A few days drift by. Midday in Musutafu. A pack of thugs sprints through an alley, fear etched on their faces.
"What the HELL is wrong with this guy?!" one of them yells, glancing behind.
Trailing close behind them is Ace—well, Ace's body. But it's Momotaros who's calling the shots today.
Ace, sporting a fiery red streak in his hair, barrels through the narrow passage, his eyes blazing with an almost manic intensity. Gone is Ace's usual calm; in its place, a savage grin stretches across his face. He wears a dark jacket and ripped jeans.
"Come on, Jerks! I haven't even had my fun yet!" he roars, voice layered with Momotaros's signature bravado.
A length of pipe is clenched in his fist, swinging wildly. Momo sought a good fight, some worthy opponents. Thugs are the perfect target.
"You jerks are going down!"
One of the thugs, a skinny guy with greasy hair, turns and throws a glob of sticky goo. It's his Quirk—Adhesive Mucus. Momo smashes the goo out of the air with the pipe, sending it splattering against a wall.
"Is that all you got, Snot-Nose?!" Momo taunts, closing the distance.
Another thug, a bulky woman with metal knuckles, charges forward, activating her Quirk—Iron Fists. Momo grins, seeing an actual challenge.
"Bring it on, Tubby!"
The woman throws a punch, but Momo ducks under it, swinging the pipe into her gut. She doubles over, gasping for air. Momo doesn't stop, swinging the pipe again and again. The other thugs stop, watching their friend get beat up.
"Don't just stand there, help me!" the woman shouts.
Momo ignores her, focusing on the task at hand. "I'm at a climax from the start!" he yells, laying into the woman.
One of the thugs shoots fire from his hands, but Momotaros just smashes the fire away with the pipe, sending burning embers everywhere. The thugs try to fight back, but Momo's too fast, too strong. It is an absolute beatdown. They're getting a taste of Oni rage, and it ain't pretty.
Momotaros stands over the fallen thugs, chest heaving, a wide, satisfied grin plastered across Ace's face. "Hah! That's what I'm talking about!" he bellows, flexing Ace's arms, "Now that's what I call a good workout!"
Tone it down, Momo, Ace thinks, I know they're not exactly choir boys, but we don't want to end up in a police station.
"Relax, Ace. I know what I'm doing," Momotaros scoffs, though his voice is slightly subdued. He glances around the alley, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "Besides, it's not like that snotty girl is here to nag me."
Ace knows Momotaros is referring to Hana, Ryotaro's ever-vigilant companion. She always kept Momo in line. It's a funny comparison, given how powerful she is.
Just be careful. Pro Heroes in this world won't be as lenient.
Momotaros rolls his eyes, an action Ace feels like a phantom sensation. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," he says, already turning to leave the alley. "I'm outta here. Gotta find some REAL challenges."
As Momotaros walks away, Ace takes a mental inventory. His body aches slightly, but nothing serious. Momotaros may be reckless, but he's also a skilled fighter. Ace can't deny he's a little impressed.
He really did need to let out some steam, Ace muses. Being cooped up on the DenLiner, listening to Urataros's endless flirting and Ryutaros's nonsensical ramblings, must be getting to him. I can see why he wanted to cut loose.
Ace lets Momotaros enjoy the feeling of freedom for a few more moments, savoring the adrenaline rush before reasserting control. He knows he can pull the plug at any time, but he also understands Momotaros's need for a little fun.
Just don't get us arrested, Ace thinks, a hint of amusement creeping into his thoughts. He allows Momotaros to guide them out of the alley, feeling the rush of wind against his face as they step back into the bustling city. The sun shines brightly overhead, casting long shadows. It's a beautiful day. Ace wonders what sort of trouble they will run into next.
Momotaros stops dead in his tracks, Ace feels his body lock up. He sniffs the air, nostrils flaring. His head tilts from side to side, like a dog catching a scent.
What is it, Momo? Ace asks, concern lacing his thoughts.
"I smell an Imagin," Momotaros replies, his voice laced with excitement. "A real, honest-to-goodness Imagin."
Are you sure? Ace wonders if it could be something else. Maybe a Quirk that smells similar?
"Of course I'm sure! I know that stink anywhere," Momotaros scoffs. A grin spreads across Ace's face, wide and predatory. "Which means...I get to fight!"
Ace feels a surge of anticipation course through him, mixed with a healthy dose of apprehension. An Imagin means Dai-Shocker, which means trouble.
"This way!" Momotaros declares, abruptly changing direction. He barrels down the street, heedless of the stares he's attracting. Ace tries to regain some control, but Momotaros is like a bloodhound on a scent, single-minded in his pursuit. Ace loosens the mental reins, figuring he can trust Momotaros to lead them to the source of the disturbance.
…
A beautiful woman saunters down the street, her high heels clicking against the pavement. Her curves ripple with each step, accentuated by a tight red dress. Makeup perfects her features, and her dark eyes possess an allure that draws every gaze. She revels in the attention, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as men turn to watch her pass.
Suddenly, a figure drops from the sky—Vineveil, the Vine Imagin. Her skin glows a soft green, with delicate vines woven into her flowing hair. Emerald eyes shimmer with a dangerous allure. She wears a gown of interwoven vines and flowers, which seems to writhe with a life of its own. Her arms are adorned with thorny bracelets, and her fingers end in sharp, claw-like nails that extend into vines at will. In her hand, she holds a long, flexible whip made of thorny vines.
Before anyone can react, Vineveil lashes out with her whip. The thorny vines strike the woman across the face, tearing through her makeup and skin. The woman screams in agony, clutching her ruined features. The crowd recoils in horror, shouting and scattering in all directions.
"Villian!" someone yells, and the crowd echoes with cries of fear.
Vineveil ignores them, focusing solely on her target. "You're too beautiful," she hisses, lashing out again and again. "No one should be that beautiful."
Just as Vineveil prepares another strike, a familiar voice booms, "I... have arrived!"
Momotaros appears, a grin splitting his face as he sees the Imagin.
"Now this looks like fun!" he shouts, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He quickly equips the Den-O Belt around Ace's waist.
"Yo! Let's have some fun!" He presses the red button, and music started playing from the belt.
"Henshin!" Momotaros yells, swiping the Rider Pass across the SetTouch.
[Sword Form]
Red armor erupts around him, transforming him into Kamen Rider Den-O Sword Form. He raises the DenGasher in Sword Mode, the blade glinting in the sunlight.
Vineveil's eyes widened. "Den-O!" she exclaims, surprised.
Momotaros grins, brandishing the DenGasher. "Prepare yourself, plant lady! I'm at my climax from the start!"
He lunges forward, yelling, "Let's GO GO GO!" He swings the DenGasher, aiming a strike at Vineveil, but she's slippery. The Vine Imagin gracefully dodges the blow, a mocking smile playing on her lips. She twirls, the vine whip hissing through the air as she counters. The thorny weapon strikes Momotaros' armor, leaving shallow scratches.
"Quite a brute, aren't you?" she taunts, lashing out again.
The whip cracks against Den-O's chest, sending a jolt through his body. He stumbles back, gritting his teeth.
This girl is fast, Ace thinks. Momotaros, calm down.
Momotaros roars, "Don't underestimate me, vine jerk!"
He charges again, but Vineveil is ready. She uses the environment to her advantage, leaping onto lampposts and using awnings as launchpads. Her whip extends, entangling Den-O's legs, threatening to trip him.
"You're too clumsy, Den-O," she sneers, twirling the whip. "You can't even touch me."
Momotaros struggles to free himself, but the vines tighten their grip. Damn it! She's good. He glances around, assessing his surroundings. He needs a plan, and fast.
Momotaros, thinking fast, spots a nearby trash can overflowing with garbage. With a grunt, he seizes it and hurls it at Vineveil. The trash can spins through the air, a chaotic projectile of refuse.
"What a crass move!" Vineveil scoffs, easily knocking the trash can aside with her vine whip. But the moment of distraction is all Momotaros needs. He's a blur of red armor, charging forward with a speed that belies his bulky form.
Vineveil's eyes widen as she realizes the trash can was a diversion. Before she can react, Momotaros is upon her, DenGasher raised high. He swings the sword with a ferocious cry, the blade connecting with Vineveil's shoulder.
The Vine Imagin cries out in pain, stumbling back as a gash opens in her vine dress. Sand explodes from the wound, and she clutches her shoulder, glaring at Momotaros.
"You'll pay for that, Den-O!" she hisses, her emerald eyes burning with rage. But even as she speaks, her expression shifts. She remembers her mission, her contract—the wish she must fulfill. Fighting Den-O is a distraction she can't afford.
With a frustrated snarl, Vineveil makes a decision. "This isn't over, Den-O!" she declares, then vanishes into the surrounding crowd. Vines sprout and twist, creating a momentary screen of foliage that allows her to slip away unseen.
Momotaros roars in frustration, slashing at the dissipating vines. "Hey, get back here, you overgrown weed! The fight's just getting good!" He scans the area, but Vineveil is gone, leaving only a lingering scent of flowers and a street full of bewildered onlookers.
"Damn it!" Momotaros curses, slamming the DenGasher against the ground. "She got away! I was just getting warmed up!" He clenches his fists, his frustration palpable.
Momotaros, calm down, Ace chides. She's gone. We'll find her.
"Tch," Momotaros retorts. "She's lucky she ran. I would've pulverized her!"
"Okay, okay," Ace says, she's gone. Focus. We need to check on that woman the Imagin attacked. Make sure she's alright.
Momotaros grumbles but reluctantly heads toward the woman, who's now sobbing, clutching her face. He awkwardly crouches, "Uh, hey. You okay?"
The woman looks up, tears streaming down her face, and Momotaros can see the damage. The thorny vines left deep gashes across her cheek. She shakes her head, wailing, "My face! It's ruined! I'm ruined!"
Momotaros visibly recoils. Whoa, whoa, hold on. He shrinks back, unsure how to deal with such raw emotion. Okay, Ace, you deal with this. I'm not good with crying.
Ace sighs internally. Just try to help her. Be nice.
"Hey, uh, don't cry," Momotaros stammers, holding his hands up defensively. "It can't be that bad, right? I mean… uh…"
Seeing Momotaros's distress, Urataros tags in and takes control. He kneels beside the woman, offering a gentle smile.
"There, there, my dear," Urataros says smoothly. "Let me take a look. I'm sure it's not as bad as you think." He takes her hand, his touch reassuring. "We'll get you cleaned up in no time."
His calm demeanor seems to soothe the woman. She sniffles, allowing Urataros to gently inspect her wounds. "It hurts," she whimpers. "And I was supposed to go on a date tonight."
"There, there," Urataros repeats, his voice like velvet. "We can fix this. A little makeup, a touch of artistry, and you'll be even more radiant than before." He pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket and delicately wipes her tears. "Trust me, darling. I have an eye for beauty."
As Urataros continues to comfort the woman, Ace notices something glinting on her chest—a work ID. He focuses his vision, making out the company name: Eternal Bloom Cosmetics.
Eternal Bloom Cosmetics, huh? Ace thinks. That could be important.
Alright, Urataros, that's enough. We need to leave. Pro Heroes or the cops will be here any minute, and we don't need any more trouble.
Urataros sighs dramatically. "Such a shame. I was just getting started." He helps the woman to her feet. "Take care, my dear. Remember, even in the darkest moments, beauty can be found." He winks, then relinquishes control.
Ace quickly guides the woman to a nearby bench, then sprints towards the Trychaser. He revs the engine and rides away.
***
Leave a comment and review of your thoughts
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz