Chapter 17 - Wings that judges all part 2

It's a scorching afternoon in Taiyobe. A cloudless sky of blue frees the sun to illuminate the city. It has become the beginning of autumn, and yet the warmth of the city could give the illusion of summer. Families and friends walk the open streets, rushing and sprinting towards open restaurants, and arcades to spend their time, while food vendors and market stands sell their goods to the thirsty consumers of the average citizen that looks to earn their heat fuelled suffering.

Jiro has recovered from his fight with Masquerade. To celebrate, he is out in the sun with his friends Iro and Pic. Pic hangs herself around Jiro's arm as they walk together. Iro walks ahead of the group, keeping a few meters ahead of the other two. "Okay, the last spot we went to was my treat, now who's turn is it this time?" Iro asks, throwing his voice to the two behind him. "I think it's my turn now," Jiro remarks, his face with a faint blush with Pic around his arm. As they walk past an alleyway, the only source of shade, a pair of red eyes look out into the sunlight and watch the trio.

"So anyway, Jiro. How are you feeling?" Pic asks, "I saw the report on the news, and it looked like a rough time." Iro turns around, still walking only with his back forward, "Yeah. Even with that other guy, you managed to fight off 100 of those monsters, and another rider," he pauses before continuing, "Also, did you get a new suit? I thought your original one was gold, or yellow, but this time you were green. Is that normal?" Jiro shrugs his shoulders, "It's the new normal. I just used a new idol to transform. Nothing else to it. I'm still the same Kamen Rider Idol."

As the other two celebrate, Jiro's demeanor changes to concern. Pic takes notice of the sudden change, "Hey, what's wrong? Is it because we're talking about this in public again?" Jiro realizes he's been caught and looks back at her, "Oh, no. That's not it. I was just thinking of Genkei," as if by coincidence, they pass a post for the Police Department Recruitment program, "I heard he's been in the hospital since he was beaten badly by Masquerade." Iro comes closer, putting his hand on Jiro's shoulder, "I'm not surprised. It's only been three days. Maybe he's already recovered, and is staying for some other reason." Jiro moves his head side to side, "Like what?" Iro gets the same look in his eye, "I don't know. The food? A yearly physical?" A group of girls passes the trio as he is thinking. Iro's attention is drawn to them, "Then again, hospitals do have nurses."

Pic unhooks her arm from Jiro's. She pulls out a small, paper fan from under her sleeve. She folds it tight before smacking it once against Iro's cheek, "Do I need to hose your down again?" Iro seems unphased by the fan, but does turn his attention to her, "I'll behave. I was just trying to lighten the mood." Pic turns to Jiro, "Iro is mostly right. I'm sure if anything, we'll pull through. It's a miracle he wasn't bitten by one of those monsters. At least look on the bright side." Jiro nods his head, slowly coming around to that idea of thinking, "Y'know what? You're right. I'm sure that old geezer is perfectly fine."

In the corner of his eye, Jiro notices an old man with an ice cream cart. The sign on the cooler references the prices and the types of ice cream they have from ice lollies to cones. "Alright, I'll treat us next, but first, I want an ice cream," Jiro says, gesturing to the stand. Jiro walks past the twins, Iro turning to see the stand, "Let me know if they have any Sea Salt," he calls out. As Jiro leaves the group, a shadowy figure appears behind them. The twins are brought closer together as a thick layer of silky white thread is wrapped around them, locking their arms by the side, and keeping them close.

Jiro has picked out his ice cream, a green frozen ice lollie. As the old man looks up to receive payment, their eyes widen and they fall back, pointing behind Jiro as they scream. Jiro is confused by the old man's reactions, so he turns around. He doesn't see anything out of the normal, instead just an open path with normal citizens walking by. He stares harder when it suddenly clicked, "Iro? Pic?" He steps forward, realizing that they are both gone. "Where did they go?" He asks himself.

"Where indeed?" a voice calls out to Jiro. More citizens scream as Jiro turns around. Hanging upside down from a lamp post is the Bat Fallen. "Kamen Rider Idol," they call out to Jiro. "What did you do to my friends?" he demands, his tone betraying his cheerful nature. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about them, yet. My colleague is keeping them in one piece for now." "Where are they?" Jiro asks, reaching for the lion idol in his pocket. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," the bat taunts, "We will fight, just not here. If you want to see your friends again, alive, then I suggest you follow suit." With that, the bat spreads their arms, their wings stretch out from their open posture as they drop down from the post. Catching the wing, they shoot off into the air. Jiro starts to give chance, sprinting after the Fallen.

As Jiro continues his pursuit, following after the large bat in the sky, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. In haste, he uses the speed dial function on his phone to call his aunt. He holds the phone to his ear, his breathing is rapid as he continues to run. The phone starts to ring before a voice is heard on the other end, "Hello?" Jiro immediately exposes into exposition, "Auntie! Pic and Iro were kidnapped, and a Bat Fallen says they know where they are! I'm following them, but I think it might be a trap." Akemi responds with a question, "If you think it's a trap, then why are you still following the Fallen?" Jiro barely processes the question before answering, "But my friends are in danger, and that's good enough reason."

Akemi smiles. She is back at the mansion in the secret garage by the console. "I'm tracking your driver now. Try to stay alert until I can send help." Jiro responds, "But Genkei is still in the hospital. And do you really think James will help?" There's silence on Akemi's end. "Auntie? Are you still there?" Jiro's voice comes through the phone, but it rests on the workbench as Akemi grabs a leather jacket and helmet from a closet in the garage. She picks up the phone, "Let me worry about that. Keep your head high and be careful because...," at that moment a machine in the garage lets out a small alarm like an oven. Akemi's smile grows as she grabs a pager off the workbench and places it in her pocket. She approaches the machine and opens it, revealing a pure red idol. "Little nephew, sit tight. This bird is gonna soar."

To be continued!