"I fight to protect people," Ace replied, his voice echoing through the Kuuga helmet, carrying a weight that transcended his sixteen years. He stood his ground, even as the most respected hero of this world scrutinized him. "I know my methods are… unorthodox. But they're necessary."
All Might's brow furrowed. "Necessary? Taking a life is never necessary, young man. A true hero saves everyone. It is my belief that villains can be redeemed."
Ace shifted slightly, the weight of All Might's gaze pressing down on him. "That sounds good in a perfect world," he said, "But this world isn't perfect. I know what's coming. If I don't stop them, their meddling with humanity will alter the course of history. This world would not be the same."
He paused, searching for the right words. "These aren't just petty criminals. I'm dealing with threats you can't even imagine. A group seeks to corrupt everything you believe in. And they are using these monsters to do it."
All Might's expression hardened. "Meddling? Corrupting? What nonsense are you spouting? I don't know what you are talking about, but you cannot go around killing people because you think they will change the future! If it is true, it is beyond your jurisdiction! You do not have the right to take the law into your own hands."
"I don't have a choice!" Ace countered, his voice rising. He knew it sounded unbelievable. A teenager talking about time-traveling monsters and multiversal threats. It was the kind of story you'd read in a comic book, not a conversation with the Symbol of Peace. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I am not from this world."
All Might sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. The fight with Quakefang, the intensity of the situation, it was all taking its toll. He was a shadow of his former self, but still, he stood tall, a beacon of justice. "I see a lot of potential within you. I think you could be a great hero. So, come with me and let me teach you. But you have to face justice. The police are looking for you."
"I can't," Ace said, his voice firm. "I can't just abandon my mission because you don't believe me. People are in danger, and I'm the only one who can stop it."
The air crackled with tension. The two heroes stood their ground, their ideologies clashing as fiercely as their powers would soon.
"Then I'm afraid I have no choice," All Might said, his voice laced with regret. "As a Pro Hero, it is my duty to bring you in."
Ace braced himself. He knew this was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, All Might," he said.
He took a step back, preparing to fight.
"Then you leave me with no choice," All Might yelled as he rushed toward Ace.
The battle began.
All Might moved with surprising speed for a man of his size, his fist a blur as he aimed a devastating blow at Kuuga. Ace reacted instantly, raising his arms to block, the force of the impact sending tremors through his body. He was thrown back several feet, skidding across the debris-strewn ground.
The sheer power of All Might's punch was staggering. Ace knew he couldn't afford to take many more hits like that. He needed to change his strategy.
All Might didn't give him a chance to think. He charged again, his movements a whirlwind of power and experience. Ace dodged and weaved, relying on Kuuga's agility to avoid the brunt of the attacks. He landed a few jabs, but they barely seemed to faze All Might, who was built like a tank.
"This is bad, Sempai! This guy is tough!" Momotaros yelled.
"Think you can do better, Momo?" Ace mentally retorted, dodging another punch that would have caved in his chest.
"Hell yeah! Let me take over! I'll show you what a real fight looks like!"
Ace ignored him, focusing on the battle. He needed to create an opening, to exploit All Might's weakened state. But the hero was relentless, his attacks coming from all angles, each one carrying enough force to level a building.
He needed to think outside the box. To use his versatility to his advantage.
All Might aimed a kick, and Ace blocked it, using the momentum to spin away and create some distance. He quickly assessed the situation. The area around them was already devastated, buildings crumbling, streets cracked. The longer they fought, the more damage they would cause.
All Might moved forward, closing the gap. Ace switched to Dragon Form, his body morphing, becoming sleeker, more agile. He needed to rely on speed, to outmaneuver the hero, to wear him down.
He launched himself forward, a blue streak against the ruined cityscape. He struck with the Dragon Rod, a flurry of precise blows aimed at All Might's pressure points. The hero grunted, staggering back slightly.
But All Might recovered quickly, grabbing the Dragon Rod with one hand and yanking Ace forward. He unleashed a powerful punch, sending Ace flying through the air, crashing into a pile of rubble.
The impact knocked the wind out of him. He struggled to his feet, feeling the strain on his body. All Might was relentless, his power seemingly limitless.
He was struggling. And if he continued at this rate, it wouldn't be long before he lost.
"Let me take over!" Momotaros screamed in his head. "I'll show him a thing or two!"
"No!" Ace retorted. "I can handle this."
He couldn't let Momotaros take over. Not now. He didn't want to risk the Imagin's recklessness. He had to find a way to win, on his own.
But how?
He glanced at All Might, his eyes narrowed, his breathing heavy. The hero was pushing himself, Ace could see it. His movements were becoming slightly slower, his punches a little less powerful.
But it wasn't enough. All Might was still a force to be reckoned with. And Ace was running out of options.
This was it. He couldn't hold back any longer.
He knew he needed to escape, but All Might's power, even in his weakened state, made it nearly impossible. He couldn't risk using the Rider Pass to summon the DenLiner without giving All Might an opening to stop him. If he held back too much, other Pro Heroes would arrive, making the situation even worse.
He had to make a choice. And he had to make it now.
He focused his mind, pushing aside the doubts, the fears, the exhaustion. He channeled all his energy, all his willpower, into the Arcle.
All Might saw the shift in Ace's stance, the intensity in his eyes. He knew something was about to change. He braced himself, ready for whatever came next.
A surge of golden energy erupted from the Arcle, engulfing Kuuga in a blinding light. The red armor shimmered, transforming, becoming even more powerful.
"What…?" All Might muttered, recognizing the telltale signs of a power-up.
The light faded, revealing Kuuga in his Rising Mighty Form. The black and gold accents gleamed, a symbol of his enhanced power.
The power coursed through his veins. His senses heightened. His muscles surged with energy.
He was ready.
The Taros were quiet now, sensing the gravity of the situation. Even Momotaros held his tongue, recognizing the seriousness of the battle.
"This is it, All Might," Ace said, his voice amplified by the Rising Mighty Form, carrying a newfound confidence. "I don't want to hurt you. But I won't let you stop me."
All Might braced himself, his expression grim. "Then I won't hold back either, young man. I will bring you to justice."
The two heroes charged, their powers colliding in a symphony of destruction.
The clash was even more intense than before. Rising Mighty Form allowed Ace to match All Might's strength, blow for blow. The air crackled with energy as their fists connected, shockwaves rippling through the air.
Ace moved with lightning speed, dodging All Might's attacks, countering with precise strikes. He landed a powerful punch, staggering the hero, but All Might recovered quickly, unleashing a devastating blow that sent Ace skidding across the ground.
They traded blows, neither giving an inch. The ground vibrated, pieces of the streets cracking and splintering.
Ace held back, though. He didn't want to seriously injure All Might. The hero was already weakened, his body pushed to its limits. He couldn't bring himself to deliver the final blow.
All Might, on the other hand, fought with the desperation of a cornered animal. He knew he was losing strength, his body failing him. But he refused to give up. He had to stop Ace.
"Surrender, young man!" All Might roared, unleashing a flurry of punches, each one carrying the weight of his convictions.
Ace blocked, dodged, countered, but the force of the attacks was overwhelming. He could feel his armor cracking, his body straining.
He knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. He needed to find a way to end this without hurting All Might.
But how?
He saw the strain on All Might's face, the sweat dripping from his brow, the labored breathing. The hero was reaching his limit.
He knew he had to make a choice. Now.
He steeled himself, focused his energy. It was time to end this.
He charged, meeting All Might head-on. Their fists collided, the impact creating a shockwave that shattered nearby windows. He saw an opening, a brief moment of vulnerability in All Might's stance.
He took it.
He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one precise, each one aimed at disabling the hero, not hurting him. He targeted pressure points, nerve clusters, areas that would disrupt All Might's movements without causing serious damage.
All Might staggered back, his movements becoming sluggish, his breathing ragged. He was losing strength, his body finally giving out.
He knew he couldn't continue. He stumbled, his legs buckling beneath him. He collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath, his weakened state now fully apparent.
Despite his determination, he couldn't continue. The burden of his duty, the weight of his failing body, it was all too much.
Ace stood over him, his Rising Mighty Form glowing in the fading light.
He deactivated his transformation, the golden energy receding, the red armor fading away.
He turned to leave, but before he went, he looked back at All Might, his expression filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.
"Sorry, All Might," he said, his voice carrying across the ruined cityscape. "I know what I do seems wrong to you. But there is a deeper reason. I hope you understand."
He disappeared into the maze of crumbled buildings, leaving All Might to reflect on their confrontation.
The Symbol of Peace lay on the ground, gasping for air, his body aching, his mind reeling. He had faced countless villains, overcome impossible odds. But this… this was different.
He had been outmatched. Not by power, but by conviction. By a belief so strong, so unwavering, that it allowed a teenager to stand toe-to-toe with the Symbol of Peace.
He closed his eyes, trying to make sense of it all. What was Kamen Rider fighting for? What was the deeper reason he spoke of?
He opened his eyes, staring up at the smoke-filled sky. The battle was over, but the questions remained. And he knew, deep down, that this was far from the end.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz