Yuma was fully aware that he was at a disadvantage. Standing across from Meteor in the center of a highway, an unknown number of Riotroopers in unknown condition nearby, and the Meteor Storm Switch in his hands, the Oni Rider was outmatched to say the least.
However, he had confidence. Between his increased stamina and power, and his knowledge of his opponent's fighting style, Yuma felt that he could at the least hold his own. Meteor shifted his gaze from Yuma himself to the switch in his hand. "I finally have what's mine." he said, and Yuma chuckled.
"You truly are a pathetic creature. Valuing power handed to you by glorified knickknacks instead of your own training is sad for a man of your caliber." he said, and Meteor chuckled. The Riotroopers, four in number, began to stumble out of their destroyed vehicle.
"If you think that I need this to defeat you as I am now, you are sorely mistaken." he said, and Yuma watched him pocket the item, inhaling as he took a fighting stance. Yuma did the same, relaxing his posture and raising his hands in front of himself. He watched the Riotroopers surround them, their formation boxing Yuma in. He had no plans to escape, but for some reason, he felt like they were up to something.
And, as if he was right, the four men pulled out some form of device from their backs, large amplifier looking boxes that Yuma found rather odd. When the boxes were activated, Yuma noticed a humming noise emit from each of them. The slight difference in when each switch was hit allowed for one long, unsynchronized note that for some reason bothered Yuma. He disliked unharmonious things, spastic musik and the like, and this was right up that alley.
"What is the purpose of this?" he asked, and Meteor chuckled. "It's a way to make sure we have privacy. As long as I keep you within the range of these condensers, nothing will be able to detect our existence. It's like a sort of Do Not Disturb function, and it's quite useful." he said, and Yuma chuckled at how sinister that sounded. "You make it sound like it's a device to hide a murder instead of prevent interference in a duel between men." he said with a sly smile. Meteor shifted his feet to move forward. "By time I'm done with you, it'll be both."
Meteor lunged forward with a straight left punch, and Yuma stepped to his left, throwing a left kick aimed towards Meteor's kidneys. The cosmic Rider turned to his right and brought up his leg, using his shin to block the attack. He brought his right elbow down, and Yuma pulled his leg back to the ground, throwing a right straight punch that Meteor turned and blocked with his left forearm.
Yuma threw a left bodyblow, Meteor lowering his right arm to block the attack. Yuma predicted this, rolling his right hand around Meteor's left forearm and pushing back, opening his guard as he brought his right leg up. Meteor was able to react, bringing up his own left knee, the two Riders clashing knees. Yuma suffered slightly less damage, as he was the one with the larger kneecap, but his leg still throbbed with pain nonetheless. Yuma hopped slightly, using his left leg to sweep Meteor's leg from under him.
Thanks to the incredible reaction speed of the cosmic Rider, he was able to catch Yuma's left arm on the way down and toss him, the improvised arm drag paining Yuma's elbow as he hit the ground, rolling and rising back up as fast as Meteor. They retook their stances, neither of them about to give the other a chance for a surprise attack. They both moved at the same time, Yuma completely focused on his singular opponent.
As he exchanged blows with Meteor, neither fighter having a clear edge in the moment, Yuma noticed one thing. He could still sense what was going on outside of the invisible field that Meteor's lackeys had set up. He was able to sense Gunnar, the Ninningers, Kentaro, and Poe and his foes. He could even sense something else approaching he assumed was Ata, Yuma understanding what was going on around him. He knew that he was likely going to be one of the last to finish his battle, and he wanted to make sure that he wast the only one that lost. He had to win at any cost, even if it meant disabling himself.
Yuma inhaled, the two stalking around each other, almost daring the other to make a move. Yuma could sense that his enemies were decreasing in number, and he realized that right here, and right now, he had to solve the Meteor problem. His eyes glanced to the Riotroopers that he had at his aid, and Yuma's mind slowly began to formulate a plan.
Yuma pulled his Ongekibou from his back, inhaling as he began to move east, Meteor not allowing him to evade or make the first move. Inhaling, Yuma lifted his arms and swung them to his left, loosing his Ongekibou like a pair of projectiles at the Riotrooper to his left, striking him in the skull and dropping him before throwing a leaping left knee at Meteor.
Meteor slapped his knee down, jabbing him in the face with a light right backfist, spinning and throwing a left roundhouse kick. Yuma blocked with his left forearm, gritting his teeth before jabbing his head forward.
Meteor stumbled back, struck by the headbutt, stunned just enough for Yuma to follow up and strike with a right elbow, Meteor barely ducking a left backfist, only for a left knee to strike him in the chin. Yuma grabbed him in a front facelock, lifting him into the air high.
Yuma spun, driving Meteor to the ground and landing atop him, damaging his midsection and giving himself the positional advantage. Meteor shoved Yuma off and rolled to his feet, having to immediately block a left front kick, catching Yuma's leg.
The Oni Rider jumped, using his free leg to strike Meteor in the head, freeing his leg and causing Meteor to stumble back. When Meteor moved to attack from behind, Yuma flipped backwards, kicking Meteor in the head again before hopping to his feet, exhaling. He had the clear advantage, and noticed how close one of the Riotroopers was to him.
With Meteor staggering and attempting to recover, Yuma moved for the second Riotrooper, using his Kitojutsu to grow claws from the back of his hand, slamming his hands into the abdomen of another Riotrooper.
Yuma slammed his skull into the Riotrooper, his helmet shattering as his brain was rattled. Yuma tore his claws out, jabbing his foe in the face, piercing his eye and reaching his brain. The body fell limp, and Yuma looked to Meteor.
With the cosmic Rider still recovering, Yuma dashed for the third Riotrooper, who had drawn his gun and began firing at Yuma. Thanks to his training, the bullets, fired from a normal semi automatic firearm, simply bounced off his demonized flesh. Yuma hopped up, jabbing his leg out and kicking the Trooper in the face.
The intense force snapped his neck and shattered his helmet, causing him to fall limply to the ground. Yuma rose to his feet, noticing that both Meteor and the final Riotrooper were charging him. He took a stiff Kempo stance, taught to him by his original teacher.
Yuma slapped away the left fist of the Riotrooper, rolling beneath Meteor's spinning left kick. Yuma spun his upper body in a wide, figure eight shaped arc, dropping his stance and striking both of his foe's in the knees, knocking them off their feet.
Yuma leapt up, trying to stomp both of their skulls. They both rolled out of the way, Yuma twisting his arms to catch the Riotrooper's extended right arm between his forearms, glancing to his right to see Meteor throwing a left cross.
Yuma hopped, wrapping legs around Meteor's outstretched arm. He jerked back, driving himself to the ground and tossing both of his opponents. He hopped up, taking his stance as both of his opponents recovered.
As they moved to attack him, Yuma stepped forward and spun, leaping into the air and swinging his left leg. Meteor stepped back, the Riotrooper struck in the skull. Yuma used his momentum to slide forward and sweep the Riotrooper's legs out from under him, seeing Meteor advance.
Yuma rose up, his stance stiff as he threw a trio of bodyblows, knocking Meteor back as the Riotrooper scrambled to his feet. He took too long however, because Yuma caught him.
Yuma slammed his shoulder into the Riotrooper, concussing him before catching his stumbling body and throwing him into the air. He stared Meteor in the eyes as he stood straight up, a stalwart stance as the flying Riotrooper landed on his skull, impaled on his horns.
He cast the Riotrooper aside, inhaling and taking his stance again. Meteor took a slight step back before pulling out the other switch. Yuma knew that this was his chance to truly test himself.
As Meteor set the switch in his belt, Yuma closed his eyes and focused. He tried to relax, his stance becoming less stiff as he inhaled and exhaled. He could feel a gust of wind pass over his face as Meteor completed his transformation, and when Yuma opened his eyes, he saw Meteor's golden transformation, his stance shifting.
Meteor had a staff in his hands, and as Yuma could feel himself slipping into his advanced form, Kuroki Kyo, he wondered if discarding his Ongekibou was a mistake. Although, he wasn't truly sure how much of a help they'd be.
Yuma could feel himself relax, his usage of his advanced form becoming more and more natural to him. His fight with Gremlin was exactly what he needed to understand his own power better, and this fight was his real test.
"You scared of an unarmed kid?" he asked, taunting Meteor into attacking him. He understood from using Oni Hanmon and his specially cultivated brand of Kitojutsu, that this form, this vantablack visage, was primarily defensive in nature. He had to use that to his advantage.
Meteor surged forward, his speed increased from the transformation. Yuma's first goal was to disarm his opponent. That staff would be quite a problem. Meteor came down with the weapon, and Yuma exhaled.
He stepped to the left, wrapping his right arm around the staff. He jerked to his left, Meteor hopping and following the staff without loosing his grip. Holding tight with his left hand, Meteor stepped forward and threw a right jab. Yuma stepped back, pulling on the staff to throw Meteor's attack off.
The cosmic rider stumbled ever so slightly, and Yuma threw his right foot up, Meteor's hand shoving his foot back to the ground as he straightened himself. Meteor yanked the staff from left to right, Yuma's shoulder nearly coming out of the socket from the force. Meteor threw a low left kick, trying to take Yuma's feet from under him. Yuma let the staff go, hoping over it and Meteor's leg.
He landed on the opposite side of the staff, grabbing it and using it as leverage to throw a step up kick at the back of Meteor's head. He stumbled, briefly releasing the staff from his grip. He twisted with the recoil, grabbing it with his right hand and pulling as he fell to the ground, Yuma being thrown overhead and letting the staff go as he rolled to his feet.
Meteor quickly rose back to his feet and jabbed the staff forward. Yuma stepped to the right, pushing the staff with his right palm before stepping forward and snapping his right wrist, a quick backfist striking Meteor and making him stumble back one step. He swung the staff inwards at Yuma, who allowed it to strike him in the side as he grabbed the staff again.
He loosed another quick backfist, a quick jab of his right leg striking Meteor in the knee and making him lean forward, where a quick forearm strike knocked the staff out of his hands, Yuma casting it as far away as he could as Meteor recovered.
Yuma realized that his different approach, a more defensive, technical style, was working. He was aware of the differences in his style, from the stiff, Karate based style he knew from his initial training, to the Capote like style he adapted when working with Gunnar, to the whip striking style he used in his battle with Gremlin. But… was there a way to combine all of that?
Could Yuma truly combine the stiff, blunt attacks of Karate, with the movement of Capoeira and the speed of the whip lash style? He mused this for a fraction of a second before he thought about the one last style Ata had taught him. Something Yuma learned because of his lack of stamina.
With Meteor fuming across from him, Yuma balled his fists and stood straight, hands on his hips. He shifted his feet three times to spread them before simply holding his hands out in an open stance. This was To Kapunga. He waited for Meteor to make the first move.
Meteor moved quickly, launching one of his large, Ring of Saturn projectiles, running behind to try and punish whatever reaction Yuma had. Using his elemental prowess, Yuma brought up a wall of shadows, blocking the projectile before launching it into the sky with one, fluid motion. Meteor stepped forward and threw a straight right punch as soon as the wall faded away.
Yuma used both of his hands and pushed Meteor's hand down before lurching forward and slamming his left shoulder into Meteor, leaning into the recoil and throwing a left kick. Yuma twisted to his right and grabbed Meteor's leg and tossed him overhead.
While airborne, Meteor launched another projectile that struck Yuma in the chest. He recoiled, allowing Meteor to hit the ground and charge him, throwing one of his odd Rider Punches that took the form of the planet Mars on his fist. Yuma crossed his fists over his chest to block the attack.
The defense wasn't enough, and with a mighty push, Yuma's guard was broken. His arms raised high, the Oni Rider throwing a wild left kick as he felt himself fall back. Meteor used his left hand to slap Yuma's leg down and straighten his posture.
Meteor rolled into his own momentum and struck Yuma with a spinning backfist. Yuma stumbled, watching Meteor follow up with a spinning right kick. Yuma leaned back, shoving Meteor's leg before stomping forward and throwing a left bodyblow.
He struck, throwing a quick flurry of punches followed by a stiff right elbow that made Meteor stumble back. He rebounded with a right hook, Yuma seeing the attack coming. Yuma raised and bent his left arm to block the attack, throwing a right knee in response. Meteor used his free hand to shove Yuma's leg down, allowing Yuma to follow up and throw a well aimed left hook.
The two separated, Yuma raising his right leg in a different stance. Meteor immediately stepped forward and threw a high right roundhouse kick. Yuma ducked down, shifting and throwing a right sweep kick that took Meteor off of his feet. The cosmic rider spun in midair, launching another projectile at point black range.
The force of this sent Meteor flying back, allowing him space from Yuma as the Oni recovered from being struck. Meteor glanced around, realizing that he landed close to his staff. He immediately grabbed it and charged Yuma as he stood.
The Oni Rider was given no respite, Meteor immediately jabbing at his feet with the staff. He raised his foot and took a step back, another jab keeping him on the defensive, a surprise jab at his abdomen finding purchase. Another jab, and Yuma blocked, leaning to his right and pushing the staff to the left.
Meteor pulled back and rolled the weapon, swinging it overhead at Yuma. The Oni Rider blocked with both of his hands, exposing his midsection to a kick from Meteor that sent him sliding back. Meteor spun the staff in his grip and pulled the top of the switch from his belt, sliding it onto the heavier end of his staff and slamming it to the ground. "I'm tired of you demons!" He roared, spinning the staff and lowering his stance. "Return to the realm from whence you came! Meteor Storm Punisher!" he called, launching the top like device from the staff at full force.
The object was incredibly quick, and struck Yuma directly in the chest, Yuma steeling himself and trying to resist being taken off of his feet. He looked from the object and it's shimmering energy to Meteor, who was charging him, his right palm open.
He slammed his open palm into the spinning top, the image of Jupiter forming on his hand before expanding and covering both of them in a dense cloak of energy. When the top ricocheted off of Yuma's body, it hit the dome of energy, bouncing back and striking him again as Meteor leapt out of range of the attack.
Again and again, Yuma was pelted over and over by the top, the process feeling eternal. Even though his power was that of the darkness and the shadows itself, space, the cosmic power of a pitch black expanse devoid of air and of life for the most part, overwhelmed him. He detested this, greatly.
He told his brothers that he would be victorious. That Meteor wouldn't be able to defeat him easily, or at all. Everything rode on this. He could already sense it. Kentaro was out cold, victorious. Poe was victorious in his battle, and Gunnar had withdrawn. The energy of the ToQgers was gone, and the vile energy of his teacher was present. This was the final stretch, and he was blowing it.
He roared, ignoring the searing pain that erupted all across his body. If he couldn't beat one crooked cop in a super suit, how would he ever avenge his teacher's death? He grit his teeth, spreading his arms and clapping them shut, catching the top that was causing him so much pain.
"Kitojutsu Ouji: Ancestral Faith!" Yuma screamed, the top slowly slowing down as the dome of energy surrounding him dissipated. Yuma dropped the top, smoke and energy leaking from his body as he panted, his body wavering as Meteor shook with rage.
"Why won't you stay down!?" he screamed, charging Yuma. The native wobbled, dazed from the attack as he looked up to Meteor. He could see all of Meteor's motions, as if the were in slow motion. He opened his mouth, the blank face of an Oni rider tearing open at the jaw as the Oni launched a wave of energy from his pitch black maw.
Meteor was shoved back as Yuma dashed up to him, the shock of being blitz allowing Yuma to attack. A flurry of punches struck him in the chest. A left elbow struck him in the collarbone, cracking it and making him wince. Another flurry of punches. Yuma grabbed him by the head, smashing his mask wide open with a right elbow.
Yuma let his fingers lightly graze Meteor's abdomen before slamming his fist forward, tendrils of dark energy shooting from his hand and forcing Meteor to crash to the ground. He began to sputter and cough as he slowly rose back to his feet, blood covering the inside of his helmet as he saw the living, horned shadow merely stand in front of him, as if waiting.
"I'm not going to die here! Do you hear me!?" he roared at the silent shadow. He coughed again, splashing himself in the face with blood. The shadow began to move, lifting it's right hand high into the air. Meteor screamed hoarsely, launching another projectile. It did nothing to deter the shadow, whose palm was open skyward.
A shimmering, glittering ball of light formed in his hand, it's shine and luster contrasting against the darkness that spawned it. The demon closed his hand, the ball vanishing, leaving only a trail of sparkling, rainbow stardust floating at the end of his fist. Meteor realized that this must be some kind of finishing move, and he immediately leapt into the air.
Throwing every single drop of energy he had left into a single, decisive Rider Kick, he vaulted at the shadow, whose head shifted to him. Meteor hated this. The monster was so black, it had no visible face, and yet, he could tell that it was disappointed. "Kitojutsu Ougi: Whanau Marama"
With those four words, the demon hurled the glittering stardust at Meteor, who felt it pass through his chest. When it did, it expanded, his attack completely forgotten as the energy continued to expand and expand.
White hot pain began to sear every pore in his body as he fell from the sky. He could feel himself begin to glow, his mask and suit burning up as he slowly rose in temperature. It was like he was being struck over and over while also burning in the fire. The pain was unimaginable, like he was a star in it's dying days. He screamed, a horrified, fear stricken plea for help that wasn't answered.
And as light began to pour from his eyes, his mouth, even his fingers and toes, Yuma stood silently, watching without a single ounce of emotion visible on his face.
When the light expanded to much and simply took Meteor away, the flash was as gruesome as it was beautiful. Yuma felt emotion swell inside of him. This was the feeling of achievement. This man who had tormented his friends and even defeated him in battle once, a man driven to the darkest depths by his own selfish desires, was dead by his hand. He had, in his eyes, avenged every one of his subordinates who lost their lives here today. He clapped his hands together and closed his eyes. He bowed his head, inhaling slowly. "Thank you."