Chapter 108: Chapter 18
Ryuki's armored feet pound the pavement, his escape a frantic dance through the bustling streets of Musutafu. Buildings blur into streaks of color as he weaves through crowds, the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Behind him, the pursuit is relentless. Kamui Woods, a verdant whirlwind of motion, launches wooden tendrils that snake across the asphalt, seeking to ensnare Ryuki.
"You're not getting away that easily!" Kamui Woods shouts, his voice amplified by the city's acoustics.
In Ace's mind, the Taros erupt in a chorus of conflicting advice.
This tree guy's annoying! Let me at him! Momotaros roars, his bloodlust bubbling to the surface.
Stay focused, Senpai. We need to find a way out, Urataros counters, his voice smooth and calculated.
The tendrils lash out, and Ryuki, with a burst of speed, narrowly avoids the grasping wood. He leaps over a parked car, his agility honed from countless battles in the Mirror World. The wooden restraints nearly clip his heel.
Tidal and Siren aren't far behind, their aquatic Quirks transforming the cityscape into a watery obstacle course. Siren unleashes a concussive blast of sound, intending to disorient Ryuki, but he grits his teeth, pushing through the sonic assault.
Tidal, with precise control, conjures walls of water, blocking off potential escape routes. Ryuki skids to a halt, assessing his options. He's trapped, caught between relentless pursuit and impassable barriers.
The Pro Heroes are closing in, their determination evident in their focused expressions. Ryuki is outnumbered, outmaneuvered. He knows he can't afford to harm them. These are heroes, guardians of this world. He's not here to fight them, but to protect them.
The inner turmoil intensifies.
What are we waiting for? Let's fight! Momotaros bellows, his patience wearing thin.
We can't risk escalating this. We need to find another way, Urataros replies.
A diversion might give us the chance to escape, Kintaros offers, his voice a low rumble.
Ace seizes on Kintaros' suggestion. A diversion. It's the only way to escape without causing harm.
Nice idea, Kintaros! Ace thinks, his mind already formulating a plan. We'll summon Dragreder and Volcancer to distract them.
He plants his feet, his hand moving to his Advent Deck. He draws two cards, their surfaces gleaming with an eerie light. The Pro Heroes pause, sensing the shift in momentum, the change in the atmosphere.
[Advent]
[Advent]
Two familiar roars fill the air, echoing through the city. From a nearby reflective window, a crimson dragon bursts forth, its scales shimmering in the sunlight. Dragreder, Ryuki's loyal Contract Monster, descends upon the street, unleashing a torrent of fire.
From another mirror, a hulking, crab-like figure emerges, its armored pincers snapping menacingly. Volcancer, the monstrous crustacean, charges forward, its massive claws crashing into the pavement.
The once-orderly streets of Musutafu dissolve into chaos. Ryuki watches as Dragreder and Volcancer heed his command, their monstrous presence disrupting the Pro Heroes' advance.
"Dragreder, Volcancer, distract them!"
Dragreder, the crimson dragon, unleashes a deafening roar, the sound echoing off the surrounding buildings. A wall of flames erupts from its maw, a blazing inferno that effectively cuts off Kamui Woods' pursuit. The heat is intense, forcing the wood-manipulating hero to shield his face, his branches wilting under the scorching temperature.
"What are these things?!" Kamui Woods shouts, his voice barely audible over the dragon's roar and the crackling flames. He's momentarily stunned, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of such formidable creatures.
Simultaneously, Volcancer emerges from the depths of the earth, its massive pincers tearing through the asphalt. Tidal and Siren, who had been coordinating their attack, are now forced to contend with the monstrous crustacean. Volcancer's claws snap menacingly, forcing Tidal to conjure walls of water for defense, while Siren attempts to disorient the creature with sonic blasts.
"Focus! Take them down!" Tidal commands, his voice strained as he battles to control the water around him.
"They're tough! Be careful!" Siren adds, her sonic blasts having little effect on Volcancer's armored exoskeleton. The Pro Heroes are struggling, overwhelmed by the unexpected strength and ferocity of the Mirror Monsters.
In Ace's mind, the Taros chatter excitedly, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of opinions.
Now's our chance! Let's run! Momotaros urges, his impatience palpable. We can't waste this opportunity!
Quickly, while they're distracted, Urataros adds, his tone measured but equally urgent. We mustn't waste this opportunity.
Kintaros echoes the sentiment, his voice a deep rumble of agreement. We mustn't waste this opportunity.
Even Ryutaros, usually caught up in his own world, chimes in with concern. I hope they'll be okay…
Ace silences them with a mental command, his focus unwavering. They'll be fine. Let's go. He knows he can't stay any longer, not without risking exposure and escalating the situation.
Ryuki seizes the moment. With a burst of speed, he sprints away from the chaotic scene, weaving through the side streets and alleyways of Musutafu. His red and silver armor flashes in the sunlight as he navigates the urban labyrinth, putting distance between himself and the Pro Heroes.
Behind him, the battle rages on. Kamui Woods, Tidal, and Siren struggle against the unexpected ferocity of Dragreder and Volcancer. The Mirror Monsters, summoned from another dimension, are unlike anything they've ever faced.
Kamui Woods, his branches charred and splintered, grits his teeth as he dodges a searing blast of fire from Dragreder. The dragon, with its serpentine body and razor-sharp claws, is a formidable opponent, its flames scorching the air and melting the asphalt.
"This is insane!" Kamui Woods shouts, his voice strained with effort. "What are these things?!"
Tidal, using his water manipulation Quirk, conjures a massive wave, hoping to extinguish Dragreder's flames. But the dragon, with a flick of its tail, generates a counter-current of fire, evaporating the water into a cloud of steam.
"His flames are too intense!" Tidal exclaims, his face flushed with heat.
Meanwhile, Siren is engaged in a desperate struggle against Volcancer. The monstrous crustacean, with its armored exoskeleton and snapping pincers, is relentless in its assault. Siren unleashes a barrage of sonic blasts, but the sound waves barely register against Volcancer's thick armor.
"My attacks aren't working!" Siren cries out, her voice laced with frustration. "It's like hitting a brick wall!"
Volcancer, with a swift lunge, snaps its pincers, narrowly missing Siren's head. The force of the attack sends a shockwave through the air, shattering nearby windows.
Kamui Woods, seeing an opportunity, launches a volley of wooden tendrils, aiming to ensnare Dragreder. But the dragon, with its heightened senses, anticipates the attack and unleashes a searing blast of fire, incinerating the tendrils before they can make contact.
"We need to coordinate!" Kamui Woods shouts, realizing the futility of individual attacks. "Tidal, create a diversion! Siren, focus on its weak points!"
Tidal, heeding the command, conjures a massive whirlpool, drawing Dragreder's attention. The dragon, intrigued by the swirling vortex of water, momentarily diverts its attention from Kamui Woods, giving the wood-manipulating hero an opening.
Siren, seizing the opportunity, focuses her sonic blasts on Volcancer's joints, hoping to find a chink in its armor. The sound waves reverberate against the crustacean's exoskeleton, causing it to stagger slightly.
The Pro Heroes, despite their exhaustion and confusion, are starting to gain the upper hand. Their teamwork and experience are proving to be formidable weapons against the alien creatures.
But even as they fight, a nagging doubt lingers in their minds. Where did these monsters come from? And how did Kamen Rider summon these creatures?
Ryuki, heart pounding, risked a glance over his shoulder, expecting to see the pursuing heroes still struggling against his summoned monsters. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. He'd bought himself some time.
We're not in the clear yet, Ace thought. We need to get away from here.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over him. A figure landed with earth-shattering force directly in his path, the impact cracking the asphalt beneath her feet.
[BOOM]
Ryuki screeched to a stop, his eyes widening behind his visor. Standing before him was a tan-skinned woman with long white hair, it billowed around her in the wind like a battle flag. Her red eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and her athletic form radiated raw power.
Her costume was a stark white leotard, accented with dark purple and a crescent moon emblem emblazoned on her chest. Her boots were custom-made to resemble rabbit feet, enhancing her already formidable leaping ability. And atop her head, those unmistakable white rabbit ears twitched, sensing every vibration in the air. Her muscular legs were coiled, ready to unleash a devastating attack.
Mirko, the No. 5 Pro Hero in Japan, a beacon of fierce independence and unwavering resolve. Born Rumi Usagiyama, her Quirk, Rabbit, granted her the extraordinary physical abilities of a rabbit – unparalleled leg strength, heightened agility, and razor-sharp hearing. She was a force of nature, a whirlwind of kicks and leaps, feared and respected by both heroes and villains alike.
"Not so fast, you vigilante!" Mirko declared, her voice laced with a predatory edge.
Inside Ace's helmet, the Taros erupted in a cacophony of reactions.
Whoa, a bunny hero! Momotaros exclaimed, his bloodlust momentarily forgotten in the face of this new challenge.
My my, look at those legs, Urataros purred, his flirtatious nature never far from the surface.
Her strength is formidable. We must not underestimate her, Kintaros cautioned, his voice a deep rumble of respect.
She's so cool! Can we be friends? Ryutaros chimed in, his childish enthusiasm undeterred by the intensity of the situation.
Focus, Ryutaros! Ace mentally snapped, trying to regain control of the situation. This is not the time for making friends.
Mirko's eyes narrowed, assessing Ryuki. "So, you're the rumored Kamen Rider." A smirk played on her lips. She cracked her knuckles, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. "Heard you've been causing quite a stir. Let's see if you're worth the hype." She crouched, ready to spring.
"I don't want to fight you," Ryuki says, his voice strained.
Mirko scoffs, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Too bad. You're coming with me, one way or another."
Her powerful legs propel her forward, closing the distance in a blur. She launches a kick aimed at subduing the Rider.
Ryuki barely has time to react. Mirko's kick, a blur of white and purple, hurtles towards him with bone-shattering force. The wind screams past his helmet, a warning of the impending impact.
Acting on instinct, Ryuki summons the Dragsaber.
[Sword Vent]
The curved blade materializes in his hand, its silver surface gleaming in the afternoon sun. He raises the sword, meeting Mirko's kick head-on.
[CLANG]
The force of the blow shoots up Ryuki's arm, numbing his hand. Mirko's kick isn't just any strike; it's a focused burst of raw power, a showing of her years of training and her Rabbit Quirk. He grits his teeth, digging his heels into the pavement, resisting the urge to fly away.
Damn, this rabbit's strong! Momotaros roars in his mind. Hey, Ace! Get serious!
The initial clash is just the opening salvo in a furious exchange. Mirko, with her lightning-fast agility, launches a flurry of kicks, each one aimed at exploiting Ryuki's defenses. He counters with the Dragsaber, deflecting her attacks with precise blocks and swift slashes. The air crackles with energy as blade meets limb, the sounds of their combat echoing through the streets.
The two combatants are evenly matched. Mirko's raw power and agility are a formidable combination, but Ryuki's experience in the Mirror World, his mastery of the Dragsaber, and his strategic thinking allow him to hold his own.
Ryuki sidesteps a spinning kick, retaliating with a sweeping slash of the Dragsaber. Mirko leaps backward, avoiding the blade by a hair's breadth. She lands gracefully, her eyes never leaving Ryuki.
"Not bad," she admits, a hint of respect in her voice. "But you're still holding back."
Ryuki knows she's right. He doesn't want to hurt her, but he can't afford to lose either. He needs to find a way to escape.
He parries another kick, then executes a series of rapid strikes, forcing Mirko onto the defensive. He presses his advantage, hoping to create an opening for a tactical retreat.
Mirko, however, is not one to be easily overwhelmed. She ducks under a wild slash, her body coiling like a spring. With a burst of speed, she unleashes one of her signature moves.
"Luna Ring!"
Mirko spins, her leg a blur of motion, striking Ryuki in a circular motion. The force of the attack sends him reeling backward, his vision blurring, but he manages to block the worst of it with his armored arms.
He stumbles, losing his footing, and Mirko capitalizes. She closes the distance, her eyes gleaming with predatory intensity. She winds up for a final, devastating blow, every muscle in her body taut with energy.
"This ends now!" Mirko shouts, and unleashes a kick.
The impact is deafening, sending Ryuki hurtling through the air. He feels a searing pain in his chest, his breath knocked from his lungs. He tumbles uncontrollably, his body twisting and turning, heading towards a glass display.
Mirko thought he was going to crash and fall down, however, instead, Ryuki got sucked into the mirror.
The mirror's surface ripples. His body distorts, elongates, then disappears entirely.
Mirko stops, her eyes wide with disbelief. One moment, the armored vigilante was there, the next, he vanished into thin air. She stares at the mirror, her mind racing.
What just happened?
She cautiously approaches the reflective surface, her rabbit ears twitching, sensing any subtle vibrations. She reaches out, her hand hovering over the glass, then presses her hand against it, but finds nothing. It was a normal glass display
Frustration boils within her. He got away. The mysterious Kamen Rider, the vigilante who defied the established order, slipped through her fingers. And worse, she has no idea how.
"Damn it!" Mirko exclaims, kicking the remaining shards of glass. Her anger resonates through the street. "He won't get away with this."
***
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