"KNIGHTHOOD BEGINS"
Seeing Arthur transform into his suit, it prompted the others to at least try out their own suits of armor. They still weren't completely sure if they wanted in on the superhero business that Merlin was selling. On the other hand, if given the chance to try and wear armor out of a sci-fi show, why not take it?
Gabe did not need any convincing as he held his Advent Deck to the mirror and watched as his belt formed around his waist.
"Cool! Now, henshin!" he exclaimed before sliding the deck into the slot. This caused his armor to form over him, adding some height to him as well. He looked himself in the mirror and was impressed by what he saw. "Ah, man! This is awesome!" He flexed his arms, feeling strong.
Seeing nothing bad happen to Arthur and now Gabe, it gave the others the added courage to try their suits immediately. One by one, in flourishes of grey filling with color, they transformed. Summoning their own suits, they began admiring their new appearance.
"Hey, guys!" Tristan raised his Magnu Visor. "Check this out! I got a gun!"
"I'm...pink," Harry stated. The suit was cool and all but the color scheme wasn't.
"Hey, it looks good on you," Lance said to his twin brother. "And I look cool too! I'm freaking Batman!"
Both Ben and Gawain were silent as they examined themselves. For Rex, he was taking in every detail of his suit, considering if it would be suitable for someone of his standing. For Ben, he was just amazed that he could look rather cool in anything.
"Hm..." Rex rubbed his chin as he admired his own appearance. "Armor worthy of royalty."
"Not bad," Gwen admitted as she checked herself out in the mirror, tugging on her short cape. She could have done without the high heels though. Still, she did like how her suit seemed to have style.
"Nice," Kyle hissed at his purple cobra-themed armor. Dark and edgy, just the way he liked it.
"Seriously, a crab?" Rob looked at himself and his Scissors Visor. Of all the things his armor could have been based on, it had to be a crab. That was like a minor character who got booted off the show after just a few episodes!
"At least you have a weapon," Kevin complained to his brother when he saw his own armor. The only thing that looked like a weapon was his Gazelle Visor that was strapped to his knee. Kevin had no idea how to use martial arts!
"Hey, I could get used to this!" Darren exclaimed as he saw how whacky he looked. Now, this was a suit meant for him. He loved the big googly eyes the most.
Max saw himself in his armor. It looked just like Arthur's, only completely black. Like a dark reflection...or a shadow.
"Alright, now that you've all transformed, it's time for you to bond with your Contract Monsters," Merlin instructed. "Just step through the mirrors and meet them on the other side."
"Excuse me?" asked Rex. "Step through the mirrors?"
"Just like me," Mira smiled, stepping into one such mirror before stepping back out. "As you can see."
The armored teenagers looked at each other, wondering if what Merlin said was true. Darren, perhaps the one taking the weirdness around them the best, shrugged and pushed his hands into the glass of one mirror. The glass did not even resist as he phased through it as easily as air.
"Whoa!" Kyle gasped.
The teenagers followed Darren's example and they all phased through the glass. Stepping out the other side, they found themselves in a perfect copy of the library. Arthur blinked, looking around in confusion. Looking at one of the shelves, he was surprised to see that all of the writing was backwards.
"What is all this?" he muttered.
Growls and cries suddenly echoed through the area. From between the stacks, or even flying above, various strange creatures circled the group of teenagers. At first, they looked ready to run. After a few moments, the monsters showed themselves to be curious rather than hostile.
The Rhino Knight was face-to-face with his Contract Monster. According to its card, its name was 'Metalgelas'.
"Hey, there!" Gabe waved. "Guess you and I are partners now, big guy!" Metalgelas was not easily impressed but was willing to give this boy a chance to use its strength.
Gwen's Contract Beast was a huge mechanical swan named Blancwing.
"You are beautiful," Gwen complimented and Blancwing responded positively as Gwen stroked its head. Blancwing could sense a gentle soul in its new contractor but that gentleness was also tempered with a sharp mind and a willingness to fight.
"Whoooaaaaa!" Harry yelled as he hung on for his dear life as he flew on Evildiver. The giant stingray was a fast flier. Evildiver was giving its new contractor a test and was not impressed. He was weak and cowardly but loyal.
"Hey, you're doing great, baby bro!" Lance called as Darkwing lifted him up. "OK, so you're a cape and wings. Seriously, I should just call myself Batman now!" Darkwing sighed. Its new contractor was awfully conceited. Still, it sensed some untapped potential. Only time would tell if it revealed itself.
"You remind me of my pet snake from back home," Kyle said to Venosnaker. "So, how about it? Partners?" Venosnaker hissed as it sensed their bond. This one may seem like a fool but that was only a facade. He had a hidden thirst for blood that needed an outlet. This would be interesting.
Tristan was studying Magnugiga who was a big robotic Minotaur. He walked around it and the creature's eyes followed him.
"Hm, so I get a gun and a robot," Tristan remarked as he saw the cannon arm. "And you're armed too." Magnugiga's eyes followed Tristan. It only cared that this one could feed it. Hopefully, he had a strong resolve.
Darren seemed to be getting along with Biogreeza as they jumped around, laughing.
"Oh, my gosh! I got a new chameleon buddy!" Darren cheered. Biogreeza laughed joyfully in response. Its contractor was like it, someone who appreciated the strange and unusual. He would embrace the abnormal and he liked it a lot.
"You know, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a majestic creature like you are my partner," Rex praised Goldphoenix who seemed thrilled by the compliment. Goldphoenix already liked its contractor. He appreciated its beauty, power and majesty.
Gawain was treating Destwilder like a big house cat, petting the tiger monster's head. It seemed to actually enjoy the treatment as it purred.
Kevin's Contract Monster was a humanoid gazelle monster called Gigazelle.
"Um...hi?" Kevin waved his hand and Gigazelle mimicked him. It was the Alpha to its herd. So this one would need to prove himself.
"Great, my monster is a huge crab," Rob said, unimpressed. Volcancer clicked angrily at him. It did not like being underestimated like this. It would show this human what it was capable of.
Ben met his Contract Monsters. His card had depicted only Abysslasher but it appeared he actually had two. Beside Abysslasher was Abysshammer and they seemed to be kneeling before him. The two sharks recognized Ben as the leader of their school. He had great strength hidden within.
Arthur locked eyes with Dragredder. Befitting its name, the red dragon was a powerful creature. It was probably sizing him up, deciding if he was a worthy contract holder. Dragredder sensed a strong resolve in its contractor. He just needed motivation. Dragredder knew how to motivate.
Max was doing the same as Dragblacker's cold red eyes peered into his. Still, he had the feeling if he hadn't measured up, Dragblacker would not be so docile as his red counterpart. Dragblacker sensed that its contractor was seeking a purpose and a role to embrace. They would take the bloody path together, burning away all obstacles that stand in their way.
As the group of otherworldly teens mingled with their monsters, Merlin watched on through the mirrors with his assistant's help. He displayed some relief, seeing the monsters being so...docile? No, accepting, of their new partners.
"So far, so good. They are doing well," Mira said with a smile. "They are starting to bond, which is swell."
"Good, it'll make sure they can work together," Merlin said as he checked off an item on his list. "They'll need to start their combat training as well."
"Now?" Mira asked.
"Now. Time to see what these kids are made of." Merlin raised his staff into the air and made a glyph glow before it faded. "I hope I was right."
All of a sudden, a shrill ringing sound pierced their ears, causing them to flinch. Their new partners, their contracted monsters, began to growl and look around as if expecting some kind of danger.
"Ah! What was that!?" Kyle yelled.
His answer came with strange noises which sounded like something saying 'whut' repeatedly. Soon, coming from between the shelves of Mirror World books came a small mob of grub-white creatures which seemed to shamble and stumble, clearly not light on their feet. As the armored teenagers watched them coming, they saw hunger and animal instinct light up in the eyes behind their domed heads.
"What the hex!?" Harry cursed. "What are they!?"
"I'll tell you what they're not," Max said as he got ready to fight. "Friendly."
"Guess Merlin wants to see what we can do," Lance said as he drew his Dark Visor. "Harry, you ready?"
"Y-yeah," Harry nervously nodded. Why did his brother get a sword and he gets this shield?
Arthur was quick on his feet as he retreated from a couple of Sheerghosts. He then attacked, jumping at one and hitting it with a punch that sent it tumbling. The other tried to attack him but he knocked it down with a kick.
"Merlin says our decks are our tools to fight," Arthur murmured as he reached down to his Advent Deck and drew his card. He then looked at his Drag Visor and pushed down the head to reveal a slot. He slid the card in and closed it.
[Sword Vent!]
Dragredder flew overhead and dropped the Drag Saber in Arthur's hand.
"Guys, use your cards!" Arthur shouted. "They can summon weapons!"
"Oh, we've got items?" Gabe eagerly drew a card and the plate on his left shoulder pad slid open. "Alright, here we go!" He flicked his wrist and tossed the card up. It entered the slot before he closed it.
[Strike Vent!]
"Oh, this is cool!" Gabe admired his Metal Horn and started to use it to punch the Sheerghosts to submission. "I'm invincible!"
[Spin Vent!]
"Finally, a weapon," Kevin said as he equipped himself with the Gazelle Stab. He used the twin drills to strike a Sheerghost and used kicks to knock them down.
[Swing Vent!]
Harry cracked his new whip and lashed out at the Sheerghosts.
"How do I even know how to use this?!"
[Sword Vent!]
"Party time!" Kyle let out a bloodthirsty yell as he attacked them with the Veno Saber. He showed no mercy as he struck them down. He struck another and pinned it down with his foot before driving his sword into its skull. "C'mon, is that all you've got!?"
[Hold Vent!]
"A yo-yo!? Nice!" Darren threw his Bio Winder, hitting a Sheerghost in the head then pivoted to hit another. He spun his Bio Winder in a circle, knocking several monsters surrounding him onto their backs. "And that's around the world!"
[Sword Vent!]
Rex wielded his Gold Sabers and slashed at the Sheerghosts that came at him. As they were about to swarm him, he suddenly teleported.
"Huh?" Rex blinked in confusion as golden feathers scattered around him. "How did I do that?"
The other Knights started summoning their weapons as well. Rob got himself the Scissors Pinch, which was a large crab claw equipped to his right arm. It went well with his Scissors Visor. Ben had also summoned the Abyss Sabers and was dual-wielding them with such skill that you would think he had been trained for life. Lance had also summoned the Wing Lancer, giving him a much longer reach and Gwen did the same by equipping herself with the Wing Slasher. Gawain did not bother summoning a weapon as he wielded his Dest Visor. The axe did the trick as he struck down the rampaging grubs. Tristan fired his gun at the Sheerghosts and grimaced when his gun just stunned them.
"Need more firepower." Tristan opened up the card chamber on his gun and drew a card from his deck. Looking at the 'Shoot Vent' card which depicted a missile launcher, he placed it in the chamber and slammed it shut.
[Shoot Vent!]
"All right!" he cheered as he wielded his new weapon with ease. Turning the missile launcher on a small group of Sheerghosts, he pulled the trigger.
*BOOM!*
The missile flew, impacting the three monsters and causing an explosion. The three monsters vanished in the blast, leaving behind three glowing orbs of raw energy which floated up into the air. All three were quickly snatched up by Evildiver, Dragblacker, and Blancwing, all trilling in satisfaction.
"Huh?" Tristan frowned, puzzled. "What was that all about?"
"MOOOOOOO!" Magnugiga bellowed and finally began to move, its heavy footsteps echoing even above the chaos. Eyes blazing red, the mechanical monster lifted its cannon arms and turned to face another group of Sheerghosts.
"Uh, hey, wait a sec!" Tristan called to his new partner.
*BOOOOOM!*
Cries of both the teens and the monsters echoed as the wall of the Mirror World library was blown out. Many of the armored teens flew from the impact, as did many of the Sheerghosts. Landing in heaps on the street, all of them groaned, smoking slightly while trying to get back up again.
"What the duck was that?!" Kyle groaned, glaring at where he was ejected. Magnugiga and Tristan were both there, the teen at least looking sheepish.
"He did it!" Tristan pointed at his monster, which seemed to be scanning the chaos for something.
Arthur groaned and got back up on his feet. Shaking his head, he saw more of the Sheerghosts getting up as well. Realizing he lost his sword, Arthur reached his deck to draw another card. This one depicted his emblem, surrounded by red light and calling it a 'Final Vent'.
"Well, that sounds...final," he shrugged and loaded it into his Drag Visor.
[Final Vent!]
Arthur felt his body suddenly jerk, moving into a slightly crouched stance but he couldn't really understand how. He wasn't controlling his own body! Dragredder roared from within the library before it flew out to circle around him. With a roar, Dragredder began flying straight up and Arthur jumped. Not just jumped, but flew at a ridiculous height, rising way above the battle.
"Is he freaking Spider-Man?!" Lance gaped.
Harry heard Arthur screaming as he got higher.
"Not likely," Lance's twin remarked.
"How is he doing that?!" Gwen asked.
Arthur spun around in the air like an acrobat as Dragredder spun around him. As gravity began to assert itself, the teen positioned himself for a flying kick. Dragredder stopped behind him before unleashing a blast of fire, sending Arthur flying down at a group of Sheerghosts.
"AHHHHHHHH!" Arthur screamed as he was launched like a flaming meteor down at the monsters. He collided with them, sending them sprawling through the air in a massive blast, in which the Sheerghosts likewise exploded, throwing more glowing orbs into the air.
"Whoa!" Gabe gasped. "It's like a fatality! Instant win!" He quickly drew his own Final Vent and activated it with his Metal Visor.
[Final Vent!]
"LEEEEEEROY JEEEEEENKINS!" Gabe yelled ecstatically, jumping up, only to be caught by Metalgelas charging behind him and using him like a jousting lance to charge at more Sheerghosts, causing them to explode as well.
"Come on Harry! We can't miss this!" Lance cheered, drawing his own Final Vent card.
"If it ends this sooner," Harry huffed. "I'm so out of shape for this!"
[Final Vent!]
Lance flew into the air with Darkwing who then wrapped its wings around him, forming a spiral drill. He descended and struck the Sheerghosts, blowing them up.
[Final Vent!]
Harry jumped atop Evildiver and maintained his balance as he rode on it like a surfboard. The monster stingray rammed into the Sheerghosts in their path, destroying them as orbs rose from their remains.
[Final Vent!]
"Aaaaahhhhhhhh!" Kyle exclaimed as Venosnaker catapulted him and he delivered a series of bicycle kicks that exploded the Sheerghosts.
[Final Vent!]
Gawain found his arms adorned with his Dest Claws as he took a stance as if preparing to swipe. Destwilder leapt into the fray, knocking a Sheerghost down before starting to drag it across the street towards him. As it drew in close, he swung, impaling the monster on his claws. It choked and struggled, clearly in pain. It lasted much too long for Gawain's liking before it collapsed and exploded, leaving him unharmed, but horrified by what he had experienced.
"Too cruel," he muttered. There had to be a better way.
[Final Vent!]
[Final Vent!]
[Final Vent!]
Except for Tristan, everyone activated their Final Vents and wiped out the rest of the Sheerghosts. Once they were done, their Contract Monsters started to lap up the floating energy spheres like they were having a feast. They did not even fight over the spoils since there were plenty of them to go around.
XXX
"Merlin, what the heck were those things?!" demanded Arthur after the teens returned to the library in the real world. All they had to do was go through the mirrors again. "They just appeared out of nowhere!"
"Yeah, they tend to do that," Merlin nodded. "Sorry for the scare, but I had to show you guys what you would be up against. Those Sheerghosts are the weakest of them and I lured them in to feed your new partners."
"Feed them?" asked Lance. "They all exploded when they died. How do you feed those things to our monsters?"
"I call them 'Mirror Monsters'. They aren't what I'd call natural. They're a product of the Mirror World, an artificial world born from a desire for a new world. What exactly spawned them, I don't know," Merlin answered. "As for feeding them, the Mirror Monsters feed on one thing: life energy."
"Life...energy?" Kyle frowned.
"Do you mean those glowing orbs our monsters fed upon when they destroyed those other creatures?" asked Rex.
"Yes. Mirror Monsters devour life energy directly. Since they have no source in the Mirror World to feed on but each other, it's hard to get," Merlin nodded. "However, since they can cross mirrors just as easily as you lot…" he trailed off, but the message was clear.
"They...they can all come here to attack the people?" asked Gwen, horrified.
"They've been trying," Merlin admitted. "I first tried to create a barrier to keep them out of Book End. It worked pretty for a while but then I found out not only were some running into the forest to attack the animals, others were eating my spell itself. So they can eat magic just as readily as they eat people and Ever After is abundant in both."
Gawain stiffened at the comment about the forest.
"Okay, so you managed to create these suits? Why pick all of us then? Why not some of the greatest knights in this fairy tale world who can fight them?" Harry questioned, crossing his arms.
Merlin ran a hand through his hair.
"Why all of you? It's because all of you can be trained and can handle that level of violence. Can any of you think of a fairy tale which involves all-out fighting and not swinging a sword in a fancy way to scare off a dragon or villain? Name one, and I'll recruit them and send you back."
The group of teens looked at each other, but none of them could name such a fairy tale. They had fought the Sheerghosts and clearly, those monsters fought like savages, fought dirty with their threads, and weren't afraid to mob someone to try to kill them. The teens may have been more freaked out but...they just weren't fighting together, and with their partners, they just seemed to be able to handle it. No fairy tale characters that they knew of could deal with that, especially since they usually were so chivalrous.
"Grimm's Fairy Tales? The originals?" Max suggested.
Merlin snorted.
"If we were in those ages, then sure. Nowadays, it's like living in a Disney movie in a lot of ways. Think they could handle it?"
Max had to admit defeat at that.
"So, you say since Earth is...not so fairy tale friendly, we're desensitized to the kind of violence the monsters deliver," Rex frowned. "I can admit that. Then why us specifically? We are just teenagers."
Merlin began to grin again.
"I prophesied King Arthur, remember? I just used the same methods to find the right folks who have the right stuff to deal with this. You have what it takes. Now you just need to have someone train you. That I definitely know how to do."
"Could you give us time to discuss this?" Arthur requested.
"Certainly. If you need anything, just ask Mira."
(TIME BREAK)
Later that night, Merlin brought them to a room under the library. It was a large room and in the middle was a round wooden table with fourteen chairs around it. A light illuminated the table and chairs, but the rest of the room seemed oddly undecorated.
"Merlin, is this...?" Arthur asked as a thought hit him when he saw the table.
"The Round Table?" Merlin replied. "Yes, the very one which King Arthur and his knights met at. Seated equally, they treated each other as equals as they discussed issues concerning their kingdom. Here is where their stories unfolded."
"Amazing," Rex breathed, daring to touch the table. "Not that we're not honored that you're showing us this, but why?"
"Because if you lot are going to be knights that will protect the people of this world, I thought you should have the credentials for it," Merlin smiled. "As the guardian of the table until another King Arthur rises to claim it, I have the right to bestow knightly titles upon you."
"You...you do?" Lance blinked.
"Mm-hmm," Merlin nodded, standing at the front of the table. "If you all are willing to risk your lives to protect the people, then I will see you rewarded for it. So, are any of you willing?"
The teens looked at each other, seeing if any of them would step forward. They all saw the danger the Mirror Monsters posed, and Merlin made it clear they were some of the only ones who could deal with them.
Steeling his resolve, Arthur stepped forward.
"I'll fight. These monsters are a dire threat. If you can train us to fight them I'll take the fight to them."
"Well said," Merlin nodded. He slammed his staff down and a red aura surrounded Arthur, covering him in his new suit of armor. "Then you shall be the first of the new Knights of the Round Table. I hereby name thee Knight of the Red Dragon, Kamen Rider Ryuki!"
Above the Round Table, there was a burst of red fireworks. Unfurling from above was a large red banner over the far end of the table, sporting the same gold emblem which was on the new Ryuki's deck.
Rex, perhaps emboldened by another's courage or not wanting to be shown up, was next.
"I shall stand and answer the call of duty!"
"Then you shall be Knight of the Phoenix, Kamen Rider Odin!" Merlin declared. Another slam of his staff summoned a golden banner with a gold phoenix emblem on it. Rex was bathed in gold before his armor reappeared.
"Count me in!" Lance grinned, following the two.
"Welcome, Knight of the Bat, Kamen Rider Knight!" Lance became adorned in his suit as a navy blue banner dropped, showing a golden bat.
"I won't abandon my brother," Harry followed his twin. "I'll stick around!"
"A balance to Lance, then welcome, Knight of the Stingray, Kamen Rider Raia!" Harry's suit appeared, summoning a magenta banner with a stingray emblem.
"Me, me, me!" Gabe stepped up.
"Small, but hiding great will!" Merlin laughed. "Then I name you Knight of the Rhino, Kamen Rider Gai!" The armor appeared, as did a grey banner with a gold rhino emblem.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," Tristan shook his head. "But I'll step up."
"And we welcome you, Knight of the Bull, Kamen Rider Zolda!" A green banner with a gold bull emblem unrolled.
"I won't let a bunch of boys show me up!" Gwen declared.
"Nor should you, Knight of the Swan, Kamen Rider Femme!" A white banner with a gold swan unrolled as Gwen's armor appeared on her form.
"You can't keep me away!" Rob raised his hand.
"Not would we try, Knight of the Crab, Kamen Rider Scissors!" Merlin declared, summoning an orange banner with a crab symbol.
"I must be mad. Best way to be," Darren grinned. "Save a spot for me!"
"Already have, Knight of the Chameleon, Kamen Rider Verde!" A bright green banner with a chameleon face was revealed next.
"I won't leave my brother behind," Kevin announced.
"No good brother would, Knight of the Gazelle, Kamen Rider Imperer!" Merlin grinned, bringing down a brown banner with a gazelle emblem.
"I will," Gawain spoke simply.
"Simple yet strong words, Knight of the Tiger, Kamen Rider Tiger!" Merlin called down a blue banner with a tiger emblem.
Kyle shook his head but smirked.
"Ah, why not? This is gonna be the adventure of a lifetime."
"That and more, Knight of the Cobra, Kamen Rider Ohja!" A purple banner followed, sporting the menacing snake emblem.
Ben gulped, looking more like he wanted to turn around, but somehow he plucked up the courage.
"If-if you guys are doing this, then so am I!"
"You find your courage and much more, Knight of the Shark, Kamen Rider Abyss!" An ocean blue banner fell, sporting the shark emblem.
Max crossed his arm, flexing his jaw.
"This really makes no sense. I should be running from this...but crazy or not, the threat is real. I'll do my part."
"Thank you, Knight of the Black Dragon, Kamen Rider Ryuga," Merlin answered, bringing down the last banner, a black one with a flaming dragon symbol. It joined the others as Max's armor appeared.
Merlin gestured to the knights to circle the table, each one being given a chair under their banners. In full suits of armor, they felt like they were both in a formal setting while also cosplaying.
"This day marks the beginning of your destiny, one which will change so many lives," Merlin orated. "I welcome you all as the newest Knights of the Round Table!"
"Huzzah!" Verde cheered, pumping his fist.
"Yes, 'huzzah' indeed."
KRC: I decided that this scene was missing in Chapter 1. It shows their introduction to their new lives and how they received their titles. Hopefully, this gives us some more insight into what happened before Arthur met Raven. It was also nice to see how they start bonding with their respecting Contract Monsters.