**Tokyo – Grand International Stadium, Night**
Night had fully claimed the sky over Tokyo. The stadium blazed under floodlights that turned the arena into a glowing coliseum, while above, stars twinkled coldly against the deep indigo backdrop. The aurora-like glow from the earlier dimensional clash still lingered faintly on the horizon, a ghostly reminder of the chaos in Paras City that Astra had just sealed. The air was cooler now, carrying the sharp bite of night wind mixed with the lingering scents of scorched sand, blood, ozone, and sweat. The crowd's energy had shifted once more—cheers still thundered, but they carried an undercurrent of unease, whispers of "Is this tournament cursed?" and "How many more will die tonight?" Giant screens replayed Leopard's victory in slow motion, but the atmosphere felt heavier, as if the stadium itself sensed something darker was coming.
In the VIP box high above, President Blu sat with arms crossed, his powder-blue skin almost luminous under the artificial lights. His glowing blue eyes remained fixed on the arena, expression calculative—calm on the surface, but his jaw was tight, a muscle twitching faintly. The billion-dollar prize still loomed like a beacon, but the cost weighed heavier than ever. Faint echoes of Paras City's tremors still rippled through him, a reminder of the burden Astra had carried alone while everyone else watched this spectacle. *My boy… you've already carried too much. Win this—for us all. For Yuki. For the city we almost lost.*
Below, in the family section, Uraka, Yuki, and Wano sat in tense silence, their eyes locked on the shadowed gates where Astra had vanished during the break. Beside them, Leopard lounged with casual grace, his fur still matted with drying blood, wounds bandaged but raw. He nursed a cold drink, mustache twitching as he watched the empty arena, but his golden eyes flicked toward the gates with quiet concern.
Yuki's hands twisted in her lap, her black jacket zipped tight against the night chill that had nothing to do with temperature. The sunglasses hid her crimson eye, but tears welled beneath, her breath shallow. The shockwaves from Paras City lingered in her soul like echoes of loss—Honokage's abandonment, the hospital vigil, Astra's small hand in hers during nightmares. *He's just a child… my child… please, don't take him from me. Not after everything he's already endured.*
Yuki whispered, voice cracking like fragile ice in the cold night air.
"Don't die, Astra… We have hope on you. Come back whole…"
Wano leaned closer, her short green hair brushing Yuki's shoulder as she placed a gentle hand on her arm, voice soft and steady like a lullaby against the stadium's roar.
"Don't worry, Yuki… Astra will be okay. He's got your fire in him, Blu's training, Uraka's tricks. And he will definitely fight in the tournament. He's strong now—stronger than we know. We've seen him rise from the shrine's chaos. He'll rise again."
Uraka observed them quietly, her pink hair falling like a curtain over one crimson eye, arms crossed. She said nothing at first—just watched, her usual smirk absent, replaced by a rare vulnerability. Finally, she spoke, voice low and fierce, laced with the weight of her own past losses.
"He's a dragon, Yuki. Like me. We don't break easy. He's fighting for you—for all of us. Trust that. After what he just did in Paras City—sealing that curse with Nai—he's earned the right to stand here. We'll cheer him home."
Yuki managed a small, trembling smile, but her fingers twisted the edge of her jacket, knuckles white. *Surprise us… just come back alive. I can't lose my family again.*
Leopard glanced over, his voice a low rumble, respectful and weary from his own wounds.
"Your brother's got spirit. Reminds me of a cub I once knew—small, but claws like lightning. He'll surprise us all. I fought hard today… but that kid? He's carrying something bigger than any of us."
Yuki's smile softened—tears threatening again.
"Thank you, Leopard… for believing in him."
Blu narrowed his eyes from above, voice a quiet vow carried on the wind.
"Astra… we have to win this at any cost. Do your best… for Paras. For Yuki. For the future we're building. You've already saved the city once today. Now finish this."
**The Ready Room – Shadows of Deceit**
Mairun sat calmly in the dim-lit ready room, legs crossed elegantly, chin resting on her hand, a creepy smile playing on her lips like a serpent's coil. Her dark ponytail gleamed under the low light, crimson silk dress hugging her frame, gold jewelry glinting like warning bells. The air around her felt heavier, charged with unspoken threats and the faint scent of expensive perfume masking something darker.
"As I said… remove Astra from the tournament at all costs."
The announcer—sweaty, tie askew—backed away, mic clutched like a shield, voice trembling.
"Madam… it's against the rules. That's cheating. I have to ban you—report this to the presidents!"
Mairun's eyes sharpened, manipulative gleam turning predatory, her smile never wavering.
"What did you just say? You know how powerful I am? How many strings I pull in this world?"
The announcer swallowed hard, sweat beading on his brow, stepping back until he hit the wall.
"You… you can't threaten me like that…"
Mairun stood gracefully, stretching her arms before stepping closer—too close. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug that felt like a velvet trap, her breath warm against his ear, voice a silken whisper that sent chills down his spine.
The announcer froze, blushing furiously, frustrated, heart racing with a dangerous mix of fear and temptation.
"Wait—wait… what are you doing!?"
Mairun placed a finger on his chest, tracing lightly, voice dripping with false sweetness.
"If… you do this deal for me… I will be yours for two nights. No questions. No limits."
She closed her eyes, leaning her head on his chest, arms crossed behind him in mock surrender, her body pressing just enough to make the offer impossible to ignore.
"I know… you can't reject this offer. You've been looking for a girlfriend, haven't you? I can… work like that. Think of it as a bonus for your loyalty."
The announcer's resolve cracked—eyes darting, mind whirling with greed and desire. The temptation hung heavy, a forbidden fruit in the dim light.
He thought for a long, agonizing moment—temptation warring with fear—then smiled, voice husky and defeated.
"Sure…"
Leopard, hidden in the shadows of the doorway, overheard it all—eyes widening in horror, tail lashing once in silent rage.
*I have to warn Astra… he's in danger. This is betrayal at its worst.*
Mairun side-eyed the darkness, her creepy smile never faltering, voice a purr.
"Oh… someone's watching this…"
Leopard bolted—but an unknown pressure hit him like an invisible wall, slamming him into the concrete with a sickening crack.
Leopard grunted, struggling to rise—fur bristling, wounds reopening.
Mairun raised two fingers—casual, cruel, her eyes gleaming with dark delight.
**Boom!**
Leopard's left hand ripped off by itself—torn clean, blasted in a spray of blood and shadow!
Blood spread on the wall and his body, pain exploding white-hot, a roar tearing from his throat.
Leopard stared in terror, roaring through gritted teeth, voice raw with agony and fury.
Mairun leaned in, smashing her foot on his tail, grabbing his head's fur and yanking his face up to meet her gaze, nails digging into his scalp.
"Didn't your president teach you? Never eavesdrop on secret discussions. Curiosity kills the cat… or the leopard."
Leopard glared, voice a growl despite the agony, blood dripping from his severed wrist.
"I… I'll tell everyone—all the presidents. You'll be jailed—not just jail… something worse—"
Mairun pinned his head against the wall, nails drawing blood, her smile widening into something monstrous.
"You dare speak?"
She stood, voice dripping venom, dark energy coiling around her fingers.
"Well… I can do anything for money. Even betrayal."
Mairun raised one finger—special chains glowing with dark energy materialized, wrapping around Leopard like living shadows.
"Block him in the bathroom. Make sure he doesn't speak a word."
The announcer nodded frantically, sweating, voice shaky.
"Yes… yes…"
Mairun smirked, turning away with a sway of her hips.
"The reward will be mine…"
**VIP Sitting Areas – Growing Suspicion**
The presidents sat in their separate VIP sections, connected via a secure video call on their devices—Blu's face on one screen, John's sharp features on another, Triel's elegant profile, Lappa's scheming grin, Dabura's serene mask. Mairun's spot was empty, the chair glaringly vacant.
Blu frowned, voice low and edged with suspicion.
"Mairun isn't here."
John adjusted his tie, eyes cold as steel.
"She said she was going to the bathroom."
Triel sipped her tea, voice cool and measured.
"But she hasn't returned…"
Lappa tapped his rings nervously, smile strained.
"Look… even the announcer isn't here…"
Dabura controlled his anger, voice even but laced with warning.
"Something is wrong."
Triel set her cup down with a clink, eyes narrowing.
"See… Mairun's back."
They cut the call as Mairun entered the VIP box, sitting normally, acting like nothing happened—smile serene, fingers drumming innocently on the armrest.
**Manager's Room – The Deal Seals**
The announcer burst in, whispering urgently in the manager's ear—words tumbling out in a frantic rush, voice trembling with greed and fear.
The manager nodded slowly, eyes gleaming with dollar signs.
"Your work will be done… if you pay about 30k dollars."
The announcer nodded, smiling slyly, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Fine… just do it anyway."
**Back at the Stadium – The Trap Springs**
Yuki whispered to Uraka, voice tight with worry.
"Where did Leopard go? It's been too long…"
Uraka frowned, scanning the stands, pink aura flickering faintly.
"It's been ages. He hasn't returned…"
Wano leaned forward, tail twitching with unease.
"Does something bad happen to him?"
Suddenly, maids arrived, trays laden with sodas and snacks, serving the crowd with polite smiles that felt forced under the stadium lights.
The announcer rushed to the battlefield, holding a Coke, face flushed and overly cheerful.
He handed it to Astra, voice dripping with false concern.
"Little warrior… you're so tired from the fights. Drink it fast—you'll get energy."
Astra smiled politely, taking it—silver eyes narrowing slightly as he sniffed the drink. *Something's off… bitter, under the fizz. Poison?*
As the announcer hurried away, Astra drank it fast—throat burning, vision swimming almost immediately, but he forced a steady expression.
The announcer shouted from the platform, voice booming.
"So… Astra's next opponent is… Kai from Mairun's side!!"
The crowd clapped instantly—surprised but excited, murmurs of "A kid vs a shadow fighter?" rising.
Kai emerged, stretching her arms, ponytailing her purple hair perfectly, cyan eyes glowing with malice. She wore a sleek sports dress, a tooth peeking from her mischievous smile, dark skin gleaming under the lights.
Kai grinned, cracking her knuckles with a sharp sound.
"I'm ready to crush someone."
Astra watched her from afar, arms crossed—head throbbing, world tilting, but his silver eyes hardened with resolve.
The announcer.
"Okay… so the fight! Started!"
The announcer rushed up to the stadium.
Kai smirked, cracking her knuckles louder.
"Little guy? Are you ready!?"
Astra forced a smile, steadying himself despite the poison burning in his veins.
"Yeah… I am."
Kai rushed—fist flying like a shadow comet, dark energy trailing.
Astra dodged… but his vision blurred, headache pounding like a drum, world spinning.
Kai unleashed a barrage of punches—shadows trailing each blow, each hit faster than the last.
Astra couldn't see clearly—everything doubled, tripled, poison clouding his senses.
He got slammed on the ground—sand biting into his wounds, fresh blood mixing with old.
Kai shot shadow spears—dark lances hurtling like bullets.
They hit Astra, tearing fresh gashes, blood spraying in arcs.
Yuki shouted from the stands, voice piercing the night air, raw terror.
"Astra!! Watch out!!"
A knee drove into Astra's abdomen—air exploding from his lungs, pain lancing through him.
Kai laughed, low and mocking, voice dripping with cruelty.
"Oh, kid!? Struggling to fight? Quit already… save yourself the humiliation."
She slammed her kick down, then hugged him tight—shadow tendrils wrapping like chains—and slammed him into the ground, cratering the sand.
Astra vomited blood—vision spinning, world a whirl of colors and pain, poison making every movement sluggish.
Astra's silver eyes dulled, voice a gasp through bloodied lips.
"What's happening… everything is moving…"
Mairun smiled slightly in the VIP box, mind whispering with cold satisfaction.
*Everything is working perfectly… the prize is mine.*
Kai continued hitting—fists like hammers, shadows coiling, each blow landing with sickening thuds.
She placed her hand on the ground—shadow tiger men erupted, snarling beasts with glowing eyes and razor claws.
They rushed at Astra, claws extended, shadows whipping.
Astra staggered back, but the shadows closed in—claws raking, orbs multiplying into thousands, a storm of darkness.
Astra covered himself—barrier of silver flames flickering weakly—but the orbs blasted through, slamming him back, pain exploding in his chest.
Kai teleported behind Astra—kicked hard into his spine, shadow energy surging.
Astra ragdolled across the sand, tasting copper, vision blurring worse.
Kai raised her hand—shadow spears raining down like a black hailstorm.
The tigers charged at the same time—claws raking, orbs exploding.
Astra moved—grabbed both tigers' wrists, silver eyes flashing faintly despite the poison.
Before the spears hit, Astra's silver eyes glowed—the spears burned instantly on contact, evaporating into smoke!
Astra's eyes closed—breath ragged, drunk state worsening, poison burning through his veins like liquid fire.
The tigers dissolved into little bullets—hitting Astra one by one, each impact a needle of shadow, tearing flesh.
Astra backed off, backflipped—but disbalanced, stumbling, world tilting violently.
Kai hit Astra's head with a furious punch—shadow particles exploding from her fist, vision exploding white.
Astra's eyes glowed slightly but couldn't react—world tilting.
He fell to one knee, blood spilling in a steady stream.
Astra moved his head—body swaying—tried to kick at Kai.
Kai blocked it and countered—fist slamming into his side, ribs cracking.
Astra crushed against the wall—concrete cracking under the impact.
Astra's one eye closed… he held his chest, gasping, blood dripping from his lips.
Kai punched again—shadows coiling like serpents.
Suddenly—
Astra dodged it smoothly—body moving on instinct, silver flames flickering faintly.
Kai shocked slightly—continued punching, faster, shadows lashing like whips.
Astra dodged all—silver flaming aura leaking slightly from his body, flickering like a dying star in the night.
He moved onto Kai's head—backflipped behind her in a blur.
Then Astra punched at Kai's head—fist connecting with a crack, shadow aura shattering.
Kai backed off, spilling black blood from her mouth, eyes widening in fury and confusion.
Mairun's mind raced in the VIP box.
*Impossible… how is he fighting smoothly? The poison should have him down!*
Kai gritted her teeth—shadow aura surging, eyes glowing cyan with rage.
Astra opened his eyes—pupils glowing silver mixed with primordial fire, a wild, ancient light that cut through the poison haze.
Astra—voice steady, laced with quiet rage and triumph.
"That poison drink… I never drank it."
Kai—stunned, voice a hiss.
"What!?"
Yuki—gasping from the stands, tears streaming.
"The drink? It was poison? That's why… he was moving like drunk… but he didn't drink it!? So?"
Astra smiled—dark, knowing, a flash of the mythical prince beneath the tired boy.
"Actually…"
**Flashback – The Switch**
Astra smelled the drink before the fight—nose wrinkling at the bitter undercurrent hidden in the fizz, poison's edge unmistakable to his dragon senses.
The announcer announced Kai as the next opponent.
In a blink—Astra teleported, swapping his drink with Kai's in a swirl of silver flame.
Kai drank it, wiping her lips with a grin, unaware.
"This energy drink… will help me win the fight."
Astra teleported back to his position in milliseconds—drank the real energy drink, feeling strength flood his veins, poison avoided.
**Flashback Ends**
Astra licked blood from his lips—smile widening, voice carrying across the arena.
"And the blood I vomited? All apple juice—from Yuki's bag."
Yuki touched her empty bag, eyes wide with realization.
"Wait… my juice isn't here…"
Astra—laughing softly, voice gaining strength.
"And I know who's behind it… Mairun did it for money. She made a deal with the announcer… even beat Leopard for it. The manager was involved too."
Kai's jaw dropped—shadow aura flickering wildly.
Mairun acted innocent in the VIP box, voice sweet but strained.
"Wait… I didn't do any of it. I don't even know what he's saying… I'm innocent…"
Other presidents watched her in shock—faces hardening.
John—voice sharp as a blade.
"At least I didn't expect that low behavior from you… How could you!?"
Lappa—furious, rising from his seat, magma aura flaring.
"You hurt my warrior! You'll pay for it!"
Blu—cold, golden aura rising.
"We'll capture you right now…"
Yuki stood, voice trembling with rage and relief.
"That was your plan!? It's cheating!! You wanted Astra hurt for money!"
Uraka stood beside her, fists clenched, pink aura surging.
"I'm with her…"
Wano—firm, voice carrying power.
"She's right… shame on you."
The public rose, shouting—boos raining down like thunder, fists raised in outrage.
Even the maids averted their eyes, trays trembling, some whispering "Disgusting…"
The announcer shouted at Astra, voice cracking with panic.
"Wait!? You really know that? You have any proof!?"
Astra snapped his finger—small silver baby dragon skulls materialized, eyes glowing with ancient light.
They spewed flames, forming a holographic screen in the air—showing every talk, deal, Mairun's hug, the 30k payment, everything in crystal clarity, voices echoing for all to hear.
The manager saw it on his screens—slamming his desk in terror.
"Oh no… he really—!"
Astra smirked, voice echoing with a wild, triumphant laugh that carried the weight of his mythical heritage.
"You really think I'm that fool? I secretly released those dragons to spy before I even arrived…"
Astra slammed his hand on his head, laughing wildly—voice carrying a primal edge, silver eyes flashing.
"How intelligent I am… It's only because I'm a Mythical dragon, the mythical inferno… Prince of all infernos! I know my past!! I really knowwww!"
Mairun bit her lip, tears falling—acting innocent, but her eyes betrayed panic and rage.
The announcer gritted his teeth, backing away.
The manager lowered his head, defeated, hands shaking.
Kai—furious—rushed at Astra, voice a scream.
"You brattt!! I'll kill youuu!"
Kai punched—shadow fist hurtling like a black comet.
Astra dodged—body a blur despite the lingering poison.
Kai summoned many shadow monsters—they rushed at Astra at once, claws extended, shadows whipping.
But on contact, they all burned instantly—silver flames devouring them in bursts of light.
Kai's eyes glowed—maximum energy surging—suddenly her vision blurred…
The poison drink started its work—veins burning, shadows wavering, body swaying.
Kai rushed and punched wildly, desperate.
Astra backed off, dodging effortlessly, silver aura flickering stronger.
She summoned a shadow snake—it bit at Astra, fangs dripping darkness.
Astra punched the snake's belly—it slammed down, evaporating in flames.
Astra's silver aura rose—wind howling, hair fluttering, a wild smile on his face that mixed exhaustion with triumph.
Astra slammed his leg down on the snake—it evaporated in a burst of flame.
**Stadium Chaos – Justice Unfolds**
Lappa grabbed Mairun by her hair, slamming her against the wall—magma aura rising, heat warping the air around them.
Lappa—roaring, voice filled with betrayed fury.
"How could you!? How could you do this!? Have you any shame left!? And even acting innocent!! You hurt my warrior… you hurt everyone!"
The manager tried to escape—but Blu caught him, golden aura coiling like chains, voice ice-cold.
"You're done. Betrayal has a price."
The announcer stood frozen until Yuki leaped the barrier—eyes blazing, crimson eye unsealed and glowing with righteous anger.
Yuki—grabbing his throat, pulling him up with surprising strength.
"Now you must pay!!!"
The announcer sweated harder, backing off, voice a whimper.
"No—no… I did nothing!!"
Yuki—voice venomous, tears streaming.
"You tried to poison my brother… is that not harm? A crime? After everything he's been through—Paras City, the shrine, losing so much—you tried to take him from me too!?"
Other presidents watched Mairun with angry eyes, voices rising.
Dabura—cold, disappointed.
"Shame on you… we fight with honor, not poison."
Triel—elegant disdain dripping from every word.
"I lost honorably… but you? You cheat like a coward. Disgusting."
John—sharp, voice cutting.
"Arrest her right now. This tournament is tainted because of you."
The public surged—boos thundering, fists raised, some throwing snacks in outrage.
Even maids averted their eyes, trays shaking, some whispering "Disgusting… how could she?"
**Back to the Battlefield – The Reckoning**
Kai was now injured, breathing heavily—shadows flickering, poison sapping her strength, body swaying.
Astra walked slowly, voice calm but edged with fire, silver eyes clearing as the fake poison's effects waned.
"Done already? I was having fun with you…"
He raised his hand—silver energy gathering in his palm, swirling like a storm of primordial fire.
Kai backed away, voice desperate, breaking.
"No—no—no… stop it!! I wasn't involved—I swearrr!!"
Astra—unmoved, voice steady with the weight of his heritage.
"But you're a warrior from their team…"
He shot the attack—a beam of primordial silver flame, pure and unrelenting.
It hit Kai—burning her in an instant, a final scream tearing from her throat before she turned to dust, shadows scattering like frightened ghosts in the night wind.
Blu's police swarmed—Mairun, the announcer, and the manager arrested in a flurry of cuffs and shouts, the crowd roaring in approval.
Mairun gritted her teeth, glaring at Blu—tears streaking her makeup, voice a hiss.
"You'll regret this…"
The public erupted—cheers for justice, boos for the traitors, some chanting Astra's name.
Astra sat on the battlefield, cross-legged—wiping blood from his lip, a faint, tired smile playing.
"What fools…"
Yuki rushed to him, dropping to her knees, hugging him tight—tears soaking his gi, voice breaking with relief and love.
"Astra, sweetheart… are you okay!? Did it hurt you? I was so scared…"
Astra smiled, hugging back—voice soft, warm despite the pain.
"No… it didn't. I'm fine, Yuki. I had to be smart… for you. For all of us."
Wano smiled from afar, holding Uraka's hand, tears in her eyes.
Blu entered the VIP box—other presidents following, faces grim but relieved, the weight of betrayal lifting slightly.
Blu—firm, voice carrying authority.
"Alright… since it's the last battle—between me and John—we don't need a new announcer or manager."
John—nodding, respect in his eyes.
"Absolutely. Let's end this honorably."
Blu stood.
"So from my side… Wano the Forest Queen will announce."
Wano smiled, standing proudly, voice strong.
"Sure, President Blu."
The public clapped, smiling—relief washing over them like the night wind.
Yuki pulled back, waving her hand—eyes shining with pride and tears.
"Alright, Astra—take care… please finish the battle without getting hurt much. We love you."
Astra stood, dusting sand from his gi—voice light but determined, a spark of the prince returning.
"I can't promise… but I'll try. For you. For everyone."
Lastly, Lappa entered, supporting Leopard—one arm over his shoulder, the warrior's missing hand bandaged, body leaning heavily.
Leopard—voice broken, pained but grateful.
"President Lappa… I'm just a warrior for you. I'm not used to being cared for like that… throw me away, or the blood will stain your clothes."
Lappa smiled—warm, paternal—patting his shoulder, voice thick with emotion.
"You are my warrior… that's what I care for. You fought with pride. Rest now."
For the first time, Leopard fell speechless—eyes glistening, tail still, a single tear slipping down his fur.
As midnight approached, a small aurora glowed slowly in the sky—ethereal lights dancing like a promise of dawn after betrayal's long night.
The crowd cheered—hope returning.
And Astra stood ready—tired, injured, but unbroken.
The tournament continued.
For Paras.
For family.
For the future.