AN: Alright guys, I'm back with another chapter of Gaim! With Gaim's Kiwami Arms debuting, I'm more than excited to present to you guys the latest Gaim! Now Showtime!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online or Kamen Rider Gaim.

Chapter 10: Baron's New Mango Power!

"Hello~ Kawagoe City and all you Beat Riders out there!" DJ Sagara started as his show was being broadcasted. "Did you see the new Riders' epic battles?"

He soon started playing footage of the Riders that debut recently.

"Let's start with Bravo! He's knocked out Kurokage, Gridon, and now even Baron!" DJ Sagara started as he played footage regarding to Bravo beating the Nut Riders and Baron. "The only one who managed to win is Team Gaim with some help from Popup! So both teams received a major boost in the rankings with Gaim on top! But Team Baron plummeted all the way to the bottom with Popup in third!"

Sagara then displayed the ranks and updated them with Gaim in first, Popup in third, and Baron in fourth.

"What happened to Baron's glory? Where did it go?" Sagara asked.

(In Dicey Café)

A certain black coat team leader was drinking his tea as he was listening to Sagara's show.

"These battles are so hot and cool at once, they'll leave your palms sweating! So keep your eyes peeled!" And with that, Sagara signed off and allowed a commercial to play.

Kaito just had an unhappy face. Even though Team Gaim has proven their power, Kaito feared that he and his team may have lost the strength they had to dominate the streets. Soon a Yggdrasill commercial played and Andrew sighed.

"Man, Kawagoe City is like a new place since Yggdrasill came." Andrew mused. Ever since Yggdrasill started rebuilding the city, things started to feel like a castle town around hence why there's Beat Riders; to spread joy back to the people.

"So, you used to live here too." Kaito deducted.

"Yeah despite my African ethnicity, my parents took a liking to the Japanese which is why I'm here." Andrew explained. "When I heard that they were redeveloping the city, I didn't know what to think about at first especially with the place here."

Kaito nodded, listening to the story.

"When I was a kid, this city seemed okay but I'm honestly surprised that Yggdrasill tore it down and rebuilt it around their HQ." Andrew explained. Soon Kaito got up and left some money on the table before he left. "At least they're doing a good job!"

Andrew turned and noticed the money and the leaving Kaito.

"Hey, Kaito! You forgot your…change." Andrew started but noticed that Kaito is already gone. "I guess this is my tip." Andrew assumed as he placed the money in his pocket.

Outside, Kaito was staring at Yggdrasill HQ and had a fierce look on his face. He had plenty of feelings swelling up inside of him but they were hate, rage, and anxiety.

"I need more power." He muttered as he clenched his fist, he obviously held some sort of grudge against Yggdrasill and wanted revenge. He wanted the company to suffer upon his day of reckoning.

(Somewhere else)

Kirito clenched his fist as well but in determination.

"Ready, Papa?" Yui asked.

Kirito nodded with a smile.

"Yup, I'm definitely sure that this is the one!" Kirito said before he entered the building which had a "Help Wanted" sign along with a list of requirements. "Excuse me, I'm here about the part-time positions."

(Play Just Live More by Gaim no Kaze)

The scene is zipped open revealing Gaim, Baron, Ryugen, Aura, and Zangetsu back-to-back behind fence with locks attached. They were posing as the camera was focused on Gaim.

The plants of Helheim begin to diminish to reveal an object. That object was soon smashed by the Riders' weapons and when they stopped it was revealed to be the title.

[Got it, move…wow…]

[Don't say no, just live more! Don't say no, just live more!] We see the four Riders in a room of Samurai armors as they posed. Gaim pointed his Musou Saber while the reflection under him was Kirito.

[Survival, you gotta move. Gendai wa sanagara Sengoku.] Kirito runs towards the screen but a fence with locks blocks him from doing so. He then sees himself with Orange Lockeed and tries to call out to him. He and the fence crumbles away as the other Kirito walks away.

[Dare ga kachi nukeru? Kagi was hirake rarete shimatta. (Don't say no, just live more!)] Team Baron starts dancing with Kaito leading them. We then see Kirito and Kaito glare at each other; each one holding a Lockseed. Kirito had the Orange Lockseed while Kaito had the Banana Lockseed. In their reflection were Kamen Rider Gaim and Kamen Rider Baron, who started to charge at each other. Asuna, with the Raspberry Lockseed, looks at the battle while her reflection was replaced with Kamen Rider Aura.

[Doko ni aru? (Don't say no, just live more!)] In the reflection Kirito and Kaito have some kind of hand wrestle while someone picks up the Budou Lockseed. That someone is revealed to be Shino and sees her brother Minato holding the Melon Lockseed. In their reflections were Kamen Rider Ryugen and Zangetsu. Shino tries running to him but a fence get in between them while Zangetsu points his Musou Saber at Ryugen's neck.

[Dou tsukau? Kindan no Kajitsu!] We then see the Riders appearing one by one in the room. We then see Gaim in Suika Arms Yoroi Mode but transforms into Gyro Mode as Baron and Aura pass him on their bikes. The scene then shifts to the characters activating their Sengoku Driver, from Zangetsu, Baron, and Gaim in order.

[Ima to iu kaze wa.] The orange sphere on Gaim's head unfolds into his armor and soon his Daidaimaru appeared in his hand. He then got into a combat position.

[Dare mo tsutaeru tame. Omae no moto ni fuku?] Team Gaim dances while the camera was more focused on Kirito, Asuna, and Suguha. The scene shifts to Kirito saying hi to her while in their reflections were Kaito and the girl in white, who looks like Suguha.

[Tsuyukou tsuyoku Blowin' up!] Zangetsu points his Musou Saber at the screen while behind him were pinecone themed Riders. We then see Gaim hack and slash through them and in his reflection Baron was doing the same thing. But the reflection behind showed Aura doing the same.

[Ashita ga, Yume ga, mada mienakute mo!] Ryugen shoots down a fence and advance as Team Gaim finishes their dance. They soon disappear to be replaced by Mysterious Girl who points at the viewer.

[Soko Genkai? Seiipai! Ikite iru to ieru nara!] Gaim slashes the screen as Team Baron continues their dance. We then see Baron, in Helheim, slashing the Elementary Inves.

[Utsumukuna yo (Kao agero) Doko made demo (Mageru koto naku)] We then see the weapons and broken armors of all the Riders with each respective Lockseed next to them.

[Shinjita michi o yuke! (JUST LIVE MORE!)] All five riders were back to back, practicing their weapons. We then see Kirito being trapped by a fence with locks and yells as the plants around it grow.

[Don't Say No! Just Live More!] Gaim rides on his horse as he rushed to battle.

(At Gaim's garage)

Shino was alone and looking at the Suika Lockseed that she got back from Kirito. However the lock was gray and when Shino tried pressing the switch, it wouldn't open. She tried again and again but no response.

"It won't open. What's wrong with it?" Shino wondered before another thought hits her. "Maybe we can use it again once the color comes back." She hypothesized. Lockseeds were known to run on limited power but they always come back fully charged.

Maybe this was a special Lockseed, one that used up so much power that it has to recharge longer than the others. If she's right, then she has to wait a little while then. But the main question was why her brother had this, a Melon Lockseed, and a Sengoku Driver. Did he really have a relationship with Zangetsu, the Kamen Rider that Kirito and Asuna met in the forest.

(In Yggdrasill HQ)

Minato was angry, not only was his Suika Lockseed stolen but he was watching camera footage of Gaim using it.

"How did he get that Lockseed?" Minato wondered. That Lockseed was supposed to be his, it was a premium A-Class Lockseed that was powerful, rare, and most importantly; it was experimental. It was not to be sold and used in the Inves Games. So how did it get there? All Minato knew that it was in his suitcase one day, it gone the next, and now he sees it being used by Gaim in those ridiculous kids' games. He looked at Sid for answers. "Answer me, Sid!

"I told you, I have no idea how it happened." Sid said, being innocent. He personally didn't care about the problem and he was even ignoring his boss's signs of anger and distress. However, this was only annoying Minato further as Sid was taking this as seriously as he should.

"You were supposed to keep watch on those kids!" Minato angrily reminded him. He was to sell Lockseeds but not the experimental ones.

"I'm not one to suggest something like this, but…couldn't it have been your sister?" Sid asked before he sipped his coffee.

Minato shook his head in denial. Sure, he knew that Shino and Kirito were best friends but she isn't that devoted to him enough to steal something from her brother…right?

"Don't be foolish! That's impossible!" Minato answered.

Soon Sid let himself out while leaving Minato to his thinking.

"So he likes to keep the wool over his eyes, huh?" Sid wondered. For such a realist, Minato has a hard time facing the truth when it comes to family, making him look like a fool. Sid then left the building to resume his work on the streets, just glad that he doesn't have to deal with Minato for now.

(Somewhere in the city)

"Thanks for telling me where Kirito might be, Suguha." Asuna thanked. She was supposed to meet Kirito at his house but he must've forgot and left without her to apply for a possible part-time job. Suguha was helping her find a way there.

They soon stopped in their tracks as they looked at a nearby alley to see a strange plant.

"Isn't this…?" Suguha asked as she examined the plant.

"Yeah." Asuna answered. The two looked further into the alley and saw a Crack leading to Helheim. Suguha bit her lip as she remembered her first trip there with Kirito and Asuna. Where they found the Sengoku Driver and Orange Lockseed that Kirito uses to become Gaim. It was also the last place where their team leader, Yuya, disappeared to.

"It's that rip! I'm calling Oniichan!" Suguha said as she got her phone out.

"Good idea!" Asuna said as Suguha dialed Kirito's number and waited for a response.

(With Kirito)

"Sorry, kid. But we've filled out all the positions we needed." The manager said, putting Kirito in an unlucky position. Kirito wasn't one to beg but he was trying to talk himself in.

"Aw, come on! You must have a couple positions left!" Kirito begged as he was trying to get a couple jobs for him and Asuna. He had to try at least, even though the manager said that the positions were filled.

"It's a done deal, kid." The manager replied but Kirito kept on begging. Kirito was a very stubborn person to accept defeat.

"Aw come on, how can you turn down a couple of smiles!?" Kirito begged again.

Unknown to Kirito, his phone was vibrating on the table with the VR probe unplugged.

(With the girls)

"No response." Suguha groaned as she hung up, thinking that Kirito was in the middle of an interview there. Then, the two girls looked into the crack.

"You think Yuuya is in there?" Asuna wondered.

"Only one way to tell." Suguha said, the Crack can close at anytime and the forest is their best lead to find their missing leader. "I'm texting Oniichan and Shino about it and then we'll go."

"Okay, I'll keep a close eye on you. I can get us out and I can fight Inves." Asuna said before Suguha sent her message and the two girls went in.

They looked around and saw a waterfall next to them. They looked around and started their investigation unaware that the Crack behind them was being zipped shut.

As they were walking, Asuna placed her Driver on to get ready in case any Inves appeared. She then looked at a nearby vine which had a bunch of Lockseed fruits. She approached on and plucked a fruit and it soon transformed into a new Lockseed for her. It had a pear on it and the code "LS-22.".

"This will definitely be of help." Asuna said but they soon heard noise and Asuna got in front of Suguha and got her Lockseed out, ready to defend her from anything.

They soon heard the growling and found the Inves right behind them. Asuna quickly pulled Suguha away and kicked the Inves away. She immediately got her Lockseed out and opened it.

"Henshin!"

"RASPBERRY!"

Light redish-energy beams appeared above her before merging to make her giant raspberries. Asuna quickly did her pose before placing the Lockseed in and locking it.

"LOCK ON!"

She immediately sliced it.

"COME ON!"

Her fruit landed on her head and her suit was immediately on upon contact.

"RASPBERRY ARMS! PIERCING MAGNIFICIENT BEAUTY!"

The fruit unfolded to armor, revealing Aura's head and her Raspiecer appeared in her hand. She then charged towards the Inves.

(In Earth)

Kirito got the message and he ran at the girls' last location. He got their text and came as fast as he can.

"Asuna! Sugu!" He called and looked around to see that there was no one in the area.

"Mama!" Yui called.

"Kirito!"

Kirito looked and saw Shino running towards him.

"Shino! Did you see them?" Kirito asked.

"No." She answered.

Kirito sighed before looking at the alley and saw the plants. He approached it and knelt to get a better view. Shino noticed this as well.

"This plant doesn't look anything like the ones on the internet." Yui said as she analyzed the plant.

"That's because it belongs to the other world!" Kirito answered, remembering his trips to Helheim.

"You mean the one you and Asuna talked about?" Shino asked, remembering past conversations she had with Kirito and Asuna.

"Yeah, at least Asuna's with her but I can't leave anything to chance though." Kirito said before he stood up and placed his Driver on. He took out his Lockseed.

"ORANGE!"

"Henshin!"

The Crack opened and Kirito did his pose before placing the Lockseed in and closing it. He immediately sliced the fruit.

"LOCK ON!"

"SEIYA!"

The fruit landed on his hand, donning him in his suit.

"ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE!"

His armor unfolded and he took out his Lock Vehicle.

"What are you planning to do?" Shino asked.

"This Lock Vehicle can take me to the other world." Gaim answered before he unlocked it and allowed it to transform. He then got on. "Wish me luck."

"But Kirito, are you sure you can go alone? What if Zangetsu finds you again?" Shino asked as the two remembered Zangetsu. Zangetsu was a formidable opponent and the last time they met, Gaim barely escaped with an injured and unconscious Asuna. Heck, sometimes Kirito likes to refer to Zangetsu as the Ghost of Heathcliff since they both use a shield.

But knowing him, he's probably patrolling around the forest, doing who knows what. Gaim remembered his encounter with him as Shino remembered the night that she stole the Suika Lockseed from her brother while looking at the Sengoku Driver and Melon Lockseed that he had.

"Papa, can handle it, right?" Yui asked.

"Yeah, I'm not holding back, that's for sure." Gaim said before he started the bike and drove until he opened a Crack and went through it, leaving Shino alone.

"Kirito…is there anything that I can do?" Shino wondered, feeling a little useless right now. She wanted to help her friends out. Shino became a Rider to help, not sit back while her friends were in danger in the Inves home world. Just then her phone rang and looks at the Caller ID which had Ryotaro's name. "Ryotaro?" She then answered it. "What's up?"

"…"

Shino had a somewhat surprised look on her face.

"The Lock Dealer's at the garage?"

"…"

"I'm on my way." Shino answered before hanging up. She then ran back to base while wondering what Sid wants from her.

(In Helheim)

Aura slashed the Inves away as she was trying to help Suguha escape. Suguha tried to escape but another Inves caught her. Aura noticed.

"Suguha!" Aura tried running to her by the other Inves got in her way. "Damn it!" She slashed it away and got in front of Suguha as they were both surrounded by three of them now.

One of the attack and Aura blocked it but noticed the other going for Suguha.

"Suguha!"

Just as it was about to attack, Baron appeared and push it back.

"Baron!" The two girls recognized before Aura kicked her Inves away. Baron looked at the two of them, obviously surprised that they were here.

"You two…" Baron started before the Inves started to attack. He could worry about them later but right now there was a bunch of Inves that needed to be killed right now.

"Look out!" Suguha warned.

Baron immediately focused on the Inves along with Aura. The two led the Inves away from Suguha before resuming the fight. The two were slashing and pushing the Inves away. Baron was about to strike until he felt some pain from earlier ago. An Inves noticed and was about to attack until Aura got in front of Baron and slashed it.

"Sub-Commander…" Baron let out.

"Just like old times, huh?" Aura said, referring to their days back in the KoB. She then resumed fighting the Inves while Baron regains his composure.

When he did, he resumed fighting with Aura.

"Duck!" He warned and Aura did while Baron's lance glowed yellow and spun in a circle. When he did, each Inves that he hits had an energy spear through them that looked like a banana. The Inves soon exploded and the Riders rested their guards.

Suguha approached them while the Riders reverted back to their civilian forms and took out their Lockseeds.

"What are you doing here?" Suguha asked, referring to Kaito.

"Collecting Lockseeds. This is a good place to find strong ones." Kaito answered, which was true. He approached a tree and picked a fruit which soon turned into a Himawari Lockseed. He groaned at the sight of it. "Another dud." He said before throwing it away and walked away from them. It was obvious that he was here for a while.

"Is that why you're putting yourself into so much trouble here?" Asuna asked. Was Kaito really this desperate for power enough to go into Helheim and face countless Inves to get some rare Lockseeds?

Kaito stopped and looked at her.

"That's none of your business…or at least not anymore." Kaito said. Back in SAO, Asuna was assigned to watch over top players in the KoB and Kaito was one of them.

"That is true…" Asuna said before she and Suguha started to follow him.

"By the way, have you seen Yuya?" Suguha asked. "We've been looking for him."

"Team Gaim's leader? No." Kaito answered.

"Did you get here with your Lock Vehicle?" Asuna asked.

"Yeah, did you two?" Kaito asked.

"No, we came here through a rip." Suguha answered.

"A rip?" Kaito asked.

"There was a rip here earlier ago that led to this place. It's the second one that I've seen." Suguha said, remembering her first trip to Helheim.

"Hmmm. Interesting." Kaito remarked as he continued walking…with Asuna and Suguha behind. He noticed this before looking at them. "Stop following me. You two will slow me down."

"We're just going back the way we came." Suguha answered. It was obvious that Kaito hasn't seen Yuya nor was he around the area. There was no point to staying. "What about you? What are you going this way for?"

"It just looks like there's more fruits this way." Kaito answered before continuing the path. Asuna and Suguha just stared at him before following. Unknown to them, Bujin Gaim and Malus were watching.

"The Priestess of Fate!" Bujin Gaim recognized but Malus stopped him.

"That's not her. Just someone who resembles her." Malus answered.

"Still, I can't help but notice that…" Bujin Gaim started as he stared at Suguha before he felt pain in his head as if something was trying to get out. He gripped it and Malus noticed.

"Is he fighting back again?" Malus asked.

"You have nothing to worry about." Bujin Gaim said as the pain subsided. "Let's go, I can't look at her again" Bujin Gaim said before the two left.

(In Gaim's garage)

Sid was helping himself to some popcorn while Shino has just arrived. The others noticed.

"Oh Shino!" Ryotaro recognized and Shino waved at him before approaching Sid.

"What are you doing here?" Shino asked in a neutral tone. It was obvious she didn't want him here.

Sid just smiled.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Asada princess. Oh, wait, they call you 'Shino' here, right?" Sid mocked, it was obvious that the others didn't know about Shino's personal life right now.

Liz stepped up and decided to explain things to Shino.

"He suspects that the Suika Lockseed that Kirito used was stolen and he wants to know that if one of us is the thief." Liz explained. Shino nodded, taking all this in.

Shino now theorized that her brother was upset at seeing Gaim's footage with his Suika Lockseed and Sid saw it before assuming that it was she that did it, and he was right.

Shino then smiled and looked at her teammates.

"Could you guys give us some time alone? I need to talk to him privately." Shino explained.

"Huh?" They let out before nodding understandingly. The three left, leaving Shino alone with the Lock Dealer.

"I stole that Lockseed." Shino clarified, allowing Sinon to take over again. "I was going to apologize to my brother later." She said as he got next to Sid.

"Well, at least you're being honest about it." Sid admitted. "But how'd you find the Suika lock, anyway?"

"Just coincidence." Shino answered, which was true. She was just walking to her room and noticed her brother with it. "But my brother won't believe that, will he? Actually, if I said a Lock Dealer named Sid conned me into it, I think he'd be more likely to believe me." Shino said, putting emphasis on "more".

Sid just had a little smile on his face, he couldn't decide which Asada sibling was more dangerous. The brother or the sister?

"You are a little demon, you know that?" Sid asked.

Shino chuckled a bit.

"I'm not trying to trick you, you know. We're friends, you and I." Shino clarified as she took a seat next to Sid. "Aren't we?"

"Yeah…yeah, we are." Sid answered as he offered Shino some popcorn, which she smiled before taking.

"So, Sid…it would mean a lot for you to do me a favor." She said before eating.

(In Helheim)

The three were following the path and the two girls noticed something. Suguha ran to see that the Crack they came from closed.

"Where did it go? It was here a few moments ago." Suguha mentioned.

"I wouldn't expect rips in space to be well-behaved. They wouldn't remain for long." Kaito muttered as he and Asuna joined her. "You two shouldn't have jumped into it." He said.

"Oh come one!" Suguha whined but Asuna placed her hand on her shoulder.

"It's alright, we could use my Lock Vehicle." Asuna reassured but Suguha looked at Kaito and noticed that his arm was bleeding. He must've been injured by the Inves while looking for Lockseeds.

"You're hurt…" Suguha observed before Asuna noticed as well.

"Kaito, did this happen when you were fighting that Inves?" Asuna asked.

"It'll be fine. It should heal soon enough." Kaito answered as he waved it off as if it were nothing.

"Hold on!" Suguha said as she went for backpack and opened it. She grabbed a rag and Kaito's arm but he pulled it back. "Just hold on!" Suguha insisted. She pulled up Kaito's sleeve to see a big cut with another bandage on top. "You were hurt this badly…"

Menawhile on a nearby hill, Bujin Gaim and Malus noticed this and Malus decided to ignore it and move but Bujin Gaim was staring at this scene.

(Not too far from them)

On the ground was an unconscious Gaim with his Sakura Hurricane nearby on the ground.

"Papa, wake up! Wake up!"

Gaim groaned a little bit before waking up.

"Yui?" He answered his in-game daughter.

"Thank, goodness! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, but what happened?" Gaim wondered as he thought back to what happened a few minutes ago.

(A few minutes ago)

Gaim flew out of his crack but saw that his Crack just got him off a cliff. He looked down as his bike was flying for a few seconds.

"This is going to…"

That was then gravity became his enemy today.

"HUUUURRRTTT!"

Gaim crashed on the ground along with his bike.

(Present)

"Damn it! Yui, how long was I out?" Gaim panicked because while he was out, anything could have happened. Especially if Aura and Suguha ran to any trouble.

"Only a few minutes." Yui answered, she was really worried the whole time.

Gaim went for his bike and got it back to its Lock form.

"I guess there's no time to lose." Gaim said as he started his search while Yui was analyzing the plants nearby. To her, this was definitely not a normal forest and it was best to learn what she can if they were ever going to find the others.

(With Kaito, Asuna, and Suguha)

Suguha was wrapping her rag around Kaito's cut while Asuna kept watch for any more Inves. Kaito just had a neutral look on his face while Suguha was helping him.

"Are you that desperate for stronger locks?" Suguha asked. "Do you really want to win that badly?"

Asuna couldn't help but remember that back in SAO, Kaito would charge in and tried to get better loot.

"Of course." Kaito answered. "Only those with power to win will survive. The weak, those without, go extinct." Kaito looked at Asuna. "Isn't that right, Sub-Commander?"

Asuna glared at him.

"That was a long time ago." Asuna answered.

Kaito glared at her before looking abck down.

"Do you know how Kawagoe City used to be?" Kaito asked.

"What?" Both girls asked.

"It was once a small suburb, the kind you could find anywhere. Then Yggdrasill came…" Kaito started as he thought back to the past.

(Years ago)

"Tou-san!" A small Kaito called as he ran with his mother towards his father's work place.

His father was an overseer in the construction field and a fellow construction worker himself. He looked at his son and waved with a smile.

"Kaito!" His father greeted before the Kumons noticed a bunch of men in suits approaching the work area. They were from Yggdrasill.

They soon bought the family's company and shut it down.

"Yggdrasill took everything from me."

As the years passed the spot where his family business used to be was torn down and reconstructed. Kaito watched it over the years until the present, where that spot became Yggdrasill HQ.

"How else could it have been? They were strong, and I was still weak." Kaito continued.

What could he do? Yggdrasill was a major organization with a lot of people, a lot of influence, and most importantly, a lot of power. Compared to Kaito, Kaito was just a bug. Hardly of any notice and any trouble.

Kaito stared at the HQ before clenching his fist. If he was going to take the fight to them then he needs one thing only; power. He won't let anyone get in his way, he won't let anyone slow him down, and he won't let Yggdrasill have their way.

(Present)

The girls stared at him with sad looks. So this is why Kaito was the hardened person he is. It's because that Yggdrasill forced him to be poor and had him grown up with a sour heart after shutting down his family's company.

"But not anymore." Kaito said, he has power now as Baron and the experience with weapons as Marloe. "I don't have to yield to anyone ever again." With this power, he doesn't have to take anything from anybody anymore. His path is for him to chose, no one else. Accepting a chosen path is something a weakling and Kaito wanted to be strong enough to take the fight to Yggdrasill.

"I think I know what you mean." Suguha started. "I was born and raised in Kawagoe."

"You were?" Kaito inquired.

Asuna wanted to say something too but how could she? She doesn't know how to relate given her family's status. She just decided to watch and see how things played out. And hope that things don't go from bad to worse.

"My family wasn't rich and had to adjust entirely." Suguha said, remembering how Kirito was finding part-time jobs and was starting to be a little distant again. Not to mention that things in the city didn't felt the same way before. "After Yggdrasill rebuilt the city, our lives weren't really the same again."

"I see." Kaito answered.

"I never really like Yggdrasill but it's why I have to get stronger as well." Suguha assured.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Kaito scoffed. "There's no strength to be found with those Gaim weaklings." He looked at Asuna, remembering that to him that she was just a husk of what she was.

Asuna was about to talk back but Suguha beat her to it.

"I think you and I just have different ideas of what strength means."

"What?" Kaito asked, wanting clarification.

"When things get tough, or when, or when sad things happen…some people just grit their teeth, smile, and keep going. Like Oniichan and Asuna." Suguha said, earning a smile from Asuna as she nodded in agreement. "Don't you think that's incredible?"

Kaito didn't answer but it was obvious that her words had a somewhat effect on him.

"I think that's what true strength is. When people are sad and barely holding on, I just want to make them smile, even a little. Because all I can do for them is dance while Oniichan and Asuna fights to make sure they smile."

"That's not strength at all. It's not worth anything." Kaito denied and Suguha looked at him. "Strength is earned by winning, by taking." He then got up. "Come on, you two. We may find another rip while picking fruit." Kaito suggested.

"You mean you'll help us?" Suguha asked, completely surprised like Asuna is.

"You can follow me if you like." Kaito said.

Suguha nodded and followed. Asuna just smiled at the two and was originally about to suggest her Lock Vehicle but she decided to keep quiet and follow.

Bujin Gaim, however, felt rage in him but it wasn't his own. This was the feeling of jealousy, he didn't know why he felt it but he just did. It must've been from his host's mind. That was when Bujin Gaim had an idea on how to maintain control of this body. He smiled underneath his hood, knowing that all he needs was the right proper events.

"Bujin Gaim! Are you coming?" Malus called.

"Yeah, I'll be right there." Bujin Gaim answered as he followed.

(With Gaim)

Gaim was fighting Inves with both of his swords. He blocked a hit and kicked an Inves away.

"Well this is perfect." Gaim sarcastically remarked.

"Papa, I hear more coming! Look to the left!" Yui instructed and when Gaim did, there were three more Inves.

"You've got to be kidding me." Gaim said as he braced himself before the Inves reinforcements joined in.

Gaimw as having trouble until…

"Papa! I'm detecting a power signature!"

"From where!?"

Just then a Crack opened with Ryugen flying out while riding a Rose Attacker. She drove past the Inves before stopping to take a look at the surprised Rider and AI.

"Shino!"

"Shino!"

"Sorry, I'm late!" Ryugen apologized before shooting a nearby Inves with her gun. She continued driving while Gaim was surprised that his best friend has a Lock Vehicle now.

"That bike…where'd you get that!?" Gaim questioned but both Riders were too busy fighting Inves to continue the conversation.

Ryugen drove and fired at an oncoming Inves. Another one jumped from a tree and landed on Ryugen.

"Get off me!" Ryugen said but her new "passenger" just smacked her. Gaim noticed as he slashed an Inves away.

"Shino, use this!" Gaim said as he tossed the Musou Saber to her. It landed on in the Inves's side, making it fall off.

Ryugen made a U-turn to grab the sword and slash nearby Inves as she drove.

"Kirito!" Ryugen called as she was getting closer to him. Gaim noticed and when Ryugen stopped, the two combined both swords.

Gaim quickly took out his Lockseed and placed it in his Musou Saber.

"LOCK ON!"

"1-0-0-0-0!"

"ORANGE CHARGE!"

Ryugen pulled the back of her gun and allowed it to build up energy. The two unleashed their attacks, destroying any nearby Inves.

Gaim took a deep breath.

"Are they gone?"

"I think so." Yui replied.

"Just, what is this place?" Ryugen asked as she got off her bike.

"This forest is definitely like none I've seen on the web." Yui remarked as well, the two interested in the forest.

"The Inves here seem stronger than usual." Ryugen observed.

"It'd make sense though, after all this is their home territory." Gaim explained before looking at the Lockseed fruits nearby. "Also those fruits there can turn into Lockseeds." Gaim said, remembering how he got his Orange Lockseed.

"Really?" Ryugen wondered as she walked up to a tree and plucked a fruit.

The fruit glowed brightly before transforming into a Lockseed with a Kiwi on it and the code "LS-13".

"It's true…" Ryugen said, remembering Kirito and Asuna's story.

"Come on, we've gotta find the girls." Gaim said.

"Right." Ryugen nodded before the two searched.

(With the others)

The three kept walking for what seemed to be a while but soon Kaito stopped.

"Look." He pointed.

They see a Crack that lead to back to Earth, more specifically in a warehouse.

"Alright!" Asuna cheered.

"Awesome! Yeah!" Suguha cheered before the two girls high-fived each other.

Kaito sensed something wrong and examined the Crack further and saw the Seiryu Inves. The Inves noticed them and growled.

"Oh, no…" Suguha muttered.

"Suguha, get back." Asuna advised before walking next to Kaito. "Kaito, let's go."

"Right." He answered before the two drew out their Lockseeds.

"Henshin!"

"RASPBERRY!"

"BANANA!"

Energy streams formed above them before creating their fruits. They did their poses before locking the Lockseeds in their Drivers.

"LOCK ON!"

Their Drivers were chanting the same theme before the Inves decided to charge. That was then the two sliced their Lockseeds.

"COME ON!"

Their fruits landed on their heads, donning them in their suits.

"RASPBERRY ARMS! PIERCING MAGNIFICIENT BEAUTY!"

"BANANA ARMS! KNIGHT OF SPEAR!"

Their armor unfolded and their weapons appeared. The two Riders tried attacking but the Seiryu Inves was blocking them with its hard armor. The weapons were just bouncing off the armor whenever they made an attempt to hurt to it.

"This armor…" Baron remarked.

"I know! It's too thick!" Aura finished before the two were grabbed and pushed them down a hill by the Inves. Aura charged her rapier before firing her energy raspberries.

It charged as it shook off the energy raspberries and the two tried to block it's attacks and pushed it down as well. The two Riders then tried to slash it again but it like last time, it was no use. The Inves shook off the damage like it was nothing before it started pounding on the two.

They kicked him away and the Inves rolled down the tree before unleashing its blue flaming breath on them. The two tried blocking the attack but it was too much for either of them and were pushed against a tree from it.

"Guys!" Suguha called as they went to the Riders' sides.

The Inves appeared in front of them and everyone braced themselves but Gaim appeared and blocked the attack and slashed it a few times despite the armor. He then kicked it away before Ryugen shot it in the back. Gaim checked up on the others as the Inves moved out of the way.

"Oniichan!/Kirito!" Suguha and Asuna exclaimed.

"Asuna! Sugu! Kaito!" Gaim recognized as he looked at them. "You guys alright?"

"Yeah, Kaito helped us." Suguha said, looking at Baron.

Gaim was both relieved and surprised upon seeing Kaito. What was he doing here to begin with? Or why was he helping the two girls considering his rough attitude?

"Hey, why are you with…?" Gaim started but Baron got up.

"Just shut up." Baron muttered as walked past Gaim, bumping him in the process. Aura got up and walked to Gaim's side.

"I'll tell you later." She assured.

Ryugen was shooting at the Seiryu Inves but her shots were only bouncing off it's armor. The Inves calmly walked up to Ryugen before bashing her with it's fists.

"He's too well-defended!" Ryugen observed before being kicked away like a ragdoll. Baron charged next but the Inves was already proving to be too much of a challenge.

Ryugen got up as the rest of the Riders joined her.

"Kirito! Asuna!"

Aura looked at the fight before joining Baron but Gaim still stayed with Ryugen.

"Shino, get Sugu out of here!" Gaim instructed before joining the two other two.

"Right!" Ryugen nodded before going over to Suguha. "Suguha, this way!" Ryugen instructed before bringing Suguha to the Crack.

Meanwhile the rest of the Riders were taking care of the Seiryu Inves, who proving to be much of a challenge for them even with three Riders. They were taking a beating while their weapons had no effect especially when Baron tried to hold in place for Gaim and Aura but all they heard was clanging.

"Damn it!" Gaim cursed before the Seiryu Inves knocked Gaim and Aura away. It then focused on Baron before throwing him aside as well. Gaim looked at his Daidaimaru.

"Your default weapons aren't scratching him!" Yui exclaimed.

"I noticed!" Gaim mentioned before the Inves tackled the three.

The Crack started to close as Ryugen and Suguha got closer to it. The two jumped through it and made it back to Earth. The three were still fighting the Inves before it threw out the Crack with it on their heels.

The three immediately got up but the Inves grabbed Aura and threw onto some boxes. She got up and fired some of her energy raspberries but the Inves shook them off before Gaim and Baron started to engage the Inves.

Meanwhile Ryugen and Suguha noticed the Crack closing completely before it disappeared.

"The rip closed!" Suguha remarked.

The Seiryu Inves pushed Baron against some stuff while Gaim was trying to attack from behind.

"Come one, you overgrown lizard!" Gaim called before pulling the Inves away from Baron. He tried to strike it with his Daidaimaru but like all other times, it was useless due to the armor. Gaim kept hitting him though. "God…damn…your…armor!" Gaim cursed as the Inves calmly turned to face him.

The Inves, having enough, smacked the sword out of Gaim's hands before slashing him with its claws. It slashed him again before throwing him into a pile of boxes and barrels. Baron gained second wind before charging himself only for his charge to blocked and countered with a series of slashes before throwing him into a pile of stuff, similar to the one it threw Gaim in.

"It's not working!" Baron exclaimed, not frustrated at his enemy's armor. Aura got up.

"Time to use something different." Aura said as she took out her Raspberry Lockseed. She then got out her Green Apple Lockseed and opened it.

"GREEN APPLE!"

She quickly placed it in her Driver before locking it.

"LOCK ON!"

The standby music was playing as Aura's Raspberry Arms disappeared, leaving her weakened Pre-Arms form but the Crack opened above her head with her Green Apple. She then sliced it.

"COME ON!"

The fruit landed on her head.

"GREEN APPLE ARMS! SLICE AND DICE!"

The fruit unfolded into armor and Aura received her claymore before charging. Due to the heaviness of her weapon, she can actually get through the armor and slash the Inves hurting it. Gaim was watching her before face palming his helmet.

"Why didn't I think of that!?" Gaim said.

"We have to help Mama!" Yui said.

"Right, on it!" Gaim said as he pulled out his Orange Lockseed and opened a new one.

"PINE!"

Gaim placed his new Lockseed in before locking it in his Driver.

"LOCK ON!"

Gaim's Orange Arms disappeared, leaving his Pre-Arms form but he soon sliced the Lockseed.

"SEIYA!"

The fruit landed on his head.

"PINE ARMS! FUNSAI DESTROY!"

The fruit unfolded into armor and Gaim got his Pine Arm.

"This is my stage now!" Gaim declared as he twirled the Pine Iron around before smacking the Inves with it. AS the Inves was being smacked, Aura was constantly slashing it with her heavy claymore.

"Taste this!" Aura said as she cleaved her weapon against the Inves's chest.

"And some of this!" Gaim said before he swung his Pine Iron at the Inves. "And one more!" He said before he did it again.

The Seiryu Inves groaned in pain as its armor was being weakened. Some pieces were even falling on the floor.

"Let's keep it up!" Aura said, noticing the Inves's pain.

"Right!" Gaim nodded before the two continued pressing on their attacks. Gaim charged as he and Aura were fighting it. "We're going to crush you real good!"

Baron was watching the battle before making a note to himself.

"I see." Baron said before he set his lance down and took his lock off. Using an Arms Change is tactically wise since it meant adapting towards a specific situation. He had to admit that Kirito and Asuna were tactically wise and they both deserved being his rivals. Heck, the Arms Change might've been the reason why Baron's down and Gaim's in first place. "I thought this would be the best choice, but…" Baron then took out the Mango Lockseed. "I'd be better served by choosing my weapons." He then opened it.

"MANGO!"

He quickly placed it in his Driver before locking it in.

"LOCK ON!"

His standby music was playing and his Banana Arms disappeared before a Crack opened above Baron's head, releasing a metallic mango that was slightly larger than any of the other fruits. Gaim and Aura knocked the Inves away before looking at the new fruit.

"What's that?" Gaim asked

"A mango?" Aura answered as they both looked at the mango.

Ryugen and Suguha looked at each other before looking back at Baron.

"Mango?" The two asked in sync.

Baron then sliced his new Lockseed. The top looked a mango but sliced into little squares while the bottom had a cudgel.

"COME ON!"

The mango landed on his head.

"MANGO ARMS! FIGHT OF HAMMER!"

The mango unfolded before it fell onto Baron, with the front folded to the back to form a cape of some sort, revealing shoulder pads with mango dices inside. The shoulder pads moved into place while the top front folded to form a chestplate, and the topmost part folded to the back to complete the cape. Baron gained a helmet with curled down horns with diced pattern like mango dices, and a wattle. In his hand was a long cudgel with a big spiked end that looked like mango dices. This was Kamen Rider Baron Mango Arms.

He approached the fight as he dragged his new weapon, the Mango Punisher.

(Play Never Surrender by Team Baron)

"Wow…" Gaim said.

"Sugoi…"

"Incredible…" Aura awed as well before the two went back to defending themselves against the Inves.

Baron then waved his mace and smashed it against the Inves's back, pushing it towards Gaim. Gaim smacked it with his Pine Iron, pushing towards Aura. Aura slashed it with her Apple Slicer, pushing it back to Baron. Gaim moved out of the way as he saw Baron spinning his Mango Punisher and hit the Inves so hard that it flew back a few good feet and smashed into a pile of boxes and barrels.

"Nice…" Aura complimented before Baron charged.

"Save some for us!" Gaim said before he and Aura charged with him. The three jumped and Baron landed his first hit and Gaim landed the second. Aura struck it but kept it in place for the two others to land their hits. Baron smashed first before Gaim did the same. Baron did it again before Aura lets go and slashed it in the back. Gaim then smashed the Inves upwards, making it fly upwards before it could crash on the ground, Baron ran up to it before smashing it in the stomach, making it fly before crashing against some barrels and crates.

It got up before unleashing its blue flaming breath, Gaim and Aura rolled out of the way but Baron locked it with his mace before he charged. Baron managed to run towards the Inves and smashed it in the stomach, making it fly back to the pile of trash.

"Hmph, time to finish this." Baron said before pushing the knife on his Driver twice.

"MANGO AU LAIT!"

Baron started twirling his mace as the energy mango dices surrounded the Mango Punisher's spiked end, charging it up with energy mango. As he swung the mace rapidly, it left a trail in the form of mango dices. As he kept swinging the mace, his speed increases and is still increasing making it look like a mango themed twister.

"Our turn!" Aura said.

"Right!" Gaim said before the two pushed the knives on their Drivers twice.

"SEIYA!"

"COME ON!"

"PINE AU LAIT!"

"GREEN APPLE AU LAIT!"

Gaim jumped up on the air as the Seiryu Inves stood up. Gaim kicked the spiked end of his Pine Iron while Aura's Apple Slicer was starting to glow green and seemingly vibrate. Gaim's Pine Iron flew and enlarged itself before trapping the Inves's head. Baron then shot the energy mango from his mace to the Inves, entrapping it's head as well. Aura then sent green energy slashes in the shape of green apple slices before it finally destroyed the Inves.

"They did it! They won! Awesome!" Ryugen and Suguha cheered before the two high-fived. "Yeah!"

"Yeah, we did it!" Aura cheered.

"High five!" Gaim said before the two did it while Baron just stared at the spot where the Inves was destroyed.

"Nice one!" Yui cheered.

"Hmph." Baron scoffed.

(End Song)

(Outside the factory)

Kaito was walking back to base while the others were talking amongst themselves.

"That was close. Don't scare us again like that." Kirito said.

"Yeah, we were pretty worried about you two." Shino said in agreement.

"Sorry, Oniichan, Shino…" Suguha said.

"Me too." Asuna apologized as well for scaring his teammates and boyfriend.

"At least each of you is back in one piece." Shino reassured. She was right, not anyone could survive that forest.

"Yeah, it is a relief-." Kirito started before Suguha ran up.

"Kaito!" She called.

Kaito stopped and looked back.

"Um…thanks." She nervously said but she does owe him that much. He and Asuna did help and defended her while trapped in Helheim.

Kaito didn't say anything and presumed walking back to base. That was when Shino had a thought or two.

"What was that hole, anyways?" Shino wondered. "They're popping up and vanishing all over the place." She pointed out.

"Yeah, the one we came through got closed." Suguha answered.

"She's right." Yui said through her probe. "From the looks of this, these portals are popping in and out at random times." She said, based on past information.

"I was thinking they were trouble." Shino said before realizing something.

"What is it, Shino?" Asuna asked.

(In an alley)

A homeless man was tossed into a dumpster. He was groaning in pain while he had scratches and cuts. Above him was a Komori Inves but it looked…mutated.

It growled at him before flying off into the distance.

(With the others)

"Suguha and Asuna got stranded in the forest, right? What if an Inves came from there and got stuck in our world the same way?" Shino asked.

The others thought about this, seeing a portal to another world can peak anyone's curiosity especially an Inves's. If they got stranded here on Earth then…

"That would be trouble." Kirito answered, realizing the extreme dangers that those portals serve and that there might be an Inves out in the open in the city somewhere.

Meanwhile nearby in the bushes, was the hooded Bujin Gaim and he felt his host's rage filling.

"That's right just give into it." He said.

(Omake: Glass of Water)

Kamen Rider Gaim was minding his own business until he saw a glass of water on the floor.

"A cup of water? Sweet, I'm thirsty anyways." Gaim said to himself but right before he could get it…

"Hey!"

Gaim turned and saw Gridon.

"Hey, are you gonna drink all that? I'm kind of thirsty too." Gridon said.

"Well-." Gaim took a step forward, accidentally kicking the glass and getting the water to spill.

"Oh my god! What have you done!?" Gridon exclaimed, leaving Gaim confused.

"What?" Gaim asked as he looked at the little puddle of water.

"Get away from it! You're gonna drown! It's everywhere!" Gridon panicked. "Are you crazy!? We have to get out before it spreads everywhere!"

"I-uh," Gaim said, confused on how to talk through this.

"It's everywhere now! It's too late! I can't swim!" Gridon panicked before waving his arms as if he was drowning. He got on all fours and crawled to the puddle before falling face first into it and…surprisingly, drowned himself in it.

"Uh…" Gaim said, before poking Gridon a few times before it was certain that he was dead somehow.

"Hey, you!"

Gaim looked to see Baron.

"Did you drown that guy?" Baron asked.

"Uh…no, I just spilled a glass of water." Gaim explained which doesn't really look good for him right now.

"Don't lie to me, Gaim! You know how I hate it when people lie to me." Baron said.

"I really didn't do anything. He just ran up to the puddle and drowned himself." Gaim tried to reason.

"That's it!" Baron exclaimed, frustrated for thinking that Gaim is lying. "You're coming with me to the police-wait, a minute. I can't swim either! Oh no!"

Baron then ran up to the other side to the puddle and falling face first into it before drowning himself.

"What the hell?" Gaim said as he examined the two, amazingly, drowned corpses. Seriously it's just some water spilled from a glass. It's not the ocean or anything as dangerous.

"Hey you!" Gaim looked over and saw Zangetsu with a life vest on. He was also holding a rope. "Don't worry! We're here to rescue you! We're evacuating the city, just stay where you are!" Zangetsu announced.

Gaim just stood up and looked at him.

"Okay, I'm going to throw my rope to you and I need you to grab it." Zangetsu instructed. He then tossed it and it landed at Gaim's feet. "Grab hold of the rope."

"I'm fine, really. I just spilled a glass of wa-."

"Sir! If you want to live, then you have to cooperate with us, so grab the rope." Zangetsu instructed before shaking it a few times. "Grab it!"

Gaim sighed before grabbing it and walking over to Zangetsu.

"Yosh!" Zangetsu cheered before hugging Gaim, he then broke the hug. "We did it guys, good work!"

"Uh, who are you talking to?" Gaim asked.

"Why my men over there, of course." Zangetsu said before he turned behind to see no one with him. "Hey, where did they go?" Zangetsu wondered before turning to see a pile of dead Kurokage Troopers right around where the puddle was. "Oh my god! They're dead too!" Zangetsu grabbed Gaim and shook him. "What have you done, Rider!? What have you done!?"

"I just spilled a glass of water!" Gaim said innocently before Zangetsu tossed him aside.

"It's over, it's the end of the world." Zangetsu said before looking at Gaim who was getting up. "Millions of people are going to die because of your stupidity!" Zangetsu said.

"I have an idea." Gaim assured before walking to the puddle.

"What are you doing!? Stay away from there!" Zangetsu warned before shedding a tear underneath his helmet. "You crazy brave bastard…"

Gaim was at the puddle before getting out a towel and wiping it on the puddle. It was only a matter of seconds before it was gone.

"Sweet mother of god…" Zangetsu gasped in awe as he saw no more water there.

"Fixed it." Gaim said.

"Oh my god, you did it! It's a miracle! You saved Earth! Hallelujah! Praise the light!" Zangetsu praised as he shed tears of joy.

"Uh, sure no problem. Hey, can you hold my towel for a second?" Gaim said before tossing the towel to Zangetsu. It landed on his face and it was wrapped around his helmet.

"Oh no! I can't breathe!" Zangetsu panicked as he waved his arms while making suffocating noises. He soon fell down, dead.

"Nii-san!" Ryugen said before running up to Zangetsu. "Oh no, I can't breathe!" She mourned and panicked before placing the towel over her face and suffocating herself as well.

"This is just not my day…" Gaim sighed as Bravo appeared behind him.

"It appears it's not." Bravo said before minding his own business before he walked up to the dead siblings and approached the towel. And then…"Oh no!" Bravo panicked before joining them.

Gaim just sighed as he walked away from the scene.

AN: There's my latest Gaim chapter, I hope you all enjoy it. Now for some responses:

OrionGold: Recon is there but not there at the same time already, just pay attention. As for the others, it depends. Maybe I will and maybe I won't.

Anyways, just review or PM me if you have any questions. Don't forget to like or follow me and don't be afraid to look at my other stories as well. Alright, I'm done, goodnight.