The ocean lay calm around the ruins of the fallen fortress.
Where a massive metal stronghold had existed just minutes before, now rubble, twisted steel and floating wreckage were strewn across the water. The sky above was clear and blue, reflecting sunlight down onto the waves.
In the middle of the debris field stood two figures.
One glowing.
One bruised.
Super Nico's light-green aura burned like a small sun against the calm of the day. His fur shimmered with energy, each movement leaving a faint green trail.
Across from him stood Noir among the rubble.
The black panther slowly rolled his shoulders and wiped a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth.
His pitch-black fur absorbed the sunlight instead of reflecting it, making him look like a shadow against the bright sky. His red pupils glowed faintly as he stared at Nico.
His long tail flicked behind him.
Then he laughed.
"…Heh."
Rex blinked from where he stood beside Viper.
"He's laughing?"
Noir straightened his posture and cracked his neck.
"You are strong," he said calmly.
Then his expression twisted into a smirk.
"But not as impressive as you think."
Nico tilted his head.
"…Did you miss the part where I punched you through three walls?"
Noir wiped his mouth again.
"That was nothing."
He stepped forward.
"Do you know how many opponents I've fought who thought they were unstoppable?"
Nico shrugged.
"Probably a lot."
"They all made the same mistake," Noir continued.
"They underestimated me."
His tail flicked again.
"And they all regretted it."
Nico scratched his head.
"…Yeah, but your power output level is still around 850."
Rex burst out laughing.
Viper covered his mouth to hide a grin.
Noir's eye twitched.
"You think numbers define me?"
"No," Nico said calmly.
"I think getting punched defines you."
Before Noir could reply, Nico had already disappeared.
CRACK.
The punch landed before Noir even had a chance to move.
His head snapped sideways as Nico's fist slammed into his jaw. The impact sent him flying backward across the rubble, scattering broken steel and debris everywhere.
Noir tumbled across the ground before finally skidding to a stop.
For a moment he just lay there.
Then he slowly stood up again.
Rex blinked.
"…Why does he keep getting up?"
Noir spat blood onto the ground.
Then he laughed again.
"You hit hard," he said.
His red eyes locked onto Nico.
"But you're sloppy."
Nico raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Noir crouched slightly.
"Your speed is incredible."
His tail flicked behind him again.
"But you rely on it too much."
Then Noir vanished.
He shot forward in a blur, aiming a kick straight at Nico's head.
Nico casually leaned to the side.
The kick sliced through empty air.
Noir spun and threw a punch.
Nico caught it with one hand.
The panther's eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
Nico held his fist for a second.
Then flicked him in the forehead.
The flick launched Noir backward.
Rex stared.
"…He flicked him."
Viper nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
Noir crashed through a pile of damaged metal before rolling to a stop.
He slowly stood again.
This time his expression was darker.
But the arrogance was still there.
"You think this is impressive?" Noir growled.
"I've fought monsters stronger than you."
Nico smiled slightly.
"Did they flick you too?"
Noir roared and charged again.
This time he came faster.
Much faster.
He unleashed a barrage of punches, kicks and spinning strikes, attacking from every direction with relentless speed. Each attack was sharp and aimed at something vital.
But Nico barely moved.
He blocked a punch.
Dodged a kick.
Leaned back to avoid a claw swipe.
Then grabbed Noir by the face.
BOOM.
The entire battlefield shook as Nico slammed him into the ground.
The impact created a crater in the rubble.
Noir coughed violently as Nico lifted him back up by the front of his chest.
"Are you done warming up yet?" Nico asked.
Noir growled and punched Nico in the ribs.
The hit landed clean.
Nico didn't move.
Noir punched him again.
Nothing.
He punched him a third time.
Still nothing.
Nico slowly looked down at him.
"…You know that doesn't work, right?"
Then he headbutted Noir.
CRACK.
Noir flew backward again, tumbling through the battlefield before crashing into wreckage.
Rex winced.
"Ooooh."
Noir slowly stood again.
His breathing was heavier now.
But the pride in his eyes hadn't faded.
"You think you have already won," Noir said.
Nico shrugged.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
Noir wiped blood from his chin.
"You're strong," he admitted.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"But strength isn't everything."
Dr. E watched from a nearby pile of wreckage.
His scanner eyepiece flickered as he checked the readings.
The timer continued ticking down.
Just a little longer…
Back on the battlefield, Nico stepped forward.
The green aura around him surged brighter.
"You talk a lot," Nico said.
Noir smirked.
"And you rely on brute force."
Then Noir rushed forward again.
This time he attacked with pure aggression.
Punch.
Kick.
Claw swipe.
Spin attack.
Every strike aimed to kill.
But Nico dismantled him piece by piece.
He blocked the punch.
Grabbed the leg mid-kick.
Spun Noir through the air.
Then slammed him into the ground again.
BOOM.
The rubble cracked.
Nico let go and stepped back.
Noir slowly pushed himself up again.
Barely.
But still standing.
Rex crossed his arms.
"Okay, I'll give him this."
Viper nodded.
"Yeah."
"He's stubborn."
Noir wiped blood from his face.
Then smiled again.
"You think I'm finished?"
He straightened up.
His red eyes burned with pride.
"I am Noir."
His tail flicked behind him.
"I don't stay down."
Nico cracked his knuckles.
"Good."
The green aura flared again.
"Because I'm not done hitting you."
The two fighters stared at each other across the battlefield.
The ocean waves crashed gently against the surrounding wreckage.
The sky above was bright and clear.
And the fight was far from over.