Kamen Rider X

Chapter 04:

Blade Brave

Dark Mantis stood in what appeared to be a laboratory. The only other person in the room was Gate, one of the leaders of the Mavericks and a brilliant scientist. Dark Mantis had limped his way to the lab, because of his destroyed leg.

"Damn that X. I will kill him." Dark Mantis spat. He was furious that X had escaped him. "Next time he won't escape."

"How do you plan to defeat him in your condition?" Gate asked. "If you go up against him now, he'll easily finish you off. So you'll have to wait until I have finished repairing your leg." Gate said as he continued to repair Dark Mantis' leg.

"Just hurry it up, I don't have all day you know." Dark Mantis said. Gate sighed but kept whatever he was thinking to himself. Not long after Lumine entered the laboratory.

"Lumine." Gate greeted. "What brings you here?" Lumine looked over at Gate.

"I have a message from lord Sigma. He congratulates you on almost besting X. Next you two meet, he is sure that you will win. That is all." Lumine said. After that Lumine turned around and left.

"Lumine sure is a strange one. I can't tell if it's supposed to be a boy or a girl." Gate said.

"Beats me. Lumine looks and sounds like a girl, but constantly refers to himself as a he." Dark Mantis said.

"I didn't know that we Mavericks could have gender identity issues." Gate said. "I guess we may never know the answer." Gate then turned back to working on fixing Dark Mantis. "You better not let down lord Sigma Dark Mantis. If X doesn't kill you, lord Sigma will."

"Shut up, I won't lose, you saw what happened last time, he crippled me so that he could escape. There's no way I could lose." Dark Mantis said cockily.

"Let's hope that you are right." Gate said.

OP Theme – Wild Fang by Janne Da Arc

The next day, Marcus slowly got out of bed. He was still aching from the events of the previous night. Marcus limped into the bathroom and went to take a shower. After he had taken off his shirt, he inspected the large amount of bruises on his body.

"Can I really do this?" Marcus asked himself. "I couldn't defeat Dark Mantis, and there are sure to be stronger Mavericks out there." Marcus spun around as he heard knocking at the door.

"Is anybody in there?" Alia said. Before Marcus could answer Alia opened the door. Marcus jumped backwards, and tripped on the edge of the tub. Marcus grabbed at the shower curtain, but it couldn't support his weight, causing Marcus to tear it down.

"Ow..." Marcus said. Alia gasped as she saw her brother topple into the tub.

"Marcus! Are you okay!?" Alia yelled as she went to help her brother up. When she saw the bruises that were covering Marcus' body, she let out a loud gasp. "Marcus! What happened to you?!"

"I fell into the tub, that's what." Marcus said as he held is head.

"Don't lie, those bruises aren't from just now." Alia said. "Did you get beaten up?" Marcus didn't answer Alia, but put his shirt back on.

"I guess I won't be taking a shower." Marcus said. "I need to change into my uniform." Marcus then pushed Alia out of the bathroom and closed the door.

"You didn't answer my question!" Alia yelled at the door. Marcus didn't answer but opened the door, fully dressed in his school uniform. Marcus pushed passed Alia and walked to the door.

"I'm heading out!" Marcus yelled into the house as he left. Marcus walked to the driveway where his motorcycle was parked. Marcus got on and kicked up the kick stand and took off towards school. Marcus raced through the traffic, trying to reach school as soon as he could. He wanted to run and hide somewhere, so he didn't have to see Amane, but he knew that Amane must not know that he is Kamen Rider X, so he has to act normally. As Marcus turned into the student parking lot. He saw that most of the students that hung out in the parking lot weren't there. Marcus knew they hadn't closed school, he could see both student and faculty cars around him. Marcus got off his motorcycle and walked to the main entrance. As he entered the door, he knew why no one was in the parking lot. Marcus could see the students and faculty surrounding multiple police officers, eagerly listening to what they had to say.

"You're a bit late." someone said behind Marcus, causing him to spin around. When Marcus saw who was behind him, his face went pale. It was Amane's father Detective Signas. "It's alright, don't look like you just got busted. It was a very last minute thing, come on and follow me." Marcus gulped and followed Signas to the classroom where Amane and Palette had drafted Marcus and his friends into helping them track down X. Also in the room were Marcus' friends, including Amane, who was wearing a cast on her arm where Dark Mantis had cut her we sitting.

"Amane, what happened?" Marcus asked, filling his voice with as much surprise as he could. Amane chuckled and scratched the back of her head.

"I fell down the stairs and sprained my arm, that's all." Amane said. Marcus couldn't help but shoot her a skeptical look.

"Is this everyone?" Signas asked Amane. Amane nodded her head. "For those who don't know my name is Signas, I'm a detective with a police, and Amane's father." Signas introduced himself. "I heard that Amane and Pallette were trying to find Kamen Rider X. I have a message for you all. Stop. If you get close to X, you're going to get hurt." Signas warned.

Just Like Amane. Marcus thought. The group stayed quiet, after Signas finished. Signas then thanked them for their time and left.

"Do you honestly think we're going to stop so that the police will have all the glory?" Palette asked the group.

"No, please listen to my father, he doesn't want the glory of unmasking X." Amane pleaded with the group.

"You're just saying that because he's your dad." Jiro said. "I agree with Palette, we'll never stop."

"I think we should listen to Amane." Marcus said.

"Why do you say that?" Keisuke asked. "Where's the proof that X is dangerous?"

"There's your proof." Marcus said as he pointed to Amane.

"What? Amane? She said it herself, she sprained her arm." Roll said.

"If she just sprained her arm, why is it not in a sling?" Marcus asked. "Also your fathers sudden interest in our activities, why would he do something like tell us to back down without a valid reason?" Everyone looked at Marcus in surprise.

"He has a point." Maya said. Amane shrunk away from the group.

"Marcus is right. I didn't sprain my hand. I was attacked by a Maverick, but X saved me." Amane said.

"Then why should we stop?" Palette asked. "Let's find out who he is so you can thank him in person."

"But not only could you get in trouble with the police, but the only time Kamen Rider X shows himself is when he's fighting a Maverick and we could easily get caught in the crossfire." Amane said.

"But shouldn't you thank Kamen Rider X? What if after this is all over he just disappears?" Palette asked.

"Come on Amane just trust us on this one." Keisuke said. "We'll be careful." After that was settled the group dispersed for classes. As Marcus and Amane walked together to their class Amane stayed strangely quiet.

"It's not like you to be quiet." Marcus commented. "Is something on your mind?"

"I'm just worried that the others might get hurt if they keep this up." Amane said. "The Mavericks are ruethless and will use any means to get what they want."

"I don't think they will be in any trouble." Marcus said trying to comfort Amane. "They aren't stupid you know."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Amane said. "But I still don't like it."

"No one said you had to." Marcus said. Marcus and Amane ended their conversation there since they had reached class.

Later that day, after school was out, Marcus headed home and immediately went up to his room. The school day had made him feel a little better, but he was still questioning whether he should be Kamen Rider X. As Marcus lay in bed, his short career as a superhero flashed through his head. He had only defeat two Mavericks and injured one. Dark Mantis was probably out right now looking for him.

"Geez, I sound like a broken record." Marcus said to himself. "If I don't do something, will the Mavericks win?" The more Marcus actually thought about it, the more he knew that he had to fight. That night Marcus did what he had done the night before, he sneaked onto the roof. Marcus summoned the X Driver around his waist and pressed the two parts together.

"Are you ready, X?" Te X Driver said.

"Henshin!" Marcus said with conviction. "This night, I will defeat you Dark Mantis." The blue beam hit Marcus and the X armor formed around him. The blue orb around him dissipated and X jumped into the front yard and grabbed his bike.

"I haven't given you a name yet." X said to his bike. "I think I'll call you Machine Adion." X mounted his newly named Machine Adion and rode off towards his final showdown with Dark Mantis. As X rode towards the warehouse where he had fought Dark Mantis the other night, possible strategies ran through his head, but he couldn't find one that would work.

When X entered the warehouse he saw Dark Mantis on the other side of the floor.

"I'm so glad you showed up. I was getting worried." Dark Mantis said. Suddenly a small compartment opened up on X's belt that had three switches in it.

"What does this do?" X said as he pushed the first switch.

"Blade armor system engaged." The belt said as a green beam hit X. Dark Mantis charged at X but his attack bounced off the green sphere that had enveloped around X. When the light dissipated Dark Mantis looked at the armor that X wore. His helmet had gained a golden v-like head crest. His under armor was now light blue. His shoulder pads became squarer and his armor now had a extra layer of white armor with green crystals.

"Blade Armor Online." The X Driver said.

"I'll end this now Dark Mantis." X said.

Play insert song: Fight! X

A blade emerged from the X Buster as X charged at Dark Mantis. Dark Mantis raised his blades to block the attack. X kept swing at Dark Mantis trying his best to stay on the offensive.

"Just because you 're wearing different armor, doesn't mean you're any stronger!" Dark Mantis said as he slashed at X.

"That's where you're wrong!" X said as he dodged Dark Mantis' attack and slashed Dark Mantis' chest. "I'm stronger then ever!"

"I'll still destroy you!" Dark Mantis said as slashed at X again. X dodged out of the way again and slashed off Dark Mantis' arm. The arm fell to the ground. Dark Mantis looked at his arm in surprise.

"Giga Attack!" X yelled as he slashed his sword twice causing two plasma blades shoot at Dark Mantis. The blades went through Dark Mantis with ease, causing him to explode. "Its over." X got back on his motorcycle and drove home.

When Marcus got back home he detransformed and climbed back into his room his sister Alia was standing in the door frame.

"Marcus, where have you been?" Alia asked.

"I was out." Marcus said. "Don't worry I'm fine."

"It's past curfew." Alia said. "You could have gotten in big trouble." Alia walked over to Marcus. "If mom and dad found out they would be pissed if they found out."

"It's okay Alia." Marcus said. "Its getting late and I'm going to bed. We've got school tomorrow."

"Marcus can I ask you a question?" Alia asked. "Are you Kamen Rider X?"

"Of course not." Marcus said. "I'm no superhero." Marcus then pushed Alia into the hallway and closed the door. "Crap that was close." Marcus lay down on his bed and closed his eyes with a smile on his face.

The next morning Marcus woke up he quickly sat up in bed and quickly grabbed his clothes and ran into the bathroom to take a shower as he ran down the hallway he almost crashed into his sister as she stepped into the hallway.

"Hey! Watch where you're going Marcus!" Alia yelled after him as he closed the bathroom door behind him and locked it.

"You won't be walking in on me again." Marcus said. Marcus then jumped into the shower. Marcus looked down over his body and saw that most of his wounds from his first fight with Dark Mantis where already starting to heal. After being in the shower for a few minutes Marcus turned off the water and stepped out of the shower and got dressed in his school uniform. He stepped out of the bathroom to see Alia giving him a strange look. "What?"

"Yesterday you acting all depressed and now you're running down the hallway like you have some extremely happy news." Alia said. "Whats up with that?"

"What? Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I can't have the occasional mood swing."

"You're a boy you don't go have a good excuse like girls do." Alia said as she stepped into the bathroom. Marcus shrugged his shoulders and walked into the dining room to eat breakfast.

"You're chipper today kid." Marcus' father said as Marcus walked into the dining room.

"I guess so, I just feel full of energy." Marcus said as he sat down for breakfast. Marcus quickly finished his breakfast and grabbed his bag. "I'm off to school."

"Be careful." His mother called after him.

"I will." Marcus said as he closed the door behind him. Marcus grabbed his bike from the garage and started it up. Marcus' father watched him drive off.

"I'm proud of you Marcus. You've once again achieved victory." Thomas said. Marcus' mother walked next to her husband and grabbed his arm.

"He's doing good. I thought he had given up." Cynthia said. "I guess your proud of him Thomas Cain Gatha?"

"Of course. But Sigma hasn't sent any of his generals yet. I wonder how he will fare against them?" Thomas said.

"Any word from your old partner?" Cynthia asked.

"Albert? We're in touch." Thomas said. "But he's been really busy recently." Thomas said. "He's started another project."

"I wonder what it is?" Cynthia said.

"He calls it project Infinity." Thomas said. "But it won't be done for a long time."