High Jumper stood before the massive, menacing figure of Regilus.
Akitsu and Tsukiumi were already tensing their muscles and were about to rush in. "No," High Jumper commanded. "I've got this one," he added.
Tsukiumi blinked. She thought this one was different. Akitsu thought he looked cute.
"A bunny!" Shizuka cooed from behind. "He looked so soft and cuddly," she added.
"He is," Saya confirmed immediately and then froze.
"And how exactly would you know that?" Yuriko teased. A playful glint was in her eyes.
Saya cleared her throat loudly. "We need to stay focused on the enemy," she said as tried to change the topic.
"James, we can help you," Tsukiumi said firmly.
"I know you can, but we need to press ahead," High Jumper replied. He knew the world of the Sekirei was brutal, but it was a controlled chaos. This world was different. He wouldn't take any chances with their safety here.
"Regilus is strong, a total battle junkie," Carlotta warned as her hand was tight on her sword.
"I know," High Jumper replied. He slammed his palm onto the Ultimatrix symbol on his chest. A massive surge of emerald light exploded outward. Inside the glow, his soft, rabbit-like features warped and hardened. His playful silhouette expanded into a jagged, armored creature. His chest thickened into a solid plate of muscle and bone, and his legs became stronger. His long ears fused and hardened into two wickedly curved horns. As the light faded, a monstrous figure stood in the center of the crater.
The green Omnitrix symbol was centered on its chest. He had a muscular, humanoid physique covered in jagged, icy-white fur and crystalline armor plating across its shoulders, limbs, and torso. He had green glowing eyes and sharp claws. Its head had a pair of massive, upward-curving green horns. "Ultimate High Jumper," he announced.
"He... he transformed again," Nell whispered.
"He feels completely different," Carlotta added as she felt power coming off him.
"He's definitely not a cute bunny anymore," Shizuka pouted, though she looked impressed.
"James, I am still staying by your side," Tsukiumi declared.
"Thank you, but I need you to support the others. Go get the Prince," Ultimate High Jumper said as his gaze never left Regilus.
"It's foolish to fight a monster like that alone," Saya added as she took a defiant step forward alongside Akitsu.
Regilus let out a dark, guttural laugh. "What is this? More toys for me to kill?" he laughed. He didn't wait for an answer and leapt forward with terrifying speed.
Ultimate High Jumper met him head-on. As his feet left the ground, a massive shockwave shattered the cobblestones beneath him. He swung a heavy fist and clashed directly against Regilus's blade.
The collision created a thunderous boom. Akitsu and Tsukiumi dug their heels in and held their ground against the wind pressure, while Saya, Yuriko, and Shizuka were forced back by the sheer force of the impact.
"You're strong!" Regilus shouted as he flipped backward to gain distance. "Hahaha! Finally, a real challenge," he said.
Ultimate High Jumper realised they weren't going to leave his side easily. He knew time was of the essence, and the girls could be incredibly stubborn when it came to his safety. "Carlotta, Nell, Saya, Yuriko, Shizuka, Tsukiumi, go ahead," Ultimate High Jumper commanded. "Akitsu will stay here with me," he added.
"Understood," Yuriko responded as she looked at Tsukiumi. "We're going to need your power with us if we're going to breach the castle," she added.
"Tsukiumi. I'm trusting you to keep everyone safe," Ultimate High Jumper added.
Tsukiumi hesitated for a second before nodding. She turned to Akitsu. "Fine. He is in your hands, Akitsu. Do not fail him," she remarked.
Akitsu gave a singular nod. "I will let nothing happen to our Ashikabi," she stated.
"We need to move now!" Carlotta shouted as she was already sprinting toward the palace doors. She glanced back at James one last time. "I have a lot more questions for you once this is over," she said.
With a final wave of determination, Nell, Saya, Shizuka, Yuriko, and Tsukiumi stormed into the castle.
"So, it's just the two of you now," Regilus sneered. He moved with a sudden, violent burst of speed. He swung his blade. Ultimate High Jumper didn't flinch. He raised his crystalline claws, and caught the edge of the sword in a shower of sparks.
Regilus roared and released one hand from his hilt. He punched Ultimate High Jumper's armored gut. The force sent him skidding backward across the cracked cobblestones.
"Flying Icicle: Expand," Akitsu said as she created a jagged shard of ice and hurled it at Regilus. Mid-air, the shard shattered and split into five smaller, razor-sharp missiles. Regilus snarled and spun his blade in a frantic circle to shatter the ice.
"Meteor Slam," Ultimate High Jumper said as he launched himself high into the air. He flipped upside down at the apex of his jump. Ultimate High Jumper plummeted toward Regilus.
Regilus barely managed to raise his sword to block the attack. The impact created a deafening shockwave that sent a ring of dust and wind screaming in all directions.
"Flying Icicle," Akitsu said as she launched a single, piercing shard. It struck Regilus squarely in the chest. He spat a mouthful of dark blood.
Seeing the opening, Ultimate High Jumper surged forward. His armored feet cracked the cobblestones with every stride. He buried a heavy, crystalline fist into Regilus's midsection. The force of the blow buckled. Before Regilus could recover, Ultimate High Jumper pivoted and snapped a kick into the side of the man's face. The impact sent a spray of teeth and blood into the air. Ultimate High Jumper then coiled his powerful legs and launched into a double-front kick and drove both feet into Regilus's chest. The impact sounded like a cannon blast.
Regilus was sent skidding backward. He came to a halt and hunched over. He was panting heavily. There was blood dripping from his shattered lip. He looked up with a manic look.
"You both are not that bad," Regilus wheezed. "But play-time is over. I will rip your hearts out," he added.
Suddenly, Regilus jumped forward. He raised his blade towards Akitsu.
"Ricochet Bullet," Ultimate High Jumper roared. He launched himself to intercept him. However Regilus at the absolute last second, side-stepped. He swung his greatsword in an upward arc and cut into Ultimate High Jumper`s side.
"James!" Akitsu cried out. She thrust her hands forward and sent a barrage of ice spears at Regilus.
Regilus swiped them away with his sword.
"Seismic Thruster," Ultimate High Jumper as he lowered his head. His dual horns were crackling energy. He pushed off the ground at that moment and hit Regilus like a freight train before the knight could swing his blade.
The curved, jagged horns slammed into Regilus's torso. They buried themselves deep into his chest. The force of the thruster carried them both backward and slammed Regilus into the palace's wall.
Regilus spat a fountain of blood. His lungs were punctured and his body was now pinned to the stone by his massive horns.
"Now," Ultimate High Jumper shouted.
Akitsu didn't hesitate. She gathered the moisture from the very air. "Absolute Ice," she said as she created a dense, swirling orb of sub-zero energy and hurled it with all her might. The sphere went through the air and hit him. It exploded upon impact. The frost spread instantly and encased Regilus's sword arm in ice. With a sickening snap, his frozen limb shattered into a thousand crimson shards.
His sword clattered to the ground.
Ultimate High Jumper pulled his horns out of his chest. As Regilus slumped forward, Ultimate High Jumper swiped his crystalline claws across the man's throat.
Regilus stood frozen for a second. His hands reached for a neck that was no longer intact. A heavy spray of blood coated the door and he collapsed. His body hit the dirt with a heavy, final thud.
At that moment, the Ultimatrix symbol on Ultimate High Jumper`s chest began to flash red. A high-pitched whine filled the air, and a pulse of red light erupted from the device. His massive form shifted, his horns receded and his crystalline hide turned back into soft skin.
James emerged from the light. He looked down and saw he was fine. He thought that was a close one. He thought even an Ultimate Alien struggled against him. He thought maybe Vampire and Black Dragon would have easily beaten him. He would need to be careful in choosing the alien.
Akitsu was at his side in a heartbeat.
"I have you, Ashikabi," she whispered.
James leaned into her. "He was a tough one," he said as her breasts pressed into his body.
He looked at her. Akitsu remained pressed against him. "But you are stronger," she responded as she looked up at him with her eyes.
James felt a surge of warmth. He reached out and cupped her cheek. His thumb grazed her lower lip. "I love you," he said.
Akitsu didn't respond with words. She tilted her head up. James leaned down and closed the distance until their lips finally met.
It was a soft and tender kiss. Akitsu let out a small, muffled whimper against his mouth. Her arms swung tightly around his neck as she pulled him closer.
James held her firmly by the waist. His fingers dug into the fabric of her outfit.
Akitsu felt happiness and the sense that she belonged to him. She locked her lips with his. She could feel peace and calm as they continued to kiss. Their lips were locked together. Akitsu shifted her body and pressed her breasts against his. At that moment, transparent wings appeared once again. The air glowed white for a second until it returned back.
They finally pulled apart. Akitsu's face was flushed a beautiful, soft pink, and her eyes were misty with a newfound light. She rested her forehead against his.
"Let's go finish this," James whispered. "Our girls are waiting for us," he added.
Akitsu nodded. "Yes, James. Let us end this together," she responded.