Escape
Kamen Rider Sting jumped out of a cracked up window and rolled on a dirt floor. He sat there crouched looking at his gloved hands was in awe, in how it felt like riding a bicycle again, being a Kamen Rider felt so natural this time around. His moment was interrupted by the sounds of fighting echoing off the walls.
Sting looked up and saw he was in the middle of an abandoned warehouse. He quickly hid behind a nearby pillar staying out of sight then peaked around the corner to see what was going on.
He saw what looked like Kamen Rider Strike with sword in hand stalking over to… another Kamen Rider Sting?
His armored twin was lying dangerously motionless in a heap next to a pillar.
This wasn't the mission Sting was sent out for but he couldn't let Strike finish this man.
Sting saw the twins' whip lying just ahead of him on the floor. It would save him the trouble of drawing a card and having the automated voice give away his location, if he could get to it.
Sting swallowed nervously. He saw his armored twin trying to get up and silently rooted for him to get back on his feet. He was relieved to see him get to all fours until Strike stepped on his back pushing him back down.
"Say good night," a dark unfamiliar voice came from 'Strike'. He wound up his arm with his sword held high.
Sting couldn't just stand by any longer. He ran from his hiding spot and snatched up the whip as 'Strike' was about to bring down his sword. Sting sprang from the ground and nailed 'Strike' with a missile drop kick to the chest. The purple rider fell back and slid across the floor on his back to a safe distance.
Unfortunately that stunt just tightening Stings chest starting a coughing fit.
"Hey, man…" Sting coughed and asked over his shoulder, "Are you all right?"
The twin climbed to his feet trembling, "I knew you would come…" said a deep brooding voice that wasn't anything like Chris'. He was taking painful raspy breaths holding his ribs. He stumbled back and fortunately caught the pillar to lean on. It would seem that calling him in bad shape would be understatement. "Use a card… See if it works." He said.
"What do you mean, see if it works?" Sting asked thinking that was odd. Quinn wouldn't have given a broken deck.
"Do it!" The twin grunted holding his ribs and breathing heavily.
Sting turned to 'Strike' who was just leisurely lying on his side as if mocking them waiting for something to happen.
Sting hesitated but drew a card with the whip still in hand and slotted it. "Attack Vent!" Nothing happened. He looked around and asked, "Where is the contract monster?"
'Strike' laughed using his sword to help him to his feet and rolled his head cracking his neck. "It didn't work for him, why should it work for you?"
"Get out of here… while you can!"" The twin warned as he grabbed Stings shoulder.
'Strike' dashed over to Sting and swung the sword at him whacking him out of the way like he was a small obstacle. Then 'Strike' took another swing at his battered twin. Sting tried to retaliate but got kicked in the stomach. His armored twin was slashed across his chest and fell back. Sting tried to grab a hold of 'Strike' to get him away from the double. But the purple rider was quick and slashed up at him with a back swing. Sting had staggered back then he was kicked again in the stomach with one foot and doubled over. With the other foot he was kicked in the face of his helmet and fell back. In mid-fall Sting was slashed across the chest having him hit the ground with more force than he was supposed to.
Sting wasn't used to 'Strike's' way of fighting and struggled to breathe.
"Asakura!" The twin cried and tried to spear the purple rider but only got 'Strike' to stagger back with his severally weakened state.
'Strike' pounded on the back of the twins ribs until he dropped to the floor motionless again.
Sting was wheezing sitting crouched and ready as 'Strike' now turned to him. 'Strike' wound up his arm as Sting held the whip stretched out in front of him and blocked the sword as it struck down. Sting stood up and side stepped a jab. He caught the spiral sword in the whip wrapping it around the blade. Unfortunately he was now with his back to 'Strike' still wheezing. He couldn't follow through with the attack meaning to elbow 'Strike' toppling him over.
'Strikes' free hand grabbed Stings neck in an iron grip surprising him trying to cut off his air supply.
"This is how your last moments will be spent, suffocating by my hands..." He laughed in Stings ear.
Sting tried to keep a clear head but was having difficulty with his tightening chest—too much adrenaline.
'Strike' let go of his sword. He rammed his knee into Stings midsection twice and elbowed his back when the Twin rushed them.
They were two fighting desperately against one and 'Strike' was still knocking them around all over the place like they were nothing.
'Strike' drew a card and slotted it. "Advento!" He summoned Metalgelas, rushing both magenta Riders.
They both landed close to the other. They used the same pillar to support themselves as they got up.
Sting wondered which one was in worse shape. He couldn't take it anymore and judging from the sound of his armored twins breathing neither could he. They needed to get out of there and he wasn't going to leave this guy behind. Sting grabbed the twins arm putting it over his shoulders and both limped away as fast as they could.
"Head for those windows!" The twin pointed to their left.
They half ran and half limbed over for their exit.
'Strike' ran after them and for once Sting was glad he had knocked them so far away. They both jumped into the window.
Shocking
Maya had her arms tightly wrapped around the drivers head rest, frighten out of her mind.
The dark green car shot from and black reflective panel and screeched to a halt in the Kamen Rider headquarters garage.
"That was fun!" Lacey said with a smile being in the drivers' seat.
Kitaoka let go of the handle above his door. He slumped in his seat relieved that it was over. "That's the last time I let you drive!" He shoved the door open.
"Oh, quit being such a baby." Lacey teased then looked behind her to see Maya holding onto her head rest. "Girl, are you all right?"
"I think I might've been safer on my bike." Kase said, she didn't let go of the car door and opened it to let herself out on solid ground.
"At least we got here in one piece." Maya tried to laugh but it came out shaky. She forced herself to let go of the drivers head rest and patted Lacey on the shoulder. She climbed out and leaned against the car for stability. "That's better."
She saw Kitaoka lingering in front of Chance's motorcycle studying the emblem on the helmet.
"So you are the other Kamen Rider Zolda?" She remembered him asking Drew, just how close was this guy to the Kamen Riders?
She saw Kase on her way over to the main building and trotted after her.
"Are you sure it's okay to bring that guy?" Kase asked Maya warily in a low mumble.
Maya was about to answer when Kitaoka had done so instead. "I understand your need to keep your guard up."
Kase scowled at him for eavesdropping. She probably didn't count on him catching up so fast.
They had turned the corner and nothing could've prepared them for what they saw, "Oh my gosh!" Maya covered her mouth in shock. "What happened?"
All of them stood there frozen in place.
The hall was in shambles, there were burn marks along the crumbling walls, wholes here and there and broken glass everywhere.
"Len!" Kase said as she thought the worst and ran off to find him.
Price came from around the corner and moved out of Kase's way, "Maya!" He called upon seeing her.
"Price!" Maya ran over and quickly hugged him, she couldn't have been happier to see him still in one piece. "Are you all right? What happened?"
"I'm fine and your guess is as good mine." Price said a little ashamed of himself.
"Master Eubulon!" Chase's voice came from down the hall snatching everyone's attention.
Price, Maya, Lacey and Kitaoka ran until they found the Advent Master's Meditation room. Master Eubulon was pale and unconscious cradled in Chase's arms trying to shake him awake but to no avail.
New Objective
Chris jumped out the window with his battered counterpart's arm still over his shoulder. The guy looked nothing like him so it wasn't too surprising they didn't sound alike. He appeared to be Asian with shaggy dark hair.
The sight of a motorcycle lying on its side brought him some hope. Chris winced at his already clenched chests. Then he dared a glance over his shoulder and saw 'Strike' charging for their same exit.
Chris tried to hurry them along pushing himself to his limit, but collapsed as his inhaler fell out of his pocket. The other guy picked it up and gave it to Chris. Chris grabbed it weakly, putting the small container to his mouth and sprits the healing mist.
He could get up but was still in horrible shape.
He and his new buddy picked up the tipped over motorcycle, "Get on!" the other guy choked.
Chris didn't argue and jumped on back as this guy sped them off to safety. Chris stole a glance over his shoulder as 'Strike' had jumped out of the window and swung his sword frustrated.
This stranger turned the corner to the main road and drove them two streets down, into the next ally and stopped. He rubbed his eyes clearly exhausted. How long was this guy fighting for before Chris got there?
"You're in no condition to be on the road." Chris pointed out getting off the bike. Not that he was any better shape and needed to lean against the wall.
"Ohja will stop at nothing once he's set on someone." The guy told him grimly, his head hung low as an arm held his ribs. "He'll hunt us both down until he's exterminated us."
Chris needed to use his inhaler again putting it to his mouth, sprits the healing mist and took a deep breath trying to calm himself. "I guess neither one of us wants to be around for that, right?" Chris pushed off the wall, "By the way I'm Christopher Ramirez, Kamen Rider Sting. But you can call me Chris." he held out his hand feeling awkward about saying which Rider he was.
The guy finally looked up to meet his gaze, "Miyuki Tezuka, Kamen Rider Raia." He took his hand to shake surprising Chris that their suits didn't have the same name.
"Tezuka? I don't suppose you know why I couldn't call the contract beast?" Chris asked.
"I tried summoning him as well. Evildiver has betrayed us for Asakura." Tezuka dug into his pocket and pulled out a coin looking at it in his hand. Chris saw that it was tails faced up. "If you keep pushing yourself you will be done in before the next battle"
"That's real encouraging." Chris said sarcastically but managed a smile anyway through his coughing fit. That other Strike must have done more damage to him than he thought.
Tezuka was probably right about that if they didn't get strict medical attention soon.
"But what other choice do we have? Strike will probably vent us if he finds us. We will be forced to fight if that happens."
Tezuka tossed up the same coin and flattened his hand as he caught it. It landed on its side between his middle and ring fingers, "Two sides of the same coin. That was Kamen Rider Ohja. If you are done in by him don't expect the same kind of fate you received before. Asakura will attack to kill. You will not be held in the prison you've escaped."
"The Advent Void…" Chris' looked away thinking about how he was trapped for so long in that vast blue field in a cramped capsule.
Then Chris' head shot up remembering there other riders. "I have friends who can help. We're better off finding them. The nearest hospital is out of the question."
"Ohja will most likely find us there." Tezuka agreed.
Chris needed to use his inhaler again. He wished he could be in a nice comfortable bed resting up and not in all this pain. "Good to know we're on the same page. But mind if I drive?"
Wakening
Len slept restlessly. It was enough to make the guys watching over him tense up. It was never easy to watch one of their own struggling as they recovered.
"Wish I knew what happened." Hunt said standing at the side of the bed with a small towel and quickly wiped up the sweat from Len's forehead.
Len literally felt himself falling over the parking garages rail as he dreamt.
"I can't believe he didn't wake up once through out the attack." Chance said standing on the other side and winced as he saw Len jolt in his sleep. "That's what got me up."
Len's mirror twin as Wing Knight kept slashing the lance at him…
"It's probably better that way." Hunt said scowling at Len stirring, "At least he still has his deck."
Len was beginning to panick as his cards weren't working, but the attacks kept coming. He landed next to his bike and tried to get away on it when Knighto used the Nasty Vent to knock him off.
"Cam, Quinn and Kit are still out there." Chance turned his attention to Hunt getting unnerved by Len's restless sleep, "Which reminds me… have we heard anything from Kit?"
"We haven't heard anything from either of them yet."
Len tasted the blood in his mouth as he was lying on the floor and tried to get up.
"Kit and Len left before I did. So when did Len come back?"
"A lot later than when we brought you in," Hunt scowled as Len coughed, "Kase and Cam found him around noon real banged up. We still don't know what happened." Hunt secretly swore he would get whoever did this to Len, "Kase did all that she could. Once he was stable she went off to give Maya the deck."
The door flung open and Kase ran in. She gave a deep sigh of relief to see that Len was still in one piece.
"Has there been any change?" Kase asked Hunt receiving the rag from him.
"Blackwing…" Len mumbled getting everyone's attention. "Kamen Rider… Knight… My only purpose is to fight other Riders…" he grunted.
Kase mopped up the sweat from Len's face worried about him. "That sounds like quite the nightmare."
"Whoever did this won't get away with it!" Hunt said huffing. "Neither will those other guys who stole our decks!"
"Calm down Hunt." Kase said then asked confused, "What guys?"
Len moaned in his sleep getting their attention, stirring restlessly. Then his eyes finally shot open. He tried to sit up when everyone push him back down to rest.
"I need to speak to Master Eubulon!" Len said panicked.
"Len, you need your rest!" Kase said.
"You can't be up and walking around yet!" Chance said.
Len managed push past all of them and squirmed out of Hunts' grip. He ran out of the room leading the chase to Master Eubulons' meditation room.
"Let us talk in the conference room where it is more appropriate." Master Eubulons' voice could be heard from down the hall. Then he said something very peculiar, "I don't believe we've met before."
Len clambered in seeing that Master Eubulon wasn't looking at all like himself. He was pale, appeared to be very exhausted and if he wasn't mistaken the Advent Masters presence felt weaker.
He wasn't alone in the room: Chase, Price, Maya and Lacey were there as well as someone else he didn't know but sensed he was somehow a Kamen Rider.
"I am Super Lawyer Kitaoka Shuichi." Kitaoka had introduced himself taking out a business card.
"How is this even possible?" Len asked in awe at seeing Kitaoka and nearly fell still exhausted.
"Len!" Kase cried as she entered and tried to help him up.
Chance ran in helping her and Hunt came in.
"He insisted on coming down here." Hunt said from the door.
"Take it easy big guy." Chance said supporting him up.
"I can't!" Len said out of breath not taking his eyes off of Kitaoka as the other mans' brows rose.
"Len you need your rest!" Kase insisted.
"What is it Len?" Master Eubulon asked.
"This guy is also a Kamen Rider." Said Len, "I can sense it, but…" Len narrowed his eyes at the guy confused, sure of it he's never met this man before, "I don't know how."
"I know." Master Eubulon said surprising all of them. "Gather everyone in the conference room so we can sort this out."
It was there where Master Eubulon updated everyone on the happenings of the last few hours: the raid on the headquarters by Kamen Riders Torque and the mysterious Gai. Both men teamed up to fool the Riders and steal their decks.
Maya listened and felt the guilt like an uncomfortable rock in her stomach.
"Is there something wrong Maya?" Price asked putting a comforting hand over hers. He always knew when something was wrong with Maya.
"I could've prevented this." Maya said and told everyone, "We ran into Drew earlier but I sent him back to help Kit fight off the monsters."
"You saw that Kit was in danger and did what you felt was right." Master Eubulon said. "As for the thereafter it was out of your control."
"Yeah, Maya," Chance backed up regretful, "We can't be playing the blame game unless if we all want to be in it."
"The fault falls on no one." Master Eubulon said and room fell silent, "Now Len, I'm sure you have quite the story."
"Um… Yeah," Len glanced at the floor wondering where to start, "I'd have to say, it started while I was looking for Kit. I heard another mirror monster alarm go off but this time it was different, I had a strange chilling sensation. Honestly, I sensed one of you guys and thought you might've been around." He turned to Kitaoka, now sure of it that it had to have been one his guys. Len continued, "But it wasn't any of you." Len continued to look about the room, "I went to take care of the mirror monster, but there was this guy wearing the same Kamen Rider suit I was. He seemed confused and fought ruthlessly. Even my own contract beast Blackwing was working with guy, he called him Darkwing. At first I thought the cards didn't work. But the moment he showed up I found out that almost every card I drew was working for him. For once I think I actually feared for my life. If you hadn't shown up," Len turned to Kase, "I think that might have been it for me."
"That's no surprise," said Kitaoka wearing a smirk, "The Kamen Riders are used to having to fight each other to the death."
"How can you just say that so casually?" Kase asked offended due to the fact she had narrowly lost Len.
Kitaoka jerked a little then cough into a fist blocking his mouth.
Ian swallowed nervously as he was standing by Kitaoka. He smelled the sickening scent around him and noticed how Kitaoka's voice became subtly horse.
Kitoaka put his hand in his blazer pocket, "Those who do not fight don't survive. That is simply the rules of… well, my riders."
Master Eubulon seemed to have understood things better. "The other Kamen Rider Thrust called himself Kamen Rider Gai. He didn't match the genetic makeup and I'm quite sure I did not assign him the deck."
"You assigned the deck?" Kitaoka asked confused, "The one who gave me my Kamen Rider Zolda deck was Kanzaki Shiro."
"Kanzaki?" Master Eubulon narrowed his eyes like he knew something.
"Master Eubulon is there something wrong?" Hunt asked.
"I just believe we may be a lot of help to each other," Master Eubulon said, "That is if you don't mind sharing with us what you know Mr. Kitaoka?"
"Excuse me." Ian said and he needed to get out of the room and away from Kitaoka. He pulled out a rod from his jacket pocket then flicked his wrist extending the long white cane and left the room.
"That man is blind?" Kitaoka said mildly surprised.
"Yes, Ian, Ventara's Kamen Rider Incisor is currently blind again." said Len.
"Again?" Kitaoka looked like he had something on his mind but seemed to push it aside. "What do you wish to know?"
"Who's other Rider are you?" Chance asked.
"Yours'. I was sure I mentioned that to you before… Drew?"
"Oh, I'm Chance. Drew happens to be my evil Earth twin." Chance corrected.
"Mr. Kitaoka," Master Eubulon got them back on track, "we would like to know who are the other Riders? It's clear that the names and appearances are different. For now a brief description will suffice."
"Very well," Kitaoka took the front of the room and briefed him on what he knew.
Taste of Pity
Ian leaned against the wall and exhaled his stress then took a sip of his coffee, then rested his hand with the coffee over the hand on the cane.
"Ian?" Master Eubulon came to check on him after the meeting. Ian didn't seem like himself. "Is there something wrong?"
Ian couldn't shake his unease trying to find the right words, "I think I finally understand how people feel around me when they find out I'm blind."
Master Eubulon hummed in concern. "What could have triggered this?"
"I can't really say because it's not my place to say." He was silent still trying to find the right words, "That man Kitaoka… smells of something."
"This is all because of a scent?" Master Eubulon tried to understand.
"He smells of blood, I believe that's all I'm at liberty to say." Ian didn't like feeling pity, it wasn't something he was used to at all.
"I see. Is this going to be a problem, Ian?" Master Eubulon inquired, wondering if there was already a rift in working with these other Kamen Riders. Also wondering if there was something he could help with.
"I don't really know." Ian said now worried.
"You worry a lot about others. Do you believe he has a severe ailment I can help with?"
Ian tapped the tip of his cane to Master Eubulon's shin, "Master, we know that closing off the Advent Void won't be an easy task. You're going to need every ounce of strength to close off something so vast. It's why I haven't asked you to restore my sight again."
"I have been wondering why you haven't asked." Master Eubulon admitted. "But if I am able to help out a person in front of me I will. But with their permission of course."
Ian tightly gripped his cane and brought it back. "I'm sorry Master Eubulon. I know you wanted to know what was wrong but I think I've already said too much about something that was none of our business. And I'm sure I can get over this difference."
"That's quite all right Ian and I have every confidence that you will." Master Eubulon was about to walk away then turned back to Ian as he took another sip of his coffee. "By the way I have issued orders to collect all the Kamen Riders. With Mr. Kitaoka's insights, Jun at least must have collected the decks to distribute them to the Earth Riders. I need you and the others to help bring them in." Master Eubulon held his hands out in front of him and from out of nowhere a helmet appeared in his hands.
"Did you just-" Ian sounded shocked.
"Forgive me, but you will need this." Master Eubulon said.
"I'll hold that for him." Chance said trotting up to them and accepted the helmet. He needed to talk to Ian anyway.
"All right. It's time I got back to work," Master Eubulon said and walked off to his meditation room.
"I really wish he hadn't done that." Ian said taking another sip.
"By the way, I heard from Nolan and…" Chance was referring to Ian being pushed, "I'm sorry for what happened earlier Ian."
"Apology not accepted," he said rather coldly taking another sip.
Chance looked away hurt.
Ian brought his mug down on his other hand again and said more lightly, "It's not your place to apologize for someone else. I know that wasn't you."
Chance lightened up, "What gave him away?" he asked curious.
"He said there was a fly buzzing around me and he was trying to bat it off." He scoffed, "The excuse was lame!"
"So… no buzzing?" Chance asked now smiling.
"Nope. The other senses get stronger when one goes out." Ian held his mug out to Chance.
Chance traded over the helmet.
"Well time to collect Riders."
"Have fun with that."
"What are you going to do?"
"After what I've heard about my Earth twin, I have got to stop that guy. If he's as power hungry as I've heard having all that fire power in his hands is dangerous. I have to be the one to take him down and bring him in. Look on the bright side," Chance patted Ian on the shoulder, "at least your twin was just a spoiled rich kid and he won't be firing anything at you."
"Gee thanks." Ian smiled, "Well good luck to you." Ian folded up his cane and left sliding his hand along the wall.
"You too."
Trent ran up to Chance, "Chance! This was the best I could do."
"What the heck happened to your suit?" Chance asked seeing it was too big.
"It's a loner," Trent admitted annoyed, "Guess whose suit they took." Trent looked like he had more to say but dropped that issue. "Any way as for a way of tracking down Drew, getting around might be a little difficult. The guy has a warrant out for his arrest on fraudulent charges. If the cops see you, they might arrest you."
"Can this guy make me look any worse?" Chance asked more to himself.
"It's still something we can use. I've already come up with a plan. It's not very original but it should let you move around under the radar without too much of problem being that you guys are identical."
"Oh no." Chance sounded like he wasn't going to like this.
"Yeah, twins," Trent handed Chance a dark green wallet. He looked at the ID inside. "Chance Lansing. In a few more hours it will be official."
"Well, at least I'll be able to look for Drew out in the open. Thanks." Chance patted Trent on the shoulder and jogged off to the garage.
