The hail of bullets pinged harmlessly off Gotchard's armor, sounding like rain on a tin roof. Isaac, however, wasn't about to stand there and be a bullet sponge.
"Seriously? Can't a Rider catch a break?" He muttered under his breath, already moving. His form flickered, almost like a glitch in reality, and he vanished, leaving a faint shimmer in the air.
The next moment, he reappeared behind one of the goons, his fist a blur. It connected with a sickening [THWACK], and the guy crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut, out cold before he even hit the ground.
Isaac didn't pause. He flowed through the room like a freaking ninja, a whirlwind of motion. Fists and feet flew, each strike precise and packing a punch.
At first, he was still getting used to his enhanced strength. A few early hits sent guys flying across the room, accompanied by the awful sound of cracking ribs and pained groans. He'd overdone it a bit.
But as the fight went on, he got the hang of it. His punches became more controlled, each one perfectly measured to knock someone out without doing permanent damage. I'm getting the hang of this.
[BANG]! [THUD]! [CRASH]!
The sounds of bodies hitting the ground filled the factory as Isaac danced through the room. In what felt like a blink, every single gang member was sprawled out on the floor, unconscious.
"Alright, all done! Time to call for cleanup crew." Isaac clapped his hands together, surveying his handiwork. He noticed a few of the tougher guys were starting to stir, probably concussed but not completely out of it. Can't have that.
He strolled over and gave each of them a little extra encouragement in the form of a swift kick to the head. Nothing lethal, just enough to ensure they'd be sleeping soundly for the foreseeable future. "Nighty-night, ya punks."
Satisfied that everyone was out of commission, Isaac pulled out his Smart Phone Kemi. "Alright, time to dial 9-1-FU." He tapped the screen and waited for the call to connect.
"Yeah, uh, hey, National City PD? There's been a, uh, illegal transaction going down at the old factory in the West District. Bunch of guys, weapons, the whole shebang." He paused, listening for a moment. "Yeah, they're all taken care of. You'll find them...sleeping. Bye!"
He hung up before the dispatcher could ask any questions. Gotta maintain the mysterious vibe, ya know?
With the police on their way, Isaac resisted the urge to poke around. He knew that everything in the factory was now potential evidence, and he didn't want to contaminate the scene. After a quick once-over to make sure he hadn't missed anything, he decided to make his exit.
He considered summoning Golddash, but quickly discarded the idea. A motorcycle would be too flashy, too likely to attract attention. Instead, he decided to hoof it, relying on his enhanced speed to get him out of the area before the cops arrived.
Of course, he didn't go far. He circled back to the unfinished building, climbing back to his perch on the roof. From there, he had a perfect view of the factory.
Ten minutes later, the night air was split by the wail of sirens. Red and blue lights painted the sky as police cruisers swarmed the factory. Officers piled out, weapons drawn, and disappeared inside.
Isaac watched the scene unfold, a small smile playing on his lips. Once he was sure the police had everything under control, he turned and melted back into the shadows.
"Time to head home. Wouldn't want Mom and Dad to worry."
…
Isaac exhales, and his stance shifts subtly, settling into a pose that resembles a tiger ready to pounce. The air around him seems to thicken, the temperature dropping a degree or two. Alright, time to focus.
"Seriously? Is that the brat actually putting in effort?" Kenji asks, standing by the living room's French window, looking out at his son.
Veronica chimes in, "I thought you were the one who got him into this. He's been getting up early every day to do that weird karate thing. He never used to get out of bed before noon!"
"Hey, hey, don't look at me! I thought it was just a phase, like that time he wanted to be a chef and nearly burned down the kitchen. But...damn." Kenji's brow furrows slightly as he watches Isaac's movements. He's seen a lot of martial artists in his day, and even though Isaac is just starting out, there's something different about his technique.
"This kid's finally getting serious about something. But let's be real, mastering the martial arts takes dedication. It's like trying to climb a greased pole; if you stop trying, you just slide right back down. I hope he sticks with it, for once."
Veronica chuckles softly, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "Yeah, well, compared to his usual lazy self, this is a definite upgrade. I just don't want him to get too obsessed with whatever he is doing."
Kenji shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips. "True, but a little ambition never hurt anyone. Besides, it's good for him to have a hobby that doesn't involve staring at a screen all day. Remember when he was going through his gamer phase? I swear, I thought he was going to turn into a zombie."
He watches Isaac a moment longer, then lets out a satisfied sigh. "He might actually stick with this one, you know? There's a fire in his eyes that I haven't seen before."
In the garden, Isaac's movements become slower, more deliberate. The first part of his training, the "tiger form" is complete. His breathing grows deeper, more rhythmic. He closes his eyes, shuts out the world, and centers himself, attempting the static cultivation exercises that Master Gorrie, Master Michelle, and Master Pyon have been drilling into him.
The morning breeze rustles the leaves, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth. He lets the sounds wash over him, becoming a part of the natural world. He focuses on the feeling of the sun on his skin, the cool earth beneath his feet.
His breath deepens, slowing until it's almost imperceptible. With each inhale and exhale, he feels the Fierce Ki flowing through his body, a warm, vibrant energy that fills him from the inside out.
At this moment, he doesn't hear the sounds of the city around him, doesn't feel the weight of his responsibilities as Kamen Rider Gotchard. All that exists is him, the Fierce Ki, and the quiet stillness of the morning.
Kenji, watching from the window, nods slowly. "That kid's got something special, I can feel it. Maybe this time, he's really found his calling."
Veronica walks over to Kenji, wrapping her arm around his. Looking at Isaac in the garden, she smiles softly. "Maybe you're right. Maybe this time, he's finally found the path he's meant to walk."