Welcome to Part II of the Silver Story Special! Last time, Spyro and Cynder arrived in Helheim, and met up with the Kureshima brothers, just as Gaim was kidnapped by an unseen individual as he fought Duke. So what is going on here? How's this going to end? Read on to discover...

(Our story resumes with Cynder and Ryugen, the latter of whom is just finishing up wrapping some gauze around the former's shoulder, injured just before he stepped in during the battle with Duke.)

Ryugen: (Tying off the makeshift bandage) That should do it.

Cynder: Thanks, Mitsuzane.

Ryugen: Please, call me Mitchy. Just about everyone does. (Seeing Cynder is a little confused by the nickname) Don't ask. I didn't come up with it.

Cynder: Fair enough.

(With Cynder's arm bandaged up, Ryugen sits down next to her, exhausted from his battle)

Ryugen: Thanks for the assist back there.

Cynder: Least I could do. (Thinking back on what Ryugen said) Sounds like you and that guy have history.

Ryugen: Trust me, the short list is who he doesn't have history with. His name's Ryoma Sengoku, the man who created the systems most Riders like me use.

Cynder: (Shocked) He created your belt?

Ryugen: That and the one he uses. Admittedly, he's a genius in that regard, but he's also insane, rather Machiavellian now that I think about it.

Cynder: One of those fear trumps respect guys.

Ryugen: Sounds like you've dealt with that before.

Cynder: I kind of worked with one. Not willingly though. It's a long story.

(At this point, Cynder spies a red fruit with a lock like stem holding it to a vine, then plucks it before taking a bite out of it as Ryugen starts talking)

Ryugen: Trust me, it's a story we've got...

(At this point, Ryugen sees the fruit Cynder's eating, and in a panic response backs away before pulling out his grape gun and pointing it at her)

Cynder: (Genuinely confused) What the heck are you doing?

Ryugen: Just getting ready in case you end up turning on me.

Cynder: (Now extremely confused) What are you talking about?

Ryugen: Everyone who's eaten those fruits so far has turned into a monster of some sort within seconds of consumption.

(After this, a few seconds pass, and... nothing happens.)

Ryugen: (Putting his gun down) Huh. Usually something happens by now. (Thinking about it) Although, if I remember correctly, people can build up a tolerance to the effects over time.

Cynder: I only got here about an hour ago.

Ryugen: Huh. Perhaps some species are just immune to the effect.

Cynder: (Throwing the bitten fruit over her shoulder) They're not even that good. A little too sweet for my tastes.

Ryugen: Interesting. Sounds like something I should tell the others when we eventually find them.

(At this point, the sound of gunshots can be heard, the same shots Gaim fired at the end of the last chapter. Hearing this, Cynder and Ryugen get startled up from their seated position)

Ryugen: What the...?

Cynder: It's Kouta. That's how he said he'd warn us if something went wrong!

Ryugen: Then what are we waiting for?!

(As the two rush off, we transition to Spyro and Zangetsu, walking through the forest)

Zangetsu: I see. So Kouta brought you here to try and rescue us from whatever was going on here.

Spyro: Given we'd taken down more than a few Rider villains before it must've seemed like a sure bet for him.

Zangetsu: I had heard something was amiss. That's about the only reason Decade reaches out anymore. He and Kuuga are really the recluses of the Kamen Riders, at least in this millennium anyways.

Spyro: Kuuga?

Zangetsu: The first Kamen Rider of our Era.

Spyro: How many eras have there been?

Zangetsu: Currently we're in the third I believe. As in it's just started as of a few months ago.

Spyro: Hmm...

Zangetsu: It's a legacy many have taken up over the years. Far more than the 20 you are likely familiar with.

(As this discussion of legacies continues, gunshots can be heard, the same Ryugen and Cynder just heard, sending everyone into a defensive position)

Zangetsu: Stay on your toes. We're not alone.

Spyro: Gaim must be in trouble. He said he'd fire a volley if he needed help.

Zangetsu: Then we'd best see what's going on. Follow me!

(With that, Zangetsu and Spyro start running, and within a few minutes, we arrive at a clearing, where Spyro and Zangetsu are almost immediately joined by Cynder and Ryugen entering from the opposite side of the clearing)

Spyro: (Seeing Ryugen) I assume you're the other Kureshima brother.

Zangetsu: He is. (To Ryugen) Mitsuzane, any sign of Duke?

Ryugen: Plenty. But that's not all I've learned. Apparently, dragons are immune to the effects of Helheim's fruit.

Zangetsu: (Stroking the chin of his helmet with his thumb and forefinger) Interesting. But, not why we're here.

Spyro: (Seeing the wound on Cynder's shoulder) Are you okay? What happened to you?

Cynder: Duke ambushed me. Thankfully Mitchy was there to help out.

Spyro: Mitchy?

Ryugen: My nickname. I didn't make it.

Spyro: I'm just going to stick with Mitsuzane, if that's okay.

Ryugen: No issues here.

Cynder: Any signs of Kouta?

Spyro: Other than the shots, nothing.

Duke: (Unseen) And that's how I'd prefer to keep it.

(With that, our quartet of heroes are startled into attack mode, revealing Duke, still somehow undamaged.)

Duke: How nice of you to gather all of my targets into one place. It makes eliminating you so much easier.

Cynder: Might want to do a quick math check, Duke. There's four of us, and one of you.

Duke: I like my odds.

(With that, Duke starts walking towards the quartet of heroes, ready to defend themselves. But just as the villainous Duke is about to draw up his bow to fire on them, a new figure jumps down from seemingly nowhere, landing in between the two groups, revealing a man in black topped with a black and red trenchcoat)

Duke: (Recognizing the figure) YOU!

?: (Recognizing Duke) You again? Didn't I throw you off a roof?

Duke: Don't think I've forgotten about you, Kaito Kumon.

Ryugen: Kaito? But... how?! You're supposed to be dead!

Baron: (Revealing a faint yellow glow around him) No need to worry about that. It's a long story, but I owe Mai a favor. And this is me cashing it in.

Spyro: Who's Mai?

Zangetsu: Kouta Kazuraba rules this forest. Mai Takatsukasa is his female counterpart. The queen to his king to put it essentially.

Duke: (Starts laughing) It looks like Lord Malefor has blessed me in more ways than one. Not only do I get to take Helheim as my research ground, but I get to finish off the one who most defied me.

Baron: Please. I've heard this song before. (Pulls out a Sengoku Driver with a red and gold knight's face on the left panel and a Lockseed with a bunch of bananas on the front marked "LS-08") Let's change up the dance at least. Henshin.

(With his battle cry known, Baron presses the button on the side of his Lockseed, unlocking it)

Banana Lockseed: Banana!

(After opening the Banana Lockseed, a giant banana appears over Baron's head as he places the Sengoku Driver on his waist before placing the Lockseed into the Driver and locking it in)

Sengoku Driver: Lock On!

(As fanfare starts to play, Baron pulls the knife part down, flipping down the panel on the Banana Lockseed, revealing a cross section of the three bananas on the body of the Lockseed, and a picture of a lance on the panel)

Sengoku Driver: Come On! Banana Arms! Knight of Spear!

(As this happens, the armor banana lands on Baron's head generating red and silver armor before splitting open forming the oddly off-balance shoulder pads, revealing the knight-looking helmet, with a yellow eyepiece behind the visor, marked with ends of a banana on either side of his head, and generating a lance that resembles a peeled banana, with the peel serving as a hand guard, in his hand)

Duke: You will not defy me again!

Baron: Bring it.

(Now enraged, Duke charges at the now quintet of heroes. Before, given how Duke had managed to hold his own against each duo individually, the odds were pretty balanced. Adding Baron to the equation though has shifted the balance against Duke. And within a few minutes, Duke is on the floor, covered in scratches)

Baron: Give up?

(All Duke can do is scream in rage as he vanishes into Helheim's flora.)

Baron: (Placing the tip of his spear on his shoulder pad) This place just keeps getting stranger.

Cynder: Hold on, something here doesn't make sense. I spit Poison onto Duke's arm, leaving a very clear scar, where the hell did it go?

Spyro: I was thinking the same thing! When Takatora and I fought him, I burned his shoulder, but there was no sign of one!

Ryugen: That is pretty strange.

Zangetsu: There must be something we're missing here.

Baron: If anyone knows what's going on, it's got to be Kazuraba.

Cynder: That's the problem, we have no idea where he is.

Baron: There's only one place he could be. Center of the forest, that's where it's held after all.

Spyro: What even is "it"?

Baron: The source of this place's power, the Golden Fruit. If that bastard Duke is here, he's going to go for it, and Kazuraba is the only one who can get it.

Cynder: What are we waiting for then? We've got to stop him!

Baron: You do realize I have no idea where I'm going, right? I just said Kazuraba is the only one who knows the route.

(At that point, the all too familiar sound of someone screaming can be heard, catching everyone's attention)

Spyro: That's got to be Kouta!

Cynder: And that's how we're going to find this Golden Fruit! Follow the screams!

(With that, Spyro and Cynder take off, leaving the three Riders staring as they fly off)

Baron: Hmm... I'm liking these two more and more. And I just met them. Let's go.

Ryugen: (As Baron runs off) I've never seen someone impress Kaito that quickly.

Zangetsu: That's leadership for you.

(With this, Ryugen and Zangetsu run off after Baron. And within minutes, we transition to a hilltop clearing with a large tree at the center, where Gaim is tied to the tree, and being shocked by Duke, who still shows no signs of injury from any of his previous battles.)

Duke: Just a little bit more and the Golden Fruit will be mine.

(As this is going on, Spyro, Cynder, Baron, Ryugen, and Zangetsu arrive on scene, using the side of the hill to hide themselves from Duke's line of sight.)

Cynder: Okay, anybody got a plan?

Zangetsu: You mean to tell us you dragged us all the way here with no plan?

Spyro: You guys followed us here, if you didn't want to try this...

Ryugen: Is this really the time to argue this?

Cynder: No, no it isn't. At this point, we don't have much time. Duke's close to getting the Golden Fruit, so we just need to charge in at this point.

Baron: I like the sound of that.

Spyro: Alright then. Let's get going.

(At this point, we transition back to Duke and Gaim.)

Gaim: If you really think the Golden Fruit will choose you, you're crazy.

Duke: Why not?! It was crazy enough to choose you, why not pick someone with an actual brain? It's not like it's...

(At this point, the sound of our quintet of heroes can be heard as they're charging up the hill)

Duke: You've got to be kidding me, are they this dumb?

(As the quintet charges the hill, Duke snaps his fingers, and then they are blocked by Helheim flora materializing into... four copies of Duke, one having a poison scarred arm, another having a burned shoulder, and a third covered in cuts.)

Cynder: So that's how he seems to heal! There's multiple of them!

Zangetsu: Five of this egomaniac? This has to be hell.

Duke: If you thought it would be easy to stop me by just charging, you have no chance defeating me. Get them.

(With that the four Dukes start battling the quintet charging the hill. The copies have been bested before, at least three of them anyways, but now that their nature as Helheim flora brought to life, they can suddenly just start teleporting around the field using the flora of Helheim, making it much harder to get a hit on them. But Cynder sees an idea, and as Baron gets struck down, she borrows his lance and uses it to catapult herself over the duplicates and strikes Duke in the head, knocking him across the hilltop before she unties Gaim from the tree. Duke, seeing this, fires a shot from his bow, nearly hitting Cynder's non-injured shoulder before it lodges itself in the tree they just escaped from. As soon as Gaim is free, he tears right through one of the Duke copies, making all of them distinguishable from each other as Baron plucks his spear out of the ground, his existence giving Gaim a nice surprise)

Baron: Well isn't this a nice trip down memory lane? How long has it been since we fought together?

Gaim: Five years too long. You know I didn't want to kill you, right?

Baron: Oh trust me, I get it. But let's not dwell on that now. (Extends a hand) Let's finish this bastard off together, for old time's sake.

Gaim: (Shaking that hand) Gladly. (Pulling out a Lockseed that looks like a strongbox with an orange on it, marked "KLS-01") Let's do this.

(With that, Gaim removes the Orange Lockseed from his belt, causing the orange armor to dissipate before unlocking the new one)

Kachidoki Lockseed: Kachidoki!

(As the Lockseed is unlocked, another giant orange emerges from the sky, only much more armor-like this time. As the armor orange materializes, Gaim places the Kachidoki Lockseed in his Sengoku Driver, locking it in place)

Sengoku Driver: Lock On!

(Within seconds of that, Gaim brings down the knife on the belt, revealing an orange cross section on the body of the Lockseed, and an image of a large gun on the panel)

Sengoku Driver: Suiya! Kachidoki Arms! Iza, Shutsujin! Ei! Ei! Oh!

(With this action, the armor orange unfolds slightly and falls onto Gaim, giving him a form rather akin to his basic form, but much more reminiscent of a Samurai, complete with battle flags on his back, which he then removes, intending to use them as weapons)

Gaim: Now then, let's go!

(With that, the team surges into battle. With Gaim in Kachidoki Arms, the battle is about as one sided as it could feasibly get. And within five minutes, the six of them destroy the four Duke copies just as the original Duke starts firing, with nothing being able to pierce Gaim's armor.)

Spyro: Give it up, Duke! If that was the power Malefor gave you, he wasted his power.

(At the sound of that, Duke just starts laughing as he throws his bow down)

Duke: You honestly think Lord Malefor would have wasted his divine power on something as trivial as four copies of myself? Please! I was able to synthesize them from my own research! (As the Mark of Malefor glows upon his back) THIS... is the power Lord Malefor blessed me with!

(The energy runs from Duke's back to his hand, generating a Lockseed, one similar to the Melon Energy Lockseed that Zangetsu uses, only red instead of blue, and clearly having a dragon fruit on the front labelled "ELS-HEX", which he immediately unlocks after removing the Lockseed from his Genesis Driver)

Dragon Fruits Energy Lockseed: Dragon Fruits Energy!

(As this happens, the dark energy Malefor imbued into Duke consolidates a dragon fruit looking construct over Duke's head, destroying his yellow armor as he places this new Lockseed in his Genesis Driver and immediately slides the silver grip into the Lockseed, splitting the dragon fruit sigil, revealing the interior of a dragon fruit behind it as the resevoir at the bottom fills with what looks like blood)

Genesis Driver: Lock On. (As the grip hits) SODA! DRAGON ENERGY ARMS!

(With this cry, the dragon fruit construct unfolds and forms Duke's armor, the leafy top of the fruit forming shoulder armor on his right arm exclusively, turning his yellow visor red with a violet tint and placing a red crest in the center of his forehead bearing Malefor's likeness superimposed over a dragon fruit)

Duke: Now then... prepare to die.

(Duke then charges straight into battle, contrasting his earlier sentiment. And even though the odds are against him, Duke still manages to dispatch all 6 of our heroes fairly quickly.)

Duke: Admit your defeat, and your deaths shall be painless.

(At this point, Gaim realizes what they need to do)

Gaim: I've got a plan. Just need you guys to distract him long enough for me to get to that tree.

Cynder: And how exactly does that help us?

Gaim: I used it to store the one thing that can beat him.

Spyro: At this rate, let's hope so.

(With the plan solidified, the sextet gets back up and begin engaging Duke again. Ryugen and Zangetsu fire on him from range while Baron, Spyro, and Cynder lead the charge. Gaim meanwhile goes over to the tree he was tied to and strangely begins kicking it, causing a light to emerge in the top of it's branches. With one more swift kick, the light falls, generating a very strange looking Lockseed, with a little point at the bottom of it, a golden face marked with an orange surrounded by a pineapple, strawberry, banana, grapes, melon, and a watermelon, marked as "LS-". With his weapon in hand, Gaim immediately rejoins the battle, giving Duke a swift kick to the head as the villain finally sees what Gaim is holding)

Duke: You really think even that will be able to stop me?!

Gaim: I may not understand what dark power you've been given. But that won't stop me from fighting back.

(With that, Gaim presses a button on the Lockseed, not causing the lock on the top to open, but rather causing a small key to emerge from the point on the bottom)

Kiwami Lockseed: Fruits Basket!

(At the sound of this, a whole lot of fruit armors emerge. Of course present are the Orange, Banana, and Grapes used by Gaim, Baron, and Ryugen, but there is also a Melon similar to what Zangetsu's armor is made from as well as Acorn, Pinecone, Durian, Pineapple, Strawberry, Watermelon, Lemon, Cherry, Peach, Walnut, Mango, and Kiwi armors as well. As the armors finish materializing, a port forms where the faceplate on Gaim's Sengoku Driver once was, which allows him to turn the Kiwami Lockseed on it's side, insert it into the port and turn it, revealing a second panel on the Kachidoki Lockseed, which bears a series of fruit half-cross sections on top and a portrait of Kachidoki Arms' head on the panel, as well as opening the panel on the Kiwami Lockseed, revealing the other half of the cross sections on the body and a silver variant of Gaim's head with a pointed helmet and large version of his crest over a rainbow visor on the panel)

Sengoku Driver: Lock Open! Kiwami Arms! Dai, Dai, Dai, Dai, Dai Shogun!

(As this announcement goes off, the fruit armors converge in a circle around Gaim, and fly into him, breaking off the Kachidoki Arms, revealing silver armor reminiscent of what Gaim first showed up wearing, with a red cape attached to his back, and a chestplate consisting of several fruits on a black background)

Cynder: Okay, that is probably the coolest thing I've seen yet.

Gaim: And it's not over yet. Time to show this guy what we can do. Together!

(At Gaim's rallying cry, Baron, Ryugen, and Zangetsu each take out their weapons, ready to fight, but Gaim doesn't start the battle just yet.)

Gaim: (Seeing Spyro and Cynder are unamred) Hold on. Let's get you two some gear. Then we'll get started.

(To fulfill this action, Gaim turns the Kiwami Lockseed two more times)

Kiwami Lockseed: Kagematsu! Melon Defender!

(As soon as those cries are uttered, a spear with what looks like a pinecone guard at the bottom of the blade and a spiky shield decorated like Zangetsu, in a melon rind pattern, materialize in Gaim's hands. As they do, he throws the Kagematsu to Cynder and the Melon Defender to Spyro)

Spyro (Securing the Melon Defender to his wrist) Alright!

Cynder: (Twirling the Kagematsu around over her head to get a feel for it) I can work with this.

Gaim: Alright then. Let's get him!

(With everyone armed, the final battle begins. And now, everything turns against Duke. Ryugen and Zangetsu continue their assault from range, using the others as distractions so their shots keep hitting when Duke's guard is down. Baron, wielding his lance like a sword, strikes in charging and stabbing blows as well as slashing strikes. Gaim in Kiwami Arms needs no weapon as he is able to overwhelm Duke with punches and kicks alone. Cynder uses the Kagematsu to complement her normal agility, flipping in and out of Duke's range using the spear before slamming the point into him. Spyro, protected by the Melon Defender, charges at Duke shield first before igniting the points with his fire to stab Duke multiple times. After a few minutes of this process, Gaim steps back and turns the Kiwami Lockseed twice more)

Kiwami Lockseed: Musou Saber! Hinawa Daidai DJ Ju!

(As this pronouncement is made, Gaim's gun-sword from earlier materializes in one hand, and in the other a massive gun with what looks like an orange mixed with a turntable on one side. But Gaim doesn't focus on the gun, as he extends a section over the barrel and merges the Hinawa Daidai DJ Ju with the Musou Saber, creating an even bigger sword. Seeing this is happening, Baron and Ryugen each activate their Sengoku Drivers again, Baron doing this twice and Ryugen three times, but this is not cutting the Lockseeds further but rather channeling more energy into their weapons)

Sengoku Driver (Baron): Come On! Banana Au Lait!

Sengoku Driver (Ryugen): Hai! Budou Sparkling!

(Seeing the preparation, Zangetsu removes the Lockseed from his Genesis Driver and places it in a port on his bow)

Sonic Arrow: Lock On!

(Lockseed secured, Zangetsu draws back the Sonic Arrow and prepares to shoot it. As this is going on, Spyro and Cynder charge every cell in their bodies with Aether and Dark Aether, giving Gaim the signal to activate his finishing move, activating his Sengoku Driver twice.)

Sengoku Driver (Gaim): Suiya! Kiwami Au Lait!

(With that battle call, energy constructs of fruit begin to swirl around Gaim's blade, as the energy forming around Baron's lance starts to take shape as, no surprise, a banana, and Ryugen's gun is overflowing with energy in the form of grapes forming into a serpentine dragon. And in one moment, all the energy across all 6 fighters is released. Ryugen and Zangetsu release their shots, Baron impales Duke with the energy-projection extended lance, Gaim slashes straight through Duke's armor, and Spyro and Cynder release their energy straight into everyone's attacks.)

Duke: (As the Mark of Malefor glows upon his back one final time) No... not again... I can't die again!

(And just as he says that, Duke emits one final scream of terror as the energy dissipates, causing him to dissolve into ashes, leaving behind a blue and orange Ridewatch with Gaim's face on it, claimed by Cynder as Gaim, Baron, Ryugen, and Zangetsu exit their suits, with Gaim restored to his silver armor.)

Spyro: And that's that.

Baron: And good riddance to him too.

Cynder: 9 down, 11 to go.

Gaim: And with that, I say it's time we all go home.

Spyro: You guys are welcome to come to the Dragon Realms if you're interested.

Ryugen: You know, that does sound kind of interesting.

Zangetsu: After rebuilding Zawame for the past 5 years, I think we've earned a vacation.

Baron: You know what? Count me in too. Being dead gets boring after a while.

Gaim: Well, I'll let Mai know what the plan is. We could both use a vacation.

Cynder: Well, you guys enjoy your vacation, Spyro and I have to get back to wedding planning. (Chuckles) Who would have guessed finding a baker would be so difficult when your fiance insisted on doing the catering?

Spyro: I can handle savory easily, pastries just aren't my thing.

Baron: Wedding cake? You know what? You kids have impressed me, I'll make it. Free of charge.

Gaim: You bake?

Baron: Admittedly I'm a bit of an amateur, but I'm up to the challenge.

Ryugen: Thought you only yielded to the strong.

Baron: Did you see anything these two have done today? Cynder especially? I've never seen anyone stronger.

Zangetsu: He makes a fair point.

Gaim: Regardless, let's get these two lovebirds back home.

(With that, Gaim opens the same zipper in reality that got them there, allowing everyone to exit Helheim and return home. And as they do, we transition to the Dragon Temple, where Woz stands chatting with Ignitus, just as the portal opens on the other side, letting everyone step through.)

Woz: (Seeing the Ridewatch in Cynder's claws) No need to say anything I can tell everything went successfully. (Opens his book) Rejoice! Another of the Malefic Villains has fallen! And Lord Spyro and Lady Cynder have claimed their newest Rider allies, Kamen Riders Gaim, Baron, Ryugen, and Zangetsu! May their alliance last until the fruit of life no longer blossoms! (Closes his book)

Spyro: Good to see you too, Woz.

Woz: I've been trying to track down a baker willing to work without a catering agreement, as requested, but...

Baron: One just came in. I'm handling it.

Woz: Good to know. I'll get you filled in on the menu for the event so we can keep the theme.

Baron: Thanks.

Woz: (Turning back to Spyro and Cynder) So, what's next?

Cynder: After the craziness of the last few villains. We really just need to rest in time for this wedding.

Woz: Probably a good idea.

(As everyone heads out to handle whatever their business is, the sound of a train can be heard, not on the ground, but high in the sky, where a black and white train with a red front window emerges riding on strange rainbow tracks, as we briefly zoom into the cockpit to see a man in a button up shirt with thin red and white stripes, a khaki jacket and slicked back black hair)

Den-O: (Looking down at the Dragon Realms) An Imagin loose in a place like this? I don't even want to imagine what sort of chaos it could cause.

(And as the train Den-O rides in vanishes into the clouds, our story ends for today)

This concludes Part II of the Silver Story Special. For the final part before the Silver Story debuts, head on over to The Will of Sin. So, Gaim's arc is finished. And next time, one of the most popular, and in my opinion most overrated, Kamen Riders debuts. Ryotaro Nogami, Kamen Rider Den-O. And despite not showing up here, the Taros will show up as well. And of course, since it's Den-O, there's going to be time travel shenanigans. I won't get too specific, just know the next arc involves time travel in some form. In what form though? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!