A week after the first battle with the enemy found Sandra with three more battles, all within a few miles of her home. That last battle of the week happened within minutes of getting off of work, which unnerved her a little. And that is where we find her now, right after the enemy was destroyed.
I almost didn't get off work in time. Sandra commented to herself as she came out from within the fenced in garbage area, fully dehenshined. Don't know what my co-workers are thinking right now, seeing me race off like that.
Momotaros didn't say anything, just humphed, leaving her to herself. So she grabbed her purse from the bike handle, slung it over her head so it hung across her chest, and began the ride home.
When Momotaros finally did speak, it was hours later, when Sandra was at home, browsing thru yet another Tokusatsu forum, looking for someone whom instinct would tell her was worthy and able to become a Rider.
Oi. Momotaros thought to her. You know, you don't have to work anymore.
You mean, with that money at my disposal. she said, going once again to the bank website that was written in the letter. And showing that she had 10 million dollars now. To be used solely for what was needed to make her life as Den-O easier and more manageable. You know, I still don't feel comfortable enough using it. I mean, where did it come from?
But it clearly was left for you. He then said. And with you not at work, it would be easier to battle. Not having to worry about your co-workers finding out who you are and leave you with more strength.
And what would happen after this is all over? If the money disappears after the end, I'd be stuck without a job and with no money to my name. I don't want to just sit around the apartment all day until a monster decides to attack. But... she said when she heard him moan, Perhaps I should ask to be put on part time instead of full time, 2-3 days a week. Just enough to keep me busy, but not enough that it hinders my duties as Den-O.
Momo was about to say more when Sandra squealed at the new Yahoo Messenger IM that popped up on screen. Mamo-chan! she said happily, then typed out a greeting to him.
While she was talking to him, Momotaros was going to go to sleep when he noticed how much this friend was talking about Kamen Riders. That put his senses on alert and he paid more attention to the guy.
A few hours later, while Sandra and her friend were on break from writing one of their anime based fanfiction stories together, Momotaros got Sandra's attention by simply saying I think you need to send him one.
That comment put her Rider instincts on full alert. She focused on her friend and soon knew which one belonged to him. How could I have missed something in front of my face like this?
Probably cause you were more focused on talking to him, as a friend, then you were determining him to be a potential Rider. Momotaros mused. But you need to get the henshin device sent to him. He'll need to be trained up some. The more time for that, the better.
Sandra fully agreed with him, and went through her files and found his address under her small file of friend's numbers and addresses, under his last name. Speer, Dale. With that on screen, she pulled out the box and grabbed the one needed. Making sure the envelope was still securely attached to it, she then took out a smaller box and placed it inside. She wrote out his name, with the special pen included in her box, and address on the now closed box, leaving off her name and address, as per the letter's instructions. He, and all other riders she chose, were not to know that it was she who sent the device til after they became Riders. And then they had to learn it from their own instincts. Only then could she acknowledge it.
Once done, she set the box on the floor. Within moments, the box disappeared from the apartment and on it's magickal way to the item's new owner. As she cleaned up her mess, Sandra had a fleeting thought of what her Mamo-chan would think when he received it.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Dale Speer was alone in his apartment, making some soup and sandwiches for his dinner. After they were made, he would go back to his desktop computer, which he had nicknamed 'The Monster', and continued the role-playing of a new anime story with one of his closest online friends, Sandra.
But lately, he had been getting tired of her continuous talk of Kamen Rider, her obsession for the past 2 months. He sometimes regretted introducing her to that certain aspect of tokusatsu, also known as 'live action'. Now she would not stop talking about it. Especially her favorite, Kamen Rider Den-O.
He was thankful that she had insisted on that particular story to work on, one of their original anime-based works, now posted on the fanfiction section of his website, SailorMoon America. They were well into the 6th chapter of the story and was anxious to see what would happen to the characters.
He carried his dinner back to his desk, and checked to see if Sandra was still there. Her internet was intermittent, often kicking her off at the worst time. More often than not, while they were in the middle of a story. But thankfully, she was still showing as online, so he went on to make the next post in the story, then messaged her in their 'conversation side box' that he was back.
While he was waiting for her to post next, a knock came at his door. Not expecting anything, or anyone, he got up cautiously and answered the door. On the other side was a UPS delivery man, carrying a small box.
Dale Speer? the delivery man asked, and was answered with a nod of the young man's head. I have a package for you, would you please sign here?
Dale, still a bit suspicious, signed on the dotted line and verified his last name. Once he took the box, he thanked the delivery man and closed the door. As soon as the door closed, the delivery man once again smiled and disappeared from view.
As he was taking the box to his desk to open it, he noticed that their was no sender's address nor was there a sender's name. Making him even more suspicious, he held the box to his ear, but heard nothing wrong. Just a 'Clunk Clunk' from the items inside.
Dale set the box aside for the moment when he saw that Sandra, impatient as always, having pinged him, wanting him to post next in the story. He read the messages, and saw her worry that she had lost connection or that he was ignoring her. She was a bit childish in that aspect, not liking being ignored.
Chuckling, he wrote his next posts in the story. Then he posted in the side box that he had been delayed because of a package that had arrived. And went on to tell her that the package had him curious, as it had no clue as to the sender. When asked what was in there, he replied he had no clue yet.
Go on and open it then! Sandra typed to him. I wanna know what's in it! I'm willing to put the story on hold while you open it.
Dale then replied with Ok. Give me a second here and I'll let you know. he then grabbed the box, sat in his desk seat and carefully opened it. What he found in there surprised him. It was a replica of an Advent deck, including all the cards, along with an envelope.
He set it down and happily posted to Sandra that he had received a replica of the Ryuki Advent Deck. And a very nicely made one. Almost looks real. No clue who it's from though.
On the other side of the country, Sandra smiled at his post. She very well knew that it was no replica, but indeed the real deck. And that is was from her. And all he had to do was put it on. So, when he posted the question on if they could break yet again so he could 'play with it', she agreed. But with a false reluctance, so he wouldn't guess that she wanted him to try it on.
So, on extended break again, Dale took the deck out and began to examine it more closely. It really was a fine replica to the deck used in his favorite series. Before doing anything else, he took the envelope attached to it and opened it. It contained a single sheet of paper, on which was written the name and location of a post office box, as well as a single key. With the directions, the note stated 'Welcome Rider. Use the contents wisely. You are our Hope for the future.'
After reading the note, Dale's face went from curiosity to avid interest. He lay the note and key down, then picked the deck up again. He then went to a mirror and it was then that the change happened, much as it did to Sandra, unknowingly to him. The deck began to glow white, covering first the hand that held the deck. Soon after, the glow covered his entire body.
A minute later, the light disappeared. Once it did, Dale's face was one of pure awe and joy.
I wonder... he muttered, but didn't get to say much more. For it was then that a red Chinese dragon, that he recognized as Dragreder, appeared in the mirror and just looked at him. By pure instinct, he pulled out the Contract card and faced it towards the mirror.
Almost at once, Dale was inside the mirror and face to face with the dragon, who then wrapped itself around him. Then, having made a contract with Dragreder, Dale was dressed as Kamen Rider Ryuki and was a full fledged rider.
Not wanting to risk having been seen by anyone, he quickly walked out of the mirror and reverted to his normal self. His eyes then looked at Sandra's IM window, and debated on if he should tell her about this new development. She would have a cow, knowing that the Riders were indeed real. At least, Ryuki was.
After a lengthy internal debate, he decided against it. Telling her would break the privacy code that came with the abilities of a Rider. He would just play as if the belt was a toy. He was sure he could keep the secret from her. Especially since if he told her, she would want to know how to get a real Den-O belt. And that he couldn't help her with. Unfortunately.
So he placed the deck in a hidden drawer next to his bed and went back to the computer and to Sandra. And while they continued their story, he did wonder on who sent him the deck. And began a search on the internet, to try to find the sender's identity.
But Dale wasn't able to get much work done.
First, Sandra had to quickly leave, saying that Work desperately needed her. So when he tried to edit what they had worked on, making it ready for online viewing, he suddenly stopped with his hands frozen over the keyboard.
Without another word, he grabbed the deck, putting it in his pocket. On instinct, he also brought the post office key. Then he raced out the door and began to run to where his new instincts were telling him to go.
Once there, he saw, and heard, a monster attacking an innocent victim in the Mirror World. So he ran to a deserted shop front and held out the deck. His V-Buckle then appeared on his waist, and he called out Henshin! as he placed the deck into the belt.
After transforming into Ryuki, he walked into the mirror and went to the Ride Shooter. This vehicle then took him to the other side, to the world opposite his. The world known as the Mirror World.
The monster got a glance of Ryuki, who stood facing him, and smiled. Lookie Lookie. I get to destroy me a Rider today. it said with a smirk as it changed it's focus from it's victim to the new Rider.
Not today you don't. Dale replied. In fact, it is the other way around. I get to use you as practice so I can perfect my technique. Killing you will be good warm up for me.
We shall soon see, then. the monster replied, then began it's attack on Ryuki, who pulled a card from the deck and placed it in the Visor on his wrist. Sword Vent was then announced, and Dale was holding a sword, which he then began to use.
Five minutes later, the outcome of the battle was crystal clear. Ryuki had the monster weakened greatly. So he pulled out another card and again placed it in the Visor. This time, Final Vent was announced. He launched himself into the air and placed a well-aimed kick into the creature, bursting it into a large ball of flame. The energy that came from the now-deceased monster was devoured by Dragreder.
Once the battle was over, Dale found the spot he entered the world with and left that world for his own. Noticing that he was near the post office box mentioned, he made sure he had the key on him, then walked over in that direction.
While Dale was walking to his new PO Box, Sandra was finishing another battle. This one right outside the gates of her apartment complex. 'The excuse of work needing me wasn't really a lie. Being Den-O is Work. So I didn't lie to Mamo-chan.' she thought as she walked up to her apartment, then dehenshined and took control of her body yet again.
You just go on thinking that, rookie. Momotaros said with a snark sounding in his voice.
Oh, I will. Thank you. she said with a grin as she went straight to the kitchen to find food. She was ravenous. Being a Rider made her appetite go through the roof. So she rummaged through the kitchen, her mind focused on how to best use the new money alloted to her.
On to Episode 3