DISCLAIMER: The following story is based on fanfiction.Kamen Rider Zi-O, and the Kamen Rider series in general are properties of TOEI, TV-Asahi, and Ishinomori Productions. Soul Calibur is property of Project Soul and Bandai Namco. The Witcher series is property of Andrezj Sapkowski and CD Projekt Red. Metroid, Samus Aran, and all likeness are properties of Nintendo. Ultraman Orb, and the Ultra Series in general are property of Tsuburaya Productions and TV-Tokyo.
Ep. 010 A.D. 1583: Nobleman in Exile[1583年：亡命貴族/Sengo-hachijusan: Bōmei Kizoku] [Episode 090]
WARNING: This episode contains scenes of blood, bloodshed, and murder. Viewer discretion is advised!
(*Opening: "Over "Quartzer" (TV version)" by Shuta Sueyoshi of AAA feat. ISSA of DA PUMP from Kamen Rider Zi-O*)
[~Oh yeah...~]
[~Ohhh...~]
"Transcending history, and the world, a tale of souls and swords, eternally retold. Two legendary swords, Soul Edge and Soul Calibur have finally made their way into the future, resulting in a new untold chaos. Welcome back to the stage of history retold!"
[~Isshun de tsukami-toru no sa Are you ready?~](Catch it in an instant! Are you ready?)
[~Are you lazy?~]
[~Atarashii rekishi wa soko ni Feel it! Feel it!~](That's where the new history is! Feel it! Feel it!)
[~Crazy baby!~]
[~Hikari wo kate ni kasoku shite~](Use your bonds of light to accelerate)
[~Kono mama Shout it out! Shout it out!~](Just keep at it! Shout it out! Shout it out!)
[~Ima wo susumeyou~](Let's keep going in the present)
[~Madou hi mo ikudotonaku asu no tobira tatake~](There will be confusing days, but knock on the door to tomorrow)
[~Mitsumeta sono saki ni tobikonde mitara Believe yourself!~](Just plunge into what's ahead of you! Believe yourself!)
[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Toki no ame suri-nukete tomo ni~](Let's slip through the torrents of time together)
[~You, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mirai wo koeyou~](Let's cross over to the future)
[~Kako no ishi wa uso de wa azamukenai~](Lies can not fool the will of the past)
[~Kanjiro sou Nexus Future~](Feel it in your bones! The Nexus Future)
[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mabayui sekai... Misete!~](That dazzling world... Enchant me!)
A.D. 1583
(1583年)
Sometime before he met a red-haired girl in the slums and eventual adopting the child as his daughter, where they are drawn into the Great Malfested War in the present. This chapter revisits the beginning of the downfall of a ruthless nobleman: Raphael Sorel.
Raphael, the cold, cruel head of the Sorel family, is known for his fencing prowess and deep knowledge of medical science.
Though still young, he has survived numerous political plots and venomous political strife to establish his family as part of the ruling elite.
However, when the Evil Seed occurred, a noble that he had backed went violently insane, and attempted to kill the king.
Seeing this as an opportunity to strike, Raphael's political enemies blamed him for the incident, and attacked his Paris home.
Betrayed one by one by those around him, Raphael fled to his birthplace, Rouen, in order to mount a counterattack.
Though he arrived safely after shaking off his pursuers, he did not get the welcome he had hoped for...
The nobleman has just found himself surrounded by his kin. Raphael did not expect himself to be trapped in a direly hopeless situation now that he is now a pariah to his own bloodline.
"Nicola! Why are you fraternizing with the enemy?", Raphael confronted one of his own blood relatives.
The blood relative replied, "Dear uncle, it is you who has driven me to this. How could you support a traitor who sought to slay His Highness?"
One of Raphael's blood relatives brought him soldiers to arrest him. "You have nowhere to run, Lord Raphael, "former" head of the House of Sorel.", said one of the soldiers.
"So, even my own flesh and blood would debase themselves to save their own skin. You think by selling me out, the same won't happen to you?", Raphael taunted his pursuers.
"We are simply doing what you have taught us. Trust no one. Those of no worth must be cast aside, even one's own parents."
"Such callous teachings are worthy of your fearsome reputation. But no matter, your head will be paraded about the streets of Paris."
The instant they prepare to reprimand Raphael, the latter decides to resist arrest as he drew out his rapier called the Flambert. In return, the soldiers prepared their arms as they prepare to take Raphael by force.
Raphael's peerless skills with the rapier made short work of the people trying to bring him to justice, singlehandedly defeating three soldiers without breaking a sweat.
Even though he managed to put down his attackers, Raphael just found himself in another cat and mouse chase as an angry mob of Sorel noblemen and soldiers attempt to apprehend him. Raphael had no other choice but to run like hell.
Raphael could only lament the hopelessness of the situation he is in...
("Damn it all... Everything started going wrong that day. The day that great beam of light pierced the sky.")
Exhausted, as he can feel the weight of his legs starting to become heavy; his pursuers are drawing closer to him. Raphael had no other choice but to take refuge into the slums.
Soldiers vigilantly searched the area for their target.
As Raphael continued to lie low he continues to lament that the recent events are not so kind to him as of this point. "I have nothing left. Life is but a series of betrayals... None shall give me a second chance...if I look like this!", as he moved forward, he bumped into a red-haired girl. "Gwugh! Ack... A pauper's daughter...?", exclaimed the fencer.
The sudden commotion drew attention from the local authorities. "I heard something over there!"
Raphael tries to find a tight place where he could not be found by the authorities. But, he had a feeling that it will be his end. As Raphael is in a safe place to hide, the soldier turned to the red-haired child.
"You, child! A strange noble passed through here, didn't he? Tell me where he went?"
The girl spoke, "Okay... He went over there, and hid behind the horse cart."
"The coward! After him.! He should still be nearby!"
The soldiers continued their search. What little they know that the girl actually fed them false information.
To Raphael's surprise, the girl fooled the soldiers into searching in the horse cart all while dumbfounded by the fact the girl chose to save him.
"Wh-What?!", exclaimed Raphael.
The girl of the slums said, "They're gone now."
Raphael stepped out of the alley way and approached the child. "Indeed... You saved me...", he said.
"Nah... I just wanted to annoy them.", she replied.
"Still, I'm glad. So, tell me your name."
The girl reveals her name, "...Amy."
"Amy.. Amy..!", Raphael could barely contain his emotions, breaking down in tears. He found out that fate gave him a second chance, and the moment he stumbled at Amy, she saved Raphael from facing justice by misleading the authorities with wrong information.
"You're silly...", said Amy, with an annoyed expression. "Why cry when you're safe?"
A.D. 2019
(2019年)
Meanwhile in the present...
Time Jackers Heure and Ora just found themselves being attacked by a monster that has the hybrid appearance of a stingray and jellyfish; in this case, an Another Rider derived from another Showa Rider, Kamen Rider X; Another X.
Heure had no idea why an Another Rider would attack the Time Jackers given that they themselves create these Another Riders as a candidate for their demon king. Ora is unaware that Another X's voice sounded very familiar.
Like the actual X-Rider, Another X is armed with a bo-staff based on the former's Ridol Stick. Another X has other elements similar to the Ridol's modes; namely the stingers on his forearms that can turn into whips like the Ridol Whip. The stingers however, like most stingrays and jellyfishes, are steeped with venom.
Heure and Ora do whatever they can to avoid Another X until they got unexpected help from Kamen Riders Taki, Geiz and Woz. Taki Genesis Type managed to keep Another X from attacking the two Time Jackers.
"It's you people!", Heure exclaimed the instant the Riders arrived.
"Kamen Rider X's Another Rider?", Black Woz exclaimed.
"Where's the actual X-Rider?", Taki added.
Within moments, the original Kamen Rider X attacked, pressing the H button on his belt, releasing the Ridol Whip, his fencing weapon. X Rider proceeds to attack Taki, Geiz, and Woz. Geiz is prompted to take out the Ex-Aid Ridewatch and Woz with the Quiz Miridewatch as they change forms...
*Armor Time! Level Up! Ex-Aid!* / *Future Time! Passion! Fashion! Question! Futurering Quiz! Quiz!*
As Taki and Geiz are laser focused in the battle, Woz senses something within Another X... As each roar and cry the Another Rider uttered is somewhat recognizable. That is, Swartz is the host for Another X as he discovered. It seems that the other two Time Jackers and Woz have no idea that Swartz was turned into Another X.
Though Sougo isn't around, it is safe that Another X can be safely fought without Sougo's assistance for the time being. As Woz might fear that Sougo might found out everything Swartz's actions in 2009.
A.D. 1583
(1583年)
Returning to Raphael's ordeal...
The young girl from the slums saved Raphael's life. For Raphael, who had never relied on anyone but himself, having someone come to his aid was no small matter- even if his salvation was born purely of a child's whim. Amy's actions were enough to rouse emotions Raphael had long forgotten.
Somewhere in the slums, Raphael had nursed a poor man back to health as he treated his wounds. This was the first time Raphael ever showed a shred of compassion since the day Amy saved him from being turned in to the authorities. Raphael's patient was grateful for that matter, as the people in the slums could barely afford to nourish themselves.
("In my short while here, none of these people has spoken with hope."), Raphael muttered to himself upon seeing the sight of people who lived in poverty.
The poor man also commented about Amy, "Y'know, life's strange sometimes. Red's a loner and normally doesn't trust others." The man leaves, "Speak of the devil, farewell."
Amy returned, bringing Raphael some bread as the two unlikely pair feast. But, before he could do so, he forgot that his patient forgot to pay. He should have thought that through that he is in the slums, as the environment is full of people living in poverty. Even Amy outright calls him "dummy" for without realizing it.
When asked by Raphael about if she had any family, Amy's response is that she doesn't remember. The fact that Amy grew up without any parents and lived to fend for herself is what shocked Raphael, the fact that she doesn't rely on anyone but herself; in that they are no different, which intrigued Raphael. For Amy, hope only brings despair and believes when she's alone, no one would betray her. But, the similarities between the two end as Raphael insinuates that he fully knows the negative side of life, whereas Amy lived by her own nihilistic mindset.
"Someone's coming! Hide!", Amy forces Raphael to hide as bandits are approaching.
"Why, hello, Red. You're a slippery one.", one of the ruffians bully Amy. "Everyone around here's paid protection money, except you. What is it? Have you found yourself another bodyguard?"
"Hmph... Don't be stupid... Ngh!"
The bandit shove the girl, "I know you've got some vagabond looking after you! How dare you bring trouble to my territory!", and the brunt of assaulting Amy caused her to injure her left leg, "First, your left leg! Then-"
Raphael comes out of hiding and attacks the thief. Harming a child is something Raphael would never cross, even for his previous status as a ruthless nobleman. Refusing to turn a blind eye over this, Raphael took out his sword, "Filthy vermin! Unhand her now!"
The two ruffians stood their guard before they can gang up the fencer. Despite the numbers game, Raphael's dedication to protect the child has turn to a new height as he savagely maimed one of the bandits by stabbing him on the midsection, killing him.
When one of the thieves find himself at Raphael's mercy, the fencer not only disarms him; he gave him a brutal and ironic death. He stabs the thief who injured Amy on his left leg with his rapier deep to the point the blade bulges through, powerful enough to dislocate his leg bones before stabbing him on the midsection, killing one of the bandits.
For the sake of protecting a child, Raphael even left a trail of blood on his sword. Regardless, he has already experienced seeing blood, death, and chaos wherever he go.
Afterwards, he checks on Amy.
"Amy! Are you all right? Show me your leg."
To which Amy insistently replied, "You didn't need to come out. Getting hit is no big deal. It's normal."
Raphael himself insisted that this is something he would never ignore, "No, Amy. It's not.", he said. "That's not the way the world is."
"Really...?", Amy raised her eyebrow.
Raphael continued, "You've given me a future. In return, I must give you the same.", saying to Amy from the day she saved him, he found hope and a future to grasp in a world full of contradiction. And promises to give Amy her own future in return.
"...Go ahead if that's what you want.", Amy replied as if she doesn't mind. Either way, she went on to follow Raphael wherever he goes.
A.D. 1584
(1584年)
One year later...
With the aristocracy continuing to fight petty battles, ordinary people had all but surrendered their spirit and given up on life. Like animated corpses, their lives were drained of all meaning and joy... Instead, Raphael decided its best to seek refuge with Amy in the land where the sun never sets: Spain.
Since that day, Raphael decided to take up the Spanish style of swordplay and fencing to enhance his prowess. The fellow he sparred comments that his blade still has edge, but the tradeoff being too straight; the brilliance of a French sword that is slowly faltering.
But, Raphael insists that he wants to learn the Spanish art of swordsmanship in order to use it to protect someone he holds dear.
As the two swordsmen spar, the Spanish swordsman who spar with Raphael remind him that he must move with rhythm, swing the sword with passion, and strike the enemy true.
Raphael showed rhythm and grace with his rapier, clashed his blade with his opponent all while he strikes his adversary true. It was a fierce battle that lasted almost a half an hour until Raphael manages to knock his opponent down.
"Excellent. All movement must come from the heart.", said the Spanish swordsman. "You appear to have grasped that concept well."
"I'm grateful for your instruction.", the fencer replied before he asks a request, "Actually, I have one more request. This girl... I like her to learn to protect herself."
Even Amy is annoyed whenever Raphael puts her into something she is not familiar of. In this case, being taught with the way of the sword. Granted, Amy might have survived all kinds of adversity in the slums. Teaching the child in the way of the sword at an early age will take some maximum effort.
Either way, the instructor agreed, "Hahaha! Such a sense of caution! It's difficult to teach one who keeps a lock in the heart. However, I may know of someone who can be of assistance."
"Really?! Please introduce us at once!", an excited Raphael spoke.
All while Amy can reply barely without an expression, "Raphael, you're such a dummy..."
A.D. 2019
(2019年)
Back in the present...
As Heure and Ora try to keep their distance from Another X, Kamen Riders Taki, Geiz, and Woz fight off the Another Rider and the brainwashed Kamen Rider X. While Geiz and Woz double team to deal with Another X, Geiz tosses the Ghost and W Ridewatches to Taki.
*Ridewatch Break!*
Taki equipped the Ghost Ridewatch on the Beyondriver and closed the belt's lever. And by doing so, several following Parka Ghosts burst out of her belt - the Ore Parka Ghost, along with Musashi, Edison, Newton, Robin Hood and Billy the Kid - the Parka Ghosts overwhelm the brainwashed X-Rider.
"Now, letter for letters.", Taki then takes out the W Ridewatch which she now equips onto her Beyondriver. But, before closing the belt's lever, she banter's the 2-in-1 detective Rider's signature catchphrase, "Now, count up your sins!"
Upon closing the Beyondriver, the Cyclone and Joker Memory Droids burst out of Taki's Beyondriver, as they both represent the halves of the W Armor. Within moments, Taki is elevated into the air by a green tornado all while the Memory Droids jump in the air and wait for her. Afterwards, Taki splits her legs as the Memory Droids converge together with Taki, forming a "W" as they execute a combination of the Joker Extreme and Triple Extreme on the brainwashed X Rider.
Taki's Ridewatch Break finisher was powerful enough to break the Kaizorg of his brainwashing, and subsequently, the Rider is powered down from his transformation, revealing X-Rider's identity as Jin Keisuke.
Geiz, having donned the Faiz Armor proceeds to proceed for the Finish Time...
*Finish Time! Faiz!*
*Tsuetsugi!*
Having toggled the Zikan Despear in Cane Mode, Woz Futurering Quiz proceeds to open and close his Beyondriver, and pressed the finisher and slid his fingers on the Despear's panel.
*Beyond the Time! Quiz Shock Break!*
Before that, Woz forces Heure and Ora to solve a riddle. "Question: I had a hunch about Another X. Another X's identity is Swartz. O (true) or X (false)?"
The moment Heure and Ora discover that Woz is guessing that Another X's identity is in fact Swartz, they refused to believe. But, Woz is making sure that he is correct.
*Exceed Time Burst!*
Equipped with the Faiz Shot Shot on his right hand, Geiz Faiz Armor sends Another X flying with a devastating uppercut in a similar vein to Faiz's Grand Impact.
*Fukashigi Magic! (Wonder Magic!)*
Using the Zikan Despear in Cane Mode, Woz fired multiple question mark projectiles that trapped Another X in a giant question mark. Woz detonates the question mark projection with the snap of his fingers, causing Another X to fall into the ground.
And the instant Another X is KO'ed, its Another Watch is powered down, and it is indeed that Swartz is Another X.
"I was correct all along.", said Woz.
Taki catches up with Geiz and Woz. "How did you found out Swartz was Another X?", the ninja asked.
"What is going on here?", Heure clarified in confusion.
"This is more than just a hunch. I can feel his voice while he was transformed into Another X.", Woz deduced. "Why in the world would Azwel would do that to him?"
Then, Azwel shows up. "It's because I come to realize that Swartz is planning to rebel against me. It seems that I failed to educate him..."
It turned out that Azwel used Swartz as the guinea pig after the scholar realized that the latter was freed from the brainwashing when Tsukuyomi awakened her time powers. And given the fact that in the Another Amazon incident, he stole Kamen Rider Amazon's powers and infused on Another Amazon caused Azwel to suspect that Swartz is continuing his personal agenda behind his back.
When Azwel finally discovers what Swartz is planning, he decides to use him as the host for Another X to kill Heure and Ora.
"You turned Swartz into an Another Rider just to kill us? You're sick!", Ora outright calls out Azwel's depravity.
Azwel continued, "Me, sick? How hypocritical. I have heard everything from Swartz that you people are messing with time so you plan to crown a demon king to dethrone an evil tyrant in the future... Well, I can fix that. Starting by educating you Time Jackers.", Azwel took the Another X watch and reactivates it, and prepares to put inside Swartz. "I'm afraid this is the last time we see each other, Swartz. Adieu!"
Swartz can only scream in agony as he is transformed back into Another X against his will.
*X!*
The other Kamen Riders, including Keisuke can only watch in horror as Azwel force Another X to "educate" Heure and Ora.
Another X uses the whip on his right forearm and prepares to lash on Heure. However, Ora takes the bullet and she got stung by Another X's stinger whip.
Ora's life is slowly deteriorating as the venom from Another X's stinger whip started to take effect on her. The Time Jackers are only humans who have the ability to bend the power of time to their will; this is not the second time Ora is in the receiving end of a poisonous toxin being injected onto her.
"The names of the warriors whose fates were bound to the two swords have been etched into the very fibers of history..."
On the next episode...
(次回挿話)
In the present, it's revealed that Azwel turned Swartz into Another X is because that the latter is continuing his own personal agenda behind his back as punishment. When Another X continues his rampage, Ora ends up getting stung by Another X's toxic whips. Keisuke, the actual Kamen Rider X is unable to do anything to cure Ora's poison. And the only way to cure Ora of the poison is to defeat Another X.
Meanwhile in 1583, as Raphael inherits the wealth and fortune from Lord Dumas, his new life takes a sudden dark turn when he stumbles into a document about Soul Edge written by a certain "Scholar of the Future"; which leads him into his desire to create a perfect world for Amy. And ultimately, a fateful meeting with that scholar himself.
Next time on Taki Gaiden, Episode 90: A.D. 1589: Perfect World.
NOTE: The next episode continues the adaptation of Raphael Sorel's Soul Chronicle in Soulcalibur VI. And a subplot which pays tribute to Kamen Rider X.
Ridewatches count:
-Taki:
Ridewatches (Heisei Riders and Ride Gadgets): 22 (G7 Icarus XYZ, G7 Icarus XYZ Archangel Kerberos, G7 Type-S, New G7 Icarus, Grease, Snipe, Huntress, Amazon Alpha, Amazon Omega, Amazon Neo, Necrom, Mach, Ryugen, Zangetsu, Zangetsu Kachidoki Arms, Mage, Cronus, Diend, Bike, Phone, Disk Animal (x2))
Ridewatches (Showa Riders): 6 (Super-1, Skyrider, Stronger, Amazon, Black RX, Black)
Miridewatches: 8 (Taki, Taki Imperial, Jet Phoenix, Aqua Mermaid, Volt, Shippu, Rock, Smapho)
Astralwatches: 1
Other: 3 (Soul Calibur Supreme , Rewind, Jiraiya)
-Zi-O: 16 (Zi-O, Zi-O II, Zi-O Trinity, Build, Ex-Aid, Fourze, OOO, OOO Tadajol Combo, Gaim, Decade, W, Ryuki, Agito, Kuuga, Blade, Bike, Phone, Kodama)
-Geiz: 9 (Geiz, Geiz Revive, Ghost, Drive, Faiz, Wizard, Genm, Bike, Phone)
-Black Woz:
Miridewatches: 4 (Woz, Shinobi, Quiz, Kikai)
-Tsukuyomi: 2 (Phone, Taka)
-Fubuki:
Ridewatch: 3 (Fuin, Phone (x2))
Miridewatch: 1 (Grease Blizzard)
-Elysium: 17 (G3-X, Knight, Kaixa, Garren, Ibuki, Gatack, Zeronos, Ixa, Accel, Birth, Meteor, Beast, Baron, Specter, Brave, Cross-Z, Cross-Z Magma)
Ridewatches unclaimed: 4 (Hibiki, Kabuto, Den-O, Kiva); Sougo has reclaimed the Agito Ridewatch offscreen as the Agito tribute already took place before this chapter.
Sougo's Malfestation Level: 19%
Astral Fissures sealed: 3 (Taki has sealed off two Astral Fissures off-screen)
Author's Note:
The Ridewatches/Miridewatches and Orb's Fusion Up used in this chapter are relevant to Kamen Rider X in general:
- Ex-Aid (Geiz): X-Rider's second transformation call is "Dai Henshin!" after he the Mercury Circuit is implanted into his body. This is the same transformation call used by Emu/Ex-Aid in his Level 2 form and usually uses this in his other forms. And like Emu who is a doctor in Seito University Hospital, Keisuke Jin, Kamen Rider X himself, is also a doctor, as shown in his appearance in Kamen Rider Taisen.
- Faiz (Geiz): Another Kamen Rider Taisen reference, as Takumi has both met and fought X Rider in the movie.
- Ghost (Taki): Each of the forms (Damashii) used by Ghost and his contemporaries are based on historical figures; as the G.O.D. kaijins X fought are based on mythological, fictional characters, and historical figures.
- W (Taki): Both Riders are thematically letter named.
- Quiz (Woz): The "X" is an indicator for an incorrect answer.
Raphael also has parallels to Taiga Hanaya/Kamen Rider Snipe:
- Both possess a deep knowledge in medical science. Raphael is a doctor, as shown in his character episode, helped nursed a person back to health. While Taiga was a radiologist in Seito University Hospital before he was kicked out and spent most of his time as a back-alley doctor.
- His entire clansmen turned against him when the Evil Seed occurred. While Taiga was fired from the hospital for being unable to save a Bugster-infected patient; that patient in question being Hiiro's girlfriend.
- Both Taiga and Raphael were bitter and cynical individuals who are experts in their field of combat: marksmanship and fencing, respectively.
- Both of them met a child who ended up following them: Nico Saiba ends up frequenting Taiga's hospital and subsequently becoming his sidekick. Whereas Amy saves Raphael from his pursuers; he rewards her by becoming his adoptive daughter.
Things you need to know about Another X:
- Like the original X-Rider who is based on a giant water bug, a marine creature. Another X is based on a stingray.
- When it comes to the design elements taking cue from the monster/main villain the Rider has fought and associated to, Another X's face resembles that of King Dark.
- Swartz being turned into Another X by Azwel is rather karmic. Given that he turned Heure into Another Kikai in episode 23, it's hard to feel sorry for Swartz when Azwel decides to dispose him after he found out the former's personal agenda and having freed of his brainwashing. This doubles the catharsis that here in the story, while Swartz is still in the process of achieving his goal, he gets four times the karma since Ray exposed him as the traitor.
- Like most Another Riders, Swartz as Another X is the opposite to Keisuke Jin, Kamen Rider X himself. Keisuke Jin is a kind and compassionate man who had been through tough adversities from losing his loved ones (his father, his girlfriend along with her twin sister) to fighting G.O.D., as X-Rider; while he fights to save people from suffering like he did in the past. Swartz is a cold, callous, and manipulative individual who sees everyone around him as a means to an end, and outright ignores and refuses to hear their opinion. Even worse, Swartz was the mastermind of the tragedy that took the life of Sougo's parents.
This is the first time Sougo is not involved fighting a Showa Another Rider. Maybe this is due to the fact to prevent him from discovering that Swartz was manipulating him behind the scenes.