Ace walked through the bustling streets of New York, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The serial murderer could be anywhere in this concrete jungle, and he had no leads to follow.
"This is harder than I thought," Ace muttered, stopping at a street corner. "I barely know my way around these streets, let alone where to find a killer."
The young hero felt the limitations of his situation keenly. Unlike the detectives in crime shows, he didn't have sophisticated equipment to tap into police communications. And while he possessed incredible powers as a Rider, mind-reading or tracking abilities weren't among them.
Ace noticed a commotion ahead as he made his way through the bustling New York streets. A crowd had gathered behind yellow police tape, their faces filled with concern and fear. Moving closer, he could see what had drawn their attention: another victim lay motionless on the ground, a grievous wound visible on their neck.
"When will they catch this murderer?" a woman in the crowd whispered anxiously to her companion.
"These streets aren't safe anymore, especially at night," replied another bystander, shaking his head.
Ace studied the victim's wounds carefully from his position. The injuries weren't typical of a human attack - the neck bore marks that resembled those made by sharp, animal-like claws.
'These wounds...' Ace thought to himself, his expression growing serious. 'The more I examine them, the more convinced I am - this has to be the work of a monster.' His suspicions about the killer's true nature were growing stronger with each piece of evidence.
The crackle of a nearby police radio caught Ace's attention, making him freeze in place. Two officers stood at their patrol car, receiving an urgent transmission through their radio unit.
"Possible sighting on 5th Avenue—suspect fleeing toward the alley behind the public library!" the dispatcher's voice announced through the static.
"Copy, converging now!" one of the officers responded with determination.
The two officers quickly entered their squad car and sped away from the scene, their sirens blaring through the streets. Not wanting to lose this opportunity to investigate, Ace stepped toward the street's edge and raised his hand, flagging down a passing taxi.
"5th Avenue, please," Ace instructed the driver as he settled into the back seat.
The scene at 5th Avenue was chaotic. A grotesque creature known as the Rat Grongi towered over several police officers, its monstrous form casting an ominous shadow across the street. The officers fired their weapons desperately, but the bullets simply bounced off the creature's tough hide and clattered uselessly to the ground.
The Rat Grongi moved with frightening speed, its razor-sharp claws slicing through the air. One officer was sent flying, his body tumbling across the rough pavement like a ragdoll. His partner, face pale with fear, grabbed his radio with trembling hands.
"Officer down! We need immediate backup at Fifth Avenue!" His voice cracked with desperation. "Suspect is extremely dangerous, repeat, extremely dangerous! Shots ineffective. Multiple units require—"
His transmission was cut short as the Rat Grongi's massive form lunged forward. With one powerful swing of its tail, the creature sent the officer crashing into a nearby wall. The impact was devastating and immediate.
The screech of tires announced the arrival of another police car. Two more officers emerged, their faces contorting with horror at the sight before them.
"What the hell is that!" one officer exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Who cares! Shoot it!" his partner responded, raising his weapon.
Their bullets, like those before them, proved futile against the monster's impenetrable hide. The Rat Grongi turned its attention to the newcomers, its beady eyes gleaming with malice. The creature pounced with inhuman speed, its claws extended. The officers' screams of terror echoed through the street as they attempted to defend themselves against the unstoppable force before them.
Ace arrived, and the scene before him was horrifying. The Rat Grongi is viciously attacking police officers, and many have already fallen.
"Grongi..." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dark memories of his encounter with Dark Kiva resurfaced, but Ace pushed them aside, focusing on the present danger.
"Hey!" he shouted,
Without hesitation, Ace charged toward the monstrous creature. His fists and feet flew in practiced movements, each strike precise and purposeful. With every impact, pieces of armor materialized around his body until he stood transformed in the Growing Form.
The Rat Grongi tilted its head, studying Ace with its beady eyes. It spoke in the ancient Grongi language, its words incomprehensible to human ears: "(Kuuga, your horns are a lot smaller than I remember)"
"Sorry, I can't understand you," Ace replied, maintaining his fighting stance.
The creature's next words came in clear English, its voice carrying a sinister tone. "Then, do you understand me now, Kuuga?"
"Are you part of Dai-Shocker?!" Ace demanded, his body tensing.
"So you know Dai-Shocker," the monster replied, almost seeming pleased by this recognition.
"Why are you killing people!" The question burst from Ace, filled with righteous anger.
The Rat Grongi's response sent chills down Ace's spine. "Of course, it is to start a new Gegel. And to bring glory to the glorious mission of Dai-Shocker."
As Ace processed these words, his heart sank. The Gegel is a ritualistic "game of killing humans conducted by the Grongi tribe. The presence of Dai-Shocker in this universe, combined with the start of a new Gegel, could only mean devastating consequences for humanity.
The Rat Grongi's mocking words were met with Ace's defiant declaration: "Not if I have anything to say about it!"
"You cannot stop us, Kuuga. I am Xu·Nezuma·Da, and I shall have the pleasure of ending your life," the Rat Grongi sneered, its beady eyes gleaming with malice.
A fierce battle erupted between them. Ace launched into a series of precise strikes, his martial arts training evident in every movement. The Rat Grongi responded with savage swipes of its claws, forcing Ace to weave and dodge. However, a sudden sweep of the monster's tail caught him off guard, sending him crashing into a nearby police car.
The Rat Grongi lunged forward, reaching for Ace's throat, but Ace managed to wrestle free and deliver a powerful kick that sent the creature staggering backward. With renewed determination, Ace pressed his advantage, unleashing a relentless combination of punches and kicks that began to wear down his opponent.
The arrival of additional police units, led by Captain George Stacy, changed the dynamic of the battle. The veteran officer's eyes widened at the sight before him.
"What are those things?" George called out, his voice carrying authority even in the face of the extraordinary scene. "All units, open fire!"
A barrage of gunfire erupted, but the bullets merely bounced off both combatants harmlessly. The shooting did, however, draw the Rat Grongi's attention toward the officers. As the creature turned its predatory gaze toward the police, Ace intervened, pulling it back and resuming his assault.
Finding itself increasingly pressured, the Rat Grongi shoved Ace aside and scaled the nearest wall with surprising agility. Ace prepared to pursue, but the police's shouts stopped him in his tracks.
"Stop right there! You're surrounded!" George commanded, his stance firm and unwavering.
Left with no choice, Ace took advantage of his enhanced abilities, leaping away with incredible strength. He bounded from building to building, easily clearing structures three to four stories tall, leaving the frustrated police force behind.
George watched the mysterious figure disappear into the distance, his expression darkening as he muttered, "Damn it."
***
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz