Kamen Rider Wonder

Chapter 8: He Who Is Worthy

Rowan

We arrived back at base and found Mark and Captain Evander waiting for us.

"Did you get what you were looking for in Avalon?" I asked.

He smiled, holding up the King Arthur book, "Sure did. How did your training go?"

"I finally used three volumes!"

"That's awesome!"

We high-fived, celebrating each other's accomplishments. Then Mark pointed behind me and asked, "Wait, what's my sister doing here?"

None of us had realized Mary followed us through Book Gate.

"I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I've always wanted to see this place. Row-Row, Aura, don't make me go home, now. Please?"

Mary clung to Aura's arm.

"Too bad. Knights only. Get lost!" answered Manon, trying to push Mary out the door.

"Eh, it's not that big a deal to me." said Evander, "Let her stick around for a bit."

"Great...more kids." groaned Ramon.

The next day, the four of us went to the ice cream shop we used to go to as a celebration. Somehow, after all these years, Mark remembered our favorite flavors: Strawberry for Aura and a vanilla-chocolate swirl for me, since I used to struggle between the two. Mary had mint-chocolate chip and Mark had butter pecan topped with caramel. Mark was slow to eat his ice cream. While we were glad that he wasn't giving himself another brain freeze, we knew something was off.

"Mark, what's going on?" asked Aura.

"It's about this book. Ever since I got it, I haven't been able to transform with it."

"Really? Why?" I asked.

"I don't know. Maybe it's like pulling the sword from the stone. Only someone worthy can use this Ride Book."

"I can't think of anyone more worthy than you, big bro." assured Mary, "You're brave, kind, and..."

"And?"

"...Give me a minute."

Mark sighed, "Maybe King Arthur sees me as a kid, just like Evander and Vice-Captain Sanchez do. Maybe they're right."

"Even if you are a kid, you're a pretty impressive one." I told Mark, "You became a knight, traveled through time and you're helping to save the world. You even created a Ride Book. I can't remember the last time someone did that."

Soon, our free time was interrupted when Aura got a call from Manon, "We've got a problem! Two more distortions opened up and people are being turned to stone again!"

"You guys go ahead!" said Mark, "I want to get the hang of this. If Shadow shows up, I want to be ready."

We showed up to fight the Gorgon and then a well-dressed red-haired man showed up, "Greetings, weaklings! You can start groveling, now."

"I don't even remember who you are." scoffed Manon.

The red-haired man took offense to that, "I am Vanity! One of the three original Fearbeasts! I'll teach you your proper place in this world, you cocky human brat!"

He transformed into a dragon-like Fearbeast. He must've been in the same league as Mangel.

Aurelia and I transformed into our second and final volume forms respectively and fought Vanity while Manon and Evander took on the Gorgon.

Manon started showing off more fancy moves as she jumped around and slashed the Fearbeast. However, the Gorgon learned her timing and caught Manon in her hair snakes while she was mid-air. Evander attacked the snakes, forcing them to release her and drop her hard on the ground.