Chapter 123

Rogue's heart raced as the X-Men rushed to the last known location of Senator Kelly. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of her stomach ever since Ace had gone ahead on his own.

"Ah can't believe he went in there without backup," Rogue said, her Southern accent thickening with worry. "Ah know he's powerful, but those Brotherhood mutants are no joke."

She turned to Scott, the team's steadfast leader. "We've gotta get there fast, Cyclops. Ace might be in over his head."

Scott's brow furrowed with determination as he steered the Blackbird towards their destination. "I know, Rogue. We'll get there as quickly as we can. Ace may have gotten himself into a dangerous situation, but we're not going to leave him to face it alone."

Rogue nodded, her gloved hands clenching into fists. She couldn't bear the thought of Ace being captured or hurt by Magneto's Brotherhood. He had become such an important part of her life, and she wouldn't let anything happen to him.

As the Blackbird soared through the sky, Rogue silently prayed that they would reach Ace in time. She knew the X-Men would do whatever it took to bring him home safely.

Rogue's heart sank as the Blackbird touched down and the X-Men disembarked. The scene before them was one of destruction - twisted metal and scorch marks littered the ground, the remnants of the Sentinels that had once stood guard.

"What in the world happened here?" Ororo's voice was laced with concern as she surveyed the carnage.

Rogue's eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of Ace. "Ah don't know, but Ah bet Ace was in the thick of it." Her Southern drawl was heavy with worry.

Scott knelt down, examining the debris. "It looks like there was a major confrontation. The Sentinels have been destroyed, but I don't see any sign of Ace or the others."

Jean placed a comforting hand on Rogue's arm. "Don't worry, Rogue. If Ace was here, he must have found a way to escape. We'll spread out and see if we can pick up his trail."

Rogue nodded, trying to quell the fear that threatened to consume her. Ace had to be alright. He was strong, resourceful - he had to be. She couldn't bear the thought of him being captured by Magneto's Brotherhood.

The X-Men fanned out, scouring the area for any clues that might lead them to Ace and Senator Kelly. Rogue's boots crunched on the rubble as she moved with purpose, her heart racing with each step.

"Over here!" Hank's voice rang out, and Rogue felt a surge of hope. She rushed to his location, the others close behind.

Hank crouched beside a set of footprints, his brow furrowed in concentration. "These prints are fresh. They lead off in that direction."

Rogue's gaze followed the trail, her determination hardening. "Then that's where we're goin'."

Rogue's boots crunched on the rubble as she followed the fresh trail of footprints, her heart pounding with each step. The X-Men moved with purpose, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of Ace or the missing Senator Kelly.

As they reached the open field, Rogue's stomach sank when Hank solemnly reported that the trail had gone cold. They must have already left the scene.

Rogue's gaze darted across the empty expanse, desperate to catch even the faintest clue that might lead them to Ace. Her Southern drawl thickened with worry as she pleaded, "There's gotta be somethin' else we can follow. Ace couldn't've just disappeared into thin air."

The team fanned out, combing the area, but Rogue could feel the frustration building. She knew Ace was out there, possibly in danger, and every moment they spent searching this barren field was another moment he slipped further away.

Rogue clenched her gloved fists, her eyes narrowing with determination. "We ain't leavin' 'til we find some sign of where they went. Ace is countin' on us. I ain't about to let him down."

A Takacandroid, the small hawk-like robot, hovered before Rogue. She held out her hand instinctively, and a Battacandroid, the grasshopper-themed companion, dropped into her palm.

Rogue's breath caught in her throat as Izu's voice echoed from the Battacandroid. "Rogue, I'm so glad I found you. Ace is in grave danger. Magneto has captured him and Senator Kelly."

Rogue felt a surge of panic at the news. "Magneto? Ah knew that no-good Brotherhood was behind this. We've gotta go after 'em, Izu. Ah can't let them hurt Ace."

Rogue's heart raced as Scott placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice calm yet firm.

"Rogue, we can't just charge in blindly. We don't even know where Magneto's base is." Scott's brow furrowed with concern.

Rogue opened her mouth to protest, but Izu's voice from the Battacandroid cut her off.

"The Brotherhood's base is located in an asteroid in space called Asteroid M," Izu revealed, her tone urgent.

Rogue's eyes widened, a mixture of relief and trepidation washing over her. "Asteroid M? Ah remember hearin' about that place. It's Magneto's fortress, ain't it?"

Scott nodded solemnly. "Yes, and it's heavily fortified. We'll need to plan this carefully if we're going to have any chance of rescuing Ace and Senator Kelly."

Rogue clenched her fists, her Southern drawl thick with determination. "Ah don't care how fortified it is. Ace is in trouble, and Ah ain't gonna let Magneto hurt him. We gotta move, now."

Jean stepped forward, her expression understanding yet resolute. "I know how you feel, Rogue, but we have to be smart about this. Rushing in without a plan could put Ace and the senator in even more danger."

Rogue's shoulders slumped slightly, but the fire in her eyes never wavered. "Ah know y'all are tryin' to help, but Ah can't just sit around while Ace is bein' held captive. He'd do the same for any of us."

Scott exchanged a weighted glance with the team, recognizing the truth in Rogue's words. "Alright, then let's get back to the mansion and start planning our assault on Asteroid M. We'll get Ace and Senator Kelly back, I promise."

Rogue nodded, her determination fueling her every step as the X-Men swiftly made their way back to the X-Mansion, ready to confront the looming threat of Magneto and the Brotherhood.

...

Ace Ukiyo slowly stirred, his eyes fluttering open. The familiar hum of machinery and the cold metal walls told him he was no longer in the forest, but rather on Magneto's orbital fortress, Asteroid M. He lifted his hand to rub his temples, only to be met with the constricting weight of a power-dampening collar around his neck.

Ace's heart raced as he took in his surroundings - a sparse cell with a simple cot and a barred window. Gone were his Rider powers, his enhanced abilities. He was vulnerable, trapped in this floating prison, at the mercy of his captors. Ace swung his legs over the side of the cot, grimacing at the throbbing in his head.

"So, the great Kamen Rider has finally awakened," a voice echoed from the cell door.

Ace tensed, recognizing the deep, commanding tone. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet the steely eyes of Magneto, the master of magnetism, standing on the other side of the bars.

Magneto's eyes narrowed as he regarded the young man before him. "I must admit, I did not expect the Kamen Rider to be so... youthful."

Ace met the older mutant's gaze, his jaw set with determination. "Age means nothing when it comes to the fight for justice."

"Hmph." Magneto's lips curled into a slight smile. "Bold words from one who has been so thoroughly disarmed." He gestured to the power-dampening collar around Ace's neck.

Ace's hands instinctively reached for his belt, only to find it missing. "Where is my equipment?" he demanded.

"Safely secured, of course." Magneto folded his arms across his chest. "We can't have you transforming and wreaking havoc on my fortress, now can we?"

Magneto's brow furrowed as he studied the young man before him. "May I ask for your name?"

Ace met Magneto's gaze unflinchingly. "Ace Ukiyo. But it matters little, for you already know my face." His voice was laced with a hint of defiance.

The older mutant nodded slowly, a glimmer of intrigue in his eyes. "Indeed, Ace Ukiyo. And now that I have your name, I must confess, I am curious to learn more about you - the man behind the mask of the Kamen Rider."

Ace eyed Magneto warily, his mind racing to understand the older mutant's motives. "Why are you so interested in me?" he asked, his voice laced with caution.

Magneto regarded Ace with a thoughtful gaze. "Your power, Ace Ukiyo, is what intrigues me." He paused, his expression turning slightly disappointed. "Though I must admit, I am a bit disappointed to see you using such remarkable abilities in the service of mere humans."

Ace felt a surge of defiance. "These 'mere humans' are my friends, my family. I fight to protect them, not to subjugate them." He clenched his fists, the power-dampening collar a constant reminder of his vulnerability.

Magneto's eyes narrowed as he studied the young man before him. "And therein lies the crux of our difference, Ace Ukiyo. You see the humans as equals, worthy of your protection, while I see them as a threat to be contained." He turned, his cape swirling behind him.

"You have great potential, young Kamen Rider. Imagine what you could accomplish if you were to join the Brotherhood, to fight alongside us mutants against the oppression of humanity." Magneto's voice held a persuasive edge.

Ace's jaw tightened, his resolve unwavering. "I will never abandon my principles or betray my friends, no matter the cost." His eyes burned with conviction.

Ace Ukiyo's gaze remained unwavering as he stared down Magneto. "And also, I'm not a mutant," he stated firmly, his voice laced with conviction.

Magneto's brow furrowed in surprise, not expecting this revelation. He had assumed the young man before him possessed the extraordinary abilities of a mutant. "Not a mutant?" he mused aloud, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Ace nodded, his expression unreadable. "My powers come from a different source, one that is not tied to the X-gene." He refused to divulge any further details, unwilling to share the secrets of his Kamen Rider heritage.

Magneto's eyes narrowed as he considered this new information. "Interesting," he murmured, his fingers stroking his chin thoughtfully. "It matters little, in the end." He waved a dismissive hand. "Your abilities are still formidable, and your potential remains undiminished."

Ace watched Magneto carefully, his mind racing to understand the older mutant's motives. He knew Magneto was a complex and dangerous adversary, one who would not hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

"I will never join your Brotherhood, Magneto," Ace stated firmly.

Magneto's lips curled into a slight smile. "We shall see, young man. We shall see."

With those words, Magneto turned and strode away, leaving Ace alone in the cell, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty and determination.

***

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