Azure and Crimson
Chapter 3: Infiltrating Eden
Eden Fortress HQ, The Garden
Tashkent, Central Asia
The Garden, Eden's Fortress HQ, a large fortress that contains every single Eden soldier, drones, mechs and battleships that is enough to start a war. All for their loyalty to the leader of Eden, Zonda, along with her revived Seven Eden Adept generals with the power of her Mirror Septima. Not only does she have the final Septima Shard, but also captured Mytyl to use her for Zonda's plan to eliminate all humankind, leaving only Adepts to rule the world as their paradise.
A few hours earlier...
Copen, Geiz and Serena were riding fast on Geiz's Time Mazine to track down one of the revived Seven, Asroc, along with his robot as they captured Mytyl in a capsule and were en route to The Garden via battleship located in the forest area. Copen's team were close to catching up to Asroc, but he suddenly called in a giant flying green mech with machine guns and missile pods as a distraction. Copen fought one of these mechs before, so this shouldn't be a problem. With help from Geiz and Serena, Copen was able to destroy the mech as its weapons and armor were no match for the heroes. Unfortunately after the fight, Asroc was long gone along with the battleship. Copen was pissed that he punched a nearby tree, as they were able to kidnap Mytyl again, while Geiz and Serena were a bit upset upon this failure. Fortunately, Copen's navigator, Nori, contacted Copen that she was able to find the location of The Garden, in a country of Tashkent, located in Central Asia. That could be where Mytyl is taken, along with Zonda and her revived Seven, and also the final Septima Shard. With this new info, Copen's team quickly went back to the Time Mazine and rode off to Central Asia, as Nori is also on her way to the same location to meet up with them using Copen's motorcycle. Then Copen asked Nori to do a small favor to send a message to Gunvolt's team on the location of The Garden and to meet up with them. Usually he will go solo for his missions, but this time is an exception as it's also a way to return the favor since Gunvolt's team helped them for distracting Ghauri back at the Highway so that Copen's team can chase down Asroc. Copen will need all the help he can get if he wants to save Mytyl and bring down Eden once and for all.
Present Time...
At a large hill, a few kilometres away from The Garden, Nori was busy preparing her navigation systems using her laptop, while Copen who was standing up, was looking through his binoculars to scope around The Garden from a distance in order to find a secret entrance so that they won't have to deal with an entire battalion of Eden troops. Serena and Geiz, the latter took off his helmet for a while to get some air, sat on some rocks and looked at The Garden from a distance. Eden HQ defences were impenetrable as the base also has artillery, anti-air and ground turrets to eliminate any intruders from entering the base.
"Damn, even without the binoculars, seeing those defences can make an old prison look like a nursery." Geiz muttered as he was still looking at The Garden.
"You're right, Gaius." Serena nodded. "Not to mention lots of Eden troops patrolling both outside and inside the fortress."
"Obviously a frontal assault will result in all of us being destroyed in an instant." Copen added as he was looking through his binoculars. "We're gonna need to find a secret entrance if we're going inside undetected."
"And that is why you have me and Nori around, Boss!" Lola said while floating next to Copen. "She just finished setting up communications, now all we have to do is wait while me and Nori do what we can to find the ins and outs of the fortress."
Copen nodded in response. "Alright then, Lola. I'll leave the rest to you and Nori."
"Got it, Boss! Oh btw, there's one other thing I gotta ask."
"And that is?"
"Why did you tell Nori to send a message to Gunvolt's team for a meet up?"
"Because I owe Gunvolt and his team a favor for helping me out back in the Highway."
"Is it also because of that story I told you back at the mansion, Copen?" Geiz said.
"That's...one way of putting it, Gaius." Copen answered. "That, and we're gonna need all the help we can get to take down Eden for good."
"Yeah, I can agree with that."
"Though Serena, are you sure you want to do this?" Copen asked. "I don't want your sister Maria to know about what happened to you if we fail. Besides, you're younger than all of us." Copen remembered about Serena's past during their conversation back at Copen's mansion, including her sister, Maria Cadenzavna Eve.
"Please don't worry about me, Copen. I'll be just fine." Serena replied. "Besides, if my sister Maria is still as strong and determined as I remember, then so will I. I don't want to let my big sister down, so I will continue on fighting till the end."
"Serena..."
"Man, Maria's gonna be really proud of you when both you and her were able to meet again someday." Geiz said to Serena.
"Hehe, thank you Gaius." Serena smiled.
"Hmm...I wonder if Mytyl were like you someday Serena when she grows up? That'd be pretty cool."
"Oi, don't push it, Gaius." Copen retorted.
"Relax...I'm joking, Copen."
Serena then laughed at Geiz and Copen. "Hahaha! You know, I think you both are starting to become my big brothers right now."
"Wait, what did you say Serena?" Geiz and Copen said simultaneously. Though it does look like they were taking care of Serena just like older brothers.
After a while, Lola came floating towards the heroes and said, "Hey guys, I think I saw something pink coming this way!" Everyone look towards the glowing headlights approaching them and Nori.
"Ah, looks like Gunvolt's team has arrived. Time to meet them shall we?" Geiz said as he put his helmet back on.
Copen and Serena nodded in response as they all stood up and walked towards Gunvolt's team, as Gunvolt, Xiao, Kanade and Zi-O had just arrived and got off the Time Mazine to exchange greetings.
"Gunvolt, Kanade, Zeo." Copen greeted.
"Copen, Serena, Gaius." Gunvolt returned the greeting.
"So, I guess you weren't able to save Mytyl?" Gunvolt asked.
Copen shook his head and replied, "Asroc sent a flying mech on us as a distraction. By the time we destroyed it, he's already long gone."
"Gacking damn it, sorry about what happened."
"It's alright Gunvolt, we might still have a chance to save her." Copen then noticed Xiao and asked, "And you must be..."
"Oh, I'm Xiao Wu, Gunvolt's navigator." Xiao introduced himself. "Is Nori with you now?"
Nori then walked towards the heroes and then noticed Xiao. "Ah you made it, Xiao. Glad to see you here."
"Likewise, Nori." Xiao replied as he did a handshake with Nori.
"So, this is your client, Xiao?" Kanade asked as Xiao nodded in response.
"Yup, that's right."
"Greetings, my name is Nori, I'm Xiao's client and also Copen's navigator. Nice to meet you." Nori introduced with a bow.
"Likewise, Nori. I'm Zeo Naotora." Zi-O nodded and introduced himself.
"Kanade Amou, good to meet you too." Kanade added.
"Did you bring your laptop with you, Xiao?" Nori asked.
"Yup, got it right here." Xiao replied as he took out his laptop from his bag.
"Good, then let's begin hacking The Garden." Nori said as she went back to her laptop to resume hacking.
"You got it. I'll catch you guys later ok?" Xiao said as he left to join Nori with hacking The Garden.
"Huh, I never expected that your navigator would be Xiao's client, Copen." Gunvolt said.
"Yeah, Nori never told me about it either." Copen admitted.
"So, where's the Garden at?" Zi-O asked.
"Right this way, everyone." Geiz replied as he led everyone to the top of the hill to see the distant view of Eden's Fortress HQ. Everyone also sat down onto some rocks as they looked at the view while Zi-O and Geiz took off their helmets for some air. Gunvolt, Kanade and Zi-O frowned at the heavily defended fortress, this mission will not be easy.
"Well...that looks bad." Kanade muttered from seeing the fortress.
"I agree, Kanade." Zi-O nodded. "Those defences are well built. And it's not just the outside we have to worry about, it's the inside as well."
"I guess the only way to get inside is to sneak our way in." Gunvolt said.
"Yeah, but for now I think it's time we all get to know each other a little more." Zi-O said.
"Usually I don't agree to discussions like this, but I'll make this an exception since you helped me and Gunvolt." Copen stated.
"I'm with Copen on this discussion, and thanks for helping us, you four." Gunvolt added.
"No problem, Gunvolt, Copen. We're just dimension travelling heroes passing through, remember that." Zi-O smiled.
"It's not just them you're helping, Zeo." Joule said as she appeared in her Muse form. "You're also helping me and Lola."
"Yup, that's right!" Lola added as she floated towards the heroes and appeared in her Muse form. Lola then took a quick look at Joule and asked, "Though Joule, when did you look a bit younger? Copen told me you look older than that."
"You can blame Eden for taking away the Septima Shards in the first place." Joule sighed. Then Joule took a quick look at Lola's Muse form and said, "And as for you, Lola, you better take good care of my power. I don't want them to be used in the wrong hands."
"Nah, don't worry. Me and Copen will be just fine."
"I really hope so..."
Then Lola thought of an interesting idea, "Hey! Maybe we can be an idol duo together! I bet we could get lots of fans for doing so!"
"Eh?!" Joule was surprised at Lola's idea. "Um...well...this is so sudden..."
"It'll be fun, trust me!"
"Lola, don't even think this will be a good idea." Copen sighed.
"But, Boss..."
"Sorry Lola, but Copen is right." Gunvolt said.
Lola sighed with her arms crossed and said, "Ok fine, but someday you guys will change your mind about this. Just you wait."
"Still...that would be interesting to see." Kanade quipped. "I mean Zwei Wing could use a little bit of competition."
"Zwei Wing?" Copen and Lola repeated.
"Ah, that's right." Joule remembered about Kanade's past life."Kanade and her partner Tsubasa were both a singing duo called, Zwei Wing."
"Really? That's so cool, Kanade! I would love to hear you and Tsubasa sing together!" Lola said.
"Maybe...though because of that incident at the concert, I'm not entirely sure." Kanade felt sad about remembering that part of her past. Gunvolt and Joule also felt her sadness since they both knew about Kanade's past back at Gunvolt's apartment when she told them.
"Yeah...the Noise, right?" Gunvolt muttered as Kanade nodded in response about the ones responsible for that concert incident.
"Just what are the Noise anyway?" Copen asked.
"Basically unidentified lifeforms that wants to destroy the human race." Serena answered. "To be honest, me and Kanade don't know where they came from."
"So, they are kinda like aliens?" Lola guessed.
"Hmm...I think that's one way of describing them."
"Yeah, and you both sacrificed your lives to save the ones your care about, right Serena, Kanade?" Zi-O added.
"Wait, both of you did the same thing?!" Gunvolt, Copen, Joule and Lola were shocked at what Kanade and Serena did as Kanade and Serena sadly nodded in response.
"Yeah, we had to sing a Swan Song as a last resort." Kanade replied.
"What is a Swan Song?" Lola asked.
"It's a song sung by a Symphogear user that utilizes the full power of the armor, but it would greatly damage the user depending on the compatibility." Kanade explained. "In my case, my compatibility was low and...I died after singing that song."
"And for me, I sang the song incorrectly and was eventually crushed by falling rocks while I was trying to save my sister Maria..." Serena added.
Everyone, minus Zi-O and Geiz as their heads were low hiding their eyes, were speechless after what happened to Kanade and Serena. One had low compatibility, while the other sang the song incorrectly.
"Then...why are you both still alive? I'd thought you both would stay dead after what happened." Gunvolt asked.
"Yeah, that part...I'm not entirely sure either..." Kanade admitted.
"Neither do I." Serena added.
"Hmm..." Everyone looked at Geiz as he pondered about a theory and said, "Could the Dimensional Quakes be responsible for their revival?"
"Now that I think about it, Einstein did say something about the quakes bringing people back from the dead." Zi-O added.
"Wait, Einstein? As in THE Albert Einstein?!" Copen exclaimed with his eyes wide open.
"Oh yeah, Einstein was one of our allies in our fight against the Neo Time Jackers. And before you say anything Copen...no. Our Einstein is from another dimension...and also a female." Zi-O explained.
"Hah?!"
"That's gotta be a gacking joke...right?" Gunvolt said.
"No, and we still can't believe it either..." Zi-O, Geiz, Kanade and Serena sighed simultaneously.
"...the multiverse is weird."
"Yup."
"Either way, Kanade, Serena, you both now have a second chance in life. Make good use of it, ok?" Copen asked as the girls nodded in response.
"Don't worry, Copen, we promise we won't make that same mistake again." Kanade replied.
"Good to know."
After a few moments of chatting from the heroes by sharing their stories, Xiao walked towards the heroes and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. It's finally time to begin the mission."
"Alright everyone, break time's over. It's mission time." Zi-O declared as everyone nodded in response. Zi-O and Geiz put their helmets back on, Joule and Lola went back to their normal forms, and then everyone stood up and walked towards Nori as she was typing with her laptop.
"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting, but me and Xiao were able to find the secret entrance to The Garden." Nori reported.
"Alright then, Nori. So where is it?" Copen asked.
"It should be right...here." Nori then typed a few buttons and then pointed to the blinking location on the laptop screen.
The heroes took a closer look at the laptop screen as the secret entrance is shown to be located underground, just a few metres from their current position.
"From the looks of it, there's not much Eden troops guarding the entrance, so you can easily take out the guards and enter the secret entrance with no trouble at all." Xiao explained. "But still, be on your guard, especially when you reach the inside of the fortress."
"Understood, Xiao." Gunvolt nodded.
"Me and Xiao will keep contact as you all infiltrate the fortress. Do not engage the enemy unless necessary." Nori advised. "Though as you go deeper into the fortress, communication will be difficult until it's cut off completely, so you'll have to navigate the fortress without our help."
"Got it, Nori. We'll keep that in mind." Copen nodded.
"Alright then, is there any other questions you all would like to ask?" Xiao asked. After a few seconds of silence, the heroes shook their heads with nothing to add as they are ready to begin the mission.
"Understood, anyone wish to say any last words before we begin the mission?" Nori asked.
"Just me, Nori." Zi-O smirked from inside his helmet, punched his hand on his open palm and said, "Let's Ragna-Rock and Roll!"
The Secret Entrance...
A few moments later, the heroes, minus Xiao and Nori, are hiding behind some large rocks as they arrived at the secret entrance, guarded by two Eden soldiers, two flying drones and a mech with a chainsaw and blaster.
"Hmm...it looks like the guards here should be easy pickings to take them down. Though we better do this in one shot so they won't be able to call in reinforcements." Geiz advised as he peeked from behind the large rock.
"Anyone have any strong Area Of Effect attacks to use?" Zi-O asked.
"I can use my Voltaic Chains to take them all out, but it uses quite a lot of energy and will take time to recharge after that." Gunvolt replied.
"My Shred Storm can eliminate them all in blinding speeds." Copen added.
"My STARDUST∞FOTON can deliver raining spears on all of them." Kanade also added.
"I think my IGNIS†FATUUS can work too, it will rain down light arrows from above and strike them all down. However, I might get tired after using that." Serena also added.
"I see, so to summarize: Copen and Kanade can take them all down quickly with not much energy needed." Geiz stated.
"So, should one of us go first and use the AOE attack on them?" Copen asked.
"Better idea, both of you use your attacks simultaneously. Because if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing." Zi-O suggested.
"And just like that, I'm liking your idea a lot." Kanade grinned.
"Fine, as long as it gets the job done quickly." Copen sighed and then looked towards Kanade. "Just try not to make too much noise, Kanade."
"Okok, I get it."
Copen and Kanade then took their positions and began preparing their attack. The Eden guards and then mech are busy looking around while staying at their posts, until they were met by Copen's Shred Storm and Kanade's STARDUST∞FOTON from above. They were being bombarded by fast attack bits and raining spears until all the guards are eliminated, leaving nothing but scrap metal. Copen and Kanade landed in front of the secret entrance and signalled the other heroes to come out as the area is clear.
"Nicely done, you two." Zi-O complimented. "Now to pry open that door."
"Leave that to me, everyone!" Lola replied as she floated towards the door lock and hacked the system for a few seconds until the door slowly opened. "And there you have it! One secret shortcut to The Garden."
"Good job, Lola. Now let's move." Copen said, as he and the rest of the heroes quickly ran inside the secret entrance as it led them to a very long tunnel.
"Xiao, Nori, we're inside the secret tunnel leading towards The Garden." Gunvolt contacted the navigators. "Did you notice any unexpected surprises in there?"
"So far, me and Nori have nothing to report. But once you all arrive inside The Garden, expect plenty of traps and ambushes from Eden." Xiao reported.
"Got it, we'll be careful."
"We don't have any data on what's inside The Garden so you'll have to go in there blindly." Nori reported.
"Understood, Nori." Copen replied as the call ended.
After a few minutes of running through the secret tunnel, with no Eden troops in sight thankfully along the way, they made it to the underside of The Garden.
"Ok everyone, we made it to The Garden. Be ready for anything." Copen advised as everyone nodded in response.
"Yeah, the real battle is about to begin." Gunvolt added.
Inside Eden Fortress HQ, The Garden
"So this is The Garden, huh? I was kinda expecting an area full of flowers and not a heavily defended fortress." Kanade quipped as the heroes are running across the hallway.
"This place is not full of sunshines and rainbows, Kanade. Eden would rather destroy humankind instead of planting flowers." Zi-O stated.
"Now that I think about it, this place is scary. I'm starting to feel nervous." Serena said.
"Just stick together with us and you'll be fine, Serena." Geiz replied.
"You're right, thank you Geiz." Serena smiled, until she noticed something going down. "Ah! The shutters are descending!"
"Everyone dash through them quickly before they close! But if they do just in case, destroy them anyway, those shutters are easy to break!" Copen advised as everyone quickly dashed through most of the shutters before they close, and they also destroyed the last shutter that's already closed.
"Phew, that was close. Let's keep moving!" Zi-O said as everyone continues to run deeper inside the fortress.
After a while for the heroes, including taking out some Eden troops and drones, they entered an empty room with a door on the other side. As they are about to approach the door, it and the entrance locked itself as multiple Eden troops and mechs appeared around the heroes, surrounding them.
"Damn it, it's a trap!" Geiz growled at the ambush.
"We do all for the sake of the oracle, Zonda! Now behold as we stride down the path of paradise and despair!" An Eden soldier declared as everyone pointed their weapons at the heroes.
"Sorry boys, but..." Zi-O began as he and the other heroes brandished their weapons. "...the only path you'll be striding down is the floor!" The heroes then rushed to their separate paths spreading out and fought against the ambushing Eden troops. After a few moments of shooting, slashing, lasers and some lightning, the ambush is quickly eliminated as the door opened in front of them.
"Well, that takes care of the ambush." Kanade said while shouldering her spear. "Though why do I get the feeling that this is not the only ambush we'll be running into?"
"The sad part is, you're correct, Kanade." Geiz sighed in response as the heroes resumed running towards the next area. This won't be the only ambush room the heroes will encounter.
As they are running along inside the fortress looking for Mytyl, they came across several areas with conveyor belts, bottomless pits and lots of spikes on the walls and the floor. And not to mention more Eden troops and more of their ambush. Eden really knows how to make a fortress this intimidating. Even Gunvolt and Copen are annoyed at the amount of traps Eden had set up. Luckily the heroes managed to get past the traps and took out the Eden troops along the way, though by the end of the mission, they don't EVER want to see an area full of spikes again for a few weeks.
Meanwhile at The Garden Throne Room...
Two figures are now watching the large monitor as the security cameras showed the heroes infiltrate the fortress and taking out more Eden troops. One of figures watching is a revived Tenjian. While the other is a young girl with long, cream white hair with pink highlights with curls and dark pink eyes, wearing a smart, sleeveless black and white double breasted dress with magenta tights and black shoes with gold buckles and also has a black bow tied around her head. That person is none other than Zonda, former member of Sumeragi, and the leader of Eden.
"It seems the intruders have come, Oracle." Tenjian reported.
"I see, though I never expected the intruders to be that much." Zonda replied. "Either way, we must reclaim the Shards that were stolen. For us, and for the comrades who fell by their hands."
"There's no need to dirty your hands. A hired mercenary is sent to go after them."
"I see, though is it alright to trust 'him'?"
"As long as our paradise is achieved, it matters not."
"I hope you are correct. But if 'he' posed a threat to us, we shall eliminate 'him' as well. I just hope there's no more unnecessary sacrifices for our people."
Meanwhile back to the heroes...
After much running through some areas, they finally arrived at the elevator that is located just beyond the last room of the area.
"There it is! The elevator to the next floor of the fortress!" Serena pointed at the elevator across the room.
"Alright everyone, just a bit further until we can finally get some breathing room!" Zi-O exclaimed as everyone quickly ran towards the elevator. Unfortunately they were halted by a hooded mysterious figure as he dropped down from above and landed in front of the heroes.
"Sorry, but this is as far as you'll go." said the mysterious figure with a male voice.
"Who are you supposed to be? Are you with Eden?" Copen asked as he and Gunvolt pointed their guns at the mystery man.
"I'm just a hired mercenary here to cause trouble, especially for Kamen Rider Zi-O and Geiz." replied the mystery man. Everyone's eyes were wide open, especially Zi-O and Geiz from inside their helmets, as that mystery man somehow knew about the Kamen Riders.
"What the, you knew about us?!" Geiz exclaimed.
"But how did you..." Zi-O began until he realised something. The only way that mystery man knew about the Kamen Riders was one important thing. "...You're with the Neo Time Jackers...aren't you?"
Everyone was shocked at Zi-O's answer as they mystery man chuckled and clapped his hands three times and said, "Well well well, you managed to figure it out so soon? I'm impressed."
"So you really are one of them. I take it that Eden hired you for something?" Geiz asked.
"I only listened to their demands as they will give me something in return."
"Sorry Neo Time Jacker, but your reward is gonna be put on hold, permanently." Kanade declared as everyone prepared their battle stances.
"Actually my reward will come soon. That, and you're not fighting me." said the Neo Time Jacker snapped his fingers as he created a Time Veil in front of him and out appeared a large grey rhino with large fists as it roared towards the heroes. That monster was a Rhino Orphnoch. "THIS is who you're fighting with. Don't worry though, I'll get a chance to fight you all personally someday. But until then, Ciao!" The Neo Time Jacker walked backwards towards the Time Veil while waving goodbye and disappeared. The heroes then looked towards the Rhino Orphnoch as it growled towards them.
"Damn it...of all the things he summoned, it had to be a large Orphnoch?!" Geiz exclaimed.
"Well considering that we fought Another Faiz and Kaixa before, I think this is starting to become a coincidence!" Zi-O stated.
"What the gacking hell is an Orphnoch?!" Gunvolt asked.
"Basically the next stage of human evolution." Zi-O explained. "In order to become an Orphnoch, one must die."
"WHAT?!" Everyone exclaimed, minus Zi-O and Geiz.
"So you're saying that...these Orphnochs were once human?!" Copen asked as Zi-O and Geiz nodded in response.
"Is there a way to save it somehow?" Serena asked.
"I'm sorry, Serena. It's far too late." Geiz slowly shook his head.
"I see, then the least we could do now is to put an end to its pain and suffering." Gunvolt said.
"Damn it...I guess we have no other choice..." Kanade muttered as everyone prepared to fight the Rhino Orphnoch.
"Zi-O, Armor Time." Geiz suggested as Zi-O nodded in response.
Zi-O and Geiz took out the Faiz and Kaixa Ridewatches located at the Ridewatch holders on their wrists, turned the dial and pressed the button.
FAIZ!
KAIXA!
The Riders then inserted the Ridewatches on their belts, pressed the tilt button on their belts and turned it 360.
ARMOR TIME!
COMPLETE! FAIZ!
COMPLETE! KAIXA!
After a while, Geiz and Zi-O transformed into their respective armor forms. Faiz for Geiz and Kaixa for Zi-O.
"Wow, looking good, guys. Loved the lights too." Kanade whistled at the Riders' armor forms.
"Though why are there cellphones on their shoulder pads?" Serena asked.
"Well Faiz and Kaixa did use plenty of features with their phones, both on offence and defence." Zi-O explained.
"Heh, you Kamen Riders never cease to amaze us." Gunvolt smirked.
"Would be nice to study about them if there's time." Copen added.
"If you're going to study them for the right reasons, then I'll think about it." Geiz replied as everyone turned towards the Rhino Orphnoch with their battle stances ready. "But for now, it's time to bring down this overgrown rhino."
"Oversurge, Azure Striker! Let lightning free its pain and suffering!" Gunvolt declared as everyone began their attack and rushed towards the Orphnoch.
The Rhino Orphnoch began charging at the heroes head first, the heroes dodged the charge attack in response. It stopped charging, turned around and unleashed a strong quake as the attack approached the heroes, they evaded the attack in response by jumping.
Kanade unleashed her STARDUST∞FOTON with raining spears while Serena unleashed her GNOME†TRIAL by throwing her knife as both attacks struck the Orphnoch from above, but it blocked the attacks with its arms.
"Tch! This guy is tough!" Kanade exclaimed as the attacks didn't even faze it.
"Gunvolt, let's try tagging it first, then hit it hard!" Copen suggested as Gunvolt nodded in response.
Gunvolt then fired his gun as the bullets tagged the Orphnoch while Copen did a Bullit Dash onto the target as it was then tagged. Then Gunvolt unleashed his Flashfield as he also fired more shots onto the target, while Copen fired his gun as he unleashed one of his EX Weapons from the Adepts he defeated, The Hailstorm Blade from the defeated Tenjian. The Hailstorm Blade created ice swords from the attack bits and unleashed slash waves onto the target. Both attacks from Gunvolt and Copen were able to do some damage to the Orphnoch, until it began to throw a powerful right punch at Copen. Fortunately he was able to evade the attack by boost dashing back and landing next to Gunvolt.
"Ok, that was way too close." Copen admitted as he began to sweat a bit.
"Yeah, even with our Prevasion, that punch will hurt a lot." Gunvolt added.
READY!
SHOT ON!
Zi-O and Geiz equipped their knuckle-dusters and rushed towards the Rhino Orphnoch. Zi-O and Geiz began to punch the Orphnoch, while it responded by punching back with both his fists as they collided with each other as it left a large shockwave that pushed the other heroes back. Unfortunately the Orphnoch's punches were too strong as it pushed both Zi-O and Geiz flying back and they rolled and tumbled a few steps on the floor. Then the Rhino Orphnoch roared loudly once more.
"Ugh...this is not going the way we hoped..." Geiz muttered as he and Zi-O slowly stood up after that attack.
The other heroes quickly regrouped as Serena said, "I think we're going to need a new plan, brute force won't do any good."
"I think we're gonna need to use our heads for this one." Lola added.
"Use our heads..." Zi-O repeated, until he had an idea. "That's it! I think I got the winning formula!"
"It'd better be a good one, or we're finished!" Kanade said.
"Trust me, I've got this." Zi-O then quickly rushed towards the Orphnoch with a plan on his mind.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Copen exclaimed as Zi-O ran off.
Zi-O then stopped in front the Orphnoch and yelled, "Hey, horn for brains! Aren't you a bit slow for a rhino? You're so slow that a snail can beat you in a race!" The Orphnoch was pissed off at his remark as he roared in anger and quickly give chase to Zi-O.
"Wait, is he trying to anger that rhino on purpose?" Joule questioned Zi-O's plan.
"Should we step in and help?" Gunvolt asked.
"I think we should wait a bit longer. Zi-O had a good reason for that, trust me." Geiz replied.
"That's right, take the bait you idiot, because your punishment is just around the corner!" Zi-O thought while he was still being chased by the Orphnoch. As he was about to reach a dead end, he ran up the wall and did a backflip as the Orphnoch missed the target as it struck the wall instead head first. Zi-O landed behind the Orphnoch as it was now stuck on the wall.
"All right, Zi-O! Nicely done!" Kanade grinned at his successful plan.
"Gunvolt, Copen, will you two do the honors?" Serena asked as Gunvolt and Copen nodded in response.
Gunvolt unleashed his Luxcalibur while Copen unleashed another one of his EX Weapons, the Twintail Bunker which is actually two large hair drills created by the bits. They rushed towards the trapped Orphnoch, then both attacks struck the Orphnoch's back as it yelled in pain. They quickly jumped back next to Zi-O as the Orphnoch quickly tries to get its head off the wall.
"Good work, but I think we should run now." Zi-O said as he, Gunvolt and Copen quickly ran away from the Orphnoch as he finally got its head out and roared in anger. It then began chasing the attackers.
"Any other good ideas now, Zi-O?!" Gunvolt asked while still being chased.
"You can create chains right, GV?" Zi-O replied.
"Yeah, why? You got another idea?"
"Yup, I'll keep distracting the Orphnoch! Gunvolt, quickly regroup with Geiz, create a chain and then give it to him!"
"I see, you're gonna make that rhino trip!" Copen figured out Zi-O's next plan. "Let me help you with the distraction!"
Zi-O nodded in response and said, "Gunvolt, run the other way now! Me and Copen will continue taunting it!" While Zi-O and Copen are still running away from the Rhino Orphnoch, Gunvolt ran to another direction to avoid contact from the Orphnoch. Zi-O then fired a few headshots on the Orphnoch with his Faizphone X to taunt it even more while Copen supported Zi-O's taunt as he also fired headshots with his gun. Gunvolt then stopped a few metres away from Geiz.
"Geiz, catch!" Gunvolt said as he created a long chain and threw one end on the chain towards Geiz.
"Eh?" Geiz said as he then caught the chain.
"Wait for Zi-O and Copen to pass by us! After that, pull the chain hard! We're making this rhino trip!" Gunvolt advised.
"Ah, so that's why. Understood, GV!" Geiz nodded as he understood what Gunvolt is planning.
"Serena, go and help Geiz pull the chain! Kanade, you're with me!"
"Got it!" Kanade and Serena nodded as they ran towards their respective positions to set the trap.
"Ok, the trap is set. Time to lure that Orphnoch in!" Zi-O thought as he and Copen then ran towards the middle of the chain and jumped over it. The Orphnoch kept chasing Zi-O and Copen, unaware of the chain in front of its path.
"Now!" Geiz yelled as he and Serena pulled one end of the chain, while Gunvolt and Kanade pulled the other way. The Orphnoch's legs tripped onto the chain as he began to fell over head first. As he was about to hit the ground, Zi-O did a quick U-turn and charged up the knuckle duster still equipped on his right hand.
"Gotcha, bitch!" Zi-O exclaimed as he delivered a powerful right uppercut with his knuckle duster as the Orphnoch was sent flying high into the air.
"Geiz, Finish Time now!" Zi-O declared that it's time to finish the fight.
"Right!" Geiz nodded as he and Zi-O equipped the Pointers on their right legs.
READY!
POINTER ON!
They then pushed the buttons on their Ridewatches, pushed the tilt button on their belts and turning a 360.
FINISH TIME! FAIZ!
FINISH TIME! KAIXA!
Geiz and Zi-O then both jumped high performing a forward flip, then shooting out a Photon beam from the pointers on their right legs, red and yellow respectively, and struck the Orphnoch's chest as it turned to their respective red and yellow cones of energy.
EXCEED TIME BREAK!
EXCEED TIME BURST!
"Rest in peace!" Zi-O and Geiz exclaimed as they kicked through their respective cones, drilling through the Orphnoch's chest and appeared landing right below it. After a few seconds, the Orphnoch exploded, leaving behind the Faiz and Kaixa symbols as it turned to ashes.
"Phew...glad that's over with." Kanade sighed in relief as she shouldered her spear.
"Indeed, that was scary..." Serena added.
"Yeah, let's keep moving forward. We're done with this area." Geiz said as he and Zi-O unequipped the Faiz and Kaixa Ridewatches and placed them back at their Ridewatch holders on their wrists. The Riders are now transformed back into their base forms.
"Though what about the Neo Time Jacker?" Gunvolt asked.
"We'll think about him later after we defeat Zonda and save Mytyl. Let's go." Copen replied as everyone began to walk towards the elevator to enter the next area. Though everyone can't help but think about the Neo Time Jacker's plan working alongside Eden, especially on what his reward is. Whatever it is, it can't be a good thing for the heroes.
Chapter 3: Infiltrating Eden
END
