The Bioship glided silently above Santa Prisca, its stealth systems cloaking it against the night sky.
Inside, the young heroes prepared.
Robin twirled his staff. "So, covert recon only? No full-scale assault?"
Aqualad nodded. "That is the plan. We observe, gather intelligence, and report."
Kid Flash slumped in his seat. "Boooring. What's the point if we don't crack a few skulls?"
Miss Martian clasped her hands nervously. "Remember—this is my first real mission. I'll… try my best."
Ryotaro sat near the back, silent. His driver rested at his waist beneath his jacket, the Joker Memory already in hand. His visor wouldn't hide him tonight—not unless absolutely necessary.
Batman's voice echoed in his mind. "Cobra is dangerous. Their leader will not hesitate to unleash new weapons. Stay sharp. And keep your Rider identity… controlled."
The Bioship descended. Aqualad gave the order. "We move."
They slipped into the jungle, shadows blending with the dense undergrowth.
The factory was alive with activity. Guards patrolled, crates moved in and out. The air smelled of salt and chemicals.
Robin scanned the area with his lenses. "Yep, this is the place. Cobra's cooking up something big."
They split into pairs. Robin and Aqualad flanked left, Kid Flash and Miss Martian went high, Ryotaro remained with Superboy at ground level.
Superboy glared at him. "Don't slow me down."
Ryotaro didn't flinch. "Same to you."
They crept closer. Through a gap in the crates, Ryotaro saw him—the Cobra leader. A tall figure in ceremonial garb, chanting quietly. But then something caught Ryotaro's eye.
In the leader's palm rested a black device. A Gaia Memory.
Snake.
Ryotaro's stomach clenched. "No…"
Before he could warn the others, the leader jammed the Memory into his neck.
"SNAKE!"
A hiss echoed through the night. His body twisted, warped, scales erupting across his skin. His face elongated into a serpent's maw, fangs glistening. His robes shredded, replaced by monstrous armor patterned with coiling scales.
The Cobra soldiers fell back in awe. "Our leader… has ascended!"
Superboy growled. "What the hell—"
The Snake Monster raised its clawed hand and hissed. "Intrudersssss…"And chaos erupted.
The Snake Monster lashed out first, tail whipping across the dock. Crates shattered, sending debris flying.
"Split!" Aqualad commanded.
Robin vaulted clear, shuriken flashing. Kid Flash zoomed, striking guards and scattering them like dominoes.
Miss Martian hovered in the air, telekinetic blasts pushing back Cobra soldiers.
But the monster's focus locked on Superboy and Ryotaro.
It lunged, fangs snapping. Superboy met it head-on, fists colliding with scales. The impact shook the dock.
"Stay down!" Superboy roared, slamming the creature backward.
The Snake hissed, recovering with unnatural flexibility. Its body twisted, wrapping around Superboy like a constrictor. Superboy's growl turned into a grunt of pain as his ribs creaked under pressure.
Ryotaro stepped forward, pulling the Joker Memory from his pocket. He slid it into his Driver.
"JOKER!"
Purple light flared. His armor locked into place—sleek, black, sharp. Balanced.
He charged. His fist slammed into the monster's jaw with a crack, breaking the hold on Superboy.
The Kryptonian stumbled free, breathing hard. "What—what is that armor?"
"Later," Ryotaro said flatly. "Fight now."
The Snake Monster recoiled, hissing louder. Its tongue flickered. "Another user of the Devicessss. You will die firsssst."
"Ryotaro, cover me!" Robin's voice cut through the din.
Ryotaro nodded. He ducked under the Snake's sweeping tail, countering with a sharp palm strike to its abdomen. Robin slid under his arm, planting an explosive disc on the creature's back.
The disc detonated with a flash—stunning it for seconds. Enough for Kid Flash to zip past and trip its legs, sending it crashing down.
"Nice! It's snake-on-its-belly now!" Kid Flash cheered.
The monster's hiss turned into a roar. Scales rippled, shedding the stunned paralysis. It whipped its tail again, this time catching Kid Flash mid-run and flinging him into a stack of crates.
"Wally!" Miss Martian cried, but kept her focus, seizing the Snake with telekinesis. The monster strained, its muscles writhing against invisible bonds.
"Now!" Aqualad shouted, water bearers glowing as he struck with twin whips. Energy crackled as the blow slammed across the monster's chest.
Ryotaro followed, fists and feet blurring—Joker's power emphasizing balance, precision. Each strike landed cleanly, bruising even through scales.
But the Snake laughed through the assault. "You cannot win… against evolution!"
Its body shimmered. Scales hardened, eyes glowed red. It broke free of Miss Martian's hold and lashed out with venomous spit. The acid hissed against the dock, eating through metal.
Robin cursed. "Yeah, that's new!"
The team regrouped, battered but not broken. Ryotaro tightened his grip on the Joker Memory.
He could swap. Blade Memory. Invisible Memory. But no—this fight required balance. Control. Joker was enough.
He raised his Driver, the Memory glowing. Energy surged through his armor.
-Joker_Maximum_Drive!
"RIDER—" His voice echoed, filled with resolve. "PUNCH!"
He dashed forward, weaving through the monster's strikes. Its claws missed by inches, its tail crashed down, but Ryotaro leaped—flipping high above its head.
The Joker energy gathered in his fist, purple light blazing. He came down like a hammer, driving the punch straight into the monster's chest.
The impact exploded with force, sending shockwaves across the dock.
The Snake Monster shrieked, body convulsing. The Gaia Memory in its Driver sparked violently. Cracks split across its armor.
With one final hiss, the monster collapsed, body reverting back into the unconscious Cobra leader.The Gaia Memory rolled free, smoking. Ryotaro stepped on it, crushing it into shards.
The Cobra soldiers fled into the jungle, leaderless and broken. The factory burned behind them, its drug operations ruined.
Robin clapped Ryotaro on the shoulder. "Not bad, Rider. You hit like Batman's worst nightmare."
Kid Flash limped over, grinning despite bruises. "Dude, that was awesome! We gotta trademark 'Rider Punch'."
Superboy crossed his arms, scowling. "You are strong but I am stronger."
Ryotaro said nothing, simply deactivating his armor. The purple glow faded, leaving him in his black uniforms once more.
The Bioship awaited, humming quietly. As they boarded, Ryotaro cast one last glance at the shattered Snake Memory on the ground.
One more piece of the puzzle, he thought grimly. Whoever distributes these Memories… won't stop here.
The night swallowed Santa Prisca once more, but the shadows had shifted.
*********
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