With his alarm diligently set for 11 PM, Isaac hit the hay, his mind already drifting into the welcoming embrace of sleep. As his body rested, his mind was not idle. Time to hit the books! His consciousness automatically clocked in for another training session at the Geki Dojo, where Master Gorrie, Master Michelle, and Master Pyon were surely waiting to put him through his paces.
DING DING 🔔
Right on schedule, the alarm screeched, dragging Isaac back to the land of the living. He peeked out the door to make sure his parents were still sawing logs. All clear. Showtime. Gently, he pried open his window and hopped out, Spiderman-style.
Luckily, he had the lawn to soften his fall. Thanks to Master Gorrie and the others, he lands perfectly, absorbing the impact like a seasoned pro. Nailed it!
"Tonight is indeed a good time for action." He said. He gazed up at the moon, shining bright.
After getting far enough away from his house, Isaac ducked into a nearby alleyway. He took out the Gotchard Driver and Ride Chemy Cards.
[Gotchanko!]
[Steamhopper!]
The familiar surge of power coursed through him as he transformed into Kamen Rider Gotchard, Steamhopper. He summoned the Golddash, hopped on, and kicked off towards the power plants he had marked as potential targets.
The streets were empty, only lit by the moon. On Golddash, Isaac raced toward the last power plant.
His job tonight? Slap those remote monitoring devices X Wizard cooked up on each plant. They'd help keep an eye on things and hopefully lead them to the shady character behind the chlorine capers.
The other plants were easy, but this one was different.
As he pulled up to the gate, a blur shot out. Isaac slammed on the brakes, and the Golddash went into a long, screeching slide before stopping.
Then it hit him. He spun around, his enhanced vision picking up the scene at the entrance. Guards were down, bodies riddled with spike-like things, blood everywhere. It was messy, real messy.
"Son of a..." he muttered, his voice tight with anger. "No way I'm letting this creep get away!"
A wave of heat washed over the area as the engine roared to life, eager to pursue the fleeing figure. The Kamen Rider straddled the bike, his focus honed to a razor's edge.
Before peeling out, though, Isaac swiftly retrieved a Ride Chemy Card from his belt. "Sorry, folks," he muttered grimly, "but I think you might need a hand." The Unicon Chemmy, materialized in a flash of blue light, hovered briefly, its horn glowing with restorative power before vanishing back into its card.
Hope that helps, Isaac thought, knowing that Unicon could only do so much.
He quickly used his Smaphone Chemy to notify the authorities, relaying the grim scene. The words tumbled out of his mouth in a rush. He tried to keep calm, trying to sound professional. He hung up, heart heavy.
The engine screamed as Isaac twisted the throttle. The Golddash launched forward, tires spitting gravel, its headlight cutting through the night. The bike's acceleration was brutal, pressing Isaac back into his seat as they ate up the distance.
The figure, though humanoid, moved with a disconcerting, reptilian fluidity. It bounded across the street, limbs contorting in unnatural ways as it scaled a brick wall.
"Wanna run? No way!"
Isaac, seeing his quarry attempt to disappear into the urban labyrinth, grabbed his Gotcharge Gun. He squeezed the trigger. Twin beams of crackling energy erupted from the weapon's muzzle, streaking towards the figure like vengeful spirits.
Roderick, mid-leap, must've possessed some kind of sixth sense. His body contorted impossibly, muscles bunching and flexing as he folded himself in half. The projectiles sailed past where he'd been a split second before, but one grazed his scalp, leaving a trail of smoking stubble.
The alien hissed, a sound like escaping steam, its eyes narrowing into slits. It glared at Isaac, jaws working, revealing rows of needle-like teeth. Then, with a snarl, it continued its frantic escape, its movements becoming more erratic.
This time, Roderick was smarter, employing a more cunning strategy, not fleeing. He zigged and zagged, a master of parkour, leaping across rooftops, and using alleyways as shortcuts.
Undeterred, Isaac leaned into the turns, the Golddash responding with a balletic grace that defied its mechanical nature. The bike weaved through traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions. The Gotcharge Gun barked, sending energy blasts ricocheting off walls, boxing Roderick in.
Realizing Isaac wasn't going to quit, Roderick turned the tables, launching a furious counterattack. He dropped from a fire escape, claws extended, aiming to tear Isaac from his mount.
Isaac swerved, barely avoiding the attack. Roderick's claws scraped against the bike's armor. He adjusted his trajectory, dodging, weaving, always just ahead.
Their chase became a blur of motion, a dance of hunter and prey played out against the backdrop of National City's sleeping streets. They tore through back alleys, soared over parked cars, and dodged startled pedestrians. The air crackled with energy as the two combatants tested each other's limits.
Isaac gasped for breath, his lungs burning. I gotta end this, he thought grimly. Before this guy causes more damage.
And before the cops show up.
He gripped the handlebars tighter. Letting the Golddash do its thing. Isaac's gaze locked onto Roderick, who scrambled across a billboard. His own weapon raised.
Sensing Isaac's resolve, Roderick upped his game. The alien's movements turned frantic, desperate, like a cornered animal. But it was too late.
Isaac found his opening as Roderick leaped from the billboard, a moment of vulnerability in mid-air. He squeezed the trigger repeatedly. Five bolts of energy raced towards the alien, each a pinpoint of searing light.
A bloodcurdling shriek echoed through the streets as the projectiles found their mark. Four of them struck Roderick's limbs, severing them cleanly from his body. The alien flailed, its momentum carrying it forward as the fifth shot punched through its chest, leaving a gaping hole.
Roderick crashed to the asphalt, its body twitching, its lifeblood staining the ground. After a moment, it was still.
After confirming the alien wasn't getting back up, Isaac felt a wave of relief wash over him. But just as he was about to split, the Unicon Chemy zipped back, delivering awful news.
"No way..." Isaac muttered, his stomach dropping.
Before he could process the implications, the distant wail of sirens grew louder, rushing toward the scene. Crap!
Weighing his options, he knew he couldn't afford to stick around. Not with the cops incoming.
"Let's go," he mumbled.
With a quick twist of the wrist, he sent the Golddash zooming away, leaving the scene behind. He accelerated, putting as much distance as possible between himself and those flashing lights.