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In Helheim Forest, a confrontation was taking place. Two groups, both enemies, were staring each other down.
Iori, Karasu, Mitsuki, Masataka, and Hideyoshi looked suspiciously at their saviors, the infamous Armored War Devils. There was a lot of bad blood between both groups so the tension was thick. They were both volatile and it would only take one wrong move or word to set something off.
"You want to talk?" Mitsuki asked suspiciously, eyeing both Duke and Sigurd hatefully. He had not forgotten when they brainwashed Sousou. Hideyoshi was glaring at Kagemusha as well.
"Yes, so there's no need for hostilities," Duke placated.
"And why should we listen to anything you have to say?" Iori questioned. He had his own grudge against the Genesis Riders. Because of them, he was nearly separated from his wife and stepdaughter, forever.
"Look, I get it. We're enemies so you have no reason to trust us," said Marika. "But we did cut you free. So, you owe us."
"I say we listen to them," Karasu recommended. "If they wanted to, they could have killed us while we were tied up. Let's hear what they have to say."
"At least one of you has a good head on her shoulders."
"OK, then talk," Iori prompted.
"We need your help to deal with Bujin Gaim," Duke started.
"Hold on," Hideyoshi said, cutting him off. "Isn't he one of yours?"
"Not anymore. We had a disagreement," Duke stated.
"Let me guess. You all asked him to rejoin your gang and he threw the offer back in your face," Mitsuki stated with a smirk.
"Yeah, the bastard had the nerve to do that to us," grumbled Sigurd.
"And he's way stronger than the four of us combined," said Kagemusha.
"So you want us to help you beat him, is that right?" Iori asked for clarification.
"Bujin Gaim is a threat we can't allow to roam free," Duke warned them.
"You mean you hate the idea of someone else trying to conquer the land," Hideyoshi shot back. "You can't stand the competition."
"Do you really think you stand a chance against Bujin Gaim, especially now when he possesses your Sovereign Lockseeds?" Duke challenged.
"And do you really think we would actually trust you guys after everything you've done?" Mitsuki countered.
"Do you have any other choice? You tried to defeat him and yet you failed," Sigurd challenged.
"At least we put up a fight. I'm guessing he kicked your asses all over the place," Mitsuki shot back.
"Why you-!"
"Genpou-dono, enough. Let's not antagonize our friends," Duke advised. "Perhaps we should have our talk elsewhere. These ruins aren't exactly the best place to have a discussion."
They suddenly vanished from Helheim Forest, only to end up somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
It happened instantaneously, in the blink of an eye.
"Whoa!" Hideyoshi exclaimed as he looked at their surroundings. They were on a path with long grass all around them.
"Where are we?" demanded Iori.
"Near Sou Gi's southern border," Duke answered.
"He's right. I recognize this place," Mitsuki confirmed.
"As I said before, Bujin Gaim is a threat. You can't deny this. If he was allowed to roam free with that kind of power at his disposal, there is no telling what kind of damage he can cause to this land. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already started," said Duke.
"He already sent an invasion force."
"And that's only the beginning. Now he has the power of the Sovereigns. Do you really think you can afford to refuse the extra help?"
Duke had a good point, even if the Armored War Gods didn't want to agree with him. He was right. Bujin Gaim was powerful and dangerous. He needed to be stopped.
But, to work with their enemies was still risky.
Wasn't it a risk worth taking, though?
Karasu wanted to save Nagata and she would do anything to do it.
"I want to save Naga-kun," said Karasu. "What about you, Tokugawa-sempai? He is your best friend, after all."
"You're right, Oda-san," agreed Iori.
"Don't think you can speak for all of us, Tokugawa," Mitsuki retorted.
"Indeed. We may be allies but we still have our own allegiances," Masataka added.
"Well, count me in," said Hideyoshi. "Nagata's the one who helped us get back on our feet. I can't leave him hanging." He turned his gaze towards the Genesis Riders and glared. "Of course, I would much prefer to do it without their help."
"I can see you all need time to reach a consensus. When you're prepared to talk, use this to summon us," said Duke as he handed a talisman to Karasu.
In the blink of an eye, the Genesis Riders were gone. Karasu looked at the talisman she just got. She then turned to look at Mitsuki and Masataka.
"Are you both really not going to accept their help?" she asked pointedly.
"I don't trust them," Mitsuki stated.
"They could use this chance to stab us in the back," Masataka added. "We can't take that risk."
"But we need to save Naga-kun!" Karasu insisted.
"And we will," said Masataka. "But only on our terms. This isn't a decision you can make for us."
"We should put this to a vote," Iori offered.
"So the majority rules? Count me out," Mitsuki said as he crossed his arms in objection. It was either unanimous or not at all.
"It is the most democratic method," Masataka reasoned.
"Whatever. I'm not opposed to kicking Bujin Gaim's ass. Just don't expect me to work with those slimy snakes."
"So, what will you do?" Iori asked pointedly.
"I gotta head back to Sou Gi. Karin's probably wondering where I am."
"And I'm needed back in Son Go."
"I gotta go too. Yue-hime gets worried if I'm away for too long."
Mitsuki, Hideyoshi, and Masataka activated their Lockvehicle bikes and sped away, leaving Karasu and Iori to wonder what to do next.
"Why can't they set aside their grudges to save Naga-kun?" Karasu wondered angrily.
"It can't be helped. There's too much bad blood between our groups," Iori answered.
"It shouldn't matter when there's a threat this huge."
"I know, but we can't force them to comply."
"Hmph!"
"So, when we get back, who's going to break the news?"
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: End of the Armored War Gods
Co-Written By: Kamen Rider Chrome & Kamen Rider Chrome
Beta Reader/Editor: Busterleader92
Chapter 13-1: An Alliance of Gods and Devils (Part 1)
Karasu and Iori stepped out of the portal and into the courtyard. The Shoku Warriors were waiting for them.
"We're back," Iori called as he and Karasu returned.
"Welcome back, Airen," Kochu greeted her husband when he came home.
"What happened here?" Iori asked as he saw all the damage surrounding them.
"We were attacked by a horde of monsters while you were away," Kochu explained.
"How bad was it?" Karasu asked. Seeing as they all survived, she was a little disappointed.
"We were neck deep in trouble when they suddenly withdrew," answered Batai.
"Hold on, where's Nagata-sama?" Kanu asked as she noticed his absence. "Why isn't he with you?"
Iori and Karasu fell silent as they shared sad and shameful looks. They needed to deliver the bad news. This wasn't something they could keep from the girls.
"I'm sorry. We lost him," Iori regretfully informed them.
The Shoku Warriors were stunned by the news.
"What do you mean you lost him?" Ryuubi asked, dreading the worst. "What happened to him?"
"He's not dead if that's what you're wondering. It's much worse. When Naga-kun tried to get his body back, Bujin Gaim did something to trap him," Karasu explained.
"So, not only does Bujin Gaim possess Nagata's body, he now possesses his soul. We gave him what he wanted," Iori concluded with no small amount of guilt.
Everyone was speechless. Iori and Karasu could see that Ryuubi and Chouhi were distraught. Kanu was struggling to maintain her composure as she comforted her sisters. She couldn't fall apart now. Ryofu was shaking as she dropped her weapon. Bacho and Chou'un both looked incredibly upset.
They needed time to process this, but it was time that they didn't have.
"Assemble the Round Table," Karasu commanded. "We have more to tell you and we can't do it out here."
"Al...Alright..." Komei said shakily.
The Shoku Warriors were still reeling from the revelation that they lost Nagata, but they needed to compose themselves. When a meeting at the Round Table was called, it was always an important matter.
The Shoku Warriors assembled at the Round Table to talk about the situation. Iori and Karasu told them that Mitsuki, Masataka, and Hideyoshi had also come to help when they confronted Bujin Gaim. They even went into their Sovereign Arms to do it. The fight should've been in their favor since it was Four Sovereigns against one demonic Dark Rider.
They sorely underestimated Bujin Gaim. They were all defeated and Bujin Gaim made off with the Sovereign Lockseeds, Nagata's Ryujin Key, and his soul.
"Bujin Gaim...has the power...of the Four Sovereigns!?" Komei yelled. "Hawawawawa! This is terrible! TERRIBLE!"
The Four Sovereigns were supposed to protect the land, but now their power had fallen into the wrong hands. With that kind of power at his disposal, Bujin Gaim could do anything.
"I don't think we need to worry about Bujin Gaim using that power," said Karasu.
"But how!? There's no telling what he could do with that power!" Komei cried.
"Because if he was planning to use them, he would've done it by now."
"Or maybe he can't use them," Iori added. "The Sovereign Lockseeds won't work for anyone else but the ones that were chosen to use them. So, it's safe to say that Bujin Gaim won't be able to use them."
"It still isn't good that he has them, though," said Chou'un. "Why is he keeping them for anyway if he's not able to use them?"
"Trophies, most likely," Kanu said. "Bujin Gaim used to be an ambitious man who sought after glory. He would definitely brag about defeating the Four Sovereigns after claiming their power source as proof of his achievements."
"Yeah, sounds like the jerk we all know and hate," Bacho recalled.
"So, what are we going to do?" Ryuubi asked.
"We're going to stop him, that's what," said Iori. "I still have my Yomotsuheguri Lockseed."
"But Bujin Gaim was able to defeat the Four Sovereigns," Kochu reminded. "I know we have plenty of allies, but I doubt it would be enough against Bujin Gaim."
"Well, here's the other bit of surprising news. The Armored War Devils offered to join forces with us to take down Bujin Gaim."
The Shoku Warriors did not take that bit of news so well.
"An Alliance with those Devils!? Are you mad!?" Chinkyuu shouted. She had a good reason to protest the idea. The Armored War Devils were the cause for her trauma. She managed to get over it, but she would never get over her hatred for those monsters.
"We can't trust these guys," added Bacho. "They'll stab us in the back the first chance they get."
"And they're the ones who destroyed my home village!" Chinkyuu cried. Ryofu patted her shoulder to calm her down.
"And took you away from me, Airen," said Kochu.
"Can't we rescue Nagata-niichan without them?" Chouhi asked.
"We tried to get his body back on our own, and look how that turned out," Iori reminded.
"Whatever grudges you have against Ukitsu and his group should be set aside," Karasu said sternly. "We need to remember what's important, and that's rescuing Naga-kun."
"Yes, Idunn-sama's right. We need to save Nagata-sama," Ryuubi agreed. "If we want to do that we're going to need help."
"This is like Braco all over again," sighed Komei. "But now the odds are really stacked against us with the Sovereign Lockseeds and Nagata-sama gone. We'll need to call in all the help we can get."
"Are you seriously suggesting we accept their help?" Chinkyuu hissed.
"'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'," Karasu quoted. "A wise man once said that. Like it or not, we might need their help to save Naga-kun. And you all know that he would do anything to save us. We have to be prepared to do the same for him."
"Touka, this is your call," Iori said to the rosette. With Nagata gone, Ryuubi was the leader of the Shoku Warriors.
Ryuubi considered their option. They needed to save Nagata, but they were now outmatched and outgunned. They needed help, but the ones offering were their enemies. This was not an easy decision to make.
But it was a decision she needed to make.
Hideyoshi was in his room, mulling over what happened. He was beaten, and he lost his Xuanwu Lockseed. This day couldn't possibly get any worse.
Oh, right. It could. They now had a demonic power hungry warlord on the loose with their Sovereign Lockseeds. With someone that ambitious and powerful roaming free, there was no telling what kind of damage he could do.
It would be like Chojo's reign of terror all over again, probably even worse.
As he lay in bed, he felt something vibrate in his pocket. He took out his LockPhone and saw the message displayed on the screen. His eyes widened as he saw it.
"So, that's their decision."
In Sou Gi, Mitsuki was pounding on a punching bag to vent out his frustration when his own LockPhone rang.
He read the message and hit the punching bag so hard that it broke off its chain.
"Should've known."
Meanwhile, in Son Go, Masataka was in his office and going over some paperwork when his LockPhone went off.
He read the message and clenched his LockPhone tightly.
"Unbelievable..."
"Teaming up with the Legion of Doom. Now that's a great plan," Kenshin said sarcastically.
Hideyoshi told Kenshin about what happened. He also told him what took place afterward and the message he got on his LockPhone.
The message came from Iori.
Hideyoshi was being called to a meeting...with the Armored War Devils.
"Kenshin, you can drop the sarcasm," Hideyoshi deadpanned.
"Dude, what you're doing is fucking dumb! You can't trust these guys! Don't you remember? They're the reason Chojo was able to take over China! She made us her lapdogs and worst of all she locked up poor Yue!"
"I know that, OK? I was there. We all were."
The guilt he felt for allowing Chojo to lock up Totaku had never left him.
"But you're still going through with this, ain't ya?"
"Look at the big picture, Ushio. We need all hands on deck to beat this thing. Bujin Gaim needs to be stopped, and if it means working with them then I'll make a deal with the Devil to save everyone."
Kenshin gave him a dejected look and sighed.
"Takada, I'll fight by your side since we're bros. I just don't know if I can do that with you when you'll be working with them."
Kenshin turned and walked away.
"Kenshin, wait...Why can't this ever be easy?" Hideyoshi pondered out loud.
While Hideyoshi tried to come up with an answer, he heard Kenshin call him.
"Hey, buddy! Catch!"
Kenshin tossed Hideyoshi his GenesisDriver and Matsubokkuri Energy Lockseed. Hideyoshi fumbled a bit to catch them.
"You're just giving these to me?" Hideyoshi asked, surprised.
"I'm letting you borrow them. Since you don't have your Xuanwu Lockseed, you're gonna need them for this mission. Just give them back once you're done," Kenshin explained.
Hideyoshi smiled and bowed. With this equipment, it would be almost like having Kenshin there with him.
"Thank you!"
"Hey, we're bros for life. I'll always have your back."
"Yeah, bros for life."
"Promise you'll knock 'em dead for me. You got that, buddy?"
"I will!"
"Just don't get killed, OK? I don't want to be the one to break the bad news to Yue."
"Don't worry, Kenshin. I don't plan on dying anytime soon."
"Well, if you do die, can I have all your stuff?"
The two of them shared a laugh.
"No, seriously. If you die, can I have your stuff?"
Mitsuki, Masataka, and Hideyoshi came to Touka Village and stood in front of Shoku Castle with Iori and Karasu.
"Is this really the right choice?" Masataka asked.
"No, but it's the only option we've got," Iori answered.
"I still don't like this," Mitsuki stated.
"We know. You don't have to keep reminding us," Hideyoshi retorted.
Karasu looked at the talisman Ukitsu had given her and activated it. As soon as she did, a magic circle appeared on the ground. It was a Taoist emblem. Soon, Ukitsu emerged from the emblem and was standing in front of them. He wasn't alone, though. Accompanying him were his subordinates Saji Genpou, Shishi Ouin, and the beautiful Diaochan.
The Armored War Gods had every reason to hate and distrust Ukitsu and his faction. Any other day, their groups would clash. The Armored War Gods were eager to make their counterparts answer for their crimes.
Sadly, this was not one of those days. They had a truce and would soon be joining forces.
"Thank you for having us," Ukitsu smiled in greeting. Seeing that smile made Hideyoshi and Mitsuki both want to wipe it off.
"Let's just get straight to the matter at hand," Iori said sternly.
"Lead the way, please."
The Armored War Devils walked behind Iori and Karasu while Masataka, Hideyoshi, and Mitsuki brought up the rear. They may not be enemies right now, but the Armored War Devils needed to be watched.
"Don't try anything funny. We're watching you," Mitsuki warned.
Saji looked over his shoulder and scoffed.
They arrived at the Round Table room. Ukitsu took a moment to admire it. He had heard about it. This was where the Shoku Warriors and the Alliance would meet on occasion to discuss important matters, most importantly about their war.
"Ah, so this is the famed Round Table of Shoku," Ukitsu admired. "It's very fitting."
"Everyone, take a seat," Iori said curtly. Everyone took an empty seat. The Armored War Devils sat close to each other while the Armored War Gods sat adjacent to each other.
Ukitsu caught sight of the looks of distrust from the Armored War Gods. His comrades were receiving the same looks.
"I'll make something clear: we may have a common enemy, but that doesn't make us friends," Iori said. "This is an alliance based on mere convenience, not trust."
"So you're not as foolish as I thought," Ukitsu replied. "But, wasn't it you who caused this by killing Nise in the first place?"
Iori grimaced but didn't reply. For Ukitsu, that was confirmation enough.
"That doesn't matter," Karasu retorted. "What really matters is that we're all here because Bujin Gaim needs to be stopped."
"You also want to save Gaim since Bujin Gaim has possessed him," Ukitsu added.
"So, right now Bujin Gaim is in Gaim's body, huh?" Shishi grinned. "Oh, now this just gets better and better."
"There's nothing good about this," Iori shot back as he glared at Shishi.
"Oh, that's where you're wrong. You see, if we destroy Bujin Gaim, we get to destroy Gaim as well."
A dagger was flung towards Shishi and it cut his cheek before it stuck to the wall.
Karasu stood up with her arm extended and a murderous look in her eyes. Shishi touched his cheek and saw the blood on his fingertips.
"You bitch!" Shishi stood up to retaliate. Immediately, the Armored War Gods stood up and glared at him, daring him to attack.
"Sit down, Shishi-dono," Ukitsu advised.
"But, Ukitsu-!"
"Sit down, Shishi-dono. Now."
Shishi grumbled and reluctantly sat back down. The Armored War Gods sat back down too.
"You have no tact," Diaochan berated Shishi.
"Whatever," Shishi muttered as he rolled his eyes.
"Please excuse my comrade. What he means to say is that we may not have a choice but to destroy Gaim-dono along with Bujin Gaim," said Ukitsu.
"Which is good for you," Hideyoshi retorted. "One less threat to your plans."
"Do you really think he can be saved at this point?" Ukitsu questioned. "I'm sorry, but even if he's still in there, there's no way of getting him back."
"He saved us when that monster ate us," Karasu said firmly. "I'm not going to let my cousin suffer the same fate."
"And what if you can't save your cousin? Then what will you do?"
Karasu didn't answer as her fists trembled.
"We may need to sacrifice Oda-kun if there's no other way," said Masataka logically. "One life for millions. I think the math speaks for itself."
"That's cold of you, White Devil," Ukitsu remarked. He approved.
"It's not ideal, but it's logical. That doesn't mean it's our only solution, but if Oda-kun can't be saved then as a last resort we'll have to destroy him along with Bujin Gaim."
"We're not killing Naga-kun!" Karasu protested.
"Yeah, nobody is killing Oda!" Mitsuki concurred as he pounded the table.
"Never pegged you as the sentimental type, Crimson Enforcer," Ukitsu remarked.
"I have my reasons, and nobody is killing Oda if I can help it," Mitsuki strongly reaffirmed.
"Well, right now, Bujin Gaim is wearing his body and on the loose. There's no telling what kind of damage he's causing," Ukitsu warned.
"Well, figure out a way to save Oda without killing him," Mitsuki insisted.
"The Blood Orange Lockseed," Iori said. "This whole thing started when Bujin Gaim's Lockseed got into Nagata's SengokuDriver."
"How did it get there?" Ukitsu asked.
"It did it by itself. It was like it was alive," Iori answered.
"Then that's it. Bujin Gaim's consciousness is contained in that Lockseed. If we take the Lockseed, he should leave his host," Ukitsu concluded.
"That might sound easy, but I doubt he will let us get close enough to grab the Lockseed," Hideyoshi said.
"Then we'll have to trap him. Fortunately for you, I know a way to do it. But to do this, I'm going to need some help," said Ukitsu.
"What kind of help do you need?" Iori asked.
"Just some old friends that you could call over if you'll be so kind," Ukitsu answered with a smile.
"Then we'll ask for something too," Mitsuki retorted.
"Name it."
"We want the location of the RinJyuKen Akugata's base."
The Armored War Gods all stared expectantly at the Armored War Devils.
"You expect me to give up their location?" Ukitsu almost found that amusing.
Mitsuki pressed on, "Exactly. It's funny how you're complaining about one monster who wants to take over China when you're working with a whole bunch of them who want the same thing."
"We and the RinJyuKen Akugata share a common goal. We want to change the world. As allies, we cannot betray each other. So, I'm sorry, but I will not reveal their location to you. We won't give up their location. It would be dishonorable."
"What a joke! Like any of you care about honor!"
Both sides rose up from their seats. It would appear they were close to coming to blows. Tensions were rising and this needed to stop before it escalated.
Karasu slammed her palm on the table.
"Enough!" she shouted. "This meeting is about rescuing Naga-kun! Not an exchange of information! Now sit down! If the next words are not about saving Naga-kun, then shut up!"
Both sides reluctantly complied.
"We'll get you whatever you need," Karasu said to Ukitsu.
"Thank you."
"Kada, good to see you," Ukitsu greeted the red-haired doctor warmly.
"Ukitsu," Kada replied curtly.
"Looks like we'll be working closely together. Oh, and Choho. It's been such a long time, hasn't it? How's your singing career with your sisters?"
Choho glared at Ukitsu.
Marcus stepped forward to give Ukitsu a warning. "I'm keeping my eye on you."
"I see you're still upset about what happened," Ukitsu said as he adjusted his glasses.
"You brainwashed me!" Marcus snapped.
"I was merely helping you to open your mind a little."
"Well, you also brainwashed my angels!" Marcus snapped.
"Brainwashed them? Hardly. I didn't do anything beyond giving them the book. All they did with it, they did it of their own free will," Ukitsu retorted.
"But you knew the book would corrupt them," said Kada. "You know what it does, Ukitsu. It's dangerous."
"For the weak-minded, perhaps. An amateur sorcerer would have their mind warped so easily. It takes a strong mind to resist."
"We almost went to war because of that book," Choho growled.
"Like I said. You need a strong mind to resist the book's power. You just weren't strong enough."
"You bastard!" Choho screamed and made a move to attack Ukitsu, but Marcus held her back. "Let me go!"
"Calm down, Chiiho-chan. Now is not the time," Marcus calmly talked her down.
"So, I assume you're both well-versed in exorcisms," Ukitsu said as he fixed Choho and Kada with a critical look.
"I know plenty," Kada stated confidently.
"And I've studied up," Choho added defensively.
"Good, at least you two won't be completely useless," Ukitsu remarked. "Just follow my lead and we may just live through this."
Choho gritted out as she glared at Ukitsu, "I hate him."
"I know," Marcus said as he comforted his blue-haired lover. "Just, for now, let's work with him. After this is over, we can go back to planning his death."
They agreed to use the Round Table room for the trap. The Round Table itself had to be moved to make space.
A magic circle was drawn in the middle of the floor. It was a hexagram with numerous Chinese sigils drawn in and a Taoist symbol in the center.
"So this is your binding circle? And you're sure it will work?" Iori asked Ukitsu.
"Of course it will work. This is a very powerful binding circle used to trap the strongest of demons. Once Bujin Gaim is trapped inside, his power and strength will be sapped," Ukitsu explained.
"Was it necessary to mix blood in with the ink, though?" Choho held her bandaged hand.
"It's part of the ritual. Blood is a very powerful ingredient for these sorts of things," Ukitsu justified.
"It's true, although I wouldn't exactly advocate the use of blood magic," Kada said with a frown.
"Of course you wouldn't. That's why I'm the superior sorcerer."
"Alright, now that we have our binding circle how are we supposed to get Bujin Gaim into the circle?" Karasu asked. "It's not like we can ask him to walk right in."
"Use these talismans," Ukitsu instructed as he handed the paper talismans to Karasu. "You're going to need them to get him inside."
"We tried using talismans before. They didn't work the last time we used them."
"You got those talismans from Kada, and his work is second rate at best. These will work."
Kada glared as he was insulted.
"And he'll be transported into this circle?" Iori asked for clarification.
"You just have to get at least one of the talismans on him and the spell I pre-casted will transport him into the circle. No matter how powerful he is, he won't be able to break free from the circle. Once he's inside, Kada, Choho and I will work on driving him out of his vessel," Ukitsu explained confidently.
"But we have to get in close to stick one of these talismans on him. And that's supposedly the easy part," Karasu said.
"My comrades will join you to provide assistance," Ukitsu offered.
"We'll leave some of our guys here to guard you too," Iori responded.
"You mean to keep an eye on me."
"I don't trust you, Ukitsu. None of us do. Make no mistake. At the end of the day, we're still enemies."
"But for now we are allies."
"For now. You just do your part while we do ours."
Diaochan found Mitsuki leaning against the wall outside the Round Table room with his arms crossed. He looked like he was deep in thought.
"What do you want?" Mitsuki asked.
"I came to give you this," Diaochan said as she offered Mitsuki the GenesisDriver.
"Don't bother. I got that covered."
"It still won't be enough."
"And this will?"
"Yes, because this will bring out your Energy Lockseed's full potential."
Mitsuki looked at Diaochan suspiciously.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
"Because yours was destroyed. Consider this a peace offering."
"And how do I know there's nothing fishy about it?"
"You have every right to be suspicious, I understand. But we'll be working together so you'll just have to trust me."
"Trust is earned, not given away."
"True, but I thought I'd do something nice for you since I enjoyed our dance the last time we met."
Was Diaochan flirting with Mitsuki?
"You do realize that after this is over, we'll go back to being enemies," Mitsuki reminded.
Diaochan looked away uncomfortably.
"Yes, you're right."
"Why do you follow someone like Ukitsu anyway?"
"I owe him. He saved me a long time ago, so I owe my life to him."
"And are you happier this way?"
"Beats the way I used to live."
Mitsuki wondered what Diaochan meant by that, but she wouldn't elaborate. She really did not want to talk about her past.
Iori assembled the team and explained the plan to them. For such a dangerous mission, they needed a large team to subdue Bujin Gaim. After all, this was an Armored War Devil who single-handedly overpowered the Four Sovereigns.
"OK, so here's the plan. Ryuubi, Chouhi, Kanu, Idunn, Mars, Kamuro, Zangetsu, Baron, Gridon, Marika, Sigurd, Tyrant, Nii-san and I will go to Rakuyo and get the talisman on him. Once one of us manages to get a talisman on him, Ukitsu, Kada, and Choho will trap him in the circle. The rest will remain here as emergency backup in case anything goes wrong, and to make sure the exorcism goes smoothly.
"So, to sum it all up. Get a talisman on him, don't die, and then we'll drag him back here so our sorcerers can work their magic and banish that demonic bastard."
"That's easier said than done, though," muttered Hideyoshi.
"I believe in all of you. If we work together, I know we can do this," Iori reassured them.
"How are we supposed to find the damn bastard?" Saji asked.
"Since he's possessing Nagata's body, then he must have this," Iori answered as he flipped open his LockPhone.
"And how will that help?"
"We can track him with it."
"Then let's get ready," commanded Mitsuki. "Henshin!"
"Henshin!" the rest of the Riders chorused.
[SODA!]
[LEMON ENERGY ARMS! FIGHT, POWER! FIGHT, POWER! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FI-FI-FI-FIGHT!]
[CHERRY ENERGY ARMS!]
[PEACH ENERGY ARMS!]
[MELON ENERGY ARMS!]
[SUIKA ENERGY ARMS!]
[DRAGON ENERGY ARMS!]
[LIQUID! MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY ARMS! SEI, YOISHO, WASSHOI!]
[COME ON! GOLDEN ARMS! OGON NO KAJITSU!]
[COME ON! RINGO ARMS! DESIRE FORBIDDEN FRUITS]
[SOIYA! SILVER ARMS! HAKUGIN NEW STAGE!]
[HAI~! YOMOTSUHEGURI ARMS! MEI, KAI, YOMI, YOMI, YOMI!]
Ryuubi, Kanu, and Chouhi also summoned their armor. They would need every advantage they had. Hopefully, by working together, their plan would succeed.
"Oda-san, make a door for us. I got a lock on him," Ryugen-Yomi instructed.
"Where is he?" Idunn asked.
"Rakuyo."
To Be Continued in Part 2...
