//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Kamen Rider Lux: Sins of the Parent // by Rixizu //------------------------------// “Too easy!” Trixie said, slipping through a side window. While it had magical protection against intruders, the makers didn’t expect somepony to slip through the cracks to enter. She jumped to the floor below, wary of guards. The moon watched from above as she slunk through the darkened corridors.  The enormous building contained a vast cavalcade of offices and other administrative rooms, its layout maze-like. Unlike castles in fairy tales, Shocker built this one more for function than aesthetics. Something about its angles seemed oppressive in the dark, almost sinister. Not surprising, considering who’d last owned it. Twilight Sparkle’s remodeling efforts did little to rectify this. Thankfully, Trixie already knew where her quarry lay. She’d overheard a guard saying Doctor Shinigami resided in his old room, the obvious location for his house arrest. The room already had high security and kept the Shocker General where everypony could see him. Inquisitor Doo’s room was still unknown, but she was a lesser target.  And Twilight Sparkle didn’t disappoint in protection. Actual griffons patrolled the deeper areas. The castle’s interior grew more ostentatious, with finery draping every inch. Yet, somehow, it only seemed to heighten its sinister nature. She paused at an elevator where two guards stood on high alert. It wasn’t surprising considering their guest, but super annoying for Trixie. Her quarry sat in the deepest basement level of the castle, but Trixie wasn’t sure how she’d reach him. There must be stairs for emergencies. I bet there’s a secret exit somewhere.  She could charge and defeat both guards, but the corridor was wide open. They’d raise the alarm before her hoof even touched them. Worse, she didn’t know what protections stopped somepony from using the lift. Knowing Shocker, it likely contained a death trap. Her ears flicked as it caught a noise, and Trixie hung against the ceiling as a griffon passed. A cool breeze struck her while she waited, a vent blowing her from above. Wait. I can slip into places where other ponies can’t! Her odd nature would work to her advantage. She could go down air vents too tiny even for fillies to fit through. The bottom rooms had to get their air from somewhere.  Her body plopped down the metal shaft, Trixie wincing as the sound reverberated through the vent. She paused, hoping nopony had heard. In the quiet of night, it sounded like a thundering explosion. Satisfied she remained unnoticed, she slunk through the passageway. The vent cramped against her, even in her ooze form. Which was good. Nopony would expect this as a vulnerability in their security.  Trixie paused every so often, keeping her ears alert for any sound. While hearing the occasional guard chatter, the night remained still. But her mode of entry had other difficulties. Her progress was agonizingly slow to avoid causing a racket. The vents were a confounding maze, running Trixie in circles more than once. The castle had more underground rooms and passages than she’d expected.  After descending almost three stories, Trixie oozed herself into the nearest room. With deft hooves, she landed without a sound in an unoccupied room. Its furnishings were bare, a storeroom of some kind. Her head poked through the door, peering into the waiting corridor.  “Now, where am I?” Only darkness greeted her, walking more into a dungeon than a fancy castle. Trixie frowned, getting a bad vibe. She wondered if Equestria’s new famed princess even knew this existed. As she continued forwards, her unease grew as a sense of déjà vu struck her, Trixie soon realizing why. This was where Doctor Shinigami’s fated magical enchantment program had taken place.  She soon found cells and grimaced as she discovered long-dead ponies within. Trixie refused to venture further to uncover why, likely victims of various test weapons. Strange equipment sat in storage, well beyond Trixie’s understanding. She wanted to smash it all, so not even Princess Sparkle could use it. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. But Trixie decided it could wait until she found an escape route.  A strange, pulsing light caught her attention, drawing her forward. It originated from a disused laboratory, and Trixie peered into the room from the barred window. Inside, she found a vat surrounded by the most advanced computer systems she’d ever seen. It looked well-cleaned, without a speck of dust. What the hell had she stumbled into? Creaking the door open, Trixie slipped inside. An odd odor struck her nostrils, slightly pungent, tinged with a sweet coppery smell. An oppressive dread overtook her, a dark cloud threatening to choke her to death as she progressed deeper. Gathering her courage, Trixie gulped and peered into the glowing vat. At first, its contents appeared little more than a green pea soup. But shapes emerged from within, making Trixie yelp in fear. They were screaming faces. They howled in rage, hungry for Trixie’s flesh. She jerked back in surprise as a tendril whipped towards her, eager to pull Trixie into her doom. The slimy purple tendrils increased in volume, making her retreat to avoid getting entangled.  What the hell have I stumbled upon? “Oh, good. It’s only you.” A voice said behind her. “I feared Lux might have stumbled upon the General’s experiment.” Trixie jerked around, turning to face the intruder. It was Inquisitor Doo. “It was such a bother transferring it here.” Doo continued. “Risky with the princess’s people around, true, but necessary. It could hardly continue without the good doctor watching over it.” “Aren’t you under close observation?” Weren’t they supposed to be under house arrest? This only earned a derisive snort from the Shocker Inquisitor. “We know this castle better than anypony. Slipping away from Lux’s incompetent guards is easy for the likes of us.” Figures. As usual, Trixie was right about Shocker’s trustworthiness. “What’s in the vat?” “Death.” The Inquisitor replied. “But that hardly matters to you. You wouldn’t be escaping this chamber alive.” “And you’re going to stop me alone?” If it was Doctor Shinigami, Trixie might be worried. But Inquisitor Doo was only a puffed-up bureaucrat.  “I’ve become something greater than a pony, Trixie.” Inquisitor Doo replied, a slight smile on her muzzle. “Thanks to you, I’ve realized my equinity has only held me back.” Ditzy Doo’s body changed, her fur peeling off. Metal revealed itself beneath hardened steel, blacker than night. Her hooves expanded into claws, whose talons shredded the pavement beneath like tissue paper. A blank face mask stared back at her, only a single red eye visible.  “Call me, Death Head.” The Inquisitor’s voice contained no emotion, almost sing-song in its robotic tone. It made Trixie’s blood run cold. “Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. For taking my daughter, that’s too kind a fate for you.” “Never. I still haven’t gotten my revenge yet!” Trixie summoned her belt, grimacing as it forced itself out of her stomach. “Henshin!” --- Trixie yelped in pain as her body flew across the corridor, shredding flooring as she struck it. With shaky legs, she regained her hoofing. Damn, that mechanical monstrosity could hit like an oncoming freight train.  Death Head seemed an implacable foe, her attacks less than useless. But Trixie refused to surrender, summoning two bone blades. While her opponent was quick, Trixie maneuvered herself into a prime position to strike. But her twin blades only clattered against Death Head’s mechanical body. Trixie gasped as two metal hooves grasped her neck with an iron grip.  While she fought back, her hooves barely seemed to register against the monster. Trixie’s vision went black as her opponent strangled the life out of her. Her legs stretched around Ditzy’s neck to pull her away, but it was like trying to push over a steel beam. The Inquisitor seemed hellbent on Trixie’s destruction.  Trixie gasped for breath as her opponent suddenly released her, only to howl in pain as she received a punishing blow to the sternum. Protean floundered as she tried to recover.  “Not yet,” Death Head’s dead, mechanical voice said. “I won’t allow you to die until I am satisfied.  Well, ponyfeathers. What now?   Her opponent tilted her head in surprise as Trixie began laughing to herself. “Who the hell do you think I am? I am Kamen Rider Protean, the Rider of infinite potential. I can’t lose to the likes of you!” “Falsehoods. Empty bravado from a cornered pony.” Death Head said. “You were nothing, but a failed experiment, just one of the countless throwaway guinea pigs.” But Trixie was no stranger to such scorn being thrown her direction, unbothered by such insults. “Let’s prove it if you dare.” She extended a hoof in a ‘come here and face me, you gutless coward’ gesture.  Despite being incapable of showing emotion, Trixie’s taunts gulled her opponent. With lightning speed, Death Head charged toward her.  Her chest screamed in pain as a hoof connected with her rib cage, her opponent relentless. But Trixie endured, her eyes scanning Death Head’s metal body for possible weaknesses. Trixie searched for openings in her armor but uncovered none. She became more desperate as her search proved more and more fruitless.  Dear Shocker, is she invincible? Trixie’s head spun as it collided with a wall, leaving her prone and helpless.  “It’s over,” The metal monstrosity said. Trixie’s eyes widened as her opponent’s right arm opened, revealing a laser cannon. It sparked with energy as it gathered power.  If I don’t do something, I’m a dead pony! Thinking quickly, Trixie devised a devious idea. She only hoped Dinky didn’t tell her momma about Trixie’s greatest secret.  “No! Please! Don’t kill me!” Trixie panted, her transformation dissipating. She scrambled away, anything to avoid the deadly beam aimed her way. Her expression displayed abject terror but hid a smile.  “You foalnapped my muffin. There is no mercy, Trixie. Stinger Ray!” A beam of red energy shot toward Trixie, engulfing her. The door behind her blew into splinters, filling the corridor with smoke.  When the cloud cleared, nothing remained of Death Head’s victim. Nevertheless, the machine pony scanned around to confirm the Rider’s death. The Inquisitor gave a confused tilt of her head. It baffled the metal monstrosity that no traces of the dead Kamen Rider remained. But she shrugged it off, concluding she’d vaporized the mare. Her hooves clattered as they walked away, satisfied a hated enemy was dead and gone.  That was close. Trixie sighed in relief, detaching her ooze-like body from a far corner. The blast had just passed over her as she lost solidity. Not wanting to try her luck further, she oozed up a wall to the nearest air vent.  She cursed her folly for underestimating Shocker. Still, one positive. They thought Trixie was dead! She’d enjoy the looks on their faces when she appeared from nowhere, alive and well. No time for games, though. I need to get stronger. Trixie grimaced when she realized this might include teaming up with Twilight Sparkle. No, that was a stupid idea. Trixie could manage this on her own. Protean still hadn’t learned to master her powers yet. Next time, she wouldn’t fight so unprepared.  Watch yourself, Ditzy Doo. I will discover your weakness and blow you to bits! --- “You seem in a good mood,” Twilight Sparkle said as they entered the conference room.  “I’m just pleased to have my Muffin back after days of fretting about her safety!” Ditzy replied. “It delights me so much to have her rescued from that villain, Trixie Lulamoon.” While odd, Twilight could only shrug in response. Pony moved towards their designated seat. Several sat empty, off on other business. Besides, having Twilight’s entire cabinet together at once was reckless. It’d give Destron a golden opportunity for assassination, crippling their enemy’s leadership structure.  “Let’s begin the meeting, shall we?” Doctor Shinigami said.  “Yeah, yeah.” Stormy Flare said, steepling her hooves. The ex-Wonderbolt wasn’t keen on this meeting either, but she’d keep her obligations. “Tell us, General. What can Shocker offer this new administration to protect itself from its enemies?”  “Like a giant robot?” Princess Gabby said excitedly. “They say Trixie Lulamoon had one!” “The Ranger Trixie originated from a different world. Her powers used a technology even we struggled to understand,” Doctor Shinigami replied.  “Pity. It would have been fun to stomp Zol’s forces into pancakes!” Captain Gilda said.  “Fascinating.” Red had been vague about her power’s origins, her best reply being friendship. Which made no sense to Twilight’s scientific mind. She wondered if it’d been metaphorical. But that was a mystery they could solve later.  Doctor Shinigami said they have secret weapons that the Shocker deserters don’t know about. “Tanks, guns, certain bio-weapons, all free for your disposal.” “Bio-weapons.” The hairs on the back of Twilight’s neck stood on end. “No, thanks! They’re too dangerous!” “Seconded. We aren’t Shocker. We won’t stoop to that level.” Stormy Flare slammed a hoof against the table.  Doctor Shinigami extended his hooves in a placating gesture. “And I wasn’t suggesting such. I mention it, so your ponies can safely dispose of them. I know the risk they pose, and not just to the enemy.”  “Fine, how many stockpiles are we talking about?” Stormy Flare asked, relaxing somewhat.  “Four.” The former Shocker General replied. “Inquisitor Doo will supply you with details of their contents.”  Ditzy Doo pushed over a manila folder, and her Commander-in-Chief peered over Twilight’s shoulder as they read. It seemed like an impressive stockpile. While they couldn’t arm every recruit, it’d give them a better fighting chance.  “How many former Combatponies will fight for the cause?” Twilight asked. The high-tech weapons were useless without the ponies to supply them.  Doctor Shinigami sighed, giving a dejected shake of his head. “Not as many as we’d like. Most went over to the enemy. A couple hundred.” While disappointing, Twilight kept the mood positive. “It’s still larger than zero. Thanks, General Shinigami. They will be a great help.” She gave a friendly smile. While Twilight still didn’t trust him, acting like a distrustful jerk would only alienate him if the offer of friendship was legitimate.  “You’re too kind, princess.” Doctor Shinigami gave a grateful nod. “Anything to help.”  “Come on, that’s it?” Gilda said, her claws scraping into the table as she leaned forward. “I thought you were some kinda super genius, Doctor Shinigami. There must be more than that. Some secret weapon.” Doctor Shinigami hesitated, stymied for a moment. Everypony in the room stared at him expectantly, particularly Twilight. She raised an eyebrow because the griffon had a point. The former Shocker General wasn’t being completely forthright with them.  “Nothing that isn’t in the experimental phase.” Doctor Shinigami replied coolly. “That’s fine.” Stormy Flare said. “We have access to some of the finest minds in Equestria. We can jury-rig something.” After a moment, the Shocker General gave a reluctant nod and sighed. “You are correct, Mr. Flare. In our war against Pferdreich, we can’t afford any half-measures.” “Well, what is it?” Gilda asked, her tone impatient. “A prototype motorcycle,” Shinigami replied. “The Cyclone Delta.” This caught Twilight’s attention, making her heart race in excitement. “What? That’s not even remotely helpful militarily!” Gilda said, incredulous.  Doctor Shinigami only snorted. “It is Shocker’s latest, greatest model, capable of going Mach 1 at full speed. Its maneuverability is top-notch and handles like a dream. It contains weapons useful for battle. Its rear compartment can extend into wings, allowing it to hover in the air.” “Can it turn into a robot?” Princess Gabby asked. “No,” Shinigami replied, shooting down the enthusiastic griffon.  “What a useless piece of junk!” Gilda said, not as impressed. “How the heck will that help us beat Zol?!” “Yeah, I don’t see how that’s helpful, princess.” Stormy Flare said, giving a shaky smile. “It sounds perfect!” Twilight said, unable to control her enthusiasm. “Get the Cyclone Delta prototype to my ponies right away. We’ll figure out something to make it a viable machine for our purposes.” “R-really? You know it’s only a motorcycle, right? Not some death machine.” Gilda said, flabbergasted. The princess’s reaction took aback even Doctor Shinigami. But Twilight hadn’t noticed, too busy fantasizing about riding that bad boy. The day was finally looking up!