Haruka sits on the bench, a warm burger in his hands. He takes a bite, savoring the flavors. Beside him, Billy and Freddy eat enthusiastically, their powers having worked up quite an appetite.
"This is so good!" Freddy exclaims between mouthfuls. "I could eat a hundred of these!"
Billy nods in agreement, his own burger quickly disappearing. Haruka watches them, a small smile playing on his lips. It's strange, he thinks, how these two young heroes have become his unlikely companions.
As they finish their burgers, Freddy turns to Haruka, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, Kamen Rider, when do we get to see more of your cool gadgets?"
Haruka considers the question, taking a moment to swallow his last bite. "In due time," he says.
Haruka turns to Billy, curious about the origins of his remarkable abilities. "So Billy, how did you get your powers?"
Billy nods, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, it all started when I was being chased by those bullies, Brett and Burke." He pauses, the memory clearly still fresh in his mind. "I ran into the subway, trying to lose them, but then everything just... changed."
Haruka leans in, listening intently. "What do you mean, changed?"
"One minute I was on the subway platform, the next I was in this... place," Billy says, his brow furrowing. "It had these giant rock walls, and an old man with a long white beard was there. He asked me a question, and then..." Billy trails off, his eyes widening as he recalls the experience.
Haruka waits patiently, sensing the significance of Billy's story. "And then what happened?"
Haruka listens intently as Billy recounts his extraordinary encounter. The young hero's words captivate him, sparking Haruka's curiosity about the nature of these powers.
"The old man, he said he was looking for a pure soul," Billy continues, his expression a mix of wonder and uncertainty. "I told him that such a person doesn't exist, but then he..." Billy pauses, his eyes widening as he relives the memory.
Haruka leans in, hanging on every word. "He what, Billy?"
"He blasted me with lightning!" Billy exclaims, his hands gesturing wildly. "I thought I was done for, but then he said I had potential." Billy shakes his head, still bewildered by the experience.
Haruka's brow furrows as he processes this information. The idea of an old man with such power, seeking out a pure soul, intrigues him.
"Did the old man say anything else?" Haruka prompts, his gaze fixed on Billy's face.
Billy nods, his expression growing more serious. "He told me to say his name, and that I would inherit the power of the gods." Billy pauses, a hint of awe in his voice. "So I said 'Shazam,' and then..." Billy trails off, his eyes shining with wonder.
After Billy said 'Shazam,' Billy turned back to his kid form. "Saying that 'word' is really is really annoying," he muttered, shaking his head. "Well, that was just the gist of it. After saying the 'word' I got my powers and was back in the subway."
Freddy chuckled, elbowing Billy playfully. "Hey, at least now you can use those super-strength muscles to lift me up whenever I'm feeling lazy."
Haruka watched the exchange, a pensive expression on his face. Billy's story had raised more questions than answers, and he couldn't help but wonder about the nature of this power and the mysterious old man who had bestowed it.
"So what happened after that?" Haruka asked, his gaze shifting between the two boys. "Did the old man give you any other instructions?"
Billy takes a bite out of his hamburger. "He also said something about Black Adam and the Seven Deadly Sins. But so much stuff happened I don't really remember much."
Haruka listens intently, his brow furrowing with each new detail. The mention of Black Adam and the Seven Deadly Sins piques his interest, and he leans in closer, his gaze fixed on Billy.
"Black Adam and the Seven Deadly Sins?" Haruka echoes, his voice laced with curiosity. "Do you have any other details about what the old man told you?"
Billy furrows his brow, his fingers drumming against the burger bun as he tries to recall the conversation. "Honestly, it's all a bit of a blur. The old man said something about them being ancient enemies, but I don't really remember the specifics."
Haruka nods, his mind racing with the implications. If there were ancient enemies of this power, it could mean trouble for Billy and his newfound abilities.
Haruka also thought defeating Black Adam and the Seven Deadly Sins would also count toward his mission. The idea intrigued him, as these ancient enemies seemed to pose a significant threat to the young heroes he had encountered. He wondered if he could convince Billy to help him.
Freddy saw it was getting dark and told Billy that they should be heading home by now since their family was waiting for them. Billy's expression darkened at the mention of family. "They're not my family," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Haruka asked Billy what was wrong, but Billy replied that nothing was. Haruka recalled that Billy was an orphan who had been adopted by the Vasquez family.
Haruka studied Billy's face, sensing there was more to the story. "You don't seem happy about going home to your family," he observed gently.
Billy's jaw tightened, and he stared down at his empty burger wrapper. "They're not my family," he muttered. "I'm just staying with them until I can figure out what to do next."
Freddy glanced at Billy, his brow furrowed with concern. "Hey, man, the Vasquezes have been good to us. They're trying, you know?"
Billy shook his head, his expression hardening. "It's not the same. They'll never understand what it's like to be alone, to have no one."
Haruka understood how Billy felt about wanting to reconnect with his parents, as well as the futility of such a quest. He knew all too well the pain of being alone, of yearning for a family that was no longer there. Haruka's own experiences had taught him that sometimes, the people you long for are simply beyond reach.
Placing a hand on Billy's shoulder, Haruka spoke softly. "I know it's not easy, but the Vasquezes seem like they're trying to be there for you. Maybe you could give them a chance?" He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "You don't have to forget the past, but sometimes, the future can hold unexpected surprises."
Haruka's gaze softens as he recalls his own past. "I know how you feel, Billy. I was once in your shoes, an orphan without a place to call home." He pauses, his expression somber. "The longing for your parents never really goes away, but I've learned that finding a family, a place to belong, is what's truly important in the end."
Haruka's words hold a weight that captures Billy's attention. "What do you mean?" the young hero asks, his eyes searching Haruka's face.
Haruka takes a deep breath, his own experiences weighing heavily on him. "I used to be an orphan too, bouncing from one foster home to another, never feeling like I belonged." He shakes his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "I used to think that if I could just find my real parents, everything would be better. But I learned the hard way that sometimes, the people you long for are simply beyond your reach."
Haruka looks up, his gaze meeting Billy's. "It wasn't until I found a loving family by my side, that I realized the true importance of finding a place to call home." He places a hand on Billy's shoulder, his expression earnest. "The Vasquezes may not be your birth family, but they're trying to be there for you. Give them a chance, Billy. You might be surprised at what you find."
Haruka says, "Family is what it can be, not what it should be." His words linger in the air as Billy contemplates their meaning.
Haruka turns to the two young heroes, gesturing towards the Vasquez home. "Come on, let's get you back to your family."
Billy's expression wavers, the mention of family stirring conflicted emotions within him. Nevertheless, he falls into step alongside Haruka and Freddy, the trio making their way towards the house.
As they reach the front door, Freddy turns to Haruka, a wide grin on his face. "Thanks for everything, Kamen Rider. This was the coolest day ever!"
Beside him, Billy offers a tentative smile, his gratitude evident in his eyes. "Yeah, thanks for helping us out. And... for the advice."
Haruka nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Anytime. Remember what I said - family isn't always what it should be, but it can be what you make of it."
With that, Freddy and Billy turn to the door, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. Haruka watches as they disappear into the warmth of the Vasquez household, his thoughts lingering on the two young heroes and the challenges they face.
///
Give Power Stones so I can continue to write this story. If it does not gain any interest, I will drop it.
Advance chapters on my P@tE0N Najicablitz, which is also the best way to support me.