The golden light that had surrounded Kamen Rider Stronger flickered faintly. His armored form, once steady and bright, now looked transparent, as if fading with each spark of electricity.
Yuriko's eyes widened. "Stronger… what's happening?"
The veteran Rider gave her a gentle smile, his voice calm despite his vanishing form. "This… is the limit. My presence here was never meant to last. Summoning me took a great deal of your strength—and the Ladybug Gun's. But do not be afraid, Yuriko. You are not alone. You carry the spirit of the Riders within you now. Trust in yourself… and in your friends."
"Stronger—!" Yuriko reached out, but her hand passed through him as his image finally dissolved into sparks of light that floated upward like fireflies, disappearing into the air.
Silence filled the command center. The Rangers glanced at each other, unsure of what to say. Finally, Emma placed a hand on Yuriko's shoulder. "Hey… he believed in you. That means something. And we do too."
Gia gave a confident smirk. "Besides, we could use another badass teammate."
Yuriko let out a shaky laugh, blinking back the sting of tears. "Thank you… all of you."
---
Later that afternoon, the group decided they needed a break. After everything—the revelations, the battles, Stronger's appearance—they deserved one.
They chose a small restaurant tucked away in the city, a quiet place with warm lights and the smell of freshly cooked meals wafting through the air. For once, they weren't Rangers or warriors—they were just friends.
Jake devoured his food with his usual enthusiasm, making everyone laugh when he tried to challenge Noah to a spicy food contest. Noah declined, muttering about "science not supporting stupidity." Emma took pictures of the group, insisting they needed memories outside of battle. Gia leaned back with her arms crossed, smiling faintly as she watched her friends relax.
Yuriko sat quietly at first, sipping a warm cup of tea. She glanced around the table—the laughter, the teasing, the comfort—and felt a warmth blooming in her chest. For so long, she had fought alone in her own world. But here… she wasn't alone anymore.
Maybe… this is what Stronger meant, she thought. That even if the battles get harder, I'll never face them by myself again.
The night wore on with lighthearted stories and cheerful chatter. For a moment, the world outside seemed distant.
But peace never lasted long.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, the calm night air was shattered by a sudden boom. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and screams erupted from the streets.
A towering figure loomed in the distance—one of the Armada's newest creations, its monstrous form radiating raw power. The sky itself seemed to darken as the creature roared, sending shockwaves across the city.
The Rangers' smiles vanished, replaced by steely determination.
"Guess the break's over," Troy muttered.
Yuriko tightened her grip on the Ladybug Gun, her eyes burning with resolve. "Then let's show them—we're ready."
The group stood together, their moment of peace gone, replaced by the call to battle once more.