Tournament Kamen Rider.
Chapter 35: The Mysterious Professor.
"Kiva? Kiva's been rampaging through town? But I've been here with Nero & Taryse the whole time!" Phoenix protested.
"There can't be more than one Kiva, can there?" Taryse wondered.
Kivat flapped over: "There has been before. Back when I was fighting with Wataru, he travelled to the past. 1986 to be precise. He went to find his father, Otoya, a masterful violinist. They teamed together to fight the King of the Checkmate Four as Kiva & IXA. Wataru's mother Maya had been threatened by the King that if she ever saw Otoya again, he would kill the heir to the Fangire throne, Taiga. Therefore, when Wataru got hurt protecting Otoya, the violinist entered a pact with my father, Kivat-bat the Second. With the powers of Yami No Kiva and Ogon No Kiva, the Kurenais killed the King. Otoya passed away months later due to the strain it put on his human body. Hao-san, was this Kiva you saw crimson-colored with sickly green eyes?"
Hao just nodded.
"Then Dark Kiva is back." Kivat added.
"Not only that... he has Fake Doran with him, which implies some connection with the Fake Riders, but when we got there he was attacking one of them." Reina continued.
"I guess when the time comes, I'll have to face this Dark Kiva." Phoenix declared. The conversation was soon interrupted by Takato announcing the next contest.
Takato: "We shall be foregoing the usual random draw to bring you a special attraction. He has gained a reputation for himself as a Tournament heavy-hitter with wins coming out of his ears! Nero Samson, otherwise known as Kamen Rider Den-O, will fight in a three-way dance!"
Nero was confused: "Three-way?"
Takato: "And how will he combat... two other Den-O systems? His opponents for this battle are Shohei Tachibana and Roy Otoya, also known as Den-O Wing Form & Nega Den-O! And the special rule for this battle is the elimination pit; if another Rider throws you into it, you are eliminated!"
Travis smirked: "I guess multiple Kivas isn't the only thing to worry about. We got multiple Den-Os, too."
"Right, I'm going to fight this battle. You guys keep track of the score, because we're going to see Professor Stryder straight afterwards. I want to know what happened to our old friend Gaia as much as Jack does." Nero explained. Everyone nodded in response as Nero went to face off with the other two Den-Os.
"Ah, young Nero... we meet again." Shohei greeted as Nero met with him at the centre of the arena.
"Time for battle." Roy Otoya insisted, standing across from them both. He clipped on his Nega Den-O Belt while Nero & Shohei did the same with theirs.
Sword Form!
Wing Form!
Nega Form!
After transforming, the three heard a loud horn and the roar of the crowd began their charge into battle.
Constructing his DenGasher sword, Nero yelled: "Ore Sanjou!"
Roy put the Nega DenGasher into Axe mode and Shohei used his boomerang/handaxe combo. Blades all clashed in the middle, then Shohei slashed both of his opponents on either side before booting Roy down and focusing on Nero. He tossed his boomerang past Nero's head and parried the DenGasher before the boomerang struck Nero in the back. Shohei hit a tremendous Rider Kick on Nero to top it off.
Roy recovered and tried his luck, diving to the platform and using the mounted gun to shoot at Shohei.
Rod Form! Full Charge!
Nero tossed the DenGasher rod at Shohei and pierced his gut before crashing into him with the DenRider Kick. Roy abandoned the platform and thrust his boot out for his own Rider Kick, but Nero saw it coming and backflipped away to a higher platform. Roy followed and clashed weapons again. Their combat continued until they got distracted by Shohei's wings. He used this distraction to strike at them with his weapons again. Shohei swooped in and clotheslined Roy right off the platform, causing him to crash to the ground below.
Axe Form!
Nero went to his next form and tossed the DenGasher Axe right at Shohei's face, sending him flying towards the ground as well. Nero leapt off of the platform, grabbed the Axe and struck at Shohei repeatedly on the way down. With an energy-charged swing, Nero made Shohei's descent a lot more rapid.
"Dynamic Chop!" Nero quipped as his feet his the floor. The elimination pit in the middle of the arena began to open, forcing Roy to roll away frantically before it swallowed him.
Gun Form!
Nero rushed into a gunfight with Roy. The battle was fast and furious, with both Den-Os dodging as many shots as their bodies would allow. Ignoring Shohei for the second time was a big mistake, as he swooped down upon them and used both of his boots to crush them in the ground.
Full Charge!
With his DenGasher weapons, Shohei hit the Royal Smash on Nero with the handaxe, but the boomerang nailed Roy in the back instead. Nero ripped the handaxe from his armour and sent it flying back at Shohei. Nero slid in and used his feet as a springboard to launch Shohei's body into Roy. They teetered on the edge of oblivion, but managed to inadvertently save one another from going into the elimination pit. Once they realised what they had done, Shohei & Roy exchanged fisticuffs again. Nero just watched on and then pulled out the Climax K-Taros.
Momo, Ura, Kin, Ryuu: Climax Form!
Nero attached the phone to the Den-O Belt and felt the spirits of the Taros merge into his armour. The masks positioned themselves in their respective places on Nero's armour, with the modified Sword Form mask completing the transformation. Readying his Rider Pass in its open variation, Nero hit the button on the K-Taros.
Charge And Up!
The Rod, Axe & Gun Form masks all converged to the right leg. Nero crouched slightly as energy built up underneath him. He suddenly launched into the air towards Shohei & Roy, thrusting his right boot out. The Rod Form mask's horns inverted and Nero spiked both of his opponents with the Boistous Kick. They went flying, and shot into the elimination pit. The horn sounded again.
Takato: "Here is your winner of this special attraction... NERO SAMSON, KAMEN RIDER DEN-O CLIMAX FORM!"
Nero sighed, and then said to himself: "That's game. Now to go see Professor Stryder."
---xxx---
"Sousou! What's going on?" Spike said, surprised to see Sha Jien come his way. Sha Jien didn't look very happy.
"Bad news... your point count on the scoreboard isn't very good. And even if you do win a match today, Shin... I don't think you're going to kill your relegation." Sha Jien replied.
"I... don't know what to think. I guess it's over then... for me at least. But I no longer care about winning this thing. Isild, Reina & Demon have got a better chance of that. It's okay, because I found my brother for the first time in a while. But I will have to ask you something... I got to know: why'd you kill our parents, Sousou?" Spike asked, retaining a serious demeanour.
Sha Jien looked down and then answered: "Nobody brings harm to my little brother... nobody. I know you didn't want our mother to cry anymore, Shin... but I will not let you be destroyed to stop those tears. You may even hate me for it... but I did it for you."
Without words, Spike gave his brother a hug. Sha Jien returned it.
---xxx---
"Where are you going, Nero?" Jack asked as he saw Nero walk across the halls with his bag slung over his shoulder and his helmet in hand.
"I'm going to see Professor Stryder, Sempai. I want some answers as to what happened with Gaia. I don't know why Gaia's remains weren't found... but I'm definitely gonna' find out." Nero responded.
"You won't need to... I called him down about an hour ago while you were having your match. He should be here in five minutes. Besides, I'd like answers as much as you." Jack explained.
"What is it that this Jaden Stryder knows that can help?" Nero inquired.
"Trust him, Nero. He's my old friend. He's seen a lot, to the point where he believes he's been cursed. He traded an abusive life for success. And he can read your feelings and thoughts from a mile away, so its best to be honest around him." Jack responded.
"Spoken like a true hasbeen." Came a gruff, New York-accented voice. Jack & Nero turned to see someone dressed in a long white labcoat.
"Hello, Jaden. Just got off work?" Jack greeted.
"Yeah, I had to leave the damn lecture... but I assume its for a good reason." Jaden replied.
Jack nodded: "It is. This is Nero Samson, an old student of mine from back in Saagen Town."
Jaden walked over and shook Nero's hand: "So this is the one who stopped the Golden Thorn and saved the world. Charmed. Jack thinks you're the rat's pyjamas."
Nero blinked: "Come again?"
"Alright, Jaden... the reason I've called you down. After that battle in Skydome City, my team moved in to collect the remains of Kamen Rider Gaia, as we found out that he was a cyborg. There was nothing there. Either somebody stole it all... or Gaia escaped. But we did get a photo of a signature from something that he created. Take a look." Jack explained, handing Jaden the photo. Jaden looked over the striations of the markings, flipped the photo upside down and then handed it back to Jack.
"I'd need something a little more concrete than a photograph. At first glance, it looks like a really old marking that I haven't seen for a long time. A marking... of my old enemy. He always hated me... but I could never remember his name. You remember, Jack... when we went to Rhode Island University together, the guy who always kept to himself?" Jaden said.
Jack began to nod: "If he's the Architect, then we need to keep sharp. Nero, the only Fake Rider we haven't heard anything about is Davis Nash. I'd start our search by finding him and asking questions about Gaia... if you can get them from him."
"I'll be waiting in Albert City if ever you get something of this Architect's that I can process. It was nice to finally meet you, Mr. Samson." Jaden concluded, shaking Nero's hand.
To Nero, something felt off about this man.
"You don't trust me, do you? No worry... I'd have trouble trusting anyone when all you've known for the better part of a few months is battle, hatred and destruction. I believe you will still report any findings to me, though, I have no doubt. I'll be seeing you." Jaden finished, walking off.
Nero turned to Jack: "He didn't see the love I have for my friends... so either he's blind, or doesn't want to see it."
"Like I said, he's had an abusive life." Jack replied.
"But that doesn't mean everyone else has to share it..." Nero thought to himself. He was genuinely worried about Professor Stryder.
---xxx---
A/N: Alright, another chapter done! I tell you, my creative juices are flowing like never before! So, Nero wins the Den-O triple threat, Spike & Sha Jien have a brotherly talk and Professor Jaden Stryder shows himself! I know it was short, but I'll make up for it in the next chapter!
Next time on Tournament Kamen Rider: Taryse tests her mettle in battle with Byakayu Kyrosai/Kamen Rider Kaixa, Nero seeks out Davis Nash with the assistance of Anakin Gates Elias/Kamen Rider Decade and Dark Kiva enters a duel with Shohei Tachibana & Taki Akachi! Pyunpyun!
This is a presentation of DJ Diddy Dog - KIVA FORM.
Wake Up! Release the chains of destiny!
P.S. I'll be putting the Shining Avarice AU project on hold for the time being so I can work on a little idea I like to call Resurrection Yami (test title), which is also AU and shall feature the return of a popular KR character... and the last Rider System he used. I'd love some help with this as well, so I'll be posting details in later chapters! Ja Ne!