The ruins of Shinma City whispered with unease. Even after the last Feraloids had been destroyed, their shadows seemed to linger, a foul stench of science clashing with sorcery.
Ryukendo stood atop a broken tower, his blade resting at his side. His blue armor gleamed faintly in the moonlight as he watched the distant horizon. Beside him, Nyara crouched on the ledge, her helmet tilted toward the wind, her catlike instincts sharp.
"They're not gone," she muttered. "I can smell them. They're adapting."
Eternal's cold voice rumbled from below. "Adapting… or preparing something worse."
Ryuguno clenched his fist, his lion crest glowing faintly. "Then we strike first. Destroy every trace of them before they grow."
But Ryujino shook his head, his serpent-green armor shimmering. "No. The energy I sense isn't just Feraloid—it's been fused with… our world's magic. If they succeed, they'll create something neither Rider nor Magic Bullet Warrior has faced before."
Ahim frowned, her elegant voice firm despite her worry. "Then that is all the more reason we must stand together. Alone, we'll be overrun."
The words hung heavy in the air. At last, Ryukendo turned, his gaze meeting Nyara's.
"Fine. We fight together. But understand this—if any of you turn against us, my blade will not hesitate."
Nyara's golden eyes glowed beneath her helmet. "You'll find we're better allies than enemies."
---
The Hybrid Emerges
The earth trembled before their alliance was tested. A massive fissure split the ground, spewing fire and corrupted energy into the sky. Out of it rose a towering abomination—half mechanical, half draconic beast, its body sewn together with steel plates and glowing magical glyphs.
Its roar shook the city. The Hybrid Feraloid had awakened.
"Target locked," Ryukendo growled, raising Gekiryuken. "All units—attack!"
He charged first, sword glowing with blue flames, slashing across the monster's leg. Sparks flew, but the creature's magical barrier rippled, throwing him back.
Ryuguno unleashed a barrage from his cannon, golden blasts tearing into its chest. The monster staggered, but instead of falling, its wounds healed instantly, magic knitting metal and flesh back together.
"Damn it—it regenerates!" Ryuguno spat.
Nyara darted forward, claws glowing silver. She leapt high, slashing at its armored neck, her movements faster than lightning. The creature screeched, its barrier cracking under her feral precision.
But before she could finish, the monster's tail whipped around, sending her crashing into the ground.
"Nyara!" Ahim shouted, rushing to cover her, saber slicing through smaller Feraloid drones that poured out of the fissure.
Eternal's blue flames erupted, his twin blades carving through the swarm. He called out sharply, "Focus on its core! The barrier is tied to the glyphs!"
---
Strategy in Motion
The group regrouped, panting, the monster looming before them.
Ryujino's eyes narrowed behind his visor. "He's right. The glyphs woven into its armor are feeding the regeneration. If we destroy them—"
"Then the beast falls," Ryukendo finished, gripping his sword tighter. He glanced at Eternal. "Your flames—strong enough to sear through magic?"
Eternal smirked faintly. "Stronger than you think."
Nyara rose, wiping rubble from her armor. Her voice carried a feral determination. "Then I'll break the armor open. You two burn the glyphs. Ryuguno, Ahim—cover us."
Ryukendo hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. "Agreed."
For the first time, they moved as one.
---
The Battle United
Nyara charged first, her claws glowing brighter than ever. With a mighty leap, she slashed across the monster's chest, tearing open steel plates to expose glowing glyphs beneath. Sparks and blood sprayed, the beast howling in pain.
"Now!" she cried.
Eternal surged forward, blue fire flooding his blades. He crossed them in an X, unleashing a devastating slash that seared through the glyphs, breaking the barrier.
Ryukendo leapt in next, his Gekiryuken blazing with sacred energy. "Geki RyuKen Slash!" he roared, driving his blade deep into the monster's chest.
The glyphs shattered, arcs of magic and science colliding violently inside the beast.
Ryuguno's cannon and Ryujino's chains followed, blasting the wound wide open. Ahim finished with a graceful leap, her saber plunging into the exposed core.
The Hybrid Feraloid let out a final, ear-splitting roar before its body collapsed into flames, torn apart by the combined might of Riders and Magic Bullet Warriors.
---
Aftermath
The battlefield fell silent. Smoke curled into the night sky, and the faint hum of magic faded.
Nyara stood tall, her claws still glowing faintly, her tail swaying with pride. "That's what happens when you stop fighting each other."
Ryukendo sheathed his blade slowly, his voice softer than before. "You fought with honor. Perhaps… we judged you too harshly."
Eternal smirked beneath his helmet, crossing his arms. "Took you long enough."
Ahim smiled gently, bowing her head. "Let this be the start of true trust."
Ryuguno grunted in agreement, while Ryujino chuckled lightly. "Maybe cats and serpents can fight side by side after all."
But Ryukendo's gaze hardened again as he turned toward the fissure, still glowing faintly in the distance.
"This war isn't over. If your enemies can create hybrids like that… then more worlds are in danger than just mine."
Nyara clenched her claws. "Then we keep fighting—together."
And though none of them would admit it aloud, in that moment, a powerful alliance was born.