Kamen Rider Zero-One: Revised Chapter 31: A Second Chance To Bloom, a kamen rider fanfic

Reviews:

Galmanous: Of course, they're impartial and professional. If they see something wrong they willcall it out.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Yeah, and this contest is only just beginning.

Toa Solaric: Of course, it's going to be good to see them back.

Bahamut0: Of course, the Raiders will come, they're part of the show.

HackerEX: We've got plans for the remaining rounds.

Dragon Rider 66: Naki, in the show, is in Fuwa's Rider implant chip. Well, you'll have to wait and see what we've got.

Guest, chapter 31, Sep 24: As we've explained before, if we do a 'Den-O Revised', NO-ONE is going to be happy. If we make it too goofy, people will say 'it's not serious enough', if it's too serious, people will argue 'it's not silly enough'. Den-O is in that precarious position of a knife's edge that if you move either way, we get cut.

Here are some reviews answered by our own GreyKing46:

Guest chapter 31 Sep 24: Here is the thing. The background lore, and to an extent the plot, is literally all over the place and it is a goddamn mess. But people who like, or hate, Den-O do not overly care about that. They care about the characters and the comedy. The comedy we can not fully capture well, and characters who if we change at all people will be after our heads over. So... yeah, no.

Raven Soriano: Dude, we don't care how 'late' your review is. You do not OWE us a review, and we do not expect everyone to review EVERY chapter. Or any chapter, if they do not want to.

And not to come across like an ass but... no offence but we don't care about the games you are playing let alone your progress in it.

Anti-Mage 29: Except he has shown multiple times, even IN the show after he was 'redeemed', that he DOES NOT CARE about all the death he has caused. He does not see himself as responsible, nor does he see himself as in the wrong if he was. Certain characters deserve redemptions or forgiveness, Gai does not

And as for your Tsukaiser but... this is the last I say about it. No, no he does NOT have a two thematic. As you said, -you- do not consider Super Tsukaiser a form. Toei does. And even then, Tsukaiser also has a base form. That is four forms. And TsukaiOh, it has three modes as a robot and four different ones as the Crocodaioh ship. Any attempts at a two theme is reaching just to justify the two aspect. Again, agree to disagree at this point.

furyuu: You would wish it was.

KamenRiderULTRA: Dude. You are basically just going 'dance monkeys, dance! Give me more content now! Give me what I want!' and it is honestly getting on my nerves, at least.

We write to have fun. We do not get paid for this. We have lives outside our writing. Things are done when they are done.

As for what is in production? No offence, but none of your business. Again, it is done when it is done and we write what we want to write.

And your constant 'do ORIGINAL concept stories' comments are VERY degrading and insulting.

Finally. You wanting that 'Showa/Heisei/Reiwa' fic like our Build/Zi-O movie? Do you KNOW how many damn powers and characters there are?! Do you know how HARD coming up with such an IDEA would be, let alone plotting it out, making sure everyone got proper time, and WRITING it would be?! Hell no.

KuroKit: He accepted it off-screen after talks with others. It was a scene that did not HAVE to be shown.

MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: Ark

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: 10,000 on the ZAIA owned counter already? Wow.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Kamen Rider Zero-One Revised

Chapter 31: A Second Chance To Bloom

Co-Writer GreyKing46

We do not own these characters. All rights belong to Shotaro Ishinomori, Ishimori Productions and Toei Company

It had been a hard few days for Hiden Intelligence, between Gai putting Aruto in the hospital for injuries during their fight and the rematch of the first contest looming ever closer; the faculty were panicking. But they weren't hopeless yet, they had managed to reform Sakuyo using her data from before her transformation.

"How are you feeling, Sakuyo?" Aruto asked the returned HumaGear as she was brought into a new body and her data carefully returned.

"President Hiden. I feel well. What happened to me?" Sakuyo asked politely as she got to her feet. "Did we win the first round?"

Aruto looked at Izu for guidance, he didn't know what to say to her.

"There was a discussion and conflict involving sabotage. The round has been settled on a rematch for this week." Izu informed, trying not to give too much trauma to the poor girl.

"Oh, I see. My arrangements were not good enough." Sakuyo frowned.

"No; no, no, no." Aruto reassured her. "They were beautiful. The judges even thought that. But...things happened that caused a different ruling."

She blinked in confusion, tilting his head in confusion.

"Err. We've got a second chance to make something better. If you're up for it." Aruto tried to explain.

"Yes, I believe so." She answered. "Thank you for bringing me back online."

Aruto smiled gently at that, nodding simply. "You're welcome."

*Elsewhere*

We go to ZAIA Enterprise where we see Gai glaring at his computer screen where he was looking over Rentaro Tachibana's previous victories...and how he won some of them on technicalities.

"... Darn it." Gai hissed as he realised the type of man he had hired.

A man who could jeopardize his entire plan!

He had been careless. He had only seen the victories that Rentaro had gotten on face value alone. How could he ignore-. No...He did ignore his researchers. His words were 'find someone with a peerless win record'.

He failed by trusting those idiots to do their job correctly.

Slam!

His fist hit the table and strained it. "Damn it all. Those idiots. At least I got that Shark Data."

He looked at the compiling data from Aruto's Keys, seeing them form into a new Progrise Key design that he was working on. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. He had to get more.

He needed ALL of it!

"That damn Ant Key is also a problem. I'll have to get around that too." He muttered to himself.

Outside and in a different area of ZAIA, Yua was overseeing projects. There was not much else to do since the competition's announcement. And she did not want to wear that gaudy golden kimono again. But...she couldn't help but recall Aruto's praise of it and her in it.

It made her smile a bit.

She wouldn't mind having it, if she was allowed to keep it after this would be all done.

Yeah, you read that right.

'What is wrong with me?' She thought to herself as she held her head. 'I can't think like this. I'm here at ZAIA and Aruto...he's at Hiden.'

She wanted to get this over and hoped it wouldn't drag on. She was also worried about Fuwa, that knucklehead could be difficult at times, but she was concerned if he was working alright.

He was honestly like a big brother or father, figure to her. Considering her mother raised her solo, and she was an only child, both were something she never had.

'I just want this whole damn thing to be over.' She thought. 'President Amatsu is pushing every button he can to get what he wants.'

"What am I going to do?" She whispered to herself.

"Ms Yaiba? We need you to look over this section, please." The scientists spoke.

"Huh? Oh, yes. Of course." She nodded as she got back into her role again.

*Elsewhere*

Fuwa was back at his home, it was his day off after all. He was worried he was going to go back in. This competition had everyone at AIMS riled up from what happened. 'A rogue Magia destroyed a flower display' or something like that.

"Urgh, my head." He sighed heavily as he rubbed his head. 'What is wrong with me? I've been getting better sleep than before. Why can't I relax?'

He gripped the bridge of his nose, letting out a deep hissing sigh.

He wanted to be back out in the field, he wanted to be Vulcan and fight to protect people...But what more could he do out of AIMS?

He looked up at the framed picture that he bought from Mona, it was slightly damaged from her fight, but its beauty shone through.

...

Why did he buy it again though?

It wasn't his normal style. Not the type of painting he would've normally hung up. Was it a spur of the moment? It had to be. That was the only explanation.

He rubbed his chin and sighed, going to his fridge once more.

"I wonder if I've got any-? No beers? Seriously?" He groaned as he looked at them. "I swear. I'm going through them faster than normal."

Grumble

"Hmm...Maybe I can get some take-out or something." He muttered as he looked in his fridge and saw some boiled rice.

Vrr

"Hello?" He spoke as he grabbed his phone.

"Hello Mr Fuwa, it's Izu." Izu's voice spoke through his phone.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"I am aware that it's your day off, but President Aruto has asked for your help." Izu asked.

"Okay, is this another Magia attack?" Fuwa asked.

"No, it is more of a security measure." Izu explained. "If you come, you will be paid for your troubles."

Fuwa pondered this for a moment and nodded. "Include lunch with that, and I'll be right there."

*time skip*

The first round was back on; Aruto, Izu and Sakuyo were now being escorted by Fuwa. And Gai, Yaiba and Rentaro were on their own.

While the contestants and their chosen sides had come wearing kimonos out of respect for the judges...Fuwa was wearing his black work suit and tie with his slightly scuffed black shoes.

"You didn't tell me people here were wearing kimonos." Fuwa glared at Aruto.

"I thought it was obvious." Aruto shrugged, holding a black and green suitcase in his hand.

Fuwa rolled his eyes and groaned. "At least it's a small crowd."

"Yeah." Aruto sighed "I'm glad this is all finished by the way, Izu."

"Of course, President Aruto. I am your secretary, after all." She answered, trying to be professional, but looking at his eyes a half-second longer than normal before looking at the judges. "This should hopefully work as a counter to Amatsu Gai's Thouser system."

"Let's hope." Aruto answered.

"Welcome back contestants. This is the final rematch and the only chance both of you will get." Ms Aoimi informed.

"The time limit is one hour. Not a second more." Mr Rishi added. "The time will be here on this clock on our table. "Understood?"

"Yes." Both Rentaro and Sakuyo answered.

"Due to recent events, the flowers will be brought in front of the judge's table so that we will see any and all choices that both sides make." Ms Kuri added.

Rentaro gulped at that, and he noticed the positioning of the tables. Opposite sides this time. There was no way of cheating now. But he still had the ZAIA Spec. It was his only means of keeping up with this contest. He *couldn't* lose here! His future was on the line!

*flashback*

Rentaro arrived at Gai's office, the president having his back to his contestant.

"You called me, President Amatsu?" Rentaro asked as he arrived at the office.

"Yes, sit down." Gai ordered calmly.

Rentaro blinked but listened, sitting down like an obedient lap dog.

"Do you know why I've called you in for today?" Gai asked.

"To be your contestant for ZAIA Enterprise?" He responded.

"Yes, but I've been doing some digging. You're a proficient cheat-, sorry. 'Flower arranger'." Gai responded, getting a small jerk upwards from Rentaro. "Let me make myself clear. If you lose... you are done for."

Rentaro heard the calm demeanour in Gai's voice...but it was a noose that had just looped around his neck. The creeping grasp of hands clutching at his heart as he was caught. He had to win, he must win!

He must!

*End flashback*

"Contestants, to your stations." Ms Kuri instructed.

To which Sakuyo and Rentaro did so, and Rentaro activated his ZAIA Spec to boot it up quickly.

Tick.

Tick

"Begin." Mr Rishi started the clock. One hour had begun.

The two walked toward the flower-holding table and began to choose their respective bouquet. "Good luck, Mr Tachibana," Sakuyo spoke plainly and respectfully, trying not to antagonise him and hopefully put the past behind them as she walked off to work on her arrangement.

''Luck'? That HumaGear is wishing me 'luck'? Don't look down on me!' He thought as he grabbed some flowers and branches. 'I won't lose! I can't lose! Not now!'

Time ticked on between the pair, Fuwa was getting bored since this wasn't as 'intense' as he'd like it. He didn't quite get the whole 'flower decorating' stuff. Sometimes people would just buy a bouquet for a friend or a loved one for whatever reason, he didn't know if it was for love, friendship or if it was just to look nice.

Aruto was sitting with Izu, watching on as he was nervous. This was the last chance. The only rematch. If this fell though, the first round would be lost.

It was just as nerve-wracking as the first time and right now, he was hoping and praying for Sakuyo to do her best.

'You got this, Sakuyo. I believe in you.' Aruto thought positively towards her, though his eyes were drifting again to both Izu and Yua. They looked so nice in their kimonos. But he couldn't think that way. He was currently courting Shesta, it would be unbecoming if the President of Hiden Intelligence was romancing multiple women at once.

'Aruto.' Yua thought as she caught his gaze toward her, they were comforting...but it also felt distant. Being in two different companies as she was effectively Gai Amatsu's secretary.

More time passed as the flower arranging was reaching a full bouquet.

"Excuse me, Prez. Need to step out for a minute." Fuwa spoke as he got from his leaning space on the wall and walked off.

"Don't be too long." Aruto asked.

"I won't." He dismissed it and walked off.

Gai looked over at Fuwa as he walked off. 'So, you brought some muscle to this, Hiden? It won't help you.'

Yua saw Fuwa once again, seeing a bit of normalcy that she once had...but this was sort of embarrassing as she was wearing this peacock of a kimono.

Fuwa walked off as he could breathe again, being in the same room as Gai felt...stifling.

It felt like Gai's gaze on them made them freeze in place, remembering that horrible fight back at the art gallery. And how they couldn't move against the President of ZAIA.

'What is with me?' He thought as he held his head while he rubbed his face. This was just a bodyguard job.

'I'm not usually like this. Calm down, you're on the job. You can do this. Just stay close to the Prez.'

Fuwa took a deep breath and slowly cleared his mind as he looked back to the doors...and felt his feet freeze. But he needed to be there for the job he was asked to do. 'Damn it. I've never even MET that guy. So... Why does he make my skill crawl like this?!'

Twenty minutes remained, Rentaro and Sakuyo were nearing the end of their arrangements and neither of them was giving up or slowing down. They were seeing the designs of their work and almost microscopically moved them piece by piece as they were almost close to winning.

'I can do this. President Hiden believes in me. I will not make a mistake this time.' Sakuyo thought to herself with determination. 'I shall not fail again.'

Rentaro's hands were sweaty, he was trying to keep calm but his mind was frayed. 'Damn it, I can't. I can't lose here. Hnn!'

The ZAIA Spec felt warm on the side of his head, it was working hard to try and keep up with Rentaro's strained mind, seeing that he was stressing out over this work.

'This damn fool. We're going to lose if he can't get his act together.' Gai thought angrily, noticing the clock and saw that there wasn't much left...before he turned his gaze towards Fuwa. He hadn't seen the Rider since the art gallery, and he wondered 'how he was doing'.

He stood up silently, walking off towards him. His hands were in his pockets.

Fuwa looked on at Gai who walked towards him. What could he want over this side? Wasn't there a rule? Or just common courtesy of both sides staying where they were? Whatever it was, or lack of rules, Gai continued walking forwards as bold as brass. Or in his case 'bold as gold'.

"What?" He growled.

Gai simply glared right at Fuwa. "Don't forget your place, Dog. You know where your loyalties lie." He whisper-warned him.

"Not on your side." Fuwa snapped. "I work for AIMs. I'm in CHARGE of AIMs. You are FAR from my boss!"

"Keep telling yourself that." Gai responded not rising to Fuwa's ire before walking away.

'D-Damn it.' Fuwa thought as Gai walked off, his hand quaking while clenching.

'Gai, what did you say to Fuwa?' Aruto thought with a frown. No rules were broken, Fuwa wasn't a contender, he was just a 'bodyguard'. And his friend.

"What did you say to Fuwa, Sir?" Yua asked Gai.

"Nothing for you to be concerned about." He answered as he sat down.

Three minutes left.

'I can't drop the ball here! I've trained for years!' Rentaro thought in anger, but he couldn't show it. He'd be disqualified. And if he was to let slip with his true emotions, he would be exposed for all those previous 'victories'.

He refused to lose!

If need be... He had it! The thing he was given!

*Flashback*

Rentaro was in his dressing room, just as worried as he was from earlier after meeting Mr Amatsu. "Argh! What the hell am I going to do? I can't lose here!"

knock, knock, knock

"Who? Who's there?" He asked, going to the door and opened it.

Standing in the doorway was a person Rentaro had never seen before. A Faux-fur lined coat wearing person, wearing black gloves and a grey tie on a black suit. "Rentaro Tachibana?" The person asked.

"Y-Yes. Who are you? What do you want?" He stammered.

Click

The sound of the click made him flinch, thinking it was a gun...but instead in the gloved hands were a Progrise Key and a strange buckle-looking device.

The device was a black slot with a silver wire engraved inside, a red line on the bottom slot hold and a large red button on the tilted downwards left-hand side.

The Progrise Key had a dark red screen with the inverted picture of a buffalo. And its name printed on the front:

CRUSHING BUFFALO

ABILITY: BLOW

"Use this." The figure instructed.

Rentaro looked at the Key and buckle device in confusion, before awkwardly taking it from the figure. "Wh-what do I do with this?"

"The buckle. Around your waist. Slot the Key and push the red button." The figure instructed.

"Now?" He asked.

"Not now. Only after the result happens." The figure bluntly answered.

"I. But how do I-?" Rentaro asked.

"Do you remember how Zero-One transforms?" The figure asked. "That. Don't lose." And began to walk off.

"Wait! Who are you?!"

The figure didn't answer as they left without leaving another word, leaving Rentaro to stew in his thoughts.

*End Flashback*

Rentaro's kimono hid the buckle and the Progrise Key on his person, the only place he could hide them as he didn't have time to put them away in the dressing room.

"Time!" A voice called out, making the man gasp.

Sakuyo was by her station, her flower arrangement was complete.

Rentaro felt like he was standing there for the last five minutes, when did the time tick by so fast? How? Was he finished? Was he done?

He blinked in shock, his hands frozen in place.

"Contestants, stand by your arrangements." Mr Rishi ordered.

"Mr Tachibana?" Ms Kuri asked.

"Yes, of course. Sorry." He apologised as he went to his stand.

The three judges got up and walked over to Mr Tachibana's work first, seeing as he spent the last few minutes procrastinating by just standing there; they decided that he must've finished and had a mental block.

Scribble, scribble.

Their wordless notes on their notepads spoke louder than the silent hums they were telling themselves. That made Rentaro shudder and shiver in nerves, he had worked too hard for this. His arrangement was flawless.

Then they moved towards Sakuyo's work, seeing her make a lovely sakura blossom arrangement.

Scribble, scribble.

"Thank you both, please take a seat while we confer." Ms Kuri asked.

Sakuyo walked toward Aruto and was nervous, this was worrying because she didn't want to lose this competition. She wanted to win this for herself and Hiden.

Rentaro was gulping nervously, shaking from anticipation as he sat down. This was the scariest thing that he could think of.

Minutes passed as the judges compiled their decisions together.

"We've agreed." Ms Aoimi spoke.

"Mr Tachibana, while your choices on your arrangement were bold yet had a harsh tone to them." Mr Rishi informed.

"Ms Sakuyo, while your sakura blossoms were basic, they showed beauty in their simplicity." Ms Aoimi followed up.

"We've decided that the point should go...to Hiden Intelligence." Ms Kuri added.

A sigh of disappointment came from ZAIA's side while Aruto and Izu smiled as Sakuyo almost melted from the relief.

"We won!" Aruto cheered as he gave a quick fist pump. "Well done, Sakuyo!"

"Thank you, Sir." She answered.

"You...you can't. Be serious!" Rentaro stood up in anger.

"We are. Hiden Intelligence wins this contest, please respect the decision." Mr Rishi answered.

"Darn it." Gai hissed.

"You're choosing someone who hasn't even trained a single day! She's only working on pre-made styles!" He answered.

"Mr Tachibana, that is enough!" Ms Aoimi responded.

"We have restored her to how she was earlier that day, before she died. She has the full memory and skill she had acquired over her training." Aruto argued, correcting Rentaro's point.

"If you continue this, you'll be barred from future competitions!" Ms Kuri added.

Rentaro reached into his kimono and pulled out the device he received earlier, shocking Aruto and Izu. All the while, the ZAIA Spec was enhancing his competitive thoughts, bringing out his dark nature.

RAIDRISER!

"You. Are all. So stupid!" He roared.

BLOW!

And his hand slotted the Progrise Key into his slot.

Gai backed up from this, while Yua's eyes widened in horror. "The Buffalo Progrise Key?!"

Rentaro's hand almost slammed onto the red button which created a cage of red lightning, covering him with rusty metallic red wires as his mind was consumed with dark thoughts as he began to scream.

RAID RISE!

CRUSHING! BUFFALO~!

Rentaro was now covered in a chrome silver armoured body with a black undersuit. Plain dark silver boots, silver shin and thigh guards; a heavy metallic almost militaristic chest plate with vents, red tubes under the pectorals that went over the stomach to the shoulders. Upwards pointing silver shoulder guards with red tubes going over them, stiff white-silver gloves with large silver bracers that looked like a rocket head split in two with red top halves. Finally, was the helmet, it was silver buffalo head shaped with red tubes going to his mouth and under his nose as a sort of breathing apparatus, mismatched yellow and green eyes, a heavy red metal 'unibrow' and two long horns on the side of his head that were mostly red.

This Charge Attack Will Send You Flying

"GUWRAAAARGH!"

Aruto's eyes widened in shock as he saw this, as he saw Rentaro rushing right at the Hiden side.

"Henshin!" Both he and Fuwa yelled as they rushed forwards.

SWARMING ANT!

PUNCHING KONG!

Aruto and Fuwa rushed in with Fuwa grabbing onto one of Rentaro's arms to stop his rampage. "Gah! He's strong! What is this?"

"I don't-Argh!"Aruto responded, trying to stop him, only to be thrown away.

"Wha-GAH!" Fuwa yelled, this new power throwing Fuwa after the president rider.

"Follow us, please." Izu asked the judges, seeing that they were traumatised by yet another attack from one of their contestants.

"Wh-why did this happen?" Ms Aoimi asked as they followed Izu and Sakuyo.

"Yaiba, go extract them." Gai ordered Yua as this was going to be a major PR nightmare if this were to go out of control.

"Y-Yes, sir." She answered as she left to protect the judges, seeing him take some initiative.

SLAM!

Aruto's reflexes had him using his Hiden Metal shields to block the attacks but also having to protect Fuwa. This fight felt worse than fighting Magia.

"What are you doing?" Fuwa asked as he saw the metal blocking the attacks but was also getting bashed about.

"It's my new form's ability!" Aruto answered.

PUNCH!

SLAM!

"Argh!" Rentaro screamed in pain, being slugged in the stomach by Fuwa's Kong fists.

The two Riders and the strange-formed Rentaro threw each other into the open area outside, if they stayed *inside* there would be more destruction and the building might come down.

"Prez, get his knees! I've got the arms!" Fuwa ordered, attacking the heavily protected arms to shatter them.

"Right!" Aruto answered, his arm now coated with Hiden Metal as he slashed into him along with an Attache Calibur.

SLASH!

"Argh! You'll pay for that, Hiden! You ruined everything!" Rentaro roared angrily as he threw open his arms and retaliated back.

...

"This is different." Fuwa frowned as he pulled out his most powerful key.

ASSAULT BULLET!

"Huh?" Rentaro turned as he saw Fuwa struggling to rip open the Key and charged at him.

CLANG!

"Your opponent's me!" Aruto protected Fuwa as he strained to open it.

SLAM!

OVERRISE!

KAMEN! RIDER!

"HAA!" Fuwa shot the transformation bullet out as it streaked around and slammed into Rentaro.

Ready? GO!

ASSAULT WOLF!

The bullet ricocheted back to Fuwa as he broke it within his hand and soon transformed by the red and blue lights that transformed him

No Chance Of Surviving.

Fuwa's Rider Armour had a dark grey under-suit, dark blue clawed boots and finned shin guards; dark blue metal thigh protection with black segments and red detailing, a black chest piece with red and dark blue detailing that covered a red screened power core in the centre of his chest, two red-dot blue metal framed triangular lasers in between his shoulders, blue jagged metal shoulder guards and dark blue upper arm protection. On his forearms were black and dark blue metal laser bracers with silver and dark blue gloves. Finally, his helmet had a dark blue frame in the shape of a wolf's with two antennae, one was a solid long ear-shaped protrusion while the second was made of two broken metal pieces fused with light blue visor eyes.

"Maybe this'll help us out!" He smirked.

I'll endure...

Fuwa's hands clenched tightly as he rushed in to slam his fist right in the buffalo-armoured Rentaro's face.

SLAM!

And predictably, there was a larger difference in the fight. Being more even than just a Crushing Buffalo against an ant.

THOUSAND DRIVER!

"Well well. Look at the feral dog." Gai commented as he came forth.

BREAK HORN!

Fuwa flinched as he heard those noises, seeing Gai walk forward confidently. He was joining this fight now? "Prez, stay back!" Fuwa called out.

'Oh no!' Aruto's eyes widened as he pulled out his new suitcase.

PERFECTRISE!

Gai was covered by his circular gates as the Arsino and Caucasus animals cover him

When The Five Horns Cross! The Golden Soldier Thouser Is Born!

In a flash of gold, purple and silver Thouser had arrived and ready for a fight, holding the Thousand Jacker.

Presented By ZAIA

"Ah~!" He sighed happily. "Looks as though I need to put you down."

Fuwa's body jerked a little, hearing that term being thrown at him. "No. You won't."

Aruto gripped his new case... And began to open it.

It extended outwards, folding out and stretching while still connected, metallic green stripes along the hilt of the weapon with the handle of the Attache Weapon remained at the bottom. While at the top was a long chased-silver scythe blade.

Shink!

SCYTHERISE!

"Err..." Rentaro, Gai and Fuwa looked in shock.

"Another Attache Weapon won't save you." Gai informed and gripped his thousand Jacker.

"But you've never seen it before." Aruto answered as he spun the scythe.

SLASH!

Rentaro screamed out as he was slashed by Aruto's weapon, leaving some outlines of energy behind each strike.

"Whoa." Fuwa gasped in shock.

CLANG!

"Argh!" Gai screamed out in pain as he lifted his Thousand Jacker to defend himself, but the blade of the scythe was long enough to scratch into his armour.

'I-It's cut into my armour!' Gai thought as Aruto was close in to attacking.

"Grargh!" Rentaro roared as he rushed towards Aruto.

SLAM!

"Guh!" He grunted as Fuwa's arm hooked him into a lariat.

"Your opponent is me!" Fuwa glared as he spun once and slammed the transformed man into the ground.

"You're not strong enough to hold me back!" Gai glared as he pushed back.

"Maybe, but I won't let you hurt this man!" Aruto responded.

'This idiot. 'Hurt him'?' Gai thought condescendingly as he pushed Aruto off. "Be concerned about yourself rather than others." Gai remarked. "Do you think you can protect yourself and use that scythe?"

Whoosh!

Aruto instinctively moved his Hiden Metal over his belt, this wasn't going to be easy.

"Scared, Hiden?" Gai remarked as he saw Aruto gripping the Attache Scythe in his hands tightly, while he did the same with the Thousand Jacker.

"No. Just focused." Aruto answered.

'Shame you can't put that to actually running your company.' Gai thought dismissively.

"You. Hiden. Stole my life!" Rentaro grunted in pain.

Fuwa grabbed Rentaro's chest plate and pulled him up. "Stop. Whining. You lost. Get over it!"

PUNCH!

Rentaro grunted as Fuwa was knocking him about, but his hand went down to the button on his Buckle and slammed it.

CRUSHING BOLIDE!

"Nani?" Fuwa asked as the rocket-shaped bracers on Rentaro's arms began to glow as he rushed Fuwa in the chest.

"GAH!" He grunted, thrown back.

'That punch. It was stronger than before! Was that a finisher?' Fuwa thought as he tried to get back up, his body sparking as he tried to get back up.

"Seems your hired muscle can't handle a 'Raider'." Gai remarked as he and Aruto traded blows.

"You know what that is?" Aruto asked, grunting as he kept his distance but also a means to attack. "How the hell?!"

"I'm not obligated to tell you." Gai responded as he gripped the pommel of the Thousand Jacker.

JACK RISE!

Aruto panicked as he saw this, realising what could happen as he rushed forwards to strike at Gai.

CHARGERISE!

Gai pressed the trigger of his weapon as the extended pommel shot back into the grip.

The two Riders rushed at each other as they clashed, sparks coming off each weapon as they struck.

Fuwa angrily got to his feet and glared at Rentaro. His eyes flashing for a moment as he pressed the red button of the Assault Grip.

ASSAULT CHARGE!

"Ha!" Aruto called, slashing his weapon causing a large green energy blade rush through the air.

KABAN CUTTER!

Gai thrust his Thousand Jacker into the air, shooting out the mechanical shark towards Aruto.

JACKING BREAK!

Fuwa rushed in viciously, ripping off the ShotRiser from their waist to tackle Rentaro who was stunned he could still get up.

Click!

"HAAA!" Fuwa roared as they pushed the trigger.

MAGNETIC STORM! BLAST!

He jumped into the air, rushing down at the Buffalo Raider.

Rentaro panicked as he saw the oncoming wolf head, his arms shaking so much he was frozen as he looked up at this apex predator rushing down at him. "No, please, do-!"

KABOOM!

Rentaro was thrown out of his transformation, his ZAIA spec removed from his head while the black and red buckle and Progrise Key were tossed to the side.

"HA!" Aruto and Gai clashed together, green and purple-blue sparks coming from both sides, before Aruto was thrown back and into the floor, but the green slash did strike Gai across the chest and sent his feet deep into the concrete.

Progrise Key Confirmed, Ready to Utilize; MAMMOTH'S ABILITY!

"Let's finish this." Aruto hissed.

"If you can even stand." Gai responded as he heard that Key. He was ready to drain that Key's strength.

BREAKING KABAN SICKLE!

"HA!" Aruto roared as he slashed... Launching a GIANT wave of energy through the air.

Gai's eyes widened in shock as he saw the scythe coming down while Aruto came down, he would download that data!

He slammed his Caucasus Key into his Driver and shot upwards, launching like a rocket as he attacked Aruto.

CLASH!

ZZZZAP!

THOUSAND DESTRUCTION!

The two Riders collided before exploding together and fell out of the sky.

Aruto and Gai panted heavily as they landed, both armours vanishing, but neither overly hurt as they got to their knees.

...

And then Aruto fell to the floor, groaning in pure pain.

Gai panted as that scythe was deathly close to coming into contact with his armour and defeating him. If Aruto used any other form aside from that Swarming Ant form he might've won. 'D-Damn you. Hiden.'

Fuwa panted as he grabbed the weakened Rentaro...and cuffed him for what he had done. "Stay down. You're under arrest."

"Stay... stay away from me!" Rentaro yelled in panic.

Fuwa glared as he saw Rentaro try and crawl away, to which Fuwa grabbed his hand as he flailed it around.

Click!

"Rentaro Tachibana. For endangering lives, you're under arrest." Fuwa ordered as he cuffed the fleeing man.

Gai panted as he walked away from Aruto, seeing Fuwa doing his job. "He wasn't a Magia, was he?"

"What?" Fuwa asked, turning to him.

"Your jurisdiction doesn't extend to humans, does it?" Gai responded. "Just Rogue HumaGears."

"My jurisdiction is the misuse of AI, rampaging AI, anyone using said AI, and high tech terrorism. Rogue HumaGear is the most common thread of it, however, while this man was not a Magia, his tech is clearly based on gear used by Metsubo Jinrai. And he used it in an attack of terrorism. This is WELL within my jurisdiction." Fuwa snarled.

Gai frowned as he heard that. 'You're not as dumb as you look, Watchdog.'

"I was a teacher. I'm no super genius, and I prefer using my fists, but I'm no idiot." Fuwa shot back.

Gai just glared down at not only Fuwa but also Rentaro. "Fine. Arrest him. He's no use to me now. He destroyed my trust." He referred to the former flower arranger. "The cheater." He said simply and walked away.

"M-Mr Amatsu. Mr Amatsu, wait! Please!" Rentaro begged as he was handcuffed.

"Shut up." Fuwa ordered.

"President Aruto, are you okay?" Izu asked as she helped him up.

"Hnn...I'm. Okay. I'm alright." He reassured.

"Congratulations, Hiden. Round one is yours." Gai spoke condescendingly. "I hope you get what you deserve."

"Thanks." Aruto frowned as he got up. "Until the next round."

"Of course." Gai walked off and smiled as he was away from the pair. And thought back as he looked down at his Thousand Driver.

*Flashback*

We return back to the colliding shot between Aruto and Gai, their weapons striking and causing a bright light and explosion...but Gai's Thousand Jacker's pommel was pulled. With the tip of the weapon connected to Aruto's Attache Scythe and its voice muffled by the explosion.

KABOOM!

*End Flashback*

'Mammoth Data obtained.' Gai thought darkly as he walked away.

To be continued

If you have any comments, please leave them in reviews