Disclaimer: See the first chapter/introduction
Chap. 19
Tenchi had moved away from the battlefield to check on Cloud. After he was blasted by the Shockbeam Saber, Cloud lay on the ground, unmoving. Tenchi bent over to his fallen comrade and turned him upright.
"Cloud. Cloud, please wake up."
But the spiky-haired soldier didn't move. Tenchi continued to try and shake him, but Cloud didn't respond. Tenchi shut his eyes and turned his head away.
"Cloud, I'm sorry."
Suddenly, a speck of yellow electricity appeared on Cloud. Tenchi blinked and looked up as Cloud's body began to be covered with electricity. Cloud's eyes snapped opened and he sat up.
"Uggghhh. What happened?"
Tenchi, however didn't respond as his mouth was now agape and his face in pure surprise.
"Tenchi, what's...*gasp*"
*************
Xardion and E. Ryu continued their brutal fight. E. Ryu's power was enough to put Xardion on the defense again as he continued to attack and warp around him. Xardion backed away as E. Ryu warped again. Xardion looked around, but didn't see him until it was too late. E. Ryu had reappeared right behind him and his fist connected with the back of Xardion's neck. Xardion fell forward in pain, but managed to roll and get back up to his feet. However, upon looking up, he saw E. Ryu was gone again. Xardion stood still for a moment, closing his eyes in order to focus on E. Ryu's ki.
'Hmmm...He's...there!'
Xardion jumped back just as E. Ryu dove in on him with a flying kick. Arching his arm back, Xardion lashed out with a kick which E. Ryu ducked and countered with a rising uppercut. Xardion however managed to roll his head off to the side, causing the uppercut to only graze him. Xardion leapt back to get some room, but E. Ryu followed him and lashed out with another punch. Xardion parried the blow, but E. Ryu sent out yet another blow. Xardion blocked the punch and E. Ryu added more pressure when a surge of ki entered into him.
"Tatsumaki Senpuu-Kyaku!"
E. Ryu went into a whirlwind of kicks, pushing Xardion back further. But it would be E. Ryu to be surprised as Xardion managed to parry the last kick, energize his fist, and shot up into a powerful uppercut, similar to the Shoryuken. E. Ryu was knocked out of his move, but landed on his feet. Xardion hit the floor again, but E. Ryu warped again. Xardion sensed for his energy and tracked it to his left. E. Ryu didn't attack immediately, but rather he shifted his body into another stance. As he did, tremendous forces of dark energy filled his body. Xardion looked at him, almost curious at the technique until...
'Wait...That's the Shun Goku Satsu! The Raging Demon!'
"Korosu!"
E. Ryu suddenly slid toward Xardion, seeming to move slowly, but in fact the technique's power was slowing down time for a moment. Xardion stepped back, but found his movements slowed as well. With the Raging Demon upon him, Xardion did only one thing.
"Ha!"
Xardion stuck out a light jab, not strong enough to hurt him, but enough to disrupt the move. E. Ryu stopped in his advance and glared at Xardion.
"Don't be mad at me. That technique is too focused on destruction to even have a defense. If you want to beat me, then find another way."
Xardion quickly hopped up off the ground and hit E. Ryu with a flying knee. E. Ryu lurched his head back in pain and lashed out with a kick in return. Xardion was hit in the ribs, but managed to grab hold of his leg. Moving quickly, Xardion hurled the dark warrior and E. Ryu rolled across the ground. However, as he rolled, more dark energy began to surge and when he stood up, his hands were cupped to the side.
"Another way, huh? Then let's see how you handle this!"
The energy caused his entire body to flare and his hands now held the black energy tight. Xardion was surprised by the quick use of energy and reared his arms back to summon his own.
**************
A distance away...
Blade and Guyver stood face to face with each other. Blade crossed his arms.
"I'll go first. Maybe you can get the idea."
Blade lowered his head and focused his power. Shards of crystals formed around him and lit up in brilliant light. Guyver had to back away slightly as the crystals shattered, revealing Blade's new form. Blastor Tekkaman Blade.
"You try now."
Guyver I nodded and crossed his arms. He tried to focus, but without an image to work with, he couldn't manage.
'Why can't I do it? I did it before. I just transformed again and...wait a minute. Is that it?'
Guyver I uncrossed his arms and stretched them out. His head rose into the air, he yelled.
"GUYVER!!!!!!!!"
Blade half-blinked in confusion. 'Why would he call the Guyver when it's already on....Ah, I see.' That came when a giant cocoon appeared and surrounded Guyver. Guyver ducked into it and the cocoon closed. It opened a moment later, revealing the new massive form of the Guyver. Guyver Gigantic.
"Let's go."
**********
"Shinkuu...HADOKENNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Cosmic....SHOCKBEAMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The two energies collided with one another in an awesome display of raw power. The dark energy of the Satsu No Hado met with the incredible power of the gemadorian warrior. As they began to battle forth, E. Ryu flared with even more dark energy. But Xardion still had the upper hand.
"Giving up Ryu? You think this is your true power?"
The Shockbeam intensified, beginning to push back against E. Ryu. E. Ryu growled and tried to summon more power, but his efforts were in vain. The use of the Shun Goku Satsu earlier had taken much of his power and now he was approaching his limit.
"Your power in this form is too destructive. Perhaps I should end your life now. It would certain be easier on your friends than to have you roam around like this."
'What?'
"Is this it? Or is there something else? Is the path of darkness your destiny, Ryu?"
E. Ryu began to waver in concentration. 'Way of darkness...my destiny...no...never...not ever....for them....' Images of his friends appeared in his mind. Sakura, Ken, Sean, and Chun-Li all filled his thoughts.
'No! I…will…overcome…it!'
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
E. Ryu's body exploded in a pure bolt of white energy. It was enough to disperse the energy struggle and Xardion looked down. Standing where once the dark incarnation stood was now the white warrior in his purest form. White energy flowed around him in a bluish-white aura and lightning and whirlwinds surrounded his body. His eyes were glowing blue instead of red and his headband bore the mark of TEN.
"The dragon has awoken, at last." Xardion muttered.
"He's not the only one."
Xardion looked around to see two figures on the hill nearby. It was Goku and Liu Kang. But they had both changed dramatically. Liu Kang looked the same except that he slightly muscular and that his hands were clawed and scaly. Fiery energy brimmed from them. His eyes had changed as well. They were now a vermillion red with the pupils somewhat slanted like a serpent. Also, a shadowy image of a dragon floated behind him. Goku had changed just as much. His body and tail was covered in red fur and his eyes were yellow. Both their power level were enormous. But Xardion still didn't seem worried.
"Three superpowers at once. This will be interesting."
Xardion crossed his arms. 'I won't stand a chance fighting them on the third level. I'll have to go straight for four.'
"SHIFT!!!!!!!"
Xardion shone in an intense blue light which momentarily obscured him from view. The glow quickly faded, but they all were aware of the changes in his power.
"Let see what you three can really do."