Toa Solaric: I don't own either Date A Live or Kamen Rider Gaim. They belong to their respective owners just as anything that originated from other series. Welcome back to another chapter of Armored Rider's Date A Live Chronicle.
Armored Rider's Date A Live Chronicle
Ch21: The Disappearance of Zangetsu
The first thing that Shido saw was the light above him and hearing voices of Rinne and other girls in the same room.
"W-what happen…?" The blue hair teen wondered before his vision starting to get a bit more better than before.
"Shido, are you alright?!" Rinne question.
"Shido!" Kotori hurry closed to her older brother and clenched onto him tightly.
"Where is Mana…?" Shido asked, noticing that his blood sister was not in presence. "Where is she?"
"Mana… she is put in quarantine after what happened out there. Before you raised your voice, she asks us to put her there after endangering you." Kotori said.
"I see…" Shido said before he has a downcast look.
"Shido…? What is the matter?" Rinne asked.
"Is it true? That Mana has only 10 years left to live?" Shido asked. "…Only 10 years left to live?" he quietly asked.
Kotori remains quiet before she let out a sigh. "Yes… she has only 10 years left." She said quietly.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?!" Shido asked, gripping onto Kotori's uniform. "Why did you keep it hiding from me!?"
"Shido, that is enough! I am certain that Kotori has a good reason for this. Right…?" Rinne insisted as she prevent the argument from escalating any further. Shido cannot brings himself from beating Kotori, as he cannot really get over the fact…that Mana will have only 10 years left to live.
"I was hope of keeping this hidden until we find a solution to reverse the damage that DEM technologies happen to her. This will only stress you out further than before." Kotori said. "I'm sorry that you have to find out this way, Shido." She said with a bit remorse.
Shido didn't know what to say after hearing from Kotori. What can he really say to Kotori's apology? He is still upset that this was kept hiding from him.
"I just cannot believe that to used DEM technology… caused your lifespan will be shortening that fast…." Rinne said.
"But there is something else I've been wondering about…" Kotori said. "If Sakurai-san used to be one of the DEM, how is that she is so calm about her own possible death with her ability to tell how much longer Mana has left?"
This made Shido, Tohka, and Rinne looks startled at her as the thought never crossed their mind before. They all witness the ability of Bujin Gaim when she revealed how much longer Mana has left to live, but how is it someone like her who that ability doesn't seem to be react badly for her own life might ended without doing much about it?
(Play wimp ft. Lil' Fang (from FAKY))
Tsuyogari no uragawa ni yowasa wo kakushiteta
A large Spacequake happened on the northern section of Earth before the scene suddenly changed.
Nigenai yo kore kara wa... mou ichido ano sora e!
Soon we focused on Gaim, Zangetsu, Ryugen, Baron and Idunn as they stood in a Helheim-covered Tengu City before their visors glowed. Then, in order as the screen flashed: Gaim resting the Daidaimaru against his shoulder; Zangetsu holding his Melon Defender close to him; Ryugen looking to the side with his Budou Ryuhou; Baron with his Banaspear stabbed to the ground; Idunn posing with her Sword Bringer and Apple Reflector.
Tsukuri agetemo kowashite mata tsukutte
Kotaro hurried down the street before meeting Mihashi and Rinne as they were on their way to Raizen High school. Unknown Kotaro and his brother Takeru walking past each other as they hold their respective Lockseeds.
Nanbyaku kai mo again and again!
Zangetsu stood in the moonlight before dodging incoming beam attacks then cutting down his enemies. Soon the scene changes to the forest with Zangetsu in his Watermelon Arms before pointed the Watermelon Gatling Gun at the screen.
Demo makeru itami ni nare sugiteta
Mihashi was practicing with his shinai in a dojo before he looked at the Melon Lockseed.
Mitomeraretakute karamawatte
Baron charged forward as stabbed his Banaspear into his enemies. Soon him in his Mango Arms and Zaphkiel Arms ready a scene shows.
Tsuyogari miseta tokoro de
Souji looked at the ruins of his house, gripping the Banana Lockseed like a vice as he remembered his vow and glared at the DEM building, a group of people and the symbol of Team Baron behind him.
Sore ja jibun ga munashiku naru dake ja nai?
Shido was standing in the kitchen while making breakfast as his Budou Lockseed hung firmly from his pocket. Ryugen sprinted through the forest while firing at his enemies before hiding behind another tree before he shows up into the sky with Camael Arms.
Uh ikou ka! It's time to wake up!
Soon a scene shows Ryuuta looking out at the sea before the Sister Lockseed in his hand before holding it tightly. Then there is a scene of Fumou holding the Citron Gladius before a shadow figure showing from his behind with helmet resembled a skull.
Me wo samashina! tsuyosa wa meikaku
Forget the fear and doubt you gotta burn it up
Tengu City seemed to be fully overcome by Helheim. Kotaro, Souji, Mihashi, and Shido shifted into their respective Rider forms before taking off to battle against the Inves, DEM, and other Riders.
Ichi ka bachi ka sa! asu mo futashika
In the following shot, as the Kamen Riders battle against the Inves, the girls proved their power in the fight by taking on the Inves as well, different shots showing them each in action.
Sadame nante kowase fight for yourself!
Me wo sorasuna fly again!
Soon we see Gaim and Baron struggling against another, neither of them giving an inch and sparks flying in the air. Both Kotaro and Souji screamed in rage, determined to win the fight.
'Tsuyoku naritai!' to negau koto de
Furueteta hane wa yami wo kirisaiteku
In the DEM base are Issac and Ellen before Issac was covered by purple hellish flames, immediately replaced by another new Rider with only blood-red eyes to show he was there.
Kimi ga iru kara mou kowakunai yo
Sono te nigitte mou ichido ano sora e!
Gaim, Baron, Ryugen, Zangetsu, and Idunn stood behind their symbols while holding their Lockseeds. The Spirits stood beside them with their weapons ready as the title logo appears again.
Mana sat alone in the isolation room by herself as she has a guilty look upon her face. She was still think about what happened back then.
She was too negligence about keeping her brother in the dark regard to her own condition that her own brother have risk his own life for her. But seeing her brother getting hurt again, there was unshaken feeling of confusion and shame, coursing through her body like she never had before.
"Mana…?" Mana looks up to see her older brother Shido who looks down at her. She didn't notices that he came into through the door.
"O-Onii-sama…" Mana whispered quietly before she remember what happened back and start move herself away from him.
"Mana…" Shido said, looking a bit surprised at her behavior.
"Why'd you come here?" Mana asked quiet.
"I came to check on you." Shido said before he move a bit close… not before Mana move away from him.
"Stay back. I'm fine by myself!" Mana shouted to Shido, who flinched in shock.
"Mana, why are you try to push yourself away?" Shido asked, looking confused at her strange behavior.
"… I'm sorry for what happen. I was so caught up in my thoughts that you have to put your life to risk for that. But I guess… you're upset that I become more burdened to you with this." Mana respond quietly.
"I never see you as a burden, Mana." Shido said calmly and quiet.
"But because of me, you have to protect me and you have to become a Rider!" Mana retort angry.
"I don't cared about that! It's always the older siblings to protect their younger siblings!" Shido said as this made her looks shocked. "Mana, even if we been separated for so long! I will continued risking myself to protect you no matter what!" he shouted.
Mana soon turned away from her brother and move from him.
"Onii-sama… please, just go." She said but Shido was about to protest.
"But Mana…"
"I need sometime alone!" Mana snapped as this made Shido flinched. "Just go!"
Shido reluctantly turns around and leaving the room. Rinne happens to be waiting outside of the room for Shido.
"Is Mana going to be alright?" Rinne asked to Shido who has a downcast expression.
"She has a lot on her mind after what happen… after the fight." Shido said bitter. "I didn't know what to do. Mana only has ten years left."
"It's not your fault, Shido." Rinne respond, placing a hand on his trembling shoulder. "We didn't know anything about the DEM or what they do to her and others." She said. She is also worried about Mana's mental health and remembering reading something about child soldiers.
"But what will happen if we didn't find any cure for Mana?" Shido asked, still feeling frustration at the news about short lifespan. "What should I do then, Rinne?" he asked to her.
Rinne wasn't sure what to say. She never dealt with someone who have short time to left to live before. There are a lot of things she can say. But she wasn't sure if they will make Shido feel any better. They just recently learn Mana has only ten years left to live. In the end, she chose the words that she thought that would be best for Shido to hear.
"I don't know whether or not if Mana really going to survive, Shido. I cannot say if this is right since I never had a younger sibling with Mana's situation or know how to react if I lost her." Rinne finally said with firm resolve. "But you should use those 10 years to spend making new memories even if she is going to die someday. Whether they're either sad or happy, but memories that she won't lost. That is what I think you should do as you're her big brother."
Shido let out a sighed as Rinne noticed that Shido's shoulders are less tense than before. "It… it still just not fair. I thought that I might have a chance of getting part of my past… it will end up slip away from me." He said.
"But I'm worry what happen if DEM find her again," Rinne stated, figuring if the DEM is responsible for Mana lost her memories and the chance that it might happened again.
Shido wasn't sure what to say as he was still think about Mana's words.
In a barbeque restaurant, Kotaro is sitting down on the opposite table with someone who he hadn't seen for 11 years— Sayaka Hayami. This is the only place where he felt that can give them some privacy for conversation.
Kotaro picks up one of the beef piece and eating it calmly as the flavor of the meat can be felt in his mouth. He then noticed that Sayaka hadn't touch the food yet.
"Go ahead, the foods are on me anyway…" Kotaro said to Sayaka. "They will be burned too long if they left them there." He advised.
"I am surprised you're this calm." Sayaka said. She was expected that Kotaro being in denial or shock as they had seen each other for nearly 11 years.
"A lot can changed for the past 11 years... But foods seem to be the way of calming my nerves." Kotaro respond, taking another piece of meat.
Sayaka soon picked up piece of meat and slowly eating it.
"How is it?" Kotaro asked.
"It's really good." Sayaka answered.
"Tell me… what you did early was it magic?" Kotaro asked. He knows for certain that arrows cannot ignited on fire after being released since it illogical impossible.
Sayaka was careful glance around before she finally answered the question. "Yes… that was magic. But it's more natural magic than those Realizers technologies used. Do you know what they are?" she inquired as Kotaro nodded.
"I hear about them," Kotaro said. "I take it that the entire clan know how to use them…?" he asked. If Sayaka could do, then everyone else in the clan can do it. There is no way of denying it.
Sayaka soon has a downcast expression on her face. "Yes… the Hayami family even picked up children who developed magic. Though it kind of rare to find them since they're now mostly occur after Spacequake. I was send here to Tengu City to observed you—"
"And what do they want from me after all these years? They want nothing with us, but they want something with me?" Kotaro asked dryly.
"You mean you don't know?" Sayaka asked as this made Kotaro looks confused.
"Don't know what?"
"Because having this much mana without affect the area entire is rare and can be really dangerous." Sayaka said.
"Okay. Say that I believe your story. But why would they send you anyway?" Kotaro asked, bit suspicious. "Why wouldn't they send some random fat guy who is bald in business suit for a stalker instead?" he added with a teasing grin before eating another piece.
"I-I am not a stalker!" Sayaka said with an angry blush while holding her own piece. "I didn't know you were even there in the first place even though it strange to meet you there!" she exclaimed.
"So why they do want to observe me after sever the ties? Are they going to patch thing up after I remember that they sever the ties with a pat on the back?" Kotaro sarcastically asked.
"N-Not exactly… but they would want to know how is it possible for you obtain that much when you never shown any before. If you show to be a threat, then I will have to take you down. Do you have any idea why or what you did?" Sayaka asked.
'Sayaka really changed a lot…' Kotaro thought when noticed how serious she can be. He also admit that after 11 years of not seeing her, she become beautiful. But he is a bit confused on what they mean about him develop magic, but in a large quantity without affect the area? The only thing he has possessed would be his Spirit Zadkiel Lockseed. How is it possible for them to detect something like that anyway? Though he hadn't used it for nearly two weeks.
"To be honest that I had no idea on what you're talking about." Kotaro answer. "I don't even know if I can do magic…" he said before Sayaka slammed her hand hard on the table.
"That can't be right… they never been wronged before in their live." Sayaka ranting at him before noticing that they had the attention of the people in the restaurant. She soon become quiet and looking away awkwardly.
Kotaro smiled awkwardly and just waved at them, getting them to shrug their shoulders and turn away. He decide to change the topic to something else.
"I am also surprised that… you practiced archery and you look like you really good at it. Not a lot of people used them here." He commented.
This seem to lighten up Sayaka's mood, but she is still skeptical about it. Kotaro is certainly still human from appearance alone and he doesn't seem to notice anything particular odd.
"I was trying to find you at your apartment… but you weren't there, why is that?" Sayaka asked, curious.
"Oh… well, I am staying over at a friend's place." Kotaro explains. But he then suddenly have an unexpected thought on his mind as his blue eyes wide in shock.
"Wait a minute! Don't tell me that they're forcing you to live with me forever?" Kotaro questioned loudly.
"Wh-What given you that idea, baka!?" Sayaka exclaimed, blushing angry. "Who in the right mind of putting man and woman in the same room!? I just move in somewhere… to fulfill my mission." She said in an awkward tone.
This made him snicker. "But they send you to watch me, Sayaka. It would still mean you need to be somewhere extra close…" Kotaro teased while once again getting the people's attention.
Seeing her getting angry and blushing, Kotaro sighed out loud getting the last of it out of his system. "Sorry, sorry… but that was just too funny." He said, calming down.
Sayaka still looking away from him. "Anyway, how is your brother doing?" She asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Nii-san went oversea for work…" Kotaro answered. He doesn't really like using it, but he wants to avoid having Sayaka find out about his brother being leading direct of Yggdrasill.
Not that he doesn't trust Sayaka… but the thought of it was still uncomfortable for someone like him.
"I see…" Sayaka muttered. "It must be lonely without him around…"
Kotaro about to say something before he felt a vibration from his new cellphone in his pocket. He took it out and seeing that it was from Yoshino.
"Excuse me, but I'll need to take this." Kotaro said before leaving for the bathroom.
After went inside, he soon goes into one of the room with a single toilet. He then pressed the answer and puts the cellphone closes to his ear.
"Yoshino, what's wrong?" Kotaro asked quietly.
Yoshino was aboard Fraxinus with a cellphone while checking over Yuzuru and Kaguya who are currently in their beds.
"Yuzuru and Kaguya… they fall into unconscious." Yoshino explains quietly.
"Can you tell me what caused this?" Kotaro inquired about how the Yamai twins fall into unconsciousness so easily.
"They say that they felt their power drained… before I call for help." Yoshino said. "Do you know where Mihashi-san is?" she asked. She know the only way that the Yamai can felt this way due to Mihashi being contracted with their power like she and Kotaro.
"Mihashi…" Kotaro muttered. 'He won't use that much power… unless he has a very good reason. The only reason was finding the truth about his brother's role in Yggdrasill.' He thought with worried.
He cannot help think back when he and Mihashi formed of working together until Mihashi finds out the truth. Never have the thought that they might have to gone separated ways when working together. But it seem that life always make difficult. Kotaro never thought he can be afraid of the time when they have to break the pact. Mihashi been there to help him and they been fighting back to back with each other as brothers in arm.
But it looks like that day might come sooner than he would've imagined. When he revealed who is behind the mask of Mars and the USB with information he download from Yggdrasill.
Is it really going to end up like that dream he once have before he becomes Gaim? Where all four Riders fight each other?
Kotaro soon snap out of his thoughts as he recall Yoshino still waiting for his respond.
"I hadn't no idea where he could be." Kotaro said quiet, suppressed hard on the depressed in his voice. 'Even if I want to be certain… I need to have faith that he will come back.' He mentally added. He will give him a day then he will search for him.
"I see. If you see him, would you tell him not do it too reckless?" Yoshino asked with concerned.
"Sure, I would do that. Yoshino, I want you to stay with the Yamai to make sure they won't do anything reckless." Kotaro assured to her.
In the Yggdrasil base, Takeru was making a visit with the doctor in the medical facility. It wasn't that early when he confront against Zangetsu, aka Mihashi Izuruno the twin brother of Mitsuno Izuruno, who comes to the place he never want anyone else to find out.
"How is he?" Takeru asked with calm expression to the doctor.
"He will live, but I am surprised that beside your younger brother… the Spirit power from the Lockseed didn't kill him." The doctor said.
"Then I assumed that it doesn't cause any sudden changes to his DNA?" Takeru asked. The doctor shakes his head. "Good. I want you to keep me monitor on his health."
"Nice job of capturing another Spirit Lockseed." A white hair scientist said with excited, coming into the area.
"You seem excited than before, Lloyd." Takeru said stern as the doctor excused himself from the conversation.
"I get chance of studied another great object of power." Lloyd said. "I must admit that the possibility of sealing the power of Spirits in Lockseeds is something beyond my own skills in making Energy Lockseeds."
"What about those Inves with Energy Lockseeds that we get reports on?" Takeru asked.
"They don't seem to be easy to find than we imagined as they don't leave any trace." Lloyd said, frown. "It hard to believe that the Energy Lockseeds being used to transformed into…Inves. They're truly insane."
"It's quit madness…that they will used Lockseeds when they have Realizers as their ideal tools." Takeru said.
Takeru knows how the DEM would get their hand on Lockseeds and it was due to the mistake of the previous Yggdrasil made.
True that both Yggdrasil and DEM might be similar when it comes to scheme. But Takeru knows that the head director of DEM has more genocide plan for human involved with the Spirits. It ironic that the first Spacequake did what Yggdrasill want, but it was also their downfall and force the remnant of the organization went into hiding place. The DEM are starting to target Helheim like before in tried to obtain power, but Takeru won't stand by and letting the organization do as they pleased.
There is also another problem that considered Takeru and that is his brother escaped from his cell. Not to mention that Kotaro also download every files in Yggdrasil database. Judging by how the guard was locked in the cell… Kotaro managed to trick the guard and got himself out.
'But how did he come across the Genesis Core and extra Lemon Energy Lockseed? Did someone give to them…? If so, who could done and for what gain from helping him?' Takeru thought confused. But he know one thing for certain that Kotaro won't make it that far as he don't possessed any skills in archery. It will be unlikely that he would even find someone in Tengu to teach him since there was no one practiced there anyway.
Souji is visiting his student at his apartment as he wondered why he was never presence lately and he finds the reason why now.
"So this is what been keeping you busy, huh." Souji remarked at the unconscious form of Origami Tobiichi on Ryuuta's guest bed. "You take that girl in…" he added dark.
"Even though I want her died, but death is no way of escaping her crimes." Ryuuta explains calmly. After what happens few days ago, Origami couldn't escape due to starvation and dehydration while being on her own.
Ryuuta is surprised to hear about the existence of new Inves and wonder if they could be worth challenging against. But he still have his own mission to rescue his own sister Minami from her fate.
"Did anything particular happen while she is in your presence?" Souji asked as he sat down on a chair.
"There is one thing, Souji-sempai… an odd pale blonde hair woman and purple eyes with a camera was near when I finds her, but I smashed her camera and she was force to fled before I can questioned her." Ryuuta said.
This seem to stirring up something in Souji when he hears that. He remembered something from Kurumi about her past break-in with the DEM and that there is one dangerous Wizard was.
"I see… it's better that you keep her away from that woman." Souji said as he sees what was going on here. It does make sense that after Origami been exiled from the AST, that organization is trying to gain her after seeing what she did.
"Souji-sempai?" Ryuuta asked, surprised by his odd behavior. "Do you know her?" he asked.
"Let just say that someone my girlfriend ran into while she was doing her mischiefs with a certain organization." Souji answers as this made Ryuuta's eyes wide.
Sayaka was waiting for Kotaro's return from the bathroom but she can't help relax. She can't help know that Kotaro might be hiding something. She is not a fool when think that Kotaro will be the same after 11 years as everything changed a lot. This made her think back to the time when she first hear of the assignment as they want her to observing someone who she never saw again. There are some mixed feelings about seeing Kotaro originally. She still have some resentment at the decision to sever the ties with the two brothers and afraid of how things turned out. She soon snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Kotaro returned from the bathroom.
"So who was that?" Sayaka asked curious.
"A friend of mine who want an opinion on something…" Kotaro said curtly before sat down.
"What are you going to do now, Kotaro?" Sayaka asked.
Kotaro thought about finding Mihashi, but he promised himself that he will least wait a day for him to return. And he doesn't want to get Sayaka involved with the Spirit affair either.
"I didn't really have any plans after seeing you." Kotaro admitted. "But what about you?" he asked to Sayaka.
"I don't get what you mean." Sayaka said, confused. "You already know my assignment is observing you."
"Does your place have everything you need? Like furniture or possible necessities?" Kotaro asked. Though Sayaka might be an ideal opinion as his potential archery teacher, but he want a bit more time of knowing her again before revealing his secret.
"Well… I only bring a little and planning on shopping later. But my priority is with you..." Sayaka said as Kotaro understand that her mission is important.
"Why don't we do it now than later?" Kotaro asked.
"Why are you helping me?" Sayaka questioned, surprised.
"It will make things easier for you. And I don't feel like you shouldn't do this later when you need to watch over me." Kotaro explains.
Sayaka let out a sighed. "Fine… I guess we can do that."
It wasn't long until they left the restaurant and went to the mall. Kotaro learned what Sayaka didn't bring for her place and recommend some stuffs that she might need to live. But Sayaka then saw something unexpected and show to Kotaro.
"What is this? This looks like it could be used for flamethrower…" Sayaka asked, picking up what looks like a leaf blower. Kotaro shakes his head.
"That is not a flamethrower, Sayaka. It's a pressure washer for cleaning cars." Kotaro corrected. "But where did you get the idea anyway?" he asked, confused.
"Well… it was from a movie." Sayaka answered. "And I recognized this can be used as a weapon…" she pointed to the chainsaw.
"You're into horror movies…?" Kotaro asked, raising an eyebrow in surprised.
"W-Who say that I am scared of horror movies…?" Sayaka said, defensive. Kotaro resisted the urge of teasing her now.
"It's fine. I can't stand horror movies too much either," Kotaro said before picking up bottle of laundry detergent. "If you're going to wash your own clothes, I would welcomed this one." He said after putting it in the shopping cart.
"Thanks…" Sayaka said. "So Kotaro, what year are you in now?" she asked.
"First year in High School." Kotaro answered truthfully. "What about you?" he asked.
"I already finished grade school before coming here." Sayaka said.
"Is that so? That is really impressive." Kotaro remarked as they continued wander around the store until Sayaka spoke up.
"Hmm… I think we have pretty much enough stuffs. Let's go to check out." She said.
"Fine by me…" The two soon went to get the stuffs checkout as Sayaka paying for her stuffs. Sayaka is carrying one shopping bag while Kotaro carried two in his hands. The two soon left the mall as they're on their way to her place.
"So Sayaka… how long does it take for you to learned archery?" Kotaro asked curious about her training in archery.
"Well, I start at it 8 years old. It usually take several years before you become mastered of it. My teacher always believed that it best to practicing every weeks or your skills turned rusty." Sayaka said.
"I see…" Kotaro muttered. "Hey Sayaka… there is something I want to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Do you think …that you can teach me archery?" Kotaro asked, making Sayaka blinks and stop.
"Huh?"
"Do you think that you can teach me archery, Sayaka?" Kotaro repeated his question at the surprised brunette girl.
This caused an awkwardly silent for both of them until Sayaka find her voice and spoked up.
"Why would you want to learned archery? I thought you don't seem to be the type would be interested in something that uncommon today…" Sayaka asked surprised.
"Because… I want to be amazing as you!" Kotaro smiled at her. "I used to think archery is outdated, but you made it more amazing back then." He then gushing at her skills in archery, much to Sayaka's abashment.
"T-Thank you…"
"Then would you teach me, please?" Kotaro asked.
"Well, I-" Before they know it, something fast running passed them and leaving a powerful breeze blown across the street.
Kotaro moved his arm over his face and turned his face toward Sayaka. "What in the world was that—"
But something stops Kotaro from finished his sentence as his eyes wide in shock. Whatever cause the powerful breeze early… also caused Sayaka's skirt raised up and exposed her panties in front of him.
"P-Pink string panties…?" Kotaro muttered, blushing at the sight of Sayaka's panties. He never imagined that he met someone actually wear string panties and Sayaka was the last person he ever expected.
Unfortunately Sayaka overheard his words and realized what happened as crimson hued was over her face. Never in her life that something like this happened to her!
"You… saw them!" She growl with angry.
"I-It's not my fault—"
"But your eyes were looking down, pervert!" Sayaka pointed with an accusing glaring toward him.
"But the powerful breeze was responsible for it. You weren't the one who face the issue of skirts being blown up." Kotaro point out as the various female screams of other women in embarrassment can be hear nearby.
Rather than beating him, Sayaka soon closed her eyes and take a deep breath. She soon turned around and start walking away with her shopping bag in hand.
"Umm… hey…" Kotaro said, a bit nervous.
Sayaka turned to him with a blush on her face. "You're the worse…" She said walking away.
Kotaro can't help feeling the chance of learning archery become slimmer than before, but there was something on his mind and it related to strange breeze. He could swear that he saw someone running by them, but it was in a few seconds. Kotaro soon got out his phone and send a text message to Kotori.
The young man then picked up the grocery bags and soon hurry after Sayaka who left in the embarrassment of what happened before. She might not want to do anything with him after he accidently see her panties… but he can least leave the bags on her front door and then come back later after she calm down.
"Shido, come on!" Tohka said as Shido is dragging by Tohka through the food stands today.
Shido wasn't sure what happens as Tohka was the one who bragging in his room. He was still think about what to do regard what he just learn about Mana's shorten lifespan until Tohka come in and sudden dragging him out.
"T-Tohka, what are we doing?" Asked Shido, looking a bit confused.
"We're going on a date!" Tohka respond happily. Shido looks surprise at Tohka when she mention date and is surprised that they hadn't gone on for a while.
They went to several places together such as the arcade, baker store, and bunch of other stores with foods. It wasn't long until they stop at an expensive restaurant.
"I don't have a lot of cash on me… so…" Shido said, somewhat concerned about how much foods that Tohka was eating.
"Don't worry… Reine lend me her magic card." Tohka showing the credit card as Shido let out a sighed.
'Ahh… the black card…' Shido thought before they left the restaurant after finishing eating. They soon find themselves on the hill side of the neighborhood as Shido cannot help reminisced to how he and Tohka used to watching the sunset here on their first date.
"Tohka, is there a reason why you're doing this?" Shido asked.
"Shido, I want to know how you feel about Mana didn't have a lot of time to live," Tohka said.
"Yeah…The more that Mana end up fighting, the more life she lost in the process. I need to find a way to stop it." Shido respond.
"You must be lucky of finding a part of your past…" Tohka admitted.
"It just I don't know how to get Mana understand that I cared. She had been in a dark place for a long time and fighting. It felt like we're so far apart from each other." Shido said.
"I guess that we aren't so different. Human and Spirit…" Tohka said, taking his hand and continued moving down the street. "I know what it like being pushed to fight all the time until you show up. You saved me."
"You don't think that I am a coward… Tohka?" Shido asked hesitantly. Tohka shakes her head.
"I'm certain that it was something beyond your control." Tohka said. "I'm sure that Mana understand too. I am sure that you will saved Mana from whatever the DEM done to her. Just like you saved me from myself."
Shido cannot help feeling a bit better after hearing that Tohka has confident in him about reaching out to Mana.
"Oh. That is just so cute…" A voice snickered as Shido and Tohka turned around to see a hooded figure— Shido's eyes wide to recognized the design of the hooded.
"Who in the world are you…?" Shido questioned with caution expression.
"My business doesn't mean with you, but with her… Spirit Princess."
"I-I don't know what you are talking about…" Tohka said awkwardly. "I am not a ghost!"
This made the man chuckled. "You aren't going to get it out that easily…" the hooded man chuckled before taking out a familiar shaped gun and an Energy Lockseed with the picture of pepper on it.
"PEPPER ENERGY~!"
The hooded stranger insert the Energy Lockseed into his gun and pointed it into the air before pulled the trigger.
Suddenly metallic vines wrapped around his body and shattered completely to reveal his new form. The Inves looks a semi-armored velociraptor with black and crimson armor. There is an orange visor with red glowing eyes on his face. Three claw like fingers on both hands. His left shoulder resembled that of pepper. His legs has what looks like wheels.
"HELL COMPLETE: P-P-PEPPER!"
"Who in the world are you?" Shido questioned.
"You can call me… Turbo! I will take the Princess!" The artificial Inves chuckled.
When Shido hear the objective, he cannot help feeling angry than before. "I don't know what you want, but harming us won't bring you anything!" Shido said before placing his Sengoku Driver on his waist. He then take out his Budou Lockseed.
"BUDOU!"
"Henshin!" Shido shouted before pressed down on his Cutting Blade.
"HAI~! BUDOU ARMS! RYU HOU, HA-HA-HA!"
He soon donned his armor as Ryugen fired his Budou Ryuhou at Turbo. But the Inves soon moved out of the way in incredible speed from Ryugen's shooting. Turbo soon jumps up into the air and delivering a blazing flash kick at him, sending Ryugen skidding backward.
"Shido!" cried Tohka with shocked.
"What's the matter? Can't you really keep up with someone like me?" Turbo asked, mocked at the Chinese theme Rider.
But Ryugen get himself back up from the ground and pulled the trigger again as Turbo started running around due to his incredible speed. Suddenly Ryugen and Tohka noticed that the air around them starting to getting warmer than usual.
Both Ryugen and Tohka cannot help collapsed due to the heating that trapping them in there.
Don't tell me that he was going to trapped us in and burned us alive… Ryugen thought in shocked.
"What's wrong, Princess? Why don't you came out? Only a true Spirit can break from this!" Turbo shout while he continued running around.
Ryugen reaching his hand to his Cutting Blade and pressed it down three times.
"HAI~! BUDOU SPARKLING!"
Ryugen slowly pointed his Budou Ryuhou high in the air and fired a powerful blast of purple energy into the sky. The purple energy soon transformed into shaped of Chinese theme dragon and rammed Turbo to the side.
"Tohka, are you alright?" Ryugen asked, hurry close to Tohka.
"Y-Yeah… I guess so." Tohka said, wiped the sweats from her forehead.
"I am not done yet…!" Turbo growl before getting back up from the ground. Both Ryugen and Tohka looks warily of him until the sound of rumbling coming through. This made everyone look confused before they seeing Gaim on his Sakura Hurricane coming down from the hill.
"Huh!?" Ryugen and Tohka gawked in surprised by Gaim's appearance. "Gaim!?"
"COME THROUGH!" Gaim shout as he slammed his bike directly at Turbo and sending the Inves skidding backward. Gaim soon got off his bike and checked on both Ryugen and Tohka as they're surprised by his dropped in appearance.
"When did you get here!?" Ryugen asked, surprised by his appearance.
"Long story short, I asks your sister to keep me update for someone like him." Gaim said before he looks at Turbo who get himself back up. "You should get Tohka out of here first while I take care of him."
"Thank you," Ryugen said before taking Tohka's hand and they started running from the Inves.
"You… I won't let you get away after that!" Turbo shouted angry.
"I got the thing for someone like you," Gaim said before he gets out his Lemon Energy Lockseed. He is fortunately that he inserted his Genesis Core early.
"LEMON ENERGY~!"
Materialized above his head was the Lemon Energy Arms as Gaim inserted the Lemon Energy Lockseed into his Genesis Core and caused his Orange Lockseed to close itself. His Orange Arms materialized above him and was below the Lemon Energy Lockseed.
Gaim then pressed down his Cutting Blade to open both Lockseeds.
"MIX~!"
Turbo got out his gun and fired at Gaim.
"SOIYA! ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE! JIMBER LEMON!"
The Jimber Lemon Arms protected Gaim as he finished his transformation. Materialized in his hand was none other than the Sonic Arrow.
"HAW-HAW!"
Gaim charged forward and unleashed a slash on Turbo who used his sharp arms to protected himself from the attack while he skidding backward.
Gaim then pulled back the string of Sonic Arrow and fired energy arrows at him. But Turbo regained his sense and started running from him while his shots missed him.
"Damn it…" Gaim cursed before he got send flying backward by Turbo's fist. He was going to land against the wall, but Turbo appeared from behind and kicked him hard in the rear as he was sending skidding across the road, gritting his teeths in frustration.
"Hahahaha! There is no way that you can beat me when you're using that stupid bow! Get a real weapon for once!" Turbo chuckled as Gaim struggling to get up from the ground and looking at his situation. If he doesn't get out of here, he will certainly die from extreme heat.
"You're really get on my nerves…" Gaim muttered before his memories goes back to file on Sonic Arrow that he download from Yggdrasil. The move could certainly work for him, but not used it with so many people around. He soon removed the Lemon Energy Lockseed from his Driver and inserted it into the slot of Sonic Arrow before he pressed down on his Cutting Blade.
"LOCK ON~!"
"SOIYA! ORANGE SPARKLING!"
Yellow and orange energy started to pool on the Sonic Arrow's tip as Gaim pulled it shaft to the fullest and aimed at the air above them.
"What are you doing, you fool? Did you lost your mind or something? There is no way your shot will hit me!" Turbo asked cockily. But Gaim didn't let it bothered him as he released the arrow.
"LEMON ENERGY~!"
Gaim fired and his energized yellow-orange energy arrow soared above Turbo's head before it morphed into a giant lemon/orange hybrid projection. The projection then suddenly burst into multiple energy arrows that rained down upon the Energy Inves explosively and stumbling a bit. Gaim soon take the chance and released double slashes at Turbo before sending him backward.
"You were saying early?" Gaim asked before he lower his Sonic Arrow and placed his Lemon Energy Lockseed back to his Genesis Core.
Gaim soon looks at Turbo. "Now you're going to tell me what in the world are you…? Are you human or Inves? How in the world can you even changed from back and forth? If you aren't going to answer, then I will show what I did to your friend early…" He questioned. The Rider is careful at what this one could do if he resort to eating his own Energy Lockseed like the last one and couldn't get any information.
"Like you aren't getting anything out of me…" Turbo argued as he getting himself up from the ground. "I have a job to do and I won't let anyone get in my way!"
Before Gaim decide to finish off Turbo, he heard a familiar voice.
"Wait!" Gaim turns around and see Ryugen who come back as the Chinese theme Rider walk passed him. Gaim is curious on what Ryugen was going to do.
"I want to know one thing…" Ryugen said serious, "Why are you working for the DEM?" he questioned.
"Why? Because it's my job from the boss!" Turbo said as this made Ryugen feel angry than before.
"But don't you know that DEM technologies limited your lifespan?! How can you swear loyal to organization that shorten your own lifespan!?" Ryugen demands. This certain information caused Gaim turned his head toward his friend.
"W-What…?" Gaim tried to take double-check if he hearing correctly. "What are you talking about?!"
"Shorten lifespan? I don't know what you're blabbing about." Turbo chuckled, confused. "Beside why would my boss ever consider to shorten life of his own loyal men?"
This seem to make Ryugen angry. "Then what about Mana Takamiya!? If she is so loyal to them, would they wanted to shorten her life!? Why!?" he questioned, frustrated.
"Don't know what you're talking about… but I will make you paid for getting in my way!" Turbo growl before he suddenly went incredible speed, "I will not stop until I get my handle on the Princess!"
Both Gaim and Ryugen were pounced by fiery attacks as the two Rider were sending flying backward by the crimson blur.
Turbo appeared behind Ryugen and kick him hard, Gaim turned around to fire his Sonic Arrows but his arrows continued missed when Turbo dodging them due to the wheel let him moved at incredible speed while flames were left behind.
"Damn it… if we don't do something about his speed, we will be in trouble…" Gaim muttered frustrated as he was on his knee.
Ryugen firing his Budou Ryuhou at Turbo as only few shots hit him but Turbo continued to moving without slowly down. Gaim was trying to hit him with his Sonic Arrow, but Turbo was just too fast for him even reaching in time.
"Hold still, you bastard!" Gaim shout angrily before he got smacked hard in the helmet by Turbo himself and skidding few feet back.
Gaim soon saw his Spirit Lockseed on the floor and got a really strange idea in his mind. He soon equipped it to his Sonic Arrow.
"LOCK ON~!"
Suddenly the air around Gaim began to become colder than before.
"W-What are you doing…?" Ryugen asked, surprised.
"It's… time for you to chill out!" Gaim said before his visor turned light blue and his Sonic Arrow turned icy blue.
"ZADKIEL CHARGE!"
Gaim soon slammed the Sonic Arrow hard on the road immediately as Ryugen and Turbo were knocked back by the powerful sheer of ice from the ground.
"Damn it…" Turbo muttered in shocked. Even Ryugen is surprised by what Gaim did with his Sonic Arrow especially noticed the change of appearance of the weapon itself.
Gaim soon approached Turbo with his recolored Sonic Arrow, but Turbo saw what he planned on doing before he get out his gun.
"This is not over… but I will returned to finished you off and captured the Princess!" Turbo shout before he fired his gun and retreated through metallic vines.
"Damn…" Gaim muttered before he removes the Zadkiel Lockseed from his Sonic Arrow as the weapon itself return to its original color.
Gaim let out a sighed before he went toward Ryugen. "What in the world was that about? What is this about Mana have shorten lifespan?" he asked, confused.
Ryugen looks at Gaim. "Mana went and confront Sakurai-san before Sakurai-san told us that all DEM Wizards have shorter years to live."
"Okay… there is a fine line between brave and stupidly." Gaim said, crossing his arms. "Does Kotori and Murasame-sensei knew?" he questioned.
Ryugen didn't say anything and looks away from him as Gaim let out a sigh before he returned to his Sakura Hurricane.
"Where are you going, Kota-san?" Ryugen asked confused.
"You should to check on Tohka. I have somewhere else to be…" Gaim answered as Ryugen want to help him.
"But what about that—"
"Just focused on Tohka and make sure she is alright. I will figure out something about the Inves." Gaim finally said, making Ryugen become quiet. Ryugen standing there as Gaim soon left the area on his motorcycle.
It wasn't long until Shido soon went onto Fraxinus and meet up with Tohka as the plum hair girl was being reassured by Shido about being alright. Kotaro is certainly right that Tohka is worried about him after he dropped her off on Fraxinus.
"But are you alright, Shido?" Tohka asked.
"Yeah… I am fine." Shido said, slight depressed.
But he can't help think back when he was demanding Turbo about whether or not DEM technologies can shorten life. It sound like that they don't believed anything from him.
However, Shido cannot help feel the uselessness when he can't help his friend in catching the Inves as everyone think it important to know how they come into being.
"It seem troubled you since you still cannot ignored about what happened to Mana, Shin." Reine said as her voice made presence known to them both.
"That is one of the reasons." Shido admitted. "But it just that I cannot help wonder why people made their life even shorter and how they don't know what they done to themselves… Shouldn't they valued their life more?"
"Being too caught up in power tend to make people lose sight of who they are. That is one of the flaws in being human. There are many people like that in the world." Reine said.
Shido sighed. "But what am I supposed to do? There is no way that I can keep up with that Inves and I can't let them to take Tohka."
"Indeed. And I think it will be good if you take these." The gray hair woman said before take out two items from her pocket. Shido looks surprised in seeing a Genesis Core and a Peach Energy Lockseed in her hands.
"D-Did you just take apart the Genesis Driver…?" Shido asked, surprised.
"No, these are just copies from my studied on the Genesis Driver and Peach Energy Lockseed. I believe that you can used them with your Driver, you can reach the same power as Kotaro Kazuraba. With the ability of the Peach Energy Lockseed, it might help you deal with subdued the Inves transforming human." Reine said calmly.
"Shido, are you sure that you want to do this?" Tohka asked.
"I don't want to keep on running… when I can fight back against those are after you, Tohka. Kota-san cannot hold the ground if there could be more than one of them." Shido answered as his hands take the Peach Energy Lockseed and Genesis Core. If he ever going to make sure Mana have the chance to live a bit longer, he have to fight as her older brother.
"We don't know when the Inves will show up next, but it probably safe to stay aboard for tonight." Reine recommend.
"That probably the best decision on doing." Shido agreed.
Kotaro got off his Sakura Hurricane and enters the shrine where Miyuki usually was. However, he didn't find her anywhere when he was looking around. Nothing seem to be touch or out of the state of ordinary to him.
'I guess she went into hiding to avoid being spotted by any DEM…' Kotaro thought sadly. It still hard to believe that she was Bujin Gaim the whole time.
He wants to talk with her about what he learned from Shido as the thought of her own sickness must be her close to death and how she handle all of it...
But it looks like he must save it for the time when they crossed path again.
Kotaro let out a sigh before he left through the front yard and finds himself facing against Sayaka. The two stood where they were as they stare hard at each other for few minutes.
"Sayaka… What are you doing here?" Kotaro asked after he breaks the silent.
"I should be asking you the same when seeing you wander around this place," Sayaka said with a serious expression. "But I never would imagine… you be one of those Kamen Riders I heard about." She said, showing an odd shaped paper resembled a doll.
"Oh, so you have a magic paper familiar show you the fight, huh? That is rather interesting…" Kotaro comments when remembering something in anime. "A Shikigami, huh?"
"Even though I want to deny it… but you're still human yet you can wield that much mana. How is that possible?" Sayaka asked serious.
"Sorry, but I'm not sharing that... it better off that less known." Kotaro said before he walk passed her and leaving the area.
But Sayaka grabbed his shoulder and prevent him from leaving. "I'm not let you leave without answer my question, Kotaro Kazuraba." She replied with a serious expression.
"I won't go into much details except that I made a promise." Kotaro said as this made Sayaka raised an eyebrow.
"Why can't you tell me the whole thing?" Sayaka demands.
"It's because I cannot trust you yet…" Kotaro noticed that Sayaka about to say something again, but he beats her to it. "Before you ever using 'we're childhood friends after not seeing each other in a long time'. I want you to think this. Is everything the same after 11 years without any contact with each other for a long time?" he asked stiffened.
Sayaka looks speechless at his words before she soon calmed down. "I won't deny that I thought you might put a little trust in me due to know each other in the past. But it would be naïve like you says since we hadn't seen each other for long time." Sayaka replied calmly.
"Indeed…" Kotaro agreed.
"But tell me something… do you regret of possessing the power? Because I hear news about what happened in the local fair in this city." Sayaka asked as there is sight of regret in his eyes.
"I am not proud that I cannot help save those lives… but one thing that I learn from it show me how irresponsible to put too much trust in authority when they cannot keep their own soldiers in line." Kotaro said reminisced.
"Did you ever want to use your power for revenge after what happen?" Sayaka asked.
"That thought did crossed my mind," This made Sayaka looks surprised, "but the one who commit the crime got what she deserved. If I decide to do the deed… will it bring back those who kill unjustified?" Kotaro rhetorically asked.
"I am surprised that you put much thought into it…" Sayaka mutter, keeping her calm composition.
"Then do you believe me?" Kotaro asked.
"You change only a bit on my opinion regard you." Sayaka pointed out serious. "And another thing… you should give up on doing archery… you could accidently harmed someone if your shot missed." She stated with a frown.
"But I had no choice since that is the main weapon of the form and no one in this city know anything about archery." Kotaro countered serious.
"I see… So that is why you have difficulties." Sayaka said quiet.
"Sayaka… do you think that you can teach me archery?" he repeated the same request from before. "I need to become stronger, even if it means that I must mastered archery. It true that the suit give me greater power, but I need to be strong myself in order to grow strong with the power. I know it won't be easy task even if it take more than years until I become a mastered at it." He said serious.
"Then what you say earlier was a lie?" Sayaka asked. Kotaro shakes his head.
"No, I really mean it. You're truly amazing and I want to be someone like that." Kotaro said, truthfully.
Sayaka looks at him carefully in the eyes before making a decision. Though she might be disappointed that Kotaro might kept his lips sealed, however Kotaro did seem intent on being her student. Maybe this might work out… for both of them.
"Very well… I will give you a chance." The turquoise eyes girl said to Kotaro. "But the training will be harsh for you… Do you have what it take to take it?" she asked.
"I accept." Kotaro answered with determination.
(Next day)
Shido and Tohka are seen walking together on the street as they're seen having fun on their date. Their destination happens to be the zoo.
This is certain made Tohka reminded of the aquarium except the animals are breathing the air than staying underwater.
"Shido! Shido! Look over there, that cat looks so cute!" said Tohka excited at the sight of the baby panda.
"No, Tohka. That is a baby panda." Shido corrected for Tohka's understanding.
"But I thought it could be a cat due to how small it was." Tohka said.
Shido can't help chuckled a bit at her childishness as this made him feel relax a bit more than he thought about planning this date. 'So far, everything seem to be calm and relaxing…' Shido glance around and see no one suspicious. 'It's just both of us on our date… If one of them show up, then I need to make certain that they won't harmed any bystanders' here.' he thought serious.
"Come on, Tohka. We have more places and animals to see." Shido said.
"There they go…" Kannazuki said as he and other operatives are watching Shido and Tohka going on their date.
Kotori wasn't paying any attention to the screen as she is trying to contact Mihashi to find out what he was doing. The Yamai twins were down from their power being used and it made the redhead commander suspicious as she tries to contact him. But Mihashi didn't make any respond to her calls and this made Kotori looks angry.
"What the heck happens to made him that busy?" Kotori grumbled in annoyed.
Kotaro soon arrived at the place where Sayaka says that she was going to test him— the forest that is far from Tengu City. Before he left for the morning, he made a huge breakfast for himself so he can handle whatever Sayaka's training would be involving.
"This should be the place…" Kotaro muttered as he looking around carefully. "Sayaka, where are you!?" he called out.
But there was no respond from anywhere. Kotaro thought that he might be in the wrong place, but it wasn't until he saw dozen of green balloons flying around the woods.
"What are these balloons?" Kotaro wondered curious as he approached them.
He try to catch one of them, but the green balloon moved away from and floating away from him.
"Huh? How is it possible?" Kotaro wondered confused before he felt and hears footsteps from his behind. He turns around to see Sayaka who approaching him.
"They're Shikigami in shapes of balloon." Sayaka explains. "I want you to pop them with your arrows. Be aware, they will try to avoid your arrows."
"What would be the purpose of this test?" Kotaro asked as Sayaka take out what looks like a stopwatch.
"I want to evaluate your skills up close. The time limit that I am going to give is about 17 minutes." Sayaka explains calmly.
"Under 17 minutes… " Kotaro looks at the balloons above them. He don't know if he can get all of them due to his inexperience with his Sonic Arrow. Even with the laser tracer on, it will make him way too slow. "I guess that I will have to wing it!" He said before getting out his Orange Lockseed and Lemon Energy Lockseed at the same time.
"ORANGE!"
"LEMON ENERGY~!"
"Henshin!" Kotaro shouted.
"SOIYA! ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE! JIMBER LEMON! HAW-HAW!"
Soon Kotaro becomes Gaim Jimber Lemon with his Sonic Arrow flashed into his hand. Sayaka soon pressed down on the stopwatch.
Gaim raised his Sonic Arrow into the air and pulled back the shift of his Sonic Arrow. He starts firing the arrows at the green balloons in the air.
Like what Sayaka's say, the balloons dodged the energy arrow while flying around him and made Gaim tried to firing at them again. To the Rider's dismay, he soon missed them once again.
"Grrr…!" Gaim growl in frustration as he tried to firing while he still have the time limit.
Gaim looks at the flight pattern of the green balloons as he noticed a certain pattern. There was no changing in the flying pattern. He hold tightly on the bow. He watching it carefully before he raised his Sonic Arrow in the air and pulled the shaft back slowly.
As the energy arrow form at the tip of his bow, Gaim released the bow immediately. The arrow missed the few others but hit the last two.
"Time." This made Gaim halts his hand from the shaft and looks back at Sayaka.
"I did really bad… huh?" Gaim asked hesitantly as he knowing his own mistakes.
Sayaka didn't say anything as she remain quiet. It hard for him to tell what Sayaka is thinking about his poor skills with archery. Why don't she admit that he is so terrible?
Soon the unsettled feelings that he been holding back seem to crack. "I know that I wasn't meant for archery even at the last seconds. Go ahead and say it, I am not meant to be—" Before he can finished, Sayaka closed his Lockseeds on his Driver and slapped him hard in the face.
This made Kotaro fall on his rear and looks surprised at what Sayaka did despite how hurt it was when he felt that.
"W-What was that for?" Kotaro asked, confused while rubbing his cheek.
"You were beating yourself in the bushes and I cannot stand it! I cannot believe that you become this pathetic and looking down on yourself!" Sayaka snapped angrily.
"I see…" Kotaro muttered before a small smile form upon his face. "Thank you, Sayaka."
"W-what are you thanking me for!? I just knocked you straight to the ground!" Sayaka questioned in surprised.
"I need that and the harsh scolds." Kotaro answer, still smiling. Hearing Sayaka's scolds at him feel strangely refreshing… maybe she really is the mentor that he needed.
"Of course you will need them! You're not even worth calling yourself an archer— No! You're more than half-baked one! Your aiming suck! You twist your waist too much and your wrist, don't get me started on that!" Sayaka finished.
"Are you better now after letting it out your lung?" Kotaro asked when he noticed how calm she was after shouting.
"It looks like you need to be drill on how to really use a bow…" Sayaka said, crossing her arms against her waist. "Though it might be difficult for a half-baked like you… unless of course, you want to give up on doing it."
"No!" Kotaro shouted as he shook his head violently.
"Then come…" Sayaka led him to a place further in the woods and the green balloons following them from behind to an opening field. "While I find your skills are ill flawed… but your determination is admirable. If you wish to be a true archer, then you must learn how to shot like one."
"Okay…" Kotaro said as he nodded.
Mana was seeing eating lonesome in her medicine bed until the door opened to the medicine room opened and reveal both Rinne and Yoshino.
"Hello Mana!" greet Rinne.
"What are you two doing here?" Mana questioned with a narrow expression at the presence of Yoshino near Rinne. Yoshino flinched as she hide herself behind Rinne immediately.
"I thought you might be lonely so we come to check on you." Rinne said as she wasn't bother by the cold expression from Mana.
"Hmph. Like I really need that." Mana said, looking away from the two.
"Even after pushing your brother aside when he tried to help you?" Rinne retort. Mana didn't say anything as she still looking away from her.
"She looks like she wasn't budge by you…" Yoshinon remarked as Rinne refused to be ignored.
"Answer me, Mana. What is the matter?" Rinne asked as Mana refused to say anything.
I can't believe that I am using this… Rinne thought before she raised her thumb and jabbed the part of Mana's neck as this caused a reaction to Mana. The young girl tried to keep her composition despite her mouth was twitching hard before she give in.
Mana is laughing uncontrollable on her bed and couldn't stop herself. "W-What did you do… to me?" she question while laughing at the same time. "HAHAHAHA! Pleas-Hahaha! Hahaha-top it!"
"Will you tell me why you pushed Shido away?" Rinne questioned.
"N-No, I cannot—HAHAHAHA!" Rinne once again, using the same technique to made Mana laughing once again. "F-Fine….Hahahaha! I-HAHAHA! I will tell… but stop!" she pleaded while trying to keep herself down.
It wasn't long until Mana finally calm down from the laughing which made her stomach feel painful. But it service as a lesson that her brother's childhood friend can be frightened.
"It's because I never dealt with it before..." Mana finally admit. "Back then, it always if you don't obey the orders… you will be punished." She whispered quietly.
"I see. It make sense that you're not used to living as a normal life, you're more used to fighting." Rinne said. "But living as a normal is also its own battle every day." She added.
"But it because of me… Onii-sama going to risk himself and get hurt." Mana said. "It just that I didn't want him to get through all of this."
"Mana, do you really care about your big brother that much?" Rinne asked as Mana nodded. "I think you should least give him a chance to prove that he can protect you…"
"Why would I need to do that?" Mana asked, really confused at her. "Onii-sama should stay safe and live a conformable life than being in this conflict!"
"It because it will make him feel hurt that you don't trust him when keeping him in the dark and distance. Shido got really angry when Kotori revealed that she was hiding your short time span and felt really guilty that he cannot do anything to help you." Rinne said as this made Mana froze at the words.
"H-He was that really angry?" Mana whispered in surprise. Rinne nodded.
"That is why you need to give him the chance of prove that he can being the brother you need after all those missing years. I know it might be hard with only 10 years left… but I am certain that you two can make important memories over the lost ones." Rinne said.
"But how…? I know that he can regeneration, but I am still worried if that won't save him enough." Mana said as she worried about the chance of DEM Wizards will find a way around the regeneration and finishing him.
Shido and Tohka are continued walking together in the zoo while they're enjoying their time there.
"Shido, wasn't that amazing?" Tohka said happily.
"It's sure is…" Shido said.
But their date suddenly become short immediately when gunfire can be heard in the air and everyone shrieked in fear as Turbo was seen blasting every attractions in sight.
"Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!" Turbo laughing madly at the destructions and screams of the people in the zoo.
Shido grabbed Tohka as he pulled her close to a nearby wall as they watching everyone hurry and fled from the area.
But Shido choose to stay behind the wall since there was security cameras from where Turbo was standing. "It looks like everyone might be clear…" Shido said before getting out his Driver and placed on his waist.
"Henshin!" Shido said as he inserted the Budou Lockseed into his Driver.
"HAI~! BUDOU ARMS! RYU! HOU! HA-HA-HA!"
Turbo soon heard the sound and turns around as Ryugen come out of his hiding spot while firing his Budou Ryuhou at him.
"You again, huh? Do you think that they will hurt me?" Turbo taunted before firing back with his own gun at Ryugen.
But Ryugen didn't dodging while he still firing before Turbo soon dodging by going in incredible speed and tackling Ryugen backward.
Before the Energy Inves could dealt with any blows on him, Baron entered the fight with his Banaspear in his hand.
"Still weak and spineless, I see…" Baron said mocking at the Chinese theme Rider.
"So you're the one who he wants dead… Why are you here?!" Turbo said, slight angry at the pain from Baron's weapon.
"I am not here to help this gutless coward, but I am here to see if making yourself Inves would made you truly strong!" Baron said as he charging forward at Turbo and clashed with the Inves.
Ryugen get himself back up from the ground and watching both Baron and Turbo fight each other.
"I am not done yet!" Ryugen shouted before getting out his Kiwi Lockseed.
"KIWI!"
Soon materialized out of the Crack was none other than Kiwi Arms as Ryugen replaced his Budou Lockseed with the Kiwi Lockseed before pressed down on the Cutting Blade.
"HAI~! KIWI ARMS! GEKI, RIN, SEIYA-HA!"
With the Kiwi Gekirins materialized in his hands, Ryugen then pressed down his Cutting Blade once.
"HAI~! KIWI SQUASH!"
Ryugen throws his Kiwi Gekirins at Turbo as the Inves take hit from the attack than Baron's Banaspear. The Chinese theme Rider soon charged forward and slammed his fists into Turbo hard as the Energy Inves was send backward.
"So you think that you can beat me?!" Turbo asked mockly before he suddenly went into incredible speed and knocked both Riders outside of the zoo.
"What speed…?" Baron comment in surprised before he turns around to block an incoming attack from Turbo. He tried to counter, but Turbo avoid him and reappeared from behind and kicks him in the rear.
Ryugen tried to throws his Kiwi Gekirin at Turbo, but the Energy Inves was hit a slight from the damage before turning into a crimson blur. Ryugen tried to find him before Turbo reappeared in front of him and sending him flying with a roundhouse kick in the gut, making him hit the wall hard.
"It's pointless there is no way that you can even outmatch me in speed!" Turbo shouted.
Baron managed to recover himself and trying hard to find out where the Energy Inves was. "Damn… this thing is fast." He cursed while feeling the air around him starting to heating up than before.
'So even him having hard time…' Ryugen thought before getting himself up and take out something from his pocket. He saw Tohka who shows a worried expression where she was standing in her hiding place. He then looks at the Genesis Core and Peach Energy Lockseed in his hands.
"I won't hold anyone back…" Ryugen said as he removed his Rider Indicator and replaced it with his Genesis Core. He then pressed on his Peach Energy Lockseed.
"PEACH ENERGY~!"
Suddenly the Peach Energy Arms appeared above the Crack as Ryugen inserted it into his Genesis Core and result his Kiwi Lockseed closed itself. This made Baron and Tohka who is nearby, looking surprised at the appearance of Peach Energy Lockseed.
Ryugen then pressed down on the Cutting Blade as both Lockseeds opened.
"MIX~!"
Soon the Kiwi Arms and Peach Energy Arms merged together into what looks like a black and pink orb before it donned onto Ryugen. The formation of the new Arms is similar to Jimber Lemon, but the color scheme is black and pink. There was pattern of peach sliced, marked on the side with his insignia.
His visor is still the same. The helmet attachment on the back is black with pink accents.
"HAI~! KIWI ARMS! GEKI, RIN, SEIYA-HA! JIMBER PEACH!"
Ryugen takes out what looks like was a strange pink hilt weapon and had a red blade extending from it. This is none other than Ryugen's MomoJabber.
"HAW-HAW!"
"Too much pink." Baron remarked.
"I will… protect everyone with my hands!" Ryugen shouts serious before he pressed down his Cutting Blade.
"HAI~! KIWI SQUASH! JIMBER PEACH SQUASH!"
Ryugen thrust his new weapon forward, the blade surprisingly morphed into a whip which ensuring the Energy Inves around the neck.
This made Ryugen feel more confident especially with his new weapon MomoJabber.
"H-H-How!?" Ryugen didn't let him finished as he swing his new weapon and the whip glowing pinker than before. The Rider soon slammed Turbo hard to the ground, creating a large crater in the process.
"Damn you punk, that was nothing more than cheap trick! You never deal with anything like me…" Turbo said as the wheels on his legs began to moving rapidly and he then disappeared into a blur.
Ryugen looks around the fasting moving blur before he closed his eyes as the ability of Jimber Peach just kicked in.
(Fraxinus)
Rinne with Mana are watching along with Kotori as Ryugen and Baron are facing against the mysterious Energy Inves known as Turbo.
"At this rate… it really bad." Kotori said quietly at her brother's situation.
"Onii-sama…" Mana said before feeling a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Rinne looking at her.
"No, you need to stay and watch." Rinne said as she holding Mana's shoulder.
"But why aren't you going out there?" Mana questioned.
"Even if I want to, I need to have faith in them that they need to overcome this on their own." Rinne replied.
Ryugen stays where he was while he focused in on the sounds everywhere before he thrust his MomoJabber at the direction on his right.
Soon the pink whip latched onto Turbo's right leg and forced him to stumble over.
Baron soon pressed down his Cutting Blade once.
"COME ON! BANANA SQUASH!"
He thrust his Banaspear forward as the yellow energy form at the tip of his weapon and extended forward to stab the Energy Inves in further damaged him.
Ryugen charged forward and used his MomoJabber as he slashes Turbo three times before pressing down on his Cutting Blade, twice this time.
"HAI~! KIWI AU LAIT! JIMBER PEACH AU LAIT!"
Suddenly the blade of the MomoJabber glowing with two separated colors as Ryugen slashing Turbo in an X-pattern. It wasn't long until Turbo exploded in the instant upon as Ryugen standing in front of the explosion.
The hooded man struggling to get up from the ground and noticed the Pepper Energy Lockseed was far from his reach. Ryugen saw the Energy Lockseed and picked it up from the ground.
"This isn't over…" The hooded man said as he struggled to get up.
Before either Baron or Ryugen realized, they hear a scream as they saw Tohka being held hostaged by girls in Realizer suit.
"Tohka!" Ryugen cried out in panic.
"It looks a rather interesting trap…" Baron said as some of the girls are pointing their guns at them.
"Now canceled your transformation and raised your hands up! You've been in our way of our goal for far too long!" One of the DEM Wizards shout with a gun in hand.
Just then an unexpected help comes along when orange energy arrows shot down from out of nowhere and kills the girls who holding Tohka hostage.
"What!?" One of the DEM Wizards questioned in shock. "Who did that!?"
But she was also killed by the energy arrow before the mystery attacker show their appearance by jumping down from the rooftop. It was another Genesis Rider, but his appearance shock Ryugen, Baron, and Tohka as they shown shocked expression.
"No way…" Tohka whispered.
"It cannot be…" Baron said.
"Zangetsu…?" Ryugen whispered in disbelief.
But Zangetsu is a lot different than he looks now. His bodysuit looks the same except for the black padding on the sides. His chest plate was still green and textured like melon skin, but has orange panel on the right side, along with large orange shoulder plate. His personal emblem was etched on the left side of his armor while his left shoulder was bare. His visor was now orange with more prominent black trims and had futuristic design on the helmet and head crest. Around his waist was a Genesis Driver with the Energy Lockseed slice open for melon. Instead of sword and shield, he was armed with the Sonic Arrow.
This is Kamen Rider Zangetsu-Shin.
"H-How are you…" Before the hooded man can respond, Zangetsu give a karate chop on his neck and knocked him straight to the ground, unconscious.
"Damn it, another one!?" The DEM Wizard growls angry. "We going to get rid of all you for peace!" she said as she along with others charged at Zangetsu-Shin with their beam like weapons.
Zangetsu-Shin dodged their weapons before he brings up his Sonic Arrow and fired rapid shots, mowing them down immediately.
Ryugen cannot help looks shocked at Zangetsu-Shin when he killed the DEM Soldiers with no remorse... He immediately shake the thought off and focused on Tohka who looks shock and disbelief at their friend.
"Tohka, are you alright?" Ryugen asked to Tohka.
"Y-Yeah… but what in the world is going on?" Tohka asked, really confused and shocked. But Ryugen didn't have any respond for her and remain quiet.
Meanwhile Zangetsu-Shin immediately pulled back the shaft of his Sonic Arrow and shots down those who tried to get close to him in rapid fast speed. He then noticed a DEM Wizard tried to get near him, the white Rider then pulled back his bow all the way. The Sonic Arrow charged with green and orange energy. The DEM Wizard saw this and put up her green barrier in hope of protecting her from the pesky energy arrow.
Zangetsu-Shin fired and impact from the shot, the arrow pierced the barrier and pierced the DEM Wizard's chest as she falls straight to the ground and collapsed. He turned and seeing a handful of DEM Wizards as they start turning around before they fled into the air.
Zangetsu-Shin then takes out his Melon Energy Lockseed and inserted to the slot on his Sonic Arrow.
"LOCK ON~!"
"What are you doing!?" Ryugen questioned when he saw Zangetsu-Shin slowly lifted up his Sonic Arrow into the air. "You don't have any reasons of fighting against them anymore, Mihashi! This is enough!" he protest desperation.
"…" Zangetsu-Shin didn't say anything as he pulled the Sonic Arrow's shaft, stretching the string before releasing it. The charge at the tip was released as an arrow that reached the sky above the DEM Wizard, trailing a huge melon behind it.
"MELON ENERGY!"
The melon exploded as everyone watched in awe as the energy bloomed. Ryugen and Tohka then gasped as hundreds of energy arrows rained down on the DEM Wizards, causing a massive explosion in the sky. Soon there were no remains of the DEM Wizards left except ashes from the explosion.
"No way…" Ryugen whispered in shock.
"…" Zangetsu-Shin didn't say anything before he glance at Baron who approached him.
"I never thought you had it in you… Izuruno," Baron chuckled. "You might put up a challenge now with this upgrade you obtain." He said before he charged at the white Genesis Rider.
Zangetsu-Shin sidestep to the right and brought out his Sonic Arrow in blocking the Banaspear from Baron himself who turned around. The Sonic Arrow and Banaspear clashed and sparks flew from them as Zangetsu-Shin and Baron exchanged fast and furious blows. Zangetsu-Shin struck with a quick chop which Baron blocked and then the Demi-Spirit Rider then goes with serious thrust attacks which Zangetsu-Shin soon moved back to dodge them in incredible speed.
Baron charged at him before Zangetsu-Shin could've any chance of firing his bow as they both slashed each other at the same time, causing both of them being in a deadlock as they tried to push back against each other, struggling for dominance over each other.
"You're really become stronger…" Baron comment while the white Rider remains muted.
"…" Zangetsu-Shin didn't say anything as his leg kick Baron backward.
Zangetsu-Shin then firing his arrow and sending Baron further back than before. Baron struggling of getting himself up and let out a scream of rage as crimson aura emitting from Baron.
Baron pressed down on his Cutting Blade three times.
"COME ON! BANANA SPARKLING!"
With his Banaspear, Baron thrust his weapon as large yellow-red mixed aura Banaspear forward at the Genesis Rider and created a huge explosion.
But the smoke began to starting drawing close around to show Zangetsu who is still standing. But what startled them the most was the Raphael Lockseed in the Sonic Arrow of Zangetsu-Shin as the Sonic Arrow itself is overload with power of the wind energy.
Zangetsu-Shin brought the Sonic Arrow closed to his face. "…" he whispered so quietly that none of them could've heard him.
It happened so fast than anyone anticipated as both Ryugen and Tohka were blown backward while Baron was send flying with large sparks flying off from his armor. Baron was send rolling hard across the ground before his Rider form was undo immediate and he lie there unconscious.
Zangetsu-Shin then turned toward his attention to the unconscious hooded man and throws him over his shoulder.
"Mihashi, wait!" A voice calling out to him as the white Rider paused when saw Rinne hurry to the area.
Zangetsu-Shin didn't say anything as he leaving the area in incredible speed.
To be continued…
AN: That is end of this chapter with unexpected twists. Ryugen obtains a new form which is none other than Jimber Peach with its own unique weapon as Shido used it in the new situation. Not to mention a new mystery appearing after the absence of Zangetsu himself.
Anyway, be sure to review or message me for any questions, comments, or concern. And don't be afraid to look at my other stories.