Chapter 33

Haruka remained vigilant, his gaze scanning the ornate lobby for any sign of trouble. The Candroids he had strategically placed around the area continued to report back with a steady stream of information, indicating that there was no suspicious activity detected thus far.

Tapping his earpiece, Haruka checked in with Green Arrow and Speedy, who were monitoring the situation from their vantage point. "Any updates on your end?" he inquired, his voice low and measured.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Green Arrow responded. "The attendees seem to be just conversing. We'll keep a close eye on the proceedings."

Haruka nodded, his grip tightening slightly on the Shotriser holstered at his side. He knew that the calm could be deceptive, and he was determined to remain vigilant, ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

As the minutes ticked by, Haruka's senses remained on high alert, his gaze constantly sweeping the lobby for any subtle changes or suspicious movements. The Candroids continued to feed him a steady stream of information, but their reports remained reassuringly uneventful.

Haruka took a deep breath, trying to quell the slight unease that had been building in the pit of his stomach. He knew that he needed to maintain his composure, to be ready to protect Perdita at a moment's notice.

Suddenly, a Takacandroid warned Green Arrow, Speedy, and Haruka that a truck was parked nearby, and many men decked out in weapons had emerged from the van.

Green Arrow's eyes narrowed as he relayed the intel to his teammates. "We've got trouble. Looks like they are making a move."

Speedy's grip tightened on his bow, his jaw set with determination. "Then let's not keep them waiting."

Haruka's hand instinctively moved towards the Shotriser at his side, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The calm in the lobby was about to be shattered.

Haruka's grip tightened on the Shotriser as Green Arrow's voice crackled through the comm channel. "Kamen Rider, stay close to Perdita. Speedy and I will handle the intruders."

Haruka's brow furrowed, his instinct to leap into the fray warring with his desire to protect the young queen. "But I can—"

"No, this is our fight," Green Arrow interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Your job is to keep Perdita safe. Understood?"

Reluctantly, Haruka acquiesced, his eyes darting towards Perdita's location. He would have to trust his allies to handle the threat while he remained by the queen's side, ready to intervene if necessary.

...

Green Arrow and Speedy are on the rooftops, preparing to intercept the armed intruders. Suddenly, an arrow whizzes past them, narrowly missing Speedy's shoulder.

"Look out!" Green Arrow shouts, pulling Speedy back. They both take cover, scanning the area for the source of the attack.

Green Arrow narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of Merlyn, his longtime rival, aiming a deadly arrow in their direction. The Dark Archer's lips curled into a sinister grin, relishing the chance to finally prove his superiority as an archer.

"Merlyn," Green Arrow growled, readying an arrow of his own. "I should have known you'd be behind this."

Merlyn chuckled, his fingers caressing the bowstring with practiced ease. "It's been far too long, Oliver. I've been waiting for this rematch."

Speedy tensed beside Green Arrow, his own bow raised and ready. The young archer's eyes darted between the two skilled marksmen, anticipating the clash of titans about to unfold.

"Step aside, Merlyn," Green Arrow declared, his voice laced with determination. "We don't have time for you."

Merlyn's eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity. "Sorry, I can't do that, Green Arrow. I still have a job to do."

The two archers stood poised, each confident in their own abilities, as the tension in the air crackled with the promise of an epic confrontation.

Green Arrow grips his bow tightly, his fingers caressing the familiar wood as he prepares for the impending clash. Merlyn's taunting words only serve to fuel the fire within him, the drive to protect Perdita and the city he's sworn to defend.

With a nod to Speedy, Green Arrow springs into action, loosing a volley of arrows at his rival. Merlyn responds in kind, his own projectiles arcing through the air with deadly precision. The two master archers engage in a high-stakes dance, each trying to outmaneuver the other.

Speedy provides cover fire, his arrows deflecting those aimed at Green Arrow. The sound of clashing steel echoes as the trick arrows collide, exploding in bursts of light and smoke. Green Arrow's explosive arrows detonate near Merlyn, forcing the Dark Archer to retreat momentarily.

Sensing an opening, Green Arrow rushes forward, his bow a blur as he fires off a rapid succession of shots. Merlyn weaves through the onslaught, his agility and reflexes honed to perfection. A grappling arrow from Speedy catches Merlyn's foot, causing him to stumble, but the Dark Archer recovers quickly, unleashing a volley of his own.

The battle rages on, with neither side willing to back down. Green Arrow and Speedy work in tandem, their skills complementing each other as they strive to overcome Merlyn's relentless assault.

Green Arrow grunted as he narrowly dodged another of Merlyn's deadly arrows, the projectile grazing his sleeve. "Kamen Rider, we're in the middle of a fight with Merlyn," he growled into the comm channel. "Speedy and I are trying to hold him off, but we can't stop those intruders from getting inside."

Haruka's voice crackled through the earpiece, laced with concern. "Understood. What do you need me to do?"

"Get the Queen and everyone inside to safety," Green Arrow ordered, his eyes scanning the rooftops for any sign of Merlyn's next move. "We can't let them get to the queen. Keep her protected at all costs."

Speedy fired off a series of rapid shots, forcing Merlyn to take cover. "We'll try to draw Merlyn's fire away from the building," the young archer shouted. "Just get Perdita out of here!"

Haruka's response was firm. "I'm on it. Be careful, both of you."

Green Arrow gripped his bow tighter, his knuckles turning white. "We'll handle Merlyn. You just focus on keeping the Queen safe."

With a final nod, Haruka cut the connection, and Green Arrow turned his attention back to the battle at hand. Merlyn emerged from his hiding spot, a cruel smile on his lips.

"Ah, so the little Kamen Rider has run off to play hero," the Dark Archer taunted. "How noble of him."

Green Arrow's jaw tightened. "This is between you and me, Merlyn. Leave the others out of it."

Merlyn's eyes narrowed. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Oliver. Not when I have a chance to eliminate the Queen of Vlatava once and for all."

The two archers locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Green Arrow knew he had to stop Merlyn, no matter the cost.

…

Haruka bursts into the room where Perdita and the Mayor are meeting. "Your Majesty, we have a situation," he says, his voice urgent. "Intruders have arrived. You all need to evacuate immediately."

Perdita's eyes widen, and she turns to the Mayor. "What's happening?"

Before the Mayor can respond, the sound of gunshots echoes down the hallway. Haruka tenses, his hand instinctively going to the Shotriser at his side. "We need to get you to safety," he says, his gaze fixed on the door.

Perdita nods, her expression determined. "Lead the way, Kamen Rider."

Haruka ushers Perdita and the other officials out of the room, his senses on high alert. As they make their way down the corridor, he scans for any signs of the intruders, his grip tightening on the Shotriser.

Haruka leads Perdita and the other officials down the winding hallways, his grip tight on the Shotriser. The sound of approaching footsteps echoes, and Haruka's senses heighten. As a group of armed men turn the corner, Haruka reacts swiftly, raising the Shotriser and firing precise shots.

The intruders scatter, taking cover as Perdita and the officials panic. "Find cover!" Haruka commands, his voice stern. "I'll handle this." He advances down the hall, his movements fluid and calculated as he fires the Shotriser, disarming the men one by one.

Perdita watches, her eyes wide, as Haruka neutralizes the threat. The other officials huddle behind overturned furniture, trembling. Haruka glances back, ensuring they are safe before turning his attention back to the remaining intruders.

Haruka ushers Perdita and the officials down the hallway, his grip tightening on the Shotriser. "Keep moving, I'll cover the rear," he says, his voice calm and authoritative.

As they round the corner, Haruka feels a sudden wave of dizziness wash over him. His steps falter, and he knits his brow in confusion. "Your Majesty, please continue," he manages, before his knees buckle, and he drops to the ground.

Perdita turns, her eyes widening with concern. "Kamen Rider? What's wrong?" She rushes to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Haruka blinks, his vision blurring as he tries to regain his bearings. "I... I'm not sure," he admits, his voice strained. The exertion of the fight, combined with the strain of maintaining his transformation, has taken a toll.

The other officials hover nearby, unsure of how to proceed. Perdita looks up at them, her expression resolute. "We need to get him to safety. Quickly, now!"

Haruka wants to protest, to insist that they continue without him, but the words catch in his throat as another wave of dizziness overtakes him. He can only hope that Perdita and the others will reach safety, even as his own consciousness begins to fade.

///

Give Power Stones so I can continue to write this story. If it does not gain any interest, I will drop it.

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