A few days have passed since Ace's heart-to-heart with Yu on Dagobah Beach. She now knew about the Imagins, Dai-Shocker, and the whole crazy multiverse business. The Taros were still trying to figure out how to act around her, especially Urataros, who now had a strict "no flirting" policy imposed on him whenever Yu was around. It was an adjustment, to say the least.
Ace, however, was feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He had an ally, someone he could trust, someone who understood the stakes. It was a welcome change from the secrecy and isolation he had been dealing with.
Ace straddled the Trychaser 2000, the wind whipping through his hair. Musutafu sprawled before him, a vibrant mix of skyscrapers and traditional Japanese architecture. He patrolled the city, his senses on high alert. People rushed about their daily lives, Quirks flaring in small displays of everyday convenience. A woman levitated groceries, a man shot water from his fingertips to cool down a wilting plant, and a child zoomed by on roller skates propelled by some sort of wind-based ability.
But beneath the surface of this bustling metropolis, Ace knew, lurked danger. The Imagin were still out there, and Dai-Shocker was likely plotting their next move. He had to be ready.
"Anything, Kuma?" Momotaros asked in Ace's head.
"Nothing to report. My senses have not picked up on a word related to crying," Kintaros said.
"Are we sure there are no women out there?" Urataros asked. I haven't seen anything yet.
"I know some nice animals!" Ryutaros shouted. Can we go see them?
Ace ignored them, his focus fixed on the road ahead. The Taros squabbled within his mind, a constant reminder of the chaotic energy that now accompanied him everywhere. Yu was right: they were a handful.
Suddenly, a plume of smoke billowed into the sky a few blocks away. The sound of sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. People screamed and ran in the opposite direction.
"Trouble," Ace muttered, twisting the throttle. The Trychaser roared to life, its engine echoing through the streets as he sped towards the chaos.
He rounded a corner, the Trychaser's tires screeching against the asphalt. A scene of utter devastation unfolded before him. Buildings were cracked, the earth was split open, and shockwaves pulsed through the air, throwing cars and debris like toys.
At the epicenter stood a hulking figure, muscles bulging, a crazed grin on his face. Quakefang. His Quirk allowed him to manipulate seismic energy, turning the city into his personal earthquake machine.
"Time to go to work," Ace said, pulling over.
He reached for the Arcle. "Henshin!"
A surge of power coursed through him. The belt glowed, and red armor materialized around Ace, forming Kamen Rider Kuuga in his Mighty Form.
Quakefang laughed, a booming sound that shook the already unstable ground. "Another hero? You're too late! This city is going down!"
Kuuga braced himself as Quakefang slammed his fists into the ground. Massive fissures snaked across the street, swallowing cars and light posts. A shockwave ripped through the air, sending civilians sprawling.
The situation was dire. The streets teemed with panicked people, desperately trying to escape the destruction. Ace had to stop Quakefang, and he had to do it now. But he also had to protect the innocents caught in the crossfire. It was a delicate balancing act, one wrong move could cost lives.
Kuuga charged forward, dodging falling debris as he closed the distance between himself and the villain. Quakefang unleashed another shockwave. Kuuga felt the force buffet his armor. This guy was strong, stronger than he anticipated.
Kuuga knew he couldn't win this fight with brute force alone. He needed speed, agility, something to give him an edge.
"Chou Henshin!"
A jolt of blue energy enveloped Kuuga, his red armor transforming into the streamlined blue of Dragon Form. The change was immediate. His movements felt lighter, faster. The Dragon Rod materialized in his hand, its smooth surface cool to the touch.
Quakefang roared in frustration. He slammed his fists into the ground again, sending another series of fissures tearing through the street. Kuuga, now in Dragon Form, moved with newfound speed, leaping over the cracks, dodging the shockwaves.
He extended the Dragon Rod, using it to deflect falling debris, creating makeshift barriers to shield fleeing civilians. A bus teetered on the edge of a chasm, threatening to plunge into the abyss. Kuuga extended the Rod, wedging it against the ground. People scrambled to safety.
Quakefang grew even more enraged. "You can't save them all!" He slammed his fists into the ground with all his might. A massive seismic wave erupted. The ground rippled and swayed. Buildings groaned and began to collapse. The destruction was widespread. Ace realized he needed to end this, quickly, before the city was reduced to rubble.
Titan Form? The thought flickered through his mind. The brute strength, the near-impenetrable defense... it could work. But it was too slow. He couldn't risk getting caught in one of Quakefang's seismic attacks.
No, he had to stick with Dragon Form. Precision. Speed. That was his only chance.
This meant getting close, close enough to land a decisive blow. It was a gamble, exposing himself to the violent tremors. But the lives of the civilians depended on his actions. He steeled himself, focused his energy, and prepared to risk it all.
Kuuga channeled his energy into the Dragon Rod, creating a powerful shockwave that momentarily disoriented Quakefang. He moved with blinding speed, closing the distance in a blur of blue. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one precise, each one aimed at weakening the villain.
Finally, he jumped back, creating some distance. He needed power. Time for the finisher.
"Chou Henshin!"
The blue armor receded, replaced by the familiar red of Mighty Form. All his energy focused on his right foot. It glowed with golden energy.
"Mighty Kick!"
Kuuga launched himself into the air, a crimson streak against the smoke-filled sky. The golden aura intensified around his foot as it connected with Quakefang's chest. The impact was deafening. Quakefang was sent flying, crashing into a shattered building, his seismic powers disrupted, the tremors finally subsiding.
The villain lay unconscious amidst the rubble. Kuuga, breathing heavily, surveyed the scene. The damage was extensive, but the immediate threat was over. He ensured Quakefang was incapacitated, then turned his attention to helping the injured civilians.
As he began to assist in the rescue efforts, a familiar figure appeared, looming over the battlefield. All Might, his towering frame casting a long shadow.
"Stop right there, Kamen Rider," All Might commanded. His voice, though calm, held a note of steel.
All eyes turned to the Symbol of Peace.
Kuuga tensed, every muscle coiled, ready to spring. "All Might? Seriously?" Momotaros exclaimed.
Easy, Momo, Ace thought. "Let me handle this." He knew of the hero's strength, even in his weakened state, and didn't underestimate him.
All Might approached slowly, his blue eyes scanning the scene. He took in the collapsed buildings, the scattered debris, the injured civilians being tended to. Then, his gaze settled on Kuuga, his expression serious, but not hostile.
"Kamen Rider," All Might said, his tone measured. "I would like a word."
The invitation hung in the air. Ace hesitated. What did the number one hero want? Was this a prelude to arrest? Or something else entirely?
"I'm at a climax right now! Let's go fight him!" Momotaros yelled.
"Now is not the time to battle," Kintaros replied. "Let's listen to what he has to say."
He ignored the Taros and made a decision. He couldn't run, not now. The people needed help, and a fight with All Might would only make things worse. Besides, he was curious.
"What do you want?" Kuuga asked, his voice modulated by the helmet.
All Might stopped a few feet away, his presence still imposing. "I've been watching you, Kamen Rider. You've been saving people, stopping villains. I know you're the vigilante that is the talk of the town lately. Some people even support you."
The hero paused, his gaze piercing. "But I have also heard stories of the selective villains you have been killing. That is something that I cannot abide by. And I question your methods. A hero is supposed to protect everyone, not just decide who lives and who dies. I must admit I find you rather interesting, Kamen Rider. Tell me, what do you fight for?"
***
Leave a comment and review of your thoughts
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz