The ocean breeze moved slowly across the battlefield.
Sunlight shone through the broken remains of Dr. E's destroyed fortress. Twisted metal floated in the water, broken platforms drifting across the still-scattered battlefield.
In the middle of it all stood two figures.
Super Nico.
And Noir.
Nico's glowing green aura surrounded his body, shining brighter under the clear blue sky. Energy crackled softly around him as small bits of dust and debris lifted into the air.
Across from him, Noir wiped blood from his mouth again.
The black panther looked rough now. His gloves were torn and his fur scuffed, but his red pupils still burned with pride.
His tail flicked once.
Then he smirked.
"So this is the legendary Super form?"
Nico cracked his neck.
"Pretty cool, right?"
Noir rolled his shoulders.
"You've thrown me around a bit."
He flexed his fingers.
"But I'm still standing."
Rex crossed his arms nearby.
"I mean… barely."
Viper nodded.
"Very barely."
Noir ignored them.
His eyes stayed locked on Nico.
"And you think raw power wins battles," Noir said.
Nico shrugged.
"Right now it kind of is."
Noir's smirk widened.
"Then show me something impressive."
Nico blinked.
"…You want impressive?"
He raised his right hand slowly.
Energy began gathering in his palm.
At first it was a faint glow.
Then brighter.
And brighter.
Until a sphere of green energy formed in Nico's hand, crackling like a miniature sun.
Rex blinked.
"…Oh."
Viper leaned forward.
"Oh that looks dangerous."
Noir raised an eyebrow.
"…Energy attacks?"
Nico smiled.
"Yeah."
The energy sphere grew larger.
"I figured I'd shake things up."
Then Nico flicked his wrist.
FWOOOM.
The green blast fired like a missile.
Noir's eyes widened.
He jumped to the side just as the blast shot past him.
The beam slammed into a massive chunk of fortress debris behind him.
BOOOOM.
The explosion shattered the metal structure instantly, sending fragments flying across the ocean.
The shockwave rolled through the water.
Rex blinked.
"…Okay that was definitely impressive."
Noir landed lightly on the rubble.
Then slowly looked back at Nico.
"…You've been holding back."
Nico shrugged.
"A little."
Noir's grin returned.
"Good."
He crouched low.
"Because now this fight might actually get interesting."
Then he vanished.
Noir shot forward with explosive speed.
This time he zigzagged through the battlefield, bouncing off debris and shattered platforms as he closed the distance.
His fist shot toward Nico's face.
But Nico didn't dodge.
His left hand flared with green energy.
He fired.
FWOOOM.
The blast struck Noir mid-charge.
BOOM.
The explosion launched him backward through the air before he crashed onto a floating slab of metal.
Rex stared.
"…Yeah he's getting bullied again."
Noir rolled across the metal surface before stopping.
For a second he stayed down.
Then he slowly stood again.
His breathing was heavier now.
But his pride was still there.
"…Cheap tricks," Noir muttered.
Nico raised another glowing hand.
"You asked for impressive."
Noir growled.
Then he rushed forward again.
Nico fired three blasts at once.
FWOOOM.
FWOOOM.
FWOOOM.
Noir dodged the first.
Leaped over the second.
The third clipped his shoulder.
BOOM.
The explosion blasted him sideways across the battlefield again.
Chunks of rubble fell into the water.
Rex leaned toward Viper.
"Okay he's definitely bullying him now too."
Viper nodded.
"Yeah."
Noir slowly pushed himself up again.
Now his expression had changed.
The arrogance was still there.
But now it was mixed with frustration.
"…So you think ranged attacks make you superior?"
Nico shrugged.
"I think hitting you with glowing explosions is fun."
The green aura surged again around him.
Another blast formed in his palm.
Noir snarled.
Then he charged again.
This time Nico fired repeatedly.
Green beams shot across the battlefield like artillery.
Explosions rocked the floating wreckage as blast after blast forced Noir to dodge constantly.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
The ocean water erupted with each missed shot.
Noir jumped from debris to debris, barely avoiding the blasts.
But Nico was smiling now.
He fired another beam.
This one caught Noir mid-jump.
BOOOOM.
The explosion slammed him back into the rubble again, leaving another crater.
Rex whistled.
"…He is learning new moves mid fight."
Viper nodded slowly.
"That's terrifying."
Noir slowly climbed out of the crater.
His breathing was heavy now.
But he was still standing.
Still proud.
Still furious.
"You're enjoying this," Noir growled.
Nico lowered his glowing hand.
"A little."
His aura flickered again.
"Wanna keep going?"
Noir wiped blood from his mouth.
Then he smiled again.
"You still don't understand something."
Nico tilted his head.
"Oh yeah?"
Noir straightened his posture.
"You think I'm here to win."
Nico blinked.
"…Aren't you?"
Noir's red pupils glowed brighter.
"No."
He took a step forward.
"I'm here to outlast you."
In the distance, Dr. E watched quietly.
His scanner flickered again.
The timer continued counting down.
Just a little longer.
Back on the battlefield, Nico raised his hand again. Another green blast formed in his palm.
The air around him buzzed.
The ocean rippled under his power.
Noir lowered into a fighting stance again.
Still smiling.
Still ready.
And the fight went on.