Episode 2: A Tale of the Ages!

Vixy glared at the two dragon twins that sat on the couch of the apartment. Ruby wore a fearful expression on her face while Onyx remained stoic. The fact that he didn't even blink was creeping Vixy out a little. Tiggs was worried about what Vixy would do their new friends, if Vixy even considered them as such.

"Alright, you two have got some SERIOUS explaining to do," Vixy said in a serious tone.

Ruby cringed, "Well...it's complicated..."

"I told you before," Onyx spoke. "We're Kamen Riders."

"That doesn't tell me shit!" Vixy yelled. Ruby flinched while Onyx remained calm.

Tiggs rubbed the vixen's shoulders, "Now now, Vixy, there's no need to shout."

"Traci-san is right," Onyx nodded. "Always being angry isn't good for your health. Also, you never asked us anything for us to explain to begin with."

Vixy blinked. Onyx spoke longer again and gave her a reasonable argument. She sighed, "Alright, my fault. Let me rephrase what I said. What is a Kamen Rider?"

He shook his head, "Gomen, Vixy-san, but we cannot tell you."

Vixy slammed her fist on the coffee table and got in Onyx's face, "Why not!"

"Because no one is supposed to know of us."

Tiggs spoke up, "Is it bad if we found out?"

Ruby sweat-dropped, "Well, we're just trying to avoid any unnecessary attention."

Vixy blinked, "What kind of attention?"

Onyx narrowed his eyes as he watched the window, "Other Riders..."

Tiggs gasped, "You mean there's more of you guys?" The siblings nodded.

Vixy continued, "So, what was that monster from the mirror?"

Onyx sighed, "You're persistent... Alright, I'll tell that much. They're called Mirror Monsters. They're beings that exist in a realm beyond the mirrors. Mirror World."

The two girls blinked, "Mirror World...?"

He nodded, "It's much like this world, except all forms of writing are backwards, and only the Mirror Monsters can exist there. The atmosphere in that world seems to be poisonous to outsiders." He turned to Vixy, "You've heard about all the cases involving missing people, right?" She nodded, "Well, you can thank the Mirror Monsters for that."

Tiggs gulped, "Whaddya mean?" She didn't like the sound of that.

Ruby responded, "Mirror Monsters don't have food in their world. So...they eat what's in this world."

Vixy's eyes widened in shock as she made her conclusion, "You mean they..."

Onyx finished with a nod, "They eat people to sustain their own lives." Tiggs began to cry. "We've been roaming around for a while, stopping them from eating people whenever we can. Just like what we're supposed to."

Vixy cocked an eyebrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ruby replied with a frown, "The truth is...we're on the run."

"Why?"

Onyx answered, "We're being hunted."

Tiggs gasped, "Who would want to hunt you two?"

"I believe I can answer that."

All eyes were on the door when they saw a tall, sexy, red-orange female bear with shoulder-length, straight, hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a blue cheongsam and a comforting smile.

Vixy blinked, "Miss Ambar? What are you doing here?"

Ruby got stars in her eyes, "Oh my gosh! High Prime-sama!"

Ambar smiled, "Nice to meet you too, dear!"

Onyx jumped back from the couch and got into a defensive stance, "How did you get in here?"

Ruby kicked Onyx in the back of the head, "Oi! Don't be rude!" She bowed to Ambar, "Gomen-nasai, Prime-sama! My brother doesn't know any better."

Ambar giggled, "Don't worry about it. I understand his feelings." She looked to Vixy, "Vixy, I'm sure you wish to know the truth about the Kamen Riders."

Vixy nodded and gestured to the twins, "I haven't been getting straight answers from these two lately, so some solid info would be nice."

She giggled, "You're just like your mother! But that isn't necessarily a bad thing." She then continued, "Before the first Primes came to the Old Earth, there existed humans who had the power to transform and become powerful warriors. They were known as Kamen Riders. It's believed that the Greek Gods created 24 decks of cards that allowed these humans to transform into these warriors and fight the Mirror Monsters that plagued Earth. However, their true purpose was to fight in a grand battle for the prize of a single wish."

Tiggs tilted her head and cocked an eyebrow, "A wish? You mean like a genie."

"Of sorts. But it's not simply a wish, like in the fairy tales." Ambar turned to Onyx, "Onyx, sweetie, would you like to elaborate on the wish?"

Onyx sighed, "24 clans are given a deck to fight. And a member of each clan is chosen to represent them. The last Rider standing after the war is granted a single wish. It can be anything, from reviving the dead, to bringing about the destruction of the entire universe."

Tiggs and Vixy gasped.

"Destroy the...universe...?" Tiggs stammered.

Vixy breathed, "A single wish...is that strong?"

Onyx frowned, "Never underestimate the power of a single wish. Millions have died just for obtaining the prize. The Riders have fought for hundreds of years, even before the first Primes came to Earth." He clenched his fists, "And the bloodshed still continues..."

"Are all the Kamen Riders dragons, like you two?" Tiggs asked curiously.

He shook his head, "The Kamen Riders were designed after each of the 24 Zodiac symbols. The gods called them Zodiac Knights, but humans have referred to them as Kamen Riders. So the name stuck."

Vixy nodded, "So, you're running from the other Riders. Makes sense that you don't want to lose."

"We're not in this war to win! We're going to end this war once and for all!"

Ruby reached into her pocket and pulled out a black case with a golden dragon head in the center that a red jewel in the center. "You see, we're both Kamen Riders."

Vixy blinked, "Wait, why are there two dragon decks? I thought there was only one dragon in the Zodiac."

Onyx looked away, "I'm what some would call...an anomaly. My deck was in my hands when I was born."

"Have you fought any of the other Riders before?"

He frowned, "I have..."

"What was it like?" Tiggs asked.

Onyx closed his eyes as his fists clenched harder, blood dripping from the broken skin of his hands, "Painful..."

Vixy panicked as she grabbed his hands, "You idiot! What are you doing?" She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the kitchen, "Let's get the first aid kit."

Ruby frowned, "Otouto..." Her head snapped up when she heard a familiar ringing sound.

Ambar turned to the female dragon, "Something wrong, hun?"

"A Mirror Monster!" She turned to Onyx, "You'll stay here. I got this one!" Onyx nodded before Ruby walked over to a mirror. She then flashed the deck to the mirror and, in her reflection, red flames wrapped around her waist to form the same kind of belt that Onyx wore. She thrust her right arm across her chest and set her left arm at her waist, "Hensin!" he snapped the deck into the belt and the gem began to glow. Red flames covered her body and dispersed to reveal Ruby clad in a red bodysuit, black gauntlets and boots, black shoulder pads, and black torso armor with silver muscles on the chestplate. Her helmet was black with a silver grilled face plate with red eye pieces behind it. The helmet also had a silver dragon crest, much like Ruby's deck, and had a red gem between the horns. On her left arm was a red and silver gauntlet, shaped like a dragon's head, with yellow eyes. Aside from the color, she resembled Kamen Rider Ryuga.

"Kamen Rider...Ryuki!" Ruby announced before she hopped into the mirror.

Ryuki ran through the street and looked around. She knew the monster was close to the apartment and she was gonna destroy it. She heard a squealing bellow and turned to see a red boar-like humanoid charging at her.

"A Wildboarder?" Ryuki questioned with scoff. "No problem!" She took a minute to stretch and jumped over the charging monster before barraging the best with punishing kicks. She pounded her foot into the boar before sweeping the Wildboarder from under its feet and giving it an axe kick to the gut. She backed away and opened her Drag Visor before drawing a card from her deck and sliding it into the Visor.

"Sword Vent!"

A dao with a red handle fell from the sky and into Ryuki's right hand and the Mirror Monster squealed before charging her again. Ryuki side-stepped the charging monster and slashed it across the back, with sparks exploding everywhere. The Wildboarder stumbled in its steps and Ryuki slashed at the beast again and again. She then jump kicked the monster in the head, sending it crashing and rolling on the asphalt. The Wildboarder bellowed in anger and charged as she drew another card and fed it to the Drag Visor.

"Guard Vent!"

Two red and silver shields, shaped like dragon bellies, materialized in her hands and she held them up. The Beast rammed into Ryuki but it didn't make her budge. Ryuki roared and pushed the beast back by running into a wall, putting the pig monster in a small crater. She then drew another card.

"Final Vent!"

Out from a nearby window, a red, mechanical, Chinese dragon with yellow eyes flew out and roared as it danced around its Mistress as she went into a kata and flew into the sky. Ryuki jumped up after the dragon and spin in the air as she set up a side kick with her right foot. The dragon roared and engulfed Ryuki in flames, propelling her to the paralyzed Wildboarder.

"Dragon Flame Smash!" Ryuki called out as she crashed into the Mirror Monster and it exploded. An orb floated into the sky and the dragon gobbled it up. "Enjoy the lunch!" Ryuki chided as the dragon disappeared into the sky. Ryuki skipped a little bit before jumping into a nearby glass door, returning to Vixy and Tiggs' apartment.

Back in the apartment, Vixy and Onyx were in the kitchen while the vixen was wrapping bandages around the black dragon's hands.

Vixy sighed, "You gotta be more careful, you know?" Onyx said nothing as he stared down at his hands. "What? Not so talkative anymore?"

"Your hands are warm."

She cocked an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

Onyx held her hands and placed them against his face, "Your hands. They're very warm and carry a gentle touch. It's different from your usual facade of aggressiveness."

Vixy blushed and looked away, "Look...I'm sorry about yelling at you before. I'm just stressed out."

He looked at her, "Does it have to do with Angel-san?"

She frowned, "It has a LOT to do with that slut! Her and a lot of people at school hate me. I try my best to get their love and attention, but I can feel it backfire on me sometimes!"

Onyx nodded, "I understand what it means to be targeted by the discrimination of others because of how I look, but that doesn't mean you should just give in to it."

She began to sob, "But what good is a cheerleader that no one likes...?"

"You mustn't falter, Vixy-san. After all, Traci-san is your friend, isn't she?"

Vixy wiped her tears and chuckled, "She's about the only friend I got..."

"And you have us."

Vixy's eyes widened, "What?"

Onyx and Vixy gazed into each other's eyes, "You have me and Ruby-neechan. I'm sure you won't be alone if you have us to help you."

She giggled, "You're such a cornball." They moved closer to each other, almost within kissing distance, "But...that isn't really a bad thing..."

"TADAIMA!"

Vixy and Onyx jumped in a startled motion as Ruby hopped out of the mirror and into the living room.

"So, how was it?" Tiggs asked.

Ruby grinned, "Peace 'o cake!" She ran to the kitchen and saw Onyx, "Ne, Onyx, how're your hands?"

He showed her the bandaged hands as they walked back to the living room, "Better."

Ambar got up from her seat, "Well, I must be going." She walked over to Onyx and grabbed his hands, "By the way, there's something I want to give you. Now close your eyes."

Onyx cocked an eyebrow, "Why...?"

"Shh…just do it."

Onyx sighed and gave into the bear's demand as he closed his eyes. He then felt nothing but silence and emptiness, 'Where am I...? Is something supposed to happen?'

"Child of the Dragon Gods," a gentle voice spoke. "I am overjoyed to finally meet you!"

Onyx opened his eyes to see a tall woman bathed in a bright light, wearing an elegant gown, having aqua blue eyes, energy wings, and wearing a gold pendant with an aquamarine gem. Onyx was brought to tears as he gazed at the beauty of the goddess-like figure.

"Who...are you...?" he asked.

The spirit smiled, "I am Apogeo, the Spirit of Prism. I shall bestow, unto you, the light of Creation. And from it, you shall learn, live and grow together. But you must understand that its power is only a delicate reflection of your soul."

"Ore no...tamashii...?" A tiny ball of light fell into Onyx's hands and he stared at the warm ball of light as he caught it.

"Child of the Dragon Gods, let this child of Prism guide and protect you until you have found what it is that you seek. May you, and your loved ones, live a long life of happiness and fulfillment."

"Matte! What do you mean by "Child of the Dragon Gods"? I don't understand!"

"Farewell, Onyx." Suddenly...a flash!

Onyx's eyes flew open and he found himself in the living room again, with the girls surrounding him and staring at his hands. Onyx looked down to see a golden pendant with an ovular ruby.

"What is it?" Ruby asked.

Tiggs giggled, "It's a Spirit!"

Ambar waved at the group before opening the door, "Farewell, everyone!"

"Matte kudasai!" Onyx called. "You can't just give something to me, just like that! And how do you know about the Rider War?"

"Sorry, sweetie, but I just did! And you need all the help you can get! You've got some wonderful friends and a lot of potential. It's up to you, whether you use it or not. As for how I know about the Rider War, that's my little secret. I'll come back to check up on all of you once in a while." She winked and left the apartment, leaving only silence.

Ruby looked back to the pendant in her brother's hands, "So, what about this thing?" She poked the gem and a bright burst forth, forcing everyone to shut their eyes. "Shit! What'd I do! ?"

Onyx then heard Apogeo's voice echoed in his head, "Remember, Child of the Dragon Gods...This is not a gift, but a great responsibility...a delicate reflection of your soul."

A Spirit emerged from the gem with closed eyes. It was a child-sized female, as white as a ghost, with long hair and detached mechanical wings floating from her back. She also had quite a proportionate bust, despite her size. The gold pendant rested on her chest. Onyx then noticed that the gem had latched onto his left wrist, looking like a bracelet. The Spirit opened its eyes to reveal bright red, cheerful, orbs.

She gave the group a wide smile and said in Japanese, "Ohayo gozaimasu, minna! I'll be your Residential Spirit from now on!"

Ruby grabbed the Spirit into a big hug, "KAWAIII! She's so adorable! Omachikaeri!"

The Spirit hugged Ruby back with a passion, "Onee-sama!" She then phased through Ruby's arms and floated over to Onyx, "Onyx-sama, would you like to give me a name?"

Onyx took a minute to think before turning back to the ghost-like girl, "Kagami. That will be your name."

Kagami smiled and hugged him, "Arigato, Onyx-sama!"

Ruby got next to Vixy, "By the way, Vixy-chan, I've been meaning to ask you something."

Vixy blinked, "What is it?"

She twiddled her thumbs, "I was wondering...if Onyx and I could move in with you and Traci-chan...?"

Tiggs gasped, "You mean you two don't have a place to live?"

Onyx replied calmly, "We just came to this city a few days and haven't found a place to sleep yet."

Ruby got on her knees, "Please, Vixy-chan! We'll do whatever you want! Just don't kick us out!"

Kagami followed Ruby's example and groveled before the vixen, "Please, Vixy-sama! Don't throw us out into the cold darkness!"

"ONEGAI~!" they pleaded in unison.

Onyx sighed, "Oi, Ruby-neechan, Kagami, you don't have to do that!"

Tiggs looked to Vixy and smiled, "Let them stay, Vixy. After all, they don't have a place to live, and we got plenty of room!"

Vixy chuckled with a sweat drop, "OK, OK, you three can stay. I was thinking about asking you guys to move in with us anyway."

The dragon girl and Spirit smiled and tackled the vixen, "GROUP HUG!"

Onyx sighed as he face-palmed himself, "How do I get in these messes?"

"That's my line..." Vixy grunted with dizzy swirls in her eyes as Ruby and Kagami cuddled against her.

Shards of glass came together to form a black and white image of the three girls with Ruby's deck in the corner of the frame.

To Be Continued...

Bushido: And Ruby shows off her badassness! Ambar, Apogeo, and the concept of Spirits belong to Chalo-san. Also, the concept of the Zodiac Knights belong to Kamen Rider Chrome. Now the Ryuuzaki twins, plus Kagami, are living with Vixy and Tiggs! Things may get interesting from here on out. Hope you guys like this one. R+R please!