Kiri walked toward his school with Joker by his side. He was lightly depressed as his gaze was mostly pointing toward the ground. Joker watched the boy and wasn't sure how he could help him. A few days passed since Gao was in his coma and didn't give any sign to wake up.

What didn't help was that today, was the day Kiri and him left the city to another location. They were about to leave Tokyo since Kiri's father moved away.

Kiri and Gao were good friends and... They cannot even spend the last day together. This is so sad and frustrating, Joker thought, being out of idea to cheer him up.

The duo reached the school for the last time. Baku, Kuguru and her buddies welcomed him, but without Gao, it wasn't really helping Kiri mood.

Joker was well aware that Kiri wasn't the only one. He saw Drum coming with his head down while Tenbu tried to cheer the dragon up. Gao's sister was feeling the same way with Halberd giving her support. Halberd still had a few bruise of his fight against the other Thunder Knights, but he was healing well.

Chapter 85: Good-Bye Kiri

School ended slower than usual, if another would ask Joker and Kiri. Gao absence in class wasn't easily bearable for Kiri while Joker watched Drum in his mood and couldn't help but wonder how he'll be if something like that happened to Kiri.

As they walked out, Drum dashed toward the hospital while Kiri mood worsen. It was soon time to leave and the boy didn't get what he wanted before leaving the city.

Joker tried a joke, but it didn't work. The ice monster was out of idea to cheer up the boy and it was visible with his red eyes taking a darker red, I will not give up. I am here for Kiri and I won't let anything stop me. He thought with resolution.

Joker saw Kiri's friends and their buddies joining him. It was soon time to part away and the atmosphere was getting more and more depressing. What wasn't helping was the current situation between the monsters and the humans. Joker could feel their gaze, but didn't mind as long as it wasn't hurting Kiri. Deep down, Joker wanted to punch the force that caused Gao to fall into a coma, but remembered he couldn't without a fist and his arms were blades.

"Are you alright Kiri?" Kuguru asked with sympathy.

The boy turned toward her and forced a smile, "I'm fine. Although, I am wondering how Gao's feeling right now?"

"I hope he'll get better," Baku replied, which wasn't really helping Kiri's mood, "We'll make sure he calls you once he's back."

Tenbu joined them as he played with his mustaches, "Do not worry about it Kiri. I'm sure Gao would be hurt if he couldn't see you one last time just like you. And if you are feeling guilty about it, you don't have too. Things happen and they are not under the control of anyone," he pat the boy with a warm smile, before flying after a teacher and trying to charm her.

Everyone watched the old dragon and sighed, but Kiri felt a little better.

You were feeling a little guilty right Kiri?, Joker quietly asked in his mind.

"I'm sure big brother will miss you. You are his friend after all and he always value his friends," Hanako told him with her smile.

"I can vouch for that," Halbert replied with a smile.

Kiri nodded and lightly smiled, "Thank you," he checked his watch, "It's time to go. I have to take the train very soon."

"Let's go Kiri. Don't worry. You are not alone and I'm with you," Joker told him, I hope you are going to get better Kiri. Since we met, I only want to protect you and make sure no one ever hurt you. There are many things I know, but cannot tell you or it would hurt you so much. Kiri. I'll promise right now, I'll make you smile once again. I will, he concluded his thought with determination.

Kiri and his friends reached the train station. The boy searched for his father, but didn't see him anywhere. He wondered where he was, but didn't see him, No one ever saw my father in public. I guess he's always busy after all.

Kiri walked near the train and turned toward his friends. He wanted to speak his final words before leaving, but didn't know what he could say. He searched in his mind for anything, but for a while, he had nothing. Joker kneeled down by his side and whispered, "You can do it Kiri. Don't leave this all cool. They aren't like me after all."

The boy nodded. He took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for coming here. It sure was only a short time together. I wanted to stay in our school together for a year, but father often moved elsewhere. I..." he thought about it, "I am so glad to make many friends in this school. I never made this many friends the first time I entered in a new school and even a buddy," he turned toward Joker who winked at him. "Gao was my first friend here and it was fun together. But, he isn't here. I wished he was. Maybe it's better that way. It's already difficult to leave this town and all of you, but maybe I wouldn't be able to say good-bye to him."

Joker added, "But you are not alone this time. As your buddy, I'm coming with you Kiri," To always protect you since then. He added in his mind, "So you are not alone this time."

Kiri nodded, "Yeah. I usually left the few friends I made, but this time, there is so many, but you are coming with me."

"Do not worry about Gao Kiri. We will tell him when he's back and you know he's going to call you," Baku told him. He then pointed to his cellphone, "We can always call us when you need to talk with us. You are not really alone."

"Big bro will miss you," Hanako said.

"It was a good time with you around," Halberd said, "We are all glad that you have a buddy like Joker who only wants the best for you."

"Just like he is bringing the luggage by himself without breaking them with his blades," Cat Sith pointed out.

Joker was actually doing that as if he always did something like that with the opposite side of his blade arms, "It's my body."

Kiri tried to smile, but couldn't, "Thank you everyone. It was fun together."

Meanwhile, Drum and Gao flew as fast as they could.

Drum thought about it and had an idea, "Maybe you can call them G-" he stopped himself when he noticed Gao clothing, "You don't have your phone."

Gao searched in the pocket of his shirt, "No!"

"Don't worry. We will make it in time just like when I came back in time," Drum told his buddy with a smile.

"Let's hope we can," Gao looked down and noticed he was pretty high in the air. It was different from the times he flew on Drum's back last year as they were hunting down Jackknife, Things changes and it feels different. I understand why Tasuku likes flying by Jackknife side.

Drum sniffed the air and couldn't detect their stench very well. He turned into his real form and sniffed again with his real stench power, "Found it."

"Let's go!" Gao said as they flew toward their destination.

"Looks like we are here just in time," a voice said at the train station.

Everyone turned around and saw Tasuku with Jackknife. It wasn't who Kiri wanted to see, but it was still good that he came here. The boy noticed Tasuku panting in exhaustion.

"Sorry it was long. He is not authorised to use his buddy skill and I cannot turn in my real form without a specific reason," Jackknife apologised while Tasuku regained his breath.

"I'm glad you also came," Kiri honestly said.

"I'm also glad," Joker approved.

"Testuya and Asmodai wanted to come, but they are on duty right now," Tasuku commented.

The green dragon looked around, I don't see Gao or Drum. It's clear Gao didn't wake up.

They all talked together for a while with the remaining time they have. Eventually, it was time to climb on the train, even if Kiri secretly wanted to miss it.

"Well..." Kiri found it awkward as he couldn't find any words to say, "It's time for me to leave," he climbed inside the train after Joker climbed first.

"Don't forget to call us Kiri!" Kuguru yelled.

"We are your friends and we are always ready to help you any way we can," Baku added.

"We will meet again," Jackknife said.

"We will call you if we miss you too much too," Tasuku said.

Joker smiled inside of him, They are great friends.

Everyone waved good-byes and said a few more things before the door of the train closed. Kiri and Joker walked in it and sat next to each other's on a bench. The ice monster ignored some glared he received and looked outside the window, "They are still saying good-bye Kiri."

The boy looked outside and it was true. He could see their arms getting a little tired, but it was still very comforting for the boy.

They felt the train started rolling. The train was exiting the train station and it was soon good-bye Tokyo. Joker took one last glance towards them when he poked Kiri, "Look Kiri!"

Kiri looked where Joker was pointing and felt both happy and sad at the same time.

Gao and Drum, back in his mini-form reached the train station and stopped near their friends.

"G-Gao?" they all yelled surprised.

"I'm here," Gao looked around, "Where is Kiri?"

Tasuku reacted faster, "In the train!"

Gao nodded and flew after it with Drum behind.

Everyone watched it, confused about what they just say.

"Did Gao?" Baku asked.

"Big bro got a buddy skill!" Hanako joyfully yelled.

Halberd chuckled, "That's good. He's going to get the train... I hope."

Tasuku and Jackknife smiled.

Gao and Drum flew as fast as they could and managed to catch the train. It didn't reach its highest speed. Gao and Drum looked at the windows while they flew forward until they saw a blue blade near a window. They accelerated and they saw Kiri inside, smiling as he saw them.

Inside the train, Kiri said with joy, "They are here!"

"Yes. Can we open the window?" Joker asked.

Kiri replied, "Yes."

The four waved at each other's. Kiri then saw Gao pointing the window and Kiri opened it.

"Hi Kiri!" Gao said.

Kiri replied, "I'm glad to see you here."

"Sorry. I just woke up," Gao replied.

"No problem. I'm just happy to see you one last time."

"Call me. Forever friends." Gao sent it.

"We are gaining more speed. They can't follow us," Joker noticed.

"Yeah," Kiri decided to say, "Good-bye my friend."

"Bye. Thanks to Buddy Skill," Gao added.

"Looks nice. I hope to come back Gao," Kiri said as he looked at the window. He saw Gao and Drum slowly disappearing behind them.

"This is good-bye Kiri," Gao sent one last message.

Kiri started to cry, not knowing why those words felt so true. Joker lightly tapped the boy's back, "We will see them again Kiri."

The boy hugged his buddy. Joker added, "I'll never leave your side," And beyond my final breath.

Azi Dahaka watched the city by a window. He chuckled as he said, "Kiri is finally isolated," I know how his mind work, so it was easy to made him be alone, but his buddy follow him. You will be back Kiri, for my purpose.

AC: Here's the end of this chapter.

Next chapter: Justice Competition.