Chapter 5: The Mechanical Menace

The giant robot loomed over them, its metallic frame glinting in the sunlight. Riku felt a chill run down his spine as he took in its imposing size and the menacing glow of its eyes. "What do we do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Goku's expression hardened. "We fight. But we need to be smart about it. That thing looks heavily armored."

Riku nodded, adrenaline coursing through him. He could feel the energy of the Gene Steal System bubbling beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed. "I'll try to absorb its movements," he said, determination in his voice.

"Good idea," Goku replied, his eyes locked on the robot. "Just be careful. We don't know what it's capable of."

The robot's eyes flickered, and it raised one massive arm, preparing to strike. "You will be crushed!" it boomed, swinging its arm down toward them.

"Move!" Goku shouted, and they both dove to the side just in time. The ground shook as the robot's fist slammed into the earth, sending debris flying.

Riku scrambled to his feet, his heart racing. He focused on the robot, trying to read its movements. As it retracted its arm, he noticed a pattern in its attacks. "Goku, it's slow! We can dodge its strikes and counterattack!" he called out.

"Let's do it!" Goku replied, his voice filled with excitement. He charged forward, darting around the robot's legs, looking for an opening. Riku followed closely, mimicking Goku's movements and absorbing the combat techniques he displayed.

The robot swung its other arm, but Goku ducked under it, launching a powerful kick at the robot's knee joint. The impact reverberated through the air, and the robot stumbled slightly. "Nice shot!" Riku shouted, feeling emboldened.

"Now it's my turn!" Riku said, channeling the energy he had absorbed. He focused on the robot's movements, waiting for the right moment. As the robot prepared to swing again, Riku leaped into the air, aiming for its head. "Here goes nothing!" he yelled, unleashing a burst of energy from his fist.

The energy collided with the robot's head, causing it to stagger back. "You little pest!" it roared, its voice filled with rage. It swung wildly, trying to swat Riku away.

"Watch out!" Goku yelled, rushing to Riku's side. He grabbed Riku and pulled him out of the way just in time. "We need to work together to take it down!"

Riku nodded, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Let's combine our attacks again!"

Goku grinned, his eyes sparkling with determination. "Right! We'll hit it with everything we've got!"

They positioned themselves, Goku on one side and Riku on the other. "Kamehameha!" they shouted in unison, charging their energy. The beams of light surged toward the robot, illuminating the clearing.

The robot raised its arms to block, but it was too late. The combined force of their Kamehameha waves struck the robot head-on, causing it to stagger back, sparks flying from its joints.

"Keep going!" Riku urged, pouring more energy into his attack. The robot's defenses were crumbling, and he could feel the tide of battle shifting in their favor.

With a final surge of power, they unleashed their Kamehameha waves once more. The energy collided with the robot, creating a massive explosion that lit up the sky. Riku shielded his eyes from the blinding light, and when he looked back, the robot was on the ground, smoking and defeated.

"We did it!" Riku shouted, exhilarated. He turned to Goku, who was grinning from ear to ear. "We really took it down!"

"Great job, Riku!" Goku cheered, giving him a high-five. "You've come a long way!"

But their celebration was short-lived. From the smoke and debris, a figure emerged—a tall, imposing man with a sinister grin. "You think you've won?" he sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "You've only just begun to understand the power of the Red Ribbon Army!"

Riku's heart sank as he recognized the man from earlier. "Who are you?" he demanded, trying to sound braver than he felt.

"I am Commander Red," the man declared, his voice dripping with arrogance. "And I will not let you interfere with our plans any longer!"

Goku stepped forward, his expression serious. "We won't let you get away with this, Red. We'll stop you!"

"Foolish boy," Commander Red laughed, raising his hand. "You have no idea what you're up against.