Nicolas stepped outside his pet store mumbling to himself about how hot it was today. Of all the days to have to do a full clean on the reptile cages, he had to pick the day with triple digit temperatures! As he busied himself taking out several bags of dirty bedding and towels, he caught something out of the corner of his eye. Paling a little, he realized what he saw was not human. He had no idea what it was but tossed the trash as quickly as possible and then double-timed it back to his store... But before he could get there, something popped and whizzed passed his shoulder. He spun around to see a Rifter staring him down from about 100 feet away. He jumped into his shop and slammed the door, panicking a moment before he realized he should transform and take care of the Rifter before anyone got hurt. Transforming, he steeled himself for a battle he didn't want to have on this boiling hot day... Stepping back outside the shop, Hydrus looked around to see some people in the distance walking on the crosswalk... but no Rifter. Kind of relieved, he turned to go back to his shop when he felt himself crumple to the ground, arms catching a leg and foot in his abdomen. Looking up, he saw her, Lilium the Rifter, curling her lips into a devious smile. He pushed back against her leg and did his best to stand up, but the kick to his stomach caused him to take a knee. Flying back in with guns blazing, Lilium took aim but just before she could shoot, Hydrus had her by the arm and landed a punch to her face, knocking her back for a moment. Then Hydrus, seizing the opportunity, stared at Lilium with his Petrifying Gaze and temporarily petrified her. With her stopped for the moment, he gritted his teeth and stood up, the pain from his stomach screaming at him... He coughed and then screamed out, "Hydro Serpent Slap!" A water snake arose from behind him and just as the petrification wore off, Lilium was tumbled backwards from the force of Hydrus' attack. When the water cleared, Lilium was gone... Hydrus spent an hour in the heat with his stomach screaming at him searching for the Rifter that attacked him, but it seemed like she had other plans and got away. ------ Hydrus / Nicolas by me: https://toyhou.se/17460106.knight-hydrus Lilium the Rifter belongs to [Calisketches](https://www.deviantart.com/calisketches/art/Rifter-Lilium-867040094)