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[Last time, on Buddy Rumble]

Skylar and Platinum Wolf have won their very first Buddy Rumble match with a landslide victory. Unfortunately, their opponent wasn't the sportsmanship kind.

While they were relaxing that same night, Skylar finally gave his Buddy a proper name: Lupus, the Wolf Constellation.

But things turned a bit sour between the two wolves when Lupus demanded he'd get more attention the following night over Bonbon. But apparently things weren't what he expected and his frustrations at his Handler flared out.

Will the two wolves finally learn to get along or will they continue being a thorn in each other's sides?

---

That night, in a dark, dirty alley, one of the trash cans' lid flew off as if struck by something. A second later, a tiny, crocodilian figure emerged from the bin, covered in dirt and filth, a tiny piece of grimy pizza in his mouth.

It was Mucho, Dane's Buddy. “Ptew!" He spat out the piece of pizza, tongue flopping out in disgust. “Motherfucker. Tossing me out like that." Former Buddy now, apparently. He jumped out of the bin, tearing his dirty mask and clothes until he was completely naked. “That's it! No more Handlers! I'm my own man from now on!" As he said that, his stomach began rumbling in complaint. “Ugh, better find something to eat real quick or I'm croaking right here."

As he was rummaging through the buns and trash bags, another Buddy was shuffling over towards him, groaning with a raspy voice, as if in pain. Hearing him, Mucho quickly spun around, instantly taking a fighting stance… until he noticed the fellow Buddy. “Whoa, dude… You look like shit." He gave him a look over, a look of sympathy on his face. “Looks like you haven't eaten in weeks! Doubt we're gonna find anything worth eating here, but beggars can't be choosers, I guess. Come on."

As Mucho continued his search for food, he didn't notice the other Buddy getting closer… closer… *CHOMP* “GAH!" The croc backhanded the other Buddy, sending him slamming into the far wall. “You bit me! You fucking bit me! And here I was being fucking nice, asshole!" His ranting halted when he saw the Buddy standing up in the most gruesome and unsettling manner, almost like a ragdoll trying to stand. “Sheesh, the hell is wrong with you?"

A second later, other Buddies began emerging from the shadows, all of them as tattered and unsettling as the first one. “Whoa… okay guys, let's not do anything rash here!" Mucho took a fighting stance, but he knew he wouldn't be able to take them all on. Seeing an opening for escape, he started with a dash… only to trip as something grabbed his leg. “What the!?" One of those strange Buddies snuck up below and grabbed onto him.

The moment he fell, the deranged Buddies pounced on him, and like starving beasts tore into his body with their claws and teeth, Mucho's screams of agony echoing out into the night. But no one was around to listen.

---

The next day.

“Oh my goodness!" Marissa gasped in wonder as she saw Bonbon standing and posing quite smugly on the counter in front of her, all sparkly and shiny from last night, and a bit of touching up from earlier this morning. “Bonbon, you look amazing!"

“I know, right~?" The bunny Buddy did a few more poses, pretty happy with himself.

She then turned to Max, eyes still wide in awe. “You must've gone to an amazing Buddy groomer. Can imagine it cost quite a lot for this kind of quality service."

Max bashfully rubbed the back of his head. “Um, actually-" He then pointed in Skylar's direction, both he and Lupus strangely quiet this morning.

“No way! Really?" She gasped as her eyes darted between Bonbon and Skylar.

“Well, he's been watching me do it for a time, but when he did it himself, he became quite the master. So I usually go to him for Bonbon's health checks and grooming." Max explained, then leaned in to whisper to her. “He might not look like it, but I'm sure he knows more about Buddies than either of us."

“Hmm, no wonder he seemed like a natural during his battle a couple of days ago." She commented, then noticed the silence between the wolf Handler and Buddy, neither of them even looking at each other. “What's with them, though? They've been awfully quiet ever since they came here."

“Lover's quarrel." Bonbon did not have the usual mirth in his voice. “A certain Buddy is just blowing things off way too hard." He said with a discrete glare at Lupus.

Skylar suddenly walked over. “Say, Marissa: How much does it cost to get a Buddy? Outside the gacha, that is." Lupus gasped, eyes wide in horror and shock, but he didn't look at his Handler, not wanting it to be obvious.

“Oh? Looking to raise your collection already?" She giggled teasingly.

“Or replace a certain grumpy Buddy." Bonbon teased with his own, usual impish giggle, which got him a quick flick to the back of the head by his Handler. “Ow! I was just joking."

“It is tempting." Skylar pressed a finger to his chin, as if in thought. That got him a smack to the arm from Max. “Ow! I was joking! What's with you today?"

“Don't you even joke about something like that!" Max reprimanded quite seriously with a fierce scowl on his face.

Skylar just rolled his eyes. “Whatever."

Marissa then finally replied. “It usually depends. Generic buddies that don't belong to any big series or sponsor are usually the cheapest. Followed by the generic series, which are Buddies with a certain trait, characteristic, or aspect that they all share in their design, and finally there are the sponsored Buddies and series, which are usually the most expensive."

“I see. Hmm…" Skylar rubbed his chin in thought… Then turned to Max. “I'm gonna have a look around, gonna need some supplies as well." Then walked away to look at what the shop has to offer.

He didn't lie when he said he wanted to buy supplies, so he went to the 'utilities' section of the shop. As he was checking through the food and flavor packets, a Buddy hopped on the shelf and addressed him. “Hey there, sweetbuns. Looking for a deliciously good time~?" The Buddy was a dragonoid of sorts, small gut, various shades of brown with some hints of white, reminding Skylar of a black forest cake. He was also dressed like a chef, or a patissier more like.

“Uh, not right now, thanks for the offer." Skylar nervously declined the offer.

“Bummer. Well, if you change your mind, be quick about it~" The Buddy said as he turned around, lifting the back of his skirt, showing an impressive pair of booty cheeks. “These cakes won't always be available~" Then jumped away, back to his initial place.

“The hell was that!?" Skylar asked himself as he continued looking through the food section, although he had a slight chub twitching in his pants from that interaction.

As he continued going through the store, other Buddies kept approaching him, probably hoping he would take them or just to tease him. Some of them were sweet and adorable, trying to act innocent but sexy, some were quite straightforward as they posed and flexed for him, showing off their 'assets and appeals', but a handful few were just going full throttle, just outright rubbing and grinding against each other while exposing themselves to him as much as possible, looking straight at him invitingly or hopefully.

He ended up buying some hygiene, grooming, and 'entertainment' starter kits. “Doubt I'll be using these, anytime soon." He mumbled to himself as he glanced at Lupus, who was still pouting with his arms crossed, refusing to even look at his Handler.

“Come on, can't you two just get along?" Max asked, now growing frustrated about the silent treatment between the two wolves. “You're Handler and Buddy now. Can't you be more like… Them?" He pointed to the massive screen high above on the wall facing the counter. On it was an interview between a young man around Skylar's and Max's age, dressed in a fine suit, long and silky, navy-blue reaching down to his lower back. He looked Japanese.

The interviewer, a young skunk lady, just as finely dressed, asked another question. [And how do you say your bond is with your Buddy?]

He gently lifted his bangs out of his face before replying. [Arashi and I have been together for quite a while. Although I myself am relatively new to the whole Buddy Handler scene, but I always do my best for my Buddy and everyone who works with/for my family.] His voice was gentle and soothing, with a tone of maturity. His Buddy was sitting on his shoulder with his crossed, a pretty buff blue and golden-scaled lung dragon with a luscious, black mane and a majestic pair of horns. He was dressed in a shirt with rolled up sleeves, a black vest, and suit pants, his face decorated with golden patterns.

“And who are they?" Skylar asked as he watched the interview.

“That's Matsuri Hijikata and his Seiryuu unit Buddy Arashi." Max answered, watching just as intently as Skylar. “Matsuri is the second heir of the Yamainu Conglomerate, a pretty massive corporation with branches all over the world."

“So basically, your common rich kid." Skylar rolled his eyes, just seeing people like that made his stomach turn.

“Come on, you're not still thinking about-" Max started saying.

“I think that's all I need. Thanks Marissa!" Skylar grabbed his purchases and quickly made for the door. Max and Marissa watching worriedly, while Bonbon and Lupus glanced in confusion.

---

In a different part of the city, a photographing studio.

“Okay, now give me smooth and sexy, please~" The photographer instructed before he started snapping away with his camera, taking pics of the posing Buddy.

Arashi the Seiryuu Buddy did pose after pose upon the photographer's instructions, model multiple kinds and designs of Buddy clothes and gears, from fashionable, to sporty, to fierce, and some outfits were quite sexy, borderlining sultry. Yet the whole time, what others pushed at him looking stoic and mysterious, he was bored and annoyed beyond comprehension, he hated how these people just ordered him around like a puppet when the only one he'd allow to do so was his master. 'It's all for him. It's all for him.' He kept reminding himself just to keep from exploding and breakings something.

“And that's a wrap! Great job, people!" Finally it was done. The photographer came over to the Buddy, reaching out his hand. “And thank you, most of all, Mr. Arashi~! A great pleasure working with you." Arashi just scoffed and looked away. “Um…"

“Arashi." Matsuri came over, picking his Buddy up in his palm. “No need to be rude." He then turned towards the photographer, giving him a small bow. “We thank you for making time for us, good sir."

“Oh, of course, of course! We always have time for the Hijikatas~! And especially you two~!" The photographer grabbed Matsuri's other hand, shaking it excitedly. “After all: You're our top partners~!"

“Ah, right. Well, thank you still." Matsuri basically yanked his hand away, giving the man another bow. “Now, if you'll excuse us." Then walked away towards one of the rooms for the models, to let Arashi change back to his normal clothes. As he waited, he closed his eyes in thought, sitting on a chair with one leg crossed over the other, head propped by one arm, he let out a deep sigh of annoyance and fatigue. His mind went back to the photographer, a scowl forming on his face as he remembered those words. A line the very same photographer said to another Handler-Buddy pair just before he and Arashi arrived for their appointment, word by word. “Typical slimeball." He grumbled under his breath.

“I don't know why we keep surrounding ourselves with such scum, waka-sama. (young lord/master)" Arashi, now back in his usual outfit, said with disdain dripping from his voice like venom.

“Father's orders, I'm afraid. 'You must show the good side of our family'." Matsuri repeated his father's words in the most mocking tone he could muster. “Can't get a damn break for anything."

“Well, our schedule is pretty free for the rest of the day. How about we do something to relax?" Arashi suggested as he hopped and landed on his Handler's raised knee.

“Where do you suggest?" Matsuri knew that his father won't approve of the two of them going out on their own like that, but he couldn't care any less.

“How about that spa near the hotel? I hear they have some good massage parlors and they're Buddy friendly." Arashi crossed one arm over his chest and held his chin with the other hand. “Might not be like the Japanese onsens, but they're the second best thing."

“Hmm…" Matsuri thought about it, but only for a second or two. “You know what? Let's do it. We did everything father asked of us, you and I deserve this break more than anything."

Arashi hopped onto his Handler's shoulder. “That's my waka-sama."

Matsuri stood up with his Buddy along with him and left the building. Just as he exited, a long and very fancy black-n-gold limousine slowed to a halt in front of them, the driver, a middle-aged canine with scruffy features stepped out and opened the door. But right before Matsuri stepped in, he saw the massive advertisement screen on the large building in front of them, showing a Buddy Rumble battle between a crocodile dressed like a luchador and a fancily dressed wolf with platinum body parts. “Is that!?"

“Metalia Familia." Arashi replied. “The most enigmatic of all the Buddies. So they finally decided to show themselves, huh?" He watched the clips of the battle intently, before clicking his tongue in annoyance. “Hmph, amateurs."

“But the Platinum Wolf's Handler is pretty observant. He's almost a natural at this." Matsuri was pretty impressed by the bespectacled wolf's observation skills and quick thinking. “I think in time, they can make a big name for themselves." He commented as he stepped into the car. Allowing the driver to close the door before getting back in and driving off back to the hotel. “Do you think we can do that? Participate in a Buddy Rumble, that is, like we used to?"

“Your father won't approve." Arashi warned but very half-heartedly. Matsuri could see his Buddy's tail swishing with excitement.

“Hehe, I'm sure he won't mind us taking a load off, every now and then, right~?" Matsuri gave his Buddy a wink, then leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, thinking of the time and what Buddy shop was the closest that had an arena.

---

Later that evening, Skylar was in his apartment, setting up a few things like putting his Buddy kits away in the drawers of his desk, then setting up what looked like a medical pod on his desk beside his computer called the MediCapsule, it was placed on an apparatus that allowed the pod to be standing, diagonal, or laying down. Its contents were a small cup's worth of water and the rest was filled with a special solution that greatly enhanced the healing factor of Buddies as long as they remained in the fluid. “There, that should do it." He turned it on and it came to life with a pleasant, mechanical hum, the solution inside faintly glowing.

He then turned to Lupus, who was busy nibbling on a small, neatly cut piece of solid Buddy food from the plate beside him. “You know, we didn't get you cleaned up last time? How about we do that now?"

“I'm good." Lupus replied gruffly.

“Oh, then um… Oh! How about an early dinner? We can watch something together."

“Pass."

Skylar's eye twitched in annoyance. But he still tried again. “How about-"

“Stop talking to me." Was the gruffer reply from Lupus.

Skylar had enough. “Okay, what the fuck is your problem? I said I was sorry for last night about a thousand times! What more do you want from me!?"

“Maybe not to be saddled with the greenest punk on the block?"

“Well sor-ry that I'm a newbie! Sorry that I barely have any knowledge about Buddies and how your tiny world operates!" Skylar huffed and crossed his arms, looking away. “Bet any other Buddy wouldn't be this difficult."

“Bet you'd like that wouldn't you?" Lupus could feel his Handler's heated glare, so he glared right back. “I saw how you're looking at the other Buddies. Imagine my luck, ending with some filthy pervert."

“They were the ones propositioning me! Any guy or girl would be looking if an ass flashed in their faces!" Skylar growled at his Buddy, but Lupus went back to the silent treatment. Skylar's anger boiled over and his body acted on its own.

Lupus quickly jumped out of the way just as Skylar's hand swiped at where he was sitting, knocking his plate of Buddy food onto the carpeted floor. “You'll pay for that, you punk." He growled at his Handler, fangs bared.

“Oh, trust me, I paid for quite a lot!" Skylar gestured to everything Buddy related now in his room. “Everything I bought, everything I paid for today was for YOU! Here I am trying my fucking best to apologize so we can be friends. While you're leeching off of me and doing NOTHING in return!"

“Well I didn't ask!" Lupus screamed back. “I didn't ask you to be my Handler, I didn't ask you to buy me stuff! And for your information, you and I shouldn't have met in the first place!"

Skylar's eyes shot open at the last statement… then they almost turned red with anger. “You know what? FINE! If you want to be that way, first thing in the morning, I'm handing you over to Marissa so you can be someone else's fucking problem! Literally any other Buddy would be a hundred times better than some mightier-than-thou prick!"

“Great! That way I can possibly find someone who is worthy of my prestige and skills, and not some punk off the streets!" Lupus tossed the piece of Buddy food in his hand at his Handler, a small sensation of pride in his chest as he watched it splatter on the bigger wolf's face. Right before marching out of the room.

“Fucking ungrateful asshole. After everything I've done." Skylar growled as he wiped his face, seething with rage as he flopped down on his bed.

---

Much later that night, almost midnight, Skylar woke up from a disturbed sleep, his mind rolling around with the exchange he had with Lupus earlier. “Goddammit!" He growled more at himself as he smacked his face with the pillow. He's hating himself how he's regretting the words he said, even though he truly believes that Lupus deserves them, but his guilt won't even let him sleep! “Grrrah, fuck it!" He tossed the pillow away and hopped out of bed. “Lupus!" He got out of the room and into the living room, the lights and TV were off… but the balcony window was open, curtains fluttering as the wind blew in. “Oh no…"

He stepped out to the balcony and looked down, his apartment wasn't too high, but it was still quite high up. “Oh nononono!" He raced back in and began looking through the whole apartment. “Lupus! Lupus!? Come on man, this isn't funny!" He looked behind vases, behind the TV, the shelves under it, storage closet, kitchen and every cabinet, the fridge, even under the couch's cushions.

But no Lupus. “Oh my god… Lupus…" Skylar stood in the middle of the now messy living room, his heart slowly shattering to pieces.

---

Meanwhile, outside the apartment, Lupus was leaning on the wall of a building a short distance from the apartment building. “Agh, dammit. Maybe that jump was not a good idea." Buddies were quite sturdy, a jump from such a height wouldn't hurt them, but the shock of the landing still sent prickles up his legs.

He looked back at the apartment building, staring at Skylar's apartment… his ears drooped down as doubt appeared on his face. But he quickly shook those feelings off. “Nope, nope! This is how we both want it, this is what's best for both of us." Then continued walking away. “Now… I need to rectify this damned mistake… how can I contact the director." As he was walking, he turned into an alleyway, just in time for someone to step out of the back door, tossing a trashback of food leftovers. He managed to hide just in time, but the whiff of roasted meat coming from the inside reminded him of something crucial as his stomach rumbled. “Ugh, I should've at least eaten that piece instead of throwing it." Skylar's shock and hurt face at that moment flashed in his mind, causing guilt to stab at his chest. “Grr, no! We both want this! We both want this!" He reminded himself as he kept on walking.

A short time later, he was pretty deep in the city, alternating between going to the open streets and alleyways. “Hmm… I usually forget how tiny we are compared to normal people." He mumbled to himself as he walked into another alleyway. His instincts instantly kicked in, telling him that danger was around. “Show yourselves! I'm not in the mood for any bullshit right now." White flames engulfed his fists as a warning.

But he was shocked to see the Buddies that appeared from the shadows. “No. Impossible!" Out of shock and a hint of fear, his flames dispersed from his hands.

The Buddies shuffling towards him looked more than disheveled. Their clothes were tattered, but their bodies looked even worse. Their bodies were all a shade of black, red, and purple, bits of their bodies or whole limbs were missing, some even had a whole jaw missing, their eyes were hollow and empty, devoid of all signs of life. They were basically zombies shuffling over to their new prey.

“No… no, not this again! This is impossible!" Lupus repeated, not believing his eyes. One of the zombies grabbed him by the shoulder, but he managed to shake him off and punch him away. “Fine! You want a piece of me? Come and get it!" One by one, the zombies came closer and he would just punch, kick, and blast them away. But for each one he took down, two or more took their place. “Dammit! How long is this- GAH!" He screamed in pain as one finally latched onto him, sinking his fangs into the wolf's shoulder. “Get offa me!" He quickly punched him away.

But that was the distraction that did him in, as the other zombies quickly overwhelmed him, clamoring over his body, fangs and claws digging into his body, tearing at his fur and flesh. “Ugh, gah! Get… off!" He struggled and shook with all his power, but they were just too many. One bit his ankle, another on his thigh, one tore at his abdomen with his claws, and many others biting down on his arms and shoulders. He was quickly brought down to be served as their feast as everything sharp they had, claws, fangs, hooves, teeth, sunk and tore into him.

'N-No… this isn't… how it ends…' Through all the pain and agony, Lupus' mind went back to his allies, his Familia. 'I have to… see them…' Then the image of Skylar's sheepishly grinning face flashed into his mind, just as his world was getting blurry and dark. 'Skylar… I'm sorry…'

But suddenly. “HEY! GET OFF HIM!" Suddenly, something big smacked the zombies away, right before picking the wolf Buddy up. It was Skylar! “Now fuck off!" The wolf Handler kicked at the rest of the Buddies with all his might, sending them all flying away, their bodies crumbling to the ground like ragdolls. “Lupus! Oh thank goodness!" He held his Buddy close to his face, his heart sinking with concern as he saw his banged up Lupus was, his clothes torn, bits of his body were literally bitten off, not to mention the countless slashes and gashes all over him, especially the one across his abdomen.

“The fuck are- *cough cough COUGH* -The fuck are you… doing here?" Lupus said with a strained voice, holding onto his abdomen so that his insides would slip out. “I -*cough*- fucking had it."

“Oh yeah, you sure did." Skylar rolled his eyes. “Also, I'm looking for you, obviously. And glad that I did." Skylar turned to look at the creatures he kicked away. “The hell are those? Definitely not like any Buddies I've seen."

“They're not Buddies. Not normal ones anyway." Lupus groaned in pain.

“What do you mean?" Skylar sat him on top of a small trash bin nearby. “You know about these things?"

“Nothing you should know." Lupus gruffly said, looking away from his Handler.

There was a brief silence between the two wolves. But then. “I'm sorry!" Both of them said in unison.

“What!? The hell are you apologizing for!?" Lupus said in total shock.

“Well, I said some… upsetting things in the heat of the moment. So, I apologize for those." Skylar rubbed the back of his head nervously.

Lupus just sighed and shook his head. “You're one strange kid, you know that." Then looked up at his Handler, a small smile on his face. “But a good one, I'll give you that." Lupus looked down, unable to meet Skylar's eyes, thinking to himself, thinking how the Handler. 'Too good for a bastard like me.'

“And you are one badass bastard, I'll give you that." Skylar said in a smug tone.

“The 'bastard' part is true. I also said some very awful things to you, as well. And yet here you are, coming after me to make sure I'm okay." Lupus' heart fluttered a bit at the thought, a faint pink coloring his cheeks.

“Come on, let's go ba- GAH!" Skylar screamed out as stinging pain shot through his leg.

“Skylar!?" Lupus jumped to his feet just as Skylar fell back on his rear.

“Something just bit me!" Skyler looked down and his eyes shot open in shock and horror. “Mucho!?" The crocodile Buddy had his maw locked firmly into Skylar's leg, his body just as black and purple as the others, eyes empty, with bits and parts of him missing. “The fuck man!?" Skylar grabbed him, yanked him off his leg before throwing him away.

But he didn't even get the chance to stand as other zombified Buddies pounced on him, claws and fangs digging and tearing it. “Fuck! Fuck! Get off me!" As soon as he would throw one away, another would instantly take his place. He rolled around on the ground, trying to get them off, but to no avail as they kept going at him like angry ants.

“Skylar! Hold on!" Lupus was about to jump into the fray despite his injuries *clank-clatter* but the bin he was standing on shook under him, when he looked down over the edge, he saw even more of those creatures climbing up towards him. “Shit shit shit shit!" He could barely move and protect himself, let alone save Skylar. His heart was filling with rage and sorrow, he might have found a very good Handler who can stand him and now he was being taken away from him. His rage fueled his powers as flames began bursting from his body, ready to fight, injuries be damned!

But just as he was about to jump in. “Raijin no Mai!" Someone called out from one of the entrances to the alleyway, just as a streak of electricity shot past Lupus, striking one of the Buddies that almost got to him, right before bouncing, ricochetting more like, towards the others, taking them all out in an instant. “Hey! Are you two okay?" A young man, a human with long, navy-blue hair and dressed in a fancy suit, asked in urgency and worry as he knelt beside Skylar and helped him up. “Come on, let's get out of here! Arashi!"

Lupus saw this Seiryuu Buddy landing beside him, dressed just as fancily as the human. “Please excuse me." He said before picking Lupus up, bridal style. The wolf didn't even get a chance to complain as the Seiryuu started hopping away from the zombies, following behind his Handler.

The human quickly pulled Skylar inside a small but very fancy car, and his Buddy brought Lupus in a second after. “Drive, Gouki! Drive!" The driver slammed his foot on the accelerator, tires screeching against the asphalt before shooting away at high speed.

“Fucking hell, that hurt…" Skylar groaned as he rubbed at one arm. “Thanks for the help."

“Of course. Do you need to go to the hospital?" The human asked, genuine worry in his eyes.

“Nah, I'm good. Just stinging a bit. My Buddy is the one who needs help." Skylar looked down just as the Seiryuu placed Lupus on his thigh.

“Dammit, the closest Buddy Clinic is closed at this hour."

“It's fine. I have a MediCapsule at my place."

“Then where do you live?" The human asked in a sharp tone.

“Waka-sama, you'll be late for dinner with your family." The driver, a canine with scruffy facial features, reminded in an almost flat tone.

“I'll take responsibility." His employer assured him firmly.

“No no, I can get to it from here. Just drop-" Skylar tried to back out, not wanting to be a burden.

“Where do you live?" The human asked, this time more incessantly.

Skylar eventually relented and told him the address of his apartment building. It didn't take long for the drive back home and soon enough, Skylar and Lupus were back home. “Thank you. You really didn't have to." He said as he got out of the care, holding Lupus up with one arm.

“Perhaps, but I wanted to. Us fellow Handlers should stick together, especially if our precious Buddies are in danger." The human said with a gentle smile… then reached his hand. “Matsuri Hijikata."

“Skylar Vane." The wolf accepted the handshake.

“Lupus." The wolf Buddy introduced himself gruffly, looking at the Seiryuu Buddy.

“Arashi." The dragonoid replied, just as gruffly.

The two Handlers just chuckled at that exchange, then Matsuri turned to Skylar. “Do be careful. And I hope we meet again, under better circumstances, of course." Then closed the door before the car drove off.

“Come on. Let's get you patched up." Skylar went up to his apartment and walked in, didn't even turn the lights on. But he turned the lamp on his desk on before sitting down and turning on the MediCapsule. “Hope this works." He slowly helped his injured Buddy get out of his destroyed clothes, barely holding himself together as he saw how bruised, beaten, and scarred Lupus was.

“Come on, this is nothing new. We Buddies were built for this, remember?" Lupus assured him, but his words didn't do much. Skylar didn't reply, he just adjusted the pod so it was laying down before helping Lupus into it, the Platinum Wolf hissing as the medicinal solution stung at his injuries. “See you in the morning." He said jokingly as he put on the oxygen mask before fully submerging himself in.

“See you tomorrow, bud." Skylar closed the pod and fastened it shut. He almost jumped when his phone let out a strange hum, but he remembered that the pod was connected to the Buddy app to allow the Handler to monitor their Buddy's condition directly. Once he was sure that Lupus was fast asleep and relaxed, he got up and began taking his clothes off, a scowl appearing on his face as he saw all the cuts and tears. “There goes my favorite shirt and pants." He let out a sad sigh before tossing them into the kitchen's trash bin, before making his way to the bathroom to shower and clean up.

“That's one hell of a crazy night…" He mumbled to himself as the water washed over him. But with Lupus back by his side, safe and sound, he can finally relax. “Gonna have to pamper him a bit after tonight." He laughed to himself at the thought, but he was fully intending to do it. He was pretty new at being a Buddy Handler, he wasn't even interested in being one, but he's sure not gonna half-ass it. Not after tonight.

While Skylar had his shower, Lupus was floating inside his pod, one eye half-open as he was deep in thought himself. 'Maybe he's not so bad. Didn't even give the young man a chance to prove himself. I don't deserve someone like him…' He turned his head slightly in the direction of the door. 'And yet, he risked his life to save mine, a mere living toy… He's way too kind for his own good… but that's not a bad trait, I suppose.' He finally closed his eyes, vowing to make this partnership work as well. Skylar has potential, that's for sure, he just needs someone to help him bring it out.

'I'll definitely make this right.' Both Skylar and Lupus thought to themselves, faint smiles on their faces.

---

[Next time, on Buddy Rumble]

Lupus heals from his injuries but still needs a bit of time to be in fighting condition again.

He and Skylar spend that time getting to know each other better before throwing themselves into the world of Buddy Rumble at full throttle.

Matsuri is still pulling whatever public stunt his father requires of him to put their family's name in a good light, but he yearns for the day that he could stand in the spotlight by himself with Arashi by his side, without his father pulling on his strings like a puppet.

Next time on Buddy Rumble: (No) Time to Rest

LET'S RUMBLE