Red couldn't believe what she was seeing.
After finishing up her business with her father, she had teleported to Mirinoi to meet up with Black. The other three Rangers were safe at the Command Center, but Black? He had gone off on some personal mission with minimal explanation.
She had expected a formal reception, dignitaries from Mirinoi's royal court, or at the very least, a welcoming committee. After all, Mirinoi's alliance with Earth was built on mutual respect and cooperation. Instead, when she arrived, everything was in chaos. The comms were buzzing, palace attendants scurried with worried expressions, and hushed conversations filled the air.
Then she learned why.
Black had challenged King Dax to a duel.
"What the hell is wrong with him?!" Red fumed, her fists clenched. Dax wasn't just anyone; he was one of the most prominent figures in the alliance, second only to Trey of Triforia. Their alliance with Mirinoi was crucial, and Black had gone and picked a fight with their king, an incident that could easily turn into an intergalactic diplomatic disaster.
What if Black hit Dax too hard? Or damaged one of their sacred ceremonial artifacts? Anything could happen! Mirinoi's military might was powerful, and while they weren't the most dangerous force in the galaxy, they were an ally Earth couldn't afford to lose.
Her thoughts raced as she hurried toward the Coliseum where the duel was taking place. She was torn between rushing to stop it and—truth be told—morbid curiosity. What was Black even thinking?
When she arrived at the Coliseum, she was stunned into silence.
Millions of spectators filled the arena, insectoid-like Mirinoians perched on every available surface. The massive, ancient structure seemed alive with energy, buzzing with the excitement of the crowd. The air was thick with the hum of anticipation, a vibration that thrummed through the seats and pulsed in her veins.
And there, in the center of it all, was Black, standing opposite King Dax—the legendary Masked Rider.
For a moment, Red couldn't breathe.
She was used to seeing Black charge headfirst into danger, but this? This was a duel against a living legend, someone who had always fought alone, someone whose name was whispered with reverence in every corner of the galaxy.
Her frustration melted away as she watched. Black was going toe-to-toe with the King of Mirinoi, and she couldn't look away. Her fingers curled tightly around the railing as she leaned forward, eyes locked on the fight.
And then her sports instincts kicked in.
Before she knew it, she was caught up in the energy of the crowd, shouting and cheering like a crazed fan. The electricity of the battle was infectious, and suddenly, it wasn't just about Black possibly causing a diplomatic incident. It was about the thrill of the fight, the clash of titans.
"Come on, Black! Crush him!" she hollered, leaning further over the railing.
When Dax launched a series of fireballs, Red's eyes widened. "Holy crap! Did you see that shot?!" she shouted, now cheering for the King as well.
She wasn't used to this kind of spectacle. Sure, she'd seen battles—she'd fought in plenty—but there was something about this arena, the magnitude of the crowd, and the sheer skill on display that made her feel like she was watching the ultimate sporting event.
Her body was buzzing with adrenaline, the roar of the millions of Mirinoian spectators surging through her like a current. She wanted to jump up and down, scream herself hoarse, but she kept it together—barely.
"Black, don't let him get you with that next round!" she screamed, gripping the railing so hard her knuckles turned white. "Block him, dammit! Don't just stand there!"
But every time Dax landed a hit, she couldn't help but cheer for him, too.
"Nice shot, Dax!" she called out, throwing her hands in the air as if she were cheering for a home team in the finals.
She was completely swept up in the fight. The tension, the stakes—everything else faded away. The crowd's excitement was a tidal wave, and Red was riding the crest of it. It didn't even matter who won anymore; she just wanted to see the next exchange of blows, the next incredible move.
She was like a fan at a high-stakes championship, one moment shouting encouragement at Black, the next cheering for Dax's precision strikes.
"Get him, Black!" she screamed, then just as quickly, "Don't let him up, Dax! Finish it!"
Her heart pounded, her voice hoarse from yelling. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this alive. The duel was everything she loved about sports—two titans giving everything they had, pushing themselves beyond their limits.
The final moments of the duel unfolded in a blur of explosive power and raw strength. Noisemaker came down in a devastating arc, crashing into Dax's Super Gold armor, sending shockwaves through the arena. Dax's suit shattered, and his body was flung across the arena floor.
For a heartbeat, Red thought it was over.
Then, Black's suit flickered and vanished, leaving him standing, unsteady but defiant, in his civilian clothes. The arena went silent as both warriors stood in their civilian forms, the energy between them palpable.
The tension in the air hung heavy, and Red found herself on the edge of her seat, heart hammering in her chest.
When Dax slowly got to his feet, brushing himself off, Red let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
The crowd roared in relief as Dax walked over to Black, extending a hand in a gesture of respect. Red watched, her excitement still pulsing through her veins. Black had done it. He hadn't just survived the duel—he had fought to a tie with a living legend.
She laughed, almost in disbelief. "That's my guy!" she shouted, her voice ragged but triumphant.
When Dax raised Black's hand, acknowledging the tie, the crowd went wild once more. Red cheered louder than ever, her voice blending with the millions of Mirinoian spectators as she pumped her fists in the air.
But as the fight ended and the adrenaline started to fade, Red's mind returned to reality.
As much as she had enjoyed the spectacle, she couldn't ignore the diplomatic mess this could have been. Black might've just dodged a bullet—or, more accurately, an intergalactic incident.
Still, she grinned to herself, shaking her head. "Hell of a fight."