1. fireflies | lightning bugs

Loosely based on some Kamen Rider Kabuto lore.

Kamen Rider Torch

Soldiers streamed through the gaps in the ruin, flashlights attached to their rifles, seeking their prey. The night and the mist would not waylay them.

A short distance away, amidst the rubble and the dew, were two women. At times they huddled, hiding, and at other times they moved, swiftly, fleeing as much as they could from their many pursuers. They kept their steps muffled and their breaths silent.

And yet they knew it was only a matter of time. Those who sought them were simply too many and too well-trained. Still, they continued, slowly, carefully...

"Hotaru."

The voice of a man broke through the stagnant air. The pair froze, turning to look at he who had spoken. There were three of the soldiers; they had been found.

"Arihiko."

The older and the taller of the women replied, straightening up. Her hair was short, cropped; her eyes defiant, gleaming. She knew this person, the one leading this cell; she had been a comrade up until their escape, after all. On one hand, she was thankful that it was he who found them first; and at the same time she was sad. A wry smile settled on her lips.

"Come back with us." the man began. He sounded almost pleading. "The two of you... will be safe with ZECT. You know that."

"I don't." she curtly answered. "Not anymore. ZECT... they've been colluding with the Worms. I can't say we'll be safe there."

The man clearly didn't believe him. "You say that... but you know what she is!"

"What do you mean, Arihiko?" she asked, knowing well what the man would say next.

The younger girl grasped Hotaru's hand. She looked like a doll, in a dress; her hair fell to her waist. In contrast, her escort, her protector, was clad in a simple shirt and pants.

"You know what she is!" he repeated. "She's a Worm!"

There was a pause. The air stirred a little. She heard rustling around them. She frowned.

"So you've been having them surround us, Arihiko." she said. "Very good. You've learned well."

"Hotaru---"

"I know what she is, Arihiko." she continued. "She's a child."

She held out her hand to the sky, as if expecting something. As if in reply, a buzzing came, in the form of... an oversized mechanical insect, with a glowing behind. A firefly--- the Torch Zecter.

"I suppose it can't be helped." she said. "I'll have to fight you all, then." She brought out a baton, and slotted the Zecter into it, forming what looked like a torch as the Zecter adjusted. "Henshin."

[HENSHIN.] The Zecter intoned in a mechanical voice, and from her hand, down towards her body, armor seemed to manifest out of thin air, until she was fully covered.

"Fire!"

All at once, bullets came from all directions, and the armored form of Hotaru moved the young girl down, even as her armor took most of the hits.

"Cast off."

[CAST OFF.]

The outer parts of her armor exploded from her body, striking the soldiers all around, hitting those who were not ready to duck. Arihiko himself retreated a safe distance. With the shedding of the outer layer, her armor took on a more streamlined design. It was green in color and the helmet was reminiscent of a bug.

[CHANGE FIREFLY.]

The torch in her hand glowed and sparked with electricity.

"Sit tight." she told the little girl. "I'll just taze them a little. Gotta show them the light."

She turned towards her enemies. "Shall we do this, gentlemen?" She slapped the side of her armor's belt.

[CLOCK UP.]

In a sudden blur, she moved to strike.