As the smoke cleared, Lexcorp agents in hazmat suits began carefully collecting fragments of Calton from the scorched ground. Metal shards glinted under their specialized collection tools, each piece carefully sealed in protective containers.
Kara approached Haruka, her expression troubled. The debris from the battle still smoldered around them, small wisps of smoke rising from the fractured ground. "Was that... was that necessary?" she asked, her voice soft but laden with concern.
Haruka removed his Faiz helmet, revealing a contemplative expression. "No," he said firmly. "It wasn't right to kill him. We shouldn't kill."
He paused, watching the agents methodically gather evidence. "But Calton gave me no choice. If we had let him continue, he would have caused massive destruction. More innocent lives would have been at risk."
The weight of the decision hung between them. Superboy stood nearby, listening but not interrupting. The agents continued their careful collection, oblivious to the moral debate happening just feet away from their meticulous work.
Haruka's gaze remained fixed on the scattered remains of the Baltan creature, his voice reflective and somber.
Haruka turned to Superboy, his Kamen Rider Faiz armor still gleaming from the recent battle. "Thanks for the assist," he said, extending his hand. "That tornado you created was perfectly timed."
Superboy grinned, clasping Haruka's hand in a firm handshake. "That's what teammates do, right? Help each other out." His enthusiasm was infectious, and the weight of the recent battle began to lift.
"Teammates," Haruka repeated, appreciating the camaraderie.
Superboy, feeling particularly jovial after their successful fight, gave Haruka a hearty pat on the back. The pat carried more Kryptonian strength than a typical congratulatory gesture. Haruka let out an involuntary groan, the impact causing him to stumble slightly forward.
"Oof," Haruka managed, rubbing his back with a mix of pain and humor. "Maybe ease up on the superhero high-five next time?"
Superboy laughed, a genuine sound that echoed across the battle-worn landscape. "Sorry about that. Still learning to control my strength."
Haruka chuckled, straightening up and wincing slightly. "No worries. Just another day in the life of a hero, right?"
The heroes' laughter echoed across the debris-strewn landscape. Kara tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "How did Calton get so big?" she wondered aloud, looking at the massive remains of the defeated Baltan creature.
Superboy studied the creature's corpse, his analytical mind working quickly. "Radioactive material," he explained. "His species can most likely digest radiation. It's like fuel for them, allowing them to grow and multiply."
Kara nodded, her scientific background appreciating the detailed breakdown. "So he stole it just to eat?" she mused.
Superboy nods. "Probably,"
"Either way, he's gone," said Haruka.
The Lexcorp agents converged on the group, their tactical gear coated in a fine layer of dust that spoke of the recent battle's intensity. A stern-faced woman with sharp eyes and a clipboard clutched tightly against her chest stepped forward, her posture radiating authority.
"Thank you for your help heroes, but we need you all to clear the area," she barked, her voice cutting through the lingering smoke. Her gaze swept over the heroes, challenging them to object. "This is now a Lexcorp containment zone. All non-authorized personnel must evacuate immediately."
Kara's eyes flashed with indignation. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice rising. "We just saved your entire team from a massive alien threat, and now you're telling us to leave?"
The agent remained impassive, repeating the instruction to vacate the premises. Haruka sensed the tension building and placed a calming hand on Kara's shoulder. "Let it go," he said softly. "We did what we came to do."
Kara turned to him, her frustration evident. Haruka continued, "We found the thief, stopped another Fort Rozz escapee. Our mission is complete."
His measured tone and logical reasoning began to penetrate Kara's anger. She took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. The tension in her body dissipated as she recognized the wisdom in Haruka's words.
"Fine," she said, her voice now controlled. She looked at the Lexcorp agents. "We're done here."
The heroes prepared to depart, leaving behind the remnants of their battle with Calton.
Haruka bid farewell to Kara and Superboy, his body aching from the intense battle with Calton. The streetlights flickered as he navigated through the quiet neighborhood, the Auto Vajin safely stored in his system space. His muscles felt heavy, each step a reminder of the fight's brutal intensity.
The Kojima mansion loomed ahead, its warm lights a beacon of comfort. Haruka approached the front door, his movements slow and deliberate. As he entered, the familiar scent of home—a mix of his mother's cooking and fresh laundry—enveloped him.
Hana emerged from the kitchen, her eyes immediately catching her son's weary posture. Her maternal instinct kicked in, sensing something was different about his late arrival.
"Haruka," she said, her voice soft but tinged with concern, "why are you home so late?"
Haruka paused, momentarily caught off guard by her direct question. The events of the night—the battle with Calton, working alongside Supergirl and Superboy—swirled in his mind. He knew he couldn't reveal the full truth, but he also didn't want to completely dismiss his mother's worry.
Haruka shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. "I was hanging out with Kara," he said, his voice slightly defensive. "We lost track of time."
Hana's eyebrows raised slightly. Her maternal instinct detected something beneath his casual explanation, but she chose a gentler approach. "You've been coming home late quite often recently," she said, her tone a mixture of concern and mild reproach. "Next time, please call and let us know where you are. We worry about you."
"I'll do that," Haruka promised, his eyes meeting hers briefly before looking away. The weight of his secret missions and heroic activities hung unspoken between them.
Hana nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response. She turned back to the kitchen, the familiar sounds of dinner preparation filling the space between them. Haruka felt a momentary sense of relief, grateful that she hadn't pressed him further about the details of his evening.
Haruka entered his room, exhausted from the day's battles. He carefully hung his jacket on the hook near the door, the fabric settling into its usual place. Without a second glance, he collapsed onto the bed, his body sinking into the soft mattress. Fatigue from fighting Calton and working with Supergirl and Superboy weighed heavily on him.
As Haruka drifted off to sleep, a small metallic object attached to the back of his jacket remained unnoticed - a tracking device silently blinking in the dim light of his bedroom.
High above the Kojima mansion, Superboy hovered silently, his keen eyes scanning the property. After a moment of observation, he spread his arms and flew away, cutting through the night sky with purpose. His destination was clear: the Lexcorp tower loomed in the distance, its sleek silhouette growing larger as he approached.
Superboy glided through the reinforced glass windows of Lexcorp's top floor, landing silently on the polished marble surface. The room was dimly lit, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. Lena Luthor sat behind her expansive desk, her green eyes fixed on the young hero.
"Did you complete the task?" Lena asked, her voice calm and measured.
Superboy remained silent, his muscular frame casting a shadow across the room. He extended a digital tablet, its screen displaying a crisp video feed. The footage showed Haruka in his Kamen Rider armor, transforming back into civilian clothes. The sequence was precise, capturing every moment of the transformation.
Lena leaned forward, her perfectly manicured fingers touching the screen. A slight smile played across her lips as she studied the image.
"So you're Kamen Rider," she said, her voice a mixture of intrigue and calculation. "Interesting."
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