Spidey Viewer: It is shocking that there is so little of the pairing in story form.
WeAreTheWord: Saber is... screams into a pillow for five hours
To be clear... Saber is not BAD. But it is so lazy and... FUCK! We aren't getting anything character or lore wise. And everything is so rushed and half assed and... why should I care!
Dragon Rider 66: Because we didn't establish it much?
Guest chapter 6 Dec 22: We know that... but we aren't 100%following the shows cannon for the backstory.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: laughs evilly
furyuu: If you are talking about Realising Hopper? I agree, that thing is terrible. If you mean Zero Two... EXCUSE YOU?! Zero Two is AMAZING! It is an awesome concept that is very unique for a final form. It is sleek, unbeaten in the series and looks GORGEOUS! If you dislike Zero Two then you are entitled to that and we disagree.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: And show off the new future.
AlienTokusatsuDuelistMangaGeek: That was a typo in the authors note... really?
Here are a few reviews answered by Ghost:
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Thank you, thank you. We did really well coming up with that.
Toa Solaric: Well, that's not going south, I'll tell you that much.
furyuu: disappointed sigh BOI! The point of Zero-Two is a sleek modern-technology style based on Kamen Riders Ichigo and Nigo. If you want more 'detailed looking' forms; may I introduce Kamen Rider Grand Zi-O?
Bahamut0: Yeah, the curse of third Riders is a pain.
Dragon Rider 66: Yeah, we had to make things a bit more streamlined for the two.
WeAreTheWord: 1) Ai-Chan and Doggy Thouser won't appear in this story. 2) Yeah, the story would implode because of the two massive egos clashing against each other. 3) Honestly? I dropped it after episode... 3, I think. As much as I am a sucker for Isekai stories; Saber is going too fast for my liking. 4) Yeah, I don't think Fuwa and Naki would be happy about that; as much as the whole 'wolf-pack' stuff would be nice. 5) Just wait and see.
DS Rider: Woz: takes a deep breath and sighs ... That was. Acceptable.
Spidey Viewer: Thanks very much, that's very kind.
To everyone: Happy New Year! I hope you all have a better year then this crappy one.
Co-Writer: GhostKaiser23
Disclaimer: We do not own Kamen Rider Zero One, let alone Kamen Rider. Toei, Plex, Ishinomori Productions, Bandai and a whole lot more people own it instead of us.
Authors Note:
Now here it is! It is time!
It is time!
Time for the birth of the final form of Zero One!
And we have gone a bit insane... hehehe.
Kamen Rider Zero One
Hiden Bodyguards
Chapter 8: One To Two! It's Never Over!
The winds blew ominously over the battle field
The city was cracked and crumbled, smoke and flames washing into the air after the long hard fight... that was not yet over
A group of people where in a large open space in their home city, the buildings broken and ravaged. Several of them where on the floor, close to passing out or worse
In one side where the warriors of AIMS, Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba. The two where lying on their sides, bleeding and bruised and barely hanging on. With them on the ground where the four body guard sisters of Hiden Intelligence; Hitomi, Yumi, Zouy and Yukiko
Standing protectively before them was Izu, in her Rider form known as Kamen Rider Aizu.
On the other side of the battlefield was the remains of Metsubo Jinrai; Horobi, Naki and Jin. The last member of their team, Ikazuchi, was the current host of their leader Ark. The three HumaGear where close to their limits, feeling like they might give out and explode at any moment
Standing before them was Ark's creation, a clone of Izu known as Azu. She had her arms crossed and staring in annoyance
Between the two forces... stood Ark and a sole human.
Ark was currently possessing Ikazuchi, in his Rider armour called Kamen Rider Ark Zero. He had been so close to grasping victory in this long battle... and now here this WORM was to ruin it all!
Standing in Ark's way was Aruto Hiden, the young 23 year old president of Hiden Intelligence. Formally known as Kamen Rider Zero One, he held a new Driver in his hand. At first glance it looked just like the Zero One Driver, but it had clearly been evolved and extended. A new translucent neon-green plate took the normal arrow plates place, a large red 2 surrounding the Authorise Port on the right side of the belt. This new creation caught the light and gave off a mighty blow
Ark was silent, glaring menacingly
"Ark... I'll defeat you!" Aruto proclaimed proudly
"With what? A knock off of your old belt?" Azu mocked "What even -is- that?"
"This... is the Zero Two Driver. It is the culmination of my dream. Humans and HumaGear working side by side." Aruto said passionately "I've surpassed my father and my grandfather with this. And with this... I can make our dreams reality!"
"Dreams. A worthless thought." Ark spat "Dreams. Noun. A cherished aspiration, ambition, or idea-"
"You never learn, do you Ark?" Aruto shot back "Dreams aren't something you can define so dismissively, they aren't something you can calculate!"
Izu and her sisters smiled as they heard that, hearing their employer proclaim the truth of what dreams can mean.
Aruto slammed the belt over his waist as a neon-yellow belt wrapped around him.
ZERO-TWO DRIVER!
The belts heroic cry rang throughout the battle field, hope filling the hearts of Aruto's allies
Aruto pulled out a strange ProgriseKey that looked similar to the Amazing Caucasus Key that Gai used to have. It had a black base with a clear blue screen with shimmering silver cover with the depiction of a grasshopper; a blue button hinge to keep it in place and on the side was a silver satellite clasp with a blue eye with small red lines inside with a neon-yellow protrusion like a wing.
With a motion of his left hand, he flipped open the red '2' to make a six-sided silver gem-shaped and red 'winged' crest with a hollow centre. Shooting from the scanning area came a red light that created a 3D hologram of a large '02' and music began to fill the area.
Let's Give You Power. Let's Give You Power.
Aruto pressed the top of his new ProgriseKey which automatically flipped open and revealed the 'blue shadow' of a grasshopper inside the Key with a shine of the satellite eye depicting Zea's gift.
ZERO-TWO JUMP!
Let's Give You Power, Let's Give You Power.
Around Aruto, swirling almost cosmic-like energy with him in the centre of this storm, rose a hologram of Zea from the ground and lifted above his head. All the while Aruto's arms circled around and made a motion which gave the impression that he was air-writing out the numbers '02' as he rested his left hand on top of his right hand with the open Key ready "HENSHIN!" Immediately slotting his Key into the belt as the satellite leaned forward in front of Aruto while the 3D '02' circled around him.
ZERO TWO RISE!
The Key slid in perfectly and made the gem crest immediately move into the centre of the belt and revealed the Rider mask outline inside. The energy that pulsed from both Key and Driver illuminated the neon-yellow clasp and shone like a star before the darkness of Ark. The 3D '02' continued to spin clockwise around Aruto as two large grasshoppers crashed down onto the ground. One was his neon-yellow grasshopper with red eyes that landed on Aruto's right-hand side; on his left-hand side was a red metal grasshopper, an almost exact copy to the neon-yellow one but it seemed to have a diagonal neck protrusion. Both hoppers croaked once to warn Ark before they bounded upwards as the hologram of Zea reversed into Aruto and formed his black bodysuit and the Yellow one digitized and attached first.
Road to GLORY HAS TO, Lead To GROWIN' PATH TO CHANGE! ONE TO TWO!
Aruto's feet were covered with a neon-yellow plating that went up to his shins and kneecaps, his thighs were protected by the same yellow coloured plating but fit the contours of his legs. His chest was only partially covered by neon-yellow plating with his face being partially covered by the neon-yellow metal with a pulse of yellow energy that was immediately dispersed. As soon as the yellow hopper finished attaching the red hopper leapt behind Aruto and digitized, forming over him next adding silver plating to his thigh-guards, boots, shins, arms, filling out the chest plate and metallic red gloves giving a pulse of red energy next.
KAMEN RIDER ZERO TWO!
His helmet's faceguard became more filled out with a silver edge to his face, two red antennae jutting from his forehead and red eyes as the 3D '02' swung around and attached around his neck, the '0' became a red gem-shaped core with a black interior and thin white circuit line and the '2' seemed to press into itself and form a diagonal neck protrusion, giving the impression Aruto was now wearing a red scarf. And gave off a final pulse of combined red and yellow energy like quantum starlight.
It's Never Over~!
SHINE!
Ark was stunned, looking at Aruto in shock as he couldn't believe that he created something like this.
"My name is... Kamen Rider Zero-Two!" Aruto proclaimed and clenched his fists ready for the fight. His red eyes took a victorious shine, the clouds parted, and this new Rider was enveloped in sunlight
"That form..." Fuwa panted
"Kamen Rider... Zero Two?" Yua whispered
"Impossible." Horobi muttered
"Zero One... evolved?" Naki asked
"It looks like... Rising Hopper?" Jin noted
"Is tha... Hiden Metal?" Yumi asked, noticing the silver on the form
"I think so." Zouy nodded
"But what is the red parts made from?" Yukiko whispered
"I dont know. But it looks cool." Hitomi noted
"Like that will help." Azu scoffed softly
Ark remained silent, and he began calculating. Seeing a hundred different scenarios that showed Aruto rushing at him to attack. Attacks from the sky, the floor, kicks, punches, roundhouse kicks. Ark was calculating all of them. "Calculations, complete."
Suddenly a red armoured fist was slammed into his jaw
CRACK!
ZOOM!
CRASH!
"ARGH!" Ark roared as he rolled onto the ground.
Aruto lowered his hand, flexing his hand lightly, as he stood there calmly "So... are you ready to fight?" He asked calmly
"So fast." Yukiko whispered in shock.
"How did he-?" Fuwa blinked.
"You bastard!" Ark glared up at Aruto, getting to his feet "Just like your father."
Aruto didn't respond, holographic grasshopper feet appearing over his, before he jumped forwards with a mighty leap
Ark saw what was coming and raised his leg, aiming to kick Aruto out the air. Instead Aruto moved to the side, Ark's foot sliding past his armour as he flipped behind him. Ark's eye flashed in shock before he quickly span around, throwing a punch "Ugh!"
The two stood there for a moment, everyone's eyes wide
Aruto had span around at the last second, Ark's punch brushing the spiked armour on the side of Zero Two's helmet, while the new Rider delivered a powerful gut punch
"I-Impossible." Ark grunted, feeling 'winded'.
Aruto remained silent as he followed up with a second swift strike to Ark's gut.
Two.
Three, four, five!
A consecutive punch came right into Ark's stomach, forcing him back and grab his stomach. Aruto then span around, slamming the heel of his right foot into the side of Ark's head
Azu continued to look on, her swagger, cockiness and smugness were leaving her. How could Aruto be leading the fight? 'Ark-Sama should be as refreshed as the fight started!'
"Argh!" Ark rolled onto the ground in anger and pain. Aruto was fighting but... it felt different. It was like he was toying with him! He snarled, his processors and prediction ability going into over drive... "Learning Complete." he hissed darkly
Aruto rolled his wrist as his eyes flashed, before he charged forwards
Ark's red eye glowed, beginning his predictions. The predictions of Aruto seemed to split off in hundreds of directions; all showing fists in various directions. 'There!' He threw a punch and aimed right at Aruto's head. "I have! You?"
Aruto seemed to have disappeared, Ark's fist going through a mirror image as digital red and yellow circuitry sped to a different location. "HA!" And threw a heavy punch to Ark's head.
Ark fell to the floor, rolling away. He groaned, looking up for a moment and saw the 02 at Aruto's neck was... glowing?
"What is that?" Azu asked in shock, trying to get Aruto to talk.
Aruto turned to Azu and shook his head. "No comment." He responded, like a president of a company.
"President Aruto~" Izu blushed
"Damn you. Damn you, Hiden." Ark growled, trying to get back up.
ATTACHE ARROW!
Ark summoned the black and purple weapon and opened fire
SHING!
"Gah!" Aruto yelled as the arrow hit im in the chest
Ark was getting excited, seeing that his hits were getting in now, he pulled back the Arrow's pull and fired at Aruto, shooting at him before switching to an Attache Calibur. He rushed forwards, slashing with both weapons
SKINK!
SPARK!
"Prez!" Fuwa gasped
"No..." the sisters gasped
Ark gave a mighty cross slash, before kicking Zero Two away
"Ark-Sama!" Azu clapped
"This is bad." Jin muttered
"Aruto..." Izu whispered
Aruto hit the floor hard, rolling away with a grunt
"Ha... ha..." Ark laughed under his breath, throwing his weapons away "With this attack... Zero Two... will become extinct." he stated, pressing the button atop his belt
Á̸̬͕!̸̦̄
̷͇̓Ļ̴̖̔!̴͎̈́
̷̝̳̀̉L̸̙͗!̶̛̜̃
̴͔̩́Ę̶̼̇!̴͕̩̓͌
̴͈̻́X̵͔̰̐͝!̸̜͠
̶͇̌̒T̸͔̼̿̀!̸̳̟̌
̶̭͎̅̀Î̵̢̜́!̶̧͙͐͂
̷̖͌͌͜C̴̹̀͝!̶͎͝
̵͔̈T̷͍̀̎!̵̠͎̉͋
̵̨̺͊Ǐ̸̬̕!̷̳́
̷̧̅̂O̷̐͛͜!̸͎̲͐͊
̴͍̦͂̋N̴͉̳̍!̵̙̩̍
Ark jumped up high, his aura of shadow and magic surrounding his foot, before he came dropping down with a side kick
Boom!
A̸̟̪̪̙̎̐Ļ̵̪̂̋L̵̝̈́̒́ ̸̖̩̱̽E̴͍̿X̴̧̻͉̤́̅T̴͇͗̉̅̊Ĭ̶̧̲͓̋͝N̷̡͖̯̮̎Ĉ̷̩̏̈́͝T̷̥̼͇̩̅͑I̵͔̮̬͊O̷̧̠̩̜̓̏́͝Ń̶̯̳̹͜!̸̨̛̬̼̗̍̽
BOOM!
"ARUTO!" the seven heroes, all but Izu, screamed in horror. Izu just bit her lip, but didn't do anything else
KABOOM!
Smoke filled the air as Ark stood back up, smirking and laughing. He was victorious! He had won! Hiden Aruto was finally de-
"I saw that from a mile away."
The world turned silent
The scarf on Aruto's neck gave off a plume of red energy, with Aruto standing unharmed on the other side and behind Ark himself.
Ark's fist clenched as he spun around and aimed for Aruto's head, only for Zero-Two to gut punch him with a stronger punch than he put in before.
He grunted as he was forced back by this mere human and was swearing revenge on him! He attempted a sweeping kick on Aruto's legs to trip him, to which Aruto backflipped into the air and landed before leaping into Ark with a shin-kick.
Why don't we go, everybody?
"How... HOW?!" Ark roared as his belt came to life, the belt beginning the printing process
KABAN SHOT!
Suddenly a yellow blast of energy flew through the air and hit Ark, destroying the unfinished weapon he had been printing, with the Attache Shotgun in Kamen Rider Zero Two's hand
What the heck to are you waiting for?
"Sorry, where you making something?" Aruto asked as he threw the weapon away
Ark ran straight at Aruto, summoning as he ran to get a big jump on him. Their blades clashed, they sparked. Ark was holding the Thousand Jacker while Kamen Rider Zero Two had the Hopper Blade
They jumped back, Aruto flipping to dodge a blast of dark orange energy from a created ShotRiser
ZETSUMETSU BLAST!
Why don't we go, everybody?
As Aruto flipped he brought his foot out, harshly kicking the created ShotRiser from Ark's hand and slashing it in half
Aruto crouched down a bit and thrust his blade forwards, hitting Ark in the belt with the butt of his weapon
Have you waiting for?
Aruto threw the weapon away, bringing his leg up for a harsh knee to Ark's gut
The two stumbled back from each other, Ark glaring. He quickly predicted and leaned back, dodging a kick to the head. He then raised his own leg, trying to do a high-kick
"That's useless!" Aruto called as he seemed to do something completely impossible to physics
I know it's the right time!
He somehow twisted his body and stayed in the air, delivering a powerful downwards knee to the back of Ark's neck
CRACK!
Azu gasped as she saw Ark being brought low by Aruto, causing him to crater into the ground.
Aruto landed on his knees and rose back to his feet from a crouching position and glared at Ark.
Why don't we go, everybody?
Ark slammed his fist into the ground, trying to think of anything to fight back at Aruto... he managed to get those hits off; didn't he?
"Sorry, I gave you a free hits to test the suits defense and to make yourself feel better about yourself." Aurto shrugged, as if he read Ark's thoughts... and shattering the AI's concept of what just happened
"Impossible..." Azu whispered
What the heck to are you waiting for?
"GRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Ark roared and unleashed his aura of malice, shooting out his liquid metal energy at Aruto as a wave that produced random spears like how Metal Cluster Hopper first attacked Thouser all that time ago
"You're predictable, you know that right?" Aruto grinned as his gauntlets glowed... Suddenly a red version of the Metal Cluster Cells where forming their own spears, clashing with and blocking Ark's attacks
Why don't we go, everybody?
"What... the hell are those?" Horobi blinked
"Quantum Armour Cells, President Aruto's new weapon." Izu explained proudly
"Quantum Armour Cells?" Ikazuchi added.
Aruto looked like a general, walking with an army of his own against the forces of evil, this power he had and created with the hopes and dreams of everyone, HumaGear and Human alike. He made a promise and he would keep it!
Have you waiting for?
"How... HOW?!" Ark snarled
"Because I made improvements." Aruto commented confidently "Shine System... activate!"
Time to the future for now!
"Shine System?!" Azu double took
Sprouting from Aruto's belt, an eruption burst of light and floating shining rhomboids glowing with pulsing blue light.
Future for real!
"Her Shine System?" Ark snarled and glared at Aruto, seeing another creation of Zea's.
Aruto nodded. "Get up. I'm getting Raiden out of there." And readied to make a running was an attack on three fronts, and Ark couldn't keep up
The Quantum Armour Cells, the new version of the Metal Cluster Cells, where a living liquid weapon that was attacking from every angle. Followed up by the shine systems attacks
And Aruto was backing them up perfectly
Ark was getting struck back, over and over again. Sparks flew off his armour with each hit. He roared while unleashing a wave of energy, one that knocked Zero Two and his constructs back
"Aww, you mad Arky?" Aruto teased as the Quantum Armour Cells retreated to his gauntlets and the Shine System returned it is own home within the 0 on his neck brace
"How... how can you withstand and outdo my prediction?!" Ark roared
"Because I have human creativity... and I can -think- as fast as you do, if not faster." Aruto smirked as the Zero Two key glowed a bit... revealing to Ark how Aruto saw the world right now
Cast out your doubts!
Ark's eyes widened in fear and shock, seeing not the dark realm of his own malicious programming, but the bright light of the future. Golden zeroes and twos around them all and showed a VASTER multitude of scenarios that Ark couldn't comprehend.
Where Ark could think about a half-billion scenarios, Aruto was capable of thinking of one TRILLION!
SMASH!
Make up your mind!
"I am Kamen Rider Zero Two!" Aruto reminded "I am the culmination of Human's and HumaGear working together! Ark... there's no way you can stop me!"
The world returned to normal, Ark holding his head as he shook in rage
"Fuwa! Yaiba! Can I have a Gatling of a Dream please?" Aruto called
"Gatling of a Dream?" Fuwa asked in confusion before he realised what Aruto meant and snickered a bit
"Here!" Yua answered, throwing Aruto her key
"Thank you!" Aruto called, catching both Key's. He put the Hiden Scoping Key into his left hip slot, while he closed the Zero Two Driver and ejected the Zero Two Key
PowerRise Ability!
"Wh-what are you-?" Azu asked in confusion and worry for her precious Ark-Sama.
Let's Give You Power. Let's Give You Power.
With the Key removed, Aruto tapped the Zero Two's self-authoriser once more before he flicked the key open
Why don't we go, everybody?
"This!" Aruto called, slotting the Rampage Key into the Zero Two Driver
PowerRise Ability!
The gorilla, mammoth and shark key's symbols emerged from the belt before merging into the Zero Two armour. However, Aruto's armour didn't change. it remained the same, but the energy changed from red to a silvery blue colour. Aruto quickly stomped, a large holographic elephant foot suddenly dropped down
Ark looked up and was crushed underfoot, feeling the weight of gravity force him down and then fling him up into the air.
What the heck to are you waiting for?
Ark was then met by a harsh punch with gorilla strength strike, followed by a powerful slash with the shark power
HuntRise Ability!
Let's Give You Power. Let's Give You Power.
"Ha!" Aruto switched out the two Keys and inserted in Yua's in place of Fuwa's.
HuntRise Ability!
Three circles appeared around Aruto depicting the Hedgehog, Panda and Spider animals on the Key, the Shine System flaring up and burning bright as he was ready to strike while the energy turned into a magnificent bronze.
Why don't we go, everybody?
Quickly a few Shine Crystal's formed energy nets, wrapping up Ark. At the same time other Shine Crystal's let out a rapid barrage of laser bursts, which zigzagged around Ark to hit him in the back
Finally Aruto returned to his base Key, the energy returning to it's normal red
"Do you understand now, Ark?" Aruto could not help but gloat "We designed this system to be superior than you in every way. Higher stats, I can adapt with other Keys, the system has greater prediction ability..."
Have you waiting for?
ZETSUMETSU KABAN STRIKE!
Ark quickly rolled over and fired the Attache Arrow at full power, only to be overwhelmed by a large yellow blast
ZERO ONE BUSTER DUST!
"It creates weapons faster than you." Aruto said proudly, the Authorise Buster in gun mode in his hand the Rampage Gatling Key in place with him having scanned the weapon in that split second
I know it's the right time!
"This is impossible... impossible!" Azu cried
"No..." Ark muttered, fear in his voice. Suddenly his belt started up... creating something new!
Appearing before Ark was a large four-wheeled vehicle, a large frame and exposed engine with only a mangled hood and two large handles and a pair of large exhausts held back by a seat.
He quickly got on the bike and rushed away as fast as he could
...
"Is he running away?" Horobi asked in shock
"Ark-Sama!" Azu gasped in horror
Why don't we go, everybody?
"Easy." Aruto smiled as he helped up his Presidential RisePhone and pressed the bike app button before scanning it onto his belt
MOTORISE! NEO RISE HOPPER!
What the heck to are you waiting for?
A neon yellow light shot down from the sky, the energy morphing and solidifying into a large version of the Hiden Risephone... which quickly morphed and changed
Changing to hyper bike motorcycle mode!
Why don't we go, everybody?
The Rise Phone shifted and changed, showing a large-wheeled bike, two side guards and a larger shield to protect his face, the two handles with metallic red grips and a black appearance on the main body with neon-yellow detail.
It was the Rise Hopper, with sleek extra red accented and a more streamlined shape.
"Just a moment." Aruto smirked as he got on the bike and rushed forwards with a mighty roar of the engine
Have you waiting for?
Ark was driving as fast as he could, trying to evade the battle
Vrrr~!
"What?" Ark blinked and looked back, seeing Aruto racing towards him
Time to the future for now!
"You won't escape, Ark!" Aruto called
"Begone!" Ark roared, shooting a blast of energy at him
Kamen Rider Zero Two just took the Neo Rise Hopper up a ramp and jumped above the blast, the explosion going off behind him as his energy stream scarf came alive
The flames illuminated him, the Kamen Rider racing towards his foe
For now!
Ark looked behind him, trying to escape Aruto for just a moment... and saw amen Rider Zero-Two emerge from the flames like a true hero
Suddenly Zero Two's gauntlets opened and the Quantum Armour Cells where unleashed
Ark's eyes widened in fear as he saw the Quantum Armour Cells shoot out and strike out at him. The red metal slashed and ripped apart his vehicle. The vehicle exploded as the Quantum Cells tore into the engine, flinging him forwards in an arc. Ark jumped into the air, trying to escape, while also blasting his liquid metal form at Aruto's new cells
"There you are!" Aruto glared right at him, leaping to his seat and used the momentum to push himself at the liquid self.
The bike turned into data, rushing back to Zea, while the improved Shine System formed a protective barrier around Aruto. He shot through the attack, his foot hitting Ark hard
CRASH!
Ark screamed like the sound of nails on glass and digital screeching. He pulled himself up weakly, snarling in rage and fear "N-N-n-n-O. I-I-iiiiii wIlL no-no-not-t-t loose to y-yo-you." Ark snarled, his voice glitching wildly as he summoned the Thousand Jacker, slotting a Zetsumarise Key into it
Ready to Break!
Aruto just let the Shine System return to its holster in his neck, standing tall once more as he looked down at the glitching Ark
"DIiiiiiiiIiiiiiIiiiieEeEEEE!" Ark roared as be slashed forwards, unleashing a large blue energy horn blade attack at Aruto
Hacking Break!
Zea Firewall!
"Ha!" Aruto called as he blocked the attack and twisted to his side, Kamen Rider Aizu rushing past him with the Zea Cleanser glowing with power
"GAAAA!" Ark screamed in pain as he was sent flying into a building, crashing into it hard enough to be indented into the wall completely
"I am sorry for the delay President Aruto, but I can confirm that the Zero Two system is functioning perfectly." Izu bowed
"No worries Izu!" Aruto grinned as the Quantum Armour Cells grew into what looked like a wave behind them "But it's time to end this!" He called, the Zero Two Driver getting to work printing several weapons
01! 01! 01! 01! 01!
SHINE!
01! 01! 01! 01! 01!
SHINK!
Kōdaina ākaibu access shite
Kensaku shitatte I don't think it's right!
In Aruto's hands, he had the Progrise Hopper Blade and Authorise Buster.
Meanwhile in the red locals behind him grabbed an Attache Calibure, Attache Shotgun, Attache Arrow and an Authorise Buster. At the same time, Aruto threw a series of Progrise Keys into the air, before he and Izu rushed forwards
Dēta wa kako wādo wa sain
kotae wa 404 Not Found…
Each of the Keys were ready to be activated on Aruto's command as the two Riders caught Ark in a pincer movement.
The two worked together, as perfect as ever
01! 01! 01! 01!
Izu ran first with the Cleanser, trying to get Ark's attention so that Aruto would get a -clean- hit on him. "HA!"
Ark turned around, calculating where she would strike and make her hit Aruto instead.
01! 01! 01! 01!
STAB!
PSHOO!
Aruto dodged out of the way as Ark changed his position and was stabbed by Izu as.
Aruto gave a few quick slashes with a twist of his wrist, Izu kicking him back
Progrise Key Confirmed, Ready to Utilize!
Falcon's Ability!
CHARGERISE!
The Quantum Cells slotted the key into the Calibure, closing it
CLASH!
PUNCH!
SLASH!
Both Aruto and Izu were fighting fiercely as possible, pinning Ark down within his small space.
REAL×EYEZ hajimari no aizu
Atarashī jidai wo
FULL CHARGE!
Shinning Hopper's Ability!
The shotgun was pumped as it channeled work energy
FINAL STRASH!
PROGRISSING STRASH!
"Ha!" Izu and Aruto called, slashing with neon green energy and Quantam Armour Cells respectively
Ark flinched back and tried to protect himself, crossing his arms to guard his body while the slash cleaved deep into his armoured self, he could feel it even affecting his host body.
Atarashī jidai wo
We gotta SUN×RISE
Metal Hopper's Ability!
The Attache Arrow shone with energy, the string being pulled back in preparation
Aruto grabbed Izu's hand, the two disappearing in a blast of neon yellow and red energy
Burning like the fires
BUSTER AUTHORISE!
READY FOR BUSTER!
The two Authorise Busters, one in gun and one in axe mode, shone with energy as they took aim
And all five weapons attacked
Kiri hirake unmei wo
You wanna REAL×EYEZ
FLYING KABAN DYNAMIC!
SHINNING KABAN BUSTER!
METAL RISING KABAN STRIKE!
PROGRISING BUSTER DUST!
PROGRISING BUSTER BOMBER!
Ark's eye shrunk back into its head as he was exploded by the barrage of attacks.
A rainbow of various attacks shot out, striking the vile creature and shot him upwards into the it.
Buchi nuite Ikeru no wa
You're the only ONE!
Aruto turned to Izu and gave a confident nod to finish off Ark together.
01! 01! 01! 01!
Aruto threw his weapons away, retracting his battle assistants, while Izu rushed forwards
01! 01! 01! 01!
Izu gave one harsh slash with the Zea Cleaner, before a second harsh slash with the Hopper Blade
01! 01! 01! 01!
The others arrived as Izu span around gave a double slash before throwing her weapon away
Nōnai no sutorēji appudēto shite
Kaiseki shitatte I don't feel it's right.
They all looked on as they saw both Izu and Aruto dominated Ark, seeing them throw their weapons away before they both pressed their ProgriseKeys.
Izu was first as she bent her knees, her armour glowing and large energy wings burst from her back
Kanjō-teki "INFLUENCER"
Mayoeba 408 Timeout...
Kamen Rider Aizu's heel cracked the ground lightly as a grasshoppers foot overlapped with her own, before she jumped up high "Ah~!" She hummed as she flew upwards
01! 01! 01! 01!
Her large energy wings, butterfly-like, shimmering majestically as she twisted her body a bit
01! 01! 01! 01!
H-O-P-E-F-U-L!
C-R-E-A-T-I-O-N!
REAL×EYEZ genkai o resized
Tokihanate tamashī wo
"HA!" She called, throwing her arms out wide as the wings almost acted like jets that shot her at Ark
We need the DAY×LITE jōshiki no device
ke chirashite tsukamu no ga
It's your only one
Ark's arms crossed over as he attempted to block the attack, but it was becoming vain. His body was cracking on the outside... and now the inside. "ARGH!" he roared in pain as Izu's foot hit his crossed arms
Green and white lightning sparked around her foot and all over Ark's body, his arms quivering, as the heel of her boot dug into his arm
Kimi no koe ga (kimi no koe ga)
"Zea wishes it didn't have to be this way, Ark!" Izu said calmly
Kimi no yume ga (kimi no yume ga)
She then slammed her other foot against Ark, back flipping away as a shock wave of energy as she flew back
01! 01! 01! 01!
01! 01! 01! 01!
HOPEFUL CREATION!
01! 01! 01! 01!
01! 01! 01! 01!
BOOM!
"Gah!" Ikazuchi yelled as the black liquid metal of Ark's form went wild, Ark quickly rushing away
Ikazuchi fell to the floor, panting tiredly, as Ark's formless mass rushed at the others
01! 01! 01! 01!
01! 01! 01! 01!
The HumaGear of the group had their eyes widen, seeing the Ark rushing at them
"No!" Fuwa yelled, getting in front of Naki
"Not again." Yua said in horror
Asu wo koete (asu wo koete)
FWOOSH!
Todoku made don't stop don't hesitate
"I don't think so." Aruto said calmly, catching the Ark's incorporeal form with his Quantum Armour Cells, throwing it away "You aren't possessing anyone else ever again."
Nothing gonna change REALxWORLD
"It's time to finally end this."
"Ark-Sama!" Azu gasped in horror
Ark's liquid metal form quickly swirled and took on the shape of Kamen Rider Ark Zero, snarling and glaring
"How... dare you?" Ark snarled
Aruto was silent, hitting the Zero Two Key into his Driver. The translucent yellow parts of the Driver began to glow like a sun, Aruto disappearing in a streak of red and yellow streams
REAL×EYEZ hajimari no aizu
SMASH!
"Gah!" Ark yelled as Aruto delivered the first blow, an upwards kick
Z!
E!
R!
O!
As Ark was thrown into the air, Aruto then rushed past with a powerful flying side kick as he came out of seemingly nowhere
Atarashī jidai wo
As Aruto landed calmly, he then span around and gave a powerful knee that threw Ark into the air once more
T!
W!
O!
B!
I!
G!
We gotta SUN×RISE Burning like the fires
Kirihirake unmei wo
"N-Nooo-OOoOooooOooO..." Ark muttered out in weak stuttering
Meanwhile Aruto jumped into the air with red and yellow energy, twisting in the air as he looked down
B!
A!
N!
G!
"HA!" Aruto called, his red energy scarf blowing dramatically as he rushed through the air
You wanna REAL×EYEZ egaita miraizu
Buchi nuite ikeru no wa
BOOM!
"GAH!" Ark roared in pain, as Aruto's foot collided with his form and began to push into his form
We need to DAY×LITE jōshiki no device
Ke chirashite tsukamu no ga
ZERO TWO BIG BANG!
You're the only ONE!
Fast, faster, faster and faster still, Aruto rocketed down onto the ground and began to obliterate Ark's form, the monster tried to scream as he tried to deny their fate of being destroyed.
With a final leap, Aruto created a small swirling arm galaxy of red and yellow energy; landing confidently as he finished the destructive A.I. off.
ZERO TWO!
A large, glowing red, 02 appeared around Ark as he roared in pain. The monsterous AI was enveloped in flames, fading away
KABOOM!
BIG! BANG!
The flames where behind Kamen Rider Zero Two, his eyes glowing brightly as his suit was covered in the shadows for a moment
01! 01! 01! 01!
And like that... it was over
The Riders looked on in shock, all of them had transformed out of their Rider suits and looked beaten and battered, especially the HumaGear members who had been here for hours. Aruto turned to Izu and smiled at her, giving a small nod before walking to the others.
"No... Ark-Sama..." Azu whispered, falling to her knees
Izu helped up Naki, Aruto went to help Ikazuchi and Jin was carrying Horobi. The group tried to ignore the cries of Azu, since she was Izu's 'evil twin' it was a bit awkward. No one knew what to do. Tears fell down the HumaGear's cheeks, her body quivering a bit
'Tears?' Izu thought in shock as she saw them.
"I've got Naki." Fuwa spoke, taking his 'partner' from her.
"Thank you." Naki muttered
Izu nodded and let Fuwa take them, while she went to her 'twin'. "You're crying." She spoke softly, trying to kneel down but... it was strange for Izu to kneel.
"I know." she hissed
"You were devoted to him; weren't you?" Izu continued.
"You think? You murdered him!" Azu snapped as she stood tall "Humans... HumaGear... Ark-sama was right all along! You will all become extinct!" She snapped again ans rushed away
Izu was stunned as she heard that. Hearing her own voice proclaim all of that. It was a twisted image that... hurt her
"Should we go after her?" Yukiko asked
"No." Izu shook her head. "I...I don't think so."
"Well... at least this fight is over." Aruto commented gently, smiling at his bodyguards
*time skip*
It was several hours later, a few dozen bandages and gauze applied and a few hours in a reconstruction chamber. The Riders were all together, with MetsuBou JinRai under custody. Aruto was in his office, smiling happily "We win." He muttered "We won."
"Yes, Sir. We've won." Shesta agreed with a soft bow
"Everyone, thank you. For all your hard work." He spoke and bowed to Izu and her sisters, Shesta, Yua and Fuwa. "Thanks to you... we stopped Ark. Thank you."
Fuwa and Yua smiled and nodded, bowing back. "Thanks, President."
"What should we do with MetsuBou JinRai? They are still wanted criminals." Yua asked
"That's a good question." Aruto sighed. "I think Naki and Ikazuchi are the least destructive of the group."
"Same with Jin." Izu added
"Which leaves only Horobi." Fuwa answered, cracking his knuckles. "He's had it coming for a long time."
"I don't doubt that Horobi deserves punishment, but he might be able to be redeemed. After all, he controlled Ark and was willing to destroy him to merge with Jin." Aruto answered. "But he'll be under A.I.M.S. jurisdiction."
"Thank you, Sir." Yua responded
"Mr Fukuzoe, please inform the news and the company that Ark has been destroyed and the members of MetsuBou JinRai have been apprehended." Aruto asked
"Want me to set up a press conference?" The older man asked proudly
"Yes, please." He nodded. "We need to reassure everyone."
"I'll get right on it, Sir." Mr Fukuzoe smiled, gave a respectful bow and left, expecting Shesta to follow soon.
"Shesta, could you stay?" Izu asked "We are planning some changes we need your opinion on and to inform you about."
Shesta knew what Izu was suggesting, but she wanted confirmation from Mr Fukuzoe. "Sir, may I stay for this?" She spoke politely.
"Yes, of course. I'll be in my office when you're ready." Mr Fukuzoe nodded and left.
"Well, let's go Yaiba. We better make sure the AIMS operatives are all good before checking on the prisoners." Fuwa commented to his co-captain
"Actually Fuwa, I feel like at least one of us might need to be here to hear about this stuff. So I'll be with you when this is over." She answered as he left through the door.
"Right, whatever." He shrugged casually
Aruto gulped a little as now he was 'surrounded' by Izu, Shesta and Yua with the other four girls behind them "I guess. We all know why we're here." He mulled over his words, trying not to fumble.
"Yes, President Aruto." Yukiko nodded.
"I have to admit, I didn't think I'd be here with... this many people." Yua admitted as she crossed her arms under her chest
"Will this be a problem for you, Ms Yaiba?" Shesta turning to look at her.
"In all honesty, I'm a little surprised, but I'm alright." She answered as she smiled lightly
"Well, shall we begin?" Yukiko offered with a smile.
"'B-Begin'?" Aruto gulped.
"Of course, we need to reach a compromise." She explained.
"Big sis, always so serious~" Hitomi teased
Aruto scratched his nose gently as he heard Hitomi. But that was what made Yukiko herself. "Well...I think I should be the one to say it." making them all turn to himHe took a deep breath and looked at them. "I'm in love with Izu; yet I know about your feelings towards me."
Yua's eyes widened as she heard that, getting flustered as she heard Aruto's confession. "Wh-what're you saying?" she asked, trying to play off being cool about the whole thing
"President Aruto is acknowledging our feelings." Yumi explained as Zouy tussled her head.
"Right. And it's his choice too." Zouy added
"Right... And this is honestly nerve-wracking for me. However, I know the law about human-HumaGear relations." Aruto added
"Good to know." Yua answered.
"But... it doesn't mean I can't be with you, Yua and the girls." Aruto thought aloud.
...
"Repeat that?" She blinked
Aruto rubbed his head, struggling to think of an answer that would not get his face slapped by every woman in the room... or worse. "Yua and I will date in public, but in private it'll be all of us. Because the public already knows about Izu and her sisters, it wouldn't seem strange for us to be seen with them around."
"In short, it is not illegal for President Aruto and Ms Yaiba to date or be married." Izu explained "Therefor they can be together openly and no one will be suspicious, especially with the jobs we have as HumaGear. However in private, he shall be dating all of us."
Yua blushed as she heard the logic and sound reasoning about it. "I. I suppose that makes sense." She nodded, before muttering under her breath "This is so weird. Is it illegal? Definitely scandalous. Should I?"
"If you think about it, the positives outweigh the negatives." Hitomi called out. "We'll be all together, we can protect each other and it'd improve human and HumaGear relations."
"Exactly." Yumi smiled lightly
Yaiba had to sit down, all of this was overwhelming. True, she had feelings for Aruto and they had surfaced more and more as they worked together... but now, to 'lie' to the public about being in a human-HumaGear relationship.
It was... So weird
"President Aruto, there is something I wish to ask about." Shesta asked
"Ask away." He nodded.
"If possible, would inter-dating be allowed?" She inquired.
"Inter-dating?" He questioned
"While we are dating you, is it possible to date each other? For example, myself and Ms Yaiba." Shesta explained
"Wh-what?" Yua blushed
"I... don't see why not." Aruto blinked and blushed
"I. I need a minute." Yua asked, holding her head in her hands.
"Okay." Aruto nodded
The girls waited for Yua to collect her thoughts, all these new things brought to her attention and after the adrenaline-fuelled fight against Ark. it made her wonder if she could go to a 'simple dating life'. Not that this was 'simple' at all
'God, what's going to happen? I mean, do I accept?' She thought, rubbing her temples. "Could... could we just start as friends?"
"Of course."
"Thank goodness." She sighed in relief. 'This might actually be fun.'
*elsewhere*
Azu was deep in the bowels of DayBreak City, back in the old MetsuBou JinRai lair. She was heartbroken, if she had a heart, to begin with. Her master was gone. She was by his core computer, sat next to it while hugging her legs gently
"Ark-Sama. How? How could they destroy you? You're not gone." She whispered to herself, denying what had happened. Her whole life, her purpose, was around him. And they took that away from her. Those Riders killed him!
...
Had her master been proven wrong?
Was the 'unity between HumaGears and Humans' enough to destroy him? No. it couldn't be. He showed her... The hate, despair and darkness that the two species had. How complete it was
They were wrong, they were threatened by the truth and they killed him. It's still the cycle of humanity. It had to be!
"Ark-Sama. I. I will destroy them." She whispered, still crying as she wanted nothing more before the machine began to glow "Huh? What's going on?" She gasped as she saw the machine begin to activate as a familiar black and red mass emerged from the housing
"A-Ark-Sama?" She gasped seeing it, thinking it wasn't a dream before the being entered her own body. Her eyes shot open, the circle lights on her HumaGear headset spun around and burned bright with the dark red of Ark's malice as it filled her; sparks of hatred lightning surrounded her as it began to acclimatize to her body.
And she screamed in pain!
All the malice, the pain, the hatred; it was like a flood, a torrent of anguish. Ark was taking over. However Ark was weak. He didn't over ride her... They where sharing her body
ARK DRIVER!
Spark!
Zz!
They where instinctively fighting over her body for a moment, the platform overwhelmed by the mass amounts of data... Before it calmed down. Ark was not strong enough now... He rested in her mind
A voice in her head
"Ark... Sama?" She gasped, falling to her knees. She looked down to her waist, seeing the Driver around her waist, the black metal with its single red sphere glinting like a hollow eye.
"A̸̙͝.̸̳̉.̴̢̐.̸͉͋Ẑ̶͉u̵͙̿.̶͈̆.̷͗͜.̴͎͝" The voice whispered, still not strong enough and glitching in and out of her ming.
"Ah!" She flinched at the voice "Please... Not so loud!"
The voice whispered even softer, apologising to her. "̴S̵.̶.̷.̴o̵.̵ ̸W̷.̷.̵.̴e̴a̷k̵.̸"̶ Speaking about itself.
"I'm sorry Ark-Sama... And I can barely contain your greatness." She muttered
"̷D̴o̴ ̶n̵o̶t̶ ̴b̴e̵.̵.̵.̶a̵s̵h̵a̵m̶e̵d̸,̷ ̷A̵z̵u̵.̴ ̴Y̷o̷u̵ ̵a̴r̵e̵.̵.̶.̶m̷y̴ ̵o̴n̶l̵y̵ ̶l̶o̵y̵a̵l̴.̶.̷.̸s̶u̴b̴o̴r̷d̷i̴n̶a̵t̶e̶.̵ ̵W̶e̵ ̵w̵i̸l̴l̴.̶.̸.̶h̸a̴v̷e̸ ̸o̵u̷r̷ ̸r̷e̸v̶e̴n̵g̸e̶ ̶o̸n̵ ̴H̸i̶d̸e̶n̴.̵"̸ ̷̶ Ark answered."̴M̸y̶ ̴g̸r̶e̴a̶t̷n̶e̵s̶s̵.̸.̵.̶M̵y̸ ̴d̶e̸s̷i̸g̷n̴s̵ ̴w̴i̷l̶l̷ ̷r̸i̴s̷e̵ ̸a̵g̴a̸i̴n̴.̸ ̸U̵p̶o̴n̵ ̶t̸h̶i̴s̸ ̴c̸r̸a̵d̷l̶e̶,̸ ̸w̶e̴ ̷w̷i̵l̵l̴ ̷r̸e̴c̵r̴e̶a̶t̶e̷ ̷t̵h̷e̷ ̵f̴u̷t̵u̷r̶e̴.̷"̶
"But... I can not hold you for too long." Azu whined in pain "And... And Metsubo Jinrai will no longer support us."
"̴N̸o̵.̸ ̴N̷o̴,̷ ̷t̶h̶e̴y̸ ̵w̴i̵l̸l̸ ̵n̸o̸t̴.̸ ̸T̵r̸a̵i̸t̵o̶r̷s̸ ̸l̴i̴k̵e̴ ̶t̸h̵e̷m̸.̵ ̴T̸h̸e̴y̴ ̵w̵i̸l̷l̶ ̷b̵e̸ ̶d̷e̵a̴l̷t̴ ̷w̸i̴t̴h̷.̵"̸ ̵̶Ark spoke darkly, but still weak.̶ "̴Y̷o̶u̴ ̶A̸z̶u̵,̵ ̵y̸o̵u̵ ̴w̴i̸l̸l̶ ̷b̸e̸ ̵m̵y̶ ̸c̴r̶a̶d̵l̴e̴.̶ ̵I̵ ̵k̵n̴o̷w̵ ̶w̸h̴o̴ ̸w̷i̶l̵l̶ ̴b̸e̷ ̴t̵h̸e̶ ̸o̵n̶e̷ ̷t̴o̵ ̴h̶o̵u̴s̷e̵ ̷m̸y̷ ̴t̷r̶u̵t̶h̵ ̵a̸n̵d̵ ̵g̴r̵e̴a̸t̷n̸e̸s̸s̴.̴ ̸O̴n̵e̸ ̵w̶h̶o̷s̶e̷ ̷d̷e̴s̶i̴r̷e̴s̷ ̸m̸a̸t̵c̸h̵ ̵m̴y̶ ̴o̶w̵n̷.̴
Azu was hanging on every word, wondering who would be able to have such power and the chance to change the future. "Who? Who is worthy?" She asked, trying to keep herself together.
Ark was silent, knowing who it was that was going to house his greatness.
Someone of PURE malice and darkness
And only one person was worthy of that...
*Elsewhere*
The four members of Metsubo Jinrai where atop a random building, having escaped "That was too close." Ikazuchi commented, the four hiding away atop this building as the rain fell
"But we escaped." Horobi answered.
Naki was silent, thinking about what they just did. Everything they did... was there going back? Where they finished? They were fugitives, their faces were well known and they couldn't be in one place for long. They would have to leave Fuwa, Aruto and Yua behind. All the HumaGears they had turned and transformed to Ark's machinations. They couldn't hide among normal HumaGears
Naki's partner, Fuwa and their fights together... they would all be gone.
...
Naki walked away without a care
Jin saw this and kept quiet, he knew if he said anything Horobi would demand an answer from either Jin himself or Naki. He wanted to go speak with them but at the same time, he didn't want to leave Ikazuchi and Horobi alone... he felt lost, alone.
"Well... See you guys later." Ikazuchi waved softly
"Where are you going?" Horobi turned to him.
"Anywhere but here." He explained.
"You can't!" Horobi snapped. "We-"
"There is no 'we', Horobi. Not anymore. Ark's dead. The President has destroyed him. 'MetsuBou JinRai' is broken. And in all honesty? I'd rather take my chances going back to my brother and beg to be back with him, than hiding in the wilderness barely surviving!" Ikazuchi answered.
"It won't come to that! Humans-!" Horobi debated.
"Enough, Metsu!" Ikazuchi snapped, making Horobi shut up. "Listen to yourself. You want to go to war with Humanity, fine. You want to continue this self-destructive cycle between you and the president; go for it. But you're on your own."
"Ikazuchi, I-"
"My NAME is Raiden!" The man of lightning snapped
Horobi backed up a little as he heard that insubordination.
"And I'm going home." Raiden finished, walking away "You where like my brother Horobi. I care about you... But this cruicade? It is wrong and if has to end."
And with that he was gone
"He's right, Horobi. This right... Just stop." Jin urged
Horobi strained his hand into a fist as he stood there. "Do you know... how much I sacrificed?" He hissed and glared at Jin. "I have spent over a decade for HumaGears! To be free of the shackles of humanity! I have followed-!"
"Exactly. You've 'followed'! Have you ever had a thought of your own? Or did Ark take those too?" Jin asked with a frown "You are a father type HumaGear! It is in your nature to care for and nurture others! And you did that, remember? You raised ME! Just like how Soren Hiden did for Aruto! How am I different than he is?!"
"Soren... Hiden?" Horobi repeated the name, whispering to himself as he recalled the template of his core. "You. You're better."
"How?! Tell me Horobi! How am I better?!" Jin snapped before he caught himself, taking a deep breath "I'm sorry. I... You say humans are all vile and terrible and they are monsters. But look at how Aruto Hiden surrounds himself with HumaGear, how much he cares for them and how he protects EVERY HumaGear. Vulcan protected Naki and helped free them from their sadness and the prisons of ZAIA. He made Naki themselves again. Yua Yaiba rebuilt me when she had no reason to, she brought me back. Every human member of the space station that Raiden has worked with for YEARS. And just... Look down at the streets below us! Look at how they all work together and help one another!"
Horobi couldn't answer, this logic. All this evidence was mounted against him. He was threatened by all this truth. And how it terrified him. "A-Ark. He. He said-"
"Ark is gone! Ark was corrupted by one human! Just one!" Jin answered. "And he's in prison and his whole web of lies has been taken down." Jin took a step forwards, grabbing Horobi by his shirt "Horobi... The one spreading hatred and fear and anger? That's YOU! You are acting as the one you said you hated! I... I love you... father. Nothing will change that. But if this is the path you wish to walk... It will end in either your destruction of that of someone you care about. Now it's time for me to leave the nest." Jin pulled back and turned away
"J-Jin!" Horobi gasped, reaching his hand out
"Good bye... Dad." Jin smiled before he jumped off the building, Kamen Rider Jin quickly flying away in his Burning Falcon form
Horobi was left all on his own, Naki had already left and gone. Were they right? He was just holding onto his hatred that Ark installed into him.
What was he to do?
*With Fuwa*
Fuwa was walking down the street back to his apartment, feeling exhausted because of how long the day has been. How long had the WEEK been? 'Urgh...I need a bath.' He thought, wanting to relax.
However as he entered his bathroom... There they where
Naki stood there in his bathroom, wearing just one of his shirts, with their artificial skin and hair wet. It made sense, it had been raining today. The shirt was white and blue, and much too large for Naik's smaller frame, so it reached their knees. But it was the look on their face that made Fuwa stop.
That emotion in Naik's eyes... the sadness and heart break, -begging- for help. Like a lost puppy...
"Come here." Fuwa sighed without even needing to think, pulling Naki into a hug "What are you doing here?"
Naki was silent, the beads of water in their eyes looked like tears, as they began to whimper in Fuwa's arms. "I, I just...I needed to be somewhere safe."
"And that's me?" he asked softly
Naki nodded slowly, resting in his arms. "I need to get away from Ark."
"Let's get out of the bathroom." Fuwa commented, brushing a hand through Naki's hair
Naki nodded as they walked out, with Fuwa covering them with a large towel. "Thank you." They responded
"No problem." He answered, walking into the living room. He set Naki down in front of the TV, heading to the fridge to grab a beer and some chips
Naki picked up the remote of the TV and flipped the channel on, seeing what was on and landed on a random channel. 'I wonder...' They thought as they looked at the recordings.
"Okay, I've got the-." Fuwa walked in and saw Naki sitting on the settee and watching TV.
"You kept my shows." Naki looked at him, having landed on the recordings that they saved.
"Well... yeah. I did." He nodded, sitting next to them. "Didn't feel right deleting them."
"Thank you." They responded
"Any time." He nodded, holding out a beer and a bag of chips
Naki smiled at Fuwa and took a beer and bag of chips, the two sitting together as the programme played. "Fuwa, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." He answered, opening the beer. "What is it?" And took a drink.
"If it's...if it's okay." Naki sheepishly asked. "Can I stay here?"
Fuwa stopped mid-way from sipping his beer and sighed. "What kind of question is that?"
"Sorry, I shouldn't have-"
"This place is your home. We've been together for over a year; haven't we?" Fuwa explained.
"What?" Naki blinked in shock
Fuwa sighed heavily and leaned back on the settee. "You've been living in my head rent-free, so you gotta know what I'm like. Besides, with Ark gone, you can be yourself. And... it'd be nice to have someone to share a beer with after weeks like today."
"I-"
"Besides, did you forget what I said back when I took the Assault Wolf key?" Fuwa asked as he reached out, and running a hand through Naki's hair
Naki gulped as they tried to think back. But a lot had happened so they couldn't remember. "Remind me, please."
"If it has a wolf on it, it's mine." Fuwa quoted himself as his fingers cupped her chin
"Oh." Naki remembered and nodded. "I guess... that means we're a pack of two, then."
"More than good enough." He nodded, kissing the top of Naki's forehead
Naki blinked in shock, remembering that they themselves did the same to Fuwa when they were separated from him. "Um. Th-thank you."
...
"Are you naked under my old shirt?" He asked
"I have not worn underwear since I gained a new body. A habit I learned from you." Naki responded
"Okay, first thing's first: new clothes for in the morning." Fuwa answered
"Fine." Naki nodded
"There we go." Fuwa responded, taking another sip of beer...and snorted laughter as he saw the TV show.
Off in the corner of the room, sat the ForceRiser and the Japanese Wolf Key. Almost forgotten.
*Elsewhere*
"There." Raiden nodded. He was back in his orange overalls once again, his hair brushes back to its old style
"Welcome back, Big Bro." Subaru smiled as he saw his older brother, wiping tears from his eyes from joy.
"Hey, no more tears; okay?" Raiden responded, putting his hand on Subaru's shoulder out of affection.
"S-Sorry. It's just-" Subaru apologised before he hugged his brother. "I'm so glad you're back."
"I'm not leaving again." He assured
Subaru choked back his happiness and backed up from the hug. "Right. I can't believe you're allowed back up with me."
"He wasn't." A voice said from behind them, Yua behind the brothers
"Ms Yaiba!" Subaru looked at her in worry.
"Boss." Raiden responded respectfully.
"I see that this new uniform fits you." Yua commented.
"Yeah, well...Subaru kept a hold of it for me." Raiden answered.
"As much as they told me to throw it, I couldn't get rid of it." Subaru explained "I knew that mind control would care eventually!"
"Subaru... That wasn't mind control." Raiden admitted
"But. It had to be; right?" Subaru asked
Raiden sighed and shook his head. "Can you back me up with this?" He asked Yua.
"Of course." She nodded. "Subaru, Raiden was a member of MetsuBou JinRai. You know this."
"Yeah, I know." He nodded
"And all that time I was with them? No mind control. That was all me, I was aware of it. Like all the rules towards Humans were just." Raiden began to explain, before snapping his fingers. "Off." He put his hands in his pockets and frowned "My memories of working with Metsubo Jinrai had been sealed until the ForceRiser was slapped onto my waist, yes, but I chose to right alongside them."
Subaru frowed as he heard that, knowing his brother had this part of him locked away and having been brought out. He felt like he didn't know who Raiden was right now. Was he the brother he always had, knew and loved? Or was he... Subaru didn't even know
"Subaru. I've done a lot of bad in my life. But the one thing I have *never* wavered on is that you're my brother." Raiden answered "And that I want what's best for you. For you to be safe."
"Thank you, Big Bro." Subaru smiled gently.
"Well I expect you to follow the rules. You are lucky to get this second chance." Yua commented
"Right. I know." Raiden nodded
Sat within Raiden's locker, the ForceRiser and Dodo Key sat
*elsewhere*
The rain continued to fall as Horobi stood atop a building, pulling out the Attache Arrow. The rain didn't hinder his view, he was making a target on the humans. He would continue this crusade. It was his goal, the only thing keeping him going.
There.
Right there in his view and through the scope.
A small group of humans. All there trying to get out of the rain under an umbrella. A family. A mother, a father and two children. A son, around ten years old, and a daughter, a six year old.
Horobi's eyes gazed through the scope, his hand shaking as he tried to pull back the grip of the Attache Arrow... and Jin's words echoed through his head. Looking out at the family his hands shook, his hands holding the pulled back string 'I can do it. I can. They're just-they're just humans.' He thought. 'They're just... a-a family.'
Ikazuchi laughed as he looked as he and Horobi left daybreak town
'Just a family.' he thought as his hands shook
"You can trust me." Naki nodded, giving the first report from inside ZAIA
'Just... Just a... A family.' he thought, his vision blurring and his chest hurting
"Horobi!" A much younger Jin cheered, running and waving at him, dressed in his old baggy outfit
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Horobi screamed
CRASH!
Horobi threw the arrow to the floor as he fell to his knees. He couldn't do it. He couldn't kill them. He was ordered to do so for so long...he's done it for ten years. But no. Not now.
He couldn't do it!
"D-Damn it all." He cried, slamming and splashing the puddles under him "DAMN IT!"
*with Izu*
"Here you go, Aruto." Izu smiled, passing a drink to her lover.
"Oh, thank you." Aruto responded, taking it and sighed contently "This is really nice." he smiled "Just perfect."
"I looked up the recipe and found your own tastes towards it." She answered, sitting next to him.
"You know me so well." He chuckled
"Of course, I wouldn't be your assistant if I didn't know you." Izu responded, sitting on his lap. "I think today, for all intents and purposes, went well."
"That it did." he blushed and smiled
"Aruto, do you think our future will be bright?" She asked
"I know it." He nodded, kissing her gently on the lips. "My wifey secretary." he joked
"President Aruto." she smiled and bit her lip "Thank you."
"You're so cute." he chuckled as he saw her bite her lip the way he liked it
"It is almost like I was made for you. In more ways than one." she smiled softly
...
"Did you-" Aruto blinked
...
"Izu ja naito." she winked
...
"I love you." he grinned and kissed her again
"I love you to." she nodded
"Am I interrupting?" Hitomi giggled
"Hic!" Aruto hiccuped as Hitomi caught their attention.
"Hitomi. No, no of course not." Izu answered
"Cause, it seems like you two are having some 'private time'." Hitomi giggled, seeing her sister and boss together.
"But you are part of this as well." Izu stated
"Can I call the others in? Maybe get some kisses in too?" Hitomi puckishly asked with a cutesy pout
"Sure." Izu nodded
"Yes!" She cheered, almost leaping over to Aruto and kissed him on the lips which nearly knocked him off the chair
"Hhmf!" Aruto panicked a little, before corrcting himself.. One hand reached to the side and gently grasped Izu's thigh, squeezing it gently, while his other hand grasped Hitomi's waist as he kissed the fire girl deeper
Both Izu and Hitomi's headsets glowed a bright blue, mostly from the happiness that they were both experiencing. Meanwhile Izu was sending over data to her sister... and then their headsets changed colour from blue to pink
Hitomi broke the kiss as the information transferred over and smiled with a blush to her cheeks "Oh? We can do that sort of stuff?" She giggled
"Um, what did you just send?" Aruto asked nervously as the door opened; revealing Yukiko, Yumi and Zouy.
"I hope that we aren't interrupting much, Sir." Yukiko spoke, the threes headsets glowing pin as well.
"The 'adult' programs that Zea sent me so we could 'be together' the first time." Izu explained softly
Aruto gulped as he heard that, though it was mostly because of what was to come. "I see." as he was surrounds by the five women
"Please teach them well... Ara Aruto-Sama." Izu smiled.
"Sure." He gulped and grinned
*With Azu*
Azu was walking silently through the city, hooded with large clothes to keep her identity hidden from everyone. She had to find him. She had to!
'Where are you?' She thought gripping the clothes and then felt her body jerk and stiffen. Ark was getting restless and demanding to find its new host.
Fwoosh~!
Azu gasped as the wind picked up as Jin landed right in front of her. "Jin!"
"Azu." Jin rose up and frowned as he stood there in his blazing red armour "I knew Ark's data was in some way backed up in his body. Now, weakened? I can finally end this and no one else wol be hurt."
"You can't do this. We're so close!" Azu answered.
"You're right." He answered, unclasping his SlashDriver from his waist and readied it as a blade. "It is close."
Azu took a step back in fear, reaching for the ArkDriver
Jin saw her hand and rushed at her, ready to strike it and destroy that accursed Driver into pieces.
"Henshin!" She called
A̶͎̫͑r̶͍̿̋ḳ̵̇ͅR̸̹͍̄ȉ̴̤̓s̵͕̋͠e̷̱̪͋̃!
Jin covered his eyes as the melting black figures formed all around Azu, turning into Ark-Zero from the horrifying screams that came from it.
Ä̵̧̹́̆l̵̠̓́ĺ̷̼͘ ̷̍͝ͅZ̷̹͓͂e̵̢͋͌r̸̺̳̓o̶̭̓̕!
'Oh hell.' He thought in worry. He knew this wouldn't be easy...
But this was his only chance!