AN: Alright, you guys, I'm back with an all new chapter of Gaim! I would've had it set p sooner but I was caught up in Garo, which is also a great show. But now…Showtime!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online or Kamen Rider Gaim
Chapter 11: Operation: Inves Capture
In a foundry building, a worker was exploring an area to look for any technical difficulties. What he didn't expect to find was some weird plants around the stairs. He closely examined them.
"What's this?" He thought out loud to himself. The city was nowhere near the forest or at least where this place is.
He looked around a bit more to find more plants, vines, and Lockseed fruits.
"Fruits? What's it doing down here?" The worker wondered. He placed his flashlight away and plucked a fruit. He examined it before becoming mesmerized by its aura.
"This fruit…it looks so…delicious." The worker said before going to take a bite.
(In Gaim's garage)
Shino, with the help of Yui, was looking up recent news articles on her laptop to see if there were signs of loose Inves. She stopped at a certain page before looking at her team.
"I knew it, guys." Shino said before they all gathered around her to read what the Internet has to say.
"You think an Inves did this?" Kirito asked as he and the others were reading an article regarding attacks with victims describing a Kajin being behind it.
"It's the only explanation that I can think of." Shino answered before scrolling down to some images regarding damage done by the Inves. "No human can do something like this."
"Not to mention that Inves are also popping up in Alfheim as well." Asuna said, she looked at the forums to see people reporting Inves appearances while wondering if this was a bug or a update but Team Gaim knew better.
"Shouldn't we talk to the cops then?" Suguha asked.
"They won't believe us unless we show them a rip." Shino said. Reporting a monster attack to the police sounds ridiculous unless there's evidence but these rips only open up for a certain time.
Kirito unplugged Yui's probe from the laptop and placed the plug back in the phone and the probe on his shoulder.
"These rips are rare and they only open for a certain amount of time." Yui reminded.
"So as it stands, no one but us even knows they exist." Shino concluded.
"Yeah, which means it's up to us to do something about this." Kirito concluded as well, he was somewhat happy being able to do a real Kamen Rider's duty; protecting the people from monsters like the Inves.
"Kirito…" Asuna let out.
"The Beat Riders are the only ones who know how to fight Inves. No one outside of those groups do, and involving them would make things worse." Kirito explained. It's always best to let a person who is experienced in the field of Inves to do something about the situation than someone with no knowledge of them.
"But the Inves in the forest are way stronger than the ones that we summon with our Locks." Ayano pointed out.
"If we can work together with the other Riders, then we can beat them." Asuna figured. She was right, there's always strength in numbers because someone always has your back. It's how they beat the game of SAO.
"Right, then let's talk to the other teams then." Kirito proposed.
(Later at Team Baron's)
"I refuse." Kaito answered bluntly.
Kirito and Shino stared at him. It would've been wiser to bring Asuna, considering her history with Kaito but she wanted to talk to Teams Popup and Phantom Shade.
"The only foe Team Baron's concerned with right now is you, Gaim…The team at the top of the rankings. Helping you is entirely to our disadvantage." Kaito explained as he was shuffling cards. He has no reason to fight the Inves unless it directly involves him or any of his teammates. Plus, helping your rivals doesn't sound smart.
"You're happy to let innocent bystanders get attacked by Inves!?" Shino asked as she walked up to Kaito only to be pulled from the hood by Zack. She placed his arm away and looked at him with an irritated look.
"Bystanders. They've got nothing to do with us." Kaito answered.
"You're kidding me…" Shino remarked. Innocent people are being hurt and Kaito could care less? But he was right though, he has no obligation or reason to do this.
"If you guys want to play the heroes, so be it. Now that you've no one left to beat, it might be the distraction you're looking for." Kaito said with the Gaim members staring at him. "Dull being on the top, isn't it?"
"Quite the snide remarks, will you?" Kirito said as he tried to walk up to Kaito only to be stopped by Peco.
"You're really quite ignorant of what your position means, aren't you?" Kaito asked as he tossed his card son the floor. "Go ahead, ask Invitto and Raid Wild. They'll give you the same answer. Popup and Phantom Shade might help but they're idiots for doing so. But as it stands, Team Gaim is the strongest on the streets" Kaito remarked as he walked up to Kirito. "So you may help others, but you're in no position to demand help. It's the curse of victory."
Kirito stared at him with a angry look and a clenched fist at his side.
(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 a fruits store)
Andrew was loading his truck with fruit since he thought that his lifestyle could use a little more protein plus it wouldn't hurt to add fruit-related stuff on the menu at Dicey Cafe. He opened the box to see the fruit in good condition and smiled.
"Man, we've got some good stuff today, huh." Andrew smiled before closing the box and going into his truck.
He soon started driving while whistling to himself until he felt something got on his car and the Komori Inves on the windshield, growling at him. Andrew screamed in panic as he was trying to get the damn monster off.
It was only a matter of seconds before the truck crashed onto a parked car nearby and the Inves jumped off and pulled Andrew out.
(Nearby)
Kirito and Suguha were walking while talking about the situation.
"I just talked with Raid Wild and Invitto. They won't help either…" Suguha said in a sad tone.
"What about Popup and Phantom Shade? Just because Kaito was right about Invitto and Raid Wild doesn't mean not all the Riders would help us." Kirito mentioned. The Riders from Popup and Phantom Shade were good people compared to the other teams' Riders.
"Help me! Please, somebody!" Andrew yelled.
The Kirigayas were instantly surprised and ran to the voice to see the Inves trying to kill Andrew.
"Andrew!" Kirito recognized.
"And an Inves!?" Suguha recognized.
"No! Get away!" Andrew begged but the Inves looked like it was about to hurt him until smelling something. He turned his gaze to the box of fruits in the truck while the two Kirigayas checked up on Andrew.
"Are you okay!?" Kirito asked.
"Are you hurt!?" Suguha asked.
"What the hell is that damn thing!?" Andrew questioned.
The Komori Inves threw the box to the side, making it spill its fruity contents. It picked up an apple off the floor before letting off an irritated growl. It then crushed the fruit in its hand before looking at the three.
Kirito tried responding by kicking it and dodging a few of its hits. He tried restraining it but it smacked him in response before tossing him aside.
"Damn it…" Kirito let out before placing his Sengoku Driver on and getting out his Lockseed.
"Henshin!"
"ORANGE!"
The Inves tried attacking him but the metallic orange arrived just in time to protect Kirito. He quickly placed the Lock in before locking it.
"LOCK ON!"
He immediately sliced it.
"SEIYA!"
He stood up, scooping the orange in the process before being donned in his suit.
"ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE!"
Gaim's orange unfolded into armor before he charged.
"This is my stage-!" Gaim started but the Inves smacked him.
Gaim tried slashing it but the Inves kicked him to a car.
"My stage-!" Gaim let out before the Inves jumped on him only for it to be kicked away by Gaim.
The Inves jumped on the ceiling of a truck and tried jumping on Gaim only for him to roll away at the last second. The Inves jumped and Gaim prepared himself.
"Come with me!" Suguha said before she and Andrew ran to safe place while Gaim was fighting the Komori Inves.
Gaim slashed the Inves multiple times before kicking it to the front of the nearby cars.
"This is my stage n-!" Gaim started as he charged but was interrupted when the Komori Inves fired a dark wave of energy at him, pushing him back.
Gaim stood up and took out a new Lockseed to use.
"ICHIGO!"
He took out his Orange Lockseed and replaced it with the Ichigo Lockseed. He locked it in before immediately cutting it.
"LOCK ON! SEIYA!"
Gaim's Orange Arms folded back into its spherical form and Gaim aimed his head.
"Take some of this!" He said before firing the sphere at the Inves, pushing it back. Gaim turned up to receive the giant strawberry.
"ICHIGO ARMS! SHUSHUTTO SPARK!"
The strawberry unfolded into armor and Gaim received his kunai. Gaim charged.
"Let me make this clear; this is my stage now!" Gaim finally finished as the two fought. The Inves soon pinned him against a car until Gaim kicked and slashed it away. It rolled out on the floor with smoking armor. "Taste this!" Gaim said as he threw his kunai at it.
The Inves smacked them away before taking flight. It flew around Gaim while trying to strike at him only for Gaim to barely block them.
Gaim soon withdrew his Musou Saber and his Lock.
"Let's see you taste this!" He said as he placed his Lock in his sword.
"LOCK ON!"
"1-0-0!"
Gaim slashed in the air, making energy kunai to fire.
"ICHIGO CHARGE!"
The Inves dodged all the kunai before flying away from the scene.
"Damn it." Gaim muttered as he saw that it was gone from his sights.
"Oniichan!" Suguha called as she ran to Gaim. "Where's the Inves?"
"It got away." Gaim answered before looking at the smashed crate of fruits.
"Was that thing after the fruits?" Yui wondered.
"Maybe but what I do know is that we have to do something about this." Gaim answered.
(At the Asada Mansion)
Shino, in her school uniform, was about to enter the front door but she stopped and pulled out the Suika Lockseed, which has been restored to color.
'The color's back…does that mean it'll work again?' Shino wondered before putting the Lock back in her pocket and going in. She climbed up the stairs to her room until…
"You're back late again." Minato noted as he appeared next to Shino.
"Yeah, sorry for worrying you." Shino answered before trying to get to her room.
"Make sure you lock the gates when you enter. It seems we've had a thief break into the house recently." Minato said as he walked up to his little sister, remembering that his Suika Lockseed was stolen and used by Gaim.
Shino pretended to look surprised.
"Really? I didn't notice anything…" Shino said as she gripped the pocket holding the Lockseed.
"Fortunately, we know who it was." Minato assured. "One of those 'Beat Riders' you see dancing around the city."
"Is that so?" Shino asked.
"Yes, those kids contribute nothing to society. I can't even begin to fathom why they do it but I do know that a few of them are SAO survivors. Maybe they're just doing this to forget the trauma faced in the virtual death trap." Minato wondered, with a slightly shocked Shino behind him. "What do you think, Shino?"
"I wouldn't know…" Shino lied. Truth be told, all of Beat riders became who they are for various reasons. Either to play the Inves Game, dance, become popular, or just to become a part of the latest fad. Shino joined to be with her friends and to live how she wanted to.
"They seem to be around your age, that's all." Minato said as he walked behind Shino. Other than them being lab rats and SAO survivors, that's all Minato knows about the Beat Riders.
"I think they're worried what the future holds. They have to live how other people or things want them to…without knowing who they'll end up becoming." Shino said, indirectly explaining another reason why she became a Beat Rider.
"Is that so?" Minato asked.
"So they just have as much fun as they can, while they figure out what's important to them." Shino explained before turning to face her older brother. "At least, that's how I view them."
"I know you had doubts in the past ever since that…gun incident. But look at you now, Shino. You're a bright smart young woman with no doubts about your future now." Minato started with Shino looking at him. "I want to help the world see the significance and value of you. Is that okay, Shino?"
"Of course, Nii-san, I'm just glad you're back in my life." Shino genuinely said.
"Yosh." Minato smiled. "That's what sets you apart from the kids. Remember this; you're worlds apart from childhood."
"I guess so." Shino answered.
"Good, goodnight." Minato said before kissing her forehead and going back to his room. Shino just watched him leave as she had a sad face on. Despite seeing her big brother back, he has turned somewhat bitter but at least he still cares for.
Shino just sighed to herself before going in to her room. She placed her bag on the table and pulled out the Suika Lockseed.
"What happened to you overseas, Nii-san?" Shino quietly wondered. Years ago, her big brother was always there for her and always had time for her…especially after the gun incident. Shino couldn't help but remember a certain time that Minato cared for her.
(Years ago)
"Aaahhh!" Shino screamed as she sat up from her bed. She must've had another nightmare regarding the murder she committed.
It was only a few weeks since then but the memory and horror was still fresh in her head. Soon the door opened and Minato ran in while looked at the horrified Shino. He approached her and gently grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Shino, is everything alright? I heard a scream and-." Before Minato could finish, Shino pulled him in an embrace and cried into his shirt. He didn't complain, he just wrapped his arms around and slowly tended to her head. "There, there, it's alright." He said softly. "Is this about…what happened with the gun?"
Shino nodded. What happened was that in the postal office, a robber tried to hold up Shino, Minato, and their mother. Minato attempted to fight back and disarmed the man of his gun but he also had a knife. Before he could stab him, Shino managed to shoot him with the gun that was drop but that moment scared her.
"The nightmares won't go away. He just keeps accusing me." Shino said as she continued weeping on her brother's shirt. "He just won't go away, Nii-san. He just won't…" Shino said, referring to the robber that she killed.
"Hey now, the man isn't there." Minato said before Shino still gripped him. "How about I stay here for the night? Make sure that the man won't come for you."
"A-Are you sure?" Shino asked. Though she doesn't mind the extra company, she doesn't want to be a burden to her brother.
"Shino, you're my little sister, how can I leave you alone? I wouldn't forgive myself if I had to and if I did then remember…I'll always find a way to come back to you." Minato assured.
"Ok. Thank you, Nii-san." Shino said. Soon the two in bed and while Minato didn't sleep Shino did.
He noticed that Shino pulled him in an embrace and for the first time in a while, she was sleeping peacefully. Minato rested his head on his little sister's before sleeping too with a smile on his face.
(Present)
Minato was in his room, thinking the same thing. When he came back to Japan, he saw how mature Shino is now and how she got over her fear of guns. He was so proud of her and was glad that he was back to his family but he didn't have as much free time as he did back then.
Minaot looked at Melon Lockseed on his dresser and looked at it. He had a job to do in Helheim and if Shino is ever going to live out her life in peace then he has to see this job through to the end. He looked out his door and saw Shino's door. He stared at it before closing his door.
(At Team Gaim's garage)
Kirito was done writing on the board and saw Yolko, Akira, and Kotone coming in, surprising everyone.
"Guys! You're helping?" Kirito asked as he walked up to the three Riders.
"Yeah, we won't let innocent people be hurt. We're not like the other teams." Akira answered.
"He's right, someone has to put a stop to all these attacks and it has to be us." Kotone answered.
"So you want us to do something to help these people, just say the word." Yolko answered.
"Alright, let's get started then before people get hurt." Kirito said as he looked at the board.
"I've marked all the attack sites and uploaded the locations to your phones." Yui said as everyone looked at their phones right now.
"Then let's split up and search for them. We'll cover more ground that way." Asuna suggested and everyone nodded in agreement.
"A word of caution, the Inves are more dangerous than they seem so take it easy." Kirito advised. "If you find it, don't get close. Just call any of us Kamen Riders right away."
(Throughout the city)
Everyone was out asking people questions if they saw the Inves or if they had any idea where they went. They were also exploring the city to search for the monster but no viable results so far. Liz soon got on her phone.
"How's it going?" She asked.
(With Ayano)
"Nothing." Ayano said as she was exploring a nearby neighborhood. She soon looked into a trashcan to find nothing but trash. "I don't think we're going to find it like this."
(With Ryotaro)
"Another quiet day in Kawagoe, huh." Ryotaro remarked as he was done investigating a playground for children.
(With Yolko and Shino)
"We definitely see nothing here." Yolko sadly said as she and Shino were investigating a couple of warehouses. She looked at Shino, who was scavenging. "Anything yet?"
"No." Shino answered.
(With Akira and Kotone)
"We got nothing." Akira said as he and Kotone tried investigating an abandoned gas station with zero results.
Akira hung up to look at his girlfriend, who seemed tense.
"You okay?" Akira asked.
"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack." Kotone complained.
"Hey, just calm down, okay? We're in this together with the others." Akira pointed out.
"How am I supposed to calm down? I know we have help but-." Kotone was soon cut off when Akira's lips suddenly made contact with Kotone's.
Kotone felt her body relieved of stress as she responded to the kiss. After a few seconds, the two separated.
"Better?" Akira asked.
"Better."
(With Asuna and Suguha)
Suguha hung up with a disappointed look that Asuna noticed.
"Nothing from the others?" Asuna asked. They were looking for a while as well and had no zero results like the others.
"No, but maybe we should regroup and…" Suguha started before…
"Aaahh!" A female voice screamed.
"Is that the Inves?" Suguha wondered.
"Only one way to find out…" Asuna said as she placed on her Sengoku Driver and took out her Lockseed but didn't open it yet.
The two ran to see the old woman yelling in fear from….Gaim?
"Aaah! A monster!" The woman screamed.
"No, I mean this guy." Gaim clarified as he was showing her a picture of the Komori Inves. "Have you seen him?"
"Monster, there!" The woman screamed, pointing at Gaim.
"This isn't working…" Yui commented before Asuna ran up to Gaim and smacked him on the head.
"What's with you!?" She questioned while Suguha looked at the lady.
"I'm really sorry…" Suguha said before joining the others.
(Later at Dicey Café)
"Don't walk around transformed!" Suguha scolded.
"Yeah, I expected better from you, Kirito!" Asuna scolded as well.
"Sorry, but I thought I heard that Inves nearby. Besides, knowing that thing can jump any person at any time…it makes me a little on edge." Kirito said as he was right. While they're here talking and drinking, people are being hurt by that Inves.
Akira then pulled out a Himawari Lockseed and looked at it.
"It seems that every game we play always has a very deadly rule in it." Akira mused.
"To be fair, we knew this can happen. But we never once imagined that an Inves can rampage on its own." Yolko argued. She did have a point, they were warned about the dangers of a Lockseed to avoid the dangers of things like this but it appears it's already happening on its own.
"What is that Inves, anyways!?" Kotone questioned. "Who'd be crazy enough to make Lockseeds!?" She wondered.
"I'd rather know who would be crazy enough to make those belts." Suguha added in.
(In Yggdrasill HQ)
"ACHOO!" Professor Ryoma Sengoku let out as he was in the middle of sketching out his designs for the belts.
"Is everything alright, Ryoma?" Minato asked.
"I'm fine but…is someone talking about me? No doubt, it's about my brilliance." Ryoma answered as he continued sketching and giving Minato back his Sengoku Driver.
(In Dicey Café)
"And just when we wanted to find some answers from him…" Shino said as she looked at Sid's empty room.
Kirito was thinking before looking at Andrew.
"Hey, Andrew!" Kirito called before walking up to him. "Did you notice anything when that thing came at you? Any information could help." Kirito said.
Andrew seemed to think.
"Well…I was a little busy trying not to get eaten." Andrew answered before remembering something. "Come to think of it, didn't that thing just peel me off to go after my stuff?"
"What stuff?" Asuna asked.
"The fruits! Apples, melons, oranges, and stuff, just in." Andrew answered as he recalled the Koori Inves going after an apple from the crate. "What a waste of good product!"
"So the Inves attacked Andrew's car to get the fruit?" Shino asked.
"Not quite." Kirito said, remembering what the Inves did by the time he intervened. "It didn't eat the fruit, right, Andrew?"
"You're right, it didn't. It was going to but it threw it away and got madder." Andrew recalled.
"So they couldn't bring enough fruit from the forest." Suguha figured.
"And they eat Lockseeds, too." Asuna remembered. "And they start out as those fruits from the forest, right?"
"So doesn't that mean the Inves' diet only consists of fruit from the forest you mentioned?" Yolko asked.
"So it got stranded on this side, and when it got hungry, it couldn't find any food." Shino theorized. "So it's been attacking people out of frustration."
When people or animals go hungry, they tend to be…violent and aggressive which pretty much describes the mood of this Inves.
"Which means…all we have to do is lure it out, right?" Kirito asked as he and the others pieced it together.
"Yup, we're going to lay a trap and I have an idea." Shino said.
(Later in Helheim)
Three Cracks opened and Gaim, Aura, and Ryugen flew out of them while on their bikes. They landed before stopping their vehicles.
"Here we are!" Aura said before she and the others got off their bikes. "Let's not keep the others waiting for too long."
"So all we need is a Lockseed fruit to take back and lure the Inves with its smell, right?" Gaim pieced together as Ryugen looked at a vine before nodding. He and Aura soon joined her.
"But won't they turn into Lockseeds as soon we touch one?" Aura asked.
"I've been thinking about that, Mama. And I've theorized is that it'll only happen because it's a feature of the Sengoku Drivers that you guys wear." Yui said through Gaim.
"In that case…" Ryugen started before closing her Lockseed, reverting back to Shino. She took out her Lockseed and Driver and gave them to Aura. "Here hold this."
"Okay." Aura said as Shino grabbed a fruit before pulling out a plastic bag from her hoodie. She then placed the fruit in the bag before zipping it shut.
"See? Here you go." Shino said as she offered the fruit to Gaim. Gaim held it but the plastic bag was what was keeping it from transforming.
"Wow, Shino!" Gaim complimented.
Shino smiled and so did Aura while Malus was watching them from a distance.
"Hmmm." Malus said to himself as he hid behind a tree only to see Shino transforming back into Ryugen and leaving with the others.
Malus got himself out of his spot.
"Interesting." He said to himself.
(At Gaim's garage)
They tied the fruit to as fishing pole which was stuck out through the railings. Ryugen, Sheijan, Liz, and Ayano were hiding in the bushes while the others were hiding in the trash bins, with Gaim's headpiece sticking out slightly.
Ryotaro soon poked his head out of his bin and looked at the fruit.
"So Lockseeds come from those fruit, and they're what Inves eat? Really?" Ryotaro asked, clarifying what he and the others were told when the three Riders came back from Helheim.
Gaim soon poked his head out of his bin.
"Yeah, Yui is trying to understand it better but there it is." Gaim answered.
Soon Reaper poked his head out his bin.
"I've never seen that kind of fruit before." Reaper remarked before he and Ryotaro were slightly mesmerized by the fruit.
"I wonder how it tastes." Ryotaro wondered.
"I have to admit I'm just as curious as you." Reaper commented.
"It looks tasty." Ryotaro said and Reaper thought the same.
"I thought so too!" Gaim answered, remembering how he nearly ate the fruit.
"Do you think we can get a taste?" Ryotaro asked.
"I don't think-." Gaim started but the girls got up from behind and pushed their heads in.
"Ow!" Reaper got out.
"Be quiet!" Kyofu scolded.
"You'll ruin the plan if you keep this up." Aura said.
"Alright, alright…" Gaim answered.
"Just stay in your spots." Suguha said as she shook Ryotaro a bit.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Ryotaro said while the guys at the bush were trying to keep them quiet.
They soon went back into their covers and kept quiet. Soon a presence was approaching the tethered fruit, prompting Gaim to attack.
"Ha! We've got you now, Inves!" Gaim said as he jumped out of his bin and rushed at the presence there. Before he swung his Daidaimaru, that presence turned revealing an old woman. "Oh…crap. S-Sorry, lady."
"AAAAHHHH!" The old lady screamed in panic at the sight of Gaim. Soon she managed to calm down before she started scolding Gaim. "You scared me to death!"
"I'm sorry…" Gaim said as he was on his knees.
"Where did you come from!?" She questioned.
"I'm sorry." Gaim apologized again before the lady continued scolding her.
Soon a few minutes later, a few kids were trying to get the fruit down only for Gaim to come running at them.
"Hey! Stay away! You can't have that fruit!" Gaim said as he tried to barge into the group of kids but they tried to assault him.
One of the kids tried getting the fruit as Gaim was chasing the others but he noticed and grabbed that kid to carry him away.
"Go do your homework or something!" Gaim said.
Soon after a few moments, Gaim noticed crows surrounding the fruit and tried to intervene.
"No, don't eat that!" Gaim said before the crows ignored him and pecked at his armor instead. "Ow, ow, ow! But don't eat me!" Gaim said.
Soon after chasing the crows away, Gaim sat under the fruit while being in a comical dark aura of depression.
"Man, this just isn't my day…" Gaim whimpered now a bit desperate that he had to do all this stuff just keep the fruit. Soon Aura, Suguha, and Ryotaro approached Gaim with Aura smacking Gaim's helmet, snapping him out of his gloom. She and Suguha grabbed him by the arms while Ryotaro got his legs. They soon started to carry him back to their spot.
"What are they doing?" Liz wondered before seeing Ayano eating a piece of bread. "And what are you doing?"
Ayano only giggled as she took another bite of the bread. Ryugen and Shejian looked up.
"Get down." Ryugen prompted.
"Something's coming!" Shejian warned before she and the others got down in their bushes. Gaim noticed as well.
"Look!" He pointed in the air before the others let him go and they ran behind Reaper and Kyofu's bins. Soon the Komori Inves appeared and flew to the top of the garage. It looked like it was sniffing for something.
"It's here!" Suguha remarked.
"About time." Reaper said as he prepared his scythe.
The Inves soon landed and looked around as it sniffed. It soon turned and the fruit immediately caught its attention. It placed its arms out and approached the tasty fruit.
"I have you now!" Gaim said as he and Reaper charged with their weapons at the Inves. Before it can grab the fruit, the Inves dodged Gaim hits before dodging Reaper's attack. It flew up to the stairs before letting out a sonic screech, hurting everyone nearby. They were trying to cover their ears but it didn't change the fact that the screech hurts.
It soon jumped down and pinned Gaim to the floor before smacking Reaper away. It tried swatting him before Aura fired some of her energy raspberries before Ryugen tackled the beast off of Gaim. The two rolled and the Inves tried flying away before Shejian shot it down with her bow, pinning it back on the floor. Ryugen was about to grab it but it kicked her back before focusing on Gaim.
Ryugen got something out as the others were trying to join them. Ryugen ran up to the Inves from behind and placed some sort of satchel on its back. The Inves pushed Ryugen away before being slashed by Aura, Reaper, and Kyofu. The Inves soon grabbed Gaim and threw him in the others before screeching at Shejian's ears, incapacitating her.
It soon went for the fruit, plucked it, and flew off into the sky.
"Not again…" Reaper said as he got up.
"What now?" Gaim asked as he got up before he and Reaper helped the others.
"Now, we wait. Because this time, it won't run away again." Ryugen said, confusing the others. Soon everyone grouped up.
"Wait, what was in that bag you stuck to the Inves?" Aura asked.
"My phone…with the tracking feature placed on. " Ryugen answered before Liz passed her the iPad with the screen of the city's map and a dot moving to a specific area. She placed her hand on the screen before following the moving dot. "Looks like he's moving…here." Ryugen said as the dot stopped somewhere in the foundry district. Everyone was in awe of Ryugen's ingenuity and brilliance.
"Whoa, sweet!"
"Nice!" Reaper said as he patted Ryugen's back.
"Good job, Shino! We can definitely finish this once and for all now!" Aura complimented.
"You're incredible, you know that, Shino?" Yui complimented. Ryugen smiled underneath her helmet.
"Now then…lets clip its wings for good!" Ryugen said.
"Right!" The Riders said before moving out to kill this thing once and for all.
(In the foundry building)
Kirito and the other Riders found the building and opened the door, to see a flight of stairs. They soon went on it and went down.
"You sure the Inves is here?" Kirito asked.
"Without a doubt." Shino answered. They soon found a hallway with two separate tunnels at the end.
"Guess we'll split up." Kirito said before looking at the group. "Me, Asuna, and Shino will take the right path and you guys take the other." He suggested. It was better to cover all routes instead of focusing on one.
"You got it." Akira nodded.
"You can count on us." Kotone said while Yolko just nodded in agreement. The six soon split into their tunnels and despite converging at the end, there was equipment in between them.
For Akira, Kotone, and Yolko, they saw vines with more of those Lockseed fruits. It looked like a miniature version of the forest that the others described. Akira examined a vine nearby before plucking a fruit to examine it.
"More fruits." He commented before he and his team noticed a couple of blood splatters on the floor. The three placed on their Drivers to get ready for trouble before the fruit in Akira's hand transformed. It was a lock with an avocado on it and the code "LS-23". "I've never seen Lockseeds like these before."Akira said in awe before the other two girls plucked a fruit for each of them. They watched as they soon transformed.
For Kotone, her new lock had a papaya on it and the code "LS-24".
For Yolko, her new lock had a pepper on it and the code "LS-25."
"Wow." Yolko commented before the three felt a presence behind them. They quickly turned to see a group of Elementary Inves. The group of creature looked at the new Lockseeds before trying to grab them.
Akira kicked an Inves away before noticing one about to pin Kotone to the floor. He ran and tackled the thing before it threw him into Kotone. Yolko dodged the Inves coming for her and ran to Akira and Kotone before helping them up.
"Guys!"
"Right!" They answered before taking out their default Lockseeds.
"Henshin!"
"BLUEBERRY!"
"TAN GERINE!"
"KUROI!"
The three did their poses as the Cracks appeared above their heads before placing their Lockseeds in their Drivers and locking them in.
"LOCK ON!"
Their standby music was playing as the Inves regrouped and three Riders sliced their Lockseeds.
"HAI!"
"SEIYA!"
Their fruits landed on their heads and they were donned in their suits.
"BLUEBERRY ARMS! JIANTOU STRIKE!"
"TANGERINE ARMS! MELEE TSUNE!"
"KUROI ARMS! MISTER SHINIGAMI!"
Their fruits unfolded into armor before their weapons appeared in their hands. They all took a combat stance before charging.
Reaper slashed one before Kyofu attacked the other one that was going for Reaper as well. Shejian stopped and fired her bow at the other Inves. Reaper and Kyofu kicked an Inves away before Reaper pressed a button on his scythe, making it split into two miniature versions of the weapon. He gripped them before slashing an Inves repetitively while Kyofu was stabbed the other one.
Meanwhile, Bujin Gaim was watching the scene.
"Intriguing, there are new locks to use." Bujin Gaim said with genuine interest. He never saw those forms before nor had he seen those new Lockseeds that they just plucked. While watching them fight, he noticed a vine with Lockseed fruits nearby. He placed his Driver on before picking one. It glowed in his hand before in his hands was a new Lockseed. He smiled before putting it in his pocket and observing the action.
Reaper stabbed the Inves with his mini-scythes before pushing his knife.
"KUROI SQUASH!"
The scythes started glowing before the body of the Inves started reacting to it. It was glowing purple before exploding with blackberry bits and juice coming out. He soon noticed Kyofu pinned down by an Inves.
"Get away from my girlfriend!" Reaper said before tackling the monster. Kyofu got up to see the Inves kicking Reaper away, pushing his head against a wall. "Ow!"
"Akira!" Kyofu called before pushing her cutting knife twice.
"SEIYA!"
"TANGERINE AU LAIT!"
Kyofu's blade started charging before holding it in a reverse grip. Before the Inves could attack the downed Reaper, Kyofu's blade flew like a boomerang and slashed the Inves before it flew around in a circular motion that resembled a tangerine slice while slashing the Inves at the same time. It soon exploded and the sword flew back to Kyofu's hand. She sheathed it before running to Reaper and helping him up.
"Are you okay? Nothing hurt?" She asked with caution.
"Just a slight headache but other than that, I'm all good." Reaper answered before the third Inves tried to get in between them only to hear…
"HAI!"
"BLUEBERRY SQUASH!"
A glowing blue arrow got in the head of the Inves before it exploded with Reaper shielding Kyofu from the blast. The smoke soon faded, revealing Shejian with her bow.
"I didn't know you two were dating." She said as she placed her bow away.
"W-Well, we wanted to say it but we were just too busy. Especially after becoming Kamen Riders." Reaper said as he and Kyofu broke their hug.
"Y-Yeah, we wanted to tell our team but kept forgetting." Kyofu said as the two of them were blushing underneath their helmets.
"And how long had this been going on?" Shejian asked before she and the others closed their Lockseeds and reverted to normal.
"A week. Maybe a month or two." Akira admitted. Yolko just smiled at them.
"I'm happy for you guys, really. Now come on, we have to tell the others what we saw here." Yolko suggested and the other two nodded before leaving.
Meanwhile Bujin Gaim soon plucked another Lockseed and it soon transformed into a Suika Lockseed. He smiled underneath his hood.
"This is definitely worth adding." He said as he placed it in his pocket before summoning a Gray Mirror and leaving through it.
(With Kirito, Asuna, and Shino)
The three were walking down the tunnel and found a staircase with the railings covered in Helheim's vines and fruits. This immediately caught the three's attention as they ran over to investigate it.
"This is…" Asuna started.
"The fruit of the forest." Kirito finished. Helheim was definitely affecting their world now in more ways than one but how come none of the workers reported this to anyone?
"Now that I think about it, these things grow around those rips…I think their seeds and spores come through." Yui analyzed. "They've also been appearing the virtual world as well but I'm still trying to figure out why."
Shino noticed a construction helmet and picked it up only to see that it was covered in plant vines. The others looked and had grimaced expressions. This would explain why no one reported anything.
Soon the Komori Inves appeared and tried to charge at them. The three were dodging its attacks in response.
"You little-!" Kirito said as he tried pinning the Inves but is pushed him off. It tried strikng but Kirito flipped it with a dodge before he kicked it only for it to be blocked. It tried punching Kirito but he grabbed the arm only for the Inves to break the grip before punching and kicking Kirito to bunch of nearby barrels.
"Kirito!" The girls called before Asuna tried holding it and Shino smacked it with the construction helmet. The Inves only kicked Shino away next to Kirito while it flipped Asuna over its back. It tried stomping her but she rolled out of the way at the last second to join Kirito and Shino.
Kirito grabbed a fire extinguisher at the last second, grabbed it, and pointed it at the Inves.
"How's this!?" He said before he sprayed it on the Inves, pushing it back. Kirito threw the fire extinguisher away and got his Driver out. "Guys!"
"Right!" They responded as they took out their own Drivers and placed them on. They got their Lockseeds out.
"Henshin!"
"ORANGE!"
"RASPBERRY!"
"BUDOU!"
Their Cracks appeared above their heads, dropping their fruits as the three Riders did their poses before placing the Lockseeds in their Drivers and locking them in.
"LOCK ON!"
Their standby music was playing as the Inves got up before slicing their Lockseeds.
"SEIYA!"
"COME ON!"
"HAI!"
The fruits landed on their heads, donning them in their suits.
"ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE!"
"RASPBERRY ARMS! PIERCING MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY!"
"BUDOU ARMS! RYU HOU! HA, HA, HA!"
The fruits unfolded into armor, revealing their helmets and they gained their weapons. They all charged but the Komori Inves took off into the air and flew past them. It tried flying back at them with Aura and Ryugen firing at the monster but it dodged them. It continued flying around until landing and when it did Aura and Ryugen tried firing again but the Inves jumped down and dodged their attacks.
It jumped up and down to try slashing Gaim but he blocked the hit with his Daidaimaru before Gaim pushed it in a pile of junk. Gaim stomped on it before trying to bring sword down on it but it blocked his hit before trading places with Gaim.
It tried swinging down its weapon on Gaim but he blocked it. While in the hold, Gaim allowed his other hand to go for the Musou Saber and slashed the Komori Inves the stomach as he withdrew it.
The Inves flew and rolled on the floor before getting up to block Gaim's swords. It soon screeched at Gaim again, pushing him against the wall.
"Damn it, not again!" Gaim cursed as he was starting to be cornered. He noticed a barrel nearby and kicked it. It rolled onto the Inves, making it stop for a brief moment before resuming the screeching.
"Papa, that barrel is explosive!" Yui mentioned as she analyzed the barrel.
"Got it!" Gaim said before loading his Musou Saber and firing at the barrel, making it explode and pushing back the Inves. It got up, only to feel shots from Aura and Ryugen. Aura slashed it while Ryugen simply ducked under it.
While Aura was slashing it, the others decide to join in on the beating. Gaim slashed while Ryugen was giving punches and kicks. Aura slashed it to Ryugen who soon elbowed the monster before turning with her gun out. She pulled the trigger and fired before it flew back. It crash-landed on the floor before struggling to get up. The three Riders faced it.
"Guys!" Gaim called.
"Right!" They responded as Gaim combined his weapons before taking his Lockseed off and putting it in his sword.
"LOCK ON!"
The others then cut their Lockseeds.
"COME ON!"
"HAI!"
"RASPBERRY SQUASH!"
"BUDOU SQUASH!"
Ryugen pulled that back of her gun while the other two Riders were preparing to slash.
"1-0-0-0-0!"
The Inves finally got up before Ryugen fired her gun at it, releasing purple burst shots at it.
"ORANGE CHARGE!"
Both Gaim and Aura charged at it with their glowing swords before slashing it. It soon got down in an orange sphere while tiny raspberries surrounded it before it exploded. They soon grouped up and reverted back to normal.
"That's the end of that, right?" Shino asked before Akira and his group showed up.
"Guys, you have to see this!" Akira called.
He and his group soon showed them the miniature forest that they found.
"It's just like the forest!" Asuna remarked.
"But how did it grow so fast?" Shino wondered.
"Guys!" Akira called as he heard footsteps and got them into cover nearby as they saw Inves approaching the fruit nearby. They took a peak.
"Inves." Kirito recognized as he and the others were watching them eat the fruit like animals.
"I see, so the other one must've run out of food here, and went out looking for more." Yui theorized before they started to hear footsteps.
They looked at the figure and Kirito and Asuna recognized it right away.
"No way!" Asuna remarked.
"It's him…" Kirito said.
The light soon shined on the figure, revealing it to be Zangetsu. Zangetsu stopped and looked at the Inves.
"I suppose it's time to test this out." Zangetsu said as he pulled out his new Lime Lockseed,
"LIME!"
The Crack opened revealing a giant green lime. Zangetsu removed his Melon Lockseed and replaced it with the Lime Lockseed.
"LOCK ON!"
His standby music was playing and Zangetsu sliced it.
"SEIYA!"
His melon arms disappeared and the lime landed on his head.
"LIME ARMS! TSUZIKAN ATTACK!"
The Lime unfolded with the front bottom folding to a chestplate, the sides and top folded into shoulderplates, and the back folded to the back. Zangetsu's visor was a dark green and his helmet was a dark green samurai helmet. In his hand was a halberd with the blade resembling a lime slice.
"A power type? I could work with this." Zangetsu said as he griped both hands on the weapon. He charged before he easily dodged the Inves and gave them powerful strikes. Everyone was in awe of Zangetsu's newfound power and skill.
"A white Kamen Rider…" Shino said before remembering something. "Is he-?"
"Yeah, that's Zangetsu, the one who attacked me and Asuna in the forest." Kirito answered.
With one last strike, all the Inves exploded. He rested his halberd on his shoulder as men with hazmat suits and flamethrowers approached him.
"Do it." Zangetsu ordered.
"Hai!" One of the men answered before they pointed their flamethrowers at the plants and started burning them.
"Those guys were there too…" Asuna recognized.
"They're…they're burning the evidence!" Yolko remarked.
"I can't believe it." Kotone remarked.
"It also looks routine for them too." Shino observed.
"Damn it, are they doing this because someone's been attacked here?" Kirito wondered before he and Asuna realized that the flora around the first Crack they went through was burned by these men.
"Probably." Shino answered. "They're making it look like it never happened."
Kirito and everyone else held in their anger at the men's action. A few even clenched their fists.
"They can't just do that!" Kirito said in anger.
"Yeah, we have a right to know what's going on." Asuna pointed out.
Shino look back to stare at Zangetsu one more time before her eyes widened.
"That's…!" Shino remarked as she looked at Zangetsu's belt. It was the same one she saw in the briefcase that her brother was packing. Are Minato and Zagetsu the same person? Was this what happened to Minato over the years while he was gone? Many questions were going through Shino's head, making her oblivious to the fact that the flames were starting to reach them. Everyone ran except Shino and Asuna.
"Shino, we have to go!" Asuna said before she grabbed her arm and dragged her with the others before a man burned down their spot. As they were running, Shino looked back one last time.
'Nii-san..?'
(Later at Yggdrasill HQ)
After the burning, Minato reported to Ryoma's lab to talk about their plans.
"Cracks are forming faster than anticipated." Minato noted as he looked at a Lockseed fruit that was in a tube of water.
"It appears Helheim is finally awakening." Ryoma concluded as he was typing on his computer. "How fascinating."
"Is this some kind of game to you?" Minato asked as he turned to face Ryoma. "Our staff is being stretched much too thin already. By the way, how are the new models coming along?" Minato asked, as he was referring to Project Genesis.
"We need to move up the schedule. Who will our first tester be?" Ryoma wondered. They needed a tester for the first prototype if Project Genesis can move forward.
"I'll do it." Minato volunteered without a second thought. He was the first tester for the Sengoku Drivers so he does have experience with this. Ryoma smiled.
"Are you sure? It's much riskier than the original. I would choose another guinea pig, myself." Ryoma said. Minato was the head here and if this project hurts him then it would cause complications.
"I've committed to this project. I'll see it through to the end and its success." Minato answered, showing his resolve.
"Why all this dedication?" Ryoma wondered as he looked at Minato. "What are you so invested for?" He never saw a more dedicated person towards this.
"Yggdrasill holds the fate of the world in its hands. I will secure a future for humanity…and Shino." He said though he quietly whispered the last part.
(Omake: The Break Room)
Gridon was getting bagels from the nearby box and cut them.
"Oh I love bagels, bagels-." He sung before Kurokage appeared in front of him with a coffee mug in his hand.
"Hey, Gridon."
"Oh, hey Kurokage." Gridon replied as he was snapped out his song.
"You wanna talk about what happened?" Kurkage asked, referring to the beating they got from Bravo.
"Not really." Gridon answered, slightly humiliated at the reference.
"We got beaten by a fruitcake of a baker. It happened." Kurokage said shamelessly. "We'll get him next time."
"You're right." Gridon admitted.
"Did someone mention moi?" Bravo asked as he approached the two.
"Oh nothing at all." The two nut Riders said before trailing off to their own excuses.
Meanwhile Zangetsu was looking through the fridge and Baron approached him.
"Hey look, I just want to say I felt like let my guard down." Baron started as he was uncomfortable talking like this. "I'm just saying I felt like you really steamrolled me in the last match."
"Take it to yourself, kid." Zangetsu answered as he took out a donut.
"I knew you wouldn't care!" Baron said before he angrily walked away.
Gaim and Ryugen were drinking coffee until Aura passed them.
"Last match was amazing, Kirito." Aura said as she passed them.
"You and Asuna had a match?" Ryugen asked.
"It's a long story but I see why she was called the Flash back in SAO." Gaim admitted.
Soon a person entered the break room.
"Alright, break is over." The guy said.
Gridon looked at Bravo before smashing his face with his mallet. Kurokage jumped onto Bravo's back before they fell down. Zangetsu smacked his shield with Baron before jabbing him with his lance. Ryugen got her gun out and fired at Aura's energy raspberries before Gaim tackled the two. Another typical day in the break room.
AN: Alright guys, just this one last chapter before moving onto something bigger for the story. I know I have other stories to work on but just after the next one, I'll do some updating that needs due. And maybe some publishing on the way. Anyways, don't forget to review, follow, or favorite this story. PM me if you want to talk about anything else and don't be afraid to check out my other stories. Alright, I'm done, goodnight.
