Tasuku and Jackknife flew together toward the stadium. They didn't talk a lot together since Noboru left the city to his new home. Tasuku wasn't a very close friend to Noboru, but Gao was and it affected Tasuku. Gao wasn't in a bad mood when he called him before he went to sleep, but he wasn't sure if Gao was honest or not.

"Are you alright Tasuku?" Jackknife asked.

The boy turned toward his buddy and smiled, "I'm fine Jack. I'm just wondering how Gao's feeling right now. Noboru left and it was a good friend for him."

"I'm sure it will take some times for Gao to feel better, but I think we shouldn't be soft during the finals. Gao and Drum wants us to give everything we have," Jackknife told him.

Tasuku nodded, "Yes. Gao asked that yesterday. Noboru is going to watch this and we have to show him everything we can do."

"That's right," the green dragon answered.

Chapter 78: The Great Final

Gao and Drum were waiting for Tasuku to come in front of the stadium. His friends and his family were already inside, waiting for the final to begin. Gao thought of his friend Noboru and also Kiri's news. He was lightly depress with his lips lightly pointing down when he thought no one was watching him.

Drum noticed his behavior and wasn't sure how to help him. He finished eating his last pudding, pat his belly with a smile and added with an exaggerate tone, "That was delicious. Now I'm ready to defeat Jackknife," he raised his small claws and pointed them toward the sky.

That put Gao out of his thought and warned his buddy, "Be careful. They are going to give everything they have and we have to do the same."

Drum nodded, "Gao. What's the plan for the final? We know Jackknife can transform into a more powerful form. If this happen, what are we going to do?"

Gao checked his card deck, "Maybe we should turn you into another form. What about this one?"

Drum checked and nodded, "This is good. Let's do that when Jackknife transform."

Gao put his card in the deck case and saw Tasuku and Jackknife joining them. They landed and the green dragon turned in his mini form.

"Hi Gao," Tasuku told his friend. He wondered if he should talk about Noboru.

"Hi Tasuku. You're here in time," Gao replied with a smile. "Let's give everything we got. Noboru will be watching us after all."

That answer made his decide not to.

"You two are ready for the final?" Jackknife asked.

"Yes. We are ready to win and defeat you," Drum replied.

The green dragon chuckled, "I wouldn't count on it."

"We'll see that soon," Drum declared.

"Welcome everyone! Today is the final for the first buddyfight tournament of Tokyo!" Paruko yelled with excitement in her mic.

Everyone in the stadium were also excited and also the people watching it at their home.

Paruko continued, "It is now time to meet our contestant for the best buddy fighter of Tokyo! The two kids are member of the buddy police force and fought criminals and protect the citizens for a while with their buddies, both dragons who are powerful and have many abilities that they didn't show to everyone yet. At our left, we have Tasuku and Jackknife, who are the fan favourite team!" People acclaimed them. "While on our right, we have Gao and Drum, two fighters who won by technicality, but recognised it was only that and wants to give everything they have for this final fight!"

Gao's family encouraged the boy and told him he could beat Jackknife and Tasuku.

Paruko said, "Drum and Jackknife are now on the ring."

Meanwhile, Azi, Kyoya and Hinako were watching the preparation for the match. The three were a little nervous with the absence of Tenchi with them.

Hinako was the least nervous, watching Gao and Tasuku. She knew both of them were good kid and saw their power with their spellcards. She checked in her pocket and slowly checked a deck case with spellcards with them, I cannot be defenceless. I fear big thing are coming soon, but I know the buddy police force is ready to face them.

Azi and Kyoya didn't notice the deck case, but watched the four contestants.

"What do you think about them?" Kyoya asked his buddy.

"The boys are powerful. I can feel their power inside of them, but their buddy... Aren't strong enough to honor their power," Azi quietly replied.

"The Dark Core isn't affecting Gao yet," Kyoya commented as he put his fingers against his forehead.

"He is resilient, but eventually, it will begin," Azi commented.

"Is everyone ready?" Paruko said.

The four contestants gave a thumb up.

"Buddyfight!"

Drum and Jackknife charged. Drum blocked Jackknife blade with his drill and tried to counter with a kick, but the green dragon flew in the air and remained there.

Jackknife watched Drum and wondered how he should make his assault. He knew Drum was stronger than before, but also that he wasn't weaker. He thought of a plan and knew it would be useless if Drum changed form.

Drum didn't lose a second and activated his drill. He flew in the air toward Jackknife. The green dragon pointed his blade toward Drum and also charged. Their weapons collided and let out a loud sound before the two dragons turned around and charged again. Every time Drum attacked, he took a safe distance to turn around and continued his attack.

Jackknife didn't have that problem, but he took too long to increase his speed after Drum started turning around. Jackknife turned around after another assault and realised that Drum was out of his sight. He searched around and didn't see the red dragon anywhere. He knew he was above him and checked.

Drum dropped and kicked Jackknife snout. Drum was about to follow up his assault, but Jackknife recovered and punched his face. Jackknife spun around himself and whipped Drum's chest with his tail. Drum crashed on the ring and jumped back on his feet, almost outside of the ring. A mark of Jackknife tail appeared on Drum's armor.

He sure didn't go soft with that attack, Drum thought.

"That was a fantastic start! A minute already passed and it is time to draw their card," Paruko warned them.

Gao and Tasuku drew their card. Tasuku wondered what card Gao picked. He looked at his friend and decided to wait and see.

Gao looked at the blue haired boy and lightly smiled, he knew that Tasuku was waiting to see which spellcards he drew.

"Let's not make them wait Gao!" Drum said.

"Drum, awake your inner power!" The card shined.

Drum's armor started to reshape and changing colors while the drill became lightly smaller and lighter in Drum's arm. Once the transformation was completed, he proudly stood in front of everyone. The crowd watched Drum in his silver and purple armor. His silver helmet had two golden lightning with his red cape on his back, lightly floating by the remaining of energy dispersed.

"I am Thunder Knights, Drum Bunker Dragon! A warrior with the power to strike the enemy down and protect those in needs!"

Halberd watched it and had his mouth lightly opened, "Is that... even possible? It takes years of training to use the power of the thunder knights."

"Do not forget Halberd, that Drum has the power of the Fang Slade clan and it is in their power," Tenbu warned the dragon.

The red dragon lightly smiled while Ironchain turned toward his friend with a small smile, but didn't know what to say or if he could use this to apology. The battle continued and the moment wasn't there.

Drum prepared himself for Jackknife assault.

Tasuku smiled and showed his card, "We can do the same remember." Gao gasped, forgetting it in his excitement, just before Tasuku said, "Jackknife! Thunder Storm Mode!"

Jackknife was now in his purple armor with his blade ready to charge electricity at any time to strike against Drum.

"That incredible! Drum isn't the only one who can magically change his armors like a magical girl," Paruko commented.

"Don't compare us to that!" Drum furiously yelled while Jackknife frowned. Drum focused once again at his fight and commented, "I'm feeling like we are reliving a little last year."

"Exactly, but you are in your thunder knight form," Jackknife replied.

So I have to use my special ability when I'm sure Jackknife cannot absorb it to counter against me. Good thing we are inside and it's a sunny day today, Drum smirked.

Jackknife charged, but Drum blocked with his drill and spun around the green dragon and slashed his back before he flew out of the drill range. Drum grunted when he realised his attack wasn't deep at all and only a slip of blood came out of Jackknife back.

Jackknife was in the air and waited a few seconds before charging again. Drum was ready to block the blade, but Jackknife caught the portion of the drill that wasn't spinning with his legs and dragged the red dragon in the air.

Drum looked down and saw that the ring wasn't below him anymore, "H-Hey! That's not fair!"

"Drum, you cannot fly and I'm using it against you, it's fair," Jackknife replied.

"Drum!" Gao yelled.

Jackknife let go of the drill and Drum felt.

"The battle is over Gao," Tasuku commented.

I won't lose like that... No. I won't lose at all! Drum furiously thought.

He threw the drill toward the ground and made it spun as fast as it could. He then used his cape to slow his fall and try to go toward the ring as he wasn't that far from it. Drum nervously hoped his crazy plan worked. By miracle, the drill pierced the side of the ring and let out a place where he could land. Drum then landed on the handle and the drill remained in the ground, saving the red dragon from losing the fight because of gravity.

Drum sighed as he jumped back on the ground and picked his weapon.

"That was an awesome safe from Drum and the battle isn't over yet!" Paruko commented with excitement.

"You hear her Tasuku. We are not going to lose," Gao said as he drew another card, just like Tasuku.

"Jack and I will be victorious Gao," the blue haired boy replied.

"It was impressive Drum, but that won't help you defeat me. You are just winning some time," Jackknife commented.

"No. I'm going to be victorious Jackknife," Drum waited for Jackknife to come.

Jackknife charged. Drum smiled and raised his sword, "Let the lightning storm my drill in the name is justice!"

A lightning stroke on the drill and charged up with electricity inside. Jackknife was too close to absorb it and tried slashing Drum with his claw, but the red dragon slid under him. Drum turned around the moment he saw Jackknife tail and pointed his drill before released all the energy it absorbed. He hit the back of the green dragon. Jackknife painfully screamed before crashing on the ground. He tried moving his body, but it was too painful for Jackknife and had to wait for the electricity to subside on the ground.

"Is it over?" Paruko wondered as she observed Jackknife not moving, but still breathing.

Drum frowned and charged when he saw Jackknife tail moving. He jumped in the air, ready to knock the dragon out with the pommel of his drill.

"Green Dragon Shield!" Tasuku yelled.

Drum hit the shield with his sword and lost his balance. Jackknife eyes opened and saw Drum unbalanced. He charged with his blade and slashed Drum chest, piercing the armor and letting the red dragon bleed a lot.

"Draconic Medic!" Gao yelled, closing the deep wound.

Drum stood up and felt better, but weaker with the blood lost, "Thanks Gao."

Drum prepared himself to continue the fight and end this battle once and for all. Jackknife seemed to think the same way.

Drum once again charged his sword with electricity and preparing himself to strike at any time. Jackknife knew that if he was hit once again, he would be knocked out for good.

Jackknife charged, but Drum dodged the blade and didn't counter immediately, when he saw Jackknife looking into his eyes. Jackknife continued his offensive and Drum blocked and dodged everything coming at him.

It's easier to dodge them... I guess my attack still slow him down, Drum thought.

The battle continued and Drum didn't get an opportunity to use his special ability. The red dragon dodged and tried to hit Jackknife with his drill, but even if Jackknife was a better in the air, he was experienced enough to fight on the ground. It continued until Drum managed to dodge an attack and took an opportunity to use his special ability. He charged his drill and fired a blast of electricity when Jackknife had his guard low. The blast flew closer to the face of Jackknife, the green dragon turned his face toward Drum with a grin. The red dragon realised his mistake when the helmet of the green dragon absorbed the lightning coming at him.

Jackknife flew in the air and charged at Drum, he fired the blast of electricity when he was close to Drum.

The red dragon yelled painfully as he was electrocuted and continued until he felt on his knee. Smoke flew around his scales.

"Looks like the match is almost over," Paruko said.

"It's... not over," Drum grunted as he stood up. He glared at Drum and took a step forward, when his eyes lost his focus and the dragon lost consciousness.

"The battle is over! The champions of the ABC cup are Tasuku and Jackknife!"

Tasuku smiled while his buddy gave a thumb up before turning back to his former self. Gao used his healing card and Drum opened his eyes.

"Dammit. We lost Gao," he commented before turning in his chibi form.

"It's alright," Gao replied.

Paruko waited for Tasuku and Jackknife to join her as she held the ABC trophy in her hands. Once they were near her, she said, "And now. Let's welcome the woman who allowed monsters from other worlds to come and live here in peace with us and one of the creators of the buddy police force, Hinako!"

Hinako came in the ring with the ABC trophy which seemed to be made of gold. Hinako had a microphone and said, "Hello Tasuku and congratulation in your victory."

"That's nothing really," Tasuku replied a little shy by her praise.

"I am honored by everyone performance in the tournaments and I want to congratulate every participants who accepted to fight in the tournament. It wouldn't have been possible without any of you. In a competition, there is only one person who can have the first place, but everyone gave their best and that's what's important. As for you Tasuku, you obtain victory thanks to your strategy and Jackknife... It was thanks to your skills and chemistry with your buddy that you achieve victory. This is why I give you the ABC trophy," Hinako gave it to Tasuku and smiled, "Congratulations."

Tasuku took it and replied, "Thank you."

The boy walked outside the ring and after an ending comment from Paruko, everyone returned to their home.

Gao's family invited everyone to celebrate the victory of Tasuku with Drum being a little grumpy, that was until he ate pudding and everything was better for him.

AC: This is the end of chapter 78.

I know it's a little abrupt as an ending, but I didn't have anything else to write after the tournament and I don't want to bore you.

Next chapter: The Upcoming Storm.

Chapter 80: The Lightning strike.

Chapter 81: The Thunder Strikes Tokyo.