“Impossible.” Death Head shook her metal head, bewildered. “It couldn’t be.”
The Inquisitor’s reaction wasn’t surprising. The sudden rainbow explosion booming through the sky startled them all. Twilight watched in awe as it washed across the sky in dazzling colors.
“That was a sonic rainboom.” Ika Devil said, awestruck. “A myth from the ancient times. To think it’s real.”
“No! It can’t be! Such things can’t happen! It’s not possible!” For whatever reason, the Inquisitor seemed unnerved by the sudden appearance of this marvel. Despite her face only being a metal plate, it displayed her distress.
“Well, I think it’s a miracle!” Twilight said, her heart awed by its majesty. It told her that her old friend Rainbow Dash had broken past all limits to inspire everypony. Somehow, it didn’t matter to the Kamen Rider that Rainbow performed a scientific impossibility. Instead, she’d shown that miracles were possible. It pumped her up for victory!
While keeping her usually smug tone, Trixie seemed just as moved. “No doubt a sign of your defeat!” Death Head grunted from a sudden kick from Protean’s hoof.
“It matters not! We will show you the only future is despair!” Death Head said, a flying punch sending Protean flying. But with a graceful flap of her wings, Trixie landed with a flourish. Just like Red, this Trixie loved showing off.
Not wanting to disappoint, Lux leaped forward with a sword raised. She engaged Ika Devil while Trixie kept Death Head busy. Despite his advanced age, the Shocker General showed remarkable skill. With an easy gait, he kept beyond Lux’s sword’s reach.
Protean was having similar luck. Her opponent seemed more tank than a pony. Each blow bounced off the Inquisitor’s metal skin, her retaliatory blows striking with the force of an incoming train. Trixie howled in pain as the metal monstrosity grabbed her by the skull and started squeezing. From how her shell-like helmet bent, Twilight feared Protean’s head would pop like a grape.
“Pain beam!” Trixie said through clenched teeth, firing a red light from her hoof. Her captor recoiled, releasing her captive.
“Cute! But how about this? I had this enhancement added specially for you, Kamen Rider Protean!” Death Head raised a hoof, it opened up to reveal the gleaming metal of a machine gun barrel. Fire bellowed from it, sending a barrage of bullets at its intended target. Surprised, Protean’s body took the full brunt of the assault.
“Ouch.” Trixie staggered but remained on her hooves.
“What?” The Inquisitor said, shocked. “Those were armor-piercing rounds!”
“Sorry, but I’ve already evolved past that weakness.” Though Twilight could tell that they’d still hurt the Rider. “Let’s pick up the pace!” With an elaborate flourish, Trixie pulled two bone blades from her arms and charged. Sparks flew at each impact point as Protean danced around her opponent.
“Remarkable.” The Shocker scientist said. “Don’t damage Trixie Lulamoon’s body too badly, Inquisitor. I want adequate test samples.”
“Easier said than done!” Death Head sent a wild punch toward Trixie’s head, only for her opponent to duck under it.
“You as well, Lux.” Ika Devil said, turning a fish eye at Twilight. “Twilight Velvet altered your structure too. I thirst to learn how.”
“Then you’ll be disappointed!” They re-engaged, each strike searching for a weak point. Neither combatant could gain an advantage over the other.
Trixie, however, wasn’t proving as fortunate. Her bone swords had little effect on her opponent, howling as a sudden kick drove into her stomach.
“Protean!” But Ika Devil stopped her from rushing to her ally’s aid, flipping away before a pincered hoof drove into her helmet. The fight began anew, but the Shocker General slowly got the better hoof. Twilight winced as a sudden kick took the legs from under her. She squirmed as Ika Devil lifted her with his pincer and tossed her several hooves across the quarry. Dust scattered everywhere as her body collided with the rock floor.
“I don’t think so, Kamen Rider Lux. It’d be best if Inquisitor Doo finally settled the score with her most hated enemy. I shall be your opponent, for I too have a grudge to fulfill. This is for Ambassador Hell!”
Twilight’s bones rattled as she blocked the next incoming punch, feeling the full strength of Ika Devil’s wrath. She realized Trixie was on her own. Twilight already had more than enough on her plate. She just prayed she could handle it.
---
Pain lanced across Trixie’s back as it slammed against a rock, hissing as she struggled to rise. Death Head had proven almost invulnerable to Protean’s attacks. But it didn’t matter. Trixie’s entire life had been pain, and she refused to surrender. This monster must have some exploitable weak point.
Sparks flew as Trixie slashed across her opponent’s right leg joint. The monster retaliated with a backhoof across her face. Another yelp of pain erupted from her lips as Death Head slammed a hoof down on her.
“Yes, suffer more! I will inflict a thousand deaths for taking my daughter.”
Trixie gave a weak chuckle, wondering if the other realized the irony of this. But her amusement only brought on Death Head’s ire, rock cracking beneath Trixie as another hoof slammed down on her.
“Amusing, was it? It’s a pity I have to kill you here,” Death Head said, her tone conversational. “I was hoping for a more in-depth session, but I must cut it short. The good Ika Devil still needs me. We can’t allow Kamen Rider Lux to interfere with our plans again. Goodbye, Kamen Rider Protean!” With a crimson glow of death, Death Head charged her eye laser for the kill.
“No!” Then a tiny gray figure rushed from the rock, throwing her body onto Trixie.
“Muffin!” Death Head jerked back. Despite wearing an emotionless mask, the Inquisitor’s shock was evident.
“Don’t hurt her, momma! She’s my friend!” The filly pleaded.
“Dinky Doo, move aside. That mare is an enemy of Shocker! She’s just the villain I warned you about.”
“No, she’s rough around the edges, but she’s a good guy.” Dinky drew herself up to her full height, as diminutive as that was, her eyes full of defiance. “What about you? Why are you helping Destron? They’re evil!”
“Shocker is Destron. We bring peace and stability.” Death Head said, her tone defensive. “We’re necessary, so ponies can live happily. These rebels only bring chaos.”
“I don’t believe you!” Her mother flinched like somepony had slapped her. “I’ve seen what Destron is like. They’re nothing but bad!”
“I’m not arguing with you about this right now, Muffin.” The Inquisitor’s tone turned stern. “Forget Trixie Lulamoon. You need to get to safety! A battlefield isn’t any place for a filly!”
“I’m not leaving without my friend!”
“Listen to me. I know what’s best.” The mother and daughter had hit an impasse, neither willing to budge an inch. Trixie used this reprieve to move into a better position, ready to protect Dinky if the situation turned south.
“Inquisitor Ditzy Doo, don’t forget your duty!” Ika Devil said. “More is at stake than one filly.”
“But!” This pronouncement rattled Death Head to her core, her metal limbs shaking. Trixie tensed, wondering if she’d sacrifice her daughter for the Shocker cause. From experience, Trixie knew it wouldn’t be the first time.
“Yeah! Protean is helpless! Finish her!” A Combatpony said, jumping onto the scene with several others. She brandished a polearm, eager to run the Kamen Rider through.
“Don’t you dare!” Death Head said, snarling. “Not with my Muffin in the firing line!”
“Inquisitor.” Ika Devil’s imperial voice said a one-word denouncement.
“I...” For once, the heartless, unmovable Shocker Inquisitor was speechless. She tensed as the Combatponies congregated around her daughter and Trixie.
“Trixie!” Lux said, wincing as the distraction cost her a punch to the gut. “Cyclone Delta!”
Combatponies shattered as Lux’s motorcycle careened towards them, parking in front of Trixie. She cursed, but her revenge against Doctor Shinigami could wait. Her first priority was getting Dinky to safety. She grunted in annoyance as the Combatponies attacked her from all sides.
“Oh no, you don’t!” The Combatpony with a polearm stabbed forward, aiming to run Dinky through before she climbed onto the Cyclone Delta.
Only a lucky step back saved the filly, but it still cost her. She howled in pain as the pole arm’s blade slashed her across the eye, leaving a deep gash that bled like a fountain.
“You bastard!” Any hesitance left Death Head when she’d seen her precious daughter hurt. She grabbed the offending Combatpony from the scruff of her neck, staring into her eyes with her metal plate. “Die.”
“Please!” But the Combatpony’s frightened pleas fell on deaf ears. With a flick of her hooves, the Combatpony went limp, her neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
“Who’s next?” Death Head roared, the once emboldened Combatponies quavering before fleeing. Trixie used this opportunity to deck the nearest Combatpony and lift Dinky to the motorcycle’s seat. After a quick scan, she spotted Twilight’s brother fighting amongst the chaos.
“Twilight, drive this thing like thirty degrees to the right! Your brother’s other there!” While Trixie wanted to guard Dinky’s safety, she found she couldn’t abandon her fellow Rider either.
“Don’t worry. We’re getting you to safety. There’s a strong white stallion with awesome shield spells to protect you.” Trixie whispered.
“Okay. Just don’t hurt my momma, okay?” Dinky said, crying through her bloody left eye.
“Forget them. Momma will fight to protect you.” But Death Head flinched as Dinky refused to look at her, vanishing as Lux commanded her bike to drive away.
“You, you did this! You turned my Muffin against me!” Death Head roared.
“No, you did that. You and your kind.” She wouldn’t allow the mare to make excuses for her mistakes.
“Yes, you’ve much to answer for Death Head. But you can redeem your mistake by destroying Kamen Rider Protean!” Ika Devil said.
“Die!” Death Head threw a wild hoof at Trixie, screaming like a banshee. Gone was the cold, methodical Ditzy Doo. In her place was a mad mare, lashing out to hurt anypony to ease her ruined life.
With ease, Trixie slipped around her attacks. Sparks flew as she lashed out with her bone swords, striking the weak spots her enemy wasn’t protecting with her wild attacks. Beyond furious, Death Head unleashed a laser blast from her eye socket, headless of whom it hurt. Unlucky Combatponies screamed as their body got incinerated by their Inquisitor’s laser.
She really has lost it! Trixie yelped as the laser almost sliced her in half, leapfrogging over the beam.
“Inquisitor Doo, calm yourself. You’re doing more harm than good!” Ika Devil howled as a stray beam stuck into his shoulder, his flesh bubbling under the intense heat.
“Ika Devil!” Death Head said, returning to her senses, ashamed of her actions.
“It’s only a flesh wound.” The Shocker General’s voice was raspy as he clutched at his wound. “Destroy the Kamen Riders!”
“You! You will pay for that!” Protean’s bone rattled as she intercepted a punch, hissing in pain. While some sanity had returned, the Inquisitor continued to fight like a wild dog. And Trixie punished her for it, her bone blade striking her opponent’s legs joints. Death Head staggered, falling to her knees.
After tossing aside her bone blades, Protean leaped into the air, leg extended forward. “Protean Spinning Rider Kick!”
Death Head howled, her metal chest plate crumbling under the force of Protean’s attack. But she stumbled back to her hooves, ready for another round.
“Not bad. Few can withstand my Rider Kick.” Trixie said.
“And that’s the last victory you’re going to get!” Death Head’s eye lit up again. Instead of one continuous beam, she shot bursts of laser energy instead. It forced Protean on the defensive, wincing as a stray bolt struck her in the chest.
“Damn, this fight isn’t over yet!” Trixie winced as the ground erupted, landing hard on the rock below.
---
I need to hurry. Death Head’s too difficult for Trixie alone! She blocked an incoming punch as Ika Devil punched forward, pressing against the Shocker General face-to-face. Not that she didn’t also have her own problems.
Despite his injury, Ika Devil still seemed ready to fight. Twilight noticed, however, that he favored his right, uninjured arm. She grunted as her opponent broke past her guard, landing a solid blow to her helmet.
Their dance continued, Twilight focusing her energy sword on her opponent’s wounded shoulder. But Ika Devil didn’t make it easy, the Shocker General fighting at a range that made using her sword awkward. While he was fast, she moved faster. Twilight pushed him harder, making him fight to keep from her blade. But time fought against him, sparks flying as his wound and exhaustion pushed Ika Devil to the limit.
But Trixie wasn’t as lucky. Twilight winced as her ally received a nasty blow to the side of her helmet. Despite her tricks, Death Head was proving an insurmountable foe. Both Riders stared into the other’s helmet, making a silent communication. With a subdued nod, Trixie agreed.
Her opponent tensed as Lux bent close to the ground, ready to unleash her special attack. With ease, Ika Devil leaped aside as Lux launched forward. He wasn’t, however, the intended target of her attack. Lux’s blade crackled with power as she swung forward, aiming her slash at Death Head’s center mass.
Protean followed suit, leaping past a surprised Death Head towards her intended target. Her extended kick stuck true, hitting her hated enemy in the chest.
“Protean Spinning Rider Kick!”
“Photon Slash!”
“Curse you, Riders!” Ika Devil stumbled, his breathing pained as he collapsed to his knees. In a flash, the Shocker scientist returned to his pony form.
“Argh!” Death Head howled in primal fury, Lux’s blade leaving a wide wound across her metal chassé. But her alarm was only directed at her superior. “Doctor!”
“Sorry, but I must leave you, Inquisitor.” Doctor Shinigami said, his rasp barely rising above a whisper. “I can’t die here.” Then he was gone, vanishing into nothing.
“Hey, I haven’t killed you yet!” Trixie said, raging that the target of her revenge had disappeared. But her words were in vain, the Shocker General teleporting to who knows where. Twilight guessed, however, the scientist had received mortal wounds. Where could he have gone, and why? It gave her a bad feeling.
“Whatever. Let’s finish this other one so we can find the General.” Trixie said, retrieving her bone swords.
“I can’t die here either!” Much to their collective surprise, the machine monster darted away at top speed, fleeing toward Ponyville. “But don’t think you’ve won yet, Riders!”
“What was that about?”
“They’re fleeing because they’ve realized they’re finished,” Trixie said, not sharing Twilight’s apprehension. She didn’t bother waiting for a reply, spreading her insect-like wings wide and flying after Death Head.
“Hey, wait for me!” All of Twilight’s instincts warned her not to leave her fellow Rider alone, getting the impression they’d only just dipped their hooves into the worst that Destron had prepared for them. The battle had only truly started.
---
“Just a little further.” Doctor Shinigami pushed his battered body forward, stumbling as he hobbled across the corridor. Not yet. He couldn’t die until he reached the chamber. Only a few hooves left to go.
It took some effort, but the panel accepted his shaky hoofprint and the lab door swung open with a hiss. Despite his terrible pain, a broad smile painted itself on his muzzle.
“I can’t die yet. Not until I wreak terrible vengeance on those foals that dare oppose the Great Destron!” He stumbled forward, his hooves landing on the railing surrounding the pool that dominated the center of the lab. It bubbled and hissed, a wet plop exploding from its surface as it breathed. It’d taken all of his considerable scientific might to create this masterpiece.
“I die, only to be reborn!” While a masterpiece of genetic engineering and black magic, it still required one final piece. Doctor Shinigami was happy to provide it. While not quite the purpose he’d designed it for, it should due. There wasn’t time to birth Type: Devil with his own consciousness. He laughed with glee as he toppled into the pool, the black ooze consuming him as it absorbed his very being. He welcomed death like an old friend, content he’d completed his life’s work.
For a moment, the laboratory was quiet. Only the hum of distant equipment broke the silence. Then the pool began to bubble and boil as if subjected to great heat. At one end, a limb suddenly broke the surface, heavily muscled and clawed. It flailed around blindly for a few seconds, searching for the edge. When it connected, there was a roar of triumph as the newly born creature hauled itself onto the dry land.
Black ooze pooled around its hooves as it stepped forward, delighting in taking its first breaths. The birthing liquid fell like a waterfall from its skin of the color of decayed flesh. The monster observed its being with fascination. Power filled Type Devil’s limbs as it experimented with movement. It would suit it well in its path of destruction and vengeance.
In experimentation, the monstrosity took a genial step forward with its flippered feet as it learned to walk. Each step became more confident as it lumbered forward, soon gaining a preternatural grace to its gait. Seconds later, walking became as natural as breathing. A trot became a gallop as it hurried to venture outside, impatient to fulfill its mission.
Rows of serrated teeth grinned as a breeze hit its face, the freedom from the lab invigorating. But it didn’t allow this to distract from its mission, darting through the city with the speed of a cheetah pursuing its prey.
Ponies cried in alarm when they saw the doctor’s twisted creation, dying before the scream even left their mouths. The blood was good, but it still wasn’t its purpose. It had one delicacy it must taste above all others, the blood of a Kamen Rider.