Drum sat on Gao's bed as he looked around him. Nothing changed a lot since he was gone and that pleased him. He checked on Gao, who was checking the new cards he gave after explaining them to him.

"You know Gao. I didn't know you subscribe us to the tournament. You didn't tell me anything and I'm still a little angry about it," Drum said. He added, "We are buddies... Although, considering the situation. I'll forgive you this time. After all, I didn't tell you anything about it and it was good to test my new power."

Gao smiled, "Don't worry. I won't do it again. As for the cards, I had some trouble believing it is your clan powers."

"Yes. I've inherit it from my father," Drum said.

Gao looked at one card and it was blank, "Why is this one blank?"

"It's from Hero world, I obtain it, but it means I'm not a hero, so I cannot use its power," Drum replied while testing the bed and remembering how comfy it was.

Gao saw the card with Drum in a dark armor, "Is that-"

"It's from Darkness Dragon world. It turns me into a Purgatory Knight, but I'm not interested to use the power of the Darkness Dragon."

Gao was about to reply when his sister came and said, "It's ready."

Drum eyes shined as he jumped off the bed, "Diner time!" before disappearing.

Chapter 70: Celebration

Drum eyes, shined when he saw the meals. He looked at them and was ready to pick it up when he could. The family was sitting around the table and waited for Suzumi to join them. Tenbu was floating by Drum side.

"Congratulation again Hanako. You were awesome," Gao complimented her again.

His sister smiled and replied, "It was mostly Halberd. I cannot do a lot with spellcards."

"I guess it's for your safety. Using spells calls on human's strength and it can be fatal," Tenbu commented.

"Like the use of an impact card. It's power are too immense," Halberd warned.

"Where is Axia?" Drum asked when he didn't notice him.

"Since he's Baku's buddy, he is now living with him," Takashi replied.

"That explains why he didn't try to do an ambush hug," Drum said with a small relief smile.

Tenbu tapped Drum's shoulder plate and asked, "Drum. I think everyone wants to ask it, but hesitates since you are just back but... We are curious to know when you first met Axia. You spoke about it in the match."

Drum scratched the back of his head and replied, "I guess it would happen. It wasn't anything extraordinary, but as he said, he wasn't a strong dragon when it comes to muscles. There were a few... bad dragons who are kind of... enjoys tormenting other dragons. Since only few are like Axia, it's not happening often."

"So you rescued him from them," Gao asked.

Drum nodded, "A little like when you helped Kiri. I already knew about Axia not being a tough dragon, so it wasn't surprising to see him assaulted by other dragons. He was pushed around and I beat- no. Tried to beat them. I received a punch or two before mom came and... I can give details about it since it was pretty much... not pretty for the eyes and ears. I've heard they couldn't sit for a while."

"What happen afterward?" Hanako asked.

"Axia was looking at me and just jumped and hugged me, thanking me again and again. It was bugging me that he hugged me like that, but he didn't listen to me and declared that we were friends for helping a dragon like him. He said I was his hero and we were often together... Until my dad trained me a lot after mom's death and he went studying in magic world. Despite being annoying, I enjoyed being his friend's and he missed me... Never tell him that part or he'll hug me even more and maybe played with my hair," Drum ordered everyone in the room.

"If it is what you want Drum," Halberd nodded.

Suzumi came and served diner. They started joyfully eating.

"Earth food. I've missed it so much," Drum said with a large smile before continuing eating.

"So Axia became your friend because you saved him right?" Suzumi asked.

"Yes. He is my first real friend. Being the son of Fang Slade Terrestrial The XIII makes it complex to have friends because of his stature, his rank and... I don't know why, but mom was really intimidating," Drum replied.

"Did you have other friends when you were young?" Gao asked.

"Not really. With dad's training, I had no one else as friends. They were comrades. Since I'm on Earth, I have many friends now," he said with a smile. I never told Axia how precious his friendship was... I guess that being who he was and how affectionate he was, I never had the chance to say it... Unless he already knew and never spoke about it.

They continued eating for a while. Tenbu waited for Drum to be a little satisfied before he decided to brought back something that happened today, "Drum. About what you said to Troubadour, I have a few things I like to talk about."

"Like what? I am not interested in the Darkness Dragon," Drum pushed the subject away.

Tenbu wasn't intending to let it go, "Drum. If you want to control your temper, you will have to speak with darkness dragons. They will come on Earth and Troubadour is a nice dragon."

"'Seems' like a nice dragon," Drum grumbled, but Tenbu heard it.

"I know why you despite darkness dragon Drum, but one day, you'll have to get over it," Tenbu said.

Drum clenched his claw and stopped eating. He took a few deep breath, trying to contain his anger.

"Tenbu, maybe now isn't the right time," Gao suggested.

"I think now is the time Gao," Suzumi countered, "You told me about the fight and he almost die because of it. Drum is a part of the family now and we all wants his safety."

Halberd whispered to Hanako, "Let's stay out of this," and she agreed.

Drum looked at everyone and felt a little cornered. He was still glad that Gao was on his side, not completely, but didn't want to push it.

"Let me tell you a few things about the Darkness Dragon's Drum. You ignored a lot of things just like the fact that you can transform into a Purgatory Knight," Tenbu said.

"I can, but that doesn't mean I'll do it," Drum replied.

"Drum, let me tell you a little story about the Purgatory Knights," Tenbu was about to start when Drum took a large bite, eating his fury. He's trying to contain his emotions and didn't yell, he profess a lot. "This is important to hear Drum. I wasn't always sleeping on Earth you know. I was traveling across the different worlds and I know about the sad fate the Purgatory Knights faced long ago."

That got Drum attention, "What do you mean?"

Tenbu smiled, "Long ago, the Purgatory Knights weren't darkness dragon Drum. They were white dragons with scales in different shapes of white instead of the gray scales they have now after many generations. The darkness dragons were exiled for a long time back then, but the dark creatures of Darkness Dragon world traveled through a crack leading to Dragon world."

Just like what happen in Dungeon World, but I bet it wasn't in a dungeon, Drum thought.

"So what happen?" Hanako asked.

"Back then, Dragon world was still divided by the color of the dragon scales and they lacked unity. So this problem was a large one. The blue dragons were attacked by those creatures and the other dragons didn't give a damn about them. Eventually, that thought leaded to a close catastrophe for the Dragon world. It was on the verge of destruction. That would have meant that only Darkness Dragon would still exist."

"Then those Purgatory Knights have tried to save Darkness Dragon world right?" Takashi asked, interested in the story.

Tenbu nodded, "Yes. The Purgatory Knights were formed then. It was a squadron of the most powerful white dragons who decided to close the crack and stops the creatures from invading Dragon world. It was leaded by Demios ancestors, a dragon that was brave enough and ready to lose everything to save Dragon world by giving up his selfish ways. He managed to create a temporary union between blue, white and red dragons and fight back with those who were willing to save the world. The other dragons were there to fight and exterminate the creatures while the Purgatory Knights closed the crack, meaning that their life was the most in danger since one of the most powerful creatures was waiting for them as the knights expected. It was a long and brutal fight and they succeeded. Sadly, something went wrong and they were dragged in the Darkness Dragon world and never escaped. I don't know much about how it happened. They're sacrifice wasn't kept in the long run in the memory of Dragon world as you don't know about them Drum. Great heroes who did what your father did in the judgement day of your world."

Drum heard that and regretted what he said to Troubadour. Their ancestors did that. I...

"Why are they considering themselves as Darkness Dragon then?" Halberd asked.

Tenbu replied, "It was a combination of luck and timing. You see, they managed to remain as a team in these desperate times. Barely surviving, but with their united hearts, they did. Until they crossed path with Azi Dahara near the only city of Darkness Dragon world. That's when the timing kicked in. Azi was simply a thief back then, but was ambitious, when he discovered what the upper class of the Darkness Dragon world did toward the lower class. When they met him, Azi made a proposition and they accepted, gaining a new home if they won, or die trying to make the Darkness Dragon world a better place. If Demios or Troubadour is here, they won and Azi became the ruler of Darkness Dragon world. As for calling it their world, time passed and it was just normal for them to consider this place home."

"So they lost everything and have to grasp in what they could get," Drum realised.

Tenbu nodded and said, "That's why you cannot judge them, even if it will be hard."

"Azi was a thief?" Hanako asked.

Tenbu chuckled, "Yes. He didn't start high and wasn't afraid to get his hand dirty. I'll stay with that."

"So this is their story?" Gao asked.

Tenbu nodded.

"It's sad they are heroes, but not remembered," Gao said.

Tenbu replied, "Drum. Did you learn anything from my story?"

"That the Purgatory Knight sacrificed themselves to save our world," he replied.

"And?" Tenbu asked.

"And what?" the red dragon asked confused.

"I'm also confused," Halberd admitted.

The old dragon smiled, "That you cannot judge a book by it's cover. Some darkness dragon weren't banished there, but ended up there for heroic reason. You cannot know who they were in the past just by thinking they are all the same."

Drum lowered his head, but nodded, "I understand."

"Knowing that will help you control your temper, but... As for Despair, he is really a being with a heart for destruction," Tenbu said.

"He was the first Darkness Dragon I ever cross and I lost mom," Drum said before lightly grunting. He finished eating and climbed off the chair and walked towards Gao chamber.

"I think he needs some time to think now," Tenbu said.

"Drum lived through more than me," Halberd said, "My exile is bad, but I am all grown up, but when Drum lost his mother, he was young and vulnerable."

"On Earth, he would need a therapy from a psychologist to heal his mind, but I don't know if it would work with a dragon," Takashi suggested.

"I don't think it will work," Halberd commented.

"I'll be here to help him," Gao said.

Hanako raised her hand, "Me too."

The other's nodded. Tenbu looked at them and smiled, you have a lot of friends now Drum who are ready to help you. You are also a part of their family. If you can do the right thing when the time comes, then my plan will come in fruition for when Yamigedo comes back.

It was late and Drum already took off his armor and rested on the bed. He sighed loudly as he cleaned his eyes, "I have to think about mom that much. Even with Suzumi... It wasn't getting to me."

Gao entered in the chamber and saw Drum on his bed, he lightly smiled and sat by his side, "Are you alright Drum?"

"Of course," Drum replied, "Just not what I would expect when I come back."

Gao put his hand on his shoulder, "Drum. Tenbu only told you that to help you."

"I know," Drum frowned as he replied that.

"Drum. When we will face Despair again, I'll fight by your side," Gao said.

Drum looked at Gao, "This isn't your fight Gao."

"It is Drum. He almost killed you and I will not let him hurt you that way again. You are my friend and I will not stand and watch you suffer," Gao said with determination.

Drum said nothing and rested on the bed. He turned his back on Gao.

The boy changed and rested by his side, "Drum. I'm glad you are back and don't worry. You will always be my buddy. Because I know I can always count on you."

Drum lightly smiled, "Me too." Gao... Thank you.

They both slept, ready for their next match tomorrow.

AC: This is the end of chapter 70.

Next chapter: Asmodai vs Gallows.