Urataros sighed, a genuine disappointment coloring his tone. "Such a shame," he murmured, twirling the DenGasher Rod absently. "I was hoping for a more… engaging conversation."
He got away, Urataros, Ace thought, his frustration echoing in Urataros's mind. We can't let these Imagin run around unchecked.
"True, true," Urataros conceded, reverting Den-O back to his neutral stance. "But sometimes, a little mystery is all the more alluring, isn't it?"
Yu, still dazed but regaining her composure, stepped forward. The throbbing pain in her shoulder served as a stark reminder of the Mole Imagin's power, and she was acutely aware of the cameras trained on her. Still, duty called.
"Kamen Rider," she said, her voice surprisingly steady. "I appreciate the assistance, but I'm going to have to ask you to surrender."
Urataros blinked, a hint of disbelief flickering across his face. "Surrender?" he echoed, incredulous. "But, my dear, I just saved you! Surely, some gratitude is in order?"
"I am grateful," Yu replied, her expression softening slightly. "Truly. But I'm a Pro Hero. I have a responsibility to uphold the law. Vigilantism, even with good intentions, is still against the law."
She has a point, Ace, Kintaros rumbled in their mind. Rules must be followed.
Ace agreed, but couldn't help feeling a pang of annoyance. They had saved her, and now she was treating them like a criminal?
"So, you'd rather I let that… earthworm continue wreaking havoc?" Urataros asked, a touch of sarcasm lacing his tone. "Is that what a hero would do?"
"That's not what I'm saying," Yu countered, her jaw tightening. "But there are protocols, procedures. We can't just have people running around with… whatever powers you have, without any oversight."
"Oversight?" Urataros scoffed. "And how well has that oversight been working out for you so far, my dear? Seems to me, you were about to become a molehill."
The crowd murmured, a mix of agreement and apprehension rippling through their ranks. Yu's face flushed, and she took a step forward. "That's enough," she said, her voice rising. "I'm giving you one last chance. Surrender, and we can sort this out peacefully."
Urataros tilted his head, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "Peacefully, you say? Where's the fun in that?"
With a sigh, Yu activated her Quirk, growing to her colossal size. Her shadow fell over Den-O, and the crowd gasped, taking several steps back. "I don't want to do this the hard way," Yu yelled, her voice booming, "but you leave me no choice!"
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of making things easy for you, my dear," Urataros said, his tone smooth as silk.
Yu lunged, her enormous hand reaching to seize Den-O. Urataros, anticipating her move, sidestepped with uncanny speed. The hand crashed into the street, leaving a crater where Den-O once stood.
"Such enthusiasm!" Urataros called out, his voice echoing through the air. "But a little too clumsy for my tastes."
Yu swung again, this time aiming to sweep Den-O off his feet. Urataros leaped over the oncoming hand, landing gracefully on a nearby car. He posed dramatically, DenGasher Rod glinting in the sunlight. "Perhaps a dance is more your style? Though I fear you might break the floor."
Yu gritted her teeth, her frustration growing with each failed attempt. Her size gave her power, but it also made her movements telegraphed.
"Oh, don't look so glum, my dear," Urataros said, his voice laced with mock concern. "A beautiful woman like yourself should always have a smile on her face."
As if on cue, Urataros suddenly sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Other heroes were converging on their location. The air crackled with the promise of more Quirk-fueled confrontations. It was time to leave.
Urataros gave a small bow. "Alas, our time together must come to an end," he said, his voice carrying a hint of genuine regret. "But don't worry, my dear. I have a feeling our paths will cross again."
With a final wink, Urataros turned towards a door. The door was, of course, connected to the DenLiner. As he stepped through, the world outside seemed to grind to a halt. People froze mid-step, cars hung suspended in the air, and the very air seemed to shimmer with temporal distortion.
Urataros smirked. It never got old. He quickly closed the door, severing the connection. With a snap, time resumed its normal course.
"Where did he go?" Yu asked, frustrated that she let him get away again.
He is something else, Yu thought, remembering his charms.
She shook her head, she was a hero, she must get a grip.
A few moments later, the other Pro Heroes arrived.
"What happened here, Mt. Lady?" Kamui Woods inquired as he surveyed the damage, his expression grim. Tidal stood beside him, his face creased with concern, while Siren circled above, scanning for any remaining threats with her sonar.
"Kamen Rider," Yu sighed, shrinking to normal size and rubbing her throbbing shoulder. "He showed up to fight the villain, but then… just vanished."
Kamui Woods cursed under his breath, slamming a fist into a nearby wall. "That vigilante! Always making a mess and then disappearing without a trace."
Tidal frowned, his gaze fixed on the entrance. "Did you manage to get any information this time? Any idea what his Quirk is?"
Yu shook her head. "Nothing concrete. He's fast, agile… and slippery. And if that's the Quirk he used, who knows what he is really capable of."
"What about the villain?" Siren asked, landing beside them. "Any clues as to their abilities?"
Yu described the Mole Imagin's powers, its earth manipulation and burrowing capabilities.
"Sounds like a Mutant type," Kamui Woods surmised, his frustration palpable. "Another one for the books. We have to catch both before they escalate."
"Are you alright, Mt. Lady?" a voice inquired, cutting through the tension. It was Puncture, a Pro Hero known for his peculiar Quirk: Cavity. Puncture, whose real name was Masahiko Sato, could create holes of varying sizes in any surface he touched. He was young, ambitious, and harbored a not-so-secret admiration for the statuesque heroine. Masahiko, average height, with scrawny arms, had wanted to be noticed, and admired. The path to success was to be a hero, he figured.
"I'm fine, Puncture," Yu responded, forcing a smile. "Just a little shaken up. Thanks for your concern."
With a nod, Puncture turned to leave, his shoulders slumped slightly. Kamui Woods began barking orders, coordinating the cleanup and investigation. Tidal started assisting civilians while Siren provided aerial surveillance.
Masahiko bit his nails, frustration gnawing at him. He detoured from the main group, heading towards a more secluded alleyway. There, nestled in the shadows, the Mole Imagin waited, its beady eyes glinting in the dim light.
"What the hell happened out there?" Masahiko hissed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I gave you one simple task! Injure her, nothing more! Provide a damsel in distress!"
The Mole Imagin recoiled, its massive claws clicking nervously against the concrete. "I apologize, Sato-san," it rumbled, its voice gravelly and low. "The Kamen Rider… he appeared so suddenly. I had to retreat, or risk capture."
Masahiko cursed, running a hand through his hair. His plan was meticulous, or so he thought. As Pore-té, he'd stage a dramatic rescue, showcasing his abilities and earning Mt. Lady's gratitude. Perhaps, he mused, she would start seeing him in a different light.
"That was the whole point!" Masahiko exploded, his carefully constructed facade of heroism crumbling. "The hero saving the damsel! I need her to think I am worth her time, worth her!"
Masahiko's admiration for Yu Takeyama bordered on obsession. He saw her as the pinnacle of heroism, a symbol of beauty and strength. He craved her attention, her approval, her affection. But, he knew she probably saw him as a side character. So, the only way to be the main character, the one that gets her heart, was to play the trope. A hero saves a damsel in distress.
The Mole Imagin shifted uncomfortably. "But Sato-san, I do not see what is the purpose of such an act."
Masahiko scoffed. "Of course you don't. You're just a monster, a means to an end. You wouldn't understand human relationships, wouldn't understand love."
Masahiko continued ranting, his voice filled with desperation and self-pity. He had envisioned their meeting, the grateful look in Yu's eyes as he carried her to safety, their hands brushing as she thanked him. It was supposed to be perfect, a scene ripped straight from a cheesy romance.
He had to make her think of him as the man in her life, a true savior. The only problem was how. Kamen Rider has now screwed the plan.
His plan was simple. Injure Yu and then he saves her, creating a perfect moment for a connection. The plan was going to be flawless. It was not, because a meddling hero with time traveling issues had to arrive. He would have to adjust his plans.
"I need you to try again," Masahiko said, his voice low and menacing. "I don't care how, but you make sure Mt. Lady is in danger and I save her."
The Mole Imagin nodded, its small eyes gleaming with a chilling determination. "As you wish, Sato-san. Your wish is my command."
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz