Toa Solaric: I don't own either Date A Live or Kamen Rider Gaim. They belong to their respective owners just like anything that originated from other series. Though I would go for another chapter, I felt it better that I would go for a short interlude.

Armored Rider's Date A Live Chronicle

Interlude 1- Aftermath

'Impossible… there is no way that it possible!' Kotaro felt like his heart was going to stop as if he saw a ghost from the past. It cannot be. There is no way that 'he' could be here. Kotaro was there during the funeral and giving off his last words to 'him'. But he was standing there as nothing have happened.

"No! This cannot be real! You cannot be standing here right now! You cannot be him!" Kotaro exclaimed in shock.

"But I am the real one. I didn't foresee that you pulled off a reckless gamble." The stranger stated cold and emotionless.

"Who in the world are you?" Baron questioned seriously.

"My name is Mitsuno Izuruno. Yggrdrassil's Kamen Rider! The True Zangetsu— Zangetsu-Shin!" The thought to be decreased twin of Izuruno declared.

"The True Zangetsu…?" Baron asked in shock.

"But… that impossible, Mitsuno… is dead," Kotaro replied, still remembering the news about what happens back then.

"And I came back from hell," Mitsuno replied nonchalantly. "It's very reckless of pushing your limit," he said before turns around and start walking away.

"Where are you going?" Baron demands.

"I won't end you here just yet. Soon… you along with the rest of the world will soon witness a new era began." Mitsuno said before leaving through the forest.

"Wait…!" Kotaro shouts struggles to go after him. But he soon collapses due to the conditions that he puts his body through.

"Kotaro!" Sayaka shouts.

Shido and Rinne cannot help having disbelief expression upon their expression at the footage that Kotori showed them which shows the identity of Zangetsu-Shin.

"No way… is that him?" Rinne asked as if she was seeing a ghost right now.

"I-Impossible…" Shido whispered with disbelief. He originally upset that Mihashi doing questionable actions… but those words caught in his throat and feel guilty for thinking that he goes down a dark path.

Rinne, on the other hand, covering her mouth with her hands upon seeing Mitsuno. It wasn't for long ago, that she and others were at his funeral. There were questions like how and why was someone who thought to be dead here?

"You aren't the only one who wants to deny it…" The redhaired preteen said with a weary sighed. She wants to prove this is some sort of trickery, but even with the best technology that Fraxinus offered. "Someone who was supposed to be dead but come back from beyond the grave is like some kind of work of fiction."

"But why is Mitsuno doing this?" Rinne asked, feeling confused and hurt at the thought of their old friend.

"I don't know…" Kotori answered. But there was something else during the fight that bothers her. Something that she noticed throughout the fight.

"I WON'T LET THEM DO WHAT THEY COULDN'T IN THE PAST!"

She knows that there is something Kotaro was hiding. As much as Kotori want to confront Kotaro about what happened at the base, she felt that it wouldn't be a good time to discuss with him after what happens.

Back in his apartment, Kotaro let out a painful groan as he was seen resting on top of his bed with bandages covering his bruises.

"Are you certain that he didn't need to head for the hospital?!" Sayaka questioned Souji who was standing there.

Souji didn't react much to Sayaka's question while focused on Kotaro who is still unconscious. "Damages done by the Lockseeds are a rare case. The only way to heal is to rely on the user's natural healing ability." Souji stated from his personal experience with experimenting how much power Lockseeds can offer.

Sayaka wants to call it out illogical but she still doesn't know a lot about what Lockseeds can do. Not to mention that she is also in the presence of a Demi-Spirit who sided with the infamous murderous Spirit. It was better to play safe by not doing anything too reckless. She soon noticed that Souji leaving for the front door.

"Where are you going?" Sayaka demanded seriously.

"I already return the favor after Kazuraba showed me his new strength… I will leave him for now." Souji said before opened the door and close after getting out.

Sayaka makes a 'tch' sound with her tongue after seeing him leave, "Asshole…" she commented.

She soon returns to Kotaro's room to checks on him. Kotaro seems still unconscious in his bed and barely moving an inch from where he was.

It still hard to believe that he will possess the ability to harness the power of Spirit and remained human… Sayaka contemplated her overall assignment regarding him. It is hard to believe that Kotaro is the one who can do it even when he showed no signs of potential. He can indeed use the power of the Spirit through a small device and only weakened him in the process.

I cannot be too sure what will happen if he overexposed to the power of Spirit… Sayaka thought with a wary expression. If there were something worse occur with exposure to Spirit power, she will have no choice but to eliminate him.

But for now, she will keep playing the role of his archery teacher and wait to see if any signs of the exposure of Spirit occurs.

Hours later as the scene focused on Mitsuno return and giving a brief report to Takeru about the mission in his office room. Takeru didn't seem to react much as he didn't interrupt the report about his little brother.

"I see… so that is where he at this point," Takeru commented. It is certainly surprising that Kotaro did find an archery teacher of his own.

"This is certainly an unexpected result… I would've thought that with the data that we obtain from him, the Genesis Drivers that I developed would surpass the older models." Lloyd said, leaning against the front door.

"You don't have to worry about a thing… Professor, Kotaro Kazuraba was done on the ground even when he did cancel out the transformation. There is no way that he will be recovered from what happened." Mitsuno stated stoically.

"But there is still his Driver and Lockseeds… shouldn't you as the older brother take responsibility?" Lloyd asked.

Though Takeru may be in deep thought about his brother, he can still hear him. "It not the right time. With the DEM seem to aware who holds the Sengoku Drivers especially my brother being connected to one of Spirits, it better than he can't protect himself. Even if I don't want him to be part of Yggrdrassil, it better has another factor that the DEM is drawn than on us and we can continue our operation without any hinders." Takeru answered calmly. "Not to mention that he won't be able to escape from us when we have Mihashi Izuruno in our custody." He pointed out.

"So, you think that he might come rescued him on his own?" Lloyd asked.

"The probability of it is low. But I know he won't abandon him to the life of imprisonment." Takeru answered.

(Later)

In a medic room, there was one person that is currently there with an oxygen mask over his face and bandages cover his arms. Only one person was being a presence in that room as he stares at the face that was identical to his own.

Mitsuno stares at the one who shared his surname and bears the same face despite their hair colored being different from each other.

"So, this… is my brother," Mitsuno muttered quietly. Even if Takeru told him that this person was his brother… Mitsuno feels barely any connection with the person in front of him.

"But why your appearance haunts me…?" Mitsuno stares at Mihashi who was in the hospital bed. It was pathetic- one of the very limited things he could remember was merely his name. His name meant nothing it didn't have the memories to back it up.

It wasn't recent that he regains consciousness in a similar state as him and the one who has been watching over him was Takeru Kazuraba. He was the one who saved him by bringing him here but can't fix what happens to his memories. It was a surprise that he was a member of Yggdrasil and one of the best operatives against both Helheim threats and DEM soldiers. Not to mention everyone who greets him when he was wandering around the place. Though he doesn't remember any of that, he least relief that everyone here recognized him as one of their own. That makes him felt better than not having any memories before.

But now he has a brother who he can't seem to recall any recollection. What exactly is he like? And how his life was? The doctors estimated that it would take some time for his brother to be awakened. Mitsuno wonders what his brother will react to his face be like…

Gaim was breathing heavily as he was fighting an endless number of Inves that were in presence. Once he finished them, he felt someone was watching him…

He turned around and faces with Zangetsu-Shin.

"This ends here!" Gaim shouts before charging forward with his Musou Saber and Sonic Arrow.

Gaim got close before knocking out his Sonic Arrow with his own and slashing him with his Musou Saber across Zangetsu-Shin's chest.

Only for the white Genesis Rider collapsed before revealed the corpse of Mitsuno. Gaim can't help but feel numb, collapsed to his knees.

"No…"

"Don't you see this is why I never wanted you to become one in the first place?" Mars asked, appeared next to the corpse of Mitsuno. Gaim couldn't move from where he was.

"You will eventually have to choose who to let go and those to go," Mars said before moving closer to him. "Like those who used to live in the ruins within the forest."

(Reality)

Kotaro's eyes immediately opened wide and sat, only to feel pain in his abdomen area. He clutched it with one hand to see his abdomen wrapped in bandages. He looked around and recognized he was in his room.

"It… it was only a bad dream…" Kotaro breathes heavily.

Sayaka soon opened the door of her cousin's room and stares at him.

"Kotaro, are you alright?!" Sayaka asked, coming to his side.

"I'm fine…" Kotaro said, still breathing heavily. "H-How long I was?" he asked, confused.

"Only for few hours… but I recommend you don't move as your body hadn't recovered much from your previous fight. That jerk left after helping you get back here." Sayaka said. Kotaro didn't move from where he was.

"I see… So that was real?" Kotaro asked.

The Zangetsu-Shin that everyone thought was Mihashi had become rogue appeared before him once again and they fought. Only for them to end up having to deal with someone who thought to be dead.

"Here. I thought that you might want some water," Sayaka offered him a cup of water.

Kotaro didn't say anything before took the cup of water and drank it immediately. He then places the cup next to his table.

"How do you feel?" Sayaka asked.

"Like hell…" Kotaro response.

"Was that one of your friends?" Sayaka asked, crossing her arms.

"I don't know… I was certain that he was dead like the official report and we have been to his funeral…" Kotaro said, "Sayaka… are there any magic can revival the dead?" he asked.

"You mean necromancer? Something like that is lost long ago after the first Spacequake happened." Sayaka said. "Do you want me to stay with you?" she asked.

Kotaro shakes his head. "You had done enough… I don't want to cause you any more trouble." He soon lays back until his bed.

Sayaka thought about saying something but she was against when she can tell the toll of the revelation about a friend from the dead.

"Then try to get some sleep," Sayaka said before leaving his room and closed the door behind him.

Kotaro can't help thinking about his brother's words in his dream and the dream of him killing Mitsuno himself with his hands.

No matter how far I tried to reach my brother, I'm still unprepared for everything like he did… Kotaro thought bitterly.

(Next day)

Shido and Rinne came to visit Kotaro at his apartment in the morning. Just when Rinne about to get out a spare key, they hear something.

"You know that you can't recover unless you eat something." A female voice said.

This made the two teens look confused before Rinne opened the door. They soon come inside and make their way to Kotaro's room.

In there, they saw Kotaro on his bed and hadn't touched the bowl that was placed near his alarm clock. He was looking down at his hands that were covered in bandages. Standing by his bed was none other than Sayaka who crossed her arms.

She then noticed others were a presence in Kotaro's room. "What in the world did you guys want?" she asked sharply.

"Who are you?" Rinne questioned suspiciously at the presence of another female in his room.

"His archer tutor," Sayaka answered.

"Kotori did mention that he finds a personal teacher but never mention who," Shido recalled. "But I never would guess that it will be the transfer student at our school." He hears about it from his friend Tonomachi about a very pretty girl who transferred to their school. Also, Kotori's group was stupor around the fact that she was able to land a few shots on Origami spite not being a DEM soldier.

"Hey, Kota…" Rinne tried to talk with Kotaro who was sitting on his bed.

"Go away…" Kotaro said, keep his eyes in downcast expression.

"He probably doesn't want to talk about it after experienced shock from the fight yesterday," Sayaka explains.

This made Rinne and Shido look shocked at her. "H-How did you-"

"I was teaching him before that guy showed up," Sayaka answered.

Shido let out a sigh and tried to talk with Kotaro. "Hey, Kota… I know that this might be hard. But I'm sorry about what I say about Mihashi—"

"You don't get it… Shido. You don't get it what it like when things important matter to you!" Kotaro continued with downward cast expression.

This made them look surprised at what Kotaro says.

"Kota… What are you saying!?" Rinne asked.

"Just go away," Kotaro said, looking away from his friends.

Rinne about to approach him, but Sayaka got in the way. "I think that it is better to leave him for a while. There are things that words alone can't fix what happens." She said, "And he is still not in a good condition to walk after the stunt he pulled."

"Kota… we just want to talk." Rinne said.

"JUST GO AWAY!" Kotaro shouts, still looking away from her. This made them realized how much Kotaro was affected by it.

"If Kota doesn't want to talk, then Mitsuno's reappearance must shock him literally. Then I will leave him be for now." Shido said before looking at Rinne who remains quiet. "What about you, Rinne?" he asked.

"I'm going… to stay here," Rinne said. Even though Sayaka might be looking out for Kotaro, she doesn't like the idea of leaving Kotaro alone with her.

"Alright then…" Shido said. He thought about getting Yoshino to visit Kota and helped him with his depression, but he believes it might not be good to disrupt his friend in something that important.

"And that's way happens." Shido finished the young girl who was sitting on the couch as opposed to his own.

"I see… Kota-san is shocked by what happened." Yoshino said in a quiet tone with a worried expression. She was worried about Kotaro when he went on training with someone before hearing that he got hurt badly.

"Yeah… I felt that it might be better he has time for himself. But I just want to tell you that so you can decide whether or not you want to see him on your own time." Shido explains.

"Thank you for letting me know this, Shido-san. But I think that I might least give Kota some space for now before visiting him." Yoshino said quietly.

Shido places his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure that Kota will overcome this eventually…" Shido replied. He knows that with Mihashi was gone and Kotaro being down, it might lead to him and Rinne to hold the fort this time around. But the idea makes him wonder if they could do it especially with enemies being those who can become Inves on through artificial means.

Shido soon left the Spirit Apartment and going back to his home. He felt relief that nothing is damaged from what happens when Origami had become a Spirit.

Origami, who hadn't appeared in the city lately after the spacequake she had caused. But Kotori and her crew were still searching for her nonstop as they are aware that she might return to Tengu City eventually. Shido can't help feeling concerns about what happens to her. After all, this is just like what happened with Kotori all over again. Was the same entity that gives Kotori the same power as a Spirit?

To be honest, Shido never would guess that Origami will be next with how crazy obsessive she had become after obtains the power of the spirit. Also, what does the AST's response if they find out one of their own become a Spirit? Would they attack their friend who could endanger everyone? But one thing he needs to prepare was what Origami going to do after killing the rest of the spirits… ending herself in the process.

The fact that she tried to avoid me meaning that I could still make her stopped fighting… Shido thought to himself. He remembers that Kotaro used the power of ice to repel against Origami's light attacks and curious if he could borrow his Spirit Lockseed to counter her.

I probably should least ask him when he feels better enough… it will be wrong to do while feeling distraught, Shido thought to himself. He might be able to handle the power more than Kotaro due to already possessed Kotori's power longer without any issues.

He can't depend on the chances of getting Origami's power being to convert into Lockseed as those Genesis Riders come up with another way to steal a Spirit's power. It would likely mean he will have to go through with his method to ensure no one harmed Origami again. Even if she lost her humanity, she is still someone that needed serious mental help.

If Origami is too stubborn to listen about the consequences of her actions, he will make her listen even if she was the one who causing problems for everyone else.

To be continued

AN: That is the end of the Interlude. I apologized for those who might think that I have forgotten the story. I originally wanted to do a chapter about how Souji's and Kurumi's relationship came to being… but I ended up getting writer block on it and I tried to ask others for advice but can't seem progress with it. So, I might save their story for another time until I figure out how to resolve this writer's block shit. That's all I want to say, folks!