A Rider Kick in Marvel Rewrite

The television flickered with breaking news. Reporters crowded around Captain George Stacy, their microphones thrust forward like eager spears. Ace, Nico, and Berto sat clustered around the screen in the school's common area, their lunch forgotten.

"Captain Stacy, can you explain the recent string of violent incidents?" a reporter in a crisp blue suit demanded. His voice carried a mix of urgency and sensationalism.

George stood resolute, his posture straight and commanding. Years of police experience had prepared him for media scrutiny. "The NYPD has successfully contained and resolved the recent criminal activities," he stated firmly. Each word was carefully chosen, designed to provide information without revealing anything substantial.

"But witnesses reported seeing strange creatures. Some online forums are talking about monsters in the city. What can you tell us?"

"We've investigated all reports thoroughly. The incidents were isolated criminal activities, now under control."

Behind him, other officers maintained stoic expressions. They understood the delicate balance between public information and potential panic.

The reporters continued their barrage of questions, each more provocative than the last. George deflected with practiced ease, offering just enough information to satisfy their immediate curiosity without exposing the true nature of the recent events.

Berto leaned closer to Ace and Nico. "Weird how he's not saying anything about those creatures, right?"

Nico shrugged, her eyes still fixed on the television. "Sometimes it's better not to cause a citywide panic."

Nico tilted her head, studying the press conference on the television. "Those creatures look like something out of a horror movie."

Berto nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Seriously weird. I wonder what they actually are."

Ace, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up. "We should drop this topic. It's not safe to talk about them."

Berto's eyebrows shot up. "What? You're the one who got attacked by one of those things. Shouldn't you be the most curious?"

"That's exactly why we should stay away," Ace responded firmly. "Getting involved is dangerous."

"Come on," Berto pressed, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Don't you want to know more about what attacked you?"

Ace's expression hardened. "No. Because I got attacked, we need to stay as far away from these creatures as possible."

Nico leaned forward, her gothic accessories jingling. "Speaking of weird stuff, have you heard about that Kamen Rider everyone's talking about?"

Berto's eyes lit up. "Oh man, yeah! He was at the arthouse cinema that night. Total lifesaver. Stopped that weird creature from attacking us."

"Apparently he's been running around the city," Nico continued, "stopping criminals and fighting those monsters. Some people are saying he's like a modern urban legend."

Ace listened, carefully maintaining a neutral expression. His fingers gripped the edge of the cafeteria table, knuckles slightly white. He hoped his friends wouldn't notice the subtle flush creeping up his neck or the way he was avoiding direct eye contact.

"Can you believe someone's actually out there fighting those things?" Berto asked, turning to Ace. "What do you think?"

Ace shrugged, his voice carefully casual. "Sounds like something out of a movie."

Nico and Berto exchanged a quick glance, sensing something beneath Ace's nonchalant response, but neither pressed further.

Nico pulled out her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen as she navigated through various social media platforms. Blurry images of monsters and a mysterious armored warrior flickered across her display. The comments sections were alive with speculation and wild theories.

"Check this out," she muttered, tilting the screen toward Ace and Berto.

The images were grainy—some taken from security cameras, others from shaky smartphone footage. Shadowy creatures with inhuman proportions battled against a red or blue armored figure. Long threads of comments debated the authenticity of the images, with users arguing about everything from government conspiracies to elaborate viral marketing campaigns.

Berto leaned in, squinting. "Those look pretty intense."

Nico scrolled further, her thumb stopping on a headline from the Daily Bugle. J. Jonah Jameson's face filled the screen, his mustache quivering with characteristic rage.

"MASKED MENACE WORSE THAN THE MONSTERS!" the headline blared.

The accompanying article was a typical Jameson rant. He denounced both the mysterious monsters terrorizing the city and the armored warrior who fought them. "This so-called 'hero' is nothing more than a masked vigilante causing more destruction than he prevents!" Jameson's words practically screamed from the screen. "Who knows what kind of danger this costumed freak represents to our city?"

Ace remained silent, his expression carefully neutral as Nico continued scrolling through the sensationalist coverage.

Ace watched the screen, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. The Daily Bugle's sensationalist headline didn't bother him. He understood that rumors would spread, and public perception would inevitably shift as more people became aware of the strange events unfolding in the city.

J. Jonah Jameson's dramatic accusations meant little to Ace. He wasn't fighting for recognition or fame. His mission was simple: protect people and stop the Grongi from causing more harm. The slander from the newspaper was just background noise to his true purpose.

What mattered more was his growing connection with Detective Yuri Watanabe. If any complications arose with the police, he knew he could count on her support. Their recent collaboration during the Fly Grongi incident had established a tentative but trust-based relationship.

Nico sudden yelps, causing Berto and Ace to look up from their lunch trays. Her eyes were wide, fixed on her phone's screen with an intensity that immediately drew their attention.

"What is it?" Berto asked, leaning closer.

Nico turned her phone, revealing a news article. The headline boldly proclaimed: "Tony Stark Returns to America After Mysterious Disappearance."

Ace studied the article, his mind processing the information. A subtle thought crossed his mind: 'Things are starting to get into motion.'

***

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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz