Chapter 16: Chapter 16
Me·Gaera·Re's massive clawed hand descended toward Ace, a killing blow ready to crush the weakened Rider. At the last moment, Ace rolled, the toxic cloud still clouding his senses. His movement was instinctive, survival-driven. The Grongi's hand smashed into the mud where Ace had just been.
Ace kicked upward, his boot connecting with Me·Gaera·Re's chest. The creature flew backward, splashing into the river's edge. Water erupted around its massive form.
The riverbank became a battlefield. Me·Gaera·Re moved with terrifying speed in the water, using the liquid environment to its advantage. Each movement was a blur - webbed hands cutting through water, creating devastating splash attacks that disoriented Ace.
Ace struggled to maintain his footing. The water made his movements sluggish. Me·Gaera·Re darted between shallow and deep sections, using the terrain strategically. A webbed hand lashed out, catching Ace's leg and pulling him partially underwater.
The Frog Grongi had clear dominance here. Its amphibian body moved like liquid mercury, striking from impossible angles. Ace fought defensively, blocking rapid attacks and trying to find solid ground. Water sprayed with each violent exchange, creating a chaotic battle zone where river met land.
Me·Gaera·Re's advantage was absolute in this watery arena.
"You will never beat me in the water, Kuuga!"
Me·Gaera·Re leaped across the riverbank, his amphibian body defying gravity with each impossible jump. Water droplets scattered like glass shards around his massive form. Ace watched, tracking the Grongi's erratic movements, frustration building with each missed strike.
The Frog Grongi cackled, his webbed hands slapping against rocks and water's edge. Each movement was a taunt, showing complete mastery of the terrain. Ace's attacks continued to miss, sliding off Me·Gaera·Re's slick skin or meeting only empty space where the creature had been moments before.
Ace's mind raced. The battle was slipping away, the Grongi's aquatic advantages overwhelming his human limitations. Me·Gaera·Re's toxic cloud still lingered, making each breath difficult, each movement slower.
Suddenly, a vision materialized before Ace. He can see Kuuga fighting in blue armor, holding a staff. A voice echoed with ancient wisdom:
'When evil rises, let your strikes turn formless and become the warrior who washes away evil like the waves of the sea.'
Ace's eyes focused. Understanding dawned in an instant.
"I got it," he said.
Me·Gaera·Re jumped at Ace, its frog-like body ready to strike. Ace quickly dropped to his back and kicked upward with all his might. The powerful kick sent the Frog Grongi flying through the air, and it crashed into the riverbank with a loud thud.
Ace got back on his feet and raised his arms. "Chou Henshin!"
His armor changed color, becoming a beautiful shade of blue with golden highlights. The shoulder pieces turned black, completing the transformation. Ace spotted a stick nearby and picked it up. The moment he touched it, the stick transformed into a magnificent blue staff—the Dragon Rod. This was Kuuga's Dragon Form, which traded raw power for incredible speed and agility. While his punches weren't as strong as in Mighty Form, the Dragon Rod gave him an advantage in mid-range combat. In this form, Ace could easily leap over tall buildings, higher than he could in any other form.
The Frog Grongi tried to twist its body mid-jump, but Ace moved faster than ever before. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, impossible to predict. The Dragon Rod extended with a bright gleam, and Ace struck the Grongi's side before it could retreat.
There was a loud crack when the rod hit its target. Me·Gaera·Re let out a terrible screech as its body spun from the hit. Ace didn't stop there—he became a blur of blue and gold, striking again and again. Each hit pushed the monster further away from the water, taking away its advantage.
The Grongi tried to grab the rod with its webbed hands, but Ace was too quick. He spun around gracefully, using the rod like it was part of his body. He blocked attacks, struck back, and kept pushing. The creature tried desperately to dodge, but it couldn't keep up.
Ace swept the Dragon Rod low, catching Me·Gaera·Re's legs. The monster fell, splashing water everywhere. Without waiting, Ace jumped high into the air, holding the rod above his head, and brought it down with perfect accuracy.
When Me·Gaera·Re tried to escape back to the river, Ace was there to stop it. The Dragon Rod blocked its path, and another powerful strike lifted the creature off its feet.
Ace wielded the rod with controlled power, each hit pushing Me·Gaera·Re further from the water. With one final, powerful strike, Ace sent the Grongi flying toward the shore, its massive body spinning helplessly through the air.
Me·Gaera·Re leaped away from the battle, its frog-like body pushing through the air with desperate energy. Ace followed closely behind in his Dragon Form, his movements swift and precise as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop.
The Dragon Rod extended in Ace's grip as he pursued the fleeing Grongi. Me·Gaera·Re twisted around mid-jump and sprayed toxic mucus that splashed against the surrounding buildings. Ace skillfully avoided the attack, his blue armor shining under the sun.
They landed heavily on a rooftop, breaking tiles beneath them. Me·Gaera·Re swung its webbed hands wildly at Ace, but he blocked each attack with the Dragon Rod, deflecting the creature's strikes with careful precision.
"Kuuga cannot defeat me!" Me·Gaera·Re croaked out.
Ace remained quiet, letting his actions speak for him instead.
Moving the Dragon Rod with incredible speed, Ace pushed Me·Gaera·Re back. The Grongi's attacks became wilder and less controlled as Ace's Dragon Form maintained its calculated assault, transforming the rooftop into their arena.
Me·Gaera·Re tried to fight back, but Ace proved too quick. Each of his strikes flowed smoothly into the next, leaving the Grongi with no chance to recover.
A strange warmth spread through Ace's right hand, pulsing with an ancient power. His fingers tightened around the Dragon Rod as he prepared to end the fight.
Ace jumped high and struck with the Dragon Rod. The weapon hit Me·Gaera·Re directly in the chest, blue energy making the impact even stronger. The Frog Grongi flew backward, sliding across the broken tiles.
As Me·Gaera·Re struggled to stand, Kuuga's symbol appeared on its chest. Cracks spread across the Grongi's belt buckle - the Gedoruto - like a spider's web.
In a final burst of energy, Me·Gaera·Re exploded. Smoke and debris filled the air around the rooftop. A thin trail of smoke drifted past Ace's right hand as his Dragon Form powered down.
The fight was finished. Ace had won, and a feeling of accomplishment washed over him as he stood quietly on the damaged rooftop.
***
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