A few days had passed and I awoke at the hospital in town. My wounds pretty much healed but still had some soreness on my chest. I looked over to see Tsukasa sitting in a chair and to my right, Amber lying next to me in the bed all cuddled up against me. I didn't know what was going on or what to do in this situation, but I was happy to see Amber was okay. I rubbed my hands through her hair and she tried to bury her face into my side. "I'm glad to see you're okay." I whispered into her ear. I heard a knock on the door and then it opened, "Hello Travis? Your friends showed up. Are you awake?" the nurse said.
I saw Karina, DJ, and Shawn walk into the room, "Travis!" Karina and Shawn said excitedly as they rushed to my side. This woke Amber and Tsukasa up, "Ugh what's with all the loud noise?" Amber said as she started stretching. The doctor was a little peeved at the fact that Amber was lying in bed with me.
"Now look miss I've told you for the past twenty four hours that you can't keep sleeping in the patient's bed. They have that for their own comfort." Amber had a frown on her face as she begun to hop out of the bed. I grabbed her hand and stopped her, "Doc she's okay. I normally enjoy having someone lay next to me. I feel more comfortable that way when sleeping." I suggested to him. The doctor understood and laid out some food in front of me before leaving. "How long have I been out?" I asked looking around the room.
"Three days Master." Shawn quickly responded. Karina looked at me.
"I was hoping you'd be up because it's been about a day late since I need mana restoration." She said shyly.
I looked at Amber and Tsukasa, "Can you guys not say anything about what you're going to see?" I asked. Both of them nodded as I grabbed Karina's hand, sat up straight, and scanned the ring over my belt.
"Please, please."
An orange mist came out of my belt and moved up Karina's body and I remember seeing Amber's eyes light up. "What are you doing to her?" She asked. I told her about how two times a week I have to give Karina mana in order for her to live.
After giving Karina mana, sometime had passed since everyone gathered as we were talking about my fight with Cait Sith. I told Amber that I was given powers from touching a red stone during the cave exploration and everything that happened up to this point. I told her about the different forms I've acquired and how my friends have helped me in different ways of me growing up. "I'm still new at helping people but I'm not seeing it as a bad thing. It's actually pretty interesting because I feel like I'm making an impact on their lives. Also, to all of you, thanks for being there for me back at the bowling alley." Tsukasa then got out of his chair and walked up to me.
"Hey can we go somewhere? I want to talk to you privately." The look in his eyes seemed like he was disturbed by something I've done so I said okay and we walked down the hall. "Let's go somewhere a bit more secluded." He said. He held out his hand and I grabbed it as the green wavy barrier went through us and on the other side we were at a ravine and standing next to a flowing stream.
"Where are we?" I asked. I looked around but couldn't find Tsukasa anywhere. I saw movement by the tree and began walking towards it, "Tsukasa! Are you there?" I said now being ten feet from the tree. I touched the tree and looked around it to see something carved into it, "Behind." I said confused. I heard footsteps and rolled to the left as I saw Tsukasa hit the tree. "Whoa! What the hell are you doing?" I said surprised. Tsukasa used his left leg and high kicked my shoulder and then came in with a right hook. I grabbed his fist and lifted my right leg to kick him in the chest causing him to stumble backwards, "Wow so you actually know how to block and defend without using your Defend Ring. Where was that against Cait Sith?!" He said as he launched another fist at me which I dodged the same way but because I was focused on his fist I didn't see his foot come and kick me in the hip. I fell down a bit and then the right hook came across my face. I fell to the ground as some blood was coming out of my nose.
"I've fought Riders who actually knew how to fight outside of their Henshin, I've fought Riders who knew how to fight while transformed, but you're just so weak compared to the rest. Like seriously, how have you survived this long without being dead. Maybe I should've left you to die three days ago against Cait Sith because all I did was try to help you in that fight and you just blew me off. The only people who you seemed to care about were your friends but not me?! Here I thought I was the biggest asshole in Rider history, but boy you sure showed me up right?" Tsukasa yelled as he stood over me. I started to get angry at him and took my foot as sweeped his left leg causing him to fall over. He uses his hands to stop his fall and got back up as soon as I did. "You're just a child Travis, and until you realize the shit you went through I'm not taking you home. So get ready Wizard." He pulled on his belt that was already around his stomach.
"Kamen Ride: Decade."
Tsukasa transformed and I got up with my belt already ready for battle, "If this is how it's going to be then so be it. Transform." I said pulling down the faceguard on my Flame Ring.
The red circle formed in front of me and I ran through it and on the other end came out my sword. I slashed at Tsukasa but he blocked it by parrying my blade, he then grabbed my blade with his hand and pulled me towards him. He moved his blade away from mine and sliced me across the chest causing me to fall backwards. "Let's see how well you do against multiple of me." I said challenging him. I pulled out my Copy Ring and flipped the levers, I watched as he took out a card, "You think I'll let you?" He said assured.
I flipped my levers and he pulled back on his belt.
"Attack Ride: Slash."
His blade began emanating a glow and before I could even put my ring on he slashed forward sending an energy blade straight at me. The attack landed sending me flying now I was getting more frustrated.
"This is how you lose or almost lose all of your fights Wizard. You are not FOCUSED, you're enemies see this and will take advantage of it. Right now I can tell your upset because you are losing this fight. You want to prove me wrong so badly don't you? Well that's your second flaw: Anger and uncontrolled emotions. You need to go into these fights with somewhat of a cleared head. If you go in with a clear head then you'll be able to think better and even fight better." He explained. I finally flipped my levers as I got back up off the ground.
"Copy, please."
A red spell circle quickly passed by me as I created three more of me. We all ran towards Decade who took out another card, "I guess the only way to show you how to fight is if I was you." He said as he pulled back his belt.
"Form Ride: Wizard."
I saw my spell circle appear in front of his belt and move through him as I saw myself standing in front of me. He still had his normal sword and used it to fight the oncoming clones of mine. My first clone came in with his sword slashing but Tsukasa dodged to the left but still standing in his same position and when my clone came at a slash for his chest, Tsukasa dodged to the left and slashed across his hip. My clone stumbled back and the other two came around the first clone ready to thrust their swords into his chest but Tsukasa pulled back on the belt and then ran at the tree behind him. He ran up the tree and back flip off of it as he landed right behind my clones.
"Final Attack Ride: Flame Slash Strike."
His sword began to turn bright red and he sent the flame towards them causing them to explode.
I pulled on my black thumb of my sword and scanned my ring, "Let's see if you can try that with me." I said.
"Flame Slash Strike!"
My sword said and Tsukasa just reinserted the card. His sword began forming flames like mine and we ran at each other. I came at him with a high cut and when I lowered my blade down to his head, he dodged by spinning in a circle around my attack. He was now behind me as my blade came down sending a trail of fire for a good amount of distance and I felt his blade slash at my back which caused me to fly five feet away from where I was standing and before I hit the ground I reverted back to my human form. Tsukasa reverted back to his human self and walked over to me.
"When you allow your emotions to control you during a fight you allow yourself to be an open book to your opponents. I already know all about you when I came to this world. Granted Cait Sith had enhanced speed but he was able to get inside your head which is why your ass was getting kicked at that fight. Your style of fighting is just all about how you can cause much pain and damage in a short amount of time that you have. There is no strategy, backup plan, or anything is there? By now you should already know how to fight using the power you have. No simple monster should be able to overpower you."
I looked down at the ground disgusted with myself, "He's right. I let my opponents get into my head. Minotauros had connections to my parents, Hellhound had Shawn really close to despairing than anyone I've tried to save, and Cait Sith had not only overpowered me but was willing to rape someone I was trying to save. Cait Sith knew off my first expression where my state of mind was and took advantage of that. If I had kept my head calmed I should've been able to deal with that fight better. Arachnid is the only exception because I didn't know what I was getting myself into and was stronger than I anticipated. Tsukasa is right on the fighting part as well. I should be much stronger than this but I use my spells to cover up my ability to fight. I've known for a while that I was going to have to get better. Maybe I should find a teacher in Bowling Green that will teach me how to fight better." I looked back up at Tsukasa and got off the ground.
"Your right about everything, I do not think straight in these fights and I'll find a way to figure a way around this. I have a couple of ideas on how to get better and I'm sorry for the asshole I've been to you after everything you've done to me." I said reaching my hand out to him.
He grabbed my hand with his, "A Rider is nothing without his friends or some type of network. You need to break yourself out of the shell you're in and allow people to help you. You spend a lot of time helping others, at least let someone help you when you need it. You've got a good network of friends don't lose them. Let's go home." He said. A green barrier moved through us and I was back at the hospital. Upon coming back I saw Amber with DJ out in the hall walking up to me. When I looked around I didn't see Tsukasa anywhere but a letter was in my hand and I decided to read it later. "Hey Amber how are you feeling now?" I asked her. She had a bright smile on her face and she ran up and hugged me. I looked up at DJ, "I need to find a way to get better at fighting. I want to be a better fighter so I don't have what's been happening with me keep occurring." I said.
DJ opened his wallet and pulled out a card, "A good friend of mine runs his own dojo in town. Go to him and learn how to fight, mention me and he'll give you a discount." I looked at the name on the card, "Marshall Lee. I'll check up on this later." I said to myself.
Apparently Amber was looking for the bathroom and DJ was being the guide making sure she'd be okay. DJ left her in my care as he headed back to my room and I walked down the hall, "I didn't know you were the masked hero that's been rumored around town." She said to me. I was kind of shocked because I tried my best to hide my identity, "How did you know?" I asked worried. She grabbed my hand, "When my wounds reopened I had a moment to see you revert back before you fell over. I'll keep your secret safe so you don't need to worry about a thing." I was relieved to hear her say that and we finally got to the bathrooms. She walked in and I waited outside for her. I started thinking back on the things
Tsukasa said and pulled out his letter and began to read it, "You have a lot to work on as a Masked Rider, but I feel like you'll get there. Also if we ever meet up and fight side by side again you better Rider Kick with me on the monster because that was bullcrap for us to not do it to Cait Sith. Also something about that entire set up with Cait Sith seemed suspicious. Be careful Wizard. Signed, a passing through Kamen Rider, remember that." I folded up his letter and put it back in my pocket.
Amber walked out of the restroom, or more like stumbled out. "Are you okay Amber? You don't look so good." She had her hands up on her head like she was having a headache. She begun to collapse to the floor and I quickly grabbed her, "Amber! Hey wake up!" She was kind of breathing a bit heavy and her forehead was burning up. I kept one arm on her back and then I used my other arm to support her legs and carried her back to my hospital room. When we got inside everyone was talking and by the sounds of it was making plans on what we should do when I was discharged. I quickly laid Amber on my bed ignoring them and called the nurse, "Master what happened?" Shawn asked. I told him about how she just collapsed and before I could get any other word in the doctors came running into the room checking up on her.
"She isn't fully healed from her wounds. Her body is small than it should be at her age and it takes a while for it to recover." The doctor said. He looked at me and had a nurse hand me a clipboard which was my discharge papers.
Karina came up to me, "Hey we were all thinking of going to the buffet place over by Krogers. DJ was going to pay and we could have Robin come with us too. Would you be up for it?" She said cheerfully. I told them I'd meet them there and I wanted to stay near Amber to make sure she was okay. Everyone ended up leaving one after the other but Shawn stayed behind, "Mast…Travis, sorry I'll work on that. You saved her life I don't think you'll need to be here anymore, I doubt the Phantoms will hunt her down." I knew that Shawn meant well but something told me to stay.
"Shawn, remember when Cait Sith attacked her? She was almost raped by a monster. I can relate to that pain because of my childhood. I'm not sure what it is but I feel like staying here until she wakes up at least." I explained. Shawn understood and like always he didn't think before he spoke.
"So you love her huh?" I didn't know what to say to that. Shawn left the room and the doctor walked towards me, "You a friend of hers?" He asked. I said yes and said I'd wait on her to get better before I left.
The doctor told me that to let her rest a few hours and she should be all set for discharge. I thanked him for all his efforts. I then walked over and sat down next to Amber. She was asleep and her breathing more calm. She was twitching a bit, "So she has night terrors as well. I wonder what her life has been like since the cave exploration." I placed my hands on hers and she started to calm down. I was wondering how I would pass the time and then I saw a bag next to me with a note that had my name on it. I looked into the bag and saw a book so I started to read it. The book was called The Howling Moon a werewolf book series. I began reading it to pass some time and a few hours later Amber woke up. "That book sucks." She said tired.
I put the book down and grabbed her hand, "How are you feeling?" I asked her. She kept blinking her eyes a lot and then started stretching, "Better than I was when you found me." Sometime had passed as I got the doctor and he did a check up on her.
"Everything appears stable with her and once you sign these papers you are all set to go home Ms. Wild." The doctor said handing her the clipboard. She signed the paper and then got out of bed. Her legs were shaking a bit and she looked like she was going to collapse. She reached her arms out to me, "Can you help me with the walking?" She asked. I walked over and tried to support her but instead she wrapped her arms around my right side and leaned up against me, "This is more comfortable for me." She said.
While walking out of the hospital I heard someone talking, "I do hope my friends will be happy." A voice said. Right after hearing the voice something shoulder bumped me and I looked all over the place but didn't see anyone. "It's almost as if I bumped into a ghost." I thought to myself. I kept looking around but I didn't see anyone, "There isn't anyway people can be ghosts. I think I'm just hearing things." I looked at Amber after shaking off the fact that I thought I bumped into someone, "Want me to take you home?" I asked. She looked down and there was this feeling she was giving off that made me think she didn't feel safe going home.
I took out a ring from my pocket, "Well my bike isn't here so give me a sec to get it and I'll take you to my place for the time being." I slid the ring on my finger and scanned it over my belt.
"Connect, please."
A red circle appeared in front of us and I reached in and pulled out my bike. Amber had a big cute smile on her face and began clapping her hands, "That's really cool! Can you do another trick?" She said excitingly.
I had us get on the bike, "Not here. I don't like showing off my powers in big public places unless I need to." She wrapped her arms around my waist and placed her head up against my back, "Um why are you holding onto me like this?" I asked her. She told me that she felt safe being near me which is something she hadn't felt in a long time. I put on my helmet and we drove off back to DJ's. On my way to DJ's we were passing by Grounds for Thought and Amber was tapping my shoulder, "I'm a bit hungry." She said.
"I'm hungry too let's stop and get a snack real quick." I turned right at an intersection and went down Grove street about half a block and then pulled into the coffee store parking lot. I checked to make sure I had my wallet and then helped Amber walk into the store. We made our way up to the register and Rachel was working, "Oh Travis! I heard about you being in the hospital are you doing alright now?" She asked cheerfully. I told her I was okay and how I got injured protecting Amber from a group of people who were following her near Varsity Lanes a few nights back.
"So is she going to be your girlfriend now? You don't just sit here and protect a helpless girl and not expect anything in return." She said jokingly. I was kind of blushing and Rachel saw that, "Oooh your lighting up like a Christmas tree over there. Well hey let me commemorate a new donut for you lovebirds. I call it the Love Donut." Rachel put on a plate a donut with red and white frosting smeared, with heart sprinkles and on one end a blue frosting with a line going to the middle, and on the other side a pink frosting with line doing the same thing. "What's up with the blue and pink lines?" Amber asked.
Rachel got even more excited, "Oh well cutie what you do is the man starts at the blue line as the woman starts at the pink one and they eat together until they got the middle of the donut. It's an idea I came up with myself for couples who come in here. Since this is a college town and almost everyone is in a relationship I thought this would be a great idea to attract customers. Plus this donut will only cost $1, instead of $1.50." I went to pay for the donut, "I think I'll actually try something different than my Plain Sugar for once." I said.
Rachel just beamed with happiness as she finally got me to try a new donut and the fact that I didn't turn her down for once. She ended up giving me a Plain Sugar for free. Amber ended up getting a vegetarian sandwich that had lettuce, onion, cucumbers, mayo, and tomato on whole wheat bread. We were sitting outside on the tables in front of the restaurant as I watched Amber eat her sandwich and I was staring at the Love Donut, "So do you like me?" Amber asked. It broke my concentration.
"I don't even know you." I said to her. Amber put her sandwich down, when she did I started looking at her entire body, her white skin, innocent face, tinted green eyes, freckles on her cheeks, and this flowing red hair was all very appealing as well as distracting. Amber grabbed the Love Donut and walked around the table until she was in front of me. When she was standing in front of me she sat on one of my legs and put her left arm around my shoulder. She was now face to face with me, "Maybe this will give me an answer." She said teasing me.
Her entire facial feature changed from normal to seductive. "I'm going to put my mouth on the pink end of this donut and I'll want you to put your mouth on the other end. This will be you saying you have feelings for me, if you don't then push the donut away from your face using a finger." She said. She put the pink end of the donut in her mouth and leaned in closer to me, "The entire atmosphere has changed and I'm not sure at all what was going on anymore. I could feel my heart beating a mile a minute.
"I need to think of what I'm going to do now. I need to act quick." I thought to myself. I began going through a pro's and cons list and that wasn't even helpful. I decided to say screw it and I went to put my mouth on the donut. Right before I did, the donut fell onto my lap because Amber let it fall, and she leaned in and kissed me on my lips. She now put her other arm around my neck and I kept kissing her as a huge spark was flying throughout my entire body. I had never felt something like this before and I wrapped my arms around her as I pulled her in closer. I was trying to keep her close for I felt like if I didn't I would lose her somehow. She finally stopped attacking my lips and gave me this girly smile at me, "So was it that bad? Do you like me now?" She asked.
My mind was all over the place from my first kiss. I almost didn't want it to end, "That was…Really something…Shoot um, I guess I wouldn't mind dating you." I said. Amber leaned in closer to my face again as she kissed me again, "Good answer." She said seductively. I wanted to take her back to DJ's to let everyone know the news but before we even got up I heard people running down the street. Amber and I ran to where a bunch of people were panicking and screaming about a monster with a giant two handed sword attacking people and burning a house down. "Hey can you wait here for me Amber? I have an issue to take care of real quick. Okay thanks bye!" I said dashing off to get to the source of the disturbance. I got a about a few blocks just by running and taking shortcuts when I saw one of the houses burning to the ground and from the flaming building a Phantom walked out holding a flaming colored claymore with one hand resting on his shoulder. The Phantom was wearing all red, his shoulder pieces rusted yellow and his arm braces were also rusted yellow. His blue eyes saw me running towards him and he kicked some of the burning debris out of the way, "Well if it isn't the Bowling Green Super Hero. The Ring Bearing Magician: Travis Edge." He said laughing.
