Time flew.
Nathan Hawk was at Umbrella Corporation's newly built large-scale combat testing arena, observing the ongoing battle.
Inside the arena, Kamen Rider Ark and Kamen Rider Duke clashed with intense energy.
The battlefield was modeled as a city street, strewn with wreckage from skyscrapers and crumbling buildings. Neon lights were dark, leaving only the dim glow of street lamps. The scene hinted at an impending large-scale confrontation.
Kamen Rider Ark had a uniquely mechanical design, tall and imposing, with a single eye emitting a piercing crimson light. Its metallic armor radiated a cold aura, like a mechanical war god.
Across from him, Kamen Rider Duke wore ornate armor, a crown atop his head, and wielded a gilded sword. His tall and commanding figure projected the presence of an emperor.
The two faced each other in the center of the ruined street. Silence reigned, broken only by the whisper of wind over debris.
Ark moved with fluid precision, like a finely tuned machine. Its single eye constantly scanned the surroundings, using AI calculations to predict every move of Duke. Its metallic armor glinted coldly in the dim light. Its attacks were technologically precise: laser beams shot from its arms, slicing through rubble to form barriers, attempting to trap Duke.
Duke relied on raw combat instinct and reflexes to counter Ark. His armor was virtually impervious, and his swordsmanship flawless. Each swing of his gilded blade carried immense force, tearing through debris and aiming to pierce Ark's metal plating.
The pace of their battle was blistering. Ark's precise calculations allowed it to dodge Duke's strikes while countering with high-precision lasers. Duke's skillful offense steadily pressured Ark, seeking to overwhelm with brute force.
The ruined cityscape suffered under their conflict, buildings collapsing and sparks flying.
Ark's single eye glowed crimson as it analyzed Duke's every move. Though its attacks were weaker than Duke's, they were exceedingly precise. Lasers arced through the air, attempting to restrain him.
Duke leapt, parrying a laser with his sword. Sparks flew as the beams collided. Landing on a shattered street, his eyes sharpened like a hawk, fixed on Ark.
Ark continued its assault. Its metallic arm transformed into a curved blade, swinging like a chainsaw toward Duke.
Duke blocked with his sword, but Ark didn't relent. The arm morphed into a massive hammer, striking with tremendous force. Duke dodged but was lifted by the impact, tumbling into the debris.
Ark pursued, reforming its arm to deliver a decisive blow. Duke drew his sword and countered, their weapons clashing with immense force. Sparks flew as the metallic arm darted like a unicorn's horn, striking with lightning speed. Duke blocked every strike, though his armor began to splinter under the onslaught.
Duke knew he needed to seize an opportunity. As Ark's metallic arm split into several tendrils, they coiled around his sword, attempting to wrest it away.
A surge of power pressed on Duke, trying to disarm him. He struggled with all his might, but the tendrils tightened. Ark's crimson eye glimmered mockingly, predicting every movement.
Summoning his resolve, Duke's gaze hardened. With a mighty roar, a flash of light erupted from his sword tip, severing the tendrils and preserving his weapon.
The battle had reached a fever pitch. Both combatants prepared to unleash their ultimate moves.
"Satellite Ark…" Ark's metallic arm split into crimson tendrils, spinning upward into a massive vortex. At its center glowed a red orb, radiating intense heat.
Yak raised his arms, extending the tendrils skyward, his body arching back like a mechanical god surrounded by a red aura.
"Scarlet Vortex!" Ark's voice rang with mechanical resonance. The orb's energy created a powerful gravitational field, drawing in debris to form a colossal whirlwind, barreling toward Duke.
"Kamen Rider Duke…" Duke's armor radiated golden light. Holding his gilded sword high atop the ruins, he stared at Ark.
"Wrath of the King!" His voice thundered, sword and armor gleaming. He stood like an emperor, commanding the battlefield.
Ark's crimson vortex collided with Duke's royal fury. Energy erupted in a deafening explosion. Red flames clashed with golden light, sparks flying as the ruins suffered further devastation.
Both unleashed their ultimate attacks, pushing their powers to the limit. Their figures shimmered amidst the energy, like a duel between war god and emperor.
Over time, the energy swirled into a massive vortex at the arena's center…
The battle ended.
Watching John Walker exit, sweating, Nathan Hawk clapped and said, "Thank you for your effort. That was an impressive match."
John, surprised to see Nathan waiting, stammered, "Not difficult… not difficult."
"Haha, I told you, John's strong now. If his Blue Form—the Sky Duke—activates, Ark isn't a match," Sengoku Rima commented, approaching and teasing, "You look way cooler now."
John awkwardly nodded, unsure how to respond.
Nathan chuckled. If John Walker were to become Captain America in the future, he'd wield the shield properly, rather than walking the immature path he had.
"Go rest in the med bay," Nathan advised, patting him on the shoulder. It was surprisingly warm.
"After you," Rima added.
John left, still slightly dazed.
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "I just patted him. What did you inject into him?"
Rima explained the process: "Boss, the Sky Duke's power comes from the Azure Arcana, but John's body still struggles to control it. We reinforced his physique, but more endurance was needed. We combined 2077 medical data with superior human gene-virus serum and added the Desperation Virus to unlock latent potential in critical moments."
Nathan frowned. "You're playing with fire."
Rima nodded. "I've balanced the extreme virus with others, and I'll monitor John closely."
Nathan considered, then nodded. "Very well. As long as you don't fail at the crucial moment, I'll fully support you."
Rima exhaled in relief, aware his choice was calculated.
Looking at the battlefield, he muttered softly: "Nathan Hawk… he truly is a remarkable boss."