"Let me ask you again. Have you met a monster?"
Evelynne's eyes dart around the room, a storm of emotions brewing within them. She chews on her lip, a bead of sweat trickling down her temple.
"I... I did meet someone," Evelynne admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "A few nights ago. But it was late. I thought it was a dream."
"Did this monster," Urataros says, emphasizing the word, "ask you what your wish is?"
Evelynne nods, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Yes," she confirms. "I wished... I wished to be the most beautiful."
"That monster is called an Imagin," Urataros explains, his tone turning serious. "It's attacking your employees because of your wish."
Evelynne's head snaps up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "That's impossible!" she exclaims, rising from her chair. "My employees? Because of me?"
Urataros studies her, the blue streak in his hair catching the light. He can see the genuine shock and concern etched on her face.
"You didn't know?" he asks gently.
Evelynne shakes her head vehemently, tears welling up in her eyes. "No! I care about my employees! I would never want to hurt them." She sinks back into her chair, her face buried in her hands. "This can't be happening."
Evelynne looks back up and stares into Ace's eyes. "Who are you?" she asks, her voice thick with emotion. "Who are you really?"
Urataros smiles softly, a reassuring glint in his blue-tinted glasses. "Someone who wants to help," he replies, his voice sincere. "Someone who can stop this Imagin before it hurts anyone else."
Ace can feel Evelynne's doubt. He knows he doesn't exactly scream "hero" right now, especially with Urataros's suave veneer layered over him. He needed to convince her, fast.
"Look, I know this is a lot to take in," Ace says through Urataros, his voice calm and reassuring. "But I promise you, I can help. I've dealt with these Imagin before. You can trust me."
Evelynne hesitates, her eyes darting between Ace and her phone. The rational part of her brain screams to call the authorities, to rely on the established system of Pro Heroes and the police. But something about the sincerity in this young man's eyes—or was it the charisma of the turtle Imagin—gives her pause.
She reaches for her phone, but then a [CRASH] echoes from outside.
Urataros rushes to the window, peering out at the street below. His eyes widen, and the blue streak in his hair seems to glow brighter.
"That Imagin," he announces, turning back to Evelynne. "It's attacking outside."
Evelynne gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. Fear washes over her face, erasing the doubt and replacing it with sheer terror.
"What do I do?" she asks, her voice trembling.
"Stay here," Urataros commands, his tone firm and decisive. "I'll handle this. It's too dangerous for you out there."
Evelynne nods frantically, clutching her desk as if it were a lifeline. She watches as Urataros strides towards the door, his gaze focused and determined.
"Wait," Evelynne calls out. "What are you going to do?"
Urataros pauses, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I'm going to go reel in a monster," he replies, his blue-tinted glasses glinting in the light.
With that, Urataros is gone, leaving Evelynne alone in her office, the sounds of chaos and destruction echoing from the street below.
The Vine Imagin surveys the chaos with a regal air, her emerald eyes gleaming with dark amusement. Petals of her gown sway with each step she takes through the ruined office. Screams of terror and pain fill the air, music to her ears. Vineveil raises a hand, the thorny bracelets on her wrists glinting in the dim light.
"Such delightful pandemonium," she purrs, her voice a silken whisper that belies the cruelty within. "Beauty is fleeting, but fear? Fear is eternal."
A terrified woman stumbles past, clutching a bleeding arm. Vineveil flicks her wrist, and a thorny vine lashes out, ensnaring the woman's ankle. The woman screams as the thorns dig into her skin, pulling her to the ground. Vineveil advances, relishing the fear in the woman's eyes.
"Oh, don't fret, darling," she coos. "I'm merely helping you embrace your true nature. Beneath all the artifice and vanity, there's only fear and decay."
Vineveil raises her vine whip, ready to strike again, when a blur of red and blue slams into her, sending her crashing through a nearby wall. The impact stuns her for a moment, and she rises slowly, her eyes narrowing.
"Intriguing," she murmurs. "A challenger appears. Let's see if you're as beautiful as you are brave."
Before Vineveil can strike, Urataros—in Ace's form—grabs the fallen woman, pulling her behind him. His usual flirtatious smirk is gone, replaced with a steely gaze. He throws a nearby chair towards Vineveil.
"Sorry, doll," Urataros says, adjusting his glasses. "But I can't let you hurt any more pretty faces. You're messing with my kind of people."
Urataros flicks his wrist, the blue streak in Ace's hair catching the light.
"Ladies," he says smoothly, his voice laced with urgency. "I suggest you find a safe place to hide. Things are about to get... thorny."
He gives them a reassuring smile, but his eyes remain fixed on Vineveil. The women scramble to obey, their fear palpable.
Vineveil's lips curve into a sardonic smile as she rises from the rubble, brushing dust from her vine-covered gown.
"Kamen Rider Den-O," she says, her voice dripping with amusement. "How predictable. Always rushing to the rescue. Though, I must say, a clingy man isn't exactly attractive."
Urataros adjusts his glasses, a playful glint returning to his eyes. "Oh, I don't know, darling," he counters, striking a pose. "Some women find a protector quite appealing. Besides, someone has to stop you from ruining all these lovely faces."
Vineveil's smile vanishes, replaced by a snarl. She lunges, her vine whip slicing through the air with deadly speed. Urataros sidesteps the attack with surprising grace, the whip whistling past his cheek.
"My, my," he chides, adjusting his glasses. "Someone's being quite hasty. You know, patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to reeling in a big fish."
Vineveil ignores his banter, unleashing a flurry of strikes. Thorns tear through the air, forcing Urataros to backpedal. He raises his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright, you made your point," he says with a chuckle. "Guess it's time to get serious."
Urataros reaches for his waist, his fingers finding the cool metal of the Den-O Belt. He presses the blue button. A catchy jingle erupts, a whimsical tune that sounds like listening to the bottom of the ocean. Bubbles rise and pop, and the sound of gentle waves crashing on a distant shore fills the air.
Urataros strikes a pose, swipes the Rider Pass. "Henshin"
[Rod Form]
A surge of blue energy engulfs Ace's body. The Den-O Belt hums with power, and a series of aquatic images flash before his eyes.
Blue armor plates materialize, encasing his body in a sleek, hydrodynamic shell. A visor shaped like a turtle's eye snaps into place, obscuring his features. A pair of rod-like protrusions extends from his shoulders, mimicking the flippers of a sea turtle. He assembles the DenGasher on his hips and reconfigures it into its Rod Form: a long, segmented staff with hexagonal blades at each end.
Urataros twirls the DenGasher Rod, his movements fluid and precise. He grins, his blue eyes gleaming beneath the visor.
"Alright, darling," he says, his voice echoing with a newfound confidence. "Mind if I reel you in?"
Vineveil snarls, her eyes blazing with fury. "You think you can stop me with that ridiculous toy?" she hisses, gesturing to the DenGasher Rod. "I'll show you the true meaning of power!"
With a scream, Vineveil unleashes a barrage of vines, each tipped with razor-sharp thorns. The vines lash out like striking snakes, tearing through the air with incredible speed.
Urataros smirks, twirling the DenGasher Rod effortlessly. He deflects the incoming vines with precise strikes, the hexagonal blades slicing through the thorns with ease. He moves with a fluid grace, dodging and weaving through the storm of vines, always just a hair's breadth away from being ensnared.
"Oh, come now, darling," Urataros taunts, his voice echoing through the chaos. "Is that all you've got? I've faced tougher opponents at a tea party."
Vineveil roars with frustration, summoning even more vines. The street becomes a tangled web of thorny tendrils, turning the area into a deadly maze. Urataros leaps onto a nearby car, using it as a springboard to launch himself higher into the air.
"Time for a change of scenery," he quips, landing gracefully on a lamppost. He spins the DenGasher Rod, creating a swirling vortex of energy around him. He throws the DenGasher Rod up, which slams down on the pavement.
Vineveil, undeterred, sends a massive vine crashing into the lamppost, causing it to sway violently. Urataros jumps down, narrowly avoiding being crushed. He rolls to his feet and charges towards Vineveil, the DenGasher Rod a blur of motion.
He strikes with lightning speed, the hexagonal blades slicing through the vines that attempt to block his path. He closes the distance between them, unleashing a flurry of blows aimed at Vineveil's arms and legs.
Vineveil cries out as the blades tear through her gown and scratch her skin. She stumbles backward, momentarily stunned by the ferocity of his assault.
Urataros seizes the opportunity, leaping forward with a spinning kick. His foot connects with Vineveil's chest, sending her flying through the air. She crashes through the window of a nearby storefront, landing in a heap amidst shattered glass and merchandise.
"Well, that's what I call a knockout," Urataros says with a grin, adjusting his visor. "But I have a feeling this fight is far from over." He somersaults through the broken window into the street.
Vineveil rises from the rubble, her gown torn and her face contorted with rage. "You'll pay for that, Rider!" she snarls, her voice filled with venom. "I'll make you regret ever crossing me!"
Urataros smirks, twirling the DenGasher Rod. "Oh, I'm counting on it, doll," he says, striking a pose. "But before we continue this little dance, allow me to offer a friendly suggestion. Maybe consider a new career? Landscaping, perhaps?"
Vineveil roars, unleashing another barrage of thorny vines. Urataros deflects the attack when suddenly, a shadow looms overhead. Two colossal hands reach down, attempting to snatch them. Both Urataros and Vineveil leap away, narrowly avoiding being crushed.
They look up to see Mt. Lady towering above them, her expression a mix of annoyance and determination. Her purple and pale cream suit accentuates her giant form. The setting sun silhouettes her.
"Alright, you two," Mt. Lady booms, her voice echoing through the street. "This little party is over. Surrender now, and maybe I'll go easy on you."
Urataros adjusts his glasses, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He whispers, "Well, this just got a whole lot more complicated."
I couldn't agree more, Ace thinks, the reality of this world crashing down on him.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz