The pre-dawn air lay heavy over the Star Dou Forest, a pallid mist winding through ancient roots and damp ferns. Lantern-fire bugs flickered like errant stars in the gloom, and the faint echo of last night's embers still whispered in the underbrush. The Shrek Seven Devils, bruised yet unbroken, gathered in a loose semicircle beside their mentor, Zhao Wuji, whose calm presence was a beacon of strength.
Oscar rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the feeling of purple ring still throbbing faintly at his chest. Tang San quietly gathered the Blue Silver Grass at his feet, vines alive with latent energy. Dai Mubai flexed his fist, watching the tree line for any sign of new dangers. Ma Hongjun, embers flickering on his palms, stood ready to ignite at a moment's notice. Ning Rongrong adjusted herself ready to summon the Seven Treasure Pagoda at any times while keeping a low vigil over her teammates. Zhu Zhuqing deep blue eyes glinted in the half-light as she flanked Li Wei, who stood alert with the Diendriver strapped at his side. And Xiao Wu—barely clearing the gap—waited close to Tang San, ears twitching at every crackle of leaf.
Suddenly, the earth itself trembled.
A roar like a collapsing mountain rent the morning air. The ground shook underfoot, sending birds tumbling from the canopy. Heartbeats froze as a colossal shape emerged through the fog: coal-black fur rippled across seven-meter shoulders, and eyes like smoldering obsidian fixed upon the group.
"Er Ming!" Xiao Wu whispered, voice half in awe, half in fear. Not enough for others to hear what she spoke.
But this shattering rage was no joyful reunion. Er Ming, the Titan Giant Ape, charged forward in a thunderous surge. Each step cracked the ground beneath him, fissures spider-webbing outward. The Shrek Seven recoiled in shock as he barreled into the clearing.
Zhao Wuji stepped forward, calm as still waters before a storm. He bowed his massive form slightly, voice carrying like gravel. "Respect to the Lord of the jungle. Titan Giant Ape, if this is your territory we apologize for intruding, we will retreat right now." His words were deep and steady, a diplomat's offering in the face of raw power.
Er Ming glance toward Xiao Wu a little while this banter happen.
In response to Zhao Wuji, the ape's roar swelled into an ear-splitting crescendo. Leaves tore from branches, and the mist parted like a living thing fleeing a sandstorm. No words answered Zhao Wuji—only that single, earthshaking note, a challenge incarnate.
Seeing this Zhao Wuji bark an order, "Li Wei take everyone and retreat from this place." While activating his own martial soul avatar of Vigorous Vajra Bear to hold out the Titan Giant Ape.
In response to this Dai Mubai activate his third soul ring abilities White Tiger Vajra Transformation. While Ning Rongrong activating her own Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda using the first abilities of strength on Dai Mubai and second abilities of Speed on Zhao Wuji.
Taking this times Zhao Wuji then goes forward and punch his fist toward the Titan Giant Ape but was repelled backward.
Seeing this Dai Mubai also shoots his attack. But not even a scratch was left.
Tang San's vines writhed across the clearing, blue-green whipcords eager to bind. "Stay back!" he shouted, firing them at the Titan Ape's ankles.
But Er Ming's step crushed them like reeds, snapping the vines with ease.
Ma Hongjun then shoot his phoenix fire wire toward the Titan Giant Ape but it still the same as it broke through the attack without harm.
Zhu Zhuqing slashed vicious arcs into the air—but each blow glanced harmlessly off the ape's thick fur. Then the Titan Giant Ape release a roar so high that it send shockwave though the area.
Amid the chaos, Li Wei watched Er Ming's massive frame intently. He's not our enemy, Li Wei thought, chest tightening. But I cannot reveal that. Instead, he drew a breath, card in hand.
[KamenRide: G3!]
He slide the card face- down into the Diendriver's side slot.
A burst of emerald circuitry pulsed from the driver, and Kamen Rider G3 materialized in a flash of steel and heavy armor. The armored Rider lunged beneath the ape's swinging fist and raised a riot shield just in time to absorb a shockwave that shattered stones in his path. With shield planted, G3 formed a protective barrier around Ning Rongrong, who knelt close behind.
"Thank you…" she whispered, eyes wide as the blast died before it reached her.
Yet another tremor rolled through the clearing as Zhao Wuji met Er Ming's fist in a clash—a titanic collision of spirit power. The forest itself bent under the force. Birds scattered, and the wind screamed in their ears. The shockwave snapped at the edges of the retreating team, threatening to knock them off their feet.
Li Wei looked to Zhu Zhuqing, who prepared to leap away, but the blast was too near. He gritted his teeth, snatched another card, and activate it.
[KamenRide: Kabuto!]
The red armor of Kamen Rider Kabuto spun into existence, razor speed cutting through the roiling air. Kabuto's lens-helmet glowed as he clocked up, then flashed in a streak of red that scooped Zhu Zhuqing into his arms. With a cry of momentum, he rocketed her away from the blast's edge, depositing her away from the area.
Zhu Zhuqing landed lightly, eyes shimmering with gratitude. She bowed her head to Li Wei—words unspoken, but understood in the depth of her gaze.
Behind them, Xiao Wu's heart hammered. Seeing the fight happen hurt her heart as her family and friend fight each others. Taking the burden for herself, Xiao Wu leap away from the area toward the place devoid of people. But a second, deeper tremor heralded Er Ming's shift in focus. The titan ape's colossal head turned, coal-black eyes locking on Xiao Wu alone at the clearing's far edge.
Before any Shrek member could react, Er Ming lunged once more—this time swiftly, almost tenderly. His massive hand swept through the mist, scooping the girl from under her feet. Xiao Wu cried out, but the world slipped away in a blink.
In the clearing's center, the Shrek Seven and Zhao Wuji stood slack-jawed. The Titan Giant Ape, cradling his daughter, turned once more and bounded into the forest, vanishing into the swirling fog.
Silence reigned.
"XIAO WU!!" Tang San shouted, vines exploding from every direction toward where Xiao Wu was taken—but they grasped only air.
Ma Hongjun's embers faded to dull coals. Dai Mubai sank to one knee, knuckles pressed into the earth. G3 and Kabuto stood tall before their form shimmer and disappear into data.
Zhao Wuji released his martial spirit, steps slow as he surveyed the empty clearing. His golden rings dimmed, leaving only the faintest glimmer of unmatched power.
Tang San shook himself as though awakening from a dream. "Xiao Wu…" he whispered.
Li Wei stand at the back still in his own transformation of Diend.
Dai Mubai slammed a fist into his palm. "We let her go too easily."
The clearing felt hollow, the bonds of their team stretched thin by a secret none but Li Wei understood. Xiao Wu had vanished once more—this time carried away by a parent's protective grasp, leaving the Shrek Seven Devils to stand in uneasy silence.