KS: Hello, hello, hello, it's KnightSpark here. Now, I'm aware that I've been absent a little bit since my last update (college tends to do that), but I'll make an effort to update as soon as possible. Now, this fic right here is going to be unusual, for it will contain the following:

-Violence

-Swearing

-Sexual Innuendo/Humour

-One-liners

-Chronic Rule Breaking

-Occasional Fourth Wall Breaking

-Suspense

-A bit of romance

-Crossovers

-Every pop cult reference known to man

KS: And those are just off the top of my head. This fic may not live up to your potential, but it was been brewing in my mind (like most of my other fics), so... I present to you... this mess. Enjoy~

Buddyfight. A game that allows people to summon monsters from other worlds through the use of cards. This has been popular for many years, and had people making friends with each other...

Although, it wasn't always like that.

As fun as the game is, it also has a dark side.

Some players would make unethical bets or even steal cards to gain an advantage on others. Or worse yet, use them for blackmail.

The list goes on from that point onward, so I won't bother going through all of them.

My point is, even something innocent like a card game can drive wedges in between people, even going so far as to make them bitter enemies.

I dare say that it could even it could drive people into... despair.

My name is Makoto Naegi. You might think I'm crazy for what I am about to tell you, but I assure you that it is the honest truth.

And I should know... because I was there.

Chapter 0: Introduction

It was the beginning of April. The air was brisk and cool as the leaves were as green as the grass. People were walking around, either talking on their phones or to each other. Stores were opening, birds were singing, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky.

Walking on the sidewalk was a young boy with brown hair and green eyes. He wore a black jacket over a green hoodie, black pants and red shoes and was carrying in his hand a small gray plastic case with stars on it. This boy was known as Makoto Naegi.

"It's so beautiful out here," he said as he looked around him. "And it's even better that I get to enroll on one of the best schools in this country."

Despite his less than remarkable appearance, Makoto had one redeeming quality that made him stand out: his undying optimism. He tends to look at the glass half full rather than half empty, no matter how bad things may seem. Sure, he may be less expressive than a wooden plank, but if there's one thing no one can take away from him, it's his optimism.

"I still can't believe I've been chosen by a random draw. Me, going to Hope's Peak Academy. It's unbelievable!"

Throughout the world, there are many famous schools, but none stood out like Hope's Peak Academy. It was said that only those of high status, celebrities or even those with excellent skills could enroll. Actually, students do not enroll in Hope's Peak, but they are scouted and welcomed to the school with open arms. Of course, there is also the aformentioned draw, where one person will be able to join Hope's Peak. And guess who wa lucky enough to win that draw? That's right. It was Makoto.

"Man, this is awesome! I can't wait to find out what kind of classes I'll be taking."

But when he was walking merrily... something, or rather, someone, got his attention.

"You have something I want."

Makoto stopped and turned to his right. There, he saw a slightly muscular young man standing a few meters away from him. His hairstyle was bizarre, with the bottom part being short and black and the top part, a long, brown pompadour. He wore a black jacket over a white shirt, black baggy pants held up by a belt with a lion-dog buckle and black loafers. He glared at Makoto with the intensity of a wolf.

"Huh?"

The man let out a low growl before he said, or rather, yelled:

"I said... YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT I WANT!"

Makoto jumped in shock and rushed towards him, handing him his wallet.

"I-It's all that I have!" he squeaked, attempting to rush off before the intimidating man stopped him.

"Kid, hold up. I don't your money. Wait a sec..." He looked down the walled and noticed a peculiar logo on it. He looked up at Makoto and frowned.

"BlazBlue? Really?" he asked.

Makoto looked offended. "Hey, it's a good game. Ask anyone!"

The man scoffed and tossed his wallet back to him. "Whatever. Guilty Gear is better. But that's not what I want from you."

"What is it that you want from me?"

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out an orange and red case with a blue jewel in the center.

"I want your cards."

Makoto blinked. "Huh?"

"I'm not gonna repeat myself, kid. Just be sure you got your game face on, or you're gonna get murdered. Oh, and my name is Mondo Owada. Know the name, 'cause I'm gonna pound it into your little skull!"

Mondo drew his left foot backwards and stretched his arm, gripping his case tightly.

"Reign supreme and crush all who stand in the path of domination!" Mondo's case began to glow, then transforms into a large hammer with flame decals. He swung it around a few times before slamming it on the ground. "Luminize! Crazy Diamond Riot!" He waved his hand over the jewel that happened to be on the handle.

Makoto's eyes widened, showing that he was more than a little overwhelmed by this.

"N-No way... that's what a Core Gadget looks like up close? It's amazing!"

A stream of fire appears behind Mondo as well as an ominous silhouette that appeared from within the small inferno. Makoto couldn't tell from where he stood, but the silhouette almost looked feminine.

"Took you long enough," Mondo said, turning towards the fire.

The fire soon extinguished itself, and what Makoto saw, he couldn't bring himself to look away. Behind Mondo was a woman with long white hair and yellow eyes with black sclera. But what really made her stand out was her blue skin and black and purple full-body armor along with a black cloak.

"Please forgive me, Master," the woman said, bowing. "I had business to attend to in Danger World."

Makoto's heartbeat nearly stopped. "Danger World!? So, that means..."

"Nah, it's alright," Mondo said nonchalantly. "And for the love of God, will you quit calling me Master?"

"As you wish, Master."

Mondo groaned and rubbed the back of his head. "Whatever..." He turned to Makoto, who was shaking. "What's your problem, kid?"

Makoto raised a shaky hand towards the woman behind Mondo. "T-That girl... is she...?"

Mondo turned to the woman in question. "Who, her? Yeah, she's my buddy. Say hello..."

The woman raised her arm with her hand open and a small flame appeared. As she crushed it, the flame started to transform into a 10-foot pole with a large blade at the end.

"...to Armorknight Dullahan." Mondo finished. "But between you and me, I like to call her Lala."

"Why?" Makoto asked.

"Not important. Now bring out your case, kid."

Hesitantly, Makoto reached into his pocked and pulled out his case as well. The case appeared to reflect its owner: completely ordinary.

"Is that it?" Mondo said in disbelief. "That's your case?"

"I never got a buddy," Makoto said sheepishly. "So I make due with this."

Mondo laughed. "Kid, if you don't got a buddy, then you have no chance of beating me."

"We'll see about that," Makoto said, feeling a swell of determination, although it was faint.

In a dark forest, a group of armed men wearing black armor raced through the foliage, armed with batons and pistols.

"Where did he go?"

"He's around here somewhere!"

"Seal off the exits! Don't let him escape!"

While the men were running off, a boy emerged from the bushes, covered in dirt and bruises. He had wild blue hair and blue eyes, wore a white tank top with red and black sleeves, black pants and black sneakers. Immediately, he ran in the opposite direction of the men pursuing him.

"Tch... those bastards don't know when to quit," he growled. "Whatever. I'll be long gone by the time they figure out what the hell's going on."

He swiftly moved around many bushes, rocks and trees to get some distance between his pursuers and himself. Unfortunately, he didn't count on more men patrolling the thick woods.

"I have a visual on the target!"

The boy grit his teeth as he broke into a mad run, hoping to get the bogey of his tail. He didn't have much luck, as the man seemed to keep behind him, no matter what he did.

"Damn it, what are these guys made of?" he muttered as he ran faster.

The boy got desperate. He started to zig-zag and move erratically in every known direction, manouver through every obstacle that was in his path, even jumped off of steep ledges. But somehow, his pursuer was still on his trail.

"Damn, there really is no end to this," he groaned. "Looks like I don't have any other choice."

Soon enough, a pair of kukri knives attached a long rope materiallized in his hands.

"It's time I got this prick off my tail."

"Ah... He was so strong," Makoto sighed as he continued his walk. "I can't believe I thought I could stand a chance against him."

He walked until he finally reached a large building. That building is the very school he would enroll in: Hope's Peak Academy.

"Looks like I'm finally here," said to himself, walking into the building and looking at the hallway. There were a few other students who standing around, but he didn't recognize any of them. Well, apart from the girl that was walking toward him with a huge smile plastered on her face.

"Makoto! It's great to see you!"

The girl had long, dark blue hair with several hair clips and light blue eyes. She wore a a sailor-like, white-and-blue schoolgirl uniform with a pink bow on the front, a plaid blue skirt and black socks that end at her thighs with brown, buckled shoes.

Makoto also smiled when he saw the girl. "Sayaka?"

Sayaka hugged him tightly. "I haven't seen you since middle school." She broke her hug and looked at her childhood friend from top to bottom. "Still average as ever, I see."

Makoto chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah... I guess I haven't changed much. But the same could be said about you."

"What?" Sayaka pouted. "I've changed plenty."

"No, you look just like you did back then. Only with more make-up."

Sayaka puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "You're lucky you're my friend, or else I would've hit you."

He wouldn't admit it, but Makoto liked how Sayaka would occasionally get annoyed at certain things. It's one of the qualities that made him like her.

"So, are you still into Buddyfight?"

Makoto nodded. "Of course I am. It's really fun."

"But you rarely win," Sayaka pointed out.

Makoto sweatdropped. "You didn't have to say that."

Soon, a crackling sound was heard from the PA system.

"Attention all new students, head towards the gymnasium for assembly."

"Well, looks like we should get going," Sayaka said.

"Yeah," Makoto replied while nodding. "Let's go."

Covered head to toe in scars and bruises, the boy somehow managed to escape his pursuers. There was a bit of blood on both of his knives, so it was clear he didn't get out without a fight. He stood near a cliff, looking at the city below.

"Finally... got those pricks off my trail," he said. "Now... where can I find a human to buddy up with?"

KS: Yeah, I know. Not that good, I'm sure. But! This is only the beginning. There will be more to come. When? I'm not sure, but I'll get started on the next chapter when I have the chance. Until then, good night and stay safe, people.

Preview of Next Chapter

Makoto: Who are you?

?: Why do you care? I'm not your friend.

Makoto: You could be if you tell me your name.

?: Why don't you introduce yourself first?

Makoto: O-Okay. I'm Makoto Naegi. And you are...?

?: My name is...

To be continued in Chapter 1: Virus Hunter.