Getting back to his feet, watching R.D. display his power impressively as he attacked Diablo, Matt summoned his own power. "All right, time to get this bastard for good!" Crossing his arms, he threw them to his sides with a strong motion. "Dragon Drive!" As the dragon-shaped aura of energy flared around him, he bent down slightly before rocketing into battle, like a great blue streak of force across the earth.

"Damn it, hold up!" Hugo shouted, running up, but Matt had already zoomed away. The Mettaur sighed. "Great."

"Hugo!" Helena shouted from the distance, running over to the Mettaur, her wings folded neatly. "Come on, we have to help Matt!"

"Are you sure?" Hugo shouted back. He remembered Matt's warning at how strong Diablo was, but quickly shoved it to the back of his mind. "I mean, are you up for it?"

"Yeah!" She finally approached him, and without pausing to take a breath, bent over and scooped up the Mettaur. "Let's go."

"All right." Hugo's eyes narrowed as he looked toward the battle. This wouldn't be pretty, that's for sure.

R.D.'s kick caused him to pivot around, his back once again facing Diablo. The Prime Evil, snarling, stood and turned, lashing out with its claw from the side. The claw was blazing with fiery energy, enhancing it to send R.D. flying.

The claw swept in, only to be stopped with a thunderous crash by R.D.'s hand. Diablo's eyes widened in shock, then in pain as R.D.'s elbow slammed into his gut. Doubling over, the demon clutched his stomach, only for R.D. to hop into the air, spin around, and kick Diablo away from him, sending the massive demon through the air right at Matt.

Matt clenched his charged fist as his form accelerated toward the battle with the aid of Dragon Drive. With a mighty leap, he raised his fist upwards, culminating in a super-charged uppercut that tore through the air. "Shoooooooryuken!"

The Shoryuken struck Diablo soundly in the back, between the ridges of spikes on his, and energy flared at the contact. Diablo roared in pain as he was sent rocketing into the air.

R.D. settled his left leg back behind him, thrusting his right fist forward and aiming it at Diablo. A ring of light materialized around his wrist, and two sets of short hexagonal bars of energy protruded from his forearm in a five-sided formation, pointed backwards diagonally. A sphere of energy soon surrounded his fist, growing brighter as R.D. fed more energy into it. Like pistons, the energy bars suddenly slammed into his arm, and the energy charged into R.D.'s fist blasted out in a powerful beam of concentrated, superheated plasma energy.

The beam screamed through the air at the ascending demom, causing a powerful explosion upon impact. The demon sailed through the air and crashed hard into the ground. He roughly picked himself out of the dirt as the energy bars returned to the ready position in R.D.'s right forearm. Staring hatefully at the armored teen, Diablo rose into the air and roared in fury, a globe of energy appearing around him. Energy coalesced into the demon's shield, and began firing a rapid barrage of homing energy blasts at both Matt and R.D..

Edited by RisingDragon on May 8, 2007 at 20:14:40.

Still in the air, Matt's hands rapidly moved before him, deflecting the energy blasts back toward the barren landscape. He had already drawn a lot of energy, so he chambered his fists and prepared to attack. "Megaton-"

"Matt!" a voice shouted from below, and Matt paused, looking down toward the ground. His eyes widened as he saw Helena flying toward the battle, with Hugo in her arms. Dammit, he told them to stay out of the way!

R.D., instead of deflecting each attack, opted to evade. Igniting the thrusters on his boots, R.D. practically skated across the ground, making slight adjustments to avoid incoming blasts.

However, one of the blasts struck the ground in front of him, forcing him to brake and pivot to avoid it, cancelling his attack run. Diablo looked up to see Matt in a state of distraction, then down to spot Helena and Hugo. With a malevolent grin, Diablo's hand formed a large fireball and threw it through the air at Matt, then streaked forward across the ground right at Helena.

"Dammit!" R.D. growled, shooting forward after Diablo using his boots. After gaining ground, R.D. slammed his right fist into the ground, propelling himself up and forwards, quickly catching up to Diablo mid-flight. He aimed downward at the raging Prime Evil, and concentrated light and dark energy into his fist. The energy pistons started slamming down into his arm again, this time one after another in a rapid barrage, firing an Annihilator Beam with each piston impact.

Diablo spun around as the first volley of white-auraed black spheres struck him, and he began batting away what he could, distracting him for a counter.

"Get BACK!" Matt shouted at Helena and Hugo, keeping his eye on Diablo. "Trust me, this is NOT a fight you want to get involved in!"

This didn't seem to sit well with Helena. Eyes narrowed, she snapped right back. "Matt, I'm sick and tired of you trying to protect me all the time! I can take care of myself now!"

"This is kinda different!" Matt shouted. "This guy is seriously high-level shit here!"

"Then I can help you defeat him! Just TRUST me!"

In the midst of battle, his nervousness left him, and he sighed. "...all right," he said softly. "I guess I can't protect you after all." Raising his head, he shouted, "You'd better bring the big guns, then!"

Helena nodded. "I will!" She looked to the Mettaur in her arms. "You ready, Hugo?"

Hugo laughed. "Oh, yeah!"

Turning back toward Diablo, Matt clenched his fists. "All right...let's do it!"

Having had enough of the games, Diablo's spiked tail lashed out at the still-attacking R.D.. Caught by surprise, the tail struck him in the shield and swatted him away, causing him to land hard into one of the few, still-existing patches of grass.

Diablo turned back around, nearly on top of Hugo and Helena. The demon laced his claws together and reared them up, ready to strike the draconic girl down into the ground, before swinging them down with all of his unholy strength.

Helena pounced first-her natural speed followed through with the strength behind her solid tackle, aimed right at Diablo's chest. As she did this, Matt flew behind Diablo, dropping on him with his own heavy fist attack to the back of the demon's neck.

Diablo's talons dug into the ground as Helena's tackle forced him backwards, but he quickly halted himself and readied himself to counter. However, he bellowed in fury as Matt struck him, his neck snapping backwards, and he decided enough was enough. Evil energy burst from every pore in his crimson hide as he roared, firing a widening dome of evil energy around him in an attempt to strike both Matt and Helena, and force them back.

R.D. vaulted himself back up onto his feet, quickly locking back onto Diablo as he countered. Particles of light and dark energy flowed around his right arm, from his elbow to the quickly-condensing energy in his fist, the power manifesting in the form of silvery ripples of light as two polar-opposite energies were forced together. He lifted his arm up and took aim at the Lord of Terror, his green eyes narrowing.

"Damn it!" Matt shouted as the dome crashed into his aura, throwing him backwards. He'd have to use this to his advantage...but how was Helena faring?

Gritting her teeth, the half-dragon landed on the ground as she was pushed back, her claws digging into the earth. It was going to be hard to fight Diablo, but she had to try, even if she wasn't as powerful as Matt was! Raising her hand, she fired a beam of fiery energy at Diablo, hoping he wouldn't shrug it off.

The protective dome prevented the beam of fire from touching the demon, and he chuckled. "I'll show you how it's done, dragon," he sneered, raising a claw and channelling a vast amount of Gouka into it.

The ten pistons in R.D.'s arm slammed down into his gauntlet, and massive sphere of black energy rocketed forward from his fist, surrounded in a glowing white aura and leaving fading rings as the matter-antimatter sphere travelled. The Disrupter shot tore through the air and slammed into the dome of evil energy, causing light to flare as annihilation took place.

Diablo looked over in shock as the Disrupter shot, while fizzing out before it could strike him, caused his shield to disappear. Distracted, Helena's beam flew right into him, causing him to cry out in pain as he was slammed backwards.

"Oh, great." Gilgamesh uttered. "There they go." He said, shaking his head. "Now I hope this is going somewhere, otherwise I think most of us are gonna be dead by dusk."

"I could just leave if things get out of hand," Michael said, shrugging, "Or I could just vaporize the desert and everything in it. Simple matter for me."

Matt grinned, raising a flat hand-violent energy swirled about his arm like visible wind. Now that he had absorbed some of the evil energy, he could strike back with its neutral counterpart. "Suck on THIS!" he shouted, pointing his arm at Diablo's back. "Backlash Wave!" The tornado extended into a long column of swirling energy that swung toward the demon.

The Backlash Wave forced Diablo further back, actually lifting the gigantic demon into the air. He crossed his arms over himself to defend, and grunted as the energy slashed at his arms, creating numerous cuts.

The Backlash Wave suddenly exploded as R.D.'s arm cannon hammered out a condensed blast of fire energy into the demon. Diablo sailed out of the explosion and landed roughly on his talons, preventing himself from being knocked further around. The monster growled and looked up to see R.D. charging him, his right hand covered in the bluish-white flames of Godhand. His claws struck out at a rapid pace, but with blurred movements, he dodged each strike and made a slashing motion with his hand, leaving a vicious burn across the demon's gold-colored chest.

As Diablo gasped in pain, R.D. fell and readied himself. Anger blazing in his glowing eyes, Diablo's claw, now swathed in that demonic aura of evil magic, shot out like lightning at R.D.'s armored form. Much to his surprise, R.D. reacted quick enough and leapt over the offending claw, and with two lightning-quick movements, had drawn both of his Phase Blades.

The armored teen shot past Diablo like a cobalt blur. The air seemed to hum as his Phase Blades flashed out with his passing, and two deep gashes appeared in Diablo's shoulder. The demon bellowed in intense pain as he was forced back from the slash, and several yards away, R.D. landed on one foot, already turning to attack again. Once more he shot past, and two lacerations were left in the monster's side.

It seemed like white-hot pain was lancing through him from the slash wounds. Diablo roared in fury as R.D. landed on one knee, back facing the demon and blades gleaming wetly with black blood.

As R.D. landed, Matt began the follow through. Crossing his arms, he threw them out to his sides, chambering his fists in an attempt to gather energy again. "Megaton..."

"Let's distract Diablo and give Matt enough time to charge," Helena suggested, eyeing the demon.

"Leave it to me," Hugo answered. His pickaxe was out, gathering power. "Point me at Diablo and brace yourself."

"All right!" Raising the Mettaur, Helena spread her feet to prepare herself for the coming recoil.

"Lighting Shotgun!" Hugo's pickaxe whipped back as he released the electric bullet right at Diablo's chest.

Diablo backed away with his arm covering his forefront as the electrical attack struck him, causing his arm to be covered in tines of lightning. The giant demon glared at them as R.D. stood and turned. Readying himself to charge forward, he began a quick run with his blades held to his side.

Diablo suddenly roared and rocketed forward. Surprised, R.D. was slammed aside by the enraged Prime Evil, who shot forward right at Helena, Hugo, and Matt. His tail arched over his back and fired a beam of energy in a sweeping wave at the the front to, while his claws began glowing with even more energy. As he rocketed forward, the ground broke and magma gushed, while the temperature began to heat rapidly.

Matt dropped down in front of Helena and Hugo. Crossing his arms, he created a large, shimmering energy wall, big enough to block the laser from striking them as it swept across. After the beam passed, Matt uncrossed his arms, dismissing the barrier.

"...CANNON!" Throwing his palms foward, Matt fired the trademark beam of blue, powered energy at the charging demon, charged with the power he had quickly drawn toward him with the aid of the Dragon Drive. This blast was so intense that it pushed Matt backwards somewhat in midair as a sort of recoil.

Diablo landed with a thunderous crashed as he thrust both of his arms out at the beam. Immediately another torrent of red lightning erupted from his hands. The Red Lightning Hose crashed into the Megaton Cannon, causing light to flare as the two powerhouses clashed. The warbling hum of energy could be heard in the air as rays of power lanced out from the impact zone of the two attacks, cutting through the ground and clouds.

Diablo started to grin, and stepped forward, pushing the beam back. Then another step, and another. The Prime Evil started to laugh, and began increasing the power of the Red Lightning Hose.

A ways off behind the group, blue fire flared. An azure-colored fireball erupted from the ground and rose high into the air, and with a terrible roar akin to a dragon, the fireball exploded to reveal the furious form of R.D.. The armored teen thrust his hand into the air, an orb of pale violet light appearing before it and emanating rays of light. The energy grew and intensified, and R.D. made an angry cry.

"Hey Diablo! Forgetting someone!?" he roared, "Mega Flare!"

Diablo grunted and looked over his shoulder as R.D. through the attack. The orb became a massive blast wave that streaked through the air. Caught between the two attacks, the demon couldn't avoid. The Mega Flare slammed into him and massive explosions of violet and white energy erupted around him. The monster roared in pain as the Mega Flare struck him from all sides, only for the Megaton Cannon to break through his attack and slam into him. The explosion was defeaning, sending clouds of debris high into the air as R.D. landed opposite of Matt.

A furious roar ripped through the air as the cloud was scoured away, revealing a bloody, battered, and burned Diablo. His eyes were glowing with an unholy fervor, and with a menacing growl, a reddish-black aura of flame sprung up around him. It grew steadily larger as the growl became a snarl, and arcane symbols appeared in the air around the demon. They swirled around him creating a dome of demonic magic around him. Within the protective covering, Diablo curled his body in on itself.

"What the hell is he doin' now?" Hugo asked, as Matt floated down to his level.

Matt narrowed his eyes, studying the dome of magic. What was this thing for? Would it heal Diablo? Increase his powers? Maybe pull out some weird angelic second form with one angel wing just to be unique? "I dunno," he muttered, raising a hand, "but it's not gonna be here for long if I can help it!" Bending his arm and flattening his hand, he chopped the air before him in a wide, horizontal slash. Wind solidified in the resulting arc, firing a wave at the dome. "Wind Cutter!"

Only moments before the Wind Cutter would hit, Diablo struck. Throwing out all of his limbs, the Prime Evil released a terrifying roar, and a shockwave of power erupted from his body, spreading out in all directions. The Wind Cutter was obliterated, as were the Disrupter Shots that R.D. had tried firing at him. The shockwave struck the ground and caused it to tremble, and only seconds after he fired the shockwave, Diablo's magic dome fired hundreds of thick beams of dark magic, blasting them out in all directions.

The ground was torn asunder as each beam struck It seemed as if the destruction was covering every square foot of the battlefield, the ground exploding in an ever-widening, erratic ring from where Diablo hovered. R.D. was thrown away as the attack reached him, unable to properly defend.

In the air, Diablo continued to roar, dark gold tendrils of energy swarming the air around and flailing at the air.

"Shit!" Matt scrambled to avoid the beams of dark magic, nearly tripping as one grazed past him. He was near Helena as quick as possible, grabbing the girl by the arm and taking to the air with the enhanced power of the Dragon Drive.

"Oh, great, this is just what we needed!" Hugo swore, charging his pickaxe.

"We've got to get closer and attack him..." Helena looked up at Matt. "Matt! Get me as close as you can and then drop me toward Diablo!"

"I'd ask if you were crazy, but something in me says that you're totally serious." Matt frowned. "All right...I'll do it!"

Quite suddenly, Diablo blasted towards the ground, like a reddish-black fireball. The giant demon rushed R.D., the ruined ground splitting beneath the force of his flight, and swung his massive fist at him. A thunderclap hit, and the ground was blown away as R.D. met the fist with one of his own. Despite his own incredible new strength, R.D. found himself being forced back by the sheer magnitude of Diablo's might. Knowing he wouldn't win a war of physical prowess, R.D. pivoted and struck the arm away from him, only to be struck across the back by Diablo's tail.

The demon roared as his talon came up and punted R.D. into the air, surprising him as he was thrown upwards. Before he could even pass Diablo's eye level, the demon punched again. Despite being able to block with his shield, R.D. was sent flying away. Diablo took to the air, streaking like a fireball again, and chased after Helena and Matt, thrusting a claw upward and firing dozens of homing bolts of dark magic at the two.

"Damn!" Throwing out his free hand, Matt created a barrier of shimmering force that surrounded the entire group. It resonated with violent sparks as the magic bolts pounded the shield, and Matt could only hope that the Core didn't try to be cute and crap out on him at a vital time like this.

"AHHHHHHHHHH! COME ON!" With a battle cry, barrier still active, Matt charged toward Diablo, the magic bolts grazing against the shield. "I'm gonna throw you through the shield, okay?" he said to Helena.

She nodded curtly. "Okay! Let's do it!"

"Wait!" Hugo exclaimed. "What about me?!"

But Matt had already reared back, and with a mighty yell, threw Helena foward through the barrier, which shattered due to her sudden exit.

Diablo grinned as he observed Matt and Helena's actions. Gouka and molten lava gathered around his claws in the form of pulsating globes, and by flipping in midair, Diablo brought his claws together and swung both at once, launching a large sphere of lava and hellfire, like an unholy comet, straight at Helena as she dove.

R.D. grunted as he blasted away the rubble around him, ignoring the debris that fell away from his armor. Readying his energy arm cannon, he scanned the skies for the Lord of Terror, and upon spotting him, took aim and gathered energy into his fist.

Bringing her shoulder foward, drawing Hugo closer to her, she saw the dark meteor launch right at her. All right, Helena... Her eyes deepened to the familiar tawny yellow, her pupils narrowed into slits. You can do this!

It was easy to swallow her fear-the beast didn't allow that emotion. As it took over her body, shedding her humanity for the sake of power, all there could be was overwhelming anger, passion for the coming battle.

"Hey-hey, kid!" Hugo said, a bit uneasy as large claws shot out of the fingers that clenched him. "Be careful now, I'd like to keep my person intact!"

Hugo was rewarded by being flung over the resulting dragon's shoulder, back toward Matt with a loud profanity coming from the Mettaur as he sailed through the air. Helena's claws smashed into the meteor as they met, and, channeling her own power, she attempted to repel the attack, flapping her wings violently.

Matt just extended an arm to catch Hugo's pickaxe as the Mettaur nearly flew by him. "She really needs to watch where she's throwing you."

"NO ONE SHOULD BE THROWING ME AROUND, PERIOD!"

"Let me set you down so I can get serious on this guy," Matt said, flying toward the ground with Hugo in tow.

"I'll get just as serious," Hugo muttered. "I'm sick of this asshole."

The meteor was dispelled as Helena struck it, and Diablo paused in midair, the flaming aura still surrounding his frame. So, the dragon came out to play, he growled as Helena slammed into him, causing the demon to grapple with the dragon and to plummet towards the ground with her.

"Dammit," R.D. muttered as he lowered his arm. He couldn't get a good lock with Helena in the way. He ran to the side, following the two powerhouses' movements, and readied himself to strike.