Ace, Nico, and Berto were about to leave school and hang out together when Ace's phone suddenly rang. He checked the caller ID and saw it was Detective Yuri Watanabe.
"Sorry, guys, I need to take this," Ace said, stepping away from his friends. He answered the call, his expression shifting to one of concern. "Detective Watanabe, what is it?"
Yuri's voice came through the line, urgent and serious. "Rider, we may have located some Grongi activity. I need your help as Kamen Rider. Can you meet me downtown?"
Ace glanced back at Nico and Berto, who were watching him curiously. "Uh, yeah, of course. I'll be there as soon as I can." He ended the call and turned to his friends.
"I'm really sorry, but Pops just called and said we're running low on some ingredients at the café," Ace said, trying to sound apologetic. "He needs me to go pick them up right away. Can we hang out another time?"
Nico raised an eyebrow, unconvinced by Ace's excuse, but Berto simply shrugged. "No problem, man. We'll catch you later," he said.
Ace gave them an appreciative smile. "Thanks, guys. I'll make it up to you, I promise." He hurried off, already mentally preparing himself for the upcoming confrontation with the Grongi.
As Ace rushed out of the school, he made his way to a secluded alley, quickly transforming into Kamen Rider Kuuga. With his enhanced speed and agility, he raced towards the location Yuri had specified, determined to assist in the fight against the Grongi threat.
Meanwhile, Nico and Berto watched Ace's retreating figure, both of them sharing a curious glance.
"You don't really think he's just going to buy ingredients, do you?" Nico asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
Berto shook his head. "Nah, man. I bet he's up to something else. But you know Ace, he's always got his reasons."
Nico sighed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Come on, let's see if we can find something else to do while we wait for him."
The two friends walked off, their conversation filled with speculation about Ace's mysterious activities.
Kamen Rider Kuuga, his red armor gleaming in the fading daylight, approached Detective Yuri Watanabe's car. The police had already surrounded the old, dilapidated theater, where they had detected a gathering of the Grongi creatures.
Yuri stepped out of the car, relief washing over her face as she saw the armored hero. "Kamen Rider, I'm glad you're here," she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Ace, his voice filtered through the Kuuga mask, asked, "What's the situation, Detective?"
"We've detected a large number of people inside the theater," Yuri explained, gesturing towards the building. "We believe they may be Grongi."
Ace nodded, his gaze fixed on the theater. "Then I should go in first. It's too dangerous for the officers."
Yuri hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "We have some new weapons that might be effective against the Grongi, although they haven't been tested yet. I'd like you to stay back and let the officers handle the initial approach."
Ace tensed, his hands clenching into fists. "Detective, the Grongi are too powerful for your officers. They need my help."
Yuri placed a hand on Ace's armored shoulder, her expression earnest. "I know, Rider. But we need to be careful. These new weapons could give us the edge we need. Just trust me, okay?"
Ace held Yuri's gaze for a long moment, then sighed in resignation. "Alright, Detective. I'll wait for your signal."
Yuri nodded, relief evident in her posture. "Thank you, Rider. I'll make sure your assistance is ready when we need it."
With that, Yuri turned and joined the group of officers, barking orders and finalizing their plan of attack. Ace watched from a distance, his fingers twitching with the urge to leap into the fray.
The police officers, armed with strange, unfamiliar weapons, slowly approached the theater's entrance. Ace could feel the tension building, his heart pounding in anticipation of the confrontation to come.
High above the street, two shadowy figures observed the unfolding scene below. One, lithe and agile, moved with the grace of a dancer, while the other, taller and more muscular, kept a watchful eye, an arrow nocked and ready in a compact, collapsible bow. They remained silent, their presence hidden, as they assessed the situation and the arrival of the armored warrior known as Kamen Rider Kuuga.
…
The theater's interior was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the dilapidated seats. Ladya and Wulfu made their way through the rows, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous space.
As they entered, the other Grongi gathered turned their attention to the newcomers. Seated in the front row, they were intently watching an old film that flickered on the tattered screen.
Wulfu's lip curled in disdain as he surveyed the scene. "Why are we watching something made by the Linto?" he growled, his deep voice rumbling through the theater. "This is a waste of time."
Ladya regarded him with a cool, condescending expression. "Oh, Wulfu," she sighed, "your lack of refinement never ceases to amaze me. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for you to expand your... limited horizons."
Wulfu's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he took a menacing step towards Ladya. "Are you mocking me, you-"
But before he could finish his threat, a large, tiger-like Grongi named Me·Gadra·Da stepped forward, his presence commanding attention.
"Control yourself, Wulfu," Gadra said, his voice calm but firm. "We are here for a purpose, not to indulge in petty squabbles."
Wulfu's jaw clenched, but he reluctantly backed down, his muscles still tense with barely contained aggression.
Ladya offered Gadra a slight nod of acknowledgment, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Gadra. I'm sure Wulfu will find this educational, in his own way."
Wulfu shot her a murderous glare, but remained silent, his attention turning back to the flickering images on the screen.
The other Grongi, seemingly unperturbed by the exchange, continued to watch the film, their eyes fixed on the story unfolding before them.
Suddenly, the heavy doors at the back of the theater swung open, and a figure strode in, commanding the attention of all present. It was La·Balva·De, the leader of the La Group, the referees of the Gegel.
The Grongi rose from their seats and bowed their heads in respect as Balva approached. Wulfu, however, remained standing, his eyes burning with defiance.
"My children," Balva said, her voice rich and authoritative. "I have come to address a matter of great importance."
Wulfu stepped forward, his chest puffed out. "Is it time to choose the next Grongi for the Gegel?" he asked, barely concealing his eagerness.
Balva's gaze shifted to Wulfu, her expression unreadable. "No, Wulfu. We are not here to select the next participant."
Wulfu's brow furrowed in confusion and anger. "Then why have you summoned us?" he demanded.
Before Balva could respond, another figure emerged from the shadows behind her. This one was a human, dressed in a crisp military uniform, his face set in a stern expression.
"Because I have come to speak with you," the man said, his voice sharp and commanding. "I am an executive of Dai-Shocker, and I am deeply disappointed in the lack of progress you have made in your mission."
"What was that, you bastard!" Wulfu snarled, his voice dripping with rage.
"Without Dai-Shocker, you would not have been resurrected," the executive said, his tone laced with a hint of menace. "You would do well to remember that and follow my orders."
Wulfu's anger boiled over, his fists clenching as the Dai-Shocker executive's words sank in. He knew he had no choice but to obey, lest he face the consequences of defying the organization that had resurrected him and his fellow Grongi.
The executive's gaze swept over the assembled Grongi, his expression hardening. "I will be sending additional resources to assist you in dealing with this Kamen Rider," he announced. "For now, I suggest you take care of the uninvited guests outside."
The Grongi stirred, their senses heightening as they detected the presence of numerous humans surrounding the theater. Balva's eyes narrowed, and she turned to Wulfu and Ladya with a look of disapproval.
"You fools," she hissed. "You've been followed. Now we must deal with this mess."
Wulfu's lips curled in a snarl, but before he could respond, the Dai-Shocker executive raised a hand.
"Enough," he said, his voice brooking no argument. "Handle the situation, and do not fail me again." With that, he stepped back, and an Aurora Curtain opened behind him, swallowing him up and leaving the Grongi alone.
The sound of the theater doors bursting open drew the Grongi's attention, and they turned to see a group of police officers flooding into the room, their weapons drawn.
"Freeze!" one of the officers shouted. "You're all under arrest!"
But the Grongi had no intention of surrendering. In a flash, their bodies began to transform, their human guises peeling away to reveal their true, monstrous forms. Wulfu's body bulged and contorted, his muscles rippling as he grew taller and more imposing. Ladya's delicate features twisted into a grotesque mask, her insect-like limbs extending as she crouched low, ready to pounce.
The other Grongi followed suit, their growls and screeches echoing through the cavernous theater. The police officers faltered, their eyes widening in horror at the sight of the creatures before them.
Balva stepped forward, her regal bearing a stark contrast to the pure malice glinting in her eyes. "We must escape," she hissed to the gathered Grongi. Her tone brooked no argument — survival trumped all other considerations.
The Grongi surged forward, their claws and fangs bared, as the officers opened fire, their bullets ricocheting off the creatures' thick hides. The battle had begun, and the fate of the city hung in the balance.
***
Leave a comment and review of your thoughts
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz