What?
Ace's mind reels. He's staring at a dragon, a real, honest-to-God dragon, and not just any dragon.
That's Dragreder.
He knows that serpentine form, those crimson scales. Dragreder, the contract monster of Kamen Rider Ryuki. How is that even possible?
He doesn't have time to ponder the impossible. Dragreder unleashes a torrent of flame, searing the air. The Grongi shriek, scrambling to evade the inferno, but they're too slow. The fire engulfs them, sending them staggering back, their bodies smoking.
Gadra roars in defiance, charging towards the dragon, claws extended. But Dragreder is faster, more powerful. It whips its tail, slamming the tiger Grongi against a concrete pillar with bone-jarring force. Gadra crumples, groaning, and doesn't get up.
Ladya tries a different approach, using her agility to dart around the flames, attempting to flank the dragon. Dragreder snarls and opens its maw, unleashing a blast of sonic energy that throws Ladya off balance. She stumbles, disoriented, giving the dragon the opening it needs. Dragreder coils around her in a vise-like grip. Ladya screams, her armor cracking under the immense pressure, before finally going still.
Balva watches in stunned silence as her comrades fall. The air crackles with ozone, the acrid smell of burnt flesh filling his nostrils. It can't be happening. How could this be happening? How is this thing stronger than us?
He can't believe Dragreder is here. Dragreder is helping him.
Below, the remaining police officers stare in utter disbelief. Their jaws are agape, eyes wide with shock and terror. A dragon, a real dragon, just appeared out of nowhere. Some of them drop their weapons, too stunned to even move.
He's equally bewildered, but a surge of hope courses through him. With Dragreder on his side, maybe, just maybe, he can turn the tide.
But it is too late. Balva is too smart and she is a good leader.
Seeing that they are losing, with two of her comrades down and another creature from another world making its way through, Balva snarls, "Retreat!"
The remaining Grongi, still reeling from Dragreder's onslaught, hesitate only for a moment before obeying their leader. They grab the fallen Gadra and the still Ladya, heaving their bodies between them, and then they flee, disappearing into the maze of the parking garage, leaving only the echoes of their guttural roars and the lingering scent of smoke and fear.
Ace pushes himself to his feet, wincing as pain shoots through his body. But beneath the pain, a surge of adrenaline courses through him. He's alive. They're gone. And it's all thanks to…
He turns towards the magnificent dragon, standing tall amidst the chaos. "Dragreder," he says, a note of awe in his voice. "Thank you. You really saved me back there."
He takes a tentative step forward, hope blossoming in his chest. "Are you here to help? I need to rescue Detective Watanabe. That Dispider… it doesn't kill its prey immediately. It toys with them, drags them into that Mirror World… If we hurry, we can still save her."
He stops, his words hanging in the air. A silence stretches between them, thick and heavy. He expects some kind of acknowledgement, a nod, a roar, anything. But Dragreder remains motionless, its crimson scales gleaming in the flickering light of the burning garage.
And then he feels it. A chill, a primal fear that claws its way up his spine. It starts at the base of his neck, prickling his skin, and then spreads outwards, numbing his limbs. He can't explain it, but something is wrong. Terribly wrong.
He stares into Dragreder's eyes, those glowing yellow orbs that he'd initially seen as a beacon of hope. Now, they seem different. Cold. Calculating. Hungry.
They don't look friendly. They look predatory, like a wolf staring down a wounded lamb, or a snake hypnotizing its prey.
Before Ace can react, Dragreder strikes.
There's no warning, no tell. Just pure, unadulterated speed and power. The dragon lunges, its massive claws slashing through the air towards Ace.
He barely manages to dodge, throwing himself to the side as Dragreder's attack tears through the space where he'd been standing moments before. The force of the displaced air buffets him, sending him sprawling.
He scrambles back to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. What the hell?
"Wait!" he cries, his voice laced with confusion and desperation. "Dragreder, what are you doing? I don't want to fight you!"
He raises his hands in a gesture of peace, hoping to de-escalate the situation. This has to be a mistake. This can't be happening.
The dragon ignores him, its eyes burning with an unnatural intensity. It coils, readying itself for another attack.
Titan Form isn't agile. He knows that. But it's the only thing that's going to keep him alive right now. He raises the Titan Sword, the heavy steel vibrating in his grip, and braces himself.
Dragreder strikes.
The dragon is a blur of motion, a whirlwind of scales and claws. Ace swings the Titan Sword, the blade meeting Dragreder's claw with a resounding clang. The impact reverberates through his arms, almost dislodging his grip. Dragreder is strong, far stronger than he'd anticipated. The Mirror Monster is stronger than the Grongi. The beast is relentless, its attacks coming in a flurry of swipes and bites. Ace is forced to backpedal, parrying each blow, the Titan Sword deflecting the brunt of the force.
He grunts with exertion, his muscles screaming in protest. He ducks under a sweeping tail, the air whistling past his helmet. He needs to find an opening, some way to turn the tide. But Dragreder is relentless, giving him no room to breathe.
What is going on? Why is Dragreder attacking him? It doesn't make sense!
Wait a minute… Dragreder is Ryuki's contract monster, isn't it? Unless… Unless Ryuki doesn't exist, or…
A chilling realization dawns on him. If Ryuki is not here, or if their contract is severed, then Dragreder would be a wild Mirror Monster. Roaming the Mirror World, or, in this case, the real world, seeking out prey. That has to be it!
His thoughts are interrupted by another attack. Dragreder lunges, snapping its jaws, and Ace barely manages to deflect the bite with the Titan Sword. The force of the impact sends him stumbling backwards, his footing precarious. He needs to get his head in the game. He can't afford to get distracted, or he won't survive.
Below, Captain Stacy watches the unfolding battle with growing alarm. The creature is incredibly strong. Incredibly resilient. It's going to kill everyone.
"Open fire!" he yells, his voice cracking with urgency. "All units, open fire!"
The police officers hesitate for a moment, their faces etched with fear and disbelief. But Stacy's command jolts them into action. They raise their weapons and unleash a hail of bullets towards Dragreder.
The bullets ping harmlessly off Dragreder's scales, ricocheting into the air. The dragon roars in annoyance, momentarily turning its attention away from Ace. The hail of bullets aren't working at all. The bullets aren't doing anything.
"Cease fire!" Stacy shouts. "Cease fire! It's not working!"
But it's too late. Dragreder has already fixed its gaze on the police officers. The dragon whips its head around to target the officers, anger filling his face. Dragreder hates the constant annoyance from these humans.
A blast of flame erupts from its maw, searing the air, heading towards the line of police officers.
"No!" Ace yells, adrenaline coursing through him. He throws himself in front of the flame blast, raising the Titan Sword to deflect the brunt of the attack. The heat is intense, almost unbearable, but he manages to withstand the blast, the Titan Sword glowing red hot.
"Get out of here!" Ace shouts, his voice strained. "Get everyone out of here now! This isn't your fight!"
Stacy hesitates, his eyes filled with concern. "But what about you?"
"I'll handle it," Ace says, his voice firm. "Just get your people to safety. Now!"
Stacy looks from Ace to the enraged dragon, then back to his officers. He knows that Ace is right. They're outmatched. They're just getting in the way.
"All units, fall back!" he yells, his voice authoritative. "Withdraw from the area! Now!"
The police officers, relieved to have a reason to retreat, scramble to obey. They fall back, scrambling to get away from the scene, their faces etched with fear.
Ace watches them go, a sense of grim determination settling over him. It's just him and the dragon now. He can't run. He can't hide. He has to fight.
Yuri's head swims. A throbbing ache pulses behind her eyes. She blinks, trying to focus. Webs. She's tangled in sticky, white webs. Looking down, she sees herself suspended high above the ground, dangling like a fly caught in a spider's trap.
Panic flares in her chest.
Her arms are pinned to her sides, useless. Her legs are similarly bound. She strains against the restraints, but the webs only tighten, digging into her skin.
The world around her is…wrong. Twisted. Buildings loom at odd angles, their reflections blurred and distorted. The sky is a sickly gray, casting long, unnatural shadows that dance and writhe. She glances at a nearby sign. The letters are reversed, a mirror image of themselves.
This has to be the Mirror World.
A shiver runs down her spine, despite the humid air. She knows what inhabits this place. Monsters.
And she's helpless, a perfect offering.
A guttural clicking sound echoes nearby. Yuri's heart leaps into her throat. She slowly turns her head, her muscles screaming in protest.
There, perched on a grotesque, web-covered structure, is Dispider Reborn. Its multiple eyes gleam with predatory hunger. Saliva drips from its fangs as it stares down at her.
It's close. Too close.
Dispider lets out a screech that vibrates through Yuri's bones. It begins to descend, its spider legs clicking against the mirrored surfaces, each sound a death knell.
Yuri closes her eyes, bracing herself. She can't fight. She can't run. All she can do is wait for the inevitable.
Someone…anyone…please.
The stench of decay and mildew fills her nostrils. She can feel Dispider's hot breath on her face. Its shadow looms over her, engulfing her in darkness.
There is nothing she can do but prepare for the worst and hope someone can save her.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz