Disclaimer: Same as always.

Chap. 16

"Hadoken!"

The blue fireball swooped at Xardion and he dodged to the side. But Liu Kang was already coming at him at the same moment and when Xardion got up, Liu Kang went into his famed Bicycle Kick. Xardion was battered repeatedly and Liu Kang linked it with a Flying Kick. Xardion flew back, but didn't fall to the ground. He looked up at his adversaries, eyes glowing intensely.

"So you two have been able to perceive my art. But that will change now."

Xardion stood up straight and a faint blue glow formed around him briefly

"Shift."

The glow disappeared and a light burst of energy shot out from him. The two combatants hesitated briefly before Liu Kang shot his hand out and fired a Fireball technique while Ryu jumped up into the air. However, Xardion remained motionless until the ball came at him. Suddenly, he jumped up over the energy and at Ryu. Ryu lashed his foot out to kick, but Xardion had jumped higher than his attack and it missed him. Xardion landed behind Liu Kang, with both their backs facing each other. As Liu turned to see, Xardion spun around and hit Liu with a powerful roundhouse kick. Liu Kang went flying and almost collided with Ryu. The Shotokan warrior managed to catch Liu in mid-flight, but was left open to Xardion's own flying kick.

"Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!"

Both fighters hit the ground and Xardion stood over them. 'Hmmm. I guess it would make sense that they would figure it out first. They are far more trained in the spirit of the martial arts than the others.' Xardion thoughts however were again disturbed by the charging forms of Tekkaman Blade and Guyver I. Guyver was in the lead and slashed out with his vibro-blade. Xardion narrowly ducked it, but was open to the descending Blade and his lancer. Reacting on instinct, Xardion rolled as the weapon smashed into the ground. But Blade wasn't done as the curved points on the lancer detached and came at him like bladed boomerangs. Unsheathing his swords, Xardion deflected them just in time to meet Guyver's pressure cannon head on.

"Shield!"

A shield of energy surrounded Xardion just as the gravity ball smashed into him. Xardion was pushed back, but remained on his feet as now Blade led the charge. The blade clashed and both warriors were holding each other off. But unknown to Xardion, another figure was approaching from behind. Xardion turned too late as a blue hand grasped his arm and glowed.

"X?"

X managed to grab Xardion and began to glow. X felt the awesome powers of Xardion replicate through him. But suddenly, X released Xardion and cried out in pain. The glow continued around his body, but it was too overwhelming for the Maverick hunter and he fell to the ground. Xardion noticed this.

"Clever. But you underestimated my powers. As do you, Blade!"

Xardion suddenly swung back and slashed forward, hitting Blade with tremendous force. As Blade slid back, Xardion charged and slashed him heavily across his chest. Armor ripped apart as Blade was hurled by the force of the blow. Xardion then raised his blade to counter Guyver's back attack. Guyver couldn't believe that he was able to see it coming. 'It's like he has sensors of his own.' Nevertheless, Guyver gripped his fist and stabbed forward. Xardion parried the stab and slashed back, but Guyver ducked, rolled to the side, and activated his sonic emitters.

"Shhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The waves blinded Xardion and Guyver leapt to take advantage. But Xardion felt him coming and whipped his cape at him, revealing the razor-sharp blades within. Guyver was slashed across his body and fell back. When Xardion vision returned, he then grabbed Guyver's and Blade's legs and hurled them further away. Xardion then stood straight again.

"Give me your best shot now."

As he said those words, Ryo had leaped high into the air, with his blades connected and summoning tremendous power.

"Armor of Wildfire! Flare Up NOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The wave of fire energy smashed down straight onto Xardion and decimated the area. But as Ryo landed, he saw a silhouette within the smoke.

"How that possible? I hit you dead on."

Xardion had his arms crossed in a defensive stance. He unfolded them in order to answer Ryo. "Yes you did. I admit that was a lot stronger than I thought. But I've dealt with fire bearers before and I know how to deal with it." Xardion then raised his clawed armored arm.

"But let's see you deal with this, Wildfire. Galaxis Ball!"

A medium sphere of blue energy formed above his palm and Xardion hurled it at Ryo. Whiteblaze quickly ran forward and Ryo jumped on his back just as the ball hit the ground. But the shock of the exploding energy knocked both Ryo and Whiteblaze to the ground. As Xardion watched them fall, his attention was then diverted to the warrior coming up in front of him. It was Goku.

"You're a lot stronger than I hoped. I never really thought I would need this."

Xardion watched him in silence as Goku burst into Super-Sayian mode. Goku then exploded again, this time into Super-Sayian 2. Xardion folded his arms as Goku began to scream. Lightning crackled around him wildly and the ground trembled underneath. Goku's hair began to extend and grow and with a final cry, he exploded in pure light. Xardion was unfazed by the dramatic appearance of Super-Sayian 3 Goku.

"Are you sure that is wise?"

Goku didn't reply as he charged forward, launching an ultra-barrage of attacks. Xardion managed to deflect most of them, but he was having difficulty keeping up with the SSJ3 and the last blows got through. Goku knocked him skyward and gave chase, but Xardion managed to stop himself and meet his attacks again. Goku was impressed that Xardion was meeting him blow for blow. But it suddenly changed as Goku was suddenly puched back. Goku put his hand out and released a barrage of ki blast. But Xardion simply slapped them aside.

"That's a waste of energy."

Goku frowned and charged again, with Xardion meeting the charge. Punches and kicks were traded between the two as they began to go higher into the sky. But again, Xardion gained the upper hand and knocked Goku downward. Goku began to plummet fast, but he suddenly disappeared. Xardion narrowed his eyes and suddenly turned to see Goku diving at him from higher up. They traded blows once again, but this time they met up with a stalemate.

"So that's Instant Transmission. Not bad."

Goku gave a grin, "You're not too bad yourself, Xardion."

But Xardion continued, "But is that still enough power?"

Goku gave a confused look as Xardion arched his hands back. A sphere of energy formed within and Goku's eyes widened.

"No way. That can't be the..."

"...Kamehameha wave? No Goku, although it does look similar. But you be the judge."

The sphere intensified and Xardion began to glow immensely.

"Cosmic...Shockbeam!!!!!"

A bolt of blue-white shot forth from Xardion's hands and completely engulfed Goku. Goku was blasted and this time, he hit the ground. As Xardion hovered down, Goku exploded with energy, seeming as he was preparing to fight. But just as he did, he suddenly reverted back to his normal form. Goku was shocked. 'No way. His attacked weakened me this mu...' The thought wasn't completed as Goku slumped to the ground unconscious. Xardion strode over to the fallen Sayain, only to find that he wasn't unconscious after all.

"You Sayians are tough, no doubt. But is this your true power?"

"Get away from him, right now!"

Xardion turned his head to see Tenchi behind him, his energy blade ignited. 'Crysta was right. He's far more powerful than even he knows. But still...'

Just then, Cloud came up beside Tenchi, ragged, but still ready to fight. Xardion once again unsheathed his swords. 'Well, this should be interesting.'

"Ready, Tenchi?"

"Ready."

Both sword-wielders charged simultaneously at the armored warrior and brought their blades down. Xardion blocked Tenchi's, but deflected Cloud's. Cloud however managed to spin around it and leap up. At the same time, Tenchi dove down and shot upward with his blade. Xardion managed to back away from the boy's attempted slice, but saw that it was just a feint for Cloud, who was swinging his sword in the air and glowing in an intense red glow.

"Meteorain!!!!!!"

A sheer force of meteors slammed downward and exploded around Xardion. Xardion was blasted away by the force and hurled to the ground. As Xardion arose, Tenchi leapt into the air and struck down. However, Xardion narrowly deflected the blow once again.

"What are you two waiting for? Release your true powers."

Tenchi was confused by this, "W-what are you talking about?"

Xardion used the moment to pull back and let out a slash-wave which slammed Tenchi away again. Cloud came up from behind, but the Buster Sword hit only air. Xardion had flipped backward into the air and over Cloud's head. Xardion then twisted and kicked Cloud in the back, causing him to stumble forward. On reflex, Cloud spun in 360, but Xardion ducked the spinning blade and spun both of his own. The blades clashed hard, causing Cloud to drop his sword from the violent vibration. Xardion then finished him off with a rising energy-blade attack.

"You were close. Huh?"

Xardion looked down at the ground to see waves of energy on the ground. The waves were causing the earth to tremble and they began to increase in frequency. Xardion turned to the source of the energy and found that it was coming from Goku. Goku's body was still on the ground, but now his muscles had increased in mass slightly. A blank expression was on his face as his eyes were focused upward. Xardion looked up into the sky and realized what was happening.

He was looking at a full moon…