Haruka and Megan sat cross-legged on the living room floor, controllers in hand, their eyes fixed on the television screen. The sounds of Mortal Kombat filled the room - punches, kicks, and digital battle cries echoing with each button press.
"You're going down this time," Haruka declared, selecting Raiden with a confident grin.
Megan chose Jade, her fingers dancing across the controller. "We'll see about that."
The match began, and for a moment, Haruka thought he had the upper hand. But Megan's strategic moves slowly chipped away at his health bar. In a final, spectacular combo, Jade delivered a crushing defeat to Raiden.
"Yes!" Megan jumped up, doing a victory dance.
Haruka laughed and applauded. "Nice job! Seriously impressive."
He scratched his head, genuinely perplexed. How could someone beat him when he could literally slow down time as a Kamen Rider? Video game skills, it seemed, were a completely different battlefield.
"Rematch?" Megan asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Haruka was about to say yes when his phone suddenly buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
The message was brief and to the point: "Meet outside. -R"
Haruka stared at the text, his brow furrowing. There was no doubt in his mind that this was from Robin. Glancing up at Megan, he felt a pang of guilt.
"Sorry, Megan. Something's come up, but we'll have to continue this another time," Haruka said, rising to his feet.
Megan nodded, her expression understanding. "No worries. Be safe, okay?"
Haruka offered her a reassuring smile before hurrying towards the front door. As he stepped outside, he scanned the area, searching for any sign of the masked hero.
"Robin?" Haruka called out, his voice low and cautious.
A dark figure emerged from the shadows, and Haruka immediately recognized the distinct domino mask and cape of the young vigilante.
"Kamen Rider," Robin greeted, his tone neutral.
Haruka approached Robin, his eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Have you found the location of Bane's gang?"
Robin nodded, his expression stoic. "Yes, their hideout is in the underground tunnels of National City. I've mapped out the route."
Haruka's brow furrowed. "That's great news. Should we call Supergirl to help? With her strength, it would make this mission much easier."
But Robin raised his hand, cutting Haruka off. "No, this requires a more subtle approach. It will just be the two of us."
Haruka's eyes widened in surprise. "Just the two of us? Why not bring in Supergirl?"
Robin's lips thinned into a tight line. "Supergirl's power is undeniable, but sometimes a lighter touch is required. We need to catch Bane's gang off guard, and Supergirl's grand entrance might alert them to our presence."
Haruka considered Robin's words, understanding the logic behind the decision. "Alright, then. Let's do this." He paused, a hint of concern in his voice. "But why do you want to handle this alone with me? Wouldn't it be safer to have more backup?"
Robin's eyes narrowed beneath his mask. "I have my reasons. This is a delicate operation, and the fewer people involved, the better." He turned, his cape swishing dramatically. "Come, Kamen Rider. Time is of the essence."
Haruka hesitated for a moment, then nodded and followed Robin into the night. The young vigilante led the way, his steps sure and confident as they descended into the dark, winding tunnels beneath National City. Haruka couldn't help but wonder what was driving Robin's decision to exclude Supergirl, but he knew better than to question the Boy Wonder's methods.
Haruka followed Robin on the Auto Vajin, the sleek motorcycle purring beneath him. As they descended into the tunnels, Robin glanced back at the Kamen Rider.
"Kamen Rider, do you have any armor that is more... inconspicuous?" Robin asked. "I've seen the others, but none of them seem suitable for blending in."
Haruka considered Robin's perspective and acknowledged that most of his forms were not well-suited for covert operations. The Kamen Rider Amazon and Abyss suits had potential, but each presented its own challenges. Amazon's fighting style was too savage, while Abyss's reliance on the Mirror World might not translate well to the underground tunnels they were about to explore. Haruka wasn't certain if there would be enough reflective surfaces for him to utilize Abyss's abilities effectively in their mission.
Haruka scanned the shop, his eyes flitting over the various Rider options, but his points just weren't enough to acquire a new one. However, he did have a couple of gacha draws from his recent victories against Astra and the other alien threats he'd faced. Figuring he might as well try his luck, Haruka decided to take a chance on the gacha system.
Haruka rolls the gacha system, watching the familiar roulette spin rapidly. As the reels slowed, they settled on a sleek, high-tech firearm.
[Congratulations on acquiring the Transteam Gun.]
Haruka was a bit disappointed. The Transteam Gun was from Kamen Rider Build and it was the transformation device of Night Rogue and Blood Stalk. However, Haruka did not have the Fullbottles, and the power of the Transteam Gun was just average. It could emit steam, which could be useful for blinding and escaping enemies, but that was mostly it.
Undeterred, Haruka used the last gacha draw, and the roulette spun again, its reels rapidly cycling through various options.
"Please be something good."
The roulette stopped and it was a golden color.
[Congratulations on acquiring Kamen Rider Kiva, Host.]
[Unlocked:
Half Fangire Body
Kivat-Bat the 3rd
Kivat Belt
Wake Up Fuestle]
Haruka almost crashed the Auto Vajin, his excitement over getting a new main Rider almost getting the better of him. He was surprised to get Kiva, and he figured Robin's presence had probably affected his luck. Steadying the bike, Haruka couldn't help but grin at his fortune. Kamen Rider Kiva would be perfect for what he needed right now.
Haruka and Robin arrived at a dimly lit alley, the entrance to the underground tunnels. Robin turned to Haruka, his voice low and serious.
"We're here. Are you ready?"
Haruka paused, considering the gravity of their mission. "Give me a minute," he replied.
"Kivat, come!" he called out.
Robin was surprised when a small creature appeared, flapping its wings as it flew towards Haruka and settled on his outstretched hand. The creature had a metallic purple and black body, with gold accents and glowing red eyes that seemed to express emotion. Its sharp fangs and bat-like wings gave it a unique, almost vampiric appearance.
"Kivat, this is Robin. Robin, meet Kivat - my friend and partner."
The small bat creature eyed Robin curiously, its glowing red eyes seeming to assess the young vigilante. "Greetings," Kivat said, his voice carrying a regal air. "I am Kivat-bat the 3rd."
"It can talk!"
"Hmph! Foolish human, have you never encountered the likes of me before?" Kivat scoffed, his regal voice dripping with disdain.
"That's enough Kivat. Let's go."
"Okay! Let's go, Kiva!"
Haruka took hold of Kivat and allowed the small bat-like creature to bite his hand. At the contact, metal chains materialized around Haruka's waist, forming the Kivat Belt. Simultaneously, tattoo-like markings appeared across Haruka's face, signaling the activation of his transformation.
"Henshin."
Haruka grasped Kivat in his hand and brought the small bat-like creature to his waist. As the mechanical bat latched onto Haruka's belt, metal chains materialized around his waist, forming the Kivat Belt. Simultaneously, tattoo-like markings spread across Haruka's face, signaling the activation of his transformation.
Haruka's body began to morph, his features shifting into the distinct visage of Kamen Rider Kiva. The suit was mostly black, with red and silver bits that gave it a gothic, vampiric look. It had big golden eyes, and Kiva's right leg had a metal restrainer wrapped in chains. Fangs stuck out from the mouthguard, finishing the intimidating yet captivating appearance of the Kamen Rider.
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