After the chaotic events at the zoo, the Lizard managed to escape and slither back to its dark, damp lair in the sewers. Still bearing the lingering effects of his last encounter, Blade regained about 80% of his strength. Weary and battered, he sank into a chair and carefully inserted the DNA samples he had acquired from the reptiles at the zoo into the scanners.

“Dammnit, those spiders and that blasted Rider are a nuisance. No matter, I got what I needed. With their DNA, I will become stronger than ever before!”

The humm of machines echoed throughout the sewers. The Lizard is working on an improved version of the lizard serum, which will give him greater power and further his evolution. He is confident he could beat the two spiders and the Kamen Rider with the new serum, but he's learned from his recent loss. His arrogance has cost him, and now he understands the importance of allies in his fight.

“I will need to find allies to realize my plan, but who should I find…”

The lizard pondered over whom to recruit until he noticed a rat scurrying by and realized who he should approach. He recalled the enormous rat, Vermin, who had attacked New York a few months earlier.

“That rat should also be lurking in these sewers. He would be a perfect pawn for my plan.”

The Lizard harnessed its reptilian abilities to exert control over all the lizards in the sewers, compelling them to seek out Vermin. With their agility and adaptability, the lizards were well-equipped to thoroughly explore and surveil the expansive network of sewers beneath New York. Meanwhile, The Lizard occupied himself with developing a new serum as his loyal lizards scoured the sewers in search of Vermin.

After a few hours, one of the lizards found Vermin and reported back to the Lizard.

“Lead me to him.”

The Lizard followed the trail. When he reached Vermin’s lair, he found it covered in a slimy gunk, evidence of Vermin's recent activities. Rats scurried about, their presence a testament to Vermin's power. The Lizard had found his potential ally.

“CRY”

Vermin's cries echoed through the territory, showing his displeasure towards the unwelcome intruder, the lizard. His instincts kicked in, and he prepared for a confrontation to drive the lizard away. Observing Vermin's aggressive stance, the lizard couldn't help but feel disappointed. It was evident that Vermin's actions were driven by instinct rather than intelligence. Despite the tension, the lizard bravely approached Vermin, hoping to communicate with him.

“I do not wish to fight. We have a common enemy. Join me, and we can destroy them!”

“CRY”

Vermin responded with an unintelligible cry and jumped to attack the Lizard.

“You foolish, unintelligent rodent! It seems I have to show you who is above the hierarchy.”

Vermin wanted to eat the Lizard since it had been a while since he had had a good meal. He had only been eating rats or small animals in the sewers. He also recognized that the lizard was trying to trick him, even when the Lizard suggested that they work together.

Vermin and the Lizard faced off, their sharp claws glinting in the dim light. With a sudden lunge, Vermin pounced on the Lizard, his claws slashing through the air. The Lizard countered with a powerful swing of its tail, knocking Vermin off balance and sending him sprawling to the ground.

“With your puny mind, you will never be able to stop me!” said the Lizard

The Lizard swiftly launches an attack on Vermin, seizing his leg and ruthlessly slamming him into the ground. Vermin fiercely scratches the Lizard's hand in a desperate attempt to break free. Vermin swiftly tackled the Lizard to the ground and unleashed a flurry of claw strikes aimed at the Lizard's face.

“How dare you!”

The Lizard swiftly seizes Vermin by the neck with his tail, effortlessly hurling him across the lair. As Vermin lands on his feet, he swiftly plunges into the grimy muck, disappearing from sight. The Lizard, now disoriented and unable to locate his adversary amidst the murky surroundings, cautiously scans the area.

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“Come out and fight!”

The sneaky Vermin suddenly emerges from its hiding place behind the Lizard, swiftly slashing the Lizard's back before retreating back into the murky gunk to conceal itself, eagerly waiting to launch another attack. As the Lizard observes, the wound Vermin inflicted begins to heal. The Lizard remains vigilant, scanning its surroundings warily for any indication of Vermin's presence.

“Very clever”

The Vermin bursts out of the murky gunk, lunges at the Lizard with ferocity, and swiftly retreats into hiding. Employing a hit-and-run strategy, the Vermin acknowledges its inability to confront the Lizard directly. It executes this tactic repeatedly, leaving a trail of scratch marks across the Lizard's body.

The Lizard crouches silently, observing Vermin's every move with unwavering focus. Suddenly, Vermin lunges from behind, but the Lizard anticipates the attack with precision. In a swift motion, he seizes Vermin by the neck, his sharp claws piercing deeply into the skin.

“That won’t work on me again.”

The Lizard bites through Vermin's arm, causing him to shriek in pain. It then repeatedly slams into him, not giving him a moment to breathe. Finally, the Lizard gets on top of him, piercing its claws deep into his shoulders.

“CRY!” Vermin screams in pain as blood drips from his shoulders

“Do you surrender?” The Lizard applies more force, and Vermin immediately agrees.

“Good.” The Lizard retracts his claws and steps away from Vermin. Vermin slowly gets up, keeping his head lowered toward the Lizard.

“Follow me; there is more work to be done.”

…

Ace, Peter, and Gwen arrived at Ace's mansion and were greeted by Izu. They noticed that Izu didn't react to Ace's persona as Kamen Rider, so Peter and Gwen guessed that Izu must have also known about Ace's secret identity. They all arrived at the lobby, took off their costumes, and sat down on the comfortable sofa while Izu served them tea. The atmosphere was awkward, and Gwen took a sip of tea before asking Ace some questions.

“So, Ace, have you been the Kamen Rider since the beginning?”

“Yes, I was already the Kamen Rider when we first met,” Ace replied.

“How did you get your armors?”

“I believe I already told you when we talked at the Empire State Building.”

Gwen got embarrassed and remembered telling her how he got his armors and their origins.

“Does anyone else know?” asked Peter.

“I met a group of mutants and visited their school. I kind of accidentally revealed my identity. Only them and you two, Izu, and some of my comrades working out right now know my identity.”

“Why did you not tell us? I thought we were friends.” Gwen said, feeling slightly betrayed.

“Well, there is a reason why a secret identity exists. Besides, I was planning on telling you two soon since we work together a lot, and I personally know you two, but I did not expect to reveal myself like this.”

“I guess it is just shocking, you know. A friend of ours is a superhero, and he is also the one who helped us the most,” said Peter

“I guess that is quite shocking.” Ace giggled a little bit

“When I saw you two wanting to become superheroes. I felt I needed to help you to prevent you from being hurt as much as possible. When Gwen first started, I was watching over her from a distance. I felt nervous for her when she was being reckless.”

Gwen got embarrassed when she heard Ace. She did not realize Ace was watching over her from the beginning. “Hahah… and we are very thankful for your help, Ace. We both probably couldn’t make it if it weren't for you.” said Gwen

“Don’t underestimate yourselves. Even without my help, you two would have been amazing heroes. You might stumble a bit here and there, but I believe you two would have been worthy heroes,” replied Ace, feeling proud and full of confidence.

The tension dissipated, and they were chatting like close friends again.

“But seriously, you’re the Kamen Rider, Ace? Are there more secrets you are hiding from us.” said Peter

“Well… Izu here is not human.”

“What?” Peter and Gwen are perplexed and cannot process what Ace said.

Izu showed her mechanical parts, and Gwen and Peter were astonished.

“What!?”

Ace explains what a Humagear is, and Peter and Gwen are amazed.

“So Izu, you have known Ace being the Kamen Rider since the beginning,” asked Gwen.

“Yes, I have been supporting Ace-sama’s activities since the beginning.”

“Amazing~ but seriously. You look no different than a human. I would never have thought she would be a robot. Humagears are amazing! Did you make them Ace?” asked Gwen

“No, they were part of the inheritance I got from the Kamen Riders. Oh, let me also introduce you two to Zea and Ark.”

“Zea? Ark? Who are they?” asked Peter

“That would be us.”

Ark spoke through the speakers in the mansion, which surprised Peter and Gwen.

“Are you Ark?” asked Gwen

“Yes, I am Ark. I am an AI serving under Ace-sama.”

“AI!? You have your own AI, Ace!?” said Peter

“Yes, Zea is also an AI.”

“You have two of them!?”

Peter and Gwen kept asking Ark and Zea questions until it was late at night, and they didn't even notice the time passing.

“It is already late; why don’t you two sleep here? We are all exhausted, so feel free to stay.” said Ace

Peter and Gwen agreed. They called their guardians, saying they would sleep over at their friend's place tonight. Gwen had to convince her father, but she soon hung up the phone to deal with it when she got home.

When they were about to sleep in their own rooms. Gwen called out to Ace

“Hey, Ace.”

“What’s up, Gwen.”

“I just wanted to thank you again for saving my father last time. I would never have saved him if it weren't for you.”

“Don’t mind it, Gwen. We are friends, aren’t we? I would have saved him regardless. It is part of being a hero.”

Gwen smiles at Ace. She admires him for being Kamen Rider or himself. She leaned closer and kissed his cheek like something had taken over her.

“Goodnight.”

She then turned and ran to her room and closed it shut.

Did I really just do that!’ Gwen thought about her actions and felt embarrassed.

Ace was dumbfounded, not expecting Gwen to kiss him. “Gwen…”