A/N: Sorry for the long wait, folks. Here's chapter thirteen of Masked Rider Den-O: The Ed Express.

Chapter 13: Happy Hunting

"Eddward, breakfast is ready!"

Spitting foam into the sink drain, Double D finished brushing his teeth before responding. "I'll be right down, mother!" He shouted out the bathroom door. With the task of washing his face yet started, he returned to the mirror.

The whole Peterson household ran their morning routines like a well-oiled clock. They were up by five, preparing for the day by six (while tidying behind themselves the entire way), and ready for breakfast by seven-thirty.

While this daily ritual wasn't usually burdensome for Double D, they were certainly taking their toll now.

Significantly perturbed by yesterday's late discovery, he and his friends stayed on the phone into the late hours of the night, trying to formulate a plan to deal with the new imagin without incident.

Suffice to say, they had nothing.

Double D turned the faucet off and hung his rag back on the rack behind the door. After readjusting his hat, he exited the bathroom and descended down the stairs where his backpack awaited him at the bottom balcony.

He took it with him into the kitchen and set it to the right of his seat at the table.

"Good morning Eddward," Mr. Peterson greeted without taking his eyes away from his paper. His plate of eggs, bacon, and pancakes sat half finished. "I trust you had a pleasant night sleep."

"Yes, father."

Mrs. Peterson daintily dabbed at her mouth to wipe away any syrup left from her last bite. "I received a tidbit of good news yesterday," she said with a rich French accent. "My brother called and confirmed that he and the rest of his family will be able to fly here for Christmas."

Mr. Peterson lowered his paper to reveal the smile on his faintly rugged face. "That's wonderful news, dear. It's been awhile since we've had a proper visit from the Belpois clan. I certainly hope Michel has kept his chess skills sharp."

"You two and your rivalry," Mrs. Peterson said mirthly. "One day you two are going to come to blows over that game."

Mr. Peterson adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with an amused twinkle in his eye. "If it must come to that, so be it. I was quite the boxer in my day, you know…"

"How is Jeremie by the way?" Double D asked.

"You're Uncle Michel said Jeremie was doing just fine," answered Mrs. Peterson. "You're cousin has made quite the name for himself at his boarding school."

"Well good for him," said Mr. Peterson. "That boy truly is a genius."

Double D picked up the remote centered on the table and brought the television to life. He flipped to the channel that the family regularly watched together each weekday before heading out the door.

{This is Lance Sherwood here with you for the Early Bird News. Breaking news this morning, folks. Late last night starting from 12:00 AM and ending at around 6:00 AM, a string of bizarre attacks with even stranger circumstances surrounding them took place.}

"Quite disturbing," Double D muttered. Chewing his cereal slowly, his attention focused in on the developing newscast.

{In the mindboggling span of just one night, three homes were broken into and their occupants attacked by reportedly the same suspect. The first two occurrences took place in Apple Rill and Orange Gully, with the last reported break-in taking place in Pear Burn. Nothing was reported stolen, but each incident resulted in at least one person being injured.}

"Who on Earth would break into a home merely to harm its inhabitants?" questioned Mrs. Peterson. "Such a horrible thing…"

"It's a sad world we live in," affirmed Mr. Peterson, shaking his head. He set aside the morning paper and turned his attention to the news.

With the entire family engrossed, the newscaster went on.

{The first reported victim was one Brandon Graham, a student at Apple Rill Middle School. When authorities arrived on the scene, Brandon was reportedly discovered by his parents in the sideyard of the residents. Signs indicate he was thrown out of his own bedroom window. }

Mrs. Peterson covered her mouth in shock. "That's simply horrible!"

{In the aftermath of the second attack, Trevor Halden, a student enrolled in Orange Gully Middle School, was found in his family's living room with a shattered ribcage and a broken leg. The parents were reported to have only sustained minor injuries.}

"It would seem this depraved lunatic has some vendetta against children," Mr. Peterson muttered. "The sooner this scoundrel is caught, the better."

{The third victim of the night, Eustis Reeves, is reported to have been found with a fractured skull. All three victims were rushed to the hospital immediately upon discovery. Though Brandon and Trevor are in stable condition, it has been released that Eustis is in a coma. Chances of recovery are still unknown.}

Double D's spoon clattered to his semi-empty bowl. "Good Lord…"

{Eustis's parents, who had left town for an intended two days, have been informed of their son's incident and are rushing to return. Police have yet to discover a motive behind these brutal assaults, but stated that the injuries incurred by all three children look to have been caused by a heavy, blunt object.}

"Certainly not a coincidence," said Mr. Peterson. "But children? What manner of deranged lunatic…"

{When questioned about the investigations into these attacks, Police stated that they will be working from the assumption that all three incidents were linked. They defend this claim by not just the similar injuries, but also by the damages suffered by each house and the descriptions of the culprit given by both the Grahams and the Haldens.}

Double D felt his mouth go dry and took a large draft from his glass of orange juice.

{When police questioned the families about the culprit's appearance, they both claimed the same thing; the suspect stood at roughly seven feet with an incredibly thick build.}

"That settles it." Mr. Peterson briskly cleaned off his plate and put it in the sink. "With this maniac bruiser on the loose, we're not taking any chances. I'm installing that security system I've been putting off."

"Well it certainly is about time. I intend to advise our neighbors to do the same at the next neighborhood watch committee." Mrs. Peterson got up and grabbed her bag. "I'll be sure call in and check on you, Eddward. Be sure to come straight home from school. It's just not safe to go meandering about right now."

Mr. Peterson joined her with his briefcase and both departed for the door, giving their 'goodbye' and 'have a nice day' to their son.

Double D waved them off and waited for the front door to close before pulling out his cell phone.

"Eddy, are you there? Yes, I know it's only seven in the morning, but this is urgent! Get up and watch the Channel Three News…"

--..--

Having good practice, the Eds were able to establish communications between each other in the span of under five minutes. Each one of the boys had their own two cents to throw in on the matter, but all three agreed on whom to blame for last night's rampage.

While the Eds tried to stay on the phone and get ready for school at the same time, Momotaros and Urataros were up and about the DenLiner, having their own discussion on the morning's revelation.

"I knew we should've taken that guy out last night when we had the chance!" Momotaros proclaimed. "Now he's already screwing with the timeline! Do you have any idea how this is gonna effect our gaming time?!"

"Well this new imagin certainly is eager, isn't he?" Urataros stated. "It really is a shame you didn't dispose of him sooner, but on the bright side, your attempt was quite comical if I do say so myself."

"Shut up! I didn't see you step in and do anything, ya useless turtle!"

"And risk cramping your style? Perish the thought!"

"How about I 'cramp' your head right up your— great timing, you're up too."

Still wearing her pajamas, Hana dragged her feet into the car and drowsily rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I wouldn't be if you two kept it down in here," she grumbled grouchily. "What are you knuckleheads fighting about now?"

"We weren't fighting… yet. Something just came up," said Urataros. "I suggest we brew up some coffee. I don't foresee any of us going back to sleep anytime soon..."

--..--

By the time the Eds had made it to school, everyone knew about the attacks. The dark nature surrounding them rattled the belief that their peaceful community was immune to such terrible proceedings, filling many with a sense of insecurity and dread.

In an odd twist, it turned out that all three kids attacked had been trying out for their school's wrestling team. In fact, they were top pier candidates.

By break, most of the students who were trying out for the wrestling team quit in fear for their own lives. They heard how the mysterious attacker only went after the best of the wrestling team candidates, and no one wanted to make themselves a target.

There were those that stayed, but not enough to fill the roster efficiently. Word of mouth had it that the same case applied to Apple Rill and Orange Gully Middle School as well.

Talk floated about that the wrestling season would be suspended this year.

"What a horrible turn of events," Double D said as he placed his books away in his locker. "It's hard to believe so much trouble has come to pass in such a short amount of time."

Eddy kicked the water fountain in frustration. "Darn it, how the heck didn't we catch that thing before it left the cul-de-sac last night?!"

"I bet it used some kind of super-powered ninja sprinting technique, like in Phantom Blade of Shadowy Darkness: the Movie," said Ed. "I know just how to stop him, too! All we need is a fifteenth level Shine Mace with critical damage points..."

Eddy's eye twitched as he turned to face the taller Ed. "Sure, you do that, Ed. Me and Double D'll worry about the blood thirsty monster running around town while you look around for something from a video game!"

"Right-o, Eddy! I'll remember to get you a pair of plus five Boots of Un-stunted Growth while I'm at it."

Double D grabbed the shorter boy before he managed to pounce upon Ed.

"Gentleman, please!" Double D pleaded. "Now isn't the time for such nonsense! We must gain control of this matter post-haste, lest this new imagin connects to the past!"

Eddy gritted his teeth, but reluctantly calmed down. He freed himself from Double D's grasp and glowered in Ed's direction. "Yeah yeah, we get it sockhead. Ya don't have to pull a soap opera."

"I have a question," Ed raised his hand in the air. "The imagin is in Rolf, right? Can't we just exorcise him like in the movies?"

"Um, not quite, but good observation, Ed." Double D absentmindedly pulled at the straps on his backpack. "But unfortunately, Rolf wasn't present in homeroom, which means he's probably not in school… I'm afraid we're going to have a harder time than anticipated."

"No sweat, we still have things handled," Eddy said. "Rolfie boy's imagin is after the strongest kids going out for the wrestling teams, right?"

"Yes," said Double D, "but we don't exactly have any clues as to who the next potential victim could be. That monster has already been in Pear Burn, Orange Gulley, and Apple Rill.

"But not Lemon Brook. Remember what that yutz back at the Milk Dipper said about some guy named Michelle Kawasaki?"

"Michael Kikuchi," Double D corrected him, "and yes, I do remember that name being mentioned. Do you really think he could be next?"

"Pfft, no duh sock head!" Eddy stated sarcastically. "If this Michael guy didn't quit, then he's gonna be the closest possible victim in the area. That imagin won't be able to resist taking him out."

"Then it would be in our best interest to find this Kikuchi fellow before the imagin does, just so that we can keep him under protective watch."

"What?! Why don't we just go after Rolf? Then we can take that imagin out before it even get's close to Lemon Brooke!"

"Can't we do both?" Ed spoke up. "I mean, can't we split up and do both?"

Double D and Eddy stopped to gawk at him, mouths hanging in surprise.

"That's… a really good idea Ed!" Double D stated. "My, you've been quite astute today!"

"Yeah burrhead," said Eddy, "looks good on ya!"

Ed held himself up proudly. "Thanks guys, I owe it all to TV and comics!"

"Well well, what are you dorks up to?"

Kevin approached the group, sneering. One of his thumbs were tucked underneath his hall monitor strap, pushing the badge embroidery on it forward, as if calling attention to it helped to solidify his authority over them.

Eddy's expression went sour in an instant. "It ain't against the rules to hang around, shovel face. We can do whatever we want, it's break."

"Not in another three minutes."

The warning bell rang through the halls, indicating that break was almost at an end. Students acted mechanically in response and either dispersed towards their classes or quickened their business.

"You heard the bell, pint size," Kevin said triumphantly, "now get moving before I hit you and the dork squad with a week of detention for loitering."

"Hey, we still have another three minutes!"

"I'm giving you one. Now go."

"Kevin, you can't be serious!" Double D said abashed. "That would be a complete mishandling of your authority!"

"Now you got thirty seconds."

"But-"

"Fifteen."

Ed began running around in panic. "Oh no, Kevin's going to destroy time!" He exclaimed. "I'll never get to see the ending of I Was a Teenage Carbuncle! Make him stop, Eddy!"

"Whatever," Eddy pushed past Kevin, "let's get going boys."

Ed and Double D hurriedly followed after their shorter friend.

Kevin watched the Eds sulk off with a smirk and turned to leave, finally noticing that a straggling student was looking on with a disapproving scowl.

"What are you gawking at, huh? Get out of here before I hit you with a detention!"

The threat was sufficient enough to get the results Kevin wanted. Without hesitation, the student hastened away.

--..--

"Geez, what an unlikable guy," Edwin mumbled to himself as he walked away. "How did he get to be hall monitor?" He took a glimpse at his watch and doubled his pace.

Suddenly an odd chill ricocheted down his spine, halting him in his tracks. Out of a mild feeling of being watched, he looked around only to find himself alone in the hall.

Edwin shrugged the feeling off and continued on.

After he was far enough away, Beth slid from out of the janitor's closet and continued to silently follow the boy at a distance.

--..--

As soon as school let out, the Eds wasted no time in getting back to DenLiner in order explain their plan. While Eddy and Hana kept watch over Michael Kikuchi, Double D and Ed would go out and search Lemon Brook for the imagin parading in Rolf's body.

Though the group had no idea where Michael Kikuchi lived, Double D was able to locate the old newspaper that mentioned the sparing meet where Michael Kikuchi took the first place trophy in sparring. From it, they found his dojo's address.

Eddy and Hana were dropped off first. Double D and Ed would start their search from wherever Momotaros and Urataros began sensing an imagin.

"Geez, we got the short end of the stick on this," Eddy whined as he followed Hana through the front door. "We could be back on the DenLiner playing video games, but nooo; we have to play body guards for a day!"

Hana rolled her eyes. "Will you stop complaining already? It's not going to change anything."

"It makes me feel better."

Hana could only sigh exasperatedly. "Then keep it to yourself, alright? From the way you're talking, you'd think we got the harder job."

"We got the boring job," Eddy huffed, "and don't tell me it's not. Nothing's gonna happen here."

Hana led them into a small spectator section near the window. "You don't know that, now quiet down and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

Eddy grumbled in response and plopped into a seat. Hana took that as good sign and decided to do the same, turning her attention towards the activities engaged by the dojo's practitioners.

The instructor was not present, but it seemed one of the students was working in lieu of their absence. A boy with a wooden sword walked around the training floor, stopping once in a while to correct a fellow student's posture or to give advice.

This apparent aide's karate uniform was kept together by a black belt with golden kanji sewn into its surface.

"Hey," Hana nudged Eddy to get his attention, "you should really pay attention. You could learn a few things."

"Please," Eddy snorted, "I'm more of a manager than a fighter."

"Thought I recognized you, shorty."

Hana and Eddy turned to see a male student approaching them from the side. "You're that Peach Creeker from yesterday."

"I remember you too," Eddy stated in a not-too-friendly tone to match the boy's. "You're that kid from the Milk Dipper."

"What're you doing here? Seeing why Lemon Brook is so much better than Peach Creek?"

"Yeah right," Eddy scoffed. "None of your beeswax anyway. Last time I check, this place was open to everybody."

"Well it's your lucky day," the kid sneered. "Hey Mike, this is the kid I was telling you about yesterday!"

The boy with the wooden sword turned in their direction and made a b-line straight for them.

"So that's Michael Kikuchi?" Hana inquired.

"Yes, that's my name," the boy with the wooden sword responded. "How can I help you?"

"More like how can you help yourself," Eddy said, "You still trying out for the wrestling team, Mikey?"

Michael frowned. "Of course, why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because of all the attacks?! What, you live under a rock or something?!"

"I can take care of myself," Michael declared. "If that's all you came to say, then please leave. Now, if you excuse me…" With a darkened expression, he turned around and headed straight for the locker room at the back of the dojo.

That left Hana and Eddy with the kid from before and a few interested students who began congregating around the two. The sudden change in atmosphere proved to be more than a bit unnerving.

"We might as well give you the special treatment while you're here," the kid stated with a mischievous smirk. "How about a free hands-on lesson?"

--..--

"Are you sure this is the right direction?" Double D questioned for the third time in a row.

*Have a little faith in me, Eddward,* Urataros mentally communicated. *The imagin is definitely in that direction.*

*I gotta agree with the turtle on this one,* Momotaros added. *I can sense that jerk's presence getting closer. Keep going.*

"This is just like issue #34 of The Space Bandit Trio where they hunt down the deranged, lint-eating wombat of Andromeda 5," stated Ed enthusiastically.

Double D carefully took in the surroundings. They had walked from the center of Lemon Brook's commercial area all the way to a park filled with people enjoying the rare sunshine of a winter season.

"This doesn't make the slightest bit of sense," he declared, scratching his head in thought. "Where are the telltale signs of destruction? The throngs of panicking citizens? This place is completely untouched by an imagin!"

"Don't worry, I'll find it!" Ed ran off and began poking his head in every trashcan and tree hollow he came across.

Double D could only rub at the bridge of his nose as he witnessed his more carefree friend begin looking under rocks. "This is perplexing. I wonder if Eddy and Hana are fairing any better."

--..--

Ignoring the ache from the blows some of the students were able to land, Eddy hid himself behind one of the dojo's support beams, praying that the others were distracted from the medicine ball he threw at them.

"How the heck do these things keep happening to me?!" Eddy looked out from behind his temporary shelter and called out. "Hana, you okay?"

"Never better," Hana grunted back. She was busy fending off two female students who decided to join in the 'two vs. everyone' training that the kid from before decided to initiate. "We really need to go now!"

"No, really? You think?!" Eddy was forced out of hiding by three pursuing students. He somehow managed to dodge them and still keep up a conversation. "Where the heck is Momotaros?!"

"Probably busy helping Double D and Ed," Hana stated while driving her fist into the stomach of a male student who tried to grab her. "We have to make a break for it!"

"Yeah, just wait a sec…" Eddy grabbed up a discarded practice sword and searched out the kid who instigated everything from among the attacking students. He spotted his target at the very back of the group.

Out of pure adrenaline, Eddy zigzagged and juked past his would-be attackers before leaping into the air.

"Certain-Kill Attack; Eddy Version!"

WHACK!

The sword made contact, knocking the kid to ground in a senseless heap. Everybody who saw it happen could have sworn that tiny stars began circling around the kid's head afterwards.

Eddy took full advantage of the shock and retreated from the 'battlefield', but not without throwing one last taunt.

"That's called Eddy style, chumps; learn it! From start to finish, I'm at a climax!"

Hana quickly caught up on Eddy's heels and followed him right out of the door. "You did not have to do that, Eddy. That was completely uncalled for," she scolded him.

Eddy could only grin as casually threw his arms behind his head. "Maybe, but I always wanted to do that."

Hana tried to keep a straight face, but found it impossible. She found herself fighting back fits of laughter.

--..--

"Well, I'm sure Eddy and Hana are having an easier time than we are," Double D concluded.

"Found him!" Ed yelled.

Double D ran off to where he heard Ed call out, which turned out to be a little ways in the more tree populated section of the park. The sound of human activity waned as the sounds of nature grew stronger. Walking under high-hanging branches, he found his friend pointing to a small clearing.

There, bathe in sunlight that broke through the leaves, stood the possessed Rolf, assaulting the trees with palm strikes mighty enough to make them shake.

"You, stop right there!" Double D mustered with a bit of confidence. "You're wanton acts of violence end now!"

The possessed Rolf halted in his actions and turned to the other boy with confusion plastered across his face. "But… they're just trees…"

"I'm talking about the kids you harmed in your insidious mission to destroy the past!" Double D exclaimed. "Is there no extent you imagin will not go to? Does human life hold no meaning to you at all?!"

The possessed Rolf continued to gawk in puzzlement. "…I'm still not following."

"You cannot run from justice, lint eating menace!" Ed stated dramatically. "Our belly buttons are not your salad bar!"

Both Double D and the possessed Rolf stopped to stare at Ed as if he'd grown a tail.

"I don't have time for this nonsense," the possessed Rolf declared. He turned back to the trees and took up striking them again. "Either challenge me properly or leave me to my training."

Double D tightly balled his fist and swallowed a lump that suddenly grew in his throat. "Then I challenge you, imagin! I'll make you answer for your crimes!"

The possessed Rolf once again stopped and turned to Double D with a grin. "I accept your challenge, boy." He menacingly made his way over, cracking his fists loudly. "My strength will make you cry…"

Double D instantly began having second thoughts. He broke out into a nervous sweat as he frantically rummaged through his pockets for his Rider Pass. "I-I'm warning y-you, I-I'm stronger th-than I l-look."

The possessed Rolf stood toe to toe with Double D, emphasizing the height and stature difference between them. "Then show me. I will allow you the first move."

Shakingly pulling out his Rider Pass, Double D stepped back and pressed its white button, calling the Terminal Belt to him. "Ed, what is that word that we're supposed to say when we transform?"

"It's henshin, Double D!" Ed declared. "All the best heroes say it!"

Double D latched the Terminal Belt around his waist and clicked the singular blue button on it. "Very well then, thank you, Ed. Henshin!"

"Rod Form."

Like before, the Plat Form appeared on Double D first before a blue ball of light flew out of the Terminal Belt's scanner. It circled around him, breaking into pieces of armor that attached itself to the intelligent Ed until it became the mask on the front of his helmet.

Urataros immediately took control.

"So, you're the brute the dried-up peach had problems dealing with," Urataros stated coolly. "Well, I'm afraid you're going to have a bit more trouble facing me."

The possessed Rolf only smirked confidently and took a few steps back. "Then I should show you my true form."

Rolf's features returned to normal as sand began flooding out of his shirt and pants at an alarming rate. In just a few seconds, a brawny sculpture of a goat-like creature stood before everyone.

Rolf collapsed to the ground, and the sand sculpture came to life. It solidified into a golden-furred Goat Imagin clad in Viking-like armor. This imagin stood at an impressive adult's size, and its face looked oddly similar to that of Rolf's goat, Victor. Judging from its physique, it was clearly male.

"Size means nothing, you'll just be another big catch," Urataros commented aloofly as he assembled the DenGashers. "Speaking of which; mind if I string you along?"

The Goat Imagin grunted and scooped a handful of leftover sand into his meaty palms. "I'm sorry… But you'll be crying too much to do that," he stated plainly. From the sand emerged a large, yellow axe with a long, wavy handle. "Now fight!"

The DenGashers extended, readying the rod-harpoon. "What an odd choice for last words."

"Go get him, teenage imagin Masked Rider turtle!" Ed cheered on. "Make Master Sliver proud of you!"