAST!!!

The ground shook, as gremlin looked down terrified.

Ryu: IMPACT!!!

He held the card up, with the burning scythe rising from the ground.

Ryu: INCINERATING DRAGON FANG!!!

He flew in with the blade falling.

Gremlin: 'Is it really true? Can trust really bring a power like this into reality?'

Ryu: COLOSSUS!!!! PUNISHER!!!!!

The blade crashed down, with a dragons roar heard as the ground rising from exploding flames bellow. Gremlin's flag was destroyed, as he stood in shock.

GAME OVER

Winner: Ryu Mikado!!

Ryu: Looks like you couldn't land on your feat.

Everyone cheered with Paruko nearly being speechless again.

Paruko: I don't say this often, but part of me struggles to put what we all just witnessed into words!! Ryu Mikado's Colossus Punisher has evolved into an even more powerful version of itself!! The limits of this amazing Team we have yet to see!!!

Karma: Hold on, WHAT?!!!

Keith: You mean in the short time before the tournament started, Ryu somehow managed to get this much stronger?

Fafnir: It seems like beating him will be a real challenge.

Ryu: Retsu.

The red haired deck builder looked down at Ryu.

Ryu: I was being serious before. You can change and become a way better Deck Builder. And while I wouldn't leave all the work to you, I'd love to work on a deck WITH you.

Gremlin: ...

He said nothing, turning around.

Ryu: Kyoya... You've interfered with the lives of too many of my friends. I'm gonna take you down even if it's the last thing I do.

Blaze: Easy now Ryu. One battle at a time.

CHAPTER END!!