“Hey, you wanna go to a cafe after this?” Gal Rider asked, meandering into the mall.

“I wanna go to the hospital after this,” Delinquent Rider said, “I think I’m bleeding internally.”

“Why not have Cat-Girl Nurse Rider look at you?” Gal Rider asked.

“Because she’s not a medical professional,” Delinquent Rider said, “She’s not even an actual nurse!”

“Can’t you just have her jab you with her oversized needle?” Gal Rider asked.

“Doesn’t that stuff melt people?” Delinquent Rider asked.

“Only when she wants it to,” Gal Rider said, “And, fair, is most of the time. But other times I feel great afterward.”

“I always feel like I was pumped full of spoiled milk,” Delinquent Rider said.

“You afraid of needles?” Gal Rider asked.

“No,” Delinquent Rider said.

“Are you nice to her?” Gal Rider asked.

“She acts like Cat-Girl Nurse Rider all the time,” Delinquent Rider said, “So no, I’m not nice to her because she’s a crazy person.”

“Shut up,” Mama Rider snapped, “Let’s just catch this freak and get this over with.”

“Mama,” Little Sister Rider chided, “You need to relax. Worrying like that will give you wrinkles.”

“I’m not your mom,” Mama Rider growled, “And Dad Rider isn’t your dad.”

“But we’re supposed to work together,” Big Brother Rider complained, “Ultimate Rider said we’re “Rider Family” and that means being able to get along.”

“How placating,” Dad Rider grumbled, “The reality of the situation is that I do not know, and do not care, about any of you any more than I care for my co-workers in the office job I also work at. Speaking of, Rider duties are cutting into my work hours. So, if everybody could find this Rider killer, that’d be great.”

Gargoyle crept through the shadows, peering down at the Riders that were combing through the mall. There was Elephant Rider, Tourist Rider, Rider Family, the weird looking cat-nurse-person, Gal Rider and Delinquent Rider, and standing amongst them with an easy going, relaxed smile was Shonen Rider.

“This is taking too long,” Tourist Rider complained, “Where’s Detective Rider?”

“Dead,” Shonen Rider said with a smile, “Our Rider killer killed Detective Rider and Lion Rider, according to the police reports, he fought both of them at once.”

“We should probably stick together then,” Elephant Rider said, “If he’s already beaten two of us-”

“No,” Shonen Rider said.

“What do you mean, “no”?” Dad Rider demanded.

“I mean, no we’re not sticking together,” Shonen Rider explained, “Let’s get this straight. I am the only Rider here that Ultimate Rider actually cares about. None of you matter. This whole, stick together and play it safe? That’s boring. You’ve already driven the Rider killer to ground here, and if we stick together we’re never going to find this guy. There are enough hidey holes around that we’ll just end up doing laps around the mall. Without a juicy target, we’re never going to draw the Rider killer out.

So, all of you are going to be searching the mall by yourselves,” Shonen Rider finished, “Hopefully I’ll get to see some real action.”

“But-” Little Sister Rider started. Shonen Rider turned to face her, and Little Sister Rider noted how the rest of Rider Family stiffened under Shonen Rider’s gaze. Shonen Rider strode confidently to Little Sister Rider.

“Let me explain this again,” Shonen Rider said, putting a hand on Little Sister Rider’s shoulder. She flinched and shivered at his touch. “You do not matter,” Shonen Rider seethed, “Go find the Rider killer! Do I need to explain that to anyone else?”

Gargoyle watched as, under orders from Shonen Rider, the Rider Gang split up. Shonen Rider stayed on the first floor, searching the shops and kiosks at a lazy pace. He was an isolated target, Gargoyle knew, but one that could easily spell disaster. The rest of the Rider Gang could quickly move to assist Shonen Rider and Gargoyle knew that all of them would be more than a match for him.

Gargoyle took a quick glance out the window. Police cruisers had surrounded the mall with troopers watching the exits. A small crowd had gathered to watch the coming spectacle, pushing against the cordons and barriers the police had set up. It meant that the two girls Gargoyle had carried in here wouldn’t be able to leave until the fighting was over.

At least, according to Faery Fire. She had told Gargoyle that Ultimate Rider controlled multiple islands in Japan, and was still looking to expand. Gargoyle had already seen police working with the Rider Gang, but that couldn’t be the whole force.

Could it?

Faery Fire and the Sailors soared through the air, glitter and pixie dust trailing behind them.

“You really can’t fly?” Red asked, “You have wings!”

“I used to,” Faery Fire admitted, “But ever since I gained all this weight-” Faery Fire motioned to her chest and hips. “My gossamer wings haven’t been much use. I’d need to slim down a lot to get those to carry me again.”

“Isn’t that embarrassing?” Green asked, “All the attention you get?”

“Sometimes,” Faery Fire admitted, “But it has its uses. Hey, Blue! I can see the mall!”

“So can I,” Blue said, “Do we have a plan?”

“Well, Gargoyle will be expecting us,” Faery Fire said, “And if we weren’t all sparkles and rainbows I’d say we should make a quiet entrance and meet up with Gargoyle, he probably has some kind of strategy. Given that the whole city can probably see us, I suggest we go flying in there weapons raised and ready for battle.”

“Against Riders?” Green balked.

“Well,” Red said, “It would force some reaction from them.”

“Would Gargoyle know what to do?” Blue asked.

“He’s an experienced hero and probably a soldier,” Faery Fire said, “I don’t think he’ll have any problems with it.”

Gargoyle sneaked back to the two girls, motioning them to follow him. It was a risk, but superhero combat was no place for two school girls. They would inevitably be made hostages of the Riders or victims of chaotic battle. Gargoyle led them on a long, winding route to a service exit, praying that girls’ escape wouldn’t alert the Riders. Moving to keep as many signs, kiosks, and pieces of decor between the girls and the rest of the mall, Gargoyle brought the two to the back of a clothing store. The store was on the first floor, and Gargoyle had noted a service door in the back.

“Like a needle in a haystack,” Elephant Rider grumbled, tossing clothes and tables around, “Oh of course Shonen Rider!” Elephant Rider took on a mocking tone after checking over his shoulder. “I’d be happy to search Shikin Senjo mall by myself for a Rider killer of all people! One day, I’m gonna get my hands-” Elephant Rider looked over his shoulder again. “-On that little brat. It’s like he’s trying to get us killed.”

The service door was at the end of a narrow hallway in an employees only section of the clothing store. Gargoyle slowly walked over to it, catching the grumbling of Elephant Rider, and putting his hands around the girls’ mouths when he caught their frightened shrieks. Turn to face the girls, Gargoyle raised a finger to his lips in a gesture for silence, and then pointed to the door. The girls nodded, putting their hands over their mouths. Gargoyle brought the girls to the service door, slowly turning the handle as he listened for Elephant Rider.

The handle stopped on a latch. The door was locked. Gargoyle swore under his breath. The wall around the door was simple plaster, something Gargoyle knew he could break through to reach the lock. It would make noise, Gargoyle was certain it would be noise enough to alert Elephant Rider. After all, his ears were enormous. Still, he couldn’t think of any other way to get the girls out safely. Gargoyle reached for his phone, an old, reliable phone with plastic buttons that had been worn white with use. He started typing a text to Faery Fire.

“Ah! My phone!” Faery Fire said.

“Your costume has pockets?” Green asked.

“I have pockets,” Faery Fire said, fishing her phone out from her cleavage. Her phone was shiny and new. It’s fragile, glass touchscreen held in a bright pink case.

“Where are you?” Gargoyle texted.

“Hold up,” Faery Fire ordered, typing on her phone, “Over the mall. You?”

“Inside a clothing store. A big one,” Gargoyle said, “I brought the two girls to a service entrance. Is it safe outside?”

“Are the police going to side with us?” Faery Fire asked the Sailors.

Blue thought about this for a moment. “I don’t think so,” she answered.

“If someone exits the mall, what will they do?” Faery Fire asked.

“Usher them to safety,” Red said, “The police here know not to interfere with Rider business, but they try to keep civilians out of harm’s way.”

“It’s safe for the girls,” Faery Fire texted to Gargoyle.

“Alright,” Faery Fire said, “Two girls are about to exit that mall. Wherever they leave from, that’s where Gargoyle is.”

Gargoyle took off his sweatshirt and pressed it against the plaster, hoping that the blood stained fabric would be enough.

“Maybe I could just go home,” Elephant Rider mused, “Really, I don’t think I would be missed. I don’t think anyone knows who I am as a civilian. Just pose as a frightened salary man, fleeing the mall during a Rider take over. Well, Ultimate Rider would know. He always knows.” Elephant Rider’s ears caught the sound of breaking plaster. “Huh?”

Gargoyle could hear Elephant Rider’s lumbering footsteps, his hands moving in panic as he grasped at the lock, ripping the electronic lock off the wall as Elephant Rider rounded the corner.

“Rider killer!” Elephant Rider roared in rage.

“Go! Go!” Gargoyle shouted, cracking the door open and waving for the girls to leave.

Elephant Rider charged down the hall, tusks low, as the two girls escaped outside. Gargoyle leapt over Elephant Rider, only to get slapped to the ground by Elephant Rider’s massive hand. Gargoyle rolled to avoid Elephant Rider’s stomping feet, the giant, gray feet bearing down on him.

Slipping behind Elephant Rider, Gargoyle landed a kick to Elephant Rider’s knee and another to his back. This earned him a glare from Elephant Rider as the giant turned around, his eyes full of anger. Elephant Rider charged down the hallway, whipping his head back and forth, his tusks gouging and tearing the walls. Gargoyle matched Elephant Rider’s pace with measured steps, grabbing onto whatever his hands could reach and throwing it at Elephant Rider.

When Gargoyle ran from the clothing store, the giant pile of laundry that was Elephant Rider was quick to give chase.

“Rider killer!” Mama Rider shouted, standing a short ways away from the clothing store’s entrance and making a heart shape with her hands.

Gargoyle saw the pink energy coalesce in Mama Rider’s hands and moved to keep himself between Mama Rider and Elephant Rider. Elephant Rider also saw the charging attack and started backpedaling away from Mama Rider and Gargoyle.

Seeing the giant retreat, Gargoyle sped forward, grabbing Mama Rider’s arms and wrenching them upwards. Mama Rider strained and grunted with effort, keeping her hands in the heart shape as she pushed against Gargoyle. Gargoyle snapped a kick out, catching Mama Rider in the side, before Elephant Rider’s trunk wrapped around Gargoyle. Elephant Rider held Gargoyle in a crushing squeeze with his trunk, lifting the hero into the air. Gargoyle pulled and kicked, desperately trying to break free of the hold as he watched more pink energy gather in Mama Rider’s hands.

An orb of blue flame hit Mama Rider in the head, finally breaking her spell as she swatted at the ghostly flames. Mama Rider spun to face Faery Fire and the Sensational Sword Saint Sailors, a furious scowl on her face.

“If it isn’t Japan’s least wanted daughters,” Mama Rider taunted, “I was wondering when you brats were going to show up. And what’s this? Little Pink is finally gone? Good, I was getting tired of hearing her cry.”

“Don’t talk to them like that,” Faery Fire warned, another blue fireball forming on her finger tip.

“Woman, we run this town,” Elephant Rider said, his voice a low rumble, “The punishment for killing a Rider is death.”

“What street corner did those brats find you on anyway?” Mama Rider asked.

“Aww, are you jealous that mosquito bites can sag?” Faery Fire taunted, leaning forward to smile at Mama Rider.

“Ooh, the sword sailors,” Shonen Rider said, “Sounds like this is finally getting interesting.”

“Shonen Rider?” Red balked, tightening the grip on her saber as her eyes widened, “Blue, I don’t think-”

“None of you are leaving,” Shonen Rider declared, “You four have been a thorn in Ultimate Rider’s side for a while now. So, since everyone’s here, why don’t we prove to everyone that the Rider Gang can’t be stopped by a bunch of school girls? Now, Elephant Rider. Put the nice man down, I want to see a show.”

“You can’t be serious!” Elephant Rider protested.

“Elephant Rider,” Shonen Rider chided, “Put him down or I will rip that stupid nose from your face and strangle you with it.”

Elephant Rider dropped Gargoyle, grumbling as he did.

“Faery Fire, what’s going on?” Gargoyle asked.

“Hold on, I have a question,” Faery Fire said.

“Alright, the girl with the stuffed bra,” Shonen Rider said, “What can I help you with?”

“First off, they’re natural- or- they’re not padding or implants,” Faery Fire said, “And does anyone here speak english?”

Tourist Rider and Yellow raised their hands.

“You’re fluent?” Faery Fire asked.

“Well, I can speak some english,” Yellow said.

“Okay well, my friend here-” Faery Fire said.

“The Rider killer,” Shonen Rider said with a smile.

“He doesn’t speak any Japanese,” Faery Fire explained, “So, I was wondering if you wanted me to translate that to him.”

“I don’t mind,” Shonen Rider answered.

“Okay, Gargoyle,” Faery Fire said, switching to english, “That guy there-”

“The highschool kid,” Gargoyle said.

“He’s planning to kill all of us,” Faery Fire continued, “Including the girls.”

“Huh,” Gargoyle remarked, “Why’d the elephant guy drop me?”

“He also wants us to fight to the death for his amusement,” Faery Fire explained.

“Oh,” Gargoyle remarked, a small smile crossing his lips, “It’s going to be one of those.”