Sitting in his room, a young man lounged on his mattress, drinking a beer and enjoying being off of work. He enjoyed the buzz the alcohol gave him. And the fact that there was little else to do in this small military town.

He wouldn't be what one would call handsome. He was roughly 6 foot tall and lanky. His brown hair almost looked military, but just a bit untidy and long for their standards. He lay on his air mattress and sighed.

After he finished his beer, he went onto one of his roommate's computers and logged onto MySpace, Gaia Online, then onto Yahoo Messenger. And within moments, he gets a message from Sandra, one of his Gaia friends whom he had put under the nickname 'Pixie'.

Chuckling, he responded, but was soon interrupted by the knock of the front door. What the hell is UPS doing here this late? he asked himself as he looked thru the peephole and unlocked the door.

Erick O'Connell? the man on the other side of the door asked.

Yeah? he asked with a bit of irritation.

Delivery for you. the man replied.

Erick looked at the box, then back at the man. I didn't order anything. Certainly ain't expecting anything either. he said with a snarl.

Special Delivery. From a friend. the man said patiently, then held out the pad for the recipient's signature.

Sighing loudly, Erick signed for it, then took the small package. Closing the door, he went back to the room and plopped onto his mattress. After putting the box to his ear to make sure it was safe, he opened the box, which strangely had no sender's name or address. And all he found inside was a small toy bat and an envelope.

What the fuck is this? Some kind of prank? he muttered, looking over the toy with mild disdain. Not able to get the toy to work, he then took a look at the envelope. Which held a key and a simple message located after an address 'Welcome Rider. Use the contents wisely. You are our Hope for the future.'

Ummm, okay. Erick muttered, then put the envelope back into the box with the toy bat and placed the box in a far corner of his room. I'll deal with this joke later. he said as he went back to the computer and began chatting with his friends.


Aboard the DenLiner a few days later, Sandra lounged in the diner car, and thought about how much her life had changed in just over a week and a half. She had gone from a lowly full-time sales associate in a convenience store to a part time associate and full-time Kamen Rider. And not just any Kamen Rider. Her favorite Kamen Rider. Den-O.

And that was the cool part. Not to mention being a part of the action. Interacting with the imagin that she had only seen in episodes. Having them possess her. Fighting in all the cool forms. Killing the bad guys. Getting back into shape and losing weight.

But of course, she did worry a bit about a few things as well. Most importantly, the 2nd package she sent out, to an online friend whose presence just screamed Kiva to her. From the feeling she got, Kiva has yet to activate the henshin for the first time. And the letter clearly stated that she would know when it was active.

Just what does he think he's doing? she muttered.

Who who? a purple imagin asked, overhearing her. You talking about a bad guy? Can I arrest him? he said gleefully.

Sandra just sighed and shook her head. Not a bad guy, Ryuutaros. A good guy. At least, I think he's a good guy.

Well, some fish take longer to be reeled in. Urataros commented. Patience is the key.

She shouldn't have to wait. He should accept it ! Momotaros said with a bit of heat.

Well, I suppose I am thinking like Momo. I don't have much patience as I thought I did. Sandra said, sipping on the colorful juice Naomi had served her.

Either that, or you made a wrong choice. Kintaros said. It does happen.

Sandra just sighed again, wondering what she would do next.


Meanwhile, somewhere in Central United States, Dale had just finished another battle as Ryuki in the Mirror World.

Like Sandra, he was starting to notice how the enemies were specifically trying to kill him, and unknowingly dropping hints that that was their main mission. And how the battles weren't in his hometown, but were indeed following him. Another hint that he was a target.

Something fishy is going on here. he muttered as he walked out of the parked car's window and strode towards his new Harley. He still chuckled a little on how easy it was to obtain. And was amazed on having the ability to buy it. Especially with the way the current economy was declining. But he also knew to not to take advantage of the sudden wealth. He would only use it if it was necessary.

Getting on his bike, he drove off in the direction of Florida. Usako is going to be so surprised to see me. he thought as the wind blew through his face. And boy, am I glad I started my karate training again. A person has to be fit to be a Rider.

And so he continued his ride cross-country. When the day tuned to night, Dale found the nearest motel and parked his bike. After securing a room, he used the motel's gym, meager though it was, to practice some katas. He knew that if he wanted to become stronger, he'd have to train and this was the best way he knew how. Outside of battle, that is.


Sandra walked into her apartment, via a closet door, and turned to watch DenLiner leave before closing the door and plopping down on her mattress. Looking around made her smile a little. All her items, except for her mattress, were packed and ready for the move. Which was why her laptop sat on the floor where the desk used to be.

She was excited about this move, despite her problems with the person who would be Kiva. Using the money in her Rider Account, she had been able to convince her roommate to talk the complex into changing the lease from the 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom. With her own room, Sandra would finally have a bit of privacy. And the ability to keep her stuff out instead of packing it away every day before work.

As she was contemplating all this, her roommate opened her bedroom door and walked out, looking at Sandra. Didn't hear you come in. she commented.

I was quiet. Sandra replied, with Momotaros making a snicker inside her mind. When are the Movers getting here?

Half an hour. I was getting worried you weren't gonna come back from wherever you went to all of a sudden. Wendy said.

Sorry 'bout that she said. Want I should move some of the smaller things into the car now, so we'll be loaded when the movers get here and we'll be out of the way?

The other woman shrugged. Can if you want. And the keys were tossed her way.

Sandra caught them easily and waited til Wendy brought all her items for the car by the door, then closed her and her cats into her room. Once the door closed, Sandra loaded her arms and hands with all the bags and assorted items then grabbed the keys. Once outside, she was surprised to hear Kintaros speak, who was oftentimes asleep when in DenLiner.

You know, this is good training right here. He started. The more you lift heavy things, the better we will do in battle. Especially when using my Axe.

Before Sandra could reply, Urataros's voice came in. I have to agree for once. The more you work-out, the better we all fight. That being said, perhaps you need me to take over, so you can work-out your voice as well, with all these good looking guys here.

Ummm. No. Sandra stated firmly. I'm married. I don't need to work-out my voice on them. Having reached the car, she unloaded her items onto the sidewalk, and unlocked the car door.

Just because you don't need to doesn't mean you can't do it. Urataros replied, then just went silent after sensing her displeasure.

Sandra finished loading the pile she brought down, locked the car again, and started back up to the apartment. She was on the 3rd stair when she got a tingling from her senses that told of a nearby Imagin.

Allow me. Urataros said and took control of her body as they raced to the location of the creature. Her hair was now in a professional bun, but for a good sized strand of it on the left side of her head. This strand was tinted both light and medium blue. Her sweats had changed into a black form-fitting dress, with a jacket that was dark blue that hung over it, and black heels that gave her an extra inch in height.

Once at the location, she stared at the creature wrecking havoc at the pond inside the complex. Mind if I reel you in? she asked as she pulls out her belt and flings it about her waist. She pressed the blue button and passed her pass over it, turning the SetTouch blue and transforming her into Den-O, Rod form.

Once henshined, she pulled out the pieces to DenGasher and formed the chosen weapon for this form and the one that she knew how to use the most, the staff. And waited till the imagin attacked her, then began to attack.

Fifteen minutes later, Sandra, still possessed by Urataros, was walking back to the apartment, thinking of the comment the now destroyed imagin said in the course of the battle. We will get you eventually. We won't let you or your friends get in our way.

Hey there pretty girl.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the male voice. Looking over, she saw a couple of men following her. She winked at them and sent a flirtatious smile their way.

Hey there back. she said, and began to flirt with them.

Sandra, a little annoyed she hadn't thought of taking control of her body back, growled and immediately gained control again.

Sorry. Sandra then said. I'm married. And with that, she left the men to walk up the stairs to her apartment.

What you do that for? Urataros thought to her. I was enjoying myself.

Didn't you hear her? Momotaros said rashly. She doesn't want you to flirt. Get over it.

She is remaining true to her one love. Kintaros added. And doesn't need the attentions of any other man.

And with the four imagin arguing inside her mind, Sandra unlocked the door and walked in to see her roommate waiting for her, somewhat impatiently. The apartment was already being moved to the mover's truck in the parking lot.

Took you long enough to get the few boxes in the car. The movers have already started. Wendy said. Where'd you go this time?

I...uh...had some business to take care of. Sandra finally stuttered.

Whatever. You stay here and supervise. I'll drive the car over and unpack it. Wendy then said, then rushed out of the apartment with an annoyed stride, slamming the door behind her.

What the hell is wrong with her? Momotaros said gruffly.

Just one of her moods, I am thinking. She tends to get them quite regularly. she said, then stopped the movers from taking the box of belts. She took it from the man's hands and smiled.

I'll hold onto these. Thanks. she told the young man, who shrugged and went to get another box instead.

I have a feeling that it's gonna be a long day. she muttered while checking the box's contents.


Meanwhile, in another part of the country, an older man sat at his desk and thought back to the day, just over a week ago, when his raid failed.

He stood in the doorway as he watched the small group of people searched a small, dark room.

He's not here. one young man said to the superior officer, who stood by the doorway, while saluting.

And neither is his box of treasures. another member of the raiding party said. Must have taken it with him.

No. the superior officer said, an edge of anger in his voice. He sent them off already. They are in circulation. Damn it! Damn it all to Hell!

The other members cringed at the outburst as they finished their job.

Excuse me, sir. a female voice said, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up at the sharp looking brunette in front of him. I have the information you were asking. As well as the list of potentials.

He looked at her and ran his hand thru his graying hair. Thank you. He said. After saluting him, the woman left him alone, closing the door behind her.

He picked up the file on his desk and smiled. A smile that frightened many. Now, let's see what we can find. Or rather. who we can find.

On to Episode 4