A/n: Hey people, sorry about not updating, a lot of personal problems came up, resulting in me not getting back to this. So for all of you who were waiting for this, I'm sorry. But on the plus side, Halo 3: ODST was keeping me occupied, since me and my friends worked our butts off getting recon armor (which we got) so not all of my time was consumed by my personal life. But nonetheless, let's get started on chapter 26!
Chapter 26: The Bet
Two weeks passed since the last encounter with ACE, and at this point, the only threat that's left was JOKER. Before school started though, Nolan and Tim went to the Training room in SADE to spar in case of any Dreamon attack.
"HENSHIN!" Nolan and Tim shout as they slide their claw beast into their belts. With both belts announce: SHINOBI MODE and MARKSMEN MODE respectively, both charge, activating the speed claw and power claw to go super mode on each other.
With the two sparing in their rider forms, Yuliya, and Jesse, both armed with breakfast and coffee in hand from a small trip from McDonalds, watch from the lobby of the building, watching on the monitor like it's the real Kamen Rider TV show.
"This is the third day this week we had to sneak here to let them train." Yuliya yawns, taking a bite into her McGriddle.
"Third time, how did you make to school on time?" Jesse asks.
"We get here at like 6:00 let them spar for an hour and then we get to the ferry by 7:30. Speaking of which, it's almost 7:00 now, we should head out."
Jesse pulls out her Bluetooth and contacts Nolan in the training room, who was about to use his final slash attack on Tim.
"What's up?" Nolan asks.
"Its 7:00, we gotta head out if we want to make the ferry on time." Jesse replies.
"Ok, got it." Nolan replies, canceling out the transformation.
Tim follows suit and runs over to Nolan. "Dude, when are you going to ask her out?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You + Jesse = you having a girlfriend for the first time in your life."
"Are you kidding?! I told you, I'm not ready to have a girlfriend."
"When are you going to grow up? Think about it, what's the worst that could happen?"
"Well…"
"Oh so you get rejected, you cry for like 30 seconds then you get over it."
"Come on, you know what's been going on for most of our junior year. We fought Dreamon, encountered D-Brids, I nearly died twice, Jesse was put into a coma, we been through so much, and you want me to ask her out?!"
"Yeah; because you only used yourself and Jesse in your little explanation. Plus, you gave me an idea as to what to do to convince you."
"Which is…?"
"The junior prom."
"That still didn't convince me." Nolan replies walking through the door, flinging his bag over his shoulder.
"How about you get $100 for it?"
"Still no, Tim."
They get to the lobby, meeting up with them as they head out to the train station.
Later getting to the school, the four walk through being surprised at all of the decorations and posters related to the junior prom."
"Wow, you guys didn't mention the prom." Jesse says gazing at all the posters on the wall.
"Yeah well, you didn't ask." Nolan replies, getting a mean glare from the teen photographer.
"Smooth, you definitely got a chance." Tim replies.
"Chance for what?" Jesse asks sensing the suspicion between the two.
"Well, Nolan?" Tim edges him.
"I'll explain later." Nolan reassures, turning back to Tim, who gives him a thumbs up.
"I hate you" he whispers
"At least I can get a girl."
The bell rings, letting the students know to report to class.
"Well, are you going to take my offer?" he asks, flashing the $100 bill in his face.
"Dude, I would if she just happened to get invites from the entire class."
When Jesse gets to class, the entire class goes ecstatic because of how long she was gone (month and ½)
"Hey what happened!?" One teen asked her. The teen was of African American descent, having red and black clothing, shadowy black sunglasses, and a red Yankee baseball cap.
"Oh well, I got into a car accident with my family over a month ago so I was in the hospital for a while. I'm all better now.
"Really, so you're all better?" he asks
"Yeah, I am."
"So then, would you like to go to the prom with me?"
The sudden question made Jesse freeze and Nolan to break his pencil, which caught the attention of some people, due to the timing.
"Um, I'll have to think about it." She replies. "By the way, what's your name, I never seen you before.
"Oh I'm new, my name is Noah. It's Nice to meet you.
Jesse smiles which makes Nolan a little irritated. Kaiger pops from Nolan's bag.
"Dude, if I were you, I'd be making that bet with Tim, you know, before that kid leaves with your girl."
The comment makes Nolan pick up his bag, shove Kaiger deeper into it, and close the flap. In all of that, he somehow manages to find a pen, without making it obvious that he was pissed at a robot living in his bag.
After class Nolan Meets with Tim who asks again, flashing the $100 bill.
"Fine, I'll do it."
"What decided to change your mind?"
"That kid Noah tried to ask her. I kind of got jealous."
"Okay. You got until the end of the month."
Tim walks away while Nolan stands there. "What did I just do?!" he asks himself.
"You just made a bet that you can get enough courage to ask a girl you like out for the prom, all for $100." Kaiger replies.
"Yeah, that doesn't sound like me at all."
"So what'll you do?"
"Try to ask her out."
"Good luck with that. I'll be in your bag sleeping."
Kaiger disappears as Nolan walks to his next class.
Later in Cisco class, since Mr. ringer was absent, Nolan took advantage of it to hang out in the class room, wanting Yuliya's opinion on the situation.
Yuliya, while eating her pop-tarts, listens to the conversation, between Nolan and Tim before she comes to her judgment. "Well, it looks like you dug a grave for yourself. How do you suppose to get out?"
"Don't know yet. What should I do?"
"I would play it out; besides there's $100 in it for you; but it was stupid for you to go along with Tim. In any case, I would encourage you to ask her. But don't take the money. That would just make it so you're just doing it for cash."
"True. I like your explanation, Kimi-chan."
"I told you, it won't catch on!!" Yuliya and Kaiger both say simultaneously.
So, will you take the money or not?" Tim asks.
Kiba walks onto the table overhearing the conversation. "I think you should go along with it."
"Not you too!" Nolan pleads.
"Listen, you never listen to Tim, unless it's an emergency. Just consider this an emergency."
"See, even my Claw Beast makes sense. Just do it." Tim supports.
"Okay. But how will I do that?"
"Easy; just get one-on-one time with her and just ask." Yuliya explains
"Seems easy enough… I think."
The bell rings dismissing 6th period and starting 7th.
"So, I'll try after school." Nolan replies.
"You do that." Tim says, getting his stuff together.
After school, the street fills with teenagers all going to where they have to go. Nolan waits for Jesse to walk out of the school, while talking to Kaiger.
"So, taking my mind off of the bet, what other powers does the Kaiser C.L.A.W have?"
"Well, It can use the speed claw to become Speed Kaiser."
"Yeah; but what about the power and flight claws? Even though the claws only react to DNA verification, could I just so happen to use them?"
"I have no clue. But imagine how cool that'd be?"
"Yeah, I know, that would be insane. Oh, there's Jesse!"
Nolan runs over to Jesse, who's walking out the door, but stops short when he sees Noah along with her.
"Noah… what's he doing with her?" Nolan asks himself.
Jesse sees Nolan and breaks from Noah, running towards her friend. Noah walks the opposite direction from her with a small smile on his face.
"Hey Nolan, you could've told me that you'd wait for me; I would have gotten out sooner." She apologizes.
"Oh that's okay I wasn't waiting long. So, getting along with Noah?" Nolan jokes.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that." She replies. "I didn't realize he was such a sweet guy though. I might just take up his offer on going to the prom with him. I mean, what could happen?" she giggles.
Nolan turns away for a second, feeling a sharp sensation in his chest, realizing his heart shattering into a million pieces.
"That's… That's just great. I'm happy for you." Nolan forces a smile, and at the same time holds back tears.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm just fine. It's just that I asked someone I liked to the prom and got rejected hard. It still hurts. I'm just a bit jealous that's all." He replies.
"Wow that sucks. If you asked me, then that wouldn't have happened. Besides, the prom isn't for another two weeks; I bet you'll find someone."
"Thanks. Um, I gotta go, there's something I forgot to take care of."
"Sure thing, no problem. Text you later." She replies.
Nolan smiles and walks off in another direction, away from her.
"She rejected you?!" Yuliya asks stunned in the lounge of the HQ.
"Yeah it hurts. Worse part is I didn't say anything."
"Well, this supports the way you have with girls. They hit the friend zone the second they hit 10 miles from you."
Nolan, normally taking that as a joke falls back in his chair sniffling.
"Nice one." Kiba replies.
"Right not the best thing to say was it?"
Yuliya, Kaiger and Kiba shake their heads.
"You know, I'm gonna go home and sleep this off." Nolan suggests.
"Really, you'll be alright?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. But before I go, Tim, Can I borrow your Power claw?"
"Why, what for?" He asks tossing it to him.
"I just want to try something. I'll give it back tomorrow. It's the least you can do for forcing me into this mess."
"I didn't force this into this; you agreed to it. To be honest, I really thought you'd bail on it."
"But I didn't. I'll bring it back tomorrow."
Nolan leaves the building, leaving Yuliya and Tim to think about Nolan.
In the dark streets of Manhattan, Nolan begins to walk to the train station, thinking about his chances with any girl, let alone Jesse.
"Hey Kaiger, do you think Tim was right?"
"Well, I see where he's coming from. Every girl you talked to, you always wanted them to be your friend. Problem with that is that guys like that would wait until so long to ask them out, only to get rejected."
"Thanks for taking his side."
"I'm just saying. You could ask her out when you're ready; if you want to. But don't let anyone force you into a decision you're not ready for."
"Okay, that works."
Unknown to Nolan, JOKER overhears Nolan and Jumps from a building to confront him.
"Well Kamen Rider, can we play?" JOKER asks. "I bet I have someone who would love to have a play date with you."
"Man I really don't have time for this."
"Really? Because she doesn't take no for an answer." Joker replies pointing to the Raptor Dreamon behind him.
"Oh, damn." Nolan mumbles.
"I'll leave you two kids alone." Joker smiles, disappearing.
The Raptor screeches at him charging at Nolan. Nolan jumps back, roundhouse kicking the monster and then knocking it off its feet.
While given the opportunity, Nolan gives Kaiger the gold side of the shuriken as the belt appears around his waist.
"HENSHIN!" Nolan calls out, sliding the claw onto the belt.
"KAISER MODE!" the belt announces as the gold and black colored armor covers his body. Nolan then takes the shuriken and charges at the raptor, slashing it with the blades.
The raptor screeches as it smacks Nolan across the street, crashing into a building.
"Okay, it's annoying. I'm gonna end this fast." He replies pulling out his speed claw. "CHO HENSHIN!"
"SPEED KAISER MODE!" The belt announces as the light blue armor covers Nolan until he resembles speed mode.
"Super Turbo Shot!" Nolan calls out disappearing in a blur.
The raptor Dreamon then moves just as fast as Speed Kaiser, matching blow for blow, until Nolan is knocked out of the speed. Nolan tumbles to the ground, breaking back to Kaiser Mode, not being able to handle the blows and speed together.
"Kid, you okay?" Kaiger asks concerned.
"Just great. But this Raptor is more of a pain than I thought. You think our theory will come in handy now?"
"I don't know, are you stupid enough to try it?"
Nolan thinks for a second and pulls out the red claw. "Let's do it!"
Nolan stands up and slides the red claw onto his brace. "CHO HENSHIN!"
"KAISER MODE CONFIRMED! Beginning Power Kaiser Transformation!"
As the raptor jumps for the final blow, it's blown back from the sudden power surge
In that instant, the claw emits a red aura that covers Nolan in red Shinobi-like armor in addition to making a second red/black shuriken.
"POWER KAISER MODE!" Nolan shouts, slamming his foot onto the ground creating underground shockwaves around him.
The Raptor Dreamon nonetheless charges at him, only to easily be kicked back by the Kamen Rider.
Nolan takes both shuriken and charge at the Raptor, who doesn't stand a chance against him. Realizing that, Nolan slides the claw onto the brace.
"FINAL SLASH ATTACK!" Kaiger announces as Nolan takes the red and black shuriken, chucking it at the Dreamon. Having a chain attached to it, it wraps around it as he forcefully tugs it, causing the monster to fly back. Nolan then takes the gold and green shuriken, allowing it to become his sword. He drops the chain and in a split second, he uses the sword like a bat, swinging it cutting the beast in half making it disperse into sand behind him.
JOKER laughs at the sight and disappears back into the nightmare realm.
"So that takes care of that. Now I'm going home."
About an hour later, Nolan walks off the ferry boat and walks to the bus stop, running into Jesse, who sits there waiting for the bus.
"Hey Jesse, What're you doing here?" Nolan asks.
"Oh, I stayed at the school, taking some pictures on the junior prom for the student council. I just now got done. So, how have you been for the last few hours? Getting back from HQ I'm assuming?"
"Yeah I am, so tired just want to go to sleep."
"It's only 8:00. You go to bed this early?"
"No but it's been a long day so I figure, what the heck?"
"Yeah. Listen, I felt bad about earlier, so I decided to not go with Noah to the prom."
"Really!? I mean uh: Really, why not?"
"Because he's sweet and all, but I don't know him very well."
"Well, since I pretty much had a "what could happen?" Kind of day, would you like to go to the prom with me?" Nolan says.
Jesse blushes a bit and smiles. "Of course since I'll be working with the pictures department during the night, I'll Need a "Body Guard" to make sure no one tries and dances with me."
"Well, it's not a No, so I will call it a-
"Date; It's a date." Jesse interrupts.
"Actually I was gonna call it a job but date sounds more strong and accurate." Nolan smiles.
The bus pulls up causing Jesse to get up and to pull out her metro card.
"Good Night." Jesse waves.
"Night." Nolan waves back.
As the bus fills up, it pulls off out of the terminal.
"Let's go home." Nolan tells Kaiger.
As Nolan turns around, he is startled by the clapping of: Tim, Yuliya and Dominick.
"See was that so hard?" Tim asks.
"Surprisingly, no. it really wasn't."
"And as promised, here's the $100 that I promised. You'll need it on your date."
"Actually, I won't need it."
"Why Not?"
"Because. I used your claw to gain a new form. And it was Sick!!"
"What!? How did you do that!?"
"What can I say? I'm just Nice like that." Nolan laughs, walking away.
"Yuliya, did you know anything about that?" Tim asks, freaking out.
She shakes her head. He then turns to Dominick who won't spill on the Kaiser C.L.A.W.
"Well, if you guys won't tell me, then I'll just have to figure out for myself."
"Well, don't put too much thought on it. Just relax and go home. You too Yuliya." Dominick orders.
The two teens salute going their separate ways. When Dominick is left by himself, Kyuge appears.
"So it looks like Tim is getting suspicious of Project trinity. What should we do?"
"Let him snoop. I doubt he'll get very far. Besides, It's not like QUEEN will have anything to do to stop us."
"You better hope so, if not the Royal Flush Five, then those kids who consider themselves Kamen Riders."
"Don't worry about them; the time will come when everything will come into the light. We, just sit back, relax, and watch the war continue…"
END
A/N: this chapter is based on a real bet that Tim made with me. I had writers block, and since he wants me to so desperately ask someone out (I think I'm too immature to actually handle a relationship, but that's just me) we made the bet used in the story. (Although we're seniors and the junior prom is long over. But since this takes place during our junior year, I figure what the heck and decided to use it. Read and Review like usual. (4 all people who like this story and this chapter)