Chapter 122

Ace Ukiyo stood his ground as the Brotherhood surrounded him, their powers and abilities converging on the lone Rider. He steeled his nerves, refusing to show any sign of fear or hesitation.

Pietro, the speedster, zipped around Ace, taunting him. "I've been waiting for a rematch, Rider." He chuckled, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Ace's eyes narrowed as he regarded the cocky mutant. "You need your little friends to help you defeat me, don't you, Pietro?" he retorted, his voice calm and measured. "I seem to recall our last encounter ending rather... poorly for you."

Pietro's expression darkened, and Ace could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. The Rider knew he had struck a nerve, and he was prepared to use the Brotherhood's overconfidence against them.

"You talk a big game, Rider," Toad sneered, his slimy tongue flicking out. "But let's see how well you do against all of us."

Ace shifted his weight, his body poised and ready. "Bring it on," he said, his voice laced with a hint of challenge.

Ace Ukiyo raised his hand, and the Kabuto Zecter flew to his palm. With a determined expression, he declared, "Henshin!"

Ace inserted the Zecter into his Rider Belt, and the device announced, [HENSHIN].

In a flash of light, Ace's body was enveloped in a sleek, crimson-and-silver armor. The helmet's distinctive horn rose proudly, signifying the transformation into Kamen Rider Kabuto's masked form. Compound blue eyes glowed with intensity as the Rider assumed a battle-ready stance.

The Brotherhood members paused, their confidence momentarily shaken by Kabuto's imposing presence. Toad's bravado faltered, and even Pietro's cocky smirk faded slightly.

Ace Ukiyo, now transformed into Kamen Rider Kabuto, stood unflinching as the Brotherhood members regarded him with a mix of apprehension and hostility. His steady gaze swept across the group, daring them to make the first move.

"What's the matter?" Kabuto taunted, his voice amplified by the helmet's speakers. "Afraid to face a real hero?"

Toad, his slimy tongue lashing out, was the first to strike. The long, prehensile appendage shot towards Kabuto, aiming to ensnare the Rider. But Kabuto was faster, his reflexes honed from countless battles. With a swift motion, he reached out and seized Toad's tongue, halting its advance.

"Is that the best you've got?" Kabuto scoffed, his grip tightening around the tongue. With a sudden jerk, he yanked Toad forward, the mutant's eyes widening in surprise. Kabuto then hurled Toad's body, sending him crashing into a nearby tree with a sickening thud.

The Brotherhood members stared in stunned silence, their confidence momentarily shaken by Kabuto's display of power. Pietro, unwilling to be outdone, blurred into motion, circling Kabuto in a blur of speed.

"Let's see how you handle this, Rider!" Pietro taunted, his voice echoing from all directions.

Kabuto remained perfectly still, his eyes scanning the area, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. As Pietro's speed reached its peak, Kabuto's hand shot out, grasping the speedster's arm mid-stride.

"Not fast enough," Kabuto declared, his grip tightening. With a swift motion, he hurled Pietro into the air, sending the mutant tumbling end over end before he crashed to the ground, groaning in pain.

Ace could see Juggernaut charging towards him. Recognizing the futility of meeting the unstoppable mutant head-on, Ace quickly dodged to the side, his agility and speed allowing him to evade the attack.

Juggernaut's massive frame plowed through the trees, the sound of cracking wood and splintering branches echoing through the forest. Ace watched as the powerful mutant struggled to halt his momentum, his sheer mass and force making him difficult to control.

Seizing the opportunity, Ace darted forward, aiming to strike while Juggernaut was off-balance. However, before he could land a blow, a blur of motion caught his attention. Sabertooth, the feral mutant, launched himself at Kabuto, his razor-sharp claws slashing through the air.

Kabuto raised his arms, the sparks flying as Sabertooth's claws scraped against his armored suit. The Rider quickly backpedaled, creating some distance between himself and the savage mutant.

"Come on, Rider," Sabertooth growled, his yellow eyes glinting with malice. "I've been waiting to tear you apart!"

Kabuto reacted swiftly to Sabertooth's feral assault. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his Kunai Gun, shifting it into its heavy Axe mode.

The large, blade-like weapon gleamed in the fading sunlight as Kabuto brandished it, the weight of the axe head adding power to his strikes. Sabertooth's claws collided with the Axe, the impact sending shockwaves through the forest.

Kabuto pushed back, his armored form standing firm against Sabertooth's ferocious onslaught. The Rider pivoted, swinging the Axe in a wide arc, aiming to catch the mutant off-guard.

Sabertooth growled, his animalistic instincts guiding his movements as he ducked and weaved, evading the Axe's crushing blows. The two combatants engaged in a deadly dance, trading blows and testing each other's defenses.

Kabuto's enhanced strength allowed him to match Sabertooth's raw power, but the mutant's speed and agility proved to be a formidable challenge. Each strike of the Axe carved deep gouges into the surrounding trees, the forest echoing with the sound of splintering wood.

His sharp senses detected Pietro's blur of motion as the speedster attempted to attack him from behind.

Kabuto reacted instinctively, his body twisting to the side as Pietro's fist sailed past. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the mutant's arm, using Pietro's own momentum against him.

"Predictable," Kabuto uttered, flipping Pietro over his shoulder and slamming the speedster to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Before Kabuto could catch his breath, a massive force collided with him from the side. Juggernaut, the unstoppable mutant, had charged forward, his massive frame slamming into Kabuto and sending the Rider hurtling through the air.

Ace felt the air rush past him as he sailed through the forest, his body crashing through the thick trunks of the trees. Splinters and debris rained down around him, but Kabuto's armored form shielded him from the worst of the impact.

Emerging from the wreckage, Kabuto landed on his feet, his stance slightly unsteady.

Kabuto flicks the horn of the Kabuto Zecter, Ace felt a surge of electricity coursing through his armor. The crevices of his suit began to open, and he grasped the Zecter's horn firmly.

"Cast off!" Ace declared, his voice amplified by the Rider's helmet.

With a decisive motion, Ace pulled the horn forward, triggering the transformation sequence.

[CAST OFF]

Kabuto's outer armor exploded outward, the pieces shattering and scattering in all directions. In a flash, the heavy, defensive Masked Form was shed, revealing the sleek, agile Rider Form beneath.

[CHANGE BEETLE]

Ace's body was now encased in the streamlined, crimson-and-silver armor of Kamen Rider Kabuto's Rider Form. The distinctive horn on his helmet rose upright, signifying the activation of his full power.

Kabuto's compound eyes glowed with intensity as he assessed the Brotherhood, his stance shifting into a more offensive posture. The Rider's movements became faster, his agility enhanced by the lighter, more maneuverable armor.

Toad, still recovering from Kabuto's previous assault, attempted to lash out with his tongue once more. But the Rider's reflexes were lightning-fast, and he easily sidestepped the attack.

Kabuto retaliated with a flurry of strikes, his Kunai Gun transforming into its Gun Mode. He unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each one finding its mark and forcing the Brotherhood members to scatter.

Pietro, his speed restored, tried to dart in and out, landing glancing blows on Kabuto. But the Rider's enhanced perception allowed him to track the speedster's movements, and he managed to land a powerful kick that sent Pietro tumbling.

Juggernaut, undeterred by the Rider's attacks, charged forward once more, his massive frame a relentless force of nature. Kabuto braced himself, waiting for the right moment to strike.

As Juggernaut closed in, Kabuto activated his signature ability, the Clock Up.

The world around Kabuto seemed to slow to a crawl, his perception of time heightened to superhuman levels. With lightning-fast reflexes, he dodged Juggernaut's attack, positioning himself behind the massive mutant.

Kabuto's Kunai Gun transformed into its Axe Mode, and he brought the heavy weapon down with tremendous force, striking Juggernaut's back. The impact caused the unstoppable mutant to stagger, his momentum disrupted.

Seizing the opportunity, Kabuto continued his assault, landing a series of powerful blows with the Axe. Sparks flew as the Axe's blade carved into Juggernaut's thick armor, the mutant's roars of pain echoing through the forest.

Sabertooth, sensing an opening, lunged at Kabuto, his claws poised to tear the Rider apart. But Kabuto was ready, his enhanced senses detecting the feral mutant's approach.

Kabuto spun around, the Axe's blade slicing through the air as he brought it down upon Sabertooth. The mutant's eyes widened in surprise, and he barely managed to evade the attack, the Axe's blade narrowly missing his flesh.

Kabuto's assault continued, his movements a blur as he pressed the advantage, determined to defeat the Brotherhood and protect the innocent.

Kabuto closed the Kabuto Zecter and pressed the three buttons in rapid succession.

[1,2,3]

"Rider Kick..." Kabuto announced, his voice resonating with determination.

Ace opened the Kabuto Zecter, triggering the finisher.

[RIDER KICK]

Electricity surged from Kabuto's belt, traveling up his belt and converging at the horn on his helmet. The energy then flowed down his right leg, imbuing it with tremendous power.

Kabuto launched himself forward, his right leg extended in a powerful Rider Kick aimed directly at Sabertooth. But just as the attack was about to connect, an unseen force suddenly halted Kabuto's momentum mid-kick.

Ace's eyes widened behind his helmet as he realized that Magneto, the master of magnetism, had intervened, using his mutant abilities to stop the Rider Kick in its tracks. Magneto's imposing figure emerged from the shadows, his hand outstretched, control over the electromagnetic fields palpable.

"A valiant effort, Kamen Rider," Magneto's deep voice echoed. "But your powers are no match for mine."

Kabuto's armor strained against the powerful magnetic force that held him in place. Magneto's control over the electromagnetic fields was palpable, rendering the Rider immobile.

"Magneto..." Kabuto uttered, his voice tinged with a mix of recognition and apprehension.

Magneto stepped forward, his imposing presence commanding the attention of all those present. "So, the Kamen Rider knows my name," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I must admit, I'm impressed by your efforts."

Magneto's gaze swept across the gathered Brotherhood members, his expression unreadable. "It seems we have a common foe in the Sentinels and those who would oppress mutants," he continued, his voice laced with a subtle invitation.

Kabuto remained silent, his mind racing as he considered Magneto's words. The master of magnetism was not one to be trifled with, and Ace knew the risks of aligning with him. However, the threat of the Sentinels was undeniable, and Magneto's offer of cooperation was intriguing.

"I won't work with you, Magneto," Kabuto finally replied, his voice firm and unwavering. "Your methods are too extreme, and I cannot condone the harm you've caused, even if our goals may align in this instance."

Magneto's brow furrowed, but he did not seem surprised by Kabuto's response. "You are a noble one, Kamen Rider," he said, a trace of respect in his tone. "But I wonder if your ideals will truly be enough to stop the coming storm."

Turning to his Brotherhood, Magneto gestured towards the Rider. "It is time we take our leave," he announced. "And we shall take our new... guest with us."

With a subtle flick of his hand, Magneto tightened his magnetic hold on Kabuto, causing the Rider to cry out in protest as he was lifted from the ground and drawn towards the Brotherhood.

Ace, trapped within the Kabuto armor, watched helplessly as the Brotherhood escorted him aboard the massive spacecraft. Through the viewports, he could see the towering structure of Asteroid M looming in the distance, its metallic spires reaching towards the heavens.

Magneto's powerful magnetic grip held Ace firmly in place, rendering him unable to break free. Glancing to the side, Ace caught sight of Pietro, the speedster's cocky smirk sending a chill down the Rider's spine.

Amid the rumble of the engines, Ace's gaze fell upon the unconscious form of Senator Kelly, who lay motionless on a nearby seat. Ace's heart raced, realizing the gravity of the situation he now found himself in. Trapped aboard Magneto's stronghold, he knew he would need to tread carefully if he had any hope of escaping and ensuring the senator's safety.

As the spacecraft lifted off, Ace felt a deep sense of unease wash over him. He had walked into a dangerous game, and now he found himself at the mercy of the Brotherhood, with no clear path to victory. Steeling his resolve, Ace prepared to face whatever challenges awaited him on Asteroid M, determined to protect those he cared for, no matter the cost.

***

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