Tony Stark stared in stunned silence at the devastation before him. The massive Iron Monger suit lay in twisted, smoldering ruins, its once-formidable frame reduced to scrap. At the center of the destruction stood the imposing figure of Kamen Rider, his armor now gleaming with a golden radiance. Obadiah Stane, the man who had betrayed him, was nowhere to be seen, his fate left uncertain in the aftermath of the clash.
Ace, still in his Titan Rising Form, surveyed the scene, his expression unreadable behind the visor of his helmet. The power he had unleashed was immense, and Tony couldn't help but wonder just how formidable this mysterious hero truly was.
The golden power faded from the Amadam in the Arcle, and Ace's armor shifted back to its regular Titan Form. He suddenly felt very tired, the strain of the Rising Form taking a toll. Ace steadied himself, his movements sluggish as the adrenaline wore off.
Tony Stark approached the armored figure, his own Iron Man helmet already removed. "Thank you," he said, his voice tinged with genuine gratitude. "You saved my life back there."
Ace nodded, his voice slightly distorted through the helmet's speakers. "I was just doing what I had to do," he replied simply.
Tony Stark examined Ace's armor, fascinated by its unique design. It didn't seem to be a traditional mechanical suit, but rather an advanced exoskeleton. He wanted to ask more about its capabilities, but the timing didn't feel right.
Turning his gaze to the remains of the Iron Monger, Tony felt a mix of emotions. He was relieved that Obadiah Stane's betrayal had been thwarted, but also deeply disappointed that someone he had once considered a friend had fallen so far. The weight of that loss lingered as he considered the consequences of his choices.
Pepper Potts hurried towards Tony Stark, her eyes wide with concern. "Tony! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Tony turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Pepper. Thanks to my friend here," he said, gesturing towards the imposing figure of Kamen Rider.
Pepper's gaze shifted to the armored hero, and she quickly stepped forward, clasping her hands together. "You're Kamen RIder, right? Thank you," she said earnestly. "You saved him."
Ace, still in his Titan Form, inclined his head slightly. "I saw the news about Mr. Stark and another robot fighting, so I had to come and stop them," he explained, his voice modulated by the helmet.
Ace tilted his head slightly, regarding the famous Tony Stark with a hint of curiosity. "I didn't expect the great Tony Stark to be playing hero," he remarked, his modulated voice betraying a touch of amusement.
Tony Stark let out a weary chuckle. "Yeah, well, I've had a change of heart," he admitted, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Guess I realized I needed to start using this technology for good, not just profit."
Ace knew what Tony had gone through in the movies in his original world, and he was glad to see that Tony was still on his path toward heroism as it had been in the original. But if he was in the universe with the "What if" scenarios, Ace would be troubled. Then again, his existence and Dai-Shocker here would already be a "What if" scenario.
Ace turned to Tony Stark, his armored form imposing yet strangely humble. "Mr. Stark, I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention my involvement here," he said, his modulated voice betraying a hint of reluctance.
Tony Stark raised an eyebrow, puzzled by the request. "Why's that?" he asked, his natural curiosity piqued. "I mean, you just saved my life. Shouldn't you be looking to get a little recognition for that?"
Ace shook his head slightly. "I'm not really the type who likes being in the spotlight," he explained. "It would just interfere with my... other activities."
Tony considered Ace's words, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, I can respect that," he conceded. "I'll make sure to keep your involvement on the down-low."
Pepper Potts looked between the two heroes, her brow furrowed. "Are you sure, Tony?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "I mean, the public deserves to know who saved you."
Tony raised a hand, silencing Pepper's protest. "Nah, it's fine," he assured her. "Kamen Rider here has his reasons, and I'm not going to be the one to drag him into the spotlight if he doesn't want it."
Ace nodded gratefully, his posture relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Stark,"
The sound of sirens in the distance signaled the arrival of the police. Ace knew it was time for him to make his exit. "I should be going," he said, turning towards his Trychaser 2000 motorcycle.
Tony Stark stepped forward, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Hey, before you go, I was wondering if you'd be willing to stop by my lab sometime," he said. "I'd love to take a closer look at that armor of yours, if you don't mind."
Ace paused, considering the offer. "I'll think about it," he replied, his tone cautious. "I don't like to draw too much attention to myself, but I appreciate the invitation."
With a nod, Ace swung his leg over the Trychaser and started the engine. The roar of the motorcycle echoed through the damaged street as he prepared to depart.
"Take care, Kamen Rider," Pepper Potts called out, her voice filled with gratitude.
Ace offered a brief wave before revving the engine and speeding away, disappearing into the night.
Tony Stark watched as the figure of Kamen Rider disappeared into the night, the roar of the Trychaser 2000 motorcycle fading into the distance.
"Well, that went well," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Pepper Potts, standing beside him, let out a sigh. "Yes, but now we have to clean up this mess," she said, surveying the damage to the highway.
Tony turned to her, a wry smile on his face. "Leave that to you, Potts," he said, already starting to walk away.
Pepper, however, was having none of it. She stepped in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Oh, no you don't, Tony Stark," she said firmly. "You're going to help me with this."
Tony let out an exaggerated sigh, but the corners of his lips twitched upward. "Alright, alright," he conceded, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get to work."
Ace hurries back to the arthouse, hoping to catch up with Nico and Berto, but the performances have already ended. He scans the empty lobby, finally spotting his two friends near the exit. As he approaches them, he notices the frustration and disappointment etched on their faces, especially Nico's.
"Where have you been, Ace?" Nico demands, her voice laced with irritation. "You just took off without any explanation."
Ace hesitates, struggling to find the right words. "There was an emergency," he says, hoping Nico will accept the vague excuse.
But Nico isn't having it. "An emergency? That's the best you can come up with?" She crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing. "You've been acting strange lately, Ace. What's really going on?"
Berto, usually the more easygoing of the two, also looks perturbed. "Yeah, man. We were worried about you. You just disappeared on us."
Ace opens his mouth, but the words catch in his throat. He can't bring himself to tell them the truth - that he had rushed off to help Iron Man against a dangerous foe. How could he explain his role as Kamen Rider without jeopardizing everything?
Nico shakes her head, her frustration palpable. "You know what? Forget it. If you're not going to be honest with us, then maybe we shouldn't waste our time." She turns to leave, Berto trailing behind her.
Ace reaches out, desperate to stop them, but the right words elude him. He watches helplessly as his friends walk away, their backs turned to him. A heavy feeling settles in his chest, and he knows that their relationship has been irrevocably altered.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz